Welcome to the Free Drop newsletter – a round up of all the talking points from the past week in golf and a look ahead to Free Drop podcast content coming up.
Fun Fact
PGA Tour player Chase Seiffert has had two career holes-in-one. They have both come on his birthday!
Weekend Takeaways
Five takeaways from the past week in golf, according to Craig Stirton.
Common Sense Prevails In Ryder Cup
Arguably the most significant happening in the golf world this week was the postponement of the Ryder Cup until 2021. As the coronavirus took hold of the world – and of course the sporting one – the absence of fans during sport’s fazed return has given events an undeniably hollow feeling.
In recent weeks the PGA of America announced that the PGA Championship would be played without spectators. While this wasn’t necessarily the end of the world – the fans make the Ryder Cup the riveting spectacle that it is. Laser-like approaches and clutch putts are made all the more exciting by roars from the crowds and players feeding off their supporters’ energy.
Though there was talk, briefly, of staging the event without fans, common sense has prevailed and Whistling Straits will play host to the best players from the United States and Europe in 2021.
Startling South African at Muirfield
When scanning the third-round leaderboard at the Workday Charity Open, I came across a name I’d never heard of – MJ Daffue. Even more surprising was the South African flag next to his name. A quick Google search told me that Daffue had Monday-qualified for the event after shooting 63.
The former Lamar University golfer made the most of the opportunity – making the cut courtesy of a wedge to 2-feet on his closing hole on Friday. A sensational third-round 65 vaulted the little-known 31-year-old into the top-10.
Though a closing 73 saw Daffue fall outside the top-10 and consequently miss out on an exemption into the 3M Open, the cheque for $59 830 is not only his best cheque of the year by $57 436 (!!!) but also eclipses his career earnings on the Korn Ferry Tour by nearly $20 000.
It just goes to show you that a lot of these guys just need a shot at the big time.
No Fans Gave Us A Long-Lasting Memory
Five tournaments since the resumption of the PGA Tour season and there continue to be pros and cons to the absence of fans. On the one hand, moments that would usually be sources of great excitement among the gallery are now subdued thanks to social distancing and the apprehension around fans lining the fairways and surrounding the greens at Tour events. On the flip side, the absence of fans means that there is one fewer avenue through which the virus may be spread.
Yet during his playoff with Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas provided one of the most goosebump-worthy moments in recent memory when he drained a near 50-foot bomb at the first playoff hole. The shout Thomas let out will be etched in my memory for years to come and had fans been present, I may never have heard it.
I have very little issue with no fans at Tour events. At least for now…
Friends Of The Pod Return to Competition
After a nearly four-month break from tournament golf due to the coronavirus, two former Free Drop podcast guests will once again tee it up in competition this week.
Sunshine Tour Rookie of The Year Garrick Higgo is in the Euram Bank Open field in Austria while Cara Gorlei will make her first start of the Women’s All Pro Tour season in the United States at the Texarkana Children’s Charities Open.
Links to the respective leaderboards will be posted on Free Drop’s social media later in the week for anyone wanting to track their progress.
Best of luck to both Cara and Garrick!
Past Podcasts
Casandra Hall
Casandra Hall joined the Free Drop podcast as part of our #womenwednesdays segment. We discuss how she called her victory at the SA Strokeplay before the week began, the importance of eating correctly when on the road, locking up her Ladies European Tour card and a lot more. So enjoyed this one and will be following Cass’ progress very closely in the months and years ahead. Follow Casandra Hall on Instagram: @cass_golf
Have a listen
Kyle Barker
Kyle Barker joined the Free Drop podcast to chat about his unique golf journey: From his time time spent at the Kenako Academy, winning on the Mena Tour in the UAE, securing his Sunshine Tour card at the third attempt and so much more. Kyle is certainly perseverance personified. Follow Kyle Barker on Instagram: @kylebarker7.
Have a listen
Next On The Tee
Tuesday
Free Drop Live with Sunshine Tour player Martin Rohwer. Live @17:00.
Wednesday
Women Wednesdays: Women’s Golf South Africa Open Player of The Year Kaylah Williams joins Free Drop Live this week. Time: TBC.
Friday
Free Drop podcast interview with David Frost
Scary Stat
In 2005, David Frost set the record for fewest putts over 72 holes at a PGA Tour event when he posted 92 putts at the 2005 MCI Heritage at Harbour Town. That’s an average of 23 putts per round!
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