PGA Tour: Gone to Carolina: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Not sure that was my favourite ever Masters, but no getting away from Bubba's dominance on Sunday. Plenty of back-nine wobbles on Saturday, but a back-nine procession on Sunday.
Well done Bubba Watson. You may be a strange one, but two Green Jackets is a fabulous achievement, well earned.
 
2).'Course, if you play a Par-5 with driver/sand wedge, it surely helps. Plenty of curiosity as to whether The Masters Committee might try and Bubba-proof their iconic lay-out, but Watson was:
1st in driving distance.
13th in fairways hit.
5th in greens in regulation.
16th in putting.
Tough to Bubba-proof that.
 
3).And: What do these eight golfers have in common?
Blixt, Jimenez, Senden, Stadler, McIlroy, Walker, Kirk & Gallacher?
They all made more birdies over the four rounds than Jerry Watson Jr.
Incredible that they were so far behind, 14 strokes in Stephen Gallacher's case, but he had a fine tournament, all except for his Saturday relapse. Imagine he might fare quite nicely next year, now he knows his way around. Meanwhile, he'll be relaxing at Harbour Town this week, along with compadres Knox and Laird.
 
4).Plenty of disappointment for the European contingent, but 6 in the Top 13 wasn't bad, matching 6 Americans, 9 in the Top 19 vs 8 from the U.S. - we just didn't get the "W". Not many huge surprises from last week's expectations, probably Thomas Bjorn on the plus side for me, and Garcia in the minus column.
(4th place Jimenez and 8th place Langer play on the Champions Tour in Atlanta this week. Good luck to them, especially Miguel who's making his Senior debut.)
 
5).But that's enough about Augusta, Georgia on my mind, now it's Carolina in my mind, from Ray Charles to James Taylor. The first of three events in four weeks on Pete Dye courses is coming up starting Thursday, at his early masterpiece, Harbour Town Golf Links, on idyllic Hilton Head Island.
Don't think the weather will be idyllic though. Billy Payne lucked out last week with "Chamber of Commerce" conditions in the middle of a meteorological apocalypse here in the Eastern part of the "States". (In BTV it was 81F Monday, three inches of snow Tuesday evening.)
The "RBC Heritage" is likely to be played under grey skies, with a significant breeze and the possibility of rain.
 
6).The PGA Tour is well in to the second half of its pre-FedEx Play-Off season now, and plenty of Europeans are at serious risk of failing to qualify and, more important, losing their card for 2014/15.
These luminaries are 100th and worse and will have no status for next year unless they pull their respective fingers out, without going thru' the WTF series:
116th: Gonzo
124th: Lingmerth
145th: Hanson
162nd: Casey
166th: Lynn
174th: Colsaerts
193rd: Harrington (he could take a one-time career money exemption and, like Casey, will always retain Past Champion status).
196th: Olesen
202nd: Owen
 
7).Harbour Town is certainly a "horses for courses" tournament, exemplified by Luke Donald's 2 x seconds and 2 x thirds in the past five years. Lukey certainly needs something good to happen to his season, but the magic just doesn't seem to be there these days. Wouldn't bet on him right now, but wouldn't discourage it either.
Furyk is another with a historically hot hand here; in form and has a win, 2 x seconds and plenty of Top Tens.
Europeans have won the past two years with Pettersson and McDowell, and some guy called Faldo was champion thirty years ago and joins Tom Watson in a ceremonial reappearance. What's the point?
 
8).Matt Fitzpatrick is in the field and did you ever see a golfer look more heartbroken than when he missed the putt on his 36th hole last week that would have ensured weekend play?
 
9).Welcome news from Australia that Jarrod Lyle will make three "rehab" appearances on the web.com's summer calendar, in preparation for contesting the WTF series later. Even if he doesn't qualify, he'll still have plenty of Medical Extension starts on the 2014/15 PGA Tour schedule.
And good news from a fortnight ago in Houston is that Retief Goosen fulfilled the requirements of his medical free pass and has (almost) full status restored, as does Houston's own Shawn Stefani.
 
10).Finally, back to Augusta National.
Don't know whether it was the course set-up, capricious breezes or poor play, but The Masters is getting progressively less exciting. Gone are the traditional back-nine charges from the golfers, roars from the fans; efficiency but no electricity from the golfers. Interesting perhaps, but hardly inspiring or entrancing.
 
And: What does CBS and ESPN achieve by their ever more unctuous commentaries? I would have thought saying it a little more like it is would at least save some self respect even if they lost the contract. Faldo has been one of the least offensive in this regard, and Peter Kostis retains his dignity too. But the rest are just awful.
There'll be a breath of fresh air wafting across Calibogue Sound this week. Perhaps it might even permeate the commentary box.

Davie wrote:Kwini I think Digs must have been indulging in some of that red wine too - don't you think? Or perhaps it's just the old trolling Digs back again. Faldo may be a moot point (perhaps) but Watson certainly earns his place in the field .. and I personally like to see old hands like Faldo playing again. It might get a bit old week after week but once in a while? Why not. As others have pointed out, he may not be competing for a top 10 finish but neither are plenty of others. He's not scoring much worse than (for example) a perennial favourite on her, ... old Marvin Logie Baird

It's an opinion Davie, no more no less, and hey look, I can reply to you directly.
You don't have to agree with this opinion but its one I've expressed since way back in the BBC days so it's hardly inconsistent or even particularly controversial. I'm just not a fan of excemptions and sponsors picks.
Calling people WUM's for expressing an opinion like mine, in a perfectly factual and impersonal manner, is the kind of thing that makes them not want to bother posting, and why would anyone want to do that Davie?

  

Have to say, each point of view has validity.

If Faldo and Watson had taken their invitation, if offered, and exemption, this (New Orleans) week, it would not have been an issue as they're dredging the conditional status guys to fill the field.

As I said earlier, if the sponsors really want to see the older guys at an event then wheel them out at the pro am and let those that have qualified play the rest of the week. And no, winning 20 events 30 years ago is not current form.

Sorry to bring up f1 again as our yank friends don't really get it, but one of the worst things about f1 through the years has been the "pay" drivers. Where they or a weighty sponsor will only give money to a team if a certain - usually substandard - driver is given a seat. The arguments of Diggers are in no way wummery and represent what a lot of sports fans think. I can never understand an argument that says the main competitive event of any sport has room to be sentimental.


I would like to see some statistics on how past champions [not qualified by other means] have performed over the years. It is easy to remember the Tom Watson open escapades or a Mize making the cut but these are anecdotal at best.

If it could be shown these guys were well off the pace on average would people still support their participation in events?

Actually Mac, I used to watch a fair bit of F1 (before other obligations surfaced) ... ESPN2 used to run it every Sunday morning. Watched in the heyday of Schumacher and Villeneuve (the younger). Often thought the British TV announcer had the best job in all of sports. 15 - 20 or so exotic venues on weekends and that's it. Nice gig. The starts seem very exciting, but lots of follow the leader after that. Still, would MUCH rather watch that than Nascar (although everyone I talk to who has been to a race seems to have enjoyed the experience).

Sponsor's exemptions? Let em go crazy. If you take the risk then go ahead and invite all the "guaranteed gate" you want. If the product gets too watered down it will show in the crowds and TV revenue (and maybe even the European and other tours can exploit the stumble). Not betting on that, however!

Ooh, Great, Perhaps the Gallaghers can play a half each for Man City too? Though I do have to admit that it looks like Stephen Fry has already been putting in a weekly shift at Carrow Road.


Difficult to tell what conditions are like in the Carolina Low Country - Round 2 is scheduled to resume at 8.00 a.m., but it is likely to be soggy at best, with very soft greens, cool and more rain likely.
We'll see.

Round 2 resumes on schedule; imagine the pros will love the soft greens so it will be interesting to see how many are able to turn round awful starts to their rounds.
73 golfers at +3 or better, cut could easily drift to +4.

Back to Fulham - let's see if Tommy Trinder or even Michael Jackson are in the squad.

McLaren, Doon, s_r, JAS,
What is wrong with your boys:
Team Scotland play Round 2 in 21 over par:
Knox +1, Laird +10, Gallacher +10.

Good work by two forgotten men though.
-4 from Paul Casey gets him back in to the tournament, while Kaymer is -3 after his first 14 holes.

PS: PUP, up 1-0. Hope it stays that way.

Round 2 complete and Round 3 should be underway within the hour.

Looks unlikely they'll complete Round 3 today, but should be done in time to get the final 18 holes in the books on Sunday and that Tartan Jacket awarded - lots of usual suspects in the Top Twenty, including Donald and McDowell.

British invasion on Hilton Head:
T5: McDowell
T8: Casey, Donald & Knox

Time to get a win boys.

Make that T1 for Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke.

Not a bad comeback from Ishikawa!!! Was dead last after Thursday!

Tied with Matt Fitzpatrick, benson!

Cracker of a tournament so far for Fitz.

Casey going the wrong way thru beaten horses - why does he do that?

Didn't start an OWGR thread this week so I will make a couple of projections of some of the contenders this week. (with a win)

Westy: 30th (assuming Luke doesn't doesn't WD or DQ)
Luke & Charl & Furyk: 14th
Huh: 64th
Ben Martin: 66th

Kuchar passes Jason Day if he finishes first or solo 2nd. 1st Place for Kuchar will mean he is barely behind Bubba.

Spieth is guaranteed to pass Mickelson, and will pass Sergio if he finishes 45th or better.

Jimenez will add to his legend if he wins in Atlanta tomorrow.

First half of the Daily Double comes in, come on Luuuuke!

Russell Knox in 7th place overnight - by my reckoning, if he maintains that position at least, he'll be up to about fourth alternate in to the Players Championship.
Which is not especially important except that you'd think the TPC would really suit his game.

First pair on Harbour Town's first tee for Round 4 - it looks dry-ish and cool, showers forecast this morning, but should be brighter and drier this afters. Breezy to windy all day long.

Pat Perez is 8 under par after 15 holes - so we know there are scores out there.
You'd have to think Donald will need to duck into the 60's to earn his first win in more than two years.

Congratz to Westy. Big win and back in Ryder Cup contention.

This inches Westy barely ahead of Luke Donald (before this afternoons results). But barely total collaspe from Luke, he wil be ahead of Westy.

Colsaerts T2nd finish might get him back into the top 100 depending on RBC results. I got him at 99th right now.

We rabbit it on about the British and Irish players having a poor season, and some of them certainly are, but there are only a few shining lights among the best Americans as we knew them on Jan 1st.
Another very poor week for Messrs Haas, Zach Johnson, Snedeker, Mahan, Horschel, Dustin Johnson has gone off the boil and Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson have shown relatively few glimpses of their best form.
Whilst Stricker, Woods and Mickelson have largely disappeared.
Bubba, Kuchar, Spieth, Harris English, have done well, Furyk's showing some form, but Tom Watson must be shaking his head at some of the guys he expected to be the backbone of his RC Team.

Jimmy Walker and Top Five are the two breakthrough guys so far for him.

Casey and Knox off to a good start today - important both continue the good work.

Some other pro golf from around the world:

JH Wang from Korea won the First ever PGAT China event at Mission Hills China.

He won by ten shots over Xin Jun Zhang who was th only Chinese player in the top 10.

The top 10 was dominated by Aussies, with 5 of them.

Yusaku Miyazato won the first Japanese Tour event in Japan in 2014. That should get him well inside the top 200.

Dong Min Lee won the Korean Golf Event.

William Kroop is trying to hold off Angel Cabrea in the Latino Americas PGAT event in Argentina.

Kuchar in the shake-up for the fourth week running.
Both he and Lukey need the win, for different reasons.
Just pretend it's the Ryder Cup Luke.

 

Why can't Casey & Donald stand prosperity?
3 ft putt missed at the last for Casey.
And looks like a penalty for Donald at the 6th as Kuchar goes out in 30.
Come on Luke, the Alf Ramsey "You've won it once, go out and win it again" talk comes to mind.

Consistent first 14 holes for Matt Fitzpatrick: 14 pars.

Even more consistent.
Fitz holes a 20-footer on 18 for his 18th par of the day - bogey-free weekend.

Luke needs some more birdies.

3-putt from 4 feet from Matt Kuchar: bogey on #17.
Incredible after how well he has played.

Hole out for Kuchar on 18!!

Lukey can still win in regulation or playoff, but he's got some work to do.

Well done Kuchar. Looks like it'll be his day, Lukey perhaps being spooked by a final round 64 for the second time in three years. Spooked by three penalty strokes too of course.

  
Mechanic looking good on his Champo debut.

Come on Luuuuuke.

5 x Top Threes at Harbour Town in six years.
Extraordinary consistency?
Or Luke's career in a nutshell??
Great player but three penalty shots have done him in.
 
Kuchar almost buttons down his place on Watson's Team. 0-2 in singles.

A fine and well earned "W" for Kuchar on the big tour.

However, that stumble on 17 almost cost him; fast becoming the best player without a major.

Perhaps that will change in Pinehurst.

I never understood why Americans were against gun control. But when you see Kuchar grinning like an idiot you start to see their point.

I like Kuchar, seems a decent guy, not a religitard as far as I can see and plays the game with a smile on his face whether he's winning or losing.
Pretty normal as far as I can see.

super_realist wrote:I like Kuchar, seems a decent guy, not a religitard as far as I can see and  plays the game with a smile on his face whether he's winning or losing.
Pretty normal as far as I can see.

Great comment super. There isn't nearly enough cutting sarcasm on this board.

Kuchar played really well all week except when out in the worst of Friday's weather - lucky to hole his bunker shot on 18 but it should never have come down to that.
I think he was the victim when Poulter guaranteed a singles win at Celtic Manor then proceeded to dust "Kooch" 5 & 4. Then Westwood thumped him at Medinah. All while smiling his way around, no doubt.

Great record in foursomes & fourballs though, and Woods's partner at last autumn's Presidents Cup.

Must say, Mrs Kuchar was looking pretty fit last night, perhaps the reason for her husband's ever-present smile?

Some more politically nauseating editorial comment from Nantz on CBS TV last night, commenting upon who turned up for religious services on the 18th green at daytlight on Easter Sunday. Some of these guys sound akin to the abhorrent Westboro Baptist lunatics in how they're trying to spout their "beliefs" to a TV audience.


Loved the tournament otherwise though, love Hilton Head too!

Kuchar has a big cartoon face. Other then that he seems ok, no reason to dislike him. Didn't see much of the coverage this weekend, I know it's a bit horses for courses but is Luke looking like he is getting back to something with his changes? Glad MAJ romped the oldies tour aswell. Though a final group of Miguel Fred and Bernhard must of pleased some people.

Seems fashionable these days -- at least among lots of people I converse with -- to denigrate any course that has trees that come into play. I think this weekend showed just how well a tree-lined course can play. Visual intimidation and shot variety galore.

Nice to see the winner get that wacky plaid jacket, but I always thought the first runner up should get two.

US TV ratings abysmal for the US Master's last week. This tour better get ready for the post-Tiger (and Phil) era. It won't be pretty numbers wise.

Sr,
That tartan jacket may look ghastly, but surely better than the cloth from the week before?

Great strategery around Harbour Town as you say; why would people complain about trees on a golf course?

Would imagine that part of the reason for the ratings decline is the abysmal TV coverage of The Masters. High time for Billy Payne and CBS to realise they're covering a Golf Tournament, not a church service; this week's coverage just as bad, especially with the political and faux-religious pandering.

I see that Fox has confirmed Joe Buck and Greg Norman as their anchor US Open commentators next year; no idea what Shark will be like, but Joe Buck has already turned me off football and baseball (not to mention National Rental Cars).

Buck and Norman? Who knows ... but I'm of the opinion it's a lot less about the announcers behind the microphones and more about the personality (perception is reality) of the players in contention. Were it Phil, Tiger, Sergio and Rory coming down the stretch at Augusta those number would have been record setting.

Sr,
Perhaps you're right, but surely Bubbagolf attracts non-hardcore fans too? Though admittedly the rest of the contenders define bland to the casual fan.
(I think the possibility of the hated Sergio electrifying Garciaphobic American fans is a bit far-fetched, unless they tune in hoping for a rumble w/Woods. You having an early morning tipple at The Auburn?)

Golf just isn't a cool sport, nor can people be bothered to watch the dreary 8 hour rounds of anything other than a major these days.
You have to also add in that American coverage of golf competitions is WOEFUL and even with the sycophantic followers of 9C and Mickelson in there, it seems it's something which spectators are moving away from.

Sergio absolutely is a draw IMO especially if he's tussling with Woods. (And I would watch for the nearly inevitable collapse ... but maybe this year he grabs a major or two?)

Diehard golf fans will watch almost regardless of the broadcasters or who is in contention. But the non-golf fans need a personality pull.

"personality" in the loosest sense.

!
I watched the first hour of yesterday's golf with the sound muted - this diehard fan absolutely stops watching because of some coverage, and Nantz, Feherty and the rest make me hit the mute button.
On-line data is often more informative than on-air sycophantic drivel.

In contrast, most US Tennis coverage is absolutely superb.

I'm with you kwini. The Masters is becoming less and less exciting to watch, despite the playoffs the last few years. "Hollow" is probably a good way of describing it. Apart from the greens, the course doesn't seem challenging enough.

Facts are without Tiger the US TV audience (where the bills are paid) are waaaaay down. Team Finchem better get used to lower numbers or a way to fill the void. Good luck with that.

US Tour to go way of European Tour? That would be funny.

The quality of the TV production has a lot to do with it IMO. Too many breaks, no consistency in the coverage and the of course all the sycophantic commentary.

In all fairness I think Norman could be an interesting add-on. Some may dislike him, but at least he seems to have some edge.

I wonder if NBC's refusal to up the ante with the USGA was due to the impending disappearance of Eldrick from the competitive stage?

I think so Kwin, and I also think Fox may have overpaid for that asset. Only Brian Roberts (Comcast CEO) probably really knows. Jack left, Norman left, Tiger and Phil will leave ... and professional golf did just fine, but I can't imagine things will grow significantly. Who knows.

Trouble is, FOX Sports is unwatchable.
If there is apoplexy in Europe and around the world at the weekly US TV coverage, be careful what you wish for.
FOX is absolutely gutter-trawling in their Sports efforts, beneath contempt.