PGA Tour: HE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Masters: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Martin Laird of course; you didn't think I was talking about the guy who's on the cover of every golf magazine and even some others did you? Or even that young Northern Irishman we've heard so much about?

No, Martin Laird's fantastic final round last Sunday in San Antonio not only stuck two fingers through the Ballwasher who doubted his resolve after a dismal nine-month spell. But also earned a ticket to Augusta National and finds himself in the "long shot, stranger things have happened, but not many" category for The Masters. More on that later.

2).The TPC San Antonio, ("Greg Norman designs golf courses to test professional golfers, not to please professional golfers," said Padraig Harrington), certainly looked much easier on the eye than in years past and it seemed that most pros who turned up enjoyed their week; some will hopefully even be back.
But play was dreadfully slow and one young American is just another guilty party who I hadn't spotted before. Daniel Summerhays, good lord, how long does it take you to hit the golf ball? Summerhays seemed to turn to Winterhays during some of his pre-shot routines.

3).And, while our thoughts turn to Magnolia Drive, our annual word in tribute to the Welshman from Bangor, Errie Ball, who played in the first Masters and is still alive today, hopefully to tell the tale, at 102.

4).Billy Payne has two new members this year, one who's just gone up one rung, presumably, on the list of the World's most evil women, the other who got her invite the old-fashioned way, thru' connections. (Have a personal interest in Darla Moore's richly endowed University of South Carolina's Moore School Of Business, so pleased to see her being honoured with a membership.)

5).With McIlroy and Woods striking form, I'd say this Masters, more than most, is almost certain to go to a favourite if, not necessarily, THE favourite. So let's look at some long shots and the owgr Top 25 for a form guide, with all the usual biases of course:

"Long shots, stranger things have happened, but not many":

#269: Angel Cabrera: You may think there's more chance of him attending Thatcher's funeral but, hey, this man hasn't forgotten how to play the game, he's physically fitter, has shown glimpses of form, and knows how to win - and how many can say that?

#56: Well, Martin Laird certainly can! 20th first time around Augusta, 50-something last year, but if he can putt like last week who knows? He hits the ball perfectly for the course, but it will be all about course management and his short game for Martin. The Laird of San Antonio with 22 Sunday putts, or the Laird of Florida when he took eight 3-putts each at Bay Hill and Tampa?

#41: Henrik Stenson: Eccentric as ever but plenty long enough and can putt well. On my e.w. list at 75/1.

#38: Scott Piercy: Thinks he's the best golfer the world has ever seen. Still seething at the perceived injustice of not being interviewed on TV after his demolition of Luke Donald at the MatchPlay. The favourite, in his eyes anyway, and don't you dare discount his chances!

6).21 - 25:
#25: Furyk: Planning to attack Augusta with two drivers but hasn't done better than 4th here and not likely to this week.

#24: Els: Terrible year so far, seems to have lost confidence just when he needs it most.

#23: Watney: Jekyll and Hyde, Would love to see him take the proverbial next step but don't see it this week.

#22: Hanson: 3rd last year but in much better form coming in than this year's version. Wouldn't count him out completely, top ten material.

#21: Mahan: A couple of Masters' top tens under his belt, but something's been missing this past year and I can't see him finding it at Augusta.

7).16 - 20:
#20: Simpson: His US Open win apart, hasn't really had that great a last 18 months. Can't see it improving here.

#19: Dustin Johnson: Augusta National is made for Dustin - no par 5's here for him, but nothing inside the Top 30 here yet, and his dodgy short game will frustrate him again this week.

#18: Dufner: Good start a year ago but faded. If his Dufnering pic's are anything to go by he's still asleep.

#17: McDowell: Top 15 material, doesn't fancy some of the tee shots here and, until he does, can't see him contending.

#16: Garcia: This place frustrates the sh1t out of him. Shame, might get close, but not close enough.

8).11 - 15:
#15: Schwartzel: 2011 winner and no reason to think he can't win another one. Except none of the five South African Major (and Players) winners these past eight years have won since on the PGA Tour. Top three candidate.

#14: Bubba Watson: It's all about his emotions - I fancy a left-hander but perhaps not this one.

#13: Westwood: Nope, not this year, Lee, not until your short game and your long game are on the same page. But, if he can somehow be -10 on the par fives, he'll be right there. Nah.

#12: Poulter: Would love to see Poults win a Biggie but reckon Augusta National is too long for him, too much pressure on his mid and long irons. Top 15 though.

#11: Bradley: Lots of top tens this year and may score another one. Plenty long enough but can't see that short game winning a Green Jacket.

9).6 - 10:
#10: Kuchar: 3rd last year, plods along with that inane-looking, sh1t-eating grin of his and, hey presto, he's right there. Top 5 perhaps, but Green Jacket? Perhaps not, e.w. value though at 33/1 or 40's.

#9: Mickelson: My choice last year and should've, would've and certainly could've . . . . Those triple bogeys did him in. My idea of the man to beat, not scared to win and probably doesn't want it so manically much as Number One.

#8: Stricker: Says he's "still trying to figure out Augusta". I bracket him with Poults, his long game puts too much pressure on his world-class short game; top 20 probable but can't see him in the shake-up.

#7: Scott: No form to speak of this season; plays a bizarre schedule and who knows if he's up for this? Not worth the risk.

#6: Oosthuizen: Difficult for me to separate the two South African Kings: He was devastated by last year's play-off defeat, but can he bounce back? Sh1t or bust I'd think - at his best a sure-fire contender.

10).1 - 5:
#5: Snedeker: Has been out injured for most of the past two months, no cuts made since his early season super form. Certainly has the game, but feel he's still slightly under-cooked for this week. The Sneds of the past year a certain Major winner - just not this week.

#4: Donald: No form for ages. The 2011 model Luke would be a contender anywhere, but not the short-and-crooked version of years ago which has made an unwelcome return - might get away with it at Hilton Head but not 150 miles up the road at Augusta.

#3: Rose: Which Justin will we see? The winner at such top courses as Aronomink and Muirfield Village, or the strutter who flatters only to deceive, but then burns up the final nine holes for a back-door podium finish? Until he can prove that he won't wilt when the heat turns up, I'd have him down as a likely top tenner, not a winner.

#2: And then there's Rory. If his confidence right now was as high as Scott Piercy's I'd ink him in to his first Green Jacket, but his driver left him a bit last Sunday and he won't be "back" until he's back. Not many would be surprised to see him win; me neither, but perhaps not this year.

#1: Tiger: The only person who can beat Tiger is Tiger, and his ambition and anxiety to earn his next Major. Until he does it, I'd bet against him and gamble that Tiger will beat Tiger. As we saw at Bay Hill, though, the old intimidation factor is back and, if he putts like he did in Orlando and hits 60% of the fairways, he'll win this. For me, I'd bet the field against him.


Can't wait though, although we'll have to put up with the unctuous, over-reverential tones of CBS - would be nice to think they'll have a commentator under the age of 50, a breath of fresh air so sorely needed, but no chance of that. The weather should have the course in perfect condition, but there's a chance of severe storms Thursday p.m. into Friday, after which the sun will shine.

I fancy Phil to win, but Bones (perhaps the only born-in-Britain winner this year?) has to keep him focussed. Reckon Louis and Charl will be right there and fancy Kuchar as best outsider, Stenson best complete long-shot.

GPB wrote:If it weren't for the past champion exemption, Fred Couples would not be playing this week. And neither would Bernhard Langer.

that is why they have the past champion exemption.

Do you think there should be a cut off ?? Past Champs for last 10 yrs/20 years or Do you agree that if Arnold Palmer decided he was going to play this week then that would be acceptable?

John Cregan wrote:Monty's on about Europeans and Americans again.

Can someone tell himthere are other places in the world and that quite a few golfers from outside Eur and US are playing at the Masters.................

A sickening man.........................

Yes but they don't play in the Ryder Cup do they?

GPB wrote:If it weren't for the past champion exemption, Fred Couples would not be playing this week. And neither would Bernhard Langer.

that is why they have the past champion exemption.

Has a past champion ever won before? I mean a past champion who wouldn't be in the field otherwise?

jack nicklaus 46- maybe/ but not 100% sure

John Cregan wrote:

GPB wrote:If it weren't for the past champion exemption, Fred Couples would not be playing this week. And neither would Bernhard Langer.

that is why they have the past champion exemption.

Do you think there should be a cut off ?? Past Champs for last 10 yrs/20 years or Do you agree that if Arnold Palmer decided he was going to play this week then that would be acceptable?

Agree totally there should be a cut off.

BTW I'm willing to put my mortgage on the fact the Couples won't win, he's not fit enough, we see it every year a couple of good rounds and the old romantics get a semi........... then the usual flop.

10 fairways in a row for Woodsy-poo.

And an incredible shot into 8 to set up eagle.

3 Aussies at -3.
Four Englishmen at -2!

woods dont ruin my entertainment this weekend.. if your gonna win dont go to far ahead!!

Four over-50 Past Champions will make the cut, at least.

come on lee!

C'mon Tiger ... time to open a can of "Whup Ass" on this field ...

John Cregan wrote:

GPB wrote:If it weren't for the past champion exemption, Fred Couples would not be playing this week. And neither would Bernhard Langer.

that is why they have the past champion exemption.

Do you think there should be a cut off ?? Past Champs for last 10 yrs/20 years or Do you agree that if Arnold Palmer decided he was going to play this week then that would be acceptable?

I think if the past champions were taking a spot from another player they would bow out. But since the field is elastic and has no alternates, they are not taking a spot.

Why do I think this?

Look at the PGA which does have alternates and a lifetime exemption.

I don't see many 50 and 60 something Past Champs playing in the PGA. When is the last time Azinger, Price, Sluman, Tway, Nelson etc. played the PGA?

GPB the masters does take places away from the field. Surely the reason the field is so small is that they have so many provisional past championship exemptions

I feel there was something else in mind when they docked that stroke off the young lad... Every week we have to suffer an ever growing list including but no solely Furyk, Bradley, Crane, Simpson, Day and just about every 'Young American' taking an eternity to play every shot and nothing is done about it. Yet an amateur event within the main event is up for grabs and the young Asian guy involved is the first player ever on US soil to get penalised for it??? I would love to see it applied more often and more consistently, but the fact it isn't just fills me with suspicion on this occasion.

Tiger must be 1st in total driving, is he beatable if that continues??

incontinentia wrote:Tiger must be 1st in total driving, is he beatable if that continues??

well he got lucky on the hole he is on!

but tiger isnt beatable. he can only beat\ himself out there... I hope he does the later

Guan has handled himself very well in the post round interviews I must say.

Good head on those shoulders

mystiroakey wrote:GPB the masters does take places away from the field. Surely the reason the field is so small is that they have so many provisional past championship exemptions

I don't think it would bother them too much if they had 87 players vs 93.

Ok maybe...

But The PGA allways has a bigger field of the best golfers out there.. The masters is the smallest competitive field of all the majors

David Lynn birdied the 18th to return to three under - great effort so far.


GPB,
I'm sure reducing the size of the field much more would give rise to questions in the House about Major status.

I wonder if going after slow play is John Paramor's personal crusade. He was the one who set the cat amongst the pigeons by slapping Ross Fisher with a penalty a year or two ago, right?

David lynn has been touched by player as well as myself. Go on lad..Good omen

Really impressed by David Lynn. For the year so far but especially how well he's coping on his Masters debut.

Sandy Lyle here for the weekend as well as other esteemed seniors mentioned!

He seems like a top bloke to me as well. Seems like he is up for a laff.,

mystiroakey wrote:David lynn has been touched by player as well as myself. Go on lad..Good omen

The jimmy savile of golf.

C'mon Tiger, show 'em who's boss!

What's happened to Westwood's score?
Went out for 15 minutes, and it looks like he was docked a shot on #5.
What's that all about?

i was wondering myself kwini..

kwinigolfer wrote:
GPB,
I'm sure reducing the size of the field much more would give rise to questions in the House about Major status.

Yes sure it will.

Because players make multiple trips to Ponte Vedra weeks ahead of time to scout out TPC Jacksonville and any other tournament that might take its place.

Slow play penalty?

lee isnt slow though so i doubt it!

18th is a pretty easy birdie chance today.

lee not great on the 5's today. real shame on 13 and 15. both great drives

but if he can finish at 3 under alls good

Jason Day-ier

Apparently Westwood's score on 35 was recorded as a par instead of a bogey.
Glad he made up for it - solid performance for 35 holes!

yep 3 under is ok...

but he is going to have to get everything going right for at least 12 holes minimum to have a chance at this tourny.,.as well as play the others ok as well

he seems alot more relaxed after today than he did yesterday..

good times for lee

Redrage wrote:I feel there was something else in mind when they docked that stroke off the young lad... Every week we have to suffer an ever growing list including but no solely Furyk, Bradley, Crane, Simpson, Day and just about every 'Young American' taking an eternity to play every shot and nothing is done about it. Yet an amateur event within the main event is up for grabs and the young Asian guy involved is the first player ever on US soil to get penalised for it??? I would love to see it applied more often and more consistently, but the fact it isn't just fills me with suspicion on this occasion.

Outstanding synopsis.............

Westwood holing slippery par putt on 17 and Birdie putt on 18 a great sign................wish him well for weekend

PGA Tour.com has him -4..................that's not right ??

there was a mistake on westys score on the pga site and tv for a long time

He is 3 under

mystiroakey wrote:there was a mistake on westys score on the pga site and tv for a long time

He is 3 under

Cheers Mysti

John Cregan wrote:

Outstanding synopsis.............

I am all for these penalties... but the way they are applied should be transparent and consistent. It just seems that they applied sporadically and never at the most obvious offenders. It is extremely odd.

It is strange- but maybe no one has ever been warned so many times.

Tiger hardly impressive with his approach shots, but doing what he does best -- getting pars when it's absolutely needed. Even or better and you are right in this thing.

Tigers game has gone a bit haywire- but yep your right - his putting is still sh!te hot

I hope this is not one of those days when he comes in in the lead and bemoans he didn't make anything . . . .

Still some top players hoping he doesn't get to six under.

om- woods has been done in..

I shoudnt laff

i don't believe it

weird because it seemed as though it hit the pin on the way back but got turbo spin from it n the same direction- which doesnt make scentific sense..

Tough luck Tiger... but the ball goes where you put it!

My guess he'll still be playing late Sunday.

How unlucky was that, would have been minus 6 and the 5 overs out, lucky boys..

I'm not sure it did hit the pin at all.