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

Unsolicited Golf Tips

Watch: Why 90% of Golfers Can't Hit Their Irons Correctly - Just Lock These In

Poll

Well, well, well! Look who's playing nice in the sandbox! Golf's odd couple, Brooks and Bryson, are burying the beef to take on PGA golden boys Scheffler and McIlroy. It's LIV vs. PGA in a showdown that's got more sizzle than a hot dog at the turn. Clear your schedule, folks - this is gonna be spicier than your average scramble!

Last Weeks Poll Results

We asked you about the longest iron you're lugging around in your bag, and boy, did you spill the beans. Here's the scoop:

The "How Low Can You Go?" Iron Survey Results:

• 5 iron: 35% (The Goldilocks club - not too hot, not too cold)

• 4 iron: 26% (For those who like to live dangerously)

• 6 iron: 22% (Playing it safe, are we?)

• 7 iron: 8% (Hybrids for days, we see you)

• 3 iron: 6% (Ah, the endangered species of the golf bag)

• 2 iron: 3% (You magnificent lunatics, we salute you! 😂)

There you have it, folks! From the sensible majority to the wild bunch swinging 2 irons like it's 1975. Whatever you're packing, just remember: it's not the wand, it's the wizard.

The 2024 Shriners Children's Open: When Golf Met Tornado Alley

Mother Nature's Wild Party at TPC Summerlin

Alright, golf fanatics! Buckle up for a wild ride through the 2024 Shriners Children's Open, where Mother Nature decided to crash the party and turn TPC Summerlin into her personal wind tunnel.

Picture this: golf balls doing the cha-cha in mid-air, spectators clinging to their hats (and dignity), and players wondering if they accidentally signed up for kite-flying lessons instead of a golf tournament. Friday's play was delayed for a whopping four hours, with gusts approaching 50 mph. Talk about a bad hair day! The winds were so fierce that organizers had to keep spectators away from the course. Imagine that - a golf tournament where the only gallery was tumbleweeds!

Golfers vs. The Elements: A Battle for the Ages

But our intrepid golfers weren't about to let a little breeze (okay, a lot of breeze) stop them. They channeled their inner meteorologists and got creative. Davis Thompson, sporting a 66-68 scorecard, probably wished he'd brought his weather-controlling superpowers. His secret? A "good mental attitude" - which is golfer-speak for "I pretended I was playing mini-golf in a wind tunnel."

Meanwhile, J.J. Spaun reminded us all to be "compassionate" when your ball decides to take an impromptu Caribbean vacation courtesy of a 40 mph gust. His advice? Be easy on yourself when your perfect shot turns into a sandcastle-building exercise in the bunker.

The Great Canadian Chinook: Pendrith's Rollercoaster Ride

Canadian Taylor Pendrith must've thought he was playing mini-golf on Thursday, posting a scorching 10-under 61. But Friday's winds quickly reminded him he wasn't in the Great White North anymore, Toto. Poor Taylor only managed to complete six holes of his second round before darkness fell. Maybe he should've brought some night-vision goggles along with his windbreaker!

Poston's Windproof Victory: A Squirrel in a Hurricane

Enter J.T. Poston, the man with nerves of steel and apparently wind-resistant golf balls. While others were getting blown away (literally), Poston kept his cool, probably using his putter as an anchor. His steady climb to victory was like watching a determined squirrel scale a tree in a hurricane – impressive, slightly nerve-wracking, but ultimately successful.

Poston's secret weapon? Consistency. He fired off rounds of 64, 65, 66, and 67, proving that slow and steady wins the race (and doesn't get knocked over by the wind). Even when Doug Ghim tried to rain on his parade with an eagle on the 9th hole on Sunday, Poston just shrugged and birdied three of his next four. Talk about grace under pressure!

Vegas Locals and Late Surges

Let's not forget Kurt Kitayama, the Las Vegas local who probably thought he was experiencing a normal Tuesday when he casually shot a bogey-free 68 in Friday's wind-apocalypse. And how about Michael Kim? He waited until Sunday to tie his career-best with a 9-under 62. Better late than never, Michael!

The Takeaway: Vegas, Baby!

So, there you have it – the 2024 Shriners Children's Open, where the only thing more unpredictable than the wind was the players' choice of wind-defying hairstyles. J.T. Poston walked away with his third PGA Tour win and first in over two years, proving that good things come to those who wait (and don't get blown off the course).

Stay tuned for more golfing shenanigans, and remember – in Vegas, what happens on the golf course... gets broadcast on national television! And sometimes, it involves golfers transforming into amateur wind turbines. Until next time, keep your head down and your windbreaker zipped!

News You Need to Know

Champion's haul to last-place consolation - we've got the full money list from Korea's LPGA showdown. Click here to see who's splurging and who's penny-pinching after this weekend's action!

Forget slot machines - the real jackpot's on the green! We've got the inside scoop on the Shriners Children's Open purse. From top dog to underdog, see who's leaving Sin City with their wallets bulging.

Rumor has it Greg Norman's reign as LIV's head honcho might be on the rocks! What's next for golf's rebel tour? From power plays to potential shake-ups, we've got the details.

Talk about a golf rollercoaster! Jake Knapp spills the tea on his premature pro leap and the wild journey to PGA Tour glory. Curious about the detours, bunkers, and unexpected birdies on Knapp's path to victory? Buckle up and click through for a story wilder than your last round!

Tired of your balls betraying you faster than a downhill putt? We've got the scoop on 2025's game-changing spheres for the mid handicap golfer! From extra forgiveness to wallet-friendly options, these balls promise more 'oohs' than 'uh-ohs' on the course. Ready to turn those bogeys into pars? Click through and discover your new secret weapon! Your scorecard will thank you!

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your week,

Cody.