Monday, February 12th, 2024 Edition
Nick Taylor wins raucous WM Phoenix Open in playoff after crowd trouble bedevils tournament
– by Jack Bantock / CNN
Per Jack: “Canada’s Nick Taylor completed a dramatic late fightback to win the WM Phoenix Open in a playoff on Sunday, after crowd trouble marred the notoriously raucous PGA Tour event at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona….”
B&B POV: If the producers of the Dumb & Dumber movie franchise ever decided to create a 3rd movie, the backdrop would surely be the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Not because of the play. 100% because of the fan debauchery.
The best stat of the week…totally trumping the 21-under-par totals that Nick Taylor and Charlie Hoffman shot to finish tied for the lead (Nick beat Charlie in a 2-hole playoff)…more than a million beers were consumed at the tournament. Crazy considering they even shut down alcohol sales throughout most of the tourney grounds Saturday afternoon.
Congrats to our favorite U of Washington golfer on securing the 4th win of his career, and the 2nd in less than a year. Taylor is playing hit-or-miss golf right now, bouncing between MC’s and high finishes – which must make winning all the sweeter. Woof!
Tiger Woods highlights signature event field for PGA Tour’s 2024 Genesis Invitational
– Riley Hamel / Golfweek
Per Riley: “For the first time since the 2023 Masters, Tiger Woods will play in an official PGA Tour event…”
B&B POV: Whether you refer to the Genesis Invitational as a PGA TOUR “elevated” or “signature” event, one thing is certain, the biggest gallery will be following the GOAT for as long as he’s in the field. We’re hoping Tiger tees it up for four rounds at RIV and shows the Young Guns how to manage their games around one of the tour’s most hallowed courses. It’s early in the calendar, but this week’s PGA TOUR stop will boast the strongest field in professional golf this season (all tours). And yes, we’re sad that Rahm, last year’s winner, and Hatton and the Mad Hatter won’t be teeing it up at RIV in 2024.
Let’s go Tiger! Let’s gooooooooo!
Tale of the Tape: Waste Management Phoenix Open and LIV Las Vegas Prize Money Payouts
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: DJ claimed that he didn’t practice much during the off-season, yet he was still able to win the LIV LV event and take home $4M. That’s one helluva payday for a golf exhibition…
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WITB Winner’s Bag: Nick Taylor, WM Phoenix Open
– Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Nick Taylor is a Titleist man. And his slick gear was on full display at the WM last week. Like PING staffers, Nick’s equipment and ball set-up were primarily composed of his sponsor’s goods. For what it’s worth, our research has shown that pros repping TaylorMade, Callaway and Mizuno are more apt to drop in clubs from other manufacturers into their bags. At the WM, Nick had two brands in his bag: Titleist and TaylorMade…
Scheffler, Thomas join those who say LIV defectors should be punished if returning to PGA Tour; Brandel Chamblee proposes ‘fair punishment’
– by Adam Schupak / Golfweek
Per Adam: “If the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund end up going into business together, what will that mean for LIV defectors being admitted back to the Tour?…“
B&B POV: Can’t we all just get along?
Nope. Not until LIV/PIF and the PGA TOUR find a way to reintegrate men’s professional golf in a way that those who didn’t bounce feel like they have been made whole, and those who did bounce pay their penance. And don’t kid yourself: the biggest/ugliest factor that will need to be ironed out is the size of the fine that LIV’rs will need to pay to return to the PGA TOUR. No fine, no OWGR points. No OWGR points, no majors. Pretty straightforward formula.
We like Chamblee’s proposed solution. It would benefit the tour and grow the game of golf. Isn’t that what Norman and his cronies have been saying since Day 1? Grow the game? We hope some form of a true partnership between the professional golf combatants will materialize by the end of 2024.
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GET YOUR TICKET FOR THE GENESIS!
This February, the PGA TOUR returns to Los Angeles and greatness will be unleashed on the greens. Tournament host Tiger Woods welcomes an elite field to compete at the iconic Riviera Country Club during the 2024 tournament. The Genesis Invitational is where legacies are defined, legends are born and the stars shine brightest. Join us at The Riviera Country Club, February 15-18.
Tickets for the 2024 tournament are on sale now! To learn more about hospitality packages, please contact us for more information.
Hilarious Highlights from the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
Things you just can’t make up. Don’t miss these random nuggets of gold we found on the interwebs. You’re welcome.