Cenjoy each week the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, our writers talk grade debate news and try to make sense of Scottie Scheffler’s 2026 season.
One topic we haven’t discussed in this space after the PGA Championship is Cameron Young’s play ball. it is reported that agree under the new guidelines that are scheduled to take place in 2028. Our own Sean Zak recently wrote about how the rebounding debate is shaping up to be golf’s next civil war. For those not in the weeds on this topic, why did the PGA golf news cause such a stir and what is at stake going forward?
Jessica Marksbury, editor-in-chief (@jess_marksbury): The fact that this ball is reportedly going to match, is currently being played by one of the biggest stars of the game and it could still be true. crushed said star … really interesting! I think a lot of us felt that going back would equate to losing a lot of distance. So who knows? I think it’s still early. What would golf look like if, say, the PGA Tour refused to be postponed, and we had four majors and the USGA played with curled balls, but no other tournaments? Is that possible? Time will tell. And as Sean said in his story, the coming months will likely reveal more.
Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): The news was enough to give pause to those on both sides of the debate. For those against the rollback, it was seen as proof that any hand-wringing doesn’t really matter – because Young, after all, is still killing the ball and seeing great success. For those who like to be brought back, it seems that the proposed changes do not go far enough – because Young, after all, is still killing the ball and seeing great success. What is at stake going forward? Profit over performance is my guess.
Josh Schrock, news editor (@schrock_and_awe): The Sens nailed it. The news about Young’s football made waves because he was hitting the ball a mile and getting more and more wins. So, if the ball that Young is using is going to meet the standards of repeal, it clearly doesn’t do enough for those who want repeal and shows those who oppose the idea that this whole effort is some kind of farcical. It’s no secret that football needs to be brought back, and perhaps in a bigger way than is being suggested. But will these five families find a way to get where the game needs to be?
About a week after the news broke, GOLF reported that the PGA Tour had sent a 13-question survey to PGA Tour members and Korn Ferry Tour members on the issue of the golf course and if the USGA’s proposed repeal of the R&A was necessary. How much influence do you think experts have on this topic going forward? And will it be enough to fix the game’s future?
Marksbury: I don’t know. On the surface, it looks like they have great potential, but if they want to compete, they will end up subject to whatever the governing bodies decide to do.
Senses: I’m sure they have some influence, but much less than the producers. Then there’s Augusta National, which will do whatever it wants and possibly the fastest in the game.
Scrock: They influence how the rules are made on their tour, but they have little say when it comes to the USGA, the R&A and Augusta National. As Sens said, I expect Fred Ridley, especially after his press conference before this year’s Masters, to set the pace.
Days after Garrick Higgo delayed his PGA Championship, missing two strokes and missing one cut, Higgo and caddy Austin Gaugert parted ways. Gaugert took to social media and said, “as a caddy, you try to do everything you can to prepare your player for the tournament and I failed at that.” Although we don’t know all the details behind this incident, who should be blamed for these types of mistakes: the caddy or the player?
Marksbury: This is difficult. On the other hand, the sole purpose of a Tour caddy is to support his player with all his abilities. On the other hand, showing up on time on the 1st tee is the most basic thing the game asks of you. So, without knowing the standard deviation between the two, I say it’s 70 percent Higgo’s error, 30 percent Gaugert’s. I mean, Gaugert was on the team at the right time. Higgo was not there.
Senses: If Gaugert had taken Higgo hostage and prevented him from reaching the 1st tee, I might have been inclined to blame him. Otherwise, I’d say this one is up to the player.
Scrock: It’s a big thing. Be busy early.
The PGA of America, one week from its biggest annual event of the year, announced that its president, Don Rea, has been replaced as president by Nathan Charnes, who will be acting president. In a statement, the PGA of America said the move “followed a series of problems over time that, taken together, have tended to harm the Association.” Rea made headlines for something he said during the 2025 Ryder Cup, even though he was given that a few months ago. Are you surprised he’s gone, or surprised the PGA waited so long?
Marksbury: I am not surprised by either side. I’m sure there were protocols and investigations that had to go through, so the PGA chose to take their time and finally make the call.
Senses: My guess has has been hastily implemented due to public outcry.
Scrock: It’s not surprising. His press conference at last year’s PGA was a disaster. Then came the Ryder Cup. They pushed him to the back and made the announcement the week after the PGA so he didn’t have to answer questions about it at the press conference.
Wyndham Clark won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Sunday, while Scottie Scheffler, who started the day in second place, finished third. Although Scheffler won his first start of the season and has racked up six top 10 finishes since then, he has never won a second time. How do we begin to differentiate between the many missed opportunities that have piled up versus playing good golf but not winning?
Marksbury: It’s very hard to win, and it’s even harder to win consistently over the course of a few years, like Scottie did. I think we’re seeing a little bit of Tiger’s impact as well — our expectations are so high, we’re surprised every time he gets to an incredible distance and doesn’t collect a W. So, am I worried about Scottie? No, I just think that every episode that falls on the floor is fueling the next fire.
Senses: Both Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods had winless droughts of more than two years in their debuts. Scheffler will be fine. But it would help his cause if his putter is hot.
Scrock: He won a ton in 2023 and then recovered in 2024 while still playing good golf. He had a ton of wins last year, and this year his putter has been a little cooler and his iron game has been inaccurate. He’s had a poor Friday at Augusta since winning the Masters, and I think he should win the PGA if his putter is neutral. The game ebbs and flows, and he’s still the best player in the world. He will probably win the Memorial in two weeks.
