The Starter no.15

We’d rather be golfing. Me and my lady aren’t huge on giving each other gifts. This is partly a result of having two little girls that we spoil whenever we get the chance, but even before kids, we’d opt for a nice dinner or spa sesh together over an actual gift. This Christmas, I bought my wife one thing…. the Throne of Glass box set written by Sarah J. Mass. The box set consists of eight books…ranging in 500 - 1,000 pages in length. I was so proud of myself when she opened the gift as her reaction was pure joy! Husband of the year type stuff. I thought these 8 gigantic books would carry her through to the following Christmas at which time I’d swoop in with another collection of books to carry her through 2025… and so on and so on. Fast forward, it’s January 14th and my amazing wife is nearly halfway through this series of fantasy novels. An unreal pace. Starting to wonder if the publisher sprinkled crack on the pages because she can’t put down the damn books. I played 18 holes today and I’m not sure that she realized I was gone. Anyways, here’s to y’all loving The Starter as much as she loves these books. - MM

WTF

Just when you thought the struggle for the future of men’s professional golf couldn’t get any more f’ed up…..

The Athletic broke the story that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), the chairman of LIV Golf, and the individual spearheading the Kingdom’s attempted takeover of professional golf is being sued by the exiled former intelligence chief Dr. Saad Aljabri. The allegations center around Al-Rumayyan’s involvement in executing a malicious 3.5 year plot ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with the intended goal of “harming, silencing and ultimately destroying” Aljabri and his family. Unlawful kidnapping of Aljabri’s children and an assassination attempt are listed as elements of the plot.

Just hours after this damning report came to light, word began circulating that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is currently in Saudi Arabia meeting with Al-Rumayyan to finalize negotiations around a partnership that would see the accused PIF governor assume a leadership role in the new for profit golf entity.

No coincidence that as all of this news was going down, Flushing It Golf reported that negotiations between 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and LIV Golf had fallen through. Clark has been a hot target for the league given his exemption status to the majors which eliminates a major barrier of concern.

Everything about this story and the path forward gives me the heebie-jeebies. What in the world is happening in men’s professional golf??

Stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball

Grayson Murray shocks the golf world with a stunning victory in a 3-man playoff to capture his 2^nd career win! Many golfers remained closely in the hunt over the weekend including Brian Harman who finished two shots short of being able to crack a top 10 finish. Our love/hate relationship continues but there was a little love gained from the grit he showed throughout The Sony Open. 

Back to the mainland we go for The American Express in La Quinta, California. A little bit of a shake up with a three-golf-course rotation and a 54-hole cut….and if anyone is in need of a shake up, it’s yours truly. Our venues are La Quinta Country Club, the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and the Pete Dye Stadium Course. One round will be played at each course, there will be a 54-hole cut, and a final round will be played at the Pete Dye Stadium Course. The field is packed with talent, and we have 5 of the top 7 players in the world in attendance. This week is setting up to be a lot of fun, but it will be a lot more fun if I can start making people some money. Here we go… with a top 20 finish at +210 I really like Taylor Montgomery. I am aware he was the 36-hole leader at The Sony and finished T13, but he is putting like a man possessed and that will set him apart again this week in Cali. Trending with next level putting, I like a larger play on J.T. Poston with a top 20 finish at +140. What a 2024 start for J.T. as he finished T5 at The Sentry and 6^th at The Sony. This is exactly the kind of golfer I am looking for to bring some good vibes to the Breakfast Ball along with some quality golf this week.

I know what you’re thinking, “BY, really…playing it super conservative with two top 20 finishes?” I might as well have a blind fold on, ear plugs in, and no sense of smell at this point when it comes to picking a winner. Conservative is the key word this week, but always remember, with favorable odds means favorable returns, let Taylor and J.T. do the work for you. - BY  

Draft Kings DFS 3-Putt Pot

Each week I will give my three strongest value buys for DFS play. I am only getting you started, finishing your line up will be up to you!

• J. Thomas: $9,800

• B. Hossler: $7,800

• T. Detry: $7,600

As always, please remember to gamble responsibly

The Ladies are Ready to Play

The 2024 LPGA Tour season gets underway at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando for the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. The tournament, which marks the start of the 74th LPGA Tour season, is limited to winners from the previous two seasons who will play alongside of celebrities and and athletes over 72 holes. While the pros will be playing stroke play, the celebrities will compete in a modified Stableford format. Last year’s respective winners Brooke Henderson (pictured) and Marty Fish return to defend their crowns.

Betting Favorite: Lilia Vu & Nelly Korda (+650)

Another stacked field in Dubai as the DP World Tour heads to Emirates GC for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Following their epic showdown at the Dubai Invitational, last week’s winner Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy are back in action. Tyrrell Hatton makes his 2024 debut on the European circuit following a T13 finish last week at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Betting Favorite: Rory McIlroy (+260)

The PGA Tour heads to La Quinta, California for The American Express, one the most unique tournaments of the season. A loaded field also includes the notorious Michael Block. You want some “must see TV”? Tune in for the first round pairing of Tom Kim and Min Woo Lee!

Betting Favorite: Scottie Scheffler (+450)

Around the Game

🏌️ Veteran broadcaster and golf icon Judy Rankin is named the recipient of the 2024 PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. She becomes the 33rd recipient of the award and first woman to receive the honor.

🏌️ Josh Lees of the UK publication Mirror Sports sits down with LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann ahead of the Hero Dubai Dessert Classic. With his spot in this year’s Open Championship secured, Niemann enters the event with hopes to earn enough OWGR points to qualify for the other three majors.

🏌️ Adrian Meronk is awarded the Seve Ballesteros Award recognizing the DP World Tour player of the year. Meronk was notably snubbed from the European Ryder Cup squad following a remarkable year that saw him claim three victories and seven top-10’s.

🏌️ Ahead of his PGA Tour debut, Tom Whitney reflects on his arduous path to the pinnacle of professional golf.

🏆️ Bling, bling. LIV Golf and notable golfer/jeweler Ben Baller, unveil the diamond studded rings that each member of Crushers GC received to celebrate their 2023 team championship.

📏 From way downtown. Ewen Ferguson drills a 100ft birdie putt during the 3rd round of the Dubai Invitational.

📺️ Behind the scenes. Ian Poulter gives a sneak peak of LIV Golf’s version of Hard Knocks.

🍨 What’s the scoop. One of our favorites, Claire Rogers sits with Nelly Korda for her Golf.com interview series.

😵‍💫 Thanks for coming out. Sponsorship exemption Ken Weyand shoots +53 at the Dubai Invitational.

Name that Golfer

Three clues. Can you name this player?

• 13x winner on the PGA Tour.

• A PGA Championship win away from completing the career Grand Slam.

• His father played baseball at Lehigh University.

Issue no. 13 Answers

Name that Golfer: Alison Lee