PGA Tour: Time To Move On: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).What a weekend!
And: What a few weeks/months of soul-searching in store for the PGA Of America!!
Not content with losing two Ryder Cups by the narrowest of margins with Captains chosen according to a traditional formula, they stepped back 21 years, appointed a legend of the game who proved a poor communicator and dismal tactician, and got royally thumped.
If the PGA reverts to pre-2012 methods, they'll appoint David Toms for 2016.
If they respond to public pressure, they'll appoint Paul Azinger.
But who would want it after the public mauling endured by Captain Watson? OK, Azinger would.

2).Much has been made of Phil Mickelson's public admonishment of Team leadership; it's still not entirely clear whether his intended target was Watson or the PGA, or both.
Among those weighing in on the affair was Nick Faldo who accused Phil of throwing Watson "under the bus".
How ironic, just a day or two after sirnick threw Sergio under his Valhalla bus.

John Huggan's excellent piece on the matter suggests that the 2008 European Team had unanimously agreed not to discuss Faldo's captaincy and, indeed, the Team jumped to their Captain's defence in post-Valhalla news conferences and at all subsequent opportunities. The suggestion now is that Faldo has broken the pledge of omerta and, with him having thrown the first verbal stink-bomb, more vitriol will follow, perhaps sooner rather than later and of a more combustible nature.

3).I'd imagine the Faldo repercussions will be felt longer than Phil's and it wouldn't surprise me if the buttoned-down CBS Sports Network might tire of their polarising "Analyst".
Regardless: Two points:
~Unlike Team Europe in 2008, I didn't see any Team Member jumping to Old Tom's defence when Phil went "rogue". Was Phil the unofficial Team "spokesman" on this?
~Sergio took the high road when asked about Faldo's comments, but two players who were praised thru'out the week for their "leadership", McDowell and Westwood, were quick to admonish Faldo.

4).Europe certainly got their leadership from Justin Rose (and Westwood who I wouldn't have selected; well done lw1), but USA were poorly served by two of their Steady Eddies, Kuchar and Johnson, although they finally re-engaged in time for their singles.

5).Two players I expect to gain confidence from their RC exploits:
Stenson, who admitted to being knackered during the FedEx tournaments. Perhaps he'll now take a breather and return to his 2013 form in 2015. Time for a Major, Henrik.
Jimmy Walker, who completed a meteoric year-long rise to fame with 2 1/2 points and a solid win over Westwood. He's at it again next week, defending his Frys title, but he's another who could use a break before attacking 2015 with the confidence of a world-class player.

6).Two who must be disappointed with their weeks are Thomas Bjorn and Zach Johnson. Both laid the foundations for their RC places with fine performances many months ago, and both have looked exhausted these past few weeks.
Expect Thomas to be VC to Captain DC (perhaps prior to being appointed Captain for Paris?) at Hazeltine, and Zach to rue being on four losing teams without a win while he assembles his "team" and tries to figure out how to re-energise his game. Could take a while.

7).Some prospects for future RC Teams:
For Europe the games of Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry look just about Ryder Cup ready, while Thorbjorn Olesen should benefit by being back in Europe, ready to succeed Thomasbjorn as the Danish King. (If you want a ready-made foursomes player, look no further than Russell fairways-and-greens Knox.)
Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk have already established their US credentials and it wouldn't be surprising to see Brooks Koepka join them. For a long shot, how about John Peterson, and for a very longshot perhaps Justin Thomas?

8).Multiple sources now report that Messrs Donaldson, Dubuisson, Koepka and FMolinari have accepted PGA Tour Membership for 2014/2015. Let's hope the Europeans will avoid the scheduling pitfalls of their predecessors; teeing it up at the CIMB and HSBC Champions events would be a very good start.

9).The PGA Tour takes another week off before resuming next week in Napa Valley's Silverado Resort for the Frys.com Open. Ryder Cuppers Kuchar, Mahan, Reed, Walker and Westwood are committed to appear.

10).Finally, two more snippets of news from California:
~Humana have announced the January, 2015, playing of the old "Bob Hope" will be the last under their sponsorship. So Tim Finchem is now without an event in Tucson and a sponsor for Palm Springs - the desert swing looking a bit arid.
~Cadillac have announced a one-off sponsorship of the WGC:MatchPlay Championship, at the one-off venue of San Francisco's Harding Park next Spring. Finchem (and the leaders of other Tours or does Timmy do all this single-handed?) is searching for a long-term sponsor at a long-term venue, with a long-term format on a long-term date.
Finchem has an admirable habit of coming up smelling like a rose every time there's the hint of manure and here's hoping he hasn't lost his midas touch.

I thought Jim Furyk's "Gee thanks" reply when asked about the feud between Watson and Mickleson was really funny at the press conference.

Yep... here's the rule on Rookie of the year...

A player’s rookie season ("Rookie Year") is defined as the season in which he becomes a PGA TOUR member (including Special Temporary Members) and plays in 10 or more events as a member or finishes in the Top 125 on the Official FedExCup Points List, the Top 125 on the Official PGA TOUR Money List or qualifies as a Top 125 - Nonmember, whichever occurs first. Further, for purposes of this definition, a new member (including Special Temporary Members) shall not be eligible for the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year if he has previously played in more than seven (7) Official PGA TOUR Money events as a professional in any prior season.

The section in underlined italics above explains how Dobbie was eligible for ROY last year (and finished 2nd in the rookie rankings http://www.pgatour.com/fantasy/rookie-rankings.html)... and the section in bold is the key to why he's not eligible this year as he played 10 events last year...

His best comment was: If I knew how, I had changed this sh!t a long time ago.

Kwin - Oh yes, he made his friendship with Watson quite clear. And he was a good guy. Played one hole with us which seems to be the norm at these sort of things.

Phil screwed the pooch on this one...   Not because his comments don't deserve serious consideration (they do), and not because Watson was any great captain or anything (he wasn't).... but there's a 1) TIME... 2) PLACE and... 3) a WAY to handle these things...  And other than failing miserably at #1, 2 & 3... Phil handled it perfectly.  

Bottom line:  Sounds like the American players (or at least one of them) would prefer a butt kissing, ego stroking, do-what-the-players-tell-him-to-do kind of Captain... otherwise they're too fragile to perform to their maximum capacity.  Hey, if that's true, then forget it... not only did we deserve to lose... we deserve to continue losing until the players realize its THEM who as Furyk alluded... need to figure this $hit out...

McLaren wrote:Super

I see the out of shape Lowry is conquering the true test and championship course that is Carnoustie?

That's well done by Shane since he's playing Kingsbarns today.

McLaren wrote:Super

I see the out of shape Lowry is conquering the true test and championship course that is Carnoustie?

He is playing Kingsbarns according to European Live Scoring

pedro wrote:

McLaren wrote:Super

I see the out of shape Lowry is conquering the true test and championship course that is Carnoustie?

That's well done by Shane since he's playing Kingsbarns today.

Well done Mac.

Draconian Golf Rules strike again!

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/lpga-q-schooler-dqd-when-marker-fails-sign-card/

GPB wrote:Draconian Golf Rules strike again!

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/lpga-q-schooler-dqd-when-marker-fails-sign-card/

No way this gal should have been Disqualified.

Surprised not seeing any outrage from East side of the Pond.

Here you go:

super_realist wrote:

pedro wrote:

McLaren wrote:Super

I see the out of shape Lowry is conquering the true test and championship course that is Carnoustie?

That's well done by Shane since he's playing Kingsbarns today.

 Well done Mac.

Maybe he's running back and forth between courses? They're not so far apart.

pedro wrote:

super_realist wrote:

pedro wrote:

McLaren wrote:Super

I see the out of shape Lowry is conquering the true test and championship course that is Carnoustie?

That's well done by Shane since he's playing Kingsbarns today.

 Well done Mac.

Maybe he's running back and forth between courses? They're not so far apart.

Yeah, he's well known for his athleticism so it could be possible.

Surprising... glance at leaderboard (without doing the math) seems to suggest Carnoustie is playing the easiest of the 3 courses? Whut up with that?

robopz wrote:Surprising... glance at leaderboard (without doing the math) seems to suggest Carnoustie is playing the easiest of the 3 courses?   Whut up with that?  

I'm not far up the coast and it's a beautiful day. Weather around St.Andrews and Kingsbarns can be very different.

robopz wrote:Phil screwed the pooch on this one...   Not because his comments don't deserve serious consideration (they do), and not because Watson was any great captain or anything (he wasn't).... but there's a 1) TIME... 2) PLACE and... 3) a WAY to handle these things...  And other than failing miserably at #1, 2 & 3... Phil handled it perfectly.  

Bottom line:  Sounds like the American players (or at least one of them) would prefer a butt kissing, ego stroking, do-what-the-players-tell-him-to-do kind of Captain... otherwise they're too fragile to perform to their maximum capacity.  Hey, if that's true, then forget it... not only did we deserve to lose... we deserve to continue losing until the players realize its THEM who as Furyk alluded... need to figure this $hit out...

Isn't #1, #2, and #3 all the same thing and expanded out to make it look like three different Faux-pas?

If Phil said it at a different time, it would have been a different place and therefore a different way.

GPB wrote:Isn't #1, #2, and #3 all the same thing and expanded out to make it look like three different Faux-pas?

If Phil said it at a different time, it would have been a different place and therefore a different way.

Wow... my bad... I guess I wasn't looking at it so technically...

So feel free to substitute:   "....but there's a time, place and way to handle these things...  and in that regard Phil failed miserably."

There... does that meet with your approval?

robopz wrote:

GPB wrote:Isn't #1, #2, and #3 all the same thing and expanded out to make it look like three different Faux-pas?

If Phil said it at a different time, it would have been a different place and therefore a different way.

Wow... my bad... I guess I wasn't looking at it so technically...

So feel free to substitute:   "....but there's a time, place and way to handle these things...  and in that regard Phil failed miserably."

There... does that meet with your approval?

Yes, it meets my approval, Thank you very much.  There was no need for hyperbole.

Mickelson handled it poorly IMO, just like O'Meara, Woods, and Duval picked a wrong time, way, and place to get on their bully pulpit in the summer of 1999 about the "Pay for Play" Ryder Cup.  

But it is only one faux pas, not numerous.  I wonder how the Tiger Fan boys would have reacted if my laundry list of Tiger criticisms included three line items for "Pay for Play" Ryder Cup. hmmmm?

Interesting reminder re. "Pay for Play". I wonder how deeply that sits in the subconscious of other U.S. Tour players?

"I can't be arsed! I'm not making anything for playing in this glorified exhibition!"

Pay for Play?
I can think of one US RC Team member who might feel that way but it seems that playing every other year is VERY high on most players' objectives for the year - though very few go to the Webb Simpson length of constantly texting his credentials and desire to Pope Watson.
Not sure what those not chosen think of that, and egg on the Simpson face now given how poorly he played last week.

Mickelson? In that case I hope he got his 30 pieces of silver.

I'm not sure about "pay for play", but I don't think Bubba enjoys this one little bit - would think he's happy just to stay at home with Angie.

Bubba mightn't enjoy being in Europe and our liberal views on homosexuality, but I believe he enjoys the Ryder cup as a contest. Unlike Woods who doesn't attempt to show any excitement for the occasion at all.

So Europe have now won 8 of the last 10 Ryder cups. I hope Team USA can challenge a bit better in future, its getting slightly predictable especially when EU play at home.

Have Europe got an unfair numerical advantage these days?

The population of Europe is about twice that of America, although if you took into account the relative populations of the countries from which European Ryder Cup players have been drawn, it's probably about the same.

"I guess I'm too nice," to be successful at the Ryder Cup, said Bubba, trying to explain his Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7 record, 0-3 in singles.

kwinigolfer wrote:"I guess I'm too nice," to be successful at the Ryder Cup, said Bubba, trying to explain his Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7 record, 0-3 in singles.

Ha ha, there is evidence if it were ever needed that Americans don't get irony.

Too nice, he'll be telling us he's cultured and tolerant next.

Well almost half of Europes population is from the former Soviet states - and all they can produce is Yevgenij Kafelnikov....

Wow -- Did Bubba actually say that? "I'm too nice to be successful at the Ryder Cup."

WTF?

Since when do you have to be mean to win at match play?

I would imagine the actual number of people who take up golf in the USA is higher than the whole of Europe combined. It is a minority sport everywhere other than the UK and I.

One for all the dog lovers on here.  

Rory and gorgeous black lab:

Shotrock wrote:Wow -- Did Bubba actually say that?  "I'm too nice to be successful at the Ryder Cup."

WTF?

Since when do you have to be mean to win at match play?

Yeah, that Poulter, Garcia, Westwood, Donald and Monty are so mean and coldhearted, just like Stalin those boys. Maybe God just doesn't like Matchplay.

Gerry Watson is probably the most stupid man in golf, and that's saying a lot.

GPB wrote:Mickelson handled it poorly IMO, just like O'Meara, Woods, and Duval picked a wrong time, way, and place to get on their bully pulpit in the summer of 1999 about the "Pay for Play" Ryder Cup.  

But it is only one faux pas, not numerous.  I wonder how the Tiger Fan boys would have reacted if my laundry list of Tiger criticisms included three line items for "Pay for Play" Ryder Cup. hmmmm?

Excuse me again... but I really don't give a rats nad what Tiger fan boys might think on how you might choose to characterize the situation in 1999.  Call either or both situations one offense or three... makes no difference to me.

The parallel from 1999 I'd like to see come out of this year's situation, is back then a reasonable solution which appeared satisfying to all seemed to come out of an otherwise uncomfortable situation. I hope the same outcome for the USA side can be achieved this time around.

But i think there will be another parallel to 1999 as well... Just as you are obviously still distressed at O'Meara, Woods and Duval from "pay gate" in 1999... I'm sure there's those that will still be miffed at Phil Mickelson 15 years from now for being such a jerk as well.   Too bad for ALL of them really, in that they couldn't have figured out a way to voice or demonstrate their "legitimate" concerns without looking like such A**holes in the process.

EDIT: and don't forget that Mickelson was at the center of "pay-gate" back in 1999 too... " O'Meara took the lead with PGA of America officials in a discussion over how revenue was being distributed from the biennial cash cow. He raised the subject with PGA of America CEO Jim Awtrey during the PGA Championship at Sahalee CC in 1998 and was blamed by some when Tiger Woods, David Duval and Phil Mickelson joined forces and were vocal at the 1999 PGA."

see: http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/2013-11/gwar-mark-omeara-rosaforte-report-1111

kwinigolfer wrote:"I guess I'm too nice," to be successful at the Ryder Cup, said Bubba, trying to explain his Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7 record, 0-3 in singles.

 

Ummmm... Kwini... or anybody....   before I respond to Bubba's comment... could you kindly direct me to the proper emoticon to insert that would indicate: {{that's the mast asinine thing I've ever heard a so called competitor say}} ?

kwinigolfer wrote:

OK... that works..

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rory-mcilroy/11137503/Alfred-Dunhill-Links-Championship-Padraig-Harrington-targets-top-15-spot-and-the-2016-Olympics.html

I love the confidence Padraig!!!

I expect his ambition to get ripped apart on here but if he doesn't believe well then he may as well give up tbh!

robopz wrote:

EDIT: and don't forget that Mickelson was at the center of "pay-gate" back in 1999 too...  " O'Meara took the lead with PGA of America officials in a discussion over how revenue was being distributed from the biennial cash cow. He raised the subject with PGA of America CEO Jim Awtrey during the PGA Championship at Sahalee CC in 1998 and was blamed by some when Tiger Woods, David Duval and Phil Mickelson joined forces and were vocal at the 1999 PGA."

see: http://www.golfdigest.com/golfworld/2013-11/gwar-mark-omeara-rosaforte-report-1111

I didn't forget....maybe I was in shell shock from the hit and run grenade you threw at the other board.

sirbenson wrote:I expect his ambition to get ripped apart on here but if he doesn't believe well then he may as well give up tbh!

Yawn. I Don't even bother.

Yeah Harrington is a bit too easy benson, Lowry-bashing is where its at.

To be fair to Harrington, you don't have to be too ambitious and you are hardly being overly optimistic to target the Irish Olympic team.

I might even have a pint of Guinness, a bowl of Lucky Charms, put on some buckled golf shoes and have a go myself.

Do you have an Irish granny soup? If so then please do. Irish Olympic camps are renowned for their craic.

I was dismayed to learn that I do indeed have some very distant Irish heritage six or seven generations back.

A hearty Irish welcome to ya lad, may the road rise to meet you and may your pot never be wanting for spuds!

Now I can make Irish jokes with impunity.

super_realist wrote:I was dismayed to learn that I do indeed have some very distant Irish heritage six or seven generations back.

From back in the potato famine????

I think that would be considerably more generations.

Big Shane birdies the 1st at S'nt 'ndrews. Hope he can bag the win this week.

super_realist wrote:I think that would be considerably more generations.

Ah no shur the famine was 170 years ago, wouldn't that be about 4 generations? assuming a generation is about 50 years.

Was it the O' Realists of Mayo you originated from?

A generation is about 25 years Inco.
50 years is about 2 generations. You are a generation apart from your parents, unless your mum had fertility treatment then 50 years would be an hysterically stupid suggestion for the length of a generation.

Ok but look at it this way: my grandmother was born in 1914, so someone 2 generations removed from me was around 100 years ago.