A weekend recap before poll questions about players, shots, courses, hole-of-the-year, leading organizations, media presentations, 2025 events and Ryder Cup pay.
Last question is misleading as I often root for Europe anyway. We're not fighting a war here or voting for elected officials. It's just golf and they're always a more likable bunch of guys. Which team would you rather hang out with? It's not even a question.
Well I only had five choices but that's the big question: will some fans turn on the Americans when they miss a putt? Not hard to envision some Long Islanders, having been charged crazy money for a ticket, barking out a "what are we paying you for?" Merry Christmas!
Love your work. Question framing a bit US centric as others have observed. The international TV feed and commentary (seen on Fox Sports Australia) for the Open and Women's Open was outstanding (presumably from UK Sky Sports). Would have got my vote over the Masters but we only had the US NBC et al option. The Women's Majors were a yawn in 2024 saved by a stellar Open.
Sorry about that but it'd be tough to start going through all of the networks and regions, so I went into full homer mode. Though the feed from the networks or the "world feed" is used and is similar (other than commercials or NBC power outages). Either way, it's probably pointless since the Masters is in another league.
I'd argue the U.S. Women's Open was interesting all four days, but not thrilling at the end, while the Chevron was not thrilling until the final few holes, which were fun. Same for Sahallee.
I’ll add another category: Most memorable shot of the year by a non-winner, which for me was Bryson’s second shot into 16 at Valhalla. A stiffed 200-yard 8-iron that was equal parts muscle, skill, willpower and exuberance, and I think it was the shot that made me turn more sympathetic towards him.
Most disappointing shot of the year for me as a Swede was of course Ludvig’s second into 11. He’ll get more chances!
That was a stellar shot. There were many like it by non-winners I had to leave out, so maybe next year it's a winner's and non-winners pair of questions. Scheffler's Saturday tee shot at Troon's 17th was another incredible shot given how totally miserable the conditions were and how silly the shot is from the back tee with a wood in hand. Here it is: https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/golf/randa/scottie-scheffler-sticks-the-open-championship-royal-troon-17th-tee-shot
Yes Aberg hit the one forbidden Masters Sunday shot, and while it's not the fault of his "team," I do continue to wonder about his overreliance on others to guide him. Any player who has done their homework watching old Masters or talking to former champions learns quickly that missing the 11th green, while likely a bogey with the new deeper surrounds, is still better than grinding to make double.
I’ve watched Lydia’s shot at the Open at least 10x now still amazes me. I still wish Nelly didn’t block her drive and we could have somehow seen a playoff.
I’m so exited 2025 is the first year I’m taking my wife to a major, we will be heading north to Erin Hills to watch the US open!
Me too. Knowing how much trouble good players have playing to the top level with a short iron or how they resist a run-up, it's now on YouTube for posterity so all can study how it's done!
Enjoy Erin Hills. Early suggestion: don't try to see every hole or get out to the 16th tee unless you're training for a marathon.
Thanks for the recommendation. We used to live in the area. I was never able to get on the course, but my wife and I are looking forward to seeing some old friends as well as the Golf.
We also had to laugh to ourselves that US open tickets are cheaper than Milwaukee Brewers tickets for a regular season midweek game.
Indeed, a memorable year for the Majors! But look at the bright side. Among the men, their are only six events in 2025 worth paying attention to. The women are always more interesting, when I have access to a broadcast with no cable and SLING about to go the way of the dodo for me after the CFP.
I needed two answers to the final question:
Yes, it's obnoxious.
and
Yes, I will root for EUR now.
But I was going to do the latter anyway, so maybe the first question is enough...
At least six! The women are definitely more interesting in terms of golf swings to watch and it seems like we see more creativity from them now than the men (it wasn't long ago that they were more mechanical and less proficient around the greens). Scheffler notwithstanding in the latter department.
Now have 500,000 x however many, reasons to be happy I did not find myself at the Ryder Cup ticket window with my AMEX burning a hole in my pocket. Lots of stuff to buy with the $750 saved...like 15 subscriptions to the Quad?!
'don't waste your money on a new pair of speakers, you'll get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers..."
Last question is misleading as I often root for Europe anyway. We're not fighting a war here or voting for elected officials. It's just golf and they're always a more likable bunch of guys. Which team would you rather hang out with? It's not even a question.
I was going for optionality, as they kids like to say these days. Looks like rooting-for-Europe is off to a popular start!
Except for Poulter
2024 was memorable year for major championships!
Geoff
You missed a voting option for the last question. 'Yes, I will root even harder for EUR now."
Merry Christmas - terrific content this year.
Well I only had five choices but that's the big question: will some fans turn on the Americans when they miss a putt? Not hard to envision some Long Islanders, having been charged crazy money for a ticket, barking out a "what are we paying you for?" Merry Christmas!
Love your work. Question framing a bit US centric as others have observed. The international TV feed and commentary (seen on Fox Sports Australia) for the Open and Women's Open was outstanding (presumably from UK Sky Sports). Would have got my vote over the Masters but we only had the US NBC et al option. The Women's Majors were a yawn in 2024 saved by a stellar Open.
Sorry about that but it'd be tough to start going through all of the networks and regions, so I went into full homer mode. Though the feed from the networks or the "world feed" is used and is similar (other than commercials or NBC power outages). Either way, it's probably pointless since the Masters is in another league.
I'd argue the U.S. Women's Open was interesting all four days, but not thrilling at the end, while the Chevron was not thrilling until the final few holes, which were fun. Same for Sahallee.
I’ll add another category: Most memorable shot of the year by a non-winner, which for me was Bryson’s second shot into 16 at Valhalla. A stiffed 200-yard 8-iron that was equal parts muscle, skill, willpower and exuberance, and I think it was the shot that made me turn more sympathetic towards him.
Most disappointing shot of the year for me as a Swede was of course Ludvig’s second into 11. He’ll get more chances!
That was a stellar shot. There were many like it by non-winners I had to leave out, so maybe next year it's a winner's and non-winners pair of questions. Scheffler's Saturday tee shot at Troon's 17th was another incredible shot given how totally miserable the conditions were and how silly the shot is from the back tee with a wood in hand. Here it is: https://www.nbcsports.com/watch/golf/randa/scottie-scheffler-sticks-the-open-championship-royal-troon-17th-tee-shot
Yes Aberg hit the one forbidden Masters Sunday shot, and while it's not the fault of his "team," I do continue to wonder about his overreliance on others to guide him. Any player who has done their homework watching old Masters or talking to former champions learns quickly that missing the 11th green, while likely a bogey with the new deeper surrounds, is still better than grinding to make double.
Best poll of the year!
I’ve watched Lydia’s shot at the Open at least 10x now still amazes me. I still wish Nelly didn’t block her drive and we could have somehow seen a playoff.
I’m so exited 2025 is the first year I’m taking my wife to a major, we will be heading north to Erin Hills to watch the US open!
Me too. Knowing how much trouble good players have playing to the top level with a short iron or how they resist a run-up, it's now on YouTube for posterity so all can study how it's done!
Enjoy Erin Hills. Early suggestion: don't try to see every hole or get out to the 16th tee unless you're training for a marathon.
Thanks for the recommendation. We used to live in the area. I was never able to get on the course, but my wife and I are looking forward to seeing some old friends as well as the Golf.
We also had to laugh to ourselves that US open tickets are cheaper than Milwaukee Brewers tickets for a regular season midweek game.
Indeed, a memorable year for the Majors! But look at the bright side. Among the men, their are only six events in 2025 worth paying attention to. The women are always more interesting, when I have access to a broadcast with no cable and SLING about to go the way of the dodo for me after the CFP.
I needed two answers to the final question:
Yes, it's obnoxious.
and
Yes, I will root for EUR now.
But I was going to do the latter anyway, so maybe the first question is enough...
At least six! The women are definitely more interesting in terms of golf swings to watch and it seems like we see more creativity from them now than the men (it wasn't long ago that they were more mechanical and less proficient around the greens). Scheffler notwithstanding in the latter department.
Where’s the poll question for best golf columnist/blogger?😂
12 Past Ryder Cup captains are 100% right in not paying a stipend to players.
Now have 500,000 x however many, reasons to be happy I did not find myself at the Ryder Cup ticket window with my AMEX burning a hole in my pocket. Lots of stuff to buy with the $750 saved...like 15 subscriptions to the Quad?!
'don't waste your money on a new pair of speakers, you'll get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers..."