Bhatia’s pair of 71s at the RSM Classic left him five shots off the cut line, but both teacher and student were confident the seventeen-year-old phenom was closer than that to booking a weekend tee time.

“I don’t think there’s anything to change,” Gankas told GolfDigest.com. “I just think he’s 17 years old. I think it’s just a matter of time before things start flowing. He just needs more flow.”

Gankas, caddying for Bhatia for the first time, says he was happy to serve as a “security blanket” if anything popped up with his swing during play. But there certainly wasn’t much to tweak there. Bhatia led the field in driving distance for 36 holes and ranked eighth in strokes gained/approach-the-green during a second-round at Sea Island’s Seaside Course, where he missed only two greens.

“I know I’m right there and my game’s there for sure, it’s just the mental part of it. I’ve just got to learn. That’s the biggest thing,” Bhatia said. “There’s just different shots that you hit that normally you’d go for, but because of the atmosphere, you’ve got to err on the safe side. I’m learning a lot and it’s definitely fun. I was happy to have George on the bag this week.”

Bhatia gave himself plenty of chances, but ranked second-to-last in strokes gained/putting through 36 holes. That included a four-putt from 12 feet on No. 8 after he had pulled within one stroke of the cut line.

“The kid is just an unbelievable ball-striker, he hits it hard, he hits it straight, he hits lots of greens, he hits it close. I don’t know how many times we were inside 15 feet, but it felt like at least 12 times we were inside 15 feet and we didn’t make one of them except for the three birdies that were all like two feet. So it was one of those things.”

Bhatia, who posed for photos with several young—well, similarly aged—fans after his round, was making his fourth PGA Tour start on a sponsor’s exemption since turning pro, but is still in search of a first made cut. He’s also got an uncertain schedule after failing to make it past the second stage of Korn Ferry Tour Q-school.

“I’m not sure, I’ll sit down with the team and we’ll see,” Bhatia said of his upcoming schedule. “But I have three (PGA Tour) starts left and I’ll definitely do some Mondays and maybe go to Europe and play some golf over there.”

While Gankas was glad to fill-in on the bag, the in-demand instructor who also coaches Matthew Wolff says it won’t be a common sight.

“But I did enjoy it and he’s a great kid,” Gankas said. “And I think he’s going to be one of the best players in the world.”

The post George Gankas gets a different viewpoint of prized pupil Akshay Bhatia, likes what he sees despite missed cut appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

WE’RE BUYING

Matthew Wolff: That didn’t take long, huh? Less than three weeks after hitting his first tee shot as a pro, Wolff won his first PGA Tour title at the 3M Open. And he did it in spectacular fashion with a back-nine 31 capped by a walk-off eagle on No. 18:

A weekend to remember.@matthew_wolff5 had a highlight-reel finish @3MOpen en route to his first TOUR win. ?#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/H8jKAwWUrm

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2019

I’m not sure what was better. The eagle itself or the fact Wolff didn’t even watch the ball go into the hole before starting to celebrate (watch it again, closely).

He knew it was good before it went in. ?

That's some confidence, @matthew_wolff5. ? pic.twitter.com/gMrgeSjvfq

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2019

The reaction from his swing coach, George Gankas, who was watching from his pool with some buddies, was also pretty good:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzocs2fARaI/?utm_source=ig_embed

The weather was awful a couple of weeks ago when I went to the first round of the Travelers Championship. But I braved the elements and the mud pit I had to park my car in (can I expense a car wash?) for the sole reason of being able to say brag one day that I saw Wolff’s pro debut. Incredibly, that day is already here. The Matthew Wolff Era is officially upon us. And I can say I was there from way back on Day 1 . . . a couple of weeks ago.

Collin Morikawa: OK, so it wasn’t technically a walk-off eagle by Wolff because this fellow newbie had a crack of his own to tie Wolff moments later. Morikawa missed, but his two-putt birdie gave him a T-2 and a decent consolation prize in a special temporary PGA Tour membership. Since making his debut at the Canadian Open last month, the Cal product has a scoring average of 68.792. Snazzy.

Jon Rahm: Remember when this guy was all the rage for winning his first PGA Tour title with an eagle from the fringe on 18? Seems like ages ago, and yet Rahm is still only 24. And still really, really good. Over the weekend he offered arguably his most impressive performance yet, firing rounds of 64 and 62 at Lahinch to claim the Irish Open for the second time in three years.

Ross Kinnaird

Oh yeah, I’m buying Lahinch, too.

This any good or nah? pic.twitter.com/CLoWs8X0Ri

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) July 5, 2019

That place looks absolutely spectacular.

The Bob Vokey Tour Experience: Earlier this year, I had the honour and pleasure of going through a fitting with this wedge wizard at Titleist’s beautiful facility in Oceanside, Calif. And now I’m reaping the rewards with clubs hand-crafted by the legendary club maker himself. Tough assignment, I know. For those interested, click here for more on this unforgettable experience that can also be yours. It will just cost you. . . (gulp) $2,400. Here’s a pic of Mr. 60 (What I call myself around the office) and the real Mr. 60, who turns 80 next week:

Happy birthday, Bob! And if I win my upcoming major (the 2019 HGGA Championship), I will be sure to thank you in my victory speech.

WE’RE SELLING

John Daly’s week: The two-time major champ made two big announcements in the past week. First, that the R&A was denying him the use of a golf cart at next week’s Open Championship at Portrush. Then that he had undergone surgery after being bitten by a spider while vacationing in England with his family.

Thankfully, Daly is OK, but not feeling well enough to play in the year’s final major. Instead, he’ll play at the Barbasol Championship, where he will likely be allowed to use a cart. In a related note, I’m buying these things being called “buggies” like they are in the UK. And yes, I’m selling spider bites that send you into surgery. Terrifying stuff.

Tiger Woods’ early wake-up calls: Apparently, the 15-time major champ is setting his alarm clock for 1 a.m. to try to get on Northern Ireland time ahead of next week’s Open Championship in Royal Portrush:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzqZMWwALUP/?utm_source=ig_embed

I dig Tiger’s enthusiasm, but that seems a bit much. Also, wouldn’t he be better served by heading across the pond and waking up at a normal time in Northern Ireland to get used to the time difference? And, you know, actually playing some golf over there? Just a thought, Tiger. . .

Shooting 28 under. . . and losing: That’s exactly what Ariya Jutanugarn did at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. Despite a final-round 64 to get to that absurd number, Jutanugarn came up one shot short to Shanshan Feng, who shot a Sunday 63 to get to an even more absurd total of 29 under par. Congrats to Shanshan on winning for the first time in nearly two years, and condolences to Ariya.

ON TAP

The PGA Tour heads (At least, those not playing in this week’s Scottish Open on the Euro Tour) to TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic, AKA the Steve Stricker Open. Sadly, the Strick Show has chosen to play the Senior Players Championship instead. He will be missed—especially since this field might not have the star power of the Senior Players. On the bright side, a guy with an ELECTRIC swing that has taken the golf world by storm is playing!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzqk5B1FM9N/?utm_source=ig_embed

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzss3KlFLKs/?utm_source=ig_embed

Oh, yeah. Matthew Wolff will be there, too.

Random tournament fact: Defending John Deere champ Michael Kim won by eight shots last year. He returns having missed 20 (yes, TWENTY because I’m not counting Kapalua where there wasn’t a cut) consecutive cuts. Freaking golf, am I right?

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—Michael Kim will win the John Deere Classic by eight shots again: 1 Million-to-1 odds

— Matthew Wolff will win the John Deere Classic: 15-to-1 odds (Actual odds)

— George Gankas’ lesson schedule is booked up for a while: LOCK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Not only did Bryson DeChambeau have his own 18th-hole heroics topped by Matthew Wolff, but he also became a meme. Introducing “Brysoning”:

Bryson's face when Matthew Wolff made his eagle putt on 18 ???? pic.twitter.com/hakzXEThqt

— Amanda Rose (@AmandaGolf59) July 7, 2019

Credit where credit's due: when the camera is rolling, Bryson plays the best frat-house-comedy villain in golf. Wolff makes a putt behind him, and our man delivers pure "my father, the DEAN, will hear about this!" incredulity. pic.twitter.com/HykarBtDEL

— Garrett Morrison (@garrett_TFE) July 7, 2019

looking through email after a long holiday weekend pic.twitter.com/tSNMTE6dK6

— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) July 8, 2019

Poor guy.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

The European Tour’s latest stroke of genius involved surprising fans by putting them in the TV booth to call the action. And the results were fantastic:

What happens when unsuspecting Irish golf fans end up on 'live TV'?

Introducing… #AccidentalCommentary ? pic.twitter.com/vpOKqvTKkt

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 8, 2019

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Maybe a virgin pina colada.” — Matthew Wolff when asked how he planned to celebrate. The kid’s got jokes as well.

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLFERS

Will Smith showed off an interesting way of setting off fireworks:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzfzpEVg_QK/?utm_source=ig_embed

Is this a scene from the next Independence Day?

THIS WEEK IN DUSTIN JOHNSON-PAULINA GRETZKY BROOKS KOEPKA-JENA SIMS PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzhCyfaAwtO/?utm_source=ig_embed

Does Brooks Koepka play in between majors just to miss weddings?

THIS WEEK IN OTHER TOUR PROS PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

And Maverick McNealy and Danielle Kang continue to be golf’s new “it” couple:

https://twitter.com/MavMcNealy/status/1147974972905676800

Love the use of WAG, Mav.

THIS AND THAT

We had George Gankas on the Golf Digest Podcast to discuss Matthew Wolff and also try to get some tips to increase my pathetic swing speed. He didn’t disappoint.

https://soundcloud.com/user-96678684/matthew-wolffs-breakthrough-win-george-gankas

Speaking of increases, the R&A announced a 40-per cent spike in the purse for next month’s Women’s British Open. That deserves a big golf clap. . . . Phil Mickelson managed to take seven(!) penalty strokes during an opening 74 at the 3M Open, including dumping two balls into the water on No. 18. Hopefully, he dives into some of his craziest rounds in the next “Fireside with Phil” episode. . . . Congrats to Air Force captain Kyle Westmoreland for making his second consecutive cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. It took a pilot’s focus to make it to the weekend this past week in particular with Golf Digest photo editor/Grind producer Michael Sneeden subbing in as his caddie. . . . And finally, I have no clue whose lawn this is, but it always catches my eye when I play the Links at Union Vale:

If Golf Digest ranked America’s greatest lawns, this would have to be on the top of the list.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

How many majors will Matt Wolff win?

How many times have I watched Fargo?

How do I mow my lawn like that?

The post Matthew Wolff’s speedy arrival, Tiger Woods’ early wake-up calls, and Bryson DeChambeau becomes a meme appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.