Highlights from the opening drive of the 2024 pga tour season
The 2024 PGA Tour Season Kicks off in hawaii with a myriad of storylines!
Aloha, everyone! Finally! After months of off-the-course drama, the PGA Tour season kicked off on the Big Island and Oahu. With Mark Rolfing on the call and surfers shredding the break in Honolua Bay, all feels right in the sports world. It’s a new year for new coaches, new clothing, and new dreams! Let’s get into it!
PGA Tour Headlines From Clothing to Coaching!
Scottie Scheffler arrived in Kapalua as the #1 player in the world with a Jon Rahm-like beard that got Golf Twitter all hot and bothered. After last year’s putting woes, Phil Kenyon, Scheffler’s putting coach, has asked that Teddy Scott step out of the Texan’s putting process. This move aims to ensure that Scheffler takes ownership of his line and decision-making. Hopefully, it proves fruitful, but I feel Scheffler’s patience slipping with each week’s chance at victory lipping out slowly but surely. Also in the short-game world, Viktor Hovland and Joe Mayo split. Mayo, the mastermind behind Hovland’s greatly improved chipping, leaves the Norwegian better off than he found him, but will this divide leave Hovland short-sided and searching for help? Enjoy this wayward bunker shot at Kapalua for example.
Sartorially speaking, Tiger and Nike broke up following a 27-year-long partnership. This split has me wondering: Will any athlete and clothing relationship ever be as iconic? Hell no. At this time, there is no confirmed word yet on Tiger’s new clothing partnership moving forward. In the meantime, enjoy this awesome edit ESPN produced about his 82 wins in 82 red shirts. Jason Day and the Nike Swoosh have parted ways as the Australian is now wearing Malbon Golf gear, which completely caught me off guard at first glance. Record-wise, Sungjae Im carded 34 birdies at Kapalua, the most ever in one PGA Tour 72-hole event. As someone who just turned 29 years old, I am hoping to make 29 birdies this calendar year. So far, I’ve carded one. In the long view, Gary Woodland returned to the PGA Tour after enduring brain surgery that removed a tumor. See the full details here. Safe to say, the entire golf community wishes G the best recovery and comeback in 2024!
Chris Kirk Shines on Maui at the Sentry!
Bringing his metronomic tempo to the chill island vibes of Maui, Chris Kirk earns his sixth PGA Tour victory after claiming the W at the Sentry! From the first to the final round, Kirk carded a 67-65-66-65. Late on Sunday, the 38-year-old found himself tied for the lead as he stood on the seventeenth fairway. Taking the event into his own hands (and out of Sahith’s), Kirk stuffed his downhill 5-iron approach on the 71st hole to two feet, leading to a comfortable birdie and a one-stroke lead going into the 72nd hole. He victoriously made the most relaxed par on the eighteenth and collected $3.6 million. Now, he improves to 4-7 after holding a 54-hole lead and earns his second win in twenty-one starts. I’m excited and intrigued to see Kirk hit towering draws on a course closer to home with major stakes on the line!
Grayson Murray Birdies the First Playoff Hole at the Sony Open!
Before executing his third shot on the par-5 eighteenth hole during the 3-man playoff, Grayson Murray’s caddy said “Show me something!” The 30-year-old heard the message because he stepped up and drained a 38-foot birdie putt to seal the win over Ben An and Keegan Bradley. He let out a monstrous roar and a strong fist pump when the putt dropped. The moment was nothing short of amazing. While his performance at Waialae Country Club was outstanding, Murray has overcome significant off-the-course struggles to get his game back into the place where it belongs. In October of 2022, Murray experienced a scooter crash in Bermuda that might have ended his life if not for his helmet. On top of this accident, Murray is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for eight months. He’s not too proud of himself, though he has a lot to be proud of. His Sony Open win in Hawaii results in $1.494 million and a spot in all designated events for the year. Come April, he’ll compete in the Masters for the first time in his career. This is Murray’s second win on the PGA Tour since the Bermuda Championship in 2017.
Michael Wolf, of No Laying Up, Reminds All of Us To Get Out There and Play!
As we move into 2024, I’d encourage you all to read Michael Wolf’s No Laying Up article about 2023. He shares highlights of a topsy-turvy year and celebrates the fact that we made it through the tremendous turmoil of the previous twelve months. While he notes the storylines of the professional game, he reminds all of us that “it was a good year to be on the course.” I’ll be taking this note with me into the new year as I hope to improve my own game and spend more time alongside the people I care deeply about. Without a doubt, nothing beats flushing a seven-iron right through the window you’re looking at while playing with your buddies. Here’s to more moments like that soon. Cheers!
As a freelance writer, Taylor McCutcheon focuses on golf adjacent, cultural content in the world of golf. Spread the word by sharing Taylor's content.
***Taylor's opinions and commentary are his own and do not necessarily represent the Tour Junkies as a whole.