PGATour Running Commentary - Aug 2020

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GPB

Either that or the players are just really good.

https://twitter.com/WestwoodLee/status/1369311156783955968?s=20

Pretty neat shot.

https://twitter.com/robert1lefty/status/1369604562139705347?s=19

A remark by BDeC that he might use the 9th hole to access the 18th green at Sawgrass has caused the tournament officials to introduce an internal OOB, so preventing him from doing so. I don't think he will mind too much, he has been quoted before as saying he doesn't mind what they change, as long as they don't interfere with how he hits the ball. But I wonder if there are any other holes/courses where they might have to do something? I remember at the last Masters he said it was a par 67 to him. That didn't work for him.

INW

I have been on google maps and can't quite work out if going down the 9th would have been an advantage. There is a tree and some bunkers if he goes long, both of which could hamper his efforts. Not that it matters now. Could you see the advantage in trying it?

Maybe in future he should keep these thoughts to himself so they can't change the course before he has a chance to try it.

I'm never wrong wrote:I wonder if there are any other holes/courses where they might have to do something?

Hasn't there been talk at some point of going down the first when playing the 9th at the Masters? Can't see the advantage there personally.

With his extreme length there must be loads of possibilities for hole cutting like this for BDC.

Actually, it is a shame Super is not around to hear this but could TOC be somewhere that BDC could sort of game the system?

It used to be that going left gave you a safe line from the tee but horrible approach into the green. But could BDC go so long and so left that he actually opens up new possibilities where he has basically no danger from the tee but an easy approach. Although I think other hazards are likely to come into play that were previously not intended to impact the hole he would be on. There are a lot of random bunkers kicking about TOC.

McLaren wrote:INW

I have been on google maps and can't quite work out if going down the 9th would have been an advantage. There is a tree and some bunkers if he goes long, both of which could hamper his efforts. Not that it matters now. Could you see the advantage in trying it?

Maybe in future he should keep these thoughts to himself so they can't change the course before he has a chance to try it.

Mac - I agree with you, can't see an advantage. Apparently commentators were saying there is an area 12 x 12 yards that he would have to hit 308 yards off the tee to get it to work. I thought there was a fairway, but he would then be blocked out by grandstands - if they are being used.
Also agree with keeping quiet. He has an advantage - keep it to himself.

Playing the 18th via the 9th hole takes the water nearly out of play Yes there is a forced carry, but that is no issue for him

Here is a plot I did on google maps

320 yd drive
190 yd approach

Since learned that the plan is to hit drive in rough between the fairway and water. That is more risky IMO

Going down 18th hole, any variance from the middle of the fairway brings water (left) and trees (right) into play for him.

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/72735ca28f9cfaf6933601cffb85a8c629b95c4134620aca9e9ad4df5554256b.png

GPB

I also got that 320/190 line and that's where I thought the tree/bunkers were an issue for a number of reasons. Although missed that he was going to just hit it into the rough somewhere. And as you can see from GPB's pic if he went right of the cart path on 9 he has to avoid a small clump of trees.





If I was him I would just smash the driver down 18.

Poulter tweet. After the first round he was having a meal/snack with Henrik Stenson, Rory and Tyrrell. Total of 29 over par between them. "Bunch of muppets " He said. Had to agree.

At least Rory's form going into the Masters won't add to the grand slam hype.

Rory ... I mean what gives? Please get it all out of your system before Augusta. Might mortgage my house on you for that weekend. No pressure.

I saw on twitter, Rory club head speed is up, his distance is up 4 yards. But his misses are big on either side.

It's like Bryson has laid a challenge.

I have no idea why Rory would be trying to change his driving. He is consistently at the top of the strokes gained driver table.

If BDC can transform his game why can't Rory transform his wedges and approach play? If he put the same amount of hours into a complete rebuild within 130 yards as BDC has put into his full swing, could he become one of the best at those shots?

And remember, BDC has also transformed his putting. I wonder how different a day of training looks for McIlroy and BDC?

I thought this season might be Westwoods best chance of a Majors in a long time, not sure this was the one I would have picked.

Anyone think it is weird that the Honda classic media centre will be named after Tim Rosaforte? When I first read the news I thought I had missed his death.

Kinda odd the media centre will be named after a working journalist. A bit cosy.

Tim Rosaforte is retired. he was diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia (or Alzheimer's)

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2020/11/07/tim-rosaforte-first-journalist-awarded-honorary-pga-membership/6197790002/

His home is in the West Palm Beach region where the Honda Classic is played.

Oops. That explains it. He is not really a well known figure in the UK. Just know him as the guy that gets the inside scoops sometimes.

Lee Westwood is shown as 22nd on the FedEx list. Does that mean he has joined the PGA Tour? I know he has past champion status, but is he committing to play the required number of events?

GPB - Very sad to hear. A devastating disease. And I did appreciate his insights over the years.

Looking forward to Augusta in a few week's time.

Yes, Westwood has PGATour Status as a past champion. Basically that meant he could accrue FEX pts, but he had little status as "Past Champions" are pretty low on the pecking order. The only way he could get into tournaments is via Sponsors Invites or Top 10ing the previous week.

He is pretty much assured of getting a sponsor invite for any event he wants to play now.

Can now understand why Poulter didn't play in the Genesis. HHe's playing this week, and what with the Matchplay next week, that would make five in a row. Then presumably a week off before the Masters.

Oh c'mon Shane, its moving day but that doesnt mean you move backwards

Quid Pro Quo between Paddy and Shane?

Shane buys Paddy's house for consideration as a Captain's pick?

https://twitter.com/padraig_h/status/1373779534466707459

how is there any water left in the pool?

Rory and IJP in the same grouping in the Dell Match Play. They play each other on Wednesday.

Three Englishman (Hatton, Westy, & Wallace) + Sergio in the same grouping.

Rory has recruited Pete Cowan as his new coast. It's only taken him about 5 years to seek outside help. I guess he eventually realised there was a coach out there that is an expert in the approach game.

Mcilroy looks shot.

It is hard to remember that at one point 6 or 7 years ago McIlroy looked on another level to the other players.

Although Poulter did have 6 birdies and an eagle. But I think the general trend for McIlroy is a little worrying.

GPB - Conspiracy!

Seriously, Rory better get his act together b4 Augusta. My son wants to go to college.

Shotrock wrote:GPB - Conspiracy!

Seriously, Rory better get his act together b4 Augusta. My son wants to go to college.

The worse he plays, the longer the odds.......

Excellent point.

It's his time and I'm guessing he's a 38 regular for a jacket. I do know a couple members there so I'll remind them to get sewing.

Yep, Not good from Rory. Looks like he was +2 on his round through 13 holes

Rory hit a shot into someone's swimming pool!

Saw quite a bit of the McIlroy Poulter match. Poulter on his game from the off, McIlroy not. Chalk and cheese. Not quite the dog licence that the commentator said it was.

Kevin Na just gave DJ a talking to about the etiquette of picking up a ball before Na had conceded the putt. Unlike Kuchar previously, Na did not claim the hole.

I'm never wrong wrote:Kevin Na just gave DJ a talking to about the etiquette of picking up a ball before Na had conceded the putt. Unlike Kuchar previously, Na did not claim the hole.

Seemed fair enough and handled respectfully by Na. Used to think he was a knob, but in recent times he comes across as a sound bloke.

Coverage hits a new low, as we somehow didn’t see Bob MacIntyre drive (yes drive) the ball to two feet on 18, to both win his match and qualify from his group.

Absolutely disgraceful

Garcia wins play off against Westwood with a hole in one.

One player from the Top 20 seeds is probably not what DELL was hoping for,

Three players from the local college (Univ of Texas) are in the Sweet 16 though. (Scheffler, Speith, Fritelli)

GPB wrote:One player from the Top 20 seeds is probably not what DELL was hoping for,

The point came up in Sky Sports Golf coverage GPB, the fact that they changed the format (2015?) so that the top players were about longer than "one and done".

1 x top seed, 4 x 2nd seeds, 3 x 3rd seeds and 8 x 4th seeds make up the round of 16

It's not like the 64th player in the world is a duffer.

DJ - What is so complicated in that a match play hole ends when (1) you concede the hole (2) your opponent concedes the hole (3) the ball (or balls) end up in the hole and you count strokes?

Na - Boy, I wish he advanced.

McLaren wrote:It's not like the 64th player in the world is a duffer.

The 64 seed this week finished top 5 at Augusta a few months back!

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Coverage hits a new low, as we somehow didn’t see Bob MacIntyre drive (yes drive) the ball to two feet on 18, to both win his match and qualify from his group.

Absolutely disgraceful

Does footage of McIntyre's shot exist? I cant find a video on the web and its not in the pga tour's day 3 highlights video.

incontinentia wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Coverage hits a new low, as we somehow didn’t see Bob MacIntyre drive (yes drive) the ball to two feet on 18, to both win his match and qualify from his group.

Absolutely disgraceful

Does footage of McIntyre's shot exist? I cant find a video on the web and its not in the pga tour's day 3 highlights video.

I think you’ve answered you own question - sadly no. Agree it’s a disgrace and disrespectful to Robert.

I have seen the last few seconds of macIntyre's drive on 18.

Dustin Johnson was putting for par 18 at the time.

I have seen the last few seconds of MacIntyre's drive on 18.

Dustin Johnson was putting for par 18 at the time.

It came off the slope long and left of the green.

For the record, I am sure the production intentionally missed the tee shot because MacIntyre is European.  Absolutely positive.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1375571560329715719

Disgraceful they missed broadcasting his shot?

Here's a thought: Pony up the $ to start your own broadcast and show every single shot of the golfers you want to see. Or go to every event and follow every golfer you want.

Pretty simple.

GPB wrote:

For the record, I am sure the production intentionally missed the tee shot because MacIntyre is European.  Absolutely positive.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1375571560329715719

Nail on the head GPB. Have the tour issued any explanation of why the shot wasn't recorded?