PGA Tour: Valspar Championship: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).The start/stop/start/carry on nature of the Florida Swing resumes in the Tampa area this week, at Innisbrook Resort's highly regarded Par-71 (5 x Par-3's, 4 x Par-5's) Copperhead Course. Bay Hill next week, then off to Texas for two weeks at Austin's WGC-MatchPlay and the Houston Open, which still awaits a sponsor.

2).Phil Mickelson won't be in town, but congrats to him for overcoming Justin Thomas in last week's exciting WGC-Mexico. This puts Phil in the driving seat to qualify for yet another Ryder Cup, and fellow lefty Brian Harman has also climbed into the qualifying spots.
Top 8: Thomas, DJ, Koepka, Phil, Spieth, Kuchar, Harman, Woodland - next four outside automatic placings: Fowler, Bubba, Reavie, Kizzire.
Golfers from Hazeltine currently outside the Top 12 are: Reed (13th), Zach (20th), Holmes (27th), Moore (30th), Snedeker (35th), Walker (40th).

3).Phil becomes the 4th Pro to reach 3 x WGC titles after Woods (18 - and counting?), DJ (5), Ogilvy (3).
And a reminder that Darren Clarke, Day, Els, Mahan, Matsuyama, Poults, Rory, Rosey and Adam Scott all have a couple each.

4).Plenty of fine performances in Mexico, not least by Tyrrell Hatton but, let's face it, Hatton looked a complete Wally at times when he was struggling to make birdies early in his round. Then he enjoyed a purple patch including that quite magnificent shot to within a few feet for eagle. Once he'd joined the leaders he was going to go on and clinch the title, wasn't he?
From the middle of the 18th fairway, some kind of wedge in hand, he contrived to lose three shots to Thomas's eagle, rounding it off with a 10-foot putt for a chance at the biggest championship of his career which he left woefully short. What was he thinking? Was he thinking? Not what we want to see from a potential Major winner (but not like that) and Ryder Cupper.

5).As at "Honda", the Valspar field is short of many leading Americans, with only Spieth and Kuchar of the owgr Top 24 avoiding the temptation of a week off. And, as at "Honda", the leading Europeans are playing to beef (no, not him) up the field, Rose, Garcia, Rory, Stenson and Casey all teeing it up.

6).Bill Haas is here too, thankfully following his LA Ferrari ride and injuries, physical and mental no doubt. Good luck to him.

7).And so is Tiger Woods, making his first appearance at Innisbrook since the mixed team event 22 years ago (with Kelli Kuenhe - both dressed in red that Sunday!). Tiger played really well at the Honda Classic and he should have a comfortable pairing again this week with Spieth and Stenson.

8).There are plenty of course specialists in the field including Kuchar, Justin Rose (arguably should have won here a year or three ago), Spieth, Sergio, Stenson and Jason Dufner who's finished in the Top 28 the past nine years.

But my one-and-done this week is Cameron Smith - he needs just one decent week to qualify for Augusta (his team win in New Orleans doesn't attract the Hooties' attention unfortunately), and has been in good form without really contending. But fairways (40th in total driving) and greens (57th in gir) are the order of the week and he's overdue for his first solo US win.

Confirmation from Stenson in his presser that he is not playing the Match Play.

Wish one of the reporters had followed with a question about his 2010 performance, where he hit one shot and WD against Ben Crane.

--------

Dean and Deluca Invitational has been renamed the Fort Worth Invitational for 2018. No word on the Wash DC tournament AFAIK.

Re: Hatton

Wonder what 606v2 minions would be posting if the d0uche-bag behavior was from an American.

I imagine there would be about 50-60 more posts on last week's thread.

GPB wrote:Re:  Hatton

Wonder what 606v2 minions would be posting if the d0uche-bag behavior was from an American.

I imagine there would be about 50-60 more posts on last week's thread.

He was unanimously described as a pr1ck - what else do you want? Not much point in tremeloing it.

But he's by no means the only one out there.

kwinigolfer wrote:
He was unanimously described as a pr1ck - what else do you want? Not much point in tremeloing it.

But he's by no means the only one out there.

But he is not going to get the hate and angst of someone like Ben Crane, or Kevin Na....

GPB wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:
He was unanimously described as a pr1ck - what else do you want? Not much point in tremeloing it.

But he's by no means the only one out there.

But he is not going to get the hate and angst of someone like Ben Crane, or Kevin Na....

Give him time; Crane and Na have been at it for 15 years, Hatton still learning his craft. Hopefully he can keep himself on an even keel as he's a helluva player, certainly a class above what those two have achieved so far.

To be fair it’s the nature of sport to have your allegiances, so on a mainly British board people will be a bit more lenient on a British (prick) golfer than an American one. But I wouldn’t blame any American fan for being more lenient on Kevin Na than Hatton either once national affiliations come into it. Although Hatton is so over the top he’s in danger of becoming a parody of an angry sportsman, a la McEnroe, who wound up more popular over here in the end.

Pretty sure I’ve seen Doug Ferguson conforming Sergio is out of the matchplay, so with Koepka gone too are we definitely going to #67 minimum?

I have no issues with Hatton, same with Rahm, seem a bit on edge at times, but it doesn't bother me. They can't all be bland professionals plodding along.

I remember reading something about the American ryder cup team being full of great young players and dominating for years, but it could have phil, bubba and harman!

beninho wrote:I have no issues with Hatton, same with Rahm, seem a bit on edge at times, but it doesn't bother me. They can't all be bland professionals plodding along.

I remember reading something about the American ryder cup team being full of great young players and dominating for years, but it could have phil, bubba and harman!

I've heard this as well, but in the American team you might have Koepka, Thomas, Archdeacon Boredan Spieth, a streaky Fowler and an ageing DJ in it. Europe have Rahm, Fleetwood, Hatton, Bello, Pieters, Fitzpatrick and McIlroy, so it's pretty even is it not?
I'd also take the likes of Noren and Rose over Phil and Gerry Watson any day.

Conditions could favour the early starters today, cool but not much of a breeze - but the wind is forecast to pick up later.
Friday & Saturday look fair, but chance of a storm on Sunday with stronger winds.

A good test to see where players' games are this week, Rory for instance, Stenson, Woods - as they say, a "ball strikers" course.

Poulter sharing PGA Tour ball flight conclusions on instagram yesterday. Interesting stuff. Main conclusion is that the increased distance players are hitting the ball is mainly attributable to:
- greater athleticism from the players (who are on average younger, fitter, stronger, taller than previously)
- better fitting of equipment. Launch monitors are enabling players to get the more club head speed out of their swing.

The other side of that conclusion, which can be inferred... is that the manufacturers' claims of an extra 10 yards every year (Taylormade... ahem!) is total bollox.

Anyone know why we're not getting leaderboard updates from Tampa?

Scoring finally has caught up for me Kwini.

GPB wrote:Scoring finally has caught up for me Kwini.

Looks like +1 will be a decent score today.

Chris Couch's first Tour round for 5 1/2 years, and shoots even par 71.
Pretty stout. And so was he last time we saw him, wonder whether he's slimmed down at all, like a hundred lbs or more, which he'd need to for us to spot any difference?

Maybe Chris has spent too long on the couch.

Eating potatoes.

Maybe he's one of the athletic ball strikers that the PGA Tour was referring too?

Watching the Featured Group on Sky. I wish they wouldn’t use the word “stalking” for Woods.

raycastleunited wrote:Poulter sharing PGA Tour ball flight conclusions on instagram yesterday. Interesting stuff. Main conclusion is that the increased distance players are hitting the ball is mainly attributable to:
- greater athleticism from the players (who are on average younger, fitter, stronger, taller than previously)
- better fitting of equipment. Launch monitors are enabling players to get the more club head speed out of their swing.

Absolutely, for decades golf was probably the least professional sport out there. It had no sports science, very little technology and it's only in the last 15 or so years that equipment has reached a level where people are getting the optimum numbers for their swing. Whether that be through shafts, swing speed, launch angles, better physical training etc. It stands to reason with a bit of science applied you're going to see absolutely massive gains especially if you are comparing it to bladed irons and persimmon heads and a choice of one shaft.



Blaming the ball is something I've always thought to be completely mental, it's like saying that all climate change is human influenced.

Decent round in progress for Tiger but twice now he’s taken full swings from poor positions which basically guarantee him finishing in an uncomfortable position. Only has himself to blame if he goes and aggravates an injury again for the sake of a par save.

I am very surprised with Tiger, I thought he was gone. He could contend at Augusta.

What I don't get about the ball issue is the general hobby golfers who make a thing about wanting to use tge same type of ball as the pros.

beninho wrote:I am very surprised with Tiger, I thought he was gone. He could contend at Augusta.

What I don't get about the ball issue is the general hobby golfers who make a thing about wanting to use tge same type of ball as the pros.

It's a fair point, it's said if you can't swing about 100mph then premium balls are wasted on you.

If they roll the ball back for the pros, would anyone feel disappointed to play with a different type or would you go to the same as the pros played. Because if you did, you'd be an idiot.

Impressive from T.Woods. Not sure he can survive another 54 holes of Innisbrook, but excellent so far, short game especially.

Love the look of this golf course. Bogey-free round from Luke Donald; which is something you can't say every week. Good for him.

What's happened to young Rory? Has he burned out? Lost the love for the game? With his ability he should be hoovering up wins like fun

Hi Nathaniel, Welcome to the action.

This is a tough course, especially for a first-timer. Hopefully he'll strut his stuff on Friday but this course demands a lot from his style of golfer.

And, of course, you could be spot on.

Here's a good trivia question:
Who are the only two golfers to have won two or more PGA Tournaments at an older age than Phil in the last 15 years?

kwinigolfer wrote:Here's a good trivia question:
Who are the only two golfers to have won two or more PGA Tournaments at an older age than Phil in the last 15 years?

Funk and Perry

kwinigolfer wrote:Hi Nathaniel, Welcome to the action.

This is a tough course, especially for a first-timer. Hopefully he'll strut his stuff on Friday but this course demands a lot from his style of golfer.

And, of course, you could be spot on.

Hi mate thanks for the reply

GPB wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:Here's a good trivia question:
Who are the only two golfers to have won two or more PGA Tournaments at an older age than Phil in the last 15 years?

Funk and Perry

I see DeChambeau w/d'd from Valspar, not sure why but perhaps he was having trouble with his coordinates? Not convinced about him.

Why is there such a focus on the ball when the driver has completely changed since the mid 90's? As well as the ball and the driver irons are also getting pretty hot faces.

Wouldn't a more sensible approach be to roll back the clubs and the ball a little bit and see how much distance you remove from the pro's? Instead of just taking 10% from the ball.

McLaren wrote:Why is there such a focus on the ball when the driver has completely changed since the mid 90's?  As well as the ball and the driver irons are also getting pretty hot faces.

Wouldn't a more sensible approach be to roll back the clubs and the ball a little bit and see how much distance you remove from the pro's?  Instead of just taking 10% from the ball.

You've missed the point here.

PGA Tour is saying that the distance gains are mainly down to more athletic golfers, who have been better fitted, rather than equipment advances.

Looks like marginally less demanding scoring conditions today; yesterday's average score was a fraction under 73 (2 over par).
Still expect the cut to be about +3.

2 50+ year olds (RoboPro Estes and last week's Champions Tour winner Steve Stricker) under par, plus Furyk - lots of course management going on with those three.

Just like old times (well, 90's anyway) with Estes, Furyk and Woods all T3.

DeChambeau tweaked his back while sleeping earlier this week (per Rotoworld).

Incredible, I got Kevin Na and DeChambeau on my Draftking Team and they both WD. Kevin Na WDs after tournament starts but before he tees off and BDC WDs after Round.

Maverick McNealy with a good start in his first webbie tournament of the year.

Wow! This is great from TW!!

I really like Rory, but he doesn't seem on it, I know he is streaky but not quite their at present. Maybe he has lost a bit of love, he has achieved loads and made a lot of money. Maybe the trend of players breaking through younger will result in them tailing off younger.

Well, the young guns have a couple of longevity models to follow in Tiger and lefty. Tbh some of them will tail but I suspect the big name youngsters have the desire to at least try. I wonder whether it will be the toll the speed and power of the swing has that will do for some earlier.

I take everything back about tiger! I thought he was gone.

There could be cringeworthy outcome tonight - Reed and Tiger playing together in their Sunday red...

Casey said yesterday his putting had let him down over the weekend the last few years when in contention. Shunting irons off the tee way right in to the water is probably a bigger issue. Two poor misses on the back nine now.

Sneds , Rose or the rookie to beat TW tomorrow?

Pretty incredible the show Tiger Woods's put on so far. I'm pretty sure everyone had at least some doubts that he'd ever be able to get back to even this level of competitiveness. I got no clue if that translates into a win today, or ever for that matter. But at the very least this week demonstrates that he's got enough in the tank he get himself in the mix every now and again. Good for him and a helluva lot of fun to watch...

robopz wrote:Pretty incredible the show Tiger Woods's put on so far. I'm pretty sure everyone had at least some doubts that he'd ever be able to get back to even this level of competitiveness. I got no clue if that translates into a win today, or ever for that matter. But at the very least this week demonstrates that he's got enough in the tank he get himself in the mix every now and again. Good for him and a helluva lot of fun to watch...

He's doing better than I thought, that's for sure. At his previous best, he was clearly an incredible golfer. If his back was the major reason for poor performance over the recent past and that's now fixed properly, even if he's favouring it and trying prevent further damage by changing his swing somewhat, he's clearly got enough talent to compete.

The one downside is the -inducing media sycophancy. Still, not sure I can blame Woods for that.

Any golf on lads? Anyone decent in contention?!?
Hope all's well with everyone!
Hats off to Woods, incredible to see him back in contention after all he's been through. If he wins here today it'll be the greatest comeback since Lester Piggott.

Saw the stat that he had won 62 times when within 1 shot of the leader after 3rd round, basically 90%. Thats phenomenal. Really hope he wins this.

His putting isn’t great today.

Good round by Casey

Tiger really letting himself down with his putting today.
But still lots of positives for him this week

Read that Burns needs a T3 to get STM for the rest of the season. Anyone know what the next event is that the top ten would get him in? Dominican Republic?

NedB-H wrote:Read that Burns needs a T3 to get STM for the rest of the season. Anyone know what the next event is that the top ten would get him in? Dominican Republic?

I heard the commentators saying he was playing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational