The Tour Report from Secret Golf

After what has felt like (and been) the longest season on the PGA Tour, the culmination is finally here. The RSM Classic is crunch time, especially for those battling to secure a coveted spot within the FedExCup 125 and ensure their full playing privileges for the upcoming year are wrapped up. Additionally, there's a tenacious fight for ten spots in the first two Signature Events of 2024 for competitors finishing 51st to 60th. The pressure is palpable for those dwelling in the "danger zone," and the competition sees the return of some fresh faces to the field, including Brian Harman, Corey Conners, and Russell Henley. In this week's edition of the Tour Report, Elk & Diane reflect on Camilo Villegas' emotional victory at 150/1 odds in Bermuda last week and shift their focus to Sea Island. They delve into a preview of the upcoming tournament, analyzing the intricacies of the two courses and offering their insights and predictions, categorizing players as Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch, and Dark Horses and giving you their top picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the second-to-last event of the 2023 PGA Tour season, and the pressure is mounting for those hovering around the 125th position in the rankings. Who will secure their full Tour cards for the upcoming year? Furthermore, there are ten coveted spots up for grabs in the initial two Signature Events of the new year for the top ten finishers in the FedEx Fall standings. There's a lot at stake, and many players are feeling the heat. In this week's edition of the Tour Report, Elk and Diane turn their attention to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, which is being held at Port Royal Golf Course for the fifth consecutive year. Remarkably, the duo successfully predicted the winner of this tournament in the past two years (Lucas Herbert in '21 and Seamus Power in '22). Can they make it a three-peat? Be sure to tune in for their top contenders, players to keep an eye on, and dark horse selections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's crunch time on the PGA Tour as the 2023 season begins to draw to a close and pressure is mounting. Three events remain in the FedEx Fall, giving players three final chances to obtain valuable points to lock up their full Tour cards for next year. Plus, ten places in the first two Signature Events are at stake. On the Tour Report this week, Elk & Diane take a look at this brand new tournament course - El Cardonal at Diamanté. This Tiger Woods design is the first of his to host a PGA Tour event. Opening in 2014, Tiger himself wanted to craft holes that challenged golfers to “think and make choices”, and this beauty will be on full display this week as the field fight for the fruits of their labor. The pair then discuss the field and make their picks in the form of Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch and Dark Horses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A stellar field heads to the Land of the Rising Sun for the next event in the FedEx Fall. Headlined by Hideki Matsuyama, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele and defending champion Keegan Bradley, a field of 78 will be competing for the title in this no-cut event. With valuable points up for grabs, the race to secure a full tour card for 2024 well and truly heats up, as well as spots in the first two signature events of the new season. Elk & Diane take a look at the course, preview the tournament and go through the field, making their picks and highlighting some names to look out for. With 9 outright winners, 21 top-5s and 51 top-10s, the duo are looking to end their season on a high! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tour is heading towards the vibrant lights of Las Vegas for the Shriners Children's Open. Tom Kim returns to TPC Summerlin as the defending champion, and among the notable names teeing it up are Tom Hoge, Ludvig Aberg, J.T. Poston, and Si Woo Kim. Many are focused on the pursuit of securing a spot in the FedExCup top-125, as there are only five events left in the FedEx Fall season. Elk & Diane provide a preview of the tournament, take a tour of TPC Summerlin, and share their predictions for the event, including their Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch, and Dark Horse picks. Additionally, they discuss the presence of LPGA Tour player Lexi Thompson, who received a sponsor invite to the tournament, offering their insights on why this might not be the most ideal spot on the schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Europe successfully defended their 30-year record of winning the Ryder Cup on home soil. The U.S. team made a valiant effort at the comeback on Sunday, but it wasn't to be. With so many talking points coming from the three days at Marco Simone, Elk & Diane look back on a big week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Europeans reclaimed the Ryder Cup in a thrilling and epic battle that unfolded in Rome, marked by moments of intense drama (on and off the course!) and exhilarating gameplay. Watch this space for our full Ryder Cup Reaction show, coming out on Wednesday. Now, the PGA Tour makes its return, heading to Mississippi for the Sanderson Farms Championship. This tournament marks the second event in the FedExCup Fall series, where golfers are eager to achieve two main goals: securing their full cards for the next season and earning a coveted spot in the first two Signature Events of 2024. Naturally, victory remains the ultimate aspiration. Elk and Diane provide a comprehensive tournament preview, offering insights into the course, which saw a surprise victory by Mackenzie Hughes at 110/1 odds last year. Additionally, they make their selections for the tournament, including their Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch, and Dark Horse picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the pairings & matches for the Friday AM Foursomes were announced, Elk & Diane share their thoughts and make some predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the heart of the Eternal City, the week is here - the United States facing off against Europe in the highly anticipated Ryder Cup. The battleground for this epic clash of titans is none other than the prestigious Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Team USA, seeking to break a three-decade drought on European soil, showcased their dominance with a commanding performance at Whistling Straits just two years ago. Since then, they've only strengthened their lineup. Meanwhile, the European team boasts an impressive record, having secured victory in 8 of the last 11 Ryder Cup competitions. Their strong team spirit and clever course strategies have often played pivotal roles in their success. The burning question of 2023: Who will emerge victorious? On this week's Tour Report, Elk and Diane will delve into the course details, analyze the team compositions, and engage in speculation about potential pairings. Additionally, they'll take a closer look at enticing betting odds and intriguing prop bets to keep an eye on as the excitement unfolds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After two weeks of no PGA Tour golf (which felt like longer!), the FedEx Fall begins with the Fortinet Championship. Oh, and there's a lot to catch up on...! On the podcast this week, Elk & Diane discuss the Ryder Cup picks for both sides as the biennial contest is set to begin in two weeks. The pair break down the format of the next seven tournaments in this Fall swing and evaluate what's on the line for the players looking to lock up their full Tour cards for 2024 and play their way into the Signature Events. Check out our full tournament preview, course analysis of Silverado and winning stat pattern, then listen as Elk & Diane make their picks for the week, looking for another outright winner to continue their back-to-back streak of success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We witnessed yet another triumph at the BMW Championship! With odds of 16/1, Elk successfully predicted that Viktor Hovland would emerge victorious at Olympia Fields. This is the culmination of the season's hard work - the Playoff Finale. As the Tour Championship reaches its conclusion on Sunday, one individual from the elite group of 30 participants will hoist the FedExCup high and claim the grand prize of $18 million. In this week's podcast episode, Elk and Diane take a retrospective look at Hovland's remarkable performance with a score of 61 on Sunday. They delve into the Tour Championship's format, guide you through East Lake, and then analyze the entire field while also making their own selections. Can Scottie maintain his lead this year and hold off the chasing pack? And who stands to benefit if any of the top contenders begin to lose their footing? It's all on the Tour Report this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FedExCup Playoffs enter their second round, following an impressive consecutive win by Lucas Glover. The anticipation of Ryder Cup team selections adds to the lively discussion on this week's Tour Report. Elk and Diane take a retrospective look at the recent FedEx St. Jude Championship, highlighting Glover's remarkable victory in the playoffs and acknowledging the top performers who secured their spots in the top-50, earning their passage to Olympia Fields. Speaking of Olympia Fields, the course is expected to present a challenging trial for all the field. In the previous BMW Championship held at this location in 2020, Jon Rahm emerged victorious over Dustin Johnson in a playoff, both ending the week at -4. During their analysis, the duo meticulously reviews the playing field, evaluates the course intricacies, and shares their predictions for the forthcoming phase of the Playoffs. Who will emerge as the victor this week, and which contenders will successfully advance to East Lake? These questions fuel the excitement as the tournament progresses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's that time again—the FedExCup Playoffs have arrived! Over the course of this week, the spotlight is on TPC Southwind in Memphis, TN, where the top-70 contenders are set to battle it out. Their objective? Securing a coveted position within the top-50 on the season-long points list. With the added allure of quadruple points awaiting the field this week, brace yourself for a dynamic and highly competitive tournament, likely resulting in significant shifts in the rankings. On the Tour Report podcast, Elk & Diane embark on a comprehensive journey through recent events and key player developments. They begin by revisiting Lucas Glover's impressive victory at the Wyndham Championship the previous week, shedding light on his performance. Shifting gears, they delve into Justin Thomas' season conclusion, offering insights into his achievements. Moreover, they delve into the current standings for the Ryder Cup, analyzing the prospects of players vying for a spot in this prestigious event, with points up for grabs this week and next. The podcast then takes a deep dive into the playoff format itself, unpacking its intricacies and implications. As anticipation builds, Elk & Diane unveil their selections and predictions for the week ahead. Through their expert analysis and understanding of the players' forms, they offer their perspective on who might shine in this high-stakes scenario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Well, this is it. The Wyndham Championship is the final regular-season event on the PGA Tour before the FedExCup Playoffs begin. The top-70 from the season-long points list will play in Memphis next week, and it all comes down to their week at Sedgefield CC for a chunk of the field. With big names like Justin Thomas, Shane Lowry and Adam Scott on the outside looking in, there's a lot to track this week, and many factors to consider when making picks. On the podcast, Elk & Diane look back on last week (where they hit three top-10s at the 3M Open), preview the Wyndham, go over the course and winning stat pattern, and make their picks in the form of Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch and Dark Horses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With only two events left in the regular PGA Tour season before the top-70 advance to the FedExCup Playoffs, there's a lot on the line this week at the 3M Open. The guys descend on TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, MN to battle it out for a trophy, valuable FedExCup points and, for some, those all-important Ryder Cup points. On the podcast this week, Elk & Diane look back on Brian Harman's outstanding victory at The Open Championship and discuss the gritty game that earned him the title of Champion Golfer of the Year. Amazing. Then, the pair preview the 3M Open, go through the field, the winning stat pattern for TPC Twin Cities and make their picks. Who do they have for their Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch and Dark Horses? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 151st Open Championship has arrived, marking the culmination of the Major season with its fourth and final championship in 2023. Returning to the very grounds where Rory celebrated his last Major triumph, nine years ago when he proudly hoisted the coveted Claret Jug. This historic venue also holds fond memories of Tiger's emotional victory in 2006, during which he relied on just one driver throughout the entire week—remarkably, in the opening round alone. In the latest Tour Report, Elk and Diane reflect on the thrilling Genesis Scottish Open from the previous week, where McIlroy secured his 24th career win while Scotland's Bob McIntyre experienced heartbreaking disappointment. The Royal Liverpool Golf Club presents an array of unique challenges this year, and Elk provides valuable insights to help us navigate the course and strategize effectively amidst the alterations made for the 2023 tournament. Notably, Elk and Diane have demonstrated their prowess in predicting Major champions, accurately selecting 5 out of the last 7 victors. Today, they share their expert recommendations for the week, including their Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch, and Dark Horses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two big weeks of magnificent links golf are upon us, and the first is the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club, East Lothian. This co-sanctioned PGA Tour & DP World Tour event has an even larger purse this year, FedExCup points up for grabs and three spots into next week's Open Championship. On the podcast, Elk & Diane look back on last week's John Deere Classic (where three of their picks finished within the top-10), preview the Scottish Open, navigate the terrain of the course, go through the field and pick their players from the field in the form of Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch and Dark Horses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another winner with Rickie at the Rocket Mortgage! That's 3 winners and one top-5 for the Tour Report in the last 4 events. This week, it's the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. In fact, last year we picked J.T. Poston to win at 55/1. He returns as defending champion, alongside a whole host of guys in excellent form who are looking to capitalize on momentum & confidence to secure victory on the PGA Tour. On the podcast, Elk & Diane look back on last week, then preview the John Deere Classic by going over the course and the winning historical stat patterns. The duo then analyze the field using our unique method of re-ranking and make their top picks, hoping to keep the streak going! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The PGA Tour is off to Motor City for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Tony Finau and Collin Morikawa headline the event, but who will prevail at Detroit Golf Club? Elk & Diane take a look at the course, analyze the stat pattern and make their picks in the form of Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch and Dark Horses at 100/1 plus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two wins in a row for the Tour Report! After successfully picking Nick Taylor to win the RBC Canadian Open, we gave you Wyndham Clark at 60/1 for the U.S. Open, and he out-performed some of the best to lift his first Major trophy. This week, it's LA to Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, another elevated event with a $20 million purse. Elk & Diane preview the tournament, go through the field and make their picks in the form of Outright Favorites, Ones to Watch and Dark Horse longshots. Can they do the "three-peat'? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices