Player of the Year, Tiger returns (sort of) and more

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @igalofu_com. This week, we discuss end of season trophies, the Hero World Challenge, things we’re thankful for and more.

The PGA Tour has released its nominees for the 2024 Jack Nicklaus Award and Arnold Palmer Award, with Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy vying for POY along with Nick Dunlap, Max Greyserman, Jake Knapp and and Rookie of the Year nominees Matthieu Pavon. Any predictions?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Scheffler’s seven-win season and the fact that many of them were in major events will be difficult to top, even with Xander’s two-win year. (PS Scottie’s Olympic gold doesn’t hurt his chances either.) The race for ROY should be tight, but not too tight. Pavon won once and had a great run at the Masters, but it’s hard to bet against the headlines Nick Dunlap made when he became the first rookie to win since Phil and the first player to win as a rookie and pro in the same season.

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@Jess_Marksbury): Scottie is a lock. In terms of quality of wins, Pavon’s title at the Farmers Insurance Open was probably the strongest in terms of reputation. But Josh, you made a good case for Nick Dunlap. I think you are right. If all wins are equal, doing it as a freshman should cost twice as much anyway, and Dunlap won another tournament, for good measure. He memorizes me.

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): It’s Scottie, who had a funny, epic season. But as crazy as it sounds, I think Scheffler would have traded his season for Schauffele’s until he won the gold medal. A player’s biggest number is his most important number and Schauffele got two of Scheffler’s. But Olympic gold is in its category; pair that with his Masters title, add the Players and a bunch of additional tour wins, cap it off with a FedEx Cup title and he’s the clear winner. As for Rookie of the Year? Dunlap has won twice so he’s an easy pick. Max Greyserman has shown red hot form, though, and may be a guy to watch in 2025.

It’s Hero World Challenge week, and while the 15-time medalist won’t be competing, we’ll hear from him at his annual pre-competition press conference. What do you hope to learn from Tiger Woods when he speaks to the media next week?

Behow: We seem to keep getting updates on the status of the pending merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, but hopefully Tiger has more information on what’s going on now and where it all stands. As a great golfer, if he expresses anger or doubt, it will make waves. But perhaps it is to be hoped that his thoughts will have such an impact at this time.

Marksbury: I’m not ready for Tiger’s full transition from player to CEO. An update on the LIV/PGA Tour process would be great, but I also want to know how he is recovering from his recent process and if competitive golf is far off. A pending schedule of when we can expect to see him next year would be great too.

Dethier: At the moment people really want to know if Team Woods will take PNC. I’m curious enough to take his temperature on TGL, too – how invested and happy are you? But Berhow is right that we should at least be able to read between the lines of any sidestep he offers on the PIF-PGA Tour relationship. In particular it will be good to see Woods come out regularly; the world hasn’t seen much since the Open.

GOLF recently released the latest rankings of the Top 100 Courses in the US (including the public rankings) along with some survey results we collected from golf fans like you. What’s the most interesting nugget you’ve noticed?

Behow: About 1/3 of those surveyed said they would not pay more than $100 to play a Top 100 Course. While I think that number is probably correct, I think it also reminds us that there is a large portion of people out there who are more interested in golf for recreation, sport and fellowship than checking off a bucket list gem – and that’s okay. It’s important to have studies to back that up, too.

Marksbury: I was surprised at how many respondents (55 percent!) said the course designer was important to them when choosing where to play. Unless I’m headed for an announcement or bucket list where the designer represents the course, the course designer is usually something I think about after playing, rather than before.

Dethier: I’m just surprised that 10 percent of the survey takers had played Pine Valley and almost half of you know someone who has. I knew you were all golf sickos, I didn’t realize how well connected you are.

With a nod to Thanksgiving, what golf moment or part of the game are you thankful for right now?

Behow: Buddies to take with you on a buddy ride, slope buttons on the rangefinder, good carriages, high-quality brakes on turns and strong after-spin IPAs on porches.

Marksbury: Josh, what a list! It’s hard at the top. I’ll go with that first feeling, when the longing is high and round – and in all its unrealized glory – still ahead of you.

Dethier: Every time you go out on a hot fall day it’s like stealing one. Thank you for fall golf, for the course with a view and the relief when one team leads you out after nine.

And on a different note, our own Josh Sens compiled a list of the 2024 annual ‘Turkey Award’ winners, which was a look back at some of the year’s most unpopular titles. Who or what won in that category this year?

Behow: Oh boy, some worthy people no doubt. It’s hard to put an end to the chaos in Phoenix, although tying the World No. 1 can do that.

Marksbury: Scottie’s arrest, hands down. I’m still angry about it.

Dethier: There was something weird and funny about Matt Kuchar extending his solo Wyndham Championship through Monday. Perhaps less exciting for the tournament staff who had to return the first item, however.