PGA Tour: The Cadillac Ranch and Puerto Rico: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Last week's Ballwasher Notes: "Rory? Tiger? Top Twenty? Maybe."

Yes, well, Rory would be knackered from the MatchPlay, just playing "Honda" as a fill-in to fit in his 15 events.
And Tiger only entered because PGA National was only a two bob return bus ride from his mansion in Jupiter.
Europeans resident in Europe have a tough time on Bermuda.
Woods is less favoured by par-70 courses than par-72's.

They showed in no uncertain fashion why they're there, and I'm here.
Can't imagine I've ever been happier to have been proved wrong.

2).Fabulous week by Rory - he and Tiger attracted bumper crowds and a TV audience 78% up on last year. What looked as if it could have become a walk in the park for Rory became more complicated Roar by Roar. He had told the media why he was a more consistent player, why he was better able to withstand pressure: he'd learned how to eliminate the horror shot and was more consistent on the greens. That was exactly the recipe on Sunday and he certainly put it to the test. And passed with flying colours.

3).And what about Tiger? With his career best final round of 62?? I'd often cited Tiger's 200+ yards iron from a bunker over water to a shallow Glen Abbey green in 2000 as the best shot I'd ever seen him hit under pressure. Interesting that he compared his 72nd hole iron at PGA National to that. Bitter pill perhaps that it didn't reward him with the "w" that he snatched from Grant Waite in Canada. Difficult to believe he won't be back for more though at Doral this week, a course one would imagine would suit him better than PGA National.

4).Lots of other items worth noting:
~Lee Westwood's final round 63. (Totally eclipsed twenty minutes later.)
~The performances of the stars in the field, the owgr cream of McIlroy, Westwood, Schwartzel, McDowell, Bradley, Woods and Rose rising to the top.
~Anthony Kim leading the field in birdies yet finishing 42nd.
~A number of fading stars making the weekend: Overton (18th), Appleby (21st), Els (21st), Stenson (21st), Love (21st), etc, etc. Would be good to see each of them return to their best.
~Coming out party for Harris English. Disappointing Sunday for him, but he'll be back.

5).Tiger had a poor week with the press, unwittingly giving Hank Haney publicity by behaving churlishly towards Miceli when asked innocuous questions at his press conference, and then being somewhat less than effusive about Rory's success, both in anticipation and in the aftermath.
In reflecting on this in the light of the expectations being heaped on McIlroy, that frosty barrier between Woods and his public could quite easily be the firewall that protects him and sustains his playing excellence. How will Rory deal with such the expectations, the voyeurism into his private life?
Maybe Tiger had the answer all along.
But it was refreshing to see him signing autographs while he waited for his bus on Sunday evening.

6).And so down the Florida Turnpike, to Miami and Dick Wilson's Doral Blue Monster design, though Mr.Wilson would likely not recognize his work now. It's gone through tweaks and redesigns every few years since the 80's, and now it's under new ownership as Donald Trump has snapped up the resort for a cool $150M. To quote GolfWorld: A "total, complete renovation" will commence in a year's time, following the 2013 "Cadillac", when highly regarded architect Gil Hanse is due to get his hands on it. The course will be lengthened to 7,600 yds, "remaking all the greens and building six or seven new holes," though the famous 18th is expected to be left unchanged.

7).If that doesn't Trump this week's entertainment, the "opposite field" Puerto Rico Open will be played at Trump International Golf Club. Poor field but $630K to the winner and we'll keep track of the European interest.

8).Sorry to see the news from Augusta National this afternoon that Ishikawa, not playing well enough to qualify so far, will receive his second invitation to April's Masters. "Ishikawa will help increase interest in Japan and throughout Asia," said Billy Payne.
Yes, quite, and such corporate expediency offers fodder for those critics who complain annually that The Masters does not deserve to be labelled a Major.
Don't necessarily agree with that, but there are many golfers from other countries who are far more deserving than Ryo, let alone those who have given far more to the game.

9).Good to see Paul Casey back for this week's WGC "Cadillac Championship" and, at the time of writing, all 74 qualifiers are expected to play, sniffles, pneumonia and new baby permitting. No comment on the chances of McIlroy or Woods.

10).Personal note to end with as the designer of my favourite golf course died last month. Geoffrey Cornish was born in Winnipeg 97 years ago and learnt architecture from Canada's great Stanley Thompson. Cornish not only designed dozens of courses, primarily in Eastern Canada and the North-Eastern States of the US, but co-wrote with Ron Whitten "The Golf Course", one of the seminal works on gca.
As Whitten's remembrance puts it, Cornish "was a great golf course architect because he was more interested in spreading the game than in making a name for himself". Not good for the Doak Scale perhaps, but millions of golfers within 500 miles of this keyboard have reason to be grateful to Geoffrey Cornish.

Fader, the problem I have with religion/faith is that it seems like the acceptable face of madness and weak minded/willed
If I were to say after a round of golf that the little green men from Mars were with me all the way round, then I'd be seen as a nutjob, but because it's "god" it's deemed acceptable.

The worst are the crackpots who believe in creationism and that the earth is 6000 years old, despite plenty proof it's billions of years old.

Just a word about the Puerto Rico Open:
Brian Davis lies in a tie for 5th after five Round 2 holes, Gary Christian 64th, Russell Knox 91st and struggling.

European Tour members Curtis and Hamilton are tied for 3rd!

Totally agree SR and thats the point I was making which mac clearly missed and by posting link to mathematical theories seems even more pointless as the madness or belief of man can't be explained by science. Also why I say if people have those beliefs then they should be kept personal and within the circles they are appropriate to not thrown in anyones face as we see on the PGA Tour of late.

Scientologists, and all the modern cultist are complete nut cases. Problem is explain to a Christian that the bible was written by a group of men 300 years after the death of christ and they still cling to the fact its the word of god. Hence why such debates are pointless but good to see some people tie themselves in knots to prove e.g Mac and his equations or a bible thumper quoting scripture.

Anyway we are taking over Kwini's superb thread, back to the golf, I find Doral a little bland and hope to see many changes now Trumps boys are working on it

Fader

The point you missed is that modern physics can explain all but the first few billionths of a second of the creation of the universe. Explain to me where a god fits into that?

Religion has and always will be nothing more than a political tool used to control those with too malleable a mind.

Get well soon Jarrod Lyle , hope he can get over it again

Fader you'll find that Mac attempts to win arguments using Google/Wiki as his reasoning to make him appear more intelligent than he actually is and that he is well read/educated when he isn't. His opinions are based on views he thinks he ought to hold as regimented by society, rather than a basis in actual fact or honesty.

Thats the point your missing Mac it isn't about who did what or can prove what with science. Religion will always be about faith and those with it will not care what fact you can come out with they will still have faith. But whats more fitting is those without faith will at somepoint before they die pray to god (or a god) as we are mere mortals and no-one really wants to believe death is then end or that someone won't be looking out for their loved ones.

I can accept that will happen and if you cannot then all you are doing is refuse to admit it. I've already laid out what I think but I know when my time comes there will likely be a nod to the gods to watch over my kids even if it's a just incase moment.

If your daughter is a looker I will look out for her when you pass fader.



Sorry.

Don't think I'll ever "pray" to god or a god, as I've always believed it to be a crock of dog muck. It would be like praying to Woods to improve my golf game, not going to happen.

Mac actually found that to be a good one.

SR maybe you should be praying for your ball to stay out of the Woods to improve your game...... Couldn't resist

McLaren wrote:The point you missed is that modern physics can explain all but the first few billionths of a second of the creation of the universe. Explain to me where a god fits into that?

God was responsible for those first few billionths of a second.

Very sad news on Lyle. Thoughts will be with him.

Should be another interesting day.

Not entirely surprising Garcia collapsed. He's that sort of player - runs hot and cold, just not used to seeing such a dramatic contrast in one round!

Lawrie sneaks in at -2 under the radar. I guess the windy conditions were not a problem for chippy. If the wind continues to blow and with his form he has a decent chance of a top 10, or even more. We might actually see more than a couple of his shots on sky tonight.

Talking about the sky coverage I must admot the course doesn't come across too well on tv. Not much crowds too many holes looking similar.

incontinentia

It is not like physics totally breaks down in that time period, just that tiny little details are currently missing.

The problem with the coverage is that Sky are only able to show the live pictures the us broadcaster shows us, and Denis Pugh said before he went on air last night that they'd been told the US channels were pretty much exclusively show Tiger.

The pictures certainly make it look one of the blander courses on the tour.

Ishikawa has reached T5 when I looked a moment ago. Davis also still in that section of the leaderboard.

[The words "Puerto Rico" are making me think of the Bernstein song "America", with all its wacky time signature changes. Stuck on a loop in my head now, damnit.]

Sky - Funny! I keep thinking of Little Feat and their "Time Loves a Hero" effort with the "uncle in Puerto Rico".

These brain worms can be deafening.

Home at last... I have to say I was a bit shocked when I checked those scores and scorecards from yesterday. Can't recall seeing too many cards as 'dirty' as Sergio's back nine, although looking at the first part, seems like he was leading or was close to the lead after the first 9 holes...?

But then it's all put into perspective when you compare it with what's happening to Jarrod Lyle. Can't quite believe it... we were just talking a couple of weeks ago about how well he's been playing over the last few months...

Agree with the comments on the course. Probably it looks dull because it is dull... I've never been there, but I knew someone who played the course once some years ago and wasn't too impressed...

Ishi is T4 now, a win this week could do wonders for him, in more ways than one...

My votes for the hit songs written after Round 1:

1. "The Most Interesting Man in the World" by M.A. Jimenez at -3 (Always a #1 hit)

2. "Mr. Resolve" by Thomas Bjorn at -4

3. "He's from the Philippines" by Juvic Pagunsan at -3

4. "One Too Many Times" by Sang-Moon Bae at +7

5. "PiL - Not the Band" by Paulie, ian and Lee (minus the drummer they couldn't keep the beat) all at +4

For those of us who aren't in on the joke, why is Jimenez the most interesting man in the world?

He resembles the image of "The Most Interesting Man In The World" in the Dos Equis advertising campaign, not necessarily because he resembles the character but because he genuinely has so many areas of interest and expertise.

Stay thirsty, my friends!

PS: A little googling will reveal all, (about the ads, not Miguel!).

McLaren wrote:incontinentia

It is not like physics totally breaks down in that time period, just that tiny little details are currently missing.

Otherwise known as the really important bit.
Also there are countless happenings/creations between the birth of our universe and now that science doesnt fully explain.
The World Scientific on Radio 4 is often worth a listen re this debate. Some very clever guys who are often far less certain of the non existence of a creator than you Mac.

Still can't convince me Diggers, I'll swear for all the world that the existence of God is total balls. Just because you are a scientist and can't prove he doesn't exist, doens't mean he does. A crutch for the weak willed and mental

I think the weak willed statement is nonsense. Plenty of incredibly strong and brilliant people are religious , millions of non religious people are weak in many ways. Faith can help people achieve great things. If you don't have faith then commenting on why people do as a blanket statement is a bit silly really.
I'm not religious but I'm not dismissive of it or people who are.

[quote="Diggers"]

McLaren wrote:incontinentia

It is not like physics totally breaks down in that time period, just that tiny little details are currently missing.

Otherwise known as the really important bit.
Also there are countless happenings/creations between the birth of our universe and now that science doesnt fully explain.
The World Scientific on Radio 4 is often worth a listen re this debate. Some very clever guys who are often far less certain of the non existence of a creator than you Mac.[/quote

Maybe we should take this to the anything goes thread? I know Hawking and Einstein were open to the possibilty of a god existing.

On a golfing note I think Schwartzel will emerge victorious this week.

venice1 wrote:My votes for the hit songs written after Round 1:

1. "The Most Interesting Man in the World" by M.A. Jimenez at -3 (Always a #1 hit)

2. "Mr. Resolve" by Thomas Bjorn at -4

3. "He's from the Philippines" by Juvic Pagunsan at -3

4. "One Too Many Times" by Sang-Moon Bae at +7

5. "PiL - Not the Band" by Paulie, ian and Lee (minus the drummer they couldn't keep the beat) all at +4

Perhaps Seal could do a cover version of "I Wanna Be Like You" (as in "oo-be-doo") for Tiger. He's probably had enough of all the seal nonsense by now though, and this might send him Killer / Crazy.

[not my best effort, I know - will try harder next time]

Bit breezy in Miami as the boys are off and running. Maybe cloudy today with continued blustrousness and occasional squalls; might be like that all weekend.
No sign of any withdrawals.

Agree about the comments about the course, but don't you love the way #18 is playing? That's my idea of a proper finishing par 4, though not completely dissimilar to the 18th at TPC, at least from my armchair.

Diggers,
What would you have to have wrong with to believe in a celestial being who you can't see, can't hear, cannot to be proven to exist or ever having existed and who does absolutely nothing physically for anyone. Someone to whom you devote lots of time, perhaps even money but who never responds with anything?

It's the ecumenical equivalent of an imaginary friend and frankly you'd have to be mental to believe in something like that. It's no different to believing in ghosts, loch ness monster or bigfoot as far as I can see, except that it's a lot more harmful.
It doesn't matter if you think mentally "strong" believe in God, if they feel they have to place their trust, hope and faith in something which gives no return then they must be barking. Life's short enough without devoting it to something that you give everything for nothing in return. There are other ways to get peace of mind.

Don't mind people having beliefs, but for goodness sake, have the shame to keep your mental illness to yourself, about time religion was licenced.

Be nice to see an interviewer just groan and walkaway the next time a player mentions their "special" friend.

Skydriver wrote:Perhaps Seal could do a cover version of "I Wanna Be Like You" (as in "oo-be-doo") for Tiger. He's probably had enough of all the seal nonsense by now though, and this might send him Killer / Crazy.

Not bad S_d, and who know's... maybe they share the same "interests".

What do you mean gives nothing in return. For some people thir faith gives them everything, that's the whole point of it. It gives them a set of values and a feeling of a place in the world.
The church had it faults , many , many faults, but it also contributes massively throughout the world to creating a sense off community and helping people.
Again there are millions of people who have faith, people who had no belief before.
Anyhoo, as I said I'm not a believer but I find it an interesting subject never the less.

lol SR, i sort of agree with alot of what you say but anyway i think religion has its place in society- it keeps the masses in check espicially in countries less fortunate than our own- that blind faith keeps millions at bay.

I know religion is blamed for many wars etc- however the truth is extemists would still exist if religions didnt and so would brainwashing the masses -they would just do it in different ways!. most religion underpins our society and our morales and most of what is written is actually pretty decent and intellegent in these bibles,korans,etc. i dont belive in any god, however i also dont belive that anything isnt possible(i am agnostic not atheist).

incontinentia wrote:

McLaren wrote:The point you missed is that modern physics can explain all but the first few billionths of a second of the creation of the universe. Explain to me where a god fits into that?

God was responsible for those first few billionths of a second.

Someone said the other day after watching Donald Trump at a press conference at Doral, that Trump's hair defies the laws of physics! Does that mean that God made his hair as well!?

Nah, I mean it doesn't give anything physical in return, anything it does supply is purely a placebo effect of a belief. Look at the loonies who follow Scientology. They believe in something that some fat bloke made up to make money.

I appreciate the concept of Christian values in terms of being a decent human being, but that's where it stops.

If you look at countries where religion only plays a minor part (Iceland, Sweden, Norway) they have a lot less social problems, perhaps not all religion based but interesting how little religion plays a part in their culture. I certainly don't think religion keeps anyone in check. Seen no proof of that at all.

It is an interesting and vast subject but has led to fairly tragic events in many parts of the world and will continue to do so unfortunately.IMO
Re death I have known a couple of folk who have passed away and their final words have been along the lines of 'Im going to sleep now'.That im afraid is it.

Justin Rose off to a good start . . . . . . . !

PS: Is the 2016 Open Championship for Troon a done deal??

kwinigolfer wrote:Justin Rose off to a good start . . . . . . . !

"Kiss From A Rose"...? Aaargh - I've switched from having West Side Story on the brain to Seal songs, dammit...

super_realist wrote:Nah, I mean it doesn't give anything physical in return, anything it does supply is purely a placebo effect of a belief. Look at the loonies who follow Scientology. They believe in something that some fat bloke made up to make money.

I appreciate the concept of Christian values in terms of being a decent human being, but that's where it stops.

If you look at countries where religion only plays a minor part (Iceland, Sweden, Norway) they have a lot less social problems, perhaps not all religion based but interesting how little religion plays a part in their culture. I certainly don't think religion keeps anyone in check. Seen no proof of that at all.

The most religious countries in the world are all 3rd world or developing nations, sadly it keeps them in check!!. the rest of the world isnt religious on the whole, this country certainly isnt either, dont see the sense in comparing other non religious nations aned there social problems when the majority of britains religious population is from immigrants, the same social problems would happen in norway if they had the same influx of immigration!!

How do you classify the USA?
3rd World? or:
Developing??

Not very religious really except in the political arena where Republicans take positions that would make your head spin. Frightening stuff.

Anyway, another bird for the Rose.

I think it's more the corrupt governments that keep them in check Oakey, I doubt those currently starving in the Sahel are particularly religious. Whereas the Yanks are proportionately far more religious than Europe, but considerably more out of line when it comes to many social issues.

Skydriver wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:Justin Rose off to a good start . . . . . . . !

"Kiss From A Rose"...? Aaargh - I've switched from having West Side Story on the brain to Seal songs, dammit...

has the golf started- time to get some light relief then

SR i think social unrest comes from people feeling differently from each
other, people having different values, different cultures,different
races,different social classes, yes religion is very much apart of our
values even to us non religious.

for instance new york isnt close to being religious compared to southern states, yet has more social issues.

the social issues in the poorer nations are certainly due to currupt
govenrments- however i am sure living horrid lifes are easier to bear if you
really believe there is an after life!!

Rose off to a really good start - -3 for the day.

Still don't think religion keeps people in check, it did in the middle ages when the church pretty much performed a governing role but not now.

Nothing wrong with religious values, e.g. christian motoring etc, but believing in a god seems a bit barmy considering how old the earth is and how short a time people have been around in their current form. Chances of it being right? Zero. We don't even amount to a full stop at the end of a mile of text.

i agree with what you say to a point, but the fact is some of the 3rd world countries live in a time warp state, i am sure many are religious and many get through day to day by beliving in an afterlife(when i say many i mean millions on millions that live in a depressed state).

so rose 6 under sweet!!! get in there son

Adam Scott is probably one of the top 5 players that Cadillac does not want to win this tournament.

With the big Mercedes hood ornament on his shirt.

McLaren wrote:Fader

Pick any one of the following;

http://web.mit.edu/birge/Public/formulas/quantum.pdf

I'll take you up on that Mac, if only because it's so exciting to see quantum physics quoted in a golf thread !
I'll pick the first one which I'm sure we all recognised as being Planck's constant. Planck was a long-time church warden who firmly believed that "God is everywhere present".

Or maybe I'll take the second. Einstein's best-known quote on the subject was "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind".

If these rather intelligent people didn't claim to have disproved the existence of god by their work, then (no offence) but I don't think it's a good argument for you.

Can't prove it, can't disprove it, that's why it's called faith.

Solid start for Tiger. Great to see.

Sergio having to face his back 9 demon directly. Has not conquered it yet.

Beware Stricker.

Solid start by tiger, but a brilliant one for rory: eagle, birdie!!!!!!

c'moooon roooors!

rose on top 8 under