On July 8th, 2025, we remember the life of Ed "The Tiger Killer" Fiori, break down Collin Morikawa's major caddie change for The Open, and discuss the financial struggles for non-elite Tour pros.

• We pay tribute to four-time PGA Tour winner Ed Fiori, who passed away at 72. We look back at his most famous moment: becoming "The Tiger Killer" by beating a 20-year-old Tiger Woods at the 1996 Quad City Classic.
• Fiori on his legacy: "Even today, people call me the Tiger killer... I'll never forget that weekend at the John Deere."
• Fiori, a journeyman pro, cemented his place in golf history with one incredible weekend, forever linking his name with the game's greatest player right at the start of his professional career.

• Collin Morikawa has hired legendary caddie Billy Foster for a two-week stint at the Scottish Open and The Open. This is a strategic play to tap into Foster's immense links golf knowledge ahead of Royal Portrush.
• This move pairs a two-time major champion with a caddie who has been on the bag for legends like Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, and Matt Fitzpatrick, including for Fitzpatrick's U.S. Open win.
• Is this a short-term "consulting" gig or the start of a new long-term partnership? The pressure is on for this high-profile pairing to deliver immediate results.

• We dive into the harsh financial realities of professional golf. It's not all private jets and massive paychecks; for many, it's a struggle to simply break even on the PGA Tour.
• Bryson DeChambeau: "Players outside the top one hundred sixty five on the money list, is losing money every year." We back this up with an economist's analysis of tour expenses.
• Using Kevin Chappell's 2024 season as an example, we illustrate how even earning six figures on Tour can result in a net financial loss after all expenses are paid.

The Open field is set • Spieth on baby watch & may be a late arrival • Ex-LIV golfer Eugenio Chacarra takes a shot at his former tour.

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On July 6th, 2025, Brian Campbell won the John Deere Classic in a dramatic playoff over Emiliano Grillo, completing a powerful narrative at the site of his first PGA Tour start.

• Illinois native Brian Campbell captured his second playoff victory of the season, overcoming a late double bogey with a clutch birdie on 17 to defeat Emiliano Grillo at the very event where his Tour journey began as an amateur.
• "It all started here as an amateur." - Brian Campbell on his full-circle victory.
• The win continued a bizarre trend for Campbell this season, who has either won or finished outside the top 30 in every start.

• While Max Homa found the "butterflies" again, finishing T-5 for his first top-10 in 15 months after a self-described "terrible year," it was a day of heartbreak for others, including Emiliano Grillo, who lost the playoff after a bad break.
• 54-hole leader Davis Thompson collapsed with a final-round 72, while David Lipsky went from eagle on 17 to a bogey on 18 to miss the playoff by one.
• "Kid's strong, man. Whatever he does in life, he's gonna kill it." - Zach Johnson on 15-year-old amputee Carter Henning.

Bananas scoring on soft greens • Career-best T-3 for Kevin Roy • Amateur Jackson Koivun impresses with a T-11 finish

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On Moving Day at the John Deere Classic, howling winds and firm greens sent scores soaring, but defending champion Davis Thompson birdied the final two holes to take a one-shot lead into Sunday.

• The course finally fought back on Saturday. Howling winds and firm greens transformed TPC Deere Run from a birdie fest into a battle of attrition, with players grinding to survive the toughest conditions of the week.
• "It's got some teeth... it's not the typical John Deere," said Matt Kuchar, as the scoring average ballooned.
• Defending champion Davis Thompson thrived in the chaos, birdieing the final two holes for a 67 to take the solo lead. He says his "focus sharpens" when he's in contention.

• A stacked chase pack sits just one shot back, led by Max Homa, who is looking to break out of a season-long slump and feel the excitement of contention again.
• "Golf's been boring for me this year... I'm looking forward to having the butterflies," Homa said, setting the stage for a huge Sunday.
• He's joined by veteran David Lipsky, who is hunting for his first-ever PGA Tour victory, and the always-dangerous Emiliano Grillo and Brian Campbell.

36-hole leader Doug Ghim tumbles with a 74 • Amateur Jackson Koivun impresses at -11 • Rickie Fowler climbs to -9

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On July 5th, 2025, Doug Ghim held a slim one-shot lead at the John Deere Classic after a wild second round that saw a five-way tie for second place and the cut line fall to a blistering five-under par.

John Deere Classic: The Chase Pack

The leaderboard tightened into a track meet as a five-way tie for second place emerged, just one shot behind leader Doug Ghim. The group includes defending champ Davis Thompson, Max Homa, and local favorite Brian Campbell.

Defending champion Davis Thompson credited his morning tee time for his 8-under 63, saying he took advantage of the "fresher" greens with a "nonchalant" approach.

Max Homa feels his new swing is holding up under pressure, noting his consistency in the tougher afternoon conditions by stating, "I didn't hit one crazy shot today."

Leaderboard Movers & Shakers

While Doug Ghim battled to a gritty 3-under 68 to maintain his solo lead, others struggled to keep pace, including Austin Eckroat (71) and past champion Michael Kim, who shot 75 to miss the cut.

The scoring was so low that the cut line landed at a blistering five-under par, forcing players like Rickie Fowler to make the weekend on the number.

Taylor Montgomery made a key equipment change, switching away from the Titleist ProV1 he was using to "copy Scottie Scheffler" because it was creating too much spin.

Quick Hits

Camilo Villegas playing with heart for Mia's Miracles • Lucas Glover & amateur Jackson Koivun charge up the board • Local favorite Brian Campbell in the hunt at -11

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On July 4th, 2025, Illinois native Doug Ghim shot a nine-under 62 to take the solo lead after round one of the John Deere Classic, with Max Homa and Austin Eckroat just one shot back.

• Illinois native Doug Ghim fired a bogey-free 62 to take the solo lead at the John Deere Classic, highlighted by a walk-in eagle from 91 yards as he chases his first-ever PGA Tour victory.
• He called the low-scoring event a "track meet" and set a personal target of getting to twenty-four under par for the week.
• The Arlington Heights native is playing in front of a home-state crowd, adding extra pressure and support to his quest.

• Austin Eckroat and Max Homa sit just one shot back at eight-under. Eckroat is breaking a year-long slump with two eagles, while Homa fired his best opening round of the year with a new swing thought.
• Homa said he's in the "honeymoon phase" with a new feel to "slow down my legs" that he found just one day ago.
• Eckroat's hot start included two hole-outs for eagle in his first five holes, one from 137 yards out.

Rickie's back-nine 29 • Past champ Michael Kim lurking • Day & Potgieter struggle early

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On July 3rd, 2025, we break down the DP World Tour's controversial new crypto partnership at a Trump course, Max Homa's candid thoughts on his slump, and a historic walk-off eagle to qualify for The Open.

• The DP World Tour announced a multi-year, eight-figure deal with crypto firm Nexo, rebranding the Scottish Championship. The event will mark a controversial return to Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen, a first for a Trump property.
• "It's about shared audiences," said tour executive Max Hamilton, while Nexo's co-founder cited shared values of "preparation, control, and vision."
• The partnership is further complicated by a noted connection between Nexo's co-founder and Donald Trump.

• At the John Deere Classic, a candid Max Homa opened up about his internal "panic meter" and the pressure of being a star in a slump, offering a rare look into the psychology of a top player.
• "Form seems to go a lot faster than it comes back," Homa said.
• Defending champion Davis Thompson is feeling a "confidence boost," while local favorite Zach Johnson believes his "boring" game is a perfect fit for the course.

• 20-year-old amateur Richard Teder became the first Estonian to ever qualify for The Open after a wild finish that saw him make a double bogey on the final hole of regulation before a dramatic playoff win.
• "It's like a dream," Teder said of the moment.
• He secured his historic spot by holing out an 80-yard chip for a walk-off eagle in the playoff, an unbelievable turnaround from his 72nd-hole collapse.

Nexo Championship at Trump Aberdeen • Homa's "panic meter" • Estonia's first Open qualifier

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On July 2nd, 2025, we break down Lee Westwood's dramatic qualification for The Open, the high stakes at the John Deere Classic, and the tight LPGA Player of the Year race.

• A jet-lagged Lee Westwood, 52, battles the elements and fatigue to win medalist honors at Dundonald Links, punching his ticket back to Royal Portrush for what he calls "the greatest tournament on the golfing calendar."
• Westwood, who was up since "half past one this morning," fired rounds of 70 and 67 to secure his spot.
• The triumph was contrasted by heartbreak for others, including Sam Horsfield's bizarre DQ and the failed bids of the Poulters and Portrush native Graeme McDowell.

• With The Open's final spots being filled from the OWGR reserve list after this week, the John Deere Classic has unintentionally become the final battleground for players on the bubble hoping to earn a trip to Portrush.
• Keep an eye on players like Bud Cauley (OWGR No. 59) and Ryan Gerard (OWGR No. 71) who need a big week to climb the list.
• The tournament's outcome will directly finalize the field for golf's oldest major, adding a layer of unseen drama to every shot.

• Unprecedented parity on the LPGA Tour has created a thrilling Player of the Year race, with Mao Saigo holding a razor-thin lead over Minjee Lee and Jeeno Thitikul heading into the season's second half.
• The tour has seen a record 17 different winners in its first 17 events this season.
• Pre-season favorite Nelly Korda finds herself in an unfamiliar 11th place, needing a strong summer surge to get back in the conversation.

Sam Horsfield's bizarre DQ • LIV's Burmester & Herbert get in • Ian & Luke Poulter's failed bid

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