Robert MacIntyre’s generous family gesture, Charley Hull’s social media ‘heater’ and another long-awaited golf comeback you probably missed
Robert MacIntyre’s generous family gesture, Charley Hull’s social media ‘heater’ and another long-awaited golf comeback you probably missed
Welcome to another edition of The Grind, where we are happy to report that Anthony Kim isn’t the only AK making a long-awaited golf comeback this year. We’re talking about AKM, AKA Alexander Kinser Myers. That’s right, me. As of a couple weeks ago, I’m back on the golf course after undergoing offseason knee surgery. And while I’m not getting paid like AK to play, I’m occasionally able to break 80 like him (Kidding, AK, love ya, my fellow girld dad!) and now I have my own hype video promoting my return. In case you forgot, here was AK’s:
And here’s mine:
HELLO, HATERS. I’M BACK. Inspiring stuff, right? Thanks to The Grind producer Mason Leverington for putting that together. And thanks as always for following along in this space. OK, let’s get to the actual good golf going on.
Yuka Saso: While everyone around her seemed to be going backward, the 22-year-old from Japan via the Philippines climbed the leaderboard at Lancaster Country Club to claim a second U.S. Women’s Open title
Patrick Smith
Saso, who opted for Japanese citizenship two years ago, is the first winner of the event from both countries. So remember that unusual fact for your next golf trivia night. Saso also became the youngest to ever win the event twice, and she proved that Rory McIlroy’s swing is still capable of winning a major! Kidding, Rory. Seriously, though, they’ve got the same (awesome) swing:
Dougie MacIntyre: The dude was cool and calm throughout, but he understandably lost it after his son tapped in for victory. This interview with both father and son talking to CBS’ Amanda Balionis was amazing—especially when Dougie, whose real job has long been working as a greenskeeper at the Glencruitten Golf Club in Scotland, said “Unbelievable. I’m a grass cutter.”
What a moment. If that didn’t hit you in the feels, you’re colder than a sunrise tee time in Scotland. Congrats to Dougie. And Bob. And good luck to the U.S. Open topping that storyline this Father’s Day.
WE’RE SELLING
Caddies: OK, time for me to pour a little cold water on all the pro caddies out there. Admittedly, the caddies-are-overrated movement took a big blow when Scottie Scheffler struggled without Ted Scott at the PGA Championship, but now we have a dad filling in for one tournament. And winning. In his only attempt. Dougie MacIntyre is batting 1.000 as a caddie on the PGA Tour. That’s a fact.
Obviously, first and foremost, a golfer needs a caddie they’re comfortable with. And it’s hard to find a more comfortable pairing than your dad. But these guys are all so good at this level that expert advice from a professional looper is overrated. Some guys might need that more than others, but there are just too many examples of players winning with wives, girlfriends, best friends and now a dad filling in to back this movement. I know Ted Scott does an amazing job—they all do—but give Scottie a few more rounds with that PGA Tour chaplain and I’m pretty sure he’d still be World No. 1. Sorry, caddies.
People complaining about Lancaster CC: Maybe I misinterpreted some of the tweets I was seeing, but I got a lot of “This course is too hard” vibes on Golf Twitter. Was it difficult? Yes. Was this a PROPER U.S. Open test? Also, yes. I will concede that the 12th hole got a bit goofy that first day. I mean, Nelly Korda made a freaking 10 there Thursday morning and that quickly sucked a lot of the air out of the tournament. But don’t most of these same golf fans love seeing the trainwrecks at TPC Sawgrass’ 17th hole during the Players Championship? Also, Nelly handled it quite well.
