1 – This one stumps me

It’s been in place a few years, but it still bugs me that the winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur gets an exemption into the U.S. Open. Let’s face it, more and more it feels like it should be renamed the U.S. Sorta Open.

2 – Likely it won’t be a dead end for Koivun

Kudos to young Jackson Koivun for winning in just his third start as a professional. You have to think he will not fall off the radar like six of the last seven winners of the 3M Open. (Only 2025 winner Kurt Kitayama, at No. 37, is inside the top 120 in the Official World Golf Rankings, while four of those six sit outside the top 150.)

3 – Fewer wins, but bigger cushion

Yes, sir, Rory McIlroy is still covered in a glow from that Masters win in April and true, also, that Scottie Scheffler has only one win in 2026. But it is Scheffler who has increased his OWGR lead over No. 2 McIlroy in 2026.

4 – Tough act to watch

I’d be willing to bet I’m not the only one who would like to see AimPoint adjusted. Do it while standing at your ball; you shouldn’t be able to straddle the line on which you intend to roll the ball. Just a bad, bad look.

GOLF COURSE PHOTO – Having gone on record as saying how appealing it is to see train tracks have a presence at golf courses (The Open Championship at Birkdale comes to mind; so does last week's Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald and this week's Women's Open at Royal Lytham), a longtime friend and fellow lover of all things golf, Phil Robinson, sent this photo from North Conway GC in New Hampshire. The signs are a true indicator – golfers need to take note that trains from the Conway Scenic Railroad are a part of the NCGC experience. Should you come across a unique golf course sign that you suspect would intrigue me, please sent to jim@powerfades.com

In the aftermath of that scene in the final round of the 3M Open when Lucas Glover – understandably confounded when told by a rules official that he should be “mindful” of leaving spike marks around the cup – made a putt, then walked to the fringe area to remove his spikes and return to retrieve his ball from the cup. Good on Lucas, methinks. It’s a silly issue to bring up, because players can now tap down spike marks. What’s the alternative –remove your spikes and be handed memory foam slippers to wear on the greens.

6 – Not a bad idea

While we're talking about life on the greens, count me in favor of continuous putting.

7 – Our last chance for a while

It’s only been a few days and already I miss links golf, pot bunkers, and wispy brown grass. Thankfully we have this week’s AIG Women’s Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes to provide one last show.

8 – Adding insult to injury

“How did you do in the Strokes Gained: Putting category?” she asked when I returned home. I merely scowled. Which is when she added, as if to console me, “Just think, there are only about three more months of this.”

9 – After all these years

Aim left, it goes right. Hit down, it goes up. Guess I should have paid closer attention in physics classes all those years ago.