Check out our writers and editors for their unfiltered opinions on the hottest topics in the sport every week, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup future, the future of the PGA Tour in Hawaii, Yani Tseng’s drought-breaking win and more.
The PGA Tour canceled its season-opening Sentinel Tournament in Kapalua, Hawaii, citing course conditions caused by Maui’s water restrictions and the infrastructure complexities that come with hosting a tournament on a remote island. Our own Dylan Dethier explains why this might not be good news for the future of professional golf in Hawaii. do you agree? Should the Tour continue with two weeks of competition in January in the future?
Josh Sens, Senior Writer (@joshsens): Humpback whales dashing out in the background have long been an icon of golf in January, and it’s hard to imagine the Tour without them. I hope Kapalua stays on the list. But I think Dylan presents compelling reasons for concern. While bringing tournament infrastructure to Maui may be difficult, getting Rory McIlroy there is even harder, which is just another permutation of the same old challenge: How do you get all the best players to compete against each other in an era of fragmentation and excessive individual player power? The fact that the event has such enthusiastic sponsors at Sentry and has such deep roots in a unique venue on Maui makes me think it’s here to stay. But the reorganization won’t be a complete shock. How about hedging?
James Colgan, News and Features Editor (@jamescolgan26): They should! This is a great way to maintain its continued influence, if only because the PGA Tour is able to showcase great events on quality golf courses in unique and beautiful locations. Currently, not many places fit that bill except Hawaii.
Dylan DeTier, Senior Writer: For the record, my understanding is that this is all up in the air – I don’t think it’s been settled one way or another. I personally think Kapalua is such an epic place and Hawaii is such a special place that the idea of canceling the tour depresses me. but if you are looking for [winces at word I’m about to type] efficiencyor if you’re playing catch-up profit maximizationA relatively small local market with limited financial upside and myriad logistical challenges will be subject to considerable scrutiny. But if the Tour leaves, they’ll lose some of their personality in the process.
Zephyr Melton, deputy game improvement editor (@zephyrmelton): I can’t claim to be an expert on PGA Tour scheduling, but I’d hazard a guess that the Sentinel’s hiatus won’t do the event any good long-term. If game dates come and go in January and no games are actually missed, who’s to say the change won’t become permanent? The future could be grim for this historic tournament.
Keegan Bradley has made his first comments since Team USA lost the Ryder Cup, talking about his “brutal” experience at Bethpage and saying he would “really enjoy playing another tournament” before admitting: “I don’t know if I’d have a chance.” Do you think Bradley has a better chance of staying in Ireland as a player or as captain for a second time in 2027?
Feel: Neither. Maybe as assistant captain to Tiger Woods? Bradley put his heart and soul into it during his time as captain and I’m sure he’ll do the same again, but the passion for the event isn’t enough to qualify. He did a mediocre job. Why rehire him? Whatever happens, the fact that we’re discussing this two years later is another example of America overthinking the Ryder Cup.
Colgan: I think he has a better chance of becoming a player, but I don’t think he has a chance of becoming a player any one All good. The vice-captain feels more compliant.
Detier: Oh, you people of little faith! We trust Keegan. One of the most passionate people about the game can turn another Ryder Cup frustration into a three-game losing streak in two years and join this team. He had never been a links golfer, but Adele Manor is not links. All is well.
Melton: He can try to make the team, but I think (hope) his days as captain are behind him. It turns out that being obsessed with the Ryder Cup doesn’t necessarily make someone a good captain.
Bethpage Ryder Cup stalled for all the wrong reasons
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YouTube star Good Good Golf makes two notable announcementsnts last week: it will serve as The group will also produce a new installment of its long-running reality television series “The Big Break” in partnership with the Golf Channel. Which piece of news interests you more?
Feel: It’s hard for me to get too excited about who does or doesn’t sponsor the tournament, although this news certainly underscores the broader cultural shift taking place in golf. I’m more interested in seeing the Breakout reboot. I imagine the pacing would be faster considering attention spans aren’t getting any longer. Probably more vulgar considering how everything is changing now.
Colgan: The first one. Becoming a title sponsor of a PGA Tour event costs a lot of money (approximately $12-15 million, according to recent reports). The fall series nature of the Good Good Championship may make the cost slightly less expensive, but it’s still a staggering amount of money for a company of their size. I’m sure there’s a compelling business case, but I’m still fascinated.
Detier: I’m mostly fascinated by the identity transformation that takes place here. We generally think of Good Good and its smaller YouTube Golf counterpart as some kind of future of golf—an alternative to the PGA Tour and Golf Channel. Now, they’re leaning toward the PGA Tour and Golf Channel, digging into the past as they do. There is power in being part of an institution…
Melton: I was fascinated by the whole spectacle. I know Good Good is big, but I don’t think they are a tour sponsor. If nothing else, I’m excited to see Big Break making a comeback. It has been one of my go-to watches as a kid and I’m excited to see how the reboot turns out.
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James Colgan
The above-mentioned championship (Good Good Championship) will be held as a fall event starting next year in Austin, which recently hosted a regular PGA Tour event. What does this move tell you about the future of the PGA Tour and how it plans to serve its fans?
Feel: It’s no secret that the tour, like golf itself, is doing its best to attract a younger audience. The move is clearly consistent with that effort. The timing seems appropriate, too, for September — known in the past as silly season, rather than the traditional epicenter of the season. This is a smart and relatively low-risk way to try something new.
Colgan: It’s hard to fathom the Maui event disappearing the same week Austin returns to the schedule, but I’m glad to see one of the coolest towns in professional golf back.
Detier: The PGA Tour has been communicating its plans for a smaller, more meaningful main event schedule. But it has also been extending some fall events and now incorporating another. Some effort had to go into making these visions come together quickly.
Melton: Having Good Good as the title sponsor is certainly a sign that the tour is looking to cater to a younger audience, but does the event’s sponsor really matter? That a lot of? I’m not sure if the name of the event would interest young people.
How is Rory McIlroy doing after the Masters? Another Grand Slam champion has a similar fight in 2025
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Former world No. 1 and five-time major champion Yani Tsang won the weather-shortened Wistron Women’s Open on the Ladies European Tour in Taiwan on Sunday for her first victory in more than a decade. Tseng has been open about her struggles with golfers, but switching to a left-handed putter has helped revive her career. How likely is victory this time, given Mr. Tsang’s situation a few years ago?
Feel: I interviewed Ms. Zeng at her home in Florida a few years ago, when she was at the height of her power. She seemed so comfortable with her life, both on and off the court, that I was surprised to see her go off the rails. But this return is even more surprising. Ten years is a long, long time and requires continued struggle. It’s amazing that she persisted, and even more amazing that she won again.
Colgan: Unlikely? I have no idea. But inspiring? Yes! As someone who has recently started fixating on the destination of my putts in an effort to overcome bad habits, I’m glad to know there’s hope…even if it makes it to the other side of the ball.
Detier: I’d heard stories about Tsang’s darkest days, and the idea of breaking 80 with practices and games at home was unrealistic. See her come out on top and win? This is bigger than the story of golf’s resilience – it’s a small but extraordinary victory for the human spirit.
Melton: Everyone loves a comeback story, and this is no exception. These issues could have been career-ending, so it was incredible to see her overcome them and get back in the winner’s circle. She may never return to the gaming superstar status she once was, but her accomplishments are still impressive. Well done to her.
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