The Nine is a monthly ranking of all things golf, golf-related, and golf adjacent from the previous month. Rankings are calculated by an idiosyncratic and temperamental formula including objective measures, eye tests, and vibe checks. From the Drop Zone assumes no liability or responsibility for the accuracy of these rankings.
The Masters signifies the unofficial start of golf season and the computer models that aggregate the data for The Nine have been working overtime to get the rankings done in time for the end of the month. Don't mind the smoke from them.
T-1. Scottie Scheffler
All that Scottie has done since the last ranking of The Nine is finish runner-up at the Houston Open (by one shot), win The Masters (by four shots), and win the RBC Heritage (by three shots).
Currently, he has 14.86 OWGR points. Second-ranked Rory McIlroy has 7.21 points. Which means that Rory's point differential to me (who currently has 0 points) is closer than his point differential to Scottie.
Scottie has more than twice as many FedExCup points as does Wyndham Clark, who is second in the FedExCup.
Is that any good?
T-1. Nelly Korda
All that Nelly has done since the last ranking of The Nine is win the Ford Championship, win the T-Mobile Match Play, and win the first major, the Chevron Championship. She has won in five consecutive starts.
Currently, she has 12.30 Rolex Ranking points. Third-ranked Celine Boutier has 6.09 points. Which means that Celine's point differential to the female recreational golfer is closer than her differential to Nelly. (Lilia Vu is the only player who Nelly hasn't "doubled up" in Rolex Ranking points.)
Nelly has more than twice as many points in the Race to the CME Globe as does Lydia Ko, who is second in the Race.
Is that any good?
3. Taste of The Masters
For the many of us who aren't badge holders of The Masters, we try to bring The Masters into our own homes. And the Taste of The Masters helps us do just that. From the famous pimento cheese to the BBQ pork, from the popcorn to the potato chips and chocolate chip cookies, the Taste of the Masters brings all of the favorite Masters foods to your own home.
And of course, the Masters cups are nice too.
4. General Contractors in Dallas and Bradenton
The Schefflers will need additional closet space for his second green jacket and his (first) tartan jacket from the RBC Heritage win.
Nelly is going to need some additional shelving for all those trophies she keeps bringing home.
At this rate, those contractors seem to have job security.
5. Wilshire Country Club
Host of the LPGA's JM Eagle LA Championship, Wilshire Country Club showcases a course with great, classic architecture. The course probably doesn't get as much attention as it should. It is in a crowded neighborhood of other highly-regarded courses: Bel-Air CC, Riviera CC, and Los Angeles CC. With those courses, architect George C. Thomas showed his routing skills by utilizing the California canyons.
However, Norman MacBeth was no slouch when using the property's barranca when routing Wilshire. The variety of par threes holes, use of the natural feature, and craggy bunkers make Wilshire a golf course deserving to be showcased.
Today's world of professional golf usually outgrows Golden Age classics. The LPGA's stop at Wilshire (in prime time!) reveals great architecture to the masses.
6. Alternate Shot
The PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans features a unique (gasp) team format. But unlike the 54 Tour's team format, this Zurich uses two-player teams in four ball (best ball) and foursomes (alternate shot). Let's just say, The Nine is all in on alternate shot.
Alternate shot is typically regarded as one of the most difficult formats in golf. But as shown from this year's Zurich, well-played alternate shot can catapult teams up the leaderboard. The team of Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer shot an absurd 63 in the format to jump 23 spots on the leaderboard to end in the tournament in a tie for the lead.
The format can lead to a volatile leaderboard, put extra pressure on every shot, and give players nowhere to hide.
It's a great way to play. It is the most fun team format. The Nine understands why it is not played recreationally very often (who wants to pay full greens fees while playing only half the shots?) but it is a shame we don't see it more in the professional ranks.
7. Pollen
Getting outside for a round of golf in April is great, especially after sitting inside for the cold winter. What's not great, is all the damn pollen. Those 24-hour allergy relief pills seem to work for only four hours.
How is every year the worst allergy year ever?!?
8. Ripper GC
Spraying each other with champagne after the team win with only one player on team finishing in the top-10 (with a dead heat reduction for those who wager) in a field of 54 is kind of a tough scene. The Nine recognizes that the players on Ripper GC are Australian and the tournament was in Adelade and the team won in a playoff. Still seems a little crazy. Very much vibes of winning the ALCS.
9. Anthony Kim
With finishes of 53rd in Jeddah, 50th in Hong Kong, 53rd in Miami, 54th in Adelade (in fields of 54), maybe it's time to end the Anthony Kim experiment.
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