PETE COWEN’S JUNE COLUMN
This time of year, the Majors come thick and fast. Valhalla only seems like yesterday, and now I’m getting my players prepared for the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, but expect two completely different events.
The PGA Championship was tough going in those wet conditions. Especially with it being a Major, players were not allowed to lift, clean, and place. It’s not every day you have to combat mud balls in a PGA TOUR event, let alone a Major. This certainly had an impact on Brooks Koepka’s charge on Friday at the par-5 10th hole, one he would have expected to birdie or even eagle.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t tell exactly how much mud was on the ball and, with it being wet, he thought it would fly off at impact. That wasn’t the case, and it flew out of bounds into the trees on the left. Though he bounced back from that double bogey with two birdies, he was unable to gain on the leaders. When Schauffele, DeChambeau, and Hovland are in that form, you need the breaks to go your way.
We all know the bizarre story of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest on Friday morning. At first, I thought it was fake news, but without Ted on the bag for the following third round, it was going to be hard to focus for the World Number One, as the adrenaline would have worn off and the reality of the situation took effect.
It also came as no surprise that, with Ted back in action for the final round, Scottie would go low. But would he have been up there with Xander coming down the stretch if he hadn’t spent Friday morning in an orange jumpsuit? Probably, but you can’t take anything away from Schauffele. His closing back nine was one of the best under pressure I’ve seen in a while, and his iron play was out of the top drawer. To get up and down twice in the final two holes to win his first Major title takes nerves of steel.
Which leads me on to Pinehurst, where short game and pinpoint approach shots are going to be essential for anyone looking to make the cut, let alone win. With huge greenside run-offs and tough pin positions, this will be a far cry from the wet conditions at Valhalla that turned it into target golf. Players at the US Open will need to be dialled in with their numbers and course management.
The atmosphere will be a little sombre after the tragic passing of Grayson Murray. I watched him play at Valhalla and still can’t believe he’s not going to stroll past me on the range at Pinehurst. We all know he had been battling depression, but mental health is a cruel illness, and it’s not easy to detect when, at face value, all appears OK.
Life on Tour can be a lonely place for many professionals, regardless of being rookies or seasoned pros. Being away from home for weeks on end and living out of a suitcase is the reality for many. That is why the Tour and fellow players need to keep an eye out for each other. Having someone you can rely on while on the road is key, especially when family is so far away. For me, the range has become a home away from home, and I’m surrounded by my players and their caddies.
Why these are Callaway’s best ball to date
When I’m back on the range at home in sunny Rotherham, I’m fortunate to have my family around me, plus old friends call in for a chat and a brew.
Alex from Worldwide Golf recently called in with the latest Callaway Chrome Tour balls to try, which, despite being a brand ambassador, I hadn’t managed to get my hands on. We only tested them around the green, which is what a tour ball is all about.
It’s certainly the best ball Callaway has produced to date and they certainly spin, though the improved sound is what stood out the most. I know Xander Schauffele won at Valhalla with it, which pretty much says it all. He was long, split fairways, and controlled his spin perfectly around the greens. So, you can’t get a better approval than a Major victory.
