DOUG FERGUSON Golf Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Keegan Bradley walks to the 18th green during the final round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Keegan Bradley makes the right decision only if the Americans win the Ryder Cup

August 26, 2025

Keegan Bradley decides on Wednesday whether to become the first playing captain in the Ryder Cup since 1963. There is only one outcome to spare him a new level of second-guessing. The Americans have to win. Bradley is one of the top Americans. The Ryder Cup captaincy takes up a lot of time. If he plays and the Americans lose at Bethpage Black, it’s because he had too much on his plate and should have picked someone else. If he doesn’t play and the Americans lose, it’s because he didn’t put forth the best team. It’s only a moot point if the Americans win.

Tommy Fleetwood, of England, holds the championship trophy after the final round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tommy Fleetwood wins Tour Championship for first PGA Tour title and FedEx Cup

August 24, 2025

Tommy Fleetwood ends a summer of heartache with the richest prize on the PGA Tour. He won the Tour Championship for his first tour title to capture the FedEx Cup and its $10 million reward. Fleetwood got plenty of help at the start when Patrick Cantlay began bogey-double bogey and could never catch up. Scottie Scheffler hit his opening tee shot out-of-bounds and still was a threat until a tee shot into the water ended his hopes on the 15th. Fleetwood shot 68 and won by three over Cantlay and Russell Henley. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley tied for seventh.

Tommy Fleetwood, of England, walks off the 11th green during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Cantlay and Fleetwood tied for Tour Championship lead. Ryder Cup captain Bradley in the mix

August 23, 2025

Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Cantlay share the lead going into what figures to be a thriller of a finish at the Tour Championship. Fleetwood hit into the water for double bogey on the 15th and had to settle for a 67. Cantlay birdied four of his last five holes for a 64. They were two shots ahead of Russell Henley. Scottie Scheffler was four behind. Most intriguing was Keegan Bradley and his 63 to be three back. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain is making it hard on himself as he contemplates picking himself as a playing captain.

Keegan Bradley reacts to his birdie on the 18th green during the second round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Keegan Bradley says being Ryder Cup playing captain ‘biggest decision’ of his life

August 22, 2025

Keegan Bradley says deciding whether to be the first Ryder Cup playing captain since 1963 will be the biggest decision of his life. Bradley has been consumed by his role as U.S. captain. He says it’s become more difficult to separate his role as captain and a player who is contending for the FedEx Cup this week at the Tour Championship. He thinks about pairings and speeches. And then he shot a 64 on Friday at East Lake. Bradley says he has a pretty good idea who might get the six picks. The question is if he’s one of them.

Tommy Fleetwood, of England, waits to putt on the third green during the second round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Fleetwood and Henley share Tour Championship lead in a tight race for a $10M prize

August 22, 2025

Tommy Fleetwood is back for more. His year has been defined by close calls and heartache as the Englishman tries to win for the first time on the PGA Tour. He shot 63 at soft East Lake and shares the lead with Russell Henley going into the weekend on a rain-soaked course that is producing low scores. Henley shot 66. They are two ahead of Cameron Young who shot a 62. Young is a strong Ryder Cup candidate. Scottie Scheffler extended his streak to 19 rounds under par by making birdie on the final hole for 69. He’s five back.

Russell Henley walks on the first fairway during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Russell Henley birdies last 3 holes for a 61 to lead Tour Championship over Scheffler

August 21, 2025

Russell Henley couldn’t miss with the putter in soft conditions at East Lake. The result was a 61 to build a two-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler after one round of the Tour Championship. Henley made over 200 feet of putts and one-putted six of his last seven greens. Scheffler missed only one fairway and had to scramble for par. He shot 63. That’s his best score by two shots in six appearances at East Lake. Everyone started from scratch this year. And in soft conditions, everyone took aim. Only two players from the 30-man field shot over par.

Scottie Scheffler speaks before a practice round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Scottie Scheffler doesn’t like comparisons to Tiger Woods. But Tiger inspired him

August 20, 2025

Scottie Scheffler doesn’t like the comparisons to Tiger Woods. He believes Woods stands alone in golf for inspiring so many players. Scheffler was one of them. On the eve of the Tour Championship, he tells about the only time he played with Woods. They were 11 shots behind going into the final round of the 2020 Masters and neither had a chance to win. Scheffler says Woods brought great intensity to the first hole. He says it taught him to pour everything into every shot and every round. Scheffler says that’s what helped him reach No. 1 in golf.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp speaks before a practice round of the Tour Championship golf tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tiger Woods to lead group that could reshape the PGA Tour’s competitive model

August 20, 2025

The first move by the PGA Tour’s new CEO is to put Tiger Woods in charge of a committee to study the competitive model. Brian Rolapp held his first news conference since replacing Jay Monahan as the person in charge. Woods is chair of the nine-member “Future Competition Committee.” It will have a blank canvas to look at the model. Rolapp says the idea is to uphold traditions without being bound by them. He says he wants what’s best to strengthen the tour. But when asked about LIV Golf, he felt the best players already are on the PGA Tour.

Scottie Scheffler celebrates on the 18th green after winning the BMW Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Trump Doral back on a PGA Tour schedule crowded with big tournaments

August 19, 2025

Trump Doral in Florida is back on the PGA Tour schedule for the first time in 10 years. The Miami Championship in early May will be a $20 million signature event. And it’s part of an extremely crowded schedule in the spring. Players will have a six-week stretch that starts with the Masters and ends with the PGA Championship with three $20 million events in between. That also means players who aren’t eligible for the biggest events might have only two tournaments for which they are eligible. The PGA Tour lost the Barracuda Championship in Lake Tahoe opposite the British Open.

FILE - Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, speaks after putting on the Masters green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament on April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Rory McIlroy loves signing Masters flags more than wearing the green jacket

August 19, 2025

Rory McIlroy never gets tired of signing a Masters pin flag as the champion, and there’s been a lot of that to do. McIlroy says there were 1,100 yellow flags left in the Masters Shop at the end of the Masters, and he got them all. But wearing the green jacket is a different story. McIlroy says he always imagined wearing it everywhere. But now that he has ownership of it until next April, he says he is reluctant to wear it. He says he looks forward to putting it on the next time he goes to Augusta National.

Scottie Scheffler poses with the trophies after winning the BMW Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

How to win the FedEx Cup has never been more clear. The significance has never been more confusing

August 19, 2025

How to win the FedEx Cup is clear. The 30 players at the Tour Championship all start from scratch, and the low score over 72 holes is the FedEx Cup champion. But that’s what makes the season-long competition a little confusing. There are 12 players at East Lake who got there without winning a tournament. If they win the Tour Championship, are they the FedEx Cup champion? Patrick Cantlay is one of those players without a win and he believes they are. So does Scottie Scheffler, who already has five wins. It’s about getting the opportunity for one big week.

Scottie Scheffler holds the trophy after winning the BMW Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Scottie Scheffler rallies from 4 shots down and wins BMW Championship for 5th victory of the year

August 17, 2025

Scottie Scheffler’s latest victory came with flair. He rallied from a four-shot deficit in the BMW Championship against Robert MacIntyre. Clinging to a one-shot lead, Scheffler chipped in from 82 feet on the 17th hole for a birdie that all but sealed his fifth victory of the year. Scheffler shot 67 at Caves Valley. He turned a four-shot deficit into a two-shot victory. And he’s the first player since Tiger Woods to win five-plus times on the PGA Tour in consecutive years. Harry Hall was the only player to move into the top 30 to reach the Tour Championship.

Scottie Scheffler waves while standing with trophies after winning the BMW Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Scottie Scheffler leads 6 qualifiers for US Ryder Cup team

August 17, 2025

Keegan Bradley has six of his 12 players for the Ryder Cup. The six American qualifiers were determined after the BMW Championship on Sunday and there was no change. Harris English moved up one spot to No. 5 and no one else moved past Bryson DeChambeau. That gives the Americans a LIV Golf player for the second straight Ryder Cup. Brooks Koepka played in Rome two years ago. The rest of the Americans have an audition week at the Tour Championship next week before Bradley makes his six captain’s picks. Bradley is considering himself as one of the picks.

Robert MacIntyre, of Scotland, hits from the fifth tee during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Robert MacIntyre up to the test and holds 4-shot lead over Scheffler in BMW Championship

August 16, 2025

Robert MacIntyre passed a big test in the BMW Championship. He had a five-shot lead over the best player in the world and held his own. MacIntyre made a 40-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 68. His lead is at four shots over Scottie Scheffler going into the final round at Caves Valley. Scheffler was efficient as ever in his round of 67. He made one bogey, ending his streak of 37 holes without one. Akshay Bhatia had the first hole-in-one of his tour career that could go a long way toward getting to the Tour Championship.

Robert MacIntyre, of Scotland, hits from the fairway on the 16th hole during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

MacIntyre posts a 64 and builds 5-shot lead over Scheffler at BMW Championship

August 15, 2025

Robert MacIntyre has the largest 36-hole in the BMW Championship in 10 years. MacIntyre shot a bogey-free 64 at Caves Valley and stretched his lead to five shots over Scottie Scheffler. Only the top 10 players on the leaderboard were within 10 shots of him. Scheffler played in the afternoon and wanted to stay in range. He had to settle for six pars at the end but still played bogey-free and shot 65. He’ll be in the last group with MacIntyre in the third round. Ludvig Aberg also shot 64 and was six shots behind the Scotsman.

Robert MacIntyre, of Scotland, hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Robert MacIntyre runs off 6 birdies in a row for 62 to lead BMW Championship

August 14, 2025

Robert MacIntyre matched the low score of his PGA Tour career with what he calls the best stretch of putting he’s ever had. The Scot closed with six straight birdies for a 62 in the BMW Championship. That gives him a three-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood. Scottie Scheffler had his 14th consecutive round in the 60s and was in the group another shot behind. Most of them were helped by a two-hour storm delay that dumped heavy rain on Caves Valley. That made the course softer when they returned. Rickie Fowler shot 67 and took a step toward East Lake.

Xander Schauffele eyes a putt on the first green during the second round of the St. Jude Championship golf tournament Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Xander Schauffele is trying to avoid missing the Tour Championship for the first time

August 13, 2025

The BMW Championship is always a high-stakes tournament. This week at Caves Valley it is double the pleasure. The top 30 make it to the Tour Championship next week for a shot at winning the FedEx Cup title. This also is the final week for Americans to earn one of six guaranteed spots in the Ryder Cup. Xander Schauffele is under more pressure than usual. He won two majors last year. He missed two months because of injury at the start of this year. And now he’s at risk of missing the Tour Championship for the first time.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the 18th green during the final round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Sunday, July 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Keegan Bradley as a playing captain? Rory McIlroy thinks the Ryder Cup is too big for that now

August 13, 2025

Rory McIlroy has his doubts whether Keegan Bradley can be the first Ryder Cup playing captain since 1963. He also says Bradley is one of the best 12 American players and he’s fascinated to see how this plays out. Bradley has a chance to play his way onto the team if he wins the BMW Championship. He is the defending champion. He makes six captain’s picks after next week’s Tour Championship. McIlroy says he’s been approached about the possibility of being a playing captain and shot down the idea. He thinks the Ryder Cup has become too big for that.

Golf is not like team sports. It was never meant to have a finish line to the season

August 12, 2025

There was so much faux outrage over Rory McIlroy missing the first PGA Tour postseason event. He wasn’t the first to skip it. And he didn’t even drop in the FedEx Cup. It should be a reminder that golf is not like other sports. There is no defining end to the season like a Super Bowl or a World Series. The PGA Tour originally called the postseason a “championship series” but then went to “playoffs” and it makes no sense. But what it created was incentive for the best to keep playing after the majors. That still works, even without McIlroy.

Keegan Bradley reacts to making birdie putt to a tie for the lead on the ninth hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Keegan Bradley would be a shoo-in for the Ryder Cup except that he’s the American captain

June 24, 2025

Keegan Bradley believes he’d be strongly considered to play the Ryder Cup any other year. But now he’s the U.S. captain and he has some decisions to make. Bradley won the Travelers Championship to go to No. 7 in the world ranking and No. 9 in the Ryder Cup standings. Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas are among those who feel he should be at Bethpage Black with his golf clubs. Rory McIlroy praises the U.S. depth. But he says it’s possible the Americans won’t have their best team if Bradley is part of it. Two months remain before the team is set.

J.J. Spaun celebrates with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

J.J. Spaun’s path to U.S. Open title helped by a shot onto an umbrella

June 23, 2025

J.J. Spaun is the U.S. Open champion with a strong connection to the Travelers Championship. It was five years ago when he won a closet-to-the-pin challenge and chose a diabetes foundation for his charity. Spaun had been misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Turns out a tournament executive’s son had Type 1 diabetes. They became friends and Travelers Insurance executive Andy Bessette knew several industry leaders and helped guide Spaun to the right doctors. Spaun returned to the Travelers this year with his U.S. Open trophy. He says connections like this are what helped him navigate his tough road.

Keegan Bradley pulls a stunner to deny Fleetwood and win the Travelers Championship

June 22, 2025

Keegan Bradley has won the Travelers Championship for the second time in three years. This one was a stunner. He was trailing Tommy Fleetwood by three shots with four to play at the TPC River Highlands. He was still one shot behind playing the 18th. Bradley hit his approach to just under 6 feet for birdie. Fleetwood came up 50 feet short and took three putts for bogey. Bradley now moves to No. 9 in the Ryder Cup and he’ll have some decisions to make whether he should give up his role as U.S. captain to play at Bethpage Black.

Tommy Fleetwood, of England, lines up his put on the ninth green during the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Fleetwood seizes control after Scheffler blowup and leads Travelers by 3

June 21, 2025

Tommy Fleetwood has a three-shot lead at the Travelers Championship and his best chance to finally add a PGA Tour title to his impressive worldwide resume. He shot a 63 in extreme heat. That wasn’t a surprise with so many low scores. The shocker was Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas having one hole wreck their rounds. Scheffler celebrated his 29th birthday by making triple bogey on his opening hole. Thomas took a quadruple-bogey 9 on the 13th hole. They were out of mix. Keegan Bradley shot 63 and Russell Henley had a 61 to share second place behind Fleetwood.

Scottie Scheffler drops his club after hitting his second shot from the rough on the first hole during the second round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Friday, June 20, 2025, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Scheffler part of 3-way tie for lead at Travelers with Fleetwood and Thomas

June 20, 2025

Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood are tied for the lead in the Travelers Championship after a blustery day at the TPC River Highlands. Scheffler was motoring along as the defending champion until he got the wrong wind on a couple of shots and was happy to escape with a double bogey. He shot a 69. Fleetwood got the wind right on a 9-wood and made eagle on the 13th hole. He chipped in for another eagle on the 15th hole and shot 65. Thomas ran off five straight birdies on the back nine for a 64.

Scottie Scheffler watches his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Scheffler hits a perfect shot and plenty of great ones for a 62 to share lead at Travelers

June 19, 2025

Scottie Scheffler hits a lot of great shots. Rarely does he hit one he considers close to perfect. Such was the case in the opening round of the Travelers Championship. It was a 3-iron to 10 feet for eagle on his way to a 62. That’s his lowest round at the TPC River Highlands. And he shares the lead with Austin Eckroat. They were two shots ahead of a group that includes Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley. It was a nice break from the brutal week at Oakmont for most. U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun shot 73.

Jordan Spieth stretches at the first hole during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Jordan Spieth withdraws after 13 holes from Travelers with shoulder blade injury

June 19, 2025

Jordan Spieth is out of the Travelers Championship with a shoulder blade injury that showed up out of nowhere. He had to withdraw after 13 holes of the first round. Spieth wonders if he slept it on wrong. But he noticed some pain during his practice session. He stopped to go to a training table to get it worked on. But it never got any better on the course. He was 5 over with no birdies through 13 holes. Spieth doesn’t plan to add a tournament before the British Open because his wife is giving birth to their third child.

Wyndham Clark tees off on the fourth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Wyndham Clark says he ‘deeply regrets’ damaging his Oakmont locker during the US Open

June 19, 2025

Wyndham Clark is apologizing for the damage done to the century-old locker he was using at Oakmont during the U.S. Open. It’s the second time this year Clark has caused damage out of anger during a major. He also slung his driver, which damaged a sign on the tee during the PGA Championship. Reports surfaced over the weekend of the damage to the Oakmont locker. Clark missed the cut by one shot at the U.S. Open. He says he deeply regrets the mistake. The former U.S. Open champion says he’s had highs and lows and certainly more lows this year.

From left, Adam Scott, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, incoming CEO Brian Rolapp, Tiger Woods at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug Ferguson).

Jay Monahan to leave next year as PGA Tour turns to NFL exec Brian Rolapp for new leadership

June 17, 2025

The PGA Tour has a new CEO and Commissioner Jay Monahan is leaving after 10 years. The tour has announced top NFL executive Brian Rolapp as CEO of the tour and the commercial PGA Tour Enterprises. Monahan says he will concentrate on his board duties until leaving when his contract ends next year. The transition comes at a time when golf remains fractured by the Saudi riches that lured some key players to LIV Golf. Rolapp was chief media and business officer for the NFL and a key executive for Commissioner Roger Goodell. He has been with the NFL for 22 years.

J.J. Spaun celebrates with his caddie, Mark Carens, after making a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A caddie at heart, Bones Mackay makes sure to get the 18th flag to Spaun’s bagman

June 17, 2025

Jim “Bones” Mackay is now with NBC Sports as an on-course reporter. But he’ll always consider himself a caddie. That much was evident in the final minutes of the U.S. Open. Mackay was reporting from the final group. J.J. Spaun was in the group ahead and clinched the victory. Mackay knows that a caddie’s trophy is the 18th pin flag. But there was one group still to play. So Mackay made sure to remove the pin when it was over and take it to Mark Carens. He’s the caddie for Spaun. It was a classy gesture only a caddie would know.

J.J. Spaun celebrates with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

J.J. Spaun takes a long road of hard work to become US Open champion

June 17, 2025

One of the early memories of J.J. Spaun was his rookie year when he was too afraid to meet Tiger Woods. Now their names are together on the U.S. Open trophy. Spaun didn’t come out of nowhere. He was already having a good year. Now it’s a great one that has moved him into the top 10 in the world and No. 3 in the Ryder Cup standings. His memories are driving the 17th green and making a 65-foot putt in his birdie-birdie finish at Oakmont. His story is more about grit and resilience to become a major champion.

Sam Burns reacts to his chip shot onto the 17th green during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Sam Burns holds steady on soggy Oakmont to lead US Open

June 14, 2025

Sam Burns has the lead in the U.S. Open on a rain-soaked Oakmont course and faces his biggest test. The 28-year-old from Louisiana has never contended in 20 previous majors. He shot a 69 with a late birdie and a great lag putt for par. That gives him a one-shot lead over Adam Scott. The Australian shot a 67 to finish one shot behind. Scott is the only player in top 10 who has won a major. J.J. Spaun shot 69 and also was one back. Viktor Hovland was the other survivor to par. He was three back.

U.S. Open champions Jack Nicklaus, left, and Johnny Miller speak during a news conference during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Doug Ferguson)

Nicklaus and Miller reminisce about their US Open victories at Oakmont

June 14, 2025

Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller are back at Oakmont and filled with great memories. And they say one thing that hasn’t changed is that putting is key to winning a U.S. Open at Oakmont. Nicklaus says that’s what he told players in the locker room before the third round. Nicklaus won the first of his 18 professional majors in the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont in a playoff over Arnold Palmer. Nicklaus had only one three-putt over 90 holes. Miller shot 63 in the final round to win the 1973 U.S. Open. His only bogey was three-putting No. 8.

Sam Burns waits to putt on the 18th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Friday, June 13, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Sam Burns leads US Open with 65 and avoids calamity at Oakmont

June 14, 2025

Sam Burns avoided the late meltdown that cost him in the first round of the U.S. Open. He had a 65 and has a one-shot lead at Oakmont. Best of all he was long gone before the calamity set in at Oakmont. It was a long day with rounds approaching six hours. And it was a wild finish. Rory McIlroy threw a club and smashed a tee marker. Phil Mickelson missed the cut with a pair of double bogeys in what might be his final U.S. Open. Scottie Scheffler couldn’t find a fairway and was seven shots behind.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his shot on the seventh hole during a practice round ahead of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

US Open gets a peaceful day of practice ahead of tough test that awaits at Oakmont

June 11, 2025

The star of this U.S. Open is Oakmont. Rory McIlroy had a peaceful start to his final day of practice with the sun rising on the horizon. The chaos begins when the score starts to count in the opening round Thursday. Oakmont is reputed to be the toughest course in the land. The U.S. Open prides itself on being the toughest test in golf. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite. He’s coming off three wins in his last four starts. That includes the PGA Championship. U.S. Open official says they don’t try to protect par. Oakmont usually does that for them.

Scottie Scheffler watches his putt on the ninth hole during a practice round ahead of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Scottie Scheffler is primed for another tough major at the US Open

June 10, 2025

Scottie Scheffler has been such a big favorite in golf that he had to get rid of his Venmo account. Turns out he was getting requests from fans who either paid him a few bucks for their betting wins or were asking for refunds. Scheffler is the overwhelming favorite again at the U.S. Open for good reason. He’s coming off three wins in his last four tournaments by a combined 17 shots. And he has the kind of tee-to-green dominance that works well at a U.S. Open test like Oakmont. Scheffler doesn’t care about odds. He says everyone starts even on Thursday.

Dustin Johnson says he ‘can grind for another six years’ before stepping away

June 10, 2025

Dustin Johnson is back at Oakmont and relishing memories. He won his first major in the 2016 U.S. Open under extreme conditions. That sent him on his way to being the best player in the world. Now he is with LIV Golf, and he is becoming an afterthought. Over the last 16 months, he has no wins. He has missed the cut in five of his last seven majors. Johnson says he can see himself playing six more years. He says he’s willing to grind that much longer. But he’ll be out of the majors except the Masters after 2026.

Xander Schauffele gestures after his putt on the ninth green during the third round of the Memorial golf tournament Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Xander Schauffele is a sick man when it comes to golf’s toughest test. He loves the US Open

June 9, 2025

Xander Schauffele concedes to being a sick person because he loves the U.S. Open. It’s called the toughest test in golf and Oakmont is reputed to be the toughest course in the land. Schauffele says he looks forward to the challenge at Oakmont. He’s yet to win the U.S. Open but he has finished in the top 10 in all but one of his eight appearances. Oakmont figures to give everyone fits this week because of its dense rough and super slick greens. Justin Thomas says having a good attitude to him means concentrating over every single shot.

FILE - In this June 11, 1950, file photo, Ben Hogan, center, smiles over a crowd and poses with his wife, Valerie, left, as he receives the U.S. Open Golf Championship trophy from James D. Standish, Jr., Detroit president of the United States Golf Association, in Ardmore, Pa. (AP Photo/File)

US Open ’25: Hogan and Woods and other key anniversaries in the U.S. Open this year

June 9, 2025

A capsule look at key anniversaries this year for the U.S. Open, a list that includes Ben Hogan at Merion in 1950 and Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000.

FILE - This is an overall photo of Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, the course for the 2025 U.S. Open golf tournament. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

US Open gets a soggy start to the week at Oakmont, with Jordan Spieth among early arrivals

June 8, 2025

U.S. Open week is off to a soggy start at Oakmont. Players are starting to arrive equipped with umbrellas and expectations of a typical tough test. Jordan Spieth was among the early arrivals. He played the front nine Saturday and got in 11 holes Sunday. The rough is every bit as deep and thick as advertised. Spieth says it’s one of the few U.S. Open courses that doesn’t need a lot of work to be ready for a major. He says mistakes are bound to happen. The key to Oakmont is not to compound the mistakes.

US Open ’25: Oakmont’s par-3 8th hole requires removing a head cover

June 6, 2025

Oakmont is known for its bunkers and fast greens. But also getting a lot of attention going into the U.S. Open is the par-3 eighth hole. It measures 289 yards on the card as the longest par 3 in the majors. But it is certain to play 300 yards or more at least in one of the rounds as it did in the 2007 U.S. Open. Viktor Hovland is among those who don’t like a par 3 that stretches so long players have to remove head covers on their fairway metals. He says then it starts getting silly.

Scottie Scheffler holds the Wanamaker trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt York)

US Open ’25: Oakmont is the name that stands out in golf’s toughest test

June 5, 2025

The U.S. Open goes back to Oakmont for a record 10th time and there’s a reason for it. The course as tough as Pittsburgh steel is renowned as the hardest course in the land. It’s one the USGA doesn’t have to mess around with to get the toughest test in golf. Never mind that Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are the biggest stars in golf this year. What has everyone’s attention going into the U.S. Open is how tough Oakmont will play. Bryson DeChambeau is the defending champion. Scheffler goes to Oakmont having won three of his last four tournaments.

Max Homa lines up his putt on the 13th green during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Max Homa carries his own bag and falls just short of qualifying for the US Open

June 2, 2025

Max Homa’s long day of 36-hole U.S. Open qualifying got even longer because he carried his own bag. Homa is no longer with his caddie of two months. A person aware of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, tells the AP that caddie Bill Harke is out of a job. Homa wasn’t interested in sharing details. He only wanted to talk about golf. He three-putted for par on his final hole. That put him in a 5-for-1 playoff that was won by Cameron Young. Homa offered some insight when he says it helped him not having someone standing next to him.

Scottie Scheffler joins Tiger Woods as only repeat winners at Memorial

June 1, 2025

Scottie Scheffler is the Memorial winner for the second year in a row. The world’s No. 1 player delivered another relentless performance. He shot 70 in the final round and turned a decent duel into another runaway. He wound up winning by four shots over Ben Griffin. That makes Scheffler the first back-to-back winner at Memorial since Tiger Woods. Lately his game has looked a lot more like the tournament host Jack Nicklaus. Scheffler now has won three of his last four tournaments. Rickie Fowler had his first top 10 of the year. That got him into the British Open.

Ben Griffin still on a heater after his win on punishing course at Memorial

May 29, 2025

Ben Griffin picked up his first individual PGA Tour title at Colonial last week and he’s still rolling. Griffin opened with a 65 at tough Muirfield Village despite two shots in the water. That gives him a two-shot lead over Collin Morikawa at the Memorial. Only six players broke 70 and 13 players were under par. The rough was so thick that missing a fairway made it hard work. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler wasn’t in the short grass enough for his liking. He still managed a 70 for his 19th consecutive tournament with a first round under par.

Jordan Spieth prepares to hit an approach shot on the sixth hole during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jordan Spieth ignores caddie’s smart advice and makes birdie from rough at Memorial

May 29, 2025

Jordan Spieth doesn’t know of anyone who hates chipping back to the fairway more than him. He was presented another such situation Thursday at the Memorial. As usual, it was high entertainment. Spieth was buried in nasty rough and had 115 yards to get to the fairway. He wasn’t sure he could do that. Caddie Michael Greller suggested chipping out. Spieth was having none of that. Spieth says chipping out is so demoralizing to him that he’ll make bad decisions. This one worked out. He reached the fairway and made a 25-foot putt for birdie. He shot even-par 72.

Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the ninth hole during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

FedEx Cup finale at East Lake goes to a 72-hole shootout where everyone starts from scratch

May 27, 2025

The Tour Championship is getting another overhaul. The PGA Tour has voted to scrap the controversial staggered start for the FedEx Cup finale. Starting this year, the 30 players who qualify for East Lake will all start at even par. The low score on a tougher setup wins the FedEx Cup. There could be a few more tweaks. And still to be determined is the payout. The tour said the distribution would be a little more balanced to account for all 30 players having an equal chance. It also wants to be sure the top player all season is rewarded.

FILE - In this Sunday, June 3, 2012, file photo, Jack Nicklaus, left, talks with Tiger Woods after Woods won the Memorial golf tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Jack Nicklaus was surprised by Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the Memorial

May 27, 2025

Rory McIlroy is not playing the Memorial for only the second time in his PGA Tour career. Tournament host Jack Nicklaus says McIlroy hasn’t called to say why. Nicklaus says he’s a fan of McIlroy and the decision won’t change that. He says he was surprised not to hear from him but understands every player has to make a schedule. McIlroy is a member at Nicklaus’ home course in Florida called The Bear’s Club. They had lunch before the Masters because McIlroy wanted to talk to him about how to win at Augusta National. He won the Masters.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, walks on the third hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Memorial is a reminder of the start of LIV Golf and framework agreements and little progress

May 27, 2025

The Memorial is the tournament Jack Nicklaus built and Tiger Woods once dominated. But lately it’s a tournament that brings memories of LIV Golf and the disruption it has caused. It was three years ago at the Memorial when LIV first announced the initial batch of defectors who had signed up for the start of the Saudi-funded league. It was two years ago at the Memorial when two PGA Tour board members had just completed a framework agreement to make peace with the Saudis. And now Rory McIlroy, who once pushed for signature events for the best players, is skipping the Memorial. He is playing the RBC Canadian Open next week.

DOUG FERGUSON Golf Writer.

Finance.