Austin will go into winning on the PGA Tour, which he did twice in 2024 and what comes with that and the pressure coming down the stretch while winning on the PGA Tour. He will also get into some of the things he practices and even his home setup in Oklahoma that other professional golfers also hang out at.

Austin was part of the fabled 2018 Oklahoma State national championship team that was full of current PGA Tour players like Viktor Hovland and others. He will talk college golf and what makes Oklahoma State such a special place in the college golf world.

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Dan and Jeff discuss the event, possible President’s Cup ramifications from Koivun’s win. They will also touch on the latest LIV news and what is going on with the breakaway tour.

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Less than an hour south of Lisbon, along Portugal’s unspoiled Alentejo coastline, lies an emerging golf destination that is redefining what travelers can expect from the country’s golf landscape.

Bordering the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, Terras da Comporta is home to two distinctive championship layouts—Dunas and Torre. These courses were thoughtfully designed to coexist with the surrounding environment rather than reshape it. Set amid rolling sand dunes, native pine forests and protected wetlands, the development embraces a philosophy where world-class golf and environmental stewardship exist in harmony, creating an experience that is as authentic as it is unforgettable.

Dunas Golf Course

When Dunas opened in 2023, it immediately established itself as one of the world’s premier new golf courses. The David McLay-Kidd design earned World’s Best New Golf Course honors at the 2023 World Golf Awards before recently claiming the top spot in Golf Digest‘s rankings of Portugal’s best golf courses.

McLay-Kidd, whose portfolio includes acclaimed layouts at resorts such as Bandon Dunes, Gamble Sands and Sand Valley, allowed the land to dictate the design rather than forcing the landscape to conform. The par-71 routing winds effortlessly through sand dunes, native grasses and pines.

Each hole at Dunas offers an intimate experience, beginning with a tee shot that is inviting rather than intimidating. With six sets of tees, the course provides flexibility for golfers of all abilities, allowing every group to find a yardage that matches its game. McLay-Kidd masterfully blends playability with strategic decision-making, creating a layout that welcomes recreational golfers while still presenting the shot values and challenges expected of a championship-caliber course.

The par-5 second hole perfectly captures that philosophy. A centerline bunker immediately commands attention from the tee, presenting players with a clear strategic choice. Favor the left or right side of the fairway and a well-struck drive can set up a legitimate eagle opportunity. Find the less desirable line, however, and the hole remains forgiving enough to leave a straightforward approach and an excellent chance to make par. It’s thoughtful architecture that rewards execution without overly penalizing imperfection.

A drivable par 4 is often the hallmark of a memorable golf course, and the eighth at Dunas delivers exactly that. While the green is within reach for longer hitters, the risk-reward equation is impossible to ignore. A sprawling greenside bunker guards the entire right side of the putting surface, ready to collect any shot that drifts slightly off line, while a series of strategically placed fairway bunkers on the left are positioned to catch drives attempting to chase onto the green. Players with the carry distance to take on the challenge may be rewarded, but those who choose a more conservative route can still set up a manageable wedge into the green.

As much as a drivable par 4 can define a great golf course, a demanding two-shot par 4 can serve as its foundation. The ninth at Dunas is no exception. Featuring a gentle dogleg to the right and an uphill approach, the closing hole on the front nine requires both a well-positioned tee shot and a precise approach to create a legitimate birdie opportunity. It’s a demanding but fair test that rewards disciplined execution and provides a memorable finish to an exceptional opening nine.

The back nine at Dunas offers a balanced mix of challenging par 4s and a reachable par 5, but it is the par 3s that leave the lasting impression.

The 14th hole presents a visually striking mid-iron challenge, with an island-like appearance as the green is completely surrounded by sand and natural waste areas. The putting surface introduces another layer of strategy, featuring multiple slopes that can dramatically change the difficulty depending on the pin position.

The 17th hole, while shorter at roughly 150 yards, demands precision and thoughtful club selection. With a green that is significantly wider than it is deep, distance control becomes the key factor. A massive waste area short and additional trouble beyond the green create a narrow margin for error, making this one of the course’s most compelling tests of accuracy.

Beyond the championship course itself, Dunas’ practice facilities further reinforce its status as a world-class golf destination. The combination of a spacious driving range, expansive putting green, and meticulously designed short game area provides golfers with an environment to refine every aspect of their game.

Torre Golf Course

While Dunas has caught the eye of many in just a few years, an even newer and iconic experience is emerging at Terras da Comporta.

Opening in the second half of 2025, Torre Golf quickly added another significant chapter to Portugal’s growing golf landscape. Named 2025 World’s Best New Golf Course at the World Golf Awards, the Sergio García-designed layout draws inspiration from one of the Masters champion’s favorite courses—Valderrama.

That influence is evident throughout the design, particularly in the greens, where precision and strategy take center stage. García embraced the challenge of creating smaller putting surfaces, a defining characteristic of Valderrama that has long shaped his appreciation for great golf architecture.

“Small greens, you know, that’s very typical of Valderrama. That’s something that I’ve always enjoyed,” García has stated.

The championship layout stretches 6,900 yards from the member tees and can be extended beyond 7,300 yards if needed. The par-71 design embraces an American-style architectural philosophy, featuring bold strategic bunkering and smaller, more demanding greens than its sister course, Dunas. The result is a layout built around precision, creativity and thoughtful shot-making—qualities that reflect García’s playing career and the enduring influence of Valderrama.

The design philosophy becomes apparent from the opening hole. While the tee shot offers a welcoming start, it is the approach that establishes the course’s identity. A stand of pines frames the front of the green, creating a dramatic visual while subtly influencing the player’s decision-making. The trees are less an obstacle than a strategic reminder that precision is rewarded, setting the tone for a course that consistently asks golfers to think their way around rather than simply overpower it.

Torre’s variety is on full display through the middle of the round, beginning with the picturesque par-3 fifth. Measuring just over 150 yards, the hole is defined by its distinctive Biarritz-style green, whose dramatic contours create a wealth of pin positions and place a premium on both distance control and precise green reading. Strategic bunkering further enhances the challenge, ensuring that what appears to be a straightforward short iron can quickly become one of the course’s most exacting tests.

The par-4 eighth presents an entirely different examination. An uphill tee shot framed by deep-faced bunkers gives way to a downhill approach into a two-tiered green, forcing players to carefully weigh both the wind and pin location before committing to a shot. It is a hole that rewards patience and thoughtful execution as much as pure ball-striking.

The back nine begins with one of Torre’s most intriguing risk-reward opportunities at the par-5 11th. From the tee, a series of bunkers divides the fairway into two distinct landing areas, creating the illusion of dual fairways and immediately forcing a strategic decision.

Long hitters may be tempted to attack the green in two, but the uphill second shot played to a partially obscured putting surface—demands both precision and exceptional ball-striking. The more conservative option is to lay up short of the bunkering, leaving a comfortable wedge from inside 100 yards and an excellent opportunity to convert a birdie.

After a back nine defined by exceptional routing that utilizes prevailing wind patterns effectively, Torre closes with a memorable par-4 finishing hole that demands one final decision. The slight dogleg to the right tempts players to take an aggressive line off the tee, but an expansive waste bunker guards the shortcut and punishes any miscalculation.

Choosing the safer route leaves a longer approach into a green perched on a rise and protected by a pair of well-positioned bunkers. Whether playing for par or chasing a closing birdie, the 18th requires a confidently struck approach and serves as a fitting conclusion to a course.

Despite its youth, Torre possesses a maturity rarely found in a newly opened golf course. The variety from hole to hole, combined with a thoughtful balance of challenge and playability, creates an experience that appeals to golfers of every skill level.

Complementing the course is one of the most expansive practice facilities you’ll find anywhere in Europe. Featuring a spacious driving range, an exceptional short-game area and a large putting green, it’s worth arriving early or perhaps lingering after your round to make the most of the complete golf experience. Torre is more than a memorable round of golf; it’s a destination that leaves you eager to return.

Accommodations

Golf may be the centerpiece of Terras da Comporta, but it is far from the destination’s only luxury.

A short distance from Dunas and Torre, Sublime Comporta is a secluded 65-acre retreat that blends contemporary luxury with the area’s natural beauty. The property features 23 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, along with 65 private cabana villas, providing an ideal home base for golf groups, couples seeking a romantic escape, and families looking to experience one of Portugal’s most captivating regions.

Beyond the fairways, guests can unwind with a full-service spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, and both heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Every amenity has been thoughtfully designed to complement the resort’s relaxed, nature-inspired atmosphere.

The culinary experience is equally impressive. Multiple on-property restaurants showcase the flavors of the region, while a complimentary shuttle transports guests to the resort’s Beach Club only a short distance away, where fresh seafood and Portuguese cuisine are served just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the perfect setting to reflect on the day’s round while watching the sun set over one of Portugal’s most beautiful coastlines.

Plan your Visit

For golfers searching for a premier destination in Portugal—or anywhere in Europe, Terras da Comporta has quickly established itself as one of the continent’s most compelling new golf experiences. The combination of Dunas and Torre offers two distinctly different yet equally memorable rounds, each showcasing modern architecture that respects the surrounding landscape while delivering strategic, engaging golf for players of every skill level.

Get Portugal on your golf travel bucket list, with Terras da Comporta your first stop. Reserve your tee times here, book your stay at the acclaimed Sublime Comporta here, and discover why this remarkable destination is quickly becoming one of Europe’s must-play golf destinations. Chances are, you’ll be planning your return before your journey home even begins.

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Accusations have surfaced this week about six-time major champion Phil Mickelson making inappropriate contact with a female employee at a private golf club he was a member at.

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His attorney, Tom Clare, told Golf Digest that there is video evidence that will exonerate Mickelson of any wrongdoing. “There is a great deal of misinformation circulating and, while Phil’s full attention is devoted to a private family health matter, he has retained defamation counsel and is determined to hold accountable any publication or individual trafficking in speculation or false rumors.” According to the Golf Digest reporting, The Farms Golf Club claims that there is no camera footage of the incident.

The alleged incident occurred at The Farms Golf Club, in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Mickelson is no longer a member of the golf club and was removed from the golf course on the day of the incident. According to Golf Digest, which cited anonymous sources, a female employee accused Mickelson of, “nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact” prior to a round. The alleged incident was reported to supervisors and Mickelson was asked to leave the property in the middle of his round.

While not much has been divulged from the situation, a spokesperson for Mickelson told Golf Digest, “Any misunderstanding has been cleared up. Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.”

The Farms Golf Club also provided a statement to Golf Digest. The statement included the following about the situation.”Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the Club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.”

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office provided a statement to the Athletic, noting that they have not received any reports of a sexual assault from The Farms Golf Club.“The Sheriff’s Office has made attempts to locate any evidence to support the potential allegation of a sexual assault,” the statement read. “At this time, we have not located any evidence to show an assault has occurred. The Sheriff’s Office would absolutely investigate further if provided additional evidence or information.”

The 55-year-old Mickelson has only played in one LIV event this season as spokespeople for the future hall-of-fame player continue to say that he has been dealing with a private, family health matter. He did not play in the Masters or the PGA Championship this season and will not be in the field this week for the U.S. Open, the only major he has not won.

Once one of the game’s most beloved figures, it has been a fall from grace for Mickelson, who was one of the early players to depart from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf. Mickelson faced a lot of backlash over comments quoted by him in a report by Alan Shipnuck. In the article, Mickelson was quoted saying the following about the Saudi Public Investment Fund, “We know they killed (Washington Post columnist Jamal) Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”

After these comments and leaving the PGA Tour, sponsors dropped Mickelson in 2022 as he joined LIV Golf. His play has dropped off severely since, missing cuts in nine of the 14 majors he has played since the move to LIV.

Where Mickelson goes from here remains to be seen. He was once a shoe-in for Ryder Cup captaincy and to become a fan favorite on the PGA Tour Champions, but these bridges may be completely burned, leaving Mickelson in no-man’s land if LIV Golf ends following the 2026 season

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We will go into our thoughts on Royal Birkdale, the stellar play by Fox, Young, Burns and company, as well as some disappointments from the week, including the putting of Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick missing the cut.

We will of course discuss Bryson DeChambeau’s 2-stroke penalty and the drop that Scheffler got without actually finding his golf ball on Sunday.

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In the last few decades, professional caddying at the tour level has evolved from transient work, with loopers changing from course to course, into long-term partnerships built on trust and teamwork.

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“The chances of success in the caddie world are very slim,” professional caddie Jeff Hamley said. “You look at Ted Scott—he worked for years before Scottie Scheffler. The history for most caddies is many years with many golfers before finding success.”

Many of these partnerships evolve from friendships, with brothers or former teammates becoming caddies for aspiring professionals. Others begin through recruitment, as players change caddies and veteran loopers with lengthy résumés become available.

For one caddie on tour, the journey started with a PowerPoint presentation.

Jeff Hamley, the caddie for Andrew Novak, made a career pivot eight years ago. His plan was simple: leave his recruiting sales position to pursue his dream of becoming a professional caddie.

“I met a friend through a handyman of mine named Colton Hiese, who caddies on the PGA Tour for Ricky Castillo, and Colton said he could introduce me to a couple of players in a random last-minute situation,” Hamley said during an interview with Break80 Golf. “I told him, ‘Yeah, if that comes up, give me a call.’”

That journey began with a rushed trip to the Bahamas to caddie on the Korn Ferry Tour. Introduced to multiple players during the tournament, it was a chance conversation with Andrew Novak’s father at the airport that brought the two together.

Fruitful as it proved to be for his career, the trip to the Bahamas cost Hamley more than he earned in weekly pay and his percentage of winnings. The experience highlights the financial risk faced by aspiring caddies as they struggle to make ends meet, often sharing hotel rooms, rental cars, and other expenses with fellow caddies.

PGA Tour caddies receive a weekly stipend while actively working, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 or more depending on the player and their earning level. They also receive approximately 8 to 10 percent of a player’s winnings. On developmental tours, where purses are significantly smaller, caddies earn considerably less.

“We had six caddies staying in a two-bedroom house that week, so the room was cheap, but the flight and the food were not,” Hamley said. “I made $900 that week but spent $1,700.”

After joining Novak’s bag, Hamley spent time learning from some of the profession’s best. He found several mentors, including Joe LaCava, Henry Diana, and Eric Larson, who served as role models as he learned the profession.

“I grew up playing a nine-hole inner-city muni course that really introduced me to the game at a young age,” Hamley said. “This course would have tournaments for juniors every Friday, and we would play in these tournaments. If one of us was doing better or got into a playoff, we would caddie for each other. I fell in love with the role at a very early age.”

The biggest adjustment from childhood caddying to the professional level was learning the mindset of elite players—a combination of fierce competitiveness and the confidence that every professional can compete with the best in the world. The technical skills were largely transferable from Hamley’s earlier playing and caddying experience.

The 2020 season was productive, with multiple top-15 finishes, including a victory, before the tour shut down because of COVID-19. Based on those strong finishes, Novak and Hamley appeared destined for the PGA Tour, but the pandemic delayed the graduating Korn Ferry Tour class of 2020 by an additional season.

The team reached the PGA Tour in the fall of 2021. During the 2021–22 season, Novak recorded four top-25 finishes and made 12 of 26 cuts. He added two top-10 finishes in 2023 before breaking through in 2024. With greater success and increased earnings came an even greater attention to detail.

“We did use the Pythagorean theorem one time earlier this year at Harbour Town,” Hamley said. “There is a tree on the 15th hole, a par 5, and we were trying to figure out if the 5-wood would have enough clearance. We use a lot of math. The focus is on creating a golf shot. How far is it? Where is the wind? What is the slope? They want to know what the facts are.”

Now an established PGA Tour player, Novak is ranked 85th in the world and has earned $13.5 million in career tour earnings. Hamley has even left a personal touch on Novak’s tour bag.

“We each have one thing. Andrew’s is a memento from his friend Kyle. Mine is a Stevie Williams golf ball—an extra ball hidden in the bag,” Hamley said.

From a dream to becoming the caddie for one of the PGA Tour’s rising players, Hamley’s story illustrates how preparation, persistence, and a willingness to take financial risks can turn a passion into a career.

Wyndham Clark’s win at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club filled recreational golfers with aspirations of going professional and playing in golf’s largest events.

“I’m a low spin player, I have a lot of speed, but I don’t spin the ball very much,” Clark said during an interview with Golf Digest following his 2026 US Open win. “And the Pro V1x, especially with my irons and driver, spins at the numbers that I want. Also, I think it’s great around the greens. I’ve always been looking for spin. And this Pro V1x gives me exactly what I need. … I need the spin to help keep the ball in the air, to be able to control it better around the greens. And that’s the most important thing for me. And especially out on tour, you need to be able to have the ball to stop very quick, and that’s what this ball does.”

Clark had one thing in common with most recreational golfers: a large fade bordering on a slice.

During his Saturday round, Clark recorded the only eagle on the par-five 16th hole. From the left rough, he hit a towering 275-yard pull-fade 3-wood that arched 50-plus yards into the right-to-left wind. The ball landed and stopped feet from the hole, resulting in an eagle.

“I really felt like I could be in double digits, but you know, the great thing about that is I didn’t feel like I had my best, and I still am leading as of right now,” Clark said during an interview with ESPN. “Hopefully I can bring my A-game on the weekend.”

Coming down the stretch at Los Angeles Country Club, Clark hit an 80-yard fade off the tee, finding the right side of the final fairway. He would two-putt to win the 2023 US Open.

Fades can win major championships. With most golfers hitting a fade, Clark’s success inspires hope that the common ball flight can lead recreational golfers to better scores. Unfortunately, this is where the commonalities end.

“You know on the range, having those capabilities to know how far the ball goes when you are on the fairways is huge,” Clark said during a Trackman interview. “Now just having it on the range you just lock in and it gives you the spin numbers.”

Clark recorded 190 mph ball speed on multiple occasions during his wins and spin rates around 2400 rpm. The average player is not exceeding 150 mph ball speed, and many slicers will have spin numbers exceeding 3100 rpm. Clark pairs his low spin with a closed or neutral clubface and a low ball flight. This means he is optimizing golf ball compression, and his spin is sidespin.

Clark ranks 25th on tour this year in clubhead speed at 121.48 mph. When it comes to distance, Clark falls to 37th on tour at 310.8 yards, a sign he may be losing some distance to his spin. Collin Morikawa, on the other hand, swings the driver 7 mph slower but loses only 11 yards of distance. This comes down to optimizing spin.

There is one issue with choosing a high-spin fade as your predominant shot shape: the wind. Clark got off to a hot start on Thursday under the best course conditions, shooting a 64. Clark ranked 12th in strokes gained around the green and had a hot putter when the pressure was high.

If you are trying to implement your slice into a US Open winning performance, you will want to ensure the face is closed or neutral and work on your short game.

Tom Kim kept his hot golf going this week at the Renaissance Club in Scotland as he captured the Scottish Open title with some brilliant play in East Lothian. We will discuss Tom Kim and where we see him going and some more reactions from the Scottish Open.

It is Open Championship week and we will break down some of our picks and things to look for as the final major of the year takes place at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England.

Subscribe to the Break80 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube for weekly golf content.

Subscribe to the Break80 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube for weekly golf content.

Rai has a great back story and his unparalleled work ethic has now made him a major champion. We will talk a lot about Rai’s performance on this episode, as well as discussing multiple players who played well and were disappointments.

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With recent notable back injuries plaguing the PGA Tour, the health of golfers’ lower backs and soft tissue has been in the spotlight for the past few years.

Players like Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Tiger Woods have pulled out of tournaments, sought treatment plans, and undergone surgery in an effort to alleviate back pain and return to full functionality.

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“I had six broken ribs and they had to plate four of them, so it took a while for that to heal—for all the muscle and the tissue to kind of start to integrate with the titanium plates they put on.”

Source: https://www.golfchannel.com/news/bud-cauley-66-fighting-his-way-back-accident-injuries#

While many treatment plans focus on physical therapy or orthopedic surgery, Abhinav Gautam, MD, of Nuoro Wellness focuses on muscle fascia and is producing notable results.

“When it’s functioning properly, we are kind of not aware of it. If you rewind back to how you hit golf balls when you were a kid, there is this complete freedom to move how you want. But when you get into your 30s, 40s, and 50s, you start to become more aware of what your body is having difficulty doing,” Gautam said. “People then accept this as the new status quo.”

Fascia is a fibrous connective tissue that overlays and separates muscle bundles. Inelasticity in the fascia can be associated with movement restriction and pain.

According to the Nuoro Wellness website: Fascia is the body’s integrative tissue—a continuous, connective network that links muscles, bones, nerves, and organs into a single, coordinated system. It shapes how force moves through the body, influences how fluid every action feels, and plays a key role in how well you recover from stress or strain.

“The fascia of the back has a technical name—the thoracolumbar fascia—and this layer is the central force-transfer hub between the glutes, lats, core, and spine. When it’s healthy and force is distributed efficiently, you’re unaware of it,” Gautam said. “When it’s dysfunctional, the tissues start to become stiff and dehydrated, the layers lose glide, and force becomes concentrated in the lower back.”

For decades, fascia remained one of the least explored areas in musculoskeletal medicine. Research now shows that it contains up to ten times more sensory receptors than muscle, making it a major contributor to balance, stability, and pain perception. When this network is healthy, movement is efficient and joints are naturally protected. When it becomes dehydrated or fibrotic, muscles begin to compensate and recovery slows—often long before anything appears on scans.

Treatment with Nuoro Wellness is broken down into three areas:

1. NuoroFlow Diagnostics

2. Restart Procedures

3. Restore

NuoroFlow Diagnostics is a comprehensive, AI-driven biomechanical checkup. The team uses kinetic markers to track range of motion and fluidity of movement. By identifying potential problem areas throughout the testing process, it generates a FASCIA score that highlights dehydration, compression, or scarring. High-resolution ultrasound is used in real time to confirm problematic areas.

Restart Procedures are ultrasound-led, injection-based treatments performed under local anesthetic. The injections restore the structural environment by hydrating and separating adhered and scarred fascial layers, relieving strain on the nervous system and restoring natural glide. To encourage hydration and healing, placental growth factors are injected. The procedure typically lasts less than an hour.

“We are trying to recreate a fetal microenvironment. By injecting this mixture into these planes, we are able to ‘trick’ the body into thinking it’s a baby, and it really modulates the myofibroblasts (scar tissue–producing cells). So we are physically breaking up the scar, telling the immune system to clean up the debris, and preventing activation of the scar tissue–forming cells,” Gautam said.

Two weeks post-procedure, 85% of patients reported pain relief. At six months, 78% reported sustained pain relief, with 98% saying they would recommend Restart.

“They worked their magic. I don’t know any other way to put it,” PGA Tour player Bud Cauley said of his Restart treatment. Cauley was involved in a car accident that resulted in multiple broken bones, including ribs that significantly hindered his ability to swing. With Nuoro and Restart, he was able to return to competitive play. Cauley is currently ranked 65th in the world and had four top-10 finishes in 2025.

Source: https://nuorowellness.com/restore#Benefits

Post-procedure care is focused on continued support and maintaining and improving a full range of fluid, pain-free movement. Justin Thomas, following a back injury, underwent treatment with Nuoro Wellness and has since returned to a full PGA Tour schedule.

Dr. Gautam and Nuoro Wellness have offices in Aspen, CO; Manhattan, NY; Miami, FL; and Los Angeles, CA, and are accepting new patients.

Ryan Ruffles of The Lads YouTube channel won The Q Finale, securing a spot in the oneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic in dramatic fashion over Grant Horvat in a match that came down to the 36th hole.

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“This is really cool—to have some of the best golfers on YouTube out here competing. Any one of us could have won, and Grant made a great run at it today,” Ruffles said during his victory speech. “What an opportunity as a YouTube creator to play in a PGA Tour event.”

Ruffles shot one under par during the second day’s competition, a four-person stroke play event at Pawleys Plantation in Myrtle Beach. Contestants Grant Horvat, Luke Kwon, and Micah Morris all fell short of a late surge from Ruffles. Horvat held a two-shot lead with three holes to play, but Ruffles went one under over the final three holes as Horvat faltered, bogeying multiple holes.

On hole 16, Ruffles made a 20-plus-foot birdie putt, while Horvat made a long par putt to stay at two under par. Both Morris and Kwon made bogeys on the hole, effectively eliminating themselves from contention.

“I don’t want to be in a cart with this guy! What the heck!” Horvat said in response to a charging Ruffles.

The 17th hole was a 158-yard par three over water. Ruffles found the putting surface and made par, while Horvat pushed his tee shot to the right of the green. His chip slid down the slope past the hole to about 12 feet, and he missed the putt. Ruffles, on the other hand, found the bottom of the cup in three shots after his par putt circled the hole and dropped in. The two were tied heading into the final hole.

“I don’t want to say it, but then there were two—maybe,” Ruffles said in the cart with Horvat as they drove away from the 17th tee box. “One and a half holes to play. I am one under, and you are two under.”

Horvat faltered on the last hole. His drive found a waste area to the right of the fairway, and his approach was impeded by overhanging tree branches and Spanish moss. With water short left of the green, he pulled his punch shot into the hazard, effectively handing the trophy to Ruffles, who made par.

This is the second time the PGA Tour event in Myrtle Beach has offered a pathway for content creators and Korn Ferry Tour players to gain entry into the event. Last year, a two-round stroke play competition awarded a spot, which professional Nathan Franks won. This year’s The Q was by invitation and featured only YouTube content creators.

This is not Ruffles’ first win, nor his first PGA Tour event. He won the Grass Clippings League earlier this year, a predominantly par-three mini-tour. He has also played in 20 PGA Tour events in his career and has made 10 cuts. His most recent PGA Tour appearance came at the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open.

As spring takes hold across the northern United States, Vegas weather and golf conditions are less of a gamble. The volume and quality make a trip to the desert a best bet.

Vegas offers something other desert golf destinations cannot: seemingly unlimited options for off-course amenities and attractions. Its reputation as Sin City may have golfers balking at early morning tee times and 36-hole days, but the course quality, proximity of options, and beautiful designs may have you extending your stay.

The average Vegas trip is estimated to last three days. The ideal Vegas golf trip should last five.

As the plane descends and the mountains and the Sphere come into view, the heat builds, and green oases boldly stand in contrast against the sand and rocky ground. Sin City even offers guests the opportunity to test their luck in the airport, with slot machines lining the way to baggage claim.

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The first stop: the hotel of your choice. Something with a pool deck to help you acclimate to the endless sunshine and warmth is recommended. After an afternoon in the sun, a nice dinner and a few rounds at the tables, it’s time to rest for the rounds ahead.

Cabot—the owners of Cabot Citrus, Cabot St. Lucia, Cabot Highlands, and Cabot Cape Breton—are now managing two exceptional properties in the Las Vegas area. The former Rio Secco, site of professional tournaments, is under new management as Serket,

Serket winds through the valleys above the Strip. The course opens with a handshake—a straightforward par 4—but quickly shows its teeth as holes begin to dogleg right and left. The challenge comes early, with holes 2–5 serving as a gauntlet. This four-hole stretch has some of the narrowest driving lanes on the course, requiring shot shaping to find firm fairways. It also offers one of the best scoring opportunities, with a slightly downhill, drivable par 4.

The final two holes of the front nine offer a rare back-to-back par-five scoring opportunity. Hole 12 provides the greatest vista on the course. This relatively short par 3, measuring 170 yards from the back tees, plays over a large desert wash. The green sits slightly elevated, hidden from the tee box.

The finishing three holes provide a perfect end to the round. The par-3 16th is the first time water comes into play, followed by a reachable par 5 requiring a forced carry over desert near the green site. The final crescendo is a 440-yard par 4 playing back toward the clubhouse, where a large deck awaits victorious—or frustrated—players.

The drive back to the Strip is all downhill.

Well-rested after a night of licking your wounds and counting your remaining golf balls like poker chips, day two in Las Vegas calls for 36 holes. The shortest ride of the week is as much a trip across town as it is a step back in time.

The first stop is a Tour course famous for its role in Tiger Woods’ first PGA Tour win. Las Vegas National may be even more recognizable for the homes lining the left side of the first tee. Casino was filmed on the property and featured it more prominently than Tiger Woods’ even-par round en route to winning the 1996 Las Vegas Open.

A short drive to the gates of Las Vegas Country Club takes you through an older side of Vegas, past mid-century modern homes from the gangster era. The gates slowly swing open to reveal lush greens and a beautiful clubhouse that feels like a time capsule, surrounded by newer high-rises.

The FBI once made an unexpected landing here.

On October 12, 1981, while conducting surveillance on club members, FBI agents piloting a plane ran out of fuel and were forced to land immediately. Their best option was the pond left of the 10th green. In 2019, members replaced the Cessna 172, making it a permanent fixture in the pond.

In recent years, the club hosted a LIV Golf event in 2024 and a preseason event in 2026. This classic layout—featuring rolling fairways, white sand bunkers, raised and sloping greens, and mature trees reminiscent of the Midwest—offers a refreshing contrast to the surrounding desert and the city’s noise and lights.

The clubhouse features a large wooden bar buzzing with stories from both the course and the casino floor. The pro shop is well stocked with merchandise bearing the LVCC logo—a fleur-de-lis—alongside gambling-themed designs.

Established in 1967, LVCC is a par-72, 7,203-yard course originally designed by Edmund B. Ault and later refined by Ron Garl and Mark Rathert. The “12” on the Stimpmeter sign reads as a warning before heading to the first tee.

Out on the course, you’re greeted with lush rough, strategically placed bunkers, raised greens, and a surprising amount of water. The iconic 9th hole is a shorter par 5 that doglegs left to a peninsula green surrounded by water on three sides. Its large, tiered putting surface sits in the shadow of the clubhouse patio.

The 18th finishes in a similar fashion. This dogleg-right par 5 features bunkers along the turn, while the green is guarded by a large pond on the right and front. A waterfall flows gently into the pond under the glow of the Westgate Hotel.

Playing Las Vegas Country Club is a round you won’t want to end. The day feels like a step back in time—when Dean Martin and Frank Rosenthal walked both the fairways and the casino floor.

The final golf stop is a modern masterpiece of routing. Cascata bends the laws of nature in the mountains southeast of Vegas. Designed by Rees Jones, the course winds through canyons, carving ribbons of green into the arid desert.

The course feels truly remote. Originally built as a Caesars Resort amenity, there are no homes lining the fairways or greens. The opening climb carries golfers into the wilderness, where bighorn sheep may wander across the fairway.

The course rises nearly 1,000 feet into desert mountains and into a prevailing wind. Even on calm days, the fairways can feel narrow; when the wind whips through the canyons, those green ribbons can feel impossibly distant. After two climbing holes, the par-5 third tumbles downhill, revealing a basin stretching for miles. The vista is breathtaking.

The sense of wonder deepens as you take in the lush conditions set against such an inhospitable landscape.

No oasis would be complete without water. In addition to the stream and waterfall flowing through the clubhouse, four holes feature water hazards. The first hole includes a strong flowing stream, but the real test comes at the par-3 fourth, where the green is flanked by water left and a bunker right.

The collection of par 3s at Cascata is especially memorable. Two play uphill through carved desert canyons, while the others plunge downhill toward the valley below.

The constant visual stimulation at Cascata can be overwhelming—in the best way. To take the edge off, the club offers a taco truck at the turn. The carne asada tacos come highly recommended, though they occasionally sell out. A margarita pairs well.

The final stretch cascades back toward the clubhouse. A par-5, long par-4, par-5 finish presents both scoring opportunities and a final challenge. The 18th features the largest water hazard on the course, with a bifurcating stream feeding into a greenside pond. Palm trees dot the rough, signaling that the end is near.

As the clubhouse doors open and the cart rolls inside, there’s a sense of both relief and loss—relief at completing the round, and loss that there aren’t a few more holes left to play.

Carry that feeling with you to the tables, slots, or wheel.

It can’t get any worse.

Nelly Korda won her 3rd major this week in Houston, winning the Chevron by multiple shots. We discuss distance in the women’s game and if they are chasing it like in mens professional golf.

LIV Louisiana is apparently shutting down after having money issues. LIV Golf will not have an event for a month and half at the beginning of the summer. We again talk about the end of LIV and what this means for the PGA Tour.

McLaren Golf launches its new clubs this week and they have a new lead player as a sponsor - Justin Rose. We talk about what to expect as McLaren speeds into golf.

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The Masters Tournament produced another storied finish this year, but the broadcast—available across multiple streaming platforms—was met with criticism after failing to show some of the most important shots.

To mitigate this faux pas, why not attend in person in 2027?

The Masters may be over for nearly a full calendar year, but an important few weeks are coming up in June that could determine fans’ chances of attending. The lottery for Masters tickets opens June 1 and closes June 20, with registration completed through the Masters website.

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“It’s a surreal experience. You would have thought I had won a million dollars. I didn’t tell my brother for a few days and kept it a secret from most of my friends for a few months. There truly is no other experience like walking around on the property. If you get a chance to go, you should go,” recent Masters lottery winner Javier Arenado said.

Millions flock to the website each year to apply, and while only 1% or fewer applicants are selected, ticket prices remain relatively accessible, ranging from $100 to $160. There is no legitimate resale market for Masters tickets, and the tournament has taken significant steps to prevent resale websites from listing them.

Despite the risks, many still turn to third-party sellers hoping to profit from tickets. Listed prices during the 2026 Masters exceeded $10,000 for a weekend general admission pass. Sellers risk being blackballed from the tournament if caught violating the resale policy.

For many, the lottery brings a brief ray of hope before the nearly inevitable disappointment of rejection arrives months later. But for a select few, winning can be a life-changing experience for golf enthusiasts.

On Monday, McLaren, winner of 23 Formula 1 World Championships announced they would be entering a new venture in the sports world - golf.

McLaren, a company built on elite motorsports and automotive engineering, will now apparently enter the golf world. In doing so, they have reportedly assembled a team with people from across the golf industry to pair with their already astounding record in engineering.

McLaren Golf is a high-end, engineering-led venture which goes beyond the equipment, said McLaren Golf CEO Neil Howie. We’re building a brand grounded in McLaren’s high-performance DNA, and embedding it in a new sporting arena. We’ve hired some of the best minds in engineering and combined them with leading figures from the golf world to create an innovation-led company that pushes the limits of what golfers can expect from their equipment. We can’t wait to see our ambition come to life on the course this year.”

Howie was the former president of Callaway Golf Europe, so he has years of experience in the golf industry. It has been rumored that McLaren Golf has poached club marketers and engineers from other manufacturers to help them in their new venture into golf.

McLaren Golf sees similarities between designing race cars and golf clubs. “McLaren has always turned technical excellence into extraordinary experiences. We’re bringing that same philosophy and applying it to our new venture, McLaren Golf. We’re creating equipment that is beautifully engineered, meticulously refined and unmistakably McLaren,” stated Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Automotive.

Golf club production is a tough industry to try to step into for McLaren. For instance, 90% of the market for drivers is dominated by five companies, Callaway, Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist and Cobra. Some big names in sports have tried to break into making golf clubs over the years, most notably Nike, but have failed to make a dent into the market that these “Big-five” of club manufacturers control.

In a press release from McLaren Golf, product information will be released on April 29th, until then we can only speculate on what products they will manufacture. Whatever the products are, it is assured they will be of high quality and excellent engineering, much like the race cars McLaren builds.

Matt Fitzpatrick beat Scottie Scheffler on the first playoff hole to win the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head. Fitzpatrick has been on a heater and may be the hottest player in the world currently.

Scheffler continues to round into form and will look to be as dominant as ever as we swing into summer and major season. We give our thoughts on the event as well as some fun pairings for next week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

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When Canada-based golf resort developer Cabot announced it was acquiring Castle Stuart in 2022, Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and co-founder of Cabot, said: “Castle Stuart has been considered a benchmark of exceptional Scottish golf since it first opened 13 years ago. We are honoured to be a steward of the land and carry the original vision for the property forward. Our goal is to create unforgettable memories in magical places, and there are few places in the world more awe-inspiring than the Scottish Highlands.”

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With the hiring of Tom Doak to design Cabot Highland’s newest course, Old Petty, making memories at this magical place is more real than ever. Located just 10 minutes from Inverness and now boasting 36 holes of championship golf, Cabot Highlands has positioned itself as a hub of Scottish Highlands golf.

Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart opened in 2009 to wide applause from the golf community. The “modern links” designed course by Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen was named the best new course of 2009 by Golf Magazine, among other awards.

Hanse and Parsinen masterfully created a figure eight style routing for Castle Stuart. The course weaves its way between holes situated along the Moray Firth and multiple holes atop a mezzanine like level that offer dramatic views of the firth and countryside around it.

This routing does a brilliant job of of taking you along the Moray Firth on the first three holes, offering views across the firth to the Black Isle in the distance. The second hole offers a green that looks like it is hanging in the sea as you attempt to hit your approach shot, one of the multiple infinity greens on the course.

As you turn inland, you play the par 3, fourth hole, with Castle Stuart in the backdrop, for which the course is named. The Castle was built on land granted to the 1st Earl of Moray by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1561. After murders of both the 1st and 2nd Earl of Moray, the castle was finally completed in 1625 by the 3rd Earl of Moray. After that, the castle fell into disrepair and sat empty for around 300 years, before being converted into a hotel. The unique crowned spire on top of the castle has become the logo for the golf course.

The 7th hole at Castle Stuart is a delight for golfers who crave holes that offer up strategy as main aspect of the design. A tee shot down the left side of the fairway will offer a player a much better angle and feel for the approach shot. Drives down the right side of the fairway will give players an uneasy feeling on their approach as the green contours look as if they could repel your ball into the gorse. After you have successfully finished this hole, make sure to take a minute to appreciate the views of the firth and the Chanonry Lighthouse in the distance.

As you make the turn to the back nine, you are again brought down to the Moray Firth by the figure eight design and again play three holes along the sea. Hanse and Parsinen did a spectacular job in making sure the design and routing of the course uses as much of the 1.4 miles of coastline along the firth as possible.

The par 3 eleventh hole stands out on this stretch and may be an example of one of the best short par 3 holes that we have in modern golf architecture. No matter the tee box, most players will have a wedge at most into this intimate par 3 that plays back toward the sea.

While short, big numbers lurk all around for players who hit a wayward tee shot. A slightly elevated green, that is is well protected offers up a challenge for golfers of all ability levels who hit a poor tee shot. If you do manage to find the putting surface, a green with multiple contours awaits your birdie putt.

After playing one more hole, the twelfth, along the firth, the course makes a turn inland for the duration of the round. While playing the inland holes of the back nine, you get a great mix of both longer holes with dunes framing them to short, driveable par 4’s that offer a great risk/reward for those willing to take on the challenge.

After playing the challenging 17th, a long par 3, you get to the hole that may sum up Castle Stuart the best, the par 5 18th. The finishing hole runs back to the clubhouse and is a great chance for a finishing birdie if you can get your tee shot in the fairway. As you walk down the 18th, you can see the Kessock Bridge in Inverness off in the distance and the art deco clubhouse awaiting you for a cold pint after a great day on the links. Before you head there for that pint however, make sure to look around and take in the beauty of Castle Stuart one more time, there are not many courses in the world with this kind of setting.

Old Petty

Having one championship golf course that consistently ranks on the top 100 list in the world is a major accomplishment and should be commended, but Cabot Highlands is taking the golf experience in Northern Scotland to the next level with the addition of Old Petty.

Set to make its official opening in May of 2026, Old Petty, created by world renowned architect Tom Doak, opened for preview play last fall. After playing it, one can easily see how Doak created the perfect course to complement Castle Stuart and its stunning views.

With shorter stretches along the water and playing much more inland, Doak knew he could not compete with Castle Stuart’s land and views, so he took a different route.

“This was kind of a tough assignment, because there’s a really good golf course already here that used up a lot of the most spectacular views in parts of the property,” Doak said. “And I know, even some of my clients would say, ‘Oh, that’s a hard job because you’ve got to compete with that other golf course.’ And I don’t think of it like that. I mean, I think we’re trying to complement the other golf course, and whichever one of them that people like the most, at the end of the day, you want to have built something that they want to play.”

Old Petty has a wonderful routing that brings you through gently rolling terrain with fairways that are rumpled and mounded to bring an old-time links feel to a modern golf masterpiece.

After college, Tom Doak spent a year in Scotland learning about traditional links golf and the intricacies to a style of golf that isn’t all about shooting a number and hitting it at the flagstick. He imparted that knowledge in the creation of Old Petty.

“You’re trying to build a course that plays like a links, whether or not some people may want to disqualify it from being a ‘true links’ because we had to move a lot of dirt around and manufacture it. We’re still looking for it to play like that,” Doak said. “It’s not a course where you can just hit it at the flag all day. You have to allow for the ground game. That means you have to take into account the contours around the green, because you’re not just flying it within 10 feet of the hole.”

Weird bounces and playing the ball on the ground is such an integral part of links golf. At Old Petty, a lot of micro-shaping of fairways and greens was done to give land that used to be farmland, a classic links feel.

“The most important thing you can have in golf is a difference between where the ball lands and where it winds up,” Doak said. “Here, it’s because of the firmness of the ground and the wind. And you don’t get that in every place that you work. But when you have it, it’s much more interesting.”

One of the most unique holes on Old Petty is the par 4 fifth. Not overly long at only 430 yards from the back tees, the fifth hole offers both challenge and uniqueness. A burn runs along the left side of the hole, so any drive up the left side has a chance of finding this hazard.

The most unique part of the fifth hole is when you approach the greensite. After walking over a slope you will find a wonderfully cantered green, but what might be the most unique part of the course is what sits right next to it, the Bothy.

A bothy is a Scottish cottage or hut, and at Old Petty it is now used as a halfway house off the fifth hole. For being right next to the green, this unique halfway house seems to blend in to the landscape and doesn’t look out of place on a modern golf course that has been built around it. The bothy is truly a one-of-a-kind halfway house in the world of golf.

There are many great holes at Old Petty, but the 13th is one that will stand out for many golfers. At 320 yards from the back tees, this driveable par 4 is a delight to play. As you crest the hill in front of the green, you see a beautiful infinity green that slopes from left to right. Across the estuary, you get a view of the third hole on Castle Stuart and the Moray Firth next to it.

While it may be a modern links course, Tom Doak did a fantastic job giving Old Petty a true links feel. It is the perfect pairing to go with Castle Stuart at Cabot Highlands. As Old Petty grows in and matures, it will prove to be one of the best 36 hole golf properties in the world and one that should not be missed if in the Scottish Highlands.

Amenities

Cabot Highlands is chalk full of amenities to enjoy both before and after your round. The property boasts a great practice area, with a full-length driving range, dedicated short game area and a massive practice putting green right off the clubhouse to prepare you for your round, or help settle bets that may have ended in a tie.

The art deco style clubhouse sits atop the property and offers panoramic views of the golf courses and surrounding firth and landscape. The clubhouse features a full bar and restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet the needs of golfers and families. The top floor lounge offers the best views on property and a great way to unwind with a drink after a day on the links.

The pro shop at Cabot Highlands has all the merchandise and golf equipment that a player needs to either get them ready for their round or as a commemorative piece to take home with you from the highlands.

Lodging

Cabot Highlands also offers on-site lodging to meet the needs of golf groups of up to eight people. Whether it is the castle cottage, on the grounds of Castle Stuart, the golf lodge on the Castle Stuart course or the old Farmhouse that has been outfitted with all the modern amenities a person needs, there is lodging to meet your needs at Cabot Highlands.

Final Thoughts

For those looking for a stand alone golf destination in Scotland or a jumping off point for all the great golf in the Scottish Highlands, Cabot Highlands can’t be beat. Both courses are wonderful to play and give golfers of all ability levels a unique blend of golf course styles, all in one fantastic property.

Nestled in central west Florida sits a world-class golf destination with growing global significance. Part of the Cabot-owned properties, Cabot Citrus Farms represents the brand’s lone U.S. property and a key piece of one of golf’s fastest-rising portfolios. With destinations spanning Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, Scotland, France, and Norway, Cabot has expanded into diverse international markets while blending luxury with breathtaking natural landscapes.

Cabot founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar emphasized the importance of maintaining that standard: “We’ve been known for world-class golf since the beginning with Cape Breton. For so many, that’s their association with the brand, so it’s incumbent on us to get that right. At Cabot Citrus Farms, opening with 36 holes plus two short courses, it feels like we did.”

Formerly known as World Woods Golf Club, the property was acquired by Cabot in 2021 after years of pursuit and has since undergone a comprehensive transformation. The reimagined destination now features two 18-hole layouts, a par-3 course, a 10-hole short course, and a variety of complementary golf amenities. Combined with diverse dining options and on-site cottage accommodations, Cabot Citrus Farms offers a fully immersive, end-to-end resort experience.

Karoo

The Karoo course—named for the distinct, trumpeting call of the sandhill cranes that frequent the area, is the work of architect Kyle Franz. Built on a canvas that promotes creativity, Franz has seamlessly connected fairways, greens, and hazard areas to create a fluid and strategic routing. Where prototypical Florida golf often penalizes misses with water, trees, and housing, Karoo instead features wide, rolling fairways that blend into expansive sandy waste areas, offering multiple angles of attack into large, undulating greens.

While the targets may appear generous, high-level strategy is ever-present. Subtle contouring and varied pin placements place a premium on precision, as finding the wrong quadrant of these expansive greens can quickly turn a routine approach into a demanding short-game test.

Karoo plays as a par 72 stretching to nearly 7,600 yards from the back tees, featuring four par 3s, four par 5s, and a diverse mix of par 4s. With little to no water in play, visual intimidation comes from expansive waste bunkers that frame nearly every hole and challenge sight lines throughout the round.

One of the course’s defining design elements is its use of split fairways, forcing players to make strategic decisions off the tee. Franz thoughtfully positions angles to favor one side over the other depending on pin placement, rewarding those who think their way around the course. The fourth hole offers a clear example: a par 4 with a divided fairway, where the right side provides a better angle to a back-right pin, while the left introduces a more aggressive risk-reward option when the hole location shifts.

Another defining feature of Karoo is its collection of demanding par 3s. All four require mid- to long-irons, presenting a consistent test of distance control and precision. The 16th serves as a prime blueprint of this, with a massive waste bunker guarding the front of the green and a pronounced bowl in the front-right quadrant that could produce a hole in one if the pin is in the right spot.

Between its extensive waste bunkers, split fairways, and diabolically contoured greens, Karoo flirts with the line of gimmickry but ultimately stays on the correct side of it. With conditioning that sets a high standard in destination golf—and five sets of tees ranging from 7,500 yards at the back to 4,200 at the forward markers, the course delivers a challenge that is both engaging and accessible for players of all skill levels.

A staple in the top 100 public golf courses, Karoo is currently ranked 50th in the latest Golf Digest list in 2025.

Roost

Roost, the other 18-hole course on the property, has now been open for over a year and offers a distinctly different experience. Named for the native Osceola turkeys that inhabit the area and roost in the sprawling oak trees throughout the landscape, the course is a collaboration between architects Kyle Franz, Mike Nuzzo, and Rod Whitman, with consultant Ran Morrissett. Together, they have created a layout that allows the land to tell the story.

“To collaborate the way we did, it’s extraordinarily rare,” Nuzzo said. “I’ve certainly supported other projects before, and I’ve always had great respect for Franz and his work. And working with Whitman—that was one of the highlights of the project.”

To fully understand Roost, it helps to look back to prehistoric times. A 100-mile-long ridge, formed by the movement of glaciers and oceans, runs through central Florida and divides the property. As a result, the soil beneath Roost contains less sand and more organic material, supporting denser, more lush vegetation.

Formerly known as Rolling Oaks, Roost draws inspiration from a distinct lineage of iconic layouts, including Augusta National and the courses of the Australian Sandbelt. Towering oaks, flowering dogwoods, and native wildflowers create a visually rich landscape, all set within a routing that offers a comfortable, walkable experience.

The par-5 third stands as the course’s signature hole, featuring undulating fairways, expansive waste bunkers that pinch landing areas, and a generous yet subtly contoured green that demands precise placement on the correct tier.

The 13th, a par 4 played from an elevated tee, showcases Roost’s rolling topography. Framed by oaks and meadow, it requires a well-placed tee shot to unlock the optimal angle into a receptive green.

The shortest hole on the course, the 14th, delivers plenty of drama. Players must hit a precise iron shot over a 40-foot-deep sinkhole to a target that, while wide, features a narrow front-to-back green complex—making club selection critical.

Ultimately, Roost stands as a testament to restraint, nuance, and the power of the land itself. It invites thoughtful navigation through its natural contours, rewarding precision, creativity, and patience. It’s a course that reveals more with each round, where subtle design elements and shifting conditions continuously reshape the experience. In a property defined by variety, Roost provides a compelling counterbalance—one rooted in tradition, strategy, and an appreciation for the game’s timeless architecture.

The Squeeze

The Squeeze, a 10-hole short course, is designed with the time-conscious golfer in mind, offering a loop that allows players to hit every club in the bag while still delivering an engaging and enjoyable experience. While many destinations have embraced the addition of par-3 courses, The Squeeze represents a more forward-thinking concept—one that captures the feel of “real golf” while maintaining the drama and playability of a short course.

With one par 5, three par 3’s, and six par 4’s, holes range from 100 yards to 550 yards. Architect Mike Nuzzo drew inspiration from some of the world’s most compelling drivable par 4s, creating a layout that blends strategy, risk-reward, and fun in equal measure.

The Wedge

Also designed by Mike Nuzzo, The Wedge is an 11-hole par-3 course that emphasizes creativity and shot-making, the elements many golfers crave. With no hole stretching beyond 110 yards, players can navigate the course with a limited set of clubs, placing a premium on precision and imagination.

The layout features large waste areas, dramatically contoured greens, and a variety of lies that keep each shot interesting. Perhaps its most distinctive feature, however, is the ability to play under the lights. Night golf is offered year-round, with tee times available into the evening, adding a unique and memorable dimension to the experience.

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Amenities

Cabot Citrus Farms elevates the amenity experience well beyond the golf course, offering a wide range of pre- and post-round activities designed for every type of guest. Preparation begins with exceptional practice facilities, including a nearly two-acre putting course and a double-ended driving range equipped with TrackMan technology. Comfort stations are strategically placed throughout your rounds and offer not only delicious refuel options, but four custom canned cocktails, each named after one of the property’s four courses to wash it down. The comfort stations were featured in links magazine.

Golf, however, is only part of the experience. On-property activities include archery, axe throwing, bass fishing, clay shooting, and racquet sports such as pickleball and tennis. Nature also plays a central role in the property’s identity. Bordering the Withlacoochee State Forest, Cabot Citrus Farms is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, making nature walks a featured part of the overall experience. With 600-plus acres of forest, plenty of trails for hiking and biking for anyone to enjoy.

Dining options seamlessly blend atmosphere with locally inspired cuisine. Whether it’s the relaxed yet refined setting of Grange Hall, handcrafted pizza enjoyed at The Porch, or Mexican street-style fare at Cantina 21, each venue is designed to complement the resort’s immersive feel.

The newly unveiled clubhouse and pro shop complete the experience, offering a curated selection of apparel and merchandise, including commemorative pieces that allow guests to take a part of one of golf’s most distinctive brands home with them.

Accommodations

The cottages at Cabot Citrus Farms are what truly set the property apart from other golf destinations. With nearly 40 cottages—primarily designed as two- and four-bedroom layouts—they create an atmosphere that naturally fosters a sense of community. Each cottage features thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor living spaces, fully equipped kitchens with premium appliances, and luxurious en-suite bathrooms for every bedroom.

Collectively, the cottages create the feel of a small, vibrant village within the resort. Evenings often bring live music and bonfires, adding a social element that extends well beyond the golf and enhances the overall experience of staying on property.

Final Thoughts

As the first Cabot property in the United States—and with convenient access to two major airports, Cabot Citrus Farms offers a destination that is both highly accessible and fully immersive. More than just a collection of courses, it delivers a complete experience that continues to evolve and improve. At its core, it is a place where world-class golf and a genuine sense of community come together.

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After shooting 74 on Saturday, Cam Young caught him to tie the lead heading into the final round. In the final round, multiple players were within a shot of the lead for much of the day, before McIlroy pulled out the victory.

We will give our reactions to the Masters, touch on how we felt some players did and even give a big shot out to Frankie Fleetwood, who won the hearts of people all over the world during the par 3 contest.

Subscribe to the Break80 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and YouTube for weekly golf content.