PGA Tour: Welcome to the BIG Time Shane!: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

Possibly entering a Wi-Fi-Shy territory for a few days so let's kick the PGA Tour Notes off with a few ideas just to get a thread up and running:



1).Wonderful golf from Shane Lowry, even if he did have to out-luck Bubba Watson on the 18th. Love Lowry's swing and love his short game. The first Irishman to win a WGC and can there be any real doubt that he's capable of emulating Padraig Harrington and winning a Major or three?
As it is, he collects, among other things, a 3-year PGA Tour exemption; now for the hard part, planning a schedule and figuring out what he wants of the next three years, not what everyone else wants of him.
And Lowry's win should allow Martin Laird to enter the PGA as first "alternate".

2).Lee Westwood was among a handful of golfers who finally earned a place in the FedEx Play-Offs, alongside Lowry apparently. (EDIT! Apparently GPB's Golf Channel link suggests this is erroneous and he still requires high finishes at the PGA and/or Greensboro - doubt Shane will be too bothered about that.)
Donaldson was one of a handful of Bridgestone golfers who missed an opportunity to join them. Disappointing finish from Justin Rose - lots of focus from the CBS crew on Justin's putting, striking the short putts on the heel and pulling them. May not have cost him the tournament but almost certainly cost him second place.

3).JJ Henry won the Barracuda Championship in a very exciting finish with eagle on the second play-off hole - not often that golfers lose after birdieing both play-off holes, but that's what Kyle Reifers did, after eagling three of his final six holes. Wonder if that's a Tour first?
One talking point next time the Rules Committee get together will be Andres Romero's decision, with a nod from Tour Officials, to tee off on his last four holes of Round 3 with a putter and pick up claiming a maximum double bogey Stableford score of -3, having earlier damaged his right hand by planting a right cross firmly into the 15th tee sign. The hand swelled up like Rory's ankle and he withdrew after his round, but should that have been allowed?

4).This week's PGA Championship will be at Whistling Straits, about an hour north of Milwaukee overlooking Lake Michigan, for the 3rd time in 12 years. Apart from the actual Championship, the week will go a long way towards finalising Presidents Cup teams and determining the last few qualifiers for the FedEx Play-Offs. Next week's action at Greensboro will represent the final event of the regular season, do or die for famous names and journeymen alike.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Dustin's bunker has been replaced with spectator seating so he'll get a free drop next time instead of a devastating penalty.

5).Although Vijay and Martin Kaymer won the two previous PGA's played here, and Dustin, Rory and Bubba were narrowly defeated last time, other top five positions have been filled by some of the Tour's shorter hitters: Justin Leonard, DiMarco, Zach Johnson, Chris Riley and Elkington. These players "go again" after earning top 20 placings in 2004 and 2010:
2004: Singh, Els, Mickelson, Scott, Clarke, Toms.
2010: Kaymer, Watson, McIlroy, Dustin & Zach, Dufner, Villegas, Day, Kuchar, Mickelson, Casey, Schwartzel, Gallacher, Els, Watney.

Both previous trips to Whistling Straits have ended in play-offs. The next time Europe's best golfers get to see the course will be in 2020. Not sure who'll win this week ( for Stenson), but have no doubt that the 2020 winners will be Europe's Ryder Cup Team!

I am just stating an opinion, I would hardly say I am complaining

If all 4 majors were the top 130-140 players in the OWGR I would be perfectly happy.

It got an SOF of 910 (by OWGR measurements).

The Open Championship got 837 (would have 890 with Rory) so I think they are doing something right.

By OWGR measurement the PGA gets the strongest field in golf.

In the GPB formula for SoF, the Players would have the strongest field, because it's field is diluted with PGATour players, not past champs or club pros or qualifiers from the minor tours from all over the globe.

I do agree that all 4 majors should allow the same number of players according to what they are ranked. If that's top 50/75/100, I believe there has to be some unity. Then have players playing there way in through the exemptions they have set out!

GPB wrote:It got an SOF of 910 (by OWGR measurements).

The Open Championship got 837 (would have 890 with Rory) so I think they are doing something right.

By OWGR measurement the PGA gets the strongest field in golf.

In the GPB formula for SoF, the Players would have the strongest field, because it's field is diluted with PGATour players, not past champs or club pros or qualifiers from the minor tours from all over the globe.

No doubt it does have the strongest field major wise but I just feel 20 is too many club pros!

This isn't bases on anything other than a slight hunch, but to the amateurs who qualify for majors tend to be better players (they are basically pro in terms of time dedicated to golf) and tend to be more competitive than the PGA pro's?

Is Jason Day just the Australian version of Dustin Johnson?

sirbenson wrote:

No doubt it does have the strongest field major wise but I just feel 20 is too many club pros!

Do you see a glass as being half full or half empty?

It's just an opinion no need to get all snarky about it, just cause I don't agree with your view

What a horror show from DJ on the first!

sirbenson wrote:What a horror show from DJ on the first!

the guy would be dangerous with a brain

So Dustin Johnson's chances to win. if he had any to start with, went in one hole.

Real cat n' mouse stuff between Day & Spieth. That par save from Day was absolutely massive.

Am I dreaming this or was Tony Finau on the big break at some stage?

sirbenson,


It just seems nothing is good enough, sort of like when you give a boss to say that you are selling 20% more than last year, and he says 25% would have been better.  Nevermind that your goal was 15%.

I just not quite sure what players you would add to the field that would make the field significantly better than the field is.

The Masters gets roasted on this board because of they only exempt the top 50.

The PGA Championship exempts the top 100, and that still is not good enough.

The PGA of America is a wonderful organization.  One of the walking rules official is the brother of a very good friend of mine, another Club Pro.  I have played many rounds of golf with both of them.

20 spots out of 156 is not that big of deal, especially when there is 120 out of the top 150 in the field.

GPB wrote:sirbenson,


It just seems nothing is good enough, sort of like when you give a boss to say that you are selling 20% more than last year, and he says 25% would have been better.  Nevermind that your goal was 15%.

I just not quite sure what players you would add to the field that would make the field significantly better than the field is.

The Masters gets roasted on this board because of they only exempt the top 50.

The PGA Championship exempts the top 100, and that still is not good enough.

The PGA of America is a wonderful organization.  One of the walking rules official is the brother of a very good friend of mine, another Club Pro.  I have played many rounds of golf with both of them.

20 spots out of 156 is not that big of deal, especially when there is 120 out of the top 150 in the field.

I wouldn't look at it like that GPB, Sirb isn't responsible for what others say about the Masters field, he's only asking a question.  He's not having a go at the PGA of America as an organisation just asking if 20 club pro's in a Major is too many, that's not unreasonable.

GPB, why should they be there, even if it's not a big deal? I'm saying it's unnecessary noise.

Spieth just doesn't miss putts does he? Give him a sniff and he nails it..

Brilliant comeback from DJ

pedro wrote:GPB, why should they be there, even if it's not a big deal? I'm saying it's unnecessary noise.

Membership has its privileges.

Why won't Spieth be eligible for the Race to Dubai

Because Membership has it privileges.

Still haven't seen anyone list some players that are really that more deserving to get into the PGA Championship

Gary Stal and Prayad Marksaeng are the highest ranked players not in the field*.  Are they really missed?  Do you think either had a real good chance to win?

*other than players missing it because of medical issues.

So should super_realist have played the Open at TOC?
We're talking about a Major championship, not a fraternity outing!!

Zinger called it, must make for Spieth. Nailed.

A major that has 120 of the top 150 players in the field!!

This is such a DJesque round from DJ!

Brilliant stuff from Day. And good for Jordan not going away.

Jordan Spieth showing he's a class act there on 17. Gutsy putt too.

Happy for Jason Day. Such a good player and seems like a really nice bloke too

Classy stuff from Spieth too

Congratulations Jason Day, US PGA Major champion. Good on ya. GJ the Aussie stud would be proud.

Phenomeal play by Day. He never let them come close.

GJ is on Twitter! I still talk to him.


Congrats to Jason well deserved! And incredible year for Spieth, very well deserved being officially ranked the World's best!

So, I suppose with Day winning like that, this makes Johnson the best player not to have a major?
Seems to get further away with every attempt now too.

Don't think Day should ever have had that label super. He has won too few tourneys and, until recently, only contented in the Majors.
Dustin sits heavily on that title.

pedro wrote:Don't think Day should ever have had that label super. He has won too few tourneys and, until recently, only contented in the Majors.
Dustin sits heavily on that title.

I'd still have to lay that at Sergio's door - only one fewer PGA Tour win but $12m ahead on PGA Tour money list, 11 other wins worldwide and obviously has had more goes than DJ.

Great win by JD.. DJ should think about swapping his names..

Have to feel sorry for Dustin, there's bound to be a lot of scar tissue building at this point.

But what a phenomenal year for Spieth: World # 1 now, and he has also broken Woods' scoring record in the majors in 2000 by a stroke (-53 to -54)

I don't think Rory will take the #1 spot back any time soon.

incontinentia wrote:Have to feel sorry for Dustin, there's bound to be a lot of scar tissue building at this point.

But what a phenomenal year for Spieth: World # 1 now, and he has also broken Woods' scoring record in the majors in 2000 by a stroke (-53 to -54)

I don't think Rory will take the #1 spot back any time soon.

Trouble is though Inco that Spieth has to maintain that level otherwise he'll drop like a stone like Stenson did following his stellar year. However, saying that, Spieth by a considerable margin is the best player in the world and it seems that even when not fully firing is still capable of producing high finishes on leaderboards.

inco

I was never convinced that Rory's short game was as good as it should have been and seeing Spieth this week only confirms my doubts. Spieth has taken play on and around the greens to a new level that McIlory will have to match.

Good to have a potential 3 way rivalry emerging. Could do with a few more in there to make it interesting. Really puts the likes of Westwood, 9C, Garcia, Johnson at the Crystal Palace level though. Miles behind.

That's a bit harsh Super... Johnson has consistently challenged at the majors this year, Garcia is often a threat at tournaments, let's call them Liverpool and Spurs. Whereas Westwood and 9C are history, more like Villa and Forest.

Well, I wouldn't say challenged, I'd say he was up there and then faded away, just like lots of players have done.

I'd say he challenged at the US Open - he missed a put to win the thing!

That's true, forgot about that. Seems to be making a speciality out of messing it up. I know how he feels, did it at the weekend when in a great position.

Be_the_ball wrote:Am I dreaming this or was Tony Finau on the big break at some stage?

Yes he was.  Don't remember the location but Tony lost in the final to mike Perez I think ( brother of pat).   Tony's little brother Gipper was also in the same show.  I think big break improved a lot once they stopped focussing on who said what at breakfast, petty rivalries etc and just focussed on the golf.

raycastleunited wrote:That's a bit harsh Super... Johnson has consistently challenged at the majors this year, Garcia is often a threat at tournaments, let's call them Liverpool and Spurs. Whereas Westwood and 9C are history, more like Villa and Forest.

Hey!! Villa and Forest are not exactly at the same level. Yet

Bob_the_Job wrote:

pedro wrote:Don't think Day should ever have had that label super. He has won too few tourneys and, until recently, only contented in the Majors.
Dustin sits heavily on that title.

I'd still have to lay that at Sergio's door - only one fewer PGA Tour win but $12m ahead on PGA Tour money list, 11 other wins worldwide and obviously has had more goes than DJ.

Great win by JD.. DJ should think about swapping his names..

Yeah, forgot about Sergio (as you often want to, especially after a big tourney.) He has been there or thereabouts longer than Dustin.

MustPuttBetter wrote:

raycastleunited wrote:That's a bit harsh Super... Johnson has consistently challenged at the majors this year, Garcia is often a threat at tournaments, let's call them Liverpool and Spurs. Whereas Westwood and 9C are history, more like Villa and Forest.

Hey!! Villa and Forest are not exactly at the same level. Yet

Villa = Westwood: still at the top table, but only just. Being overtaken by younger, hungrier opponents.
9C = Forest: no longer a member of the elite, everyone can still remember the glory years - they weren't that long ago - but sadly are unlikely to return

Garcia = Spurs: look good and capable of winning lesser trophies, but rarely a serious contender for the big ones.
Johnson = Liverpool: often challenges for the title, usually fades away in the run in. Sometimes gets into a winning position, but then inexplicably lets it slip.

9C is looking more like my beloved PFC with every passing tournament - except that my boys are starting to win at the Challenge Tour level. At last.
PUP

Missed most of the week's action, but good for Jason Day.

And good for GJtheAussieStud.

sirb, B_t_b, point him back in our direction! Good lad he was!!

Similarly ... DJ is looking more like pea-brain Sergio with every passing major. I expect DJ to start throwing shoes soon.

This course looked to have more visual than real peril. NOT taking anything away from the well deserved winner and challengers, but the thousands of bunkers didn't factor in too much.

President's cup could be a real battle if Day can get his fellows to play a bit more like he does!

Confirmation the T.Woods will be at this week's Wyndham Championship, the Tour's last gasper before the FedEx Play-Offs. His Tigership reportedly needs a solo 2nd at least to assure himself of a trip to The Barclays.

McDowell among the more illustrious names who aren't even making the effort to qualify.

And: Messrs Mahan and Simpson have exited the owgr Top 50; McDowellesque.

raycastleunited wrote:Villa = Westwood: still at the top table, but only just. Being overtaken by younger, hungrier opponents.
9C = Forest: no longer a member of the elite, everyone can still remember the glory years - they weren't that long ago - but sadly are unlikely to return

Garcia = Spurs: look good and capable of winning lesser trophies, but rarely a serious contender for the big ones.
Johnson = Liverpool: often challenges for the title, usually fades away in the run in. Sometimes gets into a winning position, but then inexplicably lets it slip.

Yeah ok I can't argue with that!

Sorry to see that Rory is opting out of playing The Barclays - haven't really followed him live and was looking forward to the opportunity.
But a very sensible decision I would think. And expect one or two others to miss it (or DeutscheBank) also, just to give themselves a break.