SI
Gary Van Sickle

Gary Van Sickle

Joined: Aug 3, 2022

Van Sickle has covered golf since 1980, following the tours to 125 men’s major championships, 14 Ryder Cups and one sweet roundtrip flight on the late Concorde. He is likely the only active golf writer who covered Tiger Woods during his first pro victory, in Las Vegas in 1996, and his 81st, in Augusta. Van Sickle’s work appeared, in order, in The Milwaukee Journal, Golf World magazine, Sports Illustrated (20 years) and Golf.com. He is a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America. His knees are shot, but he used to be a half-decent player. He competed in two national championships (U.S. Senior Amateur, most recently in 2014); made it to U.S. Open sectional qualifying once and narrowly missed the Open by a scant 17 shots (mostly due to poor officiating); won 10 club championships; and made seven holes-in-one (though none lately). Van Sickle’s golf equipment stories usually are based on personal field-testing, not press-release rewrites. His nickname is Van Cynical. Yeah, he earned it.

Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Collin Morikawa reacts after missing a putt on No. 7 during the
NASCAR

With Mistakes at Amen Corner, Three Chasers Saw Their Masters Hopes Dashed

Scottie Scheffler may not have been caught anyway, but Ludvig Åberg, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa sped up his coronation.

Gary Van Sickle
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Apr 13, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Ludvig Aberg tees off on No. 12 during the third round of the
Soccer

Masters Rookie Ludvig Åberg Is a Contender Not to Be Overlooked

An Augusta National rookie hasn't won a green jacket in 45 years, but Gary Van Sickle says Sweden's Ludvig Åberg isn't your average first-timer.

Gary Van Sickle
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Aces are always a big story at TPC Sawgrass's 17th hole, but Isaiah Salinda has one from a casual round that's better than most.
Golf

At TPC Sawgrass’s Famous Island 17th Hole, No Good Story Stays Untold

Isaiah Salinda is playing in his first Players Championship this week but already has a 17th hole ace story for the ages, Gary Van Sickle writes.

Gary Van Sickle
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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and LIV Golf chairman (pictured together last October), continue to talk but no deal is imminent.
Golf

Golf’s ‘Deal or No Deal’ Keeps Dragging on, but the PGA Tour Doesn’t Need One

While Jay Monahan addressed the media Tuesday with no updates on unification talks, Gary Van Sickle wonders why the PGA Tour doesn't just walk away from the table altogether.

Gary Van Sickle
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There was plenty to see at the sprawling 2025 PGA Merchandise Show.
Golf

Hunting the Best New Golf Gear at the PGA Merchandise Show

Companies big and small in the golf equipment world gathered in Orlando for the annual PGA Show and Gary Van Sickle checked out gear worth considering for your game in 2025.

Gary Van Sickle
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Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele all played starring roles in 2024.
Golf

2024 Golf Awards: A Memorable (and Wild) Year That Deserves Its Own Hall of Fame

How do you quantify such a strange year in golf? Gary Van Sickle creates a new Hall of Fame for the brilliant and not-so-much in 2024.

Gary Van Sickle
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The Sun Mountain H2NO LiteSpeed waterproof bag ensures dry gear. The rest is up to you.
Golf

This Waterproof Bag Keeps Everything Dry (Even Through Hurricane Remnants)

Helene was still spitting rain when it got to Gary Van Sickle's part of the country, but he was able to play on thanks to Sun Mountain's water-fighting H2NO LiteSpeed bag.

Gary Van Sickle
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Golf

This James Bond Golf-Themed Golf Grip Is Worth Getting Your Hands on

Golf Pride teamed up with the popular movie franchise for a 007-themed limited edition that's meant to be gripped, not shaken or stirred.

Gary Van Sickle
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Scottie Scheffler wouldn't trade his 2024 season for anyone else's—though neither would Xander Schauffele.
Golf

Envelopes, Please: The ‘Other’ Awards From Highs and Lows of the 2024 PGA Tour Season

Gary Van Sickle
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Apr 11, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Gary Player poses for a photograph alongside Jack Nicklaus and
NFL

The Masters Opening Tee Shot Ceremony Was a Reminder of Our Own Mortality

Gary Van Sickle
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Winners and Losers From the Players Championship Merchandise Tent
Golf

Winners and Losers From the Players Championship Merchandise Tent

Gary Van Sickle
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From Retro Finds to the Latest Tech, the PGA Show Again Had It All
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Golf

From Retro Finds to the Latest Tech, the PGA Show Again Had It All

Gary Van Sickle
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