The field for this week’s Tour Championship features the year’s top 30 golfers. Among the missing BUT forgotten are Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
Out of sight out of mine.
It was first thought as more golfers fled to the LIV Tour, the PGA Tour would, if not knocked to the canvas, at least be staggered by blows to the heart. But a funny thing happened en route to the PGA Tour’s funeral: nothing.
The truth is there are simply so many talented golfers, many with personality, that missing a few like the ones mentioned above has hardly been noticed. It should also be noted that DJ, Koepka and DeChambeau are in slumps or fighting injuries or both. Others who made the leap — Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia — are popular but over-the-hill. Their absences have barely made a blip on the radar.
They have quickly been replaced by the likes of Will Zalatoris, Scottie Scheffler and Cam Young. And young veterans Patrick Cantley, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Tony Finau remain with the PGA.
Have I mentioned Tiger Woods still touts the PGA?
The week the PGA Tour execs don’t mind talking about the money. Its playoff champion will take home $18 million. Not even the LIV Tour has matched that.
