by Did you know that your taste buds lose about 30% of their effectiveness during a flight? Crazy, huh? Anyway, that was the newsletter introduction.
Roll out the red carpet
On a weekly basis, the question isn’t if a Korda sister will be in the mix, but which Korda sister will be in the mix. Through two rounds at the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open, the answer is Jessica. The elder Korda fired 64-65 over her first two rounds and currently holds a three-shot lead. As for sister Nelly, she struggled late in her first round but is still T-25. Leaderboard
Two of the top 25 players in the world, Nelly and Jessica Korda have combined for two victories and seven top 10s in just 11 combined appearances in 2021. This week’s LPGA host city, Los Angeles, is probably a comfy spot for these two stars. Their consistent excellence has been one of the top storylines in women’s golf this year.
Also toward the top of the leaderboard at the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open are world No. 1 Jin Young Ko (second), No. 2 Inbee Park (T-9), No. 3 Sei Young Kim (third), and No. 6 Brooke Henderson (T-4). Add in Wilshire Country Club as the venue and you have a really entertaining golf tournament. Golf Channel has primetime coverage on Saturday and Sunday 6-9 p.m. ET.
Practice makes perfect
The Korda sisters didn’t get where they are by accident. They put in the work and practiced. You probably won’t be a top 25 player, but you can still improve! And Golf Blueprint will help you do just that.
Developed by University of Georgia professor Kevin Moore and doctoral student Nico Darras, Golf Blueprint teaches you how to practice. The program uses information provided by students and its own algorithms, and can tailor practice schedules to any player. With multiple ways to input your practice-session data, challenges for members, and exclusive Instagram content, Kevin and Nico are always adding to their offerings. Whether you want to commit to six months of work or go month to month, Golf Blueprint has a package for you.
Quick Hooks
The Norweigan duo of Viktor Hovland and Kristoffer Ventura jumped out to an early lead at the Zurich Classic on Thursday. Brice Garnett and Scott Stallings tied the lead later on. Friday’s alternate-shot round is when the real action starts. Leaderboard
Anders Albertson holds a two-shot lead at the Veritex Bank Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. Albertson made a hole-in-one and eagle over his final eight holes on his way to a 62. Leaderboard
Joachim Hansen, Joost Luiten, Julian Suri, and Rafa Cabrera Bello are all in the mix at the European Tour’s Gran Canaria Lopesan Open. Leaderboard
Adam Scott announced that will not attend the Olympic Games. According to his agent, the veteran typically spends that time of the year with family and the Games just don’t fit his schedule. Without Scott in consideration, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith, partners at this week’s Zurich Classic, are the front-runners to represent Australia.
Sounds like the pairing of Bubba Watson and Scottie Scheffler at the Zurich Classic didn’t exactly come together naturally.
Billy Horschel may be having a midlife crisis. Or he’s just really after that PIP money.
Lots of collegiate golf tournaments are underway this week. Check out scores for your favorite school!
The Latest from The Fried Egg
Shotgun Start: PIP Squeaks, longitude or latitude, and a Franco Flashback Friday
This Friday episode begins with some reaction to both “town crier” and “baton boy” references making it onto featured group coverage on Billy Tour Live. There’s also some reaction to the Crier’s contention that TPC Louisiana was not built to be played in wind. There’s amusement over the explanation of the Bubba-Scheffler team and confusion over some brands of golf clothing. Then the news of the week, the revelation of a Player Impact Program on the PGA Tour, is dissected. Andy and Brendan break down the actual nuts and bolts of the program, as reported by Eamon Lynch. They giggle over some of the metrics being employed, which don’t seem long for the formula. They offer their critiques and praise for different elements of it or at least what it’s efforting to do, and then laugh at some of the early reactions. Early action from the LA Open is also praised, while Tony Romo’s first round in Dallas is not. Flashback Friday is on the 1999 and 2000 winner of the Compaq Classic, then the name of the stop on Tour in New Orleans. They explore the mud shack upbringing of Carlos Franco, his hero status in Paraguay, his worldwide success, and then his breakthrough PGA Tour win in 1999 in NOLA. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Pro Shop
The first two days of LPGA coverage at Wilshire Country Club have been a blast. Shop prints from Wilshire and many other courses in the photography section of our pro shop!
