PGA Tour: The Masters: Will a European Win for Once?: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Well, the Aussie DID rule and this sudden burst of relevance from the land Down Under is getting rather tiresome. Or at least, the US Media pointing out, quite accurately of course, that the Tour scoreboard this season so far reads:
US: 17
Australia: 4
Rest of the World: 0
And it's not much different in Augusta, this century at any rate:
US: 8
Europe: 0
Rest of the World: 6
 
2).This year, the Masters runners and riders look like this:
US: 44
Europe: 29
Rest of the World: 24
The Rest of the World have plenty of quality to make up for the lack of quantity, whereas the Europeans, like the Americans, have more than their fair share of dead wood and dead beats. Let's look at the Europeans and see if they can finally win a Green Jacket or whether the conspiracy that began when Germany, Spain and GB dominated - introducing rough for a start, lengthening the course for a second - can finally be put to rest.
 
3).England:
Fitzpatrick and Porteous are living a dream just being there.
Luke Donald has to be at his very best, a la Zach Johnson, to win here, and Zach Johnson outlukes Luke these days.
Poulter's ADD won't allow him to make the cut in a regular stroke-play event. If he gets in contention, he'll wobble like one of Thatcher's wets.
Lynn has lost whatever it is he had for a brilliant 15-month spell: No chance.
Rose may have had a bad shoulder but his putter looked even sicker in Tampa and Bay Hill. Perhaps a rest has done it good, but can't see it. Ain't gonna happen, not this year anyway.
Westwood has lost it: All the facets of his game that are traditionally strong have been average at best. All his usual weaknesses are still weak. Great recent record at Augusta, four Top 11's in his last four trips, but can't see better than 11th this time around.
 
4).Wales, Scotland and Ireland:
Woosie and Lyle are just having a larf; must be odds on both will miss the cut, tho' Lyle has played well in recent fits and some starts.
Donaldson has played really well this year, became only the 5th man to register a hole-in-one at Augusta's 6th hole last year, and it would be no surprise to see a Top Ten finish. Can't see him in the final shake-up though.
Gallacher: First-timer, but manages his game well enough to make the cut - a Top 20 finish would be a terrific result.
Harrington: Didn't qualify due to cramp in his finger. (True)
 
5).France, Germany, Holland:
Dubuisson and Luiten: Two "rookies" who could make a splash in the early rounds, but not on the weekend.
Kaymer: Oh Martin! You changed your swing to better suit Augusta and now it doesn't work anywhere.
Langer: What a story that was last year when he contended during the early rounds before fading on Sunday. Bernhard may well win a Major this year - but only on the Senior Circuit.
 
6).Northern Ireland, Sweden, Denmark:
Clarke wasn't fit enough to contend here when he was one of the World's best. Ceremonial appearance.
McDowell: Six appearances and four missed cuts. I'd think a Top Ten would be a very good result.
McIlroy: Could win by a dozen, or just file another middle-of-the-pack finish. Don't see much in between.
Blixt: Only played 2 Majors, 26th at Muirfield, 4th at Oak Hill. 1st at Augusta? Don't see it, but his brilliant short game could have him contending here one day.
Hanson: Injured much of last year but I've a hunch he's a live outsider. Too good a golfer to be down too much longer.
Stenson: Not a great record here, but 7 x Top Tens in the other Majors these past 6 years. Time to step up from Match Play Champion, Players Champion and FedEx Champion? I'd say he has a very good chance, and we know he's not scared to win.
Olesen: In terrible form but still only 24. 6th on his Masters debut last year, but can't win playing the way he is now.
Bjorn: Plenty of Major heartbreak for Thomas, but never played well here. Top 20 would be a good result.
 
7).Spain, Italy:
Olazabal: There was a time when his short game could bail him out here, but no longer. Sadly.
Gonzo: Seems out of sorts. Has the ability but not the form. 20th last year, and not likely to improve.
Miguel-Angel: Played so well at Doral until the 72nd hole - 5 x Top 12's here and don't rule out a 6th.
Garcia: Great each-way chance but don't see him winning. Putting like he's 19 but he's destined to be a very, very good nearly man, at Augusta at least.
Fran Molinari: Not a great record in the States. Would love to see him in the mix but no form to suggest it will be this year.
Matteo: Augusta may be too long for him right now and he's not putting his best. Top 30?
 
8).So that's how it looks after a couple of bottles of Malbec. My top three Europeans are probably everyone else's top three: Stenson and Garcia with a hope that the stars might align for McIlroy to redeem himself for past disappointment. Best outsiders Peter Hanson and Jamie Donaldson.
 
9).Who else do I like? Mickelson of course! Dufner and Kuchar of the other Americans with Billy Horschel a live outsider.
Always fancy this crop of South Africans to pull out a Masters win - Immelman, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel could all play well this week; sad that Els probably feels the Green Jacket has slipped away.
And then there's El Pato. 6 top tens here and who'd bet against another one?
 
10).But let's go for a European win. Stenson!
 
10a).And let's hope JAS completes his London Marathon in good enough shape to enjoy the coverage!

Average score so far is 74+, so it doesn't look like a bad first round will kill your chances.

Strange started out with 80-something once and should have won.

Olesen shot 78 last year and finished 6th.

Not been home for long and had 3 advert breaks in 20minutes. Good old sky..

Just got in. 606v2 is one of the best ways to get up to speed. Especially once you know every poster's bias/favs/hates!! Makes me realise how spoilt we are having the BBC. We can moan about the commentators but bearing in mind that we pay just £14/month and have no ads it's exceptional value for a channel that does cover some of the events you actually want to watch.

PS. I have no affiliation with them.

lw1 should get back on this board. We need to help him with his shirt selection. And that's Pronto!

Seriously bright.. Not sure why he has done that because his new trim body looks to have gained a few pounds.... Why highlight it.

Good to see him playing OK though. Keep it up lee

Matt kuchar has taken a drop!!! Anyone have any concerns??

And Mr 289 I'm with you on the Beeb views shame they couldn't keep hold of all this event. I'll be with them at the weekend though.

Louis oosterwhatever looking good. Seems yo be a big event player.

Oakey you really are a big fan of big lee aren't you. I've never really taken to him,aand now believe his best is behind him, but then again everyone thought that about Clarke.

Agree, Oosty is looking good. Think he'll be around Sunday afternoon.

Yeah ousty is a player you may forget for a round or two but you can never discount him.

Mickleson holes a snake.

No other player gives and takes so many shots . bi polar golfer

Following Westwood is like following England in football. But I won't stop.

I Still believe.

Yeah baby. 1 under

Mysti. "Bi polar golfer." Genius. Saw him four out at the open last year so assumed that was his tournament over....

Langer rolling back the years.

Go Joost

Big fat Monty said something about Louis being the leader tonight even though he is not the leader...and he has the best score, even though he hasn't. And he gets paid for talking bollox.

I agree with him tbh. Tougher conditions latter. They switch tommorow and same weather forecasted.

pedro,
Some guys choose optic ball colours, lw1 goes with optic shirts.

Is it me, or just the fact that so few of the late starters are playing well, but don't you think this broadcast is lacking a little electricity?

I understand he has a point. But to say it's the best score..when actually it isn't he is factually wrong. Commentators speak rubbish.

Serge what ya doing!!

Sergio had a touch of the sergios there. I don't mind a difficult course but I like to see some decent scores coming in. Think it won't play as difficult tomorrow.

beninho wrote:I understand he has a point. But to say it's the best score..when actually it isn't he is factually wrong. Commentators speak rubbish.

Not sure if its due to jacks earlier stint. But I am warming to monty as a commentator.

I love bubbas shots. No one else can counter the green of 16 like that. Just low hook it in there and counter the slope

To be fair to Monty I haven't heard him mention the Ryder cup.

mystiroakey wrote:I love bubbas shots. No one else can counter the green of 16 like that. Just low hook it in there and counter the slope

Mullet Watson is one of the moron squad. I can't bear to watch any of them.

Its about the golf though mate. I don't want to hear him speak.

Don't slip up Lee. Calm down fella

My bets are doing so poor!! If my bets don't do the job I would like to see Westwood or GMac win tbh

Liking this French lad. Got some class about him.

I think Phil just left himself 100 yards. Which he never ever has before at Augusta(supposedly)

Bang in the water

Sergio just took out a couple of dozen "patrons", just the sort of assistance the Obama campaign needs for the November elections.

Ahh Lee. 13 and 15 hallways cost him. He needs to get his head around them.

A drawing driving iron will never hold on these greens at the moment.

2-stroke penalty for Luke Donald on the 9th, I think for grounding his club in the sand - turned a 5 into a 7 and a 77 into a 79. Struggling.

Disappointing end to Optic Lee's round but pretty solid all things considered.

Cut looks as if it will be +4-ish; the course should play a little firmer and faster for Round 2, but perhaps there will be friendlier pin-positions.

So: Anyone 80 and under, almost everyone!, knows a 68 should get them in to the weekend.

I realize I'm a broken record here, but beware Rory.

Pressure valve released on Scott, so would not be surprised to see him repeat. But this is certainly wide open ...

Hi Sr,
Rory looking pretty good.
But so are one or two others, though not your best friend Luke! He's one of a handful playing themselves out of town barring a miracle!!

Kwin - As the green speeds really heat up, I think this will favor some more than others. King Louie? Donald not out of it, but will need to go low tomorrow ... and he certainly has the short game for this place.

Final scoring average for Thursday was 74.47.
So, with the Top 50 (and anyone within 10 shots of the lead) making the cut, those who shot 3 or 4 over par are still well in it, always provided they improve a tad on Friday.

Team Europe Leaderboard makes grim reading:
T5: Blixt
T12: Jimenez, McIlroy, Matteo, Molinari, Gallacher
T20: Langer, McDowell
T27: Bjorn, Donaldson, Stenson, Westwood
T40: Clarke!, Dubie, Sergio, Jose Maria, Olesen.

Thangs can only get better, Can't they?

Conditions on Friday morning should be perfect for the "morning wave" of Round 2; hardly any breeze and temps warming rapidly. Warmer in the p.m. but winds forecast to pick up, perhaps 10 - 15 mph.

Don't think anyone's been lower than four under today, but some big names need that or better on Friday.

17 within 6 isn't exactly bad kwini

Lee played well yesterday but really threw shots away at the end.

Scott looks good as does Louis. But for me rors was hitting the ball really well and will have that in his locker- with quick greens- length and height means so much..His putting was really on it. He was confident and high on many putts where others were short and low on. i predict them to drop soon.

Lee was a typical. I wouldn't be surprised if he challenges again but his issues were his own making. His ball striking was quality for most of the day and he experienced the toughest conditins. and that is so key at Augusta. But when you(Lee) make a meal of every par 5 yet the other top boys make 4's you are behind the game.

The good thing in the odds is that Rors is still around the 10/1 marker.

Had to take him with a liverpool double.

How good is sunday going to be.

Liverpool v Citeh then the masters!

Hopefully Lee can get his head around his own game. And if that 70/1 shot fails to get close Rors can carry me home..

Conditions should favour the morning starters, could be a little breezier in the p.m. than yesterday, but nothing really significant.
Translation: If Lukey's going to make the cut, get it going early!

Good stuff. 

Come on Lee . 

And dont discount Poults going on a streak of 6 or 7 birdies..

Mysti

I am not only discounting poulter going on a streak of 6 or 7 birdies I am saying anyone who suggests it is a moron.   

Any player in the field could be capable of that Mac, it's not a moronic statement, but it is an unlikely outcome.

Come on DJ time to make a morning charge back up the leaderboard!

McLaren wrote:Mysti

I am not only discounting poulter going on a streak of 6 or 7 birdies I am saying anyone who suggests it is a moron.    

he has done it so many times before mate..

I made a friekcing killing on him last year when his odds went from 1000/1 to 10/1 in 1 hour. and then layed him off.

Now stick to shouting at your little laptop monitor streaming illegal porn and golf

super_realist wrote:Any player in the field could be capable of that Mac, it's not a moronic statement, but it is an unlikely outcome.

but much more  likely for a player that has done it before so many times.

It what poulter does. Many players arnt streaky

If Poulter goes on a run of 6/7 birdies in a row, i will enjoy watching him then blow up and fall away. The man is the most annoying guy in golf. I think i would rather spend time with the bible belt lot reading psalm 42 with Lehman then Poulter and his w*nky banter ways. God he seems such a knob. On the other side, he may well be a pleasant chap, and i will have no reason for my pretty irrational hatred of a complete stranger.

Mannasero at 10/1 to be top continental European, had a punt on that