Sponsored by
Publication by EssentiallySports |
Aug 6, 2026 | Edition #340 |
👋 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},
And the biggest test begins at the Sedgefield Country Club, the one that will decide who gets in the Playoffs, starting next week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Today, instead of talking about our favorites, we will talk about the ones who need to do well this week, including Jackson Koivun. There’s also an update from the LIV Golf CEO, who promises he has secured a financial backer. He just won’t say who. Oh, we have also covered something else that might make you green with envy.
Let’s get swinging…
Sedgefield Country Club isn't long by modern PGA Tour standards, but playing here requires guts the size of North Carolina. Indeed, that has little to do with the par-70, 7131-yard course, its tree-lined fairways, or even the water hazards coming into play on six holes. It has more to do with what comes next: the FedExCup Playoffs. Plenty of pros still have to figure it out.
Players:
Brandt Snedeker (83rd): This is the same guy who once broke the cup at Wyndham. But Brandt will need a solo 6th or better this time.
Jason Day (75th): The former World No. 1 will need a tie for 12th or better. If not, he will miss his first Playoffs in 19 years.
Austin Smotherman (76th): Austin’s best finish here is T27 in 2023. But he needs a solo 12th or better.
Jackson Koivun (70th): Jackson will need to hold off others to avoid being kicked out of the top 70. Let’s hope he doesn’t face this cruelty again.
Brooks Koepka (86th): It couldn’t get tougher. Koepka needs solo fourth or better by Sunday. He has finished inside the top 10 just once this season.
Quick Facts:
Wyndham Championship is the last event to gain entry into the Playoffs. Only the top 70 in the FedExCup rankings will make it.
Yes, Brandt is struggling, but he knows how to go low. His 59 in R1 of the 2018 edition is the lowest score here.
Doug Sanders (1963) and Cameron Young (2025) had the largest 54-hole lead here with five strokes. They both went on to win.
The Daily Nine just leveled up.
Now it's 18 holes across two levels. Complete front nine, and then unlock the back nine. Expect more bunkers, trickier winds, and plenty of surprises.
Play your round, compare your score with friends, and come back tomorrow.
If it feels as though LIV Golf has been hogging the limelight lately, there’s a reason: the season is nearing its finale, there’s no primary backer, and tournaments keep getting canceled one after another. So, what’s next? We might have a better answer this time around.
New investor: At LIV Golf Bedminster, CEO Scott O’Neil announced a lead investor has signed on. He didn’t reveal the name or the size of the stake, but says the deal should close by next month at the latest. But will that cover 2027? Scott says yes. In fact, he even tallies the years this cash will keep the show on the road, as you can see for yourself here.
Minor investors: In a separate report, BC Partners is reportedly exploring a loan to LIV Golf. Bloomberg says the discussions are gaining momentum, though no agreement has been inked. It is also uncertain whether Scott was referring to BC Partners. Beyond that, more than a dozen investors have shown interest.
Equity holders: A day after word spread that Jon Rahm might lose $150M in a contract, Scott unveiled a revamped organizational structure to pivot the league’s players into “majority equity holders.” O'Neil expects terms to be locked in over the next few weeks.
Beyond that, the 2027 season is set to shrink to 10 events, down from the customary 14. The change has left a Masters champion in confusion. The schedule will be split evenly, with five tournaments in the U.S. and five overseas. But will that be enough preparation for the majors?
15% Off Your First Order of Fresh-Roasted Pods
Most K-Cups sit in a warehouse for months before they reach your brewer — and you can taste it. Angelino's, a third-generation roaster in Los Angeles, does it differently: every pod is roasted, ground, and sealed fresh in-house, then shipped to your door within days of roasting.
Choose from 50+ specialty coffees — single origins, dark roasts, flavored favorites like Jamaican Me Crazy, plus decafs and teas — all compatible with your Keurig® brewer. Mix and match any coffees you like, and watch the savings climb: bulk discounts start at 5+ boxes and reach up to 34% off at 12+.
And here's the best part: new customers get an extra 15% off their first order, on top of bulk savings. It's applied automatically at checkout — no code, no subscription required. Free shipping on orders over $49 or 4+ boxes.
Fresh coffee shouldn't require a coffee shop.
Do You Think Offering Equity Will Help LIV Retain Big Names?
Last Poll Result: 68.42% of you said Scottie Scheffler should still be considered for the Player of the Year Award.
There can never really be ace fatigue. So what if it seems like everyone but us is making one of those hole-in-ones? It’s awesome to celebrate their big moments…. Right? Right. Yes, even if someone’s grandfather just made his own five days ago, as you can see here.
In other news, 17-year-old Aydin Beharie made two back-to-back hole-in-ones in a birthday tournament. It is so rare and so unique that Highview Golf Course will uniquely honor him. Take a guess what it is—then check out whether you got it right.
Jealous, yet? How about we remind you of this Si Woo Kim ace at the PGA Championship? It was the longest in a major.
Thank you for reading this edition of Essentially Golf.
We’re curious to know your thoughts and welcome your suggestions. Your honest answer helps us write stories you actually want to read and not what we assume you do. So let us know in the comments below.
Did You Enjoy Today’s Newsletter?
Never miss out on any more fresh Essentially Golf updates. Just Click Here!
