Issue No. 201 | May 17, 2025 | Read Online
Hey,
I know we have 17,000 readers of this ridiculous newsletter … but we abide by the Blockie School of Thought in that if we had 170,000 readers you would see the really good stuff.
Promise.
Today’s newsletter is presented by Holderness and Bourne, which is perfect no matter the size of your audience. I’m so eager to show you guys what we’re cooking up with Norman on the chest. Possible generational stuff.
And while I’m not sure what to make of this ridiculous leaderboard at Quail Hollow, I do always know what I’m getting from the good folks at H&B. The best fit, best quality, best collars and best material in the game. Every time, no matter which product you choose.
One of my good buddies, who barely plays golf, has been all over me about H&B.
Dude, they have THE best stuff.
Yes! Why do you think I’ve been with them for the last three years?!
OK, now onto the news.
1. Given the state of this leaderboard (still), I was trying to think of all the templates that excite me most when it comes to major winners.
I have wanted to make this list for a long time, and this is what I came up with in order of the type of major winner I most look forward to seeing to the one I look forward to least.
1. The Legend: These are your Brooks’, Rorys and Phils. The four, five, six, or more club who are only adding to resumes that fell out of the annals.
2. The Kid: Think Spieth in 2014 or 2015 at ANGC. He was 20 the first time and 21 the second. Anything — literally anything — is possible when you win a Masters at 21. The term “a body you can dream on” was a memorable quote used in Moneyball that I remember. This is more “a Wikipedia page you can dream on,” but same concept applies.
3. The Last Stand: Phil at Kiawah, Tiger at the Masters, Ernie at Lytham (kinda): These are legends who are on the back side of it but find the slot one final time. These are wild, wild majors. Almost not believable.
4. The Vet: This is Stenson in 2016. Somebody who has been around for a long time, somebody you’re familiar with, who has been in your life forever and has been in and around majors and team events but has never won a big one despite winning a lot elsewhere in the world. Stew Cink in 2009. Darren Clarke in 2011. Francesco in 2018. Sergio in 2017. These are almost always joyous times even if they aren’t necessarily the greatest champions. It’s easy to feel good about these wins.
5. The 1.5-Major Guy: Think Rose at Merion or Adam Scott at ANGC. Jason Day at Whistling Straits. DJ at Oakmont. Rahm might be in here. He also might be in category No. 1. Time will tell. These are wins that happen in the middle of somebody’s career that make sense and could lead to more later on. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t win a second major, but the over/under for these guys is 1.5, and you’re taking the over.
6. The One-Major Guy: Very similar to the 1.5, but guys you’re taking the under on if given that number. Lowry, Reed, Woodland and Cam Smith. Those types of guys. Could they win two majors? Sure. But you know in the moment they probably won’t, which is what makes that particular major win so special.
7. The Unknown: These are rare and more desirable than the last category even if they are similar at face value. Think Todd Hamilton or John Daly. Just so strange and from out of nowhere that they are wildly celebrated as extraordinary feats of achievement.
8. The NPC: Players who are too old to be The Kid and too young to be The Vet. Too familiar to be The Unknown and not good enough to be The One-Major Guy because NPCs have no real shot at a second. These are the worst major wins, in my opinion. Danny Willett, Mike Weir, Charl Schwartzel. If Alex Smalley or Ryan Gerard wins this week, it would go in this category.
2. Max was so good in his presser after shooting 64. It’s difficult to pick just one quote, but I’ll go with this one.
It's been difficult because I felt like I was so broken, and whatever the swing change was going to be was going to be some grand thing, like something I've never done before.
Max Homa | 2025 PGA
My partner in crime on this newsletter — Jason Page — likes to use the phrase, simple is hard, but simple works. And that applies here. I think it’s sometimes shocking to hear world class golfers who are unable to figure out how to simplify their jobs … and then I look at the 89 tabs I have open in my browser and … yeah.
When things are going poorly in any profession, the answer that feels the best is always a complete overhaul. But the answer that is the best — but also the toughest because of the humility and discipline it requires — is usually a reduction to simplicity.
Will Mr. Rake lead us to golf’s first major winner who signs his full last name to mark his ball?
3. Very normal sport that a rake affected a $20 million (or whatever it is) tournament.
J. Vegas blockied one on the par 3 17th, but it slammed off a rake and rolled to the middle of the green where he made a par.
It’s like the old Jordan-Bird McDonald’s commercial … but if they did it in the NBA Finals.
Normal stuff.
This post will continue below for Normal Club members, and it will include some thoughts on the following …
• More weird major leaderboards I found.
• An amazing in-studio moment from Friday.
• Scottie’s path to victory.
If you aren’t yet a Normal Club member, you can sign up right here.
If you are, keep reading!
Welcome to the members-only portion of today’s newsletter. I hope you both enjoy it and find it to be valuable to your golf and/or personal life.
4. I would like to officially declare that I am doubling down on my position that championship golf tournaments should be played with the ball down. We got Curtis Strange off the top of the broadcast rifling through balls with mud on them in the ESPN studio (normal stuff) and loads of folks on Twitter just screaming about the issue.
Then in the afternoon, Shane Lowry got this lie in the middle of a fairway which, yes, absolutely sucks but only emboldens my stance (also well said by another Shane).
I get why players (and others) are mad about bad breaks like mud or divots that feel unfair to the individual. But part of winning major championships is overcoming bad breaks and being more mentally and emotionally durable than the other 155 guys.
Or at least that’s how I view it. I like that this is all part of it. I mean we keep going back to fair, and it’s like, I dunno man, if we really cared about fair I don’t know that we would ever go to a links course! We would probably just move the sport indoors!
I don’t know why I’m so wound up about all of this, but I have definitely found myself more on one side of the aisle than I maybe previously imagined.
If you take the other side — especially after listening to Scottie explain everything the way he did on Thursday — I think that’s reasonable. His points were compelling. But personally, I think the most interesting version of championship golf is abiding as wholly as possible by Rule 1.1. The very first one.
Golf is played by striking your ball with a club, and each hole starts from the teeing area and ends when your ball is holed on the putting green. You should normally play the course as you find it and play your ball as it lies.
USGA Rule 1.1
Plus, no matter how many caveats you create, you're never going to get 100 percent fair. Ever. There will always be a unique outlier case that doesn’t fit within the rules you have created around fair. By chasing fair, you’re playing whack a mole. So just play it down and play golf. If you want totally and completely fair, run a simulation and declare a winner in a spreadsheet.
Thanks to the SkySports team, we learned that Bryson has 21 folks on staff. He’s gotta have a mud ball boy by now, right?!
5. Our last 32 major champions …
Brooks: 5x
Scottie: 2x
Morikawa: 2x
Xander: 2x
Rahm: 2x
Bryson: 2x
JT: 2x
Spieth
Phil
Rory
Tiger
Sergio
Harman
Wyndham
Cam Smith
Fitz
Hideki
DJ
Woodland
Molinari
Reed
Lowry
When your worst major winner of the last eight years is somebody like … Harman (cat. 4 above) Woodland (cat. 6) Wyndham (cat. 5?) then that is a hell of a run. We’re due for a 2003 at some point, and if this is the year, then so be it.
Also, for the folks on Twitter who struggle with reading comprehension, “worst major winner of the last eight years” means the player is not good in comparison to all of the other players on that list. Molinari is not good compared to the Cat.
That’s literally all it means.
What kind of major champion would he be?
6. I thought this quote from Jhonny Vegas was lovely.
It means a lot, right? This is kind of what we put all those hours for. You put all those hours to give yourself chances like this. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do it throughout my career, but like I said, you never know.
You got to keep the pedal down, keep your head down, and keep working hard. You never know when things are going to turn your way. I'm enjoying the process, and just got to keep going.
Jhonny Vegas | 2025 PGA
I found myself legitimately rooting for him and Luke Donald on Friday. Would I love to see Scottie Shoot 68-67-68 to win? Yes. But would I be OK if a grinder like Vegas won a major or if Donald somehow pulled a Phil and won at age 47? Also absolutely.
A Donald win would definitely fit under No. 4 in the categories above, and I think Vegas might, too, just for how long he’s been around, although some might argue that he would be in category No. 8.
7. OK fine, one more Max quote.
[Being transparent with the media] probably doesn't help me at all if I'm being honest. I don't know, I grew up a fan of sports, as so many are, and I always found it really -- like interviews and things to be so thought provoking as a fan to get a little insight. Like I said, we are entertainers, and without the fans, we would be just playing golf with the buddies, with some buddies.
Yeah, I just try to be myself. Yeah, sometimes I wish I would probably keep some things in, but at the end of the day, we owe a lot to them. It's not so hard to be transparent. It doesn't hurt me in any way.
Max Homa | 2025 PGA
Forget me being in the media, this is so refreshing to hear as a fan.
That I am being treated like I’m actually intelligent and worth considering when it comes to golf. For players, it is easy to sneer at fans. Just as with us media types, it can be easy to sneer at viewers or readers or listeners. It’s easy to insinuate, You have no idea what this is like or how good I am at my job.
OR … or.
You could assume the best in others and treat them like you once were on the other side of that equation (which everyone was). It is not an obligation, of course, but it’s a delight to hear, especially from someone who I think is the best in all of sports at describing to the regular fan (like me) what it feels like to be world class at your craft.
8. Data Golf mentioned a variation of this on Thursday in their live blog, but this is a great “you can talk yourself into anything until the end” golf course.
If your guy is down five after 13 holes on Sunday, well he could eagle 14 and 15 and the guys ahead could double 16 and 18.
That probably won’t happen, but it could.
Look what Max did to 14 on Friday.
This is adjacent to my Ryder Cup take that, Well if those three matches flip and we hold these four and JT keeps routing Rahm … I think we’re still in this. That’s why it’s the best event in golf. And while this course is not the best major course in the world, the wild dynamic toward the end is really terrific for viewing major championship golf on the weekend. There’s some Sawgrass in there in that sense.
A lot of stuff is going to go down over the last 90 minutes on Saturday and Sunday.
[Jason here] I’m flabbergasted that a Rory comeback hasn’t been mentioned in this issue.
9. I went hunting more weird first round leaderboards after what happened here on Thursday, and I think I found my favorite. The 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, which Jim Furyk went on to win. Look at this!
10. Someone sent me a great message on Friday regarding scheduling and how he’s not sure if there’s enough time between the Masters and PGA, especially after a really emotional Masters like we got this year.
Augusta is always going to be the biggest tournament of the year, so slotting the PGA right after doesn't give us or the winner the chance to digest and process what just happened. We need some time to let it breathe.
NS Reader
I have generally been a fan of the new rhythm, but I do understand where this reader is coming from. I think an ideal world probably looks like this …
March (2nd week): PLAYERS
April (2nd week): Masters
May (4th week): PGA
June (4th week): U.S. Open
August (1st week): Open Championship
Those are minor, tiny changes, but I do like the idea of spreading things out just a little bit more than they already are. Though I will go down with the ship on the idea that the Open should end the major season (and the season overall).
[Jason here] The context: I’m working on the Bryson mud ball illustration when I hear a roar come from my computer. I look up to see the ball just trickle over the lip. I let out a “Woah, nice Tiger shot” and my wife asks, “What happened?” I wait for the replay to tell her that it was … Tom Johnson at +6. It doesn’t say much to either of us and I go back to my mud ball illustration.
11. I still think Bryson is going to win the golf tournament, but Scottie’s path is pretty fascinating. Depending on how you feel about Fitzpatrick (eh) and Homa (not yet), Scottie is the real leader at -5, and there aren’t many studs around him. Here’s a very reductive look.
Fitzpatrick: -6
Scottie: -5
Homa: -5
Bryson: -3
Rahm: -2
Scott: -2
Hovland: -2
Fleetwood: -2
Hatton: -1
Clark: -1
Those are the only real notables better than even. Scottie should win that, right?
However, I haven’t felt great about him all week. He just looks a half step slow. Like a great cornerback who isn’t what he was the year before. That could (and I suspect will) change over the next few months and years, but Scottie is just out of sorts enough that you could talk me into somebody else.
However, the flip side of that is that Scottie is 24th in ball striking and T5 on the board. He’s been so slippery and I found myself saying over and over on Friday, “How is he [2 then 3 then 4] under?!”
On the other side, Bryson has been driving it like a stallion (shout out Phil) but hitting his irons like an actual horse would hit them. The only players worse on approach that are inside the top 25 on the leaderboard are Homa and Denny Mac.
This could be fixed, but this is what happened at ANGC, too, and that went poorly late. Saturday will be telling for him. Also, this quote got me good. Bryson was asked about getting bad breaks and then was asked about what good breaks he got.
There wasn't really many today. I'm sorry. I wish I could say there was.
Bryson | 2025 PGA
Maybe they’re all being saved for the weekend.
Thank you for reading until the end.
You’re a complete and total sicko for reading a newsletter about golf that is 3,014 words (!!) long about a single round of golf, and we are grateful for your support of this business. Let’s have ourselves a weekend!
Issue No. 201 | May 17, 2025 | Read Online
Hey,
I know we have 17,000 readers of this ridiculous newsletter … but we abide by the Blockie School of Thought in that if we had 170,000 readers you would see the really good stuff.
Promise.
Today’s newsletter is presented by Holderness and Bourne, which is perfect no matter the size of your audience. I’m so eager to show you guys what we’re cooking up with Norman on the chest. Possible generational stuff.
And while I’m not sure what to make of this ridiculous leaderboard at Quail Hollow, I do always know what I’m getting from the good folks at H&B. The best fit, best quality, best collars and best material in the game. Every time, no matter which product you choose.
One of my good buddies, who barely plays golf, has been all over me about H&B.
Dude, they have THE best stuff.
Yes! Why do you think I’ve been with them for the last three years?!
OK, now onto the news.
1. Given the state of this leaderboard (still), I was trying to think of all the templates that excite me most when it comes to major winners.
I have wanted to make this list for a long time, and this is what I came up with in order of the type of major winner I most look forward to seeing to the one I look forward to least.
1. The Legend: These are your Brooks’, Rorys and Phils. The four, five, six, or more club who are only adding to resumes that fell out of the annals.
2. The Kid: Think Spieth in 2014 or 2015 at ANGC. He was 20 the first time and 21 the second. Anything — literally anything — is possible when you win a Masters at 21. The term “a body you can dream on” was a memorable quote used in Moneyball that I remember. This is more “a Wikipedia page you can dream on,” but same concept applies.
3. The Last Stand: Phil at Kiawah, Tiger at the Masters, Ernie at Lytham (kinda): These are legends who are on the back side of it but find the slot one final time. These are wild, wild majors. Almost not believable.
4. The Vet: This is Stenson in 2016. Somebody who has been around for a long time, somebody you’re familiar with, who has been in your life forever and has been in and around majors and team events but has never won a big one despite winning a lot elsewhere in the world. Stew Cink in 2009. Darren Clarke in 2011. Francesco in 2018. Sergio in 2017. These are almost always joyous times even if they aren’t necessarily the greatest champions. It’s easy to feel good about these wins.
5. The 1.5-Major Guy: Think Rose at Merion or Adam Scott at ANGC. Jason Day at Whistling Straits. DJ at Oakmont. Rahm might be in here. He also might be in category No. 1. Time will tell. These are wins that happen in the middle of somebody’s career that make sense and could lead to more later on. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t win a second major, but the over/under for these guys is 1.5, and you’re taking the over.
6. The One-Major Guy: Very similar to the 1.5, but guys you’re taking the under on if given that number. Lowry, Reed, Woodland and Cam Smith. Those types of guys. Could they win two majors? Sure. But you know in the moment they probably won’t, which is what makes that particular major win so special.
7. The Unknown: These are rare and more desirable than the last category even if they are similar at face value. Think Todd Hamilton or John Daly. Just so strange and from out of nowhere that they are wildly celebrated as extraordinary feats of achievement.
8. The NPC: Players who are too old to be The Kid and too young to be The Vet. Too familiar to be The Unknown and not good enough to be The One-Major Guy because NPCs have no real shot at a second. These are the worst major wins, in my opinion. Danny Willett, Mike Weir, Charl Schwartzel. If Alex Smalley or Ryan Gerard wins this week, it would go in this category.
2. Max was so good in his presser after shooting 64. It’s difficult to pick just one quote, but I’ll go with this one.
It's been difficult because I felt like I was so broken, and whatever the swing change was going to be was going to be some grand thing, like something I've never done before.
Max Homa | 2025 PGA
My partner in crime on this newsletter — Jason Page — likes to use the phrase, simple is hard, but simple works. And that applies here. I think it’s sometimes shocking to hear world class golfers who are unable to figure out how to simplify their jobs … and then I look at the 89 tabs I have open in my browser and … yeah.
When things are going poorly in any profession, the answer that feels the best is always a complete overhaul. But the answer that is the best — but also the toughest because of the humility and discipline it requires — is usually a reduction to simplicity.
Will Mr. Rake lead us to golf’s first major winner who signs his full last name to mark his ball?
3. Very normal sport that a rake affected a $20 million (or whatever it is) tournament.
J. Vegas blockied one on the par 3 17th, but it slammed off a rake and rolled to the middle of the green where he made a par.
It’s like the old Jordan-Bird McDonald’s commercial … but if they did it in the NBA Finals.
Normal stuff.
This post will continue below for Normal Club members, and it will include some thoughts on the following …
• More weird major leaderboards I found.
• An amazing in-studio moment from Friday.
• Scottie’s path to victory.
If you aren’t yet a Normal Club member, you can sign up right here.
If you are, keep reading!
Normal Sport is supported by exactly 835 crazies. By becoming a Normal Club member, you will receive the following …
• Our very best stuff during major weeks.
• First look at new merch (I promise it’s coming).
• The pleasure of helping us build an independent business.
By clicking below to join the Normal Club, you will also be eligible for our major fantasy contests, which may be won with an over par score this week.
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