Canadian success, the realities of stress and more bits and bites from the golf world

Bits, Bites and Barbs from across the world of golf:

Bits

Think about if skilled golf was just like the NFL and two golfers certified for a playoff, and the one who misplaced a coin flip needed to stand on the tee hoping his competitor didn’t make birdie as a result of he wouldn’t even get an opportunity to tee off if that occurred ... And golfers suppose the worst rule is sports activities will not be getting free drops from divots. Puh-leeze ... The 14-year-old me is inconsolable about that Payments loss. The 43-year-old “not often watches soccer anymore” me is considerably gutted, too ... Brooke Henderson was on TV Sunday for much less time than it took the Chiefs to tie the sport on that final drive ... Danielle Kang, who beat Henderson by three pictures to win the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Match of Champions, doesn't seem like somebody with whom you’d wish to quarrel. She’s among the many most intense gamers in golf. Love when she’s within the hunt ... No golf event makes me lament Canadian winters greater than the PGA Tour cease in Palm Springs, Calif. ... Jon Rahm was caught on a scorching mic dropping an expletive whereas calling the desert occasion a “placing contest.” Rahm ought to be in higher spirits this week on the gruelling Torrey Pines, website of his first PGA Tour win in 2017 and his first main victory final yr on the U.S. Open.

Bites

A runner-up end thanks to 2 bogey-free weekend rounds is a nice begin to Henderson’s season. A stable week with the putter using the somewhat peculiar tactic of eradicating the flagstick to learn putts and changing it earlier than placing a few of them. By no means seen such a transfer, however no matter works for somebody whose quick recreation wants sharpening ... I’m undecided anyone’s identify has ever sounded extra like knowledgeable golfer than that of Hudson Swafford ... On a extra severe be aware, a pleasant story with Swafford profitable the American Specific through the week of his late father’s birthday ... Amazingly, the 2021-22 PGA Tour season is already on the quarter mark. Six of the eight Canadians with full standing are inside the highest 125 on the FedEx Cup checklist, with Nick Taylor (145th) and Michael Gligic (177th) on the skin trying in. Mackenzie Hughes is the highest Canuck in sixteenth place ... You by no means knew what you had been going to get from Stephen Ames in scrums throughout his days on the PGA Tour. He could possibly be participating, witty, cocky, surly, combative, condescending. Generally multi functional session. Now, no one appears to be like like he’s having extra enjoyable taking part in golf than Ames, who began his season with a tie for third in Hawaii. Taking part in the no-cut, low-stress PGA Tour Champions circuit is the perfect gig in sports activities.

Barbs

My jest in regards to the ease of the senior circuit apart, skilled golf, whereas seemingly an idyllic occupation of journey and riches and taking part in a few of the world’s most stunning programs, might be merciless and lonely and miserable. For all the photographs of massive cheques and glossy trophies, there are numerous golfers fighting nervousness as missed cuts mount. We noticed younger star Matthew Wolff take a depart of absence final yr to cope with the unrelenting strain he felt to carry out. “A number of the emotions that I had had been like getting up within the morning figuring out I needed to get off the bed and simply not having the ability to,” Wolff stated later within the season at a playoff occasion. “I simply wish to keep in my mattress and never be in entrance of everybody and never screw up in entrance of everybody.” Bubba Watson has opened up about his psychological well being struggles, World No. 1 Nelly Korda mentioned the significance of not taking the sport so critically. And final week, Alena Sharp, who has taken breaks from the sport in current months, spoke candidly about coping with the placing yips and the toll that has taken on her, each on and off the course. On the similar time, golf is an escape for thus many. I’ve written in regards to the remedy golf supplies to a firefighter with PTSD and a couple of tragedy bringing golf buddies collectively to boost consciousness for suicide prevention. In these years of the pandemic, so many people have discovered solace from a lot doom and gloom via golf. The sport has performed an important function not solely in our bodily well-being however, extra vital, in our psychological well-being. As one other Bell Let’s Discuss day approaches, let’s all keep in mind golf is about a lot greater than birdies and bogeys. Each battle and salvation lie inside it.

Obscure considered the week: Even the Tooth Fairy will not be resistant to inflation, it could seem.