Morning 9: Match Play groups | Netflix didn’t use best content? LPGA Q-Series changes

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Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as day one of the WGC Match Play gets underway.

1. Your Match Play groups

Group 1

Scottie Scheffler (1)

Tom Kim (17)

Alex Noren (38)

Davis Riley (54)

Group 2

Jon Rahm (2)

Billy Horschel (22)

Keith Mitchell (39)

Rickie Fowler (49)

Group 3

Rory McIlroy (3)

Keegan Bradley (20)

Denny McCarthy (48)

Scott Stallings (52)

Group 4

Patrick Cantlay (4)

Brian Harman (25)

K.H. Lee (35)

Nick Taylor (55)

Group 5

Max Homa (5)

Hideki Matsuyama (18)

Kevin Kisner (42)

Justin Suh (63)

Group 6

Xander Schauffele (6)

Tom Hoge (23)

Aaron Wise (40)

Cam Davis (64)

Group 7

Will Zalatoris (7)

Ryan Fox (29)

Harris English (37)

Andrew Putnam (56)

Group 8

Viktor Hovland (8)

Chris Kirk (28)

Si Woo Kim (34)

Matt Kuchar (59)

Group 9

Collin Morikawa (9)

Jason Day (32)

Adam Svensson (44)

Victor Perez (51)

Group 10

Tony Finau (10)

Kurt Kitayama (19)

Adrian Meronk (45)

Christiaan Bezuidenhout (60)

Group 11

Matt Fitzpatrick (11)

Sahith Theegala (26)

Min Woo Lee (41)

J.J. Spaun (61)

Group 12

Jordan Spieth (12)

Shane Lowry (21)

Taylor Montgomery (47)

Mackenzie Hughes (50)

Group 13

Sam Burns (13)

Seamus Power (30)

Adam Scott (33)

Adam Hadwin (53)

Group 14

Tyrrell Hatton (14)

Russell Henley (31)

Lucas Herbert (46)

Ben Griffin (62)

Group 15

Cameron Young (15)

Sepp Straka (27)

Corey Conners (36)

Davis Thompson (57)

Group 16

Sungjae Im (16)

Tommy Fleetwood (24)

J.T. Poston (43)

Maverick McNealy (58)

2. Dahmen: Netflix didn’t use the good stuff!

Golfweek’s Tim Schmitt…”But while all the notoriety has made Dahmen more recognizable to golf fans, he doesn’t seem to be letting the spotlight swallow him up.”

• “I think overall it was really good. I think they did a good job of telling our story,” Dahmen said. “We have a unique friendship, brotherhood, whatever you want to call it.

• “But we gave them a lot of content that could have been very funny and they could have went another way with it.”

• “What kind of content?”

• “Dahmen won’t reveal.”

3. LPGA Q-Series changes

Golf Channel’s Patricia Duffy…”The LPGA announced Tuesday that, starting with the 2023 LPGA Q-Series, the final stage will be reduced from eight rounds to six rounds.”

• “The change in number of rounds is the first since the inaugural LPGA Q-Series in 2018, which debuted with two 72-hole (eight rounds), stroke-play events held in consecutive weeks. Prior to 2018, the final stage of qualifying consisted of five rounds over one week.”

• “Based upon feedback from players and research conducted over past LPGA Q-Series results, it was determined that six rounds is an adequate measure and challenging test for those competing for LPGA Tour status,” said Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana, senior vice president of LPGA operations. “This modification allows the entire competition to be played at one facility in consecutive rounds, with no change in venue between weeks.”

4. Scheffler returns to Augusta

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”It was a predictably emotional return to Augusta National for Scottie Scheffler last week.”

• “The Masters champion went to Augusta National last Monday and Tuesday as part of a scouting trip that doubled as a stroll down memory lane.”

• “That was really one of the first times where winning the Masters felt real. Because we got back on property, I’d just come off the win at The Players, so our celebration kind of was just going to play Augusta,” Scheffler said Tuesday at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, where he’s the defending champion. “That was really one of the first times where it felt real that I had won the Masters.”

• “Scheffler played the course twice with a group of friends, including his longtime swing coach Randy Smith, and said two changes since last year’s Masters stood out, including a new tee on the par-5 13th hole that’s added about 35 yards.”

5. Report: McIlroy plays Augusta, drives the ball beautifully

GolfWRX staff report…”As we inch closer to the 2023 Masters, anticipation grows over the fate of Rory McIlroy, who will once again go to Augusta with the hope of capturing the only major that has so far eluded him.”

• “McIlroy’s form since last teeing it up at Augusta National has been stellar, but recent grumblings from the Irishman concerning his driver have his legion of fans concerned.”

• “Following a dismal showing at the opening round of the Players, McIlroy let off some steam saying he wished he could use his driver from last year, alluding to the fact that the previous model’s face may no longer be conforming. The 33-year-old admitted to “user error” when it came to his current big stick, but since then, speculation has been rife that the 4-time major champ may make a big change in the bag for the Masters.”

• “This week, a fan account claimed from sources that McIlroy was set to make “big changes”, which had golf fans wondering if a change in driver could be on the horizon.”

• “However, per a report from Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, McIlroy drove the ball “beautifully” during the two rounds on a recent trip to Augusta, where he apparently used a shorter driver shaft while keeping his TaylorMade Stealth 2 head.”

6. TaylorMade issues rollback rebuttal

GolfWRX staff report…”Titleist and Bridgestone are no longer alone in addressing the recent USGA/R&A proposal to lower the maximum distance of golf balls used for professional tour and elite amateur events, as TaylorMade Golf, today, has also released a statement on the matter.”

• “And, in a unique move, the company is urging regular golfers to participate in a survey that will help to assess the broader golf community’s response to the proposed modifications.”

• “The full text of TaylorMade’s statement is below.”

• “The USGA and R&A recently announced a proposal to create a Model Local Rule where highly skilled golfers must use a different golf ball from 2026 onwards. This will introduce bifurcation into our sport, meaning that you – the golfer – will play with different equipment than the professionals.

• “We believe a large part of golf’s appeal is this underlying sense of: “I can do that, too.” And using the same equipment as the pros gives us a more accurate feel for how talented these players are. Most of us will never know what it’s like to play in Madison Square Garden, throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl, or score the game-winning goal in a World Cup final, but we can go to St. Andrews, walk across the Swilcan Bridge and for a moment feel what it’s like to be a professional. Walk in their shoes, play the same courses, and use the same equipment. It’s all part of why we love this sport.

• “The USGA and R&A have provided a window in which all manufacturers can provide feedback on this proposal and its potential impact.

• “As we absorbed this announcement and tried to understand the why, as well as the impact, all of our conversations came back to one place – you, the golfer. We want your voice to be heard, so please, let us know what you think.”

• “We invite you to be part of the conversation and to be part of our feedback to the USGA and R&A: Take the survey here.”

7. Ian Poulter on Ryder Cup captaincy

Elliott Heath for Golf Monthly…”Ian Poulter has said if Ryder Cup Europe chose not to have a LIV Golf player as captain then “shame on them” after answering fan questions on Instagram.”

• “The Englishman was expected to be European captain for the 2025 match at Bethpage Black in New York but his future captaincy days seem numbered following Henrik Stenson’s removal as 2023 skipper.”

• “Poulter was asked if he thinks LIV Golf will last, with the fan saying they were “gutted” that the seven-time Ryder Cupper probably won’t get a chance to captain Europe.”

8. Simpson cracks the code to Scheffler’s success

Our Jason Daniels…”After the third round of the Valspar Championship, the 2012 U.S Open winner said Scheffler’s stance was “a whole different level of commitment,” confirming what long-term caddie, Paul Tesori, had previously told reporters – “I think he [Simpson] would give up food before he gave up coffee.”

• “Simpson leaves Scottie well behind in his dedication, bringing his own coffee machine on the road, and having “typically, three or four before lunch, one post-lunch, and one right before dinner.”

• “He does admit that, “on the road, I gotta scale down a bit………you know, a lot of caffeine’s not good for the short putts,” so he has a couple in the morning and “always one after the round, no matter how late I finish.”

• “Has Webb ever considered going the Scottie route?”

• “No,” he says, shaking his head. “I mean, that’s another whole new level of commitment, probably why he’s number one in the world.”

• “There is a but, with Webb finishing off by saying,”

• “I’m willing to trade those moments of happiness in the morning for a couple of shots a year. It might cost me.”

9. Rory WITB

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (9 degrees)

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15 degrees @13)

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (18 degrees @16)

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X

Irons: TaylorMade P760 (3, 4) TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-PW)

Shaft: Project X 7.0

Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 Raw (54), WedgeWorks Proto (58 @59)

Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M prototype

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x (#22)

Grips: Golf Pride MCC