Clark and Burns Play Well, But in the Wrong Tournament

Wyndham Clark (Titleist Pro V1x) and Sam Burns (Callaway Chrome Tour X) did just what I thought they would, albeit a week later. Heading into Canadian Open, I picked Clark and Burns as my two choices in the PG Golf pool. It was the second time using both in the pool, and you are only allowed to pick a player twice. I loved Clark’s form – he had won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and tied for third in the Memorial Tournament.

I had to laugh during the broadcast of the Canadian Open when there was a logjam at 10-under in the second round and one of the broadcasters on The Golf Channel referred to Canada as the home of lumberjacks. Yes, Canada is big into logging, albeit mainly in British Columbia, but as someone who lives in Canada, I wouldn’t say we are the home of lumberjacks. Maple syrup is more like it.

Imagine standing less than three feet from the hole trying to make a putt to close out your round. Now imagine doing that playing in a tournament. Now imagine you’re a professional player in a major championship and the winner’s share is $2.5 million. If you watched the final of last week’s LPGA U.S. Women’s Open, you know where I’m going with this.

If you are a fan of anything to do with sports about France, this is a great time. Tennis fans are enjoying the French Open. Say what you will about the hard-court tennis at the U.S. Open or the grass court tennis at Wimbledon, but the clay court tennis at Roland Garros is special. Just the look and texture about the clay makes this annual major something special.

Midway through the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, I had dreams of K-Pop and the PGA Tour. When Si Woo Kim (Callaway Chrome Soft X) shot a 10-under par in the second round of the tournament, I wanted him to win. Or countryman Sungjae Im (Titleist Pro V1x), who recorded an ace in the same round. I thought it would be great to see one of the two Korean golfers win because of the connection to the title sponsor and seeing the Bibigo signage, TV commercials and logo on Kim and Im’s shirts.

If you had Aaron Rai (Titleist Pro V1) winning the PGA Championship, you are a genius. His odds ranged from 150-1 to 290-1. He showed absolutely nothing in his recent form or overall this year to indicate he was ready to do something big. Yes, he placed fifth prior to the PGA Championship in the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, but that was a tournament for players who weren’t eligible for the Truist Championship. So how could you realistically bet on Rai to win the PGA Championship?

And here we go again with the second of the four majors on the PGA Tour. Will the PGA Championship be another battle between Rory McIlroy (TaylorMade TP5) and Scottie Scheffler (Titleist Pro V1)? I’m hoping it won’t be.