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!

Spieth really loves letting go of the club after impact   

Bubba looks in control. And to be fair he deserves it. Jordan Speith looks like he needs to grow up.

super_realist wrote:Watson can f**k off. Banjo playing, wooden toothed, mullet sporting, top buttoned shirt, slack jawed, halfwitted, uncultured, bible thumper.

Come on Spieth.

C'mon Blubber Watson!! The fairways will be awash with tears when he dons his second green jacket. What a man, what a golfer. Imagination, creativity- a true golfing genius. And never afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. A winner in every sense of the word.

Just read previous comments and I've lumped with the beeb this weekend, think it's much better then sky. Alliss is great showing his disdain for some of the greens though. Azinger very American but ok, cotter is the best.

I know some lads want to be like their Dad but Stadler Jr is taking it a bit far by copying his Dads physique. What a couple of lardyasrses.

Quick read of speiths Twitter, he doesn't seem like a bible club member. But he is a Texan so he may be.

What a reckless shot from Bubba on #15. Scarcely anything to gian and so much he could have lost.

Rory, Bjorn, lw1 & Langer tied for 8th right now.

Really want Fowler to drop a shot or two coming in just to get some e/w money back!

Looking at his education Ben he went to a Jesuit prep school and catholic high school. Nailed on bible basher Id say.

What ones aren't in lehmans bible club?? It looks like MAJ will get top5 so my little each way bet gets me something!

Very nice finish for lw1 - but he'll doubtless be disappointed overall.

Well played Bubba.

Think the days are gone when you expect Westwood to compete it's know just a hope for him. Still think Rory will win big soon.

Bubba has been the best player all week and deserves the win. Think he has more green jackets in him and maybe a pga.

Can't deny Bubba glory now. Impressive performance. Both from he and Jordan.

Gutted I'd backed Fowler e/w and he's 6th. Bookies pay out top 5. Blixt was my other thought but opted for Rickie....

Augusta is fantastic. Congrats to all involved and those who have enjoyed viewing.

Paddy Power were paying top 6 - and I backed Westwood who's 7th!

Doing his oscar pistorious impression..

Yes Bubba, needed that dosh!!!!

beninho wrote:Bubba looks in control. And to be fair he deserves it. Jordan Speith looks like he needs to grow up.

Will be a good learning experience for the kid, clearly not mentally ready yet

Fowler has come fifth I think..so should pay out.

Love it when a Major is won rather than lost; we've been lucky with that the past four or five - well done Bubba.
Now, keep your god to yourself, behave!

So:
Top twelve will be back next year, and that's good news for these guys who may not otherwise be exempt:
Blixt
Jimenez
Fowler
Bjorn
Westwood
Senden
Stads

I'm still of the opinion Fowler will win a major one year. He's always up there at the close. Although it's maybe a Westwood type finish. Never threatens but is always there at the end.

I think that result confirms that Spieth and Kuchar advance in to the top 9 qualifying places for the US Ryder Cup, bye bye Zach and Webb. Don't think there will be any other changes, but Bubba can obviously attend a kilt fitting.

So, is that Walker, Bubba and Speith confirmed to appear at Gleneagles then?

Is Blixt eligible for the European side?

Blixt is in the Euro Ryder Cup Standings, and no doubt this result will move him into the fringe of contention.

I think he is planning to play a lot of EuroTour events in the next 5 months.

Blixt should around 16th in both standings after this weeks results.

Jimenez should be right on the bubble of both points lists.

Bubba was a class above, truly deserved.

Confirmation of those currently in the Ryder Cup qualifying places:
Europe:
Dubuisson, Donaldson, Bjorn, Stenson, Garcia, McIlroy, Poulter, Rose, Donald.
M-A J is 10th.
And GPB has Blixt marked almost spot on: 15th in the Euro list, 16th in the World standings.
PS: Very impressed with Luiten's finish yesterday - don't know the story behind his third round collapse but hope he shows what he's made of these next few months. Seems to be getting better all the time.

US Placings:
Watson, Walker, Dustin, Spieth, Top Five, Kuchar, Dufner, Mickelson, English.
Then come Zach, Chris Kirk and Simpson.
Furyk and Bradley are a win adrift, Mahan, Haas, Snedeker, Woods and Stricker even further back.

Fairly uninspiring teams on both sides at present by the looks of it.
Can't see that team inspiring the American viewership, and looks like Europe would be strong favourites again, especially in a Celtic Manor type late September wet, damp, grey, overcast Gleneagles.

Anyone know why Gerry's homophobia has been ignored?

He's a disgusting person Mac for sure.
Although, he can hold any beliefs he wants, he just shouldn't express them.

Gerry who?

Gerry Watson, just won the Masters last night.

kwinigolfer wrote:So:
Top twelve will be back next year, and that's good news for these guys who may not otherwise be exempt:
Blixt
Jimenez
Fowler
Bjorn
Westwood
Senden
Stads

i thought it was usually top 16. did it change?

seriously impressed by blixt short game. you had said it a number of times before Kwini but this was the first time id seen him in action bar a few highlights.

super_realist wrote:He's a disgusting person Mac for sure.
Although, he can hold any beliefs he wants, he just shouldn't express them.

You really are letting your discriminatory behaviour get the better of you now aren't you? Disgusting person? Don't be ridiculous. We get it, you don't like religion. Neither do I but I'm with Mysti - he's a pretty unique and talented golfer. I'm bored to death with all the stat-orientated, robot golfers out there TBH. I'd rather he didn't bang on about his God but I don't know him personally so I'm not sure I'm in a position to think he's "disgusting" and, I suggest, neither are you.

navyblueshorts wrote:

super_realist wrote:He's a disgusting person Mac for sure.
Although, he can hold any beliefs he wants, he just shouldn't express them.

You really are letting your discriminatory behaviour get the better of you now aren't you? Disgusting person? Don't be ridiculous. We get it, you don't like religion. Neither do I but I'm with Mysti - he's a pretty unique and talented golfer. I'm bored to death with all the stat-orientated, robot golfers out there TBH. I'd rather he didn't bang on about his God but I don't know him personally so I'm not sure I'm in a position to think he's "disgusting" and, I suggest, neither are you.

I was actually thinking about his xenophobic and uncultured comments about foreign countries and his vocal support for someone opposing homosexuality, his ridiculously absurd and baseless beliefs in fairytales is simply free ammunition.

super_realist wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:

super_realist wrote:He's a disgusting person Mac for sure.
Although, he can hold any beliefs he wants, he just shouldn't express them.

You really are letting your discriminatory behaviour get the better of you now aren't you? Disgusting person? Don't be ridiculous. We get it, you don't like religion. Neither do I but I'm with Mysti - he's a pretty unique and talented golfer. I'm bored to death with all the stat-orientated, robot golfers out there TBH. I'd rather he didn't bang on about his God but I don't know him personally so I'm not sure I'm in a position to think he's "disgusting" and, I suggest, neither are you.

I was actually thinking about his xenophobic and uncultured comments about foreign countries and his vocal support for someone opposing homosexuality, his ridiculously absurd and baseless beliefs in fairytales is simply free ammunition.

Well, I look forward to you applying those standards to all, without bias, in the future.

I can't recall a time when I defended the indefensible.

Haven't been on here to keep track of all the comments so might be repeating so apologies in advance.

Thought that was a good masters, not great but not bad either. Last year was bad until Scott and Cabrera put it right. I tend to agree with Peter Allis that the greens are getting almost silly and probably are not what the original architects intended them to be. I'm all for the odd rollercoaster putt but every single green, unless you land it on a dish cloth (as dear Ken would put it), is getting ridiculous. It wasn't as bad as saturday 2013, on which we hardly saw what you would call a real birdie chance, but you felt it wasnt far away.

Nonetheless, didnt Bubba came out and answered all his doubters?! Monty served up humble pie in sky studio. Literally. To be fair to Monty who would have predicted such a steady performance from Bubba? His only slight 'wobble' coming on 15, where he steered it home for a steady par anyway.

Shame for Blixt that he didnt get the ball to the hole on some of his birdie putts - he should have pretended they were par putts... terrific holing out when par was involved. Always good to have that Euro interest. Even better when one of them is the most interesting around...

Other snippets were - is Kevin Stadler really going to jack it in when the ban on long putters comes in?? Shame if he does. And is Westy fairing better with the new coach or the old caddy?

Lastly for Mac - for all the condemnation of racist and homophobic golfers I hope you dont spare golfers who spout similar comments regarding spastics.....?

I nearly spat my coffee out when I saw Kevin Stadler and googled him to find out he was only 34. (years or stone, I'm not sure)
The withdrawal of long putters in 2016 should be the least of his concerns, living that long should be his only concern.

No knowing what Bubba's going to say next, but he does have some extreme views, based presumably on ignorance (to give him the benefit of the doubt).
Brilliant golf this year though, and well deserving of yesterday's win.


hend0:
Glad you got the chance to see Blixt - I think part of the genius of his short game is that his course management looks to be really good. Several examples at the weekend where he missed the green in the optimum place to get up and down rather than hit it as far as he can and deal with the resultant problem when he gets to his ball. And that goes for chipping into areas where he's most likely to make the putt as well. Great putter!

he really seems like the kind of guy you would like to be taking a crucial 10 footer in Gleneagles!

Exactly!
Yes, they changed from top 16 and ties to top 12 and ties last year (I think).
Bad news for Jamie Donaldson but the way he's playing he won't have anything to be too concerned about. Looking a top player.

So, who thinks the Green Jackets will try to "Bubba Proof" Augusta for next year?

golfermartin wrote:So, who thinks the Green Jackets will try to "Bubba Proof" Augusta for next year?

Not sure how they'll do that. Maybe make it such that every shot has to be hit perfectly straight?

Thinking about it, it's a pity Blixt didn't win (or any other Swede for that matter) as I would be hopeful they'd suggest some Surströmming on the Champion's Dinner the following year. That would be fun.

Can't help feeling if Tiger had played this year it would've been a pretty easy win for him

I googled that Navy, sounds lovely! Though if they all drink some Rekorderlig first, then it should be fine.

incontinentia wrote:Can't help feeling if Tiger had played this year it would've been a pretty easy win for him

beninho wrote:I googled that Navy, sounds lovely! Though if they all drink some Rekorderlig first, then it should be fine.

It's nasty! Knew a Danish guy through work and went to a meeting in Copenhagen. He invited a load of people back to his place and thought it'd be fun to show us what it was like....his wife insisted he open the tin in the back garden, well away from the house! Not tried Rekorderlig but sounds like some of it might be good. Ended up having one too many Elephant Beers that trip...