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.

mystiroakey wrote:Does anyone want woods to win?

Absolutely not. Before this I wouldn't have minded at all but now? No way, no how.

mystiroakey wrote:Does anyone want woods to win?

Not anymore, even though I am a huge fan. I wonder if he even read rule 33-7 or if he is just playing because he got the ok from the officials, i'm guessing the latter.

JPX wrote:"a sad day for golf"

What on earth???? Don't be so pathetic.

Incont isn't being "pathetic" what-so-ever. If you don't understand the wider implications of this decision, that's your problem.

incontinentia wrote:a sad day for golf.

I guess a lot of people said the same when the first black man started playing golf, and when the first woman started playing golf... Maybe this will make the rules get changed into something more comprehensible.

Maybe the ancient people playing and governing this game need to move into this day and age.

Whoops! TW just horseshoed his birdie putt on 8 from, what, 3 feet? Went more than 360° and stayed out. Alas!

navyblueshorts wrote:

JPX wrote:"a sad day for golf"

What on earth???? Don't be so pathetic.

Incont isn't being "pathetic" what-so-ever. If you don't understand the wider implications of this decision, that's your problem.

If you think I don't undesrtand why don't you explain it to me then?

What is it with the golf board, first oldshanker now this guy.....are you not allowed to disagree with the majority for fear of the wrath of the self appointed golf board police?

AlciG wrote:

incontinentia wrote:a sad day for golf.

I guess a lot of people said the same when the first black man started playing golf, and when the first woman started playing golf... Maybe this will make the rules get changed into something more comprehensible.

Maybe the ancient people playing and governing this game need to move into this day and age.

Sorry. The Rules are fine. You're making fallacious comparisons. If some people are too dull to understand them, I'm afraid that's their fault.

AlciG wrote:

incontinentia wrote:a sad day for golf.

I guess a lot of people said the same when the first black man started playing golf, and when the first woman started playing golf... Maybe this will make the rules get changed into something more comprehensible.

Maybe the ancient people playing and governing this game need to move into this day and age.

It would be great if that was the reason this happened(move this game forward and all). The problem is offcourse is we have just witnessed this game lose its integrety for TV.. yep thats right TV only!!

jeas they showed how dinosaur they still were yesterday with the docking a shot from a 14 year old.. the irony of it all!!

the most harsh and the most lenient penalties dished out in one tourny, That mate is not consistant and that is due to other forces being more important than the game it self!!!

JPX wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:

JPX wrote:"a sad day for golf"

What on earth???? Don't be so pathetic.

Incont isn't being "pathetic" what-so-ever. If you don't understand the wider implications of this decision, that's your problem.

If you think I don't undesrtand why don't you explain it to me then?

What is it with the golf board, first oldshanker now this guy.....are you not allowed to disagree with the majority for fear of the wrath of the self appointed golf board police?

By all means, disagree. Don't be a martyr about though eh?

What? How am I being a Martyr? That must be reserved for oldshanker who never seems to contribute to the golf board unless its to tell people they should say this or that.

"its a sad day for golf" is a pathetic statement to make (I didn't mean incont was pathetic if that's how it came across).

the english not exactly lighting up at the moment. But no one is pulling away..

English boys putting like they usually do on a major weekend.....

navyblueshorts wrote:

AlciG wrote:

incontinentia wrote:a sad day for golf.

I guess a lot of people said the same when the first black man started playing golf, and when the first woman started playing golf... Maybe this will make the rules get changed into something more comprehensible.

Maybe the ancient people playing and governing this game need to move into this day and age.

Sorry. The Rules are fine. You're making fallacious comparisons.

I'm pretty sure it was against the 'Rules' for blacks to sit at the front of the bus, play sports with whites, hell even go to war together

mystiroakey wrote:But no one is pulling away..

Yeah its not a bad thing, I can see there being 5 or maybe more players in with a shout come the final 6 holes tomorrow. Much better TV than a run away winner.

Rose misses a 6 foot putt short

Diggs you were right. Guy has the disease. the more worrying aspect of it all is that Looooke has it an all

mystiroakey wrote:

Diggers wrote:Really, I don't think there is a cat in hells chance that Faldo would have withdrawn.

he knew the rules 100% and if he infringed he would call a penalty on himself. so in that way you may be right. In this case he has been the main media presence saying Tiger should withdraw. And with that i know 100% he would if he was in the same situation. But lets be honest Faldo isnt/wasnt ignorant and he isnt/wasnt a cheat

He wasn't a cheat, I don't think Woods is either. I bet you over the course of his caterer Faldo made bad drops bit didn't have 5 cameras on him.
But mainly you picked the most competitive sportsman on the planet as an example, no way would he walk. I remember him getting a few helpful home kicks from the crowd at Wentworth in a matchplay final,he never have a monkeys about it. He was all about the win was Nick.

gaelgowfer wrote:Diggers, since you're the one who's asking the question, where is your proof that

nobody on the field would do that?

A lifetime of watching pro sport, they take their punishment but they don't fall on their swords.

Diggers i didnt use him as an example i was basing the comment around him after witnessing his interview on it on the US coverage -HE IS THE ONE THAT has mentioned woods should have WD!- no one else has!

I have explained that in the post above

Now i do not believe Faldo is a hypocrite , that is why I believe he would have WD himself

Was Rory in a drop zone then? If not surely he wasn't in line with the pin and entry?

yep drop zone

That's ok then.

Oh Freddie

luv the crowd!! get there get there

mystiroakey wrote:Diggers i didnt use him as an example i was basing the comment around him after witnessing his interview on it on the US coverage -HE IS THE ONE THAT has mentioned woods should have WD!- no one else has!

I have explained that in the post above

Now i do not believe Faldo is a hypocrite , that is why I believe he would have WD himself

Its easy to talk about it as a commentator, very different when you are the player involved in the mix for a major. Is Faldo now the competition animal he was at his peak...no way.
I'm sorry, love him as I do and he was a sporting hero for me, I dont think he would have walked.

well thats why I used him as an example. But yep you may be right.I agree that that is one of things what seperates us(and most of the field) with them(faldo, tiger, etc)!!

But at the same time. Faldo would have known that rule inside out. I would put money on it.. He was meticulas in everything he did..

Totally agree with Diggers.

Greens are smoking quick out there...

Double for freddie..

The thing I find ridiculous is that they would have ok'd it before the end of the round. Either the referee didn't know the rules, or tiger lied and then acted confused later. :P

What the heck is Rory doing?

Lots of backup from team UK, but all still in it!

This is reminding me of a long distance race. No one has gone for it yet!!

who will be first?

Rory is having his annual Augusta nightmare 9 holes, what a shame.

Diggers wrote:

gaelgowfer wrote:Diggers, since you're the one who's asking the question, where is your proof that

nobody on the field would do that?

A lifetime of watching pro sport, they take their punishment but they don't fall on their swords.

Two words. Brian Davis.

They're not words

Specifically, they're nouns. Nouns are words. If you want an English language debate, bring it on. You seem to know about as much about it as you do golf.

rose you ****

lee you ****

ahmen corner is frying there atheist souls

oh my God.. Lee is a believer.... What a par save

Oops I bow to your superiour knowledge of the English language.

SmithersJones wrote:Specifically, they're nouns. Nouns are words. If you want an English language debate, bring it on. You seem to know about as much about it as you do golf.

oooh another one who disagrees with me therefore I know nothing, join navy and oldshanker in the naughty corner.

Aah, the old 'sh1t, f*cked that up, I'll pretend I was joking' exit strategy. Shut the door on your way out.

JPX what the frieck are you on about.


Great shot lee!! get in there..

SmithersJones wrote:Aah, the old 'sh1t, f*cked that up, I'll pretend I was joking' exit strategy. Shut the door on your way out.

No, you'll have to explain that one to me as I didn't understand your best English there.

JPX wrote:Haha you golf board guys are sooo easy to wind up.

You're not winding them up, they're laughing at you because you're a special

They're laughing at me? That really hurts my feelings.

CABRERA, The man has exeptionally legendary timing of form!!

Angel Cabrera only needs to play at Augusta these days! He seems to like it here :-)

JPX wrote:

SmithersJones wrote:Specifically, they're nouns. Nouns are words. If you want an English language debate, bring it on. You seem to know about as much about it as you do golf.

oooh another one who disagrees with me therefore I know nothing, join navy and oldshanker in the naughty corner.

silence you furry flea-bitten fool, I'll cover my throne with your hide!

Cabrera loves the masters but he don't look good for 43!!! Rory has gone. when he is good he is very good when is not he isn't. if woods wins and he still might it will be bad for golf.

To be fair, he's been playing quite well this year, just hasn't been able to string 4 good rounds together.

Cabrerra and Jimenez love a jolly together. You can tell they love a cigar and a brass

Couples in free fall as predicted.

Are you feeling ok incont? "Sad day for golf" hahaha I'll never let you forget that one!