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| Tuesday May 05, 2026 |
OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic Talking Points:
▪️ Brooks Koepka makes his ninth start on the PGA Tour since becoming eligible via the Returning Member Program, which allows players who have achieved levels of elite performance-based criteria an alternative path back to the PGA Tour. The nine-time winner is making his 195th PGA Tour start and first at the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic.
▪️ Blades Brown, 18, has earned 169 non-member FedEx Cup points this season and is 86 points short of the threshold for Special Temporary Membership, which would allow him to accept unlimited sponsor exemptions for the remainder of the season. He can become eligible for STM with a two-way T3 finish or better.
▪️ Ryan Ruffels qualified by winning The Q at Myrtle Beach, an event where YouTube golf content creators competed for a sponsor exemption. Ryan Ruffels carded a 1-under 71 at Pawleys Plantation Golf Club to win the event and earn the sponsor exemption. Ruffels is making his 21st start on Tour and has made 10 cuts in 20 starts.
▪️ Nine players in the field are already eligible for next week’s PGA Championship: Tyler Collet, Steven Fisk, Joe Highsmith, Rasmus Højgaard, Brooks Koepka, William Mouw, Davis Riley, Adam Schenk, Sami Valimaki
▪️ Major champions in the field: Koepka (5), Danny Willett (1).
▪️ FedEx Cup champions in the field: Billy Horschel (2014), Brandt Snedeker (2012).
▪️ Most PGA Tour wins: Koepka (9), Matt Kuchar (9), Brandt Snedeker (9).
POLL
▪️ Who is the favorite to win the PGA Championship? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Do you like Jim Furyk as the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain? | Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
▪️ How would you like to see the PGA Tour schedule structured — length, signature events, new events? | Respond
▪️ Previous: How should the PGA of America go about making future Ryder Cup captain selections? | Read
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▪️ PGA Tour's two-track Future on display in the Carolinas this week
[David Rumsey | Front Office Sports | Read]
▪️ Inside McLaren Golf: How the supercar-maker designed golf clubs
[Jake Morrow | Golf.com | Read]
▪️ This reborn L.A. muni has $9.50 green fees and a priceless history
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]
▪️ Judge skeptical of President Donald Trump plans for D.C. golf course takeover
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]
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U.S. Congressman joins NGCOA CEO and Golf Business Live host Jay Karen to discuss a wide range of issues impacting golf owners and operators on the eve of National Golf Day.
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The U.S. has lost the last two Ryder Cups and pivoted to Plan B for its 2027 captain. Readers of The First Call weigh in on the selection process and offer potential fixes.
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RECENT DROPS
🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Inside Rory McIlroy’s repeat Masters triumph
Guest: Conor McKeon, writer for the Irish Independent.
Listen | Archives
🎧 DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Golf course operations in the land of 8:30 p.m. tee times
Guests: Settlers Bay Golf Course's Amos Stephens (superintendent, partner and general manager) and Vicky Urbina (executive director, partner and operator).
Listen | Archives
MAY
5-6: National Golf Day, Washington, D.C. | Info
5-7: Golf Business Technology Conference, Belfast, Ireland | Info
15-16: British Golf Show, Marlow, England | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
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