European Tour - End of the Road... to Dubai (as we knew it?)

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It's the end of another year on the European Tour, and who knows it may well be the end of an era, with quite a few significant changes likely to take place in the new season. To that extent, perhaps it would've deserved some closer attention and a better write-up. My write-ups are very basic at the best of times, but this week I'm also gone away chassing some fun in the sun, and likely to get only sporadically on the internet. So it's just a thread starter from me this time and hopefully people will add up to it as it goes along...

The only thing I would say is that I noticed browsing once through the tee times that there are three guys missing from the top 60: Bjorn, Fisher and Goosen. Goosen's reasons should be clear enough as he's been out of action for a while, but not sure what's happening with the other two (PGAT Q-school related in Fisher's case...?). Anyhow, with these three out, the tournament should be worth 'only' 58 points to the winner...

Hopefully will be a great finale to the season!

is rory actually changing his clubs?
one of the guys we were playing with at the weekend was certain it was an apparel only deal and that it would still be titleists in the bag. sure i've read otherwise elsewhere, but is there any uncertainty to what he's actually signed up for?

If anyone is talented enough to switch clubs without too much trouble it's probably McIlroy, a pure striker with a natural swing. He's got plenty of time to adjust in any case if he doesn't spend the winter pumping.

Wasn't he +6 at 16 or something? Incredible.

This week's BBC blog is on Rory's coach. Doesn't state Nike as the new sponsor, but Mr Bannon does seem to confirm change of clubs by saying it won't matter that much, whereas it's the new ball that will take more getting used to.

It was mentioned in the interview at the end yesterday that it was a nice finish for his Titleist clubs, he then jokingly commented that he might give them to Wozza to help her game.

I think his transition will be smoother than others who have done it. Of course the other thing is because the first half of his last season was relatively quiet he won't have as many owgr points to drop during the bedding in period.

super_realist wrote:Looks like Poulter could break top 10 next year Diggers.

Maybe, then again he will be mainly playing US strokeplay events at the start of the year and he doesnt do that all that well as a rule.
Hopefully we will slide back into mediocrity.

Perhaps true Diggers, but he's not got many points to defend either.

If you were to graph Tiger's progression since 2010 it would show a steady upward trajectory. If this progression continues at its current level, it would be no surprise to see TW win 2 majors and 5 regular events next year. Rory could have a quiet year next year, as often happens when changing equipment.

He never does but that hasnt helped him in the past. If he can get off to a really good start he could have a great year.
As Ive said before the way the majors wins are scattered around amongst the top 50 players these days means I wouldnt be suprised if Poultry won a major (other than the fact he is English and English players dont seem to win majors anymore)and that is a truly horrific thought.
It would mean decades of seeing his ugly smug mug on the box talking about his great career. Unbearable.

incontinentia wrote:If you were to graph Tiger's progression since 2010 it would show a steady upward trajectory. If this progression continues at its current level, it would be no surprise to see TW win 2 majors and 5 regular events next year. Rory could have a quiet year next year, as often happens when changing equipment.

Just like if you had graphed the Property market up to the end of 2008, it would have been no surprise to see the boom continue throughout 2009 and beyond??

Even in golf age plays a part as a rule. Id say players begin to decline in their late 30's and 40 is a big tipping point for a slide down the rankings. Doesnt mean they cant have runs of good form, even major wins like Ernies, but to be consistently improving and dominating at the top of the rankings at those kind of ages.....I dont really see it. I think Westwood will be an example of this next year with a bit of a slide down to being more of a top 10-15 player.

JAS wrote:It was mentioned in the interview at the end yesterday that it was a nice finish for his Titleist clubs, he then jokingly commented that he might give them to Wozza to help her game.

I think his transition will be smoother than others who have done it. Of course the other thing is because the first half of his last season was relatively quiet he won't have as many owgr points to drop during the bedding in period.

The one thing I think will count in Rory's favour is that he has embraced club changes throughout his Amateur and Pro career with Titleist, changing any time their is a major release/proto-type available be it at the start/end/mid-season. The fact that custom fitting and distance/trackers have come on leaps and bounds in the last 10-20 years I'd like to think it would be a relatively smooth transition (shaft/grip, lofts, lie)... then again no-one knows what he will be contractually obligied to use initially. Putter and wedges I suspect could be most troublesome.

Over at Euro Q-School there's appears to be definite advantage for the players who are playing the Tour Course today. Only 1 player in the current top 60 places is playing on the Stadium Course today. Strange.

So, how many majors do we ink Rory in for next year? I predict 1 easily, and quite possibly 2. Tiger won 3 times last year, but was nowhere to be found in the tournaments he really cares about. He and Rory could have some mythic battles in 2013. But, the most dangerous golfer in the chase group might well be King Louie. Looking forward to golf on the US tour, that's for sure.

Shotrock wrote:So, how many majors do we ink Rory in for next year? I predict 1 easily, and quite possibly 2. Tiger won 3 times last year, but was nowhere to be found in the tournaments he really cares about. He and Rory could have some mythic battles in 2013. But, the most dangerous golfer in the chase group might well be King Louie. Looking forward to golf on the US tour, that's for sure.

Wel last year Rory was 40th, 60th and cut in the other majors so Coco himself only contended in one. That said I agree at least one major (him or Rose for the Masters) but he needs to get rid of the hang up he seems to have about the Open because winning two from three is a lot harder than two from four. Thats said he has had an Open third place so Im sure its just a mental thing with him.

I'm sure that Rory's priorities next year include The Masters and The Open (probably in that order) - he's said before he wants the career grand slam.

Victory at Muirfield would have the added bonus of finally winning in the continent of Europe as well, although that's more of a curious anomaly rather than a fully fledged monkey-on-the-back.

Still, easy for us to talk about, not easy for him to do.

... Actually, I hear that his priority at the moment is to find a nice Christmas present for his partner. Apparently, Ms Wozniacki participated in the post-tournament press conference yesterday and grilled him on the subject when it was her turn to ask a question.

She has form too - recall her crashing a press conference to pose some questions to her then-neighbour Novac Djokovic.

Im sure he'll probably just get her something from Argos when he gets a spare minute....

Do you chaps really think Rory could emerge victorious from a head to head sunday battle with Tiger?

I think Tiger would smite him with an iron paw.

Inco,
Maybe, but when he does it will be the first time . . . . . .

incontinentia wrote:Do you chaps really think Rory could emerge victorious from a head to head sunday battle with Tiger?

I think Tiger would smite him with an iron paw.

Oh like he did in his own tournament with McDowell in 2010....and with all due respect to GMac, he ain't no McIlroy (yes even the 2010 version of gmac)

To be fair thus far Rory hasnt beaten anyone down the stretch either to win a major, both of his have been won at a canter.
Ive no idea who would come out on top but I hope it happens as Id love to see it.

Rory v Tiger of now? no contest Rory would destroy him. Tiger at his best? now that I would like to see. Its all irrelevant anyway, Rose will win The Masters (been saying that a few years now, he owes me a few quid!)

Probably most likely neither win a major this year.

super_realist wrote:Probably most likely neither win a major this year.

The Poultry Slam ?

MOre chance of finding out what Mac does for a living Digs

Rose has risen his game to a new level in 2012 and doesn't seem to be a choker anymore. Surely he can bag a major in 2013, most likely the Masters or the Open I'd say.

Someone (a specialist golf journalist I presume, but can't remember where I read this) wrote fairly recently about the hypothetical Rory v Tiger question. They were saying that Rory at his best at the moment should beat anyone. Can't remember what was said about Rory v Tiger "average" standard, but it finished with the point that if both were playing at their "worst", Tiger would win. Don't know how far back this was looking in terms of stats etc, but it was probably a year or two (i.e. not attempting to compare 2012 McIlroy to 2000 Woods).

I see that R Mc is the only non-Olympian to make the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist. Deserves it, but doesn't have a chance of winning.

What really turned my head on Rory was his domination at Congressional. He went through a tortuous final round at Augusta that year, and the scars from that would have paralyzed just about anyone. Sure it helped that he was still in his early 20's, where his memory isn't that long to begin with, but still ... a true world beater, like Tiger before him.

incontinentia wrote:Do you chaps really think Rory could emerge victorious from a head to head sunday battle with Tiger?

I think Tiger would smite him with an iron paw.

Yes.

Woods at his peak intimidated his opposition and ground them down with near flawless golf. Do you think he intimidates McIlroy? Honestly? I think it's the other way round now. I think there are more chinks in Woods' game than McIlroy's and he knows it. McIlroy is clearly far mentally tougher now than he was 12 months ago and I'd say, he's mentally tougher than Woods.

Not that Woods is weak but he's had both a personally and golf-related tough time. During that time a new star has emerged for the golfing world to be in awe of. Remember all the talk about how golf without Woods was becoming a bit of a commercial problem, well, the curly-haired one has filled that gap perfectly, I'd say.

I think Woods knows this and it's why he chooses to try to get on with McIlroy, unlike just about anyone before, and especially when McIlroy is clearly the next big thing. A different big thing but definitely the next big thing.

So, head to head, on the back 9 on Sunday, both on form - McIlroy to win and if not, it won't be because he is crushed under some imaginary iron paw, it'll be because Woods is forced to produce stunning golf again and won't that be a joy to watch?

Gary Boyd makes the cut, but only just, at the ET Q-school in Girona...

Sad failure to qualify from guys like Bradley Dredge, Rhys Davies, Broadhurst, Edberg, Sandelin and once again, Nick Dougherty, who even at the Q-school came among the very last. Will he ever come back ?

Pablo Martin, Sluiter, Uihlein, Strange, Siddikur, Fritelli and Thornton also among those returning to the Challenge Tour (or somewhere else)...

i wonder will Rory still use a Scotty Cameron. the putter was always the one thing that woods was allowed a real choice over

Good point about the SC hend, I remember there was a rumour a couple of years ago that Nike will acquire Scotty Cameron, maybe they'll try again...?

Couple of low rounds required from Boyd, did well to make the cut -5 for the last 9! What on earth has happened to Rhys Davies? Looked to be destined for greatness.

princedracula wrote:Gary Boyd makes the cut, but only just, at the ET Q-school in Girona...

Sad failure to qualify from guys like Bradley Dredge, Rhys Davies, Broadhurst, Edberg, Sandelin and once again, Nick Dougherty, who even at the Q-school came among the very last. Will he ever come back ?

Pablo Martin, Sluiter, Uihlein, Strange, Siddikur, Fritelli and Thornton also among those returning to the Challenge Tour (or somewhere else)...

Got half an eye on this myself as a guy from my 2nd club is still in there (Martin Sell), had a good start this morning but a bogey has just dropped him from 20th to 26th.

See Zane Scotland failed to make it also, along with Dougherty I wonder we will ever see them on the main tour again.

So maybe we'll have Zane Scotty back on 606 then?

Ross McGowan as well....was he not relatively high up in the rankings not so long ago. Oliver Wilson as well wtf??

Not really got much sympathy for Dougherty, he can always go home to the hottest burd in golf :-/

I think we might have a lost generation here.