PGA Tour: PGA Championship - Where were You on 9/11? - Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).I know where I was, but the leading golfers of the day were at Bellerive Country Club, outside St.Louis, preparing for the WGC-Amex Championship. A dozen or so of the pros who were there that day are back for more, Mickelson and Woods for two, and young pups like Poulter and Adam Scott for two more.
The Tour rightly cancelled the event, but it is somewhat surprising that it took the Tour seven years to return, for Camilo Villegas's BMW Championship win, and (technically anyway) haven't been back to Bellerive since, with this year's PGA Championship's course selection being under the purview of the PGA of America.

2).Bellerive is a Robert Trent Jones, Par-70, design, re-done by Rees Jones and plays to a length of about 7,300 yards. Although the forecast is for fine weather, at least for the first couple of rounds, the course is wet and greens are likely to be on the slower side. With conventional wisdom otherwise suggesting "fairways and greens" practitioners would be favoured, perhaps conditions will now balance that with balls not running out and high-ball, long hitters now having some advantage. Either way, hit the fairways.  

3).Gary Player completed his major Grand Slam here at the 1965 US Open and Nick Price was the 1994 PGA winner, but very few of this week's field have competed here with a motley crew on the 2008 BMW leaderboard.
Camilo won, from Dudley Hart, with Jim Furyk and Anthony Kim tied for 3rd. Other "notables" who are playing Thursday:
13th: Brian Gay
17th: Phil
20th: Sergio
22nd: Streelman (who has replaced Thomas Bjorn)
28th: Bubba
33rd: Holmes & Reavie
50th: Scott
55th: Sneedeker

4).Don't suppose many golf-watchers were sorry to see the back of Firestone CC last Sunday, but difficult to see how they can spice up "TPC Southwind" in Memphis to make next year's equivalent WGC-FedEx any more attractive. It's a demanding, ball-strikers' course but scenic or telegenic it's not.

5).It wasn't just the course that was boring last week, the tournament was too. Rory, Poulter and Fleetwood fell away, and Jason Day got into contention only to disappear quickly.
So, well done Justin Thomas. Apparently he's been using a fractionally shorter driver and it appears to have done the trick, from the moment he poked his nose in front he never looked likely to be beaten. Tough to think he won't be in contention again this week, Dustin too.

6).Not happy that those three Europeans stumbled on Sunday, is that becoming too much of a habit? Fleetwood especially seems to be in the form of his life but not winning on the biggest stages.
Not yet? Or not ever??
Westwood & Montgomerie had spells where they played as well as anyone, but always found someone to beat them. Perhaps this week for Tommy?

7).And: What of Woods? Lots in the press about his body tiring (stiffening?) as the season wears on. It seems his swing speed is down quite a bit from earlier in the season, and his driver certainly went awol on him last weekend. Is he wearing down and, if so, what value will (seems will rather than would) he be in the Ryder Cup? Of course, he could give the FedEx Play-Offs a miss and give his body a breather, but can't see him sitting out more than one of those; probably wishes there were just three Play-Off tournaments, as there will be next year.
Imagine he's already a burden for Furyk.
(Like Garcia might be for Bjorn?)

8).Davis Love plays his 100th Major Championship this week. The top ten appearances were all by players now well into their sixties or beyond:
Nicklaus (164), Player, Watson, Palmer, Floyd, Snead, Crenshaw, Sarazen, O'Meara, Kite (109). Followed by a few who may have more to play:
106: Langer
104: Mickelson
102: Els
Faldo notched his century and seems to have called it a day, but doesn't sound as if Love is done yet.
Imagine Vijay & Furyk are next on the list, possibly followed by Woods - Sergio just about to go ahead of Westwood as he contests his 81st.

9).Shane Lowry fizzled just when it looked like he might challenge for last week's "Barracuda Championshp", and Seamus Power missed a great opportunity to secure his card for next season. Lowry's in the PGA field but Power has earned this week off. Just Greensboro left as a safety net for them.

10).Who do you fancy this week? And, especially, who do you see to beat Thomas & Johnson?? Loads of ifs for me, especially where Europeans are concerned:
If Rose is fit, you'd think he'd be in the shake-up.
If Tommy Fleet can put four rounds together.
If Noren & Stenson can find their fairways and greens game.
If Rory can fit his driver into the fairway. (Tip, Otherwise use your 3-wood, you still hit it far enough.)
If Olesen can continue his summer form.
And ditto: If Molinari can recapture his summer form.
You could make a case for all of them to make the top ten, but I can't see past the Dustin and Justin show.
Can't even see a dark horse, not to win anyway, though could easily see Zach Johnson being good each way value @ about 80's.

Yeah despite the coverage it’s been a fine evening of golf watching. Great shots and putts-a-dropping with big names at or near the top.

Very patient there from Tiger, impressive great par save keeps the momentum going...

Horror hole for Spieth.

Yeah wire, he can be really Wild at times paid for it there ouch.

Thankfully Tiger is doing well so we can get him in the coverage...

Gary Woodland needs a bunker lesson.

Nice ace for Matt Wallace.
Shame CBS's resident geriatric called him Mike.

Don't think I've ever seen a ball played back into a bunker that had not yet been raked - never, not just in the pros, never!

Remind me, Adam Scott is allowed to putt like that because why?

Is Keopka the lowest profile top sports star in the world? Shouldn’t be, good looking bloke, exciting power player, seems like a nice guy. Doesn’t really generate any column inches, doubt your non golf fan would pick him out from a line up.

Koepka looks strong.

Yeah Kwini, caddys don't seem to do it these days. Hitting it from bunker to bunker doesn't help

Great up and down from Koepka,

wire,
He is (evidently) able to demonstrate he's not anchoring.

Another nice round from Eddie Pepp, three over after five holes of Round 1, now about 20th.

wiretapper wrote:Remind me, Adam Scott is allowed to putt like that because why?

Because Langer started to have success with that method.

Hmmm, let’s just say I’m sceptical.

Anyway leaving that to one side, through no fault of his own I’m beginning to wish bogeys on Brooks although birdies for everyone else would be better

Everyone hoping Koepka drops a couple...

Hope they set the course up as tough as they can on Sunday, without going to USGA lengths.
Set-up man is a Yorkshireman so assume he'll be suitably pragmatic.

Big (pun unintended) day for Lowry.

How gutted will Sky be about if Woods were to win this? Hope he does or Fowler breaks his duck. Head says major number 3 for Brooks - not that I have seeen a single stroke of the event!

Koepka shows more composure in the majors than his vastly more popular American counterparts Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Koepka shows more composure in the majors than almost anyone.

Fixed it.

Poulter in position to take control of the final qualifying RC spot from Casey today. He needs a Solo 40th or better.

Olesen needs a very good round to pass Casey.

The US team standings doesn't look like it going to change much

Koepka was brilliant on his first nine yesterday, scrambling almost every hole on the back. Often after hitting irons off the tee for safety. Might be a good idea to hit driver every hole Brooksy.


Wouldn't say DJ is more popular than Koepka, he's just been doing it longer and winning much longer, except for Koepka's US Opens. No composure lacking at Oakmont Nathaniel.
Though Koepka's Major record is phenomenal - hasn't missed a cut since the 2013 Open (except for two Majors he missed due to injury).

Agreed regarding DJ's pedigree, what he got now 15 wins as a pro? But for someone with his talent how many times has he thrown away major after major? You could argue that DJ could've won 4/6 majors.

Koepka granted he's not a serial winner yet but going back to back at US Open is an incredible achievement

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Agreed regarding DJ's pedigree, what he got now 15 wins as a pro? But for someone with his talent how many times has he thrown away major after major? You could argue that DJ could've won 4/6 majors.

Koepka granted he's not a serial winner yet but going back to back at US Open is an incredible achievement

All agreed! 19 x Tour wins for DJ now, ten in the last 2 1/2 yrs. Probably the two most laidback blokes on Tour . . . . . . . .

Adam Scott wins! for Jarrod Lyle

Ben Crenshaw 1995 Masters Redux!

That is what I am rooting for.

kwinigolfer wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Agreed regarding DJ's pedigree, what he got now 15 wins as a pro? But for someone with his talent how many times has he thrown away major after major? You could argue that DJ could've won 4/6 majors.

Koepka granted he's not a serial winner yet but going back to back at US Open is an incredible achievement

All agreed! 19 x Tour wins for DJ now, ten in the last 2 1/2 yrs. Probably the two most laidback blokes on Tour . . . . . . . .

I think DJ is just so thick that he can't be flustered by nerves.

So is Koepka wins today he has more major wins than tour wins (European or PGA). Knows how to peak clearly, suspect a lot more regular wins will start to come his way before long.

A friend of mine has made a small fortune betting on Koepka in the last few years. Probably the best player in the world right now, even if Rizla is ranked number one.

super_realist wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:

Nathaniel Jacobs wrote:Agreed regarding DJ's pedigree, what he got now 15 wins as a pro? But for someone with his talent how many times has he thrown away major after major? You could argue that DJ could've won 4/6 majors.

Koepka granted he's not a serial winner yet but going back to back at US Open is an incredible achievement

All agreed! 19 x Tour wins for DJ now, ten in the last 2 1/2 yrs. Probably the two most laidback blokes on Tour . . . . . . . .

I think DJ is just so thick that he can't be flustered by nerves.

Something to be said for that supes; but would also say that having Wayne Gretzky & Screaming Lord Butch in his corner helps a lot too - just needs to get his act together on the biggest stage.

Happy to see Kaymer making a late Ryder Cup bid - imagine he'd have to win!
And disappointed by the poor effort so far from Team GB, though Rory's putter seems to be working (unlike the rest of his game).
Olesen will need good results in Scandinavia to get a ticket to Paris, don't you think?

I think Olesen might not need that much Kwini, he's already been pretty steady, is on the cusp of automatic qualification but would think he's a "lock" for a Captain's pick with Poulter

RCB (T12th at the time of posting) is trying to make a claim to the 8th spot in the Euro RC standings. He needs a solo 8th to pass Casey.

Poulter needs a solo 40th to pass Casey.

GPB wrote:RCB (T12th at the time of posting) is trying to make a claim to the 8th spot in the Euro RC standings.  He needs a solo 8th to pass Casey.

Poulter needs a solo 40th to pass Casey.

Hope Rafa does it, after his performance at Hazeltine he surely deserves another chance, provided he shows decent form.
Imagine Poults will get chosen regardless, but going to be a tough call to choose Sergio & Stenson with both scratching around for form. Hopefully their previous @ G'boro will inspire them

Any European wins this, they are going to the Ryder Cup - as Shane Lowry birdies his way into second...

Apologies, third now

Really like Rafa, great golf swing seems to be strong in all aspects of his game. Can't understand how he doesn't win more and am a bit surprised he hasn't auto qualified already.

Wire, apparently they got Shane's score wrong on the 2nd. -9 still T3...

Yeah I thought he had birdied 2 and bogeyed 3 but he parred both

Not sure that I'm pleased about it, but this fine round from Hatton must clinch his RC place.

Also love Rafa, really hope he's done enough to get Bjorn's attention.

I’d love Rafa to make it Kwini. And yeah, Hatton isn’t going to win any popularity contests but he seems to be finding form when others aren’t.

Yeah Olesen should be a lock. It’s not like those on the bubble are giving him a run for his money is it?

Poulter will qualify outright and I don’t think Casey’s on the shortlist of potential picks.

Hatton has got a 58 pt lead on Casey in the OWGR standings, he has just about clinched a spot. Not sure who he might be matched with.

Kind of surprised that neither Casey or Hatton is playing Wyndham.

Thomas must be worried about the form of Casey, Sergio, and Henrik.

Doesn't look like anyone is going to crash the US Standings.

Hotting up now with Koepka missing there, let's see how cool under pressure he is now.

Muy bien Sñr Cabrero-Bello! Vamos!

Think Koepka will reboubd on the back 9 and win with 2 or 3. Like the US Open.

Birdies dropping, Koepka still in control though

May be considered the fourth Major (I'd say that would be The Masters) but wonderful leaderboard.

Same as last year, a high quality close leaderboard - at least for most of the day

Pieters could win the PGA Championship.

And get Kaymered off the PGATour for not playing enough events.

Doesn’t the yellow ribbon match with the Sunday red?

I know it doesn’t matter and I shouldn’t let it get to me but I hate the way US broadcasters place the players on the leaderboard on the same score by how they rank them and not by which hole they are on

4 birdies in a row for Pieters and you would expect him to at least birdie 17

Sycophantic tosspots wire . . . . .

Meanwhile, I'd never've thunk the Antwerp Diamond would be up there. Birdie! If he could somehow post -14, you just never know.

Think it would be a wise thing to grow the rough at Le Golf National.