Friends in fore,
First, know that we process backup picks at the same time we tabulate scores (Sunday night, in most cases).
All you Willy Z pickers out there (he withdrew before the tourney started) - your backup will activate. You'll see it reflected when scores are final.
NOW, Commish thought it was a near-certainty we'd break records with Tony Finau picks this week.
In 2022, it was Rahm-Finau 1-2. In 2023, it was Finau-Rahm. And, well, Rahm isn't on Tour anymore... and the Mexico Open field is as weak as ever.
And yet, "just" 28% of us picked Finau in YEYPO. Still our top pick, but almost identical to the 26% rate he got in last year's Mexico Open.
Commish will never underestimate your collective FLAIR again. Please forgive my embarrassing mistake.
FUN PICK STATS
These are highlights - cool/fun/interesting things I see in our pick data.
Finau's Mexico Open win last year was, surprisingly, NOT our most lucrative pick of all time.
He has the highest pick rate for any YEYPO winner in our history, but the Mexico Open's relatively small purse is the culprit here.
Our top all-time YEYPO picks by cumulative money earned:
- Brooks Koepka at 2023 PGA Championship: $702.45M earned (223 picks)
- Max Homa at 2023 Genesis: $638.74M earned (293 picks)
- Tony Finau at 2023 Mexico Open: $535M earned (386 picks)
Related: 2023 and 2024 are shaping up to be totally opposite years when it comes to YEYPO earnings. We are VERY far behind last year's pace!
Speaking of last year's pace, Commish pulled the numbers for JUST how far behind it we are.
Winners picked in YEYPO, through Week 5:
- 2024: Nine.
- 2023: 491.
Average SZN earnings in YEYPO, through Week 5:
- 2024: $1,012,997.
- 2023: $2,058,731.
YEYPO leader, through Week 5:
- 2024: $4,741,620 (@mrmelty).
- 2023: $9,200,650 (@Kester988).
It's been no joke out there. Hell, it's entirely possible that someone who missed the first five weeks could win YEYPO's Overall crown.
Thus, it's time for Commish's favorite Golf SZN phrase: IT'S STILL ANYONE'S GAME!!
In the Top 10s pool, Finau DID set a new record with 62% taking him.
This is perhaps the truest indication of our confidence level, as you can pick golfers as many times as you want in the Top 10s pool.
The previous high was Scheff's 60.2% at the Phoenix Open.
Let's look at our weekly YEYPO skin opportunities.
- Full skin opportunities: Aaron Rai, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Alexander Björk, Alex Smalley, Ben Taylor, Bronson Burgoon, Chez Reavie, David Lipsky, Davis Riley, Francesco Molinari, Harrison Endycott, James Hahn, J.J. Spaun, Kevin Dougherty, Nate Lashley, Parker Coody, Troy Merritt, Tyler Duncan.
- Half skin oppos: Carson Young, Harry Hall, Joseph Bramlett, K.H. Lee, Martin Trainer, Robert MacIntyre, Vincent Norrman.
That is... quite the list. Y'all are maniacs in the best way.
And yet another skin is in play, as Lipsky (T3) and Bramlett (T7) are both in the thick of it after Thursday's round.
COMMENT AWARDS (THEME OF THE WEEK: DREAM GOLF FOURSOME)
The 1-iron Moxie Award
Boldest pick (with a comment). You can't win a SZN competition without a little Moxie!
@Eannarelli (Austin Eckroat): "Theme of the week is dream foursome eh? Any hard questions? Tommy Fleets (duh), David "LIV got me" Feherty, and Charlie Woods' Dad. "
Commish says: Feels like you've put some thought into this foursome thing before. Was there thought put into Eckroat? NOT JUDGING JUST CURIOUS, LIKE TOMMY FLEETS' OUTFITS.
John Daly's Pants Award
The best weekly comment (or three), because John Daly's pants always win.
@Mcheavens13 (Keith Mitchell): "I don’t know if I’d rather punch Keith Mitchell square in the mouth or have a beer with him. Foursome is Tiger (after a handful of xans so I could maybe compete), John Daly (after 14 vodkas), and Benjamin Franklin. Ben Frank and I will chat it up about kites and electricity and rip some heaters while watching Tiger and JD compete while blitzed. Man what a day that would be. "
Commish says: Golf was invented around 1743 in Scotland. Benjamin Franklin spent a decent amount of time in Europe during his life, which ended in 1790. So it's possible you would not have to explain golf to ol' Benny Frank. Now, explaining John Daly on the other hand...
"Bryson Approves This Pick" Award
Most convincing. (There's logic, and then there's Bryson-level logic)
@hockey3430 (Taylor Pendrith): "Dahmen, Kisner, Higgs. Legit would be a blast. Find me a more fun group of serious side game golfers plus a party, but not so intimidating that you feel like you have to walk on eggshells just to exist in the group. These guys are dudes and there's no disputing that they just want everyone around them to have fun... oh and the constant chirps would be 10/10."
Commish says: I did NOT have this trio on my bingo board and you have convinced me I was completely wrong to omit them. Bryson might not know how to have fun but HE APPROVES THIS LOGIC.
Spieth's 89-degree Lob Wedge
Wildest take (like Spieth's wild short game)
@Shredder_CL (Emiliano Grillo, Survivor): "The 9th Green at 9 with Frank the Tank, Pepper Brooks, and gimmie Shooter McGavin! "
Commish says: Taking Shooter over Happy! I'm not even sure you're wrong here; Shooter is an asshole but you don't risk being punched in the face with him. Also, since Frank the Tank is involved, I can only assume WE'RE GOING STREAKING!!
MORE COMMENTS (THEME OF THE WEEK: DREAM GOLF FOURSOME)
@suckitspanos (Jake Knapp): "A quick analysis of the player depth at the Mexico Open revealed that with my 19 handicap I have a 33.33% (repeating of course) chance of winning and a 100% chance of making the cut. And unlike crocodile arms Kuchar, I’ll be sure to tip my caddie the customary 10% plus a bottle of Reserve Rum Jeremy to celebrate the victory."
Commish says: [Is it time we let the Kuchar thing go?] IT'LL NEVER BE TIME!!
@SmokinLeafs (Emiliano Grillo): "Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ernest Hemmingway, Bob Marley. If you want golfers Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Bobby Jones "
Commish says: I don't think your first foursome is ever making it to the first tee box.
@Ficus (Keith Mitchell): "Cashmere Keith strolling through Mexico telling the locals 'Grassy ass' and handing out $1 bills"
Commish says: SZN t-shirt alert! "CASHMERE KEITH" with Escobar-like shades superimposed over Keith Mitchell's unsuspecting face.
@zachewing (Keith Mitchell): "Resort course, gotta choose the guy who willingly chooses to wear a visor. He's right at home."
Commish says: CASHMERE KEITH!!!
@Autovhanchilly (Stephan Jaeger): "When you are looking at Cam Champ as an option, you know the people will be in for a banner week. Viva Las Vegas! Sorry that was the liv event. Viva Mexico!"
Commish says: At this point they should probably just pick 10 random fans from the stands to play in the actual tournament. That'll generate interest, right?
@Lambda_derg (Thomas Detry): "Jesus with his 1 iron. Shivas Irons and his true gravity. And my dad I suppose."
Commish says: I had to Google who Shivas Irons was. I did not have to Google who Jesus was. Also, your dad over Tiger?!
@yjcc (Patrick Rodgers and Davis Thompson, Top 10s): "We're digging deep on this one this week. If I get another 6 points, I'll reveal my "strategy" haha"
Commish says: @yjcc riding an absolute HEATER in Top 10s. Perfect 12 points the last two weeks. I'm a little scared about what your "strategy" might be, though.
@HaveYouCheckedYourButthole (Charley Hoffman): "Chewbacca, Ron Burgundy, Chubbs Peterson"
Commish says: I've spent the last 17 minutes imagining Ron Burgundy's responses to Chewbacca's growls. Also RIP Carl Weathers!!!
@mahatma19 (Cameron Champ): "Five (5) golfers have finished in the top-10 at the Mexico Open the last two years. One took off to LIV so I had four (4) to choose from. I mean, I'm going to always side with the person that has the silliest name. #ChampingAtTheBit #PeoplesChamp"
Commish says: You used two (2) hashtags that were mediocre at best. Next time give me one (1) reason why you include the number parentheticals, cool? Cool.
@Drwahi21 (Tony Finau, 100 Tier): "Me, Barack Obama, Kim Kardashian, Iron Man"
Commish says: So, you know, what would y'all... talk about... for 18 holes?
@jrcondon (Taylor Pendrith): "My Dream golf foursome: David Beckham, Jackie Robinson, and Keith Richards."
Commish says: This definitely wins for "most outside the box" foursome. Well, other than the one above that we agreed would never be able to tee off.
@kbanaian (Tony Finau): "Y'know what? Don't overthink this. Guy's finished 1/T2 here, hasn't missed a cut in a while. When the only top-25 guy in the field has this record, you have to take it. We'll fight it out for skins some other week."
Commish says: Yeah but did you at least think about picking Santiago De La Fuente? ADMIT IT, BANAIAN.
@Treml07 (Will Zalatoris): "Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, and Steph Curry."
Commish says: HOW DID FALLON GET IN HERE?
@Sooser21 (Thomas Detry): "Paige Spiranac, Charles Barkley, Bill Murray"
Commish says: Paige Spiranac and two walking HR violations. Got it!
@BleedButlerBlue (Maverick McNealy and Doug Ghim, Top 10s): "Bill Murray, Chubbs, and Tin Cup"
Commish says: I'm imagining Bill and Chubbs arguing over what Tin Cup should do on his infamous 72nd hole approach, and I don't think it takes much work to imagine what side each would be on.
@Jevans4 (Tony Finau, Survivor): "Rory sucks at golfing the ball. "
Commish says: Rory just out here catching a stray, not involved in the pick, not even involved in the event, but definitely involved in @Jevans4's head.
@PackerGuy10 (Emiliano Grillo): "Spieth, Rahm, and early 2000s Tiger "
Commish says: I love that you're like, give me any version of Spieth and Rahm, but I NEED this specific time period Tiger!
@MintBagpipe (Erik van Rooyen): "Tiger, Phil, and my friend Jerry"
Commish says: GET JERRY IN THE POOL!!
@Sparky21 (Will Zalatoris): "Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird"
Commish says: GET LARRY BIRD IN THE POOL!!
@bradleyhanovich (Tony Finau, Survivor): "Commish, Tom Brady, and Arnold Palmer "
Commish says: GET COMMISH IN THE PO... I LOVE Y'ALL.
Yours in metal stick swinging,
The Commish