PGA Tour: The Case for Paul Casey: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Another good tournament from Paul Casey at the Byron Nelson.
And, after a Round 2 back nine of 27, it could have been so much better.
Paul has "Past Champion" status on the PGA Tour and that only gets him in to about half of the tournaments at most.
Like Robert Karlsson at the end of last year, Casey's finding out the hard way how crucial it is to play well when diminished "status" actually offers the chance to play.
How has it come to pass that Casey, for all his years of success on both the European and PGA Tours, has to struggle like this?
 
2).He enjoyed a fabulous Amateur record, both Collegiately at Arizona State where his achievements rivalled or bettered those of T.Woods, and in Britain where he won the English Amateur two years running, and all his four Walker Cup matches in 1999.
Seven events in to his European Tour career he visited the winners enclosure, ironically at Gleneagles. By 2004 he was in Bernhard Langer's winning Ryder Cup Team, he won the 2006 European Tour Order of Merit and the sky was the limit. He flirted with Special Temporary Membership of the PGA Tour, but didn't secure a full card until 2009. The BMW PGA title rocketed him to #3 in the owgr, and 2010 saw him in the final group at St.Andrews with King Louis.
 
3).Meanwhile, compadres like Donald, Poulter and Rose had been registering "Official" prize money for years. Despite making over $6M just in 2009 & 2010, injuries, turf toe, an accident on the ski slopes, divorce and gawd-knows-what-else cooled his jets. He tried to play through injury and, as even the Undercover Pro will tell us, that's a no-no. Health will get worse, form will get worser and the PGA Tour "playing privilege" system is unforgiving.
 
4).Winnings of less than $600K in 2011 was not enough to retain his card and he skipped Q-School. 2012 saw just $60K in his US bank and opportunities dried up in 2013. Thank goodness for his Irish Open win which gave his owgr status some buoyancy. Now he's apparently fit and has squeezed in to 8 tournaments in 2013/2014 with five Top 20 finishes, good enough for 121st in the crucially important FedEx Points race.
But: With the season 2/3 over, he can only expect to tee it up about four or five more times. Unless he scores a win!
 
5).The good news is that he squeaked in to this week's "Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial" and his two trips there so far have been profitable: 5th in 2009 and 13th in 2010. 4th place this week would see him very close to earning his 2014/2015 card, a podium would wrap it up.
 
6).Let's not speculate any more, but Casey's experience is not dissimilar to that of other "International" PGA Tour players; woebetide anyone who loses form as he tries to play through injury or wastes PGA Tour opportunities by chasing appearance money around the World. Cabrera and Yang lose their exemption this year unless they buck up their ideas, Harrington will have to use a one-time "earnings" exemption, and Oosthuizen will lose his card after next season, all if they fail to reach the Top 125.
Web.com Finals for the lot of you, or revert, as Casey has done, to Past Champions status and not know, from one week to the next, where or whether you'll be playing.
(Karlsson lost Memphis play-offs two years running and is in an even worse pickle. US career hanging by a thread.)
All top, top players.
 
7).We said Brendon Todd would win soon on Tour, just didn't expect it in Dallas. An extraordinary short game display earned him the win, from Mike Weir who, out of the blue, turned in to the Mike Weir of old. Several parallels between Weirsy's experience and that of Casey, of course.
 
8).Colonial is Ben Hogan's shrine in Fort Worth. It's a real horses-for-courses track, Furyk might not win it but he loves the place, Zach Johnson, Tim Clark (if only he'd show some form), Toms etc. Brian Davis was desperately unlucky not to win a few years ago and Kuchar and Spieth are back for more.
Adam Scott was a late sign-up and goes for the Texas Grand Slam having already won at Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
Most of the Europeans are at Wentworth, but one interesting invitation went to 2012 Challenge Tour winner Julien Brun who left France for University in Fort Worth. And wouldn't you think Colonial will suit Russell Knox?
Perhaps a shilling each way on Casey & Knox?
 
9).We'll keep on saying it: Tom Watson must be getting anxious about some of his Ryder Cup horses. Who knows about Woods or Phil, or Stricker for that matter?
Snedeker and Bradley continue to struggle; maybe Dufner and Mahan will finally find their form this week?
Early season hotshots English and Reed don't have a Top Ten between them, and have missed more cuts than they've made since Reed's Top Five at Doral.
 
10).Any European Senior worth any salt at all will be playing the Senior PGA in Michigan, where Roger Chapman broke through two years ago. Stephen Ames makes his Champions Tour debut, following Andrade, Durant, Jimenez and Maggert among others. Lee Janzen, Verplank and Kevin Sutherland will soon follow.
Anyway, another week, another "Major" for the Seniors. I thought these four-round tournaments might favour Montgomerie, but he faded/tired last week and must be wondering whether he'll ever win over here.
One tip: Do some sit-ups.
Another tip: Ask Kenny Perry. He's won the last three Senior Majors.

Ridiculous end to Hunner's round, should have been at least six under par.

The shot-making's still there for Mahan, but it seems increasingly the focus goes walkabout.

Not bad for Casey; better needed tomorrow morning though.

Ncik Job, Forsbrand and Montgomerie the leading Europeans (all T6) in the Senior PGA behind the ball-striking machine (but usually terrible putter) known as Joe Durant.

And: In the LPGA tournament in Alabana, Catriona Mathew leads, followed by Charley Hull. Not bad!!!!!!!!!!!
(Moira Dunn close behind. Shotrock, PLease take note!)

Hope Shane can keep this going for the 4 days   

Rory Mc, seems to have issues with round 2 this season. He is having good first rounds, and great weekends, but the second rounds are killing him.

Rory +1 after 5 holes of Round 2, just as he was after 5 holes of Round 1.
He just has to repeat the magic of his final 13 Thursday holes today . . . . . . .
Anders Hansen playing well at Wentworth again!

OK, No magic.

Noted Kwin -- would like to see her place well. And a half-decent start for Sean O'Hair.

All courses in these parts playing well ... assume the same for you up North?

Hi Sr,
Our courses are still a bit wet, and getting wetter. On my way to UCA this afternoon, sticks on board; you never know!

Big day for Paul Casey, and he's already made a pig's ear of the Par-5 11th hole, bogey from 30yds away in 2.

Harrington having a nightmare at Wentworth, carrying his PGA Tour form across the lake.

Jonas Blixt in position to be a fly in the ointment in the Euro Ryder Cup Standings.

A win here and he will put himself right about 11th, 12th in the World Points list.

He is playing in Sweden next week.

Luuuuuke!

Wonder if Adam Scott is watching Stenson?

Wouldn't you feel a bit of a Wally if somehow (by playing better than anyone else obviously) you got to Number One only to lose it within the week?

Can you say "incentive"??!!

Casey living dangerously, needs a bird.

Casey should have gone to Wentworth; three back nine bogeys have sent him on his way. Wasted opportunity. Not sure when we'll see him next.

No-one running away with this.

incontinentia wrote:Hope Shane can keep this going for the 4 days   

Given how wretched his form has been this year, it's a great effort by the fat lad. Still don't think he'll win it, as he's one of those players who has a stinker one out of four rounds.

Wow No comments from Round 3?

Found the pairings for the US Open Qualifier tomorrow at Walton Heath

http://www.waltonheath.com/Content/The%20Draw%202014.pdf

Stronger field than many EuroT events!

Rory and Shane making a run at Wentworth!

GO SHANE!

Bjorn in trouble!

Go on Shane!!!!

Rory seems better on the course when single!

 

Bjorn almost Atletico-esque. Too bad for him although RC should be secure.

Strong finish by Rory and well done. Maybe he should dump girlfriends more often?

Surprisingly good peformance from 606's own Shane. Thought he'd run out of calories long before. He's defo slimmed down. Now he just looks like an average PGA Tour player. Seems like a nice guy as well.

Bjorn in the Ryder cup is a concern. He seems to have little bottle.

Bjorn is not the only Dane being dumped by Rory this week.

beninho wrote:Rory seems better on the course when single!

I heard an interesting little story about the midget today .. and the breakup .. sadly V2 rules probably forbid me from posting about it .. Not to mention the libel lawyers! Anyone else heard any background though?

Change the names, tell us the story you heard about George and Anne.

Brilliant finish from McIlroy.

Wonderful up and down on 14 and 16 for par and then same again for birdie on 17 & 18 with a few gutsy clutch putts thrown in.

Love watching him play and head and shoulders above nearly everyone when it comes to closing out tournaments in my opinion.

I'd actually say the opposite Hibbz .. head and shoulders above almost everyone else in talent and ability .. but not sure about his ability to close out (on a regular basis obviously - he certainly got the job done today)

And I don't know anyone called George or Anna but I did hear a rather funny story about an acquaintance of mine who had to meet the press as part of his job, with scratches on his face .. However a google search of even some of the more salacious didn't come up with any hits on some telling keywords

All opinions Davie but talent alone can only get you so far.

McIlroy already has as many wins on the PGA & ET combined as Donald who, typically, is always there or there abouts but rarely wins. Only 2 fewer than perennial "challenger" Poulter and the same number as Stenson. All in a much shorter career.

Still I think most people would agree that McIlroy should win a lot more than he does. If Lowry has a good summer he might have a shot at the Ryder cup! Currently 15th in R2D..

Evening All,
So: Number One plays like Number One, and Number Ten plays like the Number One he used to be, and soon will be again.
Congrats to both of them.

I know the redesign of Wentworth has received its criticism, and I for one can't stand the new 18th, but what a majestic place it looks, a Major League venue when so much of Golf is played on run-of-the-mill minor league courses

A poor weekend for a few top golfers who might have expected to challenge for titles but slipped back down the field when a move forward might have been expected: Rose and Westwood, Zack and Furyk among them.

Happy to see Dufner show some form, and perhaps he'll maintain his good play for a while - he seems streaky and misses so many tiddlers on the greens (this week included), but is capable of great golf as he showed at Oak Hill.

Another decent effort at Colonial for Brian Davis and yet another Top 25 finish for Russell Knox.

Last, and certainly not least in his mind, congrat's to Colin Montgomerie who won the Senior PGA - and, no sniggering, earned a spot at Valhalla for August's PGA Championship. More sit-ups needed.
(Also in to the PGA Championship with a Special Invitation is Kenny Perry.)

incontinentia wrote:Still I think most people would agree that McIlroy should win a lot more than he does. If Lowry has a good summer he might have a shot at the Ryder cup! Currently 15th in R2D..

There was a good quote about Lowry on Golf CLub W@nkers.

"Shane Lowry, The young mans Monty #moobs"

Sounds like something a golf club Meat trombone soloist would say alright...

incontinentia wrote:Sounds like something a golf club Meat trombone soloist would say alright...

Well, that's s_r right there.

Jason Dufner improves his Ryder Cup selection chances with his Colonial effort. Current Top Nine in the automatic qualifying table are:
Bubba, Jimmy Walker, Kuchar, Spieth, Dustin, Furyk, Dufner, Reed, Mickelson.

European Team placings unchanged except for the current automatic qualifiers strengthening their positions and guys like Poulter, Westwood, Luiten, Molinari, Blixt, Jimenez and, of course, McDowell slipping further off the pace.

Would still prefer to be in McGinley's position than Watson's.

That was one of the most exciting finishes to a tournament I've seen in a long while.  Totally absorbing.  

Although McIlory finished strongly, there's no getting away from the fact that Bjorn lost it rather than McIlroy winning it.  Sad final day for the old boy.

And, as someone else has already pointed out, Shane Lowry has lost weight.

gaelgowfer wrote:That was one of the most exciting finishes to a tournament I've seen in a long while.  Totally absorbing.  

Although McIlory finished strongly, there's no getting away from the fact that Bjorn lost it rather than McIlroy winning it.  Sad final day for the old boy.

And, as someone else has already pointed out, Shane Lowry has lost weight.

and he's still a grotesque gutlord. Bigger jubblies than Jordan.

Anyone got a link for updates from Walton Heath, US Open Qualifier?

Can't find it GPB, tho' I see the Japan qualie results have been announced.
Perhaps they'll post the first round scores when it's complete - which one would think it would be.


Say what we like about Shane Lowry's porkiness, I love watching him play - a real shot-maker who looks like everything he does was self-taught rather than designed by a stereotypical coach. Kind of refreshing when you think about it.

Found some results

Stuart Manley 66
Oliver Fisher 67
S. Griffiths? 67
Graeme Storm 68
Chris Doak 68
Kieffer 68

Michael Hoey WD....and weather is apparently terrible.


Edit Padraig Harrington: 75  UGH

kwinigolfer wrote:Can't find it GPB, tho' I see the Japan qualie results have been announced.
Perhaps they'll post the first round scores when it's complete - which one would think it would be.


Say what we like about Shane Lowry's porkiness, I love watching him play - a real shot-maker who looks like everything he does was self-taught rather than designed by a stereotypical coach. Kind of refreshing when you think about it.

Well said kwini.  He's got a bit of catching up to do in Ryder Cup points.  A captain's pick perhaps?  I think potentially he could wreak havoc on the americans if set loose at Gleneagles.

Here is a picture of the scoreboard at Walton Heath.

Its hard to imagine there is not better information than a picture

https://twitter.com/dangeraghty10/status/470915683581431808/photo/1

C'Mon Euro Tour...this is 2014....not 1984.

Checking the Japan Qualifier:

25 players finished 36 holes.  6 qualified.  21 players WDed

http://www.jga.or.jp/jga/jsp/2014/53-0-0/top_en.html


Edit: there were 61 starters...not 46. Less than half of the field finished.

Were they playing in a tsunami or near Fukishima? 25 finishing is disgraceful?

GPB wrote:Here is a picture of the scoreboard at Walton Heath.

Its hard to imagine there is not better information than a picture

https://twitter.com/dangeraghty10/status/470915683581431808/photo/1

C'Mon Euro Tour...this is 2014....not 1984.

Not sure if the euro tour has anything to do with this event.  Down to the USGA.

I'm just back from watching some of the qualifying at Walton Heath and can confirm that the weather is cr@p. Looking at the state of the car park even when I left I reckon they'll be some staying overnight!!

Despite living relatively locally I've never played Walton Heath (too bloody expensive) but with all the players and spectators there today it just looked totally chaotic. Holes from both the old course and the new course crossing everywhere. You could end up playing the wrong hole and never actually realise it.

No scores to report either sorry.

The Sectional Qualifiers are run by the local organizations, not the USGA.  

According to the application form, David Probyn of the PGA European Tour is the official in charge  (with assistance from Mark Hill USGA)

Next week will be all USA sectionals.  Live scoring is the responsibility of the Ohio Golf Association, or Tennessee Golf Association etc.

https://champs.usga.org/EntryForms/usopen_2014.pdf

Yup, the USGA site is dreadful, almost unnavigable (unnavigatable?), and they don't seem to care about the interests of the true golf fans.
Whether they sub-contract the running of overseas qualies or not, it's surely the USGA's responsibility, not to mention self-interest, to handle communication. They seem to prefer to keep it at an absolute minimum.

IMO, it is the responsibility of the local organization.  

Europe wanted sectional qualifying.  Its their responsibility, not the USGA.

I can find with a lot of things in the USGA, but this is not one of them.

My only disagreement with that is that, if I was going to sub-contract work which was being undertaken in my name (which I have done), I would ensure that it represented me in the best possible light.
Let's face facts, many of the US-based Sectional sites' web-info is also pretty woebegone.

Hibbz wrote:I'm just back from watching some of the qualifying at Walton Heath and can confirm that the weather is cr@p. Looking at the state of the car park even when I left I reckon they'll be some staying overnight!!

Despite living relatively locally I've never played Walton Heath (too bloody expensive) but with all the players and spectators there today it just looked totally chaotic. Holes from both the old course and the new course crossing everywhere. You could end up playing the wrong hole and never actually realise it.

No scores to report either sorry.

They've got to play 36 holes in the one day, haven't they?  If so, guys had better make sure their first round's a good 'un. 

PS: Sorry to see that Peter Uihlein failed to make it to the start of the Euro Qualie due to the effects of the back injury that caused him to w/d last week.
"Sophomore jinx" for Koepka and Uihlein?

Found Some scores

http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2014/5/26/us-open-sectional-qualifying-walton-heath

 
Great find.
Shane Lowry in good position.
Unlike his compatriot from the PGA Tour, Mr.Harrington, who is suffering the indignity of being one shot behind Nick Dougherty - who seems to be playing much better all of a sudden.

I hated Walton Heath. Mainly because the fairways were very narrow and the rough was very think and very long. Way to tough a course for me. But it's really bland on the eyes as well, I at least like some decent scenery when I'm searching for my golf ball.