Kapalua Insights: Aberg’s Performance and PGA Tour Records
Kapalua Experience
Ludvig Aberg, now in his second year at The Sentry tournament held at Kapalua, seems to have unraveled the secret to tackling the Plantation Course. “You have to post quite a few low scores here to stay competitive,” he remarked. This past weekend, he started nine strokes back, but with final rounds of 65 and 64, he managed to climb the leaderboard, ultimately finishing tied for fifth, trailing leader Hideki Matsuyama by 11 strokes.
In contrast, Thomas Detry shot a score of 65 in the third round yet found himself losing ground. Expressing his feelings about the round, he noted, “I shot 8 under today, but it didn’t really feel like it. On other courses, shooting 8 under feels extraordinary, here it felt more consistent.”
Debate on Course Difficulty
A question arising from this weekend’s play is whether Kapalua is becoming too forgiving. Hideki Matsuyama established a new PGA Tour record of 35 under par, winning by three strokes, surpassing Cameron Smith’s previous record of 34 under from 2022. Similar to the past years, this year saw minimal wind affecting play.
Weather can play a significant role in golf. At times, strong gusts have delayed tournaments or made them nearly impossible to complete, as was the case in 2013. During calmer conditions in 2006, Stuart Appleby triumphed with an 8-under score under very windy circumstances.
Collin Morikawa encountered a remarkable 26 under after three rounds yet found himself trailing. When asked if he enjoyed the conditions, he humorously responded, “I love it,” misinterpreting the question. “I thought you meant enjoying being in contention here in Hawaii!” he added with laughter. He continued, “The par 5s are reachable, and the par 4s are short without wind. It’s exhausting, not just playing like this but also competing in a major.”
Altering course setup is one consideration being discussed, such as converting the 520-yard fifth hole to a par 4, as it has an average score of 4.1 for the week.
Player Impact Program Insight
Scottie Scheffler achieved significant success last year, but he was not the top player in the Player Impact Program. That distinction went once again to Tiger Woods, who earned a $10 million bonus despite playing only five tournaments, while Scheffler, who had an impressive year with nine wins, including the Masters, earned $8 million. Rory McIlroy followed in third place with $4.5 million.
In a list detailing the top earners, many didn’t secure wins on the PGA Tour last season. Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Wyndham Clark also made the list.
Schauffele’s Rental Car Choices
Despite banking $29.3 million after an impressive year, Xander Schauffele seems unconcerned with luxurious car ownership. Currently, he drives a 2016 Toyota Camry and maintains a straightforward lifestyle, opting to rent cars during travels rather than keeping multiple vehicles. “I have one car back home in San Diego, which serves its purpose. It’s more about convenience for me,” he mentioned.
Commitment to Maui Recovery
Sentry Insurance, which has been the title sponsor for Kapalua since 2018, recently pledged an additional $1 million to support youth mental health services in Maui following the devastating fires in Lahaina. With this latest contribution, their total donations to wildfire relief and recovery efforts have surpassed $3 million, ensuring vital aid reaches affected families and children.
Finau’s Strong Comeback
Tony Finau, who had surgery on his left knee last October, successfully completed the tournament without making a bogey over the last 51 holes, concluding in a tie for 15th. His successful return to competitive golf after a long recovery period has him feeling optimistic about his progress. “It’s been a lengthy recovery. But I’m glad to be back and feeling good,” he stated.
Additional Updates
The Korn Ferry Tour has expanded player fields for initial events in the Bahamas to include 144 competitors, accommodating all players interested in participating. Matt McCarty earned a two-year exemption by winning the Black Desert Championship, alongside securing a sponsorship deal. David Rickman, recently retired after a 37-year career with the R&A, has been honored with an MBE for his contributions to the sport.
Final Remark
Justin Thomas remains the sole player to have won the season-opening event at Kapalua and subsequently claimed the FedEx Cup in the same year. “Next year, we aim to return and hopefully find a way to hit 36 under—that might still be short,” proposed Collin Morikawa after finishing 32 under par, three strokes behind Matsuyama.
