PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Hello friends and welcome to this edition of the Rogers Report! I’m covering my first PGA Tour event of the year at the Players Championship, and it’s always one of my favorite events. I’ve been coming here since 2022 and I always think of the event as a golf homecoming, because just about all of my media pals cover this tournament every year. It’s the first time we’re all truly in one spot and it feels like the big season kickoff before major season begins. When people are heading out on Sunday night, they always greet you with a fun goodbye: “See you at Augusta!”
It’s already been a busy week here on site, so let’s get right into it.
First timers
The PGA Tour hosts a “Players Championship rookie” media day every year at the Players, and this year did not disappoint. My coworker and pal Emma Devine and I went over with mics and asked the rookies some rapid-fire questions. There are 14 newcomers in the field this year, and while all of the guys we spoke to were great, Michael Thorbjornsen and Zach Bauchou stood out to me as two guys with big personalities.
Bauchou was college teammates (and roommates!) with Viktor Hovland, so it’s no wonder he had some fun with his ‘hot take’ question during our chat. You may recognize Bauchou as the player Hovland caddied for in a U.S. Open qualifier less than 24 hours after winning the 2023 Memorial Tournament.
I actually knew Michael Thorbjornsen before he arrived at rookie day. I’ve interviewed him and his Boston Common teammates a few times at TGL this winter, but his personality really came out on Wednesday morning. I was very pleasantly surprised by how silly he was willing to be when answering our questions, and he was a breath of fresh air on an early morning.
The best merch on the PGA Tour
I know, I know. The Masters is second to none when it comes to merchandise, but the Players deserves some respect of its own. The best part at Sawgrass each year? The women’s section is just as big as the men’s. Check out my tour of the place from earlier this week.
I’m currently sporting my new Players pullover as I type, and I’m very happy with the little sweater I got for a baby in the family. My merchandise shopping game is in solid form and I’m looking forward to it peaking at the Masters next month.
Golf’s free agents
I’ve spent far too much time over the last few years thinking about who I’d want my clothing sponsor to be if I were a professional golfer. Nelly Korda always looks spectacular in Nike. Billy Horschel‘s RLX lineup is second to none every year at the Masters. Adam Scott’s Uniqlo outfits are always nice, and I’m a big fan of their everyday clothing. In all the time I’ve spent considering this hypothetical situation, it never occurred to me that the biggest sponsor flex might be having none at all. Right now, that’s the case for two of the top 15 players in the world — who told me they’re in no rush to sign with a new clothing sponsor.
No sponsor, no problem.
Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood are apparel free agents and enjoying creative control of their outfits.
I’m sure both Fleetwood and Thomas will partner up with new companies eventually, but it’s been fun to see all their looks lately. Especially because Fleetwood has been rocking hats from some of his favorite Tour stops since parting with Nike.
Adam Scott who?
Long before Adam Scott was a Masters champion and a face of longevity on the PGA Tour, he was …. a ‘no-name’? At least that’s what he said earlier this week, when the 14-time PGA Tour winner revealed a story from his time as a wee lad at the 2004 Players Championship.
“Some expletive no-name.”
Adam Scott is one of the most recognizable golfers in the world, but it wasn’t always that way. He shared a hilarious story from his 2004 Players Championship win during his press conference. pic.twitter.com/HhqsMAjSra
The good news is Adam Scott went on to win that week, and many more times after that. Twenty-two years later, he’s still contending on Tour so it’s safe to say he got the last laugh here.
