PGA Tour: The "Wells Fargo" Returns to Quail Hollow: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).The Tour caravan travels east to Charlotte, North Carolina, this week for the "Wells Fargo Championship", sponsored by the bank of the same name who are seldom out of the business page headlines as they seem to be continuously forking out gazillion dollar fines as penalties for scumbag banking practices.
But they stage a fine golf tournament at Charlotte's Quail Hollow golf club which only nine months ago saw Justin Thomas win the PGA Championship. Once again, the winner's purse of almost $1.4M is one of the Tour's highest and the quality of the field reflects both that and the pros' respect for the Quail Hollow course and the tournament management.

2).The opening six holes were redesigned in advance of the PGA, not necessarily earning much acclaim from the players, and some rough edges (especially inappropriate length of #'s 1 and 4) will be smoothed over in time for Thursday's opening drives. I like the final five holes as much as any collection of finishing holes on Tour - especially the (sometimes) driveable Par-4 14th, the Par-5 15th and the Par-4 18th. Don't think there's a fairer short Par-4 on Tour than the 14th.

3).Last week's Zurich Classic team event didn't attract much interest on here, though there were some interesting tidbits to come out of it.
Starting on the first tee:
Haven't seen how others do "Walk Up" music but what's the point of just 10 seconds of it? Somehow, and don't have any idea why, the audio on TV was horrendous, plus there were meagre crowds to enjoy/suffer it all. They need to rethink it, meaningless as it was presented last week.

4).Interesting that 1st and 2nd were teams comprising a previous course winner, plus a Tour hustler, each sponsored by Las Vegas casinos. Horschel & Piercy plus Dufner & Perez. Should've seen that coming I suppose.

5).Some good news for a couple of "journeymen" whose Tour Membership bubble burst last year so that this season they're playing on "Conditional" status for those who completed the 16/17 campaign in the 126th - 150th position:
Daniel Summerhays first earned his Tour card for 2011 and has won almost $9M without winning. His brother coaches Tony Finau and they're apparently good friends, so much so that they played in New Orleans as a team for the second year running - they finished T6 and took home $170K+ each.
Summerhays threw his Tour status down the drain at Memorial last season when he got down in five from the middle of the final round's 18th fairway which meant that he slid from T6 (with a bogey) to T10, then repeated a similar trick in Washington a month later.

6).While: Just a few weeks ago David Hearn was twittering about trying to find a partner. He eventually teamed up with Seamus Power and the pair finished T10 with $73K apiece.
All of which goes to prove that the life of a non-winner journeyman on Tour is precarious. There's good golf in there, but it just has to come out at the right time or a potentially high-flying career can go down the tubes in a relative flash.

7).Anyway, the Zurich attracted a strong field and it seems the format, perhaps with a tweak (scramble anyone?) or two to make it more exciting in the final furlong. A sponsorship contract extension thru 2026 incents both sponsor and Tour to come up with the right formula.

8).Good news obviously for Seamus Power as he continues to flirt with the Top 125 (ten-place jump to #119 plus improved "reshuffle" status) and job security for another year.
And good news too for Chris Paisley as his pitch from 40+ yards on the 72nd hole found the bottom of the cup and earned him (and Fleetwood) a T4 result, which means an entree into this week's Quail Hollow field.
Fleetwood, Fisher and Hatton are also playing.

9).Rory (29th birthday this Friday) is the only repeat winner at Quail Hollow, champ in 2010 and 2015 plus a play-off loss (to Fowler in 2012) and three other Top Tens. While Mickelson has 7 x Top 5's! Tough to argue against either of them, but you won't get a decent price about either. But Lucas Glover is a local-ish boy and has a win and runner up and might offer better value. I kinda like the finger-snapping Chesson Hadley as a live each-way chance.
Not sure about this week, but Tom Hoge is someone to keep an eye out for, getting better results almost weekly.

10).Padraig Harrington was rabbitting on a few days ago about targetting 2020 for a run at Ryder Cup Captain - all a bit presumptuous with Lee Westwood pretty much the same age.
Not convinced that either would be a great Captain, but the European Tour will be in a Lyle/Jimenez-type pickle pretty soon with the Poulter, Stenson, Casey, Donald, McDowell, Rose generation all aging up fast!
And that's after thinking Karlsson, Lawrie, Hanson & Howell will miss out.

“The Masters has become the biggest tournament in the world and I’m comfortable saying that.”

- Rory, in today's presser

https://twitter.com/RonGreenJr/status/991723944565706752

Re: Ryder Cup. I basically made this point last week on another blog

I figure that there is 8 legit Ryder Cup captains for the next 5-6 Ryder Cups. Someone is going to get snubbed

Padraig Harrington
Lee Westwood
Luke Donald
Ian Poulter
Henrik Stenson
Graeme McDowell
Paul Casey (least likely candidate)
Sergio Garcia
Justin Rose

And these are players with legit on the course resumes. Who knows if there a behind the scenes person like McGinley that will get a spot. By the time 2028 RC comes along, all the above players will be the other side of age 50

LW is the most likely of the bunch for many reasons. One of them being that he stayed true to the ET.

I think you can nail down LW, Poulter and Sergio to get it from that list. Pádraig probably gets an early one, Rose probably gets a late one. Anyone else is scrapping for what’s left.

I think Penguin Paddy is a bit of a peripheral figure, a fairly anonymous Ryder Cup player who I can barely even remember playing in it other than lots of losses, maybe a bit of a Sandy Lyle for comparison in terms of people wanting him to get it, and Lyle like in potentially being overlooked.

Would be more than happy if he didn't get it.

Sorted in order of likeliness, not necessarily who I think would be the better choice.

1. Lee Westwood
2. Sergio Garcia
3. Ian Poulter
4. Justin Rose
5. Padraig Harrington
6. Henrik Stenson
7. Luke Donald
8. Graeme McDowell
9. Paul Casey (least likely candidate - agree)

This was the first non-elite PGA tour event that Sky Sports sent their own commentary team to - I think it was 2012, may have been 2011. At the time it was put down to the strength of the field and we had the Colonel, Murray, and Riley (it was pre-Beemer days) doing their stuff.

Since they lost Champion's League rights Sky have considerably upped the amount of tournaments they send their own guys to but they have been conspicuously absent since the Masters meaning we have been blessed - along with everyone else - with CBS' B (or at best A.2) team.

However I reckon they'll be back tonight - I just hope they don't send Mark Roe.

And just a quick word on the strength of the field, I recall Rory getting interviewed a few years back and was asked about why he always played and why it attracted a strong field and his response was "they treat us really well here" and I've wondered since what he meant by that - free milkshakes for players maybe?

A note on the ET website is a nice reminder (and, sadly, he probably needs one as well, that Peter Oosterhuis turns 70 today.
Talking about Europeans who deserved to be RC Captain and never were . . . . . .

I believe he still lives in Charlotte so doubtless the CBS crew will be paying an affectionate tribute this week.

wiretapper wrote:And just a quick word on the strength of the field, I recall Rory getting interviewed a few years back and was asked about why he always played and why it attracted a strong field and his response was "they treat us really well here" and I've wondered since what he meant by that - free milkshakes for players maybe?

I don't get it either, wire. Why do these guys need to be "treated well"? Do they get treated badly elsewhere? AFAIK they come in a few days before, play 1-2 practise rounds, maybe do one or two sponsor things or a pro-am, play the tournament and drive home to their hotel or rented home after the round.

IMO, reasons to play a "regular" tournament would be:
Sponsor obligations
The course fits your game
The location fits your overall itinerary
OWGR points
Minimum tournament requirements or similar
Appearance money
The purse (de facto not an issue on the PGAT, but is on the ET (where this point would be higher on the list))
Limo pickup, free milkshakes and hookers in the spa area

pedro wrote:

wiretapper wrote:And just a quick word on the strength of the field, I recall Rory getting interviewed a few years back and was asked about why he always played and why it attracted a strong field and his response was "they treat us really well here" and I've wondered since what he meant by that - free milkshakes for players maybe?

I don't get it either, wire. Why do these guys need to be "treated well"? Do they get treated badly elsewhere? AFAIK they come in a few days before, play 1-2 practise rounds, maybe do one or two sponsor things or a pro-am, play the tournament and drive home to their hotel or rented home after the round.

IMO, Tiger's reasons to play a "regular" tournament would be:
Porn stars that like being throttled
Sponsor obligations
The course fits your game
The location fits your overall itinerary
OWGR points
Minimum tournament requirements or similar
Appearance money
The purse (de facto not an issue on the PGAT, but is on the ET (where this point would be higher on the list))
Limo pickup, free milkshakes and hookers in the spa area

Small edit required.

And if we're talking about John Daly you can just take my list and inverse it.

pedro wrote:Sorted in order of likeliness, not necessarily who I think would be the better choice.

1. Lee Westwood
2. Sergio Garcia
3. Ian Poulter
4. Justin Rose
5. Padraig Harrington
6. Henrik Stenson
7. Luke Donald
8. Graeme McDowell
9. Paul Casey (least likely candidate - agree)

More than one of these are likely to miss out.
Just for argument's sake, let's give 2020 to Harrington.

2020: Harrington - he'll be 49
2022: Westwood - he'll be 49
2024: Stenson - 48 (would think it would be politically incorrect not to include one Continental)
2026: Poulter - 50 } I'd say at least one of these Englishmen
2028: Casey (51) or Donald (51) } will miss the boat
2030: McDowell - (51) or Garcia (50): Wonder if McDool would want it? And: Would Sergio be any good as Capt?
2032: Rose - 52

Then you get into the Kaymer / Molinari generation (of two come to think of it!), all of a sudden a GB&I void until Rory comes along, say 2038 when he'll be 49.

Solution would have to be for one or two of this lot to be chosen well into their 50's - or not at all if Rafa and/or Noren go on to have a distinguished RC or Major career in their 30's or 40's. (Probably missed someone . . . . . . )

Unless something remarkable happens over the next two or so Ryder Cups I doubt Casey will ever even be in contention due to his prolonged self exile.

Does anyone know why Lyle never got it? I remember some saying him walking off the course at the 08 Open didn't help but surely it can't only be that? He did of course deselect himself in 89 but his form was so poor - and his yips so bad at that point - it was probably the right decision. Plus if he hadn't we never would have got Christy Jnr and that 2-iron

A strong three holes from Johnson Wagner: birdie, eagle, eagle! Did I mention that he's a Quail Hollow member??!!


Good work from Hatton (67), Rory (68), Fish (69), Casey (69) & Franny (70 with lousy putting) on a morning where the average score will be close to 73 (+2).
Not so good from Shane Lowry (74) but that's a bit of a

GPB wrote:“The Masters has become the biggest tournament in the world and I’m comfortable saying that.”

- Rory, in today's presser

https://twitter.com/RonGreenJr/status/991723944565706752

Don't you think he should have said that it is the biggest tournament for him. Which makes sense given his two final round "collapses" and that winning it would complete his career grand slam.

Clearly no ones biggest tournament is the PGA but between the Open, US open and Masters won't it come down to individual players preferences?

Re the Zurich, Is it just me or was the walk up music not played as the walked onto the tee, but just as they stood there awkwardly? Pretty sad whatever the case.

Good on the PGAT/tournament organizers for mixing up the format but maybe don't bother with the WWF style entrances.


Re 8, Great to see Chris Paisley get into the Wells Fargo based on his Zurich Finish with Fleetwood? Another English player poised to break through onto the bigger stage?

McIlroy has a tendency to shoot his mouth off though Mac, don’t think he’s necessarily the brightest spark. Brings to mind his “I don’t care about the Ryder Cup” comments, you can see his logic but perhaps it’s not the wisest, most well thought through argument.

Keith Mitchell’s sister is a bowler in the University of St Andrews women’s cricket team; that’s possibly the most bizarre player fact the commentators have ever come up with.

NedB-H wrote:McIlroy has a tendency to shoot his mouth off though Mac, don’t think he’s necessarily the brightest spark. Brings to mind his “I don’t care about the Ryder Cup” comments, you can see his logic but perhaps it’s not the wisest, most well thought through argument

Gotta agree with both those points. But if it really is the most important event to him then why not admit it.

NedB-H wrote:
don’t think he’s necessarily the brightest spark.

Congratulations! Understatement of the decade!

McLaren wrote:

NedB-H wrote:McIlroy has a tendency to shoot his mouth off though Mac, don’t think he’s necessarily the brightest spark. Brings to mind his “I don’t care about the Ryder Cup” comments, you can see his logic but perhaps it’s not the wisest, most well thought through argument

Gotta agree with both those points.  But if it really is the most important event to him then why not admit it.  

I bet it won't be the most important Major for him when The Open travels to Portrush . . . . . . . . .

Good start for ETW on a course that might not have much margin for error if his driver is haywire. Having said which, Rory only hit 4 fairways.

McLaren wrote:
Re 8, Great to see Chris Paisley get into the Wells Fargo based on his Zurich Finish with Fleetwood?  Another English player poised to break through onto the bigger stage?

+5 after 15 holes and Tied for 129th. Think he might be using a plastic hammer.

+4 after 18 holes, tied with Messrs Scott, Kizzire & DeChambeau . . . . . among many others.

Paisley's done quite well in his first spell on the international stage.

Paisley’s a midget, one of the shortest hitters on the ET. And this is one of the longest-playing setups in the States all year. Was never likely to work for him.

NedB-H wrote:McIlroy has a tendency to shoot his mouth off though Mac, don’t think he’s necessarily the brightest spark. Brings to mind his “I don’t care about the Ryder Cup” comments, you can see his logic but perhaps it’s not the wisest, most well thought through argument.

Keith Mitchell’s sister is a bowler in the University of St Andrews women’s cricket team; that’s possibly the most bizarre player fact the commentators have ever come up with.

Ha ha, that is funny. Perhaps they don't realise that University sport in the UK is akin to playing Sunday Pub League football.

super_realist wrote:

NedB-H wrote:McIlroy has a tendency to shoot his mouth off though Mac, don’t think he’s necessarily the brightest spark. Brings to mind his “I don’t care about the Ryder Cup” comments, you can see his logic but perhaps it’s not the wisest, most well thought through argument.

Keith Mitchell’s sister is a bowler in the University of St Andrews women’s cricket team; that’s possibly the most bizarre player fact the commentators have ever come up with.

Ha ha, that is funny. Perhaps they don't realise that University sport in the UK is akin to playing Sunday Pub League football.

The "college logo" - as they'd put next to her name on the US leaderboards - would in this case be an empty beer can.

McLaren wrote:

GPB wrote:“The Masters has become the biggest tournament in the world and I’m comfortable saying that.”

- Rory, in today's presser

https://twitter.com/RonGreenJr/status/991723944565706752

Don't you think he should have said that it is the biggest tournament for him.  Which makes sense given his two final round "collapses" and that winning it would complete his career grand slam.  

Clearly no ones biggest tournament is the PGA but between the Open, US open and Masters won't it come down to individual players preferences?

A look at the TV viewing figures backs up Rory's comment. Augusta captures the imagination of the public like no other golf tournament.

kwinigolfer wrote:

pedro wrote:Sorted in order of likeliness, not necessarily who I think would be the better choice.

1. Lee Westwood
2. Sergio Garcia
3. Ian Poulter
4. Justin Rose
5. Padraig Harrington
6. Henrik Stenson
7. Luke Donald
8. Graeme McDowell
9. Paul Casey (least likely candidate - agree)

More than one of these are likely to miss out.
Just for argument's sake, let's give 2020 to Harrington.

2020: Harrington - he'll be 49
2022: Westwood - he'll be 49
2024: Stenson - 48 (would think it would be politically incorrect not to include one Continental)
2026: Poulter - 50                            } I'd say at least one of these Englishmen
2028: Casey (51) or Donald (51)       } will miss the boat
2030: McDowell - (51) or Garcia (50): Wonder if McDool would want it? And: Would Sergio be any good as Capt?
2032: Rose - 52

Then you get into the Kaymer / Molinari generation (of two come to think of it!), all of a sudden a GB&I void until Rory comes along, say 2038 when he'll be 49.

Solution would have to be for one or two of this lot to be chosen well into their 50's - or not at all if Rafa and/or Noren go on to have a distinguished RC or Major career in their 30's or 40's. (Probably missed someone . . . . . . )

Interesting.

Don't you think the venue may have an impact on captain? For example if the tournament goes back to Ireland the chances of an Irish captain would be much higher. I also think Poulter will captain in the US.

ray,
I'm sure the venue would play a part; they'd have to be utterly tone deaf to have Sergio captain in the States for instance!


Quail Hollow's afternoon "wave" had a one-stroke advantage over the morning guys yesterday and scoring this morning seems a little better still. But the cut will probably slip to +2.

NedB-H wrote:Paisley’s a midget, one of the shortest hitters on the ET. And this is one of the longest-playing setups in the States all year. Was never likely to work for him.

QH is a pretty fair set-up though Ned. Anyone who aspires to be a Championship golfer needs to succeed at long-but-fair courses. Molinari 2nd here last August. Good experience for CP regardless.

Pretty awful day at the office for Rory today, even money chance that his reward is 4+ hours with Shane Lowry tomorrow.

Nice to see Martin Kaymer showing some form; where's that been? And, now he's found it, can he keep it?

87 players made the Quail Hollow cut, so a 54-hole cut this evening - lots of MDF's. Good forecast again, the Tour pretty lucky with the weather this season so far.
My crack reporter on the scene was hoping to follow Tommy Fleetwood today, but he's already on the way to TPC for The Players.

Can't be absolutely sure but believe all the owgr Top Fifty are signed up for The Players, so the field couldn't be much stronger.

Graham DeLaet, Luke Donald, Brandon Hagy, Jim Herman, Morgan Hoffmann, Seung-Yul Noh, Camilo Villegas are players eligible, and not playing next week,.

Villegas has been a late WD in the last three tourneys he has entered.  Hoffmann hasn't played since Honda.  Assuming it has something to do with his MD.

SYN is doing the military conscription.  Donald, Hagy, Delaet all in various stages on a medical time out.

Not sure what is up with Hermy, he has not played since Los Angeles.

"Hermy" probably out campaigning for Drumpf, seems to spend most of his time with his nose up the presidential arse.

Nice tap-in eagle on the Par-14 14th for Adam Scott - only time will tell if it's enough to keep him from the dreaded MDF.

kwinigolfer wrote:"Hermy" probably out campaigning for Drumpf, seems to spend most of his time with his nose up the presidential arse.

jeeez...let it go

Good to see Seamus Power in with a fine round of 68, hopefully he can produce a repeat on Sunday. Just about on pace to keep his card but needs one really good week.

But everyone being outshone by Peter Uihlein's Rory-like round, -7 after 12 holes is pretty sweet - all his -7 in six consecutive holes. Breakthrough week?

Now Uihlein to -9 after 15 holes - tough finish though, even for a pro hardened by the severity of challenges on the European Tour.

kwinigolfer wrote:Now Uihlein to -9 after 15 holes - tough finish though, even for a pro hardened by the severity of challenges on the European Tour.

Uihlein says he bought a Trackman a couple of weeks ago. Got his wedges dialed in according to Alan Shipnuck.

I wonder what Ben Hogan would have done with Trackman. He probably would have tortured by it.

Quote muted coverage of Tiger Moobs this week. has the worm finally turned?

Tiger was shown in the Featured Groups Thursday and Friday.

What I mean is that the usual internet carfuffle about him is nowhere near the Sam Torrance trouser climax that it usually is when he's playing.

GPB wrote:Uihlein says he bought a Trackman a couple of weeks ago. Got his wedges dialed in according to Alan Shipnuck.

I wonder what Ben Hogan would have done with Trackman.  He probably would have tortured by it.

Doubt Hogan would have been tortured by it - would probably have designed it with algorithms unintelligible to any Tour golfer. Or golf fan.

MDF for Adam Scott and qualification for US Open more tenuous by the week.

Adam is not that far from a Top 60 ranking. 7.5 pts. A top 10 next week should be more than enough to get into the Top 60 by the deadline.

Only problem, he has got to do it! I think he has lost his desire & motivation. talent can only take you so far.

I think he has lost a putting stroke GPB...

NedB-H wrote:I think he has lost a putting stroke GPB...

If he ever had one, it was taken away by the USGA and R/A.

GPB wrote:

NedB-H wrote:I think he has lost a putting stroke GPB...

If he ever had one, it was taken away by the USGA and R/A.

Awww. Bless. Two-point anchoring is cheating. Putting and the nerves associated with it is part of the game I'm afraid. If Scott can't hack it any more, well he's got plenty of moolah and there's always a beach somewhere...

My biggest issue with the USGA (and R/A) is not that they banned the anchored stroke, but they banned it 25 years too late.

The long putter has been staring them in the face since the late 80's, when Orville Moody won the US Senior Open with a broomstick. Rocco Mediate won on the PGATour a with an anchor putter in the early 90's. TPTB should have been on top of it back then and not go into knee jerk mode when Keegan wins the PGA, Webb wins the US Open, Ernie wins the Open and Adam wins the Masters with an anchored stroke.

Personally I don't think innovation (building a better a mousetrap) should ever be legislated out of the game. I don't think that is in the best interests of the game. But I would have much rather seen the TPTB not let the horse out of the barn. It was a big triple bogey for the USGA and R/A to wait 20-25 years. Players like Keegan, Tim Clark, Carl Petterssen put in hundreds and hundreds of practice hours trying to perfect that technique.

Yep, all fair points there and I'd agree that the USGA and R&A work at glacial speed and seem to be reactionary, rather than proactive. They're going to be in the same place as they were re. driver CoR with irons very shortly - one would hope they're onto it already, but I doubt it.

Still, I'd rather the anchoring was banned than not, even if late.

I couldn't care less if someone anchors. Can't really see why people get so upset about it.

super_realist wrote:I couldn't care less if someone anchors. Can't really see why people get so upset about it.

Sounds like you’re an (w)anchorer...