PGA Tour: HE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Masters: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Martin Laird of course; you didn't think I was talking about the guy who's on the cover of every golf magazine and even some others did you? Or even that young Northern Irishman we've heard so much about?

No, Martin Laird's fantastic final round last Sunday in San Antonio not only stuck two fingers through the Ballwasher who doubted his resolve after a dismal nine-month spell. But also earned a ticket to Augusta National and finds himself in the "long shot, stranger things have happened, but not many" category for The Masters. More on that later.

2).The TPC San Antonio, ("Greg Norman designs golf courses to test professional golfers, not to please professional golfers," said Padraig Harrington), certainly looked much easier on the eye than in years past and it seemed that most pros who turned up enjoyed their week; some will hopefully even be back.
But play was dreadfully slow and one young American is just another guilty party who I hadn't spotted before. Daniel Summerhays, good lord, how long does it take you to hit the golf ball? Summerhays seemed to turn to Winterhays during some of his pre-shot routines.

3).And, while our thoughts turn to Magnolia Drive, our annual word in tribute to the Welshman from Bangor, Errie Ball, who played in the first Masters and is still alive today, hopefully to tell the tale, at 102.

4).Billy Payne has two new members this year, one who's just gone up one rung, presumably, on the list of the World's most evil women, the other who got her invite the old-fashioned way, thru' connections. (Have a personal interest in Darla Moore's richly endowed University of South Carolina's Moore School Of Business, so pleased to see her being honoured with a membership.)

5).With McIlroy and Woods striking form, I'd say this Masters, more than most, is almost certain to go to a favourite if, not necessarily, THE favourite. So let's look at some long shots and the owgr Top 25 for a form guide, with all the usual biases of course:

"Long shots, stranger things have happened, but not many":

#269: Angel Cabrera: You may think there's more chance of him attending Thatcher's funeral but, hey, this man hasn't forgotten how to play the game, he's physically fitter, has shown glimpses of form, and knows how to win - and how many can say that?

#56: Well, Martin Laird certainly can! 20th first time around Augusta, 50-something last year, but if he can putt like last week who knows? He hits the ball perfectly for the course, but it will be all about course management and his short game for Martin. The Laird of San Antonio with 22 Sunday putts, or the Laird of Florida when he took eight 3-putts each at Bay Hill and Tampa?

#41: Henrik Stenson: Eccentric as ever but plenty long enough and can putt well. On my e.w. list at 75/1.

#38: Scott Piercy: Thinks he's the best golfer the world has ever seen. Still seething at the perceived injustice of not being interviewed on TV after his demolition of Luke Donald at the MatchPlay. The favourite, in his eyes anyway, and don't you dare discount his chances!

6).21 - 25:
#25: Furyk: Planning to attack Augusta with two drivers but hasn't done better than 4th here and not likely to this week.

#24: Els: Terrible year so far, seems to have lost confidence just when he needs it most.

#23: Watney: Jekyll and Hyde, Would love to see him take the proverbial next step but don't see it this week.

#22: Hanson: 3rd last year but in much better form coming in than this year's version. Wouldn't count him out completely, top ten material.

#21: Mahan: A couple of Masters' top tens under his belt, but something's been missing this past year and I can't see him finding it at Augusta.

7).16 - 20:
#20: Simpson: His US Open win apart, hasn't really had that great a last 18 months. Can't see it improving here.

#19: Dustin Johnson: Augusta National is made for Dustin - no par 5's here for him, but nothing inside the Top 30 here yet, and his dodgy short game will frustrate him again this week.

#18: Dufner: Good start a year ago but faded. If his Dufnering pic's are anything to go by he's still asleep.

#17: McDowell: Top 15 material, doesn't fancy some of the tee shots here and, until he does, can't see him contending.

#16: Garcia: This place frustrates the sh1t out of him. Shame, might get close, but not close enough.

8).11 - 15:
#15: Schwartzel: 2011 winner and no reason to think he can't win another one. Except none of the five South African Major (and Players) winners these past eight years have won since on the PGA Tour. Top three candidate.

#14: Bubba Watson: It's all about his emotions - I fancy a left-hander but perhaps not this one.

#13: Westwood: Nope, not this year, Lee, not until your short game and your long game are on the same page. But, if he can somehow be -10 on the par fives, he'll be right there. Nah.

#12: Poulter: Would love to see Poults win a Biggie but reckon Augusta National is too long for him, too much pressure on his mid and long irons. Top 15 though.

#11: Bradley: Lots of top tens this year and may score another one. Plenty long enough but can't see that short game winning a Green Jacket.

9).6 - 10:
#10: Kuchar: 3rd last year, plods along with that inane-looking, sh1t-eating grin of his and, hey presto, he's right there. Top 5 perhaps, but Green Jacket? Perhaps not, e.w. value though at 33/1 or 40's.

#9: Mickelson: My choice last year and should've, would've and certainly could've . . . . Those triple bogeys did him in. My idea of the man to beat, not scared to win and probably doesn't want it so manically much as Number One.

#8: Stricker: Says he's "still trying to figure out Augusta". I bracket him with Poults, his long game puts too much pressure on his world-class short game; top 20 probable but can't see him in the shake-up.

#7: Scott: No form to speak of this season; plays a bizarre schedule and who knows if he's up for this? Not worth the risk.

#6: Oosthuizen: Difficult for me to separate the two South African Kings: He was devastated by last year's play-off defeat, but can he bounce back? Sh1t or bust I'd think - at his best a sure-fire contender.

10).1 - 5:
#5: Snedeker: Has been out injured for most of the past two months, no cuts made since his early season super form. Certainly has the game, but feel he's still slightly under-cooked for this week. The Sneds of the past year a certain Major winner - just not this week.

#4: Donald: No form for ages. The 2011 model Luke would be a contender anywhere, but not the short-and-crooked version of years ago which has made an unwelcome return - might get away with it at Hilton Head but not 150 miles up the road at Augusta.

#3: Rose: Which Justin will we see? The winner at such top courses as Aronomink and Muirfield Village, or the strutter who flatters only to deceive, but then burns up the final nine holes for a back-door podium finish? Until he can prove that he won't wilt when the heat turns up, I'd have him down as a likely top tenner, not a winner.

#2: And then there's Rory. If his confidence right now was as high as Scott Piercy's I'd ink him in to his first Green Jacket, but his driver left him a bit last Sunday and he won't be "back" until he's back. Not many would be surprised to see him win; me neither, but perhaps not this year.

#1: Tiger: The only person who can beat Tiger is Tiger, and his ambition and anxiety to earn his next Major. Until he does it, I'd bet against him and gamble that Tiger will beat Tiger. As we saw at Bay Hill, though, the old intimidation factor is back and, if he putts like he did in Orlando and hits 60% of the fairways, he'll win this. For me, I'd bet the field against him.


Can't wait though, although we'll have to put up with the unctuous, over-reverential tones of CBS - would be nice to think they'll have a commentator under the age of 50, a breath of fresh air so sorely needed, but no chance of that. The weather should have the course in perfect condition, but there's a chance of severe storms Thursday p.m. into Friday, after which the sun will shine.

I fancy Phil to win, but Bones (perhaps the only born-in-Britain winner this year?) has to keep him focussed. Reckon Louis and Charl will be right there and fancy Kuchar as best outsider, Stenson best complete long-shot.

Eldrick takes it in his stride, superb 5th shot

great 6 tiger

Shotrock wrote:Tough luck Tiger... but the ball goes where you put it!

My guess he'll still be playing late Sunday.

Nobody can account for something like that though, a lot of time when the ball hits the pin it stays on the green. Anyway only one shot dropped

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

the rum tum tiger is a curious cat, plays worse on the easier bac 9.

luke looks like a typical englishman on the greens these days..

to his creadit though this is actually a better position for him to be in than he normally is half way through a major!

Monty - VERY impressive from Tiger to make only bogey and also to run in the par putt on 16. 72 holes, you'll get some bad luck (and good fortune) -- so it's how you let it affect you. Tiger's resolve pretty good!

Shotrock wrote:Monty - VERY impressive from Tiger to make only bogey and also to run in the par putt on 16. 72 holes, you'll get some bad luck (and good fortune) -- so it's how you let it affect you. Tiger's resolve pretty good!

If only he was so wise when he was playing in majors himself! He was always looking for something to upset him.

woods'll be steaming with that back 9

Redrage - What do you mean?

I've only just realised that they put Day and Harrington together out last. Is Fowler slow too?

Missed the last ninety minutes of play - quite the disappointing end for Mr.Woods. Is he starting to beat himself?

Pretty nice tournament shaping up for Hilton Head next week with a strong field.

Simpson, Haas, Snedeker, Mahan, Kuchar, Zach among the top Americans.
Colsaerts, Davis, Donald, Donaldson, Fish, Hanson, Kaymer, Lynn, McDowell, Owen, Pettersson, among Europeans.
And a good South African presence incl Sterne.

Wood over span that shot on the par 5..(I dont think the connection with the flag was anything to do with it going in the water)

If we see what he did on the 18th- he took all spin of the shot(possibly due to what happened on 15) and the ball went flatter carried abit to far and almost had top spin. He 3 putted from there..

The 18th hole doesnt play easier than that. there were many birdies on that hole due to its flag position- yet he made the shot more complicated..

woods is feeling it..

Woods possibly facing a DQ for his drop on 15.

Do you know what Mac. I actually thought it was odd the way he dropped that ball at the time. He didnt extend his arm

chinese qualifying on.GET YOUR internet telly OUT(be truthfull you just have a small telly these days its your PC monitor!!) Hamilton will take this pole

Dont worry mysti, I am watching the f1.

Tigers drop apparently not on a line between pin and point of entry over the hazard.

yeah just read up on it.. His arm extension seemed fine. It must have been freudian from me..

By the way- how can they not DQ tiger for this..

He supposedly dropped the ball furthar back than he should have.

rules are rules!!

off course golf should get out of the dark ages and apply apropriate penalities to scores after completed rounds and signed cards!

but in this case i can only the TV companies sending parcels of money down to the rule dudes to make sure he doesnt get DQ'ed!!

Not sure mysti, I have not watched any of he action so far. Remember Rory got away with testing sand in a bunker.

whoop whoop. mercedes lock outone and 4 in china!!

hamilton loves this place! and claims pole

Shotrock wrote:Redrage - What do you mean?

Are you being serious?

What I am saying is Monty could never practice what he preached last night. He was always extremely hard on himself and anyone around him when the pressure was on. He never blanked his surroundings out, he was always looking for a spectator in crinkly trousers scratching his bum to give ticking off to.

Anyone seen Jason Day's wife? Smoking hot.

Redage- he was talking to monty the poster not the pro golfer

by the way SR.

I speak for everyone.

We all want to know yourhonest thoughts on tiger woods back 9 yesterday and should he be DQ'ed?

McLaren wrote:Woods possibly facing a DQ for his drop on 15.

You can see video clips on www.masters.com.
He defo dropped it further back. And are you sure he is not allowed to do that?

pedro wrote:

McLaren wrote:Woods possibly facing a DQ for his drop on 15.

You can see video clips on www.masters.com.
He defo dropped it further back. And are you sure he is not allowed to do that?

This is something i certainly wasnt sure on before!!

I would assume you could go as far back from the point of entry to the hazard that is in a straiught line from the flag. But if they are bringing this up.. well it must be a criminal offence yo

mystiroakey wrote:Redage- he was talking to monty the poster not the pro golfer

The real Monty had also been stating on the TV that it was a great bogey and it was all down to him not letting it affect him.

mystiroakey wrote:by the way SR.

I speak for everyone.

We all want to know your honest thoughts on tiger woods back 9 yesterday and should he be DQ'ed?

Oakey, In all honesty, I was in bed.
I don't think unless someone has blatantly cheated or done something seriously wrong there is a need for being DQ'd.
2 or 3 penalty shots should be sufficient, but of course it's Nine Chins, so they won't.

If he was applied a penalty he would be dq'ed for signing an incorrect score..

Its dq or no penalty whatsoever.

With that being said, a dq would be unfair. But rules are rules. But what are the rules?

pedro wrote:With that being said, a dq would be unfair. But rules are rules. But what are the rules?

I have just worked it out..

it is as i said before- point of entry no nearer the hole on a straightr line from the flag-- or replay from the same spot!!

If woods had gone for the first option he would have had to play the shot from further left than his original shot(because its all about the point were the ball went in to the hazard).. He seemingly took the second option -But he has to play that from as close to the original shot as possible!!

There is also a third option.. Play from the drop zone .

Well, he dropped it within ~2 feet of the original shot, so I guess it was ok?

If it was within the correct distance no dramas.

If as he stated in his interview he intended to drop two yards further back then his intention was in breach of the rules, because the point he dropped was neither as close as possible to the original place (deliberately) nor was in in line with where the ball LAST crossed the margin of the hazard. If they can justify Guan's penalty I'm sure they'll find a way to justify letting Tiger off though!

i just dont think anything is going to be mentioned- but if he admitted to dropping it 2 yards back he has admitted to not understanding the rules and yes doing something against the laws of golf..

Redrage wrote:

John Cregan wrote:

Outstanding synopsis.............

I am all for these penalties... but the way they are applied should be transparent and consistent. It just seems that they applied sporadically and never at the most obvious offenders. It is extremely odd.

The european tour is much tougher on slow play than elsewhere. John Paramor is one of the best referees in the game so, when he penalised Guan, he'd have had very good reason for doing so.

I'm sure Guan will learn from this but, sadly, probably not in a good way. He will learn to play the clock game a la Harrington et al.

Does it matter what he said. If his actions are deemed to be within the rules he will be fine.

Given the rule book - which is way to long - didn't bother to define as close as possible I suppose 2 feet will be fine.


No doubt if he fame hungry, busy body, arse hole John Paramour gets anywhere near the decision, tiger will be a goner.

mystiroakey wrote:i just dont think anything is going to be mentioned- but if he admitted to dropping it 2 yards back he has admitted to not understanding the rules and yes doing something against the laws of golf..

oakey ... just because he stated he dropped it 2 yards behind the ball doesn't necessarily mean he deliberately set out to drop it two yards behind. He would certainly have wanted to avoid his ball ending up in his own divot mark. If it all comes down to a question of intent, it wouldn't surprise me if he was given the benefit of the doubt and, given he was on the receving end of a rotten piece of luck anyway, I wouldn't have a problem with that decision.

I am now off to wash my mouth out with soap!

gaelgowfer wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:i just dont think anything is going to be mentioned- but if he admitted to dropping it 2 yards back he has admitted to not understanding the rules and yes doing something against the laws of golf..

oakey ... just because he stated he dropped it 2 yards behind the ball doesn't necessarily mean he deliberately set out to drop it two yards behind. He would certainly have wanted to avoid his ball ending up in his own divot mark. If it all comes down to a question of intent, it wouldn't surprise me if he was given the benefit of the doubt and, given he was on the receving end of a rotten piece of luck anyway, I wouldn't have a problem with that decision.

I am now off to wash my mouth out with soap!

Ah, I've just heard his post round interview in which he stated he "took" two yards. Puts a different hue on things. Given he had signed his card, disqualification would appear to be the only option?

Just watched the breakfast show and they were all in agreement that he's had it. Personally I can't see why the small matter of two yards should yield such a punishment, the tournament would surely suffer a great deal if he were to be DQ'd. Rules are rules though I suppose and the debacle with the young Chinese player may have sealed his fate I fear.

With or without tiger I dont see the winning score being any better than about -9.

Redrage - Gotcha -- I didn't realize you were referring to Colin, rather than the poster Monty. (Also I see Mysti cleard this up. Thanks!)

Very poor back 9 by Tiger, but still only 3 back heading into the weekend.

Green jackets penalize Tiger? Well, they didn't penalize Rory when he kicked sand in the bunker; I'd be stunned if they did penalize Tiger. But anything can happen!

I know Tiger is hardly the most popular player on this forum, but would anyone here be genuinely pleased if he did get DQ'd? It seems to me everyone would stand to lose out with the way he's playing at the moment.

Is it determined that there was an illegal drop?
I haven't seen it but, if so, what's the difference between the drop Tiger took and that which Furyk took, also, by his words, on a flatter spot a little further from the hole??

I can't find anything about either, but my ignorance as I thought you COULD take the ball back further (not that such a thing ever happens to me of course).

kwinigolfer wrote:Is it determined that there was an illegal drop?
I haven't seen it but, if so, what's the difference between the drop Tiger took and that which Furyk took, also, by his words, on a flatter spot a little further from the hole??

I can't find anything about either, but my ignorance as I thought you COULD take the ball back further (not that such a thing ever happens to me of course).

.

I was thinking this just earlier Kwini, didn't Furyk do exactly the same thing? In fact I'm pretty sure he took it even further back. He could have done it on the line from where it entered the hazard having said that. Unlike Tiger.

kwinigolfer wrote:Is it determined that there was an illegal drop?
I haven't seen it but, if so, what's the difference between the drop Tiger took and that which Furyk took, also, by his words, on a flatter spot a little further from the hole??

I can't find anything about either, but my ignorance as I thought you COULD take the ball back further (not that such a thing ever happens to me of course).

Not when you decide you are taking the option of playing from "as near as possible AT the spot from where the last shot was played".

He had 3 options:

1. D.Zone. He declined
2. Take a line from where he crossed the havard. He declined.
3. Play from where he played. He took that option but decided to go further back.

It's a clear DQ. He is gone. He can only get out of it by saying he attempted to go back to original spot, but his interview and the footage contradicts that.

If he plays the weekend, this tournament will be a farce.

Yeah, I was about to say didn't Furyk do exactly the same?

Must admit, I had assumed Rule 27-1 (b) as shown on-line allowed you to take the ball further back provided you maintained the line, "with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped".

I've been reading this incorrectly then . . . ..

Shotrock wrote:Redrage - Gotcha -- I didn't realize you were referring to Colin, rather than the poster Monty. (Also I see Mysti cleard this up. Thanks!)

Very poor back 9 by Tiger, but still only 3 back heading into the weekend.

Green jackets penalize Tiger? Well, they didn't penalize Rory when he kicked sand in the bunker; I'd be stunned if they did penalize Tiger. But anything can happen!

SR, this is as clear a DQ as you will get. How would he possibly survive??