PGA Tour: Viva Las Vegas: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Anything any good on the telly last weekend, then?
Wasn't that fantastic??!! Friday and Saturday as well as Sunday, of course. Loved it.

2).The Ryder Cup is surely an event all of its own, 40,000 fans yelling and screaming (most of the time, but they sure went quiet on Sunday), players performing at a level, good or bad, that they seldom reach the rest of the year.
(Every other) Year in, year out, some players perform at a level in the Ryder Cup that they don't approach through the rest of their career. Poulter doubtless just about to be elevated to the Peerage: Baron Poulter of Milton Keynes has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
Defeat every two years doesn't diminish Bubba's Major, or Bradley's or Simpson's, but equally victory doesn't seem to propel the Ryder Cup's stars to a new level - until the next Ryder Cup.
Strange phenomenon in my opinion, but compelling stuff.

3).Monday Morning quarterbacks are out in force pointing out the error of Davis Love's captaincy ways, very few of which I'd subscribe to. Only major question I'd ask is whether some of the younger (frat boy element?) Americans got a bit carried away with Saturday's overnight lead and I would certainly question matching Bubba, Simpson and Keegan against what DLIII must have know would be the strength of the European order. But that's nit-picking really.

4).As for Ollie, he'll escape hindsight because his Team won, but Hanson (an A player in my mind who had been in good form) rightly felt aggrieved about spending Saturday in the cooler, and selecting the superb Paul Lawrie in fourballs rather than foursomes raised eyebrows. But in Ollie's case all's well that ends well, and that ended superbly.
Biggest wobble that could have been crucial? Surely Colsaerts four-putting the par 5 10th (three putts from inside 3 feet) to go one down instead of one up against Dustin Johnson. But after Friday's heroics that deserves to be forgotten!
And plenty of redemption to go round, starting with the wins of Garcia, Kaymer and Westwood.

5).Lots about the inspiration of Seve, but the inspiration of Tony Jacklin should never be under-estimated. He didn't hit the shots that got Europe into a winning culture, but he certainly provided the structure. Sir Tony is overdue a little recognition.
Now, who will fill the Captains' shoes?
There's clamour in the US press for Fred Couples, despite him not really ticking all the PGA Of America's traditional boxes, or Phil as Playing Captain. But I'd consider them long-shots and expect David Toms to get the call.
Paul McGinley seems to be the European heir apparent, followed by Clarke, Bjorn and, presumably, Harrington. Sure to be heated discussion about that!

6).And so from the crucible of fire that was Medinah to the desert heat of Las Vegas (blazing forecast for the first day or so, sunny and warm all week) and the first Fall Series tournament. Lots of sunscreen to be applied by a decent field with a surprising amount to play for:

7).The top thirty money-winners still get invites to Augusta National and one or two just outside and not yet exempt are in the field: Kyle Stanley, Johnson Wagner and defending champ Kevin Na.

8).The race is still on to keep "playing privileges" for 2013, prize-money for the year of $750K probably will clinch a card, but "Notables" not yet secure and playing in Las Vegas include:
Brian Gay
Weekley
Gary Christian
Jerry Kelly and Justin Leonard (who may both use a career money exemption)
Vaughn Taylor
Daly
Villegas
Karlsson (poor finish in last week's web.com stop)
Russell Knox
Danny Lee (apparently fired by his caddie)
Imada

9).Who else is there? Captain America, Davis Love, sure he'll have an interesting media meeting; plus Garrigus, Moore, Watney, Charlie Howell, Sabbatini, Vijay, Tim Clark continuing his comeback, Allenby and Immelman. Unfortunately not Martin Laird and Jonathan Byrd, winners in 2009 and 2010, both of whom are on the cusp of qualifying for The Masters via the owgr Top 50.
Europeans include Blixt, Chopra, Jacobson and Karlsson, but surprisingly not Stenson. Brian Davis is there with Greg Owen, while this week and the remaining Fall Series events are critical for Gary Christian and Russell Knox.

10).Finally, Golf Digest reminded me of the story of "Billy's Bar" in the Bingley St.Ives Golf Club which is dedicated to Billy Foster. To quote John Huggan's article:
"On one wall hangs a large photograph. In it, Olazabal and Ballesteros are lining up a putt. Under the photo, in Foster's handwriting, there is a short caption:
"Ryder Cup: Ballesteros and Olazabal versus God and Jesus. Seve and Ollie, 2 up."

Someone should have warned Webb Simpson.

This is just the first week of Stage 1; assume Lowry and maybe some others will show up in declared fields next week.
And some will be exempt into Stage 2, Richie Ramsay perhaps, and Gonzo presumably into Stage 3.