2017 Golf Majors Thread

[Thomkal]

Masters starts tomorrow weather permitting...which might be a good thing if its cancelled tomorrow for Dustin Johnson:

Johnson injures back falling down stairs on eve of Masters

Coming off 3 wins and row, and now #1 ranking...just horrible if he can't play.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah....that's such a freak accident, though I wonder if its nose candy related. (Only half joking.)

Wide open field otherwise.

Also related to golf majors on the women's side. LPGA really screwed up the Lexi Thompson situation the other day.

Lexi Thompson penalty hot topic at 2017 Masters | Golfweek

I think the real issue is, you've got people "calling in" but almost always the people who send in emails and call in are golf officials or folks who "know somebody." It was what happened when Tiger Woods had that infraction in the Masters a few years ago.

It's not regular Joe fans who are doing this, and that's what the bullshit is, since not every player end up on TV getting extra scrutiny.

[CrescentMoonie]

It's also an issue where most of the shots in the tournament aren't shown. People at home are only getting what the broadcasters show them and mostly only what the leaders are doing. It's a very small percentage of the golf being played and a completely unfair disadvantage for the best players. The LPGA and PGA should pull their heads out of their backsides and realize this is not the right way to connect with your fans.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

Yeah....that's such a freak accident, though I wonder if its nose candy related. (Only half joking.)

Wide open field otherwise.

Also related to golf majors on the women's side. LPGA really screwed up the Lexi Thompson situation the other day.

Lexi Thompson penalty hot topic at 2017 Masters | Golfweek

I think the real issue is, you've got people "calling in" but almost always the people who send in emails and call in are golf officials or folks who "know somebody." It was what happened when Tiger Woods had that infraction in the Masters a few years ago.

It's not regular Joe fans who are doing this, and that's what the bullshit is, since not every player end up on TV getting extra scrutiny.

no word yet on Johnson. I too hope its not a coverup for bigger problems like when he finally admitted he had a drinking problem.

Going to be very windy at Augusta today, with gusts there (and here) up to 40 mph this afternoon. I'm sure that won't do his back any favors. Going to be a very difficult course to play.

I think they are just going to have to ban "call-ins". Technology has improved so much that people who aren't even there at the course have power over what happens now, and that just doesn't seem right. Let there be "Monday night quarterbacking" on all the talk shows about it, but if you are going to assess a penalty for something like this, it should by rule, been given before the next round begins not like what happened to Thompson and Johnson.

[Logan]

They also need to get rid of the completely ridiculous double penalty applied for signing a scorecard that did not contain a penalty applied the next day. I can't believe they used to DQ for that, but I'm assuming that rule was in place without considering situations like that.

[Logan]

DJ withdrew at the first tee.

[Logan]

Also, the replies here are awesome.

At most sportsbooks, action is action. Doesn't matter if Dustin Johnson showed up at the first tee or even hit the ball.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 6, 2017

[Thomkal]

Very sad to see. Looked like he was going to try to play all the way to the first tee. The larger concern now is that this has sparked chronic back issues that will prevent him from regaining the form that brought him to #1

[Young Drachma]

Rooting for Sergio to finally win one tomorrow.

[Jas_lov]

Wow, cant believe they both missed on 18. Now it goes to a 73rd hole.

[cartman]

Congrats to Sergio

[Young Drachma]

Finally!

[Thomkal]

Very happy to see some one with that much talent finally break through and win a major.

[CrescentMoonie]

Kudos to Sergio. He's been way too good for way too long to not have a major.

[Breeze]

I've been watching golf for a long time, and I have to admit that I never thought Sergio would win a major. I felt he had a game to win one, but wasn't sure he had the head to win one. Earlier in his career I though he definitely would, but after he lost to Harrington in the Brit Open years ago when his putt to win on 18 lipped out, he seemed to take the position that fate was against him. In fact, in several interviews for years he had a defeatist attitude about winning a major. I guess getting engaged again helps, and having Rose completely screw the pooch on the first playoff hole took a good bit of the pressure off.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

since not every player end up on TV getting extra scrutiny.

That's the key. It would be like if the NFL decided to add an extra official to just focus on one offensive lineman the whole game to see if he committed any penalties.

[Warhammer]

Golf is such a mental sport, and those that do not play it do not understand this.

When I was in high school I worked at the TPC in Memphis, where the play the St Jude Classic. My job during the tournament was maintaining the golf carts during the event in case they needed a new one sent out for a scoreboard, if a marshall needed a new one, etc. My post was between the clubhouse, #1 tee box, and the club storage. As a result, I was able to meet most of the major golfers of the early to mid 90s.

One of the meetings that struck me the most was Payne Stewart. I gave him a ride out to his car most days of the tournament for 3 or so years. During his mid career slump, he was either at the top of the leaderboard or was in contention after the 2nd or 3rd round. He got in the cart, I complimented him on his round, and then he went on regarding his game at the time. His game was holding on by a thread, his putts were lucky to go in, etc., etc. It blew my mind how a guy that was a major figure in the sport was so defeatist. He went out the next day and shot an unspectacular 69 (it was an easy course) and finished 15th, in large part because he was missing putts.

[tarcone]

Sounds like we all have the same thoughts about Sergio. So much talent. Such a head case.

Congrats to him. Maybe some maturity helped him break through.

Happy to see him win one.

[cartman]

Ten years ago he would have folded after those back to back bogeys to start the back 9 and go 2 down after being 2 up less than an hour before. He did a great job of keeping everything in check, and getting that eagle was huge.

[CrescentMoonie]

10 years ago that winning put lips out and he either goes to another hole or finds a way to choke the win away right there.

[CrescentMoonie]

Stunning number of eastern European Brians signed up for this place last November.

[cartman]

Tiger underwent another back surgery today.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by cartman

Tiger underwent another back surgery today.

sounds like his career is pretty much over.

[kingfc22]

What a wild career arc. Thought he'd make one last run but that is obviously not going to happen.

[Thomkal]

Apparently, we can't have a golf major anymore without a little Dustin Johnson drama. His second child is due any day now, and he is still in Florida awaiting its arrival. Thankfully he got to see the course last week because he missed the cut.

Meanwhile Phil Mickelson might not even play unless a rain delay on Thursday gives him time to attend his daughter's high school graduation and make it to Wisconsin for his afternoon tee time.

Very eager to see how Erin Hills plays, At nearly 8,000 yards and very few trees, and weather softening the course this week, it looks like a long-hitter's paradise.

[Thomkal]

Mickelson did indeed withdraw, which is like the first major that one of he and Woods hasn't been in since the 90's or something.

Kinda good news bad news locally as Roberto Diaz of Mexico now takes his spot. He's been playing out of Myrtle Beach for a few years now, so happy to see him get in.

[Thomkal]

Well the course has been playing pretty easy so far (Rickie Fowler has the early lead at -7), well except for Dustin Johnson who is currently at +3. The real excitement however is an advertising blimp that caught fire and crashed. Pilot is injured but conscious and alert.

WATCH: Advertising blimp crashes at U.S. Open, passenger parachutes out - CBSSports.com

[tarcone]

Im very impressed with Mickelson. Congrats to his daughter.

Great back story to Erin Hills.

[Thomkal]

Well this has been a very strange US Open. None of the top 3 were close to making the cut, and the fourth (Spieth) is barely under par. Course has been very affected by rain and very little wind, meaning every one can go for broke...and they have. 32 rounds under par today, which is a US Open record, as well as Justin Thomas shooting a 9 under 63 today...and he's not even leading. No major winner is within 7 shots. No a lefty is leading and its not Mickelson of course, its Brian Harman at -12 under.

Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas probably have the best chance based on experience, and we should finally see some "US Open nerves" tomorrow. I think Fowler has to be drooling not having any of the top 4 to worry about, but especially if it rains more tonight, its pretty wide open for a crazy finish. It's a shame we won't get to see Erin Hills with a full set of teeth, kinda makes the course seem very blah to me.

[bronconick]

The USGA is never coming back to this course. They'll probably try to brutalize Shinnecock next year to make up for this.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by bronconick

The USGA is never coming back to this course. They'll probably try to brutalize Shinnecock next year to make up for this.

Yeah probably not, but the one thing the USGA can't control is the weather, and it certainly bit them here. I hope this experiment with new courses-Chambers Bay a couple years ago- is not over as I find most of the regular Open courses to be pretty boring. I doubt though that they go to a course with no trees and almost no water on it again. The only defense Erin Hills has been the fescue rough, but the fairways are so wide its not that difficult to avoid (except if you are a Top 3 player in the world I guess)

[Thomkal]

Looks like the wind (and cooler weather) has arrived at Erin Hills. Lots of players in sweaters and long-sleeves.

[EagleFan]

Can we pass a law that says yelling idiotic phrases after a golfer takes his (or her) tee shot is considered just cause.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Can we pass a law that says yelling idiotic phrases after a golfer takes his (or her) tee shot is considered just cause.

[Thomkal]

well Fowler and Thomas will probably be kicking themselves until the next US Open as neither could mount a charge. Brooks Koepka with some pretty clutch putting on the back nine to win it.

[Breeze]

Just got an email from August National. I just won 2 tickets for Sunday's round.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Breeze

Just got an email from August National. I just won 2 tickets for Sunday's round.

congrats!

[tarcone]

Im watching the US Amateur Championship. Stroke play set the seeds for 64 golfers. Then on to match play.

Doc Redman was downb 2 with 2 to go. Nails an eagle with a 50 foot putt to win the 35th hole. They play 36 in the final. Then hits a birdie to win the 36th and force extra holes.

The kid he is beating was 1 up going into the 36th hole last year and lost on the 37th hole. Its about to happen again. Doug Gihm is his name. Poor kid.

Redman just won. Gihm not a good plyer under pressure.

Gihm hit his tee shot way left on the par 4 315 yard hole. Went over the green into the sand. Next shot over the green into the sand.

Great tournament. Fun to watch. I much prefer match play to stroke play.

Redman from Clemson. Only 19. He made 13 straight one putts at one point.

[digamma]

Gihm not a good plyer under pressure.

Did he play poorly? Because it sounds like the guy he was playing had to pull some stuff out of you know where to come back.

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by digamma

Did he play poorly? Because it sounds like the guy he was playing had to pull some stuff out of you know where to come back.

On the 37th hole he yanked his drive way left. He had to go over some small trees. Shot was blind. And he flew the green. It was a real tough 2nd shot.

Redman did make a 50 footer on the 35th hole for eagle. And did make shots.

But Gihm said in an interview after last years final he felt the pressure and lost it. So Im just guessing he isnt much of a clutch player.

[Thomkal]

sorry wrong thread

[Thomkal]

So weather (or lack thereof) making another Majors golf course not playing up to its strength. Two players (so far) have flirted with a majors record round of 62-falling just one short, and the afternoon groups are just getting started.

[Thomkal]

Of course after I said that, had enough of a rain delay to postpone the rest of the second round until tomorrow.

[tarcone]

Humidity is preventing the greens from firming up. The soft greens have really been a factor.

[PilotMan]

How big of a news story is it if Tiger holds on to win the TPC today? How many years since he won his last major?

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

How big of a news story is it if Tiger holds on to win the TPC today? How many years since he won his last major?

Well I don't know how big of a story if he wins it will be, but social media will be ablaze for sure. I think many people want him to win again, if not regain some of the dominance he used to have. Certainly sets up well for the Ryder Cup next week too.

[Thomkal]

I think at this point Justin Rose is the only one who can stop Woods from winning the Fed ex Cup, and he is currently sucking big time at the moment at +4 for the day, and I think that would give Woods the Cup. Dustin Johnson was looking good too, but needed to eagle 18 to tie for second...I think. He parred.

[Thomkal]

Tiger has been choking a bit too with bogeys on 15 and 16, but has arrived at 18 with a 2 shot lead over Billy Horschel, who is still eligible for the Cup if he wins. Rose has a shot at Eagle on 18, and a birdie would give him the Cup...barely. No one has bogeyed 18 all day.

[PilotMan]

That crowd is old school huge.

[Thomkal]

US up early in the Ryder Cup, winning the morning session 3-1 with the only losers being Tiger/Patrick Reed. Nothing going right for the US so far in the afternoon matches. Losing in all of them, one is 5 down already, 2 others are 3 down.