The Stroke Index ⛳ Thursday May 8 2025
Scheffler and DeChambeau victorious / Why is a cricket club hosting a golf tournament? / Rick Shiels deals with LIV role / Tributes to Jim Dent / Adam Scott gives a ball striking masterclass
Good morning. With a week to go until the year’s second major at the USPGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau provided ominous performances last week. And with Rory McIlroy returning to action today, the top stars are aiming to peak just at the right time. The current array of talent in the men’s and women’s game is inspiring, so no wonder England Golf has seen a huge surge in playing numbers this spring. As the interest in golf grows, thank you for showing your support by subscribing to this newsletter.
View From the Tee - Results Round-up
⛳ The Associated Press reports on imperious hometown boy Scottie Scheffler making hay as he sauntered around TPC Craig Ranch to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson by eight shots while also equalling the PGA Tour’s scoring record for 72 holes.
⛳ Tom Blow and Abbie Meehan explain in The Express how Davis Riley nearly missed the CJ Cup Byron Nelson cut after receiving a two-stroke penalty for misuse of his rangefinder.
⛳ Bryson DeChambeau finally converted form into victory at LIV Golf Korea after going head to head with teammate Charles Howell III, writes livgolf.com. And it turned into a double celebration as DeChambeau’s Crushers GC also claimed the team title.
⛳ Sarah Kellam at lpga.com describes how Korean Haeran Ryu won her third LPGA title by five strokes at the Black Desert Championship in a very scenic region of southern Utah.
⛳ One of my shots of the week was Stephanie Kyriacou’s albatross (below) on the par-5 18th at the Black Desert Golf Course. Pure joy!
This Weekend’s Action
⛳ The Truist Championship returns to the PGA Tour at a different venue - Philadelphia Cricket Club - due to Quail Hollow hosting next week’s USPGA Championship. Adam Stanley at pgatour.com takes a first look as defending champion Rory McIlroy returns to action.
⛳ Alex Perry at Today’s Golfer examines the history of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, and - away from golf - also gives a brief explanation to US readers what cricket actually is.
⛳ The Ladies European Tour makes a comeback this week as it heads to Seoul for the Aramco Korea Championship - an individual and team event as ladieseuropeantour.com explains.
⛳ Amy Rogers at lpga.com again provides five things to know as the Tour hits New Jersey for the Mizuho Americas Open hosted by Michelle Wie, which also includes 24 elite junior players competing in their own event.
⛳ The DP World Tour returns this week with the Turkish Airlines Open at Regnum Carya, in Antalya, and europeantour.com also provides five things to know, including a reminder of the rooftop tee on the 16th hole.
Amateur News
⛳ Englandgolf.org celebrates the success of 18-year-old Amelia Wan’s wire-to-wire victory by seven shots at the Welsh Women's Open Strokeplay.
⛳ Golf News reports on the inspiring story of Ken Powell, from Ramsgate in Kent, who has become the first Paragolfer to reach England Golf’s Race To Woodhall Spa Final, sponsored by Your Golf Travel.
⛳ Golfers by the ninth green at Riviera Country Club, in Los Angeles, were stunned to see a light aircraft make an emergency landing on the fairway last week, which was captured in the footage below. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Around the Greens
🕳 Elliott Heath and Joe Ferguson at Golf Monthly have produced a fascinating exclusive with YouTuber Rick Shiels, who talks about how he has dealt with the negativity surrounding his association with LIV Golf.
“And it's not the fact I've been anti-LIV - don’t get me wrong, I don't think it's a perfect product yet - but I think every single event is getting better and better.” - Rick Shiels
🕳 A combination of the fine spring and Rory McIlroy winning the Masters might be contributing factors, but England Golf has confirmed April saw record numbers of players signing up to iGolf and submitting scores through the World Handicap System.
🕳 The jury might still be out on whether Trump Turnberry can be reinstated on the Open rota, but the BBC reports on DP World Tour’s announcement that Trump International, in Aberdeen, will host the Scottish Championship in August.
🕳 livgolfweekly.com describes how a new double portrait is gracing the Big Room at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, with the unveiling of a portrait remembering Sir Michael and Lady Angela Bonallack.
🕳 Walesgolf.org writes about Haverfordwest Golf Club celebrating its Gold award in the Women in Golf Charter for its contribution in “developing a culture that values women’s involvement in every aspect of the sport”.
🕳 Daniel Orme at the Mirror reports on the death of PGA Tour trailblazer Jim Dent at the age of 85.
Fairway Fact
Rory McIlroy has already won four times at Quail Hollow, which will host next week’s USPGA Championship, with his most recent success at last May’s Truist Championship.
Clubhouse Chat
☕ If you are in the market for a new set of sticks, take some time to consider what you actually need. Mark Townsend at golf365.com is once again joined by PGA professional Eddie Hammond to discuss whether 14 clubs is too many.
☕ Rob McGarr at Today’s Golfer explains how an in-depth test has revealed why choosing the right golf ball for your ability can pay dividends.
☕ Bunkered’s Lewis Fraser reveals how he had a good eye for a putter when experiencing a Scotty Cameron fitting usually reserved for the top pros.
☕ Fancy a masterclass in ball striking? This DP World Tour session with Adam Scott provides an insight into the mind of a major champion.
Thank you for reading edition number 4 of The Stroke Index. I aim to bring you all of the latest news and developments from the world of golf. But you can also play a role. Leave your comments or join the chat with suggestions for content that you want to see. And if you notice something I might have missed, do not hesitate to let me know here.