Gary Player

http://www.pgatour.com/2009/r/04/06/ap.player/index.html

In this day and age of everything Tiger..and the comparisons to Nicklaus…the new media sometimes forgets about Gary Player. Heck, even guys our age do. The link above is a great article on Player and his years at Augusta.

Masters Thoughts

Well, it's Masters week and the azaleas are in bloom and have been for a couple of weeks at my house (see above picture) despite temperatures in the 40's Tuesday this week here in Atlanta. The weather looks to be promising for the tournament however, with temperatures in the lower 70's and only moderate chances for T-storms on Friday. We should get our Sunday finish and everyone agrees we hope that the Masters' brass sets the course up for some fireworks.

I know the media have been piling on of late on the Masters course changes, but the last 2 years the weather has played a major factor in the scores and excitement, namely wind and cold. We should be able to avoid the cold and the new leadership (Billy Payne in for Hootie Johnson) realizes the need to soften the set-up to generate more Sunday roars, especially on the two "second nine" par 5's.

Obviously, the hope here is that Phil and Tiger can duel it out on the back nine, especially with their form of late. Despite Phil's MC at Houston, he has shown as recently as this spring that he can win a week after playing poorly. And of course, Tiger put a W up on the board at his last start, coming from behind to beat Sean O'Hair on the 18th hole at Arnie's place.

So where does that leave us? I mean...seriously, how can you not pick Tiger? I say that almost every year, but this year, it just seems to set up for him to add to his legend, a la Hogan winning the U.S. Open after his car accident. Tiger inches closer to Jack with his 15th major and with Bethpage on deck next, you have to consider him a heavy favorite there also.

Top 10 contenders:

• Mickelson - no matter what happens, Phil usually at least top 10's it
• Goosen - even when he has been playing poorly the last few years, this was the one place he still had a modicum of success
• Watney - played well here last year and has taken it to another level
• Paul Casey - I think he truly believes now. Has faltered on Sunday consistently here the last few years but has finished a couple of tournaments off in '09
• Zach Johnson - defended admirably last year and playing better now. Plays his own game and won't change his strategy.
• Stenson - showed some mettle in Houston on Sunday - ready to contend in the majors
• Ogilvy - a sexy pick to win, has won big events, but has too many bad holes that could hurt him
• Westwood - last year came close to the Mediate/Woods playoff at Torrey. Not sure about his putting but his ball striking has improved from years past
• Harrington - by sheer will, he will top 10, but I don't like his ball-striking consistency to-date this year. Plus, there have been only 2 players to win 3 majors in a row in the modern age - named Woods and Hogan. Gulp.
  

Pretenders:

• [Copy and paste each year] Adam Scott - never seen on TV on Sundays at majors
• Sergio - "where hath thou gone, Sergio?"
• Anthony Kim - please - 1st trip to Augusta and has not dedicated himself to practice this year.
• McIlroy - 1st trip - could make the cut due to talent but it's early everyone
• Ernie Els - Ernie hasn't been in real close contention in awhile and still can't put 4 rounds together. Would love to see it though.
• Kenny Perry - sure, he's focused on the majors (he says) - at least he's playing in them this year. Can't win here with his putting.
• VJ - back and knee issues still
• Freddie - have you seen Freddie's finishes this year at Riveria and Houston? And his putting stroke from 4-6 feet? Simply put, No.
• Steve Stricker - have you seen HIS finishes this year? 3 leads => 3 meltdowns on the back nine
• Greg Norman - MC; only thing going for him is low expectations
• Villegas - hasn't played here enough yet; not sure he is patient enough either
• Immelman - I thought he was ready to take on a larger stage - almost won at Memphis since then and that is it.

Can't wait until coverage on Thursday!

Masters Preview

My friend and co-blogger has been all up in my grill, trying to get me to post something.  Well he has succeeded, which is more than I can say for his fantasy team this year.  And yet I digress. 

 

Here are some quick thoughts on the Masters:

1) My God, I hope they let the players play this year.  Move some tees up, make some pins accessible, and try to restore some excitement to the tournament.  At least give us something better than Johnson d. Sabbatini/Goosen or Immelman d. Snedeker. 

 

I always will remember the day I got to play Oakmont.  One of the first things our host showed us inside the clubhouse was the winners of the major championships the club hosted.  I remember how he expressed relief that Ernie Els won a second US Open, and how he was dismayed at John Mahaffey's name being on display.  Point is that the membership takes pride in their champions, and the Green Jackets cannot be too thrilled with how the past two years have played out. 

 

2) Much like ESPN "loans out" Bilas to CBS for the NCAA Tournament, and how McEnroe can be found at every Grand Slam tennis event, I just hope that someday Johnny Miller can sit in the tower at 18 and commentate about the Masters.

 

3) Odds that my kids scream to watch Phineas and Ferb on Sunday afternoon...well, Vegas has taken them off the board.  Two words: Sure.  Thing. 

 

4) Lastly, some thoughts on some players headed into the week.

* Paddy Harrington.  If this was Tiger, every network would be on GRAND SLAM WATCH 2009.  Alas, it's just wee Paddy and nobody really gives a shit.  One interesting tidbit I came across - Paddy is in the midst of breaking in a new driver.  It says here you want to have your equipment nailed down and finely tuned headed into a major.  Paddy makes the cut but never really threatens. 

 

* Phil Mickelson.  I just cannot understand how one player can be so damned erratic.  Miss cut badly in Phoenix...win at Doral...miss cut horribly in Bay Hill.  Lefty is about as likely to win this as he is to shoot 76-76-MC.  I'm predicting a MC for the left-hander.

 

* Sergio Garcia.  Let's see.  Golfsmith and Taylor Made will refund the purchase price of your driver if the Bitch gets a green jacket.  That's a pretty good marketing ploy.  The bitch will win a major some day, but at least the first one will not be at the major that places the biggest emphasis on putting.  Maybe a Top 10, but not a serious contender. 

 

* Jim Furyk.  I'm so damned frustrated with him from a fantasy standpoint.  I'll be happy with a Top 25.  He's a grinder, better suited for a US Open (again) or a PGA. 

 

* Ernie Els.  The Big Easy has been a little frisky this year and could get it together for a strong run at the title.  He's been close recently - I believe in the Lefty years.  Would love to see him win it, but I'm not holding my breath. 

 

* Retief Goosen.  The vision is back, the putting stroke is back, as seen at Innisbrook.  This guy, to me, is the perfect candidate to win a Masters.  Plenty long enough.  Can work the flat stick.  Never seems to be phased by the situation.  Good bet for a Top 10.

 

* Chucky Three Sticks and Three Sticks Turd.  Unlikely to win given that they're not qualified to compete.  Sad, really. 

 

* Tiger Woods.  The perennial favorite here, with or without an ACL and with or without broken bones.  It all comes down to that Scotty Cameron.  If it's working - like it was at Bay Hill - he will not be beaten.  If it's not working, he still could easily win this, but it would get interesting.  Clearly the favorite. 

 

So let's hope for decent weather (the forecast looks that way), some interesting storylines and a competitive finish. 

Early Masters Wish List

My personal top 5 best-case scenarios for the Masters (excluding a Norman win of course):
1. Phil and Tiger - preferably with Phil winning
2. Tiger and Sergio, with Sergio winning -- or Sergio doubling 18 to give Tiger his 5th title
3. Phil and Ernie, part 2 - Ernie wins
4. Anthony Kim v. Tiger - any outcome
5. McIlroy v. Tiger - with McIlroy winning

Honorable mention: Tiger v. Harrington down the stretch

Bay Hill Roundup

Tiger Winning It Vs. O'Hair Losing It

While I agree that O'Hair only hit a few good shots all day, to say he gave it away is missing the point.

• Tiger shot the 2nd best score of the day - while in the final group...on Sunday...again.
• I know you all know this, but Tiger hasn't been in the hunt since last June.
• He didn't birdie either par 5 and still shot 67 (par 70).
• He had THREE buried lies in bunkers...and all three were under the LIP! Most mortals couldn't have gotten all 3 out, let alone anywhere within 20 feet.
• Give me a break with the putts he made on 14 (par), 15 (birdie) and 18 (birdie). Oh, and he got up and down for par on 16 from 100 yards or so.
• O' Hair played the last 11 holes in +1 on a not so easy course. This is hardly handing it to Tiger. I know..the ball in the water at #16 - he still got up and down for bogey. Admittedly, that did hurt badly.
• Let's not forget the 2 putts Tiger made on Saturday on #16 and #18 for BOGEY...that got him into the final group.
  

I hate to admit this (since I am a huge Nicklaus fan and want to see these guys actually stare Tiger down and beat him), but I was rooting for Tiger to win this thing. Sure, I had him on my team (in one league this week), but honestly, this guy is out of control amazing with the putts he has made on the last hole of tournaments the last 18 months. I jumped off the couch and started yelling "That is just ridiculous! How can anyone make all these putts!"

Here are some thoughts on a macro level:

• In this recession, Tiger is needed to help stave off the reduction of as many PGA tournaments as possible for those of us who love golf.
• The Bay Hill ratings were up 23% from last year and they were the highest ratings since the U.S. Open. No surprise really.
• NBC stayed with the golf 2 hours past their planned time. Sure, if it was a battle between O' Hair and Z. Johnson, they may have punted to the Golf Channel but as golf fans, this is great for us.
• The anticipation is palpable for a Phil / Tiger match-up down the stretch at the Masters. I have to believe the green jackets will do everything in their course set-up as possible to make sure they get an exciting Sunday finish after the last few years.
• I just can't believe how many amazing finishes Tiger has now delivered. I mean, it's other-worldly. I have no more words to describe it.