A couple of new features being rolled out today. I’m going to do my best to have daily content uploaded to this blog, Monday to Friday. On Mondays I’m also going to feature “Hitting the Links” (pun, fully intended) a segment devoted to pulling interesting golf articles from around the web . Also on Mondays, I’ll be adding a reactionary podcast touching on (pun, again, fully intended) the happenings of the past weekend. It’s called “In Touch” and the first episode is featured below.

Keep ’em straight.

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Brandt Snedeker, the only competitor in the field this past week at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am – celebrity or otherwise – whose wavy locks matched the wavy surf of the Monterey Peninsula, emerged victorious after a near-flawless 65 on Sunday for 19-under-par 267.

Since the beginning of 2013, Snedeker has played in five tournaments, and has finished in the top-3 four times. A masterful performance that, he’s hoping, could turn into a victory at The Masters, or any of the other major tournaments yet to be played this year.

He commented after his round finished on Sunday that winning majors is his next goal, and why not? He has seemingly accomplished everything a young player should do at this point in his career.

Multiple victories, a Ryder Cup appearance, top-5 in the world ranking, and $10 million richer thanks to last year’s FedEx cup win (of which he says he has spent none).

Snedeker is the quintessential nice guy, who is primed for a huge season.

He’s second only to Rory McIlroy in terms of worldwide victories the last three years and if the beginning of the season is any indication, it may be Snedeker, and not McIlroy who should be the favourite heading into Augusta.

Snedeker is playing the best of anyone on the planet, and it will only help him down Magnolia Lane that most of the focus will be on McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Louis Oosthuizen or Bubba Watson (they of last year’s playoff).

In his last ten starts on the PGA Tour, Snedeker is a combined 125 under par. Quite the performance. He uses a simple swing, has an enviable putting stroke, a brisk pace-of-play, and has clubs from six different manufacturers in his bag, simply because they work.

Snedeker, works. 

His most recent sponsor is Canadian bank RBC and according to the RBC statement announcing it’s signing of him (and former U.S. Open champion Graeme MacDowell), chief brand and communications officer at the bank Jane Broderick said Snedeker is “well respected, (has) global recognition, and will serve as (a) terrific ambassador for RBC.”

With his brilliant streak of success, it’s easy to give Snedeker any of the banal labels in golf lexicon. However, he isn’t the most flashiest of golfers, and none of the labels seem to work for this Tennessee-native. 

He doesn’t have the big sponsor contracts, the flat-brimmed hats, or the major championship trophies.  He’s got a down-home swing and a down-home attitude and Snedeker is just fine with the way things are.

Come the end of 2013,  it’s likely the third item on the aforementioned list will be crossed off.

I’m sure he’ll be just fine with that, too.

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In Touch – 

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Hitting the Links – 

TaylorMade’s financial success story (Wall Street Journal)

Canadian Brad Fritsch is currently 4th on the PGA Tour’s “Rookie Rankings” (PGATOUR.com)

Holocaust survivors stage a protest at the Allianz Championship, won by Rocco Mediate on Sunday (The Algemeiner)

Mike Weir snubbed by the Northern Trust Open (again) (The Globe & Mail)

Trump set to build a second course at his acclaimed Scottish resort (The Scotsman)

New Zealand couple both record holes-in-one at a tournament (STUFF – New Zealand)

15-year-old Lydia Ko wins her third professional tournament. She’s 15! (Global Golf Post)

TaylorMade gets pros and celebrities to wear ridiculous yellow bucket hats (TaylorMade)

Mustache of the year! And it’s not even Movember (GOLF.com)

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Photo of the Week –