Status Update 015

And I do the Cha Cha like a sissy girl...I likea...do...the Cha Cha

Welcome to Status Update — a free Friday newsletter featuring long and short stories, general ramblings from the week that was, the most interesting things to have recently caught my eye and any other golf-related nonsense I believe to be worth your time.

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The Opening Drive

I just realized I forgot to send a newsletter last week. Hand up, that one is on me. I’ve been busy, people! I’m sure you all can understand. Life gets in the way sometimes —there’s been a couple weddings, some more golf being played (not well, mind you), run-ins with old friends and now all of a sudden we are on the doorstep of the second major championship of the season.

While we are on the topic of forgetting…I also forgot I was going to do some giveaways for the tournaments I travel to. Well, I guess you could constitute what I did for the Masters as a friends and family giveaway, but this time we will open it up to the public.

I don’t even think half of the people I sent merchandise to are subscribers…Some “friends”, I guess.

This newsletter is surprisingly growing despite my best efforts, so to give yourself a better chance at whatever I scrounge together at the PGA Championship any referral will be seen as an additional entry in said drawing.

Now, that we have that out of the way, let’s answer the next question I have been getting asked nonstop, which is “Where can I watch you?”

Takes a deep breath.

Here’s the full schedule which can be watched on the CBS Sports app, CBS Sports HQ, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ over the weekend before coverage hits the main CBS broadcast. I’m obviously not on during the entire programming and won’t be on some of those hits depending on how the schedule shakes out, but this gives you a general idea if you want to go through the misery of watching me yap.

As for those who will be in attendance, you will be able to find me on the driving range most of the week! I think gen. pop is allowed on that path which we will be set up near, so feel free to heckle away.

So, we’ll have those digital responsibilities in addition to some podcasting (Golf on CBS YouTube) and plenty of writing (CBS Sports dot com). Going to be a bit more frosty on the socials as well since we are one of the few (the proud, the Marines) who are able to film inside the ropes before the tournament, so there are some ideas I have up my sleeve. Those videos will be on the usual mediums.

Onward to the actual tournament and the actual players!

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PGA Championship talking points to impress your friends with

There were again some kind words when I did this at the Masters, and so we will keep doing this for every major championship. We’ll keep this version relatively player centric since Quail Hollow is a golf course we see every single year.

PGA Tour venues should not be used for major championships! Join the revolution!

Scottie Scheffler (4-1)

• Seeks third major championship and first away from Augusta National

• Tied PGA Tour scoring record in last start out which was a win at the Byron Nelson

• Has never played at Quail Hollow (!!!)

• Question: Does the lack of course history hinder his chances?

Rory McIlroy (5-1)

• Completed career grand slam at the Masters for fifth major victory (tying him with Brooks Koepka)

• Has won four (!!!!) times at Quail Hollow including last year

• Major win ties him with Nick Faldo for most among Europeans

• Question: Where is he at just one month removed from completing a lifelong dream?

Bryson DeChambeau (14-1)

• Has factored on Sunday in 5 of last 6 U.S. majors

• Runner-up last year

• Would be third player to win U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and PGA Championship

  • Tiger and Jack are the other two

• Won his last start at LIV Golf Korea and probably the smart bet this week

• Question: Which iron play will show up?

Jon Rahm (16-1)

• Might stink (just kidding)

• 19 straight top 10s on LIV Golf (no idea what this means)

• Would be third leg of career grand slam

• Question: How does this affect Legion XIII’s legacy?

Xander Schauffele (18-1)

• Defending champion

• 12 straight top 20s in majors

• 5 straight top 10s in majors

• Finished runner up at Quail Hollow in 2023, 2024

• My pick to win (subject to change)

• Question: Can he drive the ball like he did at Augusta?

Viktor Hovland (20-1)

• Quietly looking better and better by the week

• Serious factor in last two PGAs

• Strong history at Quail Hollow

• Question: When will his short-game deficiency bite him in the ass?

Ludvig Åberg (20-1)

• Was injured at last year’s PGA

• Didn’t get to play Quail Hollow last year because of said injury

• Outside the run at the Masters, play has been uninspiring since win at Genesis Invitational

  • (still think he plays a role in this championship)

• Question: Will his iron play be good enough?

Justin Thomas (22-1)

• Will be popular as he won 2017 PGA at this site

• Transformed from bottom-11 putter to top-30 putter this season

• Broke three-year winless drought with RBC Heritage victory

• Question: Can he drive the ball well enough?

Collin Morikawa (22-1)

• Winner at TPC Harding Park

• Finished T4 last year after playing in final pairing on Sunday

• 5 straight major top 20s

• Hasn’t won since Fall 2023

• Question: Will the media follow him to the autograph zone when he opens with a 74?

Joaquin Niemann (30-1)

• Three wins in last seven LIV Golf events

• Zero top 15s in majors

• Undisputed world No. 1

• Question: How does he react if he gets into contention?

Brooks Koepka (30-1)

• Three wins in last seven PGA Championships

• Forgettable run since 2023 PGA Championship win

• Now tied with Rory for most majors in this generation

• Question: Does Rory’s win light a fire under his ass?

Lot of ass talk

Tyrrell Hatton (35-1)

• English

• Angry elf

• Good bet to finish top 20

• Pick to win (The Open)

• Question: Can his game keep up with the firepower of the favorites?

Hideki Matsuyama (40-1)

• Second in terms of iron play at the Masters

• Played in final pairing with JT in 2017 PGA

• Has lost strokes putting in 5 of 6 tournaments

• Question: Can he make enough putts?

Tommy Fleetwood (45-1)

• Also English

• Happy elf

• Good bet to finish top 20

• Pick to win (The Open)

• Question: Is his first U.S. win going to be a major?

Patrick Cantlay (45-1)

• Scratching at the backdoor

• 8 top 25s in last 11 majors

• Winless since Summer 2022

• Question: Why strain yourself when T13 still cashes six figures?

Jordan Spieth (50-1)

• Seeking career grand slam

• Four straight top 20s is longest streak since 2021

• Shot 62 Sunday of Byron Nelson — capping off his best ball-striking performances in seven years

• Can contend with a ceiling iron performance

• Question: How long do you have?

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Random players to use for your office pools so you don’t bother me next week

• Patrick Reed (80-1)

• Sergio Garcia (80-1)

• Robert MacIntyre (100-1)

• Keegan Bradley (120-1)

• Keith Mitchell (150-1)

• Michael Kim (150-1)

• Denny McCarthy (150-1)

• Davis Thompson (170-1)

• Andrew Novak (180-1)

• J.T. Poston (200-1)

• Kevin Yu (300-1)

• Matt McCarty (400-1)

• Gary Woodland (400-1)

• Davis Riley (500-1)

• Michael Block (EVEN)

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Stat of the week

Top-15 finishes in major championships

• Michael Block: 1

• Joaquin Niemann: 0