PGA Tour: Last Stop Before Augusta: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Only one spot left to be earned for The Masters now and that will go to the winner of this week's "Shell Houston Open", if not already exempt.
Paul Casey won "Houston" a few years ago, in a play-off with JB Holmes who promptly helped Casey's cause by driving into a lake. Last week he was sitting at home sh1tting bricks as one possible challenger after another fell by the wayside and Casey actually gained a ranking spot as he clung to his owgr Top Fifty avenue to Magnolia Lane. Lucky boy.

2).Although it makes for a great storyline, the last-minute entree into The Masters hasn't been especially rewarding in terms of results, but Davis Love won "New Orleans" in 1995, so gaining entry to Augusta and promptly finished runner-up to Crenshaw. Perhaps this week's winner may also find that Major glory is just a week away.

3).What do y'all make of Jimmy Walker's stroll in the San Antonio park last week, fifth win in 18 months, his most recent pair by a total of 13 strokes?
That's a career's worth for luminaries like Tom Lehman, and a career-so-far's-worth for Luke Donald. Walker was a Masters debutant last year and finished strongly to finish 8th (which he followed with Top Tens at Pinehurst and Valhalla).
He and Stenson have both sent sick notes in to Houston, but you'd think both have the right stuff for next week.

4).Another impressive performance from Jordan Spieth, once again emphasizing that few are his equal in willing the ball into the hole, Tigerlike, when in contention.

5).And what about Aaron Baddeley's Round 2 birdie on #17? His 336-yard hole-in-one with his second tee-ball (after his first was deemed unplayable) is the longest hole-out on the PGA Tour in the Shot Link era which goes back to 2003. Probably longest ever.

6).Talking about amazing feats, Freddie Jac has a current "three putt avoidance" streak of 416 holes. That amounts to 23+ x 18-hole rounds for The Swedish Seve; which saves his Tour bacon as he ranks in the bottom 10% of most "ball-striking" stats.

7).Major League Baseball begins its 6-month season this weekend; the AVERAGE salary for Major Leaguers is $4.25M. And remember, unlike golfers who have to pay caddies, travel, hospitality etc, this is a net income figure.

8).Last week's Thursday morning / Friday afternoon "wave" had to contend with a 4-stroke handicap, less than a 30% chance of making the cut due to Thursday morning high winds. This week's weather will be similarly iffy, but more democratic perhaps, as 15 mph winds and the chance of showers seems to be the order of every day, not so much of what Bonnie Raitt might sing the "Luck of the Draw", more the "Natural Law".

9).Texans came first and second in San Antonio, but I'd be surprised if that repeated itself, though could quite easily see Patrick Reed have another strong week. And wouldn't be shocked to see Houston's adopted son, Angel Cabrera come to play.

10).As I write this, the Golf world breathlessly awaits news from Camp Woods as to whether his Tigership will grace The Masters with his presence. Confirmation is also still awaited from less exalted personalities, Messrs Bjorn, Clark, Stadler, Weir, perhaps Koepka. McDowell says he's fit, Stricker will definitely be there, as will Adam Scott's broomstick putter, but the appearance of none of these will cause as much of a pleasant flutter as a surprise appearance by Amanda Dufner.

They're going off both tees, in threesomes beginning at 10.10 a.m. Houston time, that's just after half-time in the 3 o'clock kick offs. Cooler than it has been, breezy cloudy rather than showery.


Cooler here too, bl00dy snowing.

On the move in Houston, cool, breezy, cloudy, chance of a p.m. shower.

Patrick Reed with a knee problem - assume he'll play but is that wise?

After Luke Guthrie hitting 30 greens in regulation on the trot, "greens" notes for two of Davie's porn team:

Johnson Wagner hit all 18 greens Friday.
"Just in, Rose" has hit 34 of 36 according to pgatour.com. Good to see him playing better.

Harrington playing great from tee to green this week and most importantly don't think he has missed anything inside 5 feet.

sirbenson wrote:Harrington playing great from tee to green this week and most importantly don't think he has missed anything inside 5 feet.

Well that was a jinx, triples his next hole!

Claude Harmon has a funny old accent. I read he has an English wif and it's caused it.

Jordan Spieth setting himself up to not quite do it again on sunday.

Reading some other blogs, most of the delusional Tiger sycophants dislike Jordan Spieth.  

Its almost like they view Spieth as a threat to their demigod.

Has their ever been a week where two Monday qualifiers were in the top ten after 54 since the qualifiers were downgraded to four-spot? Got to feel a bit sorry for Kelvin Day, birdie free on moving day and tied for 6th on his tour debut, and getting hopelessly overshadowed by Austin Cook. Hope he uses the lack of attention to his advantage though, good luck to them both tomorrow.

Don't ever remember that happening; but perhaps that lack of attention might help Day. A top ten would get him into New Orleans, but at the very least this experience should be valuable for his web.com season.
Cook certainly outplayed Phil . . . . .

Playing twosomes Sunday, Kelvin Day with Stefani, so he'll be the underdog again which probably suits him just fine. Balls in the air at 7.40 a.m. CDT. Warmer, chance of rain in the afters.

Woods only no. 3 on ESPN's top 20 athletes of the last 20 years??

That list is a joke, and ridiculously biased towards American athletes.

McLaren wrote:McIlroy went topless on the front of Golf digests master preview

Rory Topless:

And now he is the first golfer to make the front of mens health

Rory's mens health cover shot:

But Golf Digest just can't help themselves and have gone for the topless option for May's cover shot as well.

Lexi topless on May's golf digest:

Is that Lexi or Martin Kaymer?

Pathetic from Golf Digest.

But not from Jordan Spieth.
Anyone see him getting beaten today?
Difficult to see that putter permitting anything more than a Final Round 70, which reduces the number of guys who can challenge.

Play should start in an hour, warmer with rain in the area, chance of showers most of the day.

And good luck to Casey, and especially to Kelvin Day.

Hopefully someone like Piercy or Stefani wins both haven't qualified for the Masters and I think it's a nice story for someone to qualify with his last chance

Good to know the Old Padraig hasn't been replaced forever by the new and improved one!! - 9 to -3 in half an hour!!

Harrington playing with the finger-snapper today; think that would really p1ss me off if I was playing with him, one of the most annoying things in golf but the commentators seem to love it.

kwinigolfer wrote:Harrington playing with the finger-snapper today; think that would really p1ss me off if I was playing with him, one of the most annoying things in golf but the commentators seem to love it.

???

What on earth is the finger snapper!?

Chesson Hadley does a very weird pointing finger-snap every time he holes a decent-length putt or a chip.
Makes one wonder on what other occasions he does the same thing, but as a golfer I'd find it exasperating, probably invoke the golfing equivalent of road rage.

Oh I thought you meant Harrington was doing some weird experiment with his game, yes I have seen that infuriating celebration from Hadley haha!

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/martin-kaymer-inspired-and-motivated-drive-chip-and-putt/?cid=twitter-gc-v-kaymer-motivated-by-drive-chip-putt-040515

A nice interview with Kaymer where he talks about how much he enjoys coming early and watching the kids drive, chip and putt tournament.

All very cute, but he makes a similar claim to the one made recently by the undercover pro, about a significant number of the players doing it just for the money. Maybe I was naive but I thought more of them were in it for the love of the game and the desire to win.

In reality golf is a job, true enough a more enjoyable job than working in an administration area for LIBoR loans, but a job none the less. I'm not really sure why it would be a surprise that many are all about the money.

The travel, time away from families probably takes its toll and if your not a top player and have to play every opportunity to keep your card, I suspect golf can become real tiresome real quick.

Johnny Miller was waxing lyrical about Spieth being the best player in the world at the end of NBC's tether yesterday.
Except for last week of course, Johnny.
And the last couple of Majors.

Fact is though that Spieth is playing very well and putting out of his brain, the past two weeks especially.

There are scores out there today, with Dubuisson in with a 66 and JB birdieing every hole (5 so far) to kick off his round. And Justin Rose is motoring - is there a Charlie Adam in the field? Or a Defoe??
How will Spieth make out if he has to chase a clubhouse score?

kwinigolfer wrote:Johnny Miller was waxing lyrical about Spieth being the best player in the world at the end of NBC's tether yesterday.
Except for last week of course, Johnny.
And the last couple of Majors.

A little harsh I feel - almost thought I was replying to a McLaren WUM for a moment until I realized it was kwini instead

All depends how you define "at the moment" I suppose. Days, weeks or months. The last couple of majors were nine months or more ago so hardly count as current form.

Best player is the world right now is JB Holmes - just about dropped off the 59 watch, but that's being extreme. If you want to consider best player in the world - at the moment - which I'm sure is what Johnny Miller was talking about, then I think you can put forward a very strong case for young Master Spieth.

At the time of writing this he does need to get his head together a bit - won't be happy with being overtaken by Wagner's Johnson, or Austin Allegro and Chucky Three Sticks - but if Holmes comes in with a Sunday 61-62 I hardly think you can hold that against Jordan

Surely on recent form JB Holmes has as good if not a better claim to no. 1 than Speith? Except he isn't as young, of course, or as telegenic!

If I were a wagering man, I would take Spieth against any two or more players for a $100/stroke.  $1000 max loss on each player.

You can pick Rory, but you have to pick at least one other player.

SmithersJones wrote:Surely on recent form JB Holmes has as good if not a better claim to no. 1 than Speith? Except he isn't as young, of course, or as telegenic!

I guess you forgot that Holmes missed the cut in his last start.  Two weeks ago at Bay Hill.

So far Spieth has fluked one minor Tour event, shot a virtuoso final round to win the Aussie Open and got up and down from the ballwasher in Tampa.
Even if he wins today, and he very well might, he needs to do a bit more for best player status. Surely?

Stop calling me Shirley!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A5t5_O8hdA

It all depends on the Time Period.  for the last 6 months, yes I think Spieth is the best golfer.  And Gross points earned in the OWGR will be my exhibit A.

Well done JB.


All those who took Kuchar in the Grumpy Game will be pleased to see he's in with the worst round of the day.
And Rickie Fowler in for last place.
Not what they expected.
How about you??!!

I had both!

It'll earn you!

Disappointing run in for Kelvin Day, but didn't he do well? For 68 holes at any rate.

Another decent tournament for Casey, but still the feeling he's better than this. Big test for him next week; is he back, or is he just on the fringes??

Wonderful birdie for Davie's entry for the All Porn Team . . . . . .

I kinda like Johnson Wagner's swing and approach - we followed him a few years ago and he came across as the most entitled white frat boy you'll ever find. Think he actually appreciates wot he's got nowadays. Hope he comes second and keeps his card.

Whatever you think about Spieth surely that putt is worthy of greater respect for him?

3rd 3-man play-off for the World's Best Player, Jordan Spieth, first one he hasn't won.

Either winner now would be a great story.

Sensational from JB in the playoff!

So as I said....

Hibbz wrote:Just backed JB Holmes @ 66/1 for the Masters. Bit of an odd ball but figured he's a similar type to Watson and the odds will plummet if he wins in Houston even if history would be against him.

Got him for the same. Hope we weren't a week too early.

pd is reporting that JB will be up to #12 in the owgr's. Pretty good.

And a great story for Johnson Wagner also.

Quite incredible how well JB drove on the 18th considering he was last in fairways hit for the tournament!

Also goes to show the lack of rough and JB's distance advantage tbh!

sirbenson wrote:Quite incredible how well JB drove on the 18th considering he was last in fairways hit for the tournament!

Also goes to show the lack of rough and JB's distance advantage tbh!

Fairway percentage is probably the most overrated ranking from the PGATour.  Because it doesn't account for how badly a fairway is missed.

A tee shot in the first cut counts against a player as a tee shot that is 40 yds off line in a water hazard.

GPB wrote:

sirbenson wrote:Quite incredible how well JB drove on the 18th considering he was last in fairways hit for the tournament!

Also goes to show the lack of rough and JB's distance advantage tbh!

Fairway percentage is probably the most overrated ranking from the PGATour.  Because it doesn't account for how badly a fairway is missed.

A tee shot in the first cut counts against a player as a tee shot that is 40 yds off line in a water hazard.

So true, same with GIR as well, with players hitting fringes

Anyone watching the ladies in the ANA?
Really exciting stuff, 2nd playoff hole, but someone needs to tell them I need to go to bed!
Lincicome on the fairway off the tee and will go for the green in two, might be game over if she hits a good one

For those of you that think Shane Lowry, Kevin Stadler and co are a touch large, you should see the ladies ANA low amateur, Hayley Moore. Jesus!! Just 16 years old and could easily finish a whole Stacy Lewis in one sitting

MustPuttBetter wrote:For those of you that think Shane Lowry, Kevin Stadler and co are a touch large, you should see the ladies ANA low amateur, Hayley Moore. Jesus!! Just 16 years old and could easily finish a whole Stacy Lewis in one sitting

Laura Davies love child.

Well done to J.B., well-deserved win after playing so well the last couple of months. Spieth says he's becoming more and more comfortable with the pressure of being in contention, bodes well for the Masters this week.

She is frightening for a 16 year old. Absolute beast, terrible parenting.

I promise that you won't have dry eyes after watching this.

Magical Moments:

Just wonderful.

On a more serious note, the rather worrying tale of Kang getting harassed while in a restaurant during the ANA.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/kang-recounts-verbal-assault-men-restaurant/?cid=twitter-gc-a-kang-assault-040515

pgatour.com's fantasy game allows the player to choose four-man teams weekly. And they show who's been picked.
For The Masters, three golfers have been chosen in at least 50% of teams selected so far:
62% Bubba
57% Spieth
55% Rors
28% Dustin
27% Day
21% Walker
17% Stenson
16% Phil
13% Fowler
12% Reed

Always interesting to see disparity between "gamers'" opinions and bookie prices.

kwinigolfer wrote:pgatour.com's fantasy game allows the player to choose four-man teams weekly. And they show who's been picked.
For The Masters, three golfers have been chosen in at least 50% of teams selected so far:
62% Bubba
57% Spieth
55% Rors
28% Dustin
27% Day
21% Walker
17% Stenson
16% Phil
13% Fowler
12% Reed

Always interesting to see disparity between "gamers'" opinions and bookie prices.

Not sure if this is a valid conclusion.  For one thing, there is a 10 pick limit per player so that can influence peoples decision.  They could have already burned 9 picks on Spieth.  Probably some kids have registered which explains Fowler appearing on the list.

Given no constraints, my picks would be Rory-Bubba-Speith-Walker.