Tony Finau and a young Rory McIlroy
Finau Fresh, Rory McIlroy Tracker
Hello, folks!
I know I said this last week, but I really mean it this week. This has been, hands down, the most eventful week of golf of all time. And perhaps the most random! Between Dennis Quaid narrating a LIV Golf video, Rory McIlroy getting a little petty on the broadcast, and a handful of players resigning from the PGA Tour, a lot has happened. If I were to take you through everything that’s happened in the past week, this column may never end. So instead, I’ll take you through what stuck out to me the most.
Nelly Korda’s deal
Do you ever bribe yourself to do something? Like, you tell yourself you can have a pint of ice cream if you fold your laundry, or you can buy those new shoes you’ve been eyeing if you make it through a Zoom meeting without dozing off? That’s exactly what Nelly Korda did last week, but on a much larger scale.
Korda posted an extremely-high definition swing video on the range last week. There are a lot of swings out that that you wouldn’t want to see this clearly, but that is not the case for the World No. 2.
Nelly Korda on the range
Nelly Korda
Anyway, a lot of people must’ve messaged Korda about her Instagram story, because she followed up with this.
Nelly Korda with her new phone
Nelly Korda
Turns out that the world’s greatest golfers also make deals with themselves. Nelly made her first start in 119 days at the U.S. Women’s Open, so her goal of making the cut makes sense. But then again, it’s Nelly Korda so of course she finished tied for eighth at Southern Pines. Enjoy the phone, Nelly. We’re all looking forward to your upcoming posts.
Dennis Quaid?
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I love The Parent Trap. I dressed up as Annie (or maybe Hallie? They’re identical, so who could really say) for Halloween as a kid, and it’s the movie I’ve seen the most in my 27 years on earth. So I get very excited when anything Parent-Trap related comes up.
So it’s safe to say that my jaw hit the floor when I learned that Dennis Quaid, who was very possibly my first crush, narrated this hype video for LIV Golf.
I mean, Nick Parker really poured his heart and soul into this thing.
More Sims-Koepka wedding pictures
I covered the Sims-Koepka wedding in last week’s Rogers Report, but that was before the professional pictures were shared! So just in case you missed them on your own social feeds, here they are.
Finau’s freestyle
Ok friends, if you aren’t already following Finau Fresh on Instagram, here’s your sign to get on it. The account offers a hilarious look into the Finau family (Tony, his wife Alayna and their five awesome kids), and it’s the best. Whether it’s a video of Tony in loud scripting, the family just hanging out, or Tony rapping, like we have below, you will never be disappointed in their content.
I was already a Finau fan, but this video brought my appreciation for the solo-second finisher at the RBC Canadian Open to a new level. He’s hitting each lyric perfectly and is having such a blast. This was posted after the third round on Saturday, but the caption on Instagram said that this is what rides to the course look like for the Finaus. Talk about getting into a positive state of mind before warming up!
Rory McIlroy throws shade
Rory McIlroy earned his 21st PGA Tour title on Sunday. More importantly, he threw some shade at Greg Norman and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league in his post-round interview.
Listen closely.
“One more than someone else.” One MORE than someone ELSE!
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think McIlroy had this in him! He took a shot at Greg Norman here, who “only” has 20 PGA Tour wins. This is the kind of shade I dream at throwing at my enemies (in theory. I don’t think I have any … yet). Some will say that Rory should have just focused on his win and kept it positive, to which i say, what fun is that? Kidding. There is so much going on in men’s golf these days. What’s one more layer of drama?
Justin Thomas even got in on the joke when he logged on to Twitter after his round.
Childhood pals
Speaking of Finau and McIlroy, they played in the final group on Sunday with Justin Thomas. It turns out they go way back.
How cute is that? My junior golf pals and I did not end up going pro. I think most of them work in real estate now.
McIlroy played in a junior league in Utah one summer and actually stayed with the Finau family. And now they’re both Nike guys in the big leagues! This isn’t a friendship I’ve heard much about, but it makes perfect sense. Two good guys! I hope we get to see them in some more final groups going forward.
And an honorable mention goes to this awesome throwback photo.
A WAG caddies in the ShopRITE LPGA Classic
Mel and Carly Reid got married two months ago, which means the honeymoon phase is up and it was time for Carly to start looping (read: Carly bravely decided to hop on the bag in New Jersey and did something very, very few of us would be able to). Lucky for us, she shared some notes after each round, and they’re great.
This reminds me of the first (and last) time I caddied, at the 2018 Northeast Amateur.
My family hosted UCLA’s Cole Madey that week, and his caddie was a no-show on the final day, so I ended up on the bag. I would give myself a solid C- on the day. I left clubs behind on multiple holes and really contributed nothing other than good vibes. I was paid in a Lululemon gift card, though, so it was worth it (for me. Maybe not for Madey).
Anyways, awesome job, Carly. Caddying is NOT an easy gig.
Brookline locker room drama?
If you aren’t familiar with the recent Grayson Murray/Kevin Na drama, allow me to fill you in. It all started with this back-and-forth in January.
I’ll let you open that thread if you wish to see more of it, but then things got quiet for a few months, until Na resigned from the PGA Tour last week, which Murray commented on.
Murray qualified for the U.S. Open on Golf’s Longest Day last week, and guess what? Murray and Na are next to each other alphabetically on the field list, which means their lockers are side by side at Brookline.
I’m a little nervous for how this is going to turn out. I’m also very jealous of the locker room attendants who will see this all unfold. Will they be pleasant with each other in real life? Will a fist fight break out at The Country Club? Who is to say? Good luck, guys!
My other piece of locker room news for you has to do with Mr. Adam Scott and the post he shared to his Instagram story on Sunday.
Adam Scott’s locker at the Country Club
Adam Scott
First off, it’s awesome that players have laundry service this week. I might try to sneak mine in as well, especially sense they won’t be busy washing Scott’s tan sweater. That thing stays on him 24/7.
Also, I had forgotten that the USGA gets super creative with locker room signs and name tags during U.S. Open week, so I’m excited for what else they have in store.
Miscellaneous wholesome content/ some Boston recommendations
The Curtis Cup was this past weekend, and while the play was obviously incredible, so was this awesome moment between some fans and members of Team USA.
Rose Zhang and Rachel Heck are Stanford golf stars and the best amateurs out there! So cool to watch them spend some time with fans.
Next up we have a parking lot golf lesson, which might be golf at its purest. What’s better than working on your swing while waiting for your prescription to be ready?
But seriously, I love this so much. You can always improve and these guys are determined to!
Next up we have Gus the Great Dane who gets to spend his days at The Country Club. What a life!
I’ve been watching Brookline get ready for the U.S. Open through Gus’ point of view on this account. Make sure to check it out for some awesome dog x golf content.
And last but definitely not least, I have my No. 1 recommendation for anyone who is headed to the U.S. Open this week. As a Boston College graduate, I know the area very well and am excited to spread the good news that is the world’s best ice cream spot with all of you.
White Mountain Creamery is one of my favorite places on earth, and it’s just down the road from Brookline. It’s worth stopping by if you’re at the U.S. Open, and you’re welcome in advance.
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