Topic: The Golf Thread

[Gerry Attrick]

McIlroy is 4 down after 9 against Peter Uihlein...

[paulrazor]

Couldn't touch Spieth at 14s if I'm honest. He can obviously win it but his putting is absolutely dogshit at the minute. The greens  at Augusta will chew him up if he putts like he has recently.

those greens are a nightmare. like putting on a road

[Buck Pete]

those greens are a nightmare. like putting on a road

Your not wrong about the greens HR but the trick to a successful Augusta IMO is not to leave yourself ridiculously tricky putts in the first place.

Obviously, you need to bring your all-round 'A' game to win around there, but a top short game is paramount. Its not coincidence Tiger and Phil possess the best short game the world of golf has ever seen and have won it 9 times between them.

I see them both being up there come final day this year. Bubba, DJ, Spieth and Mcilroy no doubt challenging as cream usually rises to the top.

I really like Paul Casey this year and see him as the next big player to break his major duck.  Perhaps not in Augusta but maybe one of the other majors.

Might have been Gerry who mentioned the next Ryder Cup on a thread somewhere.  How good is that US team going to be in Paris!! Jim Furyk has got a plethora of amazing talent to choose from.

Edit: Sorry, Woods and Mickelson have won it 7 times and not 9 times between them.  Not as good as I thought the useless fuckers

[paulrazor]

  good point about the short game but tiger and phil are in contention for most tournaments anyway. long game i think benefits the big hitters here, Mickelson driving can be erratic and Woods as i mentioned has a silly record for par 5s

i think every putt is a tricky one in augusta particularly when you see where some of them aim for a putt.

for bets i usually do a punt on freddy couples to be up there for the first and second round. the few times i did it i was very close to a payout but early rounds in Augusta he is usually going great, he just gets a bit tired then and his back isnt 100% for the later rounds and he blows up

the last ryder cup showed how talented america are, they wiped the floor with europe, im expecting it to be closer this year, last time i think some selections such as Westwood failed and players like Fitzpatrick, Willett and Sullivan hadnt done anything in months leading up to the Ryder cup. It was a very inexperienced team.

I actually cant wait to see John Rahm play in the ryder cup

[iamnant]

I'm a big Spieth fan too, unbelievable player when everything's working but his putting has been off for months now. Definitely not a short term problem and that worries me.

Which is mental as his putting was the best part of his golfing when he was winning everything a couple of years ago (and The Open last year).

Just like McIlroy, any errors goes straight to his head and he can't shake them off easily. Once it clicks again, Spieth will be back on form.

[fowlermagic]

Spieth is pretty streaky with the putter and already in his short career he has had a few slumps on the green but typically comes back even stronger. I remember hearing someone on the Golf channel going on about him and his putting style was the result of him having huge issues as you dont normally cross hands putting unless you trying to sort out hiccups on the green. Crazy as if you wanted anyone to putt for your mortgage he be one of the first I think of. Anyhoo Langer is another fellow who always seems to appear on the 1st page during the tournament, like Couples, which just shows you experience is the key. Good shout for Casey and likewise with Rose as I think he will win the Green jacket some day. Matsuyama pretty good odds right now and the lad usually figures on the final day.

[paulrazor]

hideki is 33 with willhill

might be worth a go

[campioni]

Your not wrong about the greens HR but the trick to a successful Augusta IMO is not to leave yourself ridiculously tricky putts in the first place.

Obviously, you need to bring your all-round 'A' game to win around there, but a top short game is paramount. Its not coincidence Tiger and Phil possess the best short game the world of golf has ever seen and have won it 9 times between them.

I see them both being up there come final day this year. Bubba, DJ, Spieth and Mcilroy no doubt challenging as cream usually rises to the top.

I really like Paul Casey this year and see him as the next big player to break his major duck.  Perhaps not in Augusta but maybe one of the other majors.

Might have been Gerry who mentioned the next Ryder Cup on a thread somewhere.  How good is that US team going to be in Paris!! Jim Furyk has got a plethora of amazing talent to choose from.

Edit: Sorry, Woods and Mickelson have won it 7 times and not 9 times between them.  Not as good as I thought the useless fuckers

I started looking at potential Masters picks earlier this week and Casey was one that stood out. Last three years he's finished 6th, 4th, 6th. He has the recent win at the Valspar under his belt which will give him massive confidence and has only finished outside the top 20 once in 7 starts this season.

He is near the top of all the 'around the green' stats which means his short game is in good shape and he's 1st on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green. His putting stats aren't the best, but as you've mentioned, he doesn't need to be be able to putt like Spieth if he's getting into good positions from off the green.

I've talked myself into this now, money on Casey at 28/1.

[iamnant]

I started looking at potential Masters picks earlier this week and Casey was one that stood out. Last three years he's finished 6th, 4th, 6th. He has the recent win at the Valspar under his belt which will give him massive confidence and has only finished outside the top 20 once in 7 starts this season.

He is near the top of all the 'around the green' stats which means his short game is in good shape and he's 1st on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green. His putting stats aren't the best, but as you've mentioned, he doesn't need to be be able to putt like Spieth if he's getting into good positions from off the green.

I've talked myself into this now, money on Casey at 28/1.

I've made a few bob putting a tenner on Casey to finish in the top 10 - he seems to be at ease at Augusta, but not quite aggressive enough to win. Hopefully, for you, that changes this year

[fowlermagic]

Saw Ian Poulter won over the weekend which grabbed the last invite to Augusta this week. Nice story for Poulter as he thought he had already got an invite the weekend prior when he was initially told his quarter finals appearance got a Masters spot. It didnt as he had to get to the semifinals but lost. Need to bug a mate who has gone a couple of times to see if he can get me in there some day ...any day....but I think he is just lucky to be asked himself. Better chance of scoring a date with a Victoria Secret model.

[Roady]

Deffo having an each way punt on Casey ... other than that I’m going to take a look today and have a ponder

[Buck Pete]

Just looking and can't see Westwood in the Masters Line-up

Did he not make an invite this year or is he injured?

[Phil M]

Just looking and can't see Westwood in the Masters Line-up

Did he not make an invite this year or is he injured?

I think the field is just 87 this time mate, one of the smallest ever, so wouldn't surprise me if he hasn't made it.

[Buck Pete]

I think the field is just 87 this time mate, one of the smallest ever, so wouldn't surprise me if he hasn't made it.

Yep, just looked at the exemption list and he isn't on it.

Outside of the top 50 world rankings and no decent finish in any of last years Majors.  Missed a top 12 spot in last years Masters by 2 shots which would have done the trick.

And his wife took 15m of his money in divorce proceedings.

Ouch

[fowlermagic]

Ouch indeed but I think the 15m he does have in his bank account and the new woman in his life will aid his pain. If he is cute enough he could do alright still on tour as only 45 this year. In 5 years time he could easily start the next stage of his career via the Champions tour and bag even more money than he has earned on the regular tour. Have a look at how much money is on the senior tour these days...Tom Jenkins  who had 1 win on the PGA tour has amassed $12m on the Champions tour. Crazy stuff and I dont think we need to shed a tear for Westwood & Co.

[Statto Red]

PGA Tour tournament, Kelly Kraft hit a birdie, however not the birdie he was hoping for, as his ball hit a bird in flight, & the ball ended up in the water, he ended getting a double bogey & missed the cut by a stroke.

[fowlermagic]

Some great golf clips on Youtube and one I found yesterday was Lee Trevino answering a few questions and one story had me lol. During the early 60s he was working at a local country club from morning to night doing everything from opening, up the shop, greeting club members, park their cars, cleaning their golf clubs shoes etc while still practicing when he could get a free hour or two. Easily the best golfer at the club, some of the members knew Raymond Floyd was coming into town so they arranged a match V Trevino where a few wagers were made. Floyd arrived that am in a big white Cadillac where he was greeted by Trevino who did his usual duties while Floyd went off to lunch. Floyd didnt have a clue who he was and eventually was introduced to his opponent that day and couldnt believe he was going to play the club handyman pretty much. Easiest money he ever made (he thought) but by the end of the round Trevino beat him by two shots. Frustrated as feck Floyd demanded to play him again that evening but Lee had to refuse as he had to wash the golf carts and put them away. Floyd shook his head as not only was he beaten by club's valet he was trounced by the clubs cart cleaner.  He eventually played him again the next day and lost ....only on the 3rd attempt then he beat the cart cleaner and when he went back to the PGA tour the next week he told a few buddies they better make room for this Mexican kid from a Texas country club and for god sake dont play him in a money game as he cleaned Floyd out.

[sinnermichael]

Woods only just made the cut at The Players. Now he's - 8 through 12 and up to 5th. 

[paulrazor]

Good stuff fowlermagic. Was Floyd a bit of a prick. Read a story of him deliberately walking over golfers  lines in the Ryder cup once

Webb Simpson was 11 under for his round yesterday until he double bogeyed 17!

[Ray K]

Fair play to McIlroy and Spieth and Lefty, clearing their weekend schedule so they can watch as much of the World Cup as possible.
Phil +7, Spieth +8, Rory +9 through 17.

[IgorBobbins]

Fair play to McIlroy and Spieth and Lefty, clearing their weekend schedule so they can watch as much of the World Cup as possible.
Phil +7, Spieth +8, Rory +9 through 17.

What’s going on? Is the course playing that tough?

[4pool]

Phil +7, Jordan +8, Rory +10...just finished their 18 holes.

-1 leads. Rose and Poulter at that number.

[Ray K]

What’s going on? Is the course playing that tough?

Yes, basically. Not tuned in that long, but the wind is whipping up a storm and nobody who's played more than 3 holes is below par. Putting a nightmare too.
Actually Poulter is in the clubhouse at -1. Must have played very well and/or had decent weather.

[UntouchableLuis]

Sounds about right for a US Open.

[4pool]

Tiger tees off in a couple  minutes with Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas.

[nuts100]

Yeah it’s a little brutal atm. Let’s see how the afternoon pans out. Some people are doing ok, but as said before a couple of bad shots from Rory and his head goes for 9holes.

Would love a Rose/Poulter victory. The yanks hate Poulter, would love to see him win for that alone.

[4pool]

Phil +7, Jordan +8, Rory +10...just finished their 18 holes.

-1 leads. Rose and Poulter at that number.

My mistake, Rose shot +1.

[4pool]

Tiger takes a 7 on the first after being in the fairway with his tee shot.

Over the green with his second. Tries a flop shot which doesn't get up enough and the ball comes back down the hill. Fourth shot, tries to putt it but again doesn't give it enough and it comes back down the hill a bit. 5th shot putts again past the pin 8 feet. 6 shot missed the putt. Taps in for a 7.

[Gerry Attrick]

Farcical conditions.

[ALPH1217]

The golf course is kicking their arses.

[4pool]

Was listening to Greg Norman, Tuesday iirc, as he has a radio show now over here.

He said Shinnecock Hills was the fairest toughest golf course in the world. Then went on to explain. He said even when he's played the course outside the Open, the members like a tough course with fast greens. So it plays like an Open course all the time.

[paulrazor]

Gonna be a big cut. DJ has been superb

[Gerry Attrick]

DJ teed off at 10 to 7 and he's only through 13 holes. Rock hard courses like this just turn rounds into an absolute slog and it's not good for the game.

[paulrazor]

Was thinking earlier that golf has got slow

[Gerry Attrick]

Was thinking earlier that golf has got slow

Looking at a nigh on 6 hour round at this pace and it's not Pebble Beach where he's playing alongside his father-in-law. He's a quick player too, so this is absolutely mental. A birdie fest is not desirable but this is so far in the other direction it's untrue. This turns people off the sport.

[paulrazor]

Looking at a nigh on 6 hour round at this pace and it's not Pebble Beach where he's playing alongside his father-in-law. He's a quick player too, so this is absolutely mental. A birdie fest is not desirable but this is so far in the other direction it's untrue. This turns people off the sport.

its quite long too. 500 plus yard par 4s!

Need to see some low scores tomorrow. Be nice to see a charge from some

[nuts100]

I’d love a crack at the tips to see if I could break 100. I play off 8 and I think I’d struggle massively with this setup. Would be fun but brutal

[Buck Pete]

Love seeing the flat track bullies go south on a major leaderboard

Love the US Open and the USGA I really do. They promised to make sure Shinnicock would be easier than 2004. Yeah ok then

Never used to be over keen on Poulter but the lad has shown balls of Steel this season and I’d like to see him take this down.

Nobody other than a handful are completely out of this yet.

[Crosby Nick]

Love seeing the flat track bullies go south on a major leaderboard

Love the US Open and the USGA I really do. They promised to make sure Shinnicock would be easier than 2004. Yeah ok then

Never used to be over keen on Poulter but the lad has shown balls of Steel this season and I’d like to see him take this down.

Nobody other than a handful are completely out of this yet.

I enjoyed it too. Seeing Woods and co really struggle to make bogeys is quite nice once in a while. Not heard of the Englishman Scott Gregory is 22 over. His scorecard really does read like a half decent club golfers, made about 4 pars in the whole round!

Was dozing watching the final groups but I’m sure it showed a caption to show Justin Thomas hit his drive 422 yards on the 18th

[4pool]

Raining currently this morning..