PGA Tour: Two Tournaments, Cultures and Continents Apart: Notes from the Ballwasher

Not much interest in last week's tournaments (or my blog although uncanny how Europeans performed, almost all in conformance to my Notes!) so let's make this brief!

1).Great opportunities for Europeans who are PGA Tour members this week at the WGC:HSBC Champions in China, especially Donaldson and Dubuisson.

Westwood, for instance, will be 25% at least on his way to The Barclays, plus 20% of the way in to his Tour season. Possibly screwed by one of the rain delays last week but par for the Malaysian course. American media seem to favour non-Americans to bring home the bacon; the pgatour.com hacks' "expert picks" choose 11 four-man teams a la their Fantasy Game and there are only 11 (out of 44 chances) American choices made. History would suggest they have a good point, especially given Dustin Johnson's absence.

2).But many European PGA Tour members will be in Mississippi celebrating the 9 million chickens "processed" by "Sanderson Farms" each and every week. Knox and Laird will be hoping to continue their good starts to the season. The CC of Jackson is an old course but a new Tour venue so horses for courses goes out the window. As usual I fancy a Southern boy for tournaments in the South: Kevin Kisner and John Peterson will win soon - chance for one of them this week?

3).Bernhard Langer duly took home his $1M bonus swag for winning the Schwab Cup annuity and completing the most rewarding, monetarily at least, season in US Senior Tours history, squeaking by Hale Irwin's total money won ten years ago.
A couple of Langer tid-bits which were mentioned on last week's telly coverage, and repeated in this week's GolfWorld:
~His greens-hit-in-regulation %age this year of 78.35 is the highest ever recorded, on either the PGA or Champions Tours.
~Is this apocryphal or just Bernhard being Bernhard? Langer "After being given a yardage by his caddie asked 'From the front of the sprinkler head or the back?'"!

4).I'll be interested in Cameron Smith's showing this week in Mississippi with the 21-y-o Aussie, of whom I know nothing, making his first US start after last week's fifth-place effort at the CIMB. Anyone know anything about him? Is he the new "Aussie Stud"??

5).And an update from the US Ryder Cup pantomime suggests that each member of the US Team at Gleneagles texted Fred Couples imploring that he put his name forward for the 2016 Captaincy. Not clear whether this story has any legs or whether it's just the Press advocating for their favourite media darling. Interesting nevertheless.
Meanwhile, on the European side of the ledger, hasn't Nick Faldo been quiet since his "Sergio was useless" comment and the Ted Bishop/Ian Poulter spat? Would not be surprised if CBS TV were looking for replacement options for their "lead analyst" position.

My PGAT picks this weeks are most Euro too. Sergio, Rose, Donaldson, and Fowler.

On the Golf Central last night, John Feinstein nominated David Feherty for US Ryder Cup Captain. Feinstein at his best. More Spit than Substance.

Never seen the Tee time arranged like this for a split tee in a WGC. (Nearly) All the Top ranked players are going off 10th tee in Round 1. And the lesser ranked players are all going off the First tee.

Usually they have half of the "Names" going late off #1 tee and the other half going early on #10 tee.

Would not be surprised to see Paul McGinley in a US network broadcast booth in the next couple year. Very well spoken and as soon as Darren Clarke has his turn as Europe RC Captain, he will be with either CBS or NBC. IMO.

Monty would be very good too...but he can earn too much on the Champions Tour playing golf.

Vice versa on Friday.

Anything but Montgomerie. And, remember! He's only on the Champions Tour due to his WGHOF nonsense - maybe deserving in a few years' time, but Woosnam should be in way before motormouth Montgomerie. But anything to get rid of Feherty.

I've always thought Craig Stadler was about as articulate as they come, not sure of a few opinions either - and I'm surprised no-one ever picked up Azinger, the most perceptive 'analyst" by far.

I like Monty in the broadcast booth! And his inclusion in the WGHoF is worthy. Woosnam will be there soon enough.

Azinger may be perceptive, but he is not articulate IMO. Neither is Wadkins, who I never liked in the broadcast booth and rendered the Cialis circuit unwatchable to me. 25 years ago, I like to watch Wadkins play golf.

I like most of the CBS crew, but I don't like the support commentators at NBC. Gary Koch squeals like he is squeezing a turd through hemorrhoid. Peter Jacobson talks down to the audience and Notah Begay is just plain awful at everything. Rolfing is not very good either. I like Miller and Maltbie.

To paraphrase Alan Partridge; Sanderson Farms, depending on your point of view, is either responsible for the biggest ornithological genocide of recent times or it is the greatest farmyard-to-table strategist of the last 100 years.

Azinger used to do some most insightful podcasts with Jaime Diaz on GolfWorld - apart from the fact that he never appears much interested in non-Americans I really like him!
Gary Koch too, brilliant at reading greens. Agree Jacobsen is as awful as Maltbie is superb! As Kostis is.

Wadkins is still bitter that CBS kicked him out, tho' I quite enjoy Mahaffey on the Champo Tour.

But I do dislike Montgomerie . . . . . . . !

incontinentia wrote:To paraphrase Alan Partridge; Sanderson Farms, depending on your point of view,  is either responsible for the biggest ornithological genocide of recent times or it is the greatest farmyard-to-table strategist of the last 100 years.

I wonder if Sergio has encouraged Tiger to go and play?

Sanderson Farms is being played at Jackson CC. I played a tournament there about 25 years ago.

Best I can remember, it was classic Donald Ross.

GPB,
I tried to research the course details and couldn't find much other than it was a John Fought re-do. Couldn't even find anything in my Golf Course bible.

Looking forward to watching the action . . . . . . . . . really enjoyed Silverado and hoping for more of the same.

Is this a proper WGC? i.e has all the trimmings for the winner.

Like the days of tiger, it is now hard to get all that excited about an event when Rory is missing.


PS Kwini, you mention there was no interest in your blog last week but the responses are three pages worth! I think we all value what you post on here and it is a rare week that I don't read what you post.

Mac,
3 pages but nothing about my comments or the week's event!!

Two withdrawals already - DeLaet was 9 over par after 9 holes, so not surprising he went for the early bath - not sure what happened to Stads, food poisoning probably.

McDool's round could have been so much better . . . .

kwini

That is probably more a reflection of the event than your writing. Golf also needs a break and currently doesn't take one. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.


are the viewing times in china any good for the US, because if the rounds are over by breakfast in the UK I doubt anyone will be watching much of the action this week?

TV? No good at all, tho' might try to watch Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone know exactly what Patrick Top Five Reed said that seems to have the censors alarmed?

Super

What happened to your comment? I was about to reply but it disappeared.

kwinigolfer wrote:TV? No good at all, tho' might try to watch Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone know exactly what Patrick Top Five Reed said that seems to have the censors alarmed?

Was it the "fornicating" 3-putt one?

Kwini,

After three putting he said "Nice f****** three-putt you f****** f*****,"

Ha!
That must have been it! Heard it had followed a 3-putt but wasn't sure if there were also repeat offences.
Wonder if his wife was caddying . . . .
Thanks robo, Costi (welcome incidentally!).

Top 5 is quickly establishing himself as one of the biggest douches in sport. He'll soon be in the Sabbatini/Na league.

Good player though. I followed him when watching the Volvo Matchplay at the London Club last month. I think he will be around on the golf scene for a long while and with some success...

I'm not fond of Fatrick Reed, but I don't think he should be punished too heavily here. He wasn't abusing anyone other than himself. You hear that sort of stuff every weekend on a football pitch and although the *aggot word isn't used often, dreadful language is directed at other players, which is worse in my opinion.

Whats wrong with swearing, its pretty normal behaviour, especially in sporting environment. I dont like the use of the word faggot if thats what he said, I doubt he meant it in a food sense.

My granny used to call me a faggot, think it has a different meaning for the older generation though!

I assumed it was f***er.

Gary Williams on Golf Channel is calling for a suspension for Reed...

I used to like Williams... but lately, and especially since the Bishop deal, he's been acting too much like wimpy, overly sensitive, politically correct, f****** f****t'

9C swears and spits all over the place. Where is the guy calling for suspension on this, or is it merely the word "faggot" which is causing him pangs of hyper-sensitivity.

Good write up Kwini - as per usual.. it almost goes without saying.. and sometimes it actually does.

My 2p(s)

Langer must have earned as much this year as almost any year in his career to date?

There was extensive coverage on Sky last year of a competition in Asia (Malaysia - the course right down opposite the docks?) where Cameron Smith featured very heavily - he looked the real deal with a few rough edges.

Monty is a terrible commentator. He starts off so many sentences and then suddenly something else.

Top 5 going up in my estimation recently (current swearing session aside) - he's come across really well in recent interviews. I don't know the circumstances of the incident in China, but I feel for him that the microphones happened to pick up what he said. To himself.

robo,
I never watch anything on GC except live golf, but follow their website.
How did Williams do in the NYC Marathon?
I see Wozza ran 3 hr 26 mins which is pretty bloody good. Very impressed!

Hope Reed has his "earring and the make-up".
Hope he's "got his own jet airplane",
Cos we know "he's a millionaire".

I don't see any point in a suspension for Reed; plus, an enforced break might actually do him some good!
Unless these guys get done for at least three months or more, it's just a glorified holiday for them, as much benefit as hardship.

would be a way better punishment to say he has to play in some minor events that need a boost

Cheers Bob,
I'd imagine $3M, plus his Masters money, plus scraps in "Europe" (probably about $3.5K in all) is comfortably the most Langer has won in a year.

Looking forward to seeing Cameron Smith, but hoping I never hear Montgomerie in a commentary booth ever again! So articulate, but it's all about him.

hend085 wrote:would be a way better punishment to say he has to play in some minor events that need a boost

I agree... Reed should have to play in some of the bottom feeder events like New Orleans, Memphis and Greenbrier....

NO... WAIT.... he already does. :-)

Jason Sobel of Golf Channel just tweeted this link to his blog about Patrick Reed

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/response-reed-bishop-represents-progress/?cid=twitter-gc-a-response-reed-bishop-represents-progress-110614

When I asked him what would happen next time Tiger dropped the F bomb he asked me if I couldn't see the difference between an F bomb and a "gay slur".

Fact is, both or neither are offensive to some people

kwinigolfer wrote:robo,
I never watch anything on GC except live golf, but follow their website.
How did Williams do in the NYC Marathon?
I see Wozza ran 3 hr 26 mins which is pretty bloody good. Very impressed!

Hope Reed has his "earring and the make-up".
Hope he's "got his own jet airplane",
Cos we know "he's a millionaire".

I don't see any point in a suspension for Reed; plus, an enforced break might actually do him some good!
Unless these guys get done for at least three months or more, it's just a glorified holiday for them, as much benefit as hardship.

Have no clue how Williams did in NYC... and am certainly getting where I care a whole lot less about what he does than I once might have.  I used to defend him, but he's turning into a sanctimonious tool...  But yes... MOST impressive for WOZ... wasn't that long ago that the men's "open" qualifying time for Boston was 3:30 (3:05 today)... (3:35 for women under age 34 today).

And as for Reed.. he made his "twitter apology"...  

Patrick Reed ‏@PReedGolf
I'm sorry for using offensive language today in China. My passion to play well got the best of me and my word choice was unacceptable.

Other than his donation to Timmy's Cookie Jar, I hope that's the end of it... publicly at least.... but I fear for him it won't be if the politically correct lynch mobs get their hands on this thing...

I am a liberal and a touch politically correct at times. I know people don't like that. I think everything needs to be in context. The context here seems to be he did something rubbish therefore it's gay. That's not good even if he only said it to himself. He deserves some flak. Next thing will be him saying I'm not a homophobe I have gay friends. I'd like to see him wearing a rainbow flag style jumper.

Not necessarily, he could have been comparing himself to a ball of chopped pork and liver seasoned with herbs...  

He clearly likes his food..maybe he actually said F@@@××× fajita

Made in Denmark, Leading in Mississippi:
That's Sebastian Cappelen, in the Sanderson Farms Championship, but currently making a chicken's ear of his 17th hole.

Says he is a swede on the golf channel app!

Close!
I think he was born in Odense, which is apt commentary on the GC's geography.


OK:
Lovely story that was just pointed out to me on the ET web-site about Ollie Wilson, subtitled "Robert Rock's claim for Teacher Of The Year":

http://www.europeantour.com/videoaudio/video/index.html

Story of the Year for me. Fantastic!!

Harrington off to a good start: Four under par early, just made a bogey, can he keep it together?

Much speculation about Reed - am I the only one who sees parallels with Geoff Overton? Stature, hype, Ryder Cup performance/antics?

Both a bit immature Smithers, but at least Reed has three wins, three more than the under-achieving Over-ton.

Cappelen leading in MS in his first Tour event; who'd've thunk it?
And: How long will it last??

Anyone see parallels between Poulter and Reed?  I do.

Considering what Patrick Reed called himself, will his new nickname be "Bottom Five"?


===========

OWGR website doesn't think there is an opposite field event in Mississippi this week.  Its not listed in this weeks tournaments on their main page.

Adam Scott is taking about 40 minutes to play hole #8.

Timely return to form for Poulter. Seems to be getting on well with his new sticks.

Apart from 9C I think he's had the worst year in the top 50.

Huge weekend for Poulter.

Would think he and Reed have similarly high opinions of themselves, but Poulter is very respectful on the course.

Poor from Billy Horschel so far this week - gone from Billy Ho to Billy wHo.
Still wish these tournaments had a cut, say Top 60, or even 50.

Kwini

What difference would a cut make to you, the viewer. It is not like the TV coverage will show those players hacking it about at the back of the field?

Just find it pathetic that some of these guys just go thru the motions as soon as they have a bad hole or three. Still get their 40 grand, even for coming last.
Would rather see the prize-money structure changed to better reward actual effort.
Some seem to try about as hard as Yaya Toure on a rainy night in Manchester.

Adam Scott followed his quad-bogey NINE with a double-bogey SIX.
Not so fortunate as Roger Sloan at the Sanderson Farms who followed his 7 with a 1.

Two more abandonments at the HSBC: Looks like Vickie Dubie has w/d'd and Brody Ninyette is dq'd (because the batteries in his calculator were flat).

Major Champion watch at Sanderson Farms: Early in Round 2:

2nd: Toms
7th: Curtis
7th: Duval
7th: Glover
16th: Harrington
16th: Janzen
51st: Daly

How long will this lot last?