Russell Henley looked like he was running out of holes.
He saved par on the 15th, but found himself three back with three to play.
Henley proceeded to finish regulation at Colonial with three straight birdies – then rolled in a 5-footer on the first playoff hole to beat Eric Cole and claim his sixth PGA Tour win.
That’s four consecutive birdies to finish the day, for the mathematicians out there.
He made two fifteen footers, one from seventeen feet, and the final from about five.
Sometimes the putter really can be like a magic wand.
Now he gets to drive this awesome car around.
What about everybody else?
Henley’s late heater was brutal news for Eric Cole, who was chasing his first PGA Tour victory. Cole had it right there, but he parred his final seven holes of regulation – eight if you count the playoff – and watched Henley come take it from him.
Meanwhile, Ben Griffin gave it a proper run with a final-round 65, but came up one shot short of a chance to do something only Ben Hogan has done: win back-to-back tournaments at Colonial.
Griffin, Alex Smalley, and Mac Meissner all finished at 11 under, one behind the Henley-Cole playoff.
What’s Next?
The Memorial Tournament at Jack’s place.
Odds: Memorial Tournament
-
Scottie Scheffler: +285
-
Rory McIlroy: +920
-
Cameron Young: +1300
-
Xander Schauffele: +1750
-
Ludvig Aberg: +1950
-
Matt Fitzpatrick: +2050
-
Si Woo Kim: +2250
-
Russell Henley: +2600
-
Patrick Cantlay: +2600
-
Tommy Fleetwood: +2700
Based on the news at the top of the email, I think it’s safe to say that tournaments like the CJ Cup Byron Nelson will be going the way of the Dodo Bird.
There’s a handful of them that come to mind, who currently occupy unwanted space in the TOUR’s schedule, pull weak fields, and are typically birdie-fests.
These events lack juice and draw weak viewership numbers.
So, it seems that the TOUR, whos CEO Brian Rolapp came from the NFL, are intent on embracing a scarcity model, which, in theory, should allow them to sell partnerships at a premium.
Their bet is that quality is better than volume.
And with that intro, we bring you to McKinney, Texas, just outside of Dallas, where Scottie Scheffler leads a field that includes only about three other people in the Top 50 of OWGR.
Scottie shot 31-under last year. His odds to win this year are +175, which is… gross.
In an effort to make the CJ Cup less of a birdie-fest, they have made all of the greens smaller over the last year.
We will see how that holds up.
The Details

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Featured Groups:
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Weekly Bets: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson

We’ve partnered with Keith Stewart at Read The Line to share his weekly golf betting picks with the Caddyshanks crew. If you’re the type who enjoys breaking down matchups, spotting trends, and hunting for value, you’ll feel right at home in the RTL community.
Use code CADDYSHANKS2026 to redeem.
Keith Stewart’s Picks
Jordan Spieth (+2000 DraftKings)
In four starts at TPC Craig Ranch, Jordan Spieth has finished T9, 2, MC, and 4. I guess Spieth likes sleeping in his own bed! A top 20 at the PGA Championship and a brief lead in Miami. Spieth has seven top 25s in 13 starts this season. Those results still seem to be missing a piece of Spieth’s game. In 2026, the irons have been great at times. The driver has been excellent recently, and nobody is better with a wedge. If Jordan wins again, the most likely spot is a course where he is extremely comfortable, and in a region he knows infinitely well.
Eric Cole (+8000 DraftKings)
In his last three events, Eric Cole has finished T14, T6, and T6 at Myrtle Beach. Cole’s an incredible iron player and putter. In two starts at TPC Craig Ranch, Eric has finished T23 and T5. Eric can score, and on a course with little pressure off the tee, he can just get it in play. The approach, proximity, and putter take over. Eighth in the field for BoB%, Cole has gained an average of 8.4 strokes combined with his flatstick and irons over his last two starts.
Caddyshanks Picks
Scottie Scheffler (+175 DraftKings)
Scottie Scheffler’s odds are so low that I actually don’t recommend betting him this week, unless he gets off to a slow start and you can find a live number you like. Also, look into the “without Scheffler” markets.
The only reason I have him on the card this week is because I committed to “bet Scottie every week” at the beginning of the year. It hasn’t been working out.
Brooks Koepka (+2500 Draftkings)
Everything about Brooks game is working right now except for one very important thing – his putter. If, and it’s a big if, he gets it going? He’s gonna win some tournaments.
Sungjae Im (+5600 Draftkings)
It was only a few weekends ago in Florida that Sungjae was in contention, his odds are quite long this week, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was hanging around this weekend near the top of the board.
All weekend, we waited for someone to separate from the pack.
And at the start of play on Sunday, there were 11 major winners within 6 shots of the lead. Surely, one of them would step up, post a low score, and bring this thing home.
Well, none of the major winners in the field stepped up, but Aaron Rai, wearing two gloves, rocking iron covers, and using giant tees that he bought off an infomercial, certainly did.
And what’s truly incredible about his victory, is that in a world of ball rollback debates, set-up arguments, and distance, distance, distance – Aaron Rai just won a major as the 160th ranked driver on TOUR.
Aronimink was set up to reward driving accuracy over distance, and great putting.
Aaron Rai did both better than anyone in the field, and it allowed him the separate.
By the way, he was a 150-1 longshot.
What about everybody else?
Alex Smalley, who went into Sunday as the clubhouse leader, shot even par, and finished T2.
Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Cam Smith, and Ludvig Aberg all tried to make a push, but no one could gain ground on Rai’s back nine performance.
However, this week, I think we need to focus on what “everybody else” had to say about Aaron Rai. As it turns out, Rai has earned a ton of respect among his peers.
Xander on Aaron Rai: “Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you …
“I feel like I’ve played a pretty good amount of time, and Aaron is always there. He’s always in the gym. He’s always on the range.
“At the Scottish, I’m staying right on site there. I thought it…
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) May 17, 2026
Massive congrats to Aaron Rai. Such a nice guy and hard worker. Makes me want to work harder, and makes me believe that I can win majors as well. – Michael Kim
You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him. – Rory McIlroy.
What’s Next?
Scottie Scheffler headlines the field at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.
Odds For TPC Craig Ranch
-
Scottie Scheffler: +150
-
Si Woo Kim: +1250
-
Jordan Spieth: +2000
-
Brooks Koepka: +2700
-
Keith Mitchell: +3300
-
Pierceson Coody: +4000
-
Michael Thorbjornsen: +4100
-
Aaron Rai: +4200
-
Wyndham Clark: +4700
A mix of courtroom golf drama, rollback panic that may or may not matter, Anthony Kim doing Anthony Kim things, and Jim Furyk trying to rebuild the U.S. Ryder Cup machine before Ireland.
→ Tiger’s Prescription Records Are Staying Behind Closed Doors
Tiger Woods will have to turn over prescription records as part of the investigation into his March traffic crash, but the public won’t get to see them. A Florida judge ruled the records can be shared with a limited group tied to the case, not dumped into the public-records circus. So yes, the legal drama continues — just with fewer documents for everyone to screenshot. (defector.com)
→ Cameron Young Is Playing the Future Ball and Still Nuking It
Cameron Young is using a ball that would likely conform to the coming rollback rules, and the big punchline is that it has basically made zero difference. It was built to help him control spin, not necessarily to prepare for the rollback, and he’s still averaging the same 302.7 yards off the tee. If the plan was to scare bombers into submission, this probably isn’t the example the USGA wanted. (Golf Channel)
→ Anthony Kim Is Back in the Top 200 and Still Doesn’t Care What You Think
Anthony Kim shot a final-round 62 at LIV Golf Virginia, finished T6, helped win a team playoff, and climbed back into the OWGR top 200 for the first time in 14 years. Then he reminded everyone he is not exactly losing sleep over public opinion. The comeback is getting real — and AK is still very much AK. (Golf)
→ Jim Furyk Wants to Fix Team USA Before Team USA Breaks Again
Jim Furyk is already looking at how the U.S. Ryder Cup team gets built for 2027, and he sounds ready to mess with the formula. With money now warping basically everything in pro golf, Furyk doesn’t think earnings are the clean measuring stick they used to be. Expect simulations, tweaks, and probably the same six captain’s picks — because Team USA needs more than vibes if it wants to win in Ireland. (golfdigest.com)
A major championship, a historic venue, and perfect weather on deck.
Does it get any better?
Nope.
Especially if Aronimink puts up a good fight, and we can avoid a birdie-fest.
Will Aronimink put up a good fight, though?
According to Scottie Scheffler, that will largely depend on whether the course is firm and fast, or softened by rain.
We’ve had a lack of humidity up here, and the temperatures over the weekend will reach the mid-80s, so we are hoping for firm and fast.
For the record, Ben Griffin said he expects things to get quick, and predicted a winning score of 12-under, which would be wonderful.
“Bomb and gouge works best”
“The reward for hitting the fairway is not that great”.
Scottie’s thoughts on the PGA setup are honest but not exciting to hear.
Deep rough lined fairways promote distance, not accuracy. This is counter intuitive to most.
pic.twitter.com/DhCQNV02xh— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) May 13, 2026
Just hearing the World No. 1 say the words “bomb and gouge” makes me shudder, but what can you do?
These guys hit it a mile.
Speaking of Scottie Scheffler, he headlines the field and, as per usual, is the shortest price on the odds board, just ahead of Rory McIlroy, who, by the way, has been dealing with a sore toe and cut his practice round short yesterday.
Meanwhile, everyone else gets to play the game of “Who can beat Scottie and Rory this week?”
On at least six occasions this year, the answer to that question has been: Chris Gotterup, Cameron Young, or Matt Fitzpatrick.
They are all also in the field this week, and you could bet any one of them to win and not feel bad about it.
The field is loaded with every big-name player you can think of, along with PGA Professionals like Michael Block, and past champions like Padraig Harrington, Jimmy Walker, and Shawn Micheel.
Thankfully, there is a cut line this week. They still keep those for the majors.
The Details

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How To Watch

Weekly Bets: 2026 PGA Championship

We’ve partnered with Keith Stewart at Read The Line to share his weekly golf betting picks with the Caddyshanks crew. If you’re the type who enjoys breaking down matchups, spotting trends, and hunting for value, you’ll feel right at home in the RTL community.
Keith Stewart’s Picks
Cameron Young (+1650 DraftKings)
In his last seven starts, Cameron Young has two wins — The PLAYERS and Cadillac — and four additional top 10s.
Young’s flatstick consistency is the engine behind his current success. Pair that with his ball-striking, and you have a championship-caliber player.
Need a good comp? How about a T3 at the 2022 PGA at Southern Hills. Gil Hanse did both restorations, and the skill set needed to score on both is eerily similar.
Sam Burns (+7000 bet365)
Sam Burns has finished top 13 or better in three of the last four major-like events, including 13th at The PLAYERS, 7th at The Masters, and 7th at the 2025 U.S. Open.
Aronimink gives you an edge if you can bomb it off the tee, wedge it close, and convert on the green.
That’s Burns’ bread and butter.
If Sam survives the par 3s this week, the rest of the scorecard is one big birdie chance.
Caddyshanks Picks
Scottie Scheffler (+385 DraftKings)
Scottie Scheffler struggled with his iron play to start the season, but he’s quietly returned to form in that regard, and that could spell bad news for everyone.
Last year, he won this major by five strokes.
Tommy Fleetwood (+2800 DraftKings)
A European has not won the PGA Championship in its last 10 iterations.
That’s a trend we are fading this week.
Tommy Fleetwood has the accuracy required to win if things get crispy in Philly this week.
Justin Rose (+4600 DraftKings)
It’s been 13 years since Justin Rose won a major championship.
He’s played a lot of great golf the last few years, and he’s had plenty of close calls at majors.
Now, he’s back in Philadelphia, and no one is giving him a shot because he switched to McLaren irons — and because he’s older.
But I love to bet a good storyline.
Brandt Snedeker Reminds Us Why This Stuff Still Rules
According to Josh Schrock of GOLF.com, Brandt Snedeker’s win at Myrtle Beach was not just another opposite-field PGA TOUR title. It was his first victory in 2,821 days, came after years of injuries, doubt, conditional status, and experimental surgery, and ended with Snedeker breaking down in his caddie’s arms after Mark Hubbard missed a putt that would have forced a playoff. This is the kind of stuff golf still does better than almost any sport: a 45-year-old grinding for one more shot, getting it, and immediately turning into a puddle. Real stakes. Real emotion. Real golf. (Golf)
D.C. Public Golf Is Now a Political Football
In The Hill piece you linked, the Trump administration’s deal on D.C.’s public golf courses sounds like good news on the surface: Langston and Rock Creek are set to stay with National Links Trust under a new long-term lease, while East Potomac remains open on an interim basis. But East Potomac is still the big question mark. The National Park Service is eyeing what it calls a “historic restoration,” and critics are worried that one of the most accessible public golf spots in the capital could become something shinier, more expensive, and a lot less public. Public golf is booming, but this is the reminder that the best munis are always one bad decision away from becoming someone’s vanity project. (Reuters)
Boo Weekley Gets His Moment
According to Christopher Powers of Golf Digest, Boo Weekley finally got his first PGA Tour Champions win at the Insperity Invitational, and yeah, it got emotional. Weekley won in his 64th Champions start, went bogey-free for the week, and picked up his first victory of any kind since 2013. For a guy who has always felt like one of golf’s true characters, this was a pretty perfect Champions Tour moment: a familiar name, a long wait, and a win that clearly meant a hell of a lot more than just another trophy. (GolfDigest.com)
Jeeno Thitikul Is Not Waiting Around
According to the Associated Press via ESPN, Jeeno Thitikul won the Mizuho Americas Open by four shots over Ruoning Yin, giving her a second LPGA title this season. The turning point came late, when Thitikul birdied 16 while Yin made bogey, turning a tight finish into a comfortable one. The bigger takeaway: the LPGA is not short on star power or depth. Nelly Korda still looms over everything, but Thitikul is stacking wins, and the competition at the top of the women’s game keeps getting better. (ESPN)
The PGA Championship Hype Machine Is Officially Running
According to Keith Stewart of Golf Digest, Rory McIlroy sits atop the PGA Championship power rankings heading to Aronimink, ahead of Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, and Matt Fitzpatrick. The setup is pretty perfect: Rory is chasing another major after winning the Masters, Scottie is the defending PGA champ, Bryson and Rahm are still lurking with LIV baggage attached, and Aronimink gives us a proper old-school major venue. After weeks of tour politics, Signature Event grumbling, and LIV chaos, it is nice to get back to the simple stuff: a stacked major field, a classic course, and a leaderboard that should actually matter. (GolfDigest.com)
The Truist Championship was wide open on Sunday.
Plenty of names were within striking distance. Alex Fitzpatrick had the overnight lead. Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young, Nicolai Højgaard, Tommy Fleetwood, and a handful of others were all close enough to make things interesting.
But it was Kristoffer Reitan, the 28-year-old from Norway, who stepped up, closed the deal, and walked away with the trophy and the signature-event check.
Not bad for a guy still getting settled on the PGA TOUR.
Reitan’s Breakthrough Came Fast
Reitan’s road here has not exactly been smooth.
He had a brief stop at Texas before choosing the professional route, then went through the grind of trying to establish himself in Europe. He has spoken openly about the ups and downs, but eventually found his footing again.
Last year, he finished inside the top 10 on the Race to Dubai, earned his PGA TOUR card, yet hadn’t finished in the Top 10 in a single event this year.
Then came Quail Hollow.
Reitan began Sunday one shot behind Alex Fitzpatrick, but stayed steady while the leaderboard around him got chaotic. He closed with a 2-under 69, finished at 15-under, and beat Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Højgaard by two shots.
That is a life-changing week – good for him.
Alex Fitzpatrick Was Right There
Alex Fitzpatrick started the day with a one-shot lead and had a real chance to win his first solo PGA TOUR event.
Instead, Sunday got away from him.
He shot 2-over on the day and finished solo fourth, which is still a great result, but it will probably sting considering where he stood entering the final round.
Still, Fitzpatrick has been playing well since getting his PGA TOUR card, and this feels more like a sign of things to come than a collapse to worry about.
Meanwhile, his brother Matt cooled off with a T52 finish after his own ridiculous run of three wins in three starts.
Rickie And Nicolai Made Their Sunday Push
Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Højgaard both finished T2, two shots behind Reitan.
For Fowler, it was another reminder that he still has plenty left when the putter cooperates and the ball-striking shows up.
For Højgaard, it was another strong week from a player who keeps looking more and more comfortable on big stages.
Neither one got the trophy, but both made Reitan earn it.
Cam Young Gave Us All A Putting Reminder
Cameron Young has been one of the hottest players on the planet lately.
And yet, on Sunday, he missed multiple putts inside four feet.
You know, just in case you think you should make every four-footer.
Young still finished T10, but the round was a good reminder that even the best players in the world can look human at times.
Other Notable Finishes
- Tommy Fleetwood: T5
- Ludvig Åberg: T8
- Cameron Young: T10
- Rory McIlroy: T19
- Matt Fitzpatrick: T52
What’s Next?
The PGA Championship at Aronimink.
Odds For The 2026 PGA Championship
Odds are subject to change and may vary by sportsbook.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +450 |
| Rory McIlroy | +850 |
| Cameron Young | +1200 |
| Jon Rahm | +1600 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +1800 |
| Xander Schauffele | +1800 |
| Ludvig Åberg | +2000 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +2200 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +2200 |
| Brooks Koepka | +4000 |
| Collin Morikawa | +4000 |
| Justin Thomas | +4000 |
We’ll see you Wednesday with our PGA Championship picks.
Does putting a line on your golf ball help you make more putts?
Ask Brad Faxon.
According to Titleist, Faxon was one of the first Tour players to draw a line on his golf ball back in the day. The idea was simple: give yourself a clearer visual target, aim the ball more consistently, and start more putts on the line you actually picked.
“Titleist Brand Ambassador Brad Faxon is credited with being the first tour player to hand-draw a line on his golf ball. Brad marked a straight line on his Titleist to help him aim the ball, orient his putter face and body lines correctly and get his ball started on the correct line. This practice helped Brad to become one of, if not the best putter on the planet.”
Seems like it worked for him.
But what about the rest of us?
That’s where things get interesting. Some golfers swear a line on the ball instantly improves their aim. Others think it’s distracting, slow, or just another gimmick. Meanwhile, golf ball companies have gone all-in on alignment tech, from Callaway Triple Track to Titleist’s new AIM models to Wilson, Srixon, Vice, and more.
So, does the line actually help?
Here’s the five-minute version covering what golfers are arguing about on Reddit, X, YouTube, and at the range.
Callaway Triple Track Still Runs The Show

The OG.
Callaway’s Triple Track system is still the most recognizable alignment-ball setup in golf. You’ll find it on the Chrome Tour, Chrome Soft, ERC Soft, and newer 360° versions.
The appeal is obvious: instead of guessing whether your ball is aimed correctly, you get three bold lines designed to frame your target and help you square the putter face.
Golfers use it for more than putting, too. Plenty of players line it up on tee shots to help commit to a start line before pulling the trigger.
Why golfers like it:
- Easy to see behind the ball
- Helps with putter-face alignment
- Works on putts and tee shots
- Built into premium Callaway models
MyGolfSpy’s 2025 ball test and Today’s Golfer’s robot testing both reinforced the bigger point: alignment tech does not need to come with a meaningful performance penalty. If you like the visual, there’s not much downside.
Check out Callaway Triple Track here.
Titleist Finally Said, “Fine, We’ll Play”

For years, Titleist players had two choices: play a clean Pro V1 or grab a Sharpie and draw the line yourself.
That has changed.
Their full lineup is now available with factory Performance Alignment markings, including the newer Enhanced Alignment version.
It’s a more subtle look than Triple Track, but that’s exactly why a lot of Titleist players like it. You get the clean Pro V1 feel with just enough help when you’re standing over a six-footer.
Why golfers like it:
- Cleaner look than louder alignment balls
- No Sharpie or stencil needed
- Available on Pro V1 and Pro V1x
- Feels familiar for longtime Titleist players
Titleist held out for a while, but the message is clear now: alignment balls are no longer just a niche thing.
Explore Titleist Golf Balls Here
Everyone Else Is In The Mix

Callaway and Titleist get most of the attention, but they are not the only brands leaning into alignment.
Bridgestone Mindset: These balls have won on TOUR twice already in 2026.
Wilson Triad: The newer Triad models have picked up attention for combining alignment help with strong balance and performance. Golfalot and plenty of social media golfers have called it one of the surprise performers.
Srixon Q-Star: Srixon’s visual alignment options give golfers a bolder look without going full Triple Track.
Vice Tracer: Vice Tracer balls have become popular with golfers who want bright alignment markings that are easy to see over the ball.
In other words, you’re not stuck with one brand or one look anymore. Whether you want loud, subtle, colorful, or clean, there’s probably an alignment ball that fits your eye.
The Great Reddit And X Debate
This is where the line-on-the-ball conversation gets messy.
Some golfers say it immediately helps them aim better. They feel more confident, make a better stroke, and stop second-guessing whether the putter face is pointed where they think it is.
Others hate it.
They say it takes too long to line up, looks distracting at address, or makes them obsess over aim instead of speed. A few golfers try it for a round, get annoyed, and go right back to a plain white ball.
The split usually comes down to one thing: do you struggle with aim?
If you do, a line can help. If you already aim well and prefer a cleaner look, you may not notice much benefit.
Bottom line: if your start line is a problem, the line is worth trying. If your speed control is the real issue, no alignment marking is going to magically fix that.
So, Does A Line On Your Golf Ball Actually Help?
For a lot of golfers, yes.
Not because the line makes the ball roll better. Not because it turns a bad stroke into a good one. And definitely not because it guarantees you’re suddenly going to become Brad Faxon.
It helps because it gives your eyes a simple reference point.
When you line the ball up with your intended start line, you can step in, set the putter face, and make a stroke with a little more confidence. That matters, especially on short and mid-range putts where doubt can wreck you before the putter even moves.
The line can also expose a problem. If the ball looks aimed correctly from behind but wrong when you stand over it, that tells you something about your setup, eyes, posture, or perception.
That alone can be useful.
For Titleist this is a foregone conclusion.
The findings were undeniable. The results of the test showed that players were consistently up to 35% more precise in aligning their putts when they used an AIM product.
A mix of comeback math, golf-boom growing pains, a long-overdue first at St Andrews, a public course getting dragged into White House demolition drama, and YouTube golf continuing its march into the mainstream.
→ Bryson’s PGA Tour Comeback Might Not Be That Complicated
Bryson DeChambeau says a potential return to the PGA Tour might come down less to executives and more to whether the players actually want him back. He also raised questions about how much freedom he’d have to keep creating content around tournaments, which is kind of the whole Bryson machine now. The funny part? The Tour says players can already post during practice rounds and pro-am days, so the biggest hurdle might not be the rules. It might just be the room. (Skratch Golf)
→ Golf Got Too Popular and Now Kids Can’t Get Tee Times
The golf boom has been great for courses, brands, and anyone selling $12 beers at the turn. But there’s a problem nobody loves talking about: junior golfers are getting squeezed. Tee sheets are packed, access is tighter, and the kids who are supposed to be the future of the game are sometimes stuck indoors hitting into simulators instead of actually playing. Great problem for the industry. Not so great if you’re 13 and just want to get on the course. (GolfDigest.com)
→ It Only Took The R&A 272 Years
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews named Claire Dowling as the first woman captain in its 272-year history. That’s a big deal, even if the timeline makes you do a double take. The club only opened membership to women in 2014, and now Dowling will take over as captain in September. Progress is progress — even when it shows up a few centuries late. (The Guardian)
→ White House Rubble Got Dumped On A Golf Course. Now There’s Toxic Metal Drama
Debris from the White House East Wing demolition was dumped at East Potomac Golf Links, the same public D.C. course already caught up in renovation controversy. According to Fortune, a National Park Service report found the soil tested positive for lead, chromium, and other toxic metals, while the Department of the Interior says the project passed legal safety standards. Either way, “public golf course becomes dumping ground for White House rubble” is not exactly the feel-good muni story of the year. (Fortune)
→ YouTube Golf Just Got Called Up To The Big Leagues
Grant Horvat and the Bryan Bros are joining Wasserman’s newly rebranded agency, The Team, after it acquired Provisions Golf. Translation: YouTube golf is not some side corner of the sport anymore. These guys are getting folded into the same kind of machine that represents major athletes, runs events, and knows how to turn attention into money. The line between “golf influencer” and “golf business” is basically gone. (frontofficesports.com)
For the second week in a row, the PGA TOUR is hosting a Signature Event.
Hopefully, that is the last time I ever have to write that sentence.
The TOUR’s limited-field, no-cut, guaranteed-money events were basically a LIV-response experiment – a way to financially compensate top players enough to keep them from jumping ship.
And they kinda stink.
In terms of retaining talent, maybe it worked and maybe it didn’t. But I can tell you this: the average golf fan does not care about the purse size.
We watch sports for community, unscripted drama, and meaningful storytelling.
When you remove the cut-line and guarantee the money, it limits the amount of meaningful stories and drama that can play out.
Beyond that, if you’re the type of sicko who watches golf every week, it gets a little stale seeing the same 70 guys over and over again.
Bring back the cuts. Long live the cuts.
With that tangent out of the way, we get back to the actual golf tournament being hosted at Quail Hollow this week.
Like last week, it’s a brutish course.
Both Doral and Quail Hollow play ~7600 yds, and both have a demanding set of closing holes.
The last three at Quail Hollow are referred to as The Green Mile, but by now, you’re probably pretty familiar with the course. It hosted the PGA Championship last year and the Presidents Cup in 2022, and has been a regular stop on TOUR for some time.
Rory McIlroy has won here four times; he is the odds leader this week, with Scottie Scheffler taking the week off.
The course suits McIlroy’s game perfectly – it requires distance and accuracy off the tee as well as emphasis on ball-striking.
Okay, I could write that about most courses, most weeks, but you get the point.
If you want to win at Quail Hollow, you’ve got to bring your complete game with you.
The Details

Previous Winners

How To Watch

Featured Groups:

Weekly Bets: The Truist Championship
We’ve partnered with Keith Stewart at Read The Line to share his weekly golf betting picks with the Caddyshanks crew. If you’re the type who enjoys breaking down matchups, spotting trends, and hunting for value, you’ll feel right at home in the RTL community.
Keith Stewart’s Picks
Rory McIlroy (+600 FanDuel)
Twelve starts at Quail Hollow, four wins, and nine top 10s. Needless to say, Rory McIlroy will be there on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the sweat.
Akshay Bhatia (+6600 DraftKings)
Pundits will push the driver narrative this week, and they are right. What will give you an edge is picking players who move the ball right to left. For righties, that’s a draw, but for Akshay Bhatia, that is his patented fade. Complementing his edge off the tee is an approach game that has gained strokes in eight of his last nine starts. One last point, Bhatia is ranked third on the TOUR for strokes gained putting. For the North Carolina kid, this venue is a great fit.
Caddyshanks Picks
Xander Schauffele (+1125 Draftkings)
Xander has as good a course history at Quail Hollow as you can have without winning, and he’s quietly been gaining strokes T2G and OTT in his last few starts. He hasn’t truly been in contention on a Sunday yet this year, but it’s coming soon.
Si Woo Kim (+2400 Draftkings)
Si Woo has been playing really well to start this season, and he has contended, but he hasn’t won yet. He played his way into the final group last week at a similarly demanding golf course, and I like him to do it again this week.
Sepp Straka (+4500 Draftkings)
Sepp won last year, albeit at the Philly Cricket Club and not QH, but that doesn’t matter. What matters most is that he quietly grabbed a back-door Top 10 last week, and he could be a sneaky pick to repeat at champ.