Today in Golf

On June 10th, 2026, we break down the agony and ecstasy of U.S. Open final qualifying, massive structural shifts coming to the PGA Tour, and LIV Golf's frantic boardroom scramble for cash.U.S. OPEN FINAL QUALIFYINGThe longest day in golf delivered massive shocks and incredible underdog triumphs, highlighted by 17-year-old Miles Russell firing a redemption 67 at BallenIsles to punch his ticket to Shinnecock Hills."It kept it so light," Russell said of having Charlie Woods caddying, adding his bagman for the Open is "to be determined."While Billy Horschel cruised and Arni Sveinsson became the first Icelander to qualify, heavyweights Tony Finau and Max Homa suffered heartbreaking exits, with Homa falling in a brutal eight-man playoff.PGA TOUR STRUCTURAL OVERHAULThe PGA Tour is shaking up its future with CEO Brian Rolapp’s new Two Track model, requiring a steep $30 million investment for Track One events and causing immediate schedule casualties.Rolapp emphasized the "elevation of tournaments," but the cost means Detroit's Rocket Mortgage Classic will end after 2026 despite raising "more than ten million dollars."In a bid for global prestige, the Tour is also co-sanctioning the Australian Open, with James Sutherland aiming to make it one of the "top ten most prestigious" events.LIV GOLF'S $300M SPRINTBehind the scenes, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil is in a frantic 46-day sprint to secure $300 million in funding to successfully launch "LIV Golf 2.0" before the season ends."I have had five meetings... we have to get this done through the summer," O'Neil admitted regarding the boardroom panic.This corporate scrambling stands in hilarious contrast to the on-course product, perfectly summarized by Dustin Johnson’s completely nonchalant shrug after draining a hole-in-one at Valderrama.Quick HitsVaughn Harber clutches an eagle in a 5-under final five holes at The Lakes • Xander Schauffele admits Shinnecock makes him "the most tired I am of the four majors" • Nelly Korda continues her unprecedented dominance, averaging a historic $673,349 per LPGA start

On June 9th, 2026, we break down LIV Golf's existential financial threat, Tiger and Charlie Woods' dramatic off-course and on-course battles, and the behind-the-scenes secrets of Nelly Korda's U.S. Women's Open triumph.LIV GOLF / FINANCIAL CRISISLIV Golf faces an existential threat as the Saudi PIF plans to cut funding after 2026 following a massive $6 billion burn, forcing CEO Scott O'Neil and stars like Bryson DeChambeau to desperately pivot toward private equity.An anonymous executive warned, "Every remaining tournament is on the fence," while Bryson says he is "giving all I can" to find investors.Jon Rahm is taking a traditionalist stance, insisting his "job is to play golf," while Bryson is using the 47-day hiatus to prep for Shinnecock, crediting LIV's new 72-hole format for his consistency.TIGER & CHARLIE WOODS / FAMILY BATTLESCharlie Woods delivered late heroics to qualify for the U.S. Junior Amateur, while Tiger undergoes a 90-day Swiss rehab following a March DUI, pausing only to support his girlfriend Vanessa Trump through a recent cancer diagnosis.Charlie birdied 16, 17, and 18 to shoot a 68 and win a playoff to compete for the newly renamed Tiger Woods Trophy.A source noted Tiger is under a "great deal of stress" but remains determined to return to the course.LPGA TOUR / NELLY KORDA'S US OPEN WINNelly Korda captured the U.S. Women's Open fueled by last year's Erin Hills heartbreak, relying on a calming sticky note reading "Whatever happens happens" and an encouraging text from Tiger Woods to "Finish it off today."Sister Jessica Korda officially crowned her the "GOAT" following the historic victory.Nelly actually ditched her custom Nike shoes gifted by LeBron James after just six holes because they had "too much room."PGA TOUR / GOLF'S LONGEST DAY & CANADIAN OPEN"Golf's Longest Day" delivered heartbreak and triumph for Shinnecock qualifiers, while the RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto gears up with notable withdrawals and a 22-year-old hometown Monday qualifier making waves.Rich Lerner praised the "democratic nature of the Open" as Ben James turned pro, shot 140, and accepted a Travelers Championship exemption.Top junior Miles Russell suffered a heartbreaking triple-bogey on 18 with Charlie Woods caddying, while Collin Morikawa is officially on baby watch ahead of TPC Toronto.Quick HitsTyrrell Hatton secures a victory at LIV Andalucia • J.T. Poston and Brandt Snedeker withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open • 22-year-old Canadian Jeevan Sihota Monday qualifies after he "putted really well today"

On June 8th, 2026, we break down the grueling 33-hole Sunday marathon at the 51st Memorial Tournament, culminating in J.T. Poston's dramatic sudden-death playoff victory over Ryan Gerard to secure a $4 million payday.THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT / POSTON'S PLAYOFF WINJ.T. Poston blew a four-shot lead during a grueling 33-hole Sunday marathon but rallied with late birdies to defeat Ryan Gerard in a sudden-death playoff, securing his fourth PGA Tour win and major exemptions."I am juiced," Poston told caddie Aaron Flener before hitting a clutch 8-iron to three feet. Flener's icy reply? "Your name is on the bag, not mine."Poston shared a cart with a massive security guard dubbed "Popeye" and wanted to be "proud of that handshake" with Jack Nicklaus, who told him, "Well done, sorry somebody had to lose."MEMORIAL RUNNER-UP & NOTABLE FINISHESRyan Gerard battled "nine million allergies" to force a playoff. Tommy Fleetwood and Sam Burns provided late-round fireworks despite tough bogeys, and Alex Fitzpatrick shot a Sunday 65 without a driver for a T6.Fleetwood hit a 156-mph 9-wood from 239 yards for eagle before a "compounding of mistakes" on 17, while Gerard clapped back at an 18th-hole heckler: "It is not in the bunker, dog."Fitzpatrick joked he didn't pack a spare driver to avoid baggage fees "because I am from Yorkshire," and Burns miraculously chipped off a wooden bridge to one inch after a brutal tree ricochet earlier.SCHEFFLER'S STREAK & BROADCAST MOMENTSScottie Scheffler secured his 33rd consecutive top-25 finish with a T12 result, highlighted by a par chip-in on 17, while Johnson Wagner attempted to recreate Tiger Woods's iconic 2012 chip-in on the broadcast.Wagner took three tries to nail the Tiger recreation on 16, explaining to viewers that he plays it "a little bit like a bunker shot."Jack Nicklaus provided a hilarious green-side moment when he mistook Scheffler's son, Bennett, for a girl, asking, "Is she your young lady, hi honey how are you?"COLLEGE GOLF & 2027 HONOREEAuburn's Jackson Koivun won his second D1 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year award, joining legends Phil Mickelson and Bryce Molder, while Bernhard Langer was announced as the 2027 Memorial Honoree.Nicklaus fondly recalled first meeting a 16-year-old Langer in Munich, bringing their legendary connection full circle for the 2027 tournament.Koivun was honored alongside D2 winner Max Barile and D3 winner Jonathan McEwen, celebrating the future stars of the game.Quick HitsDenny McCarthy holes out for eagle from uncharted rough on 15 • Trevor Immelman notes it looked like Jack had a "direct line" into Poston's brain • Poston's victory officially punches his ticket to the U.S. Open and Open Championship

On June 7th, 2026, we recap a weather-delayed Saturday at the Memorial Tournament, where brutal course conditions set the stage for unlikely co-leaders and surprising struggles from the world's best.THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT LEADERSMuirfield Village is playing like "U.S. Open 2.0" with punishing rough, but J.T. Poston—fighting for a U.S. Open spot—and Ryan Gerard navigated the chaos to share the lead at nine-under.Poston fired a Friday 65 to break a five-month slump, admitting "it is easy to start questioning stuff."Gerard credits his putting rhythm to 14 years of playing the violin, and his course management to chess, noting his game is "less about execution and more about planning."SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER'S REGRESSIONScottie Scheffler sits at T12 but is fighting his swing, prompting Shane Bacon to make a polarizing comparison between Scheffler's current ball-striking regression and Jordan Spieth's infamous struggles."I felt like I was going to shoot about ninety today," Scheffler admitted, as his wedge proximity from 100-125 yards dropped from 15 to 21 feet.Co-host Patrick McDonald isn't hitting the panic button just yet, registering only a 3/10 concern level for the World No. 1.RORY MCILROY & JACK NICKLAUSRory McIlroy is taking direct mentorship from tournament host Jack Nicklaus, who critiqued that Rory only gets into trouble when he tries to hit the ball too hard.Applying Jack's wisdom, Rory executed a brilliant, calculated 40-yard rolling wedge using the course architecture on the 13th hole.During the weather delays, Jack Nicklaus was busy advising players to avoid drinking milkshakes and sitting in 65-degree AC to keep their bodies ready.Quick HitsEric Cole's Tiger-esque parachute flop shot eagle on the 5th • Gary Woodland chipping with a wedge directly on the green • Justin Thomas loses his early tee-time advantage to the weather while Spieth, Day, and Fowler miss the cut.

On Friday at the Memorial Tournament, J.T. Poston fired a brilliant 65 to take the 36-hole lead, surviving a major-championship-like setup that pushed the cutline to +5 and tested the sanity of the world's best.THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT: POSTON'S SURGEJack Nicklaus transformed Muirfield Village into a U.S. Open-style torture chamber, pushing the field scoring average to 74. Amidst the chaos, J.T. Poston found a desperately needed confidence boost, firing a 7-under 65 to take the outright lead.Poston gained a massive 4.11 strokes putting after switching to the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash ball.Ryan Gerard sits in solo second (-8) after a meticulous, joint-cracking 31-shot morning range session, while Sam Burns (-6) prioritized a strict rest strategy to combat the mental exhaustion.SCHEFFLER'S STREAK & JT'S GRINDScottie Scheffler stared down a nightmare start to rally for an even-par 72, extending his legendary cut streak to 76. Meanwhile, Justin Thomas grinded out a 75 to make the cut on the number in grueling conditions."I thought I was going to shoot about ninety today," Scheffler admitted, while also venting to caddie Ted Scott: "I do not think you understand how frustrating that is, you cannot get the wind wrong."JT called it his hardest non-major round ever, leading to an exhausted mutual hug with Rory McIlroy on the 18th green—capping off a bizarre anomaly where JT's ball landed directly in front of Rory's marker two days in a row.GEAR CHANGES & HIGHLIGHT REELSEquipment tweaks paid massive dividends on Friday, with Tommy Fleetwood shooting 67 after switching to a TaylorMade Spider Tour X Black putter, and Cameron Young debuting a 10-degree Titleist GT3 driver to optimize his spin rates.Rory McIlroy added a heavier Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft and 13g weights to his TaylorMade Qi10 driver, while Justin Rose gamed raw McLaren Series 1 irons ground down 0.5mm by JP Herrington.Rory and Jordan Spieth were spotted in a hilarious fairway sprint with a cameraman, providing a rare moment of levity during a punishing round.Quick HitsJordan Spieth (+6) and an ailing Rickie Fowler (+17, sinus infection) miss the brutal +5 cut • Thomas Detry nearly holes an albatross on the 11th, while Xander Schauffele sinks a wild 30-foot gravity putt • Ludvig Aberg executes a genius 98-yard drop zone retreat on the 12th to save double bogey.

On June 5th, 2026, brutal conditions at the 50th Memorial Tournament sparked rare frustration from Scottie Scheffler and left four players tied for the lead at five-under.SCHEFFLER'S BOILING POINTThe famously calm Scottie Scheffler shocked fans during his opening-round 73 by exploding at caddie Ted Scott after dunking a 7-iron into the water on the 16th hole amidst Muirfield's brutally firm conditions."You cannot get the wind wrong... I do not think you understand how frustrating that is."The tension highlights the immense pressure of the 50th Memorial, where the winner takes home $4 million—a far cry from Roger Maltbie's inaugural 1976 victory payout.FOUR-WAY TIE AT THE TOPWyndham Clark (eagled 15th), Tommy Fleetwood, Ryan Gerard (back-nine 31), and J.J. Spaun shot five-under 67s, utilizing everything from putter changes to aiming directly at TV towers.Fleetwood admitted his round was "smoke and mirrors" with lucky pin hits, claiming Muirfield's 12th hole has less margin for error than Augusta's 12th.Clark celebrated his co-lead by announcing his new mental health app, UNLOK, while Gerard credited a sports psychologist mindset for his success.RORY, SPIETH & THE CHASING PACKRory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth posted one-under 71s. McIlroy tested a heavier driver shaft but complained the fairways "pinch in" right where he lands, while Spieth provided the day's biggest highlight.Spieth called Muirfield's greens "the best putting surfaces I have ever seen" after draining a monster 62-foot putt.Spieth casually walked in his 62-footer while playing partner Jason Day was still fixing a pitch mark, creating an instant viral sensation.Quick HitsNick Taylor shoots a resilient 68 despite a brutal double-par • Jason Day suffers a nightmare sand-divot sequence on the 6th hole for a 74 • U.S. Open caddie carousel: Max Homa hires John Ellis, Tony Finau reunites with Giff Nielsen, and Billy Horschel trials James Edmondson.

On June 4th, 2026, we preview the Memorial and US Women's Open while breaking down the PGA Tour's massive 2028 structural overhaul, Rory McIlroy's stark warnings about Shinnecock Hills, and Maja Stark's mental health battle.PGA TOUR / 2028 OVERHAULPGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp is proposing a massive 2028 "Two Track" system that expands Track One fields to 130 players and brings back the 36-hole cut, fundamentally shifting the competitive landscape of professional golf.Rolapp emphasized the change, stating, "sports is about how good the athletes are and what the competitive consequences are."The new structure leaves a complicated return path for Bryson DeChambeau, who still faces significant "scar tissue" from past lawsuits.LIV GOLF / CAM SMITH'S PLEAIn a surprising twist, Cameron Smith is calling for financial stabilization in professional golf, arguing that the sport needs to dial back its massive purses to ensure long-term sustainability."It is time for prize money to come back to the way it was," Smith claimed regarding the current state of the game.The plea carries a heavy dose of irony, considering Smith is currently playing under a staggering $140 million LIV Golf contract.US OPEN / SHINNECOCK SCOUTINGRory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler took a scouting trip to Shinnecock Hills, prompting McIlroy to issue a stern warning to the USGA regarding the course's punishing 5-inch rough and lightning-fast putting surfaces.Noting the greens were already rolling at an 11.2 on the Stimpmeter, Rory pleaded: "I really do not think they need to get much faster."It's a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the world's top two players strategize and sweat over major championship setups weeks in advance.US WOMEN'S OPEN / MAJA STARKAhead of the US Women's Open, defending champion Maja Stark opened up about her crippling anxiety and recent slump, shedding light on the intense pressures of following up a major championship victory.Stark admitted the heavy toll of fan criticism, noting it "just makes you focus on the wrong things."Her vulnerability highlights the often-unseen mental health struggles that athletes endure while competing at the absolute pinnacle of their sport.Quick HitsAmateur Mark Knecht shatters a fairway truck windshield before making a hole-in-one at a US Senior Open qualifier • Good Good YouTube creator Brad Dalke accepts a 2026 Rocket Mortgage Classic sponsor exemption • Thomas Fliniks shatters the Guinness World Record with a 235.1 mph golf drive

On June 3rd, 2026, we break down LIV Golf's sudden scramble for private capital, preview the historic 50th Memorial Tournament, and set the stage for an emotional 81st US Women's Open at Riviera.LIV GOLF / BOARDROOM DRAMAThe Saudi PIF is ceasing LIV Golf funding after 2026, forcing the league to scramble for $250M-$350M in private investment. Ahead of LIV Andalucia, Bryson DeChambeau is actively pitching investors while Jon Rahm refuses to participate.Rahm insists he will "stay in your lane" regarding the league's financial business.Rahm noted he lacks Bryson's free time to pitch investors because he has "three little ones and one on the way."PGA TOUR / THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENTMuirfield Village hosts the 50th anniversary of the Memorial Tournament, where Scottie Scheffler (+300) is chasing a Tiger Woods-esque three-peat. Meanwhile, tournament host Jack Nicklaus is openly criticizing the PGA Tour's condensed Signature Events schedule.Nicklaus stated he would "hate to see tournaments bunched too much together," while also advising mentee Rory McIlroy to make "no double bogeys."Fresh off his PGA Championship win, Aaron Rai is adjusting to fame—getting recognized grocery shopping and sharing an emotional reunion with his father, Amrik, whose "hug was a little bit different."LPGA / US WOMEN'S OPENThe 81st US Women's Open heads to Riviera, headlined by Nelly Korda (+400) utilizing a minimalist scouting strategy. The field also features Megha Ganne making her pro debut and Madelene Sagstrom competing while seven months pregnant.Korda is avoiding over-preparation, noting that "too much information is not really good," while Ganne is embracing being "comfortable being uncomfortable."Michelle Wie West is making an emotional return from retirement to honor her late father-in-law, Jerry West, and to show her daughter Makenna that "everything is not easy."Quick HitsRussell Henley's Charles Schwab win • Bryson's AI swing prep • Lexi Thompson's missed cut • UVA's Ben James securing the #1 PGA Tour U ranking for his card through 2027

On this June 2nd, 2026 episode, we break down Bryson's bizarre AI swing consultation, Tiger Woods' ongoing Swiss rehab, and Nelly Korda's statistical dominance ahead of the U.S. Women's Open.LIV GOLF / BRYSON DECHAMBEAUBryson DeChambeau shot a final-round 65 to finish third at LIV Korea, but the real story is his new swing coach: Google Gemini. He's using AI to understand alpha and gamma torque ahead of Shinnecock."I was talking to AI last night quite a bit trying to go through some different physics principles that makes the club turn over," Bryson explained.Rex Hoggard found the high-tech approach "comical," joking that traditional coaches have given that exact same advice three thousand times without needing an algorithm.LPGA / U.S. WOMEN'S OPENThe 81st U.S. Women's Open heads to Riviera with Nelly Korda on a historic tear, gaining a massive 4.03 strokes on the field, while a staple of the tournament will be noticeably absent this week.Lexi Thompson will miss the event for the first time in 19 years, admitting, "Definitely not a great feeling I would be lying if I said otherwise."Korda's statistical dominance is reaching unprecedented heights, setting up a fascinating clash of eras at one of golf's most iconic venues.PGA TOUR / TORREY PINES & TIGER WOODSSentry will replace Farmers at Torrey Pines in 2027 with a unique Saturday finish, while Tiger Woods skips the Memorial to focus on the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto amidst his ongoing recovery.Tiger's attorney, Douglas Duncan, noted Woods is in an "intensive highly individualized and medically integrated program" in a Swiss rehab following his March DUI crash.Ryan Lavner pointed out that the new Torrey Pines setup will make scheduling "really really tricky" for stars like Rory McIlroy who are forced into a two-track system.Quick HitsMinute Media lays off veteran SI golf reporter Bob Harig • Michael Bamberger warns "golf will suffer as a result" of the media cuts • Tune in tomorrow for our full Memorial Tournament preview at Muirfield Village