PGA Tour: The Florida/Puerto Rico Swing: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Ah, the Florida Swing, previously known as the Sam Saunders Swing as Arnie's son-in-law seemed to receive a sponsor's invite to every event for the month. The five tournaments this month are:
Honda Classic
WGC Cadillac Championship / Puerto Rico Open
Tampa Bay Championship (previously known as the Transitions - what will it be known as next year?)
Arnold Palmer Invitational

The home course advantage for the Florida gigs is not as pronounced as for the California Coastal events, but each of last year's winners live in Florida even if they don't come from there.

2).But a few notes about last week's Match Play, either the last year at Dove Mountain or the penultimate year at Dove Mountain depending upon which reliable source you choose to consult. We certainly discovered that it's a terrible venue, unplayable in the snow (which is not as rare as the Chamber of Commerce would have us believe), and the high winds of Sunday which, combined with firm greens and inaccessible pin placements made the day a war of attrition.
No denying Matt Kuchar's performance as the last man standing however - he made a point of saying he was just going to be Steady Eddie and that's exactly what he was, the smiley faced assassin banking a cool $1.5M.

3).I'm kinda taking a liking to Hunter Mahan, certainly wanted him to win the Final. Behind the poor dress sense, hideous facial fluff, gnashers that look more Sandown than Sandwich and those ghastly Golf Boys videos, he actually seems a pleasant guy. Certainly hits the ball like a dream with a beautiful swing and a vastly improved short game. He seems to have a great relationship with his caddie, John Wood, and their very matter-of-fact professionalism whenever I've followed them is an eye-opener.
But like Poulter and Jason Day in the morning, Hunner just seemed to hit the wall in the afternoon at the same time as punditry was anointing him America's best match-player. Which presumably made Davis Love IIIIIII feel especially good. That's "ironic" as Alanis might squeal.

4).What of the Foreign Legion? Pretty B- overall, I'd say, but Shane Lowry made a lot of friends - he's missed out on a sponsor's exemption for this week's "Honda", but much more good play and Tournament Directors will be falling over themselves to offer him a free pass. He won and lost with grace, then came out to follow McDowell in his afternoon match. What a guy! Good luck to him.

5).McIlroy and Woods disappointed networks and sponsors alike by failing to advance in tandem for the second time in 2013 - three 75's on Rory's CV this year, and that won't cut it and I can't imagine he'll find his game overnight in time to win this week. Feel I've said that before however.

6).Interesting stat's emerging from the U.S. National Golf Foundation with data showing a 5.7% increase in rounds played in the United States in 2012 compared to 2011. That is in the context of an overall 11% decline in rounds played over the previous decade.

7).Johnny Miller was all over Webb Simpson's case on Saturday as the newly shorn Simpson took an eternity to play the shots which ultimately defeated Gonzo. Would be good if that elevated the debate about slow play but one imagines the anchoring announcement stole the headlines and slow play proponents "considered the source".
A couple of amusing tweets from Steve Elkington extracted from an article in GolfWorld are apropos however:

"NBC golf would like to bring you uninterrupted bullsh1t for 55 min per hour with limited golf shots."
and:
"Had a kid dressed as Keegan Bradley last night at Halloween . . . . backed up and down stairs 12 times before he got his candy."

Incidentally, Keegs was bemoaning in his press conference today that "I'm being called a cheater more than ever by fans, by some writers . . . . . I'm sick of it to be honest."

8).We've been saying how crucial it is for new "graduates" to the PGA Tour to maximize their earnings in order to retain or improve position within their "status" as the year progresses. The Europeans have had mixed results as the first reshuffle was confirmed following the West Coast tournaments:
Ross Fisher - dropped 13 places from 3 to 16. As a result he was the last player to qualify for the original field at Honda.
Lingmerth - up to #2.
Karlsson - dropped 10 places to #37, failed in qualifying this week.
Henrik Norlander - moved up about ten spots, also failed to qualify this week.
When is a card a card? When it's a PGA Tour card - lots of fine print to be read.

9).Haven't seen any official records but would think that Honda, the longest running sponsorship of a PGA Tour event and in its 32nd year (just signed up for another four years), has been rewarded with the best field in the history of "The Honda Classic". Several factors contribute of course:
~The venue, PGA National, which was a typical Florida grind when I played it in the 80's distinguished only by the memory on one hole of a ball whizzing over our heads as we sauntered to our 200 yard drives. We looked round to see a cart hurtling towards us, a wide body at the wheel. "Just playing through," yelled Craig Stadler as he zoomed to his ball. But Nicklaus has tarted it up and redefined the "Bear Trap", 15, 16 and 17, since then, watery graves at every turn. Apparently in wonderful condition though. Europeans beware the grainy Bermuda greens.
~The migration of golf residences from Orlando to South Florida means that this is now a home game for many. (Next week too, of course.)
~The calendar, which means that, whilst this week may be a good chance for many Americans to take a breather, it's must-play for most overseas guys double-dipping on two Tours. Donald, Garcia, Harrington and Poulter are among the few notable European PGA Tour members not playing. Thrilled to see Casey get an invite for his first appearance in 6 months. Has he still got it? I'm hoping he has!

10).No idea of likely contenders this week - frankly a minefield of who's going to be up for it, who's just here to get in their required events. Wouldn't put it past Mr.Woods to make a statement as he came so close last year.
But one thing's for sure: Sam Saunders is playing the web.commer in Columbia so it won't be him.

Nice one INco, best laugh in ages.

yep I allways bet on the majors!

Snedeker is really bad value dude- he is 14/1(4th fav) on sky bet and pmick is 10/1

however after checking betfair sneds is much better value(if you only want a small stake and not each way!)-

there is 6 quid on 25 and 72 quid on 24 (approx 22/1 after commison )

Oh yeah, I know those two are short odds, more likely to win than nine chins at 6/1 though.

by the way the one actual market I am profitable on is Major Golf.

My system(perhaps patriotic by the way, therefor a tad lucky) is just to back 4 english and the odd random high odd good form pick..

there has allways been at least one in contention and i just lay it off at approx 2/1 getting my stake back plus a bit of profit back and then hit the winner late on to boost it.

I wont be changing it this time..

donald(60), rose, poults and westy(approx 25 on betfair).. plus an outsider

20 quid on each..

If at least one gets to 2/1 I will lay off 100(at a cost of 200) and i have my money back minimum..

I'm quid in on Majors too. Similar way to you 5-10 players, each way. None less than 15/1 none more than 120/1.

What is usually paid on each way for golf majors, top 4/5? Which must be good with the potential to get ties in.

Top 6 or 7 depending where you go.
Ties often ruin it though.

Yep I would each way bet on non exchange sites as well. but on betfair the value is higher on win only bets yet only similar to bet only sites on each way options.

on befair exchange you dont have an each way option. but you can back top 5's or top 10(they include ties)

McIlroy playing with Woods (and Luke Donald) on Thursday.
Just what Rory wanted.
And likely just what Tiger wanted.

kwinigolfer wrote:McIlroy playing with Woods (and Luke Donald)LUUUUUUULE playing with Rors and nine chins on Thursday.
Just what Rory wanted.
And likely just what Tiger wanted.

Fixed

Tooth-hurty tee time for Rory ...

Luke is going to blast them two away!

cant wait

Hope so. Gola golf gear is rubbish eh?

I have to say i'm surprised and disappointed with you super. I had a picture of self accomplished moral virtue aplenty, an angel among men, (perhaps even the messiah if the prophecies have been understood correctly) whose quiet steps moved others to see the light, change their foolish ways and become whole again ...Gambling is by far a worse affliction than obesity. You have to be seriously weak minded to slip down that sad trail... surprised...and disappointed

Gambling is only worse Barra if you bet what you can't afford. £10-20 four times a year wouldn't even break the budget of a dole bludger.

Besides I'm considerably up.

I am also a little disappointed in you super, gambling is for total morons.

not paying your tv license is for total morons


A bit of gambling is fine.. its fun.. unless of course you bet what you cant afford.

Its not as if super goes out much is it, or lives a glutenous life.. I think he is allowed the odd flutter.

Mac, I don't do it for the riches, I do it to keep a bit of interest in the tournament.

I'm not the one with a job I'm ashamed of though. So who is the moron?

I bet super is really a big fat fatty with 9 chins, a spud face and baldy. The online persona is a fiction!

mysti, I have always paid my TV license.


Who said I was ashamed of my job?

Get out and buy a telly mac. Treat yourself

You did, last time you said you were not proud of the job you did.

So mac, whats your job. Are you a Civil servant?

Hibbz is posty pat
I am a owner of a small contractors- which basically means i do what i want and dont need to do my own emails...
SR is an Oil buff dude from a scadinavian firm
DIggers is a - ermm, dunno- But seems to like the mellow life these days(I have a feeling he is in insurance)
Kiwi is a retired consultant for IBM or something
I have a feeling Shotrock is a high powered industry leader or something.
Incont is a tea taster..(btw I knew someone that was a tea taster once.. he said it was the best job ever!! he would get flown around the world sampling different blends of tea!!)
JAS is a ermmm.. Certainly in the office. maybe a manager of an Anne Summers Office or something
Banban is clearly a prefessional Moderator.

erm- am I wrong?

I tea-taste recreationally roak, my real job is potato inspector.

There is a difference between lack of pride and shame.

Aye Potato inspecting is hard graft pal.. I respect your calling

More like a potato bounty hunter in Ireland.

Your job isnt everything Mac..

Its all about understanding the meaning of life.

which of course is Sport and p u s sy

or a potato detective

or a potato truant officer

Well he is an inspector. so he could be working his way up the chain to become a detective..

super_realist wrote:More like a potato bounty hunter in Ireland.

Professional moderator... Hmm, maybe i should hire you as my apprentice seeing as you have so much time on your hands mysti bud

anyways ... serious question... seeing as most of you still refer to me under my old moniker ...should i revert back to minimise confusion .
Ban the professional moderator...

"Ban the professional moderator"

great name!!!

change it!

Mysti - Ha! Let's just say I'm a business owner, which always sounds more glamorous than it is.

I aspire to be like Kwini, however! (Although even he may be questioning Vermont life right about now ...)

For all you Feherty fans out there, a must read: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2013-02/gwar-david-feherty-feature-0218

Oakey, I think Diggers works in the Media industry with all the luvvies.

Nice- I didnt think it would be such a mundane job. Just had a quick guess tbh

Sr,
Aspire to be like me? Only because I subscribe to GolfWorld and have already read the Feherty piece!
Interesting that Golf Digest has edited the pic of Feherty - the front cover of Feb 18th issue of GW has Feherty with trousers around his ankles and received much condemnation from readers (USGA stooges probably) in the following issue!

Am off to the Valley for the weekend, will take my clubs in case Kevin's open. Are you getting snow down there? Looks like we'll escape this one, actually quite pleasant right now, mid 20's and hint of sunlight.

Kwin - We've had pretty much zero snow all year, but the weather guessers are predicting 3 - 6 inches before it's all said and done. Just a minor nuisance to CNY's like us ... but for some reason there's a French Toast frenzy as everyone seems to be buying up milk, eggs and bread in these parts.

Have fun in the Valley. And good luck getting golf in.

Shovels'll be more use than French Toast.


"Scoring by CDW", says pgatour.com.
Absolutely a contradiction in terms, the WGC-Cadillac page has at last posted the tee times. David Lynn with a Scottish flag, and two Chris Woods, but no George Coetzee (easy to get those two mixed up!)!

No scoring at all of course during the MatchPlay, snow must have interfered. Yeah right. And pgatour.com has been a nonsense all year.

CDW: Whoever the Hell you are, hand over pgatour.com scoring and stats to someone else. What a fiasco.

Shotrock wrote: ... For all you Feherty fans out there, a must read: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2013-02/gwar-david-feherty-feature-0218

I'm not really a Feherty fan as such, although I do like some of his ramblings. Really enjoyed that article, and hadn't realised he was doing a chat-type show.

super_realist wrote:Oakey, I think Diggers works in the Media industry with all the luvvies.

I like to say I work in the film industry, but really I just make computers work (or more often not work) and push a lot of files around the world, for people in the film industry.

Still a good industry Yo.