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!

Poulter will do his usual quick start and then fall apart. Does a player flatter to deceive more?

Here's the forecast for Augusta:
73F right now, 6 mph wind. Dry.
Rising to 84F this afternoon, wind up to 10 mph, continued dry.

Some "Past Champions" running on fumes, Mize in danger of getting tailed off in last place. That'll learn ya for holing that chip against Greg Norman.

Mysti, i would also love LW to win.

Gonna be rooting for him. IP and JR too.

Is it fair to say golf needs more multiple major champions?

sirbenson wrote:Poulter will do his usual quick start and then fall apart. Does a player flatter to deceive more?

Can't think of many in recent times. Maybe Sergio, but not this time obviously.

sirbenson wrote:Poulter will do his usual quick start and then fall apart. Does a player flatter to deceive more?

exactly what i am hoping- but no- great player- done it on certain stages. just not the major stage

if he can do that blitz front nine last day as he has countless times before his odds could shoot to 5's and then i make 1k or 5k on him. backed him at 800 on betfair after day 1

sirbenson wrote:Is it fair to say golf needs more multiple major champions?

Very true, since Tiger's last win, it ha become a bit of an open field.

Every sport needs a clear number one, it adds a bit. Some may disagree though, which i can understand too in some sports due to reptitive winners.


A star of a sport always gains publicity for the sport though.

skyeman wrote:

sirbenson wrote:Is it fair to say golf needs more multiple major champions?

Very true, since Tiger's last win, it ha become a bit of an open field.

Every sport needs a clear number one, it adds a bit. Some may disagree though, which i can understand too in some sports due to reptitive winners.


A star of a sport always gains publicity for the sport though.

It's fair to say 3 players are near their best who are multiple major champions ie Mcilroy, Mickelson and Tiger.....The rest are in decline like Singh, Goosen, Harrington and to a lesser degree Els.

rose and scott look good for another couple,

rors looks good for another 5 or 6

speith is something special as well. he isnt a kim or fowler etc.

he is much better

Scott wil defo add to his total and you would imagine Day will get a couple of majors as well.....

Mysti, Fowler very well could be a major winner by the end of today.

sirbenson wrote:

skyeman wrote:

sirbenson wrote:Is it fair to say golf needs more multiple major champions?

Very true, since Tiger's last win, it ha become a bit of an open field.

Every sport needs a clear number one, it adds a bit. Some may disagree though, which i can understand too in some sports due to reptitive winners.


A star of a sport always gains publicity for the sport though.

It's fair to say 3 players are near their best who are multiple major champions ie Mcilroy, Mickelson and Tiger.....The rest are in decline like Singh, Goosen, Harrington and to a lesser degree Els.

McIlroy, i feel will one day be regarded in the same breath  


He will be right up there though in a few years.

day is certainly no grantee in the major stakes.

no way.

rose and scott for sure will add.

folwer , bigged up american youngster but well - lets see- great golfer- mind akin to an english or aus golfer in all fairness(bar rose and scott that is)

If there's another "multiple Major winner" this week, do we want it to be Blubba Watson?
Next closest is Furyk, three shots back, followed by Rose and Couples(!).

benson,
Don't you think Jason Day needs to figure out how to be a multiple PGA Tour stroke play winner first?

kwinigolfer wrote:If there's another "multiple Major winner" this week, do we want it to be Blubba Watson?
Next closest is Furyk, three shots back, followed by Rose and Couples(!).

benson,
Don't you think Jason Day needs to figure out how to be a multiple PGA Tour stroke play winner first?

The match play win and the World Cup win in singles, show he is going to start winning more regularly to me. I think the injury kind of stalled his momentum. I wouldn't totally rule him or Scott out of it today!

kwinigolfer wrote:If there's another "multiple Major winner" this week, do we want it to be Blubba Watson?
Next closest is Furyk, three shots back, followed by Rose and Couples(!).

benson,
Don't you think Jason Day needs to figure out how to be a multiple PGA Tour stroke play winner first?

   

I think people tend to forget Fowler is 25, so he still has plenty of time to have an excellent career!

mystiroakey wrote:rose and scott look good for another couple,

rors looks good for another 5 or 6

speith is something special as well. he isnt a kim or fowler etc.

he is much better

From early indications, could be. Something about him.

Kim is such a talent, it's looking like a waste at the moment. It would be great to see him play again! Any update regarding Kim?

Stephen Gallacher -3 after 7 holes.
If one of those even par or better can get off to such a start, it'll be sure to put the willies up Bubba, and possibly Spieth as well - his weekends have been too clever the past couple of months. He seemed very composed yesterday but completely lost it vs Els in the Match Play and has finished poorly since then.

Actually we may be able to discount Scott on the basis that the cheat stick will be banned soon.

"discount" Bradley and Simpson also.

kwinigolfer wrote:"discount" Bradley and Simpson also.

Not sure about that. Have they had previous poor putting form with a standard putter or have they never known anything but belly/long putters?

I think they both decided their putting was so bad with the orthodox stick they switched.

mystiroakey wrote:Actually we may be able to discount Scott on the basis that the cheat stick will be banned soon.

I am one of the ones, and rightly so.

Impossible to pick a winner here. Over the years many have come back to win from further than five behind.

Good fortune to all.

Beautiful sunny day from the pictures but a wee breeze from the sound of the mikes.

Quick trivia question.

Without looking it up, how many golfers from a different nation have ever won a major.

G.Player, Republic of South Africa counts as SA.

Crystal goblets at 13 today for Lyle and Snedeker. 

13?
Doesn't sound enough, does it?

Nothing trivial about this:
Top 12 and ties return to Augusta next year - among players who might not get there otherwise that are currently in the Top 25-ish are:
Blixt
Bjorn
Westwood
Jimenez
Fowler
Furyk
Stads
Sendo
Woodland
Kirk
Streels
Donaldson
Henley
Stricker
Cink
Bowditch

Gallacher and 'Pyro' Luiten are somewhat igniting the course. Last three holes they have 5 birdies between them

Would westy really not get an exemption kwini?

Ah, Maybe it's 15, just had a couple of revelations!

kwinigolfer wrote:13?
Doesn't sound enough, does it?

Nothing trivial about this:
Top 12 and ties return to Augusta next year - among players who might not get there otherwise that are currently in the Top 25-ish are:
Blixt
Bjorn
Westwood
Jimenez
Fowler
Furyk
Stads
Sendo
Woodland
Kirk
Streels
Donaldson
Henley
Stricker
Cink
Bowditch

Not too bad there  

And a few will be worried, no one wants to miss this.

skyeman wrote:Quick trivia question.

Without looking it up, how many golfers from a different nation have ever won a major.

G.Player, Republic of South Africa counts as SA.

40?

mysti,
Why would he? Unless he finishes the year inside the Top 50, wins, has a top 4 finish in a Major. All likely, but by no means a done deal.

Not sure about Larry Mize taking almost four hours to complete his round as a onesome.

kwinigolfer wrote:Ah, Maybe it's 15, just had a couple of revelations!

Very close, good knowledge.

incontinentia wrote:

skyeman wrote:Quick trivia question.

Without looking it up, how many golfers from a different nation have ever won a major.

G.Player, Republic of South Africa counts as SA.

40?

Some way off.

Over 50%

skyeman wrote:Quick trivia question.

Without looking it up, how many golfers from a different nation have ever won a major.

G.Player, Republic of South Africa counts as SA.

USA
Canada
England
Scotland
Wales
Ireland (2)
Spain
Argentina
SA
Zimbabwe
Australia
New Zealand
Korea
Germany
Fiji


Now I'm struggling

Did I answer the wrong question?

I'm never wrong wrote:

skyeman wrote:Quick trivia question.

Without looking it up, how many golfers from a different nation have ever won a major.

G.Player, Republic of South Africa counts as SA.

USA
Canada
England
Scotland
Wales
Ireland (2)
Spain
Argentina
SA
Zimbabwe
Australia
New Zealand
Korea
Germany
Fiji


Now I'm struggling

Very close too, nice.

So, who are we all picking to win this thing today? I think Kuchar or Fowler.

America
Canada
Argentina
Spain
Germany
England
Scotland
Ireland
Northern Ireland
Wales
Australia
South Africa
Fiji - singh
New Zealand- cambell
Korea- yang
Zimabwae- nick price

That's all I can think of for now.

Mexico.

Mexico to the list.

Loli think I picked exactly I'm never wrongs picks. Is there really more than 15?

Who was the Mexican?

I think there might be a few more. Far east or Europe perhaps?

mystiroakey wrote:Who was the Mexican?

Are they counting Trevino?

He is american

Money on Spieth, cmon the youngster