PGA Tour: PGA Championship; Fourth Among Equals? Or First??: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).It is fashionable to refer to the PGA Championship as the Fourth Major, but in terms of quality of the field, and sometimes course played, it could equally be described as the Best Major. This year's edition, at Oak Hill's East Course, designed by Donald Ross, lengthened by Robert Trent Jones and tweaked (disfigured?) by the Fazios, should be no exception.

2).Oak Hill, in the leafy suburbs of Rochester, NY, should play to a par of 70, and to a length of about 7,200 yards with just two Par-5's. Only Augusta National, Oakmont, Oakland Hills and Baltusrol have staged more Major Championships, and this is the only course to also host the US Amateur, Ryder Cup, US Senior Open and Senior PGA Championship. Can you say "history"?  

3).Several of the pundits, and even some of the golfers, referred to Firestone ("the monstrous repetition of Firestone, which might be the most boring championship golf course known to man" according to Sports Illustrated's Senior Writer), as an ideal warm-up for Oak Hill, but that is a lazy comparison.
Oak Hill offers far more elevation changes and requires the golfer to shape his shots off the tee - it yields birdies reluctantly and eagles will be few and far between. An exception might be the Par-3(!) sixth hole, where Jerry Pate, Doug Weaver, Nick Price and Mark Wiebe all famously holed in one within little more than an hour at the 1989 US Open - and where Costantino Rocca also made a hole-in-one at the '95 Ryder Cup.
I was close by all five of them, missed the lot. But DID see Jack Nicklaus make a hole-in-one at #15 during a practice round for the 1980 PGA, which he went on to win. First I'd ever seen. Thrilled!

4).Not many (excepting Shaun Micheel of course) of this week's field have enjoyed much success at Oak Hill.
~Tom Watson has been playing here since 1980 where he finished 10th behind Nicklaus. Since then he's finished 46th in the 1989 US Open, but missed the cut at the 2003 PGA and finished 16th at the 2008 Senior PGA.
~Davis Love finished 33rd at the 1989 US Open and enjoyed a decent (3-2) Ryder Cup in 1995, but missed the cut at the '03 PGA.
~Phil Mickelson enjoyed a fine Ryder Cup in 1995 as a rookie, winning all three of his matches and then finishing 23rd at the 2003 PGA.
Other action includes:
~1998 US Amateur: Sergio Garcia beat Matt Kuchar in the quarter final but then lost to Hank Kuehne. Adam Scott , CHowellIII and first alternate JJ Henry were among also-rans that year.
~2003 PGA: Those who made the cut included:
Tim Clark: 3rd
Els: 5th - the leading long-hitter.
Howell: 10th
Furyk: 18th
Donald, Phil, Scott: 23rd
Ogilvy: 27th
Harrington, Toms: 29th
Singh: 34th
Woods: 39th (with only 6 birdies, believed to be the career fewest in a 72-hole effort)
Cabrera: 45th
Gay: 51st
Poulter: 61st
Casey: 66th
Choi: 69th.
Those who missed the cut included Beem, Bjorn, Brooks, Cink, Clarke, Garcia, Jacobson, McGinley, Pettersson, Rose (hope he's driving better than during his accident yesterday) and Westwood.

5).Seldom has there been a weekend where it's been as easy to see the wood from the trees:
Woods wins by 7
Woodland wins by 9 (points in modded Stableford)
Wood earns his best ever US finish (7th): (Also 100% from the sand, 3rd in fairways hit, 7th in gir and 8th in putting. Impressive.)

6).Between Firestone and Reno some golfers made big moves towards securing the place in the FedEx Play-Offs, starting of course with Gary Woodland. Andres Romero clinched his place, while Martin Kaymer helped himself and should be OK with a made cut this week.
But some names still with it all to do include:
Appleby
Crane
Colsaerts
Harrington
Cauley
Hanson
Singh
Immelman
etc, etc.

7).And 2 golfers shot 9-hole 28's this past weekend:
Steele on the back-nine at Reno.
Sluman on the Champions Tour on Sunday, birdies on nine of his first ten holes.
Sluman of course grew up in Rochester, learning the game at Oak Hill with Craig Harmon, and it is somewhat surprising not to see him in this week's field.
Walter Hagen was also a Rochester man with PGA Championship victories (five) and who's to say Oak Hill's Gavin Hall won't be the next Rochester native to have his name engraved on the Wanamaker Trophy?

8).The US media is agog with the prospect of a Woods / Mickelson showdown at Oak Hill, but each will have to use his driver more often than they seemingly prefer.
Hank Haney made interesting comments earlier this summer about Tiger's preparation for Majors, suggesting that he doesn't spend as much time practicing and charting the greens and green complexes as he would expect, especially those on courses he knows less well. One thing is for sure: with only 2 x Par-5's (one, the 13th which may be unreachable), he will have to be on Firestone form to contend. (Ominous sign though, that Woods and Stricker played a practice round together Monday afternoon - more putting tips from "Stricks"?)
With Phil, it's more to do with What will Phil do next? As of Monday he still wasn't sure what his 14th club (driver or 64-degree wedge) was to be.  

9).With Phil breaking the run (by Els, Rory, Scott and Rose) of international Major winners, who are the likely lads among Americans this week? I'd say Snedeker must have a great chance, Zach Johnson also - and wouldn't be surprised to see Dufner on the leaderboard if he can hole some of the tiddler putts he missed at Firestone.

Conventional wisdom suggests a great driver will do well this week, an Adam Scott perhaps, Justin Rose or even a Sergio. All will have to putt better than we've seen recently, but Stenson has been doing everything well and great to see Martin Kaymer finding some form.

10).Woods described Oak Hill as "the hardest, fairest golf course the players have ever played" and Els considered it "the best, fairest and toughest championship golf course I've ever played". That was in 2003 when Shaun Micheel outlasted Chad Campbell with his tap-in birdie at the 72nd hole.
It's been a miserably wet summer in the U.S. North-East but the last three weeks have been perfect for golf course preparation and the players will enjoy mild, mostly dry, conditions this week. There has been criticism of the greens and the 8th green was damaged by a tree falling earlier this year, but hopefully all will be well come Thursday.
I still expect the "navigator" to prevail over the "bomber" this week, not Shaun Micheel of course, but possibly Snedeker (30/1, really?) or Zach Johnson (50/1) both of whom look excellent each way value.

PS: I'll be at the action on Thursday and Friday, off the air from Wednesday p.m. through Saturday. Some fantastic groupings to follow and hope you all enjoy a great tournament.

It is beginning to look like a three horse race between Dufner, Furyk and Stenson. Jason Day may need a bit more to be in with a chance. Marc Warren is now top Brit.

Jim Furyk is meant to be a nice guy...so why does he make a tiny 100 year old caddie for him.

Wouldn't trust Dufner's putting stroke if he needs to hole a few knee knockers towards the end

Furyk a nice guy? Doesn't seem it from what I see, but I don't know him personally.

It seems like Rory is playing well apart from missing a few puts and buggering up the 5th. Seems to be in a lot of fairways and greens. What could have been.

Hoping Stenson oe Scott can make a charge but finding the sky coverage pretty awful. Beyond me how anyone can prefet this to the bbc. All stats no narrative and half the time no bloody golf.

We need the Duffner PGA crumble.

Butch Harmon said duffmeister. He sounds like an embarrassing old uncle. What is he about 75?

Brilliant golf from Dufner, not good enough from GB&I players, although nice to see MidgetMac recapture some form.

How does Jim Furyk avoid getting put on the clock with the amount of time he spends on each putt?!!

Dufner is very Hogan like with the waggles, quick rythm & looks like quite a flat swing plane.His ball striking has been "decent" too

Harmon a bit too self important, IMO. Duff Man!!

Harmon probably feels quite entitled regarding anything to do with Oak Hill given his family's extraordinary connection with the place.
Otherwise, of course, a self-inflated prat.

Well done Duff Daddy, you won it - no-one close lost it.

Hey Kwini, hope you enjoyed attending. Great stuff from Dufner alight, great ball striking. Harmon is full of himself for sure, but I reckon hes the only one that could help Harrington now.

Anyone fancy Duffy's chances of marrying someone looking like Mrs Duffy if he didn't have a few quid??
Me neither

They say money cannot buy happiness but it can help with a wife way above your average. I read he tweeted saying who marries down anyway.

Deserved win and seems like a nice guy. Don't expect it to be a run of majors for him though.

MustPuttBetter wrote:Anyone fancy Duffy's chances of marrying someone looking like Mrs Duffy if he didn't have a few quid??
Me neither

It's not his money - it's his smile. DuffHer before it's too late...

Does he chew tobacco?

Doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the box but nice enough.
Looks like a guy who may win a fair few tour events but agree cant see him winning another major, possibly one I guess

Lucky guy in more ways than one

Be_the_ball wrote:Does he chew tobacco?

Yes, disgusting

Is duffner a little on the simple side?

Urgh MPB, thats a bit sick.

Slagging feckers on Sky there, funny though.. lol.

Nite chaps.

Be_the_ball wrote:Urgh MPB, thats a bit sick.

It's not my fault?!

Congrats to the legend that is Jason Dufner without a doubt one of my favourite golfers!

Worthy winner - despite himself.

Give him just half of those silly putts he missed yesterday, and he'd've won by four. Especially good to see Keegan Bradley welcoming him home - or was that just a feeble excuse (OK by me) to hug Amanda?

Not sure how the prize money works out, but it'll mean a shake-up for Fred Couples' Pres Cup Team, for sure. Might not help Furyk but will defo affect guys like Bubba (out for sure) and possibly Webbgod Simpson.

Pres Cup Team qualifiers turned upside down.

I need an equally feeble excuse Kwini!

Dufner has been without a doubt the best golfer from tee to green the last two years imo. If he can find a cure for his putting he will win more majors without a doubt.

Deserved victory by Dufner. He played superbly. Some of his approach shots were of the highest class tonight.

Anyone else notice how chubby Westwood is at the moment?

Amreican portions doing his physique no good at all.

MustPuttBetter wrote:How does Jim Furyk avoid getting put on the clock with the amount of time he spends on each putt?!!

My thoughts exactly. He must have a special dis-compensation from the USPGA.

McLaren wrote:Anyone else notice how chubby Westwood is at the moment?

Amreican portions doing his physique no good at all.

He's certainly been a bit "big boned" and "barrel chested"

Not sure how anyone can come back weighing more in America, the food is repulsive.

IrnBroon wrote:

liverbnz wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:Can someone please help me.

I fancy a sizeable E/W bet on Dufner, and the best prices I can find are 7 places @30/1, or 6 places @ 35/1.

Which is the better bet.

Thanks

I would go for the extra place.

Thanks for the advice, but due to time running out placed my bet before seeing it and went for the bigger odds and 1 less place.
Bet he comes 7th

Just off to collect my £1143.75. Thank you mr Dufner

congrats

Makes my £144 seem tiny. I'll take it though!

You must have chucked around £25 each way on him IrnBroon, so £50 total? The world of proper betting, that's why I never win anything big:)

McLaren wrote:Is duffner a little on the simple side?

maybe but a golfing savant to be sure

MustPuttBetter wrote:You must have chucked around £25 each way on him IrnBroon, so £50 total? The world of proper betting, that's why I never win anything big:)

Yeah went £25 EW. Dont normally go above a tenner, but for some reason just couldnt see past Dufner

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Anyone else notice how chubby Westwood is at the moment?

Amreican portions doing his physique no good at all.

He's certainly been a bit "big boned" and "barrel chested"

Not sure how anyone can come back weighing more in America, the food is repulsive.

Lol - from a scot!

IrnBroon wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:

liverbnz wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:Can someone please help me.

I fancy a sizeable E/W bet on Dufner, and the best prices I can find are 7 places @30/1, or 6 places @ 35/1.

Which is the better bet.

Thanks

I would go for the extra place.

Thanks for the advice, but due to time running out placed my bet before seeing it and went for the bigger odds and 1 less place.
Bet he comes 7th

Just off to collect my £1143.75. Thank you mr Dufner

good win mate.. i hope you took the high odds!!!

I won on him as well.

every major this year

mystiroakey wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:

liverbnz wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:Can someone please help me.

I fancy a sizeable E/W bet on Dufner, and the best prices I can find are 7 places @30/1, or 6 places @ 35/1.

Which is the better bet.

Thanks

I would go for the extra place.

Thanks for the advice, but due to time running out placed my bet before seeing it and went for the bigger odds and 1 less place.
Bet he comes 7th

Just off to collect my £1143.75. Thank you mr Dufner

good win mate.. i hope you took the high odds!!!

I won on him as well.

every major this year

Cheers...I had Snedeker in the Masters, leading going into final round then faded. Horschel in US open, led after round 2 and then faded, although top 6 so I got EW, and then Westwood in Open, so I was due a bit of luck.

IrnBroon wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:

liverbnz wrote:

IrnBroon wrote:Can someone please help me.

I fancy a sizeable E/W bet on Dufner, and the best prices I can find are 7 places @30/1, or 6 places @ 35/1.

Which is the better bet.

Thanks

I would go for the extra place.

Thanks for the advice, but due to time running out placed my bet before seeing it and went for the bigger odds and 1 less place.
Bet he comes 7th

Just off to collect my £1143.75. Thank you mr Dufner

good win mate.. i hope you took the high odds!!!

I won on him as well.

every major this year

Cheers...I had Snedeker in the Masters, leading going into final round then faded. Horschel in US open, led after round 2 and then faded, although top 6 so I got EW, and then Westwood in Open, so I was due a bit of luck.

Can you please post your wagers for every future sporting tournament IrnBroon?? Those are greats returns!

Westwood turns on the trolls - pished  
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/bunker-mentality/foul-mouthed-westwood-tears-critics-nightmare-round-093033317.html

I got backed scott, Rose , LW(layed him) and duffers)

Over 3500 profit this year on majors!!

MontysMerkin wrote:Westwood turns on the trolls - pished  
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/bunker-mentality/foul-mouthed-westwood-tears-critics-nightmare-round-093033317.html

Saw this on Twitter
Making a bit of a fool of himself in truth. May have consumed a couple of shandies i think

mystiroakey wrote:I got backed scott, Rose , LW(layed him) and duffers)

Over 3500 profit  this year on majors!!

Nice work, bet you wish there were more than 4 majors this year. Always love to hear of people taking money off the bookies

MustPuttBetter wrote:

MontysMerkin wrote:Westwood turns on the trolls - pished  
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/bunker-mentality/foul-mouthed-westwood-tears-critics-nightmare-round-093033317.html

Saw this on Twitter
Making a bit of a fool of himself in truth. May have consumed a couple of shandies i think

Well after that display of putting he probably needed more than shandy!
Can't remember a golfer looking so dejected

IrnBroon wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:I got backed scott, Rose , LW(layed him) and duffers)

Over 3500 profit  this year on majors!!

Nice work, bet you wish there were more than 4 majors this year. Always love to hear of people taking money off the bookies

Tbh I used to bet every PGA event and the odd euro. I prefer keeping to the majors and the odd WGC event. The cream rises..

MontysMerkin wrote:

MustPuttBetter wrote:

MontysMerkin wrote:Westwood turns on the trolls - pished  
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/bunker-mentality/foul-mouthed-westwood-tears-critics-nightmare-round-093033317.html

Saw this on Twitter
Making a bit of a fool of himself in truth. May have consumed a couple of shandies i think

Well after that display of putting he probably needed more than shandy!
Can't remember a golfer looking so dejected

Agreed. I'm happy to lend him my username..........

Come on lads he is one of Us..(ex606'er)

Give him a break. Just had enough of the trolls!