Somehow, some way, there is a major championship this week! These things just don’t stop.

Oui, oui

The Amundi Evian Championship, the most recent addition to the LPGA major calendar, kicks off on Thursday in France. Tee Times

While every major is important, this year’s Evian Championship is proving not to be a top priority for some players. Because of the challenges of international travel, including Covid-19 restrictions in Europe, many women who are set to compete in the Tokyo Olympics are skipping the Evian. Among them are Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Nasa Hataoka, Yuka Saso, Hannah Green, Shanshan Feng, and Mel Reid. Clearly all of these players would benefit from an Evian title on their résumé, but apparently the costs outweigh the benefits this year.

Still, the 2021 Evian Championship will feature the likes of Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko, Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko, and Patty Tavatanakit. This event was a pandemic casualty last year, so it’s good to have it back and get the full complement of women’s majors. Plus, it’s another week of coffee golf for U.S. fans!

Get on your horse

You hear that? The rustle of… what is it? Leaves? Oh wait, it’s just tons and tons of cash. That must mean that the FedEx Cup Playoffs are on the horizon!

With just four weeks left in the PGA Tour’s regular season, players on the top 125 bubble don’t have much more time to secure their cards for next year. We joke about the absurd amounts of money involved with the FedEx Cup, but keeping your PGA Tour card is genuinely important for guys on the verge of dropping down to the Korn Ferry Tour. Staying inside the top 150 can also be critical, as players who make that cut maintain conditional status on the big tour and get what amounts to a full schedule.

So this week’s 3M Open is a big deal for bubble boys like Camilo Villegas (No. 118 in the FEC Standings), Adam Hadwin (120), Patrick Rodgers (121), Rickie Fowler (124), Beau Hossler (145), Joey Bramlett (146), and Mark Hubbard (150). Keep an eye on them. Tee Times

Quick Hooks

Bandon Dunes will be routinely hosting USGA events until the end of time. Well, 2045, but that’s basically an eternity from now. A bit easier to comprehend are the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur, 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and 2029 Walker Cup, all of which will take place at Bandon. Full List of events

Speaking of Bandon Dunes, Mike Keiser is reportedly looking to expand his Oregon empire with two new courses. Both are in the early stages of planning, but assuming they are approved, another 18-hole course and a new par-3 course could be coming to the Oregon coast. Full Story from Jason Lusk

Like their PGA Tour counterparts, Korn Ferry Tour parts are fighting to move up the points list and earn their cards for next year. They head to Springfield, Missouri, this week for the Price Cutter Charity Championship. Tee Times

We lied. There are two majors this week. The Senior Open Championship kicks off on Thursday at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. Again, coffee golf! Field

The Latest from The Fried Egg

Fresno Scraper and Royal Rumble open for registrations – Our final two events of the year, the Fresno Scraper at Prairie Dunes and the Royal Rumble at Lancaster CC, are open for registrations! We’ll visit Perry and Press Maxwell’s Kansas masterpiece on October 4 before heading to one of William Flynn’s finest in Pennsylvania on October 18. Come join us for some of the best golf the U.S. has to offer!

The Simple Design Principles Behind No. 14 at Royal St. George’s – The 14th hole was the surprise MVP of golf course architecture discussion during the Open Championship. Garrett Morrison reflects on what makes this “gettable” par 5 work.

Paulie’s Picks: 3M Open – A few stars are making the trek from Royal St. George’s to TPC Twin Cities, but Paulie is beggin you to explore other options this week at the 3M Open.

Shotgun Start: Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.

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