PGA Tour: Roll Over Jim Furyk . . . . : Notes from the Ballwasher

First topic message reminder :

1). . . . . . and tell Zach Johnson the news.
The King of Rock and Roll died last weekend, so here's some fun inspired by some of his best known songs.
Furyk departed the owgr Top 50 this week, slipping from 50th to 57th. Perhaps not that surprising following Furyk's injuries which kept him out of action for eight months, plus his customary extended Christmas Holidays.
But Zach Johnson, who started the year in 38th place has slid to 50th.
Are these two notable careers grinding to a halt, or is it just a case, to paraphrase Chuck Berry:
Of golfing's version of "rockin' pneumonia", "rollin' arthritis", catching up with them?
At least Zach is in the Majors and WGC's but Furyk's not in The Open or even the Bridgestone. Perhaps they'll be motivated this week.

2).No Particular Place to Go:
Ian Poulter's plight if he doesn't cash in on his final Medical Extension starts.
He had an excellent chance with the 54-hole lead, to win in Puerto Rico last year, so this is a yuuuge opportunity for him to cash in and secure his place on Tour for the rest of the season. If not . . . . . .
And I'm not as optimistic as some who think he'll cash in on a trove of sponsor invitations. He still has "Past Champion" status though, so all wouldn't be lost.

3).Johnny (Jordan?) B. Goode:
A lot is made of a generation of golfers who left school in 2011 and are now enjoying success on Tour, led by Jordan Spieth; Justin Thomas and Smylie Kaufman are part of this group and they seem to have claimed Emiliano Grillo as well; apparently he played a number of Junior tournaments with this lot when at school in Florida. Pathetic to hear Johnny Miller to say "no-one had even heard of him" two years ago. That's what ignoring the European Tour will do for you Johnny.
"Some day (Jordan) you'll be a man, and you will be the leader of a big old band."
No doubt some leading Europeans or other "Internationals" are also of the 2011 vintage? Different band though.

4).My Ding-A-Ling:
Possibly the absolute worst song ever recorded by a credible artist, but a chance to remember Jonathan Kaye. You do, don't you?
Around the turn of the century, Jonathan Kaye was one of the most promising young golfers on Tour, a couple of good wins (Westchester & Phoenix), and had a very good chance of winning Darren Clarke's NEC Invitational (Bridgestone) Championship.
But his fame turned to notoriety when, in the words of golfchannel.com:

"A tournament official wouldn't allow him access without his identification badge, so he returned with it clipped to the zip of his (trousers)."

A lengthy suspension ensued and he also fell foul of injuries. But he won $10M in the days before FedEx swag. He hasn't made a Tour start since 2011, last cashed a web.com cheque in 2014, but played a couple of webbie's earlier this year. Still only 46, he could still make up for lost time (and money) by cashing in on the Champions Tour but good health and a positive attitude will be the least he needs to get himself up to speed. Hope he makes it, the Tour needs its characters, and he'll have a partial two-year Champions Tour exemption.

5).Sweet Little Sixteen ("Deep in the heart of Texas"):
Presumably Chuck was talking about a high school hottie, so let's leave him there - of course, he could have been dreaming about this week's MatchPlay, so let's chuck Chuck, Berry him and move on.

6).Success in the "Match Play" seems to go in cycles, the only constant for a while anyway, being T.Woods. Among those others with at least two Finals under their belts are: Toms, Love, Mahan, Ogilvy, Casey, Day and McIlroy, but none has really dominated.
So, the best has been Woods, whilst the golfer in this week's field with the worst record is Wood, Chris Wood - time to double up betting on him, he can't lose eight in a row, surely? (And even if Woody comes up empty again, he'll still earn a fraction of a world ranking point for his "efforts".)

7).The Tour has "opposite field" action this week, starting Thursday, at the Puerto Rico Open. A big chance for Poulter as mentioned before; he'll be competing against some others in the owgr Top 100, Bryan, Zanotti, Olesen, McDowell, Kirk, Danny Lee and Andrew Johnston.
Puerto Rico could well be seen as an afterthought, and the list of Champions is not Hall Of Fame material. But runners up have included very Young Guns including Jason Day, Ryo, Spieth and Grillo. And Sam Saunders.
I'll be choosing Fabian Gomez as my one-and-done this week.

8).Last year's Puerto Rico Champ was Tony Finau, but he's sitting in a comfy chair beside the first tee in Austin waiting as "first alternate" at the "WGC-Dell Match Play for Jason Day to call in sick.

9).Of those outside the Top 50 and not yet qualified for The Masters, Ross Fisher is the best placed. Eight years removed from leading, at one time or another, in every 2009 Major, Fish needs to win his group (tho' could possibly qualify with a group runner-up result). Competition in his "Group 4" be warned: Oosthuizen, Matsuyama and Furyk, who probably won't "roll over" after all.  

10).Zach Johnson may still have some life left in him yet but, if he setting his sights set on a sporting career beyond golf, it had better not be snooker. As you can see from this effort:


http://www.golfdigest.com/story/watch-zach-johnson-bank-his-bunker-shot-off-opponents-ball

beninho wrote:Seems like Day had a pretty tough upbringing from all accounts. His dad dies at 12 and his mum brought him up with very little money. He should no way have gone to play this event and probably should have skipped a few before and after. Some things more  important than being a sportsmen.

Think it's a mixed bag. Undoubtedly must have been very hard to lose your dad at age 12 (I'm sure I read an interview a couple of years ago where he said his dad beat him too?), but on the other hand he went to a private boarding school with a golf course so quite privilged. I think generally you have to have had quite a priviliged (not necessarily wealthy) upbringing to become a golf pro. Not many rags to riches stories in the world of golf - you don't get kids plucked from shanty towns playing in majors.

ray,
I'm not sure Day was in any way financially privileged; believe his mother and Swatton rescued him from the slagheap of alcohol and delinquency and mentored him with tough love.

As with the stuff recently in Mac's thread, the guys who came up the hard way, especially Muni hustlers like Trevino and via caddie programmes are few and far between, but Day certainly had a battle-scarred childhood and youth.

Agree Kwini, but having a mother and mentor prepared to step in and rescue him makes him priviliged, no? It's not just about money.

Not really Ray, that's just being a mother.

Pat Perez writes a small part of his auto-biography.

https://theplayerstribune.com/pat-perez-pga-tour-you-dont-know-me/

FWIW, the "Players Tribune" is a website started by New York Yankee Baseball Star Derek Jeter for athletes to give their side of the story.

raycastleunited wrote:Agree Kwini, but having a mother and mentor prepared to step in and rescue him makes him priviliged, no? It's not just about money.

Agree 100%, intestinal fortitude on the part of all concerned and great credit to them. Just wanted to make the point that he didn't come from any sense of financial privilege.

The big question going forward will be his emotional condition going into The Masters. You'd almost think he'd be better off stepping aside from the inevitable additional scrutiny he's (albeit unwittingly) invited.

GPB wrote:Pat Perez writes a small part of his auto-biography.

https://theplayerstribune.com/pat-perez-pga-tour-you-dont-know-me/

FWIW, the "Players Tribune" is a website started by New York Yankee Baseball Star Derek Jeter for athletes to give their side of the story.

Quite an interesting read, and much to admire about the guy, though I had to laugh when he said going to Canada was about learning a different culture.

super_realist wrote:Not really Ray, that's just being a mother.

Plenty of mothers wouldn't go to the same lengths. Just think of all the chavs and pikeys... most of them have mothers too!!!

raycastleunited wrote:

super_realist wrote:Not really Ray, that's just being a mother.

Plenty of mothers wouldn't go to the same lengths. Just think of all the chavs and pikeys... most of them have mothers too!!!

What I mean Ray is that we ought not to be surprised by someone giving their kids support. It's inferred as part of their role.
You don't and shouldn't get credit for simply doing your role as a parent (although you deserve criticism if you don't)

Thanks for the Pat Perez article, GPB. He's a bit of a legend in his own mind, isn't he? Very entertaining to follow in those events he's really competing in.

Bubba on course to the first to reach the final sixteen. EDIT! Actually don't think that's quite true.

kwinigolfer wrote:
As with the stuff recently in Mac's thread, the guys who came up the hard way, especially Muni hustlers like Trevino and via caddie programmes are few and far between, but Day certainly had a battle-scarred childhood and youth.

Given that the top amateur game is basically pro in all but a pay cheque it, is it not the case that muni hustlers etc making it are now not just few and far between but a thing of the past?

raycastleunited wrote:

super_realist wrote:Not really Ray, that's just being a mother.

Plenty of mothers wouldn't go to the same lengths. Just think of all the chavs and pikeys... most of them have mothers too!!!

Did anyone's mother on here go to any great lengths to ensure your success in whatever career you aimed for? I had good parents and a nice home and all, but they didn't exactly encourage any sort of exceptional feats.

Great to see Westwood get the "W" . . . . . .

Mac:
~In the US at least, don't you think the mini-Tours have replaced the muni-hustlers? Unfortunately nothing has replaced the caddie programmes, which is a whole other story.
~Not for me to say whether or not my parents thought they were any good at it, but seriously doubt neither my M or D had the slightest idea of my career. 'Course, they could probably see no exceptional feats were in prospect.
Which makes you realise how lucky Jason Day was. And Tiger Woods - the good fortune he had with Mrs & MR Woods paving his way through his childhood . . . . . . .

Has Woodland just withdrawn also? That's a walkover for McIlroy if so. I take it Woodlands gone for the whole tourney and not just that match then? Anyone know?

Yup, "family issue". Believe he's a goner.
So, if Soren beats Grillo, he's playing Saturday morning. Rory vs Grillo will be a dead rubber.
Wonder who'll be next.

Nice win for Mr.Fish, but Molinari imploding.

Friday tee-times moved forward two hours; hope the TV coverage follows suit.

Some guys already toast: Day & Woodland obviously, plus Molinari, Dufner, Piercy.

Yeah good stuff from Ross Fisher. Id say the TV people are going nuts with this carry on, deprived of Day yesterday and now no Rory today. Can't see Soren playing as well again today?!?!

Im sure woodlands wife is preggers with twins, hopefully not something awful for them

Fran's a goner in two ways, withdraws due to a wrist injury.

Tony Finau must be raging at all the WD's this early in the tournament.

McLaren wrote:Tony Finau must be raging at all the WD's this early in the tournament.

Maybe he's thanking his lucky stars, they are dropping like flies so far.

The acid test will be: Who withdraws from The Masters?

Meanwhile, TV also loses Patrick Reed, and Webb Simpson departs as well unless he can text his way back in.

Just so I'm sure... It's only top that goes through right? Do the FedEx and owgr points vary if you finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th?

If its only the top player who goes through, McIlroy should pack his bags for Augusta, Kjeldsen goes 2up with holes running out.

NedB-H wrote:Just so I'm sure... It's only top that goes through right? Do the FedEx and owgr points vary if you finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th?

Yes....the winner of each pod gets to knock out round.

And players with 2-1 records are going to finish higher than players with 1-2 and 0-3 records.

GPB wrote:

NedB-H wrote:Just so I'm sure... It's only top that goes through right? Do the FedEx and owgr points vary if you finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th?

And players with 2-1 records are going to finish higher than players with 1-2 and 0-3 records.  

And that means more points? Maybe this is why I liked the old formàt, I knew how it worked....

Kjeldsen surely through.

NedB-H wrote:

GPB wrote:

NedB-H wrote:Just so I'm sure... It's only top that goes through right? Do the FedEx and owgr points vary if you finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th?

And players with 2-1 records are going to finish higher than players with 1-2 and 0-3 records.  

And that means more points? Maybe this is why I liked the old formàt, I knew how it worked.....

Yes, more points. FEX and OWGR.

Wonder if ANGC will give Rory a weekend tee time?

What the hell is a "pod"?

Whatever happened to "group"?

Read that Rory was -4 on his game with Kjeldsen, and then gets a walkover because of woodland and now cant qualify, people are going to say he struggled. Matchplay is strange to base anything on.

Guardian:
"Rory McIlroy must hope his quota of 2017 misfortune has now been used up. The rib injury which disrupted the initial stages of his Masters preparation might be consigned to history but there was further cause for McIlroy to question whatever happened to the luck of the Irish on Thursday"

super_realist wrote:What the hell is a "pod"?

Collective noun for whales. When is Lowry playing Daly?

beninho wrote:Read that Rory was -4 on his game with Kjeldsen, and then gets a walkover because of woodland and now cant qualify, people are going to say he struggled. Matchplay is strange to base anything on.

Kjeldsen was -7 against Mcilroy  and had another 7 birdies in just 15 holes last night against Grillo. You'll rarely win against golf like that.

Mcilroy shouldn't be treating this as a failure and no one should be seeing that he bottled it or failed to turn up, he just came up against a guy in form.

Could they not sub in some alternates after WD's? It wouldn't exactly be fair but has to be better than walkovers.

I think the solution is the top 2 going through so you've got more matches which are relevant on the final day of the round robin (or "pod" robin if you're GPB)

I also think you should get substitutes if people like Woodland, Day and Molinari withdraw, they inherit the position of the withdrawn player and play from there.

[quote="super_realist"]I think the solution is the top 2 going through so you've got more matches which are relevant on the final day of the round robin (or "pod" robin if you're GPB)

"You've got more matches" - Trouble is, that would be a problem if the top two advanced, you'd have 32 instead of 16 which would necessitate another round.

Imagine the sponsors are furious, and the Tour is scratching its collective head. This is becoming increasingly less attractive to the top players; Scott, Stenson etc vindicated.

Lousy date, lousy format, go back to Go.

The matchplay competition is such a good idea, its a good event and makes for some good golf. It just doesn't seem to fit in the modern world of pro golfers.

You shouldn't get paid if you WD.

And: As if this isn't enough, there's a strong chance of thunderstorms and gusting winds in Austin today.
Tee times already brought forward two hours, so at least they've lengthened the possible hours of play.
B_t_b: Completely agree about the w/d - or at least make it "unofficial" money, which it might be.


Bad weather in Puerto Rico last night, and Beef and Poults have both messed up decent Round 1 play, both once -5, Poulter signed for -3, Johnson -2. Crucial they make the cut, but they really both need top tens at least to get back on pace for keeping their cards.
McDowell already into Round 2, but he needs a good round today.

Ben

You are so right. Matchplay can be way more fun to watch for the fan (especially on TV) as almost everything happening can be relevant. Which makes it so frustrating that the players can't just suck it up for a week and get on with it.

kwinigolfer wrote:And: As if this isn't enough, there's a strong chance of thunderstorms and gusting winds in Austin today.
Tee times already brought forward two hours, so at least they've lengthened the possible hours of play.
B_t_b: Completely agree about the w/d - or at least make it "unofficial" money, which it might be.  

"Money" for the PGATour only for the bankers these days. As far as status, its a useless commodity these days. It really doesn't matter if it is Official or Unofficial. I do think that Day-Woodland-Molinari should not be getting FEX pts for their early exit. But I think they do.

I don't why there is so much angst in the media (and blogs) about players like Rory playing meaningless rounds. Rory has played plenty of Sundays when when he has had virtually no chance of winning. At the BMW Championship, last September, he was 15 shots behind Dustin Johnson going into the final round. He had no chance to win. Yet he still played.

Re: Calling the "Groupings"... PODS. I humbly apologize for getting any contributors knickers in a knot. I should have known better. I will try to do better next time. sheeeeeeeeesh

GPB wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:And: As if this isn't enough, there's a strong chance of thunderstorms and gusting winds in Austin today.
Tee times already brought forward two hours, so at least they've lengthened the possible hours of play.
B_t_b: Completely agree about the w/d - or at least make it "unofficial" money, which it might be.  

"Money" for the PGATour only for the bankers these days.  As far as status, its a useless commodity these days.  It really doesn't matter if it is Official or Unofficial.  I do think that Day-Woodland-Molinari should not be getting FEX pts for their early exit.  But I think they do.

I don't why there is so much angst in the media (and blogs) about players like Rory playing meaningless rounds.  Rory has played plenty of Sundays when when he has had virtually no chance of winning.  At the BMW Championship, last September, he was 15 shots behind Dustin Johnson going into the final round. He had no chance to win.  Yet he still played.

Re:  Calling the "Groupings"... PODS.  I humbly apologize for getting any contributors knickers in a knot.  I should have known better.  I will try to do better next time.  sheeeeeeeeesh

GPB

You forget we are pretty narrow minded bunch in the UK, if there is one thing that a Brit hates more than a foreigner it is a foreigner using a slightly different form of the English language.

Better be careful, almost an excuse for genocide...

GPB,
Surely, withdrawals don't normally receive FedEx points, do they?
(PS: Don't worry about language differences, Mac will translate.)


On a positive note, some peoples' disadvantage will be to the benefit of others.
Soren Kjeldsen will earn enough FedEx points to get him in the Top 125, and a minimum of $150+K.
It doesn't sound a hugely big deal, but it all helps in his effort to retain his Card for next year.
Hopefully he'll win another match and that'll get him moving back up the world rankings, and be a big FedEx deal.

Looks like I was hopelessly wrong about Chris Wood - heading for another 0-fer.
Phil in a hurry.

Poulter treading water in Puerto Rico; plenty of low scores out there but no Europeans really cashing in, not yet anyway.

Ask Robo earlier today, and he said they would.

And Stop Calling me Shirley!

MontysMerkin wrote:

GPB wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:And: As if this isn't enough, there's a strong chance of thunderstorms and gusting winds in Austin today.
Tee times already brought forward two hours, so at least they've lengthened the possible hours of play.
B_t_b: Completely agree about the w/d - or at least make it "unofficial" money, which it might be.  

"Money" for the PGATour only for the bankers these days.  As far as status, its a useless commodity these days.  It really doesn't matter if it is Official or Unofficial.  I do think that Day-Woodland-Molinari should not be getting FEX pts for their early exit.  But I think they do.

I don't why there is so much angst in the media (and blogs) about players like Rory playing meaningless rounds.  Rory has played plenty of Sundays when when he has had virtually no chance of winning.  At the BMW Championship, last September, he was 15 shots behind Dustin Johnson going into the final round. He had no chance to win.  Yet he still played.

Re:  Calling the "Groupings"... PODS.  I humbly apologize for getting any contributors knickers in a knot.  I should have known better.  I will try to do better next time.  sheeeeeeeeesh

There are also rules around the use of the word "wow", so becareful. I haven't quite worked out the full parameters for acceptable usage, but if used incorrectly it can garner great scorn and ultimately social exclusion

Just looked up the definition of "mailed it in" in the dictionary, and there was a picture of JB Holmes . . . . .

Pigs flying in Austin with wins for Willett and Matty Fitz win, Chris Wood guaranteed at least a half, and lw1 leading Perez. EDIT: Woody, You did it!!

Another weather delay in PR . . . . . .

I'm not watching on tele at the moment so would someone let me know if the group playoffs are at the end of the day or are they taking place in amongst the matches which I believe has happened in the past?

I think the play-offs follow the final groups - liked it much better when there was continuity. Assume they'll have to warm up again.

At least three in prospect, hopefully more!