Nelly Korda's Dominance: Is This the Summer of Nelly? And What About Furyk's Ryder Cup Lessons?

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Alright, let’s cut the crap and talk golf. We’ve got Nelly Korda absolutely crushing it, winning majors like it’s going out of style. Then there’s Jim Furyk stepping back into the Ryder Cup spotlight. And don’t even get me started on these ridiculous Ryder Cup ticket prices. This is the stuff that keeps us up at night, right? Or at least gives us something to argue about over a few cold ones. Let’s get into it.

Nelly Korda: Back on Top, But Can She Stay There?

So, Nelly Korda just blitzed the field at the Chevron Championship. Five shots clear. Third major. This is the same Nelly who had a monster year two years ago, seven wins, the whole shebang. Then last year? Nada. Zip. Zilch. But now? Two wins already this year. Is this the start of a “Summer of Nelly”? What the hell changed?

Look, winning a golf tournament is harder than anything. And when you’re playing like Nelly did in Houston, losing is damn near impossible. Sunday, with a five-shot lead on the front nine, feeling all the pressure in the world… what did she do? Seven pars, two birdies. That’s maturity, pure and simple. Especially on a Sunday at a major. That’s what explains her success. That’s the Nelly we know and love… or love to hate, depending on your fantasy league.

I think Nelly’s just found a comfortable groove. She knows what she wants to be for the game. Remember that last run she had? The pressure was insane. Everyone wanted her to carry women’s golf. Comparisons to Caitlin Clark, all that noise. I don’t think she ever felt great about that. But now? She seems… at peace. Like she’s figured it out. And honestly, I hope this “Summer of Nelly” is upon us. She’s one of the best we’ve ever seen. Watching her at her absolute peak? That’s what we tune in for. And if I’m being greedy, let’s see Jeeno Thitikul go toe-to-toe with her. That’s the kind of rivalry that makes golf interesting.

People in Houston all week could see it. Nelly is at peace. It’s not just personal happiness, though that’s huge. It’s a decision she and her caddie, Jason McDede, made. They decided to approach things differently after 2025. Play smart. No stupid risks. No letting negativity, internal or external, creep in. McDede told me that losing at Erin Hills last year was the real kick in the pants. The catalyst for changing her mindset. And yeah, I think she can absolutely rip off several more wins this year. Everything’s firing. And that decision to get a no-nonsense putting coach? Brilliant. Putting was always the Achilles’ heel. Now? The hype train for Riviera? It’s gonna be out of control.

The Poppie’s Pond Leap: Tradition or Gimmick?

Now, let’s talk about this whole winner’s leap into Poppie’s Pond. The tournament moved venues, and they built a little placeholder pool for Nelly to splash into. But the real deal, the actual water feature, is coming next year from Tom Doak. So, should the leap have stayed at the old place? Is it a gimmick? Or is it a tradition worth preserving?

Honestly, golf people get worked up about the dumbest crap. I’d argue sports are fun *because* of our blind adherence to ridiculous traditions. We get emotionally invested in someone putting a ball in a hole with fewer strokes than their opponent. That’s it. That’s the game. If the winner wants to jump into a kiddie pool or wrestle an orangutan afterwards, who the hell cares? We should be unmoved. It’s just golf.

Okay, if they battled an orangutan, I’d be moved. Sorry, James. But this tradition? I kinda dig it. Why? Because… who cares? Bring your hate elsewhere. There are way more important, and way more gimmicky, things to get angry about. Nelly’s team seemed to enjoy the leap. And that’s all that matters. It’s a bit of fun. Let it be.

Completely agree. What was all the fuss about? The players want to keep traditions alive. The LPGA made a stopgap move to allow it. There’s way too much hand-wringing about dumb things in golf. This was much ado about nothing. Korda was one of the players who wanted the tradition kept alive. She dove in. We move on. It’s sports. Go take a lap if you’re so aggrieved, maybe in a pool.

Jim Furyk and the Ryder Cup: Lessons Learned?

Alright, moving on. Jim Furyk is the 2027 Ryder Cup captain. Fourth repeat captain in the modern era. We’ve talked about the news, sure. But Furyk’s had plenty of experience since that 2018 loss. Assistant captain, Presidents Cup captain. What’s his biggest takeaway from Paris that’ll actually help him next year?

Here’s what needs to be the biggest lesson: pairings decided weeks in advance. Maybe months. The Euros trot out pairs they know will be playing together back in June. It’s a strategy that keeps working for them. Why aren’t we doing that? Is it that hard?

Don’t let yourself start the Cup by getting punched in the face. A fast start is the biggest asset for any road team. And it’s especially true at the Ryder Cup. You need to come out swinging. Set the tone. Don’t let the other team get the early momentum. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but a strong start is crucial.

There has to be a better strategy with the pairings than letting guys play with who they want to and flying by the seat of their pants as the competition goes on. The U.S. has the talent, no doubt. But they are lacking in every other area. Strategy. Teamwork. Whatever you want to call it. It’s not just about having the best individual players. It’s about putting them in the best position to succeed as a team. And right now, we’re not doing that.

Ryder Cup Tickets: Good for Golf or Just Greedy?

Speaking of the Ryder Cup, let’s talk about these ticket prices. $585 for 2027 in Ireland. That’s more than double the cost of the last European Ryder Cup in Rome. And this comes after $750 tickets caused an uproar at Bethpage. The PGA of America called it a “Tier 1” sporting event. Is it good for golf that prices and demand are soaring? Or is it outrageous that it’s boxing out certain fans?

Oh, it’s totally pathetic. Completely antithetical to the spirit of an exhibition meant to celebrate golf’s best virtues. If the Euros don’t ask for payment to play in the Cup after this latest ticket news, they’re being naive. This is getting out of hand. It’s supposed to be about the game, the competition, the passion. Not about who can afford to show up.

So, is this price… Tier 2? Or is it still Tier 1, but in Ireland? I feel sad for those locals who have had this event circled on their calendars for years. Especially after some rich businessman won the bid to bring this now impossibly rich event to his very expensive resort. There are benefits that follow the Ryder Cup and make it worth everyone’s cause, sure. But a lot of it now starts with fans paying a ton on the front end. It feels… changed. Different. Not necessarily for the better.

Completely outrageous. Ticket prices for everything have unnecessarily gone through the roof. But for an exhibition match for a sport that is supposed to be about egalitarianism? This is pretty brutal. It’s alienating people. It’s turning golf into an exclusive club for the ultra-wealthy. And that’s not what golf should be about. We need to remember that. We need to make it accessible. This is just… not that.

Aloha, Hawaii: Will We Miss the PGA Tour Stop?

And finally, it’s official. For the first time in nearly six decades, the PGA Tour won’t be stopping in Hawaii in 2027. A domino effect of schedule changes. Will we miss Hawaii? And what was your favorite moment during the Tour’s time in The Aloha State?

Yeah, I’ll miss Hawaii. The golf course was fun and distinct. The vibes were aspirational in a way few events on the golf calendar are. In a lot of ways, this feels like the moment we’ll look back on as the Tour’s defining shift toward commerce in the mid-2020s. Not a bad thing, necessarily, but a thing worth noting. It’s a sign of the times, I guess.

It’s okay to miss Hawaii as a season-starter and also know it wasn’t an economically viable tournament. We live in an era of sports that will squeeze out plenty of things we like and replace them with things we still like but are better funded. It is what it is. This is a strictly commercial move, and I think we’ll look back on it in five years in a totally accepting way. That said, the Tiger-Ernie battle from 2000? That was one of the best mano a mano golf moments we’ve ever had. Pure magic.

I’ll miss Hawaii for sure. Kapalua was a great course. It gave everyone buried in snow in the northeast an escape. That being said, I completely understand why the decision was made from a financial standpoint. Agree, this decision feels like a notable moment in the PGA Tour’s for-profit journey. It’s a business, after all. And sometimes business decisions mean saying goodbye to traditions and destinations that have been around forever. It’s the reality of modern sports.