PGA Tour: The "PGA" - Best Major, or an Afterthought?: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Strange, isn't it, that the lightly regarded "Fourth Major" invariably has the best field and often the most interesting finish?
The ambition to produce the Top 100 in the owgr has clearly been punctured with Dustin Johnson absent, Tiger Woods a doubt, and others (Crane, Day, DeLaet, Toms) who were sufficiently infirm last week to withdraw from their respective tournaments, but the Top 130 in this week's field won't be matched this year anywhere in the World.

2).You don't need Mark Knopfler to tell you that half the Tour is coming down with Industrial Disease.
No word as to who's got smoker's cough from smoking, brewer's droop from drinking beer, and if Jesus is on hunger strike, dying by degrees, a dozen or two of the field will undoubtedly give up the ghost on the first tees. Not sure about "Rule Brittania, gassy beer, page three"! Have to speak to Poulter about that.

Whatever, we certainly have more than our fair share of casualties, most of whom will play, but whether just going through the motions or not remains to be seen.

3).Another wonderful win from Rory last week - reckon he won it on Saturday with birdies on #17 and #18 rather than on Sunday. Those two threes crept him closer to the lead and deeper inside Sergio's head, and early Sunday birdies clinched the deal.
Just a thought as one reflected upon the summer form of Rory, followed albeit at a distance, of Kaymer, Scott, Rose and Garcia:
Are we entering a brand new post-Tiger era of golfing excellence, or has it always been there, just a level below the Woods of a decade ago? I'm inclined to feel we're seeing some separation with Rory at one level, the next five or six consistently just behind, and some distance to those below the top seven or eight players.

4).As at Tuesday afternoon Valhalla time, all we know is that Woods has not yet been to the course and it's anyone's guess as to whether he'll be teeing it up on Thursday. But he won't be a force just because he's playing, he'll only be a force again, if ever, when he sets his ego aside, gets himself properly fit, and ratchets down his swing and resultant effect on his aging physique. Odds against in my book, but he's surprised before.

5).The PGA will be played, for the third time in 20 years, at Valhalla GC a Jack Nicklaus design outside Louisville, Kentucky. The Par-71 was also the venue for Azinger's Ryder Cup Team victory in 2008.
Several of the Team members from 2008 played well, Mickelson among them to go with Top Ten finishes in the 1996 (T8) and 2000 (T9) PGA Championships. Robert Karlsson was entering the best run of form of his life, Messrs Mahan, Rose and McDowell made promising Ryder Cup debuts, and Poulter excelled in a losing cause.

6).Others in the field with PGA Championship / Ryder Cup form who might be expected to contend (so not you Mark Brooks, nor even Kenny Perry who will doubtless perform well following his Langer-beating effort last week) include:
1996 PGA:
T17: Furyk
T24: Jimenez
T61: Els

2000 PGA:
3rd: Thomas Bjorn
T16: Westwood
T19: Cabrera (Nantz looked at Faldo as if he had two heads when sirnick suggested El Pato as a contender this week)
T34: Els, Garcia (who's on recent record as saying he doesn't like the course, certainly played as if he didn't in the Ryder Cup)
T64: Jimenez
T72: Furyk

2008 Ryder Cup:
0.5 pt: Jimenez, Stricker
1.0 pt: Casey, Garcia, Westwood
1.5 pts: Stenson
2.0 pts: Karlsson, Mickelson (playing mostly with a young hotshot called Kim)
2.5 pts: Furyk, Holmes, McDowell
3.0 pts: Rose
3.5 pts: Mahan
4.0 pts: Poulter

7).European chances:
Got to include McIlroy of course and I like the chances of Bjorn, Karlsson, Rose and Stenson.
Can't see Sergio contending while there's chat about Kaymer having back/neck issues.
Hopefully McDowell will play well but is this course a little too long for him? He'll be off on paternity leave shortly.
Big week for Donald (nah) and Donaldson. And will Lowry bring his links form to the Blue Grass?

8).Americans, also playing to earn a spot on Watson's Ryder Cup Team:
Bradley and Fowler are in great form right now.
Dufner's got his bulging discs and wonder if Valhalla is just too long for Furyk and Zach Johnson (who needs a good result for Ryder Cup ambitions)?
No doubt Kuchar will be there or thereabouts, perhaps Mahan will rediscover his form of 2008, while Snedeker and Holmes are local-ish.
And I wouldn't rule out Mickelson, somewhat (and rightly so) overlooked all year, but he found something last Sunday - can he keep it going?

9)."Internationals":
Great to see Ogilvy pick up his win last week and like him and Scott best of the Aussies, especially given Day's fitness issues.
No South African has won in the US for three years and can't see that changing.
But I love Cabrera's recent form and expect him to make some noise, while Matsuyama has already won on one Nicklaus course this year.

10).It won't be the stiflingly hot August week that you'd expect in Louisville, but there'll be enough humidity to make it feel warm and precipitate random thundershowers.
Hopefully the cream will rise to the top as it has for most big events this year.
The PGA won't have the glamour of The Masters, the history of the US Open or the tradition of The Open Championship, but it will host the best field and will surely provide a deserving winner.
Hope ailing stars get healthy and we enjoy a great Championship.

Any chance the mods could remove the nonsense on this thread?

It is badly clogging up the PGA chat.

hend085 wrote:2 flaws with that strategy.

1) it is only a "cant lose" strategy if you have infinite capital.

2) Casinos kick you out if you try to do it!

1) Sure, but if you are happy to win say $100 you "only" need to bring a few k. But otherwise you're right, nothing comes from nothing.
2) Keep a low profile or walk between tables. Then nobody will ever notice. They're only after highrollers.

Any chance you could wind yur neck in? :P

Kwinis weather forecasting is really pointing towards Mcilroy

McLaren wrote:Any chance the mods could remove the nonsense on this thread?

It is badly clogging up the PGA chat.

Please furnish us with you Doak inspired course critique and who you think it favours

Mac, I'm teaching you - for once in your life - to make your own money! Try it.

Louis Oosthuizen wins the long drive comp with a 340 yard effort

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/a-long-drive-lesson-jack-nicklaus-still-rules/2014/08/05/a7ff98e2-1ce9-11e4-9b6c-12e30cbe86a3_story.html

Which is shorter than Jack Nicklaus managed (341) the last time the long drive was held in 1964.

hend085 wrote:2 flaws with that strategy.

1) it is only a "cant lose" strategy if you have infinite capital.

2) Casinos kick you out if you try to do it!

----------------

1) Start low and build slowly.

2) Change tables, casinos and cities if you have to.

Jason Dufner telling press how poor his health has been, what with his bulging discs and all.
Says he might miss the Play-Offs to get rested and ready for the Ryder Cup.
One problem: He's not certain to qualify, needs a strong week this week.
And: Why would Watson pick him if he's not fit enough to play some Play-Off events?

He still retains his sense of humour though - had some beef "butt-rubbed" according to the menu for his Champions Dinner.

McLaren wrote:Louis Oosthuizen wins the long drive comp with a 340 yard effort

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/a-long-drive-lesson-jack-nicklaus-still-rules/2014/08/05/a7ff98e2-1ce9-11e4-9b6c-12e30cbe86a3_story.html

Which is shorter than Jack Nicklaus managed (341) the last time the long drive was held in 1964.

And we slate the Beeb's golf reporting? Justin Speith?

Reporter is a bit short on knowledge:

“Incredible,” marveled 21-year-old Justin Spieth, already one of the longer-hitting pros. “He must have had a nice little wind behind him.”

PGA Tour Stats for Jordan Spieth: DRIVING DISTANCE 289.4 yard Rank: 91st

A long way from being one of the the longer hitting pros.

Sounds like an Enid Blyton Book.

Five Play Longest Drive.

"Gosh" marveled Justin Spieth, "he must have had lashings of ginger beer for that one."

super_realist wrote:Sounds like an Enid Blyton Book.

Five Play Longest Drive.

"Gosh" marveled Justin Spieth, "he must have had lashings of ginger beer for that one."

"Gosh" marveled JDustin, "he must have had lashing of cocaine for that one.  That reminds me..."

Don't think Bubba would be such an arrogant d!ck if he had to comment on the Masters par-3 comp!

pedro wrote:Don't think Bubba would be such an arrogant d!ck if he had to comment on the Masters par-3 comp!

He's an arrogant dick on rather a lot of subjects, so I wouldn't put it past him.

Have to side with super here (mark that down in your calendar!!)

The odds of tossing a coin and having 10 heads in a row are over a thousand to one. But if you have already had 9 heads in a row the the chance of the 10th being a head or tail is 50:50

Obviously Hogie, the odds of tossing a coin heads or tails is always 50/50 (providing it doens't land on its side)
The past or future has no bearing on that separate toss.

Talking of 50/50:
T.Woods has arrived at Valhalla and has reportedly booked a 2.00 practice round tee-time.
Imagine the breathless press crew and photographers following that practice round.

He's going to be like Helen Keller or Joey Deacon soon. He's a crock, in rotten form and he's got a pensioners back and knee.

super_realist wrote:Obviously Hogie, the odds of tossing a coin heads or tails is always 50/50 (providing it doens't land on its side)
The past or future has no bearing on that separate toss.

If 159 golfers toss a coin at the same time do they all stand the same chance of throwing heads?

50:50 assuming a fair coin and a fair toss.  Reminds me of a friend from way back who had a two-tailed coin he used for rugby matches.  He would flip it and ask the opposing captain to call heads or tails.  He found that if you give people very little time to think, they tend to call heads, so he claimed he won more than 50% of the time, but each opposing captain still had a 50/50 chance of winning.

Nicklaus 341 yd drive was in 1963, played in Dallas, in July.

I imagine the fairways resembled the runways at Love Field

GPB wrote:Nicklaus 341 yd drive was in 1963, played in Dallas, in July.

I imagine the fairways resembled the runways at Love Field

Did he take his jumper off in dramatic fashion before hitting the drive?

If Woods does tee up tomorrow I have to say I'll be even more doubtful of the legitimacy of his injury Sunday. He didn't even grimace when he claimed he did the injury on the 2nd. Not even a flinch. Several awful/comical shots later he gives up and 'looks' like he can barely stand.

liverbnz wrote:If Woods does tee up tomorrow I have to say I'll be even more doubtful of the legitimacy of his injury Sunday. He didn't even grimace when he claimed he did the injury on the 2nd. Not even a flinch. Several awful/comical shots later he gives up and 'looks' like he can barely stand.

Have to say, I've been thinking exactly the same thing

It goes to show he is still the biggest draw in the game. Winning majors or not winning majors for years he still has the same star power

liverbnz wrote:If Woods does tee up tomorrow I have to say I'll be even more doubtful of the legitimacy of his injury Sunday. He didn't even grimace when he claimed he did the injury on the 2nd. Not even a flinch. Several awful/comical shots later he gives up and 'looks' like he can barely stand.

You're not the only one. I think he was for real though, and I also think he is foolish to consider playing this week. His back's obviously not healthy.

Diggers wrote:

GPB wrote:Nicklaus 341 yd drive was in 1963, played in Dallas, in July.

I imagine the fairways resembled the runways at Love Field

Did he take his jumper off in dramatic fashion before hitting the drive?

Chances are pretty good that it was 103 degrees in Dallas.

There's going to be an interesting looking calendar for 2016, with the US Open only 3 weeks ahead of The Open Championship which will only be a fortnight before the PGA.
Not sure who the winners and losers will be, but it's all due to the Olympic schedule.
PGA indicating that their 2020 Championship, in San Francisco, may be brought forward to end Feb, early March.
I've lived in San Francisco at that time of year and, trust me, they'll really be rolling the dice with the weather at that time of year.

Screw the Olympics. That's my helpful suggestion.

Woods off in a few minutes, ambulances positioned on every hole.

Stricker appointed Vice-Captain for Watson's Ryder Cup team.
Bloody hell, he can't drag himself out of his hunting habit long enough to play these days; what use can he possibly be?

EDIT: Woods playing his practice round w/Stricker. Is this an audition?

No way the PGA can have a 156 player field playing in San Francisco in Feb/Mar.  There is just not enough daylight.

I thought the implication was the PGA was going to move to late May which as far as available daylight, matches the current dates.

Yup, Good point about the hours of daylight, GPB.
Perhaps he's planning a small-field PGA - PGA Lite if you will.
To distinguish it from Major-Lite, which seems to be how the media treat it.

hend085 wrote:Casinos kick you out if you try to do it!

The ones I have been in haven't. I even asked one if it was OK, and they said yes. I think they know you're only making that $1 every time.
There are also some printed cards you could get which told you what to do at blackjack depending what cards you and the dealer had. I was told these were permissible to look at whilst playing.
The casinos are playing the odds. So if you are playing the odds - which are the same, they are hardly in a position to complain, are they?

I'm never wrong wrote:So if you are playing the odds - which are the same, they are hardly in a position to complain, are they?

The odds are never the same. They are always in favour of the house. That's why they are guaranteed money. They don't do it for the love I'm afraid

kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Woods off in a few minutes, ambulances positioned on every hole.

Has he fallen into a dismembered heap yet?

I agree Davie, my bad choice of words. But that is why they will probably let you do the things I mentioned.

I'm never wrong wrote:I agree Davie, my bad choice of words. But that is why they will probably let you do the things I mentioned.

On the slot machines the house is guaranteed a certain return. In fact it's programmed into the machines. In Black Jack and Poker good players will win more often than bad players. Roulette is entirely a game of chance, but theoretically you can take home a profit by systematic betting.

No dismembered heap yet, inco; even some drivers in the fairway.

Not sure whether that's good news or bad news.

Hope he's fit. But fear he's delusional.

Seems Woods played nine holes and will walk the other nine - says he determined yesterday he would play if no adverse reaction.

It'll be interesting to see what the turf accountants have to say about it all.

 ...Woods = a tool, he'll be crocked before saturday. (assuming sunday's injury was legit)

Tiger being snarky to reporters, a sure sign that he thinks he's OK, says he's in it to win it.

Injury apparently not related to his recent surgery.
Is that good or bad?

"Woods said the injury was not at the same site of the back surgery he underwent in March. He said that when he landed awkwardly in a bunker after a shot on the second hole Sunday, his sacrum--a triangular bone at the bottom of the spine--went out, pinching a nerve and causing backs spasms. Woods said his physical therapist realigned the bone, and he has been receiving soft-tissue treatment since then. He said he is in no pain.

"I feel good," Woods said. "Once the bone was put back in, it was all good. Inflammation has been down. I've got range of motion."

Woods might as well be beige for all the interesting comment he gives.

I'm going to say it, I don't believe a word of it.
A bone popped out of his spine causing such pain he couldn't continue and then it gets popped back in and 3 days later he's good to go again?
Pull the other one!
He was having a shocker of a round, and I mean a shocker, and decided to bin it off and get out of there.
I've watched the footage of when he supposedly caused this spasming (had it still on my sky box). There's no grimace, no whince nothing. In fact you see a fair bit of him after as Bubba asks his opinion on some relief and he's walking around making practice swings etc. no sign of any problem...

We'll know soon enough.
The pantomime resumes at 8.35 a.m. Kentucky time Thursday - rumours abound that Padraig Harrington is brushing up on his sacrum re-placement skills in case of emergency needs during the round.

Regardless, his record of pulling out of tournaments when things aren't going well for him these past few years is becoming Daly-esque, not the kind of legacy a superstar would want, surely?

MustPuttBetter wrote:I'm going to say it, I don't believe a word of it.
A bone popped out of his spine causing such pain he couldn't continue and then it gets popped back in and 3 days later he's good to go again?
Pull the other one!
He was having a shocker of a round, and I mean a shocker, and decided to bin it off and get out of there.
I've watched the footage of when he supposedly caused this spasming (had it still on my sky box). There's no grimace, no whince nothing. In fact you see a fair bit of him after as Bubba asks his opinion on some relief and he's walking around making practice swings etc. no sign of any problem...

Agreed, the newspaper quoted he could hardly get his shoes off. Why, if he was so badly injured would he have even removed them? He wears those horrible corrective trainer shoes so not like he wouldn't have been allowed on the flight with them on, if his back was so bad, why would he bother removing them. He's a complete charlatan, and it was obviously overacting.
I hope he stinks the place out this week and misses the cut.

Here's a good piece. What a circus.
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014062/news/newsid=231636.html

MustPuttBetter wrote:I'm going to say it, I don't believe a word of it.
A bone popped out of his spine causing such pain he couldn't continue and then it gets popped back in and 3 days later he's good to go again?
Pull the other one! ..

Hey hey, not so fast. You have to remember Bubba prayed for him... 

Bad news guys, it seems Woods' left humerus bone came loose during the night. His pysio will try to re-attach it before his tee-time.

His extreme lower back is also sore after intense licking by the media.