Monday, March 4th, 2024 Edition
Austin Eckroat continues his rapid ascent with victory at the Cognizant Classic
– by Joel Beall / Golf Digest
Per Joel: “What was expected to be a shootout turned into a slog, the contestants worn down by bad weather and a long delay, and slowed by the stupor of Monday morning. But while the field failed to make a charge the man atop of it held steady, answering with precision and patience and well-timed putting, and for that Austin Eckroat earned his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour….”
B&B POV: Austin Eckroat—with the support of Mother Nature—decided to wait until today to lift the Cognizant Classic Big-A Trophy and his fancy $1.62M check. His 3-shot victory against a B- caliber field has now qualified him for most of the big events remaining in 2024 including the Players, PGA Championship, and the one in Augusta, GA. next month. Congrats to the 2nd year burgeoning PGA TOUR star.
Hannah Green birdies final 3 holes to win HSBC Women’s World Championship
Per Josh: “When Hannah Green rolled in a 20-footer for birdie on 17 on Sunday, she knew she had a chance. But could she make her third straight birdie and win the HSBC Women’s World Championship outright? She could. And she did….”
B&B POV: Aussie Hannah Green on Sunday went on a heater and birdied her final three holes, nipping world #3 Celine Boutier by one to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore. If there was ever time to go on a birdie run, it’s when the tourney is on the line and you’re doing everything you can to apply pressure on those closest to you. Congrats to Hannah, who at 27-years-old just won her 4th LPGA Tour event.
WITB Winner’s Bag: Austin Eckroat, 2024 Cognizant Classic
– Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Like all other top-100 professional golfers in the world who are on a manufacturer’s staff (some players are on more than one), every month Austin Eckroat cashes a check from the company that supplies him with his gear.
His monthly checks have the word PING on them. Like every club in his bag. All 14. We NEVER see a player whose entire bag features a single club manufacturer. Never. Good for you PING and Aaron for your victory today.
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PAYDAY! 2024 Cognizant Classic & LIV Golf Jeddah Prize Money Payout
Per Thomas: Austin Eckroat won $1.62M with his victory in Palm Beach at the Cognizant. Nowhere near chump change, but also nowhere near what the LIV crew won at their exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Heck, the mystical figure Anthony Kim collected $50k (and a hefty LIV signing-on fee) for finishing DFL in Jeddah, 33 strokes behind winner Joaquin Niemann, who had himself a week, earning invites to the Masters and the PGA Championship along with $4M+ in Jeddah.
Tour Confidential: Anthony Kim’s debut and what’s next for The Match
Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we discuss Anthony Kim’s return to pro golf, what’s next for The Match, Talor Gooch’s controversial comments and more.
What does B&B think?
- What did we think of Anthony Kim’s showing in LIV Jeddah? Sad. He’s a long way away from being competitive in a college event let alone in a premier golf exhibition like LIV.
- How do we feel LIV/Kim handled his return to professional golf? The whole thing was pretty cool right up until he topped his 2nd shot and fired a wicked hosel rocket during R1. (See answer above.) DFL, and finishing 33 strokes behind the winner is cart barn-caliber golf. We hope by year’s end he finishes Top 25 in an event or two.
- How do we feel Kim will play this season, especially when he tees it up in a few weeks in the US? We hope he finds a groove and can post three rounds at par or better. If not, he and LIV are going to get blasted, and LIV will gain even more detractors if that’s even possible.
- Cool if Adam Scott and other PGA TOUR player-director cronies pick up the sponsor exemptions for Signature events? Hell to the yes. They are working two jobs right now. One that involves pitching and putting on TV, and one that involves a bazillion Zooms, board meetings and other PGA TOUR business commitments.
- The Match needs to take a break. The marketing is weak. The play is uninspired. And everyone involved is trying too hard.
- Taylor Gooch needs to take a break. His common sense and ego are weak. He needs to read the room and stop talking to the media. Just continue to play awesome golf in front of hundreds and call it a legacy.
FEATURED CURATED LESSON
‘Big Lefty Sharing Trade Secrets on How to Chip and Pitch Better’
Mickelson takes time out from his exhibition tour to share with us a pitching/chipping tip you have to try right now!
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Tee it up with a PGA TOUR Champions Professional in the Galleri Classic Pro-Am
Play Wednesday, March 27th on the famed Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club
The winner’s Pro-Am prize includes:
- An invitation to the Pairings Party on Tuesday, March 26th
- Valet parking
- Food and Beverages
- A premium tee prize package
- Two weekly clubhouse tickets March 29-31, 2024
Two Grand Prize Winners – Enter to Win the 2024 Los Angeles LPGA Inside-the-Ropes Experiences
One grand prize winner & guest will walk inside the ropes at Palos Verdes Golf Club during the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship with an LPGA professional pairing. And, will enjoy a round of golf for two at Palos Verdes Golf Club.
One grand prize winner & guest will walk inside the ropes at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro with an LPGA professional pairing. And, will enjoy a round of golf for two at Wilshire Country Club.
WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE…
Things you just can’t make up. Don’t miss these random nuggets of gold we found on the interwebs. You’re welcome.