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!

the way things are going at the moment almost the whole field could be playing the weekend..

unless one player storms ahead

Just saw Glover miss a four foot putt for birdie on 12, such a poor putter.

mystiroakey wrote:Seems really sad doesn't it.

It does, every top golfer wants's to win here, but as many have said, they feel like children at this course. And nothing to do with the course  

That is not right!

Nice Sandy Lyle story, skye, he still has a chance of playing this weekend - quite a few golden oldies making a ripple (if not exactly a splash). Ollie is one under today, just one over for the week. Even Larry Mize is threatening to make the cut.
 
Leishman back to -4 - how dare a golfer reach -5? One hole only. Blubba looking awfully solid.

I really do think Bubba is the player to beat here this week, beat him this week and I think you will win!

skyeman wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Seems really sad doesn't it.

It does, every top golfer wants's to win here, but as many have said, they feel like children at this course. And nothing to do with the course  

That is not right!

I can kind of imagine it to be a bit like the time I played st Georges hill.

Just so eccentric and upper class. I felt like trailer trash.

Should the Masters major status be revoked?

mystiroakey wrote:

skyeman wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Seems really sad doesn't it.

It does, every top golfer wants's to win here, but as many have said, they feel like children at this course. And nothing to do with the course  

That is not right!

I can kind of imagine it to be a bit like the time I played st Georges hill.

Just so eccentric and upper class. I felt like trailer trash.

Exactly. Brilliant event, but not for all, too welcoming.

I think i am adding Bubba on to my hated Golfer list with Poulter, i hope he does not win again. He is looking steady though.

Mysti

You don't spell well enough to be trailer trash.

McLaren wrote:Mysti

You don't spell well enough to be trailer trash.

Aww bless.

incontinentia wrote:Should the Masters major status be revoked?

Yes, cause it's the one major an Irishman has yet to win! lol!

beninho wrote:I think i am adding Bubba on to my hated Golfer list with Poulter, i hope he does not win again. He is looking steady though.

You need to watch bubba live and you will not hate him anymore. As a golfer that is. He hits the ball like Its a boomerang.

As a golfer i don't hate any of them, they all have a talent that my hacker ability has to admire. Its only based on how they come across as a person aswell.

Bubba's golf is as entertaining as it gets up there with Tiger, Phil and Padraig for me in that stake.

Yeah I just don't care if they are religious or flashy or boring off the course.

I like golfers based on there game . But as everyone also knows I am patriotic . so I support all the Brits as well however they play.

Once they start commentating it becomes a different scenario. Because there job is to talk and that is the only time I start getting wound up by them.

There are no redeemable features to Bubba Watson that I can see. None in his golf, and none in what passes for his personality.

Yes SR we know. Bubba = god squad = you can't like anything about him.


Great eagle by Ousty.

Blubba is extraordinary to watch when he's in the mood.
When he's not he's a p1ssing and moaning sulkhead.

By the god of Branden Grace, a 69. Will be contemplating what the hell he thought he was doing on Thursday.

Four tied at -4 - time for someone to make a run for it.

mystiroakey wrote:Yes SR we know. Bubba = god squad = you can't like anything about him.


Great eagle by Ousty.

That's only part of it Oakey.

I don't like the way he plays golf, I don't like how insular he is , how inarticulate, uneducated and uncultured he is. I don't like his 1980's look, mullet and complete lack of style. I don't like his stance on homosexuality. I don't like him bawling his eyes out.
I just don't like the guy. The fact he's a bible thumper is just a bonus for me. It's just another reason to have zero respect for him.

sirbenson wrote:

incontinentia wrote:Should the Masters major status be revoked?

Yes, cause it's the one major an Irishman has yet to win!  lol!

Gosh, they would would get the orange walk, even in the the deep south  

Thomas Bjorn sneaking up there.

super_realist wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Yes SR we know. Bubba = god squad = you can't like anything about him.


Great eagle by Ousty.

That's only part of it Oakey.

I don't like the way he plays golf, I don't like how insular he is , how inarticulate,  uneducated and uncultured he is. I don't like his 1980's look, mullet and complete lack of style. I don't like his stance on homosexuality. I don't like him bawling his eyes out.
I just don't like the guy. The fact he's a bible thumper is just a bonus for me. It's just another reason to have zero respect for him.

I only treat him as a golfer. And he hits insane inovative shots. Love that artistic approach to golf.

Can you really not appreciate his style? Forget the rest. Why anyone needs to care about anything but the golf is beyond me. But its clear I am abnormal in this respect. So ok I accept the person behind the golf is important to you.

mystiroakey wrote:

super_realist wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Yes SR we know. Bubba = god squad = you can't like anything about him.


Great eagle by Ousty.

That's only part of it Oakey.

I don't like the way he plays golf, I don't like how insular he is , how inarticulate,  uneducated and uncultured he is. I don't like his 1980's look, mullet and complete lack of style. I don't like his stance on homosexuality. I don't like him bawling his eyes out.
I just don't like the guy. The fact he's a bible thumper is just a bonus for me. It's just another reason to have zero respect for him.

I only treat him as a golfer. And he hits insane inovative shots. Love that artistic approach to golf.

Can you really not appreciate his style. Forget the rest. Why anyone needs to care about anything but the golf is beyond me. But its clear I am abnormal in this respect. So ok I accept the person behind the golf is important to you.

I look at it another way, if you have to rely on insane high risk shots, it's because your golf game or course management is so poor that it's constantly putting you in trouble. Is it artistic, or is it stupidity? I don't like the games of any of the long hitters like Quiros, Garrigus, Johnson, Woods etc
I don't like the golf game of any bomber who doesn't think about the consequences. I think 9C and Mickelson have retarded approaches to the game, and the shots we remember by them are are a result of the previous shot being woeful but how soon we forget when they fail in their audacious attempt at a recovery.

Yes Sr - wow. Imagine how Great golf would be if everyone played like donald or zach johnson(at there most boring of bests that is).

Jeasus - I think Golf would be dead within the month mate

Birdie at the last for Sandy Lyle - looks as if he has a very strong chance of making the cut once again.
Olly seems to be running on fumes but hopefully he'll par 18 and play the weekend.

mystiroakey wrote:Yes Sr - wow. Imagine how Great golf would be if everyone played like donald or zach johnson(at there most boring of bests that is).

Jeasus - I think Golf would be dead within the month mate

Donald isn't a good example, he's wild off the tee but has a magical short game, or at least he used to.

super_realist wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Yes Sr - wow. Imagine how Great golf would be if everyone played like donald or zach johnson(at there most boring of bests that is).

Jeasus - I think Golf would be dead within the month mate

Donald isn't a good example, he's wild off the tee but has a magical short game, or at least he used to.

Not at his best he wasn't. And of course its about the style not the execution.

Donald plays within himself and takes the percentage shots.

Speaking of the devil. Great par save by loooooke.

Hanging on the cut line.

The back nine giveth to King Louis, and taketh away with interest.

benson's investment in Lucas Glover is looking better and better!

Nice par at the last for Jose Maria and he should play tomorrow too, with Lyle and Mize.

OK that's enough.

Someone shoot bubba. He is playing too well.

Bubba p#ssing on a few peoples chips if he gets to 6/7under

Big Darren birdies the last to finish +4 and he should comfortably make the weekend..............

Wow!
68 for Thomas Bjorn, one shot behind the leaders.

Nice birdie at the last for DC - looks like he'll be playing tomorrow too.

Got to think single digits under par is winning this!

Will Sergio ever be able to putt.

How does Freddie keep this level of play up. Amazing stuff

mystiroakey wrote:How does Freddie keep this level of play up. Amazing stuff

That, i have to agree with. For a couple of rounds at least   Brilliant at his age, much like Watson in his latter years.

Bl00dy Hell Blubba . . . . . . . .

Bubba is dictating the cut right now - four over par scores are 50th, but if he drops a shot and no-one else gets to SIX, then the fives will definitely be in! Maybe they will be anyway but, Luke, you need another birdie to be sure.

Quite the start for Diggers favourite Poulter. -3 thru 6.

So much for me liking the each-way chances of Hanson and Immelman, and I see Phil has just taken a tournament-busting 6 on #12.

Keegan Bradley having a horrible day, and DeLaet is on his way home.

But it's all about Bubba until someone gives him a challenge. 7 under!!!!!

Bubba likely to go to 8! We had about 70 for the cut now almost bang on 50.

super_realist wrote:Quite the start for Diggers favourite Poulter. -3 thru 6.

Don't like the I told you so. But considering macs nonsense earlier.....

Bubba better calm this down a bit.

Brilliant stuff from Bubba!!! Brilliant golf!

What a shocker. Lee feixks up the 13th again.

I think it would be a good idea to take those within ten strokes of Blubba to the weekend and send everyone else home.

kwinigolfer wrote:I think it would be a good idea to take those within ten strokes of Blubba to the weekend and send everyone else home.

At this rate that could only leave blubba

Mike Weir is four under on the front nine. MIKE WEIR!

Leishman ten over par since he took the lead. That'll learn ya'.