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

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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.

Tiger just needs to hit some par-5 fairways - his problem yesterday, and today.

I see Ryo is in a good position for a strong finish, he could really do with a good round tomorrow.

Spencer's very serious isn't he! Anyone wanna call a winner at this juncture? I've an awful feeling Sabbatini will win, an awful sickening feeling.

Tiger cant be happy with that, 4 shots back must be a little more than he would be comfortable with. Kwini correct in saying he will be particularly disappointed with his efforts on the par 5's.

He also seems to be going for some ambitious yardages with his irons, the 170 odd 9 iron on the last a fine example.


incon

Tiger along with the rest of the golf world will be feeling pretty sick of Sabbatini does the business.

No problem for me if Sabbatini wins - golf needs its bad guys as well as the sickeningly, smarmingly good citizens.

Thought Tiger let things go adrift quite badly and he'll be back to doubting himself again. It's all down to the par-5's for him. He's got to be favourite, but you could make a case for everyone of the top four - don't see anyone else getting close.

There are bad guys and ass holes. Sabbatini is just an ass hole.

kwinigolfer wrote:And not the sort of risk endured by Villegas on #18, a ten without a penalty shot as far as one can tell.

Quite a head scratcher that one (specially if you don't look at the shottracker)... He was 70 feet from the pin after 3 shots, on the fairway in front of the green, yet he needed 7 shots to get it in the hole (no water, no penalty shots as you said), of which only one putt!? Go figure...!

Hmmm... the sort of Rory-Tiger battle I didn't really envisage (or wish for) a couple of days back...
As most people, Ishikawa also must be a bit surprised to find himself so close to the top this Sunday...

Leaders round 3 stats summary at link below.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B28-0Wqx5A38ZWYtYlJYV1BaaDA/edit?pli=1

Well, I was wrong on world #1. Thought he might make a run at this thing, but just not getting it done. He must be disappointed at this outing, so convincing last week, but not impressive at all this week.

Not entirely surprised to see Rory in the hunt ... just not this Rory!

Robo

Thanks for the link. I always find it hard to work out what these stats mean but it seems clear Tiger is having issues on the green. Assuming the strokes gained putting stat allows for players with higher GIR.

It may just be me but i thought he was putting with his shoulders slightly open and with more weight towards the back foot than would be normal.

I don't care how you calibrate the putting stat's, the leader in gir will invariably have more putts, or be in an unassailable lead.
Fact is, Tiger holed a couple of nice birdie putts and some crucial ones for par - the secret to Tiger's scoring on a course like MV will always be his success or otherwise on the par 5's and he has had to lay up on seven of the eight he's played since going three under on the 5's in Round 1.
More of the same on Sunday and he can't win - cool that he's paired with Rickie Fowler, doubt we'll see any shots from anyone else except the obligatory tape-delayed putt if someone holes a snake.

Tempting to call The Memorial a four-horse race; 3 x 69's were the best scores on Saturday, so you'd feel it will be tres difficile for any of the chasing pack to reach six under par unless the wind stops. And it's not forecast to, though it's a bit calmer right now.

Greens will be fast on Sunday, but otherwise, conditions should be warmer if a little breezy.

Woods is the only golfer in the top twenty in contention; not very good so far from #1, but #'s 2, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 are all either at home or languishing outside the top thirty, only Justin Rose and Tiger inside the top 20. Then comes Rickie Fowler (#19).

McLaren wrote:There are bad guys and ass holes. Sabbatini is just an ass hole.

Amen to that, I like just about every player on tour except him and Na. Shame he's not paired with Tiger, it could provide the great one with enough motivation to muster up a win.

Scoring much better today by the looks of it, weather presumably co-operating for the early starters.

I for one would like to see Sabbatini win (of the top four anyway); he's done so many daft things and has been made to pay for many of them, but he seems a good guy beneath the stroppy exterior and not to be underestimated as a contender here!

I would have thought super fit Camilo Villegas would zoom around the golf course this morning playing in a single.

but almost three hours late, he is walking up the 18th fairway.

Looks like the balls are running a bit better on the fairways today, I guess that will aid tigers three wood and long iron from the tee strategy.

Another nice finish for Greg Owen, and Luke Donald back to form.
Now for a good back nine from Justin Rose.

Good starts by three of the front-runners, but too tricky for Rickie. He'll bounce back, no doubt.

Looks like it may be between Sabbo and Tiger, Levin hitting too many loose shots.

Romero to win!

Incon

I wish, this is sabbo's now. Tiger fails to perform again.

Did you see Sabby on the practice tee before the round? Firing dirt at Rickie, what a knob! Woods can't let himself be beaten by him...

WOW!!!

Wow doesn't come close to covering that. But WOW.

My heart is pounding.


Best shot ever if he wins?

Come on Rory . . . . . . . . . . .

I see RMoore was playing with his Argentinian anagram. Bet that doesn't happen often.

Yeah baby! Its not over, GO TIGER!!!

Is Spencer Levin sponsored by RIP Health Advisors?!! Its on his shirt!

incon

I wondered about that as well!

RIP Health is the Republican Party's health care manifesto for the unemployed and anyone of colour . . . . . .

Kwini

That was properly funny.

Oh yeah, Tigers back baby. Big time.

Can't argue with birdieing three of the final four for the equal best round of the day.

Good news for anyone looking for decent prices about anyother golfer in the Olympic Club field.

I really think that was a better shot than his one at Augusta. The difficulty of the lie and stance plus the dire consequences for not pulling it off were so much greater.

No one else in golf can do what he just did, so go figure when people say he is finished.


PS - nice finish from Luke.

Don't think we can consider him fully back until he wins a major. Hopefully there's one on the way

You can accept the fact he has the game back to win a major, that's what was in doubt , not sure it is now. The last win, so so, this one was the Tiger of old.

TIGER!!!!

The higher ranked players were no where to be found come late Sunday and Tiger did today what Tiger of old did time before.

W I N.

Heck of a year thus far.

McLaren wrote:...No one else in golf can do what he just did, so go figure when people say he is finished...

A good win but there's no need to wet yourself over it is there?

When Larry Mize, Robert Gamez, Bob Tway, David Frost did that to Greg Norman, everyone called Shark a choker.

When Tiger does it, it's something no-one else is capable of it.

I never understand the difference!


Mac,
The shot at Augusta had already been done, this was extraordinary! 'Course, Sabbatini hit the pin too (not that Tiger hit it) and then got down in two more strokes.

Final round statistics...

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B28-0Wqx5A38MUFVTC1HaEJzbXM

kwinigolfer wrote:When Larry Mize, Robert Gamez, Bob Tway, David Frost did that to Greg Norman, everyone called Shark a choker.

When Tiger does it, it's something no-one else is capable of it.

I never understand the difference!


Mac,
The shot at Augusta had already been done, this was extraordinary! 'Course, Sabbatini hit the pin too (not that Tiger hit it) and then got down in two more strokes.

It's a fairly simple point, Tiger does it, Norman had it done to him.
Norman is a choker because over the course of his career one shot was too important, that's why he choked.

Shooting 5 under today was something special, but not extraordinary -- after all Romero shot the same and World #1 shot 4 under.

While the chip in on 16 was wonderful, it's the fact that Tiger was in that position so late Sunday that was the real key to his victory.

Norman unlucky, Tiger lucky -- hard to convince me of that in a 72 hole tournament!

Diggers - Exactly -- Greg "the Ego" Norman needed only to put another stroke between him and Mize, Gamez, Tway ...

We saw Tiger absolutely put the hammer down and close hope to Rory by his birdie on 18. Separation can prove crucial.

The 'new' TW has won now three tourneys: Jack's, Arnie's and his own.... Whose next...!?

Back to back wins for me in the 606 Yahoo Fantasy League

princedracula wrote:The 'new' TW has won now three tourneys: Jack's, Arnie's and his own.... Whose next...!?

He's hoping it'll be Mike Davis' little soiree...

People like Jason Dufner and Branden Grace are having incredible years, but Woods wins two tournaments (and one very rubbish wednesday sweep) in three years and all of a sudden certain sycophants are climaxing in their trousers as if its the second coming and the greatest sporting achievement of all time.

Yes its a very good win, but get it in perspective. You lot sound like Mark Roe multiplied by Sam Torrance in your gushing and sickly praise.

To say no one else could have done it is typical Mac fawning and simpering. Grow up.

I think he will win a few tournaments here and there but I doubt and hope we'll not be seeing the vintage Woods. Hopefully those days are history.

Navy

You do know that pre come does not mean you have wet yourself?


Kwini

I know that you know what the difference is. Tiger has done it to others many, many times over 72 holes. You would be starting to sound like Super to say Tiger only wins through others chocking. You saw sabbs after the bunker shot on 17, he was mentally broken just shooting level par. It is very tough out there and Tiger is more comfortable on the back nine than any other player at the moment or in the last t 15 years.




To move on from Woods I reckon Donald will be quite happy with the way he finished on Sunday given Memorial seemed to be testing accuracy from the tee in the same way Olympic will (only it will be a little tighter at Olympic). I did not see his round or look into it so that is a bit of an assumption.

I really hope Olympic is a little less typical US open style than the sky pundits suggested? Anyone have any info on the set up?

McLaren wrote:
I really hope Olympic is a little less typical US open style than the sky pundits suggested? Anyone have any info on the set up?

Hard Greens
Long rough
Narrow Fairways

Why do you hope that Mac? So that your hero can hit more greens from his wayward tee shots?

Shotrock wrote:...and Tiger did today what Tiger of old did time before.

Just to split hairs SR, I always thought the TW of old was known for his front-running rather than overhauling someone from behind over the last 9 on a Sunday. Was a good win and his game looked pretty solid even if he still looks like he's trying to hit the skin off the ball all the time.

McLaren wrote:Navy

You do know that pre come does not mean you have wet yourself?...

Touché. Yes Mac, I do. Was wondering if you did but as you're the TW fanboi I reckon you understand alright.

'Morning Mac,

Not really sure what you mean - think you've taken other peoples' mis-interpretation of what I wrote. I certainly wasn't trying to infer that anyone "choked", not a word I like or ever use. Thought Sabbatini played really well as it happens.

Tiger won the tournament exactly as I said he would have to, by playing the par fives well - three under on Sunday. His chip-in on #16 was brilliant execution but would just have been a footnote if he'd've been hacking it up the long holes like Friday and Saturday. Then he ignores the "act like you've been there before" mantra of many successful athletes and charges around as if he'd just nailed Bin Laden. Personally, I don't find that attractive.

But I think there will always be pro-Tiger camps, anti-Tiger camps and those in the middle, like I try to be, who are accused of being anti 'cause we're not pro!

I think super_realist makes some very good points before he drives the rhetoric over the cliff.

And I stand by my comment that the Woods win is great news for anyone fancying a decent price about another golfer at Olympic Club.