PGA Tour: Byron Nelson: Notes from the Ballwasher

1). The Tour stays in Texas this week, travelling 25 miles east towards Dallas, to the TPC Las Colinas, a course widely considered to be at the opposite end of the quality spectrum from Fort Worth's Colonial. Dallas resident Hunter Mahan won't play it, quoted on yahoo sports: "I don't like it tee to green. I don't like the way the fairways are shaped. I don't like the way they re-did the greens. I just don't think they're very good." Don't think he likes it.

2). Right then, if Mahan couldn't be bothered to roll out of bed to play it, it makes one wonder who designed this cornfield? Actually it was Jay Morrish, with consultancy from the very late Byron Nelson and the not so late Ben Crenshaw, with a mid-2000's re-do by DA Weibring. Good architects then, but this course has never captured the imagination.

3). Not a bad turn-out though with KJ Choi, Kuchar, Watney and Dustin Johnson heading the way, plus a decent supporting cast including Vijay and Sergio both looking to qualify for next month's US Open and The Open Championship.

4). For many Texans, and Texas residents, the Fort Worth / Dallas swing is a big deal and Scott Verplank leads the way in that regard. Close to the Nelson family, and an emotional winner here in the first year following Lord Byron's death, Verplank's occasional starts this season (due to a wrist injury) have resulted in good finishes, including a second in Houston. Following a decent effort at The Players, Verplank withdrew from Colonial before the start suggesting to at least one observer (OK, me) that he'd save his wrist in the hope of another Nelson win to go with his 2007 victory, and a play-off loss, a 4th, 5th and 6th among several good showings here.

5). Kudos to Brian Davis for his Open Championship IFQ win. No real surprise as Davis has won almost 25% of his career winnings in TX, plus two of his five runner up finishes. Another good week in prospect?

6). Tiger Woods just completed a press conference, at Aronomink for AT&T media day. His statements that he'd be ready for Congressional in three weeks' time looked unconvincing at best.

7). He was also asked about his slide in the owgr points list, which he responded to appropriately. "Haven't played. And when I have played I haven't played well." Which got one to thinking. If his form has been so bad, how come he's earned more owgr points than ten other players still in the top fifty? In descending order, these guys have all done worse than Tiger:
Furyk, Hanson, Goosen, Oosthuizen, Crane, Ishikawa, E.Molinari, Clark (admittedly injured most of the year), Harrington and, last and certainly least in terms of 2011 form, Ernie Els.

8). Next Monday is the final date for qualification for The Open Championship via the top fifty in the world rankings. Status of those close to the bubble this week:
45).Fowler: Not playing
46).Sabbatini: Playing Byron Nelson (BN)
47).Snedeker: Playing BN
49).Ishikawa: Not known
51).Baddeley: Not playing
53).Woodland: Playing BN
54).Holmes: Not playing
56).Anthony Kim: Playing BN
58).Mark Wilson: Not playing
59).Ikeda: Not known
60).Marino: Not playing
61).Vijay Singh: Playing BN
64).Brendan Jones: Not known

9). The second Major of the Champions Tour starts this Thursday, the Senior PGA, at Valhalla. Sadly no Fred Couples, but volcanoes are in the news this week and how timely that golf's very own "Volcano", Steve Pate, tiurns 50 in two days' time and makes his Senior debut, ash clouds be damned. Lyle, James, Smyth and Torrance are among the leading Europeans, but Mason and Woosie are absent.

10). And the Senior PGA marks the first Senior event in the States for the excellent Anders Forsbrand. A decade or so ago, someone with way too much time on his hands figured that, if European rules were used to select the US Ryder Cup Team, and vice versa, Scott Hoch would have played twice for the US (before he actually made his debut) and Forsbrand would have played twice for Europe. Alas, he never did get to play, but he would certainly have brought great credit to any team he played on, seemingly one of the forgotten men of European golf. Good luck to him this week!

Good to see a Kwini-article appear here. I've made it a "sticky" on the forum. Hope Mav continues with his previews too though. That will also be "stickied" if/when it appears

Hmm, always wondered how good gentle ben was without Bill Coore, probably harsh to judge him on this effort.

I see what you meant about snedeker earlier, it is nice to see he wants to be at RSG's so much he is covering all the bases.

Sort of linked to the pga tour, in that the TPC and the tour may not be as dead compared to europe as some might think. Yes the BMW PGA has 20 of the top 50 and most of the top ten but having had to pick from Neds cat b and c it seems there is no depth in the so called flagship event.

There is no way the TPC had as weak a second half of the field.

Harsh comments by Mahan. Seems something else must be nagging him, other than the course?

Tiger is out of the Top 10, and rightfully so. If the owgr only took the past year's results into account I guess he would have been outside top 30.

Mahan's played the last three weeks, plays as many tournaments as any of the leading players. The real story should be about those guys who used to play year after year when Byron Nelson was alive, but have never returned since he died.
Yup, pedro, Tiger losing points by the bucketful from his fine year in 2009, things'll settle down in a couple of months but, unless there's a sharp uptick in form, he'll be out of the top 50 by then.

I guess it shows how many points you can pick up at the big events. Tiger had top-10s against star studded fields at Doral and Augusta, but as far as I know won't have picked up a single other point this year. And yet he still has more points since Xmas than all those guys listed.

There's always a Note 11). that crops up as soon as "send" is clicked:
Tiger Woods's agent Mark Steinberg has left IMG. Apparently Steinberg has not renewed his contract with IMG. Woods was asked about this earlier today before it became clear, publicly anyway, that Steinberg might leave, and Tiger said he was committed, both to Steinberg and IMG.
But now the future of the Woods brand must be up in the air.

As always Kwini great informative read. Wasn't aware Fowler was down in the 40's in the rankings. Tight for qualifying but think he'll be ok. Also surprised Wilson is so far down considering the stature of his 2 wins already this year and couple of other decent finishes.

This is my favourite time of the golfing calender, we've had cracking events at Sawgrass and Colonial now the PGA this week, shame to see a dceline in the overall quality of the BN field, still some good players in there but not of the stature this event since his death that it was used in to Nelsons life.

All this in build up to my favourite major the US Open shame I can 't be there this year, first time in 3 years I havent got to go but am off work and Sky will be my poison that week

Cheers Maverick,
Yup, Fowler doing a lot of early season flattering, only to deceive.

Byron Nelson field actually looks better than some there recently; the Dallas / Fort Worth area was clobbered by tornadic weather late last evening - hope the radar's bark was worse than reality's bite and that the area was relatively unscathed, the Las Colinas area (used to work there many moons ago) and tournament site especially.

Mav

I am with you in that the US open can have added excitement compared to other majors. For me it was a way to some classic venues I had heard of but had little familiarity with. I remember when I heard the US open was heading to bethpage in 2002, I had not heard of the course or Tillinghast. Reading up about the restoration and history of Bethpage black was probably what got me into GCA.

An update on probable conditions at TPC Las Colinas for the rest of the week:
Huge hailstones (my wife talks about golfballs the size of hail) the size of a cricket ball battered the course on Tuesday night and some of the greens suffered "pockmarked" damage.
This probably won't interfere with the schedule for Thursday tee times but likely will affect the playability and appearance of the greens.
Forecast for the rest of the week is hot (up to mid 90's in old money), humid and windy. So every hope that David Feherty hydrates himself appropriately. Or not perhaps, depending on how you view the one-time Irishman.

Feherty is humid and windy enough....

Looks like Tiger getting on better than ever with the press.

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2011/5/24/get-your-tiger-woods-bingo-boards-out.html

Mac,
I see "Ky Laffoon's Ghost" was blogging on Shackleford's effort; is that you? Pity it wasn't Ky Laffoon's putter after all that's been though.

But even Shackleford gives Tiger the benefit of the doubt, talking about the AT&T as a tournament "he may or may not finish"; I would have thought the real issue was whether he may or may not start.

Sounds like Freddie Couples' long-time (and I DO mean long, about twenty years) caddie, friend, confidante, driver, Joe LaCava will start work on Dustin Johnson's bag Thursday at the Byron Nelson after a trial run at The Players.
Dustin's former caddie, Bobby Brown, is now working for Kyle Stanley but apparently still canoodling with Johnson's girlfriend's sister. Got all that?
What Freddie is going to do is anyone's guess.

Phil Mickelson definitely signed up for Memorial. Assume that means he'll play Memorial next week, take a week off, then Congressional. Probably won't see him again in the US until Bridgestone.

Off and running in Dallas on a lovely morning.
Fine weather today, hot, oppressive and windy the rest of the week.

Kwini

Come on man, watch the real golf this week.

Trouble is I've got to watch this morning's play on America's beloved "tape delay" instead of seeing what's actually happening. And I have to listen to Laidlaw and Donnelly rabbitting on about lack of American participation. 'Bout time they grew up and realised there's no incentive whatsoever for them to be here - after all, the best Europeans are avoiding Celtic Manor in their droves.

However, in Dallas, Sergio is two under par after one hole. Now, that's real golf!

Kwini

Try some of these streams.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=117529&part=sports

McLaren wrote:Kwini

Come on man, watch the real golf this week.

Just yesterday you were lamenting the dodgy field!

Further

It seems tiger will leave IMG to stay with Mark Steinberg.

Mac,
Has that been confirmed? All I've read is that he's "committed to both"! But obviously something's got to give.

Can't find any confirmation of it yet

Hows the course looking Kwini after the hail issues.

Fancy O'Hair for a good run at this one to.

According to Lawrence Donegan he heard it from a reliable source.

McLaren wrote:According to Lawrence Donegan he heard it from a reliable source.

Never trust a Guardian reader.

And kill all guardian journalists (after the bbc mob) on the basis that they are closet communists.

I am not the biggest Donegan fan but as far as I can tell most of his stories are accurate. Whats with the Guardian reader hate, it is not my cup of tea but why the real hate you seem to have?

The only thing the gaurdian is good for is fire lighting! I would even wrap my chips in it for danger of making the vinegar too sour and ruining a good meal

McLaren wrote:I am not the biggest Donegan fan but as far as I can tell most of his stories are accurate. Whats with the Guardian reader hate, it is not my cup of tea but why the real hate you seem to have?

Because any news agency not under the control of Murdoch is clearly reporting lies and falsehoods to pander to a socialist agenda clearly not workable in a Thatcherite society.

Wow, weird that the Guardian gets so much hate. I would rather read it than say the times, telegraph, mail or any of the other right leaning papers. Who reads the paper these days anyway?

I dislike rather than hate the independent as well. But that's because of Janet Street-Porter. I think she would make a good firelighter as well.

Guardian lover here, not so sure about Lonnie Donnegan though.

Maverick,
Haven't heard anything about greens conditions today but sure they been able to cosmetically repair blemishes even if there is a lasting problem that requires a long-term solution. O'Hair out later today; he's had some good showings here and one would think he'll be highly motivated to play well again.

When I used to buy papers, they were all 20p in the uni shop, it was usually the Guardian, FT or Independent.

Anyone read 4 iron in the soul, been in my book shelf for a while but never inspired to pick it up.


Another thing about the IMG tiger storey, was he not meant to be dating an IMG execs daughter?

Mac,
Four Iron In The Soul is a good read, bit dated now though.

Tiger's been dating Johnston's daughter, he's also the guy that just departed the Rangers board. Apart from having been one step removed from Mark McCormick, he's regarded as having one of the finest libraries of golf books and memorabilia anywhere. Doesn't stop his girl from having a "Party Girl" reputation though, not sure what he thinks about that.

Maybe her party girls attitude will help tiger. At least now when he goes out his partner will be there, he clearly wasn't ready for the family lifestyle.

It is my dream to convert a room in the house to a library with a strong focus on golf books.

Bet her dad won't be quite so pleased when he takes Tiger out on a corporate jolly though.

Kwini

This stream now has the pga on.

http://magictv.co/

Cheers Mac . . . .

Just added a few books to my library this week, the joys of not being able to play im trawling the internet for golf books and memorabilia my home office fast filling shelves with golfing books and artefacts soon have to move all the business stuff out, currently reading Feinsteins tales from Q School a bit dated but a fascinating read.

O'hair is back in the family/friends way is he not Kwini with regards caddy and team around him

Tales From Q-School one of the best golf books I've read.

Yup, Mav, O'Hair has decided the family way is best, for now at least.

Decent starts today by Sergio and Dustin, and Aberdeen's own Michael Sim is on the leaderboard for the first time in eons.

Certainly is a good read so far. Feinstein I'm sure I've seen someone quoted as saying he's the finest golf writer there is....

Certainly keeps the interest. How's things looking in the BN

Feinstein's a good writer, he writes on many sports, but is a bit fond of himself for my taste. On top form at Q-School though!

Scoring tough at the BN, only 24 of 78 starters so far are under par with Jeff Kwini (sorry, Quinney) leading the way. Allenby, Dustin and Sergio are among those two shots back in 4th place. My enthusiasm for Scott Verplank's chances is waning rapidly as he rinses two balls on the short par-4 11th.

Sergio and Dustin Johnson tied for the first round lead with Jeff Quinney as the afternoon "wave" leaves the stalls. Solid stuff from Sergio, ho-hum stats but holed some good putts and a very good way to start the tournament. More tomorrow please!

Anybody know what Rob Lee was on about a minute ago when he said Rory Sabbatini's future is uncertain due ti impending suspension decision!

Rory S has been the subject of speculation for a couple of weeks now. Apparently he was under investigation for abusing a ball spotter(?) a couple of weeks ago - and it wasn't the first time.

The USPGA never publish the details of any suspensions or disciplinary actions but it was suspected he was going to serve a ban for his repeated offenses.

So far nothing has materialised

Mav,
We don't get Rob Lee but he and O'Hair have had a couple of incidents recently, at LA and New Orleans.
The PGA Tour is famously silent about its disciplinary process but my theory is that Lee has been reading my 606 speculation.
1).It is believed that O'Hair served a one-tournament suspension when he withdrew suddenly prior to the Wells Fargo Quail Hollow event.
2).It is speculated that, as Sabbatini was seen as the antagonist (swearing at a volunteer in LA, getting into it with SO'H at New Orleans, plus having plenty of previous), he would be suspended for about four weeks.
But there's an appeal process that lasts two weeks and I'm suggesting that Roary invoked his appeal rights so that he could play his hometown events in the DFW area and he'll now be gone the next month. But I don't see how the PGA Tour has jurisdiction over the USGA so I'm expecting he'll miss Memorial, Memphis, play US Open, then miss Hartford and Aronomink, most of which he doesn't play anyway. Sure there'll be a hefty fine as well.

We'll see but I 'd be surprised to see him in the Memorial field when it's published Friday evening.

Wasn't aware of that, Always known Sabba was full of his own importance am surprised at the SO'H though didn't know he was like that. Always something about Sabba though that can't stand seeing his name on leader board.

Seems a fairly sedate event so far and event the crowds behaving. Wasn't aware until golf channel coverage mentioned it that Leonard is only one of 3 US Amateurs to have captured tour card in first year without having to attend Q school. I was aware of Tiger and Phil being so but impressed ny the leonard story

Mav,
SO'H among other things informed Roary that playing with him was like receiving an automatic two-shot penalty! Think his caddoie got into it as well but American pros seem to have closed ranks around SO'H and emphasised what a great guy he is!!

Don't think they're correct about the Tiger, Phil, Justin thing (think that was the last 20 years) - believe Ryan Moore got in that way, suspect at least one other did also.

SO'H seems to have just said what everyone obviously already thinks about Sabba.

I too thought that Kwini about Moore and I'm sure I'd heard of 1 or 2 others that's why I found what they said so interesting because it made me doubt myself! Have any other US Ams done that and won majors too! Maybe that's what they meant?