PGA Tour: The Masters - Never Mind The Width, Feel The Quality: Notes from the Ballwasher

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(One of our regular golf posters frequently writes amazing articles on the major events going on in the golfing world. v2 poster McLaren has suggested that as The Masters is underway, that you might all want to share in the debate - Enjoy!
Adam D)

Kwinigolfer wrote:

1).When has there ever been a Masters when so many top golfers came to Augusta at the peak of their form, or very close to it? The field of 89 may be the smallest for 14 years, and at least 20 amateurs or ceremonial entrants are irrelevant, but cases could easily be made for dozens of others, strong cases for at least a dozen.

2).I watched an old BBC documentary last night about the music and life of the great Ronnie Lane, and Kenney Jones came up with an especially bon mot that surely also seems to apply to writers talking about The Masters. Talking about speaking by phone to a dying Ronnie in Colorado, Kenney said words to the effect of:
"Ronnie, I know you can't talk to me so I'm going to ask questions that I think you'd ask me, and then I'll answer them." Brilliant. Apparently Ronnie was lying there in hysterics!
But isn't that just like writers, and especially "tourists" from other sports, regurgitating the same old stories about the same old stars? The same old Rory this, Jordan that, Jason the other, rhetorical crap??

3).First, the field. Should it be even smaller, eliminating the seniors and amateurs? Not in my book, with some caveats. Some of the amateur qualifications might seem a tad/lot contrived, but I like the Past Champion exemption, so long as there's some performance criteria attached - even if it's five strikes (missed cuts in a row) and you're out. Celebrating Past Champions is part of the appeal to the "patrons"; this year's Rounds 1 & 2 will be a lovefest for Tom Watson. Perhaps O'Meara and Mize, Lyle and Woosie will stay at home soon but you can see the likes of Couples, Langer and Vijay playing until they get kicked out.
Next year the 2016 Olympic winner will also be exempt, as he will be for all four Majors.

4).Who would you include in the Field to make it more competitive? I would say Pieters has a strong case, but he's about the only one. Aussie Open Champ Matt Jones should be there, and he would have been if he hadn't pretty much tanked the past few months, so no sympathy there. Any others?

5).Unluckiest guy not to be competing is surely David Clark. Carried Adam Scott's bag to his most successful run for two or three years but shoved aside for Steve Williams in the Majors.

6).Who do you fancy? I'll look beyond the Top Three. Just something about Jason Day but wouldn't be shocked if he ran away like Spieth did last year.
Spieth doesn't seem quite at ease with his game and would be surprised if he wins here again, this year anyway.
And Rory (hole in one on #16 yesterday!) seems a bit Sergio-like right now; just when he looks like he's moving into top gear, he hits a mental speed bump of sorts, plus his putting has been unconvincing, to say the least. His stroke looks OK so does he just have trouble reading greens, even with that laser surgery?

7).Continental Europe hasn't seen a Masters winner for almost twenty years and I can't see that changing, much as I'd like to see Stenson win the Major he perhaps deserves. The head-cover is coming off Henrik's driver this week so that's a welcome(?) tactical switch.
And GB&I are lacking convincing form, tho' Casey and Rose seem to reserve some of their best weeks for Augusta.
The Asian contingent could surprise but question marks against their best players persist: Matsuyma's putting, Ben An's neck (he reckons he hasn't hit full shots since w/d'ing from his WGC Match vs Cabrera Bello).

8).Branden Grace had a fabulous season last year, but he's missed his past two Masters cuts and doesn't seem to be in top form just yet. But Oosthuizen and Schwartzel have been flying and both seem great each way bets.
Interesting that Phil Mickelson has overtaken Woods as leading Masters money winner; can Phil's chances ever be dismissed here? In decent form all year and certainly in my top five, along with Bubba. Rickie Fowler is a popular choice in the US media but I'll look past him and prefer Dustin Johnson and Snedeker as well as Bubba among the Americans. (No American under the age of 35 has won a PGA Tournament since Spieth three months ago in Hawaii, other than Finau in the opposite field event anyhow.)

9).Which leaves Adam Scott; one month ago no-one was playing better than Scott & Watson, and even with Excitable Boy bagman Williams keeping him company rather than the calming influence of Clark, I like Adam Scott a lot. Top Five then for moi with PP odds (e.w. paying top 7!):
Scott (11/1), Watson (11/1), Mickelson (18/1), Oosthuizen (33/1), Schwartzel (35/1). Rose top Brit, Kisner top rookie and Snedeker best outsider (55/1). Regional loyalties compel the choice of Derek Bard as leading amateur.    

10).The Masters throws up some surprising groupings and it's a shame that they haven't taken advantage of the smaller field to send them out in pairs for Rounds 1 & 2.
Who do you think they'll send out with Tom Watson? Snedeker perhaps, and a youngster would be my guess.
One of the most anticipated groupings of recent years was: Who will be playing with Woods following his Mississippi rehab in 2010? Do you remember who they chose??
For the next five days I'll accept The Masters for what it is and enjoy the action; chance of rain on Thursday and cool and breezy every day thru Saturday. Perfect forecast for Sunday and I can't wait. Enjoy!

Top 50 and those within ten shots.

We'll lose some big names soon! Charl starts the procession outathere. Shocked about that.

Jason Day has shot 77 over his last 18 holes.

Shoreditch Shane struggling out there.

Will this into another borefest?

Everything's relative super.

Nothing better than a 71 so far, and Spieth & Singh, both early in their rounds, are the only rounds in progress at -2.

Spieth dedicating 5th hole to Ernie?

Spieth really needed that six just so it was worth anyone's time watching the rest of this seasons masters.

Keeping the sponsors happy or is he just d1cking with the rest of the field?

I wonder if Jeff Knox will show them how it's done? Is he the man this year?

Without hitting that fan would Spieth's tee shot on 6 have ended up on the 7th fairway? Pretty lucky break.

It's carnage out there.



If Els could have one-putted the first hole both days, he'd be in the Top Twenty.

Confirmation from Ian Woosnam that he's "retiring" from The Masters following this week's ignominy - 82, 81.
"I'm not fit enough to play with my bad back."

Grace departs, Russell Knox joins him and Bubba probably will too. Two holes left for McDowell to give himself the chance to save himself, Poulter hangs on with his 78.

Who'da thunk the low score from Grace, Poulter, and Watson (B) would have been a 75 and that Tom is the most likely Watson with a chance to make the cut?

At least I have Under Armour shares.

How's Gordon hit a 360 yard plus drive. That's further than anyone! And surely 60 yards further than usual. How much wind is there?

No weekend at Bernie's this year; he's now got other plans.  

Amateur Romain Langasque in at +3, he's got a good chance of being around for the weekend. If not he gets a nice set of crystal glasses to take home after an eagle on the fifteenth.

Could someone like Kjeldsen pull this off? A steady eddie that could capitalise from any prospective Fat Faced Science Deniers downfall.

It would be great to see those imbecilic American commentators continue to struggle with his name and keep on mispronouncing it.

Looking more like the US Open every minute. Need another couple of bogeys from Spieth and things get interesting.

Kjeldsen just sounds like he comes from minessota they will be fine!

I really don't get this whole "science denier" nickname that super is using. OK so Spieth has admitted he's a Christian and is one of the attendees on the tour bible meetings. But personally I've never heard him talk about his faith the way ZJ, Blubba, Fowler and I'm sure many others have done.

Perhaps I missed a presser where Spieth condemned all us non-believers to an eternity of fire and brimstone but as far as I'm aware he keeps his opinions to himself - which is fine by me

Baldy and fat-face are traditional super insults/nicknames and to be honest show a little lack of imagination, but the whole science denier thing is way overblown.

Cut just about to go to +5; reckon the +6's might have a chance, don't you Bubba?

Davie

I think there was a press conference where Spieth mentioned he wasn't sure if something like global warming or evolution was true.  I am sure Super can fill in the details.



Are you people enjoying watching the players struggle a bit or would you prefer to see a few more birdies?

He was asked a tricked up question by a kid in Australia whether he believed in god or science. Supposedly he laughed it off saying god. This has been twisted into him being a crazy bible thumping loonies. Which he may be it he does keep it to himself. I don't dislike him.

Didn't someone top rory to be nearerthe cut line tthan the leader? He could be the leader!

Rory. :picard:

Just par the bloody last and let Spieth cope with the pressure and increasingly difficult conditions.

Use the 3 wood if you have to.

Kwini

lets wait and see if he can limit the damage on 18 to a bogey.

Really don't like the 11th hole.

Spieth on the clock again.

Got to applaud the Masters officials, for telling them to hurry up. Wish they would do it every week.

He saved par. You could be right kwini.

Is the wind expected to get worse or ease off a bit?

3 1/2+ hours for 12 holes and he's still complaining he's being rushed. "Why always me?" asks Jordan.

Bit of a circus on the greens. Wish they could grow some rough in stead.

Spieth behaving like spoiled prick out there. WTF is he doing swinging like an idiot when Casey is trying to take a shot?

McLaren wrote:Spieth behaving like spoiled Tinkywinky out there. WTF is he doing swinging like an idiot when Casey is trying to take a shot?

The Sky commentators seem to think it's his score that's Wee weeing him off, seems to me it's the fact that the Augusta committee aren't as happy to let him crawl around as the PGA Tour obviously are.

Jordan Speedh?

pedro wrote:Bit of a circus on the greens. Wish they could grow some rough in stead.

Don't think it is a question of ability.  If they wanted to grow rough, they would.

McLaren wrote:Spieth behaving like spoiled Tinkywinky out there. WTF is he doing swinging like an idiot when Casey is trying to take a shot?

Well he could be jingling the change in his pocket like Seve used to do in the Ryder Cup.

Or taking a club out the bag like Tiger did against sergio.

GPB wrote:

pedro wrote:Bit of a circus on the greens. Wish they could grow some rough in stead.

Don't think it is a question of ability.  If they wanted to grow rough, they would.

That's what I meant. It's no fun to watch pros make fools of themselves on the greens.

GPB wrote:

McLaren wrote:Spieth behaving like spoiled Tinkywinky out there. WTF is he doing swinging like an idiot when Casey is trying to take a shot?

Well he could be jingling the change in his pocket like Seve used to do in the Ryder Cup.

WTF has that got to do with anything? Try treating him as an individual rather than one of your 300million+ countrymen.

Just noticed that gmac shot 81 today. What a shocker.


smithers

manners my friend. Don't be a douche.

meh

Just shout 'mashed potato'

SmithersJones wrote:

WTF has that got to do with anything? Try treating him as an individual rather than one of your 300million+ countrymen.

Huh?

Did Fowler just look like a fool with those zumba pants!!

DeChambeau might be struggling to make the cut before this is over. Are we seeing the first signs that his odd ball swing can't stand up under pressure?

Looks to be okay now Mac. Spieth just holed that against the wishes of all those at +7.

5 hrs 27 minutes for Casey, DeeShambo & Spieth.

Phil having a meltdown.

Rory carrying the European flag. Think we've heard that before.

Doesn't look like anyone will better a 71? Wonder if there has been another Masters day where no one broke 70?

Shame for De Chambeau that, lovely round of golf up to 16, where he three-putted for a bogey (as, remarkably, did his two playing partners), before that horror show at 18.

Spieth with a scrappy round. Blows things right open. McIlroy with a fine finish, still making errors but so is everyone else, and he's doing enough good work to offset that. Tasty duo with Spieth tomorrow...

Mickleson in danger of missing the week-end with a some ropey putting today almost certain of missing the week-end after finding the drink for two successive holes.

Think phil's just phucked my picks

Think I'll watch again tomorrow..