Rahm doubles down

Golf fans, good morning! This is a rare off week on the PGA Tour.

1. PGA Tour stories from the fall

Sean Martin, PGATour.com, gathers some noteworthy narratives.

• “The rise and fall of Tom Kim… The celebrations were lively. They were historic.

• Even though his team lost against the U.S., Tom Kim’s enthusiastic displays were one of the highlights of this year’s Presidents Cup. His putter-slamming celebration when he hit a 10-foot birdie to win a Saturday Four-ball match was the pinnacle. He made the winning birdie with a 2-iron approach of 240 yards.

• “I was already thinking in my head, ‘If that goes in, what will I do? What are you going to do to celebrate? Kim spoke.

• “What did he do to get a second chance? In his next start, Kim won the Shriners Children’s Open. He beat Patrick Cantlay, former FedExCup champion. Kim is the third player to win the TOUR since 1974 without scoring bogey or worse. He’s also the first player since Tiger Woods, who won twice at TPC Summerlin before turning 21. After his August win at the Wyndham Championship, Kim became the first player to win since 1983 when hole-by-hole records were created by the TOUR.

2. Steve Williams comes out of retirement briefly

Evin Priest, Golf Digest Steve Williams will be retiring to serve as a caddie for Adam Scott in Australia. The intention is to help the 42-year old chase a second major championship next season.

• “Williams (58) is best known for carrying Tiger Woods’ bag from 1999 to 2011. However, the New Zealander also looped his bags for Greg Norman and Raymond Floyd during his career. After a partnership that produced 13 major wins, Williams parted ways with Woods and joined Scott’s team. This helped Williams win the 2013 Masters.

3. Rahm doubles down in OWGR comments

Brentley Romine Golf Channel told Rahm Sunday afternoon that he was expected to remain the same. Rahm started the year at No. Rahm, who started the year at No. 1, shrugged again. He was awarded 21.8 points for defeating 49 other players in Dubai, six of which were the top 25 players worldwide. Adam Svensson earned just 37 points for his win at the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. This full field, however, had no top-25 players.

• Rahm stated, “I mean I beat incredible players today.” “I don’t know if there is anything I can do to add to what I mentioned [earlier in this week] about the OWGR. Perhaps I was too far back. I’ve been second, first, fourth and first and my world ranking has not changed. It doesn’t explain what I meant, but I think it does. It reaches a point when your play should be recognized. I can understand the reasons they made the changes. Every field is 150. But, I will say it again, we don’t get the same points for winning here. It’s a bit of an absurdity.

4. After a go-kart accident, Tom Watson had shoulder replacement surgery.

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak World Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Watson will not be able to play next month in the PNC Championship along with his son Michael. This will also put in doubt his position as one of the first tee starters at the Masters in April.

• Watson, 73 years old, was riding a go-kart on his Kansas farm when he was in an accident Monday. The vehicle rolled and required left shoulder replacement surgery at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans.

5. Leishman may accept Masters days

Mike Hall, Golf Monthly Marc Leishman, has acknowledged that his days at The Masters may be over but said he is happy with it.”

• Leishman spoke to The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, explaining that he is open to the possibility of not competing in the tournament. He stated that “That was something I had to weigh up before I made the move.” For the past 12 to 13 years, I have played in all Majors. I have had my opportunities. Although I would love to play them, I am fine with not doing so.

6. Continue reading about the dinner disaster

7. Bale evades a ban on golf

Golfweek Adam Woodard The team has installed a golf simulator at their luxury hotel.

• Mark Harris, Bale’s teammate, said, “We’ve just gone in the swimming pool, table tennis, pool, and golf.” “Games like these help build team spirit. Gareth is very skilled at golf. We all had a shot after training, and had some time to practice.

8. Svensson’s self reflection

Kevin Prise, PGATour.com Adam Svensson was unable to renew his PGA TOUR card due to poor greens play. This might have been the best decision for his career.”

• “Svensson did not expect to finish 167th in the 2019 FedExCup. Neither did his team. Derek Ingram, longtime mentor and coach for Golf Canada, described Svensson in his youth as “Canada’s Rory McIlroy potential”. Svensson has been long regarded as one the best ball-strikers in the game, having won nine times during his 14 Division II Barry University collegiate starts.

• “What was holding him back?” Svensson’s first TOUR card was earned solely on his talent. He had to work hard to realize his potential and return to it.

• Ingram said, “I’d love to give you more sexy of an answer,” but it was a total, utter commitment that he would see how great he could be.”

9. Meanwhile, the PGA Tour Champions equipment universe