Leaving the 'Designated' Events Alone, Tiger's Outlook and Jason Day's Resurgence

The WM Phoenix Open had a field to match its atmosphere and another loaded field is on tap this week with one notable addition.

A year ago, Scottie Scheffler began his rise to the top of the game with a win at the WM Phoenix Open. He did it again on Sunday and didn't have to wait for the No. 1 ranking—it came with the victory. And fans had plenty of time to switch over to the Super Bowl.

Here are links to Bob Harig's Weekly Read notes from around the game, starting with a suggestion that the PGA Tour not go too far with its new method of getting all the top players together. 

'Designated' Events Are Working and the PGA Tour Should Leave Them Alone

Scottie Scheffler tees off on the 16th hole at the 2023 WM Phoenix Open.
Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Network

The first full-field PGA Tour "designated" event was a smash, with the likes of Scottie Scheffler (above) and Jon Rahm battling all week. That was the whole point of creating such tournaments. But as Bob Harig writes, the Tour shouldn't tweak these events by shrinking field sizes and removing the cut. That would be a little too close to resembling the Saudi-backed rival.

What Kind of Game Will Tiger Woods Have at Riviera?

Tiger Woods is pictured at the 2022 PNC Championship.
Kevin Kolczynski/AP

In case you've been off the golf grid for a few days, Tiger Woods is playing at this week's Genesis Invitational. The last time we saw him, he was playing a pair of Florida exhibitions. Bob Harig wonders about what we might see in a full-field, four-round event, at one of the rare courses where Tiger doesn't have a great history.

As Jason Day's Resurgence Continues, He Hopes Restlessness is Next

Jason Day watches a shot at the 2023 WM Phoenix Open.
Alex Gould/USA TODAY Network

With a solo fifth at the WM Phoenix Open, Jason Day continued a run of good play that has been missing for a few years. But how will he know when he's completely back? Day offered a fun answer.

Weekly Read Fore! Things: Jon Rahm Is Still Hot and a Rare Jordan Spieth Stat

Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm shake after the third round at the WM Phoenix Open.
Darryl Webb/AP

The battle at the top of the world ranking is getting good—Scottie Scheffler is back at No. 1 but Jon Rahm isn't far behind with the way he's playing. Bob Harig's weekly Fore! Things has notes on both of them, the latest on LIV and something Jordan Spieth has done just twice in his PGA Tour career.


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Bob Harig
BOB HARIG

Bob Harig is a senior writer covering golf for Sports Illustrated. He has more than 25 years experience on the beat, including 15 at ESPN. Harig is a regular guest on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio and has written two books, "DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods" and "Tiger and Phil: Golf's Most Fascinating Rivalry." He graduated from Indiana University where he earned an Evans Scholarship, named in honor of the great amateur golfer Charles (Chick) Evans Jr. Harig, a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America, lives in Clearwater, Fla.