The debate over who was the top Upper Midwest connection in January 2024, for me, revolves around one factor above all: consistency. There were four leading contenders for the Upper Midwest Connection of the Month honour, but one is not like the others.
Frankie Capan III made some waves in the Bahamas and passed his cut-making test in both cases, but he failed in Panama last week. Troy Merritt was Upper Midwest Connection of the Week for his Sony Open in Hawai'i efforts, but he hasn't had a payday since. Tom Hoge was more compelling, posting a quality showing at the Amex, but he didn't show up at his other two cut-making events--the Sentry, where a payday is guaranteed to all who finish 72 holes, and the Farmers Insurance Open--and he embarrassingly missed the cut at Waialae. This left one clear-cut winner for the first Upper Midwest Connection of the Month for 2024:
Erik van Rooyen.
The former Minnesota Gopher made all but one cut, and the one he didn't make--the Farmers Insurance Open--was the event he skipped in January, as he had enough points from the FedEx Cup Fall to make it to Pebble Beach last week. Furthermore, van Rooyen has finished inside the top 25 in all but one of his starts, including Pebble Beach (which was not factored in for these purposes, as it took place in February). Currently, EVR sits #79 in the world rankings and #34 in the FedEx Cup after last week. Was it enough to get him Upper Midwest Connection of the Week in addition? Stay tuned.
Edward the Scop
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