PGA Tour: Back to Texas: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).The Tour is zig-zagging across the country this spring: from Florida west to Houston. East to Augusta and then further east to Hilton Head, way west to San Antonio, then back east to N'Orleans, further east to Charlotte before it all settles down again into the usual Players then US Open run-up. Not surprising the players are a bit dizzy and so many of them are taking this week off for a breather. Sadly, because of such an outstanding sponsor, San Antonio's Valero Texas Open hosts the weakest field for a "regular" event since last November. A bit like dipping into the Championship for a week after such a feast of super tournaments.

2).The geography of the Tour's spring schedule will once again be turned upside down in a few weeks, probably at The Players Championship, when at least part of the 2018/2019 calendar will be unveiled.
It seems there'll be yet another tournament in Asia (that hardly anyone in the US will be able to watch), and hopefully a return of the Puerto Rico Open. Provided the US Government has relaxed its policy of abandoning the island and put some money in the meter to turn the lights back on.
And there are rumours that a permanent sponsor for Fort Worth's Colonial tournament has been found. Which still leaves "Houston" in doubt, especially with the Texas Open likely to take the pre-Masters date, and the on-again, off-again circle jerk in Washington has still to be resolved.

3).For the second week running, and following a good run of European winners, the European in the final group fell short, Ian James Poulter running out of gas when he needed a bit of a turbo boost. Well done to Kodaira, who I'd never heard of a year ago.  
Still, Poults has cemented his place in all the big tournaments for another year, has his Tour card secure well into his mid-forties and, if he wants it, at least two years of provisional eligibility on the Champions Tour. At this rate he'll be starting his own clothing line.

4).In terms of owgr points earned this year, Bubba still leads the way from Patrick Reed. But Rahm passes Justin Thomas into 4th place, with Rory 5th and Phil 6th.
Then DJ, Fleetwood, Noren, Spieth, Casey, Rickie, JDay, Kodaira, IJP (in 15th place).
And, for Grayson Murray, Kelly Kraft, Wheatcroft and all the rest of the red-neck twits out there, the vast majority of the Europeans' points have been earned in the US.

5).Greg Norman's TPC San Antonio design couldn't be much more different from claustrophic Harbour Town and still be a golf course. Good to see design consultant Sergio Garcia competing again after presumably not playing here for a few years after he and Miss Norman split up. Sergio has 3 of his 10 Tour wins in Texas and he'll be joined by mostly "B" flight (in current form anyway) Europeans such as  McDowell, Kaymer, Laird, Knox, Seamus Power and up-and-comer Chris Paisley.
Martin Laird won here in 2013 and a butcher's at top 25 Europeans that week reminds us how time flies in sporting circles:
1st: Laird
2nd: McIlroy
T10: Harrington & Siem
14th: David Lynn
T15: Lowry, Freddie Jac
Peter Hanson played well, as did Brian Davis (who is playing web.com golf now, when he can get in the field, as he has this week in Mississippi) and Ian James.

6).Billy Horschel played well that year - he's just about as streaky as anyone on Tour, but he has a fine record at the Valero and had a week of redemption at Harbour Town after an awful Masters. Well worth watching this week as well as other perennial course specialists: Hoffman, Steele, local lad Jimmy Walker, and even Summerhays and the moody JB Holmes.
Kevin Chappell battled for his first win here last year and often contends; Luke List will win one day no doubt, close to the top of those who are due.

7).Golf Channel reminds one that Adam Scott hasn't missed a Major for over 15 years, 67 on the trot, but not yet exempt into the US Open. His "ball striking" recently has been as good as his putting has been awful, but you know he wants a ticket to Shinnecock.

8).Lastly, I mentioned the "May" Golf Digest article about Modern Caddies. I posted a link a day or so ago, but this is well worth the read:

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-perks-and-pressures-of-the-modern-tour-caddie

We're in the "After the Lord Mayor's Show" territory. I presume most of the top players are giving this a miss.

Surprised that Tiger Moobs doesn't give it a whirl seeing how he could do with the "rep".

Very true super, about the ATLM'sS factor - but these tournaments have got to establish their own niche, rather like Harbour Town does with its great golfcourse and laid-back family vibe.
Colonial and Quail Hollow have great courses to help them, San Antonio, New Orleans & Dallas have to find some je ne sais quoi to build cachet and thrive as a result.

Scoring relatively high for the morning wave, head-case Grayson Murray leading the way.

Is this the course where Kevin Na took a cricket score the other year? Doesn’t exactly have the TV presence of Harbour Town. I’ve backed Steele as he won me money last time he teed it up on a course he likes, and CT Pan cos he looked good for 54 last week and is due a breakthrough I think.

That caddies story is interesting for its insight into their world, but I feel like the biggest takeaway is the US healthcare system...

Correct re Na.
and:
Correct re US healthcare system.

Although, given it is what it is, can't for the life of me understand why the Tour doesn't figure out something with the players to provide basic health insurance.

Charles Schwab, an investment company which is the "FedEx" of the Champions Tour is being reported as the new sponsor of "Colonial".
Well done to the PGA Tour - now get Houston sorted.

Mark Immelman on the main commentary is excellent. And frees up a spot on the PGA Tour Live gig for Gary Christian too.

Or is it Trevor? I’m confused.

NedB-H wrote:Mark Immelman on the main commentary is excellent. And frees up a spot on the PGA Tour Live gig for Gary Christian too.

Haven't been watching it; Trevor has had an occasional gig on GC this season, think I heard him first a month or so ago. That time he got more talkative as the tournament wore on - perhaps a little too much, but quite good otherwise, seems to rapport well with Faldo, which you can't say about everyone.
I think Gary Christian is quite good also.

6 hour rounds in San Antonio for the last groups. First field of 156 golfers (on one course) this year.

GPB wrote:6 hour rounds in San Antonio for the last groups.  First field of 156 golfers (on one course) this year.

Good practice for The Masters then, if this is to be the tournament prior to Augusta for the foreseeable . . . . . . makes no sense to me at all, either in the context of the course, or geography.

Meanwhile, they're off and running, scores yesterday averaging about 73 1/2 and plenty of breeze again today - cut at +2?

SERGIO!!!!

https://twitter.com/SI_Golf/status/987372529521233920

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Edit:  

Brooks Koepka returning to golf next week at the Zurich, playing with Marc Turnesa.

Not sure where all these low scores came from, but Zach Johnson and 2013 champ here, Martin Laird, have signed for 65's, and there are a couple of 66's also. Better, then, than yesterday's best effort of 67.

Unless the wind gets up a bit more this afternoon most of the Europeans will be goners.

Zurich Field

https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/field.html

Ref: Zurich field:
Some unexpected partnerships there - and a lifeline (possibly still a Zurich "ambassador?) for Jamie Donaldson's American experience, teaming up with Ross Fisher (who really needs the lifeline).

80 pros made the Valero cut, so there'll be a 54-hole cut this afternoon.
Round 2 scoring about a stroke and a half better than Round 1 - because of calmer conditions or more friendly course set-up? A bit of both probably.
The survivors go off both tees, in threesomes, with the possibility of a shower or two by early afternoon.


For the footie fans amongst you: Was Roy Bentley the oldest surviving England international?

Kwini
See attached
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5520195/The-remarkable-life-Ivor-Broadis-Englands-oldest-living-player.html

Not a Mail reader, but was aware of this. Quite a character!

Hey puligny!
That's wonderful!!
Thanks

Was aware of some of this stuff, like being the only manager to sell himself to another club, etc, etc, (all in the context of Jimmy Dickinson research - still can't understand why he's not in the FLHOF) but not the whole picture - what a character!

I wonder who else is up there . . . . .

One of my best friends of years gone by played for WBA in the Youth Cup Final vs the Busby Babes (Colman, Edwards, McGuinness, Charlton, Shay Brennan) who thrashed them. But he had Maurice Setters on his team (and Graham Williams) so imagine Setters kicked some chunks out of the Babes he could catch! He also played on an army team w/Dave Mackay - interesting stories to say the least.

Dave Mackay - what a player.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=picture+dave+mackay+and+billy+bremner&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#imgrc=_y1IE3otqypnOM:

Tottenham needed a helping of DM today -

Heard the one about the bloke who struggles on the LatinoAmerica Tour, gets a PGA Tour invitation and climbs towards the top ten?
Joaquim Niemann having a helluva week in San Antonio; kind of what Dunne, Schneiderjeans and Chesters did at the more exalted St.Andrews.

Talking of which, Zach Johnson stuck in neutral while Andrew Landry leads the way. Course specialists Chappell & Steele a combined eleven under par with their rounds still in progress.

Good day at the San Antonio office for Martin Laird.
So, he's playing the Team event at New Orleans next week with Russell Knox - what should their walk-on music be?
Proclaimers?
Scotland the Brave??
Bay City Rollers???

OK, Here we go then in San Antone.
It's going to be a bit breezier today so par could be at more of a premium than for Rounds 2 & 3.
McDool is in the middle of the pack but could certainly do himself some good with a strong finish - he needs FedEx points and needs to start climbing the owgr ladder once again. Otherwise it'll be Nona Blue for the rest of his career.

And what will The Laird do with his challenging position, T5th overnight?
Enjoyed yesterday's play but the TV coverage was a bit funky with all CBS's top (or at least best-paid) guys awol - enjoyed Trevor Immelman again though. For some reason, the cameras shots/angles/production doesn't offer much perspective of this TPC - don't really understand why that would be.

It's the old stagers vs the young'uns, looking forward to it.

Surprising stat just announced on TV. All four Major winners in the field for the first time in a tournament for a long time next week. Did I hear right? Obviously they’re talking about a regular tournament, but still.

Wonder if they mean just the particular tournament.

Probably since last year's play-offs anyway.

Texas field getting stretched - round of the day on the course so far is by Retief. Warming up for Shinnecock? You'd think the USGA would have given him a sentimental exemption, but they dished them out to Els & Furyk instead

Koepka’s been out for quite a while, so not surprising.

kwinigolfer wrote:Probably since last year's play-offs anyway.

No, the comment mentioned the 80’s and Tom Watson.

Must be NO only then.

Can't imagine it's that common an occurrence for a "regular" tournament though, especially with more non-Americans winning Majors . . . .

From GC: Koepka's return means TPC Louisiana will be the first course to host all four current major champions since the Tour Championship in September.

I caught a bit of this over the weekend although when Jim N and Sirnick don't bother to show up you wonder if you should especially when the commentators spend more time talking about the resort than the tournament.

However well done Landry, hopefully that means he will no longer be referred to as that guy that led the US Open a couple of years back.

But I doubt it

Quite right wire, can't imagine sponsors are too thrilled when CBS only sends its B Team.
McAtee was rabbitting on about Landry playing w/DJ in that US Open final group. Funny I thought (to quote Pete 'n Dud), funny, I thought those two fatties playing with DJ and Landry were Europeans - possibly called Westwood and Lowry.

Quite possible that NBC TV will have that tournament next year, so perhaps it was farewll & good riddance from CBS.

Landry seems a good guy though - surprised to see the warm congrats Damon Green (Zach's caddie) gave him, don't see that every day.


Two-man Team action this week - quite enjoyed it last year and a stronger field this time around. NOLA doesn't typically have much luck with the weather for their event, but the forecast this year is as promising as the tournament is.

The change of dates should certainly help kwini with those that like to play the weekend before a major turning up along with a few thinking if I win this I'll be driving down Magnolia lane next week. It doesn't bode well for Houston though.

Not sure how much I'll see of the Zurich next week. Thursday night clashes with the Arsenal - Atletico match and I'll be at the Old Firm game on Sunday.

It is alternate shot isn't it? That should hopefully bring the 6 hour rounds down

I think the NOLA format is:
Thursday & Saturday: Better ball
Friday & Sunday: Some kind of foursomes, can't remember if it's genuine foursomes or alternate shot after both players hit their drives.

I see Luke Donald is hanging 'em up for a few weeks whilst undergoing treatment for a back injury - presumably incurred bending down to identify his ball in the rough that he's been finding with increasing frequency.

And, no confirmation that Alex Levy earns a Bridgestone place with his Moroccan win - hope he qualifies with continued good play earning an owgr Top 50 spot.


PS wire: Priorities have to be kept, perfectly understandable!

Last year it was strict alternate shot, not greensomes.

wiretapper

Are you a gooner?

Investment company Charles Schwab was officially unveiled as the new sponsor for Fort Worth's "Colonial" tournament yesterday, for four years beginning in 2019.

And now come rumours from the GC that Quicken Loans will resume their sponsorship of the tournament recently played in the Washington DC area, provided it is played in Michigan, possibly Detroit Golf Club.

Good news all round.


Now we await with bated breath robo's announcement that he has conjured up sponsorship of the Tour's Houston stop . . . . . . . .

McLaren wrote:wiretapper

Are you a gooner?

Celtic with a soft spot for Arsenal Mac, all because of Charlie Nicholas.

When I mentioned the game on Thursday I meant TV, Sunday however I will be at CP for the Old Firm game.

I used to go to Highbury a couple of times a season when my brother lived in Manor Park and his missus had a season ticket but much has changed since then. I have yet to make it to the Emirates.

I'm never wrong wrote:Surprising stat just announced on TV. All four Major winners in the field for the first time in a tournament for a long time next week. Did I hear right? Obviously they’re talking about a regular tournament, but still.

Turns out it's the first time all four reigning Major winners have played NOLA since 1984: Crenshaw, Nelson, Watson, Sutton.

As said earlier, I bet that's still quite a rarity, all four reigning Major winners in the same field for a run-of-the-mill tournament; can't imagine it happens more than once or twice in most years.

In 2001 it happened quite often...

pedro wrote:In 2001 it happened quite often...

Not that often! Given his galactico-only schedule.

But: Good point!!

Thanks Kwini for clearing that one up. Thought I was hearing things.

Zurich Classic:

Not sure I'd fancy going to a concert with any of this lot:

https://www.pgatour.com/news/2018/04/24/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans-players-teams-walk-up-music-songs.html

Varner and Garrigus going with Ebony and Ivory. And who says golf hasn't moved on from the 1960s? Jesus.

No blistering acid techno, shame

Is Dustin Johnson playing?
Sure he would have picked Post Malone ft. 21 Savage..

kwinigolfer wrote:Zurich Classic:

Not sure I'd fancy going to a concert with any of this lot:

https://www.pgatour.com/news/2018/04/24/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans-players-teams-walk-up-music-songs.html

An almost entirely sh!t list, but the absolute worst has to be Scotland's. You can pick any song you like and you choose one of the worst national anthems ever. Have they had a sense of humour bypass? Even the clichéd 500 Miles would be preferable to that dirge.

super_realist wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:Zurich Classic:

Not sure I'd fancy going to a concert with any of this lot:

https://www.pgatour.com/news/2018/04/24/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans-players-teams-walk-up-music-songs.html

An almost entirely sh!t list, but the absolute worst has to be Scotland's. You can pick any song you like and you choose one of the worst national anthems ever. Have they had a sense of humour bypass? Even the clichéd 500 Miles would be preferable to that dirge.

Especially seeing as both have chosen to abandon Bonnie S.

No hymns yet super, surely you must be disappointed about that?

Disappointed that there is duplication. I don't think Mr Hudson would be happy in being called Mrs Hudson.

Once thunderstruck and enter sandman were taken, the players should have had to pick other songs.

And not just Scotland players picking their anthem. The Aussies have done it too.

Am surprised Zach Johnson didn’t pick the Lord’s Prayer.

Nothing original about using Enter Sandman though; it was played at Yankee Stadium for about ten years as the great Mariano Rivera entered the game.
Metallica actually played it at the Stadium for Mariano's final farewell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMoN51gHb-c

Bit concerned about Sergio and Rafa choosing The Best - given it looks as though they’ll miss the cut