Musings by  Jéan - 2025 Archive

The Genesis Invitational

Thursday, February 13th

Mr. Commish,

An uncharacteristically bad pick for me last week! My man Sahith (who takes credit for the rise of Scottie Scheffler, by the way) never got it going and ended up in T57. The best thing I saw at the WM Phoenix Open? Shooter McGavin reenacting the gold jacket chase scene from Happy Gilmore.

This is pretty deep in the weeds with everything that went on in the sports world last weekend. But did you see what Sébastien Gros did on the HotelPlanner Tour (this is a real golf league, sort of akin to a Korn Ferry Tour across the pond) at the Cape Town Open? If I told you he finished the tournament in T59 at +2 after going 75-75 on the weekend, what do you think happened in his first two rounds? Following an opening round 80, this guy pulled off the greatest non-fiction Tin Cup second round of all time, posting a course record 60! What must his caddie have been thinking at the start of the second round? Your man blew up with an 80 yesterday, you're pissed off, figuring today is going to end up with yet another trunk slamming missed cut. Then he goes out and has a 20 shot swing? Amazing. Unlike Tin Cup, Gros didn't end up with Rene Russo in the end. Still, that is pretty wild. Golf is a goofy game. 

We return to the state of California for the playing of the Genesis Invitational. For one time only, it is being hosted at a venue we visited a few weeks ago; Torrey Pines in La Jolla. A "$ignature Event," this one is, with mucho dinero on the line. My guy has the pedigree to tackle this impressive track. At only 31 years old, he has already notched an impressive 15 career wins and several Ryder and Presidents Cup appearances for the U.S. side. Coming off a bit of a down year, he appears to be rounding into form in 2025. His recent letter to the PGA TOUR players imploring everyone to give more media access probably garnered a few eye rolls. But hey, he is a new dad to Molly with more bills to pay, so you can't fault him for trying. Three cheers for the kid from Louisville, good friend of Jordan, and the face of the Atlanta Drive TGL team, Mr. Justin Thomas!

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Thursday, January 30th

Mr. Commish,


Oh, poor Ludvig showed such promise! After teasing me with an opening round 63, the windy day on Thursday, coupled with a mysterious illness over the weekend, relegated him to a rather mediocre 42nd place finish. Not sure what happened, if he got a hold of some bad barbacoa at his beloved Chipotle or whatnot, but it was a disappointing use of the Swedish Terminator. On to the next...


For the apparently Bill Murray-less AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, we have another high dollar signature event with many heavy hitters to select from. The Chosen One, Scottie Scheffler, is making his first start of the season coming off a bizarre hand injury over Christmas. Will I be taking the World #1? Well, I am suspicious of the injury, any potential rust, and the off chance he ends up doing a perp walk at the Monterey County jail (a precedent was set last year after all). The answer is, no I will not! Of course, I am also the guy who famously told my roommates way back in 1997, "There's no WAY Tiger Woods is going to win The Masters!", so take that for what it is worth. I will probably end up eating my words. However, none of this matters because I think World #3 will get it done.


With 26 PGA TOUR wins to his name, this guy has been in terrific form for a long time now. Long forgotten is the disappointment of last year's close call at the US Open, and his November win at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai should make for a nice launching pad into 2025. He's always in contention, and a win at Pebble Beach would look pretty good on an already impressive curriculum vitae. Give it up for the greatest golfer to come out of Northern Ireland and the face of the TGL Boston Common Golf team, Mr. Rory McIlroy!

The American Express 

Thursday, January 16th

Mr. Commish,


With two weeks complete, one second place finish and another top ten has me in the lead! I am a pretty happy guy. How happy? Happy as Boo Weekley driving a hydraulic excavator, my friend! The 2025 season is off to a ripping good start.


We move to the mainland this week for the start of the West Coast Swing with what once was known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic, but now simply goes by the name, The American Express. Do we know why the PGA TOUR seems to have gotten away from the celebrity pro-ams at events such as this one and Pebble Beach? I mean, they still have a pro-am, but they don't really publicize it. And long gone are the days where the links were graced with the likes of Burt Lancaster, Clint Eastwood, and George Lopez (and George still seems none too pleased about it). In this day of digital content creation, one would think it would be a social media gold mine. Is there some sort of pro-am task force we can talk to about this?


Anyhow, my guy this week is a true road warrior. He played in a whopping 26 events last year. At 26 years old, my man has already been a pro for...10 years? Wow! Currently 18th in the Official World Golf Rankings, he has been playing some awesome golf. How is it that he only has 2 career wins? Mark my words, that will change this week in La Quinta. Give it up the pride of Cheongju, South Korea, a stalwart on the Presidents Cup International squad, dancer extraordinaire, and a man his caddie refers to as "The Prince," Mr. Sungjae Im!


The Sony Open 

Thursday, January 9th

Mr. Commish,


I see the TGL is finally starting up this week. Several of the players that were just at The Sentry are taking part, so they have to hustle to get from Hawai'i to Palm Beach. By the time this is published, the first match will have taken place, but the concept sounds interesting; very video-gamish, team-oriented, plus a few nontraditional elements such as the introduction of a shot clock, and even time-outs. But I say, why stop there? To spice things up, I propose the following additional rules:

Those at Kapalua who aren't in the TGL will hop from Maui to Oahu for the first full-field event of 2025; the Sony Open in Hawai'i. My guy is currently ranked 30th in the Official World Golf Rankings. This four-time winner, including one at the Sony, experienced a career renaissance of sorts last year and qualified for his first team event. Look for his confidence to continue at the Waialae Country Club this week. Give it up for a man who plays a mean guitar, and whose professional artist wife, Teil, mopped the floor with the other wives and girlfriends at the Presidents Cup paint pub last fall, Mr. Russell Henley! 

Welcome to 2025! 


To kick off a new season, I present to you the most anticipated golfing reality show in years that will make Full Swing on Netflix look something like a second rate Real Housewives of Iowa City program. This is the story...of seven golfers...picked to live in a house...and have their lives taped....to see what happens...when people stop being polite...and start getting real. Welcome to MTV's The Real World: Butler Cabin. Introducing this year's cast:

Check local listings for broadcast times and streaming options...

The Sentry 

Thursday, January 2nd

During my elementary school days, I distinctly remember "Hawaii" being spelled without an apostrophe. I am not sure when "Hawai'i" gained the apostrophe, but nevertheless that is where we find ourselves this week for the traditional tournament of champions; The Sentry at the hilly, breezy Kapalua Plantation Course. This event is always a bit of a crapshoot, as we never really know who is in form coming out of the offseason. Might as well just go with the #1 player in the world! Wait a minute...he cut his hand at Christmas dinner and is out 3-4 weeks? Scratch that. Instead, I think I will take Viktor Hovland. Hold on...you are telling me he broke his toe on a bed frame? Wow! Alrighty then, I am just going to pick this guy and hope nothing bad happens to him. Currently ranked 4th in the world, he has a good track record here, has some family ties to the islands, and is long overdue for a win. Give it up for the favorite son of La Cañada, California, Mr. Collin Morikawa!