PGA Tour: The Memorial Tournament, At Jack's Place: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).Jason Dufner's march through April and May hit the buffers after 62 holes at Colonial, but all credit to Zach Johnson for being willing to wear that faux-tartan jacket for the second time in three years. Dufner will be taking the next two weeks off and has suggested his "regular tournament schedule" is finished for the year, with plans to play just the Majors, WGC's and FedEx Play-Off events. Who does he think he is? Tiger Woods??

2).Meanwhile, Zach Johnson has won twice now at Colonial, twice at the old La Cantera site of the Texas Open, and twice at Greg Norman's Sugarloaf design, site of Atlanta's now defunct AT&T Classic. The only other Tour venues he's triumphed at are Waialae CC, site of the Sony Open, and Augusta National, site of youknowwhat. Where are you placing your bets for his next win?

3).Good to see Tim Clark enjoying his first top twenty finish since his extensive absence due to elbow injury. But how fit is he really, and will he return to the world-class player he proved himself to be just two years ago at The Players?

4).And what of Timmy's runner-up that Sawgrass Sunday, Robert Allenby? Time was when Allenby was all ball-striking and no putt - now he's no neither, 94th in the Tour's "ball striking" stat, and a ghastly 185th in putting. I'm sure the illness of his protege Jarrod Lyle must weigh heavily on Robert's mind, but finishing 120th of 123 starters at Colonial, and only one top twenty finish all season, is the sort of stuff retirement is made of.

5).Golfchannel.com has a Jarrod Lyle update that I'll poach:
With his cancer in "remission", "he is currently preparing for a bone marrow transplant". "He is hoping to go into treatment soon and hopefully after 18 months to 2 years he will be able to begin the rehabilitation process and return to normal life."
I've mentioned before that Lyle is about the funniest guy on Tour, nothing cerebral, he just flat-out makes you laugh; always tried to follow him at events I attended. We'll miss you at Hartford in a few weeks, Jarrod, get well soon mate.

6).With today's announcement that Couples and Nick Price will lead their respective Teams at next year's Presidents Cup, and KJ Choi presumably in the driving seat for a Captaincy role in South Korea in three years' time, one wonders who will captain that American Team. Fred doesn't do overseas unless he's on a mission or a big fat appearance fee, so maybe the door will swing open for one of the forty-somethings who'll miss out on the Ryder Cup job. Duval perhaps? Or Justin Leonard??

7).Next year's Presidents Cup will be held at Muirfield Village, the course that Jack built, outside his boyhood home of Columbus, Ohio. And that's where the Tour is this week, for "The Memorial Tournament". Fabulous tournament, outstanding course, possibly the most enjoyable to walk at any event I've attended. Wonderful par-5's, superb conditioning and invariably a top class winner. We've made a fuss about "International" golfers being awol from Victory Lane this year, but that may change this week and I've got a sneaking hunch that golfers born in South Africa might challenge. So that includes Justin Rose of course, Branden Grace, Els, Oosthuizen, Sabbatini and Schwartzel. And how long before Immelman turns middle-of-the-road finishes into contention?

8).Eyes will be on Woods, of course, this week, Rory McIlroy and his playing partner Luke Donald. In normal circumstances I'd suggest McIlroy and Woods as the two to beat, but their recent form has hardly been inspiring. If the current American winning streak is to be stretched, I'd fancy Fowler or Furyk. Or Carl Pettersson.

9).What do you make of Roger Chapman's stunning (hate that word but it seems to fit) upset at last week's Senior PGA? Just out of curiosity, I checked out the alumni from his 1981 Waker Cup Matches at Cypress Point.
*GB&I included Peter McEvoy, Philip Walton, Ronan Rafferty and Paul Way (what a shame both of those two Ryder Cup heroes never really developed their pro careers).
*And the US featured Jodie Mudd (ditto), Pavin, Jay Sigel and Halimony Sutton. And two who have dropped off the radar. And with names like these it's easy to see why: Frank Fuhrer and Dick von Tacky. I'm serious, you think I'd make them up?

10).And let's leave the last word to Gary Van Sickle of Sports Illustrated, on the much-talked about subject of slow play and ideas to get serious about penalising it:
"The Ryder Cup would be the best place to get serious about slow play. It seems as if slow-playing the Americans has long been a European tactic, although several Americans are also guilty of turtle-like paces."

So that's why Europe has such a terrific recent record in the Ryder Cup - we've been slow-playing the Americans all these years!
Good Lord, if you played slower than Chip Beck, for instance, you'd be walking backwards.

On Zach

" Where are you placing your bets for his next win?"

Am i being a dumb ass or is the answer texas? Or at least the south.


I am really looking forward to this event, the best field for quite some time.

Looking at those names from the 1981 Walker Cup, it's interesting how some players are so good so young but fail to have long careers while others peak much later in life. Ronan Rafferty & Paul Way are like two names from the golfing history books. Yet they're both younger than Kenny Perry, similar ages to Vijay Singh & MA Jiminez and not that much older than Steve Stricker.

Jodie Mudd is also a real blast from the past. Didn't he win at Sawgrass, also have a few really good finishes in Majors and then just give up playing aged not much more than 30?

Mac,
Should be quite a week - you'd love this place - perhaps a little cosmetically overdone for a prist, but fabulous looking. Except the pond by the Augusta replica #12 which stinks!! Not aesthetically - literally!

Hi Tinmar,
Fascinating the way some careers turn out, isn't it?!

Jodie Mudd has the same number of Major top tens (including three Open Championship top fives!) as Luke Donald, plus The Players as you say, Tinmar, AND that year's Tour Championship. Quite a player.

I think he just wanted to follow horses, quite the horse racing afficionado.

That Gary Van Sickle is a tool. Do you read golf.com's weekly "Golf Confidential"? There are similar belters in there every week. I don't know even why I read it because it just leaves me feeling angry and GVS is usually the main culprit.

Lairdy wrote:That Gary Van Sickle is a tool. Do you read golf.com's weekly "Golf Confidential"? There are similar belters in there every week. I don't know even why I read it because it just leaves me feeling angry and GVS is usually the main culprit.

i do the same. dont know why i keep reading it!

Lairdy, hend0,
That's where I found it! These guys are idiots, sit in the Press Tent four days a week and think they're journalists - they don't know what they don't know!

I think Van Sickle is getting a bit bitter as his son, who's a good golfer, seems to be falling just short of making it on the Tour/Nationwide.

Weather-wise it's such a lovely day!

At Muirfield Village at least, Vermont also and hopefully where you are!

Warm and sunny today and this week will be a relief from the oppressive heat of Fort Worth.

Only chance of interference from the elements looks to be Friday when it could be cool and showery but Muirfield Village should look fabulous and the Memorial should proceed without interruption.


As for the Champions Tour, they're caucusing in Iowa this week.
No Roger Chapman but Sandy Lyle's enjoying his Hall Of Fame mulligan and he and his old RC partner Bernhard Langer will be the Europeans taking part.

Early starters on their way from the practice grounds to the first (and 10th) tee on a lovely morning in Ohio.
Fine day today but rain tonight and perhaps Friday morning. Once that clears through the weekend should be gorgeous - sunny, mid-70's.

Lots of questions for this weekend, two wks before the US Open.
?Form of McIlroy, Woods.
??Fitness of D.Johnson, Bubba, Marino.
???Form of early season top dogs: Keegan Bradley, Mahan, Stricker, even Bud Cauley. And lets add Simpson and Stanley to this list!
????Rickie Fowler's on a Dufneresque streak of form. Does he have another high finish in him?
?????Overseas golfers - apart from Rory, Rose and Luke's wins in Florida, only Pettersson has cracked the winner's enclosure. Time to step it up.

I see donald is playing with R-Mac. I guess it is to ensure that some of the fans actually watch the number 1's group.

Mac,
So long as #1 keeps winning I doubt he'd miss the attention. Don't see this being his week though.
Until #2's blip in form, I thought he was a short-priced favourite for Memorial, but not so much now.

If the course doesn't ship too much water with tonight's overnight rain I really like Furyk's chances - lots of form here, and lots of form recently - top 26 his last seven tournaments, including 5 x top12's. Outside the Ryder Cup qualifying right now and imagine he's motivated to secure his place asap.

I don't care if they don't watch Donald and McIlroy and instead watch the nine chinned busted flush Woods in the group behind. That way Donald can quietly get on with it without all the brain dead whoops, hollers and retarded shouts of 'mashed potato' from half witted inbreds.

"That way Donald can quietly get on with it without all the brain dead whoops, hollers and retarded shouts of 'mashed potato' from half witted inbreds."

You do know that the memorial is being played in ohio and not fife?

Very succinct s_r, I was going to say exactly that.
Indahole . . . . . .

Is that a joke Mac? Good heavens.

A big test for Donald I think. He'll need to keep it in the fairway to make those razor sharp approach shots really pay off. Very solid - even dominating year -- for the Yanks, it's time for an international victor I think. Regardless, I certainly don't see our boy Stricker defending.

Great research Kwin ... Just saw Jay Sigel last week hitting pitch shots ... wish I'd read your comment about him and the the 1981 Walker Cup. Would have been fun to chat with him about it. It's the course I wish to play more than any other (Dornoch a close second).

And speaking of the Bay area, some very entertaining comments about Tiger from the "never and unspoken thought" Johnny Miller.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/24/SP9P1ON4IO.DTL

What I find worrying is that it seems he harbours a theory that Rory is yet to win on a proper major set up??

Cheers Sr,
Wish you'd been watching SO'H to be honest with you - bit concerned about his fitness these days.

Lots of good stuff out about Olympic Club, thanks for the Miller link. Difficult for moi to dismiss Phil's chances in a fortnight - he finished well there in 1998 (Stricker and Westwood also). Just depends which Phil turns up I suppose.
Wonder if you read Jaime Diaz's article about Billy Casper in June's Golf Digest? A bit dark, but compelling reading - unfortunately I can't find it on-line or I'd publish a link. Certainly an all-time great who will never be fully appreciated.

Classic tortoise and hare already from Luke and Rory!

Mac - I don't think he was so much commenting on that. After all, Rory had a fine chance to win at Augusta last year. I think he was commenting on the goofy, tricked-up, overly penal, protect par at all costs, set up that the pea-brained USGA imposes (ask me how I really feel).

And I also think Miller is wrong ... Rory has as good a chance as any of the top guns IMO.

Mac,
There's always an anti-anythingnotusa agenda from NBC's people, part of their dna. Extends to their news people also - stomach-churning ignorance, but they're millionaires and I'm writing to you!

Kwin - I did read that Casper piece. Pretty dark indeed. Almost to a person every guy that competed against him has always said what an incredible ball striker he was.

A seven for Rory on the par three 12th. The Augusta replica?

Maybe Ian carter was correct in saying Rory was in a crisis of form?

Mac,
This is the week for Rory to rediscover that form, a par-3 quad notwithstanding.
When Rory talks about the type of set-ups that he likes (when he's picking and choosing) this is exactly what he has in mind. Would still be surprised if he doesn't register a top ten. (Next week in Memphis will be less forgiving, still surprised he signed up for it!)

Kwini

he already has a bird to ease the pain, i will have to hold off on forgiving carter.

Two birds, plus Wozza won!

He'll probably take on more shots for the rest of the round now to get back into contention. Strangely, by racking up a quad, it may well help him find a bit of old form.

I've taken Tiger in my Yahoo team this week so hoping he can find some form.

Should be good viewing this weekend if the top players are battling it out.

Mcilroy sadly took a visit to the water on 17.

Double eagle for Woodland?

Its weird with McIlroy at the moment isnt it? I wouldn't call it a crisis of form more than I'd call it getting his head out of his arse.

There's only a little water on #17, braincramp for Rory to find it.

Now Donald's up the creek - what's going on?

Woods going nicely, but no albatross for Woodland, except around his neck.

Really hope Woodland starts to pick up some form. 5 months now he's been with Butch, although we'll have to give him the fact he was injured for a bit. Hits it godly lengths with an unsually conventional swing - if that makes sense?

shottracker and the leaderboard had him down as a double eagle on 15.

Tiger!!

Enjoy the moment at least.

Can someone explain what happened to tiger. Shot tracker makes no sense.

Sr,
Are you commenting on his two birds or the double that undid them??!!

Tough stretch of holes from #16 thru #4 for those starting on the tenth tee - would doubt many birdies will be made there, and dozens of shots will be dropped.

Scoring holes from #5 through #15.

I was commenting on the -2! Ouch.

Rory's a bit like Prog Rock to me ... when it's good, it's really good, but when it's not, it's really bad!

Any one got the details on the Quad bogey by rory? Did he dumped two balls in the pond?

Looks like the hare has caught the tortoise . . . . but for how long?

Garrigus leading - what a jerk he comes across as. But pleased to see Romero up there . . . . . but for how long?!

GPB,
1 in the bunker, 2 in the drink, 4 in the bunker, 5 to ten feet, 6 missed putt, 7 made it!

Edit: At least, that's how shotlink tells it.

Good finish for Rory, sure he'll take a lot from that comeback.

Scoring tricky - but not as high as Celtic Manor's. Webb Simpson suffering again. Where's his game gone?

That was indeed some recovery from Rory, as you say something positive to take into tomorrow... We may well get to see a good battle between Rory and Tiger (and Luke?) now when nobody is expecting it...
Another proof that this may not be my week when it comes to fantasy competitions, I have Pettersson as one of the picks for the Memorial...

Kwini, perhaps his god has deserted Simpson or he just isn't praying hard enough or maybe the whole god thing is a crock of merde and he should start practicing instead of praying.

You're right s_r, Webb's god will have some explaining to do if Webbo misses the cut.


pd,
I fancied Pettersson as well, not happy with a 76!
Scoring looks to be much better this afternoon, returning bombers Bubba and Dustin among those under par early.

Not sure why I didn't tip Stallings, Summerhays, Levin and Compton for my fantasy team.

What a shambles from Mickelson - 7 over par on his final seven holes. Phil just doesn't play this course well.

No Europeans better than one under par - let's leave it to the "Internationals" this week!

Phil withdraws

EmmDee, I saw that - very unusual for him. Be interesting to see what he has to say.

Strange old day in prospect for tomorrow: Will the established players re-establish themselves, or will the wannabes step up?

We won't see him til the US Open now. Saying he's mentally tired. That's a cop out if you ask me. If that was the case he shouldn't have teed it up this week.

Poor finish from Justin, 3 dropped shots on the back 9.

Looking forward to watching tomorrow's action. Not from Celtic Manor though, although it does make me feel better about my game when I watch the action from there....

No Kwin, leave it to the Yanks!

But, I would not count out Luke or Rory by any means. Not many with their pedigree ahead of them at the moment. Rory showed me something today by coming back to -1.

Are the scores a little higher than normal?

If you look at the past winning scores, a lot of them are minus in the mid teens. It is hard to see anyone finishing better than about -12 at the moment.


And what a come back from Mcilroy, in even the recent past I get the feeling he would have thrown in the towel after the quad.