PGA Tour: WGC-FedEx / Barracuda / Wyndham Championship in Greensboro: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Well done Shane Lowry!

2).I suppose it's fitting that, in this season of the compressed "Majors" calendar, that we have 4 x PGA Tour (recognised) events in two weeks.
The only surprise to me is that people still think this four-Majors-in-three-and-a-bit months plan is a good idea.
Anyway, the good news is that Lowry gets to be the last Major Champion for almost 9 months, rather like PFC holding the FA Cup for longer than any other team in history.

3).There'll no doubt be some sort of post mortem at season's end with, presumably, the PGA Tour and network broadcasters slapping each other on the back congratulating themselves on getting away with it, and most likely for the foreseeable future.
But how many players will echo the commentary of Justin Rose who clearly feels the rhythm of the season has been disrupted as the focus is now on the FedEx Cup and not the PGA (which, quite honestly, I can barely remember)?
"For me, major championships are the things which should be protected most. That's how all our careers are ultimately going to be measured." And he said that before The Open began.

4).Another surprise, because I clearly got it wrong, is that so few eligible players are giving the latest WGC in Memphis a miss. After five chose not to enter, only Shane Lowry opted to take the week off whereas I would have expected half a dozen more to sit it out. Oh well!

5).The "WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational" gets underway shortly at TPC Southwind in the Memphis, TN, area. The weather should be perfect for scoring, highs of about 30C (cool by London standards), no significant wind and little to no threat of rain or storms.
The only wrinkle could be that water comes into play throughout the course, traditionally the course hosting a full-field with more water balls than any other. Not this year obviously as only 63 will be competing as they try to pad their bank accounts and FedEx point totals.
If you're not familiar with the course, it's a Par-71 (EDIT, Now apparently a Par-70), appropriately demanding for the Tour's rank-and-file who usually compete here, but not exactly a memorable challenge for the World's best.
One competitor who badly needs a strong performance is Alex Noren, and hopefully this will be just the place for him. Otherwise, Greensboro next week represents his final chance to secure his Tour card for next season - unless he plays the WTF series.

6).The Tour's second division are in the gorgeous Lake Tahoe area, playing the Barracuda Championship at scenic Montreux G&CC, the PGA Tour's version of Crans-sur-Sierre. They'll be playing the modified Stableford scoring system but most of those top pros qualified to be there have stayed away in droves.
We'll be following progress there regardless. Apart from the usual suspects, Messrs Harrington, Kaymer and Pavan will be there, whilst fellow Europeans (including Kaymer of course) will see the week as a second to last gasp for retaining their cards. It's a broken record in these notes but this lot includes:
Laird
Blixt
Power
Jaeger
Cejka
Straka

7).Hadn't realised that the 2026 Ryder Cup venue was just about to be announced and happy enough to see it go to Adare Manor, in Limerick. Which other venues were under consideration?

8).And, while we're at it, what about the quandary that the very excellent Portrush has placed the R&A in? It seems that Portrush is pencilled in for either 2024 or 2026 (does the Adare Manor announcement thus make 2024 more likely?). So far, we have:
2020: RStG
2021: St.Andrews
2022: Hoylake
2023: ? Presumably Muirfield?
2024: ? Portrush or Lytham?
2025: ? I wonder if they'll go back to TOC after just four years
2026: ? Lytham or Portrush?
The R&A can move in mysterious ways so no idea on any of that. Hopefully there's no collusion to get Turnberry included, despite its quality being unimpeachable.

9).I still don't understand why the Tour is so anxious to avoid the NFL - it certainly doesn't affect demand for US Open Tennis action and it won't impact demand for next year's Ryder Cup either. Hopefully the European Tour will capitalise appropriately and their top players will support the autumn European Tour schedule.

10).Trying to learn the words to Fields of Athenry - help Shane!

RIP Mario Gonzalez, Father of Brazilian Golf. Age 96,

He played in the 1941 US Open in Ft Worth

https://www.pgatour.com/la/en/news/2019/07/30/mario-gonzalez--1922-2019.html

With all due respect to Super Mario, that's rather like an Englishman being the father of sumo wrestling . . . .

What's his legacy? Alex Rocha??


Iffy weather in Greensboro for the Wyndham . . . . . .

Father of Brazilian Golf, not Golf

I know that there has been Americans in Sumo Wrestling. I would guess there has been an Englishman (or two)

GPB wrote:Father of Brazilian Golf, not Golf

I know that there has been Americans in Sumo Wrestling.  I would guess there has been an Englishman (or two)

There's a few Sumo wrestlers in Golf for sure.

Oops,
I'll scribble some Greensboro notes later but let's keep this thread.

Meanwhile, a BIG week for Messrs:
Noren
Power
Jaeger
Blixt
Kaymer
. . . . . as all will lose the Tour bard unless they conjure good finishes (obviously the target varies according to FedEx ranking) this week at Greensboro.

Way to represent the European Tour, Thorbjorn

https://twitter.com/RyanBallengee/status/1156906923947696129

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2019/08/01/thorbjorn-olesen-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sexual-assault-after-reported-drunken-behavior-on-flight-report-115605/

Tony Johnstone is reporting the death of Gordon Brand Jr via twitter

https://twitter.com/TonyJohnstone56/status/1156879143688126464

GPB wrote:Way to represent the European Tour, Thorbjorn

https://twitter.com/RyanBallengee/status/1156906923947696129

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2019/08/01/thorbjorn-olesen-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sexual-assault-after-reported-drunken-behavior-on-flight-report-115605/

Naughty boy; if you can't emulate Tiger on the golf course, do it on a plane - sounds kinda like three in one. What a berk!

Thanks for the GBJr news GPB,

Here's what the ET had to say:

http://www.europeantour.com/staysuretour/news/newsid=374183.html


Played in the first Ryder Cup I ever went to.

Scotland tied with Slovakia leading the way early in Greensboro's Round 1. Laird and Roary.

GPB wrote:Way to represent the European Tour, Thorbjorn

https://twitter.com/RyanBallengee/status/1156906923947696129

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2019/08/01/thorbjorn-olesen-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sexual-assault-after-reported-drunken-behavior-on-flight-report-115605/

Really? Don't think he's representing anyone but himself; badly, by the sound of it.

navyblueshorts wrote:

GPB wrote:Way to represent the European Tour, Thorbjorn

https://twitter.com/RyanBallengee/status/1156906923947696129

https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2019/08/01/thorbjorn-olesen-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sexual-assault-after-reported-drunken-behavior-on-flight-report-115605/

Really? Don't think he's representing anyone but himself; badly, by the sound of it.

Yep... European tour has nothing to do with it. If it did I'm sure every Tour out there would have plenty of their own crosses to bear... Channeling John Daly... Only difference is JD did his groping and pi**ing at Hooters, where that kind of behavior is somewhat expected...

Hopefully, flights to London will get cheaper.

Thunderbeer? Not much separating BA First and Ryanair these days

And probably the most convenient nap Poulter has ever had.

Anyone listen to Jason Bohn and Lumpy Herron on nlu pod? Bohn loves a story. Golf just doesn't produce young characters anymore,, then its saved by pissing thor.

beninho wrote:Anyone listen to Jason Bohn and Lumpy Herron on nlu pod? Bohn loves a story. Golf just doesn't produce young characters anymore,, then its saved by pissing thor.

golf has no characters anymore? Ummm... Eddie Pepperell, Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Wolff, Bubba Watson, Jon Rahm, Brooks "buttfloss" Koepka, Dustin "wifey buttfloss" Johnson... I could go on and on...

robopz wrote:

beninho wrote:Anyone listen to Jason Bohn and Lumpy Herron on nlu pod? Bohn loves a story. Golf just doesn't produce young characters anymore,, then its saved by pissing thor.

golf has no characters anymore?  Ummm... Eddie Pepperell, Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Wolff, Bubba Watson, Jon Rahm, Brooks "buttfloss" Koepka, Dustin "wifey buttfloss" Johnson...  I could go on and on...

With the exception of Pepperell, that's a fine list of incredibly boring people. Not a character in sight

I will give Eddie Pep. Definitely a character. Players probably are characters, but, they have to be so bland and vanilla to not upset sponsors or tours. Even when I listen to players on the nlu pod, the best are the ones who've been around a bit.

But golf fans like to get their knickers in a twist over players like hatton, walkace or sergio shouting, swearing and throwing clubs. Same with Rahm. Its like gol wants dull robots. Tiger woods was banging prn stars getting tanked on.prescription drugs and everyone thought it was terrible. Golf needs shaggers and boozers.

beninho wrote:But golf fans like to get their knickers in a twist over players like hatton, walkace or sergio shouting, swearing and throwing clubs. Same with Rahm. Its like gol wants dull robots. Tiger woods was banging prn stars getting tanked on.prescription drugs and everyone thought it was terrible. Golf needs shaggers and boozers.

Getting "tanked on prescription drugs" isn't something which makes you exciting or one with character. It does make you sad and pathetic though. If you're going to get into an addiction to drugs, you might at least take one which has an actual effect. Being addicted to something like a painkiller is like being addicted to cigarettes. Pointless and dreary.

Hopefully Ben An can finally have a good putting week for the whole week and get his breakthrough this week! World class player from tee to green!

super_realist wrote:

beninho wrote:But golf fans like to get their knickers in a twist over players like hatton, walkace or sergio shouting, swearing and throwing clubs. Same with Rahm. Its like gol wants dull robots. Tiger woods was banging prn stars getting tanked on.prescription drugs and everyone thought it was terrible. Golf needs shaggers and boozers.

Getting "tanked on prescription drugs" isn't something which makes you exciting or one with character. It does make you sad and pathetic though. If you're going to get into an addiction to drugs, you might at least take one which has an actual effect. Being addicted to something like a painkiller is like being addicted to cigarettes. Pointless and dreary.

He was on opiates, so not just like cigarettes. They are very strong and very addictive, and not really available over here afaik by GP prescription.

B_t_b,
Not readily available here except by prescription (or theft, or some other illegal diversion). The trouble is the over-prescription of drugs by toe-rag doctors who are being heavily marketed to (bribed) by Big Pharma is the primary source of the problem.
Incredible the number of pills-per-person on average being doled out willy nilly - to the Willies & Nillies as it happens.


As for characters (and, much as I like Dustin Johnson, he is surely the monosyllabic anti-character, along with TW?), the real characters are the young players or journeymen (like Bohn & Herron). But I would add Shane, even before two weeks ago.

I guess I'm having trouble understanding what people want when they say "characters"... IMO there's as many out there dancing to the beat of their own drummers as there ever has been... The ones I listed earlier (and you can add Tiger and Phil to that) are certainly characters and interesting to watch.

People seem to have this romanticized false memory that it has been different... Never has been... It's always been about 90-95% cookie cutter the same... 5-10% with things different that makes them stand out...

kwinigolfer wrote:
As for characters (and, much as I like Dustin Johnson, he is surely the monosyllabic anti-character, along with TW?), the real characters are the young players or journeymen (like Bohn & Herron). But I would add Shane, even before two weeks ago.  

agree that DJ on his own is hardly a character, but his hot wife makes him way more so. And I would add Spierh to that list too... Talking to his ball, wearing his emotions on his sleeve... I mean come on what do we want? Fat drunken slobs? Yeah some of those are characters too, at least the ones that are left.

The most fan-friendly pro on the PGA Tour that I've seen is Peter Malnati - trouble is, most fans have never heard of him.

He doesn't exude riotous personality, but Russell Knox is great to follow, always grinds on every shot but without taking that much time, always acknowledges and appreciation from the gallery, seems to be have a good time with his fellow competitors . . . . .

And then there's Thunderbear and his attempts to join the Mile High Club.

robopz wrote:I guess I'm having trouble understanding what people want when they say "characters"... IMO there's as many out there dancing to the beat of their own drummers as there ever has been... The ones I listed earlier (and you can add Tiger and Phil to that) are certainly characters and interesting to watch.

People seem to have this romanticized false memory that it has  been different... Never has been... It's always been about 90-95% cookie cutter the same... 5-10% with things different that makes them stand out...

I've never seen the appeal of Wood's golf game or his so called "personality". His game is errant and seemingly without much thought, very much the American forces scatter gun tactic of fire wherever without any consideration for the target and deal with the consequences. I don't see how that is appealing or interesting, add to that and the fact he's the most sanitised, paint by numbers, stage managed, wooden, humourless and dreary interviewee the game has ever seen, not to mention he appears to abhor the game whilst he's playing, I can't see any redeeming features about the guy whatsoever. Even his new forced "smile" is as insincere as that of an air hostess. How can he possibly fool you lot? Conor Moore sums him up perfectly in his impressions when his smile drops immediately on the close of the interview. "Smiling's really tough, really tough"

Now someone like Poulter (or Garcia, Rahm, Sabbatini etc), who whilst not one of my favourite golfers at least is prepared to wear "his heart on his sleeve" whilst playing (I hate that expression) and in interviews.
These guys are multi millionaires. Why do they still feel the need to behave like robots reading a script? Of course the journalists have to take the blame for asking such terrible questions to begin with, but show a bit of emotion, express an opinion etc, if some companies don't like that from a sponsorship point of view, plenty of others will.

In general though, I can't think of many sportspeople across the entire range of sports who are genuinely interesting people as far as we are allowed to see anyway. Very few have a spark which separates them from an army of other drab sports people, which is probably actually reflected in society too.

Be_the_ball wrote:

super_realist wrote:

beninho wrote:But golf fans like to get their knickers in a twist over players like hatton, walkace or sergio shouting, swearing and throwing clubs. Same with Rahm. Its like gol wants dull robots. Tiger woods was banging prn stars getting tanked on.prescription drugs and everyone thought it was terrible. Golf needs shaggers and boozers.

Getting "tanked on prescription drugs" isn't something which makes you exciting or one with character. It does make you sad and pathetic though. If you're going to get into an addiction to drugs, you might at least take one which has an actual effect. Being addicted to something like a painkiller is like being addicted to cigarettes. Pointless and dreary.

He was on opiates, so not just like cigarettes. They are very strong and very addictive, and not really available over here afaik by GP prescription.

Plenty drugs have an opiate base, doesn't mean you're in Trainspotting and feel reactions like you're on heroin. Tramadol and Codeine are Opiates and available in the UK.

kwinigolfer wrote:The most fan-friendly pro on the PGA Tour that I've seen is Peter Malnati - trouble is, most fans have never heard of him.

He doesn't exude riotous personality, but Russell Knox is great to follow, always grinds on every shot but without taking that much time, always acknowledges and appreciation from the gallery, seems to be have a good time with his fellow competitors . . . . .

And then there's Thunderbear and his attempts to join the Mile High Club.

Russell Knox is class, he's quite understated and just goes about his business. He's been pretty solid on the PGA tour for a few years now and Pushed Rory hard for the 2016 Irish Open, before winning the 2018 Irish Open. I found Danny Willett good to follow also.

I watched a bit of the Wyndham last night. Total birdie-fest.

Probably not the way you want it if you are on the bubble.

wiretapper wrote:I watched a bit of the Wyndham last night. Total birdie-fest.

Probably not the way you want it if you are on the bubble.

Yup, cut will likely be -3, could even get to -4..
Which means the likes of Blixt, Noren, Jaeger etc need to go low today just to play the weekend.
Kaymer off to a decent start but he needs a podium (I should think) this week to keep his card and advance to the Play-Offs.

Meanwhile, Spieth committed to this event after the normal cut-off to improve his chances of qualifying for the BMW and give himself a shot at East Lake. Doing well so far, but just goes to show what a lousy year he's had.

Mike Weir is another making a late run for the Tour Championship:
Only in on a last-minute sponsor's invitation, he's up to T10! Come on Mike, we know you can do it.
#evenmoneyhemissesthecut . . . . . .

PGATour waves Bye -Bye to Martin Kaymer. But if the PGATour does not suspend him from PGATour events, Kaymer is going to get to play the exact schedule he has been playing.

A smattering of PGATour events.

IMO, the PGATour should suspend from playing non-co-sanctioned PGATour events for at least a year, if not two years. Kaymer has thumbed his nose at PGATour regulations, not once, not twice, but three times over his 5 year exemption for winning the Players in 2014.

Technically the 2nd time he got a Medical Exemption, but he made no effort to play an extra events.

Yup,
Kaymer exits, but your blaming him for taking advantage of the Tour's rules when they tried to all they could to seduce the World's best to play on the BIG Tour is going a bit far - plus, I would imagine that playing in the World Cup last autumn qualifies as a PGA Tour event, albeit technically "unofficial" . . . . . . . . doesn't it?

Alex Noren looks like he's lived to fight another day. Saturday in his case. Hopefully Sunday too.

59 from Snedeker here last year and here's the first 59 watch of this week:
Canadian Adam Svensson is -9 after 14 holes with a short birdie putt on 15. Watch out!

Woof,
Maybe Noren is on his bike after all. Missed a 6 footer on his final hole and he's on the precipice of the cut.
What would he do if he missed out?
Return to the European Tour I should think, rather than fart arse around the wtf's. But you never know.

Blixt also hanging by a thread, albeit a different one.

What good are rules, if you don't enforce them?

BTW, I was pretty draconian when Spieth didn't play the requisite new event.

Casey playing this week, not playing next week. Neither is Stenson.

GPB wrote:PGATour waves Bye -Bye to Martin Kaymer.  But if the PGATour does not suspend him from PGATour events, Kaymer is going to get to play the exact schedule he has been playing.

A smattering of PGATour events.  

IMO, the PGATour should suspend from playing non-co-sanctioned PGATour events for at least a year, if not two years.  Kaymer has thumbed his nose at PGATour regulations, not once, not twice, but three times over his 5 year exemption for winning the Players in 2014.

Technically the 2nd time he got a Medical Exemption, but he made no effort to play an extra events.

But as a (fairly recent) double major winner, and winning-putt holer in the Ryder Cup, he has far more interest from the casual viewer (which I'm not) than your average journeyman tour pro, and will rightly get invites to most tournaments he wants to play in. And quite frankly, so he should. I love his attitutde, basically a f**k you at the pga tour.

ralphjohn69 wrote:

GPB wrote:PGATour waves Bye -Bye to Martin Kaymer.  But if the PGATour does not suspend him from PGATour events, Kaymer is going to get to play the exact schedule he has been playing.

A smattering of PGATour events.  

IMO, the PGATour should suspend from playing non-co-sanctioned PGATour events for at least a year, if not two years.  Kaymer has thumbed his nose at PGATour regulations, not once, not twice, but three times over his 5 year exemption for winning the Players in 2014.

Technically the 2nd time he got a Medical Exemption, but he made no effort to play an extra events.

But as a (fairly recent) double major winner, and winning-putt holer in the Ryder Cup, he has far more interest from the casual viewer (which I'm not) than your average journeyman tour pro, and will rightly get invites to most tournaments he wants to play in.  And quite frankly, so he should.  I love his attitutde, basically a f**k you at the pga tour.

So much more articulate than I could ever pretend to be . . . . . . . . . . .

What on earth is Casey reasoning for playing this week and not next week?! Surely skip this week and play next week!?

sirbenson wrote:What on earth is Casey reasoning for playing this week and not next week?! Surely skip this week and play next week!?

This is what Paul Casey has to say about playing this week, at any rate:

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/paul-casey-65-keeps-hopes-alive-extra-cash-wyndham-championship


He probably thinks that cash in his pocket from Wyndham spends just as well as FedEx's dosh. And he might have a point there.

Henrik bides farewell to the Play-Offs by missing next week. Not sure he cares.

Stenson wants to play the bare minimum of events.

Extraordinary round of one-under-par 69 from Alex Noren.
Hit every green but one, birdied two par fives, never made a putt longer that 4 1/2 feet, missed TEN inside 20 feet.
Now he could miss the 54-hole cut . . . . . . hopefully not.
Probably needs something in the low 60's on Sunday, if he makes it.


Meanwhile, wise move the European Tour taking this week off as PFC open their season. With conspicuous lack of success.

kwinigolfer wrote:Meanwhile, wise move the European Tour taking this week off as PFC open their season. With conspicuous lack of success.

My team did all right.

Go on Viktor!!

Good on Benny!! Long overdue on the PGA Tour!

3 hrs 50 minutes for the final group today.

Old style course. Short walks between greens and the next tee.

kwinigolfer wrote:

Meanwhile, wise move the European Tour taking this week off as PFC open their season. With conspicuous lack of success.

PFC? Private First Class? Pennsylvania Fried Chicken?

Surprised that Ben An hasn't won here yet.
He looked so calm and in total control when he won at Wentworth, but seems to have thrown away some really good opportunities in the past few years. Hope Sunday is different, he may even be like Webb and call a child Wyndham . . . . . . . . .

kwinigolfer wrote:B_t_b,
Not readily available here except by prescription (or theft, or some other illegal diversion). The trouble is the over-prescription of drugs by toe-rag doctors who are being heavily marketed to (bribed) by Big Pharma is the primary source of the problem.
Incredible the number of pills-per-person on average being doled out willy nilly - to the Willies & Nillies as it happens.


As for characters (and, much as I like Dustin Johnson, he is surely the monosyllabic anti-character, along with TW?), the real characters are the young players or journeymen (like Bohn & Herron). But I would add Shane, even before two weeks ago.  

I know Kwini, I'm not saying he was on anything illegal or that he didn't need that level of pain relief. He was on Vicodin, which is not nurofen. Highly addictive stuff. I hope he's off it now and managing his pain well. I agree re doc's prescribing that strong a drug, and from most reports it's the withdrawal of the prescription that is driving people towards illegal drugs.