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

First topic message reminder :

(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!

Bloody Spieth.  When will he miss a putt?

Kwini

I really hope Willet can post a score that will give Spieth something to think about.

beninho wrote:

super_realist wrote:By the way, Aphibarnrat is a disgrace, makes Shane Lowry look like Karen Carpenter.

were you fiddled with by a fat irish priest when you were a lad?

Why is he a disgrace and why do you actually give a shiit about his size?

Because he's a professional sportsman for goodness sake, yet he looks like he could drop dead any minute. Even darts players are in better condition than that.
In the days when all the top players are in at least pretty reasonable shape, someone as gargantuan as that, can never hope to reach the very top.

super_realist wrote:By the way, Aphibarnrat is a disgrace, makes Shane Lowry look like Karen Carpenter.

Don't let it bother you. I'm sure he can afford any health-related costs.

Come on Dustin Hoffman!

navyblueshorts wrote:Spieth is a bit unreal. Struggling with his game hugely and he's still going to win this at a canter by the look of it. Teasing he rest. Stupidly solid birdie at 6 after that dropped shot....

I made a similar point yesterday about how poorly Spieth was hitting the ball and got criticized, but again today he is hitting it very badly and still easily keeping the field at bay.

Hmm. Westwood anyone? Now -1. Can't see Spieth giving it up though...especially after that approach to 7!

McLaren wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:Spieth is a bit unreal. Struggling with his game hugely and he's still going to win this at a canter by the look of it. Teasing he rest. Stupidly solid birdie at 6 after that dropped shot....

I made a similar point yesterday about how poorly Spieth was hitting the ball and got criticized, but again today he is hitting it very badly and still easily keeping the field at bay.

Seriously? He's plainly not got the ball on a string a la last year, particularly with his long game.

That fitzpatrick looks like his putting ain't half bad. Jordan with another likely birdie on 8.

Ben

I think he lead GIR but was bottom of putting stats before today.

Without Cabreras 9 he'd be in the mix

pedro

He also had a 7 on 15.

pedro wrote:Without Cabreras 9 he'd be in the mix

the 7 on Friday didn't help either! Though with 5 yesterday he's due a 3 today.

Fitzpatrick's stats today will be interesting; in with a 67, missed a tiddler early and one or two others that were pretty good chances. If it wasn't for Spieth everyone would be talking about this "young man".

Wish I'd just taken all English guys for Grumpy's game and Sporty's.

Game over...

All over??

Best hole on one ever!

Spieths putting is insane.
Still he annoys me big time. No intensity like Phil or Tiger, just bland paté.

Well isn't it fun watching Spieth knock in another putt..... NOT.

I'm even annoyed spieth just keeps hitting 3 wood. I know it's the safe play and all he needs to do but big hitting is fun to watch!

navyblueshorts wrote:Game over...

Pretty much unless Willett fancies playing 13 to 18 in about -4.

Outrageous ace from Louis!

Disagree re. Spieth. Rather him any day than a stupid, pumped up Woods or wide-eyed FIGJAM. What's not to like? Still, if we all like the same players, it'd be pretty dull.

McLaren wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:Game over...

Pretty much unless Willett fancies playing 13 to 18 in about -4.

Needs a Schwartzel-like run. Can be done...

beninho wrote:Best hole on one ever!

Petanque

navyblueshorts wrote:

McLaren wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:Game over...

Pretty much unless Willett fancies playing 13 to 18 in about -4.

Needs a Schwartzel-like run. Can be done...

And Spieth plays the last two in +3 again

Casey struck it beautifully today.

How many times can Spieth go miles right and get away with it? Looks like he got really lucky again on 11.

How exactly was he lucky?

Nice shot by Willett. This may not be over just yet.

He had an easy chip back into play. He has hit drives that could easily have resulted in certain d.bogeys with just a slight different bounce off a tree.

Chipping out sideways isn't lucky there. The trees are open. Same as the 18th yesterday, wasn't lucky, just hit a good recovery.

I agree. I find Spieth very lucky this week.

Well, if McIlroy thinks his new putting grip is an improvement on the old one, he must have been a seriously poor putter beforehand!

pedro wrote:I agree. I find Spieth very lucky this week.

Huh? There's nothing lucky about his putting and mid- to short-approach play.

There's no rough at ANGC. I'd say you'd be unlucky to have anything worse than a nice pitch back to a fairway from the trees. Anything worse is probably due to brainfart shot selection and compounding one bad shot with another.

The more he practices the luckier he gets.

Hmmm. Not all over yet. Just goes to show.

Come on Danny!

Navy

I am not doubting Spieths great putting or recovery play but he has hit it way right enough times to expect at least one occasion where he was in just a horrible position in the garbage.

Happy now Mclaren?

Ok, even he can't get up an down from the drink.

SPLASH!!

Wouldn't be surprised if he did!

Well, it's a lot more open now!

:erm:

I can't believe that.

Frak me, who saw that coming?

SPLISH SPLASH!!

I can do that second one...

He played a shot like me!

SmithersJones wrote:Frak me, who saw that coming?

A fish?

Shades of Rory in 2011, 10 wasn't as bad but 12 every bit as awful.