10 out of 10
Players Championship: Maverick McNealy, caddie execute first successful player-caddie handshake of all time* (*unofficial)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH — We can't explain why, but PGA Tour players and their caddies are awful at high fives. Celebrations in general. In fairness, given the amount these guys practice and play, there is little time for working on your high-five craft.
That said, in just about every other sport, this is not an issue. Touchdown dances in the NFL are more well-choreographed than a broadway show. Home-run dugout celebrations in MLB can be insanely meticulous. NHL and NBA players have plenty of flair after goals, dunks and three-pointers, too. Pro golfers? *extreme pawn stars guy voice* Best they can do is botched high fives.
The smart move is to keep it simple, much like Maverick McNealy did with his bag man Travis McAlister on Saturday at TPC Sawgrass following an impressive chip-in birdie at the 14th. We believe this is the first perfectly-executed player-caddie handshake in the history of golf* (*unofficial):
When in doubt, go with the firm palm offering, just like your pops taught you. High fives, fist bumps, these things bring nothing but trouble. Just ask Tommy Fleetwood.
McNealy currently sits at 13 under, T-4 and just four back of leader, Xander Schauffele. He and McAlister could use a few more birdies, and a few more clean handshakes, to chase down a first PGA Tour victory on Sunday.