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.

btw remember that woods has never won a major from behind!!

Could be his first

very dull, the rules controversies have taken from the whole tournament imo

What should be interesting tomorrow is who handles the Augusta "noose" best. Jason Day will no doubt be thinking of what it would mean as an Australian (as will Scott and Leishman). Angel such a freewheeler that he could go rogue on a few holes. American contingency led by experience, but not a whole lot of horsepower (Tiger aside).

Very outside chance of Tiger winning this ... but man can he putt.

Wide open.

Scott is hanging in there nicely, I wouldn't begrudge him a win, in fact it would be good as he deserves one after The Open.

incontinentia wrote:very dull, the rules controversies have taken from the whole tournament imo

Yes, very sad day for golf.

I backed scott , and only backed 3 lads this week. so dont wanna jinx him..

Sneds looks the main man tbh.

Jason day I'd pretty slow. can they take another shot off the young lad? seems like David Lynn has found out that majors aren't really that easy after all. Adam Scott the most high profile player challenging. couples making people eat their words again though he won't win but I'd still back Jim for a top 10. early gp in the morning so do I leave this assuming sned and day in final group tomorrow?

JPX wrote:

incontinentia wrote:very dull, the rules controversies have taken from the whole tournament imo

Yes, very sad day for golf.

glad you agree beast brain

got to seriously applaud these aussies!!

Well be cheering you on tommorow like your one of me own!

I'm now cheering for Scott, if not then Woods.

That's not very nice incontinent.

4 10-20 foot par saves on the back 9 for lee...

One player that has the ability if he puts it all together to go stupid low. Do i think he will. Nah!!! of course not.

Yaaaawn. Think I'll give myself a 2-shot penalty to stay awake...

with the aussies I'd guess you can class Leishman and Scott as brits somewhere in Their history and Jason day has Irish ancestory and that is part of the British isles so...

duffner has fallen apart.

Just fallen out big time with a mate in the village pub(he is not a golfer).he was a bit drunk but incredibly I found myself defending golfers in general(and woods specifically) as not deliberate cheats.All things considered I think I made the right decision.
Freddie looking a bit too casual i know thats his way but frustrating all the same

Those are some pretty scrawny straws you're clutching at there beninho!

beninho wrote:
duffner has fallen apart.

He's dufnering. Just like me now... Probably the least exciting Masters for a while. Should be better tomorrow tho, as it looks to be a quite tight finish.

you did the right thing dyna. on this black day for the sport it is encumbent upon us to help people realise that its not the players at fault, but the rules officials and committees

Yes the rules controversy has detracted from the golf a bit but those greens and pin placements were stupid. Guess stupid pills were handed out to all Augusta GC staff at the start of the week.
Kudos to Sneds and Cabrera with rounds like that in those conditions. Would fancy Cabrera more coming from behind so I'll go with Scott. How many folk had an eye on Sneds for this but didn't back him because of his injury??

Wasnt there a golfer who owned up to playing with an illegal ball weeks after having qualified from q-school or something? Anyway who cares. The biggest thing to come of this will mean no more DQs for incorrect scorecards just penalty strokes.... right?

Absolutely NOT a boring day for the Aussies and thier fans! Press still hot on JD ... but even money on me for Sneds, Angel or Scott.
Cabrera's experience big at this point.

Really bad tournament thus far for the Europeans -- best hope from that continent Langer?

The Final Round dawdle starts at 9.20 a.m. Sunday with Keegan Bradley - but we won't notice how slow he is as Guan is in the next pair. Five hour rounds for twosomes?

Woods playing with Clark tomorrow and, if Timmy is playing in any form at all, he's one guy who won't be intimidated.

Apparently the winner has come from the final two pairs in each of the past 23 Masters; got to love the credentials of Cabrera and Snedeker, and perhaps they'll be a twosome who won't be looking over their shoulder.

Regardless, let's hope it's all about the Golf and not those morons in green jackets who are really putting their little garden party's status as a Major with integrity at risk.

We always say Hilton Head is a breath of fresh air but that will never be more true than next week.

After observing the normal responses on here it is an absolute cert. that if you removed the names Woods and Augusta from the controversy and inserted Westwood and St. Georges, it would have been an accurate and courageous decision.

GT350 thats some odd comment right there., switch augusta with st georges? you do realise augusta is a golf club - right?

Well done mystiroakey.

you tripping out blud?

Come on Sneds.

Your eyes like Harringtons are too close together but this could be my third major in the last two years ive picked the winner.

Nine chins struggling. Couples bottling it. Day faltering. Usual westwood. Cabrera possibly the main man?

You can get Woods at 7-1. Might be worth a flutter, Sneds is the only one I can see holding position above him. Don't think Scott has the cojones or Day. Can see Cabrera going backwards, should be a great finish. Actually Kuchar at 14-1 is really good value.

woods is half decent value..

sneds is the one to really think about.

If everyone losses there head cabrerra has that almost lack of fear anyway- so he could just do his normal sunday round with his mates(if he doesnt get annoyed with slow play off course)

I am in for a couple of k if scott can win.. thinking about laying it off at some point - but I will probally let it ride out!

Woods was 7/1 before it began. Are you sure you can still get him at those odds?

where did you see woods at 7/1!(before play)

he was allways about 4/1 where i have seen

by the way yes woods is 8.8 pts on betfair - which is just over 7/1

Yeah Betfair, he is 13/2 with Paddy as well Mysti. Sneaky fiver time I think, Sneds 5/2 so no value there really.

Cant quite root for nine chins.

I have alot of money to play with tbh due to scotts position

I have put 50 on sneds, 12 on day, 7 on kucher, and 20 on woods.. that will break me even if any win.., still a big payout on scott if he wins.. and i also get a payout if westy can some how win.

i cant see anyone else doing this

Fowler could be interesting , must have made as many birdies as anyone this week so could be the guy to go low from the pack.

you may be right digs and at 80 pts- its worth 2 quid

GT350 is right. I would love Woods to win just to annoy the rule book crustys! Couples collapsed as predicted, same charade different year.

So you can understand what he was talking about then- Can you translate for us JPX dude?

Basically i think he meant if it was Westwood at st georges with this rule people would not be making a big deal about it. Soz on my phone rather slow.

Allright Royal st georges GC.. I am playing it in 2 weeks!!

I thought he was talking about some kind of St georges Flag english bias etc etc!

which i suppose he is..But my mistake

Have fun, good course to play. Their steak is superb too

Yeah played it a couple of times.. Playing princes as well, on the way back chart hills. Cant wait,

Just praying about this weather

pretty good race don't you think mysti?

yeah brilliant..

shame LH couldnt take Raikenham at the end. But all over a very good race.. Alot going on.

JPX wrote:GT350 is right. I would love Woods to win just to annoy the rule book crustys! Couples collapsed as predicted, same charade different year.

Any real golf fan will hope Tiger bombs today, taking in excess of 100 shots to complete his round. He should be embarrassed to be still playing, but in his post round interview last night he was defiant when asked if he should withdraw.

Even more of a shame SW couldn't take LH at the end.

incontinentia wrote:

JPX wrote:GT350 is right. I would love Woods to win just to annoy the rule book crustys! Couples collapsed as predicted, same charade different year.

Any real golf fan will hope Tiger bombs today, taking in excess of 100 shots to complete his round. He should be embarrassed to be still playing, but in his post round interview last night he was defiant when asked if he should withdraw.

Get a grip for gods sake. For once in golf the punishment actually fitted the crime. Hopefully this will be the start of more sensible decisions. DQing through incorrect scorecards in a major golf tournament must be one of the stupidest things in sport..no need for them to be keeping their own score.
Woods made a minor indiscretion on a vague rule and was punished accordingly. Move on.

Wonder where the walking referee was when Tiger was taking his illegal drop?

gael,
I was shocked to read yesterday that The Masters has no walking referees . . . .

Time to get waking refs and they can do the shot tracker and all!!

Majors not having shot trackers is criminal

kwinigolfer wrote:gael,
I was shocked to read yesterday that The Masters has no walking referees . . . .

Did your article elaborate on this eg ref situated at certain points on the course?