From Rory McIroy’s disrespect to Finau’s trip to Clark’s near keeper, catch up.
Getty Images, Alayna Finau
Hello, friends, and welcome to this edition of the Rogers Report, where we’re exploring our options – getting a loan, maybe? – while checking ticket prices for next year Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
My God! On the one hand, these are really cheap compared to Taylor Swift tickets. On the other hand, this is one LOT cash only to spend in one day on a course known for its low prices…
Let’s continue.
Matt McCarthy earned his first PGA Tour win at the Black Desert Championship in Utah last week, and the course’s scenery reminded me of another notable course — which, I later discovered, is just three minutes away from the week’s host site passed.
The impact Troy Bolton’s “Bet on it” performance has. High school musical 2 had on me as a child cannot be overstated. Congratulations to both Matt McCarty and Troy Bolton for making a name for themselves on the beautiful St. Louis golf courses. I’m a big fan of both.
Disrespecting Rory McIlroy
I’m usually a big fan of golf analogies and references that happen outside of the golf world. I love seeing the pros at other sporting events, and I couldn’t help but laugh when the presidential debate turned into a conversation about handicaps in June. It always feels like one of those Disney Channel crossover episodes and it’s exciting to hear about outdoor golf.
Anyway, Reince Priebus made a golf analogy I definitely didn’t expect the other day on ABC. Check it out.
A few things to note here. One, it feels a little forced. Remember when Jimmy Fallon used to feed random players a line to say during their press conferences? They would find a way to fit in the occasional sentence while responding to the media, but it always felt a little forced and too random. This gave me the same feeling; he planned this.
I also thought it was interesting that Priebus went with McIlroy’s loss rather than some of golf’s more infamous meltdowns. Think Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters or Jean Van de Velde at Carnoustie in 1999 or Phil Mickelson at Winged Foot in 2006. McIlroy’s finish it was brutal, but he had played a spectacular Sunday up to that point – we won’t see his Sunday at Pinehurst in the same light, will we?
Off-season getaways
While there is still technically fall golf happening on the PGA Tour right now, many players are taking a well-deserved break. And you know what that means? It’s travel time. You’ll notice I didn’t say “vacation time” – the following excursions seem less relaxing and more exploratory to me.
Anyway, yes DeBAte the family went to New York City for a few days last week.
Taking five kids to New York takes some serious organizational skills, but taking them to Times Square is like tackling the Big Apple in expert mode. The Finau kids are definitely better behaved than my siblings and I because we barely survived our 2006 trip to the M&M store in Times Square. We still talk about it to this day.
Layna Finau documented many of their travels on TikTok and I commend Tony for making the most of his time in the tri-state area. He used it in Pine Valley and Baltusrol, so it was definitely a successful escape.
Also, it’s safe to say that the Finaus are ice cream people and they are officially invited to join me at the Scoop anytime.
A great Scottie Scheffler comparison
Lanto Griffin called himself the “Scottie Scheffler of making dial cuts” last week and it got me thinking. what i am The Scottie Scheffler? What each of us is Scottie Scheffler what?
Someone out there is the world’s #1 maker of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Someone else is the world’s best Christmas gift wrapper. I used to tell my friends that I have a 12 handicap in running. Not great, but good enough. If I had to be the Scottie Scheffler of something, it would probably be something super special, like making comparisons between the Disney Channel and golf or pouring water out of an iron when you have three minutes to get dressed.
SDR at Pebble Beach
Some of my favorite things include scenic golf courses, Tiger Woods, and sweatshirt shopping. So I was very excited to see that Sun Day Red opened a pop-up at Pebble Beach Shops last week. Anyone there can check out the luxury brand and some exclusive merchandise available only at the location.
Day of the Red Sun
“Pebble Beach is very special to me for many reasons,” Tiger said. “Staying and playing at Pebble is the ultimate golf experience, making it the perfect location for our first Sun Day Red store. I’m excited to see fans experience our brand in person for the first time.”
Red Sun Day
I’m sorry to admit that I don’t think a trip to Pebble Beach is in my plans anytime soon, because I would have loved to get that purple hoodie for myself, and also because the whole place is beautiful. And if you’re lucky enough to be there in the coming months, after you’re done shopping, grab some ice cream at Pebble Beach Market.
Caitlin Clark is pretty much ace
You know those people who seem to be good at everything? We’ve all had a classmate like that at one point or another. You already knew they got good grades, but then you found out they’re also super athletic, artistic AND they can sing and cook. Also, they spend their free time volunteering at a nursing home or something super healthy like that.
I’m starting to think Caitlin Clark is one of those people.
The Indiana Fever star is making the most of her free time playing golf, and I’m so excited that she tee him in the pro-am in Annika next month.
You might think that someone who has a full-time gig playing basketball might be a little rusty when it comes to swinging a golf club, but not Caitlin Clark.
I was going to ask if there’s anything Clark can’t do, but I think the correct question is “is there anything Clark can’t do really good?” She nailed that putt very close and then made the birdie putt despite the fizzy greens. I’m also very happy to see that she is someone who pulls out the pins when she decides.
Clark already has a pair of custom Nike golf shoes, so it’s safe to say her preparation for the Annika pro-am is going well.
