Hey GolfMatchers!

I can’t believe the 2015 PGA Season has come to a close!  A lot has happened – here are the top stories:

The Majors:

I’m not sure what is most impressive – Jordan Spieth winning the Masters and US Open back to back in his pursuit of the grand slam, Zach Johnson maneuvering his way around the old course at St. Andrews, or Jason Day’s late season surge to win the PGA Championship! It was all too exciting, I’m exhausted.  The only thing I know for sure is that the PGA Tour is in great hands!

Link: Jordan Spieth historical season video recap

Rory’s Injury:

Long story short: he needs to stick to golf.  Rory tore his ankle ligament while playing soccer with some friends.  When you have players like Spieth and Day gunning for the world’s #1 ranking, it may be smart to avoid pickup soccer games!  However, he was back to swinging a golf club and working out just over a month later; impressive comeback!

Link: Instagram photos of injury

Dustin’s 3 Putt:

“The putts heard round the world.” In the final round of the U.S. Open on the 18th hole Dj only had to 2-putt in order to force a playoff with Jordan Spieth…but, he didn’t.  The magnitude of the situation most likely led to Dustin’s 3-jack, a putt which will haunt him forever.

Link: Dustin Johnsons 3-Putt

Days surge, but ultimate collapse:


From vertigo to victories! Many golf fans (myself included) thought that Day was going to continue his surge throughout the season, into the FedEx cup playoffs, and win the $10 Million check outright.  However, in the final leg of the playoffs he ran out of mojo it seemed and finished in a tie for 10th place – 8 shots off Spieth’s winning score.
Please note that he did win 5 times this year (including a major):
      1. The Farmers Insurance Open in a playoff
      2. RBC Canadian Open by one stroke
      3. The PGA Championship by 3 strokes
      4. The Barclays by 6 strokes
      5. The BMW Championship by 6 strokes

Tiger of old(ish)?

During the Wyndham Championship  Tiger held the 36-hole lead!  This was the first time he held a lead going into the weekend since the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational (which was the last tournament he won).  The whispers of “Tiger is back” and “he’s got this” went from soft to a complete takeover of social media.  However, he unfortunately faltered and finished the tournament at -13 – a tie for 10th – which was 4 shots off the lead of Davis Love III.  Hope he has some magic left in the bag for next season!

Link: Tiger in the lead?  This is not a drill

 

The constant shakeup for #1 in the world:


The top spot in the official world golf ranking changed multiple times this season; it started off with Rory McIlroy, who was the favorite to continue that trend, win a few mahors and maintain that spot.  However, Jordan’s spectacular run (5 wins / 2 majors!) combined with Rory’s injury, helped Spieth claim the throne.  The excitement wasn’t over as Jason Day,and his late season surge, rattled off a bunch of wins to claim coveted world #1 ranking. That didn’t last like though as Spieth capped off the 2015 season by winning the FedEx Cup and reclaiming the world #1 honor.

Link: Jason Day sliding into first place

Rickie Fowler’s emergence

A player who seemed to be overshadowed by Spieth’s and Day’s spectacular performances is the flat-brimmed, Oklahoma State orange colored, Rickie Fowler.  While everyone was focused on Spieth making history, Fowler stayed steady and rattled off 4 wins, including The Players Championship, Scottish Open, and a FedEx playoff event.  He is 1 major victory away from making the “Big 3” a “Monster 4”.

Link: Debates over Rickie Fowler

Slice of “Humble Pie” anyone?

In a press conference before the Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy answered what $10 million means to him by saying, “luckily that amount of money doesn’t mean much to me anymore.”  Very humble reaction!

Link: $10 Million doesn’t excite Rory

**Which story were you most interested in?