Good Morning. Welcome to Shanks. There are so many changes and proposed changes in the world of golf, it’s hard to keep up sometimes, but don’t worry - we got you.

Golf Dad Joke:

Golfer One: I only hit like two good balls today.

Golfer Two: What, did you step on a rake?

Here's what we've got for ya today:

• Quick Update: Hero World Challenge

• Rollbacks Are For Everyone

• Shots Heard Round The World

• WTF Is That?

• Thing We’d Buy If We Weren’t Broke

Quick Update: Hero World Challenge

Tiger A Little Rusty

On the first day, Tiger shot 75. His game was a mixed bag, but he looked healthy and competitive. He was in red figures early, but faded some and shot a 39 on the back.

On the second day, for the first seven holes, it was vintage Tiger. He was four-under through seven and one-under for the tournament. Social media was fired up.

Then the rust showed up again on the back nine yesterday, where he shot a 38.

Here’s what he said about his play:

"I'm rusty," he said. "This golf course will bring that out of you. You can run the tables here or go the other way. Unfortunately, I haven't finished off my rounds the way I'd like to."

Tiger tees off with Viktor Hovland today at 11:43 ET.

Golf Channel and NBC will split TV coverage for Saturday’s third round at the Hero World Challenge. Golf Channel kicks off the coverage from 12-2:30 p.m. ET, then NBC takes over from 2:30-5 p.m. ET.

Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth are T1

Spieth had the most Spiethian scorecard ever on Thursday, shooting four-under with five pars, with two eagles, six birdies, four bogeys and one double bogey.

Then on Friday he shot a clean round, without a single bogey, and got himself even with Scottie Scheffler at nine-under-par.

The former UT grads are trying to create some good vibes for their boys in the Big 12 championship today, we guess.

What About Everybody Else?

Brian Harman (-8) sits in Solo 3rd, just ahead of Justin Thomas (-7) and Matt Fitzpatrick (-6).

Shanks Picks

Well, we picked two longshots this week because we love a good comeback story and because BetMGM is offering up to $1500 back in bonus bets if you lose, so why not take a longshot on The Goat or Will Z?

They were clearly a bit rusty and Will lost like 5 strokes to the field putting with his new LAB Putter, so now we are looking to make a Saturday morning pick.

Brian Harman +900 to win.

Here’s how to get up to $1500 back in bonus bets from BetMGM:

1. Sign up here.

2. Place your bet

3. Get up to $1500 back in bonus bets

Yes, this works for other sports too.

Rollbacks Are For Everyone

Where We Started

Earlier this year, the USGA announced that they would be proposing a “rollback” of the golfball used by professionals.

The reason? Distance. The pros are hitting the golf ball further and further every year.

Golf courses like Pinehurst No. 2, The Country Club, and The Old Course have had to make drastic changes to account for the distance increases over the last two decades and there’s not much room to make more.

This proposal has lead to a ton of debate in the world of golf.

For example, Adam Scott suggested that the issue isn’t the golf ball, but the fact that driver has gone from the hardest club to hit, to the easiest club to hit.

Some people hate the idea of a rollback entirely and don’t think it’s an issue that historic courses could become obsolete. Justin Thomas said it would “be so bad for the game of golf”.

Some were concerned about bifurcation (the pros playing different balls than amateurs) because many believe that the link of “we are playing the same game” is important to the growth of recreational golf.

Where We Are Now

According to Golf Digest, the new plan is to keep the golf ball rollback, but make it apply to everyone.

So that cures the fears of bifurcation, but brings up a host of other potential questions that can’t really be answered right now.

Will we have different balls on LIV and The Tour?

Will we have different balls at The US Open or The Open, but not the other majors?

Golf Digest put together a list of statements issued by the USGA and what they mean, which definitely provides some more clarity on the decision making process.

For now, like everything else about the future of golf, the forecast is hazy and stakeholders are divided, or bifurcated, if you prefer.

Shots Heard Round The World

Min Woo Lee closes in on rare double at Australian Open.

Lucas Glover makes an Ace at Hero World Challenge.

LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour earnings for 2023.

Up To $100 Deposit Match From Sleeper

WTF Is That?

If you’re one of the many fans watching the Hero World Challenge this week to see Tiger Woods make his huge comeback but can’t keep your eyes off this little device that Rickie Fowler, Scottie Scheffler, and Jordan Spieth have been wearing on their belt, you aren’t alone!

• What is this thing? Basically, GPS trackers. They’re worn by the golfers to help improve the PGA Tour ShotLink system.

• What is the ShotLink system? The PGA Tour’s network that collects and broadcasts players’ scoring and statistical data in real-time.

• Why are we seeing this now? ShotLink tracks distance, flight apex, proximity to the hole, etc. But that tech is way too expensive and cumbersome to ship overseas. So, these are more portable tracking devices.

• How does it work? “They take a reading of the players’ location every three seconds, plot it on a graph and then when they get to their ball — once they hit — the walking scorer will hit a button and that gives them their yardage.”

Would you ever wear something like this on the course to track your data? Or is ignorance bliss? 

Maybe the more important takeaway here is that we will have more gambling data available to us than ever before.

Golf Thing We'd Buy If We Weren't Broke

If this wasn’t on your holiday wish list already then we bet it is now. FootJoy is a subsidiary of Acushnet, who owns brands like Scotty Cameron, Titleist, and Vokey Design, so you know you’re literally getting the highest in high quality golf gear. 

Our favorites:

• HyperFlex Carbon - $199.99: FootJoy’s hyper popular golf shoe this year is the HyperFlex. We can see why, the design and athletic feel of the shoe is unmatched glory. Now it comes in a new color way. Take my money!

• Drawstring Hoodie - $125: This such a popular product currently that it’s nearly sold out! Don’t worry, the oversized look is in these days. We say go for it.

• Soft Knit Beanie - $30: The most budget friendly item of the bunch, as fall golf turns into winter golf, this will be perfect on the range/course so long as it doesn’t snow where you are. 

Buy Them Here

That’s all folks! See you Monday.