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Good morning. This is your Happy Valley Golf Team Monday newsletter. Let’s get it!

Unsolicited Golf Tips

Watch: POSSIBLY THE FASTEST way to strike your irons pure

Step Into Summer With Plant-Based Meals From Purple Carrot

Welcome the warm weather and lighten your to-do list with scrumptious, fully plant-based meals delivered straight to your door.

Purple Carrot wants you to spend more time soaking up the sun and less time stressing over mealtime. They offer a variety of meal kits that help you prepare delicious recipes, prepared meals that are ready to eat in two minutes or less, and grocery items that save you a trip to the store and help you keep your fridge fully stocked.

Whichever option you choose, you can trust that you’re getting nutritious, plant-based meals that are packed with flavor. Pick from high-protein, lower-calorie, high-fiber, and gluten-free options every week - if you want to build muscle, shed a few pounds, or just eat a little cleaner, Purple Carrot has meals and groceries that suit your needs.

This summer, they’re sweetening the deal with five new fun and tasty meal options.

Choose Your Plan and Enjoy Purple Carrot’s Seasonal Plant-Based Meals Today.

Aaron Rai Emerges Victorious in Wild Wyndham Championship Finish

The 2024 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club delivered a Sunday for the ages, filled with drama, heartbreak, and a touch of the bizarre. In the end, it was Aaron Rai who emerged from the chaos to claim his first PGA Tour victory, thanks to a stunning collapse by rookie sensation Max Greyserman.

Greyserman's Epic Meltdown

Heading into the final stretch, Greyserman appeared to be on the cusp of a breakthrough win. The Duke University alum, who had electrified fans with a near-59 in the second round, held a commanding four-shot lead after a spectacular eagle hole-out on the 13th. But then, disaster struck.

On the treacherous 14th hole, Greyserman's tee shot sailed out of bounds, leading to a devastating quadruple bogey. He briefly steadied the ship with a birdie on 15, but his putting woes resurfaced on the 16th green, where he four-putted for a double bogey. In a matter of minutes, Greyserman's once-secure lead had evaporated, opening the door for Rai.

Rai's Clutch Finish

As Greyserman faltered, Rai seized the moment. The Englishman, who had been quietly lurking in contention all day, delivered a clutch approach shot on the 72nd hole, sticking his iron to just seven feet in the fading light. With nerves of steel, Rai drained the birdie putt to slam the door on Greyserman and secure his maiden PGA Tour title.

Kuchar's Monday Finish

Adding to the day's intrigue was the decision by 54-hole leader Matt Kuchar to suspend his final round due to darkness. Kuchar, the only player not to complete the marathon 36-hole Sunday finish, opted to return Monday morning to play his final hole, he has already hit his tee shot.The veteran, who entered the week on the FedEx Cup playoff bubble, needed a win this week to secure his spot in the playoffs. He ended Sunday 7 shots back which makes his decision to come out and play an approach shot and a putt all the more confusing.

Other Storylines

Amidst the Greyserman-Rai drama, several other stories emerged:

• Amateur Luke Clanton made an early Sunday charge, completing his second round in the morning to make the cut and then climbing the leaderboard in round three. The US Amateur Championship starts today, so Clanton was on a flight out late last night.

• Victor Perez secured the 70th spot in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, ensuring his place in the postseason.

• Cameron Young, another local college product (Wake Forest), finished T-2 in his quest for a first Tour win. 7 runner ups with no Tour win yet 😰 we are rooting for you Cam!

Debby Made an Impact:

• Thursday's Cancellation: The first round scheduled for Thursday was completely wiped out due to the severe weather conditions brought by Tropical Storm Debby. The PGA Tour made the decision to suspended all play for the day.

• Course Conditions: The wet conditions from the rain softened the course, which could have both helped and hindered players, depending on their playing style. However, the winds were consistently a negative factor, impacting players' ability to control their shots.

• Marathon Sunday: As the weather improved over the weekend, Sunday turned into a marathon day of golf. Players had to complete multiple rounds due to previous delays, with the second round concluding on Sunday morning after being suspended due to darkness.

In the end, it was a day of triumph for Aaron Rai, heartbreak for Max Greyserman, and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of golf. The 2024 Wyndham Championship will be remembered for its wild finish, its 36-hole Sunday marathon, and the emergence of a new PGA Tour champion in the most dramatic of fashions.

News You Need to Know

LIV suspends Graeme McDowell for using banned nasal decongestant.

Postcards from Paris: Looking back on how golf played out at the Olympics.

Engaging THIS body part is key to hitting perfect pitch shots.

Lydia Ko clinches gold medal, LPGA Hall of Fame in dramatic Olympic finish.

World Golf Hall of Fame member Chi Chi Rodriguez dies at age 88.

Phil Mickelson laments short game, mulls LIV’s future

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your week,

Cody.