Will Zalatoris' Mentor Went NUCLEAR On NBC's Dan Hicks And Brad Faxon During Willy Z's Playoff Win, Got Called Out By Justin Thomas

Ben Jared. Getty Images.

I had to do some serious Hard J Journalism just to get clearance to post about this. It took at least half an hour of digging to make sure this guy is actually for real. The absence of a blue checkmark on social media will always leave a sliver of a doubt. However, Scott Fawcett's now-deleted tweets to NBC broadcaster Dan Hicks and PGA Tour alum Brad Faxon might paint a clearer picture as to why he has over 32K followers and no sweet verification badge.

Fawcett's protege Will Zalatoris broke through for his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. It was a long time coming for Willy Z after many close calls. Here are Fawcett's quotes from the since-deleted tirade he went on, as Hicks and Faxon allegedly criticized Zalatoris' unaesthetically pleasing putting stroke throughout the telecast:

"I really do try to bite my tongue with the commentators… But go fuck yourself Dan Hicks!!!!! Putter was wobbly earlier this year. You have no idea what the truth is. Fuck Face. Sit in the booth. (Yes this is a joke, but there's always truth in comedy ;) […] Uh oh. And again, FUCK YOU DAN. this wouldn't be a gift. Will has the best speed control on tour so he fucking earned it you dick. Ok…nice putt Sepp. […] Hey @BradFaxon and Dan…go fuck each other. Yes, I understand this is classless and crude, but let me repeat myself. Fuck. You. Onlookers feel free to unfollow, block and never buy DECADE. IDGAF."

TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL BUDDY. SHEEEEEEEESH.

If I were anywhere in this guy's orbit, I'd try to tell him smoothing things over by deleting tweets and further explaining the profane rant is just digging a deeper hole, but go off, King.

This shall we say colorfully-articulate Fawcett is a renowned golf instructor who's worked with other world-class players like Bryson DeChambeau and swears by his DECADE system of course management. You have to pay to learn the intricacies of it, but the acronym itself stands for "Distance, Expectation, Correct Target, Analyze, Discipline, Execute."

In the "About" section on the official DECADE website I linked to, Fawcett is pictured caddying for Zalatoris. He's done that multiple times, including in the U.S. Amateur. Fawcett has known Zalatoris since the golf superstar was nine years old and is clearly protective of him. There's an alleged spat between Fawcett and an all-time great putter in Faxon who doesn't believe in his teachings or data analysis. Not sure any slight Faxon gave to Fawcett could've justified any speech this vitriolic. I mean for fuck's sake, right!?

Justin Thomas, who knocked off Zalatoris in a playoff to win the PGA Championship earlier this year, used his influence to speak out against Fawcett's belligerence:

Faxon responded to JT's call-out and was grateful for the support!

OK geez. It was a hardcore effort just to relay the veracity of this whole fiasco. I still had my doubts even after multiple press clippings from reputable publications. No Laying Up's Tron picked this up and I trust him…and he also seems to have firsthand experience with Fawcett's antics. Once JT chimed in, I knew it was legit.

All told, Fawcett does have a point somewhere in here. He could've been a TAD more subdued about it is all. Indeed, Willy Z has some of the best speed control on the PGA Tour. He ranks third in approach putt performance, hitting it to within an average of two feet. His putting from outside of 10 feet has improved markedly from last season. Zalatoris has gone from 71st to 10th in birdie average. Where Zally still struggles is that ticklish range from four to eight feet, where he ranks 187th on tour.

If you hit your driver and irons as pure as Zalatoris does, hit it to within an average of two feet and have made all 622 of your putts on the season from three feet and closer, it's easy to see how you can rise to elite status. Zalatoris has cemented himself as one of the game's premier players by finally breaking through with a win. Should be the first of many. Let's just hope this Fawcett guy can keep his wits about him.

Anywho, let's celebrate Willy Z's coming-out party with some playoff highlights, shall we? Sheesh. Picked a bad time to quit smoking cigarettes years ago.

Twitter @MattFitz_gerald