A New Number 1, the Return of the TIGER, a Strategic Golf Course and the R&A take on LIV Golf

The Genesis Invitational brought back great memories, and amazing forward looking statements.

The Riviera in the Pacific Palisades last week was the host of one of the most anticipated Golf tournaments of the year. The Genesis Invitational.

Tiger Woods, as a Superstar sponsored by the luxurious car maker, is in charge of literally inviting all the players he considers worthy enough to play the tournament. All the big names currently in the PGA were in attendance. Who would be crazy enough to miss this event? (injuries aside of course).

He [Tiger] did not only play a decent first couple of days but also, after barely getting into the Cut, he managed to improve a lot his games into the weekend. And with that he brought us back “Red Sunday!” The day when Tiger wears his iconic red shirt on black pants and shoes, the ones he has used to clinch countless amazing achievements.

The Tournament this year was won by Jon Rahm after defeating Max Homa in a very competitive final round.

With that win, he is not only showing he is playing at an extraordinary level?

He finally got the Number 1 spot on the world’s ranking and also has achieved some mind blowing financial statistics.

In only a month and a half through the year 2023, Jon Rahm has three Victories earning a total of $ 9.4 million in tournament earnings.

If we take into consideration all the events he has played this year, that’s $ 1.9 million in average per tournament, $470,000 per round, $26,111 per Hole and $ 6,999 per Shot!?

This is as crazy as it can be. Congrats to Jon for the wining and well done to Max for putting on such an amazing fight at the end of the final round.

Back to Tiger.

During the Sunday press conference, Tiger said that his new reality from here and for the remainder of his career will be to play 6 tournaments per year.

The first five are obvious: The Genesis Invitational, The four majors; Masters, The Players Championship, The US Open and the Open.

The Question is which tournament would be the lucky sixth during the year. Any guesses?

Fedex or Tour Championship maybe...

On another nice note

We had Madelyn, a lovely young lady who displayed a banner during one of the last rounds at Riviera.?

The Card had three boxes.

The first said “Get a Heart Transplant” Checked!

The second was “Meet Tiger Woods” . The Champion himself approached the girls and literally checked the second box for her with a sharpie after giving her an autographed glove.

The third and still unchecked box?... “Play Augusta”

We wish Madelyn all the best in the future and that her dream of playing Augusta becomes a reality.

A clash of Golf Architect Schools in the Riviera.

I have always been amazed by the contrast of ways of thinking of the greatest Golf course designers.?

Thomas’ Riviera is the perfect example of this.

In the 6th hole we find the perfect example of the Penal School. Why? Well, not sure if you have noticed but there is a Sand Bunker!… in the Middle of the Green!

Imagine, hitting your iron perfectly and landing your ball in the green only to find out that there is a Bunker between your ball and the flag.

In some circumstances, a straight put to the hole will be simply impossible. That will leave you with the choice of a chip (in the green) or 3 puts.

On the other hand, the 8th hole shows the Strategic School at its best.

With a split fairway with a dry and playable creek in the middle. In this case the player will need to decide to hit the left side of the fairways and approach the green with a complicated side downhill slope or try to hit the right one and approach the green with an uphill slope.

Easier Fairways and Harder Green versus Harder Fairway and EasIER green. Your call!

By the way… does the Golf course where you play often include some interesting features? Let me know and I will happy to take a look and provide some comments.

More News on LIV Golf

Today the R&A announced that all LIV Players eligible to play in the 151st Open will be allowed to do so.

That includes names such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and of course the defending Champion Cameron Smith.

Great news!?(imho), what do you think?

Next Week Tournament:

23 - 26 February. Honda Classic at the PGA National Resort Golf Course in Palm Beach Florida. I will be there!?

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