Hovland hinted strongly that he's considering the LIV. Premadona Koepka's already there. Rooting for Rahm, Cantaly, and....I love saying his name...Hidecki MATSUYAMA! HI DOZO!
I golfed yesterday with a fellow who grew up with Koepka. Said they go all the way back to childhood. He said the moment he became a Pro, Koepka wrote him and everyone else in their circle off.
Koepka is definitely not a likeable player. But I have to admit I admire his game. For me it's the same with Rahm, not especially likeable he has a permanent frown on his face. Now Scheffler is very likeable IMHO, as are Speith and Rory.
Koepka has lost it, driver, irons and putting are all going south on him. But a bunch of guys are at -6 now. They will need Rahm to go a bit off and keep the pedal to the medal to catch up.
It looks like.Koepka has pull-hooked his drives several times but has been able to avoid disasters. Rahm is playing well but hasn't been able to.deliver the knockout punch. There several other guys that still have an outside shot
Pulled another drive but he birdied 16. Rahm is playing steady but still didn't really shut Koepka out. Koepka did that himself.
I'm somewhat surprised at how well the LIV players did especially Phil who must be taking Langer pills. In the past I usually would be rooting for American players but like many I was hoping Rahm beat the defector Koepka. Expected more from Scheffler, Cantlay and Schauffele, and most of all Rory. Rahm becomes one of those rare champions who started out double bogging the first hole of the tournament. Nice to see the ovation that Bennett got at the 18th hole. The patrons really appreciated the performance by that 23 yr. old amateur. The guy who could have won the tournament but just didn't handle the cold was Spieth. He carded 9 birdies yesterday but his 76 in the third round just destroyed any chances he had. He seems to be getting his game back to the way it was 3 yrs. ago.
The RBC Heritage at Hilton Head is a designated event. Rory potentially can be fined 3M for pulling out of the event. The RBC Heritage is one of 17 designated events, meaning players ranked in the top 20 of the Tour's Player Impact Program are required to participate. Players are allowed to skip one designated event for personal or professional reasons, but McIlroy already sat out of the season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions in January.