Check every week for the unjustified thoughts of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest themes in this sport, and join in the conversation by tweaking us on Twitter @golf_com. This week, we discuss Ryder Cup’s bubble, the loss of Tommy Fleetwood in Memfis and more.
The six automatic qualification points for the US Ryder Cup team will be set after next week’s BMW championship, and with a $ 20 million bag offered in BMW, there is still time for some players just outside that interruption to make their place and secure their place. Which player in the bubble most needs a great week to enter the first six so that they don’t worry about getting a captain’s choice?
Jack Harsh, editor of associate equipment (@Jr_bresany) :: I don’t think there is any other response other than the defensive champion this week, Keegan Bradley. Also known as the team captain. Keegan is the 10th on the list of American points, and he seems to have softened his position that he would not choose it himself. I don’t know math, but I would assume that only another win would take it to the top-6. Otherwise, it will be very interesting to see what he decides about choosing himself or even giving up the captain.
James Colgan, the editor of news and features (@Jamescolgan26) :: Keegan is a good answer, but I’m leaning towards Chris Gotterup. He has been a difficult charger in the last few weeks – along with Cameron Young – but a T54 conclusion in Memfis was not enough to complete the work. He needs another strong performance.
Jessica Marxbury, high editor (@Jess_Marksbury) :: I agree with my colleagues in Keegan and Chris, and will also add Andrew Novak to the list. Novak was ranked 13th on Ryder Cup’s list of points, heading to FedEx St. Jude, and frankly, was not a name I would consider for the team. But a T6 conclusion in Memfis should help his cause, and his support with another strong performance next week can end up as a great creator of changes.
Tommy Fleetwood kept the 54-year lead in the FedEx St. Championship. Jude, but a 17th trick and one last round one-nine 69 years old on Sunday kept it a kick from a play off (in which Justin Rose defeated Jj Spaun in the third hole of Play off for the title). Fleetwood has won seven times on the DP World Tournament, but is still famous without a winner in 162 PGA Tour begins. Is this sample size officially large enough to explain what you are holding it back?
Hirah: No! I don’t think we know what you’re holding it back. It can be many different things, but what is quite clear is that he continues to put himself in these positions. And with a easily repetitive game and golf as it is just a matter of time before it is converted.
Colgan: Yes! And the answer is simple: it is in his head. I spent a time Reporting to the phenomenon of “pressure drowning” – or by performing less than your best when it matters more – and learned that the players are uniquely interested in fighting under attention. This is because of how our prefrontal cortex deals with stress, and how the “Repeating Obligation” of golf oscillation fades while under pressure. Good news: Practice helps – and Tommy is getting a lot of practice.
Marxbury: As Fleetwood said in his interview after the round, it is really difficult to win in the tournament. And it’s not like his latest round was a complete blow-a bad noise in 17 years of age, but that happens. To have a chance to win, you need to put yourself in position for a possible interruption. Undoubtedly Tommy is getting a lot of practice. He will get there eventually!
CBS Sports reported a 17 percent lump year by year in the average audience for its PGA Tour Telekastrat, the best year of watching the network since 2018. This comes after the view was plunged in 2024. What do you think it caused growth? And do you expect numbers to continue to improve next year?
Hirah: I think honestly golf has just been really convincing this year. This was not the case in 2024 when there was a winner of low voltage winners. But you have had Rory and Scottie win seven times including three of the four major, a really gorgeous US Open that was electric downstream, some other big names like Ludwig, Justin Thomas and now Justin Rose have collected big victories. PGA big bet on its stars with limited fields, and it seems that those boys are winning more often.
Colgan: I think a bunch of star winners helped. As well as later conclusions, which push the ratings. Like some major moments of sports monoculture (Rory in masters). Just as the changes in the viewing outside Nielsen’s house. As he did a thousand other things. I think the numbers will slide a tad next year, but those points are expected after dies cable TV.
Marxbury: James is our resident expert on that front, but personally, I think golf is more interesting and fun to follow when there is a prevailing character or two to cheer. Scottie looks more comfortable than ever filling the gap left Tiger. We want to look at the winner to win, and if Scottie can keep the pedal down, I think this will keep your eyes closed in Golf. Discard a historic show or two of Rory’s likes and other fan favorites, and this feels like a strong recipe for the success of future ratings.
Rickie Fowler was among the players who moved to the top 50 places to advance to the second stop of the next week’s Play off, while Jordan Spieth was among a group that fell within 50 money to get out of it. Which move about the Top-50 stop was most important to you?
Hirah: I liked to watch Rickie Fowler’s Grind Out a high-50 bed, but I’m Kinda shocked a player like Aldrich Potgieter, who had a victory and a loss in play off this year, did not make the top-50s. And as the only novice for making play -off, there will be no in the last two events of the season. It is difficult to do it in the tournament, and now it’s tougher to succeed!
Colgan: I was inspired by Bud Cauley’s performance Sunday-especially the chip for Birdie in the 17th place in 48th and BMW. Bold things!
Marxbury: A pair of impressive herd shows to mark: Akshay Bhatia ending T6 to go from 45 to 29; T9 of Kurtayama’s Kurtayama shifts it from 52 to 37; and Jhonatan Vegas going from 56 to 49 after finishing T14. On the other hand, a surprise for me was Mines Lees Lee and Lee Week. It started at 50 but ended second to the last to drop to 57. Also, Jake KNAPP ending T62 and falling from 47 to 55 should hit a little.
Scottie Scheffler revealed earlier this week that he spent $ 50 on eBay buying a replacement for a beloved Cypress Point Divot tool. What has been your strangest or spontaneous golf purchase?
Hirah: coupling Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club in Scotland after playing it a second time two years ago. It costs me 250 GBP and now I’m ready to renovate for the second time!
Colgan: It was a gift, but a few years ago, a friend bought an orange head otto for me. (I am a proud grade of Siracuse.) He travels all over the world with me, and is the only article I will buy three more if I lost it tomorrow.
Marxbury: I just saw that The ball mark adjacent to the crystal in shape like a pint of beerI knew I had to have it.
