With the entire golf world looking across the Pond this week, it’s easy to ignore the opposite field PGA Tour event, the Barracuda Championship. But for the true golf sickos out there, here is a little Cuda fluff that could make this major championship week a bit more interesting if the Open fails to deliver.
Why bother you ask?
Good point. The field at the Cuda is a who’s who of whom nobody really knows (or cares) about. But a closer look at the board will reveal a few rising thoroughbreds hidden in this pack of “mules.” A glossary of inside jokes and references from the No Laying Up Podcast (golfscout.net)
So, who is Sam Bennett?
I’m glad you asked. Sam Bennett is the amateur who finished 16th at the Masters this year. Bennett turned pro after finishing college and has since made four out of five cuts banking over 270 grand in winnings. A total he will certainly add to this week at the Barracuda. Sam Bennett, star amateur at Masters, gets sponsor exemption to Barracuda Championship | Nevada Sports Net Interestingly, Bennett doesn’t have a PGA Tour card. A win this week would lock up a card for him and propel Bennett into the limelight of the game. The advice is to buy Sam Bennett stock now, because sooner rather than later, everyone is going to know who this future star is.
What about that other young guy Akshay?
You mean Akshay Bhatia. Yeah, he is the kid who skipped college and turned pro as a teenager. Fast forward and Bhatia has earned almost two million on the links since he bet on himself and skipped school. Not yet a full member on the PGA Tour, Bhatia is in the Cuda from temporary conditional status he earned this year by finishing second at the Puerto Rico Open. But there is more to Bhatia than a smooth swing. A year ago, he gained internet fame when he won a Korn Ferry Tour event with his girlfriend, who didn’t know much about golf, as his caddy. She is worth the click. Akkshay Bhatia´ girlfriend: Who is Akshay Bhatia’s girlfriend? All you need to know about Presleigh Schult (sportskeeda.com) Akshay Bhatia met his caddy – and girlfriend – by sliding into her DMs (nypost.com) Bhatia is an intriguing character with a quiet cool about him. So much that he was invited to tell his story to Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz on the Golf Subpar podcast. Rising star Akshay Bhatia shares the best pros he's played with (golf.com) Give this a listen and you will be rooting for Akshay.
I hate chalk. Who is the underdog?
The dog of dogs this week is Ethan Cairns. Who? No, you’ve never heard of him unless you are deep into the mini tours. But if Cairns wins the Barracuda, golf Twitter will go crazy. With no status on the PGA Tour, Cairns got into the field by winning the Reno Open, a mini tour stop on the Asher Tour. With inspiration from Panthers, Ethan Cairns earns spot in Barracuda Championship | Nevada Sports Net It would be a great story for Cairns to just make the cut in his first PGA Tour start. It would make him a legend if he won it.
A Milli
Lil Wayne - A Milli - YouTube
Not quite a milli, the winner’s share is $684,000.00. Not Powerball money, but a win is a win and it will certainly change the life of the last player standing. Home | Powerball And if Bennett, Bhatia and Cairns end up in a Sunday afternoon playoff, we all win!
Cheers TRBL MKRS and happy Open week.
Martin Midian
@barracudachampionship @sambennettgolf @ahkshaybhatia_1 @presleighschultz @coltknost @thesleezyman @golf_subpar @troncarternlu @ethan_cairns35 @taylorford
