Some quick-hit observations of the players at Kapalua, and what stood out as we enter the 2019 calendar year.
1. Patrick Reed
P-Reed looks like he’s in the best shape of his life. Had to have shed 20-30 lbs or so since East Lake. Same Nike outfit. Still not well liked, though (apparently), as he enters his seventh full PGA Tour season.
2. Justin Thomas
JT appears to have added some muscle, and is filling out as he enters his fifth full PGA Tour campaign. No longer a string bean looking kid, for sure. He’s also wearing the Ralph Lauren RLX brand instead of the RL Polo logo he’s worn for years.
3. Dustin Johnson
DJ looks exactly the same, in the prime of his career. Fit, ripped, and with the sweetest swing. No changes on the sponsorship front.
4. Gary Woodland
Woodland is playing better than ever, and is now sporting a Wilson hat. He’d been under contract with Under Armor through the 2018 Memorial and then showed up at Shinnecock no longer sporting UA. He’d worn a Folds of Honor hat for the remainder of the season, along with a Puma shirt (and still has the Puma deal, apparently).
5. Rory McIlroy
Rors also looks good, and seems to have lost some water weight or bulk. Shirts appear to be a different cut – not too tight with a more breathable sleeve. Even looks younger. Was the red, white and blue a nod to his new commitment to U.S. golf?
6. Bubba Watson
If you watched the telecast on the Golf Channel, Bubba at 40 is no different than Bubba at 30. Still pretty much a crybaby (in a lovable way). But the 2019 version seems to have added some bulk back, and doesn’t look emaciated. The beard looks pretty good too. Now if he can just stop whining.
7. Brooks Koepka
BK, like DJ, looks no different in 2019 than he did in 2018. Still buffed up and looking like a smooth swinging NFL free safety.
8. Ian Poulter
Poults has swapped out the Titleist branding on his visor for a Cool Sculpting logo. Also added a AURAE Lifestyle logo on right chest. Overall, Poulter looks better than ever as he approaches his 43rd b-day next week (January 10).
