Winner’s Bag: Jon Rahm, Mexico Open at Vidanta

There are 21 rookies on the PGA TOUR in 2019-20. This page provides a subjective ranking updated weekly. The Arnold Palmer Award winner is determined in a vote by PGA TOUR members who make at least 15 starts. The Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup and the Olympic Games count as one of the 15. Although there was no action on the PGA TOUR last week, one rookie competed and two other recent rookies made headlines. Tom Lewis placed T32 at the Turkish Airlines Open and climbed two spots to 44th in the Race to Dubai standings. Up next for the Englishman is the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa. It’s the penultimate tournament of the European Tour season. A few days prior, the captain’s picks for both squads in the Presidents Cup were announced. Among his four selections, International captain Ernie Els chose 2018-19 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im and Joaquin Niemann, who was on the ROY ballot after securing rookie eligibility as a non-member in 2017-18. The 2016-17 Rookie of the Year, Xander Schauffele, will be making his Presidents Cup debut for the United States. He qualified automatically along with fellow 2016-17 rookie Patrick Cantlay, also a first-timer on the team. They are the most recent American rookies to appear in the biennial competition. * – In the field at the Mayakoba Golf Classic as of Nov. 10. # – Top-10 alternate at the Mayakoba Golf Classic as of Nov. 10. ^ – In the field at the European Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge as of Nov. 10. Through November 10 NOTE: A player’s rookie season (“Rookie Year”) is defined as the season in which he becomes a PGA TOUR member (including Special Temporary Members) and plays in 10 or more events as a member or finishes in the Top 125 on the Official FedExCup Points List or qualifies as a Top 125 – Nonmember, whichever occurs first. Further, for purposes of this definition, a new member (including Special Temporary Members) shall not be eligible for the Arnold Palmer Award if he has previously played in more than seven (7) Official PGA TOUR Money events as a professional in any prior season.

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Dustin Johnson was spotted with a TaylorMade M5 (10.5 degrees) driver while on site at the 2018 Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii, on Monday. TaylorMade has not officially revealed any information on the M5 yet, but there are a few things that the photos reveal. Let’s see what we can uncover. The original M1 and the M1 2017 drivers both utilized T-tracks for CG (center of gravity) adjustability, with the cross section of the “T� near the face. The 2018 M3 driver, on the other hand, used a Y-track, with the top of the “Y� located toward the rear portion of the sole. It’s clear from the photo that the T-track has returned in the M5, except it’s flipped. The cross section of the “T� is on the rear portion of the driver’s sole. One can expect this means higher MOI (moment of inertia) capabilities for more overall forgiveness. Additionally, it seems there is a sole slot behind the face, but it appears to cover more space behind the face than the M3 driver’s hammerhead slot did. The previous hammerhead slot of the M3 worked to increase ball speeds across the face. Written near the slot behind the face are the words “Speed Injected.� Could this have something to do with the red screws we’ve seen in the face from TaylorMade’s Tweet? Also, from the photos, it seems TaylorMade is sticking with carbon panels in the sole and a carbon fiber crown like the M3. The photo of Johnson’s driver also shows an adjustable hosel, but it remains to be seen what the retail versions will offer. As soon as we hear official word from TaylorMade on the M5 driver, we’ll report back.

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PGA TOUR Statement on Harry Higgs PGA TOUR member Harry Higgs has withdrawn from the Vivint Houston Open after testing positive for COVID-19. Higgs, who last competed at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, will have the PGA TOUR's full support throughout his self-isolation period under CDC guidelines. "While I am disappointed to have to withdraw this week, I am grateful that I drove to Houston by myself and was alone as I awaited my pre-tournament screening results," said Higgs. "I look forward to returning to competition when it is safe to do so." First alternate Kramer Hickok will replace Higgs in the field.

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