Yesterday, you may (or may not) have seen the mind-blowing footage of a pro and his caddie moving gigantic boulders from the course. It was no Western, and they were no actors. Nor were they paying homage to Tiger. The pro golfer faced a real hurdle—a mound of giant rocks. Watch what his hulking caddie did next (warning: your back might hurt later).

That was Swedish pro Joakim Lagergren and his caddie Jesse Karlsson. The tournament was the DP World Tour’s Qatar Masters. You might wonder if that much back-breaking effort was necessary at all. Well, yes, and thank Patrick Reed, who chased down Lagergren, for that.

Two weeks after nabbing the Hero Dubai Desert Classic title, and a week after his T2 at the Bahrain Championship, Reed is leading the Qatar Masters. He birdied three of the last five holes on Friday, capping with a seven-footer on the final hole, to surge to 12-under and move past Lagergren.

A victory this week would catapult him to the top of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings. Now the top 10 in the season-long standings (not already exempt) earn PGA Tour cards. Reed is second (1,674 points). Last year, Jordan Smith needed 2,203 points for the final card. Should Reed win in Qatar, he will earn 585 points. Even a second (389 points) or fifth-place finish (148 points) keeps Reed in striking distance.

Given his current run of form, earning a full-time PGA Tour card is a question of when rather than if. Let's not forget we’re not even halfway through the DPWT season. Captain America is hustling hard to return, and it looks like there is no stopping him.

Pencil marks on a scorecard are just numbers. Unless it's an accredited competition, then those small numerals carry more weight than their diminutive figures suggest. Which is why watching PGA Tour pros holding onto the cutline for their dear lives makes events like the WM Phoenix Open worth it.

Think of Cam Davis. Hanging outside the cutline, the two-time PGA Tour winner went for broke on the par-4 17th hole. He almost made a hole-in-one, yes, on a par-4, something no one has done in the last 25 years. Watch how close he was to golf history in the video below.

Davis made an eagle and moved inside the cutline. Scottie Scheffler was in the same boat, flirting with his first MC in 1,274 days after a dig-it-out-of-the-dirt Thursday (73). The World No. 1 was subjected to loud boos on the 16th hole, as you can see and hear. But on Friday, Scheffler (T28) went bogey-free to post 6-under 65 and made the cut.

Playing in the same group, Jordan Spieth (T95), was near the cutline as well. But then the 17th hole disaster happened. His chip from 29 feet raced past the pin and plopped into the water. Spieth hung his head low—you can see the disappointment washing over his face. Meanwhile, Si Woo Kim (T5) leapfrogged 84 spots on the leaderboard courtesy of eight birdies and an eagle, posting a sizzling 9-under 62.

So, yes, cut days in pro golf are a unique experience, and they matter because two extra days deliver the fuel for a lifelong dream.

What does a 22-year-old do after becoming the youngest ever to complete the Career Grand Slam in tennis? He plays golf. With a two-time major winner. At least that’s what Spanish wunderkind Carlos Alcaraz did when he teed off with Bryson DeChambeau for the latter’s Break 50 Challenge. Here is a chance for you to rate his swing. Mind you, Alcaraz has already bested one former Masters champion for a $200 bet and taunted him for not paying up. Guess who the golfer was? 

But you know why the Bryson-Carlos collab is significant?

Bryson’s contract is up for renewal, and he is miffed at LIV for changing the format. With Brooks gone, he is also one of only two remaining stars. The Alcaraz collab crossed 1 million views within 48 hours, once again proving his popularity. This can surely ratchet up pressure on Scott O’Neil to meet his $500M demand, or face what might turn out to be a fatal blow: Bryson returning to the PGA Tour.

A handful of courses across North America welcome dogs on the greens. Here are five where leashes, etiquette, and good vibes all coexist.

1. Cochrane Golf Club, Canada — Wide-open prairie golf where four legs are just as welcome as 4-irons. Learn more about the course here.

2. Emerald Isle Golf Course, California — A laid-back track that feels more like a long walk with your pup. View the scenery here.

3. Agate Beach Golf Course, Oregon — True links golf by the Pacific, where dogs and ocean air come standard. Take a look at this gem.

4. Belgrade Lakes Golf Course, Maine — Classic New England golf surrounded by water, woods, and dog-friendly paths. Book a tee time here.

5. Discovery Bay Golf Course, Washington — Quiet, scenic, and relaxed, a perfect course for golfers who like their rounds unhurried. Check it out here.