Matthew Wolff & Ho-sung Choi

There were all kinds of eccentric golf swings on the tour prior to the modern golf swing getting introduced, There was Trevino, Gary Player, Arnie, Jim Thorpe, Moe Norman, Ray Floyd., and a host of others. Since then, not so much.

Then, almost overnight, the golfing world is reminded that it doesn’t matter how you start the swing, or how you finish, as long as you execute. Matthew Wolff and his odd, unorthodox swing, wins the 3M tour stop in just his 3rd PGA tournament. We were aware of Wolff because he is an obvious talent, and he did manage to win the NCAA individual title within two years of committing to Oklahoma State.

Still, we couldn’t wrap our mind around how someone with a routine and swing more bizarre than Furyk’s could have success. Wolff’s win is something the larger golfing community should celebrate. One, because with his swing he is always going to be an underdog, and two, because his win means we all need to question whether there might not be a different path to success on the course. We spend so much time and effort (and $$) trying to conform to what swing gurus and instructors tell us we need to do in order to be successful. Maybe the answer is to move in the other direction? Away from the status quo? Maybe we would all benefit by introducing a bit of a dance move, instead of a forward press, to jump start our swing?

Or at least, whatever feels comfortable to each of us.

After Wolff’s win, it’s natural to see if there are other professional golfers who ignore conventional wisdom and carve their own path. Five minutes into our search we stumble upon another diamond in the rough: Ho-sung Choi. Check out a compilation of his unique swing style here.

We are now BIG fans of Wolff and Choi and hope they are able to keep it together for years to come.

And, thanks to Wolff’s win and a sponsor exemption, we have Wolff and Choi, side-by-side warming up before this week’s John Deere Classic.

Ho-sung

Brooke Henderson, Gary Woodland, and the wild Sunday finish

Woodland will get all the headlines, and we have to tip our hat. Gary has been a grinder for years. We celebrate guys like Gary finally breaking through. He took down Brooks Koepka. Not an easy task.

Brooke Henderson had her hands full, as well. Holding on for a 1 stroke victory over the likes of Lexi Thompson, she set a record for most tour wins by a Canadian, with 9. It’s worth pausing here to reflect on her record run. Canada, for much of the year, is VERY COLD. There is a lot of snow and mud between October - May. It’s hard to practice. Jupiter, Florida, it isn’t. Henderson had 9 birdies on Saturday to create the bit of breathing room she would need on Sunday. It is worth noting that it would take us months of regular play to record 9 birdies.

Last point about Woodland, he really kept it together and hit some quality shots over the closing holes. He’s basically a clone of Koepka. The same weight and size; the same swagger; the same length off the tee. These guys could be the face of American golf for the next century, with the occasional nip-at-the heal by Chez Reavie, Ricky Fowler, and Jordan Speith.