As we sit in the thick of the PGA Tour vs. Saudi backed LIV Tour quarrel, the PGA of America didn’t do themselves any favors when the concession stand board at the PGA Championship was posted to social media earlier this week. While the PGA tour raises more money for charity each year than the other 4 major sports combined, the PGA as a corporation is raking the eyes out of the fans when it comes to food and beverage prices. $19 for a Michelob Ultra is absolutely insane and has no part in a world I want to live in. A $40 logo hat or $90 polo in the merchandise tent is one thing. But a $20 beer and an $8 hotdog is unacceptable. They’re pricing the guy who brings his wife and two kids right off the property. My advice: eat before you go, grin and bear a couple $6 waters, or hopefully your tickets were free.

DeCham-No? It will be a game-time decision this week on whether Bryson DeChambeau tees it up or not. He is currently healing from wrist surgery that took place on April 14^th. He first announced the rehab could take up to 2 months. We are now at exactly one month. Bryson said he first felt a “pop” in his hand back in November, then aggravated it when he slipped playing table tennis. He’s also been dealing with a torn labrum in his left hip. DeChambeau began chipping balls on April 30^th while he still had stitches in. A few days ago he posted a video of him hitting balls into a net showing 190 mph ball speed on a launch monitor. Bryson is expected to play another 9 holes Tuesday morning then perhaps make a decision.

Philling sad Phil Mickelson’s self-appointed hiatus continues as he announced he will not be playing in the PGA. Well his camp made the announcement. We haven’t heard from Phil in quite some time. It’s rather sad that this happened really. This week should be a celebration. He is the defending champ and his record-breaking PGA win last year at 50 years old was epic and exciting. While I don’t agree with how matter-of-fact and nonchalant Phil was when talking about the violent handling of Saudi Arabia’s citizens, he will still be missed. He didn’t exactly condone the mistreatment, he just kind of admitted it is what it is and it doesn’t really hold a bearing on him playing on the LIV tour. Right or wrong it was a conversation that he thought was private between him and a writer. Yes, a writer. That’s Phil’s fault for thinking a conversation with a person who was preparing a book about your life and career was off the record. The more Phil stays away the harder it will be to come back. Also, the longer his hiatus continues the more his peers will have to answer questions about it. And if I’m sick of hearing them, guys like Rory and JT certainly are.

My favorites at Southern Hills Jordan Speith, Justin Thomas, Cam Smith, Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay

Should contend Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Xander Shauffele, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa

Long shots Billy Horschel, Keegan Bradley, Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Joaquin Neimann, Brooks Koepka

Enjoy the game and each other,

Seth Zipay – Head Golf professional