Saturday, February 19, 2011

How to speak Australian: Aaron Baddeley




Under testing conditions, Aaron Baddeley turned six birdies and one bogey into a one shot lead heading into Sunday's final round. Fred Couples round was pretty much mellow yellow--two birdies and one bogey leaves him one shot back. Clearly a crowd favorite, Couples' name was chanted from tee to green on eighteen. A Couples win at Riviera would be reality TV at its best; but he might need a caddy, masseuse, and acupuncturist to get it done. At least for the day, the big Fijian was back and rounding out the four ball between the old timers and generation next.

Aaron Baddeley    -10
Fred Couples        -9
Kevin Na             -9
Vijay Singh          -8












Fred Couple: AKA Billy Chapel

Northern Trust Open: Third round

With all the talk of Fred Couples "turning back the hands of time," I give you this clip:





Yes, it might too early for such a scene; but let's not forget, this is L.A. In the mean time, we hope Fred Couples can keep up his good form for another two rounds. No disrespect to the other contenders, but none would be as popular as a Couples victory on Sunday. Right out the gate, Couples sank an eighty footer for eagle and set the tone for his flawless second round. Couples averaged almost 300 hundred yards off the tee and took only 26 putts to help feul his five under 66. J.B. Holmes was set to remain tied for the lead at eight under after two rounds were it not for a double bogey six on eighteen. Suffice to say, it is certain that dinner did not taste all that good.


1Fred Couples-8
T2J.B Holmes-6
T2John Senden -6
T2Spencer Levin-6
T2Aaron Baddeley-6




Friday, February 18, 2011

Riviera Arrivederci for Gray



Steve Elling reported earlier that the Golf Channel has removed Jim Gray from the Golf Channel broadcast of the 2011 Northern Trust Open for the rest of the week. Gray made a big mistake in trying to get Dustin Johnson on record during his round about the two stroke penalty he received for being late to the first tee. Gray's actions angered DJ's group, including the caddies and ultimately the Golf Channel as well. No word as to if Gray has apologized for his actions. This is not the first time Gray has found trouble with the Golf Channel. Gray and Corey Pavin were involved in a heated argument prior to the 2010 Ryder Cup regarding a story about Tiger Woods making the team.

Golf Channel's decision reminded me of this video:


John Cook on Tiger



 Q. How would you describe your relationship with Tiger now and how do you think he'll do? You know, he's gone through a couple of swing changes previously in his career and now he's going through another one.

JOHN COOK: I spent all day Tuesday with him. At this time last year, we had not connected at all, but he was gone doing his things and getting his life in order. You know, I saw him just after we left here and had a great chat. Everything's okay. I said, You don't have to explain anything to me, I'm your friend, I want the best for you.
It's been that way. I haven't seen a lot of him because we've been on different coasts and all, but we keep in touch quite a bit. I did get to spend most of the day Tuesday with him and he's excited about what he's doing. It's just a matter of getting it onto the golf course under competition and what he and Sean have been working on. He now really has a great understanding. As of like Monday, it clicked, it finally clicked to him on what exactly where the face of the club needs to be at certain points, which really sounded to me like kind of old school Butch, but with a better face angle on his backswing, which means, wow, that's something really good.
But he was really feeling something special on Tuesday and it was really -- you know, just to stop and watch and see the excitement he had on his face and the flight of the golf ball as to what he was explaining to me what was going on in San Diego and Dubai. He said this is -- it's way better and way different. And this only happened on Monday and Tuesday he was just feeling it even more.
So we had a great chat about it and he is so happy in his life outside of golf. Everything couldn't be better. He really -- he wants to play well so badly that he's become one of us, one of those. He never had to struggle like that. He's 35 or 36 now and things happen. He wants it so bad, now he needs to get it onto the golf course and trust it and relax and just go play, because what I saw on Tuesday was vintage, vintage.
I said, Why don't you just go do that so I can stop having to answer all these questions for you? We're getting tired of answering these questions. We're glad to do it, though. He's in a good place, he really is. And he's playing quite a bit, so that's a good thing. I think that's what he needs is just reps, more reps, go play, just go out and play.
He's in a place where he doesn't think he has to hit that many balls now, he can just go play. He's not just grinding, grinding, grinding. He's got it. You know, he's playing the match play and maybe Doral and Bay Hill comes up, and next thing you know, it's Augusta. So going in, he's got a nice little flow going on golf courses he's done very well on.

Full interview here on pgatour.com


Hank Haney, Tiger's former coach twitter response to John Cook's statement:


"I read where John Cook said it all clicked for Tiger on Monday with his swing. I remember when that happened with me, he should win next week."

Thursday, February 17, 2011

There goes the sun

2011 Northern Trust Open: Round one



Play was suspended around 5:45 pm local time with fourteen players still out on the course through at least fifteen holes. The second round will begin at 6:50 a.m. and the second round at 7:45 a.m. local time. The second round should begin as scheduled but after that, it’s up to Mother Nature. Rain is likely to be a factor for most of the day, with the heaviest to hit in the evening and well into Saturday. Depending on course conditions, we could be heading towards another Monday finish.


Here’s the crowded leader board when play was suspended:
T1
John Senden
-4
T1
Martin Laird
-4
T1
Robert Allenby
-4
T1
Spencer Levin
-4
T1
Aaron Baddeley
-4
T1
Ben Martin
-4
T1
Bill Haas
-4
T1
Carl Pettersson
-4
T1
J.B. Holmes
-4

Fantasy results round 1:
Phil Mickelson
T40
E
Bill Haas
T1
-4
Martin Laird
T1
-4
Marc Leishman
T40
E

Bubba Watson WD

Here's what he said via twitter:

bubba watson
I WD from tourny today after round. I have a pulled oblique muscle, I have been to ER twice this week. Just to make sure it was not serious.
 
bubba watson
Thanks for prays & thoughts!! I just need some rest, 125mph golf swing does not help with pain!!!!

Tweet of the night/early morning:

Rory Mcilroy
5 jägerbombs before midnight!!!

and this one 30 minutes later:
Rory Mcilroy
Up to 10 now!!

Barclays and Bethpage Black



Doug Ferguson reported that Barclays would like to hold their opening round FEDEX event next year at the famed black course at Bethpage. Having hosted the US Open on two occasions the logistic should be easy enough and golf fans in the metro area would welcome the event with open arms despite the traffic issues. 

That being said, the real event that should be coming to Bethpage is the Ryder Cup. The black course is perfect for such a contest and the back nine in particular makes for some compelling drama. Most of the matches will come down to the second half of the back nine-the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th and the roars that came from that corner of the golf course during the last Open were deafening. So while it would be great to have the Barclays come to town, let us not be so short sited and keep our eyes on a bigger prize.

15th Hole
16th Hole


17th Hole


18th Hole



Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Fantasy picks: Hogans Alley



Feast or famine last week, but I did pick the winner--D.A. Points. Here are this weeks picks:

Phil Mickelson: You have to like Phil in this spot. Two-time Northern Trust winner is dominate on the west coast.

PGA TOUR


STANDARD STATS
Rank
Additional Stats
Greens in Regulation Percentage
74.07%
23rd
Birdie Average
4.92
10th
Scoring Average
68.4
1st
All-Around Ranking
564
47th

Bill Haas: Haas will continue his good form despite his last round 76 at the WMO.
  


STANDARD STATS
Rank
Additional Stats
Driving Distance
295.8
39th
Driving Accuracy Percentage
66.25%
50th
Greens in Regulation Percentage
77.78%
7th
Putting Average
1.727
39th
Eagles (Holes per)
102
33rd
Birdie Average
4.94
7th
Scoring Average
69.79
19th
Total Driving
89
9th
All-Around Ranking
299
3rd
FedExCup Regular Season Points
441
7th
Money Leaders
$809,934
8th
Par Breakers
28.43%
7th
Putts Per Round
29.18
87th
GIR Pct. - Fairway Bunker
66.70%
31st

Martin Laird: I'll take a guy who is ranked 12th in ball striking on a course that demands precise ball striking.

  


STANDARD STATS
Rank
Additional Stats
Driving Distance
304.3
6th
Greens in Regulation Percentage
71.72%
41st
Putting Average
171.10%
22nd
Eagles (Holes per)
99
31st
Birdie Average
4.73
18th
Scoring Average
70.05
32nd
Total Driving
98
10th
All-Around Ranking
385
9th
Ball Striking
51
12th

Marc Leishman: Solid start to the year having and is ranked 8th in scrambling. Getting it up and down is how you keep rounds going. 



Greens in Regulation Percentage
69.10%
76th
Putting Average
1.789
133rd
Birdie Average
4
83rd
Scoring Average
69.33
10th
Sand Save Percentage
50.00%
71st
Scoring Average Before Cut
68.67
21st
Total Birdies
64
36th
Consecutive Cuts
4
45th
Top 10 Finishes
1
16th
Scrambling
70.79%
8th