In Ponte Vedra Beach, Jason Day has revitalized his golfing career by rekindling his partnership with Colin Swatton, his longtime coach and father figure since Day was 12. After seven years apart to pursue different paths, Day realized he needed Swatton’s expertise to enhance his performance rather than relying solely on instinct. Swatton, balancing work as a TV commentator and coaching Karl Vilips, graciously made time for Day. Their collaboration initially focused on biomechanics and putting, which reaped immediate benefits, like a strong showing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Day appreciates the support from Swatton, highlighting their history and the strengthened team dynamic as vital for his success on the course.
Meanwhile, young golfer Karl Vilips found himself surprised by unexpected congratulations from Tiger Woods following his victory at the Puerto Rico Open. Initially perplexed by the unfamiliar number reaching out to him, Vilips later realized the significance of the contact and expressed excitement over the moment. Not only are Vilips and Woods connected as Stanford alumni, but Vilips also recently became the first ambassador of Woods’ Sun Day Red brand, marking his win as an inaugural coup for the apparel.
Ludvig Aberg, a golfer who prefers cleaving to his roots over regimented practice, shared insights into his unique playstyle with emphasis on actual gameplay. He emphasized enjoying the tempo of a round while maintaining a consistent pace. Aberg’s style starkly contrasts with players like Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson, who had to adapt to slower paces on the PGA Tour, although Aberg stays steadfast in his brisk approach.
As the Masters approaches, golfers are keenly aware of the evolving world rankings. Players like Daniel Berger and Michael Kim have seen significant improvements in their standings due to recent strong performances. Berger, rising to No. 42 after notable finishes, and Kim, ascending from No. 155 to No. 52 with consistent top placements, are both eagerly eyeing the coveted top 50 invitation to the Masters. Kim humorously pointed out his current ranking is above Jon Rahm’s, highlighting the competition’s ever-changing landscape amid shifting opportunities like those provided by the LIV tour.
Rory McIlroy’s recent experiment with his equipment at the Arnold Palmer Invitational serves as a valuable lesson. Discovering that a new set of wedges and woods did not meet expectations under tournament conditions, McIlroy promptly reverted to familiar clubs for the final round. Recognizing that even promising equipment on paper doesn’t always translate to on-course performance, he opted to stick with a tried-and-tested driver as the Masters approached.
The LPGA is set to make a dynamic return to the Los Angeles area with the JM Eagle LA Championship at El Caballero Country Club, simultaneously addressing community needs with a generous $1.5 million donation for wildfire relief. In addition, JM Eagle, a company specializing in plastic pipes, pledged an additional $5 million for community rebuilding efforts. Their commitment extends to providing complimentary tickets for affected residents and service members, underscoring the interconnectedness of community and sport.
Notable movements in golf administration include Steve Timms, who, after 25 years at the Houston Golf Association, will retire, leaving behind a legacy of substantial contributions to junior golf. Additionally, the RSM Classic at Sea Island affirmed its title sponsorship through 2028, continuing its role as a key year-end event impacting tour card allocations. Laura Frick has been appointed the championship director for the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA at Hazeltine, marking a pioneering step as the first female member in that position.
Statistically, Collin Morikawa’s runner-up placement at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earned him a larger payout than his victories in the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 British Open, illustrating the complex and evolving nature of prize earnings in golf.
Finally, amid the backdrop of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf schism, Justin Thomas expressed a mixture of fatigue and perseverance at The Players Championship, acknowledging the ongoing tension while concentrating on the sport itself.
