PGA Tour: The McGladrey Classic: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).About time too! Congratulations to Bryce Molder for prevailing in a compelling six-hole Play-Off against Briny Baird at last week's Fry's.com tournament. Both have been among the top players (Baird is first!) among Tour veterans without a win, and Molder's victory comes more than a decade after he left College as one of only four collegiate players to have been voted "All American" four years' running.

2).I'm sure you know the other three; suffice to say one enjoyed a Tour victory while still in College, and both the other two were relatively early visitors to the winners' enclosure; unlike Molder who drifted on and off the Tour for the first eight years of the century before finalling securing his Tour Card for good in 2009. He broke through with a second-place at his local tournament in Memphis that year, quickly racked up more top twenties, and since then has been a fixture.

3).The PGA Tour is stocked with golfers who have won multiple golf tournaments, but a surprising number are players who have won only lower-tier events: Fall Series, opposite field tournaments (Vaughn Taylor has two Reno wins, no more) or relative minor stops on the Tour. This is by no means a definitive list but may nevertheless be interesting:
Jonathan Byrd: 5 wins: Southern Open and BC Open (both departed), John Deere, Las Vegas and the very limited field Kapalua.
Heath Slocum: 4 wins: Tucson, Mississippi, McGladrey (last year) and the 2009 Barclays which looks increasingly an anomaly as the years go by.
John Rollins: 3 wins: Canadian Open, BC Open, Reno.
Cameron Beckman: 3 wins: Mississippi, Fry's.com, Mayakoba
Michael Bradley: 4 wins: Southern Open, Doral (also looking anomalous!), twice at Mayakoba

So when a golfer breaks through with a win at a lesser-field tournament, ask yourself whether he's destined to be a Will MacKenzie (2 wins: Reno and Mississippi) or Troy Matteson (2 x Fry's.coms), or a Bill Haas, winner in Mississippi last year, second at the 2010 McGladrey, but now the big bonus baby! (I'll put money on Bryce Molder winning a top tier tournament, sooner rather than later.)

4).The Open Championship for 2015 to be played at St.Andrews. Surprise!
But which courses are getting short-changed by the imperative to return to The Old Course every five years? Lytham (11 years elapsed), Muirfield (11 yrs), Hoylake (8 yrs) and St.Andrews (5) have been "awarded" the next four Championships, so let's discount them.
Clearly Northern Irelands's best, RCD, Portrush, but also:
Troon (no Open since Todd Hamilton broke Ernie's heart in 2004.) 2016 perhaps?
Carnoustie (2007)
Birkdale (2008)
Let alone any new venue.
Seems that, if St.Andrews should get The Open more frequently (no argument from me) than other tracks, perhaps it should be every 6 years and not five?

5).The chips are starting to fall into place for the November / December silly season with the publication of the Chevron field. 14 Americans, plus: Jason Day, Casey, Laird and KJ Choi. No defending Champion??!!??
The Nedbank field on the same week should be published shortly.
With limited field benefits plus huge appearance fees all round the World, the calendar is chock full for about six weeks, sometimes with three or four tournaments a week. Easy money for the galacticos, but the annual threat to the integrity of World Golf's currency, the Official World Rankings.

6).Webb Simpson, meanwhile, puts Luke Donald on notice that he wants the PGA Tour "money" title, and plays this week at The McGladrey Classic. Davis Love and Zach Johnson have assembled a high quality field with top "Southerners" Kuchar, Snedeker, Glover, HowellIII, Byrd, Toms, Cink, Love, Molder, plus Allenby, Cabrera, Casey, Brian Davis, Fowler, Furyk, McDowell, Oosthuizen, Vijay and Zach etc.

7).Simpson trails Lukey by about $70K, or approximately a 15th place finish. Of course, Donald may opt to play Disney next week if he feels so inclined. We'll see.

8).The McGladrey is staged at lovely Sea Island, Georgia, on a 1928 Colt / Allison original, given a Tom Fazio update in 1998. Among those still unsure of the at least $700K season earnings necessary for a 2012 Tour card in the field are:
Pampling: $82K to go
Casey: $110K
Trahan: $233K
Leonard: $255K
Taylor: $286K
Curtis: $287K
Duval: $300K
Weekley: $434K

9).Last week was a good one for some unheralded (recently anyway) Argentine golfers. As well as Cesar Monasterio's good finish in Madrid, Eduardo Romero finished 3rd in the Champions Tour event won by Brad Faxon and that should be enough to earn him at least a strong conditional status for next year. And 32-y-o Miguel Angel Carballo's second Nationwide win all but assures him of a 2012 PGA Tour card.

10).Roger Chapman and Mark Mouland are "alternates" for this week's final "regular season" Champo Tour event, in San Antonio and I wonder whether they'll consider it worth their while to have another go at Q-School?
Haven't seen the Champions Tour Q-School fields yet, but assume that Lane will have a crack, possibly Forsbrand too?

The play-off last week, despite not caring who won, was one of the highest quality, entertaining play-offs I have ever seen. Granted, there were a few iffy putts, and it should have ended sooner, but their driving on the 17th, given the pressure on both of them was simply outstanding.

To be honest, I lose interest in the PGA tour once the Fed Ex Cup & Tour Championship reach their conclusion. I have been under the mistaken belief that Bill Haas had won it by way of winning $345858392494595933 for the Fed Ex cup, but this doesn't appear to be the case. As a result, I shall be rooting for Luke Donald for one week only.

With regard to the players close to losing their playing privileges, I really hope David Duval pulls something out this week. It would be terrible for such a (one time) great player to have to resort to going through Q school.

Regarding the Play-Off last week, we'll never know how unliucky Briny Baird was that his approach to the 18th on the 1st or 2nd play-off time around hit the pin . . . . .

The PGA Tour wants you to overlook the Fall Series, Marcus, but the players want to compete down to the final putt. Good for them! Simpson played Sea Island well last year, plus he's local-ish, so you have to imagine a top ten might be achieved. Over to you, Luke!

Sure everyone wishes the best for Duval, certainly hope so. Some good guys down among the bottom of the moneylist. But Q-School wouldn't be the first time for Duval recently; which is what gives him a kind of street cred among the players as opposed to, say, Daly.

We blasted the PGA Tour a month ago for denying Steve Stricker a "made cut" after he withdrew from the no-cut BMW Championship in Chicago.
Apparently PGA Tour HQ has now done its homework and determined that he will be credited with a "made cut" after all. Only makes sense.
So Stricker is once again at the Head of the Class for consecutive cuts made with 42. Only 100 behind Tiger's record of 142!

Great stuff, kwini
Missed last week's playoff as it was far too late over here, but seems it's been pretty exciting...
Re#4: How's Turnberry doing in that statistic?
Re#5: Not confirmed yet, but seems that GMac could drift towards Nedbank this year to avoid those wild timezone swings as he'll be at WC in China the week before and in Dubai the week after that... we'll see...

Typical...! Just decided to drop Ross Fisher from the fantasy team and there he is...
Great start again for Bjorn and ...Padraig! Although another bogey at the first par 5 keeps me still very nervous...

Thanks pd,
As marcus mentioned, the driving to the short-par-4 17th hole, by Molder in particular, was extraordinary. Each had plenty of chances to win ouright, Baird especially unlucky when his approach to 18 struck the flag and rebounded 15 ft away.
More of the same this week please!

Didn't mention Turnberry is it's only last year the boys were there - seems they dole out two Opens to Ayrshire every 15 or so years?

Someone said they'd heard Troon is in line for 2016, in which case Birkdale will surely get 2017 and, presumably, Carnoustie 2018.

Lairdy mentioned that McDowell was going to rationalise his travel this year after charging round the world like a blue-arsed fly in 2010. Still haven't seen the Nedbank field confirmed.

Glad to see Gareth Maybin fashioning a good Round 1; feel as if he really needs to break through soon or his time may pass.


The Sea Island McGladrey Classic should be starting in a few minutes but, looking at the weather stats, there must be the chance of morning fog - haven't seen anything confirming that though.
Chance of thundershowers later today, otherwise weather for McGladrey should be ideal.

They're off!!!

And in Miami too where the last but one event on the "regular" Nationwide season sees Greg Owen making last gasp efforts to reach the top 25, Chopra strives to stay there, and Messrs Blixt, Christian and Knox hope to reinforce their high "seed" for next year's 2012 PGA Tour.

kwinigolfer wrote:Glad to see Gareth Maybin fashioning a good Round 1; feel as if he really needs to break through soon or his time may pass

This may be a strange thing to say, but I'm thinking it must be quite a bit of extra pressure on Gareth's mind lately now that he's the only one left among the top NI pros who doesn't have a win on the main tour. Hopefully he can get his breakthrough here as you say... Lots of birdies for Padraig, but unfortunately a few bogeys as well still...

Interesting to see Eddi Molinari making an appearence (fee!?) in India this week. But no Jeev Milkha Singh...?!
Ross Bain from Scotland with a share of the lead there after 1st day...

Simpson with a birdie start, looks keen to get that money list prize...

pd,
I think Ross Bain is making his annual effort to crack PGA Tour Q-School, registered in the field for Stage 1 in the next week or so.
Steve Webster on track for a 54. What is it with Webster?; lots of flirtations with the lead recently, every year really, only to rattle off some ignominious numbers and plunge down the leaderboard.

Last year's McGladrey was great watching, Sea Island seemingly from a bygone era. Hoping for more this week.

David Law, the former amateur Scottish wonder kid, is playing in India this week also. This is after failing Q school's first hurdle last week. Havent read anything on Bain but he may be straight into 2nd round qualfying. Read a piece by Martin Dempster who says its no bad thing failing Q school early on and then cutting your teeth on smaller tours when making the jump from am to pro. He also expressed his suprise when some Scottish players choose to go to venues at Portugal etc when there was a 1st round qualfying held at Dundonald, Ayrshire where 3 Scottish guys did qualify...

Pd, That was it! Chevron was wedged between the WC and Dubai. No brainer for GMac. Saw POD's early 6 but he then birdied the remaining par5s. Encouraging noises coming from him and coach Cowen in todays papers.

Didnt get to see much of this event last year so hope to see more this year. Thanks for the notes again Kwini.

Lairdy, is the Q-school allocation purely down to player choice then? It wouldn't surprise me if the Tour had some say in who plays where, in case they get 300 wanting one venue and 10 at another... I might be wrong though! Was disappointed none of Byrne, Law and Ross Kellett made it through to round 2.

Looks like Webb is a man on a mission, Luuuke might have to add next week to his schedule if he wants that money list title. And leader in the clubhouse is Richard Johnson... finished with three good rounds last week, but I didn't see that coming. Too little too late? Signs of life from Stenson too.

Very impressive from Webbo, a win this week would make a statement, probably persuade Luke to continue a much needed holiday, and put him in pole position for PGA Tour POTY.

Sweden doing well here! Stenson also stitching together a nice round, solid enough from Carl P and Richard S defying some of the absolute worst statistics on Tour. Good luck to him!

And Brian Davis -2 after 16.

A poor start from a couple of old lags who need something good to happen, Flesch and Petrovic, both now seemingly destined for Q-School.

Interesting to see that Kuchar signed with Steinberg... Will others follow him in future, I wonder... He's got 3 so far in the stable as far as I know?

Impressive effort indeed from Simpson, an already outstanding season looking even better if he wins here... Casey and GMac just started...

Nice to see Cabrera read my note 9). about Argentian success lsat week. Looks like he doesn't want to be out done.

Scoring not as sh1t hot as I'd've expected, especially the afternoon flight, and Casey among those struggling early.

NedB-H wrote:Lairdy, is the Q-school allocation purely down to player choice then? It wouldn't surprise me if the Tour had some say in who plays where, in case they get 300 wanting one venue and 10 at another... I might be wrong though! Was disappointed none of Byrne, Law and Ross Kellett made it through to round 2.

Not sure Ned. Might be that its first come first served. Would think it unfair to be told where to play right enough... in that case I'd imagine each venue is selected so that there is no great difference in difficulty.

Sea Island course looks good. The challenge seems to be being in the right place to attack the pins on the large and undulating greens. Like that in a course.

Donald already on twitter talking about offseason work outs. He's played enough.

Should be a lovely day in Sea Island paradise today; lots of compliments from players and pundits alike about Colt's handiwrok, Lairdy, looks beautiful!

Very disappointing to see two fully exempt veteran players (Beckman and Goydos) withdraw after Round 1. If they don't care enough to give it 100% what a shame they started at all and didn't give their place to guys scrambling for their cards.

No point in going through the ramifications of players moneylist positions this morning, so much can change in 18 holes, but Casey for one rescued a horrible start yesterday and can hopefully build on that over the weekend. He needs to!

Meanwhile, they'll be off shortly at the Miami Nationwider and Chopra has woken up long enough to tie for the Round 1 lead. He's nearly 40 and he needs to get back on the PGA Tour or think about doing something else. Greg Owen right on the cut-line and he needs some big improvement as the tournament rolls on.

Should have mentioned that pre-season odds-on choice to be PGA Tour Rookie Of The Year, Jamie Lovemark, is making his first start since withdrawing from Houston's Shell Open in April, dipping his toes into the Nationwide waters on a rehab start.
Expect him to begin 2012 on the PGA Tour with a Major Medical Exemption.

Some bogeys contaminating cards at The McGladrey, perhaps a morning breeze and some heavy overnight rain, is causing wayward shots and punishing them.
Can only see conditions improve as the Round moves on so this is all playing into Webb Simpson's hands.

Need I say this. Oh hell, why not, as it is always true. Great read kwini.

I find your list of players to win multiple times in the smaller events quite intriguing and I am certainly not sure what to make of it. It is not like they are the players who keep finishing runner up in the big events only to be able to win when the really top guy are missing.

It is like the players do not feel like they belong in the big time events despite having the rare talent of being winners?


As for the open back at st Andrews only those not able to follow the logic of money talks would argue against it. As I said on the other thread I would rather see the poor old classics left alone when it comes to pros with prov1’s. Linking to yet another thread, as the pro’s have abandoned the spirit of the game I say send them to another who would not get it. A mr D. Trump.


I seem to remember last year after reading your thread I meant to find a little more info on sea island as it seemed like an interesting development in the beginning. Not sure what the redo has left us with?

Mac, What is not within the spirit of playing a pro-v?

For heavens sake. You have some strange ideas.

Hi Mac, Thanks,
What to make of golfers who earn multiple minor events, but very seldom biggies? Not sure but the bigger the event the less comfortable they appear to be; perhaps Jonathan Byrd is just about to bridge the gap, especially given his Quail Hollow play-off loss, but the rest seldom contend at big events and this note should perhaps be a health warning for would-be investors!

I suggested every six years for TOC, rather than five, thought that might facilitate an experiment or two. Not sure why a fifty mile stretch of coastline in the Liverpool / Blackpool area warrants three Opens in seven years either.

It seems the consensus about the Seaside Course on Sea Island is that the integrity of Colt's original design has largely been retained; certainly a very popular "find" for the Tour pros to include it on their schedule.

Am very conservative when it comes to introducing new courses to traditional events; I don't like the way the USGA seems hell-bent all of a sudden to introduce its landmark events to new, largely unproven, courses, and would much prefer that any expansion of the R&A's Open rota extended to tried and true venues than the latest whim of a fly-by-night speculator.

Kwini

In the same way that historic buildings are given protection I think historic courses should be treated with similar sensitivity. At some point hosting the open or USGA events is going to totally ruin the architecture and heritage of some of the classic courses and we are going to wish we had moved away sooner. If that means bumping the pro's of to erin hills or trumps masterpiece of menie then so be it.

I wonder if looking at ANGC can give us a clue as to how these things play out given the number of events it has held. Does holding a pro major championship a certain number of times inevitably damage a course? ANGC has definitely morphed from all recognition over the years but at what point did it really become critical and was the rate of change consistent over all time periods.

I am not sure the classics will always be able to hold the majors so why not minimize the damage and move away now?

Luke's tweet half an hour ago...

"There was never really a decision to be made, I have a chance of making history. See you all at Disney next week #bringiton"

Surprise!!!

...Perhaps a bit of psychological game there from Luke, I wonder?
Announcing this just before Simpson tee's off in the 2nd round... Interesting to see how he'll play now today and for the rest of the tournament...

Webb's first wobble at the 4th...
Disney people will be very happy anyway...

Hi pd,
I AM surprised! at Luke's decision. I guess I admire him for his ambition but he definitely wants to be rested and healthy for next season; trust that he eliminates a silly season event from his autumn schedule to compensate.


Mac,
The thing I can't reconcile regarding preserving old courses etc, Golf is about the only sport where the playing field expands as the years go by; the genius of other sports is that traditional-sized courts or pitches, scoring systems and, with few exceptions rules remain the same. Regardless of how much more athletic the participant becomes, or how much technological development there is. The Golf Course can't continue to expand, the technology needs to be reined in to compensate for the athletes' advances.
An industrial strength venue will never be the answer; yesterday's monster is today's Cat cat, and that will always be the case until technology is restricted.

Something's caught my eye. William McGirt is 139th as it stands just now on the Money List yet he managed enough points to make the FedEx to play in the Barclays and then enough to progress to the Deutsche. I'm surprised that he is so low down in money list. I was in the thinking that players who made it into the 2nd week of the FedEx would be pretty much assured of their cards but how wrong I was.

kwini, I was thinking, what's Luke's injury history like? I know he had a pretty long wrist problem about 4 years ago, but not sure about other significant problems over the last 10 years...?

He always seems to me to be one of those players for whom playing golf at such high level comes almost 'naturally'. His swing, general pace and appearence around the golf course hardly gives the impression of significant physical or mental stress... I think this is somehow part of his secret for playing so much at such high level... Having said that, I agree, some proper rest is needed every so often...

Good to see Oosty continuing his form recovery, I almost gave up on him up until a month or so ago.

Good for Luke. He may never get to this position again, but he's seizing the moment to be sure.

Kwin - Excellent write up and highly informative as usual.

Here's my POV on the Open Championship venues: I would like to see them bring more courses into the mix. Hard pressed to find any area on the planet that has the overall quality of courses the UK has. Would love to see them venture to NI and Surrey. I don't know about the logistics of the Open Championship, but if they can find a way to hold a US Open at land starved Merion, I suspect they can find a way to hold an Open Championship just about anywhere.

pd,
I think one of the keys with Luke is that he manages his schedule better than almost anyone out there; he never tries to overpower anything and has built up a pretty solid physical core.
He also had the sense to really heal his wrist after it was hurt - even forfeited a WGC MatchPlay contest vs Els that he was almost dormie in, just to protect it. Following week he withdrew from Honda (where he always played well) making sure there was no further damage.
And he also takes an extended break or two every winter.

And talking about someone who won't overwork himself, great to see King Louis high on the leaderboard - agree with you, who'd've thunk it. Perhaps Chubby and Ernie gave him a good bollocking?

Cheers Sr,
I'm fine on staying with links courses, it's a lovely part of the tradition, sets it apart. So that rules out Surrey, even if you've picked out some courses there to play next week in anticipation!!!! I think many good candidates based on golf course aesthetics alone are remote from population centres, a bit like Royal St.Georges for instance! but very unlike Merion.
See your Philly buddy SO'H had a rewarding day . . . . .
Bon voyage, sure there'll be plenty of bistros and taverns to assure you a bon appetit.

Still awaiting publication of the final field for Disney but Simpson is well and truly throwing down the challenge, tied for the McGladrey lead late in Round 2.
If Webbo wins this week, and plays next, it's almost not worth Luke showing up as he wouldn't control his own destiny.
We'll see shortly who's in the field.

OK, Here we go:
Donald and Simpson both entered.
Other "notables":
Davis, Rose, Stenson
HowellIII, Love, Woodland, Goosen
Some refugees from the Champions Tour which shamefully excludes guys fighting for their card.

No Casey, for some mind-blowing reason - almost hope he finishes poorly this week and loses his card, has to go to Q-School. What a berk!

And the other top Americans staying away in droves.

Really don't get what Casey is playing at started to hit some form at a critical time and then doesn't play! He is either hopeful of gaining some form of medical exemption! Overly confident he can rip through Q school or alternatively going full time on the ET on the back of his win earlier this year.

On another note a young man set to gain his card through invites (I'm guessing) who is Bud Cauley looks mighty impressive for someone of shorter stature, great golf swing and powerful young man who seemingly has a good temprament

Cauley hugely impressive, holed some snakes yesterday on top of his great irons. His father much less impressive and at first glance the sort of parent who should be banished from his child's sporting events.

Apropos the discussion regarding medical exemptions, Billy Horschel (reviled on 606 at Walker Cup time I remember) took a medical leave four events into last year's rookie season, was granted a Major Medical Exemption, then went to Q-School in an effort to earn higher status, which he did, trumping his Major Medical!

All paying off now as he's caught fire the past few weeks and now leading in Sea Island.

O'Hern and Reavie are two others to have "graduated" from Major Medical this year.

Action at Anfield and Sea Island commences simultaneously today.
Not sure about Liverpool, but the weather on the "Golden Isles" of Georgia should be glorious today, no hint of morning fog from the met stats, but breezes have been a bit variable and expect the course to become progressively firmer and faster. Scoring perhaps becoming more tricky as the round progresses.

Am guessing that Casey needs at least a top seven finish this weekend to avoid sweaty palms, or a belated entry into the Magic Kingdom, next week.

Also some great action in Yeongam as well kwini.

Back to abandoning classic courses I agree a preferable outcome would be a reining in of the technology but if that does not happen I do not want to see the essence of the classics destroyed. It is a great point you make about other sports not changing the arena the play on, does this highlight that golf as failed to rein in technology compared to other sports?

F1 is an example of another sport that had to change the playing area, but that was to combat the ridiculously low levels of safety they had. I think golf is still quite safe.


Do we know what standing Casey has in the european tour and is he considering a full time switch away from the US?

Difficult to keep trsack of F1 from here when they're in Asia - good pole for Hamilton though?

I'd imagine Casey has full standing in Europe - not much good when he lives in Arizona, but if there are "personal issues" going on perhaps it'd be a good place for him. Could still (presumably) play up to 12 PGA Tour events, which could maybe suit him during a Ryder Cup year - he's c0cked up his schedule a couple of times in the past; maybe he'd figure he'd take no chances this year?
Anyway, a top finish this week would doubtless solve a lot of problems, not to mention deflect scrutiny.

Lots of first half sparring at LFC, time for the bout to really get underway.

Now Casey has withdrawn. What's going on here??!!??

Casey has full exemption on the ET thanks to his recent victory during the Desert swing. So would imagine he'd maybe schedule around that full time rather than Q school but I'm just saying that as its what I'd do. Would have thought he might go for the late entry to Disney perhaps!

If the personal issues are true then maybe a year back in europe would do him good give himself a crack at winning RTD maybe

kwinigolfer wrote:Now Casey has withdrawn. What's going on here??!!??

Has he now! I wonder if we'll hear injury reasons given for his withdrawal and then maybe a subsequent application for medical exemption! Or am I just being cynical!

It's obviously an English disease. Davis also withdrawn.
No news yet on what they put on their sicknotes.

Meanwhile, not at all happy to see the Tour's biggest beer belly, belonging to Chris (I look as if I spend all my time on the) Couch move in to the top ten.

Sad to hear of Adam Hunter's death... RIP

"Stomach bug" alleged by Casey, not the Couch kind apparently. Perhaps he had some dodgy grits last night?
And Davis has a pain in his neck.

Meanwhile, the Southern boys (with Horschel, Thompson and Simpson comprising the top 3) are playing well again this morning, with Teater CHIII and Byrd all at four under for their rounds so far.

pd,
Ironic that Adam Hunter's only personal win was in Portugal . . . .

Didn't realise that kwini, ironic indeed...

pd,
It was one of McLaren's wiki entries.

Webb Simpson's Round 3 gets underway as he is tied for second right now, behind Horschel. That would earn him $352K which means Luke Donald would need to earn $282K MORE than Simpson next week.

The exact numbers will change, of course, but Luke is essentially pinning his hopes on a top two finish with Simpson out with the washing at the foot of the leaderboard.

Every indication that Donald and Simpson will be paired together for Rounds 1 and 2 next week, perhaps with defending champ Garrigus.

What a round from Trevor Immelman - 62. Final five holes:
Birdie, Eagle, then 3 more Birdies.

Finally fit after years of ill-health and injuries, he's certainly due back at the top level. Is this the week for the breakthrough?

Lots of Touring Pros are terrific to watch, but you won't find anyone better for the pure strike than Immelman.

Luke Donald's Number One Money watch:
Simpson is now T3 and on track to earn $232K if he maintains that position. That would mean Luke would need to earn $154K more than Webbo to keep his Number One spot.

If the trend of scores getting slightly higher as the day wears on continues, some middle-of-the-pack guys could challenge the top four, so Luke might be closer than one would think - but Simpson hit the ball really well, struggled just a touch on the greens. All for him to play for.

Three from Player's 2007 Presidents Cup team in the top fifteen, plus an Open Champion, so it's not all about Young Americans.