The Starter no.12

We’d rather be golfing. Down goes Saban and Sarkisian! As the smoke clears, Michigan and Washington are set to do battle for a National Title and lifelong glory. We here at DMPL strive for the same glory and one day hope it is at our doorstep, but until then, our sights will be set on this clash of titans tomorrow night in the final year of the 4-team playoff. Speaking for many I am sure, we have been chomping at the bit for a 12-team playoff to be a reality and the time finally nears...who are you betting on tomorrow? - BY

Today’s Sponsor

Let’s Hug It Out

The PGA Tour and PIF saga took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when arguably the most vocal opponent of LIV Golf expressed his remorse for his initial stance on the circuit. Rory McIlroy joined The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast and admitted that he was “too judgmental” of the original defectors to LIV.

“I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position. I can’t judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgmental at the start,” he said.

Soon after Rory’s comments went viral, Phil Mickelson took to “X” with a surprising response of his own:

LIV Golf CEO and PGA Tour legend Greg Norman took to the LIV Golf podcast and continued the love fest by saying: “Happy New Year golf! That’s my reaction. I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m very appreciative of what Rory said. It’s been a painful couple of years.”

He would also add "The reason I say I appreciate Rory to fall on his sword to some degree is the fact that he did judge us by not knowing the facts. He judged us on other people's thoughts and opinions. I say, ‘Hey, thank you Rory'. This is a significant turning point for everybody."

Rory’s comments on LIV stole the headlines, and for good reason, but he also provides quality insight on his shortcomings at Augusta and the skirmish at the Ryder Cup. Overall, a really good listen!

It looks like some sense of harmony is starting to take hold in professional golf.

Well, at least for this week…..

How low can you go?

The leaderboard is crowded at the top as Chris Kirk (-21) takes a one shot lead into the final round of The Sentry. He leads Akshay Bhatia (-20) who matched Kirk’s 3rd round 66 with a 66 of his own. Jason Day (-17, pictured) debuted his new apparel partnership with Malbon to mixed reviews. No press is bad press for the upstart Malbon as they introduce their unique designs to the mainstream audience of the PGA Tour.

Hope you tailed BY this week as Xander Schauffele (-19) sits T3 alongside Jordan Speith and Byeung Hun An and in good position to cash in on a Top 5 finish.

Around the Game

🏌️ A man without a team. LIV Golf kicks off their 2024 season next month in Mayakoba and their prized off-season signing Jon Rahm is still without a team. A recent report detailing LIV’s struggles to generate revenue during the 2023 season only exacerbated the concern over the lack of clarity on how LIV’s $600 million man will be integrated into the league.

🏌️ Dolla, dolla bills. Speaking of handsomely compensated ball strikers, Forbes released their list of the world’s 18 highest-paid golfers in 2023 with Dustin Johnson topping the list, banking $111 million last year. Unsurprisingly, 12 out of the 18 were LIV golfers. Jon Rahm checked in at number 9 on this list but is sure to finish a tad bit higher in 2024.

🏌️ He gets it from his momma. Eric Cole takes home PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors 50 years after his mom, Laura Baugh, won the same award on the LPGA Tour. To be fair, his father Bobby Cole was also a highly accomplished professional golfer finishing third at two majors and winning the 1977 Buick Open. At 35 years old, Cole is the second oldest rookie to ever win the award.

🏌️ Award season continues. World no. 1 Scottie Scheffler goes back-to-back and wins the Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. Scottie also signed a multi-year extension with TaylorMade.

On the amateur front, defending U.S. Amateur champ Nick Dunlap took home the 2023 AGC Men’s Player of the Year award. The University of Alabama sophomore joins list of previous AGC players of the year that includes the likes of Ludvig Aberg (2021), Viktor Hovland (2018), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Justin Thomas (2012) and Patrick Cantlay (2011).

For the first time in the 17 year history of the award, AGC awarded Co - Women’s Players of the Year as both Ingrid Lindblad and Rose Zhang shared the honor for 2023. Zhang also took home top honors in 2022.

🏌️ Frivolous. U.S District Court Judge Timothy J. Corrigan dismissed Patrick Reed’s $750 million defamation lawsuit against Brandel Chamblee and others.

🍝 Hole-In-2,627. Barstool Sports’ Jersey Jerry makes an ace after 36 hours in a golf simulator. Per data from Zoomph, the livestream and subsequent frenzy captured social media as posts on X mentioning #LegenJerry or @Jerrythekid21 had 125 million impressions over the 48 hours following the shot for a social value of $3.25 million.

Some of the biggest names sports world got in on the action. It took Jerry a mere 10 minutes after this tweet from Tom Brady to finally sink the shot..

Tiger Woods then wrapped up the magical afternoon with a congratulatory message to the unsuspecting golf hero..

Barstool has doubled down on golf content over the last several months with the addition of reputable golf media personality Dan Rapaport to headline their Fore Play Podcast team. But with Jersey Jerry reigning supreme over the golf world for 48 hours, one could argue that he is now indeed the face of Barstool Golf.

One thing is for sure, four days into 2024 and we already have our potential winner for viral golf event of the year!

🎂 Happy Birthday, MAJ! The legendary Miguel Angel Jimenez turned 60 on Friday. PGA Tour Champions posted a great video to celebrate.

☁️ No more fluff. Collin Morikawa vents to Bunkered on his frustration with the drama around the PGA Tour and it’s ongoing negotiations with PIF.

Golf Scramble

Can you correctly unscramble these golf terms? Hint: They are all apparel companies..

1. SIADDA

2. SONOBBO

3. LAIUONSK

4. NGROESY

5. LMAUPNCII

Name that Golfer

Three clues. Can you name this player?

• 2x winner on the PGA Tour.

• High School classmates with San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey.

• 2017 Pac-12 Player of the Year.

Issue no. 11 Answers

Golf Trivia: Mutual of New York

Name that Golfer: Brooke Henderson