PGA Tour: SONY Hackers Detained in Hawaii: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).That's right, but no Interview and, in Hawaii this week, no North Koreans either - half a dozen-ish South Korean golfers and a few Japanese, including the up and coming Hiroshi enough to make your Iwata. We'll have a sprinkling of Europeans about which more later.

2).It sounds gratuitous to mention Tiger Woods so early in the season, but Patrick Reed's Kapalua win yesterday, at the Hyundai TOC, was eerily reminiscent of Tiger's win at Pebble Beach when he had to make a bunch of birdies in the final four holes, and simplified matters by holing a second shot for eagle. Matt Gogel was the unwitting victim fifteen or so years ago and he's now a commentator.
Don't expect the same fate to befall Jimmy Walker yet awhile, but finding himself stuck in neutral when all about were making birdies, or eagle, must have been a disheartening experience. Reed is now the only non-Holywood golfer under 30 with four Tour wins.

3).Last week we had a bit of a teaser about Touring Pros with the most "made cuts". (Of those under 50, the leaders were Mayfair, Estes, Furyk, Mickelson and Leonard.)
Alright for journeymen you might say, but who makes the most of those cuts? You know who the prolific winners are, but who is consistently in the Top Ten? And, although he's barely in the Top 20 in cuts made, Tiger leads in Top Ten performance with 185 in 294 cuts made. No-one else with at least 100 "cuts made" approaches that hit rate, with Phil the next best:
Woods: 185 Top Tens in 294 "cuts: 63%
Mickelson: 173 Top Tens in 424 "cuts": 41%
This just in: Woods's record before his recent decline was pretty bl00dy good.

4).Tour players (under 50) with 90+ Top Tens are:
185: Woods
173: Mickelson
172: Furyk
125: Els
109: Toms
103: Stricker
99:  Leonard
91:  Cink
91:  Estes
Top European is Sergio with 86 Top Tens, same as Jerry Kelly.

5).Europeans making the most of their paydays include:
86: Garcia
73: Donald
59: Rose
55: Parnevik - he'll be turning the big 5 0 in a few weeks.
52: Harrington
49: Pettersson
I thought it was interesting anyway.

6).Going back to Woods for a moment, the US media is wetting itself over his return to action in Phoenix, and the PGA Tour seems to be responding by adding restrictions to the behaviour of competitors in the 16th hole ampitheatre. Caddie races have already been banned and it now seems as if the practice of throwing goodies in to the grandstands is also about to be prohibited. No golfballs, no gloves, no footballs, no shirts; you name it, don't throw it.
Presumably no boulder rolling, gun toting or tangerine tossing either.

7).A few "Internationals" played well at Kapalua, and an early snapshot of the Top Ten Presidents Cup qualifying points leaders looks like this:
Scott, Day, Matsuyama, Schwartzel (despite last week's collapse), Jaidee, Oosthuizen, Leishman, Senden, Oda, Clark. (DeLaet is 11th and Els is 12th man.)
You know US Captain Jay Haas is quaking in his boots at having to face that lot.

8).This season sees the introduction of Donaldson, Dubuisson and Molinari F to the PGA Tour and Franny makes his debut at this week's Sony Open. His first target is to reach the Top 125 in FedEx points (or official money), but he starts tied for last, with 211 golfers ahead of him. He doesn't have a power game and will be at a serious disadvantage at certain courses, so let's hope he takes more care with his playing schedule than some of his continent-mates. Tee-to-green he is a strong version of Luke Donald, on and around the green he's a pale imitation of Lukey who, coincidentally, makes an early reappearance this week alongside Molinari.
You'd think Waialae Country Club would suit Molinari down to the ground and it's no exaggeration to say that he needs good results straight out of the traps. Partly to get ahead of the required FedEx pace and better plan his tournaments, and partly to return to the owgr Top 50 and earn entry to the Majors and WGC's that he's no longer exempt for. Hope he's successful, even money in my book.

9).There's a decent field at the Sony, with Day, Kuchar, Matsuyama and Zach Johnson (fancy him this week), and these early season events are deeper than in past years.
Luke Donald has played here 7 times, made 5 cuts with 5 Top 25's, including one runner up finish; right up the street of the stereotypical Luke Donald, but who knows what type of St.Luke we'll see in 2015?
Casey, Brian Davis and Russell Knox are here, plus Cejka, Pettersson and Lingmerth.
Tim Clark, Chuckie Howell and Ryan Palmer are among the old lags with super records here, while young 'uns Henley and Kirk did well at Kapalua and have "previous" at Waialae.

10).Which brings us to last year's champ Jimmy Walker. He ratified his Frys win here and went on to squeak home at Pebble Beach and contended on an almost weekly basis. Not least at the Ryder Cup. Interesting Q&A with him in Feb's Golf Digest where he praised Zach Johnson as being the ideal teammate and spoke well of Reed, Spieth and one-trickie Rickie.
I've never seen Walker play but he seems a multifaceted personality, relatively late to success, with his feet on the ground and, one would think, destined for another good year, or five.
He's gaining professional respect as an astrophotograher; sure he doesn't aspire to be an astrophysicist, a la Brian May, but an interesting choice of (very serious and expensive) hobby nevertheless.

GPB... on Snead...   I had posted this before... but you have it basically correct...  Here's a piece I did a while back on it with a little more on the chronology on his events being made official or unofficial...

The PGA Tour records 93 total wins for Snead:

At the time they were won:
75 of them were considered official
18 of them were considered unofficial.  

These are the ones that were UNofficial wins at the time he won them
01/01/42 Cordoba Open - (a)
07/05/46 The Open Championship
09/08/46 World Championship of Golf  - (a)
01/15/50 Bing Crosby Pro-Am - Tie
07/16/50 Inverness Four-Ball Inv.  - (a)
11/03/50 North & South Open Champ.  - (a)
05/11/52 Greenbrier Pro-Amateur  - (a)
05/18/52 Palm Beach Round Robin
06/29/52 Inverness Round Robin Inv  
11/25/52 Julius Boros Open
05/10/53 Greenbrier Pro-Amateur  - (a)
05/16/54 Palm Beach Round Robin  - (a)
06/05/55 Palm Beach Round Robin  - (a)
06/02/57 Palm Beach Round Robin  
05/18/58 Greenbrier Invitational - Playoff  - (a)
05/17/59 Sam Snead Festival  - (a)
11/01/59 El Dorado Professional-Member - Tie
05/21/61 Sam Snead Festival  - (a)

But somehow by the 1985... Snead's "generally accepted" official win count had somehow grown to 84 official wins with the addition of the events above marked (a) The above gave him 86 wins... but also... sometime before the 1985, I can verify the two other events that were official when he won them had been removed from his official ledger:
1941 St. Augustine Pro-Am
1942 St. Augustine Pro-Am

Then came the "statistics" cleanup of 1986 that resulted in the data used for the 1989 History of the PGA Tour Book... in that process... the records of ALL players were reviewed and adjusted as necessary... and this is what changed in Snead's case.

These 8 events were removed from his official total in 1986
1940 Ontario Open **
1942 Cordoba Open ^
1952 Greenbrier Invitational **
1952 Julius Boros Open^
1953 Greenbrier Invitational**
1958 Greenbrier Invitational**
1959 Sam Snead Festival**
1961 Sam Snead Festival**
** were removed because they were below minimum purse standards
^ were removed because of strength of field issues

Also during the clean-up,  it was found the 1953 Texas Open had sometime prior been erroneously added to Snead's total, so it was removed also.

At the same time in 1986 the panel made these 6 previously unofficial wins... official.
1937 Bing Crosby Pro-Am
1938 Bing Crosby Pro-Am
1941 Bing Crosby Pro-Am
1950 Bing Crosby Pro-Am
1952 Palm Beach Round Robin
1957 Palm Beach Round Robin

That had Snead with 81 wins at that point

In 2002 the 1946 OPEN Championship was added as an official win. Making his total the 82 it is today.

So to recap... this is how it worked...

93 = Total Snead wins recorded by the PGA Tour
75 = Total Snead wins recorded as official at the time he won them (+18 unofficial = 93)
84 = Accepted Snead official win total 1985.
81 = Total Snead official wins after the 1986 "cleanup".

82 = Today's Total Snead official wins total after the addition of the 1946 Open.

Meanwhile, Paul Casey has an early lead as he strives for Number 2.

Good to see Molinari off to a good start; he needs a good result.

Wonder why a win in Argentina was ever considered official.

Robo:  You said that you saw a name that could have been di Vincenzo in the Cordoba tournament.

Was Antonio Cerda in the tournament.  He was a notable Argentine golfer of Roberto's vintage.

His has a wiki page.

Kwin - Just responding to this now ... You might be the ONLY person ever who wanted to leave Pebble Beach sooner than later to make sure you didn't miss a round at the GC of Newport. Good for you and Newport would be wise to get this in writing and post it on their website asap!

Hmmm... some speculation about that Fowler might take up Euro Tour membership this year... Playing this week, has accepted an invite to Irish Open and is committed to Scottish Open. With the 8 co-sanctions that's 11 of the 13 events he would need. Potential fly in the ointment is getting those other two competing event releases from the PGA Tour. Players get 3, and with a 20th PGAT event played are granted a 4th... That's still one short. There are 2 off weeks on the schedule, midway between the FE Playoffs (KLM Open) and another the week after the Tour Championship (Dunhill Links), before the Presidents Cup in Korea.

I'm doubting it... just because of the scheduling and release issues, but you never know. When asked specifically about it, Fowler said: “It’s definitely something to look into.” Which doesn't sound like something he's thinking seriously about right now...

Why would a player like Fowler like to take up ET membership??

pedro wrote:Why would a player like Fowler like to take up ET membership??

I dunno, doesn't make a lot of sense to me either. But it wouldn't be the first time... Anthony Kim was going to try it, then he had his "injury" issues... Then Dustin Johnson was going to try it, but then he had his first "injury issue" {{{wink-wink}}} a couple of years ago.

I could understand if older players like Phil would try it - combined with a permanent move abroad - just to try something different.

But Fowler only has a few years experience on the PGATour so one should think that's where his focus should lie.

Would have thought it is a bit late in the day - think if an American is going to do that, they'd be better off starting earlier. For instance, I'm sure he Rickie could have snuck in last week's SA Open field.

Waialae CC should be a great course for a ball striker like Frankie Molinari.  Its not surprising to me that he had a solid first round.

I was under the impression that players did not need releases from the Fall Series for sanctioned tournaments on other tours.

Maybe I was mistaken, or it changed when the Fall Series events became recognized FEX events.

Koepka is an American attempting to play both tours this year.  I am little surprised that Koepka is not playing this week.

kwinigolfer wrote:Would have thought it is a bit late in the day - think if an American is going to do that, they'd be better off starting earlier. For instance, I'm sure he Rickie could have snuck in last week's SA Open field.

Agreed... Three early events Fowler could have played in. In December he was exempt for the Nedbank and could have played that instead of the World Challenge... a week later I'm sure could have gotten a sponsors exemption into the Dunhill... and last week he was into the SA Open via top-50 OWGR.

But one thing this illustrates... it's not difficult for anybody else in the world to come to the PGAT to play if they're qualified... but it's DARN hard for PGAT "Home Tour" players to decide to dual tour elsewhere because of the competing event release (CER) issue. But there is another way players can secure CER's... they can negotiate "make goods" with the tour for possible extra exemptions... and those will usually include a return the next year to the tournament they are missing, and possibly even one other. That's the only way Houston got Jack Nicklaus back that last time he appeared here in 1986.

GPB wrote:Waialae CC should be a great course for a ball striker like Frankie Molinari.  Its not surprising to me that he had a solid first round.

I was under the impression that players did not need releases from the Fall Series for sanctioned tournaments on other tours.

Maybe I was mistaken, or it changed when the Fall Series events became recognized FEX events.

Koepka is an American attempting to play both tours this year.  I am little surprised that Koepka is not playing this week.

The rules are now and have been the same for Fall Series events as any event.

Now Koepka's situation might possibly open up a little can of worms. It's clear to me the language of the conflicting event regulations are aimed first and foremost in a way to allow players from other "home circuits" to play both here and their home circuit. But the issue for Koepka is the rules for foreign players are based on their citizenship within various other-tour "territories". So even though Brooks may have started as a member of the Euro Tour, he's not qualified to be a "Home Circuit" player from the European Tour....

So here's Koepka's options: He takes his automatic 3 CER's for 15 PGAT events and a 4th if he plays 20 here. Then he plays on off dates like discussed above for Fowler. In Brooks case he already has one for the NedBank, and lets say he plays all the co-sanctions and majors, and uses his 3 CERS... that's 12 ET events... and he gets 1 more if he plays 20, and another for 25... (he's already played 2) Now that's all he for sure gets by the regs. EXCEPT... the Commish has wiggle room in granting extra releases. Now there is a bunch of criteria listed that Timmy "shall" consider in granting extra releases, but it's confusing... for instance the first one is based on "the overall makeup of the field the player wants to be released from". OK... but does that mean if its already a great field they might not need him... or does it mean since its a lousy field and the guy likely wouldn't have played anyway, they'll release him? Other considerations are his FE standing, projected schedule, playing history in the events in question (both ways)... etc...

JUST GUESSING... I'm thinking that since Koepka's situation is fairly "new", or at the very least rare, the Commissioner will find a way to accommodate him beyond the normal limits if he needs it. But with the potential for more U.S. players potentially coming back to America after starting in Europe in the future, (like Uihlein pretty soon maybe?), there may be some accommodation written into future regs to deal more clearly with these situations. Or maybe not... maybe The Tour just says sorry... here's the rules, if you want to join up... you gotta play by them... I dunno.

I guess Koepka might play the European Open if he doesn't qualify for the Tour Championship.

The 2015 PGAT schedule has not been announced but I would assume the CIMB is the same weekend as Turkish Airlines tournament.  And Koepka is the defending champ at Turkey.

BTW...Did you see my question on Antonio Cerda?

GPB wrote:Wonder why a win in Argentina was ever considered official.

Robo:  You said that you saw a name that could have been di Vincenzo in the Cordoba tournament.

Was Antonio Cerda in the tournament.  He was a notable Argentine golfer of Roberto's vintage.

His has a wiki page.

I don't recall where I saw the field information for that event... because Snead is the only one listed in the PGAT database for that event, and I don't have earnings for it either.   It must have been from a newspaper account as I was trying to run down both the Ontario Open and Cordoba...   But as far as di Vincenzo... IIRC, it "could have been him" like you said... I dont think I was able to confirm it was THE Roberto in that event, but not sure now.  

As far as Antonio Cerda SR... the oldest listed start for him is the 1953 Mexican Open.  Through 1957 there were about 20-25... mostly World Championships of Golf, All American Open's, and then a few other events here and there... Houston, St pete, Pan American, Colonial, and a few more.  From 1959 forward, mostly whats listed is satellite events like Panama, Maracabo, Caracas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, etc... and of course his Masters appearances.  

And that might answer the question on why Cordoba was ever in there... There are a lot of satellite events listed in the data...  and for some reason it appears as though they counted them in event counts & Money for TOTAL Tour Money in some years, and not in others.  For example, remember the purse data we discussed some months ago and the event counts when up in the 70's for some of the years in Nicklaus early time... that was because the satellites were included in the count.

Don't know if I'm miles behind the trend here, but the whole idea of the PGA Tour restricting what else players do, still seems incredible to me. Are there not restraint of trade laws against this sort of thing? Surely if the tour you sign up to pay for, says you must play a minimum of x events, there is nothing to stop you reaching their minimum requirement of x (per year), and then jetting off to earn some money with someone else. And any regulation otherwise is just blatant restraint of free trade....

pedro wrote:Why would a player like Fowler like to take up ET membership??

Well certain Americans think that instead of coming 10th in a PGA tournament, they would have won it if it  was in Europe.
So a tour win niggard like Fowler might actually benefit from being on the Euro Tour because he might, given his talent learn how to win.

I don't expect he will, but you could make an argument for it.

Meanwhile, Casey burning it up on the American equivalent of the Falkland Islands. Top of the tree with a regulation length putter wielding Jesus Simpson.

If a top American took E.T.Membership it would surely be good for the player AND for the E.T.. As it will be for Koepka.

Signs of life yesterday from Brian Davis - big year for him. Three more rounds like this (66) would be a good start for someone who has no Top Tens for 16 months.

NedB-H wrote:Don't know if I'm miles behind the trend here, but the whole idea of the PGA Tour restricting what else players do, still seems incredible to me. Are there not restraint of trade laws against this sort of thing? Surely if the tour you sign up to pay for, says you must play a minimum of x events, there is nothing to stop you reaching their minimum requirement of x (per year), and then jetting off to earn some money with someone else. And any regulation otherwise is just blatant restraint of free trade....

Bottom line first... becoming a member of the PGA Tour is more of a business deal between the Tour and the Player instead of some kind of employment agreement.

The major revenue streams into the PGA Tour comes from broadcasting agreements and tournament sponsors.  Both TV and sponsors are making significant financial investment into the Tour and for that they expect maximum value on that investment.  The players ARE the value in both cases. And it's the Tour's job to deliver that value.  So in effect, any of the playing requirements or regulations ensuring the player plays on the PGAT as much as possible are coming from an effort to meet those larger business model objectives.

So basically when a player joins the Tour, the Tour extract's an agreement from the player (via acceptance of the regulations)  to do their part to contribute to the business model... which of course the most important part is they [mostly] stay there and play, participate in their marketing, sponsor appreciation, etc.. etc...  So while the player is giving up some rights to compete outside the PGA Tour without restriction, he's gaining the opportunity to compete for huge purses and enrich himself greatly in other ways if he can be successful. Another key item benefiting the PGA Tour player is perhaps the most mind-boggling lucrative deferred contribution retirement plans in all of sport.  

Now as far as restraint of trade... it simply isn't because on an annual basis the player agrees to the terms and conditions of membership, and there's nothing to say he has to do so.  If a player so chooses, he can remain a total "free agent" non-member and still play, albeit with limits.  A non-member can accept up to a max of 7 sponsor exemptions and play in a maximum of 12 events (there are ways to fudge 12 up a few events in some cases).  BUT... no FE Playoffs for him... and no retirement benefits.

And lastly... let's not forget the players ARE the PGA Tour, it's theirs, they own it. So it's the players themselves via that Player's Advisory Council and Policy Board who vote these regulations on themselves for the greater good of all.  The Tour management are in effect employees of the players charged with managing the Tour and enforcing the regulations.

GPB wrote:I hope Chris DiMarco was well paid for his trip to Abu Dhabi.  Hate to think he is paying his own expenses to finish near DFL.

Really cannot think of a reason why amateur Ollie Schneiderjans took a week off of school to travel half way around the world to play at Abu Dhabi.

Tianlang Guan didn't travel as far, but his appearance makes little sense too.

Tax free gold?

Hmm, week off school to play golf with some (OK not too many, but still some) of the biggest names in the game. Or maths, english and history. I'm in for the jolly!

Tianlang was alway guana take up the invite.

Well, well, well....  Patrick Reed takes up Euro Tour membership if this makes sense... doesn't to me, but oh well... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-2910599/The-Yanks-coming-Rory-McIlroy-joined-Europe-Rickie-Fowler-Patrick-Reed.html

Probably got more chance of being Top 5 here

8 of the tourneys will be the same (majors+WGC's). That leaves Fowler 5 other touneys where he 'can learn to win'. And 2 of those will most likely be Final Series tourneys where his chances of winning are just as low as on the PGATour.

Mcilroy just got an ace!!

super_realist wrote:Probably got more chance of being Top 5 here

True... but I kinda like his trajectory towards top-5 where he's at... :-)

McLaren wrote:Mcilroy just got an ace!!

Penfold Ace?

Question for my European friends...

On another board, David Feherty has come up, and a number of either British or Irish ex-pats or American citizens of British/Irish heritage... seem to take great offense and/or have great dislike of Feherty because he's chosen to become an American citizen. I was wondering if any of you would like to chime in with your 2 cents on the topic.

But to be clear... I'm not taking a David Feherty popularity poll, so the question is NOT if you like him or care for his broadcasting abilities, humor or whatever... it centered around his taking U.S. Citizenship, and if or how that affects your impression of him.

Thanks... appreciate it.

If he's met the criteria and wishes to do it, fair play to him. I guess I can see that he may well now feel more American than anything else. If the place of his birth doesn't "matter" to him too much then where he takes citizenship probably doesn't either.

In short, changes nothing of my impression of him.

Well, that's my 2 cents about the punt

McLaren wrote:Mcilroy just got an ace!!

Hard to believe it's his first as a professional. Miguel got one on the same hole yesterday - it was his 8th (but then he is old enough to be Rory's grandfather - just)  Sadly neither of them won anything (not that either needs a free hand-out) unlike Tom Lewis who yesterday won a bloody great Cadillac 4x4 which will probably need a mortgage to keep running with petrol (unless it's a ghastly hybrid thing, which I doubt).

robo

Is it any more complex than saying that some UK and irish people have taken offence at Feherty ditching his UK/irish nationality for another. These people presumably hold a nationalistic centered world view that cannot comprehend someone not holding their nation of birth so dear to them.

I know you didn't want to hear this but the main reason Feherty is so dislikable is his adoption of GOP ideals, what ever his nationality that is a problem and reason to dislike him.

His armed forces paraphilia is beyond weird.

Feherty was a breath of fresh air when he was first offered a mic, but hated the way he lampooned Montgomerie and it's all been downhill from there.

He pretty much invited US crowds to heckle Montgomerie and other mindless commentators, especially Miller, jumped on board - "If it's OK for his own teammate to skewer him, why shouldn't I?" - worst at Brookline. Never really stopped until Montgomerie ceased to be a competitive threat. (Partly Montgomerie's fault clearly, but no excuse.)

Feherty's been through some pretty dark personal times, which he never talks about unless it's fawning over Tom Watson, and now he's reinvented himself as a staunch supporter of the Tour's obsession with everything Bushs and "military". Total J Arthur Ranker.

Who cares what citizenship anyone takes, nothing negative about Pettersson for instance - the thing that rankles with me is his creepy persona and drooling over values that would be anathema to his former self.

'Orrible man. Punt is about right.

McLaren wrote:robo

Is it any more complex than saying that some UK and irish people have taken offence at Feherty ditching his UK/irish nationality for another.  These people presumably hold a nationalistic centered world view that cannot comprehend someone not holding their nation of birth so dear to them.

I know you didn't want to hear this but the main reason Feherty is so dislikable is his adoption of GOP ideals, what ever his nationality that is a problem and reason to dislike him.  

His armed forces paraphilia is beyond weird.

Mac... no that's fine... I get it, some people don't care for him for a myriad of reasons.... but can I take it as his choice of taking U.S. citizenship isn't one of those issues for you?

kwinigolfer wrote:
Who cares what citizenship anyone takes, nothing negative about Pettersson for instance...

Again, I'm not conducting a popularity poll.. the portion above answers my question... thanks...

By the way... I know I'm late to the party... but when you posted this thread, I went straight to your notes and didn't pay any mind to your "Sony Hackers" topic title.. But I noticed it later and ROTFLMAO... brilliant !!!

LadyPutt wrote:

McLaren wrote:Mcilroy just got an ace!!

Hard to believe it's his first as a professional. Miguel got one on the same hole yesterday - it was his 8th (but then he is old enough to be Rory's grandfather - just) :laugh:  Sadly neither of them won anything (not that either needs a free hand-out) unlike Tom Lewis who yesterday won a bloody great Cadillac 4x4 which will probably need a mortgage to keep running with petrol (unless it's a ghastly hybrid thing, which I doubt).

Didn't realize that was R-mac popping his ace cherry.

I always wonder if the players actually take ownership of cars won for hole in ones, or if they are just sent straight to a charity auction?

robopz wrote:Question for my European friends...

On another board, David Feherty has come up, and  a number of either British or Irish ex-pats or American citizens of British/Irish heritage...  seem to take great offense and/or have great dislike of Feherty because he's chosen to become an American citizen.   I was wondering if any of you would like to chime in with your 2 cents on the topic.

But to be clear... I'm not taking a David Feherty popularity poll, so the question is NOT if you like him or care for his broadcasting abilities, humor or whatever...  it centered around his taking U.S. Citizenship, and if or how that affects your impression of him.

Thanks... appreciate it.

If someone wants to become a US Citizen (or of any other country) as long as he's qualified to do so, then I don't see the problem. I've never been so sure why people hold onto their nationality like some sort of badge of honour.

Couldn't care less about his political persuasion either, people have a right to vote how they wish.

robo

I couldn't care what nationality anyone is. It would be odd to judge someone on the content of their passport.

But some people clearly don't like the idea that others don't value their nation as highly as they do. I am sure you will find someone who would dislike Feherty just because he changed to a US nationality.

You may also have to consider that the irish/uk folks on the other forum you mention only use his nationality switch to dislike him in a sporting sense. If he is not perceived to support Europe in the ryder cup I am sure many will use that as a reason to deride him in a sporting context. These same people could have no issue with nationality switches outside the world of being a sports supporter.

I'm happy Feherty took U.S. citizenship.

McLaren wrote:robo

I couldn't care what nationality anyone is.  It would be odd to judge someone on the content of their passport.

But some people clearly don't like the idea that others don't value their nation as highly as they do.  I am sure you will find someone who would dislike Feherty just because he changed to a US nationality.

You may also have to consider that the irish/uk folks on the other forum you mention only use his nationality switch to dislike him in a sporting sense.  If he is not perceived to support Europe in the ryder cup I am sure many will use that as a reason to deride him in a sporting context.  These same people could have no issue with nationality switches outside the world of being a sports supporter.

Thanks Mac... and yes some of the angst was in a sporting context, but it went beyond just being a Ryder Cup turncoat... but that's not what I'm talking about as I suppose in that context I might feel the same about some prior American Ryder Cupper becoming all Rah-rah for the Euro RC team :-)

I'm more focused on so many comments I read suggesting that he's a miserable lout just for turning his back on his heritage and his homeland. I asked here because I just didn't get it... I mean it's not exactly like we're at war with Ireland or we're the Taliban or anything... (oh sheesh... or at least I hope not... :-)

incontinentia wrote:I'm happy Feherty took U.S. citizenship.

Would you mind explaining why? Happy for him that he did what he chose to do... or happy to be "rid of him"... or what.. :-)

Robo

Do you have a link to the comments?


Also, I don't get it either. I can observe people being nationalistic but I certainly don't accept any reasoning supporting why you would be nationalistic about any issue that actually matters.

robopz wrote:

incontinentia wrote:I'm happy Feherty took U.S. citizenship.

Would you mind explaining why?  Happy for him that he did what he chose to do... or happy to be "rid of him"... or what.. :-)

Because he obviously considers himself more American than British(he's not Irish), if he wants to realise his dream then good for him.

If I was British I would be happy to be rid of him. The guy desperately wants to assimilate into U.S. society, which is something I personally don't respect. He already has the fake accent and refers to the U.S. military as "our troops", so if he wants to gain citizenship and make it official then have at it.

robopz wrote:

incontinentia wrote:I'm happy Feherty took U.S. citizenship.

Would you mind explaining why?  Happy for him that he did what he chose to do... or happy to be "rid of him"... or what.. :-)

Can you take Russell Brand and James Corden too please?

Plus Tony Blair and the ghost of Margaret Thatcher?

Going back to Paul Casey:
A great interview here with Rex Hoggard from last May with Casey:

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/record-paul-casey/

Casey seems very popular with the golfing press here and interviews like this one surely show why.
If you can spare the time it will be a rewarding twenty minutes, time well spent.

A terrific first round in Hawaii, would love to see him bringing home the pineapple.

Will Rickie - golf boy - Fowler's 75 dampen his interest in joining the European tour?

Rickie paired with Ernie Els tomorrow, with a 7.39 a.m. tee-time. Doubt if it's what either had in mind a couple of days ago

Struggling to see how Patrick Reed will fill his respective Tour schedule demands this season . . . . . .

The 2015 Players Advisory Council for the PGATour has been announced in case anyone is interested.

One Euro....two Aussies

2015 Player Advisory Council
Tom Gillis 
Jason Gore 
Charley Hoffman 
Billy Hurley III* 
Freddie Jacobson* 
Matt Kuchar 
Scott Langley 
Davis Love III 
Will MacKenzie 
Geoff Ogilvy 
John Senden* 
Webb Simpson 
Heath Slocum 
Kevin Streelman 
Brendon Todd 
David Toms 

*First timers

Player Directors
Jason Bohn 
Harrison Frazar 
Bo Van Pelt 
Mark Wilson  

http://www.pgatour.com/news/2015/01/16/player-advisory-council-2015-announced.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

There always seem to be a member (or two) who do not have full playing privileges on Tour.

Harrison Frazar and Jason Gore do not have full playing privileges in 2015

Why do you say that Gillis has full privileges but Gore doesn't?

Must be odds on an MDF in store for Saturday; nice to see the early starters on the front skate round nine holes in 1 3/4 hrs.

EDIT: Thought any MDF might be at -1, but see the cut lurching towards -2 - could still be an MDF though!

Some mystery as to whether PAC Member Webb Simpson's excellent 62 was due to exceptional work with his short putter, or his friend from Disney World:
"I just had a couple (Bible) verses in my yardage book today that I kept on reading, and I stayed calm. All thanks to God (Dog?) for giving me strength to just get through today."

Hopefully Freddie Jac will set Simpson right if he starts to wax biblical in Players' Meetings.

Because I forgot Gore has Web-com status.

I find highly hypocritical when people snark on players for not having traditional or Biblical names...and then snark when they use the Bible has part of their sports psychology.

GPB wrote:

I find highly hypocritical when people snark on players for not having traditional or Biblical names...and then snark when they use the Bible has part of their sports psychology.

Why?

Hypocricy is two conflicting opinions on related topics. I fail to see the correlation between the two matters you quote.

I have a biblical name. I don't give a sh!t about the bible. There is no correlation

It's not snarking, GPB! It's just taking the p1ss!!

I see reports that the Champions Tour has failed to invite Vijay Singh to its Mitsubishi jolly next week - it will be interesting to see which luminaries receive sponsors' invites in his place.

Russell Knox having another strong week; difficult to believe he's missed the cut each of his previous three visits.