PGA Tour: The Arnie Invitational: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).The "Arnold Palmer Invitational" is the final stop of this year's "Florida Swing", following challenging stops at the "Honda", WGC-Cadillac and last week's Valspar tournament at Innisbrook.
Thankfully we've seen glimpses of form from the GB&I contingent, Knox and McIlroy being beaten in the Honda play-off, Donaldson one stroke adrift of Reed at Doral, and the Donald and Justin Rose contending last week. Both would have been closer but for uncharacteristic three putts by Luke and tiddlers missed by Rose.
Good week for Matteo also; perhaps he's playing his way back in to the form that would remind us that he's golf's most successful under-21-y-o? (Sorry Spieth!)
 
2).John Senden's birdies on #16 and #17 would most likely have been one stroke too good regardless.
A popular win for Sendo, though can't imagine most spectators find him a particularly compelling player to follow; boring as (appropriately) watching paint dry in my experience. He'd certainly paid his dues at this tournament having finished runner-up a couple of times already. Which got me to thinking that this Copperhead Course at Innisbrook is a real "horses for courses" track, not dissimilar to Harbour Town, Colonial and a few others.
 
3).Apart from the event's first winner, Bermuda specialist John Huston, all previous winners (since 2002) were in the field and Vijay Singh was the only one to miss the cut. Of the rest, Sean O'Hair continued his dismal trot of form by missing the 54-hole cut and Calcavecchia departed the scene looking decidedly wobbly after 63 holes.
Two-time winners Goosen and KJ Choi (also a 2010 runner up) tied for 44th, but not before the Goose had shot the best round of the tournament until it was equalled by Senden.
Last year's winner Streelman faded to 38th.
Furyk (another one-time runner up) and Pettersson tied for 20th, while Woodland finished 8th and Luke Donald 4th.
Among those to have finished 2nd here, Senden of course won.
Garrigus finished 4th, George McNeill 7th and HowellIII and Bae 14th.
Most of those would have been good prices and given you a decent run for your investment.
 
4).Another talking point was slow play and the warnings dished out to Garrigus and Na. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the particular incident on Saturday when these two were in the final group and fell almost two holes behind, it certainly highlighted the slow-play issue on the PGA Tour. Ironically, it was Garrigus, usually a fast player, who caused the pair to fall behind, while Na's normal speed (glacial) was exposed.
 
Coincidentally, the recorded first feature of a new series of "Feherty" aired last night with Brandt Snedeker condemning slow play, illustrated by examples of Kevin Na (and Ben Crane). Poor timing by the Golf Channel(!), but indicative of reputations that take a long time to get rid of!
And not helped by Garrigus's caddie saying, BEFORE they all teed off together again on Sunday:
"It ain't fair playing with Kevin Na. It ain't right."!!
 
5).Broken record time: Another poor tournament from other Europeans, especially Casey, Colsaerts, Hanson, Lynn and Olesen who need far better results, and Clarke and Harrington who squeaked in to Sunday's play but failed to take advantage. DC and Padraig have exemption safety nets, but the rest will all lose their cards at this rate.
 
6).Some news notes:
~Juli Inkster appointed US Solheim Cup Captain, with the unflattering figure of Pat Hurst as VC.
~Tim Finchem now has a Deputy Commissioner, a bloke called Jay Monahan, who is assumed to be his heir apparent. Sounds like Joe Ogilvie will have to wait.
~Edit: Should have added that it's becoming increasingly certain that Torrey Pines will be annointed the US Open venue for 2021.
~Alex Cejka enjoyed another podium finish on the web.com Tour, has a $70K lead on the money-list, and is a dead cert to regain his PGA Tour card for 2014/2015. Henrik Norlander is also inside the all-important Top 25.
~Colin Montgomerie is getting closer to the winners circle on the Champions Tour, with a T2 last week in California. He has Nick Faldo for company this week in Mississippi.
~And: For the second week running Steve Elkington is absent from the Champions Tour field. I reckon he's been suspended. Anyone hear anything along those lines? Still don't feel the Tour does itself any favours by not announcing suspensions.
 
7).And so to Bay Hill and a week reserved for the revered Arnold Palmer. The "Arnie" is no longer a must-play tournament and as many prominent names (led by Els, McIlroy and Mickelson) have taken this week off as are paying homage to "The King". Tiger Woods is here, undoubtedly the horse for this course, plus Scott and Stenson and a strong European contingent, including the usual suspects plus Casey, Donaldson, Gonzo (3rd last year), Matthew Fitzpatrick, Molinari and former winner Martin Laird.
 
8).Apart from Woods, this tournament does NOT! have a strong horses for courses record, but two exceptions are McDowell (twice runner-up) and Justin Rose who has made 8 cuts in 9 appearance with an 8th, 3rd and last year's runner-up finish. If Rose has figured out that ghastly putting stroke from last week, this should be another strong tournament for him.
 
9).Most eyes not on Arnold Palmer (and the painfully obligatory report on Sam Sauders' progress - in a word, negligible) will be on Tiger Woods, his health and his form.
If I add him to my Fantasy Team you can rest assured he'll pull out injured, but one wonders whether he'd be playing at all if he didn't have The Masters in three weeks' time.
Other Masters prospects who are injured, or just missing from action, include Jason Day and his thumb, Louis Oosthuizen and his back, and Charl Schwartzel who's withdrawn and absconded on paternity leave.
 
10).Finally, from the "who'd've thunk it" department, and in the wake of Luke Donald 3-putting twice in three holes last Sunday, pgatour.com reports that the two players with the longest streak of holes without a 3-putt are . . . . . . did you guess Bubba Watson (237) and Dustin Johnson (217)?
Both are having fine seasons so far, playing with chips on their shoulders after being left off the 2013 Presidents Cup Team and hell-bent on being at Gleneagles in 6 months' time.

Harrington sweeping the Bay Hill dew today, and in urgent need of another good round - a birdie to start with could be a harbinger of good things to come.
Or just another false dawn.

About 3 months after coming back from my first snowboarding trip!
Me and my mate were convinced that jumping couldn't be that hard as everyone was doing little hops and jumps all over the shop. However by the end of the week we decided that survival was more important and just concentrated on getting down the slopes. This is after landing on my ass more times than I care to mention.
Moved a desk at work and the next morning couldn't straighten past 90 degrees. Was like that for 3 months. I honestly thought I was going to be paralysed, couldn't move my left leg at all, and was limping badly for about 6 months. And all cos a disk was compressing the nerve and stopping the signal (but not the pain!). Saw numerous specialist and although surgery was mooted I decided to let nature take it's course. Still very wary and always use straight back when lifting.

MontysMerkin wrote:About 3 months after coming back from my first snowboarding trip!
Me and my mate were convinced that jumping couldn't be that hard as everyone was doing little hops and jumps all over the shop. However by the end of the week we decided that survival was more important and just concentrated on getting down the slopes. This is after landing on my ass more times than I care to mention.
Moved a desk at work and the next morning couldn't straighten past 90 degrees. Was like that for 3 months. I honestly thought I was going to be paralysed, couldn't move my left leg at all, and was limping badly for about 6 months. And all cos a disk was compressing the nerve and stopping the signal (but not the pain!). Saw numerous specialist and although surgery was mooted I decided to let nature take it's course. Still very wary and always use straight back when lifting.

At least it wasn't a golf injury Monty!!!    

Yeah but buggered it again (nowhere near as bad) about a month ago fatting a 7 iron. By Frak that smarted...

Morning "wave" making the turn, good starts for Poults, Brian Davis and Padraig; not so good from McDo and downright dreadful from David Lynn. Where's last year's form?

St.Padraig's Day.
Can he keep his nose clean for his final two holes?

Imagine the greens will get firmer and that +1 will be the cut-line.
Just two-under-par 70's required for Chubby's Boys.

Good round from Harrington, promising from Poults, Martin Laird and Brian Davis.

And: More allergies I see.

Chesson? What sort of name is that?
'kin yanks and their stupid names.

Think David Lynn's win in Portugal last year may have changed his focus a bit. Gave him a bit more security in Europe. Or maybe he has realised how bad Derek Ernst is and can't believe he lost a play off, ruined his confidence.

Most of the better known Europeans having a very poor afternoon; Rose and Westwood struggling just to make the cut, Casey and Gonzo going south too.

David Lynn was sooooo consistent in the U.S. last year, ben, a revelation really, and he can't seem to make anything happen this time round.

Bad day for long-time-ago US Open Champ Jack Fleck. Signed his final card at 92.

Justin Rose was my one-and-done this week - he and I are both going to be done unless he pulls his finger out.

One c0ck up after another for the English squad at Bay Hill, with Paul Casey the latest to test the patience of any supporter with 3 x 6's in five holes.

Good for Poulter, Greg Owen and Brian Davis, see ya to Rose, Lynn, Matt Fitz and Worstwood.

Anyone hear the heckling of Kevin Na on the coverage?

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2014/3/21/na-slow-na-heckled.html

Should the crowd be allowed to shout stuff at the players? I say why not, as long as it isn't racist, sexist etc.

I can't think of anything more superficial than to criticize a player because of his name.

It is tradition in the American South to name a son with the Maiden name of the mother.

My middle name is my Mother's Maiden name and as is a cousin who goes by it.

I would guess that Chesson is his Mother's maiden name.

Champions Tour update:
Nick Faldo shot a 74 in the event in Mississippi, 51st place adter Round 1.
Best placed Europeans behind Couples' 6-under-par lead are Chapman and Forsbrand, three strokes back.

Langer already over the $600K mark for the year.

Martin Laird gets to defend his Texas Open title next week in San Antonio.
No McIlroy to challenge him this time, but other notables in the field include:
KJ Choi, Els, Furyk, Branden Grace, Horschel, Zach Johnson, Kuchar, Mickelson, Reed, Spieth and Jimmy Walker.

plus: Colsaerts, Davis, Harrington, Jacobson, Knox, Pettersson.

Plenty of Europeans may live to regret not teeing it up in tournaments like this. Great tournament, poor date, iffy course, big money and 500 FedEx points to the winner, just like those so-called bigger events that you strive to play in.

McLaren wrote:Anyone hear the heckling of Kevin Na on the coverage?

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2014/3/21/na-slow-na-heckled.html

Should the crowd be allowed to shout stuff at the players?  I say why not, as long as it isn't racist, sexist etc.

Don't be ridiculous Mac. Those idiots should simply have been ejected.

Perhaps we can all go and hurl obscenities at Mac when he's at work - s_r with some choice ideas no doubt.

Don't suppose Poulter will be going to the first tee in a happy mood. Take you revenge out on Bay Hill, Ian.

Plenty of birdies in the early going.

As I explained in last weeks thread, IMO, Garrigus and Na should not have been put on the clock.

Na took the high road in his post round interviews.

Coetzee hanging on to a one shot lead in South Africa.

I really like that he is trying to play his way into Augusta. Sterne should have played in this tournament.

At least he took a higher road than Garrigus, and a much higher road than Garrigus's bagman.
I think they should have been on the clock, but it was clearly Garrigus who initially got them behind. Garrigus's on-course behaviour can be just as bad as Na's in my experience, not to mention his boasting of visiting on-course portaloos for a quick joint during tournament play.
 
Na's public image not helped at all by NBC's constant harping about Na's past problems; perhaps someone can start heckling Miller and Rolfing.

GPB: I'm not sure that Sterne was qualified; he might have been but very possibly not.

Really odd DQ for amateur Nathan Smith yesterday...

If shot tracker is anywhere near correct, he hit it right of 5 fairway and bunker, over the path towards the back bunkers on one of the 3 practice holes in that far corner of the course. He proceeds to play out... then on the next tee is informed his tee shot was out of bounds.

Sheesh... I've played that course maybe a dozen times and I've been over there and I don't recall ever seeing anything marked as OB in that area. The houses short of that yeah... but not that far up. Maybe it was included on the local rules or something... but still a really "odd" place to have OB if you ask me, and I can't imagine it was marked too well, or no way even a top amateur would have missed it. Oh well... it's reported he took his DQ in good stride...

McLaren wrote:Should the crowd be allowed to shout stuff at the players?  I say why not, as long as it isn't racist, sexist etc.

let me offer my opinion on that topic... HAIL NO

If only the Goose would play Sundays as well as he plays Saturdays - tournament-low score on Saturday last week, six under after 12 holes today.
He needs to maintain this position to satisfy his medical extension requirement!

It's an all our yesterdays so far with Glover, Veej and DLIII all going low.

navyblueshorts wrote:

McLaren wrote:Anyone hear the heckling of Kevin Na on the coverage?

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2014/3/21/na-slow-na-heckled.html

Should the crowd be allowed to shout stuff at the players?  I say why not, as long as it isn't racist, sexist etc.

Don't be ridiculous Mac. Those idiots should simply have been ejected.

The funniest part is that after the round Na refused to comment on the incident. His excuse was: "I had a long day..."     really?

By the way, in most sports you shout at players - also in tennis. So why not in golf?

Why compare golf to any other sports? They aren't the same. In some sports they beat the living crap out of each other. Should that be allowed in golf too? If Tiger were to go down like he'd been shot by a sniper every time he got hurt should be be allowed a free shot?

Of course not. Don't try to compare one sport to another in terms of behaviour. Golf is a sport with its own rules and etiquette. Should the fans chant "the referee's a w@nker" at John Paramour or any other on-course official? (even if sometimes it may be deserved)

GPB wrote:
I would guess that Chesson is his Mother's maiden name.

Lucky him it wasn't Fernandez-Castaño. Or Love III.

pedro wrote:

GPB wrote:
I would guess that Chesson is his Mother's maiden name.

Lucky him it wasn't Fernandez-Castaño. Or Love III.

I was close. "Chesson" is his Grandmothers Maiden name.

Its a tradition that not always followed. Obviously a last name like Lipschitz is not going to be used.

As someone who has lived in or near the South for most of my life, I can tell you that I have met a lot of Hudsons, Deweys, Jordans, Chances, etc.

It is very common.

Stupid bl00dy names, the lot of them.
But no idea what either of my g/mothers' maiden names were - never met either of them.

Aussie Rules at the top of the PGA Tour leaderboard and the web.commer.

Lots of good rounds by E.T. guys today, McDowell, Franny, Stenson, Poults, plus Freddie Jac and Lingmerth, but some stinkers as well - Gonzo and Laird especially.

Who says people don't hurl obscenities at me at work already. If the americans could come up with a decent chant against Poulter he is pea brained enough to go into melt down. Given the boardem of most golf coverage would the odd your wifes a *** and you **** kids chants improve the situation. I am always struck by the wit and intellect of most football crowds.


Where does Matteo stand in terms of STM?

Mac,
@#$%^&* to you!
 
I would think Matteo is another really good finish away from being eligible to apply.
 
Should be warm and sunny at Bay Hill today, breezier as the day goes on with just the smidgeon of a chance of a shower later on.
 
Course should play firm and fast; i.e. no chance of any 62's.
But should play to Poulter's strengths and would hope that he's in for a top finish.
Great to see some form from Molinari this week, too. His brother finished 2nd here four years ago - can he emulate that?

Early bath for Hunner Mahan; not sure why? Another baby seems chronologically impossible. Hope he's not hurt.
Edit: Injured hip apparently. This season started off promisingly for Hunner, but things are going from not very good to not good at all. He hopes to play in Houston in a fortnight, where he won a few years ago.

kwinigolfer wrote:Stupid bl00dy names, the lot of them.
But no idea what either of my g/mothers' maiden names were - never met either of them.

This has got me thinking, I know what both my mine were, and both their mothers' maiden names to boot. Think I'd have to combine some if I were ever to become an American pro golfer... I could legitimately call myself Hamer Walby, that's a great name.

There's much to play for today, not least several Europeans whose status is in jeopardy.
But the grandson of a one-time Ms Padraig has not got the message. He may have a one-time safety net, but he'll need it before he knows it at this rate: +7 after 8 holes.

Greg Owen and Paul Casey have similarly spurned good opportunities to improve their situation. Nice finish from Gonzo, though, and perhaps he'll find some confidence. Perhaps Hanson can do a similar trick.
And Brian Davis could help himself with five closing pars, or better.

This is where we need "GJ The Aussie Stud" to come on and tell us how Adam is going to get motoring again after his ho-hum start.

Jamie Donaldson throwing away a lot of dollars and owgr Ryder Cup points.
But fine round for Brian Davis and we're coming to his time of year - guarantee he'll ,ake a few hundred thousand these next three months. Before he disappears again.

Scott doesn't inspire much confidence so far, but no one else is making a charge either! Could be a repeat of the Honda.

Big fat snowman for Poulter. What a mess; has made nothing out of the first three months of the year.

Very nice tournament from Sean O'Hair - you'd've thought that would be enough to get Shotrock away from his bonspiel.

pedro wrote:...By the way, in most sports you shout at players - also in tennis. So why not in golf?

Really? Name one (except for football, which is hardly that classy...) ??

McLaren wrote:...I am always struck by the wit and intellect of most football crowds...

...and Scott blows it! Or was it Stevie? Sure Williams won't want to be staking a claim to this result. What was it? 7 shot lead w/ 36 holes to play? Way to go!

Shame for Adam Scott, but great win for Matt Every.
It was always just going to be a matter of time - but surprised this was the time.
Like Justin Rose, Adam Scott needs to spend some time on the putting green before he takes his act down Magnolia Drive.
"Top Five" Patrick Reed shot a 77 to finish 52nd - actual top fivers who Reed clearly didn't rate that high finished 3rd and T5th.

Good to see Molinari hanging in there.

Got to laugh really about Reed. Was only going to end with him way down this week after those comments. Still, at least he made the cut...

!!!
I'm a great admirer of Reed and what he's done so far. Wish he'd keep his modesty to himself.
But glad Scott and Stenson had such good finishes after being dissed by him - good signs for Augusta.

Kwini

Not sure I agree that the API final round is a good sign for Augusta if you are adam scott. He never looks all that comfortable in the lead and this was another blow to his confidence, and a negative thought that will enter his head should he get in contention again.

It seems Scott and Mcilroy have a similar strategy this year, shoot 62 in round one and then hope no one bothers to try and catch them for the next three days. Yet with Mcilroy it feels like a playing coming back to form and with scott it feels like another capitulation. Never trust a golfer with a long putter.

I don't think Scott could have putted any worse with a short putter. Maybe now is the time to give it a try. At least he will have an excuse if he blows it.

navyblueshorts wrote:

pedro wrote:...By the way, in most sports you shout at players - also in tennis. So why not in golf?

Really? Name one (except for football, which is hardly that classy...) ??

Well even the most classy sport, tennis, they shout at players. It's not only one looney, it's the entire stadium. Have you ever watched the Wimbledon, the most "classy" tournament? And I don't just think of when Henman or Murray plays.

pedro wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:

pedro wrote:...By the way, in most sports you shout at players - also in tennis. So why not in golf?

Really? Name one (except for football, which is hardly that classy...) ??

Well even the most classy sport, tennis, they shout at players. It's not only one looney, it's the entire stadium. Have you ever watched the Wimbledon, the most "classy" tournament? And I don't just think of when Henman or Murray plays.

Not really - they certainly aren't heckling. They might at the U.S. Open...maybe there's a common theme here?

When I go to watch Crown Green Bowls I always spit in the face of the bowler I don't like.

super_realist wrote:When I go to watch Crown Green Bowls I always spit in the face of the bowler I don't like.

Don't be ridiculous.

"The bowler" - like there would ever be only the one you don't like.