PGA Tour: Las Vegas: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).The Tour returns from its "Asian Swing" this week and descends on Las Vegas, recently in the news for all the wrong reasons. Not the greatest field we've ever seen, but some good names nevertheless, led by Charley Hoffman, Kevin Chappell and course specialist Webb Simpson.

2).Tumbled out of bed last Sunday morning to see how many strokes Dustin Johnson won by in China, only to find the WGC Champion was some guy from 'ook.
Well done Justin Rose, but this is not the DJ we knew before his tumble down an Augusta staircase. Anyway, good news for Thomas Bjorn to see Rosey and his buddy "H" get Ryder Cup points under their respective belts. Guys, your Tour needs you both!

3).Plus Paul Casey of course, and good news that he's condescended to resume ET membership. For whatever reason, and surely not just because he's focussed on just one Tour, Casey's making more money than ever, but it would be nice to see him pick up a "W" or two. Regardless, Europe's squad gained depth and experience at a stroke.

4).There's another return this week, Bubba Watson is returning early from his "at least four and a half months off" to tee it up in Las Vegas. And he's doing it with new balls, having "settled" his contract to play Volvik which leaves him without a ball contract, for this week at least. Reports state he'll be going back to his Titleist roots, for this week at least. Like him or loathe him, golf is better for having Bubba around to stir the Tour's drink.

5).And Tiger Woods will be making his traditional reappearance in the Bahamas in four weeks - where, not incidentally, he led the field in birdies last year. Let's hope he prioritises common sense over wallet when he designs his schedule going forward. No guarantees on that.

6).It sounds like a broken record but Seamus Power missed a great opportunity to improve his position as a web.com "graduate" at last week's "opposite field" event, the Sanderson Farms, slipping to a final round 75 after spending most of Friday and Saturday comfortably inside the Top Ten. Still, he's in the Las Vegas field and he's improved his position from 50th to about 20th. More this week please Seamus.

7).It sounds ludicrously arcane to harp on about this, but these autumn tournaments are absolutely crucial to fringe players like Power. He'll likely struggle to reach the Mayakoba field but will surely play the year's final tournament, the RSM Classic on Georgia's Golden Isles.
So, that's the schedule:
Las Vegas this week, Mayakoba next, and finishing the year before Thanksgiving at the RSM (McGladrey).

8).Congrats then to Ryan Armour for moving from journeyman to trivia question by short-hitting (message to Luke Donald: short-hitting only works when you hit the fairway) his way to a dominant maiden victory at the ripe old age of 41 (or just two months younger than Eldrick).

But the real trivia question from last week is:
***Who was the only FedEx Cup Play Off qualifier last season who failed to notch a single Top Ten finish?***

9).Round 2 of the Champions Tour "Play Offs" ended just as Round 1 had done, with Bernhard Langer rolling in a winning putt on the final hole - in this case the second play-off hole against Miguel Angel. Langer's in his 60's now and beating pros ten years his junior on a regular basis. Slippers and pipe for the Seniors this week before the Top 36 Schwab points leaders (or 34 or 35 depending upon Daly & Couples) play in Phoenix next week.

10).It seems counter-intuitive but Scots Knox and Laird have historically played well in Las Vegas. In 12 combined trips they've collectively missed just one cut while registering a win and play-off loss (both Laird) and a 3rd (Knox). Expect both to go well this week, perhaps Jonas Blixt also, but I like Webb Simpson's chances - he has a strong recent record here with two 4th place finishes plus a win. Finally seems to be a peace with his putter after struggling when anchors went aweigh.

If we’re gonna be pedantic, Colsaerts actually held membership for two years. Played well enough to keep his card (just) in his first season, then got injured and lost form the year after

Why not Mac? I can't believe that your life is so great travelling by bus, living in a tenement and slogging away in a sub 30k job that there couldn't be better opportunity for you abroad somewhere.

Donnie won’t let him in...

pedro wrote:Donnie won’t let him in...

Doncaster is a most welcoming place, just don't profess any Lancastrian preferences.

T'bus service is apparently excellent