Status Update 019
Let it rip
Welcome to Status Update — a free Monday 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.
The Opening Drive
Let me first say thank you to those who sent heartfelt messages regarding my medical condition. I can confirm that I have received your flowers, fruit baskets and medical advice that is backed by the research and development of god knows what.
It does not go unseen. If I have to be the face of slightly elevated LDL levels then that is a cross that I am willing to bear (in addition to the cross that is elevated LDL levels, of course).
Please, stop applauding. Seriously, come on you guys. I am just one man. Sit down. Sit down.
You might be wondering to yourself, “Is today Friday?” and unfortunately the answer to that is no. Instead, let me welcome you into the new week with a new edition of this newsletter on a new day.
It is actually embarrassing how much more sense it makes to deliver this on Monday mornings as opposed to Friday mornings. I do not know what I was thinking, but that could go for a number of things and may make for the title of my memoir one day. Let’s get into it.
Inside the Ropes
Aldrich Potgieter defeated Chris Kirk and Max Greyserman in a playoff at the Rocket Classic that may still be going on. I couldn’t go to bed last night as echoes from that Detroit fan screaming continued to ring my ear drums.
Good on Potbelly — he’s a fun guy to watch as he is the fastest (not in terms of running speed, he may actually be the slowest) player on the PGA Tour as he cruises in the low 190s ball speed with ease, he’s a good putter and everything in between is a total crapshoot.
He’s 20, though, and he’ll figure the rest of that out in due time and even without it, guess what, he’s a PGA Tour winner.
The main event was on LIV Golf this week as Bryson DeChambeau ramped up the crowds with multiple shouts of “I love you, guys” from on stage as if he had just polished a few off and was getting emotional with the fellas.
Don’t lie. We’ve all been there.
Brooks Koepka smashed a tee marker and withdrew, although he was eligible to come back for the team if needed. Not sure if he did to be totally honest — protecting the field and so forth, I am sure.
Patrick Reed was the big winner by week’s end as he beat Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Casey and some other guy in playoff. You don’t need to tell me twice that he needs to be at Bethpage Black, but I am also getting a little concerned that I am lost in the bit.
I received five text messages last night congratulating me on the victory from five people who did not even send me a happy birthday text this past winter. Makes you think.
Outside the Ropes
It’s kind of a strange time between media and players. Collin Morikawa went after Golfweek’s Adam Schupak for a throw away quote in his article about Morikawa’s caddie affairs.
That guy is putting up Love Island numbers (never seen it, but trying to be topical) — he’ll be at at least four by the end of the season
Padraig Harrington went after Roger Maltbie at the U.S. Senior Open because he did not help him look for his golf ball. Harrington later apologized. And all of this comes on the heels of whatever was going on with Rory McIlroy and that entire discourse from the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open.
“I'm not a journalist. I don't know. Report the birdies and bogeys, I guess,” Rory said at the Travelers Championship. “And obviously you have to -- the storylines sort of write themselves for the most part. But yeah, I certainly see the need for it and see the need for the platform. Like I've never argued that. But I just think nowadays there's so many different ways to consume sports and entertainment. It certainly isn't the only avenue to get your sports news and information.”
When Morikawa bit back, my first thoughts were (1) someone needs to stuff him into a locker, (2) everyone should experience a little bullying and (3) he seems like a guy who only played golf growing up — if you know what I mean then you know what I mean
Then I let things marinate a little bit and saw the reactions of those who were brave enough to share their opinions on the matter on social media. They lamented that Morikawa is too sensitive, that players have it easy these days, there was nothing wrong with the reporting and he needs to more or less shut up.
In the same realm of my thoughts, but not quite the same. And then I thought, “Wow these guys are being really sensitive! Now isn’t that ironic.” And then I slowly but surely found myself in Morikawa’s corner.
I settled on this stance.
Here’s a guy who has been polished since he turned professional — a sponsor’s dream. A good player who turned out to be great and has always cared about how he comes across. I’ve discussed this before.
Things aren’t going his way the last couple of years — probably for the first time in his golf career — and instead of shriveling up, he’s letting it fly! He’s finally letting his true thoughts come out of his mouth. He is finally …INTERESTING!
And we’re supposed to be upset about this? We’re supposed to criticize a player who is voicing his thoughts? This is not the corrupt golf media I know.
He saw something he didn’t like, and he did something about it. Could he have gone about it a different way, absolutely, but he didn’t and now we are talking about it.
So Collin, if you are reading this, kudos to you. Keep letting it rip, and remember, This is America!
Donald Glover, what are you doing here?
The Week Ahead
The PGA Tour heads to the John Deere Classic amid the Fourth of July weekend for what is sure to be a ratings bonanza. In order to help with the possible lull in interest, the PGA Tour reached out to yours truly to help with the tournament preview that should be on their YouTube page sometime Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Here’s the actual text exchange.
PGA Tour: Patrick, this is the least important event on our playing calendar, so we need the least important member of the media to help us with our preview coverage.
Patrick: You think I’m important?
PGA Tour: That’s not what we said.
Patrick: That’s so kind. I’ll clear my schedule.
PGA Tour: Just to confirm, that is not what we said.
Patrick: Confirming I can do it. Appreciate y’all. Talk soon.
On the home front we have an interview on our Golf on CBS YouTube show with a player in the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship which takes place at Woodmont Country Club (the site of my memorable run in the summer of 2013 in some random local match play tournament) starting July 7th.
I think — key word “think” — we are going to be doing more interviews with a regular cadence in 2026. The feedback has been great, and I’ve gotten a bunch of messages asking if I can do more. We’ve got another one on tap the week of The Open with Justin Hastings (the low am at the U.S. Open) who is in the field at Royal Portrush.
Outside that, it’s the holiday weekend, so I’m not going to stress myself too much. Beach, tennis, golf, tanning, lounging, reading, eating (foods that are good for my cholesterol) and so forth. You do the same.
Ta ta for now!
Cant wait until u get hemorrhoids