Riggsy Report: Thursday at East Lake
Hello friends and welcome to the Riggsy Report. This is a full breakdown of all happenings in the opening round of the Tour Championship at East Lake. I’ll be doing these for the rest of the entire PGA Tour season, so buckle up.
First, a general viewing observation:
The greens are fast as hell. They’re smooth, pure, and lightning. Thought half the putts I watched were coming up 10 feet short; they all rolled 6 feet past.
You know who’s dangerous on fast greens?
Tiger
Everybody’s talking about Tiger eagling 18 to post 5-under and take a share of the lead. Pretty neat, let’s take a look.
That’s lovely, but what I’m most impressed about is his driving. He’s essentially had the first tee jitters for years, but roasted one down central on 1 today. Love to see that.
Need to point out his tee balls on 4 and 8. Both tight, intimidating tee shots and Tiger split the short stuff on both.
After a disgusting three jack from 25 feet on 1, Tiger rolled it great. Scotty SZN has descended upon Atlanta.
He played with Tommy Fleetwood today. Tommy, your thoughts?
Tiger called this round “better than my 62 at Aronimink.” He’s hitting it great, putting well, getting up-and-down when he needs to, and for the second start in a row, is leading after Thursday. Let’s finally seal the fucking deal.
Imagine Tiger heading to Paris with his first win in 5 years. Giddy.
DJ
Have to tip your cap to Dustin Johnson. His rocket ship of an (ex?) fiance put a jealousy-laced beatdown on IG this week, yet Dustin fought his way around a difficult golf course today, eagled 18, and posted a 1-under 69. Nice.
Rory
Nobody lips out more than Rory. Nobody.
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It’s amazing, actually. You know how tell Stu Feiner it’s just as impressive going 1-13 as it is going 13-1? Well, Rory, it’s honestly more impressive to lip out as much as you do than it is to drain ‘em. I’m impressed.
Rory, not seeing them going in a week before Ryder. Sad.
Rickie
6 birdies, 1 bogey for Rick Dick today. He putted like Rickie Fowler — drilled ‘em right in the center hole after hole. It’s scary watching him roll it. It’s nerve-wracking, and it gives me anxiety knowing next week I’ll watch him rocker these putts towards the hole, praying they hit that thing.
Do you, Rickie. Do you.
Our Top 10
Justin Rose has finished 2nd in the last 2 playoff events and ascended to the number 1-ranked player in the world last week. He’s of course right there after a 4-under 66. He swings like a walking, talking, European textbook.
Watching JT, his body English, and his facial expressions, you’d think he shot 75. He posted 3-under 67 and is right there. In spite of us, he’s really good at golf, and he’s American, so we deal with it. We deal.
Save a spot for Tony Finau in that 2-5th range. He’s a lock for a non-winning top-5.
Xander Schauffele required a serious ruling today. So serious, in fact, they brought in the Slugger.
Xander snapped one left on 1 and was up against an out of bounds fence. You don’t get relief from OB fences, but he planned to play the shot lefty, which brought a sprinkler head into his stance. He got relief from that, then hit it righty, and still made bogey.
He’s our defending champ here and just 3 off the lead.
Stat Of The Day
USA Ryder Cuppers to par: -13
Euro Ryder Cuppers to par: -12
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They’re back at it tomorrow afternoon. Our Peter Millar QZips are, without a doubt, the best item I have ever created. They came in this week and there’s not a fire emoji created yet to do them justice. Insanely great. Buy now to get before the Ryder Cup.
See you tomorrow.