Tiger Woods’ Departure and More: Reflecting on the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing

As the PGA Tour concludes its West Coast swing and prepares to shift gears toward Florida, it’s time to review the highs and lows of the past seven events. From standout performances to unexpected setbacks, here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from the first leg of the 2024 season.

Winner: Sam Burns Amidst the ups and downs of the West Coast swing, Sam Burns emerged as a notable winner. With four consecutive top-10 finishes, including a strong showing at the Genesis Invitational, Burns has showcased impressive consistency and form. His prowess on the greens positions him as a compelling contender heading into the upcoming tournaments, particularly the Players Championship.

Loser: Tiger Woods Despite initial optimism surrounding Tiger Woods’ return to the PGA Tour, his recent withdrawal from the Riviera event adds to a string of disappointing outcomes. With four withdrawals or missed cuts in his last six events spanning two years, Woods’ struggle to find his rhythm raises concerns about his ability to contend at this stage of his career.

Loser: Patrick Cantlay While Patrick Cantlay demonstrated early promise with strong showings on leaderboards, his inability to secure a victory in four consecutive tournaments is cause for reflection. Despite entering final rounds in favorable positions, Cantlay faltered in closing out events, raising questions about his ability to capitalize on opportunities.

Winner: Nick Dunlap A standout moment of the West Coast swing came courtesy of Nick Dunlap, whose historic win at the American Express marked a career-defining achievement. Despite subsequent struggles, Dunlap’s triumph solidifies his status as a rising star in the golfing world, setting the stage for future success.

Loser: Rory McIlroy Rory McIlroy’s lackluster performances on the West Coast, highlighted by subpar showings at Pebble Beach and the Genesis Invitational, underscore areas for improvement. While his driving remains strong statistically, struggles with approach play and scoring have hindered his success in recent tournaments.

Loser: PGA Tour The overall quality of the West Coast swing fell short of expectations, with a combination of factors contributing to its underwhelming nature. Absences of prominent stars, coupled with surprising outcomes from lesser-known players, detracted from the excitement and competitiveness typically associated with this portion of the schedule.

Winners: Will Zalatoris and Hideki Matsuyama In a dramatic turn of events reminiscent of the 2021 Masters, Will Zalatoris and Hideki Matsuyama stole the show at Riviera with their impressive performances. Matsuyama’s historic comeback victory, paired with Zalatoris’ resilient play, provided a thrilling conclusion to the West Coast swing and reaffirmed their status as elite competitors.

As the PGA Tour shifts focus to Florida and beyond, the lessons learned and experiences gained from the West Coast swing will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the remainder of the season. With new challenges and opportunities on the horizon, the stage is set for another chapter in the storied history of professional golf.