by First things first, today marks the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. As the country remembers the victims and first responders, we can’t help but be humbled. Countless men and women put their lives at risk every day to make our world a better, safer place, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. It is because of their efforts that we get to debate, joke about, and play golf with you all, and we can’t thank them enough.
On to the golf. After a long offseason full of trades, free agent signings, and power shifts, the PGA Tour is back! The Tour’s 2019-20 season kicks off at The Greenbrier this weekend with many new faces in the field. Meanwhile, the ladies take their talents to Scotland for the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.
Anyone up for some falconry?
The 2019 schedule reshuffle means that the Old White TPC hosts the season opener, an event now known as A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. Tee Times
Na Na Na
The 2018 event at The Greenbrier, part of the 2017-18 season, was a breakthrough for Kevin Na. After seven winless seasons, Na shot three rounds of 65 or better to win by five shots. He made just two bogeys over his final 54 holes. After winning again this past season at Colonial Country Club, Na looks to defend his title at The Greenbrier this weekend.
Storylines
Welcome to the show – The fall season means opportunity for new PGA Tour members. With a reshuffle coming in just a few events, it’s important for the rookies to get off to hot starts. Viktor Hovland, Scottie Scheffler, Doug Ghim, and Kristoffer Ventura have proven they are ready to compete on the big tour, but they also come in with the highest expectations. Others to keep an eye on include Tyler McCumber, Robby Shelton, Harry Higgs, and Monday qualifier Shintaro Ban.
As for the vets – Plenty of players in the field are looking for a refresh after a down season. Jason Dufner, Jimmy Walker, and Zach Johnson all missed the FedEx Cup Playoffs in 2019, and Bubba Watson finished 81st in the season-long standings.
Make a good impression – Among the featured groups, the pairing of Marc Leishman, Sungjae Im, and Branden Grace will get a lot of attention over the first two rounds. Leishman has already earned his spot on the 2019 International Presidents Cup team, but Im and Grace are looking to earn their way onto the squad.
Paulie’s Picks
A new PGA Tour season means a new fantasy season, which means Fried Egg fantasy guru Paulie is back with some predictions for A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. Check out his picks here.
Solheim Cup
Televised team match play! The 16th edition of the Solheim Cup kicks off at Gleneagles on Friday. Seeking three wins in a row, the U.S. team heads to Scotland with six rookies and a seasoned captain in Juli Inkster. Team Europe, the far more experienced side, will rely on veterans like Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Pettersen to lead them to their first win since 2013.
While the U.S. took the most recent edition of the Solheim Cup, the 2017 event got off to a rocky start for the Americans. Facing a 1.5-2.5 deficit after the Friday morning session, the U.S. dominated the afternoon four-ball matches. An afternoon sweep propelled the Americans to a 5.5-2.5 lead through the first day, and from there they never looked back. Cristie Kerr, Danielle Kang, Lizette Salas, Paula Creamer, and Lexi Thompson all ended up earning at least three points, and the Americans coasted to a 16.5-11.5 victory.
Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Danielle Kang, Lizette Salas, Megan Khang, Marina Alex, Brittany Altomare, Angel Yin, Annie Park, Morgan Pressel, and Ally McDonald
Carlota Ciganda, Anne van Dam, Caroline Hedwall, Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Azahara Muñoz, Caroline Masson, Anna Nordqvist, Bronte Law, Celine Boutier, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, and Suzann Pettersen
Coverage of the 2019 Solheim Cup will be on the Golf Channel from 3:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday, and 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Last chance to WIN, PLACE or at least SHOW up to The Thoroughbred
We are just one month away! Register now to join fellow diehard golf nuts on Saturday, October 12 in Aiken, SC, for 36 holes of golf followed by a horse race down the stretch at one of the best courses in the South.
We’ll have two can’t-miss speakers during a Southern-style lunch, and a trifecta of great prizes, including custom Bettinardi putters, Winston Collection headcover sets, and a Shapland golf bag. Plus, stylish tee gifts from Zero Restriction and Imperial Headwear will have you ready for fall.
If you’re in town on Friday night, come meet, neigh, hang out with Andy and the team over drinks and live music! The time and location will be sent to all attendees leading up to the event. Okay, enough horse race puns for one day, Register Here
Special Offers
In honor of the upcoming event, our gracious sponsors are offering all Fried Egg fans exclusive discounts for a limited time only.
Get 30% off all Zero Restriction apparel using code FRIEDEGG30 at checkout shop
Get 20% off Imperial Hats using code TFE2019! at checkout shop
Quick Hooks
The European Tour heads to the red light Amsterdam for the KLM Open at The International. Patrick Reed, Matt Wallace, Thomas Pieters, and Lee Westwood headline the field. Tee Times
The Mackenzie Tour wraps up its season this weekend with the Canada Life Championship. Paul Barjon, Taylor Pendrith, Jake Knapp, and Lorens Chan have secured Korn Ferry Tour cards, but the fifth spot is still up for grabs. Tee Times
The Latest
Eclectic 18 UK – Hole No. 8: “Postage Stamp,” Royal Troon – Our second one-shot hole in a row! Known as the “Postage Stamp,” the 8th hole at Royal Troon packs a serious punch at just 123 yards. Jaeger Kovich breaks down this quirky and historic hole in the latest edition of Eclectic 18 UK.
Shotgun Start: Intel on driver testing, a Rickie Tour Live audit, and hacking the fall schedule
This Wednesday episode begins with an argument and admission that it’s take two following a record button mishap. We begin with a juicy and alarming quote from the range at The Greenbrier on the new driver testing, which may not change any behaviors at all in the coming PGA Tour season. The new color-coded system for testing is given a full review. Then we get into the Slovak Open and the Shotgun Start audience taking over the comments section of the stream as the BFB won his national championship. The return of PGA Tour Live and Fan Vote Friday prompts a reveal of the Rickie Tour Live Audit, which has some damning numbers. In the last segment, we run through some lightning round answers on some the events and players we are most looking forward to and the ones we could do without over the next few months. Then we discuss a hypothetical blank canvas for Q4 of the year and how we’d approach it—from events to markets to field sizes to formats—if we were the PGA Tour. Listen on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher.
Pro Shop
It’s a September heat wave! With many states experiencing one last taste of summer, it’s a good time to grab one of our Fried Egg towels. Keep yourself sweat-free as golf season winds down. Get yours today!
