Best of PGA Tour 2023: Player, Rookie, Event, Sponsor, and More

Every year, the PGA Tour stages a memorable season of men’s golf. This season, however, was extra special because it had some unexpected moments, such as the $3 billion merger. Apart from the biggest surprise of the year, which harbored a lot of attention, the 2023 season had a lot of other special moments and aspects! 

The concluded season was full of memorable performances, exciting comebacks, and nail-biting events! From the drama of the Ryder Cup to the beauty of Augusta National, the tour offered something for every golf fan. Here are some of the best of the PGA Tour 2023:

Player of the Year

Jon Rahm had a stellar season as he won four times, including one major. The 29-year-old also helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup. The Spaniard finished No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings after winning the American Express. However, his sеason ended on a controversial note as he announced his decision to join LIV Golf, in a deal reportedly worth more than $566 million. This move shocked the golf world and cast doubt on his future eligibility for the majors and the Ryder Cup.

If we keep the Spaniard out due to his LIV Golf switch, then Scottie Schеfflеr would be our choice for the best player of the season. The American won 2 times, including the PLAYERS Championship, and was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. He had 17 top-10 finishes in the 23 events that he competed in. 

Rookiе of the year

Ludvig Abеrg made an impressive transition from amateur to professional, clenching his first victory in his debut season. The 24-year-old captured the Omеga European Masters in September as well. His debut performance in the Ryder Cup was also very beautiful and laud-worthy.  Aberg became the first golfer in history to compete in Ryder Cup, without playing in any major tournament. 

Event of the year

The biennial clash between Europe and the United States was the most anticipated event of the season, and it did not disappoint. The 2023 Ryder Cup was held at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, and it was surely an event to be remembered! It had everything, stunning shots, controversy, and stellar victorious moments!

Also Read: Best of LPGA 2023: Player, Rookie, Event, Sponsor, and More

The competition was fierce, with both teams displaying superior golf and sportsmanship. The outcome was decided on the final day, when Europe staged a stunning comeback in the singles, winning by a score of 16.5 to 11.57. Jon Rahm and Scottie Schеfflеr were the top performers for their recreational teams.

Another one is the Grant Thornton Invitational. It was a ground-breaking event that brought together the best players from the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour in a mixed-team format. It was the debut season, which consisted of 16 teams of one male and one female golfer who played different formats of play over each round. The winners of the first edition were Lydia Ko and Jason Day.

Sponsor of the year

The Players Championship is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments on the PGA Tour, with a prize fund of $25 million in 2023, the same as one of the LIV Golf events. The championship was supported by three practicing sponsors: Comcast Business, Optum, and Morgan Stanley.

The course of the year

The PGA Tour visited some of the most iconic and scenic courses in the world, such as Torrey Pines, Pеbblе Bеach, and TPC Scottsdale, each with its own charm. However, no one could match the allure and prestige of Augusta National, the home of the Mastеrs Tournament. The course, designed by Bobby Jonеs and Alistеr MacKеnziе, is widely regarded as one of the best and most beautiful in the world.

The veteran golfer Mark O’Meara revealed how it feels to play at the beautiful course, saying, “It’s one of those golf courses that the more you play it, the more you understand it.”.

Best Moment: Tiger Woods’s Comeback

But the best moment of the PGA Tour 2023 came in December, as the golf great, Tiger Woods, made his comeback at the Hеro World Championship after eight long months. Woods graced the green after a long break, turned to action in December, and showed glimpses of his old form and flair.

His other performance came in December, at the PNC Championship, where he competed with his son, for the fourth time. The 82X PGAT winner’s comeback was a joyful moment for the entire golf fraternity, surely making all the other happenings of the year look subpar!

What are your thoughts on the best aspects of the 2023 PGA Tour? Let us know in the comments below! Stay tuned to find out how the season 2024 goes, as the curtain-raiser for the upcoming season is just around the corner!

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