GBR Weekly | The Joy of DeChambeau and the Drama with Rory: Why Peace in Golf Has Never Been More Crucial

Discover the Pivotal Events, from the PGA x LIV Agreement to the Latest Market Trends. And We Unveil the Secret the Pros All Know: Hypnosis for Golf.

Jun 18, 2024

Hello, GBR Fam!

Aaron Sorkin himself wouldn't dare to write such a convoluted script. The hottest player in LIV and the PGA Tour leader battling it out in a U.S. Open with devilish putts on the final two holes. OMG! We want to see these guys play together every week!

If you keep reading until the end, you'll learn more about the following topics:

The Secret The Pros All Know: Hypnosis For Golf
DeChambeau’s Star Rises After Epic U.S. Open Victory
What's Next for Rory McIlroy?
PGA x LIV - Decisive Meeting in NYC Revealed. And Draft Agreement Signed? Here’s Everything We Know
AVIS Extends Deal with PGA Tour and Signs Schauffele
FootJoy Dominates UK Sales in Q1
Callaway’s Mini Addition to the Paradym Ai Smoke Range
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Today´s newsletter is sponsored by Reveri.

The Secret The Pros All Know: Hypnosis For Golf

Have you ever wondered what sets Tiger Woods apart on the golf course? One of his secrets is self-hypnosis, a powerful technique to reframe your thoughts, enhance your perspective, improve sleep, manage stress, and soothe pain.

We would like to introduce you to Reveri, a self-hypnosis app developed by Dr. David Spiegel, a renowned Stanford psychiatrist and professor.

Reveri is grounded in 45 years of clinical research and neuroscience, making it the world’s most trusted app for self-hypnosis. Reveri`s approach focuses on visualization and the rewiring of mental patterns. This method can significantly boost your recovery, sharpen your focus, and enhance your athletic abilities.

They offer a 7-day golf guide, personally led by Dr. Spiegel, which has helped numerous golfers elevate their game through self-hypnosis.

You can try Reveri free for 7 days, with the added peace of mind of a money-back guarantee.

If it works for athletes like Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan, it’s certainly worth exploring. Discover how self-hypnosis with Reveri can transform your game and help you achieve your best performance on the golf course.

🎬 For more information, check out this interview where entrepreneur and influencer Tim Ferriss speaks with Dr. Spiegel.

DeChambeau’s Star Rises After Epic U.S. Open, What Next For Rory?

Bryson DeChambeau claimed his second U.S. Open victory after a tense final-round battle with Rory McIlroy. Starting the day with a three-shot lead over McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, and Matthieu Pavon, DeChambeau initially maintained his lead despite a dropped shot at the fourth. McIlroy quickly cut into the lead with a birdie at the first and took command around the turn with birdies on the ninth, tenth, twelfth, and thirteenth holes. DeChambeau, however, kept within striking distance with a birdie at ten, despite a bogey on twelve, and another birdie on thirteen after driving the green.

As McIlroy's round faltered with bogeys at the fifteenth and sixteenth holes and missed short putts on the sixteenth and eighteenth, DeChambeau steadied himself, parring the sixteenth and seventeenth holes. With a one-shot lead going into the final hole, DeChambeau executed a superb 55-yard explosion shot from the native area to within four feet of the hole. He confidently sank the par putt to secure his second U.S. Open title.

DeChambeau’s win in the U.S. Open comes on the back of stellar performances in the majors this year, where his worst finish was T-6 at Augusta in April. DeChambeau has the best record in the 2024 major championships so far, indicating that now, he really does have the complete package to tackle golf’s hardest tests under the most extreme pressure. Maybe he is the player who has found the right balance between competing in LIV and producing the goods when it comes to major championships.

"I felt like I was hitting the driver the way I wanted today. I just kept staying the course focused on trying as many fairways as I could even though I didn't but I got myself out of trouble really well but I can't believe that up and down, it was probably the best shot of my life."
"Rory is one of the best to ever play. Being able to fight against a great like that is pretty special. I'd love to have a lot more battles with him. I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf... to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, I was like, 'Uh-oh', but luckily things went my way today.” - Bryson DeChambeau, at the trophy presentation.

What Next For Rory?

For McIlroy, this latest close call in a major championship is going to leave its scars. McIlroy had come into the U.S. Open in decent form, but there was an additional level of serenity around him after it was revealed that he was no longer seeking a divorce from his wife, Erica. With four holes left to play, he had a great chance of finally capturing his fifth major and banishing over ten years of frustration on golf’s biggest stage, but three disastrous bogeys, two coming as a result of missing par putts from inside four feet handed the advantage back to DeChambeau.

“That’s going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life, those two misses.” - Sir Nick Faldo

Rory McIlroy, gracious 99% of the time, made the decision to leave town immediately after Sunday’s loss. While some viewed this as a missed opportunity to congratulate DeChambeau, it is understandable given the emotional toll of his near miss. McIlroy took to social media Monday afternoon to say his stunning collapse at the U.S. Open was probably the toughest day of his career, and that he would take off the next three weeks to “build myself back up.” This means he will skip the Travelers Championship, the final $20 million signature event on the PGA Tour schedule with a limited field and no cut. Despite the disappointment, McIlroy congratulated DeChambeau in perfect style through his note on Twitter, showing his class and sportsmanship.

Why is DeChambeau So Popular Despite His Leaving to LIV?

“U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A,” fans chanted after Rory’s missed par putt on the 18th green. The unexpected crowd support for Bryson DeChambeau over Rory McIlroy, despite DeChambeau’s controversial departure from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf for $125 million, highlights a significant shift in public perception. According to sports and finance guru Joe Pompliano in his newsletter Huddle Up, DeChambeau’s growing popularity is intriguing, especially considering McIlroy’s dedication to the PGA Tour and his efforts to bridge gaps within professional golf. McIlroy has invested considerable time away from his family to unify the sport, yet these efforts have not boosted his popularity or aided him in winning major championships, leaving DeChambeau to captivate fans with his distinct approach.

DeChambeau's rise in popularity can be attributed to several factors. A major one is his effective use of social media, particularly his YouTube channel, where he shares engaging and entertaining content. This strategy has allowed him to connect with a broader and younger audience, showcasing a fun and personable side that contrasts with his previously polarizing image. According to Pompliano, DeChambeau’s ability to humanize himself through personal stories, such as reflecting on his father’s passing, has also played a crucial role. Furthermore, his proactive engagement with fans during tournaments, exemplified by high-fives and showmanship on the course, has endeared him to the public, differentiating him from McIlroy’s more reserved demeanor.

Pompliano also addresses misconceptions about the PGA Tour’s media rights policies, which some argue restrict player-generated content. Contrary to claims by figures like Phil Mickelson, the PGA Tour allows players to create and share YouTube content and access their footage, provided they follow specific guidelines. DeChambeau’s YouTube success started while he was still with the PGA Tour, debunking the notion that his media strategy was only possible with LIV Golf. The reality, according to Pompliano, is that DeChambeau has successfully rebranded himself through social media, directly engaging with fans and bypassing traditional media outlets. This direct connection has allowed fans to see his genuine personality, significantly enhancing his popularity and making him a relatable and beloved figure in the golf world.

US Open Champion Unveils His AI Swing Analysis Secret with Sportsbox

In a post-U.S. Open victory press conference, Bryson DeChambeau credited his recent success to a combination of traditional coaching and innovative technology from Sportsbox AI, a startup specializing in 3D swing analysis using a single smartphone camera. DeChambeau highlighted the role of his swing coach, Dana Dahlquist, alongside Sportsbox AI in refining his mechanics during a challenging period leading up to the tournament. By integrating swing data from Sportsbox AI with ball flight metrics from a Foresight launch monitor, DeChambeau and Dahlquist identified key adjustments needed to optimize his performance.

“I’m continuing to use technology to my advantage with my golf swing,” DeChambeau explained in a Golf Channel interview. “Sportsbox AI has been great. Dana Dahlquist has been awesome helping me figure some things. Just really dialing in — when I’m hitting my best, what am I actually doing?”

Did We Witness Tiger’s Last U.S. Open?

Tiger Woods missed the cut at the U.S. Open by two shots after rounds of 74 and 73. Given his lack of golf and the stern test presented by Pinehurst No2, Woods faired better than players such as Will Zalatoris, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, and Justin Thomas, who all joined Woods on packing their bags early on Friday evening. For Woods, he officially has one more tournament left to play in 2024, which is next month’s Open Championship at Troon. We are then unlikely to see him play again competitively until the Hero World Challenge, which Woods hosts in the first week of December.

At the completion of his second round at Pinehurst No2, Woods dropped a bombshell by stating that he could have played in his last U.S. Open. “As far as my last Open Championship or US Open Championship, I don’t know what that is. It may or may not be.” - Tiger Woods

While Woods definitely doesn’t want to add more tournament golf to his schedule, playing less golf means he isn’t “match sharp” when he does tee it up. Maybe when the TGL series he co-owns along with Rory McIlroy starts up in January, it will give a little more competitive golf, albeit simulator-based. But more regular contact and the undoubted trash talk that is bound to happen in the made-for-TV league could rejuvenate Woods.

Reading James Corrigan’s article in the Telegraph, Woods will not want to be seen as a “ceremonial golfer” being rolled out to play the majors for sentimental value. Woods has certainly shown this year that he is more physically up to the challenge of tournament golf, even if he is still managing his rest and recuperation closely between rounds. The question we can’t answer at this stage is whether Woods genuinely feels he has more in the tank to offer.

Finally, we enjoyed three readings about the weekend events at Pinehurst:

Decisive Meeting in NYC, PGA x LIV - Draft Agreement Signed? Here’s Everything We Know About the Golf War One Year After the Alleged Peace

Much of the recent buzz in the golfing world has centered around talks of a potential merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, aiming to restore continuity to the sport. On Tuesday, a significant step forward was reportedly taken with the signing of a "draft agreement" finalizing Saudi investment in the PGA Tour, as disclosed by longtime golf writer Alan Shipnuck, a biographer of LIV player Phil Mickelson. Citing a "prominent agent" with clients on both tours, Shipnuck characterized this development as "definitive progress."
In related developments, Tiger Woods expressed optimism following a meeting between the PGA Tour and Saudi backers of LIV Golf, signaling potential progress in reunifying the fractured sport. The talks, held in New York City, involved discussions on new frameworks and cooperative strategies. "It was productive. And is there light at the end of tunnel? I think we're closer to that point than we were pre-meeting," Woods said at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. "We discussed a lot of different endings and how we get there. I think that both sides walked away from the meeting, we all felt very positive in that meeting."
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's successful $11.2 billion stake sale in Aramco has attracted international investors, bolstering economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030. The move marks a pivotal shift from previous hesitations towards the oil giant's IPO. For an insightful look into Saudi Arabia's strategic move, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Yousef Saba, and Maha El Dahan's comprehensive reporting in Reuters sheds light on the kingdom's ambitious economic transformation efforts under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030.
Looking ahead, the USGA's CEO, Mike Whan, discussed plans for integrating LIV Golf players more directly into future tournaments. Speaking on the eve of the U.S. Open, the USGA’s Chief Executive, Mike Whan, discussed the possibility of creating a direct route for LIV golfers to play in future U.S. Opens. Since the league started in June 2022, LIV has been trying to get recognition for its tournaments and offer OWGR points to those competing in the limited field, 54-hole events. LIV made an official application to the OWGR, but it was rejected in October 2023, and LIV subsequently removed its application in March of this year. Going into the U.S. Open, only four LIV golfers—Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka—are still within the OWGR's top 50. But their rankings, like those of all other LIV players, are plummeting, making it much harder for them to compete in golf’s premier events.

AVIS Extends Deal With PGA Tour And Signs Schauffele

Announced yesterday, AVIS will continue to be the official rental car company of the PGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, and Korn Ferry until 2028.

The new deal will see the continued offer of rental cars from AVIS being made available to:

PGA Tour players on all three circuits
Player’s Caddies
PGA tour employees

The extension until 2028 means that AVIS will be one of the PGA Tour's longest-standing partners after the original deal came into effect in 2011.

AVIS will also seek to engage deeper with PGA Tour fans throughout the FedEx Cup season through its “Plan On Us” initiative, which will highlight AVIS’s reliability for the past 75 years as a rental car provider.

In a second announcement, AVIS also confirmed that it has struck a two-year deal to sponsor PGA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Xander Schauffele.

FootJoy Dominates UK Sales in Q1

Footjoy has dominated sales of golf shoes in the UK, claiming the top six sales positions, according to data released by Golf DataTech. FootJoy has maintained a market share of 49.4%, with the Premier Series leading the way with the Traditions and Pro/SLX models also being popular sellers.

In recent years, FootJoy has doubled down on creating the best-performing shoes in the marketplace. Three full-time fitting specialists help 6,500 golfers find the perfect pair of shoes within the FootJoy range. FootJoy believes the benefit for any golfer being fitted with the correct shoe is worth an additional 2-3mph clubhead speed, which translates into an additional 7-9 yards of total distance.

Callaway’s Mini Addition To The Paradym Ai Smoke Range

Question. What do you hit if you don’t feel comfortable with your driver but feel your 3-wood doesn’t go far enough? The answer could be Callaway’s new addition to the Paradym Ai Smoke range, the Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver.

The new model is entering a market with one serious competitor: TaylorMade’s BRNR Mini Driver. Titleist has also experimented with the mini-driver concept; however, their TSR Mini model is tour-issue only. So, what does the new Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 offer us?

For starters, it’s pretty big for a mini-driver. Coming in at 340cc, the Callaway is bigger than the BRNR Mini, which is 304cc.

The bigger head will make it less friendly to hit off the deck than the TaylorMade, but Callaway isn’t positioning the Ti 340 as an effective weapon from the fairway. Callaway has positioned this club more towards a driver alternative for golfers who struggle with even the most friendliest of drivers.

Other tech featured in the new release is the same as the Ai Smoke driver range, meaning:

Extensive use of carbon on the crown and sole
Ai Smart Face technology
Moveable weights similar to the Ai Smoke Triple Diamond
Adjustable hosel

The Ti 340 Mini is available in 11.5 and 13.5 degrees and has a length of 43.75 inches. Callaway offers standard shaft options of the Project X Denali for men and Project X Cypher for ladies. Shafts are offered in a variety of weights and flexes. The Ti 340 Mini have been priced at $449.99 (€422, £355).

The Short Game:

Singer Niall Horan Invests in Fenway Sports, McIlroy TGL Team: Singer-songwriter Niall Horan has ventured into golf investments by backing Boston Common Golf in the Tech Golf League (TGL) through Greenbridge Ventures. Horan, known for his boy band tenure, joins forces with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. In addition, Hideki Matsuyama Joins Boston Common Golf. The 2021 Masters champion's addition underscores the team's international appeal and strategic prowess under Fenway Sports Group and Rory McIlroy's Symphony Ventures. His presence fills the gap left by Tyrrell Hatton, enhancing Boston Common Golf's competitiveness across global markets.
Luxury Collaboration with LIV Golf: Maserati has announced a partnership with LIV Golf, positioning itself as an official sponsor for three major tournaments. Beginning in Houston and extending to Nashville and Chicago, Maserati will showcase its luxury branding and hospitality offerings. The collaboration underscores Maserati's commitment to expanding its global footprint through premier golf events, enhancing fan experiences with exclusive engagements and product displays.
The Georgian by PGA Tour Superstore: At the Tour Championship, PGA Tour Superstore introduced 'The Georgian,' a premium hospitality experience at East Lake Golf Club. Located near the 8th and 9th holes, 'The Georgian' offered climate-controlled comfort, patio seating, and inclusive dining options for up to 750 guests. This initiative, supported by Arthur Blank, enhanced spectator engagement with sponsored activities like putting experiences and convenient rideshare gates, elevating the tournament's appeal and accessibility.
Whoosh's Funding Milestone: Whoosh Inc., a leading provider of golf operations software, has closed a significant $10.3 million Series A funding round led by AlleyCorp. Notable investors include 8VC, Alaris Capital, Craft Ventures, and individual backers such as Larry Fitzgerald and Andy Roddick. The funding will drive Whoosh's expansion in SaaS solutions for golf clubs, enhancing reservation systems, business intelligence, and staff communication tools. This capital infusion supports Whoosh's growth strategy following recent advancements and integrations, positioning the company as a key player in digital innovations for the golf industry.

Solex's Sun Protection Innovation: Solex has introduced a revolutionary sunscreen across prominent UK & Ireland golf venues in collaboration with Trendy Sports Agency. Featuring a hands-free applicator and customizable branding options, Solex offers SPF 30 protection with non-greasy formulation, priced at £24.99. Available at top-tier clubs like Gleneagles and St Andrews, Solex aims to promote sun safety among golf enthusiasts, ensuring effective and convenient sun protection tailored for outdoor activities. For golfers not visiting one of Solex’s in-store stockists, the product is also available online through Scottsdale Golf.

What We Are Reading:

How would you describe Jon Rahm’s 2024 so far? He may be $500 million better off, but his golf game hasn’t looked as positive. My Golf Spy’s Sean Fairholm gives an interesting appraisal of Rahm’s year. Coming on the back of having to withdraw from the U.S. Open through injury, Fairholm believes Rahm needs the big tournament pressure and crowds to propel him to success.

Love him or hate him, there is no doubt that Phil Mickelson has been on of the most entertaining and enigmatic players of his generation. Joel Beall’s piece in Golf Digest analyses whether time has finally got the better of the 54 year old from Sand Diego.

If you're fascinated by visionary entrepreneurship and the transformative power of passion, Mike Keiser's journey from greeting card mogul to golf course developer is a must-read. Rob Schaefer's detailed account in Forbes chronicles Keiser's improbable creation of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on Oregon's rugged coast.

How to get your footwear ordering right for 2025. In his insightful article for golf shop owners and managers, Seamus Rotherick shares crucial advice from Steve Bird, Foremost Golf's Business Development Consultant and Education Lead, on optimizing footwear ordering for the upcoming 2025 season.

That’s all for today, folks!

Take good care of yourselves and enjoy the start of summer.

(Sorry for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, stay strong, winter warriors!)

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