Outside the (Tee)box

The ponderings of a golf enthusiast with a high-handicap and high quality opinions.

This is me, writer, editor and designer Jack Whittaker, alongside blog supporter Rory.

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  • Taking the spoils on away soil: How the Ryder Cup went down

    Much was made of the hostile atmosphere awaiting Europe at this year’s Ryder Cup and the excitement for Team USA to play in front of a New York crowd.

    But following two days of team golf Europe had taken hostages in the land of the free.

    Harris English and Collin Morikawa vs Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, had the balance of a third round FA Cup tie or a Jake Paul fight, as the 132nd best possible pairing (according to Data Golf) met the dynamic duo of the alternate shot format.

    US captain Keegan Bradley was evidently stubborn to fall on his sword, after he decided to run the pairing back for a second day. A decision dictated either from an appetite for punishment or a distaste for statistical logic.

    The other pairings didn’t make much more of an impression. Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley were hampered after Henley was denied access to the front tees. Meanwhile Justin Rose defined swagger as he walked in putts against a disgruntled Bryson DeChambeau, unbeknownst to the hundreds of TikTok edits that would follow.

    Bethpage Black Golf Course, credit: Wikimedia Commons (free to use)

    It’s tough to explain what unfolded in the singles. Maybe the European boys had ran out of Luke Donald’s aromatic shampoo supply, or had even slept with their curtains slightly ajar. Was complacency setting in?

    The Americans were putting points on the board. Cameron Young and Justin Thomas started them off, dispatching the prolific European duo of Rose and Fleetwood respectively. Then came DeChambeau, recovering from five-down to clinch what had seemed an unattainable half-point from the inform Matt Fitzpatrick.

    Ludvig Åberg was the only calm head amongst a European side flirting with the biggest collapse in Ryder Cup history, besting Patrick Cantlay for a much needed point and easing some pressure off the tail-enders. Half a point would retain the Ryder Cup for team Europe.

    Cometh the hour cometh the man, Shane Lowry. The McIlroy cheerleader and bodyguard picked for ‘vibes’, and his balls of steel. The 2019 Open Champion is more than capable of holding his own, and didn’t need to prove it, but some needed reminding.

    The Irishman sunk his putt on eighteen after graciously accepting a read from Henley, who committed the cardinal match-play sin…leaving a winning putt short.

    Lowry became the only man that day to go three-under over the last four holes, with the final putt clinching the half-point and provoking a fit of uncoordinated joy that left him gasping for air.

    The cup was retained and a new Donald had taken America by storm. President Trump made no accusations of rigging on this occasion, but some US fans online were quick to call out Viktor Hovland’s sick-note.

    Credit: Hot Fuzz image: via http://www.alamy.com (free to use), Luke Donald: via Flikr (free to use), Viktor Hovland: via Heute.at (free to use)

    See you in 2027 for the three-peat!

    Taking the spoils on away soil: How the Ryder Cup went down

  • Rookies add balance to Team USA and will not be pushovers

    Keegan Bradley has announced his captain picks for the Ryder Cup, thus ending the self-selection debate.

    The US Ryder Cup captain ultimately followed through with his early promise, where he stated he would only feature as a playing captain via automatic qualification.

    Due to the patchy form of players from the 2023 team, Bradley has been forced to shake things up, with Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman and Max Homa as well as Ryder Cup veterans, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler falling by the wayside.

    J.J. Spaun, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young and Russell Henley will all tee it up in a Ryder Cup for the first time at Bethpage Black.

    When picturing these names in singles match-ups there’s a pre-emptive eagerness to highlight the fixtures in blue, but that would be hasty.

    All these rookies have maintained consistent form over the season, bar Young whose game began trending towards the back end.

    Meanwhile, experienced Ryder Cup players, such as Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, have had streaky seasons.

    Thomas’ victory at the Heritage is this group’s only 2025 win, while the four rookies have five between them.

    Ryder Cup veterans: Justin Thomas alongside Rory McIlroy at Royal Portrush – credit: Jack Whittaker

    The US team may appear weak at a glance, but Bradley’s picks all provide differing assets to strike a strong balance for Bethpage.

    Six players including three of the rookies, feature in the top ten on tour for total strokes gained, while the addition of Young, alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele provide the much needed distance to attack Bethpage.

    Then you add Sam Burns who statistically has been the best putter on tour, and the team already looks extremely balanced, before even mentioning the inevitability of world number one, Scottie Scheffler.

    While the last US Ryder Cup team hung onto the legacy of the generation before, this one looks forward, presenting a stern opposition of players who rather than being complacent will be keen to impress.

    Team Europe looks as ready as ever to deliver a victory on away soil, with form on their side and a strong bond within a group that will be very similar to the 2023 side.

    However, victory won’t be yielded by weak opposition, and the rookies present an unknown that creates uncertainty rather than confidence.

    Rookies add balance to Team USA and will not be pushovers

  • Portrush Diary: Lounging on the links and sinking drinks

    Adopting the appropriate tag-line “forged by nature” Royal Portrush is undoubtedly one of, if not the most, picturesque course on the Open rotation.

    Stood on the precipice of the North Atlantic immersed within the dunes, Thursday at Portrush delivered the full links experience with sunny intervals in-between patches of torrential rain.

    It ended in classic Thursday major fashion with two tied leaders being Jacob Skov Olesen and Hao-tong Li, neither of whom were likely to have featured on pre-round bet slips.

    But the trip was not solely about the Open for us. Golf provides the incentive to travel to areas off the beaten track, and it is refreshing to take in your surroundings without any distractions.

    We arrived in Belfast early on Tuesday of Open week, and after navigating the convoluted transportation system we wound are way up to the North coast and to our first night’s accommodation in Ballintoy. A small village on the Causeway Coast with stunning views of the Antrim coastline and the faint outline of Rathlin Island further ashore.

    Winding roads at Ballintoy Harbour

    After failing through the ballot, we had snatched our tickets on the resale platform, by then accommodation was few and far between.

    Three-bedroom houses were rarely falling under the £600 a night bracket and it didn’t get much better as far away as Belfast or Derry. Our spot came up as a late steal at £200 for the night.

    You can partially blame wealthy travellers from the states for the inflated rates. We even heard a story from a local in Portrush who gave up their house for the week after an American chap knocked on her door and offered to pay their mortgage. It’s tough for a group of 24-year-olds to compete with that.

    After finding out there wasn’t a shop in Ballintoy, we got the bus to Ballycastle to buy groceries (beer). Soon after securing the goods, we found out we had missed the final bus back, so we booked a cab and waited with a pint at the Boyd Arms to pass the time.

    We were soon joined by local drinkers, in a private(ish) booth with sliding doors like you’d find on an old steam train. They waxed lyrical about their youth growing up in Ballycastle, from nights out with George Best to smooching Bruce Springsteen, quickly pulling up photographic evidence before we could call bulls**t. Three whiskey shots in and we quickly made the call to delay the cabby, who seemed understanding of our position.

    Springsteen’s lucky lady even offered us a lift to Portrush for the golf; a level of hospitality and friendliness alien to us but seemingly never a big deal to the locals we encountered.

    The Boyd Arms, in all its glory

    After a sub-zero dip in the morning at Ballintoy beach, we hopped on the bus towards Portrush, stopping by at the Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle, before transferring to the camping village at Coleraine.

    The village was free for us as U25s and campers bounced in the main tent every night to the sound of Amy McDonald on repeat. And she was right, “this is the life”.

    Arriving at the golf the following morning, we soon found out it was not clever to simply follow the main groups hole to hole, else you end up shouting “let’s go Scottie” five rows back while being poked in the eye by massive brolleys, further obscuring your line of sight.

    Instead, we opted for patience, making our way to the 7th hole and positioning ourselves slap bang behind the green for the feature groups and the crowd to come to us, before moving to the 12th and later Calamity Corner at the 16th.

    That way we got to experience the raucous crowds following Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy from prime position as well as being in earshot of Bryson DeChambeau when he’d exclaim, “dude that was such a good swing as well”, after missing his 13th green of the round.

    We finished up the day perched atop the hill by the 18th fairway squinting at the green as the grandstand erupted for the end of McIlroy’s homecoming.

    McIlroy’s group at Calamity Corner

    The finale of a priceless experience, aside from the hundreds splashed in the Open shop.

    So, if you plan on going to the Open in the future, consider venturing outside of the course, embrace the scenery, the locals, and carefully form a strategy for golf day.

    Roll on Royal Birkdale!

    Portrush Diary: Lounging on the links and sinking drinks

  • Golf stars destined for the red carpet following Happy Gilmore 2 auditions

    Happy Gilmore 2 was a nostalgia fest for golf fans packed full of references to the original, which despite being nearly 20 years old feel familiar for the cult following who have rewatched the film on countless occasions.

    Further fan service was provided to golf fans with a stacked cast of celebrity cameos from the golfing sphere, some of whom looked like naturals on screen, while others should probably stick to earning their pay-cheques on the course.

    But which pros could have Hollywood on their horizons?

    The facial expressions of Xander Schauffele:

    Only a short cameo for Schauffele who shared the screen with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler playing unhinged modern day golfing jocks. His poorly timed “that’s what she said jokes” followed by a smug grin as he searched the room for affirmation were the highlight of the chaotic dining room scene, which sort out to exaggerate the differing personalities of the retired golfers with the new crop in the most absurd fashion.

    What’s next for Schauffele? Maybe a role as the next Lex Luthor, sporting his malevolent smirk while he schemes to destroy the son of Krypton. Gene Hackman-esque.

    John Daly playing John Daly better than anybody could play John Daly:

    “Don’t forget to feed John Daly three times a day.”

    Daly was made to play the role of garage dweller, and with such a non-conformist verging on unhinged personality the depiction did not seem such an absurd exaggeration compared to others. It certainly makes sense that out of everybody in the world of professional golf he would cosy up to Happy.

    He could land a host of uncredited roles as ‘drunk bar guy 2’ or ‘crazy sports fan 3’, but his biggest role would come if there was ever a spin-off to the Big Lebowski. He wouldn’t even need a script to embody the spirit of “the Dude”.

    Scottie Scheffler, nonchalant as always:

    Scheffler’s era of dominance has come to an abrupt end after a comfy second stint in prison institutionalised the world number one. It was enjoyable to see him make light of his infamous Louisville arrest and he took acting, like every other thing he does, completely in his stride.

    Scheffler’s acting career seems more tailored for the small-screen, providing comic relief in sitcom guest appearances, preferably from a jail cell because that will never get old.

    Will Zalatoris back for revenge:

    In a twist nobody saw coming Zalatoris assumed the role of Happy’s scrawny caddie, now on the pro circuit, but still bitter towards the man that throttled and tackled him back in the 90s.

    Seemingly jovial around Happy at first, we later found out of his hidden vengeful desires, which ultimately were left unfulfilled as he finished the film flat on the floor, bringing everything full-circle.

    If there is ever a spin-off of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Zalatoris would be excellent casting as one of the seven evil exes, channelling his bitterness into violent revenge.

  • Embracing the dominance of Scottie Scheffler

    British golf fans are protective of the Open Championship.

    Falling at the end of the golfing calendar, it’s our moment in the spotlight as players venture on a yearly pilgrimage to pay their respects to where the sport was born.

    There is something satisfying about seeing these seasoned pros, so used to the sultry climate of their Miami homes, struggle in the blustery conditions, as they trudge round a links course like soggy frogs in anoraks.

    So, to see Scottie Scheffler stroll round Royal Portrush like it was just another day at the office has irked many British golf enthusiasts.

    Sitting at 14-under and four shots clear, the likelihood of his victory seemed inevitable before the start of play on Sunday, and the field realised it too.

    Matt Fitzpatrick spoke honestly about his hope that Scheffler would have a “blow-up”, but his tone suggested this was wishful thinking. In the uncharacteristically still conditions Royal Portrush was disarmed, and the stage was set for his victory lap.

    Calamity Corner at Royal Portrush, credit: Jack Whittaker

    Was it boring to see the world number one win our special tournament with such ease? A little bit, yes. But should we hold this against him in bitterness? Absolutely not.

    The demeanour of Scottie Scheffler was a discussion point all the way through his final round. How he takes everything in his stride, and would be unlikely to feel the level of emotion that would satisfy British golf fans who hold the Open so dearly.

    Scheffler’s humility can come across as “boring”. He was never going to walk down the eighteenth with his arms aloft, gee-ing up the crowd or collapsing to his knees after sinking the final putt, it’s not in his character. And after admitting he’d liked to have seen more of Portrush, this did not mean he was about to hit the town to celebrate his victory.

    But what transpired on the eighteenth green was emotional viewing. Watching his son Bennett stumble as he ran towards the Claret Jug, to be met by the embrace of his father. It may not have been solely about golf but the golf provided that moment, and that is the fuel that keeps Scheffler untouchable at his best.

    Scheffler undoubtedly enjoyed the moment and should not face criticism for not being emotional enough.

    He played the course to perfection so that by the final day he was able to be risk free, hitting the middle of the greens and knocking in his pars. It may not have been the dogfight everyone hoped for, but sport isn’t scripted, and he’s trying to win in the most efficient way.

    This is the case in all sport. If a football team are a goal up and they get a corner kick late in the game, they’re not going to send the keeper up. Why create jeopardy when there isn’t any?

    So, if these championships are going to be less “boring”, the rest of the pack simply need to raise their game and make it a contest.

    Embracing the dominance of Scottie Scheffler

  • Bad Reads: Fleetwood needs a haircut

    Tommy Fleetwood isn’t just going through a drought on the PGA Tour.

    A drought suggests a lull since the last time he was victorious, but despite countless top 10 finishes Fleetwood is still yet to taste victory.

    With a two-shot lead going into the final three holes of the Travelers Championship he must have had visions of himself clutching the trophy, only to walk up to his approach shot on 18 and realise he’d seen a mirage.

    This rhetoric that Fleetwood has no idea how to win a golf tournament is unjust, as the man has seven wins on the DP World Tour to his name. However, it is clear change is needed, and I’m not here to talk about his golf game, no, Fleetwood needs a haircut.

    We are in an era of sport where competitors are constantly trying to find an edge that could beckon success. Some of these efforts are more technical than others, for example, Mercedes F1 team adopted a black livery in 2023 as exposed carbon fibre is naturally black, so why waste weight on paint? Meanwhile on match-days footballer Adama Traore has been known to lather himself in baby oil, hindering opposing defenders from hauling him to the ground during one of his stampedes up the pitch.

    Golf is full of examples where the pros seek to find the smallest edge, whether that be through employing AimPoint for five-feet putts or improving the lie of the golf ball, wink wink Patrick Reed.

    Bryson DeChambeau epitomises the exploitation of fine margins in golf, from his armlock putter and his chunky grips, to his not only marked but salted golf balls, all of which he claims enhance his performance.

    Surely then, the least Fleetwood can do is get a short back and sides. Playing golf with long hair and constantly having to sweep it away while sweat drips down into your eyes is enough to irk the short-fused high handicap golfer into a topped tee shot.

    Not only this, but by cutting his iconic luscious locks it could divert conversation away from his PGA Tour trophy cabinet and allow him to focus on his game without pressures of distractions. In fact, the strategic haircut is tried and proven.

    Brazilian Ronaldo’s iconic haircut, where he left only a half-moon island on the front of his head, has sealed its place in football history. A crafty solution by the striker to switch conversation in the press from his recent injury and apparent lack of fitness to his horrendous new trim, prior to the 2002 World Cup. And the self-sabotage certainly worked for him, as Brazil won the World Cup and Ronaldo scooped the golden boot.

    So could similar accolades come the way of Fleetwood? We may never find out.

    Bad Reads: Fleetwood needs a haircut