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!

Weakness from bubbs.

Great chip. Bad putt.

7 under.

Course got easier for the middle starters.


If anyone can get to bubbs its rors.

Incredible story if Weir wins this!

Nice to see some 50 somethings make the cut.

Mize is going to make the cut.

It looks like Lyle and Couples are going to make the cut.

as of 36 holes, Larry Mize is beating nearly half of the OWGR top 11. Day, Mickelson, Rose, Garcia, DJohnson. And probably beating Zach Johnson

Rory looks a bit screwed.

But this is one of the sports where age can not be too indifferent as to the chance of success.

Snooker is the other  

Darts, bowling, fishing  

Luke and Sergio need some help if they want to play here Saturday. Hopefully they'll get it.

Poulter certainly is a streaky player, steaky good and streaky not so good.

Gonna plump for Mcllory to win his third major by Sunday evening, can't stand him, but the future as i see it.

Yeah I just put a bit more on him at 24/1

Think Jonas could have a decent finish. Good to see Poulter drop the shots he gained.

I wonder if Jonas Blixt is able to bring his most photogenic gallery along with him? They'd certainly brighten the place up, create some diversity!

Don't worry Ben he will get them all back. Great chip on 11

Fine finish for lw1.

Has Bjorn still got the Viking beard? Would love to see him get into a green jacket like that!

Again same old Lee. As good as anyone tee to green bar the 5's yet can't buy a putt.

4 behind second place isn't exactly a disaster

If Bjorn can stay within a few shots after R3 I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the green jacket.

Well! Take away Watson and going into round three. LW not too far behind. Best placed Englishman.

Craig Stadler almost exploding. He must be the fattest man in golf.

His son isn't far behind is he.

Named the smalrus though lol

Delicate touch by Poulter...

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

Well that was money down the drain

I don't think I could ever reach the fairway on #18 - wouldn't fit my best assets: A hook and plenty of roll.

Touch and go whether the +5's make the weekend. Evens I should think.

I heard the Stadler's are having ostrich for thanksgiving. The turkey ends up as buffalo wings.

Rors missing 6 footers.

On my stream this frigging American commentator coming out with "he is lucky, it never came back to his feet" when Mcdowell was 30ft up-hill after a putt attempt and "that shot was last tried twenty years back, almost half a century ago"

Monty  

I haven't been watching the pga tour last year. But this walker chap is pretty special.

Donaldson is smashing it as well. Top Brit/uk

pedro wrote:I heard the Stadler's are having ostrich for thanksgiving. The turkey ends up as buffalo wings.

Do green jackets come in XXXXXXXL?

I hope Peter Allis is on the Beeb tomorrow, even with his rambling he is the best.

Taylor made.. Problem is . do they have enough green fabric.

mystiroakey wrote:Taylor made.. Problem is . do they have enough green fabric.

They'll dig up 18th green and wrap him in that.

mystiroakey wrote:Taylor made.. Problem is . do they have enough green fabric.

Are you talking snooker and Denis Taylor  


I know  

You wouldn't want them to tread in your line would you.

I swear that is why the greens have slowed down. Stdler walked over poulters line on 15 30 mins ago

The 10 norm looks finished, they are now saying +5 should make the cut.

That was good by Poulter. 2 under par rounds should be enough for bubba?

Would get Donald in. Which to be fair would be deserved after today's come back and his 2 shot pen yesterday

Haas now 2 over, first day leader may miss the cut.

pedro wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Taylor made.. Problem is . do they have enough green fabric.

They'll dig up 18th green and wrap him in that.

That would only cover one of the sleeves, their only option may be to paint him green. Sponsored by Valspar.

There are a few who have led or who have flirted with the lead who have failed to pull the ripcord:
Leishman, Haas, Choi.

Well - McIlroy withe a disaster at Amen, 3 gone in two holes. +3. Danger now.

Bubba isn't the man that rose took out in the wgc event these days. He is solid this week. Not sure he is going to faulter. But... If he does there are a lot of players back in this

mystiroakey wrote:Bubba isn't the man that rose took out in the wgc event these days. He is solid this week. Not sure he is going to faulter. But... If he does there are a lot of players back in this

True, he coped well two years back. But as you said, they will be waiting and hoping.

Rors needs to calm down. If he does he should birdie 12 13 and 15

Rors is freaking out. Seemed so calm yesterday yet so nervy today...

How can you bet on golf Mysti, just the most unpredictable and very quick to change odds.

But big gains if lucky i suppose.

Its the only market I am up on mate.

I may be down this time around though. My own fault mind .haven't been watching any PGA tour in the build up.

Wow, McIlroy unfortunate there, hitting the sprinkler head.

So unlucky for Rory. Not a great shot mind. In danger of missing the cut here.

Oh Rors - what can possibly go wrong next?

Rors still hit a bad shot even if it didn't hit the sprinkler. He keeps going long left all day long

Too much adrenaline.

The wedge he hit on 12 was spot on for him. On the money with a full smash. But he keeps trying the fade and its not coming off.

I am used to playing like that. Sometimes its better to take one less and just crush it straight at the flag.