Golf needs something as exciting as the NBA trade deadline. Maybe just demote underperforming pros out of the blue and bring up rising stars from the Korn Ferry and Symetra Tours. We’ll do some thinking on that this weekend.

Match Play updates

It’s been a busy couple of days at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, but all 64 players are still technically in the field for today’s final round of round-robin matches. Yes, some have already packed their bags because they’re mathematically eliminated, but that’s part of the charm! Uh, right?

Anyway…

Takeaways from the first two days of matches:

Kevin Kisner is an absolute wiz at match play, at least at Austin Country Club. The 2019 WGC Match Play champion knocked off Justin Thomas and Louis Oosthuizen over the past two days. He is now 13-2-1 at the event going back to 2018 and has won eight matches in a row. Clearly Kiz likes that Austin CC doesn’t over-emphasize distance off the tee, but more importantly, this Georgia grad is just a match-play bulldog (sorry).

Also known for their match-play prowess, wily veterans Ian Poulter and Sergio García are unsurprisingly 2-0-0 through two matches.

Abraham Ancer is proving a tough out. He has marched through Kevin Streelman and Bernd Wiesberger so far, and a win over Viktor Hovland today would secure his place in the single-elimination rounds. Ancer’s comfort level with match play is no surprise to those who watched him go 3-1-1 at the 2019 Presidents Cup, his only loss coming to Tiger Woods on the final day.

Jordan Spieth and Matthew Wolff had themselves a pillow fight on Thursday. Neither played well. On the 17th tee, Spieth was dormie, but he lost the final two holes to halve the match with Wolff.

The grandstand (read: backboard) behind the drivable par-4 13th is a disgrace. Roughly 10 yards over the back of the green, the structure stops all balls in their tracks. Without it, players who go long would have very difficult 30-yard wedge shots back to a green with water directly behind it. Even with the backboard’s help, Rory McIlroy chipped a ball into the water on Wednesday. Why protect the best players in the world from a testing shot that members face every day? *Steps off soapbox*

Shape up

Enough is enough. This is the year you actually get out and practice. Spring is upon us, the driving range awaits, and Golf Blueprint is here to help! Developed by University of Georgia professor Kevin Moore and doctoral student Nico Darras, Golf Blueprint will transform the way you practice. Their algorithm will tailor a practice regimen to your schedule and address all aspects of your game.

New to Golf Blueprint this spring are additional ways to transmit your practice-session data, challenges in which Golf Blueprint members can compete against each other, exclusive Instagram content for GB members, and more. Whether you’re looking for a six-month program or would prefer to start on a month-to-month basis, Golf Blueprint has a package for you. Visit the GB website today and gain more confidence on the course in no time!

Quick Hooks

A primo golf tournament is developing at Aviara Golf Club on the LPGA Tour. Inbee Park, Danielle Kang, Sophia Popov, Hyo Joo Kim, Mel Reid, and In Gee Chun are all in contention with 54 holes to go. Live action will be on Golf Channel in primetime this weekend. Leaderboard

Justin Harding looks to be in control at the Kenya Savannah Classic on the European Tour. If Harding is able to close out his three-shot 54-hole lead, he will take home trophies from two Kenyan events in the span of five days. Daniel van Tonder and Jazz Janewattananond are also in the mix. Leaderboard

Powered by a hole-in-one en route to an opening 66, Stephan Jaeger leads the Corales Puntacana Resort Club Championship. Joel Dahmen (67), Justin Suh (68), and Nate Lashley (68) are in pursuit. Leaderboard

Max McGreevy has a one-shot edge on Curtis Thompson and Stuart McDonald at the Club Car Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. Marty Dou lurks just three shots back. Leaderboard

According to the Palm Beach Post, the Honda Classic will be the first Florida stop on the 2021-22 PGA Tour schedule. The longtime tour event has struggled to draw big names over the past few years, getting lost in a run of elevated-status events and WGCs. It will still fall between the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational, but going before the Players Championship should help.

Following a less-than-stellar turnout for Bryson DeChambeau’s NFT release, the big lad’s agent blamed the poor performance on golf being a “niche sport.” As Geoff Shackelford pointed out, the lack of interest couldn’t have possibly been the result of lame artwork and an awkward, rushed rollout!

Also a source of frustration for Bryson this week? Trees. (Dude still won his match, though, because he’s good at golf.)

This guy wins the award for most bizarre outfit at a pre-qualifier.

The Latest from The Fried Egg

Shotgun Start: Big Tex home game hustle, NFT flops due to ‘niche,’ and Match Play Flashbacks

The great Kyle Porter of CBS joins for this Friday episode with Florida Man Andy on family vacation. Brendan and Kyle dive into the first two days from the WGC Match Play, delighting in Sergio’s camo pants, Bryson’s 46-yard drive, Spieth’s surge, and Rory’s walkabout in the wilderness. There’s also intel about the dangers this week in Austin with balls flying over the range net into play. Kyle talks about his upcoming trip to Augusta and what’s jumping out to him as the Masters bears down on us. Bryson’s underwhelming NFT rollout is reviewed, as are comments from his agent that the lack of demand was due to golf simply being a niche sport. They also discuss the Punta Cana finishing stretch being named “The Devil’s Elbow.” Precision Pro Flashback Friday is a two-scoop treat with Kyle bringing his own research on that time Tiger massacred someone not named Stephen Ames, and Brendan looking back on the year that absolutely no one showed up and the 90th ranked player in the world went through the bracket. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Events

In case you haven’t heard, our events at Meadowbrook Country Club outside of Detroit and Rolling Green Golf Club in Philadelphia are open for registration! The Stalemate at Meadowbrook is running low on space, so make sure to grab a spot soon if you’d like to participate. TFE Events Page