The Friday Cut: Rory, Rahm, Rose and Trump Turnberry
Jon Rahm of Spain reacts after an eagle on the 16th hole during the first round of the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 3, 2017 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images).
Welcome to ‘The Friday Cut’, your weekly round-up of the top stories across the professional tours.
In a week dominated by the Ryder Cup selection dispute, and a ‘major’ story involving a former US President, there is plenty to dive into. As we look towards the weekend on the PGA, LPGA and DP World Tour, these are the headlines that have made the cut.
Rahm speaks out on Ryder Cup selection debate
After keeping his cards close to his chest for much of the on-going Ryder Cup selection debate, Jon Rahm appears to have finally made his position clear. In a recent interview, the Spaniard explained how he is disappointed not to be able to line-up alongside compatriot Sergio Garcia in this year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, admitting "It's sad politics have got in the way of such a beautiful event.”
Since the resignation of Poulter, Westwood, Garcia and others from the DP World Tour, as a result of their switch to LIV Golf, the Ryder Cup selection debate has raged on with many of the world’s best players making their stance clear. As one of the stars of the European Ryder Cup setup, Rahm has now weighed in on this discussion by declaring that “it's the best Europeans against the best Americans, period. Whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn't matter.”
With just over three months until the Ryder Cup gets underway, there are likely to be many more twists in what could be one of the most contentious golf issues in recent times.
McIlroy backs LIV Golf’s Koepka to feature in US Ryder Cup Team
One player who has certainly not kept quiet on the perceived issues surrounding the LIV Golf Tour is Rory McIlroy, but despite a general opposition to all things LIV previously, the former world number one has surprisingly backed current PGA Champion Brooks Koepka to line-up for Team USA in Rome this September.
McIlroy believes that Koepka deserves to be selected ‘on merit’, despite his LIV Golf affiliation, after a strong performance at the Masters and winning the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in May. The Northern Irishman said “I don't know if there's anyone else on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they're playing. But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the US team".
McIlroy did however quickly close the door on any change in feeling regarding the European LIV Golf players. "I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and sort of how that has all transpired and, yes, I don't think any of those guys should be a part of the European team."
Rose Zhang makes professional debut at LPGA’s Mizuho Americas Open
If you haven’t heard of Rose Zhang, you seriously need to do your research. After a glittering amateur career, including winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April and the US Women’s Amateur in 2020, Zhang is due to make her professional debut at the LPGA’s Mizuho Americas Open, in New Jersey.
Zhang is one of the most exciting young talent’s in golf, winning the individual NCAA Championship in 2022 and becoming the first female in history to win title twice when successfully defending in May 2023. With four of the women’s major championships still to come on the calendar this season, I would advise you all to take note and watch keenly as we welcome a future star into professional game.
Trump Turnberry blacklisted as Open Championship venue
Despite openly longing to host golf’s oldest major championship, former U.S President Donald Trump may never realise this dream after the R&A confirmed that Trump Turnberry will not host the Open Championship in the near future.
Turnberry has hosted the Open Championship on four previous occasions, most recently in 2009, but due to the perceived security risks surrounding potential protests, it appears unlikely that the 45th President of the United States will get his wish of hosting the Open at the now blacklisted Trump Turnberry.
Coming up this weekend…
As we head steadfast into the heart of the professional golf season, the PGA Tour moves to Jack’s place for the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. The top of the market is congested for this elevated event, with favourite Scottie Scheffler sure to be on the scene come Sunday.
The LPGA Tour stops off in New Jersey this week, where the world’s elite do battle at Liberty National. With World Number One Jin Young Ko in attendance, and Georgia Hall aiming to go one better than her two runner-up finishes this season, this is sure to be an entertaining epic on the east coast.
And finally, the DP World Tour heads to Germany, where Max Kieffer bids to win on home soil after a solid opening round 69.
Baz is a content creator and writer, who specialises in all things golf. He is best known for his weekly coverage of all major professional tours while also sharing his musings on golf travel. He writes ‘The Friday Cut’, every Friday.
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