PGA Tour: Up the (Tobacco) Road to Greensboro: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).PGA Championship.
Rory McIlroy.
Simply Magnificent.

2).PGA Championship.
David Lynn.
Second?
In your first ever event in the United States?
You've got to be sh1tting me.
Invite to the 2013 Masters.
Invite to the 2013 PGA Championship.
Very good chances of earning automatic exemption to the "Opens".

3).PGA Championship.
Seven of the Top Ten are Europeans, and they'll all be back, exempt, next year.
The Top 4 and ties will be invited to the 2013 Masters. Carl Pettersson (edit: already exempt!) joins David Lynn of those not otherwise exempt who'll be receiving that envelope from Billy Payne.

4).PGA Championship.
And the Top 15 and ties will be invited to the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Those not already exempt include Lynn, Poulter, Pettersson, Adams, Donaldson, Hanson, Stricker, Curtis, Clark, Ogilvy and Scott.

5).Kiawah Island's Ocean Course.
The course received mixed receptions from players (mostly positive) and media (a lot of it negative). Most of the negatives focussed on transportation logistics and the supposed absurdity of playing a windswept oceanside course with raised greens and fairways, but few run-up options. Exhibit A; Friday.
Was it significant that only seven of the leading 17 golfers were American?
Does it speak to a lack of creativity that many have long criticised the PGA Tour players for??
However well the course stood up to a variety of conditions and wind directions, I'd be surprised to see the PGA return their Championship here anytime soon.

6).And who's this Blake Adams fellow who finished 7th?
Adams has played The Players, US Open and PGA Championship this year and contended to some extent in all three. Almost 37 and only on Tour for three years, Adams is another of the multi-sport athletes, basketball and baseball in his case, who's focussed on golf and graduated through the mini-tours to PGA Tour success. He's another of the Tour's walking wounded but has become a Tour "iron man"; no wins but a runner up to Jason Day (remember him?) at the 2010 Byron Nelson, when he screwed up the final hole worse than Day did.
Well worth bearing in mind next time the Tour stops at a course that rewards strategic play and pars.

7).Carl Pettersson has returned to his self-described "ten beers and a pint of ice cream" diet after losing a ton of weight and his golf swing a few years ago. Most significantly this week is his work as a Board Member of the Tour's Greensboro tournament, helping to ensure that one of the oldest stops on Tour has not only maintained its place on the calendar, arguably strengthened its position.
A new sponsor, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and a new (old) course, Sedgefield Country Club, a Donald Ross original, have combined to elevate the event which now holds an interesting position with many of the field striving for FedEx participation or position.

8).Sam Snead won "Greensboro" EIGHT times, but last year's winner was a young American who'd been showing tons of promise, had been desperately unlucky not to win in New Orleans, and was a local lad to boot. Guy called Webb Simpson. He's back with an interesting field and some "interesting" tee times:
Simpson, Love, Pettersson. Local heroes.
Haas, Dufner, Snedeker. Ryder Cup player and two wannabe Captain's picks.
Appleby, Villegas, Glover. All outside the Fed Ex Play-Off places.
Schwartzel, Garcia, Watney. Disappointing seasons all.

9).European representation includes Christian, Davis, Jamie Donaldson, Knox and Greg Owen (good e.w. chance again this week?); Blixt, Chopra, Karlsson, Pettersson and Stenson; Colsaerts and Garcia (unlucky loser in a 2009 play-off here to Ryan Moore). Significant week for many of them:
Knox, Chopra, Karlsson all need big finishes to assist them in quest to retain Tour cards.
Blixt (back from a long injury absence), Christian, Garcia and Stenson will all qualify for The Barclays, but need good finishes this next fortnight to progress to the Deutsche Bank.
Colsaerts and Garcia are vying for Ryder Cup qualification.

10).In a sign of the times, Bud Cauley has just overtaken Arnold Palmer in the career earnings list;
Marc Leishman has recently passed Jack Nicklaus;
And Rory McIlroy's next top three finish will push him past Tom Watson!

Was the US Amateur broadcast in Great Britain and/or Ireland?

GPB wrote:Was the US Amateur broadcast in Great Britain and/or Ireland?

We've been getting an hour or two of late evening highlights for the past couple of days. I'm pretty sure they switched over to live coverage of the final when play got halted at Greensboro tonight.

Ned,
WW came out of Oklahoma State as a can't miss prospect, 1983 Walker Cup team partnering Brad Faxon (who he was in the final group with today!), Shotrock's mate Jay Sigel and Bing Crosby's lad, had middling success through the mid eighties, plenty of podium finishes and won a small event in the mid-nineties.

BUT: He married a gorgeous young lady (with the unfortunate name of Holly) who very soon into their marriage contracted a terminal illness, forget the precise details though robo probably knows. At what stage the difficulty of dealing with his wife's illness overtook his golfing life, I've no idea, but the fact is that she died at a desperately young age and that can't miss future was well behind him.

Despite occasional bright spots in the nineties his career petered out without cashing in on any of the Tiger-era bonanza and he came onto the Champions Tour with little or no status. So this win is HUGE for him.

One would think that he's a good enough putter to carve out a decent career on the Champo Tour; regardless, I'd imagine this will be one of the all-time popular wins and proof positive that Senior Golf is life's mulligan for a chosen few.

PS: Philips Parkin and Walton, plus Oldcorn, were on the other side of the 1983 Walker Cup scoreline.

PPS: Very pleased to see Forsbrand win today.

PPPS: As Mac suggested, Russell Knox is playing in the Knoxville web.com event this week along with a few other Tour vets. I think we probably exchanged notes on 606 when Knox had a super finish as a qualifier on the equivalent Nationwide stop two years ago.

PPPPS: Think the Weavers are unrelated.

So Mr. Fox won in the end, I couldn't watch his shuffling anymore and went to bed. He has a touch of the Kevin Na's about him.

Weaver bound to be kicking himself today.

Kwin - I have a suspicion any happiness with their European Campaign will be directly related to their results on the course.

2 up with 2 to play -- some finish in the US Amateur.

Anyone any idea how I can watch the golf today? Not live on Sky but on the golf channel...

Colsaerts into a tie for third place.....a tie for second gets him in I think!

Colsaerts is still getting no coverage on the telecast.

Colsaerts is going to have an interesting couple of days. I have been trying to figure just how he is going to get to Gleneagles for the tournament this week.

There is a flight from Raleigh, to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Glasgow that leaves Raleigh tonight at 7:45 and arrives in Glasgow at 4:05 tomorrow afternoon.

Or if Edinburgh is a better airport, there is a flight from Raleigh to NYC-Kennedy to Paris to Edinburgh that arrives at 11:05 tomorrow morning.

Whatever airport he chooses, it looks like there is about an hour drive after that.

No rush, he's got until Wednesday evening.

Coelsaerts deserves a Wild Card regardless............

GPB wrote:Colsaerts is still getting no coverage on the telecast.

Colsaerts is going to have an interesting couple of days. I have been trying to figure just how he is going to get to Gleneagles for the tournament this week.

There is a flight from Raleigh, to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Glasgow that leaves Raleigh tonight at 7:45 and arrives in Glasgow at 4:05 tomorrow afternoon.

Or if Edinburgh is a better airport, there is a flight from Raleigh to NYC-Kennedy to Paris to Edinburgh that arrives at 11:05 tomorrow morning.

Whatever airport he chooses, it looks like there is about an hour drive after that.

You must have some serious spare time on your hands there GPB...

Just browsing around Orbitz, took about 2 minutes.

Maybe you should offer your services as his manager. Be quite a nice life that, managing a few pros travel arrangements etc.

http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-4/2/192/v-439214.html

I found this online!

Surely a bunch of guys will just charter a plane?

Cheers Sir benson... Cant believe its not on sky.

If Sergio and Colsaerts happen to bump Poulter and Kaymer out of the Ryder Cup top 10, who is going to be the pick besides Poulter?

Ollie going to choose another Spaniard? Cabrera-Bello?

Possibly Cabrera - Bello... Id still pick Kaymer, having a horrible season but as they say class is permanent.

GPB wrote:If Sergio and Colsaerts happen to bump Poulter and Kaymer out of the Ryder Cup top 10, who is going to be the pick besides Poulter?

Ollie going to choose another Spaniard? Cabrera-Bello?

IF that happens, I think he should pick Poulter & Freddie Jac.................I believe Jamie Donaldson worthy of consideration also.............

Anyone know where to find the OWGR Points for this event so we can see how the RC chase is going??

John Cregan wrote:Anyone know where to find the OWGR Points for this event so we can see how the RC chase is going??

I think PD said it was a level 42 tournament in the OWGR thread:


1st … 42
2nd … 25.2
3rd … 16.8
4th … 12.6
5th … 10
6th … 8
7th … 8.4
8th … 7.56
9th … 6.72
10th … 6.3


Colsearts is 19.33 pts behind Kaymer, and Sergio is 13.41 pts behind Kaymer. (Poulter is 0.62 pts behind Kaymer.

A lot of things can still happen, but I think solo 4th is about the best Colsearts will do (12.6 pts).

Early projections for GlenEagles is Level 32


1st … 32 pts
2nd … 19.2
3rd … 12.8
4th … 9.6
5th … 7.68
6th … 6.4
7th … 5.76
8th … 5.12
9th … 4.8
10th … 4.48

It looks like Colsaerts will need another Top 5 finish in Scotland to pass Kaymer/Poulter.

GPB wrote:A lot of things can still happen, but I think solo 4th is about the best Colsearts will do (12.6 pts).

Early projections for GlenEagles is Level 32


1st … 32 pts
2nd … 19.2
3rd … 12.8
4th … 9.6
5th … 7.68
6th … 6.4
7th … 5.76
8th … 5.12
9th … 4.8
10th … 4.48

It looks like Colsaerts will need another Top 5 finish in Scotland to pass Kaymer/Poulter.

Cheers GPB.

Colsaerts position deteriorating by the minute....now in a 5 way tie for 5th

Yes, the "Muscles from Brussels" is going to need some train-wrecks from the leaders. Probably will not happen. I think he will finish T6th at best.

I'd like to see Colsaerts do a Molinari (E) and win at Gleneagles this week and that way he'd be thoroughly deserved of his place in the side.

Is he in the field for Gleneagles?

Yes Colsaerts is in the field at Gleneagles.

And now in a 4 way T7 and 7.25 OWGR points.

Poulter might give Bud Cauley a bonus if he stays ahead of Colsearts. (Cauley wears the IJP clothing line)

EmmDee57 wrote:I'd like to see Colsaerts do a Molinari (E) and win at Gleneagles this week and that way he'd be thoroughly deserved of his place in the side.

Is he in the field for Gleneagles?

He is thanks to GPB's travel advice!! See above...........

Condoleeza Rice and Darla Moore admitted as woman members at Augusta National Golf Club.

Sergio is playing awesome!!!

We like Darla Moore . . . . . .

Come on Sergio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a feeling Ollie is happy...............

Two outstanding wins in outstanding fashion by Europe's two most talented golfers. Fantastic!
European Ryder Cup Team immeasurably improved by Sergio's automatic qualification.
Now Colsaerts knows exactly what he has to do.

Thrilled!

Delighted for Sergio.... The way he played on the back 9 was just superb (bar his tee shot at the last but job already done)...

Sergio gets 42 points, giving him 200 points and clinches a spot on team, putting Kaymer on the bubble

Three way T7 for Colsaerts, 7.56 OWGR points. Means he needs 11.77 points to overtake Kaymer next week at Gleneagles. He has to finish Solo 4th or better ( at level 30 or 32) to overtake Kaymer.

At level 32, David Lynn and Rafael Cabrera Bello have a chance to overtake Kaymer as well, but only with a win. FWIW, at level 30, which could happen, it won't be enough points for Lynn or RCB.

Am I right in saying that Kaymer is not playing anywhere this week? That's surely a little disappointing if he wants to hold onto his place.

Kaymer is not playing anywhere and I truly believe he does not want on the Ryder Cup team. I have feeling, even he qualifies, he will come up with a phantom injury.

I hope he is not going down the rabbit hole to join Casey and Campbell and Duval.

Excellent from sergio, hopefully that will shut all the Harrington sooth sayers up.

GPB wrote:Colsaerts.....I have been trying to figure just how he is going to get to Gleneagles for the tournament this week. There is a flight from Raleigh, to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Glasgow that leaves Raleigh tonight at 7:45 and arrives in Glasgow at 4:05 tomorrow afternoon.

To get out of Greensboro you don't go to Raleigh... You either fly from GSO up to Newark or down to Atlanta (sometimes Charolotte) for most International... In this case, assuming seat availability... you get to Newark where there is a 7:30 pm non-stop to GLA... there are two flights out of GSO at 12;44 and 2.46pm that would get him to Newark in plenty of time...

So poulter is now bumped off the team unless he can earn a point at gleneagles?

You can fly from Raleigh to heathrow, and then heathrow to anywhere you want in scotland. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are about 1 hour from Gleneagles.

Or raleigh to NY then NY to edinburgh.

Both would have him there by wednesday at the latest.

Mac,
Neither Poults nor Kaymer will be anywhere near G'eagles.

One would hope Colsaerts is on a charter, get there tomorrow morning. What's money for if you don't spend it; he's just banked $162K less tax etc after all.

McLaren wrote:So poulter is now bumped off the team unless he can earn a point at gleneagles?

He aint playing there hes in the barclays.

McLaren wrote:You can fly from Raleigh to heathrow, and then heathrow to anywhere you want in scotland. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are about 1 hour from Gleneagles.

Or raleigh to NY then NY to edinburgh.

Both would have him there by wednesday at the latest.

But why would he go to Raleigh... The Wyndham is in Greensboro.. about 2 miles and 7 minutes from GSO airport. Get to newark... then nonstop to Glasgow tonite at 7:40pm... arrives 7:30am Tuesday...

Why are people bickering about airline timetables. Travel combined with relative urgency isn't anything new to these guys.
It's not like he has to be a stowaway on a pilgrim ship going the wrong way across the atlantic.

Sand wrote:

McLaren wrote:So poulter is now bumped off the team unless he can earn a point at gleneagles?

He aint playing there hes in the barclays.

I'm sorry... I just got to chuckle a little... Some suggest Timmy and the PGAT is too "provincial".... yet provincialism is the reason Gleneagles counts towards RC and Barclays does not... So Poulter is but a fraction of a point behind Kaymer... yet he might as well be a million... sheesh... Smooth move Euro RC committee... bet you're pulling your azz off for Colsaerts now... huh?

super_realist wrote:Why are people bickering about airline timetables. Travel combined with relative urgency isn't anything new to these guys..

Because it seems NOBODY wants Kaymer on the team... and they want Colsaerts well rested to make his best effort possible this week...

robopz wrote:

super_realist wrote:Why are people bickering about airline timetables. Travel combined with relative urgency isn't anything new to these guys..

Because it seems NOBODY wants Kaymer on the team... and they want Colsaerts well rested to make his best effort possible this week...

I want Kaymer in the team. Hes had a poor season but hes a major champion and still a class player. Id rather he held on this week and Colsaerts was picked.

[quote="Sand"]

robopz wrote:I want Kaymer in the team. Hes had a poor season but hes a major champion and still a class player. Id rather he held on this week and Colsaerts was picked.

Sand... I agree with you. If Kaymer holds on... and anyone... ANYONE... from the Euro contingent were too pull him aside and even suggest he step aside (as some suggest here)... if I were him... the second thing I would do (after telling whomever where they can stick it), would be to pick up the phone:

"Hello Mr. Finchem...

Martin Kaymer here... about that PGA Tour exemption you've been holding for me...

Great... see ya next January...

OH... by the way... know any good real estate agents in your area? "

EDIT: And by the way... I would like to see Poulter and Colsaerts get the picks as well...

Kaymer, in a PGA Championship, came off as ambivalent towards to the 2012 Ryder Cup.

If he wanted to make the team, he would be protecting his position and playing GlenEagles.

I am rooting for the Yanks, but I also want the best available Euro RC team. And I don't think that includes an indifferent Kaymer.

Ok, Kaymers Ryder cup attitude becomes pretty clear.

http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/article/About+the+Oktoberfest/About+the+Oktoberfest/Oktoberfest-Calender+2012/2698/