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.

He's certainly got one of the better records amongst the British guys playing in America, never really liked him for some reason, but good for him.

I would be careful to think a player really "cracks a code" but more inclined think a top player like Rose is one of 25 - 50 players that have all the skills (both physical and mental) to win against anyone in the field. Players I think that are just like this include Watney, Choi, O'Hair (bit of a bias there).

In addition to all the money, perhaps the bigger benefit to Justin will be future Sundays in big tournaments (major or otherwise) in the coming few years. This can only help his belief in himself.

I've always liked Rose, seems like a decent guy to me. But he does have a bit of a funny walk, same as Paddy, a bit like a penguin with his feet sticking out sideways.

Maybe Rose's success will get Poulter rededicated. Get rid of his pneumonia, stop thinking about out-mansioning each other, and refocus!

Next two weeks will make or break SO'H's season, I'd think. Very familiar territory, overdue for some top results.

Of the 471 weeks of OWGR data available for justin rose, from 2003 to present, he has spent;

271 weeks in the top 50.

179 in the top 30

115 in the top 20

35 in the top 10

With his lowest ranking being 127 (2006) and his highest 6th (2008).

Not that bad really is it?

i can see him getting the 4th spot soon enough- i am sure he will be up to 6th after this event anyway! cant see kaymer or stricker doing enough in the next few events to stop him.

edit: just checked the rankings- he is 7th behind sharwtzel

According to a tweet Tiger will probably make both bayhill and the masters. Good news for Arnie and all golf fans.


Does anyone remember the Arnie debate we had on bbc 606?

Not good news for all golf fans, good news for fans of Woods, not necessarily everyone else though.

You have to question someone who is so frail though, he's like a big fairy. Can't even play a gentle game of golf without injury, what made him think he'd hold up to being in an elite force? Even a second rate one.
We've seen these tweets before though and it is almost as if he's trying to convince himself that he's going to be ready, and its back fired on him plenty times before. Hopefully it will again and we'll have a Woods free Augusta.

It does now beg the the question of was it a case of
a) I'm playing Poopie and not competing on a Sunday again, I need an excuse to get out of here.

Or

b) Ouch, that doesn't feel right, the last couple of times I've tried to play through pain I've done more damage and it's cost me big time, I'm out, it's the sensible thing to do.

Or

c) Poopie!! A txt from Bella, she's naked on the bed waiting for me, sod this for a game of soldiers I'm off...I'll limp off for effect!!

A) B) or C) folks??

Super

I get that we all have a v2 persona, and that yours is that of a tiger hater, but it is getting to the point where I think what you say is a little too close to the truth.

It is a seriously worrying level of hate you hold against tiger and something you might want to hold some concern over.

Well we could actually see more players playing shots if tiger isnt at augusta!!!

so in a way it could be better for golf fans not to have him there - however thats not tigers fault- just the silly american networks fault- we missed out on 10 shots to watch him drive away on sunday!!!!!!!!

Jas

I hope it was B, but suspect it was a blend of a and b.

Why is it worrying Mac? I don't like the guy and I'd rather he didn't play. In fact I wish he'd just retire to stud.
I doubt you'd give a toss if a tennis tournament, f1 race, football league etc was missing its 18th ranked player or team. Why should I care if Woods is injured. He's no loss to any event from my perspective. I tune in to watch golf, not Roe climaxing over Woods repeatedly scratching his backside or what ever banal gesture the tv director chooses on picking at the expense of actual golf. Surely people who are happy to fawn over images like that should be more of a cause for your concern. He makes intolerable and insufferable viewing for fans who actually want to watch golf instead of a sickening and embarrassing circus.

gonna go with all 3

Why is it worrying?

Well i guess it's not, as long as you don’t mind portraying the traits usually displayed by those involved in some sort of fundamentalist belief.

Mac, you are making no sense at all and just trying to sound intelligent.

Woods to me is anti-golf. The sport is better to watch without him.

Im going to go definately A and maybe a touch of C. Slight achillies injury and he cant last another 8 holes. Give me a break. He was playing gash and wanted off the circuit.

Im going to go with D) He's missing his 'magic' doctor.

I heard that the Blue Monster was the only course left on tour where he's never finished outside the top 10. That would have been a nice record to keep going, and he looked like having a good chance to do so at the start on Sunday.

I wonder if this was a consideration or not - in terms of either (a) he really wanted to continue but was too worried about the injury or (b) W/D doesn't count as far as the record is concerned (and he was in serious danger of not making the top 10 if he carried on).

Personally, I suspect he was being cautious knowing that The Masters is just around the Amen Corner (as it were).

Still can't believe he'd play Bay Hill if the correct answer is b).

So it's a). and c). for me.

Sand

I get the feeling he knows his career is hanging on the edge and that one more serious injury will finish him off. In the context of that mindset do you not think it quite a genuine worry when he feels a twinge, and perfectly acceptable for him to take precautions?

Lairdy

That is a scandal i hope never to see surface, the sport would be over as we know it.

Mac, the question still remains as to how someone ssupposedly so fit and honed can have so many bad injuries from swinging a golf club. I could understand if it was share lowry but for a man like him its embarrassing to be such a Darren Anderton.

I see your point Mac but still dont agree with it. He had 8 holes to go and then we were forced to watch OJ Simpson (Sorry Tiger) Leave the course and drive for what seemed like ten miles. If he was really injured I dont understand how hes driving in the first place.

I agree with Kwini if he was seriously injured he wouldnt be playing Bay Hill.

Mostly B with a touch of A, if he was in contention he might have finished it out. Cautious in the run up to the Masters etc.

Sand

It was his left leg and he drives an automatic.

How sad are you to know he drives an automatic?

Aren't nearly all cars in the US automatic?

Will have my first experience of driving over there on holiday later this year. Not quite sure how I'll cope with automatic gearbox, sitting on the left / driving on the right... Will try to be particularly careful of those pesky fire hydrants which can allegedly jump out at you.

skydriver

It is way easier to drive in the US compared to the UK. They all seem to observe the rules and the speed limits are really low. Also it is almost impossible to get lost, despite having a million lanes they are all well marked and every location seems to be fed by 20 junctions so if you miss one you are ok.

Last time I didn’t bother with sat nav or a proper map and never really got lost. Even when venturing into the “wilderness”.

they love the car and the roads seem to reflect this, as do the traffic jams.

You will end up thumping the door with your left hand every time the revs rise though.

You just need to know whether you want to go north, south, east or west. (kinda the problem Bubba also had on Sundays front 9)...

Hard to get lost on the bus Mac

I can't stand Woods but Mac has a point, s_r jumping in with convoluted insults within minutes of anyone mentioning the guy is getting a bit tedious.

I can quite easily accept that he felt a twinge in his knee, thought it not worth the risk of carrying on, and has been told by the doctors that on this occasion it's nothing major. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he took more time out with that same knee at some point this year.

" s_r jumping in with convoluted insults within minutes of anyone mentioning the guy is getting a bit tedious. "

Well said, do we really need to hear it anymore given we all know what SR thinks.

I forgot it was your site Mac, I must remember to keep it on the subjects that you would like to talk about. Perhaps you'd like to send me a pm as usual with acceptable topics.

On driving in the US: It REALLY depends upon where you are. Boston to DC corridor for instance can be a nightmare and NYC drivers have a uniqueness all their own.

Where you will be in Florida traffic should not be too much of an issue.

Tiger's had a very solid start to the year. (Second in scoring average on the PGA tour.) If he felt potential further damage to his achilles would be done Sunday, he was wise to walk off. Not all tournaments are created equal. Were he in the hunt -- or if this were a major -- I suspect he would have finished.

most would play on for the pay check- its immaterial to woods, the guy obviously wasnt badly injured. Its the classic case that the injury allways hurts more when your playing badly- I am sure plenty of you have wanted to pull out of a medal half time due to bad golf in bad weather and the niggle becomes magically unbearable!!! Personally i havent NR'd for 10 years, but as a juniour - lol !!

Super

Discuss what you want, but repeatly making the same point is not needed. Once will do, and you have already told us what you think of tiger.

Why repeat yourself?

Perhaps because you and others respond Mac, its a forum for debate, plus you have on a few occasions today amd yesterday personally asked me to expand on my views, so I have. You can't have it both ways.

Apart from anything else, the constant back-and-forth means otherwise interesting threads descend into constant Woods-discussion, and I couldn't care less. There's lots of other guys to talk about!

On which note - the Euro quota in the Transitions field will be joined by France's Pierre-Henri Soero, who has gone exotically from childhood in New Caledonia, where Christian Cevaer also grew up, to college golf at the University of Hawaii and then a more dull career in the US mini tours. His only two previous tour starts were in Puerto Rico two years ago, and qualifying for the US Open as an amateur in 2005, both MCs.

Well, That's a proper post Ned, I only hope P-H S hits it a little further than Cevaer or it'll be another MC.

It's not surprising the driving can be a bit iffy in the US when you consider the driving tests in some areas. My test in Cape Cod, Mass = pull out of the parking lot, drive down a very quiet side road, stop at a stop sign, drive a bit further, turn the car around and drive back. When I returned to the UK I had to take lessons in order to pass the test (instructor said I drove like Starsky & Hutch). It seemed to me that Mass drivers were not particularly good, but were pretty good natured , in contrast with NY and NJ .

NedB-H wrote:Apart from anything else, the constant back-and-forth means otherwise interesting threads descend into constant Woods-discussion, and I couldn't care less. There's lots of other guys to talk about!

On which note - the Euro quota in the Transitions field will be joined by France's Pierre-Henri Soero, who has gone exotically from childhood in New Caledonia, where Christian Cevaer also grew up, to college golf at the University of Hawaii and then a more dull career in the US mini tours. His only two previous tour starts were in Puerto Rico two years ago, and qualifying for the US Open as an amateur in 2005, both MCs.

could he get good enough to represent europe when the ryder cup goes to france !!

in fairness i would rather the french dont get to good at golf- it may mean the france away days may get more golfer traffic!!