Monday, September 23rd, 2024 Edition

Lydia Ko rolls in final round to 3rd LPGA win of the year

– by Jack Hirsh / GOLF

Per Jack: “Nelly Korda should have the LPGA’s Player of the Year race locked up, but Lydia Ko is making things interesting…”

B&B POV: Nelly Korda will win the LPGA Player of the Year award. But, similar to how Xander put heat on Scheff while he went about winning the FedEx Cup and securing his male version of the award (we are making an assumption here), Lydia Ko has come on like gang busters at the end of her season to make Nelly sweat it out until her name is announced later this fall.

This season, Ko won her third major championship. She won two additional LPGA events including the Kroger Queen City Championship yesterday. And her biggest feat, winning Olympic gold last month. That’s a nice season. Maybe even her best. Now, probably not good enough to beat Nelly for top honors, but still, oh what a year she’s had.

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Billy Horschel wins another BMW PGA while handing Rory McIlroy another runner-up

– by Brentley Romine / NBC Sports

Per Brentley: “Billy Horschel couldn’t help but feel a little guilty…”

B&B POV: We have always been a fan of the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship. Wentworth is a great track; and, with two par-5 finishing holes, the final stretch and oftentimes sudden death playoff make for great TV. Such was the case Sunday when American Billy Horschel (Polo’s main man) beat Irishman Rory McIlroy (Mr. Runner-up this season) and South African Triston Lawrence (serious game) in a playoff. Horschel drained a snake on the 2nd playoff hole and lifted his 2nd BMW PGA Big-A Trophy during the ceremony on 18 green.

It’s too bad this event doesn’t finish up closer to midday in the US. But, we caught the final 9-holes and the ensuing playoff Sunday. And more people around the world watched this event than the LIV team event (duh); but not nearly enough US fans tuned in yesterday and savored the world-class action. But we did have the NFL!!!

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PGA of America announces LIV Golf players will be eligible for future PGA Championships, Ryder Cups

– Cameron Jourdan / Golfweek

Per Cameron: “The PGA of America announced Thursday that its board has determined LIV Golf players will be eligible for both future PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup…”

B&B POV: PGA of America last week did the right thing and announced that LIV players can play in its two biggest events: the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. However, for Euros to make their Ryder Cup squad, players must be DP World Tour members in good standing. LIV players have hoops to jump through and fines to pay to regain membership. Now is the time for the other major events to do what the PGA did — set criteria to auto-qualify. Top 5. Top 10. Top whatever place on the LIV points list that makes sense.

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PAYDAY! 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship Prize Money Payouts

– Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Per Thomas: News flash!!! Members of LIV made a boatload of $$$ yesterday. The Rippers made more than the Sniffers who made more than Shankers, Stankers, and Anthony Kim. Tens of thousands of fans saw the action played out at hallowed Maridoe G.C. just outside of Dallas. The Rips, who pocketed $14,000,000, were led by pencil stache-man Cam Smith who captains three countrymates – journeymen Marc Leishman and Matt Jones, and burgeoning talent Lucas Herbert. Woot! Buy the sexy commemorative shirt here…

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Tour Confidential: Presidents Cup preview, LIV Golf changes and more

– by GOLF Editors

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 the upcoming Presidents Cup, LIV Golf’s Team Championship and future, and more.

B&B POV:

What needs to happen for the International squad to upset the Americans in this week’s Presidents Cup? Half of the US will need to get a serious case of the ‘weekend runs’ from devouring too much delicious poutine. If that doesn’t play out, this should be an easy US victory.
Without stalwarts Spieth, JT, and Brooksie, is the US team more beatable? I would argue not having Bryson on the team makes the US more beatable than previous teams. However, not having the other three will make the event less interesting.
Who will be the highest point earners for each squad? US: Xander, Collin & Harman (wild card, good putter); International: Someone born in Canada (Mac Hughes, Corey Conners, or Taylor Pendrith)
Should LIV lean into the “team” aspect of their league to draw in fans? Possibly. LIV playing the heel in a LIV vs. PGA Tour team competition would make for great TV. We say kill the Presidents Cup in its current form and go LIV vs. PGA.
What should LIV leadership do to make their league more relevant to TV-watching golf fans? See above. Hopefully, they don’t go poach another star or two away from the PGA Tour. If they do, that’ll just weaken both leagues.
Should die-hard fans and admirers of Rory be concerned that he hasn’t won since May, even though he keeps racking up runner-up finishes? Yes. Because winners win. And that’s what winners do. Rory needs to win. He needs to go on a heater. We recommend he starts warming up in March and scorches his way through the Masters in April.