Express Checked Out

Rory McIlroy is in mid-season form, hooking balls into water and three-putting from two feet to lose by a stroke in Dubai. His implosion secured Tommy Fleetwood some lower-tier points for seven entries. Rory and Tommy are in the Dubai Desert Classic, the 2nd of three Euro tournaments on our schedule. It's one of their biggest of the year, with guys like Brian Harman and Cameron Young making the trip.

Meanwhile in Hawaii, six selected golfers made it through a packed leader board and into the points. I'm told the golf was somewhat exciting... but the internets were having more fun with a terrible free-relief ruling involving a ball "lost" in the 18th green grandstands. My Sunday league has more integrity than the TOUR... and we allow you to fluff your ball in the fairways!

The American Express is this week in California. This will be the 2nd year in a row the strength-of-field should eclipse next week's tournament at Torrey Pines. The golf is much easier, and the points are the same... so why not? Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, and Xander Schauffele are all in attendance.

Speaking of Wyndham Clark, I'm seeing rumors of him joining Jon Rahm's team in LIV, which would negatively affect 28% of the pool. He's eligible for all the Majors... but this would be his last TOUR event if he makes the jump.

HOWEVER... Big Jay Monahan has also been rumored to be in Saudi Arabia this week — desperately trying to finalize golf's blood money pact — in an attempt to implement something before April. You'd have to think that deadline is set to get more LIV guys into the Masters. Not sure that means we'd see them on the PGA TOUR this season. The "members" wouldn't allow it. Although their power might be slipping away with a quickness.

Photo realistic image of an American Express credit card, watching a golf tournament, but looking bored.

Go Bucs!