Is there such a thing as too much golf? Because if a slate that includes a major championship, an elevated-status event, an NCAA Championship, and three other major-tour events doesn’t qualify as too much golf, we’ll never get there.

Down by the Bay

It feels like we can’t go more than a week without a major these days! The 76th U.S. Women’s Open gets underway Thursday, and for the first time the best women in the world will take on the Lake Course at the Olympic Club. Host of five U.S. Opens and three U.S. Amateurs, it’s the ladies’ turn to tackle this historic San Francisco venue. First & Second Round Tee Times

Early last week, we dedicated a full newsletter to breaking down the U.S. Women’s Open and the Olympic Club. We won’t go as in-depth today, but make sure to catch up if you missed any of the previous coverage!

Storylines

The air, it’s heavy – Something you realize quickly when you play Olympic is that the ball just does not travel very far on that property. The heavy ocean air is the culprit, and it will be a factor this week. Tuesday’s practice rounds were delayed by very heavy fog.

One for the home team? – You’ve heard about this for a few women’s majors in a row, but the count is now up to 13: no American has won in the past 13 majors. Angela Stanford was the last to do it in late 2018. Can Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda, or Jennifer Kupcho finally break the drought this weekend?

Ko show – Both Jin Young Ko and Lydia Ko are playing stellar golf. On a course that demands every kind of shot, you have to like the players whose games feel the most complete. Both Kos fit that bill. Plus, either player winning the first women’s major with fans present since the pandemic shutdown would be a big hit.

Heck of a run – It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that Rachel Heck (a) is playing the best golf of anyone in the world. She’s won the last six events she’s played in, including her USWO qualifier and the individual portion of the NCAA Championship. This week, she will test her game against the best players in the world. She’s paired with Sei Young Kim and Mel Reid for the first two rounds and should be featured in TV coverage. If you haven’t bought stock in Rachel Heck yet, it’s getting expensive, so get in while you still can. (And we promise we’ll be done with the “Heck” puns soon… ish.)


Dress for success

You might not be able to live up to the fashion of the athletes at the Olympic Club this weekend, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try! Whether you’re heading out to the golf course or back into the office, B. Draddy has a classic look that helps you stay comfortable. Plus, Father’s Day is right around the corner! What better way to thank Dad (or thank yourself) than to get the gift of comfort and style. Whether you want an ultra-lightweight Draddy Sport polo with four-way stretch, a versatile button-down shirt, or a classic Peruvian Pima cotton polo, B. Draddy has what you need to wow this summer.

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“Another bite at the apple”

Jack’s milkshakes bring all the boys back to the yard this weekend, but just for one event this year. A recently renovated Muirfield Village hosts the Memorial Tournament this weekend, and Nicklaus has some surprises in store for the players. Tee Times

Over the years, Jack Nicklaus has made many changes to Muirfield Village. Some were meant to make holes more difficult, others to combat distance. But the most recent work actually changes the way the golf course plays. Seven greens are in different positions, all 18 putting surfaces have been recontoured, and Nicklaus Design has rebuilt the greens to encourage firmer conditions. Also, fairway lines have been altered, bunkers redone, and holes like the par-5 15th and par-3 16th essentially overhauled. All this is to say that, while we see Muirfield Village every year and even watched two events there in 2020, the 2021 Memorial Tournament will offer something new.

Quick Hooks

Pepperdine and Oklahoma are set to face off for the NCAA Men’s Championship on Wednesday. Pepperdine defeated Florida State and Oklahoma State on its way to the championship match, while OU knocked off Illinois and Arizona State on Tuesday.

Clemson’s Turk Pettit overcame a two-shot deficit to win the individual portion of the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Other notables in the top 10 included Bo Jin (Oklahoma State), Michael Feagles (Illinois), and John Pak (Florida State). NCAA Men’s Individual Results

Following the NCAA Championship, five players became the inaugural graduates of the PGA Tour University program. Davis Thompson (Georgia), Austin Eckroat (Oklahoma State), Chun An Yu (Arizona State), John Pak (Florida State), and Garett Reband (Oklahoma) will all be exempt into full-field Korn Ferry Tour events for the rest of 2021. Press Release

Cameron Young tries to win back-to-back-to-back events this week at the Korn Ferry Tour’s REX Hospital Open. With a win, either Young or Davis Riley could earn a battlefield promotion to the PGA Tour. Tee Times

This shot from Joe Highsmith helped Pepperdine hold onto its lead and reach the championship match of the NCAA Championship.

Oklahoma coach Ryan Hybl wore a sweater vest when his team won the national championship in 2017. It was over 100 degrees on Tuesday in Arizona, yet he brought out the sweater vest once again. OU is one win away from making his superstition look incredibly smart.

Max Homa finally gave in to his super fan.

The Latest from The Fried Egg

Paulie’s Picks: The Memorial Tournament – It’s a “new” Muirfield Village Golf Club, but Paulie still knows his way around Jack’s place. See who he likes this week for DraftKings and one-and-done leagues!

Shotgun Start: Olympic intel, Aging Burly Boys, and Tinkering Jack

This Wednesday episode goes long on the U.S. Women’s Open but begins with the in-progress NCAA finals, which will pit Oklahoma vs. Pepperdine on Wednesday night. There’s plenty of chatter on the Burly Boys and the age of Quade Cummins, and puzzlement over Grayhawk getting to host for three years. Then it’s on to the major championship for the week, the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic. Andy relays some intel from the grounds after being out in San Francisco this week. They discuss some comments from one veteran that this could be the hardest Women’s Open setup ever and that the young kids who can’t work the ball both ways may be in trouble. They propose their “best case scenarios” and also run through a few of their favorite tee times. On the PGA Tour, they react to Jack Nicklaus’ comments on the dramatic changes made to Muirfield Village, as well as the tinkering he’s already looking to do again. The close schedule for the week with the nightmare logistics problem has disrupted the Euro Tour. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.