PGA Tour: PGA Championship: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy!
Has Five Hour Furyk forgotten how to win? He experienced quite a drought in the late 2000's, rediscovered winning ways at the 2010 Transition (despite shanking down the 72nd hole and singeing KJ Choi's eyebrows on the way), and won squeakily at Hilton Head followed by a round full of fortitude to win the Tour Championship (and FedEx Play Offs). Now he's been in the driver's seat three times this year and parked in the wrong place each time.

2).Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley finally wins without a play-off but still due to the haplessness of another. Still not convinced that Keegs is the real thing. And nor is his local newspaper - the biggest paper in Bradley's Vermont had not one word of the golf in Monday's edition, not even the result. But he's secured his Ryder Cup place and it looks increasingly as if Furyk (so brilliant in the Presidents Cup in Melbourne but very dodgy in Ryder Cup play) will be hoping for a Captain's pick.

3).A perennial gripe about these WGC's - what incentive is there for the pros once they slip out of, say, the top twenty? There aren't many bigger admirers of Lee Westwood than me, but his weekend demonstrates that the WGC people have got their prizemoney structure all wrong. +14 was Westwood's weekend "effort" in finishing 70th, but he still took home $42K, only $30K less than two level par rounds would have earned him.
And then there's Jaidee, Crane and the vanishing Taniguchi who handed in sick notes, banked $40K and limped off to South Carolina.
Time for a cut (like The Masters, say, top 44 and those within ten shots) and lower paydays for the bottom trawlers. Spend that money instead on the leaders and create differentials worth playing for.

4).Didn't see much of the Bridgestone but really enjoyed the coverage of the Reno-Tahoe Open. A leaderboard full of characters and a worthy winner in JJ Henry. The four rookies on the USA Ryder Cup Team at the K Club, Zach, Wetterich, Vaughn Taylor and JJ have had mixed fortunes since their drenching in Ireland. Zach Johnson, of course, has gone from strength to strength, injuries have derailed Wetterich's career almost before it really started, Taylor has hit the buffers, but JJ has been like a journeyman freight train, chugging his way through the Tour season, consistently keeping his card for 12 years while supporting minor events, but never returning to the winners' platform. Until now.
Great to see Brazil's Alex Rocha getting in to the mix, four years early?, and pleased to see Romero back in the shake-up. Then there were the Open Champions: Daly tied with Leonard for his first top five since 2005, Hamilton in 8th, Harrington 19th, and Cink (talk about a slump) and Duval squandering chances of a decent payday. Seemed the modified Stableford format was very popular among the pros.

5).Very disappointing performances at the Bridgestone for those hoping for a Ryder Cup qualification. Given that Rose, McIlroy, Westwood, McDowell and Donald have their places secure, the best Bridgestone finish by the next ten contenders was T29 for Cabrera-Bello, Sergio, Kaymer and Poulter. Expect Davis Love to be quaking in his boots.

6).And look at the Europeans' form this year. Of the current owgr top fifty, the following have all lost more points this year than they've gained, indicative of their games being off the boil:
Donald, Westwood, Kaymer, Garcia, Poulter, Bjorn, Jacobson, Dyson, F'dez and Quiros. (While others such as Casey, Karlsson, Hansen, Luiten and The Mechanic have disappeared completely.) Is it too late to have another look at Carl Pettersson's eligibility?

7).But the Americans only have the long-term absentee Dustin Johnson, Watney and Toms from the top 55 with more points lost than gained, the rest (Mickelson possibly excepted) in decent to sparkling form.
There may be a turnround on the Carolina Shore this week, but I doubt it.

8).And so to Kiawah Island, home of the War on the Shore. (For accounts by those who were there, read your August Golf Digest - the most telling part to me was American disbelief at the amount the Europeans were drinking!)
Very few of those in the 156-man field for this week's PGA Championship have competitive form at Pete Dye's "Ocean Course", although some such as Rafa C-Bello, have played Junior competitions there.
But the WGC World Cup was played there twice, in 1997 and 2003, and these guys played well!
1997: 1st: Harrington (won with McGinley)
2003: 1st: Sabbatini and Immelman, with Casey and Rose runners up.

9).No Bernhard Langer or Hale Irwin this week, no Paul Broadhurst and no Steve Pate (come to think of it we didn't see much of him in the Ryder Cup either. Hmmmmm.), and hopefully no camo gear.

10).Weather will play a big part this week though; Pete Dye took a gorgeous ocean-side property, raised much of it above the dunes, and created a seaside target-golf monster, with almost all the course exposed to the elements but very few run-up areas in front of the greens. There has been significant rain these past few days and a steady diet of 10 - 15 mph breezes is forecast. Yorkshireman Kerry Haigh is responsible for setting up the course and he'll need all his skill to strike a fair balance, but he has an impeccable reputation and let's hope he lives up to it!

No idea who might win, but I fancy local-ish boy Dustin Johnson as best of the Americans. Otherwise I expect Ireland (North and South) and South Africa to contest the medals. For a rank outsider, how about Simon Dyson?

But of one thing you may be certain: If the sole survivor from the War of 1991, Jose Maria Olazabal, plays as he did 21 years ago, there'll only be one winner!

Kwin - I agree, but at the end of the day it's all about getting the number. No Russian judges on the scorecard as they say. Tied for the lead after two days is a fine position. Tiger's been notorious for a bad round of late and all this work could unravel if he throws that in tomorrow or Sunday.

Confirmed Luiten is the only golfer remaining to complete his round Saturday. Wonder what time they'll summon him to the course?!
Up first thing for a putt or two, back to bed for two or three hours, up for some elevenses and off to the first tee.

Saturday's play commences at 8.40 a.m., final twosome at work approximately 3.00 p.m.. Presumably Vijay's caddie won't wear a Tiger Who? cap.

Sickroom update: Na withdrew with a shoulder problem, rumoured that he was unable to transition at the top of his backswing, shoulder locked inplace.
And O'Hair went triple, double, quad and retired with an aching wrist. Well, you would, wouldn't you?
Not sure that Verplank ever started.
Edit: Ah ha: Yes he did! Played nine holes and then jacked it in with a hip injury. At least that's something different for him. Walking wounded the past few years but I think a bad hip is something completely different.

Shock, Horror,
What's this all about?
Michael Hoey disqualified?

Nice tweet from Doug Ferguson:
Amazing how much slower you drive listening to Glenn Miller instead of Tom Petty. #gotoffwithwarning #thankyoudeputysherriff

But still no explanation why Hoey got the hook.

Hoey d/q:

As reported by the AP on ESPN:

"But only after he signed for a 2-under 70 did he realise he failed to recreate his lie on the ninth hole after removing his ball from an embeded lie to make sure it was his.
Hoey wiped away sand on the ninth hole.
His mistake was not replacing his sand on the ball.
He was disqualified for not including the two-shot penalty and thus signing an incorrect scorecard. Hoey is the one who brought the oversight to the attention of the rules officials."

Sounds like a travesty of moral justice to me; what a shame after, arguably, the round of his career. Only one bogey in his 18 windswept holes.

Hi one and all,

Not often I come by these parts but happened to notice the current PGA scoreboard after 2 rounds and thought I'd mention Jamie Donaldson was in my class back at school.

Where was that? Cheshire, or South Wales??
Certainly having a great week, would be nice if it continued.

Should be out with McIlroy today, about 2.35-ish when Joost allows them to publish the tee times.

Lots of chat this morning that Romney will choose Paul Ryan as his Presidential running mate.

Ryan is evil, more evil than smart, and he's pretty bright. But evil.

Would hope he's far to the right of anyone allowed into the House Of Commons . . . . .

Can't help feeling the "clarification" on this week's bunkers vs beach vs random sand debate, has left things every bit as complicated as they were two years ago... shame for Hoey that people won't be nearly as fussed. Good on him for owning up though.

The weather might just play things into Tigers hands this week, his issue has been failing to hole the birdie putts to contend. I t doesn't look like birdie putts will be so plentiful if the wind keeps up. If he keeps striking the ball well, he'll be hard to get away from.

I dont see how the no bunkers ruling contributed to Hoey's dismissal, it is pretty simple stuff. If you were in deep grass you know when identifying the ball it must be put back in place, so given he knew sandt areas were through the green it was an even more simple situation than it could have been.

Why he did not bring it up at the time is also bizarre, he must have known he improved his lie at the time. And here's the simple bit; in the vast majority of situations if you improve your lie you have probably done something wrong, so really only himself to blame.

Guys i was wondering if you could help me out, having a bit of a dispute with sky at the moment. So i would be eternally grateful if someone could give me a decent link for the golf tonight? tried the ones on myp2p and they were rubbish.

google

coolsport.tv

also found at;

http://www.norwaysport.co.uk/

also try

http://www.lshunter.tv/other-live-streaming-video.html

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/42084/1/magic-tv-live-stream-online.html?from=magic

lol mac knows them all. naughty Mac, but i understand how hard it must be for you to pay for sky

COME ON POULTS- I wonder if our olympic heroes have given him more motivation!!

As far as I can see, Rory McIlroy is the only under-30 golfer in the leading 14 at the PGA. Experience counts when conditions get difficult.

Probably not so bad today, slightly less wind and only a 50/50 chance of showers. It looks as if there might have been some rain overnight so fairways and greens won't be as hard as the PGA might like them - as for Kerry Haigh's set-up, only time will tell, but there might be a driveable par-4, the 12th, to look forward to. If not today, then Sunday.

Just three Americans among those top 14, Tiger, Phil and Blake Adams.

Meanwhile, not sure when Joost Luiten will be putting out but, until he does, Round 3 tee-times won't be officially published.

So do you know if its a tiger poults group or not Kwini. Is it who comes in first that is paired off etc- or is it only made up for tv ratings

So suprised with the VJ, only player to shoot sub 70, on some of the toughest greens i have ever seen, not really renownd for his putting skills is he.

There were only 4 under par rounds for the whole day.

poults
woods
mickleson
and sing

possibly 4 of the hardest competitors out there, and it shows with there scores- but you wouldnt associate great scrambling from singh

Hi mysti,
First things first.
Luiten was wise to postpone his final putt as he just holed for birdie on #18, and that will bring another 20-something in to the Top 15 golfers! And give him an extra forty minutes before he resumes play.

Round 3 tee-times still not published but it looks to me like Woods and Singh in the final group, Poults and Pettersson next to last, Rory and Jamie D third from the end.

It would have been nice to see a poults woods, but I suppose they want woods in the final group!

Peterson will probally keep poults on a level. Nice partner to have I suppose- no angst to grind there!

Do you guys really think Poulter can compete with Tiger?? That's the best joke I've heard all year!

If Vijay wins this it will seal the argument against long putters.

100% he can yes,

been paired together is like a match play scenario- id back poults all day long!

Secondly this is perfect for poults- he is a great golfer on tough set ups- he isnt the typical low scorer, but very consitant in all conditions

Interesting comment RE sing and his long putter- I think you have hit the nail on head there. Clearly there putting strokes were being affected by the wind, but with a anchored putter not so much

Here we go then, Round 3 under starter's orders, David Toms and John ? on the tee, Lukey and Chez Reavie off at 9.10 a.m.

Conditions close to perfect right now, light breeze, relatively speaking, which may increase as the day moves on. Big storm off to the East looks like it'll stay there so should be plain sailing with early starters having every chance to "post a score", as TV pundits say.


Much criticism in the press here of using broomstick putters to measure "club lentgh" (or two) relief. Have mixed feelings about other aspects of putters etc, but that ain't right, something needs to make "relief" equitable for all.

Well, I guess it was worth the wait for Jooost...

So we have those two great old 'amigos', VJ&TW, teeing it off together again...

kwinigolfer wrote:Where was that? Cheshire, or South Wales??
Certainly having a great week, would be nice if it continued.

Should be out with McIlroy today, about 2.35-ish when Joost allows them to publish the tee times.

Macclesfield, Cheshire, specifically a school called Henbury High School. Didn't really speak much to him back then but always came across as a good lad.

mystiroakey wrote:lol mac knows them all. naughty Mac, but i understand how hard it must be for you to pay for sky

COME ON POULTS- I wonder if our olympic heroes have given him more motivation!!

Trying to hold them to ransom for a big reduction, they offered 30% off but im holding out for more

McLaren wrote:google

coolsport.tv

also found at;

http://www.norwaysport.co.uk/

also try

http://www.lshunter.tv/other-live-streaming-video.html

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/42084/1/magic-tv-live-stream-online.html?from=magic

Thanks very much mate.

Monty it does work- its just having to go that month or so without sky!! I did get a 50% yonks ago

Hopefully this will be the first of many:

Luuuuuuuuuke!

Is lukey getting involved! dont get my hopes up if he isnt!

mystiroakey wrote:Monty it does work- its just having to go that month or so without sky!! I did get a 50% yonks ago

Good work, that's 3 weeks now, just need it back for the US Open in a few weeks.

I sadly do pay full price these days though- I had to switch to virgin at one point.

Kwini

Donalds only hope is a 67 and no one in the top 20 breaking par. Do you see a weather divide that would make that possible? I have only had a quick look at the leaderboard so far.

Hi Mac,
No!
Not really. About 4.00 p.m. the forecast risk of showers increases and that could be squally, but forecasting down there seems fickle so Lukey's best hope is to post something under par and keep fingers crossed for wind.
A 67 would be a good start!

We'll be keeping an eye on the radar.

I see the winner being one of the following

Vijay
poulter
woods
adams
immelman
clark
mickelson
siem
Zach Johnson

Based on them being the players that improved on a round 1 score or were within 2 shots of their round 1 score. The rest of the top 20 seemed to have erratic swings in fortune. Steady will win this thing. They may be the players currently with a game able to cope with the conditions.


Edit: Luuuuuuuuuke!

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

DJ lighting it up early Minus 3 through 5 holes. And the Great Dane Bjorn and Luke and Dufner are -2.

So there are early birdies available.

Early doors, but field a combined -8 so far.

Calm conditions?
Or friendly set-up?

Would suggest the more benign the conditions, the more it favours Woods and other bombers.

The harder it is the more its gonna favour poults.

Come on WIND BLOW, wind she blow

Just noticed that DC has made his first cut in a major since becoming a major winner.

And he's inspired playing partner, and good mate, Thpomas Bjorn to start birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie.
Only fourteen more Thomas. Up to 16th already!

I agree, more benign conditions from here on may not serve Poulter very well, but on the plus side should hopefully give Rory's chances a boost...

Good start by the two Danish 'bears'...
Very happy to see a good bunch of rather inexperienced Europeans (when it comes to playing majors in US) playing really well this week: Olesen, Lynn, Donaldson, Luiten, Siem, Noren, Gonzo...

not to be mention Michael Hoey . . . . . .

...indeed, thanx for the reminder kwini

We jinxed the big Danish bear though...

Longest streak of birdies, at 4.
Longest streak of bogeys, at 3.
Hopefully that tee shot will herald another birdie run.

Time for Mr.Pedersen return to the board.

Yeeeeeeeesssssssss!

Greens looking much softer, perhaps more overnight rain than the stat's suggested. Ball spinning off the green for Luke at #11, bogey and a definite own goal there.

PS: Viva Mexico, looks like Rafael's act is wearing a bit thin.

kwinigolfer wrote:PS: Viva Mexico, looks like Rafael's act is wearing a bit thin.

what does that mean?

It means I'm pleased to see Mexico duff up Brazil, and looks like Rafael's careless arrogance got him into a confrontation with one of his own team mates.
So talented, but time he grew up.


Justin Rose en fuego.