PGA Tour: Farmers without a Tiger: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Nice work by Mark Wilson in the California Desert last week, coming in under the radar, appropriately so as he hadn't enjoyed a Tour Top Ten finish for seven months. But now, with his third win in just over a year, he's being talked about as a Ryder Cup candidate. All five of Wilson's wins have come in the first three months of the year, so whether he's to be a viable option for Medinah remains to be seen.

2).And let's not forget the runners up:
~Montford Wagner with his third top ten finish in three weeks, matching his total from 2010 and 2011 combined.

~Robert Garrigus, with his best tournament since Congressional's US Open, better known in the past for his mini-putter, now just another anonymous pro with a broomstick; and:

~John Mallinger, whose 2010 form was so grisly that he retrieved his card with a succession of good Nationwide finishes last year. I don't know much about Mallinger beyond his 2 x 3rd place finishes at Pebble Beach a few years ago, but the only time I watched him play he just about emptied his bag following his round, handing out balls etc to young fans, shaking hands with older well-wishers, as he made his way to the scorers tent. You don't see that every day and this was in stark contrast to one of his playing partners who avoided post-round handshakes entirely, volunteers and the other pros in his group included. So good luck Mr.Mallinger.

3).By all accounts the revived tournament in the desert was a great success, thanks to a revised format, better courses, and the support of Humana, the Clinton Foundation, and the Pros with a much stronger field than the beleaguered "Hope" of recent years. Thumbs up to the PGA Tour!

4).Another multi-course event this week as the Tour travels 140 miles south-ish to San Diego and the cliff-top courses at Torrey Pines for the "Farmers Insurance Open". More "International" players come out of the woodwork every week, and Cabrera, Els, Ogilvy, Justin Rose and Yang make their seasonal debuts. The field is loaded with American bombers, the latter-day Lancasters and Liberators including Bradley, Johnson, Mickelson, Watney, Watson and Woodland. Fowler, Haas and Mahan will be there too.

5).Then there's JB Holmes who returns after seven months out following brain surgery. As we noted in last week's comments, we wish him good health and more speed, a go-faster chip perhaps having been implanted.

6).But no Tiger Woods as he performs on the European circus in Abu Dhabi. Easy to question his lack of loyalty to tournaments that have offered him so much (which has been richly reciprocated in this case), but Tiger will never be one for sentiment and we shouldn't expect any from someone for whom the bottom line will always be the bottom line.

7).Phil's playing and, after his somewhat cavalier "effort" last week, perhaps he'll get down to business by the sea, albeit on the Rees Jones makeover that he professes to despise so much. Phil will play next week in Phoenix, then Pebble Beach and Riviera making that five in a row. But he's taking a family vacation the following week and will be a no-show at the WGC MatchPlay. So the field will extend at least to 65th place on the owgr placings.

8).I mentioned a couple of weeks ago the Tour Players ranking of the courses they play, and the full results are published now in GolfWorld - Torrey Pines gets short shrift, with the (US Open venue) South Course placing 31st (of 52) and the North Course (one round only) languishing at 48th. But sunny skies are forecast and we'll doubtless be treated to golf almost as spectacular as the Pacific views.

9).Good to see Justin Rose back in the field following the new addition to his family; when his first child was born Rose's schedule went haywire and his form downhill, and he'll need to have learned from that if he's to make a successful challenge for a Ryder Cup place.

10).Still no cut this year for Russell Knox despite some good individual rounds. But he can take heart from Surrey native Gary Christian who broke through in grand style last week making almost $100K.
The season's start always seems to take a while to get into gear, but interest is piqued this week in Abu Dhabi and San Diego. Let's hope the golf matches the hype.

Is it me or should Kyle Stanley be playing on the LPGA Tour? What's with the lining up by the caddie? I've seen him hit two shots, one from the tee and another from the cabbage and both times his caddie was behind checking alignment.

Will never understand why the rules allow caddies to line players up like that. It is fair enough for amms on courses they have never played but for the pro's it is ridiculous and just adds to the slow play which cripples pro golf.


How about bill Haas though, they guy seems to play a wonder chip/pitch every round.

One surprise in the bag already today, to me at any rate.
And it would surely be another turn up if Stanley Kyle slipped up in San Diego - no Steve Stricker to produce a miracle final hole to have victory snatched from him.
They'll be off in half an hour, again under clear skies with a hint of breeziness.
Lots to play for obviously; strange to see big names slide backwards Saturday, Mahan, Sneds, Bradley, Watney just to name four that CBS would love to hail as the next American star.

Probably an American win, though Bae and Blixt might have something to say about that. Would think a 67 would earn Justin Rose a promising Top Ten.

Birdie at the first for Stanley, no-one really making any significant move forward, nothing better than -2 on the course as early starters make the turn.

That was an impressive birdie start for Stanley, the guy looks pretty good. As you say, hard to see anyone really threatening, which means it's all in his hands at the moment... I was hoping to see more from Els this week, he's getting nothing out of it at the moment and his ticket for Match Play is not safe by any means. Very good showing from Rose, considering he came here straight (I guess) from nappy changing duties...

Well, Ernie heard that and responded very quickly with a birdie, now reaching owgr points territory. More of that is needed...
Another birdie from Stanley...

Faldo was saying Rose has been attended to by three nurses this week. Not in our friend "Maverick"'s way, but due to some intestinal turbulence. Two IV's working Wednesday, which makes his performance this week pretty strong.

Still nothing better than -3 on the course . . . .

Among disappearing golfers, Stewart Cink is doing his best to get some attention, currently 15th.

Speaking of whom, for those of you interested but not aware as yet, our friend has announced some news...

Wish you and your family well for the move Stateside, if you happen to be reading.

Sky,
What's our friend's news?
Is he invading my space?
With his family?
And his nurses?

Hell yeah, get in there Sneds. Good to see a fantasy pick make a move. Not that he or anyone else will catch Stanley.

So what is stanley's story so far as a golf pro kwini?

I remember Mav reckoned he was turning pro before he left, maybe that happened for him.

Last year was pretty much his first year on Tour after a very successful college career - think he played Nationwide in 2010 but "Graduated" to PGA Tour via 2010 Q-School. Under Finchem's daft new rules, he'd've had to undrgo another Nationwide year.

I saw him about three years ago in Hartford wheree he played well - looks like he's done a physical makeover since then. Financial makeover this week. Masters for him, Majorca for Rock. Doesn't seem quite right.

He says he and his family have made the decision to move to the US (probably somewhere in California but not yet decided), since nearly all of his work is now done out there. Hopefully also better lifestyle for the children, plus the possibility that Mavette could play golf through school and college.

Er... I don't know about the nurses though I'm afraid...

Kwini

Thanks, knew you would have the low down.

I hope rock makes it into the masters, surely he would only need one or two more decent finishes?

Skydriver wrote:He says he and his family have made the decision to move to the US (probably somewhere in California but not yet decided), since nearly all of his work is now done out there. Hopefully also better lifestyle for the children, plus the possibility that Mavette could play golf through school and college.

Er... I don't know about the nurses though I'm afraid...

Has he considered that unless he meets some very exacting criteria such as being exceptional in your field and already having a job offer a visa is almost impossible to come by. I looked into it as something to do for a year and it was a non starter.

Mac,
He's been travelling there for his business (I think) for quite a while; perhaps he's already got a working via sussed out?

Best thing for Rock, quite apart from the fact he's obviously in cracking form, is that he's sure to make the MatchPlay and a win or two there would really help. Plus, he earned some great coverage over here for/despite his visa exploits for Congressional so perhaps he'll get some Florida invites.

Come on Sneds!

Told you it was tough to get a visa. I had forgotten about Rocks troubles, did they not also involve a pricey cab journey?

Only three shots in it now? Can anything happen?

All this CBS military stuff is making me reach for the mute button. Bloody Hell. Not one of these guys doesn't get well paid, not one doesn't get a good pension, not one didn't volunteer.
Perhaps they'll fulfil Mav's fantasies and have nurse appreciation day next week?

Great putt there from Stanley but he's definitely wobbling. But three shots is a lot to make up.

Mac: Rock hired a cab from JFK to Congressional if I remember rightly.

He gave a super interview on the Golf Channel.

Kwini

I heard the Olympic opening ceremony will be a parade of nurses.

holy crap what happened!!!!!?

Ridiculous, Stanley laid up and made snowman, whereas he should have gone for his second shot, worse he could have made was SIX!

Will those nurses wave plastic American flags made in China?

Stunning (I hate that word when the BBC use it in every article and report), stunning turn of events.
Snedeker's shot would have been halfway to Japan if it hadn't hit the TV tower, Kyle Stanley needs to review his caddie arrangement.
At least Sneds was in my yahoo team.

Well thats gonna do my fantasy team some good. Not since Jean Van de Velde have we seen such a terrible 72nd hole.

I missed his 8 but I am guessing he also three putted as well as dunking it in the water?

It was amazin how sneds just placed his ball after the drops and after one practice swing just hit it to five/six feet.

I'm not quite sure where Stanley's 5th shot ended up, either the back of the green or short fringe I think. Regardless, the putt he missed for a Championship-winning 7 was less than 4 ft.
Sneds can take his time planning his shot but he steps up to the ball and goes. Great to follow because of that.

Strongly expect Snedeker to enjoy a more conventional win later this year.

That was some way to blow a tournament. He must have wondered who he'd annoyed as his karma spun around in the space of half an hour.

I was talking to friends yesterday about how the pros get some really good breaks with the grandstands and other bits furniture then saw even more yesterday. G-Mac coming back off the stand to 6ft when he would have been 40 yards past the green or OOB then Snedeker would have been in the hazard/unplayable and almost certainly lost. Rory had a massive hook on the 18th on Friday or Saturday and got a drop near the green when he would have had a nine iron to get back otherwise.

Really felt for Stanley, it wasn't like he hit a particularly poor shot it was more the choice of shots. I appreciate that the choice is as much a part as making it but he must feel pretty hard done by. It was nice to see that David Feherty didn't spend long interviewing afterwards rather than waiting for the man to burst into tears.

[quote="twoeightnine")]

I was talking to friends yesterday about how the pros get some really good breaks with the grandstands and other bits furniture then saw even more yesterday.[/quote]
Actually I think that was what Van de Velde was speculating in in 1999. He gave it an extra iron to be sure to avoid the creek. And he knew he'd get a free drop from the grandstands should it be long. Unfortunately he got an unlucky bounce off the stands and back into the creek. At least that's how I remember it?

Snedeker's eyes are unfeasibly close together.

Damn, just when you thought it could not get worse for stanley;

McLaren wrote:Damn, just when you thought it could not get worse for stanley;

cruel, but funny

I hope they had a spare cheque for Sneds... Otherwise you could imagine the tournament organisers: "Hey Sneds, don't worry, we'll just wire you the money next week when we've reviewed the terms. Trust us, we are an insurance company."

Great tweet from Elkington:

https://twitter.com/#!/elkpga/status/164384428183920640/photo/1

Elk is a great cartoonist - very funny!

I recall watching this unfold on Sky,................. when walking up the 18th after Stanleys's second shot his Caddy giving an impromptu, premature victory 'thank you to my family' speech to the media walking alongside. What a complete Prat, I thought at the time. I really felt for Kyle Stanley and he deserved to win. It's one of the few times I've actually agreed with Faldo's comments (interestingly, he stated about 5 holes earlier) wait until you've got a shedful of puts on the 18th before either you, or for that matter (my comment) your stupid Caddy consider celebrating a win"

Fortunately, Yads, Stanley has more of a shedload of talent than putts to spare. Bouncing back nicely this week and wouldn't be in the least surprised to see him win. If not this week, very soon.

Caddy's won plenty of times, you'd think he'd know better . . . .

(Hope you join the mini Fantasy game I'm running for the WGC's and Majors . . . . )

Yes Kwini, I too would love to see him win, for he seems to have a really good attitude and I found the way he dealt with the disappointment deserves respect. His Caddy should have known better....plonker! I remember Sheff Weds being 2-0 up on Everton in the 1966 FA Cup final, similarly, I should have kept my big orifice shut until the final whistle........so I know the feeling.

I don't get too many chances to post at the moment, for I'm extremely busy workwise. This should ease off in the next few weeks so I would be delighted to join what I'm sure will be an excellent (cos you're running it) mini Fantasy game.

Yads,
You remind me of a name we don't hear very often, Mike Trebilcock; watched him quite a bit for Pompey, different player within 15 yds of goal than the other 85.
Guy by the same name up for murder just down the road from here. Must be from Cornwall!