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!

It is the funniest thing I have seen on US broadcast. But Mac has an issue with player.

As long as the story is true fair play for telling it.

Player is a legend

Player is one of the few regulars on US golf tv that isn't sycopanthic, nauseating or up his own behind. Can't see why he gets such a hard time on this board.

How far "up his own behind" do you think he might be?
I'd say he's 100%, but fortunately we don't see too much of him on US TV, (altho' he's so fond of his own self-importance he might creep on cable from time to boring time)
A great, great golfer, but, for instance, he still hasn't put any names behind his drug allegations. Why? Probably made them up just to suit his own agenda.

The dude gave up ten minutes of his time to speak to me.

Don't care what anyone else says.

He is a great man.

And I don't hate any sportsman that I don't know anyway.not that I know him.

But you have to respect the mans determination and dedication. Surely one of the most practised golfer ever.

More, for anyone who needs evidence of how much of an ass player is.

http://www.monbiot.com/2007/10/16/playing-in-the-rough/

Picture perfect weather forecast for Thursday morning (48F, sunny, and a mere zephyr for Stewart Cink and Tim Clark as they commence battle), and thru'out the day: High Temp reaching the mid-70's and any wind should be just a minor inconvenience.
Let's hope they're right.

Sergio nailed on for this.
Just check out his preparation...

I'm sorry, but I can't let this just descend into a debate on Player's character. Are we really supposed to believe that Arnold Palmer defecated on a green?

Why not?

anyway your right. Lets end it so Mac doesn't keep banging on about him..

McLaren wrote:More, for anyone who needs evidence of how much of an ass player is.

http://www.monbiot.com/2007/10/16/playing-in-the-rough/

Player may have exploited apartheid to his advantage (as have propbably 99% of white saffers at the time) but that doesn't discard that the man is interesting listening too. He has that edge that other golfing personalities don't have.
With that being said apartheid is still very much alive. Need I say "Augusta"?

Do 9C and Vijay have to sit at the back of the bus and use separate toilets?

1 thing I know 100% factual about Player is that he cared about the lower classes in SA. He talked to me about them to me when I was 16, and there was real passion. He really cared back then

I am sure he has done his bit as well financially . He has profited but its clear he puts back.

There is allways two sides to the coin.

He doesn't have to answer every muppet journos questions.

Not forgetting monbiot is an idiot.

SmithersJones wrote:I'm sorry, but I can't let this just descend into a debate on Player's character. Are we really supposed to believe that Arnold Palmer defecated on a green?

It would have been interesting to get some more details. It is hard to imagine how it happened in the middle of a round.

Did the caddie have to towel his arse down?

Wheres tarka?

It looks like this morning's weather is even better than advertized; 48F and sunny right nowimagine Palmer, Nicklaus and Player will be bundled up though, perhaps Player walking behind Palmer in case of an accident.
Do they use caddies for the ceremonial first drive?

Come on kwini

Whats your theory on the Arnie Poopie'ing episode?

I've always thought it would be good fun to curl one off in a hole prior to the open.

Mac,
I couldn't care less.
I agree with Monty, any rational discussion about this is pointless without tarka's expertise.

SmithersJones wrote:I'm sorry, but I can't let this just descend into a debate on Player's character. Are we really supposed to believe that Arnold Palmer defecated on a green?

Apparently "poop" in south african parlance is a fart

Gone with Dufner, Kaymer, Horschel.

Let the games begin!

I see some revisionist history from the BBC:
"Lyle produced an incredible recovery shot from a bunker on the 18th hole to help secure his ONLY Major title."

With reporting like that, it's no wonder Sandy was overlooked for Ryder Cup captaincy duties.

I also went with DJ!

quite enjoyed the little par 3 comp last night, good to see the players having some fun, you only really see the sanitised press conferences and them playing, which does make it hard to judge who seems an ok person or not. Other then twitter that is. Guessing they get to pick who they play with, so you can see who gets on with each other as well.

incontinentia wrote:

SmithersJones wrote:I'm sorry, but I can't let this just descend into a debate on Player's character. Are we really supposed to believe that Arnold Palmer defecated on a green?

Apparently "poop" in south african parlance is a fart

Thank f*ck for that, I was beginning to worry that nobody seemed to find that utterly disgusting.

kwinigolfer wrote:I see some revisionist history from the BBC:
"Lyle produced an incredible recovery shot from a bunker on the 18th hole to help secure his ONLY Major title."

With reporting like that, it's no wonder Sandy was overlooked for Ryder Cup captaincy duties.

Ask Lyle how many he's won and he probably wouldn't know himself. NOne too bright.

I cant buy it was a fart, I reckon the old Palmer caught himself short.

Who cares about a fart.

yes it is disgusting but sh!t happens

s_r,
At least as bright as the Beeb's journos but I see they've revised their revisionist nonsense. Good job they read our comments.

So Old Gary dropped on when on the green with Arnie, where is the story? Who doesnt, always a good way to put someone off when putting!

Whats the time difference to Augusta, 7 hours?

5 hours! Meaning the golf starts in 5 mins!

Do they have a shot tracker this year!

i am going to check it out

Majors really should start getting play by play, it lacks sense!!

Yeah no shot tracker- Masters sort it out!!

What time does the Sky live coverage of actual play start (or what time do ANGC let broadcasters show some!)?

Coverage over here begins on ESPN at 3.00 p.m., probably you'll see action at the same time (8.00 p.m. Douglas Time).
Let the sycophants begin.

Woosie tied for the lead - countryman Errie Ball stil going strong (hopefully/wistfully?) at 103, probably still regaling friends with stories about playing in the first-ever Masters.

Think sky is showing something interactive from 5. I may be wrong.

Which old boy will be near the top of the leaderboard at the end of play? Bernhard?

SKY are showing Amen Coverage from 3:45, I think they will also show 15&16 and also a featured group on the back nine.

Cheers chaps

Freddie Couples usually turns up for a bit each year...

I am following it on the BBC website and there is ALWAYS a tweet from some student not revising for a test because of the big sporting event. The BBC seem to love that.

lorus,
I think it's because the LiveTexters are also students - at least, they might as well be for all they seem to know about Golf.


Woosie's fifteen minutes of fame are up, but what's happening to Tim Clark? His game has disintegrated since his January injury.

The sporting life blog is much better! Someone who actually knows the game doing the blogging and it also also allows comments and questions!

 
Good find, sirb!

Jonas Blixt showing the way.

Westy and English out last.

Nice

.

Kwini any weather updates?

mysti,
57F right now, almost calm, and SUNNY!

Webb Simpson with the first birdie on #1. How'd'e'do that?

Cheers Kwini

Poults with a birdie on no.2!

come on lad.

Lynn +2

Simpson birdies the first 3?? I hope that doesn't last!

5 birdies for Blixt on the front 9 - impressive

navyblueshorts wrote:Simpson birdies the first 3?? I hope that doesn't last!

Indeed, I loathe the god squad players.