PGA Tour: The Players: 17 Holes and an Island: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Well done Rickie Fowler; an adjustment in your putting grip has transformed your season. A T10 in New Orleans should have served as a warning that the change was working. Normally your superb driving and iron play would have been rewarded with, perhaps, a top ten at Quail Hollow, but you brought your short game as well and congratulations on your first win.
Are you now ready to step it up and truly become a rival to Rory McIlroy (a big head-to-head win must be a boost?), or are you destined to being a Jason Day for a couple of years? Lots of high finishes, no visits to the winners enclosure. As a partisan Englishman, I'd say a young American who can contend week in, week out, would elevate the PGA Tour in a way that wave after wave of bright young things have failed to do.
1a).Fowler's reward is tee-time with Tiger (and Mahan) on Thursday - Rory is with Phil and Stricker.

2).A word about DA Points. I've always liked Points' engagement with, and appreciation of, the galleries and even in the bitter disappointment of Sunday's defeat he found time to applaud the crowd surrounding #18. Driving for show (almost as good as Fowler and led the field in greens hit) was let down by the putting for dough department, 65th in the Tour's "strokes gained - putting" stat; don't think he made anything longer than about eight feet on the weekend until his par putt in the play-off.
And tragic that his only bogey for forty holes was on the 72nd.

3).Quail Hollow is apparently destined for a re-do of some of its greens in preparation for the 2017 PGA. And a redesign of the very funky (and not in a good way) short par-4 eighth hole. Phil has long been a critic of the QH greens but this is some of what he had to say Sunday about the overall Course design:
"Tee to green it's a wonderful challenge. It's just the way the holes are shaped, they're beautifully done. I think the bunkering here is some of the best I've ever seen too. It's not over-bunkered. It's not bunkers everywhere you look, it's really well done here."

4).Quail Hollow is a different challenge than this week's examination at TPC Sawgrass. I see Rory McIlroy is replacing his 5-wood with a 2-iron in an effort to hit more fairways, not to mention the right part of the fairway. Seems to me that neutralises his power, not necessarily his biggest asset, but certainly not one to be dispensed with lightly.

5).Look for golfers who fare well on Pete Dye courses to have an edge this week. Els has been vocal in his support for Dye's TPC, which led one to imagine some symmetry remembering his last two wins. They were achieved at Doral (a Dick Wilson course), week off, then Bay Hill (another Wilson design). Obviously Els played well in losing that play-off to Dufner at New Orleans - then a week off. Who knows, but I'm not suggesting he should lose another play-off!

6).England's Brian Davis crossed the $10M mark in official Tour earnings with his 9th place finish last weekend. Davis has had some success at the TPC, but also missed three cuts. Nevertheless, it's his time of year - 9 of his 19 Tour top tens, and a disproportionate amount of his loot, has been earned in April and May and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him have another good tournament. Congratulations to Brian for a fine career, almost invariably under the radar!

7).Back to TPC Sawgrass. I really enjoy watching "The Players" on the box, a terrific mix of holes with one of the best quartet of par-5's anywhere. But I just can't accept that the 17th hole, as fickle as it is and beyond the meaning of risk/reward, fits anywhere on the course in general, and as the 17th hole in particular. Of course, as Woods has said in the past, if it was on the front nine no-one would notice it. And it certainly shouldn't be the opening play-off hole.
If the hole is not blown up, I'd like to see a 3-hole aggregate play-off, the par-5 16th, the fart-at-a-wedding 17th and the always challenging 18th.

8).Logic would suggest Luke Donald should have a "Players" win in his career, and many of the Europeans have enjoyed good tournaments here.
But the same cannot be said about young Americans; apart from Woods, whose dislike of the course seems to grow year on year, there's no American on Tour under the age of 39 (the soon-to-be-forty Justin Leonard) who has won or finished runner up here. Blimey, even the English at The Open have a better record than that. Just.

9).All our yesterdays, Part 1: Loved watching the golfing greats' 3-man scramble from the Houston Champions Tour event last Saturday, the Big Three of Arnie, Jack and Gary Player "winning" from two teams from Trevino, Barber, Graham, January, Stockton and Littler.

10).All our yesterdays, Part 2: Hall of Fame induction ceremonies last night for Mickelson, Lyle, Alliss, Hollis Stacy and Dan Jenkins (arguably, but not to him, the best American golf writer, good mate of Hogan) offered a reminder of just how good a golfer - though clearly not public speaker - Sandy Lyle was.
Renton Laidlaw did the induction presentation honours for Sandy and reminded all of Seve's tribute when asked who he thought was the most talented European golfer:
"If we all play our best, Sandy wins every time."
Which made one think about John Jacobs' opinion about Ian Woosnam that, "De Vicenzo and Woosnam" were "the two most correct swingers I've ever seen."
It doesn't necessarily justify an annual Masters tee-time, but worth remembering just what talent these two close childhood neighbours brought to the sport.

Ryder Cup Old Boy update:
Not so good in the islands with Oliver Wilson in retreat in Madeira, while Barry Lane is the only one holding his top ten place in Mallorca.

Thankfully, Sergio has righted his ship at the TPC, while Justin Rose is still one under for his day despite missing at least three short putts. Karlsson struggling and Hanson not much better, after 8 holes at least, while JJ Henry (remember him?) is ticking along in the middle of the pack, just how he seems to like it.

See what you mean about Sergio's first five holes Kwini...

Smashing back nine from him though...

Yup, Fine round from Garcia, Surge-ing through the back nine.

He could be right in the mix come Sunday if the updated forecast is anything like accurate with winds picking up from 10 - 15 mph tp 15 - 25 mph.
Rose making a right horlicks of his round and Poulter off to a shaky start.

Kaymer looking quietly threatening; would love to see him back in top form.

what number do you think you need to post to have a chance on sunday?

Hi Mac,
Someone wrote in the paoer this morning that -12 after 72 holes looks a winning score. Tough to disagree with that if the winds blow and the greens burn out.

Still like Poulter to contend . . . .

Poulter getting lapped by his playing partner Fowler at the moment, but this thing is wide open. Na's swing is incredibly tedious ... like Sergio of old.

The whole field is being "lapped" by Fowler.
Only 15 golfers right now better than Poulter today.

Bradley and Woods at least a hole and a half behind the group in front.
Where's John Paramor when you need him?

#2 and #3 are better off when playing together rather than being paired together . . . .

I love butches comment on Na a moment ago.

"the poor guy, he is very fidgety"

Love to see Rickie win this.

A little sad what has happened to Harris English today, I was hoping to see him have a good round.

A little sad for the gent that Harris English beaned . . . . . . .

What a contrast from Matt Kuchar's smiley on-course demeanour to Kevin Na's ever-present snarly disposition.

Great to see Tim Clark back playing a decent tournament.

kwinigolfer wrote:A little sad for the gent that Harris English beaned . . . . . . .

critchley was almost apoplectic and tried to suggest the starter should have done something.

Like what?
Caught it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some have suggested Critchley would make a better marshall than commentator.

Very disappointed in #'s 2 and 3 today, but tomorrow's another day. Would be very surprised if both didn't shoot in the 60's. Which will be scant compensation to them. And certainly not me.

i guess he meant shout four?

i didn't expect na to still be in this, did you?

Mac,
I certainly wish he wasn't, the slowest, most miserable sod I've ever seen on the course. Only guy I've ever seen being rude to the volunteers. Total tosspot.

Which means he'll likely win by five.

Certainly don't envy Zach Johnson, who likes to get a move on, for playing with him. Bad news for Kuchar if they're together Sunday.

I hope Na shoots 90 tomorrow.

I hope Kuchar shoots 90 tomorrow.

Nice to see Martin Laird is getting respect from the UK golf coverage. At first I think they thought he'd be a flash in the pan but after 2 years of hard graft and impressive finishes he's proved he's worthy of his place in the top 40 in the OGWR.

Very, very good playing by Kuchar and Na, though; however much of a pillock Na might be, he's a putting genius.
They've pretty much taken all but about the top nine at most out of contention.
It would be nice to see one of the four unders post a 64 or 65, but just don't see it.

This whole business about Na and slow play is ridiculous.

According to shotlink finish times

Tiger Woods and Keegan Bradley teed off at 11:25 am local time and finished at 3:47 pm local time. 4 hours 22 minutes.

Kevin Na and Zach Johnson teed off at 2:35 pm and finished at 6:47 local time. 4 hours 12 minutes.

the last group finished in less time than a middle group.

Funny thing about slow play. They only measure one aspect of the whole equation of slow play. The preshot routine. If you do other things quickly, like picking clubs, walking, getting yardage, reading putts, you are not necessarily a slow player if you have a long tedious pre shot routine.

I am no Kevin Na fan, in fact he is one of my least favorite players, but I think he is getting bum rap on this slow play issue.

Yes, well, I mentioned Woods and Bradley earlier on.

Thing is, when would Na have finished if he hadn't been put on the clock early in the back nine and then warned for another slow time.

No-one cares about pre-shot routine etc etc if they still manage to keep up with the group in front. Which he clearly didn't.

'Course, he's not the only one and slow play is non-discriminatory, Faldo and Ken Brown probably the slowest English guys I've seen, then there's Langer and plenty others.

But Na is undoubtedly the most miserable of the dawdlers.

At least Kevin Na owns that the fact he is slow.

Nothing is more frustrating to have a slow player in your group that simply will not admit that he is slow. It is always the other guys fault and "why are you picking on me? I am not slow" despite everyone pointing in his direction.

The first step to correction is to admit you have a problem.

"Hello, My name is Kevin Na, and I am Slow player"

naturally, reading some of the comments that much like an alcoholic (or other addict), you are never cured of slow play, you are simply a "recovering" slow player.

Ben Crane is often accused of slow play on this board, and I simply not seeing any evidence of it lately.

=============

Many years ago, I remember an TV interview with Payne Stewart. I believe it was at the US Open in 1999.

USGA informs his group that they have been put on the clock.

His solution? to walk slower as the stopwatch squad only measures the time it takes to make a swing.

Payne's strategy?

walk slower meant that his caddie gets to the ball first and gets the pertinent data, all the yardages, wind direction and velocity etc.

By the time Payne gets to the shot, the caddie told him everything he needed to know, and Payne could pull the trigger quickly and get good times.

sounds counter-productive to me.

Tiger 10 shots behind Kevin Na going into the final round, how did it come to this??

Na's golf swing OCD is being validated by the quality of shots he is hitting unfortunately, will he try to reform it if the results are so good?

Should be dry for most of the day at the TPC, but these winds are just too difficult to predict - Saturday they calmed down as the day wore on which makes Sergio's 68 all the more noteworthy.

But the course will surely be set up to keep the scores from going too low, fast greens and pins in the corners.

Rickie Fowler's playing as if he has nothing to lose and if he can shoot in the sixties I reckon he'll be tough to beat.

What depresses me is that, if Na becomes successful, before long there will be hoards of amateurs whose pre-shot routines will become just as tedious. I was in an interclub final and there was a guy off 2 who must have taken about 20 half swings and full swings before he pulled the trigger, talk about irritating! But then maybe that's how he gets results, by pi**ing off opponents - we lost!

I wonder if it is quite good gor Fowler not to be leading going into the final round. If he were to loose a 54 hole lead it could deplete some of the confidence he would have gained last week. He will of course loose a lead at some point but it could be worse to do so just after a win.

As kwini points out he is now free to go for it with almost no pressure given his recent success.

I still think this thing is wide open. Not Luke Donald or Ian Poulter Wide Open, but Folwer and Kuchar still very much in the thick of things. Even Brian Davis.

Hopefully none of the god squad or idiotic and criminally unfunny 'golf boys' will win.

Three horse race for me; anyone coming from off the pace will have to at least match their best round of the tournament to win and I think the only ones capable of doing that or better are just too far back.

Another disappointing showing by the top Europeans, but hopefully Garcia and Pettersson can repeat Saturday's fine rounds.

Kuchar plays quickly and I wonder how playing with Kevin Na will affect him? Incompatible for both I imagine. Still feel as if -12 is a good number.

Kwin - I think yet another American win this year on tour is almost assured - but it's golf, so a slight chance for Euro Davis.

Love to see Fowler do it at this point.

Interesting tweet from Doug Ferguson:

If Na were to win today, he'd go to No. 4 in the Ryder Cup standings. That might be enough for Europe to concede

I'm not so sure, I'd say that could work out the other way just as well...

Imagine he'd get heckled big time from the Europeans in the crowd! Pity it's not in Europe.

No-one going low at TPC this morning, back-markers going through the motions.

I like Na, he's a but quirky but know nothing of him on the course, though apparently was apologising to Johnson yesterday when he backed off. Slow play , well doesn't make much difference when your watching it on tele really.

I would've thought Lee would get a (positive) kick from hearing that City prevailed, but doesn't look to be the case...

I can't say I dislike everything about Na... He's an odd guy apart from being slow, but he seems to be 'genuinely' odd, if I can say that, you can sense that there are some real 'demons' going round his head... In Crane's case on the other hand, he's pretty odd (and slow) as well, but there's something forced about it (specially in the way he's trying to be odd or funny off the course). I don't mind that much watching Na on TV with his crazy carry on on the tee (I find it almost funny at times), but the real problem is how much all that affects the other players around him... In any case, if he sticks to whatever he does for another day and especially if he putts as well as he did yesterday, he can certainly win this...

Kuchar to win for me.
Kevin? Na, dont think he will perform today.
There'good scores out there it seems, bob testes -7 for the day, david toms -5. Could the winning score be around -15?

Still puzzled as to why I didn't select RoboPro Estes for my fantasy team. Certainly didn't see a 65 coming from him. Doubt he did either.

Horror show from Westwood.

Kelly Tilghman is an idiot.

Johnny Miller is an idiot.

"The Europeans don't do well around here", or words to that effect.
Except Sergio and Stenson have both won since the last American winner in 2007. What a berk.

Big mess by Sergio having said all that.

luuuuuke....

2 more birdies and he has a chance of getting 4th?

Na is going to win, this can't be happening, ANYONE but Kevin Na!

I think Kuch or Zach will win, Na can't keep holing everything surely?

Great bounce back once again from Luuuke! Now just that you know, if it's not solo 4th, he needs no worse than a 3-way tie for 3rd place to move to #1! So, right at this moment he'd be #1 again...

s_r's Swedes did nicely.

What is it with Na having NA on his sleeve and NA on his belt buckle?

Wonder if anyone ever told Miller that Glasgow and High Wycombe are in Europe?

Come on Martin Laird!

I backed Laird e/w at 50/1 before the start of play today.

What's with the pathetic dramatisation on sky aboutthe 17th! Someone got over excited with the size of the event, what sky just put us through would suggest this event is the biggest in golf! Quite sad really!

Martin Laird . . . . . !

Seems strange not to see him wearing his Sunday Scotland Blue.

Mess by Pettersson after such a good tournament.

Touch of irony if Kuchar and Martin Laird end up in a play-off.
Deja vu all over again from the Barclays of a year or so ago.
Except Martin will win this time.