Welcome back to SI Golf\u2019s Fact or Fiction, where we have FedEx Cup playoff fever\u2014or maybe that\u2019s just sweat from thinking about the opener in Memphis.<\/p>\n
Once again, we\u2019re here to debate a series of statements for writers and editors to declare as \u201cFact\u201d or \u201cFiction\u201d along with a brief explanation. Responses may also (occasionally) be \u201cNeutral\u201d since there’s a lot of gray area in golf.<\/p>\n
Do you agree or disagree? Let us know on the SI Golf X<\/a> account.<\/p>\n Bob Harig: FACT. The Tour has been loathe to require players to play and understandably that is difficult when your system allows players to pick their schedule. McIlroy is perfectly within his rights to do this and there is virtually no penalty for doing so. But it also is not great when one of your best events doesn\u2019t have all the players. There is a good chance this formula will be tweaked again but there are no easy answers. Requiring those eligible to play is dicey. What if someone is injured? Do they not get to move on even if points would allow them?<\/p>\n Jeff Ritter: FACT. It\u2019s not a knock on McIlroy for skipping it\u2014he feels it\u2019s best for his schedule, and the math works out so that he\u2019ll sail into East Lake. But of course this playoff round would be a little juicier with him in the field.<\/p>\n Max Schreiber: FACT. I don\u2019t blame McIlroy for opting not to play. But the FedExCup playoffs are supposed to be the PGA Tour\u2019s crown jewel. And now with the four majors done, it feels like the rest of the season is missing some juice. With signature events no longer mandated, the three playoff events should at least be.\u00a0<\/p>\n John Schwarb: FACT. Never a good look when one of the big pre-tournament storylines is a guy who isn\u2019t playing. But it goes back to the existential dilemma of the Tour \u201cpostseason\u201d\u2014of course McIlroy should be in the Tour Championship based on his year, but what kind of playoffs allow players to voluntarily skip?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Bob Harig: FICTION. Maybe, but not yet. One tournament does not make a Ryder Cup player. That\u2019s not to say he hasn\u2019t thrust himself into the conversation. He absolutely needs to be considered.<\/p>\n Jeff Ritter: FICTION. It\u2019s a nice win for Young and he\u2019s now squarely in the conversation. Let\u2019s see what happens these next three weeks.<\/p>\n Max Schreiber: FICTION. Let\u2019s see what he does in the playoffs. A top 20 or two, and he\u2019ll probably make it. Helping his case, though, is the fact that in 2017, Young became the first amateur to win the New York State Open at Bethpage Black, setting the course record (64).\u00a0<\/p>\n John Schwarb: FACT. I\u2019ll ride for Young here. Even though he\u2019s 15th in points, I have a feeling Bradley will remember how Young was denied a spot on the team in 2023 despite being ninth in points. And he can certainly move higher in the next three weeks. The captain should put Young out with New Jersey\u2019s Chris Gotterup and let the fans lose their minds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bob Harig: FICTION. Unlike team sports, golf needs someone or more than one to dominate. It creates interest. Can they keep it going? Who can stop them? There\u2019s a reason Tiger was so popular even though he won all the time. People wanted to see if he could keep it going. Same for Nelly Korda last year.<\/p>\n Jeff Ritter: FICTION. Nelly\u2019s dominance last year gave the LPGA a nice boost, and stars in general are great for all sports. Caitlin Clark is a current example of a single star lifting an entire league.<\/p>\n Max Schreiber: FICTION. People love dynasties, and Nelly Korda winning five events in a row is going to pull in more viewers than seeing if somebody new will hoist a trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n John Schwarb: FICTION. New commissioner Craig Kessler has a very deep league to sell to the masses and that\u2019s not a bad thing. But as mentioned, headliners are the catalysts and this year Nelly Korda hasn\u2019t won and, for now, isn\u2019t the world No. 1 anymore<\/a>. That\u2019s not ideal. But that\u2019s sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bob Harig: NO COMMENT. Have yet to watch it!<\/p>\n Jeff Ritter: FICTION. Daly was excellent, but I think I laughed the hardest at Jack Nicklaus\u2019s Arnold Palmer joke\u2014Jack had several lines of dialogue in the movie and I thought he was solid. Fred Couples constantly eating dessert was also a good bit.<\/p>\n Max Schreiber: NO COMMENT. Haven\u2019t seen it yet. I probably should. It can\u2019t be worse than watching the Yankees blow it every night.\u00a0<\/p>\n John Schwarb: NEUTRAL. No spoilers, but Long John\u2019s role was no cameo\u2014he was very much a co-star with several scenes and surely was around for several days of shooting. And he was fantastic. But if we\u2019re talking the best drop-in performance, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler wins again.\u00a0<\/p>\n