PGA Tour: Hartford's Travelers: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).The PGA Of America have the excellence of Jimmy Walker's and Jason Day's golf, and the Baltusrol grounds crew, to thank for an absorbing conclusion to last week's PGA Championship. The Logistics staff of the PGA chose a lousy time to take the week off and reaction to weather delays, course flooding and condition sometimes seemed hapless, but no-one could argue with the final result as a worthy Champion was crowned.

2).Henrik Stenson was the only European to get into Sunday's argument, but he seemed to run out of inspiration, finally falling asleep in the 15th fairway and taking five to get down from 145 yards. Otherwise, nice tournaments from Kaymer and Harrington, Hatton and Casey, and good to see Gregory Bourdy continue a very good season with his second 18th place finish in the last two US Majors.

3).Some good stories behind last week's headlines:
Most especially the odyssey of Jimmy Walker's caddie, Andy Sanders, one-time hot-shot collegiate golfer (and rival of Jimmy Walker) and up and coming pro who was diagnosed with MS early in his Nationwide (as the web.com circuit was known then) career. Efforts to continue his pro golf career were unsuccessful so he got into caddying, finally helping Walker out with his putting, and taking his bag full-time eight years ago. He still undergoes monthly treatments, but otherwise continues his new career. With obvious success in a way they possibly wouldn't have imagined when they played a US Amateur practice round together in 2000. At Baltusrol.

4).What about Padraig Harrington??!! A terrific result to finish 13th, only his second Top 15 finish since his improbable win last year at the "Honda", and his best Major result since finishing 4th behind Webb Simpson in the 2012 US Open. Padraig's playing this week's "Travelers Championship" at Hartford, a course where he's always popular and often played well.
He'll need a top finish, probably about a Top 6, this week to qualify for the FedEx Play-Offs, because he's off to Rio and fully intends to embrace the Olympic experience and opportunity. So he won't be at next week's John Deere event or Greensboro the week after.
Wouldn't you think he's a realistic dark horse for a Rio medal? Apart from anything else, he's one of very few players in the field with a win in Brazil, albeit in Sao Paolo, and a runner-up in Rio, both in 2000.  


5).Padraig's fellow PGA Champ, Rich Beem, also made quite a splash. With PXG clubs he would have had to pay for himself, but his credit card was maxed out. After his opening 69 he asked PXG if that was good enough to get the sticks for free, and apparently it was as Beemer went on to make his first PGA Tour cut since the 2012 PGA Championship. No word yet as to whether that will be good enough for him to ditch the microphone and go back to competition, but I think we know the answer.

6).TNT TV's coverage of the first two days was nigh on unwatchable but perhaps Beem might have a new competitor plying his trade as an on-course commentator. Mike Weir did the duties for TNT and was really quite good. Like Beem he's pretty much exhausted his Tours' (European & PGA) status so perhaps he'll find a home along the fairways (which he's been having trouble finding for a few years now). They're both the same age (46) so have four good years ahead of them before they take up Champions Tour residence.

7).The Travelers Championship is played at TPC River Highlands, a relatively short course outside Hartford, Connecticut, just a couple of hours to the East of Baltusrol. The course has been remodelled several times and has had a facelift since we were there last year. A few dozen bunkers were removed, and most of those remaining have been redefined, in some cases moved to bring the course up to date. Bubba Watson has won here twice and is one of a surprisingly high number of participants to be competing in advance of their Olympic action. Fellow USA Team members Kuchar and Reed are also playing, plus Harrington, Kjeldsen & Cejka.

8).There was nervousness that a revised date, about seven weeks later than its usual post US Open slot, would water down the quality of the field, but not so. With a current estimate of 50 owgr points to the winner, this year's event would have a marginally stronger field than the best of the past ten years.

9).There can't be many PGA Tournaments that are better managed than The Travelers, with a world-class practice range and everything the fan could reasonably want on-site; plus ample accommodation and Interstate highways within a couple of miles. European Tournament Directors take note. Hopefully the weather gods will strike a happy medium between the burned out vision of Glen Abbey two weeks ago and last week's saturated course.
Fine weather is expected and the tweaks to the course may be just enough to give second thoughts to the course specialists like Bubba who probably think they can sleepwalk round and still shoot 66. Ryan Moore has sleepwalked through the summer, but I'm hoping he'll wake up in time to reward an e.w. investment. Who knows with him?

10).A glance at last year's leaderboard illustrates the fickle nature of the game.
Among those following Bubba home were DeLaet (4th then, but recently took time away from the game to deal with chipping yips) and Carl Pettersson (5th, but has struggled this year and isn't even making the trip). Zach Johnson was 6th and a month later earned a Claret Jug, but Van Pelt was in 7th place and he hasn't been seen for six months.
Freddie Jac (2011) is the only European winner in the tournament's 65-year history, but Sergio & Casey have runnered up the past two years and there's a strong contingent here this time. As well as Harrington, Knox and Laird who have all played well here, we have Casey & Donald (7th last year), Hatton, Rahm, Molinari, Kjeldsen, Lowry and others.  
But this is a wonderfully user-friendly tournament, the biggest show around for the community, and I'm looking forward to telling you later this week that we saw a great 72 holes of golf.

pedro wrote:

MustPuttBetter wrote:
I used to do Ant Wall's tax return so would love to see him there - but no chance

Why? Is he going to jail over it?

Huh??

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Super

Your pick based on matchplay prowess theory is clearly a little flawed. Maverick has by far the best matchplay record in history yet isn't so great in the 4 ball and foursomes.

That statement doesn't even make sense Mac, what on earth are you on about?

Fixed it for Mac

MustPuttBetter wrote:

pedro wrote:

MustPuttBetter wrote:
I used to do Ant Wall's tax return so would love to see him there - but no chance

Why? Is he going to jail over it?

Huh??

Is he fiddling with taxes like Messi?

No Pedro, no scandal here I'm afraid. All above board.
I'm a little bit offended that you would imply I may be involved in such a thing

Can we all be offended on your behalf too? Or be offended that you took offence at Pedro? Either is good

Please do Davie, or is it 'Mac'?

Then PEDRO should of said US History. Most of the people on this board but a lot of emphasis on this exhibition that a good portion of the golfing population can't even play.

I suppose it is because you have been successful, but over the last 20 years, the USA has been more successful at the Prez Cup than Europe has been at the Ryder Cup but we sure don't laud over the RotW like we are better than them.

Its 28 matches, 18 hole matches. Match Play! Team Match Play.

Don't get me wrong, The RC is one of my favorite events of the year. Because I like seeing the passion. But the events every week are more important to me. There are 156 players at the Deere, only 24 at the RC.

Of course Mickelson has a bunch of losses. He has played 10 straight RC's more than any other American, and he will tie Faldo at 11 at Hazeltine. No one said a word about Mickelson's wins until I mentioned that Westwood has 15 losses.

It's inferred GPB, no need to be a pedant. We were talking in the context of American golf, and American Ryder Cup performances. He doesn't need to "explain" just in case someone can't follow the thread properly.

No one mentioned Mickelson's "wins" because in terms of an overall player, he's been hopeless. For every point that he's won, he's lost considerably MORE. His wins don't merit a mention because he's been a net DRAIN on his team for every point he has won for them.

No one lauds the US wins in the Prez Cup because it's the tinniest of tinpot competitions and no one, fans, players, tv networks, tours, genuinely give a toss about it. It's completely different from the Ryder Cup, which Rev Z Johnson was saying he was desperate to be part of this year whilst at Troon.
There is no ROW sans Europe V USA rivalry. There is a genuine old world Europe v USA rivalry.

I actually expect America will win this time.

Of course the bread and butter competitions are more important, but a quality team even every couple of years is great to get a bit of banter going with the colonials. It doesn't ever result in saying Europe are better golfers than America, but what it probably does say is that Europe are a more tight nit team who understand match play golf better and the intricacies involved better than America do.
Interpret that as the American players don't care, if you like, but if they win next month. I doubt anyone will say they won but they couldn't care less.

super_realist wrote:

Of course the bread and butter competitions are more important, but a quality team even every couple of years is great to get a bit of banter going with the colonials. It doesn't ever result in saying Europe are better golfers than America, but what it probably does say is that Europe are a more tight nit team who understand match play golf better and the intricacies involved better than America do.
Interpret that as the American players don't care, if you like, but if they win next month. I doubt anyone will say they won but they couldn't care less.

It's knit not nit, you nit.



Mac.

Is a tight nit like a Shyl.... no wait never mind

MontysMerkin wrote:

super_realist wrote:

Of course the bread and butter competitions are more important, but a quality team even every couple of years is great to get a bit of banter going with the colonials. It doesn't ever result in saying Europe are better golfers than America, but what it probably does say is that Europe are a more tight nit team who understand match play golf better and the intricacies involved better than America do.
Interpret that as the American players don't care, if you like, but if they win next month. I doubt anyone will say they won but they couldn't care less.

It's knit not nit, you nit.



Mac.

Sorry Mac Garcia

Ok GPB, pedantry aside, does Furyk merit a pick? Mr. 58 and surely an automatic qualifier if he hadn’t been injured? I know you wouldn’t pick him but don’t you think there’s some sort of pressure to pick him? Heck, it wasn’t long ago US media and even DL3 talked about Woods as a pick. The US media and 'US Golf' is obsessed with their ‘past champions’ regardless of their lack of positive mojo in the RC team room and how hopeless they’ve been in the past. It’s the elephant in the room and nobody seems to have the guts to tell it straight out: Furyk, Woods, Bubba and to some degree Phil intimidate the other players, possibly even the captains, and do nothing positive for the team spirit. Their record is dodgy at best and they should be left at home. OK, Phil will qualify but then don't pick the likes of Bubba who has the wrong attitude (and is the biggest a-hole on Tour), despite his 2 Masters titles and him being a ‘true champion’. Gentleman Jim is a nice bloke but he just has too much scar tissue and the US would be better off leaving him at home for that reason alone.

US Captains are like England Managers, they pick on names and reputation rather than who actually is the best fit for a TEAM.

Putting Furyk in the Ryder Cup is like a delusional gambler thinking if he just has another dollar he can eventually win big. Never knows when to give up flogging the dead horse.

What sort of nit would pick a captains pick in a closeknit pack of picks who have never knitted well together regardless of the pack of picks picked before the nitpickers had a chance to point out the picks were never knitted in the first place.

Picard natch...

super_realist wrote:It's inferred GPB, no need to be a pedant. We were talking in the context of American golf, and American Ryder Cup performances. He doesn't need to "explain" just in case someone can't follow the thread properly.

No one mentioned Mickelson's "wins" because in terms of an overall player, he's been hopeless. For every point that he's won, he's lost considerably MORE. His wins don't merit a mention because he's been a net DRAIN on his team for every point he has won for them.

No one lauds the US wins in the Prez Cup because it's the tinniest of tinpot competitions and no one, fans, players, tv networks, tours, genuinely give a toss about it. It's completely different from the Ryder Cup, which Rev Z Johnson was saying he was desperate to be part of this year whilst at Troon.
There is no ROW sans Europe V USA rivalry. There is a genuine old world Europe v USA rivalry.

I actually expect America will win this time.

Of course the bread and butter competitions are more important, but a quality team even every couple of years is great to get a bit of banter going with the colonials. It doesn't ever result in saying Europe are better golfers than America, but what it probably does say is that Europe are a more tight nit team who understand match play golf better and the intricacies involved better than America do.
Interpret that as the American players don't care, if you like, but if they win next month. I doubt anyone will say they won but they couldn't care less.

Keep trying to justify the RC. Its just an exhibition. Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and 2/3 of North America don't give a Rat's Behind about it. It means as much to them as the Prez Cup means to you.

98% of Golf competitions are individual competitions not team. The only reason why Europe puts importance on is because of its success. Or more likely, the lack of success from the USA. I suspect that if the USA was losing Prez Cups, Euro fans would be gloating about that as well.

Bubba's an a-hole, so I guess Sergio is a paragon of virtue. With a racist comments towards Tiger, flipping the bird to USA fans, spitting in Hole, etc.

Super - "No one" gives a "toss" about the Prez Cup. Did you see the crowds there last fall?

You could also say that the reason America divert attention away from the RC is because they have a terrible record lately. If America has won what Europe has lately, guaranteed you wouldn't call it an "exhibition"

Europe has loved the RC since it's inception, even when they weren't winning.

GPB wrote:

Keep trying to justify the RC.  

Ha ha loser

The Ryder Cup is and has always been an exhibition event.

GPB wrote:Its just an exhibition.  Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and 2/3 of North America don't give a Rat's Behind about it.  It means as much to them as the Prez Cup means to you

Great post. My own and McIlroy's thoughts exactly.

Come on GPB, the Prez cup is a non-event. You cannot create a team spirit around being from the ROW. Europeans have grown up with team sports and playing each other in football/soccer on club and national level etc. and have a common history and culture in that. This is why we care about the RC and why we know PC is a non-event. Would we make fun if the US looses the Prez cup? Of course, but that's just the normal banter you have to accept being the massive favorite.

It's an exhibition to the loser and of great import to the winner. Twas ever thus.

Whatever the Ryder Cup is, it's a prized US TV attraction, an event which actually stirs passions, and a tough ticket to get ones' hands on.

McLaren wrote:

GPB wrote:Its just an exhibition.  Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and 2/3 of North America don't give a Rat's Behind about it.  It means as much to them as the Prez Cup means to you

Great post.  My own and McIlroy's thoughts exactly.

Pubehead almost immediately retracted that once he became involved in it. He said he hadn't appreciated what a huge event it was and that it was a stupid thing for him to say.

Maybe he'll change his mind on the Olympics as well 4 years from now.

super_realist wrote:You could also say that the reason America divert attention away from the RC is because they have a terrible record lately. If America has won what Europe has lately, guaranteed you wouldn't call it an "exhibition"

Europe has loved the RC since it's inception, even when they weren't winning.

I guess that is why the USA crows about the Prez Cup at every opportunity.

Oh yeah...we don't.

super_realist wrote:
Europe has loved the RC since it's inception, even when they weren't winning.

Really....Europe has loved the RC since its inception? since the mid 1920's? Do you think Flory Von Donck and Ramon Sota cared about the Ryder Cup?

Continental Europe didn't give a RATS BEHIND about the Ryder Cup until the 1970's, when Jack Nicklaus suggested that GB&I's team changed to the entire Continent.

Aren't you guys trying to leave Europe?

pedro wrote:Come on GPB, the Prez cup is a non-event. You cannot create a team spirit around being from the ROW. Europeans have grown up with team sports and playing each other in football/soccer on club and national level etc. and have a common history and culture in that. This is why we care about the RC and why we know PC is a non-event. Would we make fun if the US looses the Prez cup? Of course, but that's just the normal banter you have to accept being the massive favorite.

If you mean things like the Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of the Somme, and a 1000+ years of War against each other, yes, you have a common history.

GPB wrote:

pedro wrote:Come on GPB, the Prez cup is a non-event. You cannot create a team spirit around being from the ROW. Europeans have grown up with team sports and playing each other in football/soccer on club and national level etc. and have a common history and culture in that. This is why we care about the RC and why we know PC is a non-event. Would we make fun if the US looses the Prez cup? Of course, but that's just the normal banter you have to accept being the massive favorite.

If you mean things like the Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of the Somme, and a 1000+ years of War against each other, yes, you have a common history.

As do many of the 'united' States of America no?

MustPuttBetter wrote:As do many of the 'united' States of America no?

MPB, who is making the claim of a "common history and culture".

Psssst...It aint me.

Fair enough GPB
It aint me either

But in fairness, I think it's fairly clear that most European countries do have a common history and culture, even if some of that history is fighting

Thankfully post WW2 Europe has a common history of implementing social justice.

McLaren wrote:Thankfully post WW2 Europe has a common history of implementing social justice.

With what? an Iron Curtain?

That wasn't meant to be a dig or to say that America hadn't but rather to offer the idea that in the last 70 years Europe has been a pretty cohesive unit, despite a thousand or two years of war before that. Is there really much of an argument to the contrary given the creation of the European parliament and provision of basic rights for all citizens of Europe? (obviously ignoring the as yet not implemented withdrawal of the UK from the EU).

Not sure other continents feel as united as Europe, but happy to hear your thoughts on this.

Mac, It hasn't been 70 years of peace and tranquility

Up until 30 years ago, there was a pretty big schism in Europe. There was Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

IMO, the RC is primarily a GBI thing and not a Europe thing. 5 of the 6 2016 Captains and Vice Captain are from GBI. Clarke, Poulter, Lawrie, Harrington, Torrance...and Bjorn. Spain has been represented in the past (Seve, Ollie, Sergio) and Langer from Germany, but IIRC, there has been no Captains or vice captains from Italy, France, or Sweden nor is there any of these countries in the "pipeline".

I do not think Bjorn is seriously being considered for a Captaincy. I think the next Captains go to some sor of combination of Harrington, Westwood, Poulter, GMAC, and Rose.

I would bet your b0ll0cks on Bjorn for Europe's next captain. He'll do a great job too.
Stenson will also figure, if he wants to.

QUIZ:
What do these six golfers have in common:

Mahan
Watney
Perez
Overton
Sabbatini
Poulter
???

Dropping down the rankings like a stone?

And . . . . . . .

kwinigolfer wrote:QUIZ:
What do these six golfers have in common:

Mahan
Watney
Perez
Overton
Sabbatini
Poulter
???

Six Professional Golfers that have never been in my kitchen

-Cliff Claven

Fighting for their PGAT membership?

pedro wrote:Fighting for their PGAT membership?

Mahan is exempt through next year.

Watney (Back), Perez (Shoulder), and Poulter (Foot) will have medical exemptions going into next season.

Matt Every is in the Deere Field. First tournament since the Players.

No, There's something else, very specific.

All Sponsored by Oakley?

I bet you we've had a common (sports) culture in particular in the past 60-70 years, despite the iron curtain, stronger in Western Europe obviously. And it has become even stronger in the past 25-30 years. Each with their regional particularities of course. From a young age kids travel all over Europe to play other teams in all sports, even at low level, not to mention most pro sports who all have pan European leagues on club level - and then there's of course the tradition of Europe wide national team competitions.

And regarding the centuries of war: let's not forget that it was typically cousins fighting cousins as ruling families in Europe always have been related somehow and borders have shifted tenfold. So the history and culture is common, even if it involved war. (Mind you, the iconic Richard the Lionheart's mother tongue was French.) But at the end of the day, as mac says, Europe is build on the same social and moral values.

And yes RC is big in many parts of Europe not only GB&I. And yes you can bet your behind that Bjorn will be the next captain.

Not all sponsored by Oakley . . . . or even by IJP.

OK, Might be out the rest of the evening but Mahan, Watney, Overton, Sabbatini, Poulter & Perez are the only golfers among the 22 who have played in every year of FedEx Play-Offs who have yet to secure a play-off place this year - and, with two events to play, they probably won't.

5 years ago I tipped Watney for greatness...