PGA Tour: Phoenix Open: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).A recent post on here asked for "Players to watch" for 2012 and Number One on my list was Kyle Stanley. Was feeling pretty smug about that for, what?, 71 1/2 holes, only to see it all unravel. Why oh why didn't Stanley, the second longest driver of the week, go for it with his second shot, just 236 yards to go? He couldn't have made anything much worse than 6 even if he'd've blown his shot into the grandstands. Next time he'd be daft not to do exactly that.
But don't overlook the excellence of his week:
Driving distance: 2nd (39th of 73 in accuracy)
Greens in reg.: 3rd
Putts per gir: 1st
With performances like that, it's just a matter of time for Stanley Kyle, just turned 24.

2).And then Brandt Snedeker compounded Stanley's misery by airmailing the second play-off green and hitting a TV tower instead of the Pacific. When it's your day, it's your day. I like Snedeker, though, very fun to watch and certainly the type of player one would expect to win a Major.

3).Sneds is just back from hip surgery and slowly the golfing wounded are returning to action: JB Holmes last week, Arron Oberholser Thursday, and Mike Weir due to play at Pebble Beach.
Still waiting to hear updated medical bulletins on Casey and Jacobson (will they be back for the MatchPlay?) and Tim Clark, and waiting for the steadily improving (in form and fitness) Trevor Immelman to reach contention again on a regular basis.

4).Before leaving the Emergency Room, it was disclosed after Mickelson's missed cut that his daughter had been taken ill, suffering "a seizure" before his Thursday 77. Not surprising he was "unable to focus".
Meanwhile Justin Rose spent last Wednesday with two IV's and three nurses. Nice work if you can get it, but credit to him for making the cut, 33rd overall and a promising start to the season.

5).Ernie Els's putter should also be in the E.R.; Big Ernie eased himself towards the top of the week's total driving stat's, was 12th in greens hit, but last in both putting categories, averaging 1.9 putts per gir and 32 putts per round. None of which will help him in his race to reach the top fifty to qualify him for the WGC Cadillac and then The Masters and US Open, none of which he's qualified for.

6).Els, currently 59th in the world rankings, would be unlucky to miss out on the WGC MatchPlay but his blog hints at the arithmetic torture he must be going through trying to determine his schedule to ensure the optimum route back to the Top 50. He's not in this week's Phoenix field but has yet to determine whether he'll enter the Pebble Beach lottery - he might possibly be better off not playing rather than risk a bad finish. One would think he'll then play Riviera regardless. Others just either side of the owgr top 65 necessary to qualify for the MatchPlay include Ryan Moore (61st), Allenby (62nd), Howell III (63rd), Luiten (64th), Sabbatini (65th), Noren (67th), O'Hair (68th), Vijay Singh (69th) and Phoenix specialist Kevin Na, 72nd.

7).This week's tournament, the lyrically named "Waste Management Phoenix Open" (supposed to be the "green" tournament but sounds like anything but) is the second of four desert tournaments on the PGA Tour. Reading the GolfWorld list of courses the Tour plays, I was struck by the low esteem with which desert golf is held by touring pros; none of the 11 desert courses rated were in the top 25; the TPC Scottsdale, this week's venue was rated 28th - almost high praise: " . . . players don't go crazy for the place because it's 'desert golf'" a common theme. Never played desert golf myself so found these commentaries interesting.

8).The dictionary definition of "disingenuous" has been revised to include a picture of Hunter Mahan. His IQ deficiency shows up again as he tries to explain his failure to return to Phoenix, site of the second of his three Tour wins (2010), by declaring he's playing Qatar instead this week because "there's a lot of world ranking points right now".
Unfortunately he didn't consult 606v2 expert "princedracula" first as he would have been informed that this week's Phoenix event is offering more ranking points than his destination of Qatar. I love the fact that his sponsors (Ping, based in Phoenix) and the Phoenix Open itself found out about Mahan's 17,000 mile slash and moneygrab odyssey from the press, not the man himself.

9).So, Mahan's wisps of facial hair might be awol but there's a decent field at Phoenix regardless. Not many Europeans though. Martin Laird (3rd in 2011 and close to home) will be there and Ian Poulter escapes nappy changing duty as he appears for his seasonal debut. Brian Davis completes the GB&I contingent, and only Blixt and Pettersson of the continentals tee it up.

10).There will be a heavy dose of centennial remembrances this year of three American golfing greats, Hogan, Nelson and Snead, all born within 6 months of each other in 1912. What's most amazing to me is that Hogan and Nelson grew up caddying together as teenagers in Fort Worth.
I hope there will be a footnote to such articles about a Spaniard, an Englishman and a German, all born within less than five months of each other in 1957. The Europeans are some way behind the Americans in Majors won (21 / 13) but have surely had just as big an impact on the world of golf?

We had this carry on with frost etc last year here didnt we?

Agree on that kwini, Webb does seem to have a well-rounded game... And I just realised that I DO remember something after watching him play... it's how much he chats with his caddy!

Lairdy, I remember we had something like this in Arizona last year, can't remember if it was here or at the Match Play (or both)?

I think cold mornings are an inherent problem in the Arizona desert this time of year. Remember Kaymer's natty little scarf/doobry last year?
Graham Marsh won a Senior Tournament in Arizona in March that was reduced due to snow!

But, fear not, the boys are at it now.

pd, Simpson's caddie is Paul Tesori, long-time caddie of Vijay.

Another week off for Brian Davis, this is becoming a

Cut likely to be at -1, and Poulter's on the number with two toughies to play; meanwhile Bernard Levin's grandson Spencer is building nicely on last week's 62. He couldn't maintain that pace in San Diego; will he finally break through?
Jonathan Byrd and Cabrera among the early finishers who'll miss out.

Good work by Poulter, and his 69 should ensure he makes the cut on a course one might expect him to play well on.
Early bird from Martin Laird, but he'll need to shoot in the 60's to make sure he gets paid, on a course he's already played well on.

Spencer Levin ruining many yahoo fantasy scores, unless of course you picked him!
And Anthony Kim missing another cut - terrible run of form he's in after showing signs of life last autumn.

Even the pros do it, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Sweden's Jonas Blixt comes to the 18th needing birdie to make the cut, par to give himself a chance if others' scores go his way, bogey to likely hit the road.
Stripes his second shot to 7ft . . . . . and 3-putts. Grisly stuff from a young man we'll be hearing a lot more from. And in a positive way.

ouch, I take it he knocked the first one well past?

What with Stanley last week the new breed have me wondering if they are vut out for the pressures of tour.

I think the new breed just need time to bed in.

What's with Jarrod Lyle is he competing for the fattest man on tour award! Looks like a pie makers fantasy, but he does seem to play well here. Sure he had a good year here last time out.

Rickie Fowler I really like am looking forward to following his year. I like his style very good for a young guy and Puma making some lovely golfing items. Have to mention I also like his swing very unique not sure how that will last long term but good to see a play without the cureent robotic actions. One note though what's with his Face Fur! Is he trying to emulate Johnson Wagners pornstar look or Hunter Mahans bumfluff boy band face fur.


Not a fan of Dustins constant spitting very american and in bad taste

Fader,
You wouldn't wish Jarrod Lyle's health history on anyone, none of it weight-related as far as I know; whether chemo and other toxins have affected his metabolism I wouldn't know. And he's a very funny man. Really!

Mac,
These guys are good! Plenty of the young ones won last year and every chance they'll repeat the trick in 2012.

First full-field Champo Tour event next week in Florida - and Langer is the only European in the field. Sign of the times.

But Padraig Harrington kicks his year off at Pebble Beach. Poulter, Knox, Laird, Christian, Davis also in attendance. Plus Greg Owen who enjoyed two very good eforts there a few years ago.

No Freddie Jac which must throw his participation in the WGC MatchPlay into some doubt.

Just checkin in now Kwini, like your #10. Hogan is one of my fav's. Didnt realise Kyle Stanleys stats were that good... Enjoyin watchin some live golf tonight.. whats with dj tho, surely a pro golfer can hit it both ways on demand like a pro footballer should be two footed?!?

Great shot from Fowler, he looks like Charlie Chan tho.... daft mustash

Kwin - Opted to play instead of go to the event. Good call as we were paired up with a couple of Brits - One from Bristol, the other from Guilford (sp?). Really good guys with games as rusty as mine. Event, I was told, was mobbed. I'll have to check attendance, but it may be the biggest crowds for any tour event all year.

O'Hair will need some magic to stay the weekend.

Philo shows em how its done...

'Evening All,
B_t_B,
Great to hear from you! You're right, some of the guys with hybrid ancestry seem to struggle on the upper lip. No excuse for Mahan though.

I think you'd enjoy Bristol and Guildford, Shotrock. Sorry we're not getting the eye-witness account from Scottsdale though. Hear they've been playing at Hidden Valley through much of January - and February if they're getting the same weather we are. See Wayno's playing on the Champo's next week - wouldn't have been surprised to learn he'd lost his exemption.
And: Don't give up on SO'H, still some birdie-able holes left for him.

Kwin - Amazing just how quickly it gets cold here when the sun goes down. Sean with chance, 17 is a birdie hole, so here's hoping he doesn't go Rickie Folwer on it.

Simpson looks like a 10 handicapper with his quick and seemingly sloppy transition (especially on those chips), but the numbers don't lie. He's been getting it done.

Very sympathetic about the cold Shotrock, sounds awful!

Likelihood of another delay this morning, but play is due to start at 7.30 a.m. local time (2.30 p.m. GMT) with 34 golfers, minus inevitable withdrawals, coming back to conclude second round business. Including local resident Martin Laird who has a 9 foot putt on his 18th hole to determine whether or not he makes the cut!

Then one imagines Round 3 will get going in 3-somes off both tees about 9.30-ish local, or later if frost holds things up.

Worth getting up crack o'sparrows for Martin Laird, holes his 9-footer and now hangs around for some butties and awaiting his tee time. Or perhaps he'll go home for a bit of a zizz.

Expect Round 3 to get moving in about a couple of hours.

Is there an advantage when players who are certain to miss the cut decide to withdraw with a hole or two left in the second round? I see Vijay, Cink, and four others have done so here.

Hi Leff,
I'm sure that the four who withdrew following close of play last night did so because they weren't going to make the cut and didn't want to hang around unnecessarily just to go through the motions in the morning.

The players missed the cut and that sort of withdrawal does nothing to mitigate that.

Round 3 well underway now, no-one making a real move.

Poulter off at 11.00 a.m. local time, Laird goes at 11.40 a.m.

Leaderboard choc-a-bloc with Americans - what's that all about?!

Lots of promising rounds in progress but no-one challenging Levin who's already snaffled two birdies. Poulter and Laird playing so-so at the back of the field and that must be disappointing to both of them on a course that suits them.

Loads of nice stories being told about Kyle Stanley - will try to remember a couple for next week!

Thanks, Kwini. I didn't realise those were last night's unfinished rounds.

I went to watch last week's PGA on Sat and Sun. There was that Jean Van de Velde story repetition providing added entertainment.

Leff,
You PA guys are just too bi-coastal for me.
Unlike M.VdV, I think Mr.Stanley will be having a lot more wins than heartbreaks.

Phil going nicely today but no-one's going to catch Levin unless he throws in a few stinkers.

Poluter and Laird just along for the ride, for this week at any rate.

Haven't mentioned it before, but JB Holmes must take great heart from making the cut here in his second tournament back from having his brain fiddled about with . . . . .

PA for Pennsylvania? I live in So. Cal and Fisher Island, Fla.

Phoenix Waste is not quite interesting now with no apparent challengers for Levin.

Oops, I thought you were in the Philly area as well as California

Hope you get to the Lauderdale and Miami events and pass on your reports!

Kyle Stanley pops another in the water, his course management appears to be the issue making wrong choices.

Spencer pops one in the pond to. I wonder is the key now his hot headed temper being kept in check...

Ben Crane and Bubba reliving the golf boys on 16th.

Almost feels as if Faldo and Baker Finch are willing Levin to blow up.
Not sure that's good journalism, or whatever it is that they think that they do.
Hope Levin wins going away . . . . .

don't have a huge amount of time for Levin, but you don't want to see young guys blow a first win two weeks running. Besides, Webb and Bubba are closest and I don't have much time for them either...

Finchem will love it if Levin chain-smokes his way to victory circle - great to hear that Levin and Jonathan Kaye are best buddies, birds of a feather methinks!

173,210 in attendance yesterday, the largest crowd in the history of the tournament. Coupled with TV revenue, that's a powerful punch. Finchem's smiling from ear-to-ear Kwin, I don't think he cares if Bozo the Clown wins with numbers like that.

I would be stunned if Levin didn't walk away with this thing. Still, hats off to Simpson, who's rising to second best. Nice stuff.

Bozo the Clown gets lots of attention on here . . . .

First tee-times at 8.45 a.m. local, in threesomes off both tees trying to fulfil two goals:
~Mitigate impact of any frost delay.
~Finish before the Super Bowl starts.

Should be another lovely day, a bit breezy perhaps, and it will be fascinating to see if anyone makes a run at Spence . . . .

Martin Laird needs to start being concerned at holding on to his position of leading Scottish golfer after today's events . . . . .

Anyone see the caddie race on 16?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SORwFx0FTA

Phew! And I'm not talking about the caddie race.

So, is Ben Crane the one to challenge Levin? Three under after three, but scores are pretty sporty early on and would expect there to be a low sixty-something or two out there. Shoot a 69, Spencer, and no-one will catch you.

Kyle Stanley second two weeks running?

Spencer's pips are squeaking. Still hope he pulls this out, a view clearly not held by the CBS crew . . . .

Leaderboard full of Americans - no "Internationals" in the top 15.

You talking about the greatest comeback since, well ok, maybe sneds last week?

Just turned on the golf and amazed to see it is actually a competition and not Levin sprinting further away. Can anyone help to explain when I turned sky on last night had just 55 mins on and also very early finishing at sometging like 6.55pm. Do they have some kind of contract dispute with the golf channel or others.It was replaced with Spanish football.
It seems of late the US has much more exciting finishes.

Noel - they had moved the golf to the red button for the remainder of the coverage.

Sure sky do this occasionally just so those on cable realise they arent getting the full coverage available.

Sandy, I looked for the red button thinking that may be the case and it wasn't there. Maybe I was temporarily cut off but able to watch it tonight. Even the missus said last night "don't you usually watch boring golf on a Saturday". Wonder if just me ,not on the comment from missus as that will be the majority of us, but whether others found they couldn't access the coverage.

The positions of hunter and prey seem to be changing by the minute. Now Stanley playing defensively.
To me, the winner is simple as ABC: Anyone But Crane.

Noel, my red button to had issues, though I did manage to get coverage from 10pm.

Happy to see Levin having a tough time, I really don't like his tantrums and would love to see Kyle Stanley win after last week.

Oh dear now that was a bounce off the cart path he didn't want.

Wow. Just another hot golfer, or someone to contend with for years to come? Hats off to Kyle Stanley for even getting back into this position. Rory-like, but hardly the US Open.

Not a memorable course but this is one US event that' s very well promoted and supported. Other than the Open does any other European event come close to this attendance?

Well, Kyle Stanley finished it off, good for him. Plenty of luck and good judgement this week of the kind that deserted him in San Diego.

"Any other European event come close to this attendance?"

I'll get shot down here, but I'd say not in a million years. On the other hand, I'd say European events are organised more like golf tournaments than a kind of sporting Animal House.

Perhaps there's a place for a little bit of both, but many Tour pros stay away from Phoenix, just as much as some don't care for more formal atmospheres. Even past champions often don't come back.

Not too bad for SO'H . . . .

kwini/shotrock

are you watching the superbowl action?

It's on . . . . . . . !

Mac,
Great strike today by JM. Great save by DdG.

kwinigolfer wrote:
I think Mr.Stanley will be having a lot more wins than heartbreaks.

Didn't take long for your prediction to come true, Kwini.

I think Mr.Levin will be having a lot more wins than heartbreaks. Just not as soon!!

Yes ... Go Giants! (More an Eagles fan, but still happy to see an NFC team take down anything in or around "Sawx Nation")

Shotrock wrote:Yes ... Go Giants! (More an Eagles fan, but still happy to see an NFC team take down anything in or around "Sawx Nation")

Hoping for a giants win, but that safety Flip my Super Bowl box score

My husband has always been a big Giants fan but is too nervous to actually watch the game. He decided he'd rather watch an episode of Midsomer Murders that we have on DVD ! Best thing about superbowl for me is that everyone seemed to head out early for football parties so we had Bethpage pretty much to ourselves.

Bills fan here, still haven't forgiven the Giants for hijacking Thurman Thomas's MVP award twenty odd years ago.

This part of the world evenly divided between NYY and Red Sox, Pats and Giants.