PGA Tour’s future, Scheffler’s stats, Nelly Korda’s fiancé, and a hole-in-one car dilemma. The Back Nine.
From Hero to Zero: Cameron Smith, the 150th Champion Golfer of the Year and 2022 Open winner at St. Andrews, once ranked world No. 2 and seen as a challenger to Scottie Scheffler, has hit a steep decline. Since joining LIV Golf, Smith has struggled outside the league. After a T4 at the 2023 US Open and T6 at the 2024 Masters, he missed the cut at all four Majors in 2025 and recently at the BMW Australian PGA Championship—his seventh consecutive missed cut outside LIV events. Despite his previous success and financial security, Smith now admits to mental struggles: ‘It was just shit,’ he said after his early exit in Brisbane. ‘I don’t know why. I’m totally confused.’
The Future of the PGA Tour
Harris English stirred speculation with claims of a 20–22 event PGA Tour season starting post-Super Bowl in 2027. At CNBC’s CEO Council Forum, new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp addressed the rumors: ‘Nothing is decided yet, but these discussions are real. Competing with football for attention is tough. Golf thrives in summer, so optimizing the calendar is key.’ Rolapp emphasized the need for a coherent competition model, with Tiger Woods chairing the Future Competition Committee. ‘We’re asking media partners and fans: What would you change? How do we make the sport better?’
Scottie Scheffler: Statistical Dominance
The 2025 PGA Tour season ended with the RSM Classic, and Scottie Scheffler’s numbers are staggering. He led 28 statistical categories—an achievement only rivaled by Tiger Woods at his peak. Scheffler’s consistency and dominance have set a new benchmark, sparking awe across the golf world.