Today in Golf

We break down Ben Griffin’s statistical surge into the world’s elite and analyze the heartbreak and villainy emerging from the Q School "kill zone."THE NEW TOP 10The "loan officer" underdog story is officially dead as Ben Griffin cracks the Top 10, proving the "wedding bump" is a statistical reality. Sitting at #5 in Data Golf and #9 in the OWGR, Griffin has vaulted past superstars like Fitzpatrick, Hovland, and Justin Thomas to become a legitimate major contender.Stat: Griffin is now ranked higher than three former major champions.The Angle: From mortgage desk to World No. 9.Q SCHOOL CHAOSWhile AJ Ewart took the win at -14, the real story was the "math of misery" at the -11 cutline where the strict "no ties" rule ended seasons for Dylan Wu and Ben Silverman. We look at Alejandro Tosti securing his card at -12 and why his presence provides the perfect "antagonist" foil to the Tour's nice guys.The Heartbreak: Camilo Villegas missing full status by a single stroke (-10).Fun Fact: Marcelo Rozo "manifested" his card by writing his goals on a mirror.TIGER & THE QUIET PERIODWe are in the "eye of the storm" before the season restarts. Despite the silence on Bryson DeChambeau contract rumors, we have a clear update on Tiger Woods: he is strictly in "chip and putt mode" with zero signs of full torque range sessions.Timeline: TGL Season Two launches December 28th.Quick HitsChan Kim’s fatigue factor • Adam Svensson swallows his pride • Tosti vs. Scheffler narrative setup

We break down the brutal "no ties" finish at Dye’s Valley, the return of the Tour's biggest agitator, and Ben Griffin’s statistical leap into the world's elite.Q SCHOOL CHAOSWe dissect the "math of misery" at Dye’s Valley, where the strict no-ties rule created a zero-sum game at the 11-under cut line, forcing a high-stakes head-to-head between Ben Silverman and Dylan Wu for the final card.While AJ Ewart cruised to victory at -14, veteran Camilo Villegas missed his livelihood by a single shot at -10.The "Villain" returns: Alejandro Tosti (-12) earns his card, guaranteeing friction for the 2026 season—we discuss why his disciplinary record makes Tyrrell Hatton look like a choir boy.THE GRIFFIN ASCENSIONIt is time to retire the "former loan officer" narrative; following his wedding to Doug Sieg, Ben Griffin has statistically arrived as a world-beater.Griffin has skyrocketed to #5 in Data Golf and #9 in the OWGR, cementing himself as a legitimate top-10 talent.We analyze the swing changes and mental freedom that have turned a feel-good story into a dominant force.ROSTER WATCH & TIGERThe "silly season" panic subsides as Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im stay put, effectively killing rumors of an International team exodus to LIV.Tiger Woods Update: He is currently only chipping and putting following lumbar disc replacement; we explain why fans should temper expectations for a Genesis Invitational appearance.Quick HitsChan Kim’s heartbreak • Bryson’s contract status • The Vanessa Trump rumor

We break down the record-setting start at the Grant Thornton Invitational, the brutal new rules at Q School, and Beau Hossler’s surprising off-season mental health journey.GRANT THORNTON INVITATIONALTwo teams opened with blistering 55s (-17), but the chemistry stole the show. Wyndham Clark and Lexi Thompson were "ham and egging it" perfectly, while Charley Hull battled internal panic over a recent swing change.Quote: Hull admitted she was "terrified" partner Michael Brennan would think she was "rubbish."Fun Fact: Keith Mitchell defied the laws of physics with a full 360-degree lip-out.Q SCHOOL CHAOSThe pressure at Dyes Valley is at an all-time high thanks to a logjam at -7 and a controversial new "no ties" rule for the top five cards. Ironically, co-leader Trevor Cone is dominating while arguing the system shouldn't even award Tour cards.Human Angle: Cooper Dossey is playing with a fresh perspective as a new father, dedicating his grind to his grandparents.RETURNS & RESETSTrump National Doral is officially returning to the PGA Tour in 2026 as "The Miami Championship," while Beau Hossler revealed he skipped the Masters hype for a "hard reset" at an Ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica.Status Check: Si Woo Kim shut down LIV rumors via Instagram, confirming he will be at the Sony Open.Quick HitsBen Griffin’s sponsor-officiated wedding • 2028 Open moves to August for Olympics • Tiger names Smoltz & Romo best amateurs • Trump’s White House dirt renovation plan

On Friday, December 13th, we break down the end of the "Korean Exodus" rumors, the looming contract panic surrounding Bryson DeChambeau, and the historic scoring opening the Grant Thornton Invitational.LIV GOLF VS. THE TOURSi Woo Kim officially shuts down Ironheads GC rumors via Instagram, confirming he’s playing the Sony Open. Meanwhile, panic sets in at LIV as analysts warn that if Bryson DeChambeau walks when his contract expires, the league is in trouble.Quote: Rex Hoggard on Bryson leaving: "The party's over."The Theory: The "Flushing It" theory suggests LIV’s own leaks gave the PGA Tour time to counter-negotiate and save the roster.GRANT THORNTON INVITATIONALThe scramble format delivered fireworks as Lexi Thompson/Wyndham Clark and the rookie/vet duo of Michael Brennan/Charley Hull both carded record-breaking 17-under 55s to share the Round 1 lead.Quote: Wyndham Clark on Lexi: "She putts it so good... I just had to tap it in."Fun Fact: Rookie Michael Brennan boldly called Charley Hull "intense" to her face, sparking a hilarious debate about her actual "laid back" vibe.Q SCHOOL FINAL STAGEHigh stakes at TPC Sawgrass as Chan Kim fires an emotional opening 64 to take the lead, fueled by the relief of his premature daughter finally being released from the hospital after a scary medical battle.Quote: AJ Ewart on his strategy after a hole-in-one: "Boring golf."Human Angle: Kim noted that his daughter's survival gave him a massive perspective shift heading into the most stressful week in golf.Quick HitsTiger’s recovery & Vanessa Trump relationship • Brooks Koepka sitting out 2026? • India launches "72 The League" • TPC Craig Ranch’s $22.5m reno

On this Thursday, December 12th, we definitively shut down the rumors of a Korean exodus to LIV, analyze Tiger Woods's evolution into the Tour's chief policymaker, and preview the mixed-team action at the Grant Thornton Invitational.THE KOREAN EXODUS THAT WASN'TThe rumors are officially dead: Si Woo Kim has rejected the Iron Heads captaincy and the "Becko East GC" rebrand, while Sungjae Im took to Instagram to stamp "Fake News" on reports of his departure.Quote: Caddie Willy Wilcox joined the denial, joking he was signing with a "NASA space tour" instead.The Angle: Despite the noise, the top Korean stars are staying put, solidifying the PGA Tour's international roster.TIGER WOODS: THE ARCHITECTTiger has transitioned from competitor to the Tour's ultimate builder. As Chairman of the Future Competition Committee, he now holds the "hammer and chisel" to shape the sport, even as he withdraws from the PNC Championship to prioritize his physical recovery.The Reality: Woods admitted he isn't physically ready to be fair to Charlie for the event.Human Angle: We touch on his personal stability with Vanessa Trump and the growing connection between the Woods and Trump families.GRANT THORNTON PREVIEW & Q SCHOOL GRINDWe head to Tiburon for the mixed-team event, highlighting the "VuNau" pairing and Jessica Korda’s return. Plus, a deep dive on Q School contender Tyler Leach, who overcame the yips after growing up on a course with no driving range.Quote: Lydia Ko admits she is "drooling" over partner Jason Day’s swing, while Day praises her bowed left wrist.Fun Fact: Leach’s career-saving switch to a L.A.B. broomstick putter was actually his wife's idea.Quick HitsSydney Sweeney calls golf boring • Rory’s Feb-Aug schedule proposal • The "12 Days of Scottie" Marathon • Jessica Korda returns

We break down the latest LIV transfer rumors involving Si Woo Kim and Brooks Koepka, analyze the internal fracture over the PGA Tour’s future schedule, and react to Rory McIlroy’s daring flop shot over Tiger Woods.THE TRANSFER MARKET HEATS UPReports indicate Si Woo Kim is in late-stage negotiations to join Kevin Na’s Ironheads GC for the 2026 season, though rumors of Sungjae Im following him have been shut down completely. We also debate whether Brooks Koepka’s potential 2026 departure is a genuine legacy play or a negotiation tactic to squeeze the PIF.TIGER’S BACK & THE LOCKER ROOM DIVIDERory McIlroy raises eyebrows during a TaylorMade shoot in Jupiter by hitting a flop shot over a recovering Tiger Woods, accompanied by a controversial joke about Tiger’s injuries. Meanwhile, opposition grows against Tiger’s push for a reduced tour schedule, with Tom Hoge and Ryan Palmer arguing that the "scarcity" model hurts the game.GRANT THORNTON & Q-SERIES DRAMAJessica Korda makes her return to competition post-pregnancy alongside Bud Cauley at the Grant Thornton Invitational. We also recap the high stakes at LPGA Q-Series, where veteran Ryann O’Toole clutched up with a final-round 65 to save her card while 17-year-old phenom Gianna Clemente suffered a heartbreaking miss.Quick HitsGary McCord’s "Team Tiger" franchise proposal • Ben Griffin chooses wedding over Hero World Challenge • Tiburon Golf Club preview

We break down the logistical fallout of the 2028 Open Championship schedule change, analyze the latest LIV format rumors, and check in on Tiger Woods’ recovery.SCHEDULE CHAOSThe R&A has officially moved the 2028 Open Championship to August, a decision CEO Mark Darbon calls a "necessary evil." This shift creates a massive headache for the PGA Tour, forcing the FedEx Cup Playoffs to compete directly against the opening weeks of the NFL season.Quote: Darbon admits the calendar shift is a "necessary evil."The Angle: The brutal reality of trying to capture sports ratings when football kicks off.LIV SHIFTS & TIGER TALKRumors are swirling that LIV Golf may pivot to 72 holes in 2026. Rex Hoggard suggests this format change could be the "crack in the door" needed for a merger, even if the PIF remains married to the team concept. Plus, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil shuts down the Brooks Koepka exit rumors.Update: Tiger Woods on his lumbar disc replacement: "I just need to let it set."Fun Fact: Tiger hopped in the broadcast booth specifically to roast Kevin Kisner’s bunker game.AWARDS & PREVIEWSRory McIlroy secures the AGW Golfer of the Year award as we look ahead to the Grant Thornton Invitational. Jessica Korda makes her highly anticipated return from maternity leave, while rookie Michael Brennan steps in for a withdrawing Daniel Berger.Stat: Only Rory, Scheffler, Schauffele, and Fleetwood stayed in the OWGR Top 10 for the entire year.Quick HitsLPGA Q-Series shortened by weather • The brutal math for Jorge Garcia at PGA Tour Q-School • Nelly Korda & Denny McCarthy team up

We break down Hideki Matsuyama’s playoff victory at the Hero World Challenge and Tiger Woods’ electric stint in the broadcast booth on December 8th, 2025.HERO WORLD CHALLENGEHideki Matsuyama bookended his season with a victory at 22-under, firing a final-round 64 to force a playoff. From a hole-out eagle on the 10th to a dart in the playoff, Hideki denied Alex Noren’s gritty comeback bid.The Challenge: Tiger Woods told Hideki pre-round to shoot 10-under; Hideki responded with a 64 and the trophy.Gear Note: Hideki reunited with his "Ace" Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS putter to seal the deal.THE CHASING PACKScottie Scheffler’s bid for a three-peat unraveled on the 11th with a mud-ball driver off the deck that found the waste area, while Sepp Straka’s back-nine charge died in the bunkers.Quote: Tiger on Scottie’s aggressive decision at 11: "I wouldn't have hit that."Viral Moment: The handshake between Charlie Woods and Scottie Scheffler that took over social media.TIGER IN THE BOOTHThe tournament host stole the show on commentary, offering insights on how YouTube is "turbocharging" youth development and providing a health update on his prep for The Masters (cleared to chip and putt).Fun Fact: Tiger absolutely lost it laughing at Kevin Kisner’s bladed wedge shot.Human Angle: The wholesome "See you at home" exchange between Tiger and his neighbor, runner-up Alex Noren.Quick HitsScheffler debuts the Qi10 driver • Spieth finishes dead last • JJ Spaun’s nerves playing in front of the host

e break down Saturday’s action at the Hero World Challenge, where a cluttered leaderboard cleared out to set up a Sunday showdown between Sepp Straka and Scottie Scheffler.HERO WORLD CHALLENGEThe five-way tie has evaporated, leaving a distinct duel at the top. Sepp Straka fired the round of the day (64) to reach 17-under, but Scottie Scheffler is looming just one shot back (65) as he hunts a historic three-peat in Albany.Tiger Woods on Scheffler’s consistency: "He just doesn't have the lapses."While Straka is on a "heater," Scheffler has posted rounds of 66-69-65, refusing to let the lead get away.THE CHASING PACKMoving Day proved difficult for yesterday's co-leaders. Akshay Bhatia collapsed with a 74, while Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun, and Cameron Young stalled out, leaving Alex Noren alone in third place to watch the leaders pull away.Sam Burns surged late with a 65 to match the low scores of the contenders.Jordan Spieth finally shook off the rust, breaking par with a 70.Quick HitsBhatia falls from lead • Matsuyama can’t keep pace • Spieth breaks par