Males’s Olympic Golf preview, Jon Rahm’s first LIV win

Examine in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked subjects within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we sit up for the lads’s Olympic Golf competitors, talk about Jon Rahm’s first LIV Golf victory, the most effective offers in golf and extra.

The PGA Tour is off this week for the lads’s Olympic Golf competitors, which begins Thursday at Le Golf Nationwide outdoors of Paris. With golf now competing within the Video games a 3rd time, do you count on curiosity within the occasion to extend as properly?

Sean Zak, senior author (@Sean_Zak): I positively count on a bump. Principally due to the time zone distinction between Paris and Tokyo. Followers within the States will be capable to catch the ultimate spherical of the leaders, principally in full in the event that they’d like. It could possibly be Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler, if the IGF is fortunate. It could possibly be Shub Sharma in opposition to C.T. Pan, which might be totally different however enjoyable, too. Principally, the medals will get handed out round 11 a.m. on the East Coast. That appears nice! And if there’s a playoff — which there probably will probably be — even higher.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I’m positive the hardcore followers will probably be extra engaged than three years in the past in Tokyo, however so far as the typical Olympics fan goes, I’m undecided golf will garner a lot curiosity. There are too many different common Olympic sports activities for golf to be an enormous draw.

Nick Dimengo, instruction editor (@ndimengo): I do. It’s one other alternative to see lots of the finest gamers on the earth compete in opposition to each other, so golf followers must be . Plus, who doesn’t prefer it when LIV guys and PGA Tour guys get collectively at an occasion?

What’s one storyline golf followers must comply with when the 60-player area tees it up on Thursday?

Zak: I’m fairly curious in regards to the LIV contingent at this event. They’re not taking part in for the mega-million-dollar purses they’re used to, however they’ve proven up nonetheless hoping to earn one thing distinctive from this championship season. For a man like Jon Rahm, it might make what has been a really irritating 12 months a bit extra palatable.

Melton: It’ll be enjoyable to observe Xander defend his gold after the stellar main season he put collectively. If he or Scottie can nab a gold in Paris, the player-of-the-year race can have one other bullet level to contemplate.

Dimengo: I agree with Zephyr and will probably be holding a detailed eye on Schauffele. Not solely is he coming off a victory on the Open Championship, however he’s additionally defending his Olympic gold medal. Can he preserve it going?

Jon Rahm, who signed a mega-deal with LIV Golf earlier than this season, picked up his first particular person victory on Sunday within the UK after Tyrrell Hatton three-putted on the 18th inexperienced and made bogey. Who was this win extra vital for: Rahm, or LIV Golf?

Zak: Oh, this was method greater for Rahm. LIV’s third season was all about his arrival. And we’ve tracked it. It has been … OK, however not nice. Essentially the most-viewed movies we’ve seen of him on the course have been of him cussing about this or that, fairly than some {golfing} feat. So to show that narrative — even after the key season has handed — nonetheless feels vital.

Melton: It’s an enormous win for LIV to see their largest star lastly break via, however it is a vital win for Rahm, too. He hasn’t gained because the 2023 Masters, so getting the monkey off his again should really feel good.

Dimengo: It’s onerous to say Rahm as a result of, properly, is that this actually up there with a few of the different victories he’s had in his profession? Not likely. Certain, it provides him some validation for signing the huge take care of LIV Golf, however the win itself is extra helpful to the league since it may well now market Rahm as a LIV winner.

Talking of LIV, Joaquin Niemann stated he’s “fairly optimistic” that there will probably be some form of pathway created for LIV golfers to get into majors subsequent 12 months, which wasn’t the case the previous two years. Do you share his optimism?

Zak: I definitely share his optimism. However I’d a lot fairly see a pathway for them again to the PGA Tour, contemplating we at the moment are 14 months since Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Jay Monahan signed the Framework Settlement in 2023 between the Tour and the Saudi PIF. I do know rather a lot has occurred since then, however that’s way more vital than a few spots right here and there for LIV gamers within the 2025 PGA Championship.

Melton: Sure, I’d think about there will probably be a pathway into the majors for LIV gamers as soon as the “merger” particulars get hashed out. Though I’m positive there’ll nonetheless be some complaining from LIV stars about needing extra spots. The sufferer mentality gained’t go away simply.

Dimengo: As soon as we get the (long-awaited) particulars relating to the merger, I’m positive there will probably be a neater path for the LIV guys to get into majors. What that appears like is anybody’s guess, however the aim ought to all the time be to get probably the most proficient golfers within the area.

Jhonattan Vegas gained the 3M Open on Sunday at TPC Twin Cities, besting Max Greyserman by a shot. Whereas the sector for the 3M didn’t comprise a ton of star-power, there have been loads of fascinating storylines specializing in execs making an attempt to battle for positioning within the FedEx Cup standings with only one occasion (the Wyndham Championship) remaining. Since solely 70 gamers now make the playoffs, might you argue that it’s truly improved the curiosity stage for a few of these late-season tournaments that don’t have a bunch of huge names?

Zak: That’s completely one of many vital outcomes of adjusting the format for the PGA Tour. In a non-Olympics 12 months, we would have had a good stronger area for the 3M, like when the event benefitted from Justin Thomas getting into in sizzling pursuit of some FedEx Cup factors final 12 months. And past the highest 70, you’ve bought gamers actually making an attempt to get into, say, the highest 42 or so, figuring out that the 2025 Signature Occasions are on the road for the highest 50 after the primary week of the playoffs as properly. Gamers take into consideration these items all 12 months lengthy, whether or not they need to admit it or not.

Melton: These late-season occasions could also be extra vital for the golfers, however I’m not satisfied it makes the informal fan any extra engaged. With the post-major-season burnout, it’s onerous to get hyped about dudes battling to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Dimengo: It’s onerous to check many golf followers sitting inside on a pleasant summer season day deciding to soak up all the 3M Open on TV, however I personally assume these smaller Tour occasions are enjoyable. They imply a ton to the golfers, particularly those on the perimeter of the FedEx Cup standings, so there’s rather a lot happening — as we witnessed this weekend with such a crowded leaderboard. That’s good for golf.

Because of a new partnership between Pebble Seashore Firm and Youth on Course, Spyglass Hill is now setting apart one tee time a day (4 gamers) for Youth on Course members who can play a world-renowned course that’s usually $495 for simply $5. Now that’s a steal. What’s your favourite worth you’ve stumbled upon throughout your travels?

Zak: That $490 low cost goes to be robust to beat. However I’ll say I’ve by no means had a foul day at San Francisco’s Presidio Golf Course, which has resident reductions however doesn’t utterly gouge the customer within the course of. You’ll be able to play a twilight spherical in the midst of the week for underneath $60, get some pretty views of the town after which roll proper into city for a late, pretty dinner.

Melton: It’s onerous to beat the greens charges at Bethpage Black for in-state residents (about $75). Taking part in a major-caliber course for underneath $100 is one heck of a deal.

Dimengo: I as soon as walked right into a bar with a buddy on a Friday throughout a visit to Japanese Washington, shared a dialog with a pair different younger guys, requested them the place a superb public golf course can be and ended up getting invited to a free spherical the subsequent day. The course? Gamble Sands. I’d say that’s a fairly good worth, proper?