Editor's Note: The Starter originated on The First Call's Substack platform in The First Call | Extra weekend edition. It has proven to be such a popular feature that we will now kick off weekends with it online. And feel free to respond to any of the questions by emailing senior editor Stuart Hall at shall@buffalogroupe.com.
> Viktor Hovland came from behind to overtake Justin Thomas at the Valspar Championship for his first victory since 2023. Who needed the victory more: Hovland or Thomas?
> Thomas, who has not won since 2022, bogeyed two of his last three holes to give up a three-shot lead. Should there be any lingering concerns about Thomas?
> Hovland, who has had a revolving door of instructors, has been called a perfectionist. Is that a bad thing?
> Atlanta Drive beat New York GC in the TGL playoff finals. Is this news to you?
> Should TGL be considered a success in its first year? Has it changed your mind — in either direction?
> Jim Nantz revealed that he plans to retire from the CBS Masters broadcast in 2036. He’s 65 now; don’t you hope he’s taking good care of himself?
> Rose Zhang chose not to defend her Founders Cup LPGA title to instead focus on a "heavy" academic winter quarter at Stanford, progressing toward her degree. With all the focus on money in professional golf, should Zhang be the most admired player in the game?
> After putter punting, club tossing and sprinkler smashing at the Valspar, is all the anger egregious or just part of the game?
> Dave Pelz, who pioneered and revolutionized the short game along with coaching a number of major champions, died at age 85. Shouldn’t we all thank him for shining a light on that part of the game?
