PGA Tour: PGA Championship: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy!
Has Five Hour Furyk forgotten how to win? He experienced quite a drought in the late 2000's, rediscovered winning ways at the 2010 Transition (despite shanking down the 72nd hole and singeing KJ Choi's eyebrows on the way), and won squeakily at Hilton Head followed by a round full of fortitude to win the Tour Championship (and FedEx Play Offs). Now he's been in the driver's seat three times this year and parked in the wrong place each time.

2).Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley finally wins without a play-off but still due to the haplessness of another. Still not convinced that Keegs is the real thing. And nor is his local newspaper - the biggest paper in Bradley's Vermont had not one word of the golf in Monday's edition, not even the result. But he's secured his Ryder Cup place and it looks increasingly as if Furyk (so brilliant in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne but very dodgy in Ryder Cup play) will be hoping for a Captain's pick.

3).A perennial gripe about these WGC's - what incentive is there for the pros once they slip out of, say, the top twenty? There aren't many bigger admirers of Lee Westwood than me, but his weekend demonstrates that the WGC people have got their prizemoney structure all wrong. +14 was Westwood's weekend "effort" in finishing 70th, but he still took home $42K, only $30K less than two level par rounds would have earned him.
And then there's Jaidee, Crane and the vanishing Taniguchi who handed in sick notes, banked $40K and limped off to South Carolina.
Time for a cut (like The Masters, say, top 44 and those within ten shots) and lower paydays for the bottom trawlers. Spend that money instead on the leaders and create differentials worth playing for.

4).Didn't see much of the Bridgestone but really enjoyed the coverage of the Reno-Tahoe Open. A leaderboard full of characters and a worthy winner in JJ Henry. The four rookies on the USA Ryder Cup Team at the K Club, Zach, Wetterich, Vaughn Taylor and JJ have had mixed fortunes since their drenching in Ireland. Zach Johnson, of course, has gone from strength to strength, injuries have derailed Wetterich's career almost before it really started, Taylor has hit the buffers, but JJ has been like a journeyman freight train, chugging his way through the Tour season, consistently keeping his card for 12 years while supporting minor events, but never returning to the winners' platform. Until now.
Great to see Brazil's Alex Rocha getting in to the mix, four years early?, and pleased to see Romero back in the shake-up. Then there were the Open Champions: Daly tied with Leonard for his first top five since 2005, Hamilton in 8th, Harrington 19th, and Cink (talk about a slump) and Duval squandering chances of a decent payday. Seemed the modified Stableford format was very popular among the pros.

5).Very disappointing performances at the Bridgestone for those hoping for a Ryder Cup qualification. Given that Rose, McIlroy, Westwood, McDowell and Donald have their places secure, the best Bridgestone finish by the next ten contenders was T29 for Cabrera-Bello, Sergio, Kaymer and Poulter. Expect Davis Love to be quaking in his boots.

6).And look at the Europeans' form this year. Of the current owgr top fifty, the following have all lost more points this year than they've gained, indicative of their games being off the boil:
Donald, Westwood, Kaymer, Garcia, Poulter, Bjorn, Jacobson, Dyson, F'dez and Quiros. (While others such as Casey, Karlsson, Hansen, Luiten and The Mechanic have disappeared completely.) Is it too late to have another look at Carl Pettersson's eligibility?

7).But the Americans only have the long-term absentee Dustin Johnson, Watney and Toms from the top 55 with more points lost than gained, the rest (Mickelson possibly excepted) in decent to sparkling form.
There may be a turnround on the Carolina Shore this week, but I doubt it.

8).And so to Kiawah Island, home of the War on the Shore. (For accounts by those who were there, read your August Golf Digest - the most telling part to me was American disbelief at the amount the Europeans were drinking!)
Very few of those in the 156-man field for this week's PGA Championship have competitive form at Pete Dye's "Ocean Course", although some such as Rafa C-Bello, have played Junior competitions there.
But the WGC World Cup was played there twice, in 1997 and 2003, and these guys played well!
1997: 1st: Harrington (won with McGinley)
2003: 1st: Sabbatini and Immelman, with Casey and Rose runners up.

9).No Bernhard Langer or Hale Irwin this week, no Paul Broadhurst and no Steve Pate (come to think of it we didn't see much of him in the Ryder Cup either. Hmmmmm.), and hopefully no camo gear.

10).Weather will play a big part this week though; Pete Dye took a gorgeous ocean-side property, raised much of it above the dunes, and created a seaside target-golf monster, with almost all the course exposed to the elements but very few run-up areas in front of the greens. There has been significant rain these past few days and a steady diet of 10 - 15 mph breezes is forecast. Yorkshireman Kerry Haigh is responsible for setting up the course and he'll need all his skill to strike a fair balance, but he has an impeccable reputation and let's hope he lives up to it!

No idea who might win, but I fancy local-ish boy Dustin Johnson as best of the Americans. Otherwise I expect Ireland (North and South) and South Africa to contest the medals. For a rank outsider, how about Simon Dyson?

But of one thing you may be certain: If the sole survivor from the War of 1991, Jose Maria Olazabal, plays as he did 21 years ago, there'll only be one winner!

NedB-H wrote:Anyone with live coverage know what's going on? Scoring as high as I can remember in a PGA round.

The back nine is brutal, wind is really strong, flags tucked away....15&16 playing downwind giving players a little bit of a chance to get some shots back

Currently: Thunder in the Vicinity, 82°F - Wind N 8 mph

It is at least blowing 20 so don't mind that on the PGA CHAMP site!

It does not look like anyone who has played more than nine holes is better than +1 other than donaldson. Although that was a quick scan. either way it looks tough just by looking at the scores.

Front nine is playing "easier" only Phil and Webb are under par on the back nine

Vijay and BVP both going like a train as they make the turn/trek (or cart ride to the 10th tee).

Hunter Mahan way off the pace as he goes to the first tee for his 10th hole. Two wins already this year but he may well have to break his own record for most Ryder/Pres Cup Captain's picks in a career. Snedeker and Stanley playing themselves out of RC contention, and who'd've thunk Nick Watney would have struggled so much this year. Also way out of the US mix.

Lots of pictures of Tiger Woods rubbing his hands with glee as he eats his breakfast grits while watching the "morning wave" self-destruct.

Incredibly slow out there, no-one completed more than 16 holes in 4 1/2 hours. Wish the mosquitoes would incent them to get a move on.

Keep it going Padraig!!!

kwinigolfer wrote:Lots of pictures of Tiger Woods rubbing his hands with glee as he eats his breakfast grits while watching the "morning wave" self-destruct.

Incredibly slow out there, no-one completed more than 16 holes in 4 1/2 hours. Wish the mosquitoes would incent them to get a move on.

Hopefully the conditions stay the same this afternoon, or we'll have one of those annoying majors where half the field never stood a chance.
19 of todays morning starters began under par; only 8 of them left there now. The only guys under par for their round are Vijay, Phil, Webb (forlorn effort), Adams, Brendan Jones and Michael Hoey.

I see Scott Verplank has called it a week. Smart man.
He needs to get fit quick - could make another fortune on the Champo Tour if his body allows.

Meanwhile, five hours on the course and the first two threesomes are just finishing.

You'd think the PGA of America would want their members to set a better example. Lots of do as I say, not as I do. Ross Fisher must be following this with stopwatch in hand.

US Ryder Cup Team update.
As far as the leading eight in the qualifying points table, we can say some things now for certain:
Goodbye:
Mahan
Fowler
Watney
Stanley
Snedeker

and a very bad day at the office today for Matt Kuchar - Mr.Dependable likely to miss his first cut since "Canada" last year.

Of those who have so far reached the sanctuary of the Kiawah clubhouse, David Lynn has the day's lead, with a 74, one shot ahead of Molinari.
Two 80-somethings in already and one poor Club Pro will struggle to keep it in double figures.

it looks abit tough out there..

Jamie Donaldson's 73 looks heroic.
Matt Every, McNeill and a Club Pro top Americans in so far with 76's.

cut predictions lads- +4 for me!

+4 agreed . . . .
. . . . unless, as Ned suggested, there's a suspension of play and this afternoon's crew come back Saturday to play in calm conditions.

Ok off topic i know but who are the contenders for the 2 RC Wild Card picks assuming (obviously a big assumption) the Top 10 remain as McIlroy, Rose, GMac, Lawrie, F.Molinari, Donald, Westwood, Hanson, Kaymer, Garcia.

Personally i think the following are worthy of serious consideration:

Coelsaerts, Gonzo, Poulter, Harrington, Bjorn & Freddie Jac.

Today, Id pick Freddie Jac & Poulter.......................

Lukey better hope it goes to +5 unless ha can make magic at the last. And major winner Bubba Watson may be slamming his trunk, too.

I really like freddie J. But i think colesarts and poults(nailed on) would be my picks.

Just had a look at the standings for both teams- It honestly looks the highest quality ryder cup ever!

but for once in a bit of time i think the USA team is a bit stronger

John,
Freddie Jac is a good shout, hadn't thought about him but I think he's eligible (tho' apparently Pettersson is not). Might be a much better option than Colsaerts, shame tho' that might be.

Would say that the quicker Luke Donald gets out of the #1 spotlight the better, (hopefully only to return in glory when/if he wins a Major). Unless things go really sideways this afternoon, Luke is off back to Chicago with another B- return from this year's Major Championships.

Kudos to Webb Dowd for firing a 72, only American so far to break 75. Pity the tournament doesn't start Friday for Webbo.

I heavily backed donald this time-he needs to take a break- chill out for abit - go back into the pack as kwini suggests! LW1 if your reading this pass the message on- you might as well have a chill an all.

Lee has done brilliantly so far today... up 38 places already...

has he really- nice work!

but he hasnt gone of lol!!

Gotcha!!

cheeky...

Its still a gain though- Feeling confident!

1).Vijay: 69
2).Phil: 71
3).Webb Simpson: 72

Helluva Friday leaderboard.

mystiroakey wrote:I really like freddie J. But i think colesarts and poults(nailed on) would be my picks.

Just had a look at the standings for both teams- It honestly looks the highest quality ryder cup ever!

On 2012 form only, I think the current European team is the weakest team we've had in many, many years.

Can't remember ever getting a good look at Kiawah on TV before, but from a day and a bit of coverage I can't say I've been overwhelmed, fantastic to look at but as a test of golf... hmmm. It's reaffirmed my dislike of "runoff areas" at any rate.
Interesting to hear Phil in his interview saying you have to keep the ball in the air and take on the crosswinds because the ball feeds away from all the greens. Not a fan of any setup that discourages low, running ball flights in high winds, myself.

Ned - Also not enamored with this course, but with the wind up continued carnage could occur. Would love to see a big gun (Tiger and Rory) shootout over the weekend. Both seem to be playing with a lot of confidence -- but that can change quickly.

26 putts in 22 holes for Young Eldrick.
Not too shabby

Tinmar wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:I really like freddie J. But i think colesarts and poults(nailed on) would be my picks.

Just had a look at the standings for both teams- It honestly looks the highest quality ryder cup ever!

On 2012 form only, I think the current European team is the weakest team we've had in many, many years.

who would you say is weak..

kwinigolfer wrote:26 putts in 22 holes for Young Eldrick.
Not too shabby

If he doesn't win he'll probably say "I putted just terrible".........................mixed day for NI 76 GMac but still in it..........70 Hoey to make the cut and DC is -2 for the day and -1 overall........and it's windy!!!

Terrific from Hoey, after his poor Open.
Four playing the weekend (plus Dublin's own) would be a great achievement for the Emerald Isle.

mystiroakey wrote:

Tinmar wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:I really like freddie J. But i think colesarts and poults(nailed on) would be my picks.

Just had a look at the standings for both teams- It honestly looks the highest quality ryder cup ever!

On 2012 form only, I think the current European team is the weakest team we've had in many, many years.

who would you say is weak..

Kaymer & Garcia are the standouts. The fact that they are both still in qualification positions is a fair indicator of what a poor year it has been for a lot of the Europeans. Looking at Sergio playing and in interviews, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the team. I can see him him being a real weak link.

Tiger teed off Hole #1 at 2.00 p.m. (twenty minutes delayed) and has just hit his tee shot on #10.
PGA of America setting a cracking example - where's Paramor?,

kwinigolfer wrote:Tiger teed off Hole #1 at 2.00 p.m. (twenty minutes delayed) and has just hit his tee shot on #10.
PGA of America setting a cracking example - where's Paramor?,

Didn't their group have to wait quite a while for an alligator to cross the fairway?

cut def +5 with +6 a possibility??

incontinentia wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:Tiger teed off Hole #1 at 2.00 p.m. (twenty minutes delayed) and has just hit his tee shot on #10.
PGA of America setting a cracking example - where's Paramor?,

Didn't their group have to wait quite a while for an alligator to cross the fairway?

For 5 minutes or so on the second, they've been horrendously slow since then, Tiger putting better seemingly by dint of looking at every one from twenty angles.

Afternoon tee times were set back 20 minutes because of delays in people getting round, that's ridiculous.

what is going on with els and singh!! are we in a time warp.

Poults going well!!

tiger also going well

That's what it looks like John, but Lukey wouldn't deserve to make the cut so hope it doesn't go higher than +5.

I think the alligator action happened earlier, possibly even Thursday. Wasn't having a go at Tiger, but the PGA of America.

But Tiger's 360+ putt on #10 was amazing!

Three bogeys in four holes for lw1. Now he's on the cut precipice.

"Kaymer & Garcia are the standouts. The fact that they are both still in qualification positions is a fair indicator of what a poor year it has been for a lot of the Europeans. Looking at Sergio playing and in interviews, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the team. I can see him him being a real weak link."

yeah been saying exactly the same thing about garcia!! i kinda dont want him to make the team- But maybe we will come good in a team envioroment

i would never normally say this beacause i love luke- but i think if he goes home it may kick him up the arris!

i have the feeling if he made the cut he would probally some how get a top 20 and maybe it wont have the same impact

mystiroakey wrote:"Kaymer & Garcia are the standouts. The fact that they are both still in qualification positions is a fair indicator of what a poor year it has been for a lot of the Europeans. Looking at Sergio playing and in interviews, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the team. I can see him him being a real weak link."

yeah been saying exactly the same thing about garcia!! i kinda dont want him to make the team- But maybe we will come good in a team envioroment

Hes playing pish.... But no worse than Kaymer,Westwood, Hanson, Donald etc. Still think he would be an asset to the Ryder Cup team. USA are strong favourites at the moment, most Europeans have had horrible years.

by the way i didnt say the firsdt bit!

but anyway i suppose the form isnt great. donalds form is fine for me though- no dramas at all. just another bad start to a major- its getting boring in fairness.

rose is playing better than ever, mcilroy is doing ok. gmac is having his most consitant streak at the high level ever!

poulter is getting into some great form.

Kaymer has surely been the worst by a mile! gracia looks and sounds fried though

can poddy get in to the top ten. Because although i didnt agree about last time. I would actually be inclined to pick him this time, but poults first if he doesnt make it

That doesnt make sense Mysti.... You would pick Harrington if he got top 10? What one performance what other good performances does have recently.

I am getting tired mate your right!

poddy has been showing some form- maybe disjointed. but he has played some solid rounds since that 62 in the wgc(was it the one rose won)

he has also had two top tens in 2 majors an all, and playing ok in this one