PGA Tour West Coast Swing: Winners, Losers, and Burning Questions

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Alright, let’s talk golf. The West Coast Swing just wrapped up, and man, what a ride. Riviera was a hell of a show, but now that the dust has settled and I’m stuck in some cramped middle seat, it’s time to break down what went down. The good, the bad, the whispers, the outright mysteries. This is where we look at the players who crushed it, the ones who stumbled, and the big damn questions hanging over the whole damn sport.

The New Guard Making Noise

You gotta give it up for the young guns. We saw some serious talent emerge, and yeah, some of them are barely old enough to rent a car. But they’re playing like they’ve owned the Tour for a decade. First up, Chris Gotterup. This guy went and snagged two wins early on. He played his best golf when things got absolutely wild, especially at the WM Phoenix Open. He’s a fan favorite, proven he can win, and right now, he’s looking like the best player under 26 on Tour. Period.

And he’s not alone. Jacob Bridgeman, same age, just took down Riviera. While Gotterup was chilling at home (missed the Genesis cut, ouch), Bridgeman was absolutely lights out for three days and held on for dear life on Sunday. It proves he’s got that grit, that killer instinct. These 26-year-olds? They’re not just having a moment; they’re making a statement. It’s exciting to see, but it also makes you wonder where the next wave is.

We’re talking about guys like Akshay Bhatia, who’s 24. The Hojgaard twins, also 24. And Michaels Brennan and Thorbjornsen, both 24. These guys are on the cusp. They’ve shown flashes. But Tom Kim’s been in a bit of a slump, and it feels like we’re all just waiting, searching for that next big thing. Even young Blades Brown stole the show for a good chunk of the week in Palm Springs. It’s a good problem to have, I guess. But still… who’s next?

Veterans Still Got It

Now, for a bit of hypocrisy. I know we talk about age a lot. But when you see Justin Rose and Adam Scott absolutely grinding, you can’t help but notice their age. It’s a useful lens, though, because their West Coast showings were damn impressive. Rose’s win at Torrey Pines was a beatdown, pure and simple. But Scott shooting a 63 on Sunday at Riviera to snag fourth place? That’s not too shabby either. These guys are the same age, had similar careers, and are playing at a similar level right now. Put them on a leaderboard together at the Masters. That’s what we want to see.

It’s a good reminder that experience counts. These guys have seen it all, they know how to manage their game, and they can still bring it when it matters. It’s not just about raw power anymore; it’s about smart golf, and these veterans are masters of that.

The Scandinavian Struggle and Scandinavian Hope

While the Winter Olympics had their share of Norwegian and Swedish glory, their PGA Tour counterparts had a tougher go of it on the West Coast. Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg are two of the Tour’s biggest talents, fan favorites, the whole damn package. But neither has really hit their stride this year. Hovland started strong at the WM Phoenix Open (T10), but then things tapered off at Pebble Beach (T58) and Riviera (T41). The talk even shifted from his scores to his… training aids? Yeah, that’s not ideal.

And Aberg? He got seriously sick, again, for his second straight West Coast Swing. If there’s any good news, it’s that he seems to be trending upwards. WD, MC, T37, T20. That’s not exactly earth-shattering, but if he keeps improving, maybe he’s headed for a Masters win? Who knows. It’s golf. Anything can happen.

In other Scandinavian news, Alex Noren went MC-MC in Palm Springs and San Diego, but his T12 at Riviera was a solid sign. And from Denmark, the Hojgaard twins have shown some promising signs. Nicolai finished T3 at the WM Phoenix Open and was just one bad hole away from contending for the win. So while some of the big names are sputtering, there’s still plenty of Scandinavian talent brewing.

The Tiger Question and the Scheffler Anomaly

What about Tiger? He hinted he’d try. Then he hinted he’d try again. I don’t know if he will, but I believe him. If he can, he’ll do it. That’s Tiger. The man’s a walking enigma, and we’ll just have to wait and see. It’s always a storyline, isn’t it?

Then there’s Scottie Scheffler. His first Thursday of the season? A 63 at The American Express. So it’s downright jarring to see him sitting at 116th on Tour in Round 1 Scoring Average. And it was even stranger to see him in dead last when play was halted this past Thursday. But then…

Consider this: he was in last place on Friday morning and needed to drain a seven-footer on 18 just to make the cut. Yet, he finishes T12. That’s not just skill; that’s pure grit and determination. Sure, it snapped his streak of 18 consecutive Tour top-10s. But it just reinforces the idea that if you play enough rounds, Scheffler will eventually find his way to the top. His scoring average breakdown is wild:

Round 1: 70.50 (116th)
Round 2: 65.75 (2nd)
Round 3: 67.00 (7th)
Round 4: 64.50 (2nd)

So, the guy who can’t seem to get it going on Thursday is absolutely demolishing it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s a bizarre anomaly. If you’re wondering who could possibly beat that 64.5 in Round 4, Will Zalatoris has played one final round this year and shot a 64. So, yeah, Scheffler’s still got some competition.

My best guess for Scheffler’s early struggles? It’s just a weird blip. He led the Tour in first-round scoring last year, and he’s had some funky starts in strange conditions. Let’s give it more time before we start panicking. The man’s too good to stay down for long.

The Comeback Kid and the California Dreamin'

Let’s talk about some guys who really made their mark. Collin Morikawa finally broke through, winning for the first time in a long time at Pebble Beach. That was a big one. And then there’s Jake Knapp. This guy just quietly put together the best stretch of golf of his life. He hasn’t finished worse than T11 in five starts this year. That’s consistent. Morikawa’s win was huge for so many reasons – how long it had been, where it happened, everything leading up to it, and with him and his wife expecting a baby. It’s good to see these West Coast guys owning the West Coast Swing.

And then, of course, we have the story of the month: Anthony Kim. I’m writing this with a bit of a smirk, because his win on LIV Golf showed just how many people have been rooting for him. He’s always had that chip on his shoulder, and his little gesture to the haters after winning? Classic AK. It’s just a testament to one of golf’s most compelling comeback stories, a dozen years in the making, capped off with an electric finish. It was a massive moment, even if it wasn’t on the PGA Tour.

The LIV/DP World Tour Saga Continues

This is the big picture stuff, the question that keeps gnawing at pro golf. LIV and the DP World Tour are still in this weird, uneasy coexistence. How’s it going to resolve? Right now, the DPWT has a temporary truce with some LIV players, letting them play both tours and keep their Ryder Cup eligibility. But why isn’t Jon Rahm one of those players? And is there any chance he *doesn’t* play on the next European Ryder Cup team? It’s all a bit of a mess, and frankly, it’s a bit of a joke.

The courses themselves? They look incredible in person. They look even better on TV. CBS is constantly innovating to make the coverage even better. And the little details? They matter. They really do.

The Schedule Shake-Up: Wet, Cold, and Questionable

There’s been a ton of talk about moving these big West Coast events to later in the PGA Tour schedule. After seeing a cold, soggy Pebble Beach followed by a cold, soggy Riviera, it’s easy to see why. Fans were shivering, golf balls were plugging greens. It wasn’t exactly the postcard image of golf. While two perfect weekend days at the Genesis did save the show, and a windy day at Pebble can be entertaining, it still lacked that firm, fast character it has when it’s at its best.

I left California more confused than when I arrived. Logically, it makes sense to have the best courses in the biggest spots on the calendar. What’s cooler than Pebble and Riviera as playoff venues? But there are issues. Pebble has a car show and a packed tee sheet, and it’s not exactly a population center for a playoff crowd. And in LA, locals were saying the golf crowd would be out of town in August, making the current spot actually better for attendance. It’s a head-scratcher.

If I were in charge, my top priority would be ditching the playoff events from the hellish August humidity of Atlanta and Memphis. I don’t need them in California, though. Boston, Chicago, Seattle – these cities are calling, along with a dozen other medium-to-large cities with perfect summer weather. I’m curious to see where they land. And what the West Coast Swing will look like next year, and the year after that. When will we be gazing at those glorious coastlines again?

We’ll see you in Florida.