Golf

[Bellhorn04]

I've always found the Players to be kind of a strange tournament. Supposedly it has the strongest field of any tournament. Over the years there have been calls to make it the 5th major championship, but it looks like that ain't happening, so it has to settle for being the biggest non-major. The winner gets a 10-year tour exemption, I believe, which is a huge prize.

 

What makes this tournament weird is the last two holes, especially the 17th-the island green par 3. This hole has been heavily criticized over the years for being unfair and worse-for being a complete gimmick, rinky-dink, Mickey Mouse. Yesterday the pin was on the back of the green. Ernie Els hit a tee shot that landed a few feet from the hole, but it bounced hard and trickled off the back into the water. Re-load, big guy.

 

The 18th hole is a beast too, a long par 4 with water all down the left side that the fairway curls around. In the first round I saw Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, playing in the same group, both hook their tee shots a bit, both into the drink.

 

If you like watching pros hit it in the drink, this tournament is for you. You'll see more balls in the water than at a nudist beach on a ninety-degree day.

[Thunder]

And guess who's in contention? Rickie!!!!!!!

[Bellhorn04]

And guess who's in contention? Rickie!!!!!!!

 

I'd like to see Rickie win. He's due for a win.

[Thunder]

I'd like to see Rickie win. He's due for a win.

 

Being as young as I am, he's been part of my influence on the game.

[Bellhorn04]

Being as young as I am, he's been part of my influence on the game.

 

Yeah, he has a lot of young followers, right down to little kids. He's definitely good for the game.

[cp176]

Being as young as I am, he's been part of my influence on the game.

 

Glad you follow this game- hope you play. Great job Rickie. Another one who is good for the game. This will never be a 5th major- the field makes the cut but the course does not.

[Thunder]

I do play, and have for 3 years now. I hope this will be my "breakout year," as I'm finally becoming a member at the course right down the street, hoping to spend many summer days there. I was pulling for Rickie the whole way, and am glad to see him win. Sergio's prone to choking. I walked the final two holes inside the ropes with him at the Travelers Championship last year (My hometown event at which I also volunteer), and he lost by one after holding a lead much of the day. I'll remember that moment forever though, since he is the most well-known start besides Bubba to play here... so far since I've been a volunteer. Hopefully Spieth shows up in the near future.

[cp176]

I do play, and have for 3 years now. I hope this will be my "breakout year," as I'm finally becoming a member at the course right down the street, hoping to spend many summer days there. I was pulling for Rickie the whole way, and am glad to see him win. Sergio's prone to choking. I walked the final two holes inside the ropes with him at the Travelers Championship last year (My hometown event at which I also volunteer), and he lost by one after holding a lead much of the day. I'll remember that moment forever though, since he is the most well-known start besides Bubba to play here... so far since I've been a volunteer. Hopefully Spieth shows up in the near future.

 

My guess is that you are talking Hartford. A great course to see some low scores. Golf course is a great place for any young person to work if you are looking for any kind of summer job. it is a fresh air game that requires a tremendous amount of practice to improve. The right kind of practice. Good luck. Complete your backswing and stay with the shot!

[Bellhorn04]

Rickie won in spectacular fashion, huh? He owns that crazy 17th hole like nobody else. He's never put one in the water there, and this week he played it 6 times and birdied it 5 of them. Incredible.

[Thunder]

My guess is that you are talking Hartford. A great course to see some low scores. Golf course is a great place for any young person to work if you are looking for any kind of summer job. it is a fresh air game that requires a tremendous amount of practice to improve. The right kind of practice. Good luck. Complete your backswing and stay with the shot!

 

Indeed I am. I live about 25 minutes from Hartford, and 35 from Cromwell, the town that the tournament is in. I'm off to the east, next to Glastonbury and Manchester if you've ever heard of any big CT towns.

 

I applied for a job at the course down the street (not the same one) while I become a member at the other one. Should be a great summer.

[cp176]

It's the British Open. Spieth off to a great start!

[Bellhorn04]

It's the British Open. Spieth off to a great start!

 

There's going to be some wild weather for this one.

 

You can't bet against Spieth right now. Nice to see Dustin Johnson get off to a good start too.

[Bellhorn04]

Besides Spieth and Johnson, other guys I liked going into this - most are obvious.

 

Rickie Fowler

Henrik Stenson

Justin Rose

Louis Oosthuizen (won here in 2010)

Paul Casey (runner-up here in 2010)

Luke Donald - dark horse pick

[cp176]

All great picks. A great tribute for Tom Watson as well.

[Bellhorn04]

Great day for golf. Jason Day wins the PGA for his first major. Canadian Brooke Henderson wins by 8 strokes for her first LPGA win.

[Thunder]

So happy for JDay. Been a fan of his for a long time now. He's such a nice guy, and does everything right. Did anyone see how classy Spieth was coming down the stretch? That's who I want to be.

[Bellhorn04]

So happy for JDay. Been a fan of his for a long time now. He's such a nice guy, and does everything right. Did anyone see how classy Spieth was coming down the stretch? That's who I want to be.

 

Spieth was classy. As they said on the telecast, both of these guys make excellent role models for kids.

[cp176]

A fine big three - Spieth, McIlroy - Day - Good young stars to grow the game. It was a great last day leader board at the PGA.

[Bellhorn04]

Masters time again. Here are my own personal top 10 picks in order:

 

1. Jason Day

2. Bubba Watson

3. Adam Scott

4. Charl Schwartzel

5. Louis Oosthuizen

6. Jordan Spieth

7. Rory McIlroy

8. Rickie Fowler

9. Dustin Johnson

10. Justin Rose

[Thunder]

I'm watching out for Rory, Scott, Day, and Bubba. They all seem to be red hot right now.

[cp176]

Masters time again. Here are my own personal top 10 picks in order:

 

1. Jason Day

2. Bubba Watson

3. Adam Scott

4. Charl Schwartzel

5. Louis Oosthuizen

6. Jordan Spieth

7. Rory McIlroy

8. Rickie Fowler

9. Dustin Johnson

10. Justin Rose

 

Scott

B Watson

Phil

Z Johnson

Mciroy

Day

Spieth

Schwartzel

Fowler

Rose

[cp176]

Scott

B Watson

Phil

Z Johnson

Mciroy

Day

Spieth

Schwartzel

Fowler

Rose

 

edit - add Stenson subtract Rose

[Bellhorn04]

Well, at least we have 3 golf fans here.

[cp176]

Well, at least we have 3 golf fans here.

 

They don't know what they are missing.

[Bellhorn04]

They don't know what they are missing.

 

I agree.

[Thunder]

I love playing more, but on weekends of majors, I'm perfectly down sitting on the couch for 5-6 hours at a time, watching golf and flipping periodically over to NESN.

[VA Sox Fan]

I love the Masters! I have some friends who went down for the practice rounds this week. Go Rory!

[Thunder]

My coach likes to fish, and since Saturday is Opening Day for fishing around these parts, he gave us the weekend off. Fine by me. Two days of hogging the couch listening to Jim Nantz.

[Bellhorn04]

Looks like the course is playing super tough today. Best score in the house so far is 71.

[Northern Star]

Ernie Els six-putted from three feet on the very first hole. I'm an absolute duffer yet I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do more than three putt from that distance. I wouldn't do less than three either.