PGA Tour: Memorial Tournament and Canadian Open: Notes from the Ballwasher

by kwinigolfer Wed May 29, 2019 6:06 am

First topic message reminder :

1).The late spring diet of terrific courses for the PGA Tour Pros to play continues as we move from Bethpage, through Colonial to Muirfield Village, Jack Nicklaus's masterpiece. Next week the boys will head north of the border to Ontario's Hamilton Golf and Country Club (a Harry Colt design) and then on to Pebble Beach for the US Open.

2).But first: What about Colonial?
Kevin Na convincingly won his third Tour event, and his apparent good humour moved him from the bottom of my Tour pro likeability chart. I thought Na's comments on Sunday about Colonial being one of only about 7 or 8 courses he feels he can still expect to win were instructive. And made his withdrawal this week kinda surprising seeing as he was a little unlucky to runner up to Matsuyama just a few years ago. Perhaps he fancies a rest before going to Pebble Beach, where his criteria would seem to suit him.

3).Na's closest challengers stumbled their way through Sunday's round; lots of observation by the CBS crew about Tony Finau which I thought was interesting. Still doesn't make enough putts and needs to go on a Dustin Johnson-like course of practice with his scoring clubs, 8-iron thru' his wedges.
And Jordan Spieth had everyone at CBS in a dizzy tizzy after his putter came alive in Rounds 1, 2 & 3, but scarcely made a thing on Sunday which magnified his problems off the tee.
Still, four Europeans (household names Blixt, Sabbatini, Hatton & Knox) kept their wits about them in finishing T8 or better; too bad Martins Kaymer and Laird made a mess on Sunday, spoiling potentially good finishes - the story of their year so far.

4).With only ten tournaments available between now and the end of the "Regular Season", FedEx Points are at a premium and this week's Memorial Tournament at Jack's place doesn't help the strugglers, as it is yet another limited field "invitational".

5).Among those Europeans and other "notables" who still have to secure their "playing privileges" for 2019/2020 are:
Hatton, Knox and Blixt, whose fine week at Colonial got each of them within 50-ish points of the likely Top 125 threshold.
Uihlein, Watney - within 100 points of safety.
Berger, Power, Lowry, Laird and Noren all 150 - 200 points to go.
Harman, Haas, Dufner, Frittelli, Henley, Willett, Schniederjans, Schwartzel, Lahiri & Kaymer all in pretty desperate shape.
Not much time to go, chaps.

6).Muirfield Village will stretch out to about 7,400 yards and is largely modelled after Nicklaus's game: Wide fairways, second shot favouring a high fade, fast greens.
Only four PGA Tour events have seen a player hit all 56 fairways: And three of them have been here: twice by Calvin Peete and once by Brian Claar. The other was in Tucson by David Frost.
And Frosty also holds the Tour record of fewest putts in a tournament, 92 at Harbour Town.
The record for greens hit in regulation is 69 out of 72, by Jacobsen and Jerry Kelly.

7).You'll see one of the best quartets of Par-5's anywhere, and the great short Par-4 14th - hopefully the Tour (or a following wind) will persuade the pros to give it a lash one day during the tournament. I'm not sure Nicklaus has got his 16th hole quite right yet, a very unforgiving mid-length Par-3, but otherwise the course is a gem.
Unfortunately it could be a wet "gem," if storms forecast for late Wednesday and Thursday materialise. Cooler, drier weather should drain the place out for the weekend.

8).It's amazing to me that Rory McIlroy has still to contend here, a course pretty much tailor-made for him. Obviously Woods has a handful of wins here and conditions could suit him, but Justin Rose, another course specialist has struggled this past couple of months. Matt Kuchar has a strong record so Kooch each way (probably about 25's?) looks a good bet to moi.

9).Remaining US Open "Sectional Qualifying" will take place on Monday, June 3rd - recent qualifiers via the owgr Top 60 include Furyk, Scott, Harding and Pan, Lowry, Snedeker and Putnam.
And there'll be another last gasp crack at qualifying via the Top 60 at the Canadian Open next week.

10).Finally, the Open Championship has such a contrived series of qualification criteria that a player could finish 3rd in US Open play at Pebble Beach but miss out, but qualify via the preceding week's Canadian Open by finishing Top Ten. Daft I tell you, just plain daft. The R&A Slumbers sometimes.

by robopz Sun Jun 09, 2019 11:55 am

NedB-H wrote:
robopz wrote:Shocking to read people apparently still butthurt over Tigers Boulder ruling. Must be either total ignorance of the rules/decisions of golf of the day or just some bone to pick. Oh well..

Love the Seve - Ken Green story...
Not “butthurt” at all, I’m no Woods fan for sure but I couldn’t care less about a rules decision in a regular tour event 20 years ago. But I still think the ruling was a ridiculous one, and it’s still a good example to bring up in a discussion of questionable rulings being given to high profile players.

Sorry for taking so long getting back on this... But I still don't understand. I would get anyone who thought maybe the rule was stupid, but I don't see how anybody can blame a player for taking advantage of legitimate rules and decisions that were clearly in place at the time. The decisions in place defining loose impediments, and getting assistance to move a loose impediment almost seemed to be written in anticipation of the very thing that occurred (like it did with Brooks Koepka in Saudi early this year).

As far as rules... I didn't like anchoring, never did and never will. But I never had the least bit of a problem with any player who did it while it was legal. ZERO.

Bottom line... If a rule sucks, the blame the RULE. Not the players who act in accordance with it. And by the way, this particular "assistance in moving loose impediments" rule continues forward essentially unchanged in the new rules of golf as well.

by robopz Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:21 pm

Hope GMAC can just go out there and play today without getting all wrapped up and what's at stake. As of now I have him 4th in the pecking order for one of the three Open spots. The two Canadians, (Hughes, Hadwin) are ahead of him w GMAC T9 with four others. van Rooyen has the OWGR edge for that third spot though.

I think Rory's got this, but I got to be rooting for one of the Canadians to win this week...

by kwinigolfer Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:04 pm

robo,
One quirk with this is that, if Hadwin, for instance, should finish 1st or 2nd, he'll qualify for The Open via the owgr's, so Portrush wannabes can also hope for Adam to have a good day!

Should be similar conditions to yesterday provided threatened rain delays arrival until evening.
Terrific top six so should be a good day.

by robopz Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:37 pm

kwinigolfer wrote:robo,
One quirk with this is that, if Hadwin, for instance, should finish 1st or 2nd, he'll qualify for The Open via the owgr's, so Portrush wannabes can also hope for Adam to have a good day!

Should be similar conditions to yesterday provided threatened rain delays arrival until evening.
Terrific top six so should be a good day.

Good point on Hadwin. I don't think the Canadians could have asked for a much better leaderboard in their new better spot on the schedule. DJ and Brooks being up there would have been nice too, but for the Canadians, Hadwin and Hughes having a legit shot on Sunday trumps all of that...

by kwinigolfer Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:52 pm

robo,
After all that, I think I'm wrong! Getting The Open mixed up with the US Open. Doh

But he could proverbially kill two birds with one stone.

Very impressive crowds and atmosphere yesterday, quite apart from what seems to be a wonderful, flowing course design.

by GPB Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:22 am

Yes, I believe the OWGR cutoff for Portrush is over and done.

One interesting OWGR note from Japan

https://twitter.com/VC606/status/1137612907175403520

Janewattananond falls just short, and projected at #61, just behind Olesen. Olesen played in two WGC events earlier this year, finishing well down the leaderboard, T45 in Mexico and T40 in Match Play, earning over 4.00 OWGR points. W/o those 4 pts for Olesen, Jazz would be projected in the Top 60 with his T3 finish last night in Japan.

My gripe with the OWGR w/ respect to WGC is that points are nearly guaranteed. I think they should (in any tournament) only give OWGR pts to the top half of the field. Olesen would not have got any OWGR points with that policy.

by GPB Mon Jun 10, 2019 1:17 am

One other note. In a regional amateur tournament in Atlanta, a college player shot 57 on a par 72 golf course

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/davidsons-alex-ross-shoots-57-dogwood-invitational

by robopz Mon Jun 10, 2019 1:28 am

GPB wrote:
Janewattananond falls just short, and projected at #61, just behind Olesen. Olesen played in two WGC events earlier this year, finishing well down the leaderboard, T45 in Mexico and T40 in Match Play, earning over 4.00 OWGR points. W/o those 4 pts for Olesen, Jazz would be projected in the Top 60 with his T3 finish last night in Japan.

My gripe with the OWGR w/ respect to WGC is that points are nearly guaranteed. I think they should (in any tournament) only give OWGR pts to the top half of the field. Olesen would not have got any OWGR points with that policy.

I don't have any issues with this because 1) points aren't guaranteed to everybody in wgc's. Olesen played well enough to earn himself those points others didn't.. 2) the cut for WGC's is effectively before the first round, instead of after the second, and 3) Jazz has the same opportunity to get in the WGCs as anybody else. He hasn't yet, but he's sure getting close.

Bottom line: I know it's cliche, but it's true... Play Better and everything else takes care of itself. It will for Jazz too if he can maintain his trajectory.

by kwinigolfer Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:22 am

Jason Day has a reputation as a walking sick-note. But will having Steve Williams on the bag at next week's US Open be the right medicine?

Elsewhere, Charl Schwartzel announced he's finished for the season as he nurses his wrist injury. He's qualified for Portrush so presumably that'll be a tee-time opening up for some kind of alternate or local qualifier.

North of the Border, down Hamilton way, another over-par final round for Noren, unlikely to improve his rank of 178th in "Final Round Scoring" of 178th. What ever has gone wrong for Alex?

by kwinigolfer Mon Jun 10, 2019 5:54 am

Ireland, North & South, doing the job so far:
McIlroy: The win
Lowry: Keep his card
McDowell: Ticket to Portrush

Good at 3.55 p.m., hopefully the same at close of play.

by beninho Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:35 am

Rory is probably my favourite player. I do like watching when he clicks it all together.

by kwinigolfer Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:51 am

-8 thru 13. And he just made his longest putt of the day: 10 ft.
59 watch?

by beninho Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:55 am

Danny Willet has another decent week. His poor stuff made you forget about his good stuff!

by kwinigolfer Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:08 am

beninho wrote:Danny Willet has another decent week. His poor stuff made you forget about his good stuff!

Couldn't agree more, ben. Hopefully this'll give him some confidence for finishing tournaments off over here.

Which McDool just did in style. Congrats to him.

And then there's Rory . . . . . . .

by beninho Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:18 am

Rory shows how good he is, which then frustrates you with the fact he only has 4 majors, which in itself is bloody brilliant!

by pedro Mon Jun 10, 2019 9:43 am

I wonder if Steve Williams will beat Jack Nicklaus’ record..

by super_realist Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:44 pm

Would be great to see McIlroy and Koepka go head to head when in full flow. No one comes close to these two when they are on it.

by Roller_Coaster Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:21 pm

GPB wrote:One other note. In a regional amateur tournament in Atlanta, a college player shot 57 on a par 72 golf course

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/davidsons-alex-ross-shoots-57-dogwood-invitational

Not bad!

by Roller_Coaster Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:21 pm

pedro wrote:I wonder if Steve Williams will beat Jack Nicklaus’ record..

Ha ha

by McLaren Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:23 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:
GPB wrote:One other note. In a regional amateur tournament in Atlanta, a college player shot 57 on a par 72 golf course

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/davidsons-alex-ross-shoots-57-dogwood-invitational

Not bad!

What was his gross?

by wiretapper Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:54 pm

I've said it before but Rory's very best is better than anyone else's very best. The problem being he doesn't show it as often as others and that his normal is bit below other top player's normal.

That was joy to watch last night and his pursuit of the 59 added a bit of drama to the end of the tournament that his brilliant play had earlier removed. He started the day level and was eight in front playing the last clap

Whether he can carry it on through next week and beyond is another question but hopefully he can.

Also clap

for Shane for a great final round and finish. I guess that means he keeps his card? It's good to see him back on track as I think he's another European golfer that has the talent to be a constant top 30 ranked player.

And finally a word on Graeme McDowell clap

I'm delighted that he has his Open place secured and I'm sure it will be an emotional return home for him but also it means he can play the next month without the push for a place and all the pressure that would have brought.

In his interview on on Sky after he finished he admitted that he thought two putts on the 18th would have been enough. Tim Barter confirmed he had to make the par putt but I've had a check and think Graeme may have been right, having a higher ranking than Munoz, Roach, and Tringale.

Anyway doesn't matter now as he will definitely be there

PS I should add that Tiger's very best is better than everyone else'e very best but Tiger's very best was 15 or so years ago and although he has shown he is still a world class golfer I cannot see him reaching his previous heights again

by McLaren Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:07 pm

For some reason Rory can't score well when hitting it poorly or sometimes even when he is hitting it flush. Got to assume that is because of him having a poor short game. You would never see him grind out a score.

Ps Jack's best was better than Tiger's best. Wink

by wiretapper Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:50 pm

McLaren wrote:For some reason Rory can't score well when hitting it poorly or sometimes even when he is hitting it flush. Got to assume that is because of him having a poor short game. You would never see him grind out a score.

Ps Jack's best was better than Tiger's best.

To clarify, I am referring to current tour players but I'm pretty sure you knew that Mac Wink

And I agree that Rory doesn't posses the grinding ability of many of his peers

by McLaren Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:38 pm

Wire

I was just messing, I obviously think Tiger would maul Jack.

by wiretapper Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:23 pm

McLaren wrote:Wire

I was just messing, I obviously think Tiger would maul Jack.

Of course

by kwinigolfer Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:49 pm

McLaren wrote:For some reason Rory can't score well when hitting it poorly or sometimes even when he is hitting it flush. Got to assume that is because of him having a poor short game. You would never see him grind out a score.

Mac, Rory's short game yesterday was superb, shame you must have missed it.

by GPB Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:52 pm

Technically, Shane didn't really "retain" his card as his exemption for winning the B-Stone had expired. More he he regained his card as his playing privileges was way down the pecking order. He is up to #65, enough to clinch a spot inside the Top 125 at season end.

Only two of the three Portrush spots were claimed as 8 of the Top 10 were already exempt.

by Shotrock Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:55 pm

Rory wins an Open in 2019! I'm CERTAIN he's hoping it's at least more one this season.

by wiretapper Tue Jun 11, 2019 12:33 am

Yeah it would be great if he could secure his first Scottish Open this year....

by I'm never wrong Tue Jun 11, 2019 1:53 am

wiretapper wrote:And finally a word on Graeme McDowell I'm delighted that he has his Open place secured and I'm sure it will be an emotional return home for him but also it means he can play the next month without the push for a place and all the pressure that would have brought.

Agreed Wire. I heard him mention that he had lined up all the possibilities to qualify - via the US Open, Irish and Scottish Opens and even Final qualifying at St Annes Old Links. So as you say, pressure off - until he gets on the first tee.

by kwinigolfer Tue Jun 11, 2019 2:19 am

It's a cool forecast for this week's Pebble Beach action, with temps likely to hover between mid-50's and low 60's every day, with enough breeze to keep the course dried out and give them something to think about.
(Don't have any clue about chances of fog, always a risk and described as a "marine layer" 'cos fog is for Britain, not California.)

The stage is set, let's just hope the USGA behave themselves, especially on #'s 7, 14 and 17, each of which have "got away from them" in the past.

by **navyblueshorts** Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:10 pm

kwinigolfer wrote:It's a cool forecast for this week's Pebble Beach action, with temps likely to hover between mid-50's and low 60's every day, with enough breeze to keep the course dried out and give them something to think about.
(Don't have any clue about chances of fog, always a risk and described as a "marine layer" 'cos fog is for Britain, not California.)

The stage is set, let's just hope the USGA behave themselves, especially on #'s 7, 14 and 17, each of which have "got away from them" in the past.

Weird. What do they call it, if it forms inland then?

by wiretapper Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:42 pm

Tee-times for the US Open are out and with them comes the realisation that I have a few consecutive extremely late nights on the cards.

Beginning to think I should book Monday off

by Shotrock Tue Jun 11, 2019 10:52 pm

Navy - We (assume "they" being Yanks) call it fog. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

by kwinigolfer Tue Jun 11, 2019 11:45 pm

Two highly-rated young amateurs will make their pro debuts next week, in Hartford, at The Travelers: Norway's Viktor Hovland and California's Matthew Wolff.
Surprised, astonished really, that Wolff will start his pro career with JP Fitzgerald as his caddie. Good for JP but can't figure out what he brings to the party in terms of the diet of PGA Tour courses that Wolff is likely to be playing.

The Golf Channel describes the weather forecast for the week as "ideal", with just the threat of "a thicker, lower-level marine layer" moving in.

by Roller_Coaster Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:27 am

Shotrock wrote:Navy - We (assume "they" being Yanks) call it fog. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Erm... I've just read this on the internet!

(Sorry Shot, just joking, it's only me being me Very Happy

)

by wiretapper Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:38 am

kwinigolfer wrote:Two highly-rated young amateurs will make their pro debuts next week, in Hartford, at The Travelers: Norway's Viktor Hovland and California's Matthew Wolff.
Surprised, astonished really, that Wolff will start his pro career with JP Fitzgerald as his caddie. Good for JP but can't figure out what he brings to the party in terms of the diet of PGA Tour courses that Wolff is likely to be playing.

Maybe JP is hoping that Wolff can quickly win a WGC so he can claim it as the best win of his career...

Only joking, JP would never be so crass

by Shotrock Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:49 am

Roller - You can believe things I write. Very Happy

Show a picture of fog to 100 'Mericans and 99/100 will almost certainly call it fog.

On to more important matters ... don't you think that Rory would have preferred to walk off 18 on Sunday directly to his first tee a PB? Will the USGA screw it up? Probably, but with gusty winds and small greens there should be adequate defense for the blue coats.

by GPB Wed Jun 12, 2019 4:57 am

Shotrock wrote:don't you think that Rory would have preferred to walk off 18 on Sunday directly to his first tee a PB?

Rory was asked that question in the post round presser

Q. How do you keep that freedom going into the next week and do you wish the U.S. Open started tomorrow?

RORY McILROY: No, because I'll be hung over probably. (Laughter.) Need a couple days to recover.

No, I mean, like I think when you get to the U.S. Open setup it can make you play careful, a little tentative and try to guide it down the fairways.

But if I've learned anything this week it's my game is good enough and swing is good enough that I can play with freedom. Yeah, look I'm not going to go and hit driver on every hole, but when I pull a club out of the bag I'll make a really good, committed swing and know for most part it should work out for me.

by super_realist Wed Jun 12, 2019 4:55 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:
Shotrock wrote:Navy - We (assume "they" being Yanks) call it fog. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Erm... I've just read this on the internet!

(Sorry Shot, just joking, it's only me being me )

I didn't think that film with Jamie Lee Curtis was called "The Marine Layer"

by Roller_Coaster Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:01 pm

super_realist wrote:
Roller_Coaster wrote:
Shotrock wrote:Navy - We (assume "they" being Yanks) call it fog. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Erm... I've just read this on the internet!

(Sorry Shot, just joking, it's only me being me )

I didn't think that film with Jamie Lee Curtis was called "The Marine Layer"

One of her earlier ones might have been as she struggled for a breakthrough.

Girl from the wrong side of the tracks has to feed her baby, with only her body to sell to survive and only a nearby army base for company, Jamie Lee Curtis is.... "The Marine Layer"

by wiretapper Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:05 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:
super_realist wrote:
Roller_Coaster wrote:
Shotrock wrote:Navy - We (assume "they" being Yanks) call it fog. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Erm... I've just read this on the internet!

(Sorry Shot, just joking, it's only me being me )

I didn't think that film with Jamie Lee Curtis was called "The Marine Layer"

One of her earlier ones might have been as she struggled for a breakthrough.

Girl from the wrong side of the tracks has to feed her baby, with only her body to sell to survive and only a nearby army base for company, Jamie Lee Curtis is.... "The Marine Layer"

by **navyblueshorts** Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:06 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:
super_realist wrote:
Roller_Coaster wrote:
Shotrock wrote:Navy - We (assume "they" being Yanks) call it fog. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Erm... I've just read this on the internet!

(Sorry Shot, just joking, it's only me being me )

I didn't think that film with Jamie Lee Curtis was called "The Marine Layer"

One of her earlier ones might have been as she struggled for a breakthrough.

Girl from the wrong side of the tracks has to feed her baby, with only her body to sell to survive and only a nearby army base for company, Jamie Lee Curtis is.... "The Marine Layer"

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