If It’s Not Scottie or Rory, Who Wins THE PLAYERS?

Every year at The Players Championship, the conversation usually starts with two names: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

And for good reason. Scheffler has been the most dominant player in the world over the last two seasons, while McIlroy’s power and experience make him a threat every time he tees it up at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.

But let’s make things interesting.

If you can’t pick Scheffler or McIlroy, who is the best bet to win golf’s unofficial “fifth major”?

My pick: Collin Morikawa.

Why Morikawa Fits Sawgrass

TPC Sawgrass isn’t a course that simply rewards power. Precision is everything. Players must control their ball off the tee, hit exact iron distances, and avoid the water lurking on nearly every hole.

That’s exactly where Morikawa thrives.

Few players in the world strike their irons as purely as the two-time major champion. His ability to consistently hit greens and attack pins makes him perfectly suited for a course that punishes even slight mistakes.

If the putter cooperates for four days, Morikawa has the type of tee-to-green game that can separate him from the field.

Momentum Matters

Form heading into The Players often tells a story. Morikawa has been trending in the right direction, stacking strong finishes and looking increasingly comfortable with his game.

Confidence can be a powerful weapon at Sawgrass, where momentum can shift quickly and players must stay patient through a demanding layout.

If Morikawa keeps giving himself birdie chances with his irons, he’ll be in the mix when the tournament reaches the pressure cooker of Sunday afternoon.

A Few Names to Watch

Even beyond Morikawa, there are several players who feel primed for a run at The Players.

Ludvig Åberg continues to look like a future superstar and has the ball-striking ability to dominate any course.

Akshay Bhatia enters with serious momentum after his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, showing he’s capable of closing against elite competition.

And then there’s Tommy Fleetwood, whose all-around game and experience in big events make him a dangerous contender whenever the stage gets bigger.

The Prediction

Sawgrass always produces a little chaos. Water, wind, and pressure have a way of creating dramatic Sundays.

But if it’s not Scheffler.

And it’s not McIlroy.

Don’t be surprised if Collin Morikawa is the one lifting the trophy on the 18th green.

And if that happens, it likely comes with a winning score somewhere around 13- or 14-under par — right in the sweet spot for a classic Players Championship finish.

Service First: Woodlake Country Club Earns No. 2 Spot Among America’s Friendliest Golf Courses

North Carolina club builds its reputation on culture, training, and genuine hospitality

Being recognized as one of the friendliest golf courses in the country doesn’t happen by accident. It requires the right culture, consistent training, and a staff committed to creating memorable experiences for every golfer who walks through the door.

That formula is clearly working at Woodlake Country Club in Vass, North Carolina.

The club, operated by Bobby Jones Links, was recently ranked No. 2 on GolfPass’ “America’s 25 Friendliest Public Golf Courses – Golfers’ Choice 2026.” The recognition is based on golfer reviews and reflects a commitment to hospitality that the staff has worked hard to build.

For general manager Jeff Crabbe, the honor was both validating and a bit surprising.

“Our staff from top to bottom goes above and beyond,” Crabbe said. “So I won’t say I was completely surprised, but when I got the email, it was still a great moment. It really validated the hard work our team puts in every day.”

The GolfPass list highlights courses where exceptional service keeps golfers coming back “round after round,” much like the best restaurants and small businesses rely on customer loyalty.

Reviews of Woodlake on GolfPass reflect that reputation.

“All the staff were super nice and very helpful,” one golfer wrote. “The layout is beautiful and the facilities were top-notch. Can’t say enough about it. Highly recommend it.”

A Club Reimagined

Woodlake already had a compelling story long before the recognition.

In 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated the region and effectively wiped out the lake that once defined the course. The damage forced the club to rethink its future. After a complete renovation and reopening a little more than two years ago, Woodlake has emerged stronger than ever.

The course now operates as a private club with limited public access, welcoming both members and visiting golfers through public tee times and golf packages. Regardless of how players arrive, the goal is the same: treat everyone like a VIP.

And the experience is expected to improve even further when the lake restoration project is completed in the coming years.

A Service Philosophy by Design

Woodlake’s reputation for hospitality is part of a broader philosophy shared by all facilities managed by Bobby Jones Links, an Atlanta-based company that operates roughly three dozen golf properties across the country.

Central to that philosophy is a training program known as the “Member Journey,” or the “Customer Journey” at public facilities.

Allyson Kahl Darling, vice president of experiences for Bobby Jones Links, travels to each property overseeing the programs that shape both team member and guest experiences.

“The Member Journey is our service delivery roadmap,” Kahl Darling said. “We customize it for every property because each club is unique.”

While technical training and operational procedures remain important, she says the company focuses heavily on service training—how employees interact with guests and shape the overall experience.

“Our service training programs are designed around the full guest experience and the entire member journey,” she said. “We emphasize thoughtful, consistent care from the first interaction to the final farewell.”

The goal is to elevate every touchpoint along that journey.

“We want our team members to be genuine,” she said. “It’s not about pushing people through the club. It’s about creating real interactions and meaningful moments.”

Sometimes those moments come from the simplest gestures.

“It can be as basic as making sure a guest walks in and immediately sees a staff member who makes eye contact, smiles, and steps out from behind the counter to greet them,” she said.

Service Starts Before the First Tee

At Woodlake, customer service begins well before golfers hit their first shot.

Bag drop attendants do more than load clubs onto carts. They’re encouraged to interact with guests, learn names, and look for conversation starters—anything from a college logo on a bag tag to a favorite sports team.

The idea is to connect with golfers personally, understanding when they want conversation and when they simply want to enjoy the day.

“Our more experienced staff members take newer team members under their wing,” Crabbe said. “They teach the work ethic and best practices that help create a great customer experience.”

That attention to detail carries through every part of the operation—from the golf shop to the restaurant and back to the bag drop after the round, where staff members unload bags and clean clubs.

“The points of contact that really matter—customer service from the parking lot to the golf shop to the first tee—those are constants for our team,” Crabbe said.

The Right People Make the Difference

Even with training programs in place, Crabbe believes the biggest factor behind Woodlake’s reputation is simply the people who work there.

One recent example illustrated that perfectly.

A golfer who had booked a round through GolfNow drove nearly 90 minutes from Greensboro, only to realize he had forgotten his putter. While checking in, he mentioned the problem to golf shop attendant Baxter Billingsley.

Without hesitation, Billingsley offered a solution.

“Hey, I’ve got my clubs in my car,” he told the golfer. “Let me go grab my putter.”

The golfer offered to pay or leave his driver’s license as collateral. Billingsley declined.

“He just told him, ‘I don’t need anything. When you finish, just bring it back,’” Crabbe recalled.

“It was just thinking on your feet and doing the right thing,” he said. “That was a really cool moment.”

Creating Memorable Experiences

At its core, the Bobby Jones Links service philosophy centers on a few key principles:
Every guest interaction matters, from arrival to departure.
Team members are encouraged to engage warmly and authentically.
Staff focus on awareness, anticipation, proactive service, and empathy.
Operational efficiency matters—but genuine connections matter more.
The goal is simple: ensure every guest feels welcomed, valued, and cared for.

That approach, Kahl Darling says, is exactly why Woodlake earned its recognition.

“They absolutely earned it,” she said. “We’re very proud of our team and our partnership with them.”

For Crabbe, the philosophy comes down to one simple mindset shared across the staff.

“It doesn’t matter what your title is,” he said. “Woodlake Country Club is on all of our titles. We all do whatever we can to make people want to come here—and want to come back.”

Troon Launches Access, Ushering In A New Era In Golf Rewards

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) — Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, today announced the launch of Access, a fully integrated golf ecosystem that brings together tee time booking, subscription savings, loyalty rewards, and e-commerce into one connected platform. Branded as “A New Era in Golf Rewards,” Access is designed to reward golfers for their loyalty while making it easier than ever to book, play, earn, and shop.

Access is comprised of four core components: a modern tee time booking engine at GolfWithAccess.com, a free rewards program called Access Loyalty, a paid subscription offering known as Access Premium, and an integrated online retail experience, the Access Shop. Together, these elements create a unified digital experience where every round played and every dollar spent contributes to meaningful rewards.

Through GolfWithAccess.com and the Access mobile app, golfers can book tee times at hundreds of courses nationwide, invite friends directly into reservations, receive tee time notifications, and manage their rewards activity within a single account. Members automatically earn points on eligible rounds booked through the platform and can redeem those points instantly toward future tee times or products in the Access Shop.

More than 200 courses currently participate in the Access ecosystem including premier destinations such as Kapalua Golf, Pronghorn Golf Club, and Troon North Golf Club. The participating network continues to expand, both inside and outside of Troon’s management portfolio.

“Access represents the future of how golfers and courses grow together,” said Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz. “Golfers want meaningful savings, flexible rewards, and a seamless digital experience. Courses want sustained demand, repeat play, and deeper customer relationships. Access aligns those priorities within one connected ecosystem. By rewarding golfers for engaging within our network, we’re not only enhancing the consumer experience, we’re building a long-term growth engine that supports the performance and vitality of the courses we manage.”

Access Loyalty is free to join and enables golfers to earn points for every eligible dollar spent on rounds booked through the platform or on products purchased through the Access Shop. As members accumulate points, they progress through Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers that unlock accelerated earning rates and expanded redemption flexibility. Points are transparently displayed and can be applied directly during the tee time checkout process, eliminating traditional redemption charts and phone-based booking requirements.

For golfers seeking additional value, Access Premium and Access Premium+ offer subscription-based benefits that include year-round savings on tee times at participating courses, automatic loyalty tier upgrades, guest passes to share savings with friends, and exclusive offers in the Access Shop. The subscription model allows frequent players to maximize savings while continuing to earn and redeem loyalty points within the same ecosystem.

The Access Shop extends the experience beyond the course, offering products from dozens of leading golf brands, including Callaway and TaylorMade, with Access Premium member-exclusive pricing and benefits. By integrating commerce directly into the platform, Troon has created a continuous rewards loop that spans booking, playing, and purchasing.

“Today’s golfers expect convenience and flexibility,” said Jeff Ma, Chief Digital Officer of Troon. “With Access, you can book a tee time, invite your playing partners, earn points automatically, and apply those points toward your next round, all in one place. It removes friction and makes loyalty part of the booking experience itself.”

With booking, subscription, rewards, and commerce now operating as one integrated system, Troon believes Access sets a new standard for digital engagement in golf. As participation grows nationwide, the company expects Access to deepen golfer loyalty while delivering expanded value across every stage of the playing experience.

For more information or to join Access, visit GolfWithAccess.com.

Teen Phenom Blades Brown Nearly Makes History at Puerto Rico Open as Bhatia Wins Big at Bay Hill

Two PGA Tour events produced dramatically different stories on Sunday — a stunning comeback at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a teenage star who came within striking distance of history at the Puerto Rico Open.

At Bay Hill, Akshay Bhatia delivered a charge worthy of Arnold Palmer himself.

Meanwhile in Puerto Rico, 18-year-old Blades Brown nearly became the youngest PGA Tour winner in nearly a century before a single disastrous hole derailed his bid.

Bhatia’s Bay Hill comeback

Bhatia appeared out of the tournament early Sunday when he missed a 30-inch par putt that left him five shots behind. But the 24-year-old responded with the kind of fearless play Palmer famously preached.

“You must play boldly to win,” Palmer often said — and Bhatia did exactly that.

He ignited the back nine with four straight birdies, including a 60-foot bomb on the 11th. Suddenly the tournament at Bay Hill was alive.

With three holes to play, Bhatia was two shots back. On the par-5 16th, he launched a towering 6-iron at a tucked pin. The ball nearly dropped for albatross before settling inches away, setting up a short eagle and tying the lead.

The drama carried into the first playoff at Bay Hill since 1999 against Daniel Berger. Berger’s par putt on the first extra hole slid by the cup, leaving Bhatia two putts from inside 30 feet to secure the victory.

He calmly rolled them in to capture his third PGA Tour title — and the biggest yet — at the $20 million signature event.

“If he was up there watching, he’s probably pretty proud of how that finished,” Bhatia said, wearing the tournament’s signature red cardigan.

The victory pushes Bhatia inside the world’s top 20 as the PGA Tour heads toward the Masters.

Blades Brown’s near-history in Puerto Rico

While Bhatia celebrated in Florida, a teenage prodigy was making headlines in Puerto Rico.

Brown entered the final round at Grand Reserve chasing history. At 18, the rising star had a chance to become the youngest PGA Tour winner since 1931.

And for much of Sunday, it looked possible.

Brown held a one-shot lead with six holes to play, showing the poise of a veteran despite turning pro just last year — months after graduating high school.

Then came the 13th hole.

His tee shot found a fairway bunker, and his approach toward a green guarded by water drifted right and splashed into the hazard. After the drop, Brown got aggressive again and ran his wedge over the green. The result: triple bogey.

In the span of minutes, Brown went from leading the tournament to trailing by four.

He regrouped admirably, finishing with a 69 and birdieing the final hole to secure solo third, his first top-10 finish on the PGA Tour.

The title ultimately went to Ricky Castillo, who capitalized on Brown’s stumble. Castillo made back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes and closed with a bogey-free 67 to finish at 17-under, one shot ahead of Chandler Blanchet.

Despite the heartbreak, Brown left Puerto Rico with a breakthrough performance and a spot in the Valspar Championship.

For a player still technically a teenager, it was another sign that one of golf’s brightest young stars is already knocking on the door.

And if Sunday proved anything, it’s that Brown might not have to wait long for his first PGA Tour win.

Titleist Introduces New AIM Designs for AVX, Tour Soft, Velocity and TruFeel Golf Balls

Testing has shown that players using Titleist AIM designs are up to 35% more precise in aligning their putts

(FAIRHAVEN, Mass.) — Titleist expands upon its player-validated golf ball alignment offerings with the introduction of four new Alignment Integrated Marking (AIM) models to help golfers achieve more precise alignment on the greens.

Complementing the AIM designs already available on Pro V1, Pro V1x and Pro V1x Left Dash, the addition of four unique patterns on Titleist’s AVX, Tour Soft, Velocity and TruFeel models rounds out a complete lineup of advanced alignment designs across the entire golf ball family.

AVX and TruFeel models are both offered with new AIM 360 markings, custom printed around the circumference of the golf ball, while AIM Performance designs are featured opposite the sidestamp on both Tour Soft and Velocity, the fourth pole of design space on the golf ball. All four new Titleist AIM golf ball models are now available in golf shops worldwide and on Titleist.com. 

“We’ve conducted significant testing around alignment tendencies and how accurate players are with different types of markings,” said Scott Cooper, Titleist’s Director of Golf Ball Product Development. “The data consistently shows improvement for most golfers when they align their putts with our AIM designs. When we talk about improved performance, it needs to be discernible and impactful to the golfer.”

"Interestingly, AIM is more valuable as you get farther from the hole,” said Frederick Waddell, Director of Golf Ball Product Management. “On a four-foot putt, you might be okay lining up your ball with a standard sidestamp because it's such a short putt. But as you go back to 12 feet or 16 feet, you could be off by up to a foot on either side of the hole as that dispersion cone gets wider. The data really illustrates that, for golfers who like a form of alignment on their ball, our AIM designs can help them be more precise on the greens.”

PRECISION VALIDATED: BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR AIM MODELS

Before every new Titleist golf ball model is introduced, it must undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate discernible performance advantages for the golfer. Titleist Golf Ball R&D and manufacturing teams have approached advanced alignment designs with the same intentionality.

“Golfers expect Titleist to deliver real performance benefits, and that was our goal from the start,” Waddell said. “As we always do, we went to the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour to understand their use of alignment features and preferred designs.”

Roughly 65% of Titleist golf ball players on the PGA TOUR mark their Pro V1 or Pro V1x with some kind of alignment cue. The first AIM Performance design, currently available on Pro V1 family models, was inspired by the most popular of those tour player additions: a long, straight line. 

Titleist also extended AIM research to dedicated golfers, testing more unique, custom alignment features with Team Titleist members to gauge design appeal. There was clear interest, and not just from Pro V1 and Pro V1x players.

To assess the effectiveness of AIM designs, Titleist Golf Ball R&D developed a proprietary device that measured how precise golfers were in aligning their golf ball to a target in a controlled test. The new technology helped Titleist uncover thousands of data points around alignment tendencies through player testing. 

Golfers were instructed to line up their golf ball to the hole using a variety of alignment cues, and precision was evaluated by measuring the left-right proximity of their aim to the hole through absolute angles. Results revealed a noticeably tighter alignment distribution for golfers using AIM alignment aids compared to those using a standard length sidestamp. Specifically, golfers using AIM were up to 35% more precise with their alignment.

AVX AIM 360

Distinctive alignment design that gradually softens around the circumference of the ball for improved aim and accuracy.

AVX player profile: AVX is designed for players seeking long distance, low spin and a penetrating flight in the long game along with impressive stopping power into the green and a very soft feel.

The new AVX improves short-game control with a softer urethane cover and dials in long-game performance with a faster core formulation and a re-engineered high flex casing layer. 

AVX AIM 360 MAP: $49.99

TOUR SOFT AIM PERFORMANCE

Premium extended three-line alignment for more precise aim and accuracy, available in blue and black or red and black.

Tour Soft player profile: Tour Soft is designed for exceptional performance from tee to green for golfers seeking an excellent combination of distance, feel and spin at a lower price point. 

The new Tour Soft features a brand-new dimple design, core dimension and elastomer cover blend for a more consistent flight, better stopping power and a very soft feel.

Tour Soft AIM Performance MAP: $39.99

VELOCITY AIM PERFORMANCE

Distinctive orange and black arrow alignment design for improved aim and accuracy. 

Velocity player profile: Velocity is recommended for players who prioritize distance from tee to green above all other performance attributes. 

The new Velocity features advancements to every layer of the golf ball, helping deliver longer distance off the tee, lower long-game spin and a more penetrating flight.

Velocity AIM Performance MAP: $29.99

TRUFEEL AIM 360

Unique, continuous red arrow alignment design that wraps the circumference of the ball for improved aim and accuracy.

TruFeel player profile: TruFeel, the softest Titleist golf ball, is designed to provide long distance, consistent greenside spin and an ultra-soft feel.

TruFeel AIM 360 MAP: $24.99

PRO V1 AIM OFFERINGS

In addition to the newly introduced AIM designs for 2026, Pro V1, Pro V1x and new Pro V1x Left Dash golf balls continue to be offered in AIM Performance and AIM Enhanced designs.

The Pro V1 family’s AIM Performance marking is designed after one of the most common additions tour players make to their golf ball: a long, straight line. The 105-degree design is printed on the golf ball’s fourth pole. It is available in black, red, blue and pink colors.

The Pro V1 family’s AIM Enhanced marking is an extended three-line alignment design incorporated into the golf ball’s sidestamp. The built-in visual aid measures over 65% longer than the standard Titleist sidestamp.

From Losing His Tour Card to Bay Hill: Joel Dahmen’s Late Charge Lands Him in $20M Signature Event

Joel Dahmen entered the final tournament of last season knowing his PGA Tour future was hanging by a thread. His last chance to retain a full card ended with a missed cut, sending him back to Arizona with more questions than answers.

He spent the next month at home with his newborn son, unsure what the next chapter of his career would look like. One thing seemed certain at the time: a start in a $20 million signature event at Bay Hill wasn’t part of the plan.

Yet this week, Dahmen finds himself in the 72-player field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The PGA Tour’s new structure — with only the top 100 players keeping full cards instead of 125 — has created tighter schedules and fewer opportunities. For someone in Dahmen’s position, that meant uncertainty about where he would play and how often.

But strong performances in limited chances changed everything.

“It’s nice to hang out with the big kids this week,” Dahmen said Wednesday. “Incredible event. Really hard golf course. It’s definitely elevated, signature event. You can feel it, and I’m just super excited to be here.”

His path to Bay Hill wasn’t paved with sponsor exemptions. Dahmen applied for one nearly every week and received just a single invite — at the WM Phoenix Open — where he missed the cut.

Instead, he played his way in.

He squeezed into the field at Torrey Pines and finished tied for seventh. Then last week, after barely getting into the Cognizant Classic, he delivered a bogey-free final 27 holes to finish tied for ninth.

That surge earned him the final spot in the Bay Hill field — by just five FedEx Cup points over Jordan Spieth, who already had a sponsor exemption.

“No, I could not see myself here,” said Dahmen, 38. “It was the first time in a long time that there was a lot of unknowns in my career. Most players didn’t really know the schedule or what we were going to get into.

“For me, the biggest thing was that every single start is a big start.”

Those starts have suddenly become crucial. Dahmen isn’t eligible for the three signature events following The Players Championship, meaning Bay Hill and The Players represent major opportunities to keep his momentum going. Without his recent results, he could have faced a five-week stretch without a tournament.

Instead, he’s teeing it up against one of the strongest fields of the year.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler — a two-time Bay Hill winner in the past four years — headlines a field that includes 19 of the top 20 players in the world. Justin Thomas also returns to competition for the first time since Ryder Cup following back surgery.

“I’ve got to be realistic,” Thomas said. “I haven’t played a tournament in six months. I feel like I can do anything I want with the golf ball at any given time. It’s just going to be concentrating for four-and-a-half, five hours on a very difficult test.”

Dahmen isn’t the only player who fought his way into the event. Austin Smotherman, fresh off a runner-up finish last week, also earned a spot.

For Collin Morikawa, stories like Dahmen’s are part of what makes the Tour compelling.

“That’s part of why people love seeing maybe slightly bigger fields — the underdog story,” Morikawa said. “On any given week there are a lot of guys in the world who can play golf. But opportunities aren’t just handed out. You have to go earn them.

“Joe was given an opportunity. He’s taken that opportunity and turned it into something great.”

A few months ago, though, Dahmen’s career outlook looked far less certain.

The offseason was filled with family time — celebrating his newborn son, hosting Thanksgiving dinner and spending plenty of time on the couch. His golf clubs stayed tucked away until late December, when his wife casually asked if he had thought about what came next.

It was Dec. 27 when he realized it might be time to start practicing again.

“Yeah, the path to the Tour is rougher,” Dahmen said. “The path to stay on Tour is tougher than it’s ever been. There’s a lot of talk about it being more of a closed shop.

“But on the other side, I’m proof that in four events you can play well enough and earn your way into these events.”

Now he has two more chances — Bay Hill and The Players — to keep the comeback going.

“And if you play well in one of these next two,” Dahmen said, “you keep going on the upward trend.”

Health Inspectors Cite Rodents, Insects at Trump National Golf Club Westchester

A recent health inspection at Trump National Golf Club Westchester turned up several violations, including the presence of rodents and insects in the facility.

The upscale golf club in Westchester County, New York — one of several courses owned by Donald Trump — received five health code violations during its most recent inspection, according to a publicly available report from local health authorities.

Among the issues noted by inspectors were rodents and insects present in the establishment, along with plumbing problems, improperly stored food, and concerns related to lighting and ventilation.

While isolated violations can occur at any restaurant or food service facility, inspection records indicate that the “rodents and insects present” citation has appeared at the club multiple times dating back to 2016.

The findings come roughly a year after another property, Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, drew scrutiny following a health inspection that resulted in a failing score.

According to reports at the time, the Somerset County Department of Health gave the Bedminster club a 32 out of 100, citing numerous violations and labeling the situation an “unacceptable health risk.” The score was reportedly the lowest among the county’s 115 retail food establishments during that inspection period.

Details from that report, cited by Forbes, said the person in charge of food and beverage service “failed to demonstrate knowledge of food safety.” Inspectors also found the establishment out of compliance with requirements related to protecting food from contamination.

Additional violations included expired milk, improperly stored raw meat, and a dishwasher that failed to reach the required sanitation temperature. Inspectors recorded 18 total violations at the facility, nine of which were categorized as critical.

The report also noted the presence of a household microwave in the kitchen — equipment inspectors ordered removed because retail food establishments are required to use commercial-grade appliances.

Despite the violations, both clubs remain part of a portfolio of high-end golf properties frequently visited by members and guests.