PGA Tour: The Arnold Palmer Love In: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Back to typical Florida Tour golf this week, at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club, originally designed by Dick Wilson who is still believed to be the only alcoholic course architect who went to University on a football scholarship. The course has been changed quite a bit since Dick's day, many of the modifications by Palmer himself and not necessarily for the better. But it is what it is and the pro who banks $1.1+M next Monday won't give a toss.

2).Course specialist Tiger Woods is still on sabbatical, apparently didn't think his game was up to it, but perhaps he'd received word that the greens are also not up to snuff - a "health warning" about them reportedly having been posted in the Innisbrook locker room telling Valspar contestants to beware.

3)Talking about the "Valspar Championship", there have been gushing articles in the press here about Spieth and Reed representing the new generation of American golfers, but precious little about Sean O'Hair who, ten years ago, trod the path that Spieth and Reed are now navigating.
Like Spieth, O'Hair won the John Deere Classic for his first win and followed up a few years later with Valspar victory.
And, like Reed, O'Hair came out on Tour estranged from parental guidance, soon entered Victory Lane and beyond but subsequently lost his way. Moving around the country with four young children couldn't have helped.

4).One constant for O'Hair, though, has been his play at Bay Hill where he could've, would've, should've won a few years ago before getting beaten (intimidated?) by Tiger and has Top40'd 7 times in 9 visits. But it's only a slight exaggeration for O'Hair to compare the depths of his struggles to those currently being fought by Woods.
Following his play-off loss on Sunday, and trying to explain his welcome return to form, O'Hair is rumoured to have said:
"I was thrashed in an Aronomink member/member match against a curler called Shotrock. He gave me some tips from his bonspiel battles, I took his advice to heart and here I am!"

5).And: On the subject of Pros being paired with Woods in Tour events, Golf Digest's April edition's "Undercover Tour Pro" describes: "Being paired with Tiger: It's a circus, good and bad." Nothing but good things to say about Tiger. Worth reading.

6).pgatour.com listed its Top 5 Irish Golfers in homage to St.Patrick's Day:
1st: McIlroy, 2nd: Harrington, 3rd: Himself, 4th: Clarke, 5th: McDool.
For Nor'n Irish post WWII golfers, I would think: McIlroy, Fred Daly, Clarke, McDowell, Rafferty?
For the Irish list I would agree with Harrington at #1. Then O'Connor Sr, Harry Bradshaw, Christy Jr (edges ahead of Smyth thanks to that 2-iron!), Des Smyth?
Whaddya think? (Sure I've forgotten one or two.)

7).For the Bill Frindalls amongst us who look at Tour stats, Jordan Spieth defied logic last week:
Driving distance: 26th
Driving accuracy: 51st
Greens in Reg: 32nd
Strokes gained putting: 26th
Scrambling: 18th.
Most important stat, just a hair (not ohair) ahead of Reed: Ability to get the ball in the hole: 1st.
Almost Woods-like, from both of them really.

8).Only two chances remaining for golfers to qualify for Augusta via the owgr's.
As far as I can see, and GPB will disabuse me if I've missed someone, all above 44th in the owgr's are arithmetically (or as close as damnit) certain of invites, which leaves Casey the highest placed golfer on the brink.
Others close but not yet certainties include:
Casey: 46th, Playing Bay Hill
Warren: 51st, Not playing this week
English: 52nd, at Bay Hill
Levy: 53rd, at Bay Hill
Sullivan: 58th, Not playing
Fleetwood: 62nd, Not playing
DeLaet: 63rd, at Bay Hill
Molinari: 64th, at Bay Hill
Siem: 65th, Not playing
Hopefully some of those not playing this week's Sam Saunders Invitational will get a final chance at next week's Valero Texas Open. (Plus the Houston Champ also gets into The Masters.)

9).Matt Every won last year's "Arnold Palmer Invitational", and has only surfaced on the Memphis leaderboard since then. Not sure about Matt, bags of talent but destined for the Tour's discard pile the way he's going.
Several of the British contingent have played well here in the past, Martin Laird best of all with his second Tour win. McIlroy makes his Bay Hill debut, but I fancy his Ryder Cup teammate Stenson whose stats and play last week made one wonder why he finished a stroke shy of the play-off. Distance is always a trump card at Bay Hill, but Brian Davis, Ian Poulter and McDool have good records here also.

10).The PGA Tour made the strange decision to increase the customary two-year winner's exemption for Bay Hill and the Memorial to three years, the same exemption as awarded to WGC's.
What's that all about? What about the Byron Nelson, or Ben Hogan's Colonial??
It's good to honour legends of the game, but the Tour was unkind to the Byron Nelson event when Lord Byron passed away; Jack and Arnie can expect more of the same.

"The Irish contingent"?

Not sure I've ever heard anything especially supportive about Messrs Knox and Laird from the Scottish "contingent". Both playing well again today, though Knox is still below the cut-line.

Hoffmann and Danny Lee seem to be playing a different course than the rest of 'em.

As a Paddy fan, I try not to get ahead of myself these days but it is great to see if you had of told me a month ago he would have won in March and been contending again, I would have laughed at you!

If he has a good week here, it could get him into the Top 64/60 which will help with Matchplay and US Open!

Mcilroy seems to be rounding into form, just at right time....

McLaren wrote:Rory has failed to birdie another par 5.  Is there no way the tour can ensure Rory gets a tee time where viewers get to see him play on Thursday and Friday?  

By the time most people are able to pick up the coverage his round will be over today.

Rory-Jason-Rickie are on PGATour's featured coverage on the Internet.  I have it on in the background while doing some other stuff.

http://pgatour.cbssports.com/live/

I am not sure if PGATour's featured group across the pond, but I am getting it crystal clear in the rainy midwest USA.

Just like the EuroTour, PGATour gives a player a morning and afternoon tee time in full field tournaments.

Hoffman going after the 254

Kwini

The Irish who post on here some more patriotic, plus they have players worth following.

Not sure who else is Scottish but super and myself are hardly patriotic and Laird and Knox are pretty inspiring characters.

Super

He is a few shots of 254 pace at the moment.


GPB

Thanks for link, I think us folks in the UK need to log into sky to see it. Unfortunately don't have sky id on the computer I am using just now.

Yes, the live@ coverage is on the red button, but links should be available on DrakulaStream and Fromsport as well!

Lowry making a bit of a comeback also. Not to mention a decent round from Seamus Power yesterday, in Chile.

sirbenson wrote:As a Paddy fan, I try not to get ahead of myself these days but it is great to see if you had of told me a month ago he would have won in March and been contending again, I would have laughed at you!

If he has a good week here, it could get him into the Top 64/60 which will help with Matchplay and US Open!

Needs a two way T3 to crack the top 64.  A Solo 2nd should be enough to put him well inside the top 60 and should be enough to keep in the top 64 for a month for the matchplay.

US Open deadline is still 11+ weeks away.  He probably needs to earn 40-45 gross points to be in the top 60 for the June 8 deadline.  2nd place this week is 36 pts.

GPB
Cheers! A long way off for the U.S. Open mark but hey the less work he has to do in the lead up to it the better!

But hey the optimist in me suggests he will win the Masters which takes care of everything haha

You guys are watching golf when the Women's Curling Championship is in full swing??

I don't get it. Much rather see Eve Muirhead!

Stricker is still M-I-A.  Even in his limited schedule he usually plays Houston before the Masters.

Robopz says Houston has not heard anything from Stricker, apparently Stenson, Rose and Spieth have committed.

McLaren wrote:Is there no way the tour can ensure Rory gets a tee time where viewers get to see him play on Thursday and Friday?  

By the time most people are able to pick up the coverage his round will be over today.

Ironic comment Mac since the other day you were moaning about the 'star/contrived groupings', which often are precisely that way to ensure the top players are out together at prime TV time no?

Shotrock wrote:You guys are watching golf when the Women's Curling Championship is in full swing??

I don't get it. Much rather see Eve Muirhead!

I haven't been interested in Women's curling since Schmirler the Curler passed away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Schmirler

MustPuttBetter wrote:

McLaren wrote:Is there no way the tour can ensure Rory gets a tee time where viewers get to see him play on Thursday and Friday?  

By the time most people are able to pick up the coverage his round will be over today.

Ironic comment Mac since the other day you were moaning about the 'star/contrived groupings', which often are precisely that way to ensure the top players are out together at prime TV time no?

That was kwini who was moaning about the groupings, and I accused him of finding a David Icke style conspiracy.

First group off this morning, Chappell, Hoffmann, Lee, are -13 on their 3-ball.

Rory showing Day & Fowler who's boss. Today at any rate.

McLaren wrote:

MustPuttBetter wrote:

McLaren wrote:Is there no way the tour can ensure Rory gets a tee time where viewers get to see him play on Thursday and Friday?  

By the time most people are able to pick up the coverage his round will be over today.

Ironic comment Mac since the other day you were moaning about the 'star/contrived groupings', which often are precisely that way to ensure the top players are out together at prime TV time no?

That was kwini who was moaning about the groupings, and I accused him of finding a David Icke style conspiracy.

Oh I thought you were in the not a fan of them camp. Apologies

You are now seeing why Harrington fans try not to get ahead of themselves in recent times!

Kwini was whining that Paddy had to play with Sabbatini.

Who, incidentally was -4 going into his 18th hole yesterday.  and is now +6 and near dead last.

King Louis was the third man and he continues his Sybil golf game.

Late WD at Honda
6th at Cadillac
MC at Valspar
and currently T5 at Bay Hill.

sir b

That was a rather quick fall from grace for harrington in the last 3 holes.


mustputt

If anything I wish the groupings a tee times were more contrived. The PGAT have to remember there are very few hardcore "real" fans like Kwini and more people who watch golf (or any other sport) as a form of entertainment.

The prime goups should be given tee times that allow the viewers to see the players they turn the TV on to see.

Gutsy finish by Casey - hope it's enough for him to make it

I agree Mac. I take the point that the contrived groups are, well, contrived. But in terms of making life easier for me in terms of coverage I like them

My biggest objection to "contrived" groups is that they can clearly favour the best players and their sponsors, but they can also be vindictive, group guys that are a problem to them, or otherwise have a go.
It wasn't the Tour wot done it, but the PGA Championship grouping of the fat guys last year was an egregious example.

My point this week about the Harrington/Sabbatini/Oosthuizen group was pretty much along the same lines.

I think "featured groups" are here to stay, no point banging on about that any more, but it can definitely favour certain players, and be to the detriment of others.

GPB - She was quite the curler ... left us too soon, but left a wonderful legacy.

Rory rising ... Would like to see him win this event as he prepares for his green jacket assault.

Wholeheartedly agree with that Kwini. From a selfish point of view, entirely, it works for me

Scoring getting better by the hour, and now Casey in jeopardy of missing out even though he somewhat rescued his round. He's had some good results recently but still not quite there. Too good a player to be struggling like this.

Lowry in trouble also.

It was the USGA that grouped Lowry-Stadler-de Jonge together.

Correct,Thanks, My apologies to Ted Bishop. But the point remains the same.

From a competitive standpoint, I think the featured groups are at slight disadvantage.

assuming no weather delays, they never get the earliest tee time when the greens are PERFECT and winds are generally light.

And they never get the latest tee times.  Obviously they get the bumpiest greens but generally winds let up towards sundown.

And don't forget, while golf is a sporting event, it is also a business.

Baseball doesn't feature games between the Twins and the Indians.  They feature games with the Yankees and Red Sox and Dodgers.

GPB wrote:It was the USGA that grouped Lowry-Stadler-de Jonge together.

It's the 3 over privileged white guys grouping that is holding the tour back.

Afternoon wave still not scoring like the morning guys, but Danny Willett playing well - he's due a nice run in the States.

Casey on the brink.

kwinigolfer wrote:Afternoon wave still not scoring like the morning guys, but Danny Willett playing well - he's due a nice run in the States.

Casey on the brink.

As of a few minutes ago, I got Casey at OWGR #49.  (Willett, Woodland and English are in position to pass him)


Hope he has the phone number for Valero.

If Casey finishes worse than 55th, then...

Willett needs the equivalent of 50th or better to pass Casey.
Woodland needs the equivalent of 40th or better to pass Casey.
English needs the equivalent of 7th or better to pass Casey.

Casey still on the precipice - if he survives, and it looks as if he just might, he'll have an MDF to contend with in Round 3.

Stenson playing well - but getting a going over from NBC about his pace of play.

kwinigolfer wrote:Stenson playing well - but getting a going over from NBC about his pace of play.

Being in a featured group does have pitfalls.

GPB wrote:It was the USGA that grouped Lowry-Stadler-de Jonge together.

That was a funny one.

kwinigolfer wrote:

Stenson playing well - but getting a going over from NBC about his pace of play.

Was it really bad? Worse than Harrington?

Hate to bring it back to Woods again, but when's the deadline for declaring for the Masters, the Friday before?

Curtains for Casey, and he's not in the San Antonio field. Perhaps he thinks he'll win again in Houston.

inco,
I suppose so, but difficult to believe he'd put himself on the Augusta stage without a test drive somehow, presumably Houston now.

Casey is not in the field for Valero.  And it looks like he is falling at least two spots this week, possibly three.

It won't take much for Todd, Dufner, and Warren to pass him in the rankings.

I don't the RSVP date for Augusta is like a normal PGATournament.  I think technically he can show up on Masters week and wave the invite.

But I would guess that even Tiger would give them some sort of notification at least a week ahead of time.  One way or another.

Baffling decision from Casey not to enter next week, surely he should have entered and if he was secure enough for the Masters after this week, he could have withdrawn next week....but hey miss the cut and leave it to chance!

Casey only has himself to blame by not managing his schedule at all.

I heard from Robopz that Casey had 30 minutes after completion of play today to make a decision which is not on the first draft.

So Casey could have made a last minute decision to play Valero once he realized that he missed the cut today.  If he did, we may not see the revision until Monday.

I hope he plays next week.

After checking some sources, Paul Casey did NOT enter the Valero Texas Open.

Looks like the quality of field in San Antonio is gradually improving, despite no Casey or Woods.

Furyk, Horschel, a couple of Johnsons, Kuchar, Mickelson(?) and Spieth are there, plus European Tour members:
Gonzo, Kaymer, Lowry, McDowell, Molinari and Marc Warren.

Another hot day in Orlando and Arnie indicated he might push the greens to the limit over the weekend to pull in the scoring reins. Would think the scoring is just fine as it is. But Arnie is looking his age.

Whatever Palmer did to put a flea in the ear of Tour officials about toughening up the course set-up seems not to have worked, with plenty of decent rounds going and Snedeker in particular signalling his return to form before The Masters.

Russell Knox also playing well - you'd think he's close to the Top 12 Europeans at this rate.

Valero looking like a OWGR 52 next week.

It was the min OWGR just a few years ago.

Nice albatross by Berger. Heading for Rookie of the Year if he keeps playing this well.

PS- thanks kwini/GPB for the Woods/Masters info. At least Lindsey has had a great season!

Berger had a 2, 3, 4, 5 on the par-5's. He's been holing from everywhere the past month - that's got to stop soon. Hasn't it?

Bunched leaderboard - can anyone separate themselves?

Henrik looking good, Rory v.disappointing.