Okay, so I was watching the PGA leaderboard the other day, right? And I kept seeing this little asterisk next to some of the players’ scores, particularly in the “Thru” column. I was like, “What the heck does that star mean?” I couldn’t figure it out just by watching.
First thing I did, naturally, was Google it. I typed in “asterisk on PGA leaderboard” and started digging through the search results.
I saw some forum posts where people were guessing, and others explaining other symbols. It was a bit of a mess trying to find what I was actually looking for. But eventually I stumbled across a clearer explanation on some golf website’s FAQ section. Bingo!
The asterisk () in the “Thru” column on the PGA leaderboard basically means the player started their round on a different hole than the first hole (Hole #1).
Turns out some tournaments use a “two-tee start,” especially when they have a large field of players or are trying to beat weather delays. So half the players start on the 1st hole, and the other half start on the 10th hole. This gets everyone on the course and playing faster.
- If a player started on hole #1, there’s no asterisk.
- If a player started on hole #10, you’ll see the asterisk.
It’s not a big deal, but it’s helpful to know if you’re trying to get a sense of how a player’s round is progressing compared to others. Especially early on, they might have played different holes. Now when I watch, it’s like, “Ah, okay, that’s why that star is there!” Makes way more sense. Simple, but good to know.
Why I Bothered to Figure This Out
I get a little annoyed when I don’t understand something I’m seeing. It’s like a little itch in my brain that I have to scratch! Plus, understanding the leaderboard helps me get more into the tournament and the players’ performances. Golf is more fun when you understand the details. So yeah, a little Google-fu and a bit of patience helped me solve the mystery of the asterisk.
