PGA Tour West Coast Swing: Who Shined, Who Stumbled, and What's Next?
Alright, let’s cut the crap. The West Coast Swing just wrapped up, and my brain’s already buzzing with what went down. Riviera was a hell of a show, but now it’s back to reality, stuck in coach, dissecting the good, the bad, and the downright weird of the early PGA Tour season. This stretch of golf always throws up surprises, and this year was no different. We saw some guys solidify their status, others falter, and a whole bunch of questions lingering like a bad slice.
The New Guard Making Noise
Let’s talk about the guys who are suddenly everywhere. Chris Gotterup? Damn. Two wins already this year, including that chaos at the WM Phoenix Open. He’s not just a fan favorite; he’s proven he can win when the pressure cooker is on. And at 26, he’s staking a claim as one of the best young guns out there. He’s not alone, though. Jacob Bridgeman, who just took down Riviera? Another 26-year-old. While Gotterup was taking a breather, Bridgeman was putting on a clinic for three days and holding on for dear life on Sunday. These guys are showing they’ve got the nerve. It’s like a changing of the guard, but these new kings are still proving their worth.
And then there’s the whole “Who’s Next?” debate. We’re still waiting for that next big wave of young superstars. Akshay Bhatia, the Hojgaard twins, Michaels Brennan and Thorbjornsen – all 24. They feel like they’re on the cusp. Tom Kim’s hit a bit of a rough patch, which is a bummer. But you can’t ignore Blades Brown, who absolutely stole the show in Palm Springs. These young talents are the future, and it’s exciting to see them fighting for their spot.
The Old Lions Still Roaring
Hold on, I know I just talked about age, but let’s flip the script. It’s easy to focus on how old Justin Rose and Adam Scott are, but maybe we should just appreciate their damn golf. Rose’s win at Torrey Pines was a demolition job, pure and simple. And Scott? His Sunday 63 at Riviera to snag fourth place? That wasn’t a fluke. These guys, at similar ages, with similar career arcs, are still performing at an elite level. Seriously, imagine them paired up at the Masters. Now *that* would be a leaderboard worth watching.
It’s a stark contrast to some of the Scandinavian talent. While their Olympic counterparts were crushing it on the slopes, Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Åberg have had a tougher go of it. Hovland started strong at Phoenix but then faded at Pebble Beach and Riviera. And Åberg? He got hit with illness again, just like last year. But here’s the kicker: he seems to be trending up. WD, MC, T37, T20. If that’s the pattern, then maybe he’s headed for a Masters win? Who knows. At least Alex Noren showed signs of life with a T12 at Riviera after some missed cuts. And the Hojgaard twins? Nicolai was right there at the WM Phoenix Open, one bad hole away from contending. These guys are too talented to stay down for long.
The Enigmatic and the Unpredictable
Tiger Woods. The man himself. He’s hinted he’ll play, then hinted he’ll play *again*. I don’t know if he will, but the man says he’ll try if he can. That’s about all you can ask for, right? It’s hard to bet against him, even with everything he’s been through.
Then there’s Scottie Scheffler. His season started with a 63 at The American Express. So how the hell is he 116th in Round 1 scoring average? And seeing him dead last when play was halted last Thursday? That’s just weird. But then… that T12 finish at Riviera? After being in last place on Friday morning and needing a miracle putt on 18 just to make the cut? That’s pure Scheffler. It snapped his streak of 18 straight top-10s, sure, but it just proves that if he plays enough rounds, he’ll eventually be at the top. His scoring average breakdown is fascinating:
- Round 1: 70.50 (116th)
- Round 2: 65.75 (2nd)
- Round 3: 67.00 (7th)
- Round 4: 64.50 (2nd)
Who’s beating that final round average? Will Zalatoris, who’s played one final round this year and shot a 64. My best guess for Scheffler’s slow starts? Just a weird blip. He led in first-round scoring last year. Let’s wait and see before we panic. It’s golf, after all. Weird things happen.
The Comeback Kings and the Quiet Achievers
Collin Morikawa finally broke through and won at Pebble Beach. That was huge, not just because it had been a while, but for everything that came with it – the location, the circumstances, and the impending arrival of his baby. It’s awesome to see guys from California owning the West Coast Swing. And speaking of California sensations, Jake Knapp 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 consistency you can build on.
And then there’s Anthony Kim. His win on LIV Golf? Pure drama. It showed how many people have been rooting for him. He’s always played with a chip on his shoulder, and that shot at the haters? Classic AK. It was one of the biggest golf stories of the month, a comeback story a dozen years in the making, capped off with an electric finish. It’s a damn shame it wasn’t on the PGA Tour, but you can’t deny the impact.
The Big Picture: Tours, Ryder Cups, and Scheduling Headaches
The whole LIV Golf and DP World Tour situation is still a mess. They’re in this uneasy coexistence, and how it’s going to shake out is anyone’s guess. For now, the DP World Tour has a temporary truce, letting some LIV players compete and stay eligible for the Ryder Cup. But why isn’t Jon Rahm on that deal? And is there any chance he *isn’t* on the next European Ryder Cup team? That’s a question that needs answering.
The courses themselves? They look incredible, both in person and on TV. CBS is doing its best to innovate with coverage, and the little things they do make a big difference. But the timing of these West Coast events? That’s a whole other can of worms. A cold, soggy Pebble Beach followed by a cold, soggy Riviera makes you wonder if moving these marquee events later in the schedule makes sense. Fans were shivering, balls were plugging. While a wet and windy Pebble can be entertaining, it lost some of its classic firm, fast character. The Genesis had two perfect days, which helped, but the overall conditions left something to be desired.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I’m leaving California more confused than when I arrived. On paper, putting the best courses in the biggest spots on the calendar seems like a no-brainer. Pebble Beach and Riviera as playoff venues? Sounds cool. But there are problems. Pebble has a car show and a packed tee sheet, and it’s not exactly a hotbed for a playoff crowd. In L.A., people suggest the golf crowd will be out of town in August anyway, making the current spot actually better for attendance. It’s a logistical nightmare.
If I were in charge, I’d ditch the playoff events from the hellish August humidity of Atlanta and Memphis. They don’t need to be in California either. Think Boston, Chicago, Seattle – cities with ideal summer days and plenty of golf fans. I’m curious where they’ll end up. And what the West Coast Swing will look like next year, and the year after. We’ll keep gazing at those glorious coastlines, I guess.
Next stop? Florida. Let’s see what that brings.