Good Morning! This is the Birdie Brief, the golf newsletter that’s like your personal chef. We only cook up the lip-smacking, finger-licking-good golf stories that’ll leave your brain full and satisfied.

Today we’re serving up the full continental breakfast with pancakes on the side:

• 🏒Happy Gilmore Signs with Ball State, Shooter McGavin Rumored to Worry

• 📃TaylorMade & Cobra Unreleased Drivers discovered on USGA's Conforming List

• 🏌️‍♂️Gary Woodland back in the Swing of Things

• 🙌TGL’s Atlanta Drive GC Announces its 4-man squad

• 🌃Playoff in the Dark at the RSM Classic Qualifiers

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🏒Happy Gilmore Signs With Ball State

Bringing you a story that reads like a script straight out of Hollywood. Bloomington South senior Landon James Gilmore, famously known as "Happy Gilmore," has officially etched his name into the world of college golf.

Yes, you read it right—Happy Gilmore, not the fictional Adam Sandler character, but a real-life high school golfer. The nickname "Happy" stuck with him since the age of 6, earned during a long drive competition at the Pepsi Little People's Golf tournament. Fast forward to this week, and he's inked his National Letter of Intent to play Division I college golf at Ball State.

🏌️Taylormade Qi10 LS Carbonwood & Cobra’s Darkspeed

TaylorMade has quietly added a new player to its carbonwood lineup—the Qi10 LS. And here's the kicker—it's just been greenlit by the USGA, making it tournament-ready for events like this week's PGA Tour spectacle, the RSM Classic.

While TaylorMade is keeping the details under wraps, we've gleaned some fascinating insights from the USGA's sneak peek at this potential game-changer.

Features:

1. Versatile Lofts: With options from 8 to 10.5 degrees, the Qi10 LS ensures adaptability for diverse playing conditions.

2. Carbon Craftsmanship: Staying true to TaylorMade's legacy, the driver boasts a carbon fiber face, a likely continuation of the brand's cutting-edge material choices.

3. Slide & Shape: A front sole sliding weight with "Fade" and "Draw" indicators lets you tweak shot shapes with a simple adjustment.

4. Balanced Build: Weight port at the back of the sole adds to the fine-tuning game, complementing the carbon fiber construction for optimal balance.

5. Qi10 Family Tease: The USGA notes hint at more with "Qi10" on the up and coming. Are we expecting more siblings? Signs point to yes.

As of now, the official retail release date remains a mystery. However, the pros are ready to unleash the Qi10 LS in top-tier tournaments. Historically, TaylorMade tends to gift golf enthusiasts their new drivers in early January. Looks like the new year might come with a new driver to elevate your game.

Also, the USGA just gave the nod to Cobra's Darkspeed drivers, potentially Fowler's next secret weapon. While the official deets are still under wraps, we've got some juicy tidbits.

The Darkspeed family seems to be catering to all swings – the LS model with its low-spin (8-10.5 degrees), and the Max and X (9-12 degrees).

Emblazoned on all Darkspeeds, the "PWR Shell" tech, seen in past AeroJet drivers, promises an expanded sweet spot and top-tier performance even on those low-struck shots.

While Cobra is keeping hush, tradition hints at a January reveal for the Darkspeed lineup, typically stealing the show around the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida.

🪵Woodland’s Comeback Trail

Here's a heartening update from the golf world: U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery to remove a brain lesion.

On September 18, Woodland's family shared the news that the surgery was a success, bringing a sigh of relief to fans. The big question lingered: When would we see this champion back in action?

Well, less than two months post-surgery, Woodland isn't just holding a golf club; he's hinting at a return to competition in the coming year!

Woodland's last PGA Tour appearance at the Wyndham Championship saw him finish T27, and though he missed the FedEx Cup playoffs, he had posted four top-20 finishes before his procedure. Hats off to Gary Woodland's resilience and the promising rounds that lie ahead!

⛳Atlanta Drive Golf Club Unveils Star-Studded Lineup

Atlanta Drive Golf Club's roster is now official, boasting Major winners and Ryder Cup stars. The lineup includes the likes of Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover.

With two-time Major champion Justin Thomas leading the pack, this star-studded team, featuring a total of 36 PGA Tour titles, is poised for a thrilling season in the TGL league set to start on January 9th

🌙Battling for a Spot at RSM and Daylight?

So, picture this: 93 hopefuls battling it out for four golden tickets to the RSM Classic. Jacob Solomon emerged as the star, carding a spectacular six-under 64 to snag medalist honors and secure a spot. Easy, right? Well, not so fast.

Eight players fired four-under 66s, setting the stage for a playoff showdown with only three spots on the line. The drama intensified as Rafael Campos and Matt Akins clinched two spots in quick succession. Now, five players were left scrapping for the last ticket, and daylight? 

Kudos to the Georgia PGA for being prepared. The playoff continued under the lights, reminiscent of a high school football practice rather than a PGA Tour qualifier. Green lit up, tensions thick, and dreams hanging in the balance.

Three more gripping playoff holes unfolded, with Curtis Thompson, the tenacious older brother of Lexi Thompson, outlasting Will Chandler on the final hole.

AROUND THE CLUBHOUSE

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