PGA Tour: Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Notes from the Ballwasher

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1).Lousy field in San Antonio last week for the "Valero Texas Open", but that shouldn't diminish from Ben Curtis's superb win. That is Curtis's 4th Tour title, superior to most US golfers of his (under-performing?) age group. He'll now be playing the PGA Tour mostly, Europe's loss if he can maintain last week's form.

2).The TPC San Antonio certainly showed up better on TV than the spectacle of the past two years, and generally received high marks from the players. Biggest exception tended to be the continued penal nature of the course, and unforgiving "green complexes". Next year will be the proverbial acid test as the date of the Texas Open is moved up to the week before The Masters, and one hopes that the tournament will take a long-term view that they have one last chance to sell the world's best that this is a viable venue.

3).The highest-ranked contestant last week was Matt Kuchar but, for the second week running, he flattered only to deceive. How much longer will he grin (and I DO mean grin) and bear it, a small fortune in the bank but no outright 72-hole leads on Tour for over ten years? Can you say "under performer"?

4).Last week also saw some spectacular meltdowns. One of my favourite players to follow is Will MacKenzie, a professional kayaker, someone who gave up college golf in North Carolina for more extreme sports, snowboarding, rock-climbing, rafting, heliboarding, kayaking, you name it, he did it, all the while living in a van in the wilds of Montana. Inspired by Payne Stewart's Pinehurst win, he resumed golf via the Golden Bear, Hooters and, eventually, PGA Tours and collected a couple of wins.
His ball-striking is usually exquisite, his course management and putting eccentric. And so it proved last weekend. Seven under par for Saturday's round after 14 holes, he proceeded to drop five shots coming in, with a shank, three 3-putts (two from within 15 feet), and a career-saving tournament was headed down the drain. He played well again on Sunday, two under par for his round, a decent cheque waiting to be banked, but went four over par for his final four holes.
Back to the Nationwide this week. Too bad.

5).A recent survey of PGA Tour pros in Sports Illustrated had some interesting questions including:
"Who is the cockiest player on the PGA Tour?"
Top six: Sabbatini, Anthony Kim, Bubba, Every, Poulter, Scott Piercy.
One feels that, if more pros knew Piercy, he might be somewhat higher. He won in Reno last year only because Pat Perez self-destructed before he did. Last Sunday, a par on #18 would assure him of a top four finish. Nine strokes later he signed for a NINE and 18th place. Whereupon he left the green snapping his putter over his knee. Imagine Finchem will be further depleting Piercy's bank account.

6).And another Sports Illustrated observation. They frequently include a "My Bag" feature, showing the equipment of leading pros. Hunter Mahan's bag was mostly PING, with the accompanying sound-bite: "When I'm going to a major or a tough course, I want to have all the bite on my wedges (for all the) advantage I can get."
Trouble is, his bag clearly showed at least one Callaway wedge, rather than the Anser Forged jobs described!

7).Moving on: Given that the Masters thru Players month is something of a dead zone on Tour, what is the difference between the Texas Open and New Orleans event in terms of attracting the pros?
And part of the answer at least is Bradley, Crane, Donald, Fowler, McDowell, Rose, Villegas (not that he affects things much). What do they have in common? They are all sponsored by Zurich.
This is part of a growing trend, followed also by RBC whose "ambassadors" including Donald, Els, Furyk, Kuchar, etc, etc, were at Harbour Town and almost certainly will be in Hamilton for the RBC Canadian Open.
The PGA Tour looks down its rather long nose at appearance fees but there are appearance fees hiding in clear sight, just an extension of what Woods used to do with Buick and AT&T (still does to some extent, with HSBC too). Likewise Phil etc with Barclays. And there are plenty more.

8).With Harbour Town two weeks ago, and TPC in a fortnight, this is Pete Dye month on Tour with his TPC Louisiana the host course for this week's "Zurich Classic of New Orleans". The course opened about ten years ago, hosted its first New Orleans Open in 2005 to mixed reviews, got battered by Hurricane Katrina and reopened two years later to a more positive reception. This week should see it playing firm and fast and will be popular, not least for all the gastronomic delights available on the course. Course specialists include Messrs Dufner, Howell, Stricker and Toms.

9).Europe is represented by Team Zurich (Donald, McDowell, Rose), Peter Hanson, Karlsson and the regulars. Including Alex Cejka who has two tournaments remaining on his Major Medical Exemption in which to earn $323K. Otherwise it's trip to the Tour's knackers yard for Cejka; he's in his forties now and is five "cuts" short of qualifying for "veteran" status on the PGA Tour. Without that, his only route back is via Q-School, Nationwide and sponsors invitations.

10).No action on the Champions Tour this week but Mark James and Des Smyth went some way to alleviating financial problems in Britain and Ireland by earning $110K between them as they won the Liberty Mutual Legends "Raphael Division" last week in Savannah, repeating last year's success. Sandy Lyle (partnering Peter Senior) finished down the field in his division and his Champions Tour options are steadily expiring.
Strange thing about Lyle: He'll be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in a couple of weeks. It's twenty minutes down the road from his US home, but he'll visit it for the first time when they unveil his plaque!

And an eagle for Dufney to top it off!
Is this gonna be his week...?!

princedracula wrote: C'est merveilleux, mesdames et messieurs! (do they actually speak any French in Nouveau Orleans?)...

They speak Cajun! I speak English and a little French and I cannot understand Cajun at all.

It looks like the cut will be -2. If it stays at -1, it will be a crowded golf course tomorrow.

Russell Knox

Good day for the (David) Skinns game at the Nationwide in Valdosta; Round 2 of 3 under 69 and tied for 10th as the afternooners get going. Ben Briscoe one shot inside the cut-line with ten holes to play.

Terrific stuff from Russell Knox in New Orleans; he still has a chance to play his way into The Players with a top finish - not sure exactly what he needs.

New Orleans cut now at -2; it might not stay there but Brian Davis will be among those needing some birds if it does and Graeme McDowell is right on the number.
Rose motoring today, and Geoff Ogilvy has an Els-like front nine of 31. He needed it, and more just to play the weekend.

A couple of good finished can get him well placed for keeping his card Kwini. Would be a great achievement for the lad and keeping the future bright for Scottish golf.

Very true EmmDee; hope he doesn't get branded as an Ameriscot like Laird tends to be.

Better for Davis, worse for McDowell.

Geoff Ogilvy is working his magic today to try get some weekend work.

I thought Dufner only played well in majors?

Dufner plays well in the South!
Nice field in prospect for Quail Hollow - only the 5 x Top 15's that GPB mentioned but McDo, Bradley, Day, Haas, Watney, Van Pelt among those just outside.
Thomas Bjorn appears to be the only (mildly) surprising European in the field though. Russell Knox an alternate, but a top ten this weekend would take care of that.

Brian Davis enjoying a nice afternoon . . . .

I think what you mean is Dufner plays well on Thursday/Friday :P

R1 scoring:
6 Jason Dufner 69.22 623 9
R2 scoring:
T11 Jason Dufner 69.00 621 9
R3 scoring:
T98 Jason Dufner 71.50 572 8
R4 scoring:
T108 Jason Dufner 71.88 575 8

Dufner's getting better all the time though. Two play-off losses last year, getting closer tournament by tournament it seems. Went completely off the boil last summer until his PGA performance which came out of the blue - except it was in Hotlanta!

Looks like an MDF following Round 3.

Russell Knox playing in the final group with Duffer and Duke.

Difficult to find a better threesome Saturday than Ogilvy, Watson and McDowell, all of whom made the cut on the number!

Fowler going low ... but how can you not like Stricker or really want Els to win?!?

Big hole for Luke to start ... but a heck of a day!

Well done Russell Knox. Great to see another Scotsman doing well in America.

Tee times for Round 3 (off both nines) begin at 9.30 a.m. local, 3.30 p.m. at Anfield.

Another fine day in prospect, moderate breezes but plenty of sunshine and temps in the 80's. The course will be playing as it was designed, to be firm and fast, low scoring to be sure, but banana skins as well.

79 golfers made the cut so there'll be a further cut tonight with the Top 70 and ties playing Sunday.

All eyes on Russell Knox in the final group with Dufner and Duke Kenneth. Good luck to the man from Inverness

And another name seldom seen on leaderboards these days has stealthily made his way into contentiuon: Camilo Villegas!

Guess who's leading (actually tied for first) the tournament in birdies this week?

Clue:
He's also last in driving accuracy (as usual), tied for first in sand saves, and has taken second fewest putts. Plus he's tied for most "others" and T2 in most double bogeys. Possibly leading the field in most different hair colourings also.

Doubtless he'd be contending if he could just drive straight.

You guessed it: Daniel Chopra.

All 79 players have left the stalls now, lots of them under par.

McDowell, Owen and Rose treading water, Davis and Donald climbing the ladder. Good solid par at the first for Russell Knox.

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

Nationwide update:
With four holes to travel, Colwyn Bay's Ben Briscoe is two shots off Woody Austin's lead.

Daniel Chopra update: Even par after ten holes having hit two fairways and two greens. Smoke and mirrors.

I know I'm talking to myself, but:
Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

A good day's work thrown away by Brian Davis but nice last few holes for Rose and the Luke Donald of old has started to reappear.

Ben Briscoe in 3rd place in the Nationwide, two shots behind Woody Austin's lead in the clubhouse, others still on the course.

Russell Knox has gone from being a projected 38th in the FedEx standings when he was T2 yesterday to 157th now he's T14th. Amazing how costly bogies can be at this level of golf.

Fun looking course ... and these guys are really eating it up. America's last major winner dropping some birdies ... I'm guessing anyone within 5 of the lead tomorrow has a chance.

EmmDee,
Hopefully Knox will look at the glass as half full, great experience, didn't really make anything but didn't have any catastrophes - I think he's ready to challenge for a full card. Needs to reach the top 125 money, or at least the top 150 for conditional status.
If they play in twosomes, his immediate dividend will be playing Sunday with Bubba Watson.

Don't see too many people reaching -18 tomorrow, Dufner apart of course. Donald would have to shoot 66 just to reach that.

Russell Knox and Bubba it will be, tee time of 11.05 a.m. CDT. That will very definitely be an experience. Good luck to him.

Els tantalisingly close to reaching the owgr top 50 (a bit late), probably needs a T2 to make it.

kwinigolfer wrote:EmmDee,
Hopefully Knox will look at the glass as half full, great experience, didn't really make anything but didn't have any catastrophes - I think he's ready to challenge for a full card. Needs to reach the top 125 money, or at least the top 150 for conditional status.
If they play in twosomes, his immediate dividend will be playing Sunday with Bubba Watson.

Don't see too many people reaching -18 tomorrow, Dufner apart of course. Donald would have to shoot 66 just to reach that.

You'd think one of Donald, Stricker and Els would reach there or thereabouts, seems to me a matter of whether Dufner can hold them off.

Missed the action last night... what an impressive couple of rounds from Luuuke!
Strangely enough, I find myself now almost cheering for Dufner to win this, he really deserves one... feels like he's been in perpetual contention since that playoff at the USPGA...

Good stuff from Luke is right. Good from Els as well, and Dufner of course. Don't see any reason why Dufner won't win today - be a nice wedding present as he's getting married next week.

Many of the leaders noted how course conditions firmed up during Saturday afternoon - I'm thinking Pete Dye's designs place an increasing demand on positional play (the angles as Kostis would say) the firmer the course gets, and the clear inference from the leaders was that they don't see a late-day 64 coming up from behind on Sunday.

Given that, and a sparkling forecast expected to dry the course out further, it looks a nine-horse race to me, down to Donald and the -12's.

And Ben Briscoe (didn't realise he is left-handed) lies third entering the final Nationwide round in Valdosta.

I just think the 11 unders might have a squeak Kwini. Great to see Curtis following up his win last week with another solid performance. Fowler could go low. With 14 under in 3rd place & the two at the top unproven it may open it up a bit more. We'll see!

Faldo,
Interesting to hear your mate SNF applauding Duffie's implaccable composure yesterday, come birdie or bogey; words to the effect of "You want to maintain the same demeanour from the first hole Thursday to the final hole on Sunday." Thought that was quite insightful from Nicky, in between his rather annoying counting of Dufner's waggles.
(Still wish Nicky would tell more tales of his time on Tour - it's as if he feels that what happens on Tour stays on Tour.)

Anyway, they're off and no-one so far is off to the sort of start that Chelsea enjoyed . . . . . .

kwinigolfer wrote:...and Dufner of course. Don't see any reason why Dufner won't win today - be a nice wedding present as he's getting married next week...

So he'll be missing Wells Fargo then. Talking of which, he's not marrying this girl by any chance? If you remember he actually met her (quite intimately ) at Quail Hollow in 2009...

Spoiler:

And since we're discussing matrimonial news, it's springtime and obviously romance is in the air and another one tied the knot yesterday in Torino... Edi Molinari who married his long time girlfriend Anna Roscio. Don't have any pictures of her but this clip suggests that she's a pretty useful golfer herself...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G2HsY7CoB4

Ooh, Don't you just love a lady who's at her best on fast greens?
Good luck to Edi


Plenty of birdies in New Orleans, but no-one going crazy just yet. And the front nine has been playing easier than the back.

Nothing to disturb the front-runners so far.

Some potential US Ryder Cup movement is possible today:

#7 Haas and #6 Snedeker are vulnerable of losing their spot in the top 8 of the Ryder Cup.

Unless #8 Stricker collapses today, he will pass both of them easily. 19th or better.

if Dufner finishes 3rd or better, he will pass both Haas and Snedeker.

And if Curtis wins, he also passes both Haas and Snedeker.

A multi-time winner on the EuroTour is making a move! Jeff Overton is -4 after 7 holes

More weekend disappointment for Knox so far - has he forgotten these events are 72 holes long? Hopefully he can find something today.

SNF is always insightful Kwini

Fn1f,
Of course!
SI's famous "Anonymous Pro" accused him of speaking with "marbles in his mouth". Can't agree with that at all.

No-one better than the "O" men so far, Overton and Ogilvy -5 apiece with a few holes each to go.

princedracula wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:...and Dufner of course. Don't see any reason why Dufner won't win today - be a nice wedding present as he's getting married next week...

So he'll be missing Wells Fargo then. Talking of which, he's not marrying this girl by any chance? If you remember he actually met her (quite intimately ) at Quail Hollow in 2009...

After a quick but of trolling, the answer is nope... that young lady's name was Miranda, his wife to be is an Amanda.

Dufner is getting married this coming weekend. I wonder if Dufner is going to play in Jacksonville? If so, it will be a pretty short honeymoon.

If he wants to play on the Ryder Cup, the Players is not a tournament for Dufner to skip. Pretty lucrative and it should be pretty much tailor-made for his golf game.

The Players is one of the hardest tournament to handicap, and I had him as a potential pick in Kwini's pool.

Mark Anderson seems to have made a steady start to his PGA tour career. He has made 7 cuts out of 8. Currently 6 under through 11 holes today & 11 under altogether. Overton 7 under today with one to go. Still think someone may post a score to frighten the top 2.

GPB,
I understand that Dufner is scheduled to play the TPC - he took most of last summer off, plenty of timing to moon his honey.

Agree about Mark Anderson, follow these South Carolina boys, seems to be improving as the weeks go by.

Early bird for Russell Knox, three shots up on playmate Bubba in the first two holes.

DeLaet just had an interview on Golf Channel. He has soul patch. It looks like it could clean the grooves of his irons. Bristly!

Overton has the round of the day thus far -7. Anderson and De Jonge can match or beat it.

CHIII with a Hole-N-One on #9

DeLaet or Els would be the first Tour winner of the year qualified for the "International" Presidents Cup team - not sure what the longest barren run by "Internationals" at the start of the season might be, but have an idea it's about 20 yrs ago, perhaps when IBF won at Colonial.

Russell Knox -3 after 7 holes.

Russell Knox leading the field in Greens In Regulation.

Luuuuuuuuuke!

Dufner and DeLaet going nowhere, but Luuuuke is not taking advantage - two par-5's played, two par fives scored. That won't get it done.

Still Dufner's to lose but Ernie and Stricker must feel as if they're right in it. Not Knox though, two bogeys on the trot and no in do-no-further-harm mode.

Ernie's right in it now - and in a good way. Could he . . . . . ?

Luuuuuuuuuuuke!
This is taking shape; two twos for Luke - now we need some 3's.

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuke!!

Mmmm... Ernie, Dufff, Luuuke... So who am I cheering for here...?

Ernie needs solo 3rd to get to top 50 (although he's qualified for TPC anyway...)