Almost another year has come and gone in golf, and somehow, in some way, 2023 outdid 2022 when it comes to utterly preposterous screenshots. Few sports produce those hilarious, pause-the-television-and-get-that-up-on-Twitter/X-ASAP moments quite like this one.
In fact, I can think of no better way to tell the story of golf in 2023 than via the screengrab off your television (or from a video you’re watching on your phone). That’s just what we’re going to do right now, chronologically rolling through some of the funniest and most ridiculous (those can be one in the same). The grainier, the better. Professional photographers need not apply. Screenshots are taken by the people, for the people.
Before we get started, I’d like to thank you all for your worthy submissions. This remains my favourite thread every year, and it warmed my heart to see so many others agreed. I wish I could post every last one, because they are all A+, but we’re going to keep it to the ones that don’t take more than one sentence to explain and provide an instant “LOL” on sight. From January to December, these are the best screengrabs of the year in golf.
JANUARY
Patrick Reed throws tee at Rory McIlroy, McIlroy ignores him
You forgot about this one, didn’t you?
• • •
Patrick Reed’s latest rules saga involves binoculars at Dubai Desert Classic
Expect anything different?
FEBRUARY
Waste Management Phoenix Open streaker gets flag on 16th hole
Filed under “things you wish you hadn’t seen the first time”.
• • •
Tiger Woods ticks off young fan’s bucket list (literally) at Riviera
Streakers, tee-throwing feuds, heartwarming things. We do it all here in screenshots of the year.
MARCH
Eventual winner Kurt Kitayama marks ball hanging on the cup at Arnold Palmer Invitational
The sauciest move in the history of golf, and possibly the history of mankind.
• • •
Just Jordan Spieth being Jordan Spieth at the Players
I have a feeling this will not be his last appearance here.
• • •
The Keith Mitchell club slam at the buzzer
An instant Golf Twitter icon.
• • •
Adam Schenk’s heartbreak at the Valspar Championship
Can we get this man a win in 2024, please?
• • •
Brooks Koepka calls Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad a “traffic cone”
Somehow only the second-most viral Brooks Koepka clip from a Florida Panthers game (stay tuned).
APRIL
Vintage Phil Mickelson at Augusta National
Obviously made birdie.
• • •
FIVEGATE
Nothing to see here. Carry on.
• • •
Pray 4 Greller
The face of a man who has seen unspeakable horrors.
Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka stare down Viktor Hovland and Patrick Cantlay at the Masters
Slow play. Toilet breaks. A Texas Tech cheerleader [green Masters cap] landing a modelling gig. This picture was a legitimate content machine. First-ballot screenshot Hall of Famer.
• • •
A fan puts Patrick Cantlay on the clock at Harbour Town
In fairness, that was a very tough shot.
• • •
Patrick Cantlay gets in a tight spot at Harbour Town
If only someone timed how long this one took.
• • •
THE BEEEEES!!! THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!!!!
A scene straight out of “Tommy Boy”.
MAY
Tiger Woods tells Scottie Scheffler he doesn’t take divots when he’s “flushing it”
Even Scottie knew this man was talking crazy.
• • •
Jordan Spieth hits first shot in third round of the PGA Championship directly into a port-a-loo
Perfect. No notes.
• • •
Tom Kim takes a muddy dip at Oak Hill
Looking like he went swimming in the chocolate river at the Wonka Factory.
• • •
Michael Block finds out he’s paired with Rory McIlroy at Oak Hill
Admit it. You are triggered.
• • •
Michael Block finds out he made a slam-dunk hole-in-one at Oak Hill
Now you’re mega-triggered.
• • •
Random dude throws up the ‘F I V E’ after Brooks Koepka’s PGA win
That “random dude” is actually the legendary Tom Lippard, who makes for an electric podcast guest if we do say so ourselves.
• • •
Brandel Chamblee, Brad Faxon have hilarious stare-off after Brooks Koepka’s PGA win
Never too late to make this the next great meme format.
• • •
Brooks Koepka celebrates PGA win at “Ps” playoff game
The word “celebrates” is doing some Olympian-level heavy-lifting here.
JUNE
Adam Hadwin gets flattened by security while celebrating Nick Taylor’s Canadian Open win
A great reminder that 99.9 percent of PGA Tour players are unrecognisable in plain clothes.
• • •
Jon Rahm mid-club snap at US Open
On-brand.
• • •
Adam Hadwin goes into bushes to find putter he threw at US Open
Eventful month of June for the Canadian.
• • •
Rory McIlroy calls for rules official on Sunday at US Open
PTSD for Rory betters, fans, LIV haters, etc.
• • •
Scottie Scheffler rocks himself in the face with… his own driver
Better than a putter to the ankle.
JULY
Rickie Fowler completes his comeback at the Rocket Mortgage
The only applicable reaction for a golfer who had been through hell and back.
• • •
Mark Hubbard gives the finger to caddie after bunker hole-out
Player-caddie stuff. You wouldn’t get it.
• • •
Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas take in Wimbledon
Guys (with receding hairlines) being dudes.
• • •
Jon Rahm stares to the heavens at Open Championship
When you have a 1pm Sunday tee-time and she says, “Don’t forget, we need to be at my parents at 1:30 on Sunday.”
• • •
Korn Ferry Tour pro Tom Whitney misses shortest putt… ever?
Yep. Has to be.
AUGUST
Justin Thomas narrowly misses FedEx Cup playoffs with near chip-in at Wyndham
Not all T-12 finishes are created equal. This one was must-see TV.
• • •
Tyrrell Hatton finds out he’s headed to East Lake, couldn’t be less interested
My goodness, if a picture could say a thousand words.
SEPTEMBER
Zach Johnson looks up at Ryder Cup opening ceremony
Man saw the European missile coming.
• • •
Hatgate
Which somehow led to…
• • •
Matt Fitzpatrick walks in on mum and dad fighting
*FREEZE FRAME* “You’re probably wondering how I ended up here…”
OCTOBER
Wesley Bryan risks it all for a par at Sanderson Farms
Kept the shoes clean at least.
NOVEMBER
Collin Morikawa gets “the call” to join LAGC
Still takes my breath away. Man said the call to join a virtual golf franchise, for a league that’s been postponed, may have topped the call to be on the Ryder Cup team. If Talor Gooch said something like that, we’d have him tarred and feathered.
DECEMBER
Matt Fitzpatrick chips off the green at Hero World Challenge
Shotmaking at its peak.
• • •
Jon Rahm signs with LIV, goes on FOX News in LIV letterman jacket
FIN.
