For this we remain grateful.
We’re coming to you after a little winter sojourn to rest and recharge the batteries.
That’s LIV-level dough.
I still can’t get over how no one could walk at that PNC event, by the way.
So let’s dive in.
Can Collin Morikawa have a bounce-back season this year?
Connor OstrowskiDoes Spieth win a major this year?
And if so, which one?
Luke ScottDoes Rickie finish this year inside the top 50 of OWGR?
1 days in 2018.
But he has dropped two or three levels over the last half-decade.
It happens to young guys, too.
As Harrington put it at the 2021 PGA Championship: “As you gain experience, you lose innocence.
And, if history is our guide, he may never reach that level again.
That doesn’t mean he can’t win a major championship.
He’s been damn close to doing so in recent years.
But he had a chance to wineverymajor one year back during The Stretch.
You’ll recall they only hand out four per year.
I’m going to say yes, assuming he returns to being an above-average putter.
It’s such a huge part of his identity as a player.
Regarding Collin, the year wasn’t as bad as he’d lead you to suggest.
When Collin had chances in the past, he took them.
Surprise Ryder Cup star?
JoredanMcc27
Yes, another Ryder Cup year has snuck upon us.
And the European side finds at something of a crossroads.
They were humiliated at Whistling Straits by a feisty young American pack that quite like the taste of blood.
Speaking of which…Here’s a semi-bold prediction: no LIV players will play in the Ryder Cup.
But I’m also not oblivious to corporate entanglements and red-ass syndrome.
And even that might be generous.
All that said, let’s make some predictions for the two sides that’ll compete in Rome.
In no particular order.
This would be a much, much younger European side than the one at Whistling Straits.
Do you think Tiger will actually play and complete the 4 majors in 2023?
Will any LIV players return to the PGA Tour in 2023?
Does he start from scratch and have to play first stage of Q-School?
Is there some sort of exemption for past winners or past card-holders?
The tour drew a line in the sand and has mostly kept to it.
Matt Farwell
You’d think plenty of guys ranked well outside world No.
Which, of course, makes sense.
Scottie was a new world No.
1 when he won The Masters.
Justin Thomas was No.
9 when he won at Southern Hills, Matt Fitzpatrick was No.
17 at Brookline and Cameron Smith was No.
6 at St. Andrews.
In 2021, Hideki Matsuyama (No.
25 at Augusta) and Phil Mickelson (No.
25 Gary Woodland at Pebble Beach and No.
33 Shane Lowry at Royal Portrush.
Alternatively, I’ll go with world No.
If forced to pick a third, I’ll say Tommy Fleetwood.
He’s still just 31, he had a sneaky solid 2022 and he plays tough courses so well.
For more of a longshot, how about Keith Mitchell?
Will LIV earn world ranking points by the end of 2023?
Rbvalenti
You have to think so, right?
It would thus be much more difficult for a LIV player to reach world No.
1 than for a PGA Tour player.
That, by the way, is not an unprecedented dynamic in sport.
What’s the most difficult thing you have had to overcome since joining Barstool?
Cody Scheler
The comment section.
Beyond that, I’ve never had so much creative freedom in my life.
No one’s holding your hand giving you advice.
You throw shit at the wall, and you see what works.
Going to be a ton of fun following him this year.
Who do you have winning this year’s 4 majors?
Aaroncd
It really is the silliest question.
There’s also the whole each-course-being-different thing.
We have no idea how Los Angeles Country Club will play for the U.S. Open.
A week of heavy rain would make Royal Liverpool an entirely different test than a post-dry spring Hoylake.
Open: Tony FinauBritish Open: Tommy Fleetwood
Bucket List Courses?
Matt Coursen
Where to begin?
The entire nation of Ireland.
I played Pinehurst No.
Chambers Bay is pretty high up there.
Would love to get up to Massachusetts for a trip.
But I’d say that my No.
1 Want to Play in 2023 is The Creek Club on Long Island.
Does a “Fixed” Frankie put a serious challenge to DeeRap as top Fore Play golfer?
Andy La Branche
Frankie has improved tremendously and continues his upward trajectory with no end in sight.
It would not surprise me if one day he becomes a better golfer than I am.
But that day is not today.
You’ll just have to watch our upcoming Travel Series at Big Cedar Lodge and decide for yourself.
I quite enjoyed thisgetting to mix it up with the fellas and talk some golf.
Let’s do this more often in 2023.
Until next week,
Dan
