The Starter no.16

We’d rather be golfing. I have spent years searching for ways to make the perfect cup of coffee...this journey nearly mirrors the similar difficulty of mastering the game of golf. I have traveled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua...and the question remains the same, "how can I replicate that?" The answer is, I just can't, but I can do my best. I feel like I have tried it all within my current financial bracket and without the purchase of some ultra expensive machine to do the work for me. I have experimented with various kinds of coffee beans from all over the world. I weigh and grind my own beans. I measure and gauge the temperature of the water so as to not burn the grounds. From a coffee machine to a french press to a Chemex pour over, the adventure and research were relentless. Like one great swing, for each delicious cup of coffee I make it keeps me engaged and hungry for more. I haven't played a round of golf since August of 2023, but I did make a full bodied light roast pour over this morning that made me feel like I was on the 1st tee of Whistling Straits on a chilly Sunday morning. It's the small victories that make the journey worthwhile when you can't be on the golf course. - BY

What’s next for Nick Dunlap??

Did you hear that an amateur won a PGA Tour event for the first time in 33 years? Unless you are single-track minded member of the Bills Mafia who has shut yourself away from all media since you suffered another heartbreaking playoff loss on Sunday, then the answer is probably a resounding “Duh!” Nick Dunlap, the 20-year-old Crimson Tide sophomore became the first amateur to beat the “big boys” since Phil Mickelson at the Northern Telecom Open in 1991. In doing so, he leaped a record 4,061 spots in OWGR, from 4,129th last week to 68th this week. What a difference a week makes…

What is a college sophomore going to doing with all this prize money??

That’s a great question? How many boxes of “za” can a guy purchase for his bros with that type of budget? Unfortunately for Nick, given his amateur status, he knew going into the tournament that he would have to forfeit any potential tournament payouts he’d earn. The greatest beneficiary of the amateur winning the tournament? 2nd place finisher Christiaan Bezuidenhout who took home the $1,512,000 pay day that Dunlap had to leave on the table.

How NIL was intended.

Policy makers envisioned ultra-talented kids like Nick cashing in on their athletic successes when they introduced NIL a few years ago. Although the antiquated amateurism rules in professional prevented him from cashing a fat check on Sunday, Nick is undoubtedly going to reap financial rewards for the victory. He went into the tournament already boasting a few nice Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partners including Adidas and New York-based financial planning firm Wealthspire Advisors who each got plenty of unexpected TV visibility while the college kid took the tournament by storm this weekend. You can bet his renewal value took a big jump with those companies while he also entertains a few more calls from brands that want to grab some real estate on his bag, polo, and cap.

What’s next for Mr. Dunlap?

Nick Dunlap has the world at his fingertips, but what will he do? As outlined by GolfDigest, here are all the opportunities that the win at the Amex have afforded him:

• He can accept PGA Tour membership at any time during the season and will receive regular PGA Tour winner status. Once he accepts membership, he will be exempt through the 2026 season.

• By turning professional he will receive exemptions into all signature events, the Masters and PGA Championship. He would be eligible for the Sentry in Kapalua for 2025.

• As winner of the 2023 U.S. Amateur, Dunlap has exemptions into the Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship. Exemptions into the Masters and Open Championship are only for him if he remains an amateur. But by turning pro he would become exempt into the Masters and PGA Championship. The U.S. Open exemption will remain whether he remains amateur or turns professional.

• If Dunlap postpones PGA Tour membership, he has 30 days after this season to turn pro and accept membership for next year. If Dunlap does not accept membership after this season, he would have to wait until the end of the 2025 season to turn professional. However, it will only run through the 2026 season no matter when he accepts membership.

• If Dunlap does not turn pro, he can still play in full-field events as a winner on the PGA Tour. However, signature events are only available for PGA Tour members, meaning Dunlap would not be able to play as an amateur.

Soon after his victory, Dunlap committed to this week’s Farmers Insurance Open, but would later withdraw from the tournament citing his desire to “…return home to Alabama to be with family, friends, and teammates.

Now the golf world awaits patiently to learn whether the phenom will take his talents to the Tour on a full-time basis..

Let’s stay HOT 🔥 

Of course, an amateur would win The American Express and steal the spotlight from my first ever pick winner (J.T. Poston: T11)…but, “Yo Adrian, I did it!”  Many blessings J.T.! You always hear that the first million you make is always the hardest, well I will make an argument that the first million might be easier than predicting PGA Tour pick winners on a weekly basis. What a brilliant week from Nick Dunlap, he truly stunned the field with poise and professionalism to the extent that you would have never known he was a 20-year-old amateur. It's a bummer missing out on the $1.5 million, but if Dunlap turns pro, he will get plenty of nice exemptions and perks which will set him up nicely for his future on the PGA Tour. 

Ah, San Diego and the stunning California coastline as the Farmers Insurance Open takes us to the scenic Torrey Pines North and South Golf Courses. Another out of the ordinary week with a Wednesday start and a two-course rotation. All players will get one round at each course, there will be a 36-hole cut, and the final two rounds will be played at the South Course. The South Course is the more famous of the two courses and will pose the most difficulty. All of that aside, Southern California has been getting pounded with rain and at one point was under a flash flood watch. Because of the Wednesday start, that gives one less day to get some of that water off the course. Both courses are long, but the South Course is playing near 7,800 yards. Wet conditions could make these courses a lot longer and create a turbulent situation in heavy rough. Will the PGA Tour make the decision for lift, clean, and place or a preferred lie? The answer is currently unknown.

I’ve never had to opportunity to start turning up the heat, but it’s time to begin pouring water on the sauna stones. Kicking it off with a smaller play with tasty odds, Sungjae Im with a top 10 finish at +240. Im has a solid track record at Torrey Pines and with his driving distance and accuracy, the current wet conditions could set him apart from the rest of the field. Overall, consistency is what I am striving for and hopefully my larger play will bring me just that.  I will snag Ludvig Aberg while he is at plus odds for a top 20 finish at +110.  That’s Aldi value if you ask me. He was on a tear to close out 2023 but has cooled since the start of the new year. Looks like him and I will be heating up together and it will start at Torrey Pines. The time has come for me to build the reputation and become a part of the conversation. - 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!

• K. Bradley: $8,900

• L. List: $7,800

• A. Eckroat: $7,100

As always, please remember to gamble responsibly

Florida Fun

The ladies continue their Florida swing to start the 2024 season and make the 115 mile trip from Orlando to Bradenton for the LPGA Drive On Championship. This marks the first full field event of the season and the first time the tournament is being held at Bradenton Country Club which is celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary. Celine Boutier is back to defend her title but it’s last week’s champion Lydia Ko who looks to continue her bounce back season following a disappointing 2023 campaign. On the line are 500 Race to the CME Globe points and a cut of the $1.75 million purse.

Betting Favorite: Lydia Ko (+1200)

The DP World Tour heads to Al Hamza Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE for the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. This week’s field lacks the same punch of star power of the previous two tournaments but the fans who take advantage of the free admission during the tournament probably won’t mind all that much. Rory McIlroy is taking the week off following his dramatic charge up the leaderboard on Sunday to capture the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. While his brother Nicolai tees it up on the PGA Tour this week, Rasmus Hojgaard is your betting favorite in Dubai.

Betting Favorite: Rasmus Hojgaard (+1100)

The PGA Tour heads to down the California coast to La Jolla to tee it up at legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course for the Farmers Insurance Open. Defending champion Max Homa returns to the site of his last victory on tour looking to carry the momentum he built after a solid showing at The Sentry.

Betting Favorite: Xander Schauffele (+850)

Around the Game

🏌️ Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer announces that his 41st start at Augusta National in April will be his last. Langer, who has been dominant on the Champions Tour with a record 46 victories, most recently made the cut at The Masters in 2020 when he finished T29. At the time, he was the oldest player to make the cut at 63 years old.

🏌️ For the first time, Capital One’s The Match will feature stars from the LPGA Tour as Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang will tee it up alongside of Rory McIlroy and Max Homa. The 12-hole skins match will be held under the lights at the Park Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida on Monday, February 26.

🏌️ TaylorMade filed three trademarks on January 18 for a Sunday Red brand that seemingly answers the question on who will be outfitting Tiger following his split from Nike. The move to TaylorMade for apparel seems like a natural fit given that Tiger has been playing TM clubs since 2017. Side note, I’m not sure if I love this new Tiger logo…

Grip it, rip it, throw some tour sauce on it..

🤥 I’m basically a stick golfer. We know it’s early, but Dan Finnerty, a caddie from Los Angeles, is the leader in the clubhouse for the most asinine golf clip of the year for his hilarious appearance on Wheel of Fortune.

🥤 Drink it as it lies. Adam Schenk dunks his approach shot into a spectators cocktail during the 1st round of The American Express.

🗯️ Keeping it real. James Morrison is as vulnerable as anyone can be in this unique green room interview following last the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic.

🏀 Prime time putter, baby! These full court putts for money are becoming a weekly occurrence. Check out the latest full courter for $10,000 by an Indiana State fan!

❤️ A beautiful journey. Jessica and Adam Hadwin share their remarkable IVF story.

🪑 The 2024 Barstool Classic. Barstool Sports unveils the schedule for the 2024 circuit of events with registration opening at noon on January 30th.

Name that Golfer

Three clues. Can you name this player?

• 45x winner on the PGA Tour.

• An avid pilot, following in the footsteps of his father who was a Navy pilot.

• Is right-handed in everything except golf.

Issue no. 15 Answers

Name that Golfer: Jordan Speith