On October 29th, we break down the R&A's significant changes to St Andrews, the controversy around Kai Trump's LPGA sponsor's exemption, and a candid interview on the realities of tour life.
The Old Course Gets Longer
- The R&A is adding 132 yards to the Old Course ahead of the 2027 Open, altering six holes and key bunkers like the Road Hole bunker to challenge the game's longest hitters and preserve its strategic integrity.
- "The 10th is unlikely to be drivable in flat conditions," said the R&A's Grant Moir, highlighting the intent behind the changes.
- The iconic par-three 11th hole is being stretched by 21 yards, a significant change designed specifically to take the wedge out of the hands of the world's best.
Merit vs. Marketability on the LPGA
- The LPGA is facing scrutiny after 18-year-old Kai Trump received a sponsor's exemption to make her debut at The Annika, sparking a debate about whether tour access should be based on merit or a player's marketability.
- The LPGA's Ricki Lasky defended the decision, citing Trump's "broad following and reach" as a way to attract new audiences to the sport.
- This controversial invite places a significant spotlight on a teenage amateur, testing how she'll handle immense pressure in her very first professional event.
The Loneliness of the Long-Drive Hitter
- In a refreshingly candid interview, rising star Michael Thorbjornsen opens up about the isolating reality of life on the PGA Tour, discussing the mental toll of traveling and competing alone week after week.
- "Damn, like this, this sucks," Thorbjornsen said of the feeling of eating lunch by himself in the player's dining area.
- To cope, he and his friends have a simple rule to maintain their sanity and friendships: "don't really talk about golf outside of golf."
Quick Hits
Billy Horschel's strong T-11 comeback • LIV stars tee it up at the Hong Kong Open • Charles Howell III's Masters chase continues in Asia
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