1 – This seems to be an issue

The last time an American woman won a major was Nelly Korda at the 2024 Chevron. Since then, there have been six majors played and of the 73 top-10 finishes combined in that span, only 19 have been of a red, white, and blue flag (and by just 13 different players). Not a good stretch.

2 – Throw the flag

“Obvious” and “unbelievable” should be banned for those who write about or announce sports. If something is obvious you don’t need to write or say it. A baserunner turning into a deer running from first to second would be unbelievable but otherwise it’s athletic excellence; great catches, bullet throws, precision golf shots and all of that is very much believable.

3 – Start with the easy thing

It’s always a tad disturbing to watch a guy take a walk of 300-plus yards and still need a few minutes to put his glove back on.

4 – Sing this to Marty Robbins

Golf has pretty much run out of colors for its sports jackets. Green is taken, of course. So, too, both the Tartan Plaid and Heritage Plaid, thanks to the folks at Colonial and Harbour Town, respectively. Navy blue? The color choice when at Quail Hollow. At the Memorial Tournament the jacket worn by Jack Nicklaus and his crowd is grey. At the Arnold Palmer Invitational the color is red, though it’s a cardigan sweater and not a sport coach, but c’mon, close enough. Anyway, we need a tournament going with a white sport coat – and if they had the style to go with a pink carnation, all the power to them.

Several weeks ago in a "Power Fades" story, there was great joy expressed about clever and whimsical signs posted at various golf courses. Blessed to have readers who are fine-turned and passionate about golf, it struck me when John MacVarish forwarded this photo. First of all, my initial reaction was, "what a dummy I am" because Gullane in Scotland is one my favorite stops in the world of golf and I couldn't believe I overlooked this sign. But cheers to Mac because it is indeed a sign that will bring a smile to your face. Should you have a favorite sign in your camera, feel free to send it along to jim@powerfades.com.

5 – Need more numbers

Ben Griffin is surely gaining traction. Very few negatives at the moment, but there is this thing with majors that gnaws at you. In his first four majors all he had were letters, not numbers, in the results column: CUT, CUT, CUT, WD. There was a number in his last outing, T-8 at the PGA, so he needs to make it a trend.

6 – The caddie’s got moves

Scottie Scheffler’s victories will not get old so long as Ted Scott has the fuel to deliver vintage videos set to music.

7 – Little severe, no?

Apologies, but Erin Hills for a U.S. Open was a disaster in 2017 (Brooks Koepka shot a million under) and it wasn’t a whole lot better this time around for the women. Balls hitting the green, catching slope and trundling severely down a runoff and rolling almost to the Illinois border doesn’t do it for me.

8 – Niblicks and mashies and spades, oh my

So, when the announcer sets up the shot and you hear, “He’s got 254, slightly uphill, and he’s pulled 7-wood . . . ” be honest, you’re probably all discombobulated by the lengths to which these lads are striping various clubs. Not me. I’m thinking it would be more romantic and classier if clubs still had names like in eras gone by. “He’s got 254, slightly uphill, and he’s pulled a long spoon” is way, way cooler than a 7-wood.

9 – Ah, for the days of Arnold Palmer

When did it become cool to write your name so that no one – and I mean no one – can read it. To just draw a straight line with a bump, as if it was an EKG printout is an affront to any educated person.