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.

i love the 17th at sawgrass

DA Points has a DNS against his name. Strange that there wouldn't be an alternate ready and willing to take his place.
Harman is 1st alternate, Greg Owen 2nd, so perhaps Mansfield Man missed his chance?

Looks like Harrington is striping it early on. -2 after five holes including two missed birdie opportunities of inside 7ft.
Runner-up here twice. Just saying!

According to a Tweet I saw from Rex Hoggard, DA Points went to fitness trailer "holding his back".

Not sure how you can "hold your back", but that is what the tweet said.

A few guys who could do with a result or two are of to good starts; harrington, Oglivy, gay, Romero, KJ, poulter and stenson.

Maybe someone with little or no form is about to pop up and transform their season?

Listening to 5dead right now and its disgusting how everything relating to golf on that station comes with the caveat of having to mention that man sausage Woods. HE'S NOT NUMBER ONE ANYMORE!
It would be like reporting on tennis and still talking about Leyton Hewitt.

Diggers will be delighted that Poulter is top brit at the moment.

poulter and harrington have certainly threatened form and so has els.

i think all 3 will be up there along with rose,westy and i think rory will beat his demons here and produce something

Stenson with the best start of them all... I recall lots of people in the media were picking Woodland a while ago to have a great year in 2012... couldn't see it then and certainly can't see it now (almost same goes for Overton)....

Stenson is my pick and he's won here before and come second twice I think.
This Cameron Tringale seems to be having a good season too.

Brian Harmon as first alternate was on the grounds at the time of the DA Points WD.

Points WD was literally an 11th hour WD. He was on the Tee and then decided not to play. No time to get Harmon to the tee.

Really stinks for Harmon.

Didn't start a Euro thread this week as I doubt there would be too much interest, so we'll give it a shout here... I think it's worth keeping an eye on it as it can always be a stepping stone for someone new to break the ice and give a boost to their carreer. Just look at what happened with Hoey, won first time here last year and then went on to win two more tournamnets!

Good to see Tommy Fleetwood doing well, I was getting a bit concerned about him... lots of promise, a decent start of the year and then 4 MCs in a row. And M. Bald-Win who seems to be playing well the last few weeks... This sort of tournament is also a good occasion to remember names that I almost forgot about... like Colm Moriarty! No chance to forget Nick Dougherty though (heard that a baby Dougherty may be on the way...)

Kevin Na off to a fast start I see.....

Good for Nick/Di if they are expecting. Mrs D is the new face of the resurrected Lynx Golf brand. And I think she's making an appearance at next week's Golf Live in that capacity? Maybe one of our contributors who is attending can ask her... [Bit dangerous / tact required - might potentially blow up into another 5 iron in the face incident]

pd,
I think Woodland has been injured, plus he got dumped by his coach when he switched management companies and he's now observing the gospel according to St.Butch.
Hunter Haas has called it a day, what's with these guys?

(Think Baby Dough is due in August, so perhaps that is also a factor in Di's disappearance from the screen? Anyway, decent front nine for the future Papa Dough.)

EmmDee57 wrote:Kevin Na off to a fast start I see.....

Oh, the irony...

incontinentia wrote:Anyone else think the tiny bunker on TPC 17th is a bit stupid?

I played there about 25 yrs ago. I think the bunker is a visual aid for depth perception more than anything else.

I see Mark Brooks is caddying for JJ Henry this week . . . . .

Looks like Harrington's putter has gone to sleep. At least three birdie putts inside 7ft missed, the latest less than five feet.

Brian Harmon now has a tee time at 12:20. As a one-some.

Greg Owen is motoring up from Orlando to be first alternate.

This is a cluster-****

Very strange doings:
Brian Harman has apparently been added to the field, with a published tee-time of 12.20 p.m., seemingly playing by himself.
Not sure how, or why, that works, don't believe I've ever seen such a thing!

Explanation will make interesting reading.

GPB: Snap! Presumably this is to replace DA, but what's the Points?
And: Why isn't Greg Owen already there - some people can't help themselves.

Skydriver wrote:Good for Nick/Di if they are expecting. Mrs D is the new face of the resurrected Lynx Golf brand. And I think she's making an appearance at next week's Golf Live in that capacity? Maybe one of our contributors who is attending can ask her... [Bit dangerous / tact required - might potentially blow up into another 5 iron in the face incident]

She's said on Twitter that she's due in August - so no worries about asking. It'll be pretty obvious.

Welcome back ladyputt, not seen you around for a while. I hope you have been playing a tone of golf?

Hi LP,
Hope you and m'lord are well and hitting 'em straight. Keep popping in from time to time . . . . . you are missed!


See Poulter's enjoying himself at the TPC.

We know that ducks like it more in the water, and El Pato doesn't seem to be an exception from that...

C'moooon Podge!!!

Poulter -7 and man sausage Woods+2.
Back to back missed cuts for man sausage?

Does it get any funnier?

Kinda had a feeling Poulter may have a good week this week. Regretting only having him on my bench in the Yahoo! Fantasy League.

GB&I doing better than Continental Europe so far, Poulter, Laird, Harrington, Davis, Rory.
But tough going for Casey and this month could be a crossroads in his career - he really needs a good tournament, and +6 after 8 holes can't be what he had in mind.

Bad to worse for Casey and Cabrera then.

Nice to see that pitt from Lee, nice round except for his unfortunate double.

I see Harman is playing on his own as it was too late for him to play in D.A Points place. Cant believe Points pulled out after his playing partners had teed off... Why leave it so late?

I see Casey has just pulled out.

well i got poultry nugget at 85's

Sand,
They said his back just spasmed on the tee.

Harrington playing in a twosome Friday, with boy-racer Atwal. May not suit Arjun but it should be just up Padraig's street!

Dyson out now as well. No surprise after seeing him hobble round yesterday and spraying it off cart paths etc.

Casey likely a doubt for next week Volvo Match Play, season going further down the drain.

Looks like gorgeous weather for you Lairdy . . . . .

Only saw the golf up to about Rory's second hole last night but good to see Laird put a nice round together. Butch Harmon commented that Laird might have hoped for a better start to the year and a decent finish here would certainly go towards helping that goal.

Maybe it is the week for slow players after we knocked them; Na, Crane and Laird doing well so far?

i went to bed when LW and Coco were around the 14/15 hole. what exactly happened to Coco on 17th? was it wrong club or a poor swing? he certainly didnt seem to have his A game.
i might have a bit of a flutter on Mickelson. he seemeed to be flushing it but caught a few bad breaks ~(landing in divot, outdriving the fairway into the water, landing on backside of the bunker on the par 5 and shooting off) and the puts werent dropping. could definitley see him going low tommorrow

I went to bed at the same time but caught-up before work (well a boring SAP training course - I used to like Else )

He landed about 1 foot over the water in the rough and bounced back. He must have been aiming 5 to 10 yards past the pin to came up about 15 yards short. Didn't look like a solid contact and he looked concerned as soon as he hit it.

Lee did well to keep it together. Another poor display on the greens and a few awfull chips.

I'd still expect both to work their way into the top 10 before the end of the week, but they need good rounds Friday and Saturday to contend on Sunday.

Poulter's in a great position. A good front runner and the course suits him as the long hitters have to lay-up on most holes. Now the house is finished he may put the check towards a plane as he won't be asking for any more free trips on Tiger's.

Can you imagine being trapped in a private jet with Woods? How boring would that be?

Poulter won't need the lift anyway as he'll be there until Sunday and Woods will be going home tonight.

Says a lot about Poulter that he still brown nosed Woods to get a lift, boring or not. Lets face it, Poulter may well be there on Sunday and Woods may not but Poulters career is barely a footnote in the history of golf and one tournament doesnt change that.
Notice that Poulter was saying how it was easier to play now his head was clear of the silly thoughts and dostraction he fills it with........which was more or less what he was criticised for the other week before tweeting that commentators dont know what they are talking about.
A prat and a hypocrite, lovely. Expect to see him shoot a 73 today.

True Diggers, but I've rather have the career of poulter in the last three years than woods'
You can't dine out on the past forever. Woods and Liverpool are sports masters at this.

Woods won a PGA strokeplay event a few weeks ago, Poulter has never done this. His chosen tour and he cant win one single little bread and butter strokeplay event in his whole career. Thats basically an embarassment for someone who bigs himself up as much as he does.
I would imagine Woods would rather never bother playing the game than be that poor.

Poulter like Murray is tarred with the tabloid brush on one silly statement. I can't actually remember the last time poulter 'bigged himself up', although I'm certainly bored of Woods' false dawns and claims of being 'almost there'

It must really hurt an egomaniac like Woods to have been so poor in the last three years and even more so that a relative chopper like Poults has won more tournaments in the last two years than he has in the last three.


On another note, Woods is perilously close to another missed cut. What odds for a 'knee twinge' amd withdrawal on the back nine today if things aren't going his way?

To even compare the careers is embarrassing to be honest. Poulter, one of the best players never to win on easily the best tour on the world....nope , not even that. Average.

I'm comparing the last three years. Poulter has won a wgc aand other tournaments around the world. Woods has won a Wednesday sweep and a poorly attended pga event. Certainly comparable in they time period.

Having said that poulter could easily shoot 73 today. Just think its time woods stopped living on past glories and actually put his money where his fat nine chinned mouth is.

Woods won a few weeks ago and you are talking like his career is over, thats just stupid. He was playing consistently well before that and accruing as many world points as just about anyone. He has clearly hit a wobble, who knows why but no reason to think he wont be able to sort it out.
If he misses a cut that will be what 8 in his whole career, Id imagine Poulter does that in a season.
You havent responded to Poulters rank hypocrisy about how suddenly a clear head helps him play better....thats the kind of toss he comes out with on a regular basis but whenever anyone else suggests it he throws his toys. Spoilt little brat basically.
And he was banging on about spending a million on a Ferrari if he wins his week to go in his new garage, in fact he said he might need to build a new garage for it.
And you say Woods has no class ???

Best player never to win on the PGA tour?

discounting those where the chance was not available or realistic (so players playing post 1980) I would have to say; Monty

I thought this was going to be tough and I was googling player after player trying to decide. Then remembered Monty. So he has two unwanted tags; best player never to win a major and best player never to win a pga tour event.

It will be 9 plus a few where he has mysteriously withdrawn, i.e the last two TPC @Sawgrass.

Neither player has much class off the golf course, at least Poulter is classy enough on it.

Has Poulter been hypocritical, no more so that Woods in response to Faldo assertion that his head was gone at the Masters and again last week.

You like Woods, I hate him, I think Poults is a decent player, you don't.

I think some of Woods reactions lately have been pretty funny, I liked the reply about what Faldo said. It wasnt a premeditated Twitter hissy fit like Poultrys.
Poultry is a decent player and thats it, nothing to get excited about. He just happens to be a prat who thinks he is a lot better than he actually is.

Whereas Woods is a prat who still thinks he's as good as he was.

I'm sure he would have reacted like Poulter, if he didn't have a team of people who tell him what to say in the media and who take proxy care of his twitter outages.

Poulter is not the only one in the lead. Martin Laird had the cleanest card of the day, no bogeys, and no fives!

Very good rounds from Brian Davis and Harrington as well.

Haven't heard any more about Paul Casey after he was carted off the course.

Another fine day today and this course will get firmer and faster, might be quite tricky for the afternoon "wave" today.

Don't expect any more 65's, would think anything in the 60's from the afternoon crowd would be very good.

Cut-line currently at even par, but would expect that to drift to +1 if the forecast is to be believed.

kwini

from casey

"I am going to re-evaluate and see where I am after I get some treatment," he said. "I will continue to strengthen where I need to and then go from there - I am hopeful of being fit for next week."


Why not wait until you are fully fit to return, I dont get what it is with golfers and trying to play with injuries?