Thoughts ahead of the final round at Muirfield
Posted on July 20, 2013 Leave a Comment
Lee Westwood courtesy myophoto
Just a couple of quick thoughts ahead of Sunday’s final round at Muirfield, where Lee Westwood will carry a two-shot lead over Hunter Mahan and Tiger Woods.
Current Leaderboard
- 1. Lee Westwood -3
- T2. Hunter Mahan -1
- T2. Tiger Woods -1
- T4. Adam Scott E
- T4. Henrik Stenson E
Lee Westwood
Westwood was the story of the day, combining great ball striking and solid putting to finish 1-under for the day and 3-under overall. He’s had plenty of chances to win his first major in the past, with seven top-3 finishes on his resume already, including holding the lead going into Sunday at the Masters in 2010 which was eventually won by Phil Mickelson. Long major droughts were already ended this year by Adam Scott and Justin Rose, so it seems fitting that we could be in for another one tomorrow, and it would also continue a pretty incredible summer for English sport, having already seen Rose triumph at Merion and Andy Murray end their hideously long wait for an English champion at Wimbledon.
Much was made at the beginning of the year about Westwood’s decision to sack long time coach Pete Cowen, as well as good friend and caddie Billy Foster. At the age of 40, he knew he was running out of time and decided to make two pretty major switches, with Mike Kerr taking over for Foster and as we heard this week, Sean Foley has started to work with Westwood as well. In the past, the issue with Westwood has been his short game, but it was working wonders for him today. All eyes will be on him tomorrow to see if he can finally close out that major win.
Tiger Woods
Woods had an interesting day to say the least. The course was playing very difficult, as evidenced by the lack of players who were under par for the day, but Woods should have been under par based on the way he was hitting his irons, which were pure for most of the day, but the putter was a little off, leading to the 1-over par 72 that he ended up with. The curious decision for me was when he left driver in the bag on 17, preferring to go with the 3-wood instead, despite the hole playing dead into the wind at 575 yards. I know he’s only used it once this week, which was today at #5, but it didn’t make any sense based on the situation. He ended up trying to hit 3-wood again from the fairway, but left it woefully short and into a bunker that he just had to pitch out of and eventually led to a bogey.
I’m not going to try and get into his head like so many other people do, but the general thought on the broadcast and on Twitter was that it pointed to a lack of confidence with a new club. That could be the case, but like I said, I don’t know for sure and I’m not going to bother trying to figure it out. Just seemed like a weird choice of club given the situation.
Slow Play
Hideki Matsuyama was assessed a one-stroke penalty on the 17th hole for apparently taking over two minutes to play one of his shots, while several groups, including the final two (Westwood/Woods and Jimenez/Stenson) were put on the clock before getting taken off at points during the round. What was interesting was the reaction from those in the golf media who thought it was unfair to penalize Matusyama for the slow play. These are the same people who have called for slow play to be stamped out, but now they’re complaining about a young player getting penalized when he was way over the limit, even after being warned? You can’t have it both ways, guys. Over two minutes is way too long, even in the conditions that the course put the players in today. Nobody wants to see a player lose a tournament due to a slow play penalty, but the players also have to keep it within reason here as well.
Quick Hits
- Phil Mickelson finished his third round at 2-over par and is five shots back of the lead held by Westwood. When talking to ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi afterwards, he was of the opinion that even par would win the whole thing, but +1 would probably be good enough for a playoff. If that’s the case, it would bring a ton of players back into contention.
- Keep in mind, Ernie Els entered the final round last year at Royal Lytham six shots behind Adam Scott before coming away with the win.
- Incredible round of 68 by Hunter Mahan given the conditions, and the same goes for Sergio Garcia and Brandt Snedeker.
- Everyone’s talking up the Adam Scott/Tiger Woods pairing for tomorrow because of the Stevie Williams situation. These guys have played together a few times since the split, so not sure why this is huge news.
- Also, yes, it’s true that Woods hasn’t won a major when trailing after three rounds, but when looking at the course and the way it’s going to be played tomorrow, you’d be crazy to think he couldn’t pull it off.
- The greens will be watered ahead of tomorrow’s final round, but don’t let that fool you. The R&A will make sure that the course plays plenty tough for these guys, especially with the pin positions that they’ll probably have them play into.
- It’s easy to say this now that he has the lead, but I’ll take Westwood to close this out tomorrow and win his first major championship.
Second Round Open Championship GIFs
Posted on July 20, 2013 Leave a Comment
While you’re watching the third round of the Open, catch up on the best of yesterday’s action in GIF form.
First Round Open Championship GIFs
Posted on July 18, 2013 Leave a Comment
Zach Johnson has the lead going into the second round of the Open Championship from Muirfield. Here’s the best of the first day in GIF form.
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First Round Open Championship Observations
Posted on July 18, 2013 Leave a Comment
Courtesy: TourProGolfClubs.com
Just a couple of quick thoughts on the first day of the Open, with Zach Johnson holding a one-shot lead over Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Mark O’Meara.
Day One Leaderboard
- 1. Zach Johnson -5
- T2. Rafa Cabrera-Bello -4
- T2. Mark O’Meara -4
- T4. Miguel Angel Jimenez -3
- T4. Dustin Johnson -3
- T4. Brandt Snedeker -3
- T4. Tom Lehman -3
- T4. Shiv Kapur -3
Conditions
Coming into the week, we had heard that it was to be bright and sunny and that the wind wasn’t expected to be that bad. Both of those things were true on the first day, and apparently the R&A didn’t like that too much because the greens were brutally fast and the pin positions were very difficult. The greens will definitely need some watering overnight, as most of the grass appears to be just about dead. The players were not impressed either, with Phil Mickelson telling Geoff Shackelford that the afternoon groups would have it much more difficult than the morning crew:
“The greens are dying, and the holes are on edges of slopes that the ball just simply won’t stay. You drop it, it won’t stay by the hole. No. 8 is probably the worst one that you’ll see if you watch it on TV. It won’t stop until it collects in a little level area about eight feet away, six, eight feet away.”
Ian Poulter, shockingly, was not as politically correct:
Unfortunately the guys this afternoon will struggle with a few pin positions. 8th hole is a joke, 18th needs a windmill & clown face.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) July 18, 2013
Peter Dawson of the R&A disagreed with their assessment, but we’ll see what happens for the next few days.
Tiger Woods
Woods’ 69 today was pretty impressive considering the condition of the course by the time he teed off. Of course, that didn’t look like it would be the case at the very beginning of the day when he had to hit a provisional off the first tee because his ball went so far left. He managed to save bogey though, and seemed to be pretty solid after that. He had ten one-putts today, which you can’t really expect to continue, but having his putter in good form is a huge positive considering that’s been the big issue with him in the last few majors. He hit very few loose shots from what I saw on the broadcast, and he’s put himself in a position to keep chasing the guys at the top of the board. He should have some easier conditions tomorrow too considering he’ll be out early.
Rory McIlroy’s 79
I’ve been saying all year that I thought McIlroy was going to be fine, and I really do believe that to be the case, but quotes like these to the Washington Post are troubling:
“Sometimes I feel like I’m walking around out there, and I’m unconscious,” McIlroy said Thursday in the moments after his first round of the British Open.
“I just need to try to think more. I’m trying to focus and trying to concentrate. But yeah, I can’t really fathom it at the minute, and it’s hard to stand up here and tell you guys what’s really wrong.”
“It’s nothing to do with technique,” McIlroy said. “It’s all mental out there.”
“That’s just thoughtless,” he said. “It’s just so brain-dead. Seriously, I feel like I’ve been walking around out there like that for the last couple months. I’m trying to get out of it. I just don’t quite know why.”
“It’s strange,” he said. “I wish I could stand up here and tell you guys what’s wrong or what I need to do to make it right, because I feel like I’ve got the shots. It’s just a matter of going through the right thought process to hit them and that’s something that I obviously haven’t been doing recently.”
He’s probably going to miss the cut tomorrow unless he goes crazy low, which doesn’t appear likely at this point. Of course, the fact that he’s tied with Nick Faldo after round one was mentioned by just about everyone on Twitter after the spat they had in the last few days. My take on that was pretty simple really: Faldo probably just wants to help out a kid that he’s known forever, but if if he’s not inside McIlroy’s circle and knows how hard he works, he should probably keep his mouth shut. To McIlroy’s credit, he handled it with the grace and dignity that we’ve come to expect out of him.
Old guys at the top
Mark O’Meara (-4), Tom Lehman and Miguel Angel Jimenez (-3) are near the lead after the first round at the Open, and it’s not an uncommon sight here. Tom Watson and Greg Norman have both made runs here in recent years, but don’t get too excited about their chances just yet. The first day of a major typically produces this kind of result from several players, and then they fade as the days go on. Lehman did say though that he thinks Muirfield plays best for those who think their way around the course, and who have been there before. The three men above certainly fall into that category.
Thomas Bjorn broke a camera
That ESPN camera costs $80,000.
Quick Hits
- Louis Oosthuizen pulled out of the event with an undisclosed injury. It’s the second major championship in a row that he’s had to back out of due to injury after doing the same thing at Merion. Peter Hanson also pulled out after five holes, citing a back injury.
- The shitty thing about these two pulling out is that their playing stopped other players from getting in. Joost Luiten flew over to Muirfield as the first alternate in the event that someone pulled out before teeing off, but that didn’t happen. I don’t fault Oosthuizen and Hanson because they have earned the right to play, so they can do what they want, but I can’t imagine Luiten is overly impressed with guys who couldn’t get through the front nine.
- After missing out on the win last week at the John Deere, Zach Johnson was on the good side of the draw, but he still took advantage. With all of the roll from the hard fairways, his lack of distance isn’t as much of an issue.
- There’s very little that I would like to see more than a final pairing on Sunday of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Angel Cabrera.
- Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano hit 17 of 18 greens today.
- Shiv Kapur started out hot, with birdies on six of his first seven holes before falling down to 3-under par. Typical stuff that happens at an Open, as you rarely stay hot for an entire round.
- Where in the hell did Todd Hamilton come from?
Open Championship Betting Preview
Posted on July 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
Courtesy: myophoto
Ernie Els is at Muirfield Golf Links in Scotland for the third major of the year, as he looks to defend his title at the 142nd Open Championship.
2013 Open Championship Fact Sheet
- Course: Muirfield Golf Links
- Location: East Lothian, Scotland
- Yardage: 7,192 yards, par 71
- Defending Champion: Ernie Els
- Five Consensus Favourites: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Graeme McDowell
TV Schedule:
- Thursday – 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET (ESPN)
- Friday – 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET (ESPN)
- Saturday – 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM ET (ESPN)
- Sunday – 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Key Storyline(s) This Week
As always when coming into a major, there are many storylines at play, so let’s take a quick look at a few of them:
- Tiger Woods’ pursuit of a 15th major: Here we are again, still five years removed from the last time that Woods won a major at the 2008 U.S. Open, and all eyes are going to be on him. He says the elbow he injured at the PLAYERS Championship is pretty much 100%, so that shouldn’t be an issue this week.
- Another major breakthrough?: Adam Scott and Justin Rose both won their first majors this year, long after we had expected them to. Will it happen again at Muirfield? Players like Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker are all looking for that win.
- Phil Mickelson: After winning the Scottish Open last week, he says that he thinks he has a better idea of links golf than ever before. Considering his track record, that’s not really saying much, but hey, he’s confident this week. He’s still looking for his first Open.
- English winner?: Rose, Westwood, Donald and Ian Poulter make up arguably the strongest contingent that English golf has produced in a long while. All four are in the top-20 of the Official World Golf Rankings, and all of them, save for Rose, are looking for their long awaited first major championship. Keep in mind that the last English winner of the Open was Nick Faldo, way back in 1992, right here at Muirfield.
Muirfield Golf Links
Muirfield is one of the game’s most historic landmarks, having been around since the late 1800’s, and is a favourite of many of the players who are competing this week. Be prepared to hear the word “fair” quite a bit this week, as most of the guys seem to think that the course is the most fair of the current courses in the Open rota, thanks to the lack of blind shots. One little quirk about the course is that the front nine is played in a clockwise direction, while the back nine intersects with the front in a counter-clockwise direction, meaning that the players will typically have a completely different wind direction coming at them off of the North Sea on every hole. This can make it very difficult for the players if they don’t adjust, as it’s not something that they ever see.
The rest of the course is a typical links course in that it will play very dry and hard, so few Mickelson-esque flops will be attempted this week. It’s all about keeping it low, and utilizing the massive undulations in both the fairways and on the greens to the player’s advantage. It’s often said that playing links golf is more about what you avoid than what you hit, and that’s certainly the case at Muirfield. If the players are a little offline and carom from the fairway and into a deep hazard, say the fescue or one of the 150 bunkers on the course, life is going to be very difficult. One other thing to note about the track is the amount of quality winners it has produced. Fifteen Opens have been held here in the past, and this is the list of players who have come away victorious:
- 1892: Harold Hilton
- 1896: Harry Vardon
- 1901: James Braid
- 1906: James Braid
- 1912: Ted Ray
- 1929: Walter Hagen
- 1935: Alf Perry
- 1948: Henry Cotton
- 1959: Gary Player
- 1966: Jack Nicklaus
- 1972: Lee Trevino
- 1980: Tom Watson
- 1987: Nick Faldo
- 1992: Nick Faldo
- 2002: Ernie Els
Of the thirteen players on that list, only two (Ray and Perry) are not in the World Golf Hall of Fame. So, keep that in mind when placing your wagers this week.
Thoughts On The Favourites
- Tiger Woods: I’m not sure if we can believe Woods when he says that his elbow is fine, but when we last saw him, he was of the opinion that he was going to be ready for the Open, so that’s really all we have to go on. The last time the Open was here in 2002, he had a chance to win going into the weekend, but ballooned with an 81 on Saturday in some of the worst conditions to ever hit a golf course. That round is still his highest score as a professional to date, but the other three rounds were solid. Keep in mind that this is someone who has still won four times on the PGA Tour this season.
- Phil Mickelson: I honestly never thought I’d see the day again where Mickelson would be listed as the number two favourite going into the Open, but that’s what a win on a links course will do for you. He’s supremely confident with where he is right now, but it’s hard to put a lot of faith in the guy considering he’s only finished in the top-10 at this tournament twice in nineteen starts, plus it’s very difficult to win in back-to-back weeks. I hope he’s in the hunt all week, but I just don’t see it.
- Justin Rose: Rose first came onto the scene in 1998 at the Open as an amateur at Royal Birkdale when he holed out from the rough on 18 to finish tied for fourth. Since then, he hasn’t finished inside the top-10 in any Open, which is weird considering how remarkably consistent he usually is. Since the win at Merion, he’s only played once, finishing in a tie for 13th at the Travelers.
- Adam Scott: Scott struggled in his two most recent outings at the AT&T National and the U.S. Open, and much like Rose, he hasn’t had the best run at the Open in the past. Two top-10’s including last year when he blew up on Sunday and gave the tournament to Els. He’s too good to gloss over, but I really don’t like his chances here based on what I’ve seen in the last few weeks.
- Graeme McDowell: McDowell’s last seven tournaments read like this: three wins and four missed cuts. He’s one of the most popular picks out there this week, which usually means I’m going to stay away and fade the consensus, but I do think he’s worth a look if you can get him at 25-1. His game is perfectly suited for Muirfield.
Suggested Plays
Tiger Woods (Best Odds 10-1 at bwin)
Those of you who read these previews on a regular basis know that I very rarely take the favourite, but I’m not passing up 10-1 odds on Woods this week, which is now widely available online. Yeah, he’s had two rough tournaments in a row, but he’s the most talented player in the field, and like I said above, the 81 here in 2002 came in awful conditions. The other three rounds were solid, especially the final round 65 that got him to within six of Els. I think he breaks the major drought here this week.
Sergio Garcia (Best Odds 33-1 at Ladbrokes)
Yes, another major and another mention of Garcia by me in the betting preview, but don’t completely dismiss this. Historically, Garcia has played the best at the Open compared to the other majors, with seven career top-10 finishes, including a T8 here at Muirfield in 2002. Also, it may have been a while ago, but Garcia did win the British Amateur Championship at Muirfield back in 1998 as an 18-year old. He’s still on a run of good form, having finished tied for seventh in his last start in Germany. If he’s going to win a major, the Open is likely his best chance.
Lee Westwood (Best Odds 33-1 at Ladbrokes)
The golf world was abuzz this morning with the news that Westwood had apparently hired Sean Foley to be his new coach, and with Foley’s success with Woods and Rose, it makes sense. He’s had some success in the event before, and there’s no doubt that he’s a good enough ball striker to contend in any tournament. It’s the short game and the putter that usually cause him grief, but I like his chances this week, certainly more than the other Englishmen in the field.
Charl Schwartzel (Best Odds 44-1 at 32Red)
In eight events at the Open, Schwartzel has been cut five times, but most of those came when he wasn’t one of the best players in the world. Remember, he was in a spot to win the U.S. Open a few weeks ago until a disastrous final round 78. Getting a player of his caliber at 44-1 is a steal.
Matteo Manassero (Best Odds 91-1 at 32Red)
Manassero hasn’t been playing great since he won the BMW PGA at Wentworth back in May, but there’s no reason for him to be at this kind of a number. He’s a great putter who doesn’t usually get too wayward off the tee. Of course, that may not matter if he kicks off a hill and into a bunker, but still he shouldn’t be going directly there. He’s played in two Opens, missing the cut in 2011, but taking home low amateur honours back in 2009 with a T13 finish.
Graham DeLaet (Best Odds 244-1 at 32Red)
DeLaet is having a great year on the PGA Tour and will be making his first major appearance this week at Muirfield. Usually that’s a sign to stay away, but I’m going on talent and form here, as few players have had a better couple of months than him. He’s a great driver of the golf ball, but the putter usually stands in his way. At 244-1 though, there isn’t much better value in the field this week.
Other Notes
- It’s probably the last time we’ll ever see Nick Faldo tee it up in competition, so get a good glimpse of him while you can. The two-time winner at Muirfield just loves the place, so that’s why he’s going out there this week. He hasn’t played in a tournament in three years.
- I know some people are hoping for Woods and Garcia to be paired together on the weekend, but how about the potential for Woods to play with Faldo based on Sir Nick’s recent comments? That would be a lovely bit of fun.
- Really hoping Billy Horschel makes the cut this week, and not just for prime GIF making either. On Sunday, he’s slated to wear the cardigan and tie combo, rarely used these days and last seen worn by Ryan Moore.
Enjoy the Open, everyone.
VIDEO: Looking back at Tiger Woods’ 81 at Muirfield
Posted on July 16, 2013 Leave a Comment
Courtesy: myophoto
The Open Championship returns to Muirfield this week for the first time in eleven years. Back in 2002, Tiger Woods was dominating, having won the first two majors of the year at Augusta, and the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, so he was in prime position to claim the third major of the year before heading to Hazeltine for the PGA Championship in an attempt to win the grand slam. He had put himself in good position too, sitting only two shots of the lead held by five players going into the weekend. Then, disaster struck.
At the Open, weather can play a massive role in determining the outcome of the event, and that’s exactly what happened in Saturday’s third round. Woods and his playing partner Mark O’Meara teed off right when Mother Nature decided to flex her muscle, pounding Muirfield with heavy rain and punishing wind. A course like Muirfield is tough enough as it is, but anyone who teed off in that window was absolutely screwed. Woods would go on to shoot an 81, still his highest round as a professional to date. To his credit, he did come back and fire a 65 in better conditions on Sunday, ending up in a tie for 28th.
The video embedded below shows exactly how bad it was that day at Muirfield. Check it out.
Golf GIF Roundup: July 15th
Posted on July 15, 2013 1 Comment
Matteo Manassero’s creepy eyes.
What a week for the PGA and European Tours, as both events end up going to playoffs with great finishes. Phil Mickelson was able to triumph in Scotland over Branden Grace at Castle Stuart, while 19-year old Jordan Spieth became the first teenager since 1931 to win on the PGA Tour, outlasting David Hearn and Zach Johnson in a five-hole playoff at the John Deere Classic. This is the best of the week in the Golf GIF Roundup for July 15th.
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Jordan Spieth gets first PGA Tour win
Posted on July 14, 2013 Leave a Comment
Courtesy: Zimbio.com
19-year old Jordan Spieth outlasted Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a playoff, making par on the fifth extra hole to win the 2013 John Deere Classic.
What Happened
Before the playoff happened, the tournament really was anyone’s for the taking. Six players, including the three that went to extra holes, had chances to win on Sunday. Johnson actually had a one-shot lead as he went to the 18th, with Spieth in the clubhouse at 19-under par after holing out from the greenside bunker on the last. Johnson made bogey, falling to 19-under, while Hearn was able to make par on the last to get into the playoff. All three players made par on the opening four holes, and when they came back to the 18th, all three pushed their drives into the right rough. Hearn decided to lay up, landing in the first cut of rough. Johnson, who had landed directly behind a tree, tried to do the same but ended up hitting another tree and caroming into the water on the left side. Spieth, from a nearly impossible lie, hit a fantastic punch cut and got it to the back of the green. With Johnson out of it, Spieth hit a great putt to tap-in range, leaving only Hearn standing in his way. Hearn’s approach got him to about fifteen feet for par and when he missed the putt, Spieth was able to tap in for par and pick up his first PGA Tour win at just 19 years of age.
Final Leaderboard
- 1. Jordan Spieth -19 *wins in playoff*
- T2. David Hearn -19
- T2. Zach Johnson -19
- T4. Martin Flores -18
- T4. Jerry Kelly -18
- T4. Daniel Summerhays -18
What The Win Means For Spieth
We’ve been expecting this for a little while now, but it’s still crazy to think that Spieth at just 19-years old is a winner on the PGA Tour. The last teenager to win on the PGA Tour? Not Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy or Rickie Fowler, Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer. You have to go all the way back to Ralph Guldahl in 1931 at the Santa Monica Open to find the last teen to win out here. Spieth has been close this year, with five top-10 finishes coming into the week, including a runner-up in Puerto Rico, and this certainly won’t be the last time we see him in the winner’s circle. In the short term, Spieth gets into the Open next week, as well as the Masters next year. He also officially qualifies for the FedEx Cup playoffs since with the win, he’s finally a member of the PGA Tour. All in all, that’s not a bad day for anyone, much less someone who doesn’t turn 20 for another couple of weeks.
Steve Stricker
Stricker’s part-time schedule has been an interesting mini-storyline to follow in 2013, but he has played in the first two majors, showing up at both the Masters and Merion for the U.S. Open. He will not be making the trip to Muirfield because it is his 20th wedding anniversary, and he wants to spend it in the U.S. with his wife and family. For a guy who has yet to win a major in his career, and appears to be playing some of the best golf of his life, it may seem like a curious decision, but he said earlier this week that he’s content with the way his career has unfolded, and I respect that. It’s certainly a different perspective, but there’s something to be said for someone with that kind of peace of mind.
Other Notes
- Notables to miss the cut: John Huh, John Senden, John Rollins, Jonas Blixt, Ben Crane, Charley Hoffman, Louis Oosthuizen, Pat Perez, Luke Guthrie, Brendan Steele, Ricky Barnes, D.A. Points, Kyle Stanley, Bud Cauley, Scott Stallings, David Duval and Rory Sabbatini.
- Three WD’s this week: Jeff Overton (wrist), George McNeill (no reason), Bobby Gates (wrist).
- Other notable finishes: Stricker (T10), Harris English, Chad Campbell and Lucas Glover (T15), Ryan Moore and Chris Kirk (T22), Boo Weekley, Nick Watney and Mike Weir (T27), Charles Howell III, K.J. Choi and Ryo Ishikawa (T33), Kevin Streelman (T44), Ken Duke and Gary Woodland (T48), Carl Pettersson (T54) and Keegan Bradley (T61).
- Four rounds of under par golf this week for Weir, which is the first time he’s done that since May 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
- Every year, the John Deere Classic charters a plane for the players to the Open, but this year, it couldn’t leave on schedule thanks to the playoff. I’m sure Johnson and Spieth are going to get it pretty good from the guys on the plane when they board tonight.
- Tough to watch Hearn miss a short five footer that would have won him the tournament on the fourth playoff hole. He’s had a good year, but that would have made a world of difference for his career.
- Much like Rich Beem has transitioned into TV commentary, I can definitely see Daniel Summerhays doing the same when he decides to stop playing.
Phil Mickelson wins Scottish Open
Posted on July 14, 2013 1 Comment
San Diego’s favorite son pitches one of only a handful of shots taken around the 18th green during Tuesday’s practice round (his only practice round) at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, CA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Phil Mickelson was able to defeat Branden Grace on the first playoff hole to win the 2013 Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links.
What Happened
Mickelson started the day in the final group alongside Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, and he needed just a par on the par-5 18th to secure the victory, but he three-putted from about twenty feet, making him level with Grace. Both players went back to the 18th tee for the playoff, and Mickelson nearly holed out a wedge from off of the green before tapping in for his birdie. When Grace missed his long attempt, Mickelson had his second win of the 2013 golf season.
Final Leaderboard
- 1. Phil Mickelson -18 *wins in playoff*
- 2. Branden Grace -18
- T3. JB Hansen -15
- T3. Henrik Stenson -15
- T5. Martin Laird -14
- T5. Gareth Maybin -14
- T5. John Parry -14
What The Win Means For Mickelson
Realistically, the win itself doesn’t mean much for Mickelson in terms of what he earned or where he moves in the world rankings, but what it does do is allow him to feel like he’s ready to go for next week’s Open Championship. He usually comes over here to play the Scottish Open because it allows him to prepare better for the third major of the year, but it hasn’t exactly helped him at the Open. We all know about his track record there, but maybe this will give him the kick start that he needs. Nobody has ever won the Scottish Open and gone on to win the Open Championship after that, so the odds aren’t exactly in his favour. It’s also worth noting that the last time the Open was held at Muirfield, Mickelson finished tied for 66th.
It’s only his second win on European soil, and his first since the 1993 Tournoi Perrier Paris on the European Challenge Tour. Also, since he was already qualified for the Open, the next guy on the list got in as a result of this victory. That guy: Scott Stallings.
Other Notes
- Notables to miss the cut: Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Stephen Gallacher, Ricardo Santos, Jeev Milkha Singh, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ernie Els, Sandy Lyle, Robert Rock, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Pablo Larrazabal, Alex Noren, Michael Thompson, Jose Maria Olazabal and Scott Jamieson.
- Other notable finishes: Nicolas Colsaerts (T8), Peter Uihlein (T10), David Lynn (T17), Paul Casey and Alvaro Quiros (T24), Shane Lowry and Richard Sterne (T24), Francesco Molinari (T42), Paul Lawrie (T49), Matteo Manassero (T57), Thongchai Jaidee (66th) and Thorbjorn Olesen (67th).
- The big one that stands out from the missed cut group is Els, who has won this event twice in the past and was looking for a good run-up ahead of his Open Championship title defense.
- Castle Stuart was once again a solid host for the event, and even though it might not be the most typical links style course out there, it was highly entertaining for the fans and the players seem to enjoy it. I’m still a little surprised that more big names don’t make the move over a week earlier, but perhaps that will change in 2014.
John Deere Classic Betting Preview
Posted on July 10, 2013 Leave a Comment
Steve Stricker (Photo credit: Keith Allison)
Steve Stricker’s once a month appearance on the PGA Tour happens this week, as the former three-time champion at TPC Deere Run will try to unseat defending champion Zach Johnson at the 2013 John Deere Classic.
2013 John Deere Classic Fact Sheet
- Course: TPC Deere Run
- Location: Silvis, Illinois
- Yardage: 7,268 yards, par 71
- Defending Champion: Zach Johnson
- Five Consensus Favourites: Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Louis Oosthuizen and Ryan Moore
TV Schedule:
- Thursday – 3:00 to 6:00 PM ET (Golf Channel)
- Friday – 3:00 to 6:00 PM ET (Golf Channel)
- Saturday – 1:00 to 2:30 PM ET (Golf Channel) & 3:00 to 6:00 PM ET (CBS)
- Sunday – 1:00 to 2:30 PM ET (Golf Channel) & 3:00 to 6:00 PM ET (CBS)
Key Storyline This Week
Even though he didn’t win in 2012, Stricker is still the focus here because of the incredible run he’s on at the course. Stricker has played here eight times, and in the thirty rounds he’s played here, he’s got a stroke average of 67.4, which is absolutely ludicrous. Those eight appearances have yielded the following results: MC-4-46-51-1-1-1-5. Stricker’s reduced schedule this year has been one of the more interesting storylines in 2013 because even though he’s pretty much cut his appearances in half, it doesn’t seem to be affecting his performance in the least. His final round 76 at the U.S. Open was one of the more surprising things that happened at Merion because of his usually remarkable consistency. I’ve got no reason to believe that Stricker’s run of good form here won’t continue.
TPC Deere Run
With recent winners like Johnson, Stricker and Jonathan Byrd, it should be no surprise that TPC Deere Run requires a high level of skill on the greens. The two holes to watch are probably the 9th, which plays as the longest par-4 on the course at 485 yards, and the closing hole, a dogleg right with a miniscule green that is guarded by both bunkers and water. Typically, players go low here, with the worst winning score being 16-under par since John Deere lent their name to the event back in 1999. For the first time in weeks, it appears that the PGA Tour should also luck out with the forecast, as there’s nothing but sunshine and a little bit of cloud cover predicted or the week.
Thoughts On The Favourites
- Steve Stricker: We often talk about how a player loves a course, and there’s probably no better reminder of that than Stricker at TPC Deere Run, but at the price he’s currently at right now (roughly 7-1), I’ll be taking a pass.
- Zach Johnson: Johnson may not have the reputation here that Stricker does, but in the last four years, he’s finished first, second and third to go along with a T21. He’s had a tough year, and I thought he was getting some of it back in May when he had a good PLAYERS and then nearly won at the Crowne Plaza, but his three tournaments since have been pretty rough.
- Keegan Bradley: In a lesser quality field, Bradley’s name stands out despite the fact that he hasn’t played the course before. He’s had some high finishes in 2013, but he’s also been at the other end of the board far more often than you would have expected.
- Louis Oosthuizen: Missed the cut here in his lone appearance in 2011, and has been dealing with neck and hip issues for most of 2013, but he had four rounds in the 60’s last week at the Greenbrier, so the hope is that he’s over those problems.
- Ryan Moore: Moore is listed as the fifth favourite for two reasons: He finished tied for 7th in his last appearance at the Travelers and his T8 last year on this course. I like Moore, but his underachieving and inconsistency make him really tough to bet on.
Suggested Plays
Louis Oosthuizen (Best Odds 25-1 at Sky Bet)
I’ve always been a big fan of Oosthuizen and last week’s performance leads me to believe that he is starting to feel better from his neck injury. As I talked about above with Bradley, in a field short on talent, a guy like Oosthuizen stands out and at 25-1, he’s impossible to pass up.
Nick Watney (Best Odds 40-1 at bet365)
One top-10 finish in 2013 wasn’t what Watney or Nike expected, but there’s some reason for optimism here after a decent finish at the Greenbrier last week. Last year, he finally made his first cut at the John Deere, ending up in a tie for 13th. He’s been down all year, but 40-1 seems a little steep for a player with his talent on a short field.
Charles Howell III (Best Odds 66-1 at Stan James)
Howell’s coming off of back-to-back missed cuts, and they actually cost him his spot in the Open Championship next week at Muirfield. He can still get into the field with a good result here this week, and his track record here is solid, with only one of his twenty six career rounds here being over par. His ability to go low is still better than most on the PGA Tour, and he should be motivated to get back into the Open.
Matt Jones (Best Odds 66-1 at Boylesports)
Jones had back-to-back top five finishes in 2009 and 2010 here and with his runner-up finish to Jonas Blixt last week, he seems to be in good form. I’m a little concerned that he’s missed his last two cuts here, but considering the way he played last week, I’m willing to take a shot with him.
Gary Woodland (Best Odds 71-1 at BETDAQ)
Much like Howell, few in the field can go low like Woodland, and he’s starting to turn his season around a little bit. He had three straight top-20 finishes and was headed for another one until a final round 77 at the Greenbrier derailed those chances. He hasn’t played here in a couple of years, but his last time out he ended up tied for 21st in 2010.
Pat Perez (Best Odds 81-1 at BETDAQ)
We talked about Ryan Moore’s underachieving earlier and Perez deserves to be in that camp as well, but he’s been playing well in the last few weeks, with two top-10 finishes in his last three starts. He’s always been a tremendous ball striker, and with how streaky he is, you could be catching him on a good run.
AdamSarson.com 