In 2024, another underdog emerged victorious on the PGA Tour amidst a lackluster week. As we approach March and reflect on the first seven tournaments of the season, it becomes apparent that the Tour’s current state may not just be a passing trend, but rather a defining characteristic.
Hideki Matsuyama delivered a remarkable performance on Sunday at the Genesis Invitational, staging an impressive comeback to secure the victory at Riviera. Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay continued his struggle to perform on weekends, further highlighting the lack of excitement throughout the tournament. The most memorable moment of the week was Tiger Woods’ withdrawal due to flu-like symptoms, painting a grim picture for the Tour.
Let’s delve into the details of the week in golf in the latest edition of Par Talk, where we will bring you up to speed on all the essential information.
Starting the final round of the Genesis Invitational six shots behind the leader, Hideki Matsuyama defied the odds and triumphed with a dominant performance. He kicked off the afternoon with three consecutive birdies, setting the stage for a magical day for this former Masters champion.
Matsuyama continued to impress on the back nine, adding three more birdies to his scorecard. This allowed him to seize control of the tournament on the 15th and 16th holes, leaving his competitors struggling to find momentum. His precision on the Par 4 15th, the most challenging hole on the course, was evident as he landed his approach shot just eight inches away from the hole. Not content with that achievement, Matsuyama then hit a tee shot on the Par 3 16th that landed a mere six inches from the cup. What made this near-ace even more remarkable was Matsuyama’s initial dissatisfaction with the shot while it was still in the air.
Matsuyama’s bogey-free round of 62 speaks volumes about his exceptional performance, clearly setting him apart from the rest of the field on Sunday. With the exception of Adam Hadwin, who shot a 65, no other player managed to elevate their game to the same level as Matsuyama during the final round. This is not to diminish the talents of Patrick Cantlay, Will Zalatoris, Xander Schauffele, and Jason Day, who were all in contention. Rather, it is a testament to Matsuyama’s outstanding abilities.
When Matsuyama is in top form, he remains one of the world’s best players, particularly on today’s PGA Tour, where numerous top players now compete on LIV. Although he experienced a two-year dry spell between wins on Tour, it is unlikely that the 31-year-old will endure another extended period without victory.
Patrick Cantlay’s performance on weekends is a cause for concern. If PGA Tour events were only two days long, he would have an impressive number of victories. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and it is evident that he struggles when playing golf on Saturdays and Sundays.
After a stellar performance in the first two rounds, where he shot 64-65 and established a commanding lead at Riviera, it seemed as though the Genesis Invitational was Cantlay’s to lose. However, his inability to close out tournaments became apparent over the weekend, as he posted a combined even par over the final two rounds. Such a performance is insufficient to secure victory in any PGA Tour event.
Those who have been paying attention this year were not surprised by Cantlay’s lackluster performance on Saturday and Sunday. With four starts in 2024, Cantlay ranked first on Tour in first-round scoring but dropped to 99th in second-round scoring. Despite this decline, he remained in contention heading into the weekend. However, his third-round scoring average of 70.0 placed him at 105th on Tour, and his final-round average of 72.67 on Sundays left him ranked 148th. This ranking remained unchanged after his final round at Riviera.
As we enter the seventh week of the 2024 PGA Tour season, it is difficult to ignore the fact that LIV Golf has had a more impressive start to the year than the Tour itself. Although LIV has only hosted two events during this time, while the Tour has held seven, three of the Tour’s events were considered “signature” events. This discrepancy does not bode well for the PGA Tour.
Furthermore, television ratings should not be the sole focus. Only the media and sponsors truly care about ratings, and considering that LIV’s only sponsor is the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), ratings are merely a number without significant meaning.
The Tour’s efforts have been hampered by a stretch of inclement weather and a series of unexpected winners at the start of the year. However, even without these factors, the leaderboards have lacked the star power that golf enthusiasts have grown accustomed to seeing.
Ultimately, this comes down to the fact that LIV Golf has assembled a roster of highly talented players with both skill and personality. While fans may not necessarily like the personalities of Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Cam Smith, Brooks Koepka, or Jon Rahm, they cannot deny the drama and intrigue these players bring to the weekend.
It has become a matter of numbers. The Tour still boasts many star players, but if these stars fail to shine, casual fans will lose interest. The fact that I am writing this after a signature event at Riviera Country Club, one of the most prestigious stops on the schedule, is concerning.
The headlines for the Genesis Invitational primarily revolved around Tiger Woods’ withdrawal due to illness, Jordan Spieth’s disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard, and Hideki Matsuyama’s three-shot victory. These events highlight the multitude of challenges the Tour has faced at the beginning of this crucial 2024 campaign.
Mark covers a wide range of sports, but his keen focus remains on golf. He holds a journalism and online media degree from the University of Tennessee, although you can be the judge of his expertise. When he is not working, you will likely find him on the golf course.
According to the Source outkick.com