OT: 2026 PGA Tour Thread - Masters Week

[knightfan7]

With the Sony Open this week a new, somewhat slimmer in some cases, season starts.

First the big news. Brooks Koepka has been declared immediately eligible. His 1st start will be Torey Pines. In addition, other LIV players Bryson Dechambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith would be immediately eligible if they wanted to return because they meet the criteria by winning majors between 2022 and 2025.

Field sizes will not always be 156. Some will be 144, with the TPC, Waste Management, and 3M reduced to 120.

No longer will the Top 125 at the end of the year maintain their Tour Card. Starting this year it will be the Top 100.

There are also 6 rules changes including reducing the 2 stroke penalty to 1 stroke for moving your ball. There is also a new relief rule among others.

 

[knightfan7]

For Chris Gotterup fans, he's in the field.

 

[Section124]

Welcome back Brooks! Another reason to watch the PGA this year. So weird not starting in Maui. Always looked forward to that tournament for the visuals. Hopefully it's back next year.

 

[WhiteBus]

As the NFL is reducing games during the day, having the PGA is much needed for great, daytime entertainment. The stretch of tournaments from the Sony Open to Genesis Invitational are a fantastic way to get through the winter.
The Waste Management Tournament is again the lead in before the Superbowl and it's such a unique tournament! I love it. Pebble Beach, what's not to love?
By the time we get through this stretch it will be early spring. Time for all of us to get ready to play.

 

[knightfan7]

As the NFL is reducing games during the day, having the PGA is much needed for great, daytime entertainment. The stretch of tournaments from the Sony Open to Genesis Invitational are a fantastic way to get through the winter.
The Waste Management Tournament is again the lead in before the Superbowl and it's such a unique tournament! I love it. Pebble Beach, what's not to love?
By the time we get through this stretch it will be early spring. Time for all of us to get ready to play.

I am disappointed they didn't make a rule allowing relief for a ball that ends up in a divot as long as it's in the fairway.

Can you give a reason why they don't enact it?

 

[WhiteBus]

I am disappointed they didn't make a rule allowing relief for a ball that ends up in a divot as long as it's in the fairway.

Can you give a reason why they don't enact it?

I have no idea. They did talk about and It looked for awhile that it would be changed.

 

[kupuna133]

I am disappointed they didn't make a rule allowing relief for a ball that ends up in a divot as long as it's in the fairway.

Can you give a reason why they don't enact it?

Saw a podcast a couple of years ago that discussed rule changes and possible rule changes. The divot rule was brought up. The reason given why there hasn’t been a change is no one can decide what defines a divot. Is it a fresh divot, a healing divot, any patch not covered by turf, a divot filled with sand. Basically they said too may things to interpret to allow for a sweeping rule change.

 

[WhiteBus]

Saw a podcast a couple of years ago that discussed rule changes and possible rule changes. The divot rule was brought up. The reason given why there hasn’t been a change is no one can decide what defines a divot. Is it a fresh divot, a healing divot, any patch not covered by turf, a divot filled with sand. Basically they said too may things to interpret to allow for a sweeping rule change.

This year the discussion was simply for fresh divots only. Again not always easy to exactly know.
There is also long time rule of "play it where it lands" mentally.

 

[Caliknight]

Moving balls from divots would also slow pace of play.

 

[kupuna133]

Moving balls from divots would also slow pace of play.

Especially in tournaments where it takes 30 minutes to get a ruling.

 

[WhiteBus]

Trying not to put the TKR jinx on him but somebody had a great round 1 to start the 2026 PGA season.
ESPN's increased coverage of golf is not a positive to many, they are terrible at it!

 

[kupuna133]

Trying not to put the TKR jinx on him but somebody had a great round 1 to start the 2026 PGA season.
ESPN's increased coverage of golf is not a positive to many, they are terrible at it!

Saw that. Credits the move from Oklahoma for improving his good start to the season. Why a pro golfer would live in Oklahoma is amazing to me.

 

[knightfan7]

Chris did have a very good 1st Round, shooting a 7 Under 63. He's currently T3, 1 stroke behind the leaders.

He only had 1 wayward Drive that resulted in a Bogey. Other than tap in Birds on Par 5's, he had 9 Birdie chances of between 6' and 15' due to his approach shots really dialed in. He made 6 of them, including the 3 longest.

If he can just keep his ball in play this year we could see even more good things.

 

[Caliknight]

Saw that. Credits the move from Oklahoma for improving his good start to the season. Why a pro golfer would live in Oklahoma is amazing to me.

Great courses and low taxes. It’s not that hard to figure out.

 

[kupuna133]

Great courses and low taxes. It’s not that hard to figure out.

Earnings for professional athletes are realized and taxed in the state earned not of residence. Weather is not conducive to off season training. The reason Chris provided for leaving the state was weather and temps. It’s not like pro golfers have much downtime in season to play the local great courses. So they’re not taking advantage

 

[Caliknight]

Earnings for professional athletes are realized and taxed in the state earned not of residence. Weather is not conducive to off season training. The reason Chris provided for leaving the state was weather and temps. It’s not like pro golfers have much downtime in season to play the local great courses. So they’re not taking advantage

That's not necessarily true. Golfers, unlike every other major sport, are not employees of a team and not subject to the tax laws of say, an NFL player playing in California.

There are taxes, but there are a lot of loopholes. Every golfer on the PGA Tour is an independent contractor. Every single one of those golfers has an LLC in which they get paid through. I golf with a few of these guys. It absolutely matters where they live. They aren't all in Florida just for the sunshine.

 

[kupuna133]

That's not necessarily true. Golfers, unlike every other major sport, are not employees of a team and not subject to the tax laws of say, an NFL player playing in California.

There are taxes, but there are a lot of loopholes. Every golfer on the PGA Tour is an independent contractor. Every single one of those golfers has an LLC in which they get paid through. I golf with a few of these guys. It absolutely matters where they live. They aren't all in Florida just for the sunshine.

There’s very little escaping the “jock” tax. That’s why most settle in FL, Texas and Nevada. They’re not in Oklahoma was my point.

Not saying what you say is not true. Not sure they are sharing the whole story with you. I worked with a family office that had many pro athletes. Specifically pro golfers and tennis that we would regularly work with and entertain.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/how-much-money-does-top-pga-tour-pro-make-after-taxes-and-expenses

 

[Section124]

Saw that. Credits the move from Oklahoma for improving his good start to the season. Why a pro golfer would live in Oklahoma is amazing to me.

Hovland loves it there. The Oklahoma St course and practice facilities are great. Plus all his buds are there.

 

[kupuna133]

Hovland loves it there. The Oklahoma St course and practice facilities are great. Plus all his buds are there.

Yea but meh for off season on course work. Sure can hit off matts into a screen at the facilities. But golfers tend to want on course and outdoor range work in the off season. Plus many move near each other for side games in the off season to stay sharp.

 

[knightfan7]

Great courses and low taxes. It’s not that hard to figure out.

I've read there are several Tour pros who live in that area, including his Tour buddy, Austin Eckroat, who played for Okie St.

How's your game? Killin it?

 

[kupuna133]

Hovland loves it there. The Oklahoma St course and practice facilities are great. Plus all his buds are there.

Looks like most of the Oklahoma guys have left the area. Hovland now lives in Palm beach. Could be the reason Chris left.

After Viktor Hovland's recent move, half of the world's top 10 golfers live in the same county. Which one?

Palm Beach County in Florida has added another top 10 golfer in the world among its residents. Norway's Viktor Hovland, ranked No. 4 in the Official World Golf Ranking, recently moved from Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Palm Beach Gardens, where he is living with a…

golfweek.usatoday.com

 

[Vlife]

There’s very little escaping the “jock” tax. That’s why most settle in FL, Texas and Nevada. They’re not in Oklahoma was my point.

Not saying what you say is not true. Not sure they are sharing the whole story with you. I worked with a family office that had many pro athletes. Specifically pro golfers and tennis that we would regularly work with and entertain.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/how-much-money-does-top-pga-tour-pro-make-after-taxes-and-expenses

Recall John McEnroe saying that during his prime for every dollar he made from tennis he made 5 times as many from endorsements

 

[kupuna133]

Recall John McEnroe saying that during his prime for every dollar he made from tennis he made 5 times as many from endorsements

Exactly and that’s why you have many athletes specifically ones that are not attached to a league or team (as cali mentioned) domiciling in tax friendly states. Because their winnings (variable income) are taxed in the state earned ( jock tax) while their main income (endorsements) are taxed in state of domicile.

 

[chiphi80]

Saw that. Credits the move from Oklahoma for improving his good start to the season. Why a pro golfer would live in Oklahoma is amazing to me.

I agree. Tornadoes, lots of dirt and cowboys. Three things I can do without.

 

[kupuna133]

I agree. Tornadoes, lots of dirt and cowboys. Three things I can do without.

Yea I like Oklahoma for a visit. Not for extended periods.

 

[Caliknight]

I've read there are several Tour pros who live in that area, including his Tour buddy, Austin Eckroat, who played for Okie St.

How's your game? Killin it?

Meh. Been playing a lot lately. Weather has been unreal here. Like summer the last couple of weeks. Hitting it well but not scoring great. Hanging around 8-9. Thanks!

 

[knightfan7]

On a day where winds reached 30mph, Chris was crusin along 3 under after 7 including making a Bird on #2 by sinking a 55' bunker shot. He was in 1st alone. I don't know what happened but he was 85yds from the pin on #8 after his Drive. He overshot the pin by 35 yds resulting in a Bogey. I did see #9 where he hit what one commentator said were 2 of the strangest back to back shots he's ever seen on tour. He was able to recover for a par but lost a stroke to the field being it was the easiest hole on the course. He played the back 9 +1 for a 2 Round -8, one stroke off the 5 player tie for 1st.

 

[kupuna133]

On a day where winds reached 30mph, Chris was crusin along 3 under after 7 including making a Bird on #2 by sinking a 55' bunker shot. He was in 1st alone. I don't know what happened but he was 85yds from the pin on #8 after his Drive. He overshot the pin by 35 yds resulting in a Bogey. I did see #9 where he hit what one commentator said were 2 of the strangest back to back shots he's ever seen on tour. He was able to recover for a par but lost a stroke to the field being it was the easiest hole on the course. He played the back 9 +1 for a 2 Round -8, one stroke off the 5 player tie for 1st.

Saw that on 9. Bizarre to say the least. He has matured. That hole would have derailed his round in the past. He would have pressed to get that shot back.

 

[Caliknight]

I've read there are several Tour pros who live in that area, including his Tour buddy, Austin Eckroat, who played for Okie St.

How's your game? Killin it?

Update. Shot 73 today. Lowest score ever. Golf is a funny game.

 

[knightfan7]

Update. Shot 73 today. Lowest score ever. Golf is a funny game.

That's great man.

Congrats.

 

[kupuna133]

Update. Shot 73 today. Lowest score ever. Golf is a funny game.

That’s moving the ball. Golf has a way of humbling a man. Careful of the next score. Hahahaha good luck! I’ve found myself following up career rounds with some doozies.

 

[Caliknight]

That’s moving the ball. Golf has a way of humbling a man. Careful of the next score. Hahahaha good luck! I’ve found myself following up career rounds with some doozies.

Sure does. Enjoy them when you get em.

 

[knightfan7]

Back to Sony. Chris was having a pedestrian round. He had 2 Birdies and 2 Bogeys thru 14. Basically he wasn't able to give himself many chances but looking at the scores overall, he wasn't alone. He did get Birds on the Par 4 15th and Par 5 18th for a 2 under 68.

He goes into the final round in a 3 way tie for 2nd, 2 strokes behind Davis Reilly who has 2 Tour wins in 130 starts.

 

[WhiteBus]

Back to Sony. Chris was having a pedestrian round. He had 2 Birdies and 2 Bogeys thru 14. Basically he wasn't able to give himself many chances but looking at the scores overall, he wasn't alone. He did get Birds on the Par 4 15th and Par 5 18th for a 2 under 68.

He goes into the final round in a 3 way tie for 2nd, 2 strokes behind Davis Reilly who has 2 Tour wins in 130 starts.

He doesn't tee off until 5.55 EST. Ugh. There is no way I'll see the ending.

 

[RutgersLBI]

Gotterup just birdied 12 and now leads by two shots

 

[RutgersLBI]

Gotterup by 3 shots after birdieing 13th

 

[RutgersLBI]

Wins by two and pockets $1.6 million

 

[Knight Shift]

Love that Zinn is up an all things Rutgers

 

[knightfan7]

You seldom see a more dominant Driving and Putting exhibition like today. He made at least 5 Birdie putts of 10 feet or more, 2 over 20 feet.

He averaged 327yds off the tee with a long of 359 and made 115 feet of putts today. He also hit 11 of 14 fairways (79%) which is not all that common for him or most long hitters. Last year at 55% he was ranked 154th in Driving Accuracy.

The key was when he made back tp back Birds on 13 and 14 with putts of 21 and 26 feet.

Nice check awaits him.....$1.64 million

 

[kupuna133]

You seldom see a more dominant Driving and Putting exhibition like today. He made at least 5 Birdie putts of 10 feet or more, 2 over 20 feet.

He averaged 327yds off the tee with a long of 359 and made 115 feet of putts today. He also hit 11 of 14 fairways (79%) which is not all that common for him or most long hitters. Last year at 55% he was ranked 154th in Driving Accuracy.

The key was when he made back tp back Birds on 13 and 14 with putts of 21 and 26 feet.

Nice check awaits him.....$1.64 million

Announcers commented on Chris’ wins. They’ve been achieved on various types of courses. Today’s course called for accuracy. Distance control and precise wedge play. Scottish open was a drivers paradise. Because it was wide open. They said keep an eye on Chris because he can win anywhere.