Tour Championship’s new socring a hot topic

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Ernie Els let out a deep sigh and took a sip of his drink late on Sunday after the 2019 Presidents Cup in Australia. He laid one of his huge hands around the shoulder of good friend Trevor Immelman and a small smile started to appear as he pulled his fellow South African in a little tighter. Related: Immelman named 2021 International Team captain From a distance, there was no way to know what “The Big Easyâ€� said at the time, but after a few words, Immelman faced his friend, smiled and nodded intently. With the benefit of hindsight, it could be perceived as a passing of the torch. To some extent, it was. Els had, in fact, talked about how it was Immelman’s turn now. Of course, he had said similar things to each of his other assistants — Mike Weir, Geoff Ogilvy and K.J. Choi. Els was just reiterating something he had stressed was needed as part of an overhaul of the team he had overseen. The captaincy should be a one-and-done scenario. And now it was up to them to carry things forward. Outside of the inner circle of the team, the idea of Els not returning in 2021 seemed ludicrous in the aftermath of one of the best and competitive Presidents Cups on record. But fast-forward a few months and it is Immelman who has been tabbed as the International Team captain for the 2021 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow. He is the man tasked with stopping the U.S. dominance that has stretched out to an 11-1-1 overall record, including a 16-14 win at Royal Melbourne after rallying on the final day. “My relationship with Trevor goes way back and I have always had the utmost respect for him as a player and a person,â€� Els says. “Trevor was an invaluable member of our team and completely bought into what we were trying to do at Royal Melbourne, so it is gratifying to see him take this next step and lead the International Team.â€� Els had spent two years overhauling the International Team set-up to build a new team culture and passion. One of his many efforts was creating a new logo for them to play under. He also spent hours figuring out game plans with the benefit of data and statistics in hopes of getting the most out of his team. The result? His side almost took down one of the best American teams, on paper at least, in history. All 12 players on the U.S. side sat inside the top 24 in the world, five of them in the top 10. And that was without the injured Brooks Koepka, who was world No. 1 at the time. Els’ team had just one player in the top 20 and bottomed out at 65, with an average of over 40. But through three of the five sessions, they set up a 9-5 lead and still sat 10-8 ahead heading to Sunday singles. It was the first lead heading to Sunday since 2003. Only a dogged Tiger Woods-led fightback on Sunday saw the U.S. extend their dominance, leaving the Internationals without a victory since their lone win at Royal Melbourne in 1998. The new methods had clearly worked despite the end result. The International pairings were not at all what was expected, yet they took to Royal Melbourne with gusto and fashioned a lead that quite frankly could have, and probably should have, been larger except for some desperate U.S. heroics. “All of us involved in the Presidents Cup in its early years just got so fed up with how hard it was to corral our team. But Ernie came along at the perfect time from a standpoint of being a legend and dominating presence of the game and he just said, ‘Enough is enough, we’re going to start putting the right practices in place and do this properly,’ â€� Immelman says. “The respect that all people, from administrators all the way through to the players and fans, have for him meant it just fell into place and our team proved to themselves that when you do things right, you can come together and have a chance to play well.â€� So much was his influence, Els was asked by countless people to reconsider giving up his one-and-done stance in the weeks that followed. But he stood firm, knowing he could trust Immelman and his other assistants to push things ahead. “Ernie told us right from the start that he feels you should get one go at captain and that you should be all in for the two-year process, leave your mark on the team and then let somebody else take over from there,â€� Immelman adds. “I know that it was a very difficult decision for him to step away because we did gain so much momentum and he thoroughly enjoyed what was one of the best weeks of his career. But my extreme respect for him grew even more as he was a man of his word and understood what’s best for our team going forward.â€� Of Els’ four assistants at Royal Melbourne, Immelman might not appear as the obvious choice. He is the youngest of the four and is the least-experienced Presidents Cup player, with his two appearances in 2005 and 2007. Ogilvy and Choi played three times, Weir five. Ogilvy also has significant match play acumen behind his name, having twice won the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. But the decision is an astute one. While the others would no doubt prove great captains at Quail Hollow and are full of knowledge when it comes to the new systems, it was Immelman who had been Els’ sounding board as each new idea blossomed prior to Royal Melbourne. You could say he was more intimately involved and, as such, the better choice to push it forward at this time. He has also served as a Junior Presidents Cup captain and knows the ins and outs of juggling the many off-course engagements. “I don’t want people for one second to think that this decision was made lightly or was made with just one Presidents Cup in mind,â€� Immelman says. “We have a plan going well forward with future venues in mind and how we expect things might progress.â€� “We’re trying to find the best way to give our team something a little extra for each Cup. And as of right now, where our team is in this particular moment, as a leadership group we felt like I was going to be the right guy for this time to continue moving us down the road.â€� The Internationals will be the home team for the 2023 Presidents Cup, which means a course outside the U.S. While no venue has been officially announced, Weir would be the logical choice if the tournament is played in Canada. And if that happens, perhaps Ogilvy or Choi can step up in 2025 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. There is also a plan for veteran players to move into the captaincy system more deliberately. Adam Scott, for instance, is just seven months younger than Immelman, although he remains one of the International Team’s key players. Immelman will be just 41 when he takes his team to Quail Hollow, the youngest International captain in history. That should fit nicely with a young International Team; the one in Melbourne was its youngest in Presidents Cup history. Eight of the 12 were in their 20s and perhaps being a little closer in age to those swinging the clubs will help Immelman relate. Scott says it will help the entire team. “Though Ernie and I are very close, more than ever, I feel if I can make the team there is a very relatable and very close connection there with Trevor. We’ve known each other since we were 17 years old and played a lot of golf against each other, traveled together and socialized as friends for the last 20-plus years,â€� Scott explains. “Those close connections, that is one of many things we’ve struggled to have in the past and that certainly favors the United States in their team play. You see it with Europe in the Ryder Cup – those player / captain connections have grown as part of their culture over many many years, probably since the ‘70s. So this feels like one more move in the right direction.â€� And we are talking about a man with two PGA TOUR titles and 11 worldwide victories, including the 2008 Masters. While he could conceivably still be trying to make the team, he hasn’t played a significant schedule since finishing 204th in the FedExCup in 2015. Instead, he has made a transition into broadcasting with CBS – a role that should also help his captaincy as he will have a close eye on potential team members. “You can’t undervalue any of the small little bits and the close connection to me and others of my generation and the fact the players who didn’t play with him see him week in and week out doing the broadcasting and know Trevor is right on the pulse of everything that’s happening on TOUR… that’s huge,â€� Scott adds. Immelman doesn’t shy away from his youth being a factor, calling it “an interesting dynamic.â€� “There could be advantages and disadvantages to it. So my job will be to expose the advantages,â€� he says. “But it is also an exciting time for the Internationals with young stars like Sungjae Im, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann now exposed to the team and others like Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who the world doesn’t know about yet, coming through. There are youngsters all over that have the potential to become world-beaters in the next year-and-a-half and that’s our hope.â€� Some of those youngsters have already thrown their support behind the new captain, with Smith saying that Immelman “would create the same kind of impact as Ernieâ€� and that “whenever Trevor has anything to say in the team room, all of us will certainly sit up and listen.â€� Im also lavished praise, adding, “Trevor is passionate about this competition and I have no doubt he will do everything possible to prepare our team with the aim of winning the Presidents Cup. Ernie was brilliant as he inspired all of us with some of the things he introduced and we came really close to winning in Australia. I am sure Trevor will follow the same formula and implement some of his own ideas to get us ready to face the U.S. Team.â€� The task ahead is a tough one. Taking on the Americans on their turf has been completely fruitless in the past for the Internationals, but Immelman has already begun preparations. “It’s quite frankly all I’ve thought of since I knew that I was going to be the next captain,â€� he says. “We have a system now and we have players that have bought into this and how it works and why it works. So from here on forward at the very least we will be more competitive. “I believe this team is ready to win, but at the end of the day as a leader, all I want my team to know is that every decision that gets made is going to have them at the forefront. They’re the ones that are going to win this Cup for us and at the end of the day no matter what happens, I’m going to have their back.â€�

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Tiger, Rory and Todd. It probably couldn’t have been drawn up much better. For the first time, the fall portion of the PGA TOUR season housed 11 tournaments in 10 weeks – meaning almost a quarter of the 2019-20 season is already in the books. It placed huge importance on the start of the season, more so than ever before, and when you throw in the intrigue surrounding the Presidents Cup captain’s picks, it has been a sensational start. Here is a recap on some of the biggest moments of the fall series – in no particular order – as you prepare to head into the holiday period… but don’t forget we still have plenty of action heading your way after a week to digest your Thanksgiving feast. Tiger Woods will host the Hero World Challenge before taking his U.S. team to Australia for the Presidents Cup that will be played out in primetime for a U.S. audience on one of the world’s best courses in Royal Melbourne. ROAR-SOME Speaking of Woods, he treated us to a huge moment during the Asian swing – specifically the inaugural ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan. Woods was returning to competition after knee surgery and was given little hope to be a serious contender. He had barely played after famously winning the Masters in April and certainly had not played well leading up to the week. But not only did he contend… he won. In front of huge galleries despite a typhoon wiping out a whole day, the victory took Woods to 82 PGA TOUR wins, joining Sam Snead as the all-time record holder. Clearly the knee injury was holding the champion back, but healthy again, Woods could do anything in 2020. “Well, it’s a big number,â€� Woods said after the win. “It’s about consistency and doing it for a long period of time. … I’m very fortunate to have had the career I’ve had so far.â€� RORY ROLLS ON After picking up a second FedExCup last season, Rory McIlroy certainly didn’t rest on his laurels. No one has won three FedExCups before and no one has won back-to-back. McIlroy is now already set up to chase both accolades down after he won the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions in China. It was a fourth win in his last 15 starts at the time and perhaps is a warning sign of what could be a huge 2020 for the reigning PGA TOUR Player of the Year. One thing came through loud and clear when listening to the maturing McIlroy… he is focused on making the most of his prime. “I think maybe more so than when I first came out on TOUR, I try 100% over every shot, because I realize I don’t have as much time left as I used to when I was 20,â€� McIlroy said. “Even if I’m having a bad day, I’m trying over every single shot. My concentration is better and my mental capacity on the golf course is much better than it ever has been, and I think that’s a big key to why I’m able to play consistently week-in, week-out.â€� TODD TURNS IT ALL AROUND If anyone without the last name Todd tells you they expected Brendon Todd to be the FedExCup leader at the end of the fall, you would be within your rights to call the asylum. It just wasn’t feasible. In fact, in the pre-season full fantasy rankings, Todd came in at 147th of 243 players – and to be honest – that even seems like it was being generous. Sure, Todd had won on the TOUR before in 2014 and had shown some mettle to earn his TOUR card via the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, but this was a man who had seemingly forgotten how to play golf for a time. A few years plagued by the yips had Todd contemplating a career in pizza franchises, but with the help of coach Bradley Hughes, he clawed his way back. When he won the Bermuda Championship – an alternate field event – it was a great story. But maybe it was almost a fluke according to some. Those people were silent when he backed it up by winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic the following start and then holding the 54-hole lead a week later at The RSM Classic before finishing fourth. Todd is already 140 points clear on top of the FedExCup standings and is locked into the Playoffs before the turn of the calendar year. Just a few half-decent results from here on out is likely all he needs to make it to the TOUR Championship and a crack at the FedExCup and $15 million. DON’T SLEEP ON JT Justin Thomas missed a chunk of last season with a wrist injury and still was able to force his way to the top spot of the new TOUR Championship scoring system before play started at East Lake. His win at the BMW Championship during the FedExCup Playoffs reminded us all Thomas is a serious threat every week he plays. And he reinforced this by taking out THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Korea to kick off the Asian swing. While plenty of focus will center on Woods and McIlroy in the new year, Thomas is quietly plotting his own assault on becoming a dual FedExCup winner. What people tend to forget is since the start of the 2016-17 season, no one has won more than Thomas. No one. EMOTIONAL CHAMP Sometimes it is clearly bigger than golf. Cameron Champ almost didn’t play the Safeway Open, given the fact his grandfather Mack – the man who got him into the game – had been moved to hospice in the lead up. But sensing Mack’s time to see him play was coming to a close, Champ took his place in the field with a serious emotional burden. He carried it with aplomb. While Champ had already won on TOUR in his rookie season, his last 17 starts prior to Safeway had produced just six made cuts and a best finish of T21. But with Mack willing from in front of the television, Champ closed out an incredible victory in Napa. “No matter what,â€� Champ said, “even if I never win another tournament again or I win however many, this will definitely be the greatest moment of my golfing career.â€�  WELCOME TO THE CLUB While all of the above winners had the luxury of being there before, the fall also produced some first-time winners who are still basking in the knowledge they’ll start 2020 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui. It started with Joaquin Niemann at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier and followed with Sebastian Munoz at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Lanto Griffin cashed in at the Houston Open and Tyler Duncan rounded out the fall with his take down of Webb Simpson at The RSM Classic. After Maui, the quartet can set their sights on the season of championships and bigger fish to fry. The other winner from the fall was Kevin Na in his hometown at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. It was his third win in 30 starts, the fourth of his career, and second in Las Vegas. He also set a new record for feet of putts made in a 72-hole tournament. TIGER PICKS TIGER The fall also gave us the Presidents Cup captain’s picks for Woods and Ernie Els, respectively, for the biennial team event to be held in Australia on Dec. 12-15. After his heroics in Japan, Woods picked himself along with Gary Woodland, Tony Finau and Patrick Reed to round out his team. When Brooks Koepka pulled out with injury, he drafted in Rickie Fowler to join Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Matt Kuchar, Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson, Patrick Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau on the team. Els plumped for Jason Day, Joaquin Niemann, Sungjae Im and Adam Hadwin to join Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Hideki Matsuyama, Louis Oosthuizen, Abraham Ancer, Haotong Li and C.T. Pan. Can the Internationals upset the dominant U.S. that hasn’t lost a Presidents Cup since 1998? Well that would certainly add even more drama to what has been an epic start to the 2019-20 season. KEY TAKEAWAYS So after all 11 tournaments what have we essentially learned? In a nutshell: • Tiger Woods will almost certainly break the PGA TOUR wins record in 2020. • Rory McIlroy is primed to have even better of a year after winning the FedExCup and providing a statistical season to remember. • Comeback stories are always awesome. • So are emotional wins. • The Presidents Cup – with Woods at the helm – will be must-see viewing. • The youth movement is likely to continue to be a huge narrative • Brooks Koepka’s health will be a hot topic in 2020. STATS LEADERS FedExCup / Wyndham Rewards: 1 Brendon Todd 957; 2 Sebastian Munoz 817; 3 Lanto Griffin 740; 4 Rory McIlroy 713; 5 Justin Thomas 662; 6 Kevin Na 603; 7 Sungjae Im 599; 8 Joaquin Niemann 587; 9 Cameron Champ 581; 10 Hideki Matsuyama 566. Scoring Average: 1 Tiger Woods 65.74; 2 Rory McIlroy 67.53; 3 Webb Simpson 67.75. Greens In Regulation: 1 Jim Furyk 81.94; 1 Kyle Reifers 81.94; 3 Patrick Cantlay 81.25 Driving Accuracy: 1 Jim Furyk 80.95; 2 Kiradech Aphibarnrat 80.36; 2 Yongjun Bae 80.36. Driving Distance: 1 Cameron Champ 327.1; 2 Ryan Palmer 326.1; 3 Brooks Koepka 324.3 SG: Putting: 1 Andrew Putnam +2.359; 2 Kevin Na +1.999; 3 Billy Horschel +1.922 SG: Off-the-Tee: 1 Corey Conners +1.335; 2 Cameron Champ +1.331; 3 Chris Kirk +1.326 SG: Approach the Green: 1 Davis Love III +2.789; 2 Braden Bailey +1.933; 3 Tony Finau +1.580 SG: Around the Green: 1 Daniel Chopra +1.449; 2 Keegan Bradley +0.822; 2 Davis Thompson +0.0822 SG: Tee-to-Green: 1 Tony Finau +3.402; 2 Davis Thompson +2.369; 3 Davis Love III 2.307. SG: Total: 1 Webb Simpson +2.609; 2 Justin Thomas +2.385; 3 Tony Finau +2.273

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