🇺🇸 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},
Before we start, everyone at Essentially Golf wishes you a happy Fourth of July! We hope you enjoy the traditions, create joyful memories, and appreciate the freedom to play the sport we love. Stay safe, enjoy the holiday, and while you’re at it, check out this rare original copy of the Declaration of Independence.
And though we are sure you will be decked in red, white, and blue the entire day, don’t forget to check out the latest from pro golf. At TPC Deere Run, Jackson Koivun’s dream debut as a pro ended sooner than expected; an amateur made history on the senior tour, and LIV pros seem increasingly uncertain about their future.
Let’s get swinging…
Friday was a day for worries for multiple pros.
Painful end: Jackson Koivun (+1/MC) started strong enough in the weather-beaten John Deere Classic. He also made this stunning eagle in R2, which you can watch here. But a few cracks appeared along the way, including his usually dependable putter, which cost him three strokes against the field. The rest of his game wasn’t exactly clicking either—just look how he missed the green with his approach shot on the 15th.
No easy exit: You can tell a league is in rough waters when one of its own pros doesn't sound convinced about its future. Carlos Ortiz, who won the 2022 Houston Open on the PGA Tour before joining LIV, said that while he doesn’t know the full picture at LIV, “it’s not looking great.” The unease in his voice is hard to miss, as you will see here. On the flip side, Ian Poulter claimed LIV is doing just fine, but Josele Ballester is also trying to keep ties warm with the DP World Tour, just in case LIV ends tomorrow.
Historic cut: Haymes Snedeker (+1/T23), Brandt Snedeker’s older brother, has carved out a neat slice of history at his U.S. Senior Open debut by becoming the first amateur to make the cut since 2023. He’s also the lone amateur still standing for the weekend. That said, Haymes would probably tip his hat to younger brother, Brandt—here’s how Brandt helped Haymes (and it might help you, too).
Do You Think It's Only a Matter of Time Before Jackson Koivun Proves His Worth on the PGA Tour?
Last Poll Result: 57.14% of you said Spieth finds trouble during tournaments. Read your fellow readers’ take on it.
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This suspension strap exercise is as easy as it gets.
Muscle fiber declines with age, and it happens even faster when it isn’t put to work. Once it’s gone, there’s no getting it back. And your game can feel the pinch. Here are a few exercises from Gabby DeGasperis (Gabby Golf Girl) to help keep your movement sharp and fluid.
Grab a suspension strap. Hook one end to a wall. Hold the other end with both hands and stand sideways.
Now, your job is to make golf swing motions while pulling the strap outward as fast as you can. Once, twice, thrice, and more, if needed.
Alternatively, you can hold one end with one hand and make outward punching motions. Watch how Gabby is doing it in this video.
Remember not to move too fast, as it might hurt your back. If you’re dealing with something opposite—swinging too hard—here are drills to avoid that.
The biggest Swiftie on the Tour?
Have you ever jammed to Taylor Swift on your way home and wondered, for the littlest moments, how many of your favorite golfers do the same? Well, quite a few of them are Swifties. If you stumbled over that, it’s the same as Bills Mafia for Buffalo Bills fans and Cheeseheads for the Green Bay Packers fans. Here is a video of PGA Tour pros listing their favorite Swift songs. But why are we talking about Swift?
Well, because the 14-time Grammy winner got married to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and guess who chose to look dapper at the wedding? It’s Bradley Cooper, Hugh Grant, Justin Thomas. Yes, JT was in attendance and posted this picture to offer a sneak peek. Good going, JT, and maybe a round with Kelce in the offing?
Thank you for reading this edition of Essentially Golf.
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