European Tour 2017 DP World Tour Championship

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What on earth happened to Andres Romero over the years? He was (is) such a huge talent?!

Got tangled up in unfulfilled expectations I reckon sirb; some top class results but few and very far between.
Breaking his hand on a hole marker sign at a critical moment a couple of years ago resulted in him losing his card, and that was the end of any American dream.
Should probably never have left Europe, seemingly much more comfortable in more cosmopolitan company.

expecting Mac to wade in talking about unsuccessful double dippers any minute now

Hend

On a serious note, do you think double dipping could have contributed to Romero's difficult spell?

Wasn't he in a car crash Mac? or simply not being good enough over a prolonged period of time might have been the case.

Most players only have a few seasons before disappearing with the occasional brief resurgence.

I don't believe Romero maintained his European Tour membership. Did he? Certainly not since 2010.

So Mac, On a serious note:
How could it "have contributed to Romero's difficult spell"?

I heard that Romero was a sponsors invite - good choice.

Romero was 837th on the OWGR before his win. It just shows the depth of the ET.. (cough cough)

super_realist wrote: Wasn't he in a car crash Mac?

Probably in a BMW -- which would explain his sponsors invite..

pedro wrote:Romero was 837th on the OWGR before his win. It just shows the depth of the ET.. (cough cough)

Except he beat two of the last four Major winners . . . . . . .

Previous comments on Romero still apply!

Have been looking at this week's field, plus the "Irish" and "Scottish" and can't find many Americans - no PGA Tour members in Paris or Portstewart, just Fowler, Kuchar & Cink in Scotland.

Does that mean that appearance fees have been nixed for Rolex Series events? Or just lack of interest in "abroad" in the age of MAGA??

kwinigolfer wrote:Have been looking at this week's field, plus the "Irish" and "Scottish" and can't find many Americans - no PGA Tour members in Paris or Portstewart, just Fowler, Kuchar & Cink in Scotland.

Does that mean that appearance fees have been nixed for Rolex Series events? Or just lack of interest in "abroad" in the age of MAGA??

I see Patrick Reed and Jason Dufner in Scotland.

Not an American, but Adam Scott is also having a Busman's holiday in Scotland.

Missed Reed, forgot about Dufner, but still . . . . . no-one playing in Paris which, given the better ones will be there next year, is almost shocking.
Maybe they've been reading the latest presidential reviews of Paris?

How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm after they've seen Paree?

kwinigolfer wrote:Missed Reed, forgot about Dufner, but still . . . . . no-one playing in Paris which, given the better ones will be there next year, is almost shocking.
Maybe they've been reading the latest presidential reviews of Paris?

Not sure why you would expect a American to cross the pond twice in three weeks.

As prep to the Ryder Cup in 2018?
To maybe get the benefit of a doubt from Furyk for a Captain's Pick?

There are 7 million dollar tournaments every week, an hour or two hour flight away. Without any custom's issues. It's a holiday weekend for Americans.

Sorry, don't see the French Open as a "must play" tournament for American golfers.

And I don't see some of the leading Euro RC Stalwarts playing this week.

No Rory
No Henrik
No Rose
No Sergio

. . . . . but they all know the course.

The only reason I bring it up is that I can't remember a recent Open De France without a couple of Americans playing, tho not sure about last year.
And no-one in Ireland either?


Some of us have had "to cross the pond" three times in three weeks, several times in many cases - hardly a hardship, especially as these guys could cadge first class anytime they want, or go private. Customs not exactly an "issue".

MAGA

GPB wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:Missed Reed, forgot about Dufner, but still . . . . . no-one playing in Paris which, given the better ones will be there next year, is almost shocking.
Maybe they've been reading the latest presidential reviews of Paris?

Not sure why you would expect a American to cross the pond twice in three weeks.

As prep to the Ryder Cup in 2018?
To maybe get the benefit of a doubt from Furyk for a Captain's Pick?

There are 7 million dollar tournaments every week, an hour or two hour flight away.  Without any custom's issues.  It's a holiday weekend for Americans.  

Sorry, don't see the French Open as a "must play" tournament for American golfers.

And I don't see some of the leading Euro RC Stalwarts playing this week.  

No Rory
No Henrik
No Rose
No Sergio

Yeah, we're 'Murcans god dam it. We don't cross the pond twice in 3 weeks for no sucker.

Yeah, we'll we're Brits and we demand ALL share our perspective of things. (Although, we secretly lament the decline of the Empire.)

kwinigolfer wrote: . . . . . but they all know the course.

The only reason I bring it up is that I can't remember a recent Open De France without a couple of Americans playing, tho not sure about last year.
And no-one in Ireland either?


Some of us have had "to cross the pond" three times in three weeks, several times in many cases - hardly a hardship, especially as these guys could cadge first class anytime they want, or go private. Customs not exactly an "issue".

MAGA

No US PGATour pros in 2016
No US PGATour Pros in 2015
One US PGATour Pro in 2014 (Kevin Stadler)
One US PGATour Pro in 2013 (Matt Kuchar)

http://www.owgr.com/en/Events/EventResult.aspx?eventid=5210
http://www.owgr.com/en/Events/EventResult.aspx?eventid=5602
http://www.owgr.com/en/Events/EventResult.aspx?eventid=5889
http://www.owgr.com/en/Events/EventResult.aspx?eventid=6271

Crossing the pond might have been requirement for working stiffs, but it is not a requirement for Golf Pros. There is not a compelling reason why the French Open is a "Must Play" tournament. And don't forget, A non-Euro PGAtour has to get a release to play the French Open.

Obviously a not an American, but Hideki is playing the Irish Open

Shotrock wrote:Yeah, we'll we're Brits and we demand ALL share our perspective of things. (Although, we secretly lament the decline of the Empire.)

No one is saying that at all SR, however. If an American was wanting to prepare to have a good Open, then they might do worse than travel to play Paris, , Oirish Open, Scottish Open and then Open? Just an idea.

Was a time great players went around the world to play national opens. Oh how times have changed - for the worse!

super_realist wrote:

Shotrock wrote:Yeah, we'll we're Brits and we demand ALL share our perspective of things. (Although, we secretly lament the decline of the Empire.)

No one is saying that at all SR, however. If an American was wanting to prepare to have a good Open, then they might do worse than travel to play Paris, , Oirish Open, Scottish Open and then Open? Just an idea.

A US PGATour only gets 3 unrestricted releases from PGATour events per year. If he plays these events, he would be able to play competing events in the Middle East, or Australia or Japan, etc.

I didn't mean he had to play all four, but take a pick.

Playing the same old dreary paint by numbers courses on the PGA must get tiresome sometimes, even for players with no adventure or sense of culture.

Who knows, it might even improve their game to play on different types of courses and weather conditions.

GPB,
Certainly the trips to Paris haven't been as frequent as I'd thought, but you've also missed a few, three Top Tens by Steele alone, Troy Merritt last year, Bubba (and his iconic travelogue) & Slocum a few years ago etc.
Must admit, I'd read a story about Ryan Palmer, Edmundson, Frazar and their wives doing a fairly recent European trip prior to The Open, including Paris - hadn't occurred to me they'd not played en France.

Anyway, my original question, and it was only a question, was why not more? You've answered it, don't want to travel, holiday weekend, all the usual stuff. Thanks. And those ME, Oz, Japan trips, longer than crossing the "pond" are possibly more lucrative. So be it.

NB: Not sure the Hideki connection but still.

Does a mega rich golfer have to care about "holiday weekends"? Doubt it.

I have watched the French Open for many years now. It looks pretty similar to the "paint by numbers" courses in USA.

There is no way I would classify it as "unique" like a Ballybunion.

For what it's worth Kwini, I don't think Kuchar or Reed was on the entry list when I checked Friday....so maybe more will add it to their schedule late on

super_realist wrote:Does a mega rich golfer have to care about "holiday weekends"? Doubt it.

Not everyone in the family is "mega-rich". 4th of July week a good time to re-connect with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles.

[quote="GPB"]

super_realist wrote:Does a mega rich golfer have to care about "holiday weekends"? Doubt it.

GPB: "Not everyone in the family is "mega-rich".  4th of July week a good time to re-connect with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles."


Perhaps we'll see you in N.VT, though not exactly the Angel From Montgomery . . . . . . . . . ?

Have to say, and purely as an alien, US holidays couldn't be more boring. No cricket, no race meetings, no booze ups down the pub, no nuffink. Don't want no siblings, no cousins (wouldn't recognize 'em), aunts and uncles comprehensively dead. P1ss poor fireworks, then ump-a-pahs from the Capital. Load of b0ll0cks.

Much prefer an afternoon at Towcester followed by a Stilton Ploughmans at The Bell (guess where) on the way back home.

super_realist wrote:I didn't mean he had to play all four, but take a pick.

Playing the same old dreary paint by numbers courses on the PGA must get tiresome sometimes, even for players with no adventure or sense of culture.

Who knows, it might even improve their game to play on different types of courses and weather conditions.

I've been to the French Open and the course is no different to what we see on the PGA Tour.

Since the Scottish Open switched to links courses, the idea of playing it as a warm up to the Open seems to be gaining traction.

I wonder what the effect of Trump Aberdeen  being touted for 2018 Scottish Open will have on the travel plans on the bible bashing, republican, stupidly named American golfers next year?

Maybe even see that plank Gayson Murray play if he googles what a passport is.

kwinigolfer wrote:

GPB wrote:

super_realist wrote:Does a mega rich golfer have to care about "holiday weekends"? Doubt it.

GPB: "Not everyone in the family is "mega-rich".  4th of July week a good time to re-connect with siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles."


Perhaps we'll see you in N.VT, though not exactly the Angel From Montgomery . . . . . . . . . ?

Have to say, and purely as an alien, US holidays couldn't be more boring. No cricket, no race meetings, no booze ups down the pub, no nuffink. Don't want no siblings, no cousins (wouldn't recognize 'em), aunts and uncles comprehensively dead. P1ss poor fireworks, then ump-a-pahs from the Capital. Load of b0ll0cks.

Much prefer an afternoon at Towcester followed by a Stilton Ploughmans at The Bell (guess where) on the way back home.

Dad has quit commuting from Florida<=>Vt. Closer to 100 yrs old than 90 yrs old, and a nearly blind wife, the trip has become too much for him. Understandable.

As far as Holidays, I guess that is why they make different flavors of ice cream

Good luck with your parents GPB, tell them to avoid Venus Williams when on those Florida roads.


Thomas Aiken birdies his first six holes en Paris - imagine that must be some sort of record. Another who seems to reserve his worst work for the USA, though I believe he has a pad here.

kwinigolfer wrote:
no-one playing in Paris which, given the better ones will be there next year, is almost shocking.

They all play Sawgrass every year, that's good enough prep for Le Golf National. And off the course there's plenty of "McDo" branches in Paris, just need to remember that a Quarter pounder is a known as a Royale and the "frites" aren't French. Vive la difference!

I would've thought that the allure of 'French fries' would be enough for US players to come over.

Driving in Florida seems to have become a zigzag inbetween over-the-hill sport stars..

The Golden Bib

He looks like a waitress at a cheap diner.

French food never did much for me. (Italian much more to my liking.)

This course, on TV at least, looks like so many US PGA venues.

Course seems to play ok but is much changed over recent years. Where has the gorse gone? Used to play fast and firm, much like a links. Appears to have been softened up - I know they've had rain for a day or 2, but Paris was scorched earth just a few days ago. Major changes - reckon my preference was version 1! Hey ho! I agree it has lost its signature!

Spent a bit of time this week watching European Am at Walton Heath. Fantastic standard. Made a point of following local players - Ellis, Gregory, Singh Brar and Mackenzie, and they produced some good stuff. Notable USA Rep was Sean Crocker- started poorly but saw enough to be impressed. Witnessed most of a young German fella, Mathias Schmidt, knock it round in -9, and it looked easy! Talking to a couple of German and Danish coaches, and they commented on how similar many of the playing styles/swings are nowadays. Both said they would love to see a Walton Heath type course at home.
Interesting comparison to be made where the two courses intersect with almost adjacent tees. Members out on New Course, displaying "our swings" while nearby +handicap golfers were pounding the living daylights out of it with little noticeable effort.
The world rankings confirm the fact, but Robert Macintyre from Scotland is some player, and there were very strong Irish and Italian contingents, as well as English. Few from Wales including David Boote playing his home course, but not scoring to match his play.
They seemed to be playing ready golf, at least in some groups. We were amazed to see one Swedish lad take it to the extreme - teeing off as playing partners walked from green to tee, and then marching straight down the fairway. He seemed to finish holes while playing partners were still thinking about their second shots, then just made his way to next tee, and off again!
Overall fabulous event.

I hope the Ryder Cup goes back to Walton Heath someday. I've played both the Old and New numerous times. Old perhaps a bit harder, but not by much IMO. Thanks for the onsite report!

Just checked scores from final day, and Englishman Alfie Plant has won in a 3 way play off with two Italian players. 72 hole score was -15.

Alfies are on the rise in England these days . . . . . .

I love how the less traditionally golf-centric European countries are breeding more top players, quite the explosion from Italy for instance, and now a top young Belgian every two or three years. More to come I'm sure.

Ready golf: Isn't that what Duval did at The Country Club in 1999??!!

Scandis were much in evidence. We all hear stories about watching particular players on the range and how their ball striking is superior, often making a different sound than others? If he makes it, look out for John Axelsen from Denmark. Small and slight chap, but incomparable ball striking. We saw him hit into a par 5 and he was so far ahead of others assumed he had been in trouble and was playing 3. No - turned out to be the result of his tee shot, and we watched his group hit off the next tee we were gobsmacked! Genuinely never seen or heard anything like it. Chatted to one of the Danish coaches about him, and he basically said they don't like to heap pressure on youngsters, but yes he does crush it!
R&A seem to think ready golf is the panacea for stoke play - personally not so sure though there was some evidence of it being used sensibly. Overall was quite impressed with the pace of play - players seemed to get on with it, walked quickly, and the vast majority appeared to be enjoying the experience.

puligny wrote:Course seems to play ok but is much changed over recent years. Where has the gorse gone? Used to play fast and firm, much like a links. Appears to have been softened up - I know they've had rain for a day or 2, but Paris was scorched earth just a few days ago. Major changes - reckon my preference was version 1! Hey ho! I agree it has lost its signature!

How long ago was it links like? I went to the French Open 20 years ago and it was very much a parkland layout.

Re Walton Heath, it's been on my must play list for a long time now. But recently a friend told me it was rubbish (relatively) compared to other courses in the same bracket such as Sunningdale and St George's Hill. He was very under whelmed. What are your thoughts?

Paris National was lined with bright yellow gorse at this time of year until very recently. The course was known to play hard and fast - I certainly recall McD winning a few years ago and it was links in everything but location. I also recal seeing Jean V a few years ago talking about their plans to get the Ryder Cup and subsequently make major adjustments to the course. There is no doubt it is now a much more manicured facility than previously. There was some rain this weekend, but when you think how hot it was just a few days prior to the event, I reckon in past years the course would have been unrecognisable from this weeks. That's not said by way of complaint though I do think it has lost something of its previous identity.

Walton Heath - I've been luck to play both several times and I love them. Took me a while to get used to them, and they are different from tHe courses you mentioned. The overall terrain is much more open, and picking a line can be a real challenge - not so much blind shots as obscure! Hope that makes some sense? Lots of heather, incredible spongy turf and fabulous greens. I could certainly understand WH not being to everyone's taste, pretty much as links might not be, but my appreciation has grown with every playing and every time I've been to watch (Seniors Open, US Open Qualifier several times and latterly European Am). I could happily play there and nowhere else!
The others you've mentioned are in my estimation fabulous, but despite the heathland similarity present differently. Sunningdale has a lot more trees - the new course is more manicured and the old more characterful. A real treat, but you have to see WH to recognise the difference. Pal I went with last week reminded me of a comment about RND, where from the clubhouse you look out and take it on trust there is a golf course out there. WH similar but probably less extreme.
I certainly wouldn't put anyone off any of them, unless they were taking my place!!! Cheers

Thanks Puligny, Walton Heath back on my list! I like courses where the terrain is more open - I'm a much bigger fan of the New course at Sunningdale than the Old.

ok I think I understand what you mean about links-like Paris. They did the same at the London club: when it hosted the European Open a few years ago it was fast and firm... I played the day after and the greens were so hard and fast that holding them required perfect ball striking. But then other times this course has been soft eg when it hosted the matchplay a couple of years ago. I've often seen this referred to as "inland links" although I'm not sure it is accurate. Maybe US Open style is better?

apart from the weather difference is pretty much explained by the amount of water poured onto the course, and in the case of Paris National stripping out gorse etc, which was its signature.
It's still on my must play list, just a bit further down than previously. If I was that side of Paris next week, I'd head for Fontainebleau in preference - oh and a superb lunch!

Bit of an odd one.

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2017/07/03/sabotaging-equipment-euro-tour-changing-driver-settings-105763/

Players adjustable equipment tampered with.

I'm not sure how anyone wouldn't notice this immediately. If you change the settings of a driver or three wood, the grip is turned round.

Surely you'd notice this on the range before you even got near the first tee?