Jeremy Peña's sac fly
Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday his plan at Philadelphia Cricket Club in the Truist Championship was to let it fly with the driver and figure it out from there. After the first round, it's clear he's a man of his word.
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NBC Sports
3 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Rory McIlroy loves signing Masters flags more than wearing the green jacket
Rory McIlroy shares his thoughts on the changes to the Tour Championship's format and 2026 PGA Tour schedule before reminiscing his Masters victory. ATLANTA — Rory McIlroy didn't leave Augusta National as the Masters champion without one last purchase from the gift shop. He said there were 1,100 pin flags remaining in the Masters Shop. 'And we took all 1,100,' McIlroy said Tuesday ahead of the Tour Championship, the end of a PGA Tour season that has been his most memorable to date all because of one Sunday in April. 'It's been a lot,' he said of the flags he has signed. 'But I'll never get sick of signing them. I've waited 17 years to sign that flag in the middle, and I will never complain about doing it.' Players sign flags all the time for fans, but the golf protocol is that only the Masters champion signs his name inside the outline of the U.S. that is part of golf's most famous logo. It has been just over four months since McIlroy delivered an exhilarating end to his 17-year pursuit of winning the green jacket, making birdie on the first playoff hole to beat Justin Rose and complete the career Grand Slam. He hasn't won since then and at times he has talked about finding motivation. But being the Masters champion doesn't get old. He already is planning some trips to Augusta National, a luxury afforded the champion, including one with his dad. If anything surprised him, it was the one-year ownership of the Masters green jacket. He hardly ever wears it. McIlroy said he wore it all night until he went to bed at about 3:30 a.m., and then awoke and went through sensations so many others have. He saw the jacket draped over a chair, a reminder that it all wasn't a dream. He wore it during a brief appearance at the Association of Golf Writers' dinner during The Open. Otherwise, the occasions have been rare. 'I'm reluctant to wear it,' he said. 'It's not as if I wear it a lot. I have it hanging in my wardrobe in a place where I can see it every day. I always thought if I had one - if I did win the Masters one day - I'd never have the thing off, and it hasn't been that way. I haven't worn it as much as I thought I would.' McIlroy said he has trips planned with friends and some Augusta National members with whom he has become friends over the years. He would be required to wear his green jacket at the club, which most likely won't require anyone twisting his arm. 'I've always said some of my favorite times at Augusta were when it wasn't the Masters Tournament,' he said, referring to the times he went there before the Masters for practice rounds. 'But it'll be lovely to next time go there and go up to the champions locker room and put on my green jacket and feel like I belong.'
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tour Championship 2025: Picks, Bets and Predictions as Scheffler Eyes FedEx Cup History
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The final playoff of the FedEx Cup is about to rise as the Tour Championship tees off at East Lake Golf Club on Thursday. All 30 players start at even par this year to decide who finishes the season on top. And no doubt, all eyes are on Scottie Scheffler. The world No. 1 arrives in Atlanta fresh off a dramatic BMW Championship win, where he snagged a four-shot win and chipped in from 82 feet on the 17th hole to seal his fifth title of the season. Now, Scheffler is chasing to win the FedEx Cup again, a record no one has touched since the FedEx Cup began in 2007. OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to a missed putt on the first green during the third round of the BMW Championship 2025 at Caves Valley Golf Club on... OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to a missed putt on the first green during the third round of the BMW Championship 2025 at Caves Valley Golf Club on August 16, 2025 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) More Getty Images But it's not going to be all easy. Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Åberg, and J.J. Spaun are all in form and ready to challenge. Top 5 Bets to Watch Scottie Scheffler (+150): Scheffler is the favorite for a reason. The 29-year-old has racked up 15 top-10 finishes this season, including wins at the PGA Championship, The Open and most recently, the BMW Championship. Scheffler's scoring average of 68.11 leads the PGA Tour, and he ranks first in these strokes gained categories: total, tee-to-green, off the tee and approach. He's also fourth in putting average (1.700), proving that his flat stick is no longer a liability. Additionally, his all-around game and mental toughness make him nearly untouchable. If the putter stays warm, no one can stop him from making history on Sunday. JJ Spaun (+450): Spaun is having a breakout season that's rewriting his career narrative. With five top-five finishes in 2025, including a dramatic win at the US Open at Oakmont, he was the second USA player to grab the automatic qualification seat for the Ryder Cup this year. Statistically, Spaun ranks top 6 in SG: approach and top 46 in birdie average, generating nearly four birdies per round. Tommy Fleetwood (-110): Fleetwood enters East Lake riding a wave of near-misses, finishing T3 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and T4 at the BMW Championship. Despite going winless in 163 PGA Tour starts, he's arguably the most accomplished player in the field without a Tour title. Collin Morikawa (+3000): Morikawa had a better 72-hole score than Scheffler last year but lost due to starting strokes. This year, with all players starting at even par, Morikawa enters East Lake as one of the most intriguing sleeper picks in the field. If we look at his past performances at East Lake, Morikawa has proved his strong position by being runner-up last year, securing a top-six six in 2023, and a top-10 finish in 2020. Viktor Hovland (+2000): A former winner at East Lake, Hovland has finished inside the top 15 in each of the last four Tour Championships, including a win back in 2023. His approach game is on point. The pro has gained more than three strokes on the field in approach play across his last five starts. Despite battling swing inconsistencies and experimenting with multiple coaches this season, Hovland has found a "Band-Aid fix" that's helped him regain control of his start lines and tempo. He's posted a top-three finish at the U.S. Open and remains one of the most dangerous ball-strikers in the field. Predictions: Who Wins, Who Misses Out Winner: Scottie Scheffler It's hard to bet against him. Scheffler has won two majors, five total PGA Tour events and now has 18 career wins. He's also recorded 17 consecutive rounds under par. If he keeps his rhythm, he could become the first player since Tiger Woods to win six times in a season twice. Top Challenger: Rory McIlroy McIlroy has won three times at East Lake and finished T12 at the BMW despite skipping the St. Jude. He's chasing a fourth FedExCup title, and his length off the tee gives him an edge on the redesigned layout. Dark horse: Harry Hall Hall jumped from No. 45 to No. 26 after finishing sixth at Caves Valley last week. He's now in the mix at East Lake and could be a Ryder Cup dark horse. He was also the only player outside the top 30 to play his way into the Tour Championship field. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 08: Harry Hall of England hits out of a fairway bunker on the second hole during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 at TPC Southwind on August... MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 08: Harry Hall of England hits out of a fairway bunker on the second hole during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 at TPC Southwind on August 08, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by) More Getty Images Looking at his season, Hall's rise has been phenomenal, with some elite putting and clutch scoring. He ranks second on Tour in Strokes Gained: putting (+0.910) and first in putting average, making him one of the most efficient scorers on the greens. All said, off the course, Hall's Ryder Cup buzz is growing louder. Despite not being fitted for a team uniform, a customary step for those under consideration, he's now being called a "flat-cap wearing dark horse" in European media. With Luke Donald watching closely, a strong showing at East Lake could tip the scales in Hall's favor for a captain's pick. The Tour Championship begins Thursday and concludes Sunday with $40 million on the line and Ryder Cup implications looming. More Golf: Team USA's 6 Ryder Cup Auto Bids Set With Scottie Scheffler Leading Way
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
McIlroy 'didn't hate' Tour Champ. starting strokes
Rory McIlroy shares his thoughts on the changes to the Tour Championship's format and 2026 PGA Tour schedule before reminiscing his Masters victory.
