PGA Tour: WGC:MatchPlay: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).The "Match Play" returns to Texas and Austin CC's Pete Dye design for the fourth time - and it's the 5th time the tournament has started off with three rounds of round-robin "Group Play", the first time having been played at San Francisco's Harding Park.

2).And: In all those first round matches (4 x 32 = 128, I think) only 8 golfers have lost their first match and progressed out of Group play, according to the AP's Doug Ferguson - and he's always right. An amazing stat.
(That's not good news for King Louis and Ben An as I press "send".)

3).Just a word about Paul Casey, and his Valspar win last week. When he won last year, he made clutch putts to hold off T.Woods and others, having earned a deserved reputation, in PGA Tour Play at least, for failing to close the deal. But now he's successfully defended his title and seems fit and healthy enough, with fantastic ball-striking and apparently a much sunnier outlook on life, to add further titles as he moves through his forties. Now comfortably inside the top 40 career money earners.
Pretty good to see.

4).Two or three neat stat's for this week, for those in today's field only:
~Only four are survivors of the inaugural WGC: MatchPlay in 1999.
And you guessed 'em all: Furyk, Mickelson, Westwood & Woods.

5).Top ten in terms of matches played:
43: Woods
42: Poulter
41: Sergio
40: Casey
38: Furyk, Phil
37: Rors
36: Kuchar, Westwood
33: Day

6).And top ten in terms of matches won:
33: Woods
27: Poults
25: Casey
24: Kooch, Phil, Rors
22: Day, Sergio
20: Bubba
19: Louis, Furyk

7).There's an "Opposite Field" tournament in the Dominican Republic this week - Paul Dunne returns, hoping to improve on his T5 last year. And McDowell will hope for a strong finish after he rather squandered a decent start last week.

8).And the Champions Tour and web.com Tours resume their seasons.

9).NBC TV is televising seven events in a row, no Johnny Miller and, for the most part anyway (I haven't heard him except on Golf Channel's coverage), no Peter Jacobsen.
Neither were my favourite but there seems to be little rhythm in the commentary teams we're left with, especially last week with no Maltbie.
Notah Begay slows everything down - is he really the best they can do? - and the team don't seem to know how to deal with Azinger, who I like a lot. And Bones McKay is terrific!

10).Tiger Woods tees off at 2.00 p.m. Eastern Time, 6.00 p.m. in Ickenham.
And TV coverage begins at 2.00 p.m. Fancy that. Tiger TV.

Sergio barely missed a putt to win a hole. Sergio (being Sergio the Meat trombone soloist) backhanded the ball towards the hole (and missed). He did not give Kuchar time to say "Good".

Kuchar wins the hole. (kuchar said he would have conceded the put

Now Sergio is BMWing that Kuchar didn't make things right buy conceding a hole.

BMW = B!tch, Moan and Whine

Sergio, two months ago wrote:“What happened is not an example I want to set, and it’s not who I truly am.”

I'm never wrong wrote:Came in just after it happened, but what?

Sergio lipped out a ten footer for the win, marched up and rammed the tap in back out with the back of his putter. Kuch hadn't conceded it - never had the chance to - so Sergio lost the hole. Sort of stupidity you wouldn’t expect of an amateur. Now been overheard saying Kuch should have evened it up with a generous concession on the next hole but that seems like stretching a point to me.

Ok. I found an article on the web. I get it now

Sergio back-handed a 6-inch (don't smirk) and he lipped out (don't smirk again) before Kuchar could give the putt. As a result, Sergio lost a hole he should have halved. They've been going at it ever since, John Wood seemingly acting as peacemaker.

Thanks people. Committed the type of thing I criticise others for. Look it up yourself. Couldn’t find anything initially. My opinion is that it’s Sergio’s fault and take it on the chin thanks guys.

GPB wrote:Sergio barely missed a putt to win a hole.  Sergio (being Sergio the Meat trombone soloist) backhanded the ball towards the hole (and missed).  He did not give Kuchar time to say "Good".

Meat Trombone Soloist?

I honestly did not type out those words.  606V2 software must auto-correct "w - @ - n- k -e r" into "Meat Trombone Soloist"

I guess that is a good euphemism.

Didn’t expect Lucas Bjerregaard to give us the sort of match Rory should have done earlier. Great golf.

GMac with the 54 hole lead in Dominican Republic, Sungjae Im with a weak finish. Maybe knows his Masters place is on the line.

The Great Dane 2.0
aka
The Great Dane Mark II

Does the winner of the opposite field event get an invite to the Masters? I seem to remember something about a “full point tournament “ being the criteria. Does this tournament comply?

I'm never wrong wrote:Does the winner of the opposite field event get an invite to the Masters? I seem to remember something about a “full point tournament “ being the criteria. Does this tournament comply?

No!
The only person that can be added to The Masters field (other than via owgr Top 50 as of tonight) is the winner of next week's Texas Open if not otherwise exempt.
(Unless Ishikawa gets a last-minute call.)

Thanks Kwini. Just wondered if GMac could get there. Don’t think he can climb 200 places on the back of one win to qualify.

I'm guessing he could sneak into the Top 150 with a win, but not much better than that. It's so difficult to climb back up the rankings without a sustained run of good results.

Sungjai Im would squeeze in though, but only with the 24 pts that come with the win.

Temps will be about the same in Austin as they will be (outside the ground at least) at Wembley today - anticipate lots of on-course commentator complaints about the weather.

Kwini, you in Ickenham?

GMac will get somewhere around #132 should he win this afternoon.

Good thing Dell ponied up for four more years, as I can't see Dell, or TV being that crazy over a final four of Chico, Kuch, Kiz, and Beer Garden.

Interesting (and somewhat predictable) that the four semifinalists closed out their Saturday Morning matches quicker than their respective afternoon opponents.

beninho wrote:Kwini, you in Ickenham?

No, But I was once!
Used to play for ICC - great bunch of people there.

Well, now my money's on that match play machine Molinari. And just when I though pea brain could not get any pea brainier, he starts with the martyr syndrome about how Kuchar sure could have given him future holes to square things up.

Word on the street is that Kuch went full playground snitch on it, and approached the match referee to tell him the putt hadn’t been conceded, with “I’m not sure what happens here sir”. Still think Sergio’s at fault, but neither of them are coming up smelling of roses (again).

Ned - Feeds right into Pea Brain's martyr syndrome: "Well, why didn't Kuchar stand closer and tackle me before I could swipe left handed at a 3 inch putt that I might miss."

I play a lot of match play and -- perhaps this is a local rule (I honestly don't know) -- but you can't putt a putt that's been conceded. Most of the time that's in better ball action where you might be giving your playing partner (who has a meaningful putt) some advantage.

I was scoffing at the idea yesterday that no one would watch the Sunday golf without Tiger reaching the semis. But I can’t think of anything more dull than a Kisner-Kuchar final. Anyone got a tv link to the Dominican Republic tournament?

For all that it’s claimed the Matchplay is a kind tournament for Europeans, this will be the second straight all-American final and the ninth in 21 years of the event. There’s been a grand total of two all-European ones.

Yup,
Anticlimactic, but perhaps we've found a new star in Bjerregard (which super has been telling us for years).

I like Kisner's golf, a bit of an American Poulter but not the extrovert.
So we're left with two guys who thrive on Pete Dye designs, Kuchar's got at least two wins and Kis has at least three second places on Dye courses.

Sparse crowds though.You wouldn't know it was a sell-out. Hope Kisner wins.

Hope McDowell wins too - still with his cardigan in front after 63 holes.

Kisner just looks like he hates everything about it. What a miserable guy to look at.

McDowell nicks it - fourth week running for Europe. But a first step for him on his way, hopefully, to Portrush.

Rory, Molinari ... teach me to listen to the hype and pick the Europeans in this match play stuff. Nice to see the two Yanks in the top two spots!

Shotrock wrote:Rory, Molinari ... teach me to listen to the hype and pick the Europeans in this match play stuff. Nice to see the two Yanks in the top two spots!

That's alright, sr. You can enjoy Sept 2020 if they can repeat.

Or will Rory & Franny have the last larf?

What do you reckon to this course? Seems to be good for MatchPlay but don't know that I'd much enjoy playing it.

Kwin - I assume you are referring to that every other year exhibition event. Furthest thing from my mind.

I agree that a regular dose of this course with such exacting shots could get tedious and monotonous.

Small thing to be sure, but I recall Kisner and King Louie really enjoying each other's company on the first tee during a rain delay this past Fall. Kisner looks grumpy all the time, but he's really just the opposite of FIGJAM and the plastic smile.

With this all but done ... can't help but think it's Rory time at Augusta.

Kis is just a good ole Southern boy, a la Lucas Glover. Far smarter than he'd ever want to be letting on. He'd much rather be hunnin' than playing goff.

As I said a couple of hours ago, Kisner loves Pete Dye courses. Uncanny record. At least four runners up, and now the "W".

Is there a more joyless golfer on tour than Kevin Kisner? Makes Diggers and I look like Kriss Akabusi.

Watched most of the action yesterday, but was disappointed of the quality of the golf. Very poor stuff. Players looked tired already from the morning.

The course: well definitely some interesting aspects, but would like to see a more penal rough.

A dead fish has more charisma than Kisner.

Confirmation on the PGA Tour website that Harding & Lowry are the only additions to the Masters field this week, the cut-off for qualifying except for the Valero winner on Sunday.

It seems 87 will tee it up at Augusta, instead of a more typical 90 - 100, music to the ears of the Masters Committee, and a great big raspberry to those who feel the field should be larger and less elitist.

And that 87 includes Past Champs such as Cabrera, Weir, Olazabal, Couples, Lyle, Woosie, O'Meara, Mize, etc who are either non-competitive, infirm or both.

Hard to know where to come down on gimmie gate. One walks about like a grinning idiot with an air head demeanor and the other is a petulant racist wee prick.

Not sure why Bolton has O'Meara as a probable competitor in the Masters as last year he said it would be his last Masters

http://www.augusta.com/masters/story/news/2018-04-07/mark-omeara-calls-it-masters-career

Wouldn't call Couples non-competitive at the Masters. He has only missed one cut in the last 10 years, with 6 top 20's in 9 tries. ANGC is his personal fountain of youth.

McLaren wrote:Hard to know where to come down on gimmie gate. One walks about like a grinning idiot with an air head demeanor and the other is a petulant racist wee prick.

Actually thought Carter's article was pretty much to the point for once:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/47772103


It's ancient history now, but Kuchar, and especially his father, were in the news for all the wrong reasons as long ago as 1998:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/06/21/unlike-son-father-kuchar-is-criticized/9232dd24-1b75-409b-b091-1ddde4f5d31d/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bfd799482598


After the events of the past six months it's clear that Kuchar is hardly the Smiley Face, aw shucks guy he tries to portray himself as.

Having said which, Sergio's petulance was beyond stupid.


GPB, Agree about O'Meara, thought Mize & Woosie were being reeled in also.

But: I said "either non-competitive, infirm or both", Fred being in the "infirm" category, always a likely w/d but hopefully not.

Kisner isn’t a smiler, but then again I don’t think I saw Bjerregard crack a smile on course through the week. I guess match play leads to more of a game face. Kisner does seem to eek out every bit of talent he has, have to give him kudos for that.

UK Bookies have got my ISP locked out. Can someone give me the Odds that Rory will MISS the Cut next week at the MASTERS.

I am guessing about 8/1.

McLaren wrote:Hard to know where to come down on gimmie gate. One walks about like a grinning idiot with an air head demeanor and the other is a petulant racist wee prick.

I thought you were a liberal Mac? Seems you aren't.

GPB wrote:UK Bookies have got my ISP locked out.  Can someone give me the Odds that Rory will MISS the Cut next week at the MASTERS.  

I am guessing about 8/1.

Very quick look on oddsshark and Rory was +500 - is that 5/1 - I've got no idea about odds or gambling (or golf)?

GPB wrote:UK Bookies have got my ISP locked out.  Can someone give me the Odds that Rory will MISS the Cut next week at the MASTERS.  

I am guessing about 8/1.

Normally they don't post special odds this early. But I've before made a few quids on Rory MC-ing majors.

Kwini

I have used my free articles on the Washington Post for this month so couldn't read the link. Can you briefly summarize what it said?

Super

You are going to have to explain this?

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Hard to know where to come down on gimmie gate. One walks about like a grinning idiot with an air head demeanor and the other is a petulant racist wee prick.

I thought you were a liberal Mac? Seems you aren't.

McLaren wrote:Kwini

I have used my free articles on the Washington Post for this month so couldn't read the link.  Can you briefly summarize what it said?

Mac,
It was just an article from June 1998 US Open coverage when Kuchar's father was caddying for him and his antics, hooping & hollering, movement in putting lines, etc, etc, upset some players, Justin Leonard being among those especially aggrieved.
Nothing really to do with Kuchar except he seemed to condone his father's "energy" but, as they say in some parts, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
I've always imagined with Kuchar that he's somewhat oblivious, tone deaf if you like, and doesn't intuitively feel when he's crossed a line.

Kwini

It might surprise you but the more I think about it the more I think Kuchar out douchebagged Garcia on this one.

But no surprise to hear Kuchar has always had the whiff of insincere jolliness (I feel like there must be a word for that, anyway) about him.

McLaren wrote:Super

You are going to have to explain this?

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Hard to know where to come down on gimmie gate. One walks about like a grinning idiot with an air head demeanor and the other is a petulant racist wee prick.

I thought you were a liberal Mac? Seems you aren't.

Thought I might given how poor your grasp of language is.

Have you never said anything that you think might be inappropriate before? (maybe comparing Lee Westwood to a Downs syndrome person?) Perhaps you've said a few things you regret and which misrepresent what you actually think?

If you're a liberal, you grant a person a second chance don't you? Has Garcia ever said anything since which could be construed as racist? No, so why are you still beating him with a stick for something he said bloody years ago. Are you the same person you were 5 years ago? I doubt it. It's not like you can genuinely say you haven't said anything you don't regret is it? Don't tell me you haven't.

pedro wrote:

GPB wrote:UK Bookies have got my ISP locked out.  Can someone give me the Odds that Rory will MISS the Cut next week at the MASTERS.  

I am guessing about 8/1.

Normally they don't post special odds this early. But I've before made a few quids on Rory MC-ing majors.

I saw Franny Molinari at 150/1 to be top European when looking for odds on McIlroy putting the MC in Missed Cut. Surely it can't be a real bet?

super_realist wrote:

pedro wrote:

GPB wrote:UK Bookies have got my ISP locked out.  Can someone give me the Odds that Rory will MISS the Cut next week at the MASTERS.  

I am guessing about 8/1.

Normally they don't post special odds this early. But I've before made a few quids on Rory MC-ing majors.

I saw Franny Molinari at 150/1 to be top European when looking for odds on McIlroy putting the MC in Missed Cut. Surely it can't be a real bet?

Kuchar at 50/1 and Kisner at 66/1 sound ok as e/w bets.

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Super

You are going to have to explain this?

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Hard to know where to come down on gimmie gate. One walks about like a grinning idiot with an air head demeanor and the other is a petulant racist wee prick.

I thought you were a liberal Mac? Seems you aren't.

Thought I might given how poor your grasp of language is.

Have you never said anything that you think might be inappropriate before? (maybe comparing Lee Westwood to a Downs syndrome person?) Perhaps you've said a few things you regret and which misrepresent what you actually think?

If you're a liberal, you grant a person a second chance don't you? Has Garcia ever said anything since which could be construed as racist? No, so why are you still beating him with a stick for something he said bloody years ago. Are you the same person you were 5 years ago? I doubt it.  It's not like you can genuinely say you haven't said anything you don't regret is it? Don't tell me you haven't.

Of course, it's quite OK to beat someone like Corbyn with a stick for old comments taken out of context. That's different.
Also I've never seen that definition of a Liberal, I think it's that basic lack of any knowledge that leads you into so many misconceptions. That plus the fact you are a hypocrite.

This is getting off-topic for Kwini's thread.

Garcia in 2013 offered to hang out with Tiger and eat Fried Chicken.

I don't care if Garcia is a Spaniard.  Its well known that mentioning fried chicken with respect to a Black American is racist.  Think Fuzzy Zoeller in 1977. (Edited) 1997

Garcia had been acclimated to American culture for over a decade.  He was not ignorant of the reference.  (Why did he specifically say Fried Chicken?  why not grilled chicken, or hamburgers, or whatever)