🏌 Golfers vs Rowdy Fans at WM

Good morning. While the defending champions The Kansas City Chiefs defeated San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in an overtime thriller, a dramatic weekend of golf unfolded - headlined by epic comebacks, fan fights and inclement weather.

Heated exchanges between the fans and players at TPC Scottsdale created quite the chaos - we bring you the scoop, and also showcase the highest earners in Masters' history.

That, and a tip to avoid shanking, in today's edition of Golf Reporter.

Today’s Trivia: Only 3 players have won four Majors by the age of 25 - Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and who else? Answer at the end of the email.

No change in the top player rankings this week

⛳ This day in history: The modern Big Three of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player finished 1-2-3 three times on the PGA Tour. The first was on this date in 1963 at the Phoenix Open at Arizona Country Club. The order was oldest to youngest - Palmer, Player, Nicklaus.

ALBATROSS
Taylor Denies Scheffler A Three-Peat, DJ Bags Las Vegas Title

WM Phoenix Open Update

Canada's Nick Taylor beat Charley Hoffmann in a thrilling playoff to win the WM Phoenix Open - his fourth career PGA Tour title. Taylor's remarkable finish saw him birdie three of the final four holes across both the front and back nines before winning on the second playoff hole.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler came close to matching Arnold Palmer's record of winning three consecutive WM Phoenix Open titles but fell just short, finishing T-3 alongside Sam Burns.

Sahith Theegala finished fifth ahead of stars like Jordan Spieth (T-6), Justin Thomas (T-12) and Matt Fitzpatrick (T-15).

WM Phoenix Open Final Leaderboard 

Click here to watch Day 4 highlights.

LIV Las Vegas Update

Dustin Johnson won LIV Las Vegas on Saturday in windy and chilly conditions - his third victory on the tour. Johnson shot a one-under 69 to finish 12 under ahead of Peter Uihlein and Talor Gooch.

Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau had a poor final round and finished 8th and T-9 respectively.

In the team competition, Gooch, Kokrak and McDowell led Brooks Koepka-captained Smash GC to a seven-stroke victory over Johnson's 4Aces GC.

LIV Las Vegas Final Leaderboard

Click here to watch Day 3 highlights.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Fans vs Players At TPC Scottsdale

WM Phoenix Open officials had to close entrances and suspend alcohol sales quell some of the rowdiness at TPC Scottsdale. But, there were several heated exchanges between players and fans on the final day.

Zach Johnson was recorded remonstrating with fans. “I’m just sick of it ... shut up!” Johnson shouted in frustration before storming off.

Billy Horschel was seen shouting at a spectator for making noise while one of his playing partners, qualifier Nicolo Galletti, was about to hit a shot.

A fan yelled in Jordan Spieth’s backswing on No 18, and it clearly affected him, as a video captured him muttering under his breath. Spieth was still able to hit his approach shot to 15 feet.

These are just the incidents which were caught on camera. There were countless other incidents of fights, drunk fans falling and sliding on muddy turf etc over the last four days at TPC Scottsdale.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

WITB: Nick Taylor won the WM Phoenix Open while Dustin Johnson emerged victorious at LIV Las Vegas. Check out the equipment they used in their respective events.

Tiger Woods: Tiger Woods is scheduled to reveal his new sponsor in a press conference later today but he may have accidentally leaked the name on Saturday. TaylorMade's 'Sunday Red' logo is seemingly visible on the glove in the picture posted by Woods on X.

DP World Tour: Rikuya Hoshino of Japan captured his first European tour title by shooting 4-under 68 to win the Qatar Masters. He is the fourth Japanese winner in European tour history, after Isao Aoki, Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune.

LIV Golf: LIV Golf has failed to sign a Friday TV partner for the 2024 season. They have an existing deal with CW l but that partnership only includes the league’s Saturday and Sunday broadcasts. On Fridays, LIV’s first rounds are aired on the CW app and YouTube, but not on any television partner in the US.

Korn Ferry Tour: Aldrich Potgieter shot 59 at Astara Golf Championship to become the youngest player to record a sub-60 round in a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event. US golfer Kevin Velo won the event.

Rory McIlroy: Rory McIlroy has revealed that he cut down on two of his guilty pleasures - chocolate and ice cream, to remain on top of his game. He has upped his protein intake and is also on a gluten-free diet.

Jim Knous: Pro golfer Jim Knous is quitting the game to join Ping as a club fitter and education engineer. He finished T-28 in his last professional tournament - the WM Phoenix Open.

BIRDIE
Who Made The Most Money At The Masters

There have been 87 Masters. Here are the highest all-time earners at the tournament.

5. Justin Rose: Rose has made 18 Masters appearances and has earned $4,403,768 till date, making it to the top five ahead of Rory McIlroy.

4. Dustin Johnson: Johnson won his first green jacket in 2020, a prize that was worth $2,070,00. He has earned $4,576,475 in 13 trips.

3. Jordan Spieth: In 10 Masters appearances, Spieth has earned $6,015,828. He won the tournament in 2015. In 2023, he tied for fourth.

2. Tiger Woods: Woods has made $9,588,236 in 25 Masters appearances. Woods has five green jackets.

1. Phil Mickelson: Mickelson has earned $9,773,317 in 30 starts at the Masters, including $1,584,000 for a tie for second in 2023. He has won the event three times and has made 27 cuts.

DRIVING RANGE
How To Avoid Shanking Your Shots

In this video, Todd Kolb shares a simple tip that will help you eliminate shanks and perfect your pitch shots. He'll discuss your setup, trail arm bend, and clubface impact position.

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