
Publication by EssentiallySports |
July 09, 2026 | Edition #329 |
👋 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},
And as the days roll and roll toward the inevitable PGA Tour schedule change, the conversations around it are getting more and more interesting. Rory McIlroy highlighted a potential flaw that could cause some serious conflicts. On the other hand, LIV's troubles continue to worsen, while the Open Championship introduced a new rule and LPGA pros have descended on Evian with resplendent bags.
Let’s get started…


A day for serious conversations.
National Opens: Rory spoke about the future of national opens that are linked to the PGA Tour (Canadian Open and Scottish Open). McIlroy, who has won seven different national opens, warned that under the PGA Tour’s current plans, a lot of these tournaments can’t call themselves “national opens.” Here is why Rory thinks so—it’s an interesting take and definitely requires some thought. On a lighter note, the Ulsterman also spoke about how Sir Nick Faldo blew his cover when he was on a scouting trip to Royal Birkdale—watch Rory laugh it off here.
Double whammy: LIV Golf is planning to scale back operations in both the UK and the US. The league has even filed the paperwork typically used when companies prepare for large-scale... well, layoffs—here is what you should know about this development. Also, cash-strapped LIV now faces a $630 million lawsuit for allegedly stealing ideas from another league and peddling them as its own. The lawsuit includes some shocking claims of backstabbing, as you will find out here.
Savvy rules: The R&A has rolled out a fresh code of conduct for The Open, which is expected to draw around 300,000 fans next week. Scottie heard some “choicest” words last year from spectators, and this time there will be signs around the course reminding fans to respect the pros, one another, and more. So, anyone tempted to heckle may end up sharing the same fate as the man who heckled Brian Harman two years ago. Check out what happened to him.


Golf bags cannot get funkier than this.
There’s something cool about seeing colors pop up during your regular tournament weeks. Here, take a look at Nelly Korda’s golf bag at the Amundi Evian Championship. It’s bold—the pink and blue matchup. But boy, does it look gorgeous.
Then there's the limited-edition Callaway golf bag Rose Zhang is carrying this week. Anna Huang is carrying the same—check out the nod to the tournament’s venue and its charming landscape on the bag. Brooke Henderson isn’t far behind: her blue-and-white bag (the center one on the image above) and her hand-knitted headcover, which she received as a gift, are worth a look too.
Speaking of golf bags, guess who was carrying Lydia Ko’s bag? No, not a PGA Tour caddie. It’s her husband, Jun Chung. When Jun joked about working on his vacation, Ko gave him the sweetest reprimand only 35 female golfers can give.
On the men’s side, Scottie Scheffler lamented about turning 30, joked about his receding hairline. Listen to his answer to the question about whether getting older has freaked him out. Elsewhere, Chris Gotterup, back to defend his Genesis Scottish Open title, walked us through his day—take a look here.

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As you read above, R&A introduced a new policy to curb unruly fan behavior. Keeping that in mind tell us…
Should Every Tournament Organizer Implement a Similar Code of Conduct Policy for Fans?
Last Poll Result: 72.53% of you said golf’s handicap system is too easy to exploit.


How to survive this Links threat?
Pot bunkers are a reminder that golf can get nasty. Just take a rare first-person look at the one in play at the Genesis Scottish Open—you’re not getting out of here in one shot. Which is why 31-time DP World Tour winner Colin Montgomerie shared these tips.
Use your highest-lofted wedge. Open the face further. An open face increases the loft. For example, a 60° angle can be turned to 70° or 80°.
Aim to hit about 3–5 inches behind the ball, not the ball itself. Let the sand generate the lift and power. Closely watch how PGA Tour pros did it here.
Make an aggressive, full follow-through. It keeps the club lofted through impact. Watch Montgomerie—in his David Attenborough voice—demonstrate the process here.
Now that’s how you play the links courses. Next time you get stuck in a pot bunker, be intrepid and follow this process.

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