PGA Tour: It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over: Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1).Maybe not, Yogi, but the 2015/16 season will end this coming Sunday in Atlanta. The Tour Championship (by a fizzy drink) will see 29 survivors of the FedEx Play-Offs compete on a highly regarded, but visually boring, Donald Ross original, East Lake Golf Club, a Par-70 test which will hopefully reward fine golf and not just the winner of the long-drive contest.

2).Yup, 18 of the Top 40 leaders in driving distance have made it this far, only Zach Johnson, Danny Lee and Kevin Na surviving among the shortest eighty players on Tour. The PGA Tour is becoming a bomber's paradise, with shorter hitters at an ever increasing disadvantage. Truly drive for dough, putt for show.
Even a few weeks ago, at The Barclays, this was apparent as the likes of Dustin, Bubba and Jason Day were able to carry uphill landing areas and fairway bunkers that were in play for 80% of the field. No point in returning to Plainfield until that imbalance is rectified.

3).We know "chicks dig the long ball", but how fair was it that the Tour used forward tees and friendly pin-placements on Day 2 of last week's BMW Championship, presumably so that the long-ballers were able to maintain their advantage? Pointless choosing a course such as Conway Farms that stretches to 7,200+ yards if you actually play the event at 6,900.

4).Nothing to detract from Jason Day's clinic in Rounds 1 and 2, but it sure makes for a boring tournament if you eliminate half the field before they've started. Exaggeration but that's what things are coming to.

5).What do we think of Jason Day vs Jordan Spieth for POTY? I'll go for multiple Majors every time.
And, it's not recognized as such in the guidelines for the title, but Spieth's two titles after the 2014/15 PGA Tour season started were arguably the jump start he needed, his final round in Sydney to win the Aussie Open as good as any round in the past twelve months.

6).Jim Furyk is absent this week and there must now be the very real chance that he'll miss the Presidents Cup. Jay Haas would then be free to pick anyone he liked and I would hope that he's put JB Holmes on standby, next in line in the qualifying list, coming off a 4th place finish at the Beemer and, last but not least, 5th in driving distance.

7).In 2008 we went to the Travelers tournament in Hartford for the first time and followed a young Jason Day. He played beautifully, making up in length and power for what he lacked in touch around the greens, and you could see he was a star in the making. But he was outplayed on that day by Jon Mills.
The third member of the threesome was Chez Reavie who looked no more a pro golfer than half a dozen guys from the local club; sure enough Reavie won later that year in Canada, played in the 2011 Tour Championship, got injured, lost his card, but won this past week's WTF event in North Carolina round about the same hour JASON DAY holed the winning BMW putt, and thus retrieved his Tour card.
Jon Mills? Last I saw this summer he was struggling to make cuts on the Canadian Tour.

8).Other WTF competitors who have ensured they'll be on next season's PGA Tour include Anirban Lahiri and Emiliano Grillo, two losses to the European Tour. But Martin Kaymer is back, though wonder why he's not playing in Germany this week? Sponsorship conflict perhaps, or just making a protest at the VW emission shenanigans??

9).Just had a thought. The belly putter will be officially banned from the PGA Tour once the '14/'15 season wraps up, so will Adam Scott be allowed to "anchor" in the Presidents Cup?
Fingers crossed that the winners will be remembered for their excellent play and not for picking up their ball. (Is it correct that Annika was accused of giving advice because she told the European ladies "never to give another effing putt while I'm around"? Imagine she'll be European Captain in 2017.)

10).Still fancy Oosthuizen to play well in these Play-Offs so expecting he'll do well this week. But, in tribute to Yogi, I'm hoping that Henrik Stenson brings home the Tour Championship, deja vu all over again.

"all hell would break loose". Paul Casey on what would happen if McIlroy decides to follow Casey and give up his European tour card. Which according the secret tour pro (so make of this what you will) is a "strong possibility" for 2017 on ward.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/golf-hell-break-loose-mcilroy-gave-euro-tour-185029707--golf.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory&soc_trk=tw

Casey is always self-serving, a very calculating individual - bags of talent, but it's always about Paul.

It's never been easier to keep cards on both Tours if you're a top player - if you're not, which Casey certainly wasn't when he opted out of "Europe", then you won't be a Ryder Cup player anyway. Hope Casey reconsiders, but difficult not to think he's still miffed at Montgomerie ignoring him five years ago.

It is so easy that two time major winner Martin Kaymer just lost his pga tour card.

Did he lose it or did he just throw it away?

Someone called Joel Dahmen just raced around the WTF Round 3 in under two hours, nine holes ahead of the twosome behind. Slugger White will be telling the boys at East Lake about that, with both of the final pair having already clocked at least one "bad time" each this week.

Did he lose it or did he just throw it away?

Actually a pretty good question. Although it is an odd decision to through away his PGAT card as I thought he had lived in the US for some time and was quite settled there.

Lift, clean and cheat.

Pretty amazing display of putting from Spieth this week; it seems that the more is on the line, the more putts he holes.
Brain fart from Rory on the 18th, lots of good work undone, but he and Casey are still within reach if they get off to a good start Sunday.
Much later start tomorrow - looks like a straight fight between Spieth & Stenson for the $10mil.

I fear another choke from Hedrick.

pedro

Hasn't he already choked, given yesterdays awful round?

Tough day at the office yesterday, Mac
The only people who moved forward were those who made long puttts, basically Fowler and Spieth.

Although I understand that you regard anything less than a course record a "choke".

Kwini

I regard failing to keep the lead a choke, if all you had to do was shoot +1 to keep a share of the lead.

Stenson was hoisted a bit by his own petard yesterday, his refusal to use his driver. OK when the roll-out gets him to 280 - 300 yards, but not when the ball plugs on landing. Course playing a little too long for that on Saturday and it also put the 2 x Par-5's out of reach..

Kwin - I assume Stenson used the 3W not because it goes 20 yards less than his driver but that it keeps him in play. Conservative, but perhaps the right move since he heads into the last day still in the last group.

Rory and Fowler have a chance to challenge; don't see Casey in the mix but who knows.

If Jordan win this, caps off one incredible year.

Sr,
Exactly!
But usually some roll ensures the distance deficit is not significant. Yesterday it was, and perhaps today also.

Just to be topical for you guys in Philly. One of my favourite Yogi-isms when he met a previous papal edition was his:
"Hello Pope".
"Hello Yogi".

Some September in the North-East!!

Personally I think if Stenson wants to get over the line in a major he needs to use the driver a bit more. I realise he is crazy accurate with less club off the tee, but when you are competing against the top players you need to be a bit more aggressive. Look at how Day's long distance driving has really helped him in the last few months as an example.

Stensons weakness in the last few months has been his putting inside 15 ft. He needs to hole a bit more.

Good save on #5 though. Now for a snake on #6.
Justin Rose making his patented fourth round cash grab.

Incredible season from Jordan Spieth!!! Well deserved FedEx Champion and the world's best.

The putting on 8,9,11 summed up the season in a nutshell tbh!

Some display by the young American. Looks like Rory has some real competition now with both Day and Spieth.

He does indeed and I'd back him over both and for me that shows how good he is!

Up to the likes of DJ/Bubba/Rickie etc to catch up!

3 x 2nd place finishes in the Play-Offs for Stenson but, sadly, well and truly beaten each time, Day, Fowler, Spieth.
In good form going into the climax of the European season though.

On wet courses Henrik needs to find a way to hit driver otherwise he'll continue to be disappointed, wouldn't you think?

Is Spieth back to world number 1 now?

Not only that, according to Prince Drac he's certain to be there for at least three more weeks!
Until he could be eclipsed, to coin a phrase.

kwinigolfer wrote:
On wet courses Henrik needs to find a way to hit driver otherwise he'll continue to be disappointed, wouldn't you think?

You left out the word "accurately"

He was pretty dogged in sticking with the strong 3 wood. I was a bit surprised he didn't try the driver and how far behind Spieth he was (I kind of thought there would not be much in it given how long Henrik is, and how Jordan is talked about as not being that long). Jordan did roll in a couple of spirit crushing putts from outside Henrik though - it wouldn't really have mattered what Henrik had used of the tee on those holes.

I need to think of a decent nick name for Spieth. He's a bit boring and nicey nice isn't he?

super_realist wrote:I need to think of a decent nick name for Spieth. He's a bit boring and nicey nice isn't he?

Wouldn't you say Simba was a bit boring and nicey nice?

Also home naive would you have to be to think that Nala was still a virgin on his return?

No, it needs to be something that actually has something to do with him. For example. 9C and Pubehead reflect elements of the person. Simba means nothing at all.

Bob,
Quite right, but his inaccuracy is exactly the reason he doesn't use it - didn't work on a course where his 3-wood was getting much less roll than Spieth's driver.
But the fact also is that only Snedeker, Haas, Reed and Kisner scored worse than Henrik over the weekend, albeit he probably had the worst of the conditions on Saturday - along with Spieth!
Outplayed . . . . .

super_realist wrote:I need to think of a decent nick name for Spieth. He's a bit boring and nicey nice isn't he?

Baby Faced Assassin - BFA for short?
Over Exposed (because he looks like a photo that's been over exposed and gone a bit pale and washed out. Plus it's the reverse of Under Armour)?

Maybe the BHA (Bald Headed Assassin)

You'd think nothing more could go wrong for Gonzo this PGA Tour season; bad play, poor decision-making and now a disqualification for failing to sign his Round 3 scorecard.
He was +2 at the time and a +2 finish would have earned him $8K. Not much by Spieth standards but a decent chunk on his quest to retrieve his Tour card. Now he'll probably need a Top 10 finish in this week's final WTF series instead of a Top 20. The way things have been going for Gonzo, he'll fall just short.

PS: I thought Tour officials were meant to ensure players didn't leave the scoring tent without signing their card, unless that player wished to withdraw? Don't imagine they'd've let Spieth out of their sight without the appropriate autograph.

I will stick with simba as it reflects his poise on the course, his personality, his slightly simpleton positive take on the world and how hansom he is.

kwinigolfer wrote:
Justin Rose making his patented fourth round cash grab.

Oh yes. Although I think that was patented by Luke Donald a few years ago on his ascent to world number 1.

And many others before him.
In fairness to Lukey he reached #1 on the back of four wins . . . . . .

Jim Furyk reportedly having a Presidents Cup fitness test today; difficult to believe he'll be able to prove his fitness so soon after opting not to play in Wetlanta. Hopefully Jay Haas has got JB Holmes, author of the 10th best season in owgr terms, standing by.

Tiger down to #299.

McLaren wrote:I will stick with simba as it reflects his poise on the course, his personality, his slightly simpleton positive take on the world and how hansom handsome he is.

No need to thank me. The nickname 'Simba' is truly terrible btw. Why do we need a nickname anyway? Surely 'Spieth' would fit the bill....

kwinigolfer wrote:And many others before him.
In fairness to Lukey he reached #1 on the back of four wins . . . . . .

Jim Furyk reportedly having a Presidents Cup fitness test today; difficult to believe he'll be able to prove his fitness so soon after opting not to play in Wetlanta. Hopefully Jay Haas has got JB Holmes, author of the 10th best season in owgr terms, standing by.

Tiger down to #299.

I can see Koepka being picked but I suppose JB being the next highest on the points list may mean he gets it.

navyblueshorts wrote:

McLaren wrote:I will stick with simba as it reflects his poise on the course, his personality, his slightly simpleton positive take on the world and how hansom handsome he is.

No need to thank me. The nickname 'Simba' is truly terrible btw. Why do we need a nickname anyway? Surely 'Spieth' would fit the bill....

I don't get it. What is there to thank you for?

sirb,
Koepka is among the "Four Day Declarations" for the Dunhill; would think he'd've been advised to give that a miss if there was a strong chance he'd be needed in S.Korea . . . . but you never know.
Hope they do give it to Holmes, would better validate the Bill Haas pick.

Oosty was supposed to play Dunhill to go along with Prez Cup, so I don't see a whole lot wrong with Koepka playing St Andrews and Prez Cup.

Koepka has a difficult time fulfilling Eurotour 13 tournament requirement because he can't get releases from the PGATour like the Euros can get.

And Grace still is.
Can't see Haas choosing Koepka though.

McLaren wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:

McLaren wrote:I will stick with simba as it reflects his poise on the course, his personality, his slightly simpleton positive take on the world and how hansom handsome he is.

No need to thank me. The nickname 'Simba' is truly terrible btw. Why do we need a nickname anyway? Surely 'Spieth' would fit the bill....

I don't get it.  What is there to thank you for?

For my editing, above .

super_realist wrote:I need to think of a decent nick name for Spieth. He's a bit boring and nicey nice isn't he?

Think I mentioned after the Masters win that he was a bit too good to be true. Have noticed over the last couple of months that he's "filled out" a bit so give it a year or two, he'll be pushing maximum density and the world is your oyster in terms of nicknames.

super_realist wrote:I need to think of a decent nick name for Spieth. He's a bit boring and nicey nice isn't he?

How about Regaine?

navyblueshorts wrote:

McLaren wrote:

navyblueshorts wrote:

McLaren wrote:I will stick with simba as it reflects his poise on the course, his personality, his slightly simpleton positive take on the world and how hansom handsome he is.

No need to thank me. The nickname 'Simba' is truly terrible btw. Why do we need a nickname anyway? Surely 'Spieth' would fit the bill....

I don't get it.  What is there to thank you for?

For my editing, above .

Hansom - McLaren was trying to put Descarte before de horse once again

I don't really see the need for a nickname either. Sometimes nicknames are earned almost without thought (though I don't think 9C really has 9 chins and I'm pretty sure they aren't pubes on pubehead's head) but until Spieth really earns a nickname then why bother?

I'm guessing on top of all his other qualities, s_r has a fine head of hair somewhat akin to Robert Rock otherwise why would he call Spieth "bald"? He's thinning that's all.

If a nickname really needs to be given just to keep the hard of thinking happy, then BFA (baby faced assassin) seems as good as any

When Spieth won his sister rushed out to embrace him. She looked disabled, maybe you can make fun of that as well.

raycastleunited wrote:When Spieth won his sister rushed out to embrace him. She looked disabled, maybe you can make fun of that as well.

WTF? What made you come out with that?

Something to do with some people's fascination with focussing on what they perceive to be others' peculiarities (eg 9C, pubehead, fatty, baldy ...)?

LadyPutt wrote:Something to do with some people's fascination with focussing on what they perceive to be others' peculiarities (eg 9C, pubehead, fatty, baldy ...)?

You seem to mistake ridicule for observation.

I heard his parents on the radio once, they mentioned his sister, who has a disability of some sort. It sounded like Speith, is a pretty nice guy. I have not seen anything of him that would make me think otherwise. I am not sure if he is the poster boy to carry golf forward but I do not see that he has anything about him deserving of ridicule.