Players Championship

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by GPK

Tiger may tend to "over celebrate", but to a guy like me, who has followed the PGA Tour religiously for the past 17-18 years, it's refreshing to see a guy with the attitude of just wanting to win. Too many of those guys out there are content with a top 10 finish and taking home $300K for a weeks work. Sean OHair has now become on of my favorites as well. Him telling Roger Maltbie yesterday that he wasn't playing for 2nd place tells me where this kids heart is. How many guys in his place yesterday would have played safe on 17, hit to the middle of the green and just been content to finish runner up? A great deal of them...I promise you.

I like guys that their sole desire is to win.

tin cup would have gone for it

[GPK]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

tin cup would have gone for it

W.W.M.N.D??

[pmayjr]

Kev,
On a generalized PGA note, have you ever seen Sergio hit a big putt on Sunday?
That stuff yesterday doesn't count, becase c'mon... was he ever really in it? His only true pressure came coming in on Saturday, when he missed a very makeable birdie putt on 17, and Double Bogey'd 18. A 3 shot swing right there...

[GPK]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Kev,
On a generalized PGA note, have you ever seen Sergio hit a big putt on Sunday?
That stuff yesterday doesn't count, becase c'mon... was he ever really in it? His only true pressure came coming in on Saturday, when he missed a very makeable birdie putt on 17, and Double Bogey'd 18. A 3 shot swing right there...

Pete, I have seen him hit plenty of big putts on Sunday...he just never made very many of them. Yesterday was a classic example of him having a suck up 2nd place finish. He started the day 7 shots out of the lead...so there is ZERO pressure on him. Seen it from him too many times. Just look at his Ryder Cup record...he is AWESOME when partnered with someone during the 2 man matches (13-1-2)...but his singles matches (1-3-0)...that speaks volumes.

Kev would you reply to my post on #17 if you dont mind. I am not the golf guy, but I have heard so much about this hole I had to chime in after watching this weekend. So is it fair to let weather conditions that are so unpredictable to affect a golf score so much? or am I way off base...?

I feel like if it impossible to assess conditions, the punishment should not be so severe. I realize all players have to play the same hole, I just feel like its too much of a roll of the dice and it costs way too much.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Number 17 would be a great hole if:

They had it in a valley with very little wind. You cant punch it and stay on. And the wind changes direction up that high often. I dont think it is fair that the players have to assess the wind on the ground, to figure out what is going on up above on a green like that surrounded by water.

Kev. Can they put some sort of wind sock high up in the air that shows wind direction. The players can pick the perfect club based on ground wind, hit a perfect shot and still go in the water because the winds aloft change. I know this happens with shots on other holes. But on this hole one plays too large a price for the randomness of atmospheric conditions imo.

Pat...no wind sock. In golf, many times, Mother Nature is the only defense the golf course has. I highly doubt that many people have given as much in depth thought into it like you have. I love the way your brain operates Pat, and only wish I possesed the same type knowledge so I could set my brain in motion like that.

Every player and caddie have a yardage book (produced by Gorgeous George) and on ever page of these yardage books there is a directional guide showing were North, South, East and West is. It is both the players and caddies job to be aware of the predominate wind condition starting the day and also the changes that it makes throughout the day. I have played enough golf in my life to know how the wind is going to affect my ball a very high % of the time. These guys are TONS better than I am, so they are even more accutely aware of how their ball is going to react in certian wind conditions. But, neither they, nor I, are ever 100% right under the circumstances. Again, it may seem "unfair", but in an era where the technology is so far advanced (especially the golf ball) and the talent gap between the PGA Tour and your average player is continously widening, Mother Nature is essentially the only defense left that keeps these guys in check. The technology has rendered many golf courses obsolete and in response to that, too many golf course architects are building longer and more difficult golf courses that are just too tough for the average player. They are too tough because the average player does not possess the skills necessary to take advantage of the advanced equipment on the market.

I need to stop because I could go on forever and bore everyone to tears. Besides, work calls. We can continue this later if you like. I have a million opinions on the game

[golfer]

A friend of mine, a Jax local, told me the story of 17. He said the only reason it exists is because that is where they found all the good sand they needed to build the rest of the course, so they dug deep in that area, creating the lake.. then Pete Dye's wife suggested the island green.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Number 17 would be a great hole if:

They had it in a valley with very little wind. You cant punch it and stay on. And the wind changes direction up that high often. I dont think it is fair that the players have to assess the wind on the ground, to figure out what is going on up above on a green like that surrounded by water.

Kev. Can they put some sort of wind sock high up in the air that shows wind direction. The players can pick the perfect club based on ground wind, hit a perfect shot and still go in the water because the winds aloft change. I know this happens with shots on other holes. But on this hole one plays too large a price for the randomness of atmospheric conditions imo.

I had the pleasure of playing Sawgrass a few years ago and golf in general for 20+ and it is one of those crazy holes where it's a shot you hit every round and are generally pissed if you don't get to within 15 feet of your target....it's a nice smooth wedge.....the problem is you have to look up and see where you are aiming.....it's just a visually intimidating hole....no wind tricks, no gimmicks, it's hard to explain, but it's simply of smooth wedge that is complicated by this site of a green that looks to be moving as you're standing there trying to decide if wedge is enough club to hit 120 yards, (sure it is, hit the damn wedge and go putt for birdie) and once you decide that it's better to hit a 9 iron (which is your 140 yard club) your next decision is finding the drop area, cuz you just flew the green....oh, I hit the wedge on the dance floor, 2 putts, par.....our group was 2 for 4 in keeping it dry....the other person that didn't hit in the drink put it right where you walk onto the green...I thought the toughest shot on the course is the tee shot on 18.....

[brockguy]

typical Garcia on Sunday.. flies through when there's no pressure. An each way punters dream..

[GPK]

Originally Posted by brockguy

typical Garcia on Sunday.. flies through when there's no pressure. An each way punters dream..

Kev...is that kid ever gonna grow a sack of balls and get the job done when it really matters on Sunday? I just don't see it happening...at least not in a major. He needs to have a nice chat with Seve and Ollie about what it takes to when win it matters.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by GPK

Kev...is that kid ever gonna grow a sack of balls and get the job done when it really matters on Sunday? I just don't see it happening...at least not in a major. He needs to have a nice chat with Seve and Ollie about what it takes to when win it matters.

hes like a horse that never threaten to win but comes up late on the wire to grab 2nd from a horse whose battled down the stretch..

I think he needs to calm down the opening few days and relax a little... we know he can play brilliantly, I think it may be a mental thing in him..the way I see it, he's completely different in mindset to someone like Olazabal who gets himself into a position to challenge and when's he's in contention, always looks like he'll be there or thereabouts

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by GPK

Kev...is that kid ever gonna grow a sack of balls and get the job done when it really matters on Sunday? I just don't see it happening...at least not in a major. He needs to have a nice chat with Seve and Ollie about what it takes to when win it matters.

he'll win one....but it's gonna be awhile....what is he now 25 or 26? But he could definately use a little of the Seve or Ollie arrogance....

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Samarta

he'll win one....but it's gonna be awhile....what is he now 25 or 26? But he could definately use a little of the Seve or Ollie arrogance....

He turns 27 this year...if he hasnt already. I know he was born in 1980. He better get on the ball Sam. It isn't gonna get any easier for him. Too many good, solid young players coming out that have no fear.


My God...in his day, Seve was brilliant...touch of a surgeon.

[pmayjr]

Kev,

What do you think of Aaron Baddeley?

It seemed like when him and Adam Scott both came from Australia (both around the same time), I used this statement to describe the two:

"Adam Scott: All game, no charisma. Aaron Baddeley: All charisma, no game" lol.
I said this because Scott got off to a much better start on the Tour than Baddeley, but he seems so much like Els or Goosen that he's just so mellow and easy (and boringly unemotional). But I loved that commercial "Badds" did for MacGregor a couple of years ago... but that's about all he's remembered for up to this season lol.

But this season, it really seems like Baddeley has made some nice strides. don't think he's won an event (or did he), but he has a lot of top 10 finishes. He was in the 3rd to last group on Sunday at the Players, starting the day at -5. Didn't look like he had a good day though, because the only 2 times they showed him on TV, was him teeing off on 1, and putting it in the drink on 17 lol.

But overall what do you think of his game and the strides he's made this season? Do you think he'll ever match Adam Scott's game and be a Top 10 world player?

[GPK]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Kev,

What do you think of Aaron Baddeley?

It seemed like when him and Adam Scott both came from Australia (both around the same time), I used this statement to describe the two:

"Adam Scott: All game, no charisma. Aaron Baddeley: All charisma, no game" lol.
I said this because Scott got off to a much better start on the Tour than Baddeley, but he seems so much like Els or Goosen that he's just so mellow and easy (and boringly unemotional). But I loved that commercial "Badds" did for MacGregor a couple of years ago... but that's about all he's remembered for up to this season lol.

But this season, it really seems like Baddeley has made some nice strides. don't think he's won an event (or did he), but he has a lot of top 10 finishes. He was in the 3rd to last group on Sunday at the Players, starting the day at -5. Didn't look like he had a good day though, because the only 2 times they showed him on TV, was him teeing off on 1, and putting it in the drink on 17 lol.

But overall what do you think of his game and the strides he's made this season? Do you think he'll ever match Adam Scott's game and be a Top 10 world player?

BADDS has won this year. (FBR Open) and he also won last year at Harbour Town(had a top 10 finish this year in his title defense), which is a ballstrikers golf course. Very few "fluke" winners occur there. When his iron play is on, he is very good. Has his weeks though when he struggles hitting greens. He has a ton of game, evidence by winning the Australian Open at age 18. The jury is still out on him regarding his future. He will make tons of cash...but the victories may be once a year or so.

[golfer]

Aaron Baddely won at least once last year (sure about Harbortown). He changed his swing and found god (I'm kidding about the found god part, although it may be true). I've got to type faster, Kev beat me to the response.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by golfer

Aaron Baddely won at least once last year (sure about Harbortown). He changed his swing and found god (I'm kidding about the found god part, although it may be true). I've got to type faster, Kev beat me to the response.

Badds and his wife are both deeply religious.

Originally Posted by Samarta

I had the pleasure of playing Sawgrass a few years ago and golf in general for 20+ and it is one of those crazy holes where it's a shot you hit every round and are generally pissed if you don't get to within 15 feet of your target....it's a nice smooth wedge.....the problem is you have to look up and see where you are aiming.....it's just a visually intimidating hole....no wind tricks, no gimmicks, it's hard to explain, but it's simply of smooth wedge that is complicated by this site of a green that looks to be moving as you're standing there trying to decide if wedge is enough club to hit 120 yards, (sure it is, hit the damn wedge and go putt for birdie) and once you decide that it's better to hit a 9 iron (which is your 140 yard club) your next decision is finding the drop area, cuz you just flew the green....oh, I hit the wedge on the dance floor, 2 putts, par.....our group was 2 for 4 in keeping it dry....the other person that didn't hit in the drink put it right where you walk onto the green...I thought the toughest shot on the course is the tee shot on 18.....

I will admit I have not watched the hole played enough. When I saw the kid so sure he had hit the ball way too far and he landed in birdie range, and then Johnny Miller started to explain how tricky the wind could get I assumed in might be common place occurence. So I was just thinking it is unfair not to be able to properly assess conditions on a hole that may be easy but terribly unforgiving.

I of course would take a carton of fireworks and fire above the ground and watch the smoke blow. I mean you cant climb up a giant ladder and throw a little dead grass 100 feet off the ground.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I will admit I have not watched the hole played enough. When I saw the kid so sure he had hit the ball way too far and he landed in birdie range, and then Johnny Miller started to explain how tricky the wind could get I assumed in might be common place occurence. So I was just thinking it is unfair not to be able to properly assess conditions on a hole that may be easy but terribly unforgiving.

I of course would take a carton of fireworks and fire above the ground and watch the smoke blow. I mean you cant climb up a giant ladder and throw a little dead grass 100 feet off the ground.

I suppose it can get tricky at times, but I think it comes down to being afraid to pull the trigger....that hole has made some of the best players look ridiculous....it's just so damn intimidating to stand on that tee box...I was nervous as hell and other than the 3 other people in my group there was no one around...I can't imagine playing that hole on Sunday afternoon with a shot at making a around a million dollars, if I par it...I would probably hit a small bucket into the drink.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by GPK

He turns 27 this year...if he hasnt already. I know he was born in 1980. He better get on the ball Sam. It isn't gonna get any easier for him. Too many good, solid young players coming out that have no fear.


My God...in his day, Seve was brilliant...touch of a surgeon.

Seve making his champions tour debut this weekend....I would love to see him hit it all over the place and win by 5...

now I'm not comparing Sergio to Mickelson, but look how long it took him...I think Sergio will get one....or maybe he goes down as the greatest Ryder Cup player ever....Outside of winning the Open Championship, I'm not sure that wouldn't mean more to him anyway.....