PGA Tour: US Open - Wide Open: Notes from the Ballwasher

Not much insight on this week that's not readily available to all, but a few notes following Danny Berger's Memphis win and some other random odds and sods:

1).There was once a famous jockey in Britain, even before my time, called Harry Wragg, and they used to call him "The Head Waiter" as he'd be riding the only horse moving forward at the finish line when every other nag was treading water or had run its race. That came to mind last weekend as Berger was the only Pro* in the field to either equal his previous round or improve his score from Thursday thru Sunday. That's a recipe for finishing well before the final groups, sitting watching TV and swigging a pint of Brickwoods as the pace-setters all fell back.
Daniel duly won his second title and is only one behind the total of ATP titles won by Father Jay - but Jay reached #7 in the world rankings so at #24 Danny Boy still has some way to go.

2).Jay also played two years of Davis Cup and Daniel reached #5 in the US Presidents Cup qualification league table.

3).*The wonderfully named amateur college student, Braden Thornberry, may sound like a judge in My Cousin Vinny, or perhaps a retired Wingco Tory MP from the shires, but Thorney (perhaps the Wingco was stationed there?) also improved, by two shots a day, 71, 69, 67, 65. Who does he think he is? Renato Paratore?? Both play in a hurry so happy about that.

4).Unfortunately, and perhaps unfairly, such a performance by an amateur gets him nothing more than sponsor invitations on the PGA Tour; a similar plight befell Lee McCoy when he finished 4th at the 2016 Valspar and he couldn't even play Q-School because of an injury. "Hang on Sloopy", the Tour said, "You can't prove you're the Real McCoy yet because success as an amateur don't get nuttin as a Pro". Unless you're Scott Verplank or Phil Mickelson.
I believe I'm correct in saying that Thorney's Top Ten doesn't even get him into Hartford, but hopefully The Travelers will take him under their umbrella and get him a sponsor invite tout suite.
So now he's left with the thorny dilemma as to whether to turn pro or return to U Of Mississippi for another year or two.

5).OK, A cage was rattled on last week's thread by saying that Berger can be tough to pull for. Won't revisit that, but Golf Digest has a timely list of the Tour's Top Thirty "Good Guys" - over fifties excluded so Steve Stricker can't win again, a bit like Comeback Player of the Year really. (By the way, who'd vote against Stewart Cink as Comeback Player of 2017?) But I digress . . . . .

6). . . . . Number One Mr.Good Guy, as voted by "players, caddies, media, members (of what?), various golf officials and insiders", Golf Digest put Jordan Spieth at the head of the class. Followed by:
T2 Finau, Adam Scott.
4: Cink
5: Fowler
6: Billy Hurley
7: Ogilvy (of course, he must be the tour's most quoted as well)
8: Snedeker
9: Rose
10: Andrew Johnston (and I have a bit of a beef with that one. Who'd they ask? Arby's??
They list 30 in all and I reckon Jason Day is the only one I'd really quibble with.
Three who I would've thought would make the list but were overlooked are: Nick Watney, Luke Donald, Molinari. Oh well.

7).Our friend "Undercover Tour Pro" is at it again, following up on Phil's assertion that questioned the way "a number of guys on tour" mark their ball. Undercover reckons "maybe 20 guys deliberately fudge their mark within a half-inch", the Lexi Thompson margin in error.
All I'd say is "you ain't seen nothing yet" as the new rule about dropping the ball, instead of from shoulder height to an inch above ground, is sure to be abused. Can't see any reason for that change whatsoever.
As an aside, I'm often pleasantly surprised how gentlemanly the dialogue is between officials and pros. Within the space of two hours at a tournament a year or two ago, we watched Bud Cauley, Chris Stroud and Charlie Wi all accept with full equanimity rulings that could have been debated or contended. Good to see.

8).I know nothing about Erin Hills, the golf course. The golf media has written at length about the design and ownership haggles going back to its inception, but all I really think I know about the course is that it has wide fairways, is as long as they want, and has unforgiving rough (although, following players' reactions, but not necessarily because of them - clear throat - they're now cutting the fescue).
My picks this week will probably be the best drivers combined with US Open temperament and a decent short game. The Tour's driving (combination of distance and accuracy rankings) show this Top Ten of those playing:
Fowler, Garcia, (Stanley is a non-runner), Bubba, Glover, (DeLaet, n/r), Bradley, Lowry, Steele, Henley, Molinari, Matsuyama.
No idea if that's instructive or a red herring with 50 or 60 yard-wide fairways.

9).Some of the field played the US Amateur when Kelly Kraft was the Champion. He's failed to qualify, probably crying in his beer over the perceived inequities of the owgrs. He beat Cantlay in the Final but neither he nor the beaten semi-finalists have made the field.
But of those who played and return this week:
QFinalists: Spieth, Uihlein,
3rd Round: None
2nd Round: Justin Thomas, Harris English, DeChambeau, Russell Henley,
1st Round: Stephan Jaeger,
A few others didn't qualify for Match Play, but one curiosity which shows how careers can diverge: Spieth and Thomas were beaten by the same man: Jack Senior!

10).News coming through that the USGA is cutting the rough.
It seems there are guys and girls on hot seats wherever you look these days:
Terry May and her Tory grandees.
Drumpf and the editorial staff at Breitbart.
Mike Davis and his USGA grandees, and they have put their c0cks firmly on the block this year with the selection, and course set-up, of Erin Hills as this year's venue. Advance press reports haven't exactly been glowing, but only time will tell whether this is another Chambers Bay or a Wisconsin version of Birkdale (give or take an ocean). I'm looking forward to finding out (albeit via the dreaded Fox TV).
Meanwhile, where's Jack Senior when you need him?

Why on earth are professional golfers moaning about thick rough when the fairways are supposed to be incredibly wide!?

sirbenson wrote:Why on earth are professional golfers moaning about thick rough when the fairways are supposed to be incredibly wide!?

Because it's supposed to get windy too. In fairness it was ridiculous, lost ball material 1yd off the fairway. I know it's the US Open but it should be playable, no fun for me watching the best players in the world struggle like Sunday hackers.

In my second visit of the year to the bookies re the golf Majors, I have changed tack. I used to spread my money between some favourites and long shots. This time my 10p has all gone on one person. Hope Rickie doesn't let me down.

Kwin - Did you see someone from Rome, NY is in the field. A Teugega member I'm told.

(BTW - another excellent write up)

Patrick Cantlay is an odd duck.

Since gaining full playing privileges back at the Valspar, he has barely played. Houston, Hilton Head, New Orleans, Players, & Columbus

He's got enough FEX pts to make it to the playoffs but he is not either Birkdale or the PGA.

Given his 60 at Hartford, I expect to see him there. Just wondering if he is not over exerting himself because of residual back issues.

Sr,
Thanks for the reminder. He'd gone off my radar completely, but I remember his name from ten years ago. Only time I ever went to Teugega was for a Superintendents' outing; pissed down all day and never left the bar.
Great reputation though - did you see the Best Courses By State in the July GD? Upstate got a raw deal in my book. They produce a darn sight more pro golfers than the Metro and LI courses - wonder why??!!
Plus: Derek Bard was in a Columbus qualie, played well but didn't make it. Interesting to see how he progresses. Or regresses.

Be_the_ball wrote:

sirbenson wrote:Why on earth are professional golfers moaning about thick rough when the fairways are supposed to be incredibly wide!?

Because it's supposed to get windy too. In fairness it was ridiculous, lost ball material 1yd off the fairway. I know it's the US Open but it should be playable, no fun for me watching the best players in the world struggle like Sunday hackers.

I don't get the moaning about the rough. The fairways are wide, then there is a first cut and second cut before you get to the wild stuff which will eat golf balls. 1 yard off the fairway is not a lost ball - that's just hyperbole.

McIlroy and Spieth have both said you have an avenue 60 yards wide to hit the ball so it should not be an issue. People don't moan about the Florida courses or Sawgrass etc which often have water all the way down the side of the fairways. Just because it's grass people expect to be able to play from it. Treat it as a hazard and avoid it... some players have talked themselves out of contention already with a negative mindset. That Na video is hilarious.

But we shall see... in my mind it's only silly if the wind gets up and the fairways become hard and bumpy to the point that good drives bounce off unpredictably into the thick stuff. Probably biggest question mark will be the greens. As long as they run true and there is a way for the players to find them (using skill not luck) it will be a good tournament.

Bet Spieth will wish he'd kept his gob shut with his driving stats!

kwinigolfer wrote:
7).Our friend "Undercover Tour Pro" is at it again, following up on Phil's assertion that questioned the way "a number of guys on tour" mark their ball. Undercover reckons "maybe 20 guys deliberately fudge their mark within a half-inch", the Lexi Thompson margin in error.
All I'd say is "you ain't seen nothing yet" as the new rule about dropping the ball, instead of from shoulder height to an inch above ground, is sure to be abused. Can't see any reason for that change whatsoever.

There's a great Leslie Neilsen video on this topic: "No putt ever got longer as a result of being marked."

I read the undercover tour pro article. He refers to one player who is well known for moving his ball a couple of inches when needed, and still anchoring. Any ideas on who this is?

Hi ray,
No, was racking my brain, especially the reference to having been:
"paired with this notorious individual recently (so not Tim Clark) . . . . . . . and he was using a long putter . . . . . . with baggy shirts".

Not really sure who still uses a long putter; don't think he's talking about Keegan Bradley or Steele, wondered about Webb Simpson, or maybe Garrigus (someone who marches to a different drummer). Can't imagine it's David Hearn or Adam Scott, and Laird certainly doesn't wear baggy shirts. A bit of a puzzle!

Wonder if robopz has any ideas . . . . robo?

Langer still uses a long putter... but I doubt he is the person being referred to.

I also noticed that one of the former regulars on this board, Maverick McNealy, has gone and shown us all up by qualifying as an amateur.

Some people on here, lead by diggers and hibz if I remember rightly, doubted his stories of prodigeous hitting and low scoring. What a legend, I never doubted him for a moment

ray,
I checked the tee-times Langer has had on Tour this year, and no-one fits the "Undercover" bill. Unless the Undercover guy is on the Champions Tour.
Trouble is that, although he gets away with ambiguous anchoring, I can't believe he's dodgy on the greens - he's on TV so much he'd've been exposed long ago. Lanny Wadkins does Champions Tour coverage and he'd pick holes in such bad practice, especially w/Langer.

So (!) Spieth is Miss Congeniality. Thought thay gave that to the fat ugly chick. Tbh I don't get it. He doesn't come across as a really likeable character. Neither does Fowler really. But the rest I can't disagree with. Maybe they're just good at rattling off bible quotes at the right time?

Didn't Bethpage Black have crazy thick fescue and even narrower fairways when the US Open was played here in '02 and '09? Always just heard praise of Bethpage, but maybe times are changing.

Pedro - Bethpage, like Merion and Oakmont had VERY thick nasty rough, but not fescue the likes of Erin Hills (from what I see on the videos). Find and advance to be sure ... but the balls at Bethpage, Merion and Oakmont were at least found. Should be an interesting weekend.

Just seen the Sky Sports "From the range" programme. Jim McKay was walking the course. Said Phil might take off in his jet and make his way, and turn back if there was no weather delay. Not sure how a top golfer would get on without a recent practice round. Presumably he went there beforehand.

Inw,
I believe Phil is depending entirely on Bones, walking the course, defining sight lines and aim points, reading greens and "complexes". Perhaps that would be a winning strategy, everything else has come up second best.
Bones born in Britain I believe . . . . . .

Kwin - Unfortunate you did not get to play Teugega. Wonderful course (still could use some tree work IMO) and the site (they say) of Donald Ross' only hole-in-one. In the throes of closing on a property on Big Moose Lake, so hope/plan to play it every year for as long as I can.

Let the fun begin in Wisconsin!

Ah, Big Moose Lake. Wasn't there a famous murder there?
And the Big Moose Inn, where legends were made.

Also: Will this sequence be extended: Day, Willett, Johnson, Stenson, Walker, Garcia?

The PGATour fondly remembers the 1997 US Open.

PGATour Tweet:

Two years off?

Not as bad as the latest version of the ET site though, they're setting the bar almost at ground level.


Unless Erin Hills receives flooding rain and significant course damage, Phil could do the environment a favour and cool his jet. Roberto Diaz to get the tee time of his life.

Revisionist history? Perhaps Ernie never won at Congressional

I see Steve Wheatcroft has been rattling the European bias cage, this time for US Open qualifying

http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/pro-questions-european-bias-in-us-open-qualifying

You would think some of these players would be a bit intelligent, they all seem to have been to college. Well done for Billy Ho, standing up against the guy.

Forecast today for Erin Hills: 85F, 0% chance of rain, light winds.
Phil: Stay home.

From what I've seen/read over last few days, this course looks a corker. Could probably get 4 courses on the property, but really looking forward to this. If I had a criticism, it looks made for bombers, and some very narrow bunkers at base of big slopes around the greens. Lots of great courses in US, and I reckon this one will find its place.

I had a look at the course on google maps and there is plenty of room between the holes.

Designed and built with a championship in mind

Only saw very brief highlights, but reckon undercover tour pro could have a long look at Scott McCarron putting stroke as well as BL. Not sure how this can be monitored. Has Champs Tour set its own rules?

Kwini - delay to Queens speech means she might miss all/part of a day at Ascot! Now we really do know there's a problem!

Who will be leader after first round? Some unknown guy having his day in the spotlight is my guess.

puligny wrote:Kwini - delay to Queens speech means she might miss all/part of a day at Ascot! Now we really do know there's a problem!

Perhaps she'll get Helen Mirren to do the Queen's Speech, Lizzie must be as sceptical as everyone else about the words Terry puts in her mouth.

I think Arlene is calling the shots! Just hope it's not the guys with the guns who start shooting!

wiretapper wrote:I see Steve Wheatcroft has been rattling the European bias cage, this time for US Open qualifying

http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/pro-questions-european-bias-in-us-open-qualifying

From what I can see, at least 45 American Pros made it through "Sectional Qualifying", five Englishmen. Wheatie has presumably been interning in the White House as his numbers are just plain wrong! I suppose the fact that Grayson Murray sticks his cart on Wheatcroft's horse is additional circumstantial evidence that their arithmetic is not accurate.

What does British Open qualifying have to do with the US Open qualifying? Goofball.

Everybody but Phil, start your engines!

The APP play by play is far greater than the actual website itself for those wondering!

Phil has officially withdrawn

Saw some of the preview show on sky last night. Quite enjoyed it. Beem and Coltart trying to do their own version of Ken on the course... I prefer good old Ken.

I like the look of the course, the infamous fescue helps to give good definition to the holes. There's been a lot of talk about how the length favours the bombers, in particular the "speed slots" on many fairways, but Beem pointed out that with the elevated greens and contours, bombers will often give themselves blind approaches compared to those who lay further back. I thought this was a good point.

What struck me was how spread out the holes are, no chance of slicing one on to another fairway and getting away with it! Darren Clarke and some other pundits mentioned the length of the course adds a physical challenge because it's a long walk.... maybe for Lowry but that sounded ridiculous to me. It's just a walk in the park!!! And they're not carrying their bags!

And has Rory shot himself in the foot? By declaring the fairways easy to hit (if you can't hit the fairways you might as well pack up and go home), has he put more pressure on himself to find every fairway?

He's certainly put more pressure on himself to make putts Ray, with the new putter. If his ball striking is not A1 he could miss the cut. One or two missed 6 footers early doors could be the end of him. Can't believe he'd put a new putter in the bag the week of the US Open.

Horschel has started with a quad

sirbenson wrote:Horschel has started with a quad

A 9 at the 1st

There's a friend at my club who raves about that putter being in the bags of so many players. If Rory didn't think it would work for him he wouldn't be playing it.

puligny wrote:Only saw very brief highlights, but reckon undercover tour pro could have a long look at Scott McCarron putting stroke as well as BL. Not sure how this can be monitored. Has Champs Tour set its own rules?

Agree, he's as dodgy as Bernie. This month's Undercover Pro could well be a Senior for all we know. Doubt he's talking about McCarron though, don't often hear anything much about McCarron except what a good guy he is.

PS: What the hell kind of name is Talor???!!!

Talor?

When I read it on the leaderboard I thought it was Talon, like the claws of an eagle. We need to confirm with shotrock if this is a silly name or not.

Be_the_ball wrote:He's certainly put more pressure on himself to make putts Ray, with the new putter. If his ball striking is not A1 he could miss the cut. One or two missed 6 footers early doors could be the end of him. Can't believe he'd put a new putter in the bag the week of the US Open.

Why? I'm sure he's practiced with it quite a bit... probably tried it out many times over the last 6 months. Day and Rahm use that putter among many others.

Watching the golf on the red button. Players hitting over 200 yards with an eight iron.

Rahm out of sorts.

beninho wrote:You would think some of these players would be a bit intelligent, they all seem to have been to college. Well done for Billy Ho, standing up against the guy.

Hmmm. You think they spent much time with the books then? I don't suppose they got there for academic smarts and I doubt they were found in the libraries much during their time there...

Using it in practice then using it in tournament play are two different things Ray, plus theres more pressure on putting during a major especially a US Open. I can't imagine having an untested (in tournament play) club in your hand when trying to make a down hill left to right putt on US Open greens, it's a recipe for disaster. You can't be trying to bed in a new putter the week of a major. I'm not saying the club itself is bad, just that the timing couldn't possibly be worse. Bad preparation.