👋 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},

Before we move to the RBC Canadian Open, Tiger’s homecoming and other stories, what a blast of a start to the World Cup for the USMNT! After a 100-minute energetic, electric, and exciting match, the USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles for its first multi-goal win in a World Cup game in 24 years.

In the golf world, a PGA Tour rookie looks poised to claim his first title in his pro debut; Tiger is officially back in the U.S., and LIV faces the risk of losing its young players.

Let’s get swinging…

Queen Gertrude would’ve mouthed the same words if she were outside the ropes at TPC Toronto, watching the renovated course trying to fend off low scores. Unsuccessfully, of course.

Low scores were expected, yet it’s still surprising to watch golfers achieve career milestones from near the foot of the leaderboard. Case in point: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (-3/T46). The South African was playing his 1,880th par-3 on the PGA Tour when he teed off on the seventh during the first round. He made this one his most memorable par-3.

The tee shot carried 214 yards and rolled into the cup for his first PGA Tour ace. How cool was it? Watch how Bezuidenhout reacted after the hole-in-one and you’ll understand.

But on R2, he tumbled 14 places on the leaderboard, a steep slide compared to Ben James (-10/1st), who climbed 31 spots. James started with a 25‑foot eagle putt to kick off, and he didn’t look back in his chase for a first victory in his pro debut. He’s fresh off topping this year’s PGA Tour University Rankings, which earned him a Tour card.

Brooks Koepka (-8/T7) carded four birdies, an eagle, a double, and two bogeys en route to a 2‑under 68. He still has a very real shot at hoisting a trophy before heading to Shinnecock.

Letdowns: Eric Cole (E/MC) and Davis Riley (E/MC) both underwhelmed after encouraging lead‑up form. Tony Finau (-2/T61) nosedived 54 places. After missing out on a U.S. Open spot, if he can’t manage a top-three finish, he’ll miss out on the Open Championship, too. Meanwhile, PGA Champion Aaron Rai (-1/MC) couldn’t carry his momentum, missing the weekend in only his second start since Aronimink.

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A return: After nearly three months in a Swiss rehab facility, Tiger Woods flew home Friday aboard his private jet. He seemed healthy and was smiling—check out the pictures here. Sources say the rehab combined intense physical and psychological therapy with non‑opioid pain management.

So could we expect a return to the greens? Not so soon. But we know what we can expect: Tiger standing outside the ropes to support his son, Charlie, in junior golf tournaments. There’s a reason we believe that is possible—just check out the video below.

An Exit: Some young LIV players without binding contracts are reportedly eyeing an early exit. Undoubtedly, it is better to start serving suspensions now and fast-track a PGA Tour return than gamble on whether LIV 2.0 will get the go‑ahead. And who is to say promising golfers like David Puig aren’t one of them? CEO Scott O’Neil was asked point-blank about the remaining tournaments. He couldn’t offer a guarantee, as you’ll see here.

So, a likely place to start is the DP World Tour. Other reports suggest that proposed belt‑tightening at LIV, including cutting prize money down to DP World Tour levels, could push more talent through the door. Here is the breakdown of that scenario. Really, O’Neil is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Last Poll Result: 76.00% of you said the PGA Tour-LIV Golf agreement wasn’t necessary in 2023.

Most weekend warriors suffer from one key problem: keeping their wrists stable. This Nick Faldo drill helps you fix the mistakes during the takeaway and produce better contact.

Charlie Woods won’t caddie for teenage phenom at the U.S. Open. Woods Jr. was on his bag during the Final Qualifying earlier this week.

A pro is in contention to win his first Tour title, but his clubs got lost in transit.The golfer has been playing with borrowed clubs.

LIV Golf’s decision to cut costs threatens the existence of its most iconic feature. The league might end up following the Tour’s format.

Luke Donald may have to wait more than a year for a shot at delivering Europe a third straight Ryder Cup, but his achievements so far have already earned him a spot on the King’s Birthday Honours as an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). While accepting it, he thanked his Ryder Cup teammates, caddies, and staff.

The five-time PGA Tour winner’s Ryder Cup record is outstanding. And his reputation for attention to detail precedes that. Remember when he blocked slivers of light for his players in the hotel rooms? Yes, here’s the full scoop. Next year in Ireland, he’ll aim to become the first captain in 100 years to steer Europe to a third straight win.

But before that, congrats to the man!

Essentially Golf brings you handpicked, well-thought-out, and not-to-be-missed recommendations.

🎥 Watch — Tommy Fleetwood tries to break 100 left-handed.

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🧩 Puzzle — Hint: The area between the tee box and the putting green.

✈️ Visit — Fox Harb’r Resort courses are designed by acclaimed golf architects.

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