PGA Tour: It's the Play-Offs!: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).All that claptrap on here last week about the Wyndham Championship being the "Final Examination" and a grandfather parks his zimmer frame and only wins the tournament! Now he's planning to be a Captain's Pick for the 2016 Ryder Cup Team. Well done Davis; you probably should have won more in your prime than you did but this was a super win at the confluence of horses for courses and local knowledge. And a win for the fourth decade running, and probably clinched you induction into the World Golf HOF.

2).And what about this in a press conference:
"That's for you guys to decide. You're the ones that have been saying I need to save the sport so you have to write about that. For me, I came here to add to my legendary status, to win, and that's the focus."?

3).No, not Tiger Woods (Usain Bolt since you ask) though you felt it might have been with the media and tournament officials alike who were waxing orgasmic about all things Eldrick until a beyond-clumsy (pull, pull, blade/shank, stub, fluff, two-putt) triple bogey on #11 finally did him in. Even then he rebounded with four birds in his final six holes. He complained afterwards about a sore hip, but no sign it unduly bothered his play.
So, what went wrong on #11? Was that self-inflicted wound an inevitable breakdown of his still fragile psyche? I would certainly think so, but there was much to admire about most of his play over 71 holes.  
It was great to see him playing one of the Tour's premier "community" events, and overall his week was a great success for all. Including CBS TV who enjoyed their best "regular tournament" golf ratings since the summer of 2012, even better than during the Woods POTY cruise thru' 2013.

4).As a result of their finishes at the Wyndham, several well-known names will only be able to earn a 2015/16 Tour card via the web.com Tour Finals in September:
Scott Langley, Baddeley, Brian Davis, Gonzo, Billy Hurley, Michael Thompson, Lucas Glover, Luke Guthrie, Jhonny Vegas, Byrd, Barnes, Van Pelt, Romero, Kyle Stanley, etc.
And Martin Kaymer has officially forfeited his card, as, presumably, has Victor Dubuisson. Hopefully Europe's gain.

5).The FedEx Play-Offs start this week, in New Jersey, at Plainfield CC with The Barclays. This is "old hat" for 22 golfers who have qualified for the Play-Offs for each of their 8 years and are at it again:
Messrs Donald, Furyk, Garcia, Haas, Hoffman, HowellIII, ZJohnson, Kelly, Kuchar, Mahan (the only man to have played every Play-Off tournament), Mickelson, Moore, Overton, Perez, Poulter, Rose, Sabbatini, Scott, Senden, Snedeker, Watney, Watson. (Some surprises there?)

6).But eight "old hats" missed out for the first time:
Baddeley, Choi, Davis, Els, Jacobson, Ogilvy, Stricker, Van Pelt.

7).The Barclays was held at Plainfield once before, in 2011, when the tournament was restricted to 54 holes due to Hurricane Irene which went on to devastate parts of New York State and Northern New England. For what it's worth, the following players in this year's field all scored top 20 finishers:
1st: Dustin Johnson
2nd: Kuchar
3rd: Vijay Singh, Snedeker
6th: Rose, Villegas
10th: Hoffman, Simpson, Watney
13th: Harrington, Day, Piercy, Woodland
18th: Donald, Poulter, Howell, Sabbatini, Walker.

8).For the second week running, Sedgefield last week, Plainfield this, the host course is a Donald Ross design. The course will play as a Par-70, 34 on the front, 36 on the back. Note 7). shows the course specialists, such as they are - the long and the short and the tall - and racking my memory for local lads, Morgan Hoffmann is the only one that comes to mind. Not much help. Sorry!

9).Nick Price and Greg Norman have finally secured a little flexibility in the structure of the Presidents Cup. The changes are too arcane to summarise easily so take a butcher's at this lot if you're interested:
http://www.presidentscup.com/news/2015/08/24/format-changes.html

10).It's a small world after all:
The PGA Tour announced future venues today for The Barclays and there's a fresh face amongst the regulars of Bethpage Black (2016, 2021), Ridgewood (2018), Liberty National (2019, 2022) and Plainfield (2015, 2020).
In 2017 they're taking it to Glen Oaks Club, Old Westbury, NY. The present course is a 1971 Joe Finger design, with a highly regarded renovation in 2011 by Joel Weiman and Course Superintendent Craig Currier.
Now, stick with me here. Craig Currier was the Superintendent at Bethpage when it staged the US Open. And he comes from a crossroads in Central New York State lyrically called Currier Corners and in the rural hamlet that also includes Cedar Lake Club, the home course of Derek Bard who lost the US Amateur Final this past Sunday. Not many people know that!!
PS: Wish Currier would take his redesign skills back to Cedar Lake.

For those of you scoring at home, here is the pgatour.com's idiot's guide to progress in the FedEx Play-Offs.

http://www.pgatour.com/fedexcup/2015/08/25/scenarios-the-barclays.html

(I say idiot's, not you, them, because they include golfers whose absence this week will marginally change the arithmetic.)

Cheers kwin,
Re 9). It appears to be an advantage for the shallow team as it allows them to sit weaker players.

pedro,
It is widely whispered here that that's the main reason for European success over the years. I don't buy it when you see the crucial successes of Eamonn Darcy vs Crenshaw, O'Connor vs Couples, David Gilford vs Faxon, Walton vs Haas, Price vs Mickelson and a dozen other such giant-killings.

I am pretty sure I saw a tweet that said the Wyndham sunday TV rating beat the Saturday ratings for this years PGA. The boosted ratings that Tiger brings to an event does link to something we discussed on the other thread about the PGAT competing against the European tour. Are the PGAT really competing against the European tour or are their main rivals the other sports on US TV? It seems Tiger can still boost the ratings in a way even Spieth and Rory can't. I don't know how sports TV deals work in the USA but surely higher ratings equal higher rights deals?

Only to a certain extent Mac; sponsors are also after specific demographics.
But the point about Woods is clearly true.

People love a car crash

super_realist wrote:People Super loves a car crash

There.

Not like last week though; imagine even McLaren would prefer to keep death off the tracks.

Not sure why me in particular would/wouldn't like to see a crash. But yes, pretty unfortunate situation, although better to go quickly unlike Schumi and Bianchi.

Off to Days 1 and 2 of the Barclays . . . . . .

Have a great time Kwini. What groups will you be seeking out?

kwinigolfer wrote:Off to Days 1 and 2 of the Barclays . . . . . .

Really? Jealous! Enjoy

Press ups at 18 kwini?

If we're doing this, then I'm going Saturday & Sunday....

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:If we're doing this, then I'm going Saturday & Sunday....

Trying to avoid kwini?

pedro wrote:

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:If we're doing this, then I'm going Saturday & Sunday....

Trying to avoid kwini?

Kwini is a lot more curmudgeonly than he used to be, but I am sure a fine time would be had by all spending a day in his company. :hug:

No, I was hoping to catch up with Kwini but I gave my Friday tickets away to the son of one of my mates at the club. I had spare ones for the weekend but he couldn't go at the weekend.

Is Jason day a hypochondriac, a woose, or what? If it's not the vertigo or a hand problem he is whining about having to lift something out his trunk?

Get a grip Jason.

His trunk?

A woose?

inco, wuss/woose. Not sure of the correct spelling.

Mid Atlantic Mac.

super_realist wrote:Mid Atlantic Mac.

ehh?

Trunk is not a term we use here, sounds like you lifted it straight off Wie Under Par or something like that.

Quit busting his chops super

Sadly Wei (not Wie) is currently banned from attending PGA tour events.

Isn't she just banned from reporting on them as a journalist? Surely she isn't banned from attending?

Not sure, she lost her PGAT credentials but not sure if that means she can't actually attend the events?

incontinentia wrote:Quit busting his chops super

Yeah Super, quit bustin his balls! with you its all yada yada yada. Sheesh, sometimes you guys!

kwinigolfer wrote:Off to Days 1 and 2 of the Barclays . . . . . .

Have a great one Kwini! Hope you get the weather and get to see some quality golf!

Be_the_ball wrote:

incontinentia wrote:Quit busting his chops super

Yeah Super, quit bustin his balls! with you its all yada yada yada. Sheesh, sometimes you guys!

Get yer coat Mac .. you've pulled

McLaren wrote:Is Jason day a hypochondriac, a woose, or what?  If it's not the vertigo or a hand problem he is whining about having to lift something out his trunk?

Get a grip Jason.

Sheesh. We all know it all derives from man-handling his pregnant wife with the Wannamaker Trophy in the other hand...

Was anyone else surprised by just how far up the fedex rankings Casey was? He was 19th going into this week and if he continues his day one form will move ever further up. He doesn't have European tour membership and I hope it stays that way as even the very best double dippers are starting to fail.

Can't believe Spieth has shot his worst score for 3 months, the wheels have obviously come off! I mean a 74, wonder how he slept?

Looks like he's done for. It's pretty obvious that those anointing him as the next Walter Hagen were fabulously premature.

The thing is if Spieth never broke 75 again in his life he has already had a better career than Sergio, Westwood, Donald, Casey, Stenson, Donaldson, Poulter, V-dub, Bjorn etc..... combined.

incontinentia wrote:Looks like he's done for. It's pretty obvious that those anointing him as the next Walter Hagen were fabulously premature.

I see him down there with Woody from Cheers now, I mean Nick Watney. Its a pity really he had a nice way about him, reminded me of a young Cliff Richard. I suppose as Cliff himself would say, two swallows don't make a summer...

Kwin - Great write up and I'm guessing we are the only two people who post here who have ever played Cedar Lake! I am also fortunate enough to play Plainfield on occasion and the course looks great and seems to be playing well. That's what happens when you get an architect who cut his teeth at Royal Dornoch.

C'mon O'Hair.

Shotrock

Did you see the golf channel piece about the Plainfield pro who sadly died aged 27?

Mac - I did not ... but I will check it out. How sad.

Did Kwini say who he planned to follow?

Was that a rules infringement there from Spieth? I hope not, with all previous joking aside he's been the best on the planet this season and the tournament would be poorer without him.

Not much Euro success so far at the Barclays. Is Harrington saying bye to the FEC? He'll MC and his projected standing is 100th...

Pedro

Apparently I was right to be surprised by Casey's high fedex position. A complete mess in round 2.

McLaren wrote:Shotrock

Did you see the golf channel piece about the Plainfield pro who sadly died aged 27?

Mac, Kwini shared this story from Tim Rosaforte with me. http://www.golfworlddigital.com/gw/january_12__2015?sub_id=m6YFz2X7vbcH#pg23

Sergio apparently did not enter the Deutschebank Tournament next week.

He still will be exempt into BMW, but anyone know whats up with Sergio

Hi Chaps, Chappesses,

Two lovely days of play at Plainfield, perfect weather, just enough breeze to make it interesting, and I'll tell you who we followed:
1).Watney (great guy to follow but was very unlucky with just-off-the-fairway lies and couldn't buy a putt), Todd (incidental but a young lady - sister-in-law? - polished off four Heinies before noon and was getting entertainingly silly) and Perez (golfing savant, will follow him again if I get the chance).

2).Zach (great golf, couldn't buy a putt), Snedeker & Koepka - really wanted to watch him play, but a poor performance from him.

3).Knox/Merritt/Horschel - Nothing happening except Horschel mixing it up with Tour Officials about pin-placements. Kinda agree with him. So we switched after nine holes to:
Casey, Kisner, Furyk - Casey just about rescued a self-destructive round of golf, but Furyk the ultimate professional. Never really followed him before but couldn't help but be impressed. Good threesome to follow, Casey yakking everyone's ear off, as usual. Like watching Kisner a lot.

4).Tried to follow Dustin, Reed and Lee but too crowded, so dropped back to watch Dufner, Wagner & Nick Taylor. The Duf was right in the two-round shake-up, but he's fun to follow. Only guy who I saw give balls etc to fans and he does that in the most discreet way, the child doesn't even know they have a little bonus. Shot of the day from Johnson Wagner, a hybrid from rough, behind trees, had to be low and drawing about 25 yds, blind shot, 200 yds which finished 25 ft from the pin. Ho-hum, just another par for the pros.
(While we were waiting for the Dufner group we saw John Huh snap a wedge and toss his putter dangerously close to spectators; literally a toss-pot.)

330 mile haul home - safely for once.

Disappointed the Saturday set-up seemed a bit contrived, and the commentators didn't seem to know the course very well. Not the greatest course for spectators - much better than Chambers Bay and Whistling Straits looked, but pretty congested, very undulating. Three of the best trio of holes, Par-5, Par-4, Par-3 you're ever likely to see, #'s 12 and 13 plus 14, but the shorter Par-4 holes are disappointing and there are two front-nine Par-4's that were designed as Par-5's. Not good when you have blind second shots to smallish greens from 200+yards. Elevation changes and slopey greens the main defence.

Clearly set up for bombers so hope Zach Johnson wins Sunday if the Europeans fall short.

I hope Grumpy has his sun-screen with him - a beautiful day in store at Plainfield, sunny, mid/high 80's and, hopefully, just enough breeze to make the players, or caddies anyway, think.

I think we can say goodbye from the FedEx Play-Offs to some players who missed the cut: Compton, Blixt, Clark, Collins, Stroud, Gonzales, Wheatcroft, Curran, DeLaet, Schwartzel, Scott, Huh, Hadwin, Peterson, plus Goosen and Molinari.

And miracle rounds today are required from some others, including Westwood, Vijay and Overton. Lots of possible permutations among several others with Harrington and Owen sitting on the sidelines keeping fingers crossed that a DeutscheBank tee-time will fall into their laps.

Elsewhere, golfchannel.com is reporting that John Daly collapsed on the course during an event in Mississippi and has been hospitalized. Said to be OK (relatively speaking) and probably just dehydrated. There's always something . . . . . . .

Birdies and eagles a-plenty at The Barclays on Saturday, but not so much today.
Ninety minutes of play so far and no-one under par in Round 4, imagine the fairways are getting pretty much baked out, narrowing the landing areas and kicking drives into the rough. And you can't play Plainfield from the rough.
Biggest certainty in the early running is that Lee Westwood will be taking his leave of the FedEx Play-Offs; hopefully the E.T. will be signing him up for some European Tour events.