While most people see the rules as limiting what golfers can do on the course, a broader understanding of golf’s dos and don’ts allows players to take advantage of opportunities the rules also present – and keep your scorecard from blowing up in the process.
Gole, 56, in the midst of a stellar 2024 that includes six earlier victories, one of them in the R&A Women’s Senior Amateur, defeated Canadian Shelly Stouffer, 3&2.
The Victorian, who finished runner-up at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship just weeks ago, went bogey-free on day one, carding seven birdies to shoot 63 and grab a share of the lead with Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita at seven-under.
We’re guessing that no matter how Gary plays, these friends will be enjoying a couple beers or glasses of wine – or whatever guys in their 70s drink – afterwards.
The only thing that will make this story better is if this bloke goes to follow Mark Calcavecchia at some point in the championship and realises it’s the guy from the sneaker shop.
As with all of DeChambeau’s irons, his wedges check in at 37.5 inches in length. That’s the length of a 6 or 7-iron and 2.25 inches longer than Ping’s standard 54 or 56-degree Glide 4.0.
While Pinehurst did its best to knock him down, DeChambeau refused to yield, capping a resurgence whose improbability is bested by the fact that the game’s former divisive figure has become one of its most beloved.