weekly GOLF Confidential Round Table Tour breaking the biggest titles in the game. This week, our writers and editors discuss Rory McIlroy’s race win in Dubai, the legacy of the late Dan Hicks, Bryson DeChambeau’s new golf course and more.
Rory McIlroy finished his 2026 with a Race to the Dubai titlethe eighth of his career, to cap a year that also included his second Masters title, although his PGA Tour win was the fewest he has had in the last five seasons. How to enter McIlroy’s 2026?
Dylan Dethier, Senior Writer (@dylan_dethier): It’s funny, McIlroy has spent the last two years winning some of the titles he wants the most – and not much else. The irony is that he spent the previous decade winning it all except the titles he wanted most. This version seems more complete, although McIlroy is clearly disappointed that he cannot always use his full talent in weeks of “regular” tournaments, but in a year where you win the Masters and an eighth Race to Dubai record, none of the other things seem to matter much.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I think Rory was a big winner in 2026, despite only one PGA Tour win. Sure, he’s had seasons where he’s won more, but at this point in his career he wants major titles. He had one this year, and that makes it a win. In addition, 2026 will be remembered as the year LIV Golf died. And for someone who has been against the league since its inception, it’s a big win for Rory McIlroy. He landed on the right side of history.
Zephyr Melton, Associate Editor for Game Improvement (@zephyrmelton): Rory is in the legacy-building stage of his career – and nothing boosts a resume like adding to the big bill. Each year can add to that account should be considered a success, the performance in other tournaments be damned.
Ten players earned PGA Tour cards for 2027 due to its end in the DP World Tour season race in Dubai on Sunday (Patrick Reed among them). Which of the 10 names is most intriguing to you?
Dethier: Former host Joe Dean has confessed that if he could make more money in a less “stressful” line of work, he would. That’s the kind of nihilism I like in my athletes, even if it doesn’t necessarily make me run to the betting window.
Berhow: Sorry to take the easy answer, and kudos to Dylan for not doing it, but it’s Patrick Reed’s return to the Tour. He’s not quite the bad guy he was years ago, but he’s still playing good golf and it will be fun to see him on TV more often and at events that really matter.
Melton: I’m with Berhow here. Reed (and his villain persona) returning to the Tour will be great for the storylines next season.
Dan HicksNBC’s lead golf announcer since 2000, died unexpectedly last week after an acute illness, sending shockwaves through the golf world. What did you learn about Hicks in the days after his death, and what memories of him stand out the most?
Dethier: The tribute that stood out came from Rowdy Gaines – Hicks’ partner in the Olympic booth. As viewers, we are naturally curious about these relationships of broadcasters and if they extend the past enthusiastic creation of moments on air. It’s these guys indeed friends? This, from Gaines, gives a clear answer:
“My heart is broken. Danny wasn’t just my partner in the cabin for eight Olympics. He was one of my closest friends, someone I trusted with everything, both in and out of the arena. He was the glue that held us all together in all those Games.”
His 2008 winning relay call is an iconic moment of my sporting life. It is both heartbreaking and affirming to hear the testimony about which Hicks was away from the mic, too.
Berhow: I never met Hicks but you could tell the impact he had outside of golf because of the reaction to his unexpected passing. I still remember where I was when I saw his Tiger call from the US Open 2008 – “did you expect anything different?! – and watching it in the last few days, it really makes you understand what makes some of these famous calls so memorable: simplicity, not trying to do too much, and giving the moment time to breathe. It was excellent.
Melton: I haven’t had much interaction with Dan personally, but I have friends who worked with him at NBC and have only heard glowing praise. He was not only a professional in his work, but he also treated people fairly. As for his best call, I’ll go to the golf course and go to the pool for my favorite, from the 2008 Olympics. “Here comes Lezak! Amazing at the end! He did it!”
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday that halts President Trump’s renovation project at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., keeping its historic, beloved municipal golf course open for now and putting its proposed 18-hole championship layout on hold. This story has many layers (you can learn more here) and has been in the news for months. Why do you think it resonated so widely, and are you surprised by the attention it’s received?
Dethier: The story has a little something for everyone. Class conflict. Allegations of corruption. Discussion of golf course architecture. Zoning rules! I’d still be lying if I said I had my head around every nuance — but I’m skeptical of any plan that turns a beloved public institution into, well, something else.
Berhow: Someone told me recently that there was a golf architect who was famous for saying that every town should have a golf course. It sounds like an endearing idea. And while the new 18-hole course here will still be public, it has removed much of the current infrastructure and, in general, looks less like golf than it does now. People are passionate about golf courses (and often, politics). This story has many layers.
Melton: Anything involving Donald Trump is sure to grab the headlines — and this story is no different.
After the pace of play was set in 2026, the LPGA announced an update to its pace of play policy that will take effect next season. In short, it will be easier to be fined. Do you like change? And will it be enough to help?
Dethier: In particular, I prefer stroke penalties to fines. Big picture, I worry that the problem is so systemic that it is difficult to address one player at a time. But I hope this will push us in the right direction; pacing is a very, very real problem for LPGA viewers.
Berhow: I think it will help. The LPGA saw an improvement with its new policy in 2025, so this additional nudge will likely do the same. Give the LPGA credit for being proactive.
Melton: Hopefully this new policy will be effective, but as Dylan noted, the problem may be too systemic to address on an individual player basis. Props to the LPGA for being the only tour that ever proof to enforce its policies, however.
Bryson DeChambeau made a big announcement last week — just not the one everyone expected. DeChambeau introduced “The Orchard,” a project he is building in his hometown of Clovis, California, which will include an 18-hole championship golf course that will be the first of many “DeChambeau Designs.” What do you think of Bryson, the course designer?
Dethier: I’m curious if we’re going to get something distinctly different and outside the box — at DeChambeau playing single-length irons or drinking 12 protein shakes a day — or if it’s going to feel like a more traditional golf-and-real-estate-development game. In other words: How weird will Bryson go?
Berhow: I’m really bullish that Bryson might have some really good ideas. Or at least, interesting. I see him as a guy who is more likely to create a fun golf facility (something like TopGolf, but with more bells and whistles; or a short course with lots of extras) than a traditional golf course. I can also see his designs getting a little eccentric or out of the box at times. But I am convinced that he does not offer anything boring, which is good. So I’m all for seeing what it looks like.
Melton: I’m not excited. Great golfers are rarely great course architects, and I expect this one to be no different. Good for him for bringing more golf to his hometown, but it’s not a course I’d go out of my way to check out.
