PGA-LIV confluence makes for a fascinating Masters, plus a major Ohtani update

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Good morning! You’re up on the tee.

Green Jackets: Darth Rahm’s return spices up Masters

There is no doubting the résumé of Gary Player, a nine-time major winner, one of the best golfers to ever grace a tee box. We can, however, doubt his opinions. Consider this quote he gave to the DailyMail a year ago: 

“Never mind the Masters, the Open is by far the greatest tournament on the planet. I rate the Open at one, the U.S. Open two, PGA three and Augusta four; Four marvelous tournaments.”

Last? Last?? I won’t stand for it, especially as the Masters tees off* this morning. It is a magical course, filled with warm fuzzies that border on cliche because, well, every golf fan loves it. It’s a good cliche. 

This year’s edition is rife with story, too. We have four writers — Brendan Quinn, Brody Miller, Gabby Herzig and Hugh Kellenberger — on site this week. I asked each what excited them most about this week. 

To me, it’s Jon Rahm. Last year’s champion returns after defecting to the LIV Tour, a hopeful attempt to unify a broken sport. Brendan agreed and described it better than me: 

“Rahm returning to Augusta as Darth Vader. The last time he was here, Rahm won his second major in a seismic, sentimental moment for Spanish golf — on Seve Ballesteros’ birthday, with José María Olazábal in attendance — and was an endearing champion. Now he’s a member of LIV and an easy metaphorical monument of the game’s great divide.”

Rahm being a flashpoint for a wider conflict makes this tournament more of a bummer and more important at the same time. We actually have the best golfers in the world all at one event, which is sadly rare. Gabby wondered if the drama has gone on too long: 

“Golf fans are increasingly disillusioned by the PGA-LIV divide. Will this year’s Masters prove that golf’s civil war has taken the major championships to an entirely different level of importance?”

It might not even matter, because the best player in the world right now is Scottie Scheffler, who carries his own weird greatness baggage (and a fun “Scottie Shuffle” swing). Brody explained: 

“Scheffler is reaching a tier of greatness we haven’t seen in roughly a decade, but at the end of the day, he has just one major so far to show for it. Can he prove he’s truly this era’s superstar?”

All I really want is a competitive tournament. There’s nothing like the tension of watching the back nine at Augusta on Sunday with a crowded leaderboard. Hugh thought the same: 

“Will we get a truly compelling Sunday with a crowded leaderboard, roars shaking the pines and a dog fight for the green jacket? It’s been a minute since we had one of those tournaments — maybe 2019 or 2018.”

Our crew also picked winners: 

• Brendan: Xander Schauffele
• Gabby: Jordan Spieth
• Brody: (Other than Scheffler) Hideki Matsuyama
• Hugh: Brian Harman

I am once again falling for the Rory McIlroy Trap. I assume that means he crumbles on Sunday. 

*The first groups are slated to begin in about an hour (8 a.m. ET), but rain threatens a delay this morning. Keep up with everything on our live blog here. 

P.S. I’m still miffed about Player’s majors ranking, so I want to know where it ranks for you among the four (Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship). Make your voice heard here.

News to Know

Ohtani investigation wrapping up
A federal inquiry into Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is wrapping up, per a New York Times report. There is apparent evidence that Mizuhara did indeed steal millions from Ohtani, and the interpreter is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. This is still just a jaw-dropping story. Andy McCullough explained what this all could mean for Ohtani moving forward.

Packers, Eagles set for Brazil
Philadelphia and Green Bay will open the season on Friday, Sept. 6 in São Paulo, Brazil, which makes history in two ways: It’s the first NFL game in South America and the first Friday game since 1970. The game will also exclusively stream on Peacock, a sign of the NFL’s brash confidence. Just so many layers to this one. Plug into Scoop City for more later this morning.

Fever go national
The Indiana Fever — who will presumably draft Caitlin Clark in Monday’s WNBA Draft — will play 36 of their 40 games this season on national TV, which outpaces every other team in the league, including defending champion Las Vegas. It’s a massive bet on Clark and the economy of eyes on her, which boosted women’s college basketball ratings to new heights this season. See the full breakdown here.

Giannis out
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the remainder of the regular season with a calf strain, the team announced yesterday, another blow for a talented team that has endured a bizarre season. Milwaukee sits in second place in the East, but just a game ahead of the Knicks and 1.5 above the Cavaliers. Though he avoided major injury, a playoff run feels doomed from here.

More news

Watch This Game

NHL: Red Wings at Penguins
7 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Both squads sit squarely in the Eastern Conference glut of seven teams vying for two playoff spots. This one matters. 

NBA: Pelicans at Kings
10 p.m. ET on TNT
This game will help decide if New Orleans (currently sixth in the West standings) slips into the Play-In or not. Sacramento (No. 8 right now) is trying to avoid a potential slide to 10th. Drama at the bottom.

Pulse Picks

The lads can kick. Kalyn Kahler writes about “Irish Gaelic” footballers who have garnered serious NFL interest as kickers. Go for the amazing story arc, stay for the hilarious lingo. 

Kyle Tucker and Shams Charania wrote the definitive story of how John Calipari decided to leave Kentucky. They talked to everyone involved — including Calipari. 

Tommy John surgery is once again in the spotlight. Cody Stavenhagen has a great explainer on what the procedure is like today and where it’s headed in the future. 

World Athletics will finally pay track and field Olympic gold medalists prize money. As Nicole Auerbach explains, the rule shift is a chance for the NCAA to right a wrong. 

A 13-year-old could make the jump to NWSL action soon. Meet McKenna “Mak” Whitham, who has already scored a goal in a preseason game and has a deal with Nike. Sheesh. 

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Everyone loves ragging on MLB’s unfortunate new jerseys. 

Most-read on the website yesterday: Dane Brugler’s latest edition of “The Beast,” which published yesterday. Get to it if you haven’t already.

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