PGATour Running Commentary January 2022

First topic message reminder :

Happy New Year.  After a nearly a year and half, its time for a new thread.

39 ofthe 40 Players eligible to play Sentry ToC are playing.  Only one missing is Rory McIlroy.

superflyweight wrote:

super_realist wrote:

McLaren wrote:Not sure I understand that take, he is good at what he does?

Is he? Let's say he's on 250k a year, you think he's worth that for a pitiful output?

As of 2022 he wasn't listed alongside those earning more than £150,000 from the BBC.  Given he also covers tennis and major events like the Olympics, then I don't think he's on a massive salary.

Even 60k would be too much for a guy who doesn't do much more than a few hours a week.

Super

Would you really want to be paid based on how hard your job is?

McLaren wrote:Super

Would you really want to be paid based on how hard your job is?

No but Carter's job is not exactly taxing. He was better when it was tennis. As a BBC golf correspondent he hardly has to do anything. Thank goodness slaary isn't linked to how hard your job is. I get paid a fortune for a very easy job, but I do work a full week. Carter's output could be done in a few afternoons.

I've played some fine courses in Scotland but I have not played the Renaissance Club. Looks terrific. Have any of you guys played it?

Shotrock wrote:I've played some fine courses in Scotland but I have not played the Renaissance Club. Looks terrific. Have any of you guys played it?

I have. Incredible place in regards to set up and exclusivity, but next door Archerfield is a better course.

Never heard of Archerfield but that's good to know. Thanks!

I have played renaissance. The tradionalist in me just can't warm to the fact it's not really a links course. Somewhat criminal given it's location. Also not sure Doak greens work in scotland.

Shotrock wrote:Never heard of Archerfield but that's good to know. Thanks!

Archerfield is Premier League SR. 
One of the best set ups in Scotland. Costly though.

McLaren wrote:I have played renaissance. The tradionalist in me just can't warm to the fact it's not really a links course. Somewhat criminal given it's location. Also not sure Doak greens work in scotland.

Why does it have to be Links?

Probably not a lot of links land left in Scotland where a golf course will be allowed to be constructed. Just a shame to waste one of those sights.

But you're correct, it didn't have to be a links to have been a good course. The lack of charm or quirk are it's main issues. Also doesn't have that larger than life wow factor some doak courses have.

Would love to know what the aim of the design was.

McLaren wrote:Probably not a lot of links land left in Scotland where a golf course will be allowed to be constructed. Just a shame to waste one of those sights.

But you're correct, it didn't have to be a links to have been a good course. The lack of charm or quirk are it's main issues. Also doesn't have that larger than life wow factor some doak courses have.

Would love to know what the aim of the design was.

We have more than enough links courses Mac. 
From Archerfield to Aberdeen you could probably play about 30-40 links courses.

By the way, have you played Dumbarnie yet?

super_realist wrote:

By the way, have you played Dumbarnie yet?

Yes. Quite enjoyed it. Maybe doesn't have the variety of shots/holes a really top course would have but it was a fun enough round. Would be interested to play it again to see how things have bedded in.

Have you played it?

Played it on early days, bit like you say, parts of it were very municipal course conditions.  Be a good venue for a tournament.

Another choke from fat bob. Should have eagled the last. Sad.

McLaren wrote:Another choke from fat bob. Should have eagled the last. Sad.

Very good Mac. Two excellent shots from two players on the last hole. Edge of the seat job.

I'm never wrong wrote:

McLaren wrote:Another choke from fat bob. Should have eagled the last. Sad.

Very good Mac. Two excellent shots from two players on the last hole. Edge of the seat job.

Joking aside, heck of a 64 from MacIntyre in that wind and the birdie, birdie finish from McIlroy was exceptional - loved the 2-iron into the last, under the wind, and wasn't sure he had that in his game tbh.

Hopefully signs that fat bob has got his career back on track. A coach change a couple of years back seemed to do him no favours. I think he is now back with the coach that took him to the top. The Linlithgow guy whos name escapes me at the moment.

McLaren wrote:Hopefully signs that fat bob has got his career back on track. A coach change a couple of years back seemed to do him no favours. I think he is now back with the coach that took him to the top. The Linlithgow guy whos name escapes me at the moment.

I use that range quite a bit Mac, but Jesus, Driving Range prices have gone through the roof. I think I was £13 for a hour the last time I was there. Still easier traffic wise than going to the one in town.

I never really go to the range. Maybe a few times over the winter. Just use clubs facilities.

Wasn't that long ago a 100 balls was 5-6 quid. Now it's at least a tenner.

Yeah think the braids range now has trackman so it will be even more expensive than before.

That was already very expensive and too short anyway, plus a terrible camber on it that meant it was hard to gauge where your ball was actually landing on shots more than 200 yards, plus the bays are terrible.

super_realist wrote:That was already very expensive and too short anyway, plus a terrible camber on it that meant it was hard to gauge where your ball was actually landing on shots more than 200 yards, plus the bays are terrible.

Agreed on the bays. A real struggle to find a tee that is set at a sensible height. Not sure why (other than cost) adjustable tee heights are not more widely used in driving ranges.

Or even if mats had a structure that allowed you to put in your own tees.

It is quite sad that Tiger is not in a fit enough state to return to the scene of one of his greatest moments. Hopefully Rory can step in and give us what we all want.

McLaren wrote:It is quite sad that Tiger is not in a fit enough state to return to the scene of one of his greatest moments. Hopefully Rory can step in and give us what we all want.

He brought it on himself by being an ocean going moron.

What does "ocean going" mean in this context? Never heard that phrase before.

McLaren wrote:What does "ocean going" mean in this context? Never heard that phrase before.

Similar to "weapons grade" Mac.

Sorry but I mustn't be down with youth lingo but what does weapons grade mean? Not even sure if it's a positive or not.

McLaren wrote:Sorry but I mustn't be down with youth lingo but what does weapons grade mean? Not even sure if it's a positive or not.

It means Woods is a moron of the highest order Mac. He brought his injuries on himself by acting like a complete idiot behind the wheel.

The tournament has Rory written all over it.

He can be irksome but I'd rather he got back on the majors train than see American Dad win again.

super_realist wrote:He can be irksome but I'd rather he got back on the majors train than see American Dad win again.

Can't put my finger on it but Scheffler is so unlikeable as a golfer. Despite the stats emphatically saying otherwise I just can't shake the feeling there is something fluky about him. Might be a great guy in real life.

He's one of those Americans who looks like a WW2:soldier. Looks about 20 years older than he is and he's one of those really annoying golfer who when interviews says hackneyed things such as "I just went out to have fun"

Don't think it's that personal with me, just something about his game that I don't vibe with. Just doesn't seem right that he has better SG tee to green than Rory, who has a much more aesthetically pleasing swing.

Agree. He is just another efficient, but ultimately boring golfer both as a player and with his personality. A bit like Rev Spieth, but even more vanilla .

Anyone else find Brian Harmon's pre-shot waggle/twitch ad inifinitum just a little irritating? Hit it, man...

Would love to have his short game, though!

navyblueshorts wrote:Anyone else find Brian Harmon's pre-shot waggle/twitch ad inifinitum just a little irritating? Hit it, man...

YES! He needs a lesson from John Daly. I play with a group of friends who all do various practice swings and individual mannerisms that don't make a blind bit of difference. I just walk up to the ball and hit it. Perhaps thats why I am the handicap I am.......

Awful BBC text commentary saying Rahm's tee shot has "hooked" to the right. 
Would they employ a football pundit to get the basics that wrong?

Another really boring Open. High time they updated the course rota and got a load of new ones in whilst getting rid of others.

The Open by some distance is now the worst major.

Harman's waggle can be irritating to watch, but his ball striking and short game have been a thing of beauty thus far. If he does finish this off (and I would not mind seeing some fireworks coming down the stretch), it will likely be his one and only major.

Agree with Super ... would like to see more courses in the rota. London has some amazing heathland greats ... get them in!

Yeah well played to Harman but from a viewers perspective this has been pretty much a dud major - little wind, soft course, runaway winner who is a PGA Tour journeyman having the week of his life...bleugh.

Not exactly a vintage major season in 2023

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Yeah well played to Harman but from a viewers perspective this has been pretty much a dud major - little wind, soft course, runaway winner who is a PGA Tour journeyman having the week of his life...bleugh.

Not exactly a vintage major season in 2023

Kind of agree Standrews & Hoylake are the least dramatic of all the venues but having said that I think Harman this week would probably have won on any of them, fairway finding driving, good short game and number 1 in putting will get it done almost anywhere.

super_realist wrote:Another really boring Open. High time they updated the course rota and got a load of new ones in whilst getting rid of others.

The Open by some distance is now the worst major.

If you were Slumbers & co Supes where else would you put in?

JAS wrote:

super_realist wrote:Another really boring Open. High time they updated the course rota and got a load of new ones in whilst getting rid of others.

The Open by some distance is now the worst major.

If you were Slumbers & co Supes where else would you put in?

I think the obsession with Links courses could do with being changed, although clearly it never will though sadly. 
If it has to be links, then you need to have a proper rotation. Every five years at the obsolete and far too easy St Andrews is obviously sentiment and denudes from it as a golf spectacle, but perhaps they could play it as it was intended to be played, back to front compared to today's direction. It's far better and crucially harder. Perhaps add other courses like Dornoch, Trump Aberdeen, Dumbarnie to the rota, as well as Others such as Porthcawl. If you can hold it at Portrush you could have it at Royal County Down too. 3 courses in North West England (Lytham, Birkdale and Hoylake ) seems overkill. 
Then you have other classic links courses that don't get a look in or simply have too many years between holding it. To not hold it at Turnberry now because Trump owns it is ridiculous.

It needs a rethink, because it's just a rubbish event now.

super_realist wrote:

JAS wrote:

super_realist wrote:Another really boring Open. High time they updated the course rota and got a load of new ones in whilst getting rid of others.

The Open by some distance is now the worst major.

If you were Slumbers & co Supes where else would you put in?

I think the obsession with Links courses could do with being changed, although clearly it never will though sadly. 
If it has to be links, then you need to have a proper rotation. Every five years at the obsolete and far too easy St Andrews is obviously sentiment and denudes from it as a golf spectacle, but perhaps they could play it as it was intended to be played, back to front compared to today's direction. It's far better and crucially harder. Perhaps add other courses like Dornoch, Trump Aberdeen, Dumbarnie to the rota, as well as Others such as Porthcawl. If you can hold it at Portrush you could have it at Royal County Down too. 3 courses in North West England (Lytham, Birkdale and Hoylake ) seems overkill. 
Then you have other classic links courses that don't get a look in or simply have too many years between holding it. To not hold it at Turnberry now because Trump owns it is ridiculous.

It needs a rethink, because it's just a rubbish event now.

I don't agree that it's a rubbish event just because the last 2 have hardly been dramatic. I do agree though they have some ridiculous decision making going on, Yes every 5 years at Stan drews is bonkers, Yes Turnberry off the rota because of it's owner, also ridiculous, Carnoustie has also been told to upgrade hotel or it's not coming back (just out of interest what size of hotel is adjacent to Portrush??)
Dornoch would be fabulous but too remote, Saunton same bracket. Porthcawl aint too remote but would be logistically difficult (they'd have to do the same as Hoylake and have a different finishing hole than the course normally plays). If they stop being ridiculous and bring back Turnberry then no reason not to include his Aberdeen one as well. They do want venues relatively near big population centres and with good transport links. Yes it should be about the test but as in most other areas of life, commercial considerations are a big influence and Lancashire Opens are always massively well attended.

JAS wrote:

super_realist wrote:

JAS wrote:

super_realist wrote:Another really boring Open. High time they updated the course rota and got a load of new ones in whilst getting rid of others.

The Open by some distance is now the worst major.

If you were Slumbers & co Supes where else would you put in?

I think the obsession with Links courses could do with being changed, although clearly it never will though sadly. 
If it has to be links, then you need to have a proper rotation. Every five years at the obsolete and far too easy St Andrews is obviously sentiment and denudes from it as a golf spectacle, but perhaps they could play it as it was intended to be played, back to front compared to today's direction. It's far better and crucially harder. Perhaps add other courses like Dornoch, Trump Aberdeen, Dumbarnie to the rota, as well as Others such as Porthcawl. If you can hold it at Portrush you could have it at Royal County Down too. 3 courses in North West England (Lytham, Birkdale and Hoylake ) seems overkill. 
Then you have other classic links courses that don't get a look in or simply have too many years between holding it. To not hold it at Turnberry now because Trump owns it is ridiculous.

It needs a rethink, because it's just a rubbish event now.

I don't agree that it's a rubbish event just because the last 2 have hardly been dramatic. I do agree though they have some ridiculous decision making going on, Yes every 5 years at Stan drews is bonkers, Yes Turnberry off the rota because of it's owner, also ridiculous, Carnoustie has also been told to upgrade hotel or it's not coming back (just out of interest what size of hotel is adjacent to Portrush??)
Dornoch would be fabulous but too remote, Saunton same bracket. Porthcawl aint too remote but would be logistically difficult (they'd have to do the same as Hoylake and have a different finishing hole than the course normally plays). If they stop being ridiculous and bring back Turnberry then no reason not to include his Aberdeen one as well. They do want venues relatively near big population centres and with good transport links. Yes it should be about the test but as in most other areas of life, commercial considerations are a big influence and Lancashire Opens are always massively well attended.

Royal Aberdeen, Castle Stewart would be an option plus you could include Loch Lomond as I think the Scottish Open was excellent when it was there, even though it isn't Links, or you could have a Gleneagles composite course or use on of the tremendous English heathland courses such as Woburn.

Just think Matthew Jordan did really well. From final qualifying, hitting the first ball at his home club, and finishes =T10 to gaurantee his place at next years Open.

First up, if one guy hadn't played the tournament of his life there was an all time leaderboard lurking six shots back. I have not seen the stats for the week but would imagine his best SG categories would be driving and putting. I will be really interested to find out in the coming weeks analysis how he beat that field by 6 shots. In all time performance.

I wouldn't have any complaints about Hoylake, it's a great course for a major. Tend to think the most exciting majors have winning scores around the -5 to -10 mark, which was basically the case for the chasing pack. Not so hard that you can't have a charge (eg Rahm) but not a birdie fest for the whole field.

As for the rota, St Andrews every five years is obviously stupid, however great the course is, but the claim seems to be it makes sense from a commercial perspective.  Other than over saturating TOC I don't have any problems with the current rota. If it the equipment is not rolled back and some of the great links courses become unsuitable for the pro game then the R&A can go and butcher the likes of castle stuart (Cabot Highlands ) , trumpton, Castle course etc into 8000 yard monstrosities.

Also, is it just me or were Rory and maybe a few others playing for OWGR points or cash rather than going for the win. The only way Rory could have won was if he had wedge into the greens. And the only way to do that was to go for it with the driver. Of course that could have meant a 75 but I see his options as; play sensible golf and get top 5, hit driver as often as possible and shoot 76 or hit driver as often as possible having the driving day of his life and shoot 63. The last option obviously being unlikely but it was the only way to win.

Harman was in the lead and hitting driver (albeit not that long), how did Rory (or anyone else) expect to massively out score him hitting 5 irons into the greens from irons off the tee?