Notes from Detroit

The PGA tour stops in Detroit, Michigan. Home of Tamla Motown. And, "My Guy" doesn't get it done!

I was not there, unfortunately; I wish I were, though—this from the feet-on-the-chair venue.

In an absorbing finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Australian Cam Davis finished on top, so clinching his second PGA Tour title. The 28-year-old Sydney-sider (that's not true; he's from Sydney but lives in Seattle) made two clutch up-and-ins at 17 and 18 to hold off rising PGA star Akshay Bhatia, who uncharacteristically three-jabbed the final hole (I wish Bhatia’s broomstick-putter was a little further from his concave chest). Davis’s win comes almost two years after his maiden 2021 PGA Tour win at the same event. You could say it's a pleasing medley!

Growing up in the 70s and 80s Manchester (UK), Motown was never far away—in homes, dance halls, barbershops, and pubs; we even had our strain, Northern Soul. So, there's an undeniable resonance when I hear the word 'Detroit'. It's ironic, as it's hard to associate Smokey Robinson with golf!

---

SpeakingNick is supported by your subscriptions. I thank you sincerely and if you are still a free subscriber, please, if you can, consider subscribing. Thank you.

---

From Manchester to the Michigan faithful: to me, the crowd looked compromised for much of Sunday. They had Bhatia to root for, but it seemed a little hesitant; Cameron Young (N.Y.) seemed like a more logical association, but he continually sprayed his 2024 driver into the gallery—he had no preference, left and right, fans on both sides were in clear-and-present danger. There was the eventual winner, Cam Davis, and a wannabe chef, Min Woo Lee, but then they're both Australian. Oh, and an amateur Luke Clanton, who looked every bit like an eight-year tour veteran with his big bag and multiple sponsor badges—in effect, he's a rising junior at Florida State (FSU)—there are no true amateurs anymore. Last but not least, there was Aaron Rai, an obscure Englishman who hung around the lead like a bad smell of you-know-what (shhh, gas).

---

Rai is an interesting case study. His top-line stats are solid: 85 PGA tour events, 60 cuts made, eight top 10's, four top 5's, a third-place, and yesterday's runner-up finish—that has him approaching 15 million in PGA prize money. Yet he plays like a Google engineer on the local Mountain View muni. Two gloves, a beat-up stand-bag, iron head covers, a 2018 driver, and the look of someone boxing in the wrong weight division—I believe he'd be pretty handy on his feet.

Patshull Park Golf Club is a long way from Detroit. Rai started playing there at age five.

The son of immigrant parents—his mother Dalvir Shukla, of Kenyan-Indian descent, and his Indian father Amrik Singh—Rai's journey to professional golf is a testament to a family's sacrifices and unwavering support. From his mother juggling multiple jobs to his father diligently studying golf techniques to assist his son, the Rai family's working-class roots and determination has laid the foundation for his success.

Another instrumental figure in Rai's progression to professional golf was Shabir Randeree, a successful entrepreneur who remains his sponsor and less-so-benefactor.

Randeree, who owned Parshull Park, provided crucial financial support for Rai's early training and funded a private school education. This long-term alliance allowed Rai to pursue his passion without undue financial pressure, with Rai himself acknowledging that Randeree's belief and spiritual support were equally important to his development.

As Rai keeps knocking on the door of a maiden PGA tour win, galleries across the U.S. might appreciate his climb with a little more compassion and understanding.

Having seen a son progress through the college sports system, I was always interested in the rosters of the opposing colleges. His sport was lacrosse; every player is listed with a number, position, high school, and hometown. It was the hometowns that caught my eye. As they say, "Everyone comes from somewhere."

---

Cameron Young (N.Y.), who shot 59 last week in Hartford, broke his driver shaft on the 14th hole. The fractured club had been a source of frustration throughout Sunday's round, with Young's dispersion off the tee rivalling Diana Ross' vocal range. I literally thought he might have caused the separation intentionally—Young was one off the lead at that time. The PGA rules official played the 'anger card' preventing the New Yorker from seeking a replacement.

I like Cam Young's golf; his backswing pauses at the top, similar to Joe Biden in mid-sentence, giving everyone time to catch up before whirling down in a violently controlled sweep that sends his Titleists into the ether. After watching a YouTube video, I was hooked on Young, so much so that I unloaded a few hard-earned dollars on him this week!

And his muttering—this elevated to a new level this week. It's hard to detect genuine cussing due to an impeccable stiff upper lip. You know it's there, but it just seems OK from him. Perhaps I'm playing favourites—again!

Despite an impressive bank-manager-pleasing 18 top 10 finishes since his PGA Tour debut in 2021-22—Young remains winless. This latest rebuff of closing-out will only accentuate the media narrative when he finds himself there again—which will be sooner than later. His talent is undeniable. (I am tipping him to be in contention at The Open).

Ironically, Luke Clanton was granted a sponsor's invitation to the Rocket Classic. His play was meritorious; however, an oversized bag, a seemingly airtight association with OEM TaylorMade, and multiple sponsor logos pointed to a less-than-amateur status.

Nevertheless—as a confirmed sporting mercenary, I should move on from this.

Clanton turned heads at the Rocket Mortgage Classic with a T11 finish that belied his inexperience at this level. The world's No. 2 ranked amateur showed he could sing from the same song sheet as the pros, carding a 14-under par total that included a 65 in the third round.

If Cam Young had driven the ball like Clanton, Cam Davis would still be looking for his second tour win. Clanton finished second in strokes gained off the tee for the tournament. Professionally and commercially, the future looks bright for the Clanton family.

---

With all that said, let us sing "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi" —a firm favourite down under! I don't know how it would be in Tamla Motown!

CBS analyst Ian Baker-Finch, himself an ex-pat Aussie, said of Cam Davis' victory, "He deserved the victory; he burnt the hole all day, two of five-pars were not kind to him, his swing is a thing of beauty (like mine), and most importantly, he retains a healthy dose of Aussie innocency (yes, like me)."

Davis said, "I wouldn't wish what happened to Akshay on anyone." And, "I honestly haven't been in a very good place mentally for the last six months or so. I felt like opportunities have been slipping out of my hands as the year progresses without me playing very good golf. I had a great week at the Masters, and it feels like it all had just left me since then."

Worth noting for all golfers: Davis had engaged the services of a hypnotherapist to help with his 2024 slump, where he has had no top 10's. Just saying, in case you need it. I have my session booked for Wednesday morning.

---

I believe it is the John Deere Classic next week. We haven’t decided whether to send the editorial team, holiday travel in these parts is costly and tough. If anyone is tractoring from CT to Illinois, please send us a message. Thank you in advance.