Flying Mr. Rory

Just over one week until Turkey Day. And remember, it’s stuffing, not dressing.

One for all and all for one

Before holding next month’s Shark Shootout, TIburón Golf Club gets to host a real tournament: the CME Group Tour Championship. The LPGA Tour’s final event of the season, a $1.5-million prize, and the Player of the Year Award are up for grabs in Naples.

For golf fans tortured by the FedEx Cup’s increasingly nonsensical format, the CME Group Tour Championship is a breath of fresh air. The top 60 players in the season-long Race to the CME Globe standings earned their spots in the CME field, but now it’s anyone’s game. Wichanee Meechai, for instance, has just five top 10s in her LPGA career, but she could win $1.5 million this week because she scraped her way to No. 60 on the points list. The CME Globe is a true playoff—one that every fan can at least understand.

Meanwhile…

The soon-to-be DP World Tour also ends its season this week. Collin Morikawa comes into the DP World Tour Championship leading the Race to Dubai standings, but five other players—Billy Horschel, Min Woo Lee, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Paul Casey—have a shot at the big prize.

While more sensible than the FedEx Cup, the European Tour’s Race to Dubai could still use an overhaul. Aside from the majors and WGCs, Collin Morikawa played just two European Tour events this year. Yet he leads the Race to Dubai because he cleaned up in the majors and won a WGC. Similarly, Billy Horschel played three (non-major, non-WGC) European Tour events and is No. 2 in the standings.

Clearly the majors and WGCs are important to global golf, but shouldn’t actual European Tour players be the ones in position to win the European Tour’s season-long contest? Seems to us that a modification to the Race to Dubai’s qualification criteria is in order.

Starting Times

Scottie Scheffler, Webb Simpson, Louis Oosthuizen, and Harris English attempt to become made men in the Sea Island Mafia at this week’s RSM Classic on the PGA Tour.

Top-ranked amateur Takumi Kanaya headlines the Dunlop Phoenix Open on the Japan Tour.

Quick Hooks

Jin Young Ko, the defending CME Group Tour Championship winner and leader of this year’s Race to the CME Globe, needs a win or runner-up this week to overtake Nelly Korda and take home the LPGA Tour Player of the Year title.

Stephan Jaeger earned the Korn Ferry Tour’s Player of the Year award and Greyson Sigg got Rookie of the Year. Both are 2021-22 PGA Tour members.

Speaking of Billy Horschel, the Town Crier had some interesting thoughts about the current state of PGA Tour membership and how money should be doled out in the future.

Ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy offered some commentary about, among other things, Greg Norman and carbon neutrality. A versatile conversationalist!

The Latest from The Fried Egg

Paulie’s Picks: RSM Classic – Wondering whether you should stick with the Sea Island locals or go with the outsiders? Paulie has you covered.

The Fried Egg Podcast: What to Know About George Thomas with Geoff Shackelford – Geoff Shackelford joins Andy Johnson this week to discuss the life and times of golf architect George Thomas. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.

The Shotgun Start – Andy and Brendan preview the CME Group Tour Championship, the RSM Classic, and the Race to Dubai. They also try to determine the worst day of the week. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Pro Shop

Folks, they’re back. Fried Egg Tervis tumblers have returned to our pro shop. Pick up your own 16 oz. or 24 oz. today!