Golf

A fast start and some steady nerves gave Wolff a two-shot lead entering the final round of only his second major championship. More

DeChambeau’s aggressive game plan at the tricky Winged Foot course has him near the top of the leaderboard: “I want to play it as hard as possible,” he said. Tiger Woods did not make the cut. More

Davis Thompson is filling the role of the fast-starting amateur at this year’s United States Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Westchester County, N.Y. While he’s still near the top, here’s the lowdown.What Has He Accomplished?Thompson is a senior at the University of Georgia, where he was a finalist for the college player of the year award. Georgia has produced a number of PGA players, including Bubba Watson.Thompson’s amateur wins include the 2020 Jones Cup Invitational, an event in Georgia previously won by Justin Thomas and Patrick Reed.Thompson is currently the fourth-ranked amateur golfer in the world, which qualified him for the U.S. Open. He has played in two PGA Tour events this season, finishing tied for 23rd at the R.S.M. Classic in Georgia, where his father is tournament director, and missing the cut at the Puerto Rico Open. He has never previously played in a major.How Did He Do Thursday?Thompson got off to a fast start, birdieing six, seven and eight, then adding another at 11 to briefly lead the tournament.He came back down to earth at the end of his round, bogeying three late holes to finish at minus-1, four strokes off the lead.Perhaps he was helped by playing with two Georgia alums, Harris English and Brendon Todd. They each did him one better, shooting minus-2.Thompson’s caddie is his father, Todd, who also played golf for Georgia.What Did He Say?“I mean I’m nervous, but that also just comes with it,” he told the Georgia student publication Red and Black before the tournament. “This is my first major ever, you only get one, so I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.”“I got off to a great start,” he told Golf Week after his round. “I hit a lot of fairways coming out of the gate, which kind of gave me a lot of comfort at the start. Then I just missed a few fairways coming in and had to hack it out and try to get up and down. Unfortunately, I didn’t,”Is It Time to Get Excited?Maybe not. It’s not uncommon for amateurs to fire off a good first round at majors.At least year’s Open, Viktor Hovland was four shots off the pace after a round and wound up 12th. That was better than expectation, actually.In 2018, Luis Gagne and Will Grimmer were four strokes back. They finished 48th and 66th. In 2017 it was Scottie Scheffler. He wound up 27th.Thompson and his fellow Georgia Bulldogs tee off at 12:54 Eastern on Friday. More

The 97-year-old course will test long-driving players with its deep, untrampled rough and multitiered greens. “It’s the hardest golf course I’ve ever played,” world No. 3 golfer Justin Thomas said. More

For years, golf has been associated with lush greens, bluebird skies and a Whitman’s sampler of riotous plaids and checks. But few know the sport has also quietly embraced winter whites, particularly in ski-crazy Switzerland.In 2021, the Engadin Snow Golf Cup will enter its 42nd year in Switzerland’s Engadine Valley, home to St. Moritz, and its famed diamond dust skies and scenic alpine golf courses dating to 1889. What started as a lark in one of Switzerland’s sunniest winter sports destinations, has become a bona fide sport that’s not only drawn golf enthusiasts but has begun to lure second home buyers seeking winter recreational activities adjacent to the snowy piste.Winter golfing might sound odd, but the alps of southern Switzerland are especially sunny and offer a refuge for golfers from northern European countries who may not feel like hauling their nine irons on a plane for a few rounds farther afield. What’s more, snow golf offers an active but less-risky alternative to skiing. This has all led to a surge in popularity in predictable places like Germany, Austria, Canada and the United States (including popular golf destinations like Colorado, California, Wisconsin and North Carolina) but also off-the-golf-radar spots like Argentina, Greenland and Finland.It has also drawn enthusiasts to buy nearby property. “Winter golf is just one of many offerings that make Switzerland’s Engadine Valley attractive for second home buyers, and a few have even bought here solely because of that,” said Ramun Ratti, the managing director at Engadine Golf Course, home to two 18-hole courses; it will host the Snow Golf Cup in January. “But snow golf is and will probably always be niche.”ImageWinter golfing might sound odd, but the alps of southern Switzerland are especially sunny.While images of winter golf on frozen lakes can be found as far back as 17th-century Dutch paintings, it’s believed by some that modern snow golf started with St. Moritz’s former resort manager, Peter Kasper, who took up the idea of converting the putting greens to whites in 1904, which turned into reality with the first tournament in 1979, held on a frozen Lake St. Moritz. (The tournament moved in 1996, and today nine holes are played in a snow field in Surlej near Silvaplana Lake.)There are, of course, significant differences with regular golf. The “whites” need a lot of manual grooming to make the surface around the hole compact, and the balls are orange and the golf holes three times bigger than regulation size. But the trade-off is something special, enthusiasts say.“Winter golf is an amazing experience,” said Caroline Rominger, a professional golfer and Engadine native. “It can be quite cold, but when the sun comes out, we often play without jackets.”The Alps play host to another tournament, the Barnes Winter Golf Cup, which is entering its fourth year in 2021. The annual host of the event rotates between four different alpine resorts: Courchevel, Megève, and Val d’Isére, in France; and Crans-Montana, in Switzerland’s Canton Valais, host of the Omega European Masters and one of eight golf courses in the canton.ImageThe Bürgenstock Alpine Spa.As the popularity of snow golf tournaments has grown, so has demand for nearby real estate.Switzerland has had a wave of new golf residences, resorts and courses open in recent years, including Bürgenstock, a resort complex of hotels and residences perched above turquoise Lake Lucerne and once home to Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. In 2017, its scenic nine-hole course offering views of mountains like Eiger, Jungfrau, Pilatus and Titlis, reopened. Andermatt’s network of high-altitude residences and a 18-hole course just below the Gotthard Pass opened in 2016, while Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, the spa resort, reopened in 2019 with three hotels and seven restaurants, including two with two Michelin stars each.The next generation of Switzerland’s golf communities includes Golf Resort La Gruyère, scheduled to reopen in 2023 after a major refurbishment. Not all courses offer snow golf, but demand is growing and having fun is the goal.“Snow golf is not about scores,” said Eveline Fasser Testa, a regular player who lives in St. Moritz. “The chance that you’ll find your ball in the deep snow is unlikely. It’s more about the experience of playing golf in the winter and having a great day.” More

When it comes to finding a golf home, prospective buyers have two ways to go: purchasing in a community with a golf club or outside it and near a golf club, which could be in a community that offers membership to nonresidents.“For decades, golf home buyers bought most communities, but since the 2008 recession, the trend has gone the other way,” said Jason Becker, the chief executive of Golf Life Navigators, a matchmaking site that helps people find golf memberships and homes based on their criteria.So should you buy inside the gates or out? Here are some factors to consider before closing the sale.Home Maintenance CostsIn a community: Buying a home within a golf community generally requires joining its homeowner’s association (H.O.A.) which, according to Mr. Becker, costs roughly $1,000-plus per quarter in many communities.The association usually manage your home’s lawn care and pest prevention, and maintain common areas such as the clubhouse and pool. Storm preparedness is also within the purview of an H.O.A., Mr. Becker said.The downsides may include the high price and not having a choice of who services your community’s maintenance programs (that is mandated by the H.O.A.), but the benefit is the convenience. “You don’t have to think about when you need to have your lawn mowed or care factors because the H.O.A. manages it,” Mr. Becker said.Outside a community: When you live in a home outside a golf community, the financial advantage is that you don’t have a fixed maintenance cost and can compare prices when choosing your care providers. This could be less expensive in the long run, and you’re not forced to fund amenities you don’t use. On the other hand, you are responsible for scheduling and paying for lawn maintenance, pool cleaning and other upkeep.Costs of Being a MemberIn a community: In some communities, a home purchase includes membership to the golf club; these communities are considered “bundled” ones and an ideal option for avid but budget-conscious golfers.More often than not, however, said Michael Timmerman, the chief market intelligence officer for Club Benchmarking, a financial analysis company for member-owned clubs (including ones in communities), home buyers have to pay an additional fee to join the golf club and use facilities such as the gym and pool. “You’re looking at an initiation fee plus annual dues that add up to thousands of dollars a year and don’t have a choice in picking your club,” he said.Outside a community: Golf enthusiasts may end up saving money by living outside of a community, according to Mr. Timmerman, because they can choose from different clubs in the area and join the most appealing and affordable one. They also usually have the option to transfer their membership — a benefit that’s sometimes not available to buyers in communities.Ability to Rent Your HomeInside a community: Chris Charnas, the founder of Links Capital Advisors, a real-estate broker specializing in sales of golf courses and communities, said that many H.O.A.s don’t allow residents to rent out their homes for additional income. “They don’t want strangers living within the community, so if you’re not living in your home year-round, it’s sitting there empty, and you’re still paying expenses,” he said.If a community allows rentals, keep in mind that the homeowner and the renter often have to follow strict protocols. For example, the owner may have to fill out a lengthy application to transfer their membership to the renter. Also, renters may only be able to play golf under “guest” policies, which, for example, could state that they’re allowed on the course only during certain hours or have to pay a fee for each round.Outside a community: In a noncommunity golf home, you have the freedom to rent out your property, whether it’s for a longer period of several months or for a few days occasionally through a third-party rental site like Airbnb. “If renting your home is part of your master plan, I would suggest finding a home outside the gates of a community,” Mr. Becker said.The Noise FactorIn a community: Some noise is a given whether you live in or outside of a community, but living within the gates means that there is less likelihood of late-night partying. However, golf course maintenance vehicles during early morning hours, some of which can be loud, are common. If you’re considering a home on or hear a golf hole, make sure to ask those maintenance schedule questions so you don’t catch any surprise alarm clocks.Outside a community: A big advantage to living outside the community when considering noise is not having to worry about course maintenance schedules. On the other hand, you are most likely to be near interstates or busy roads.SafetyIn a community: The safety factor of living in a gated environment is one of the biggest drivers for buying a home within a community. “Safety has become even more paramount for golf home buyers since Covid,” Mr. Timmerman said. Most gated clubs have a front gate security booth where all visitors check in and get a pass before they are allowed to enter. Gated communities also have security guards who regularly patrol the streets.Outside a community: If you’re not living in a community, you’re relying on the overall safety of your neighborhood and local law enforcement for security. Many areas also have neighborhood patrol programs in which residents volunteer to drive through the streets to watch for any suspicious activity.Sense of CommunityIn a community: Golf Life Navigators, who help golfers find homes and courses, conducted a recent survey of 25,000 people and found that the top reason for home buyers to live in a community is the opportunities it offers to socialize. Mr. Becker said that communities host regular events for residents including barbecues and game and movie nights. “Your social life is created for you, and outside of events, there are more organic opportunities to connect,” he said. On the other hand, a possible drawback is that you don’t fit in with the club’s overall culture.Outside a community: While home buyers outside of communities can mingle with others through their golf clubs, they tend to miss out on the sense of belonging and close-knit feel that community residents get. “You have to work harder to connect with others as a nonresident,” Mr. Becker said.AmenitiesIn a community: Mr. Charnas said that amenities are a top perk of community life. Examples vary by community but could include a pool, green spaces, tennis courts, multiple restaurants, a spa, a gym, hiking and biking trails and a kids’ center — all within walking distance of your home. “Communities offer a lot more diversions these days than just golf and attract plenty of nongolfers,” he said.Outside a community: Amenities are more limited for a noncommunity home. “The neighborhood your house is in may have a playground or park at best,” Mr. Charnas said. On the other hand, if you’re a resident member at a community club, you may be able to access its amenities. A word of caution: before joining a community’s club, be sure to understand your financial commitment as a nonresident member; you could still be on the hook for any capital contributions.Architectural DesignIn a community: Generally, to keep the look of properties consistent, golf communities have homes that are built in one or a handful of architectural styles, leaving buyers with limited options for the exterior look of their home. If your home’s architecture is more important to you than the golf club, Mr. Becker suggested finding a property to suit your tastes first and then consider the club.Outside a community: When you don’t live in a community, you have the freedom to choose your home’s architecture. But you are also at the mercy of your neighbors and their design preferences; a neighborhood with too many varying styles has the potential to lower the market value of your home.Ability to Sell Your Home and Leave the ClubIn a community: In the event you want to leave the club, the process isn’t always hassle-free and can be costly. You’re likely to lose your initiation fee as a nonequity member but may have to keep paying annual dues until you’ve been replaced by a new member if you have an equity position.When selling your home, most communities have a residential real estate broker or expert who can help sell your property, but keep in mind that the financial state of a club has a big impact on property values, according to Mr. Timmerman and Mr. Becker.Outside a community: A benefit of living outside of a golf community is avoiding any potential threats of depreciation of a golf community home. While you take a financial risk wherever you buy, the risk may be greater buying a home in a club community that could have money struggles in the future. However, whether you live in a club community or not, resigning your membership can be just as pricey. More

The United States Golf Association, which conducts the U.S. Open, announced on Wednesday that Pinehurst, a North Carolina resort and cradle of American golf, would become the first venue designated as a recurring site for the tournament. The resort’s showcase course, known as Pinehurst No. 2, was already scheduled to host the event in 2024 but will now also have the championship in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.The U.S. Open, one of golf’s four major championships, has been played 119 times at golf courses around the country, with several venerable layouts making regular appearances. Next week, for example, the 2020 U.S. Open will be contested at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., for the sixth time.But as part of the U.S.G.A.’s goal to hold its signature event more frequently at revered, familiar golf courses, the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club has been established as an anchor site. In addition, other U.S.G.A. championships, including the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Amateur, will be played there more frequently.The association also announced that its influential equipment testing facility, a laboratory that determines which golf balls and clubs conform to the rules of golf, will move from the U.S.G.A.’s main headquarters in New Jersey to North Carolina. A museum and a visitor’s center will also be part of the association’s presence at Pinehurst by 2023. The bulk of the U.S.G.A.’s staff will remain at the organization’s current New Jersey headquarters.“There is no better place for the U.S.G.A. to plant new roots,” Mike Davis, the U.S.G.A.’s chief executive, said in a statement. He added: “We are taking a bold step forward and forging a long-term commitment that will elevate our championships, foster greater innovation in golf, and ultimately help grow the game.” More

ATLANTA — Dustin Johnson hit his stride at just the right time and it paid off in a big way.Johnson finally won the FedEx Cup on Monday by holding his nerve, hitting just enough fairways and making a few key putts when his lead began to shrink. He tapped in for birdie on the last hole for a 2-under 68, giving him a three-shot victory over Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele in the Tour Championship.Johnson won the $15 million prize, the biggest in golf. Equally important was getting his named etched on that silver FedEx Cup trophy alongside some of the best from his generation, starting with Tiger Woods and most recently Rory McIlroy.“This is a tough golf course. No lead is safe,” Johnson said. “The guys gave me a good fight today.”He became the first No. 1 seed at the Tour Championship to win the FedEx Cup since Tiger Woods in 2009.Johnson was staked to a five-shot lead at 19-under-par — 9-under on his own score and starting the tournament at 10 under as the No. 1 seed in the FedEx Cup.He finished at 21-under.Schauffele, who tends to bring his best to big moments, and Thomas each got within three shots on the front nine. They both closed to within two shots deep on the back nine at East Lake.Johnson gave the lightest fist pump — that’s big emotion for him — when he holed a 20-foot par putt on the 13th hole that kept his lead at three. He made nothing but pars on the back nine until the outcome was no longer in doubt.Thomas made bogey from a wild tee shot to the right on the 17th. Schauffele also had to scramble on the 17th, escaping with par after a tee shot into the bunker. And on the par-5 18th, Johnson unleashed a drive that started left along the pine trees and faded gently toward the middle of the fairway.That set up a birdie from the front bunker, a hug with brother Austin, his caddie, and a trophy he long wanted.Schauffele had the lowest score over 72 holes at 15-under 265, but without a victory this year, he started at No. 14 in the FedEx Cup, spotting the world’s No. 1 player seven shots.Schauffele and Thomas tied for second, each earning $4.5 million.Jon Rahm, the No. 2 seed, closed with a 66 to finish fourth and earn $3 million. Scottie Scheffler, who a year ago was getting ready to start his rookie year, had a 66-65 finish and was fifth for a $2.5 million payoff.And so wrapped up the strangest season on the PGA Tour, which doesn’t feel like the end at all except for the $15 million awarded to Johnson, $14 million now and $1 million deferred.The new season starts Thursday. Two majors are still to be played.Golf was shut down for three months and when it restarted, Johnson was No. 111 in the FedEx Cup. He won the Travelers Championship and a month later began a stretch that brought him to the prize he desperately wanted.In four straight tournaments against the best fields, he had the 54-hole three times and was tied in the other. He converted one into an 11-shot win. He lost to a 65 by Collin Morikawa at the P.G.A. Championship and to a 65-foot putt by Rahm at the BMW Championship.He badly wanted the last one, and even staked to a five-shot lead to par at East Lake, it was never easy.Johnson made an 18-foot birdie early that was important because Schauffele kept hitting it close. Johnson had consecutive birdies through the par-5 sixth and his lead remained at five.But he went well right off the tee at No. 7 and had to pitch back to the fairway. He three-putted from 55 feet on the fringe at No. 8 and dropped another shot. The lead kept shrinking. Johnson rolled his long birdie putt on the par-3 ninth some 7 feet by, and he made the par putt coming back to keep his lead at 3.No putt was bigger than the 13th, when his lead was down to two shots over Schauffele. Johnson went from left rough to right of the green and chipped weakly to 20 feet. He drilled the par putt, restored the lead to three and was on his way.“It’s a very tough trophy to win,” Johnson said. “I controlled my own destiny, but I still had to go out and play well. I had a lot of great players right behind me. It got close at the end. I knew it was going to come down the stretch and I’d have to hit some golf shots.” More