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.

striking them beautifully lee, birdie at the 12th?

5-under for Lynn, this is getting serious!

Anyone got money on Brian Gay?

another 15 footer gone by the way side for lee. Par 5 to come next though. a good drive needed

Eagle for Na, they still get diamond glasses or something?

Sure this place is about 20 minutes ahead of the "official" online leaderboard...

yeah that leaderboard is really slow

Pretty good from the Sandy Lyle group - round in about four hours twenty-five minutes.
How long before those rounds are over five hours?

Crucial par-5's upcoming for Lee . . . .

Eagle for Woosie too, "crystal goblets" I think! Not sure that Woosie does goblets.

They're bringing forward the forecast for "heavy thunderstorms and wind" to 4.00 p.m., not long after live TV coverage starts, needless to say.

Thats a shame kwini


It might not happen

Dunbar off to an awful start

good boy lee!
guan starts with a bogey at 1st, which is pretty good, better than lee and charl...

Is that a double for Harrington? Another bird for Westwood.

Double bogeys for Harrington and Day on 6

Second group out already 20 minutes behind Lyle - looks like Woosie must just about be hitting in to them!

Woods has gone to -2 after 8 (birdied the 8th). Lynn is still the overall leader in the clubhouse now at -4. I hope these predicted thunderstorms stay away...

Lyle tied with Tiger??? Refresh Kwin, refresh!

C'mon TIGER!!!!

Here we come... Sergio, Scott and... Langer starting with birdies !
Go Matteoooo!

Poor Dunbar, this is starting to look like a bloodbath, hopefully he can stop the rot...

Jamie Donaldson with a hole in one!!

Woosie pints only by all accounts.Good to see the coverage

WOW, birdie for Guan!!! Level par now...

3 Englishmen in the top 3...

sirbenson wrote:Jamie Donaldson with a hole in one!!

I have a nice €2 each way on him at 300/1.
Keep it up!!

Some comeback from Westwood.

super_realist wrote:Some comeback from Westwood.

Truly marvelous. Ami right in thinking he started with a DB in 2012 as well?

Not sure I understand the message from Philadelphia . . . . . .

No birdies yet on 17 or 18 - tough finish.

Billy Payne dishing up a lot of "crystal" today - good for Donaldson, puligny will be thrilled (probably not as thrilled as if he had your ticket though, John!).

John Cregan wrote:

super_realist wrote:Some comeback from Westwood.

Truly marvelous. Ami right in thinking he started with a DB in 2012 as well?

Yes, he did. Hopefully Poulter can turn it round too.

kwinigolfer wrote:Not sure I understand the message from Philadelphia . . . . . .

No birdies yet on 17 or 18 - tough finish.

Billy Payne dishing up a lot of "crystal" today - good for Donaldson, puligny will be thrilled (probably not as thrilled as if he had your ticket though, John!).

€ 2 each way.............last of the big spenders!!
Have similar nets on some nice long shots....Colsaerts, Sterne, Olesen & DA Points.

Hibbz wrote:Off out to play a few holes myself now. I expect to see Westwood back to at least level par upon my return!!

Nice one Westwood (in-spite of that bogey on 17) couldn't have asked for more. Well I could and Poufter being at +3 is what I'd have asked for. Win double for Hibbz.

poults isnt 3 over is he.. I have him!

oh well good punt for both on lee in play anyway

At this rate Dunbar will be lucky if he breaks 90...

Leishman is on fire!

englishman or aussie was my pick lads .... I know my stuff yo

I have this horrible feeling that we are only going to get tiger for the 'full' coverage..

I prefered amen corner

I've a feeling the actual coverage doesn't start until 8. First hour will just be the stuffed shirts talking guff.

Speaking of which did anyone hear that pompous pr!ck bemoaning Van Pelt letting his children putt out on 9 in the par 3 because "It makes a mockery of the tournament"?

Think I'll let Mrs Hibbz watch the end of Emmerdale so that I get the controller when the actual action starts. Plus, I really need to know if Brenda ends up going to Gennie's wedding!!

its all about Jack at the moment..waffling old school tactics..

If corrie was on I would watch it..Emerdale- Mrs is watching in the bedroom

Go low today boys ... watch what the green jackets do to the course over the weekend. That's when experience will likely cause some pack separation.

C'mon Rooors! Gonzoooooooo!

Far less pessimistic forecast now - still a line of storms spawning tornados at the Georgia/Alabama border, but that's far enough away to get most of Round 1 in safely. Good news as it mitigates the chances of being on "the wrong end of the draw".

Bogey for Woods but you'd have to say he's doing what he needs to do, so far anyway. Surely he'll birdie 15 but he hasn't always played 17 and 18 well, certainly not last year, so he has to get by those two. Would be shocked if he didn't get a soixante neuf tonight.

17 at the moment looks like one of the toughest holes..

Sergio charging, Nine Chins in reverse.

kwinigolfer wrote:..Would be shocked if he didn't get a soixante neuf tonight.

Is Lindsay in town?!

Nice going from Sergio so far...

kj loves the masters

Good to see the English guys doing well, hopefully there will be one at the top of the leaderboard come Sunday evening......if not then I would like to see Sergio win.

She's there, pd, waiting to bestow a post-round treat no doubt.

Are scores creeping up a little this afternoon? Sure looks like it.

Lukey now tied with his playing partner.

Sergio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't dare to dream . . . . . .

Dream away kwini, dream away!

The youngest player in the field is playing phenomenally

Spain going very nicely, Gonzo, Garcia . . . .

Viva Espana!!

It's not just how impressive Guan's birdies are, but also how genuinely p1ssed he looks with himself when he misses a birdie putt...Amazing!

Freddy Couples going nicely as per usual

Gonzolissssimo!!!!

I think scoring seems to be easier this afternoon.