Professional Golf

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PeteC
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Professional Golf

Post by PeteC »

I've been reading the write up's the last few days concerning the Firestone/Bridgestone Invitational in progress.

Much of what the players say concerns how many years and hundreds of times they've played the course. It almost sounds like a scientific study rather than an ability based sporting event.

I wonder if the best judge of the best pro would be to take the top 10 in the world and put them on a remote course they have never played, never analyzed, never saw before or knew existed. No practice rounds.

The "Survivor" series of golf. The results may be surprising. Pete :cheers:
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Post by hhfarang »

I'd say the best test would be to stick them all on the free course at Dolphin bay and see how they like hitting off dirt, putting on greens that aren't as smooth as the fairways they usually play while fighting off mosquitos the size of small birds! :shock:

Of course Tiger could hit most of those greens from the tee with an iron... :oops:
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Post by PeteC »

I think you're right HH about Tiger. I don't think he's a very technical golfer. Yes, he thinks, evaluates and executes but he seems to me to be more of an athlete rather than a strategist.

Maybe his downfall in years to come? Pete :cheers:
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Post by lomuamart »

When I was junior, I used to walk my home course three times every day in the summer holidays - 54 holes. And that was after hitting about 100 practice balls.
It got to the stage when the four of us used to say that we'd know which club to use depending on the blade of grass we landed on.
As we got better, the club introduced us to competitions off medal tees and most importantly got us to play at away courses for the club.
Courses we'd never played before. All of a sudden us juniors had a hard time playing to handicap.
The pros are a bit good and that's it I suppose?
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Post by PeteC »

****BREAKING NEWS*****

You can never count this guy out! Now on to the PGA Championship. Should be a great one if he stays in form. Pete :cheers:
________________

AKRON, Ohio – With another signature moment at Firestone, Tiger Woods won the Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday with a spectacular shot over water to a foot that sent him to a 5-under 65 and a remarkable rally over Padraig Harrington.
Woods has won this World Golf Championship seven times in 10 starts, and he became the first player in PGA Tour history to win seven times on the same golf course.
He now goes to the PGA Championship with two straight victories after missing the cut at Turnberry last month.
Harrington helped make this four-shot victory possible. From behind the green on par-5 16th, after Woods had stuffed his 8-iron to within tap-in range for birdie, the Irishman hit over the green and into the water and made triple bogey.
It was the 70th career victory for Woods.
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Post by JW »

Hi prscct,

Good post, just a few thoughts on Mr Woods.
When he first came on the seen as a teenager he didnt really work a strong strategy, now he is the best in the world at taking a golf course apart - working out where he can hit it and where he can take trouble out of play. He also has the ability to hit shots that few others can. He literally takes course apart by numbers - he then executes... most of the time! Agree that over the years his swing may shorten his playing days - this is why he has made more changes over the last few years.
Most look at his long game as his greatest asset... forget about it... he has such a great short game that he can play pretty badly and still make great scores. Mickelson has an amazing short game also and hits some of the flashiest chips ever, but Woods has him licked.

It would be really cool to take the top 20 players to 4 events in a year, an unknown venue in the 4 continents. No caddies allowed,same sets of clubs of the pro shop rack, no yardage charts, must drink 2 beers before they play!!! etc etc - PURE GOLF!
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Post by hhfarang »

Dammit Pete, I avoid reading any news on Mondays so that I can watch the PGA tournament delayed without knowing the outcome... :cuss:

I guess I'm going to have to avoid forums on Monday mornings too! :D
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Post by hhfarang »

No worries Pete, I would have had a pretty good guess at the outcome by now anyway (within the first 45 minutes of the four hour telecast) when Tiger just went from 3 off the lead to tied for it in the first four holes! :D

Edit: Check that, 1 ahead after 5 holes! :shock:
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Post by hhfarang »

A little drama after the drama yesterday. I don't think a fine will bother him much with his money... it is a shame if that is what caused Harrington to blow up. He had come back to one shot ahead of Tiger starting that hole which resulted in a 4 shot swing and the end of a great two man match! :shock:

"CHASKA, Minn. (AP)—Tiger Woods will be fined by the PGA Tour for his public criticism of a rules official after winning the Bridgestone Invitational, a tour official said Monday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the tour does not publicize fines.

Woods was bothered after his four-shot victory Sunday because he and Padraig Harrington were put on the clock at the par-5 16th. He said that caused Harrington to rush three difficult shots, leading to triple bogey.

European Tour chief referee John Paramor told Woods and Harrington they were being timed.

Woods said he told Harrington after it was over, “I’m sorry that John got in the way of a great battle.”

Paramor said the final pairing was well behind most of the back nine, but officials gave them time to catch up. They were still 17 minutes out of position on the 16th tee, when they were put on the clock.

Woods hooked his tee shot, punched out to 178 yards and hit an 8-iron that stopped a foot from the hole for birdie. From the right trees, Harrington hit a 5-iron to the edge of a bunker, went over the green, then hit a flop shot too hard and into the water. The four-shot swing took the drama from one of the most compelling final rounds of the year.

“I don’t think that Paddy would have hit the pitch shot that way if he was able to take his time, look at it, analyze it,” Woods said. “But he was on the clock, had to get up there quickly and hit it.”

Harrington conceded he was rushed, although he said it would be unfair to give the final group preferential treatment.

Section VI-D in the PGA Tour’s player handbook says, “It is an obligation of membership to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage tournaments, sponsors, fellow members, players, or PGA Tour.”"
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Post by PeteC »

The Thais are really bad losers. Their star, Jaidee, was in a tie with three others going into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic. He missed a short birdie putt in the final round and missed going into a playoff with two others by one stroke. He came in third overall which is not bad.

The Bangkok Post and Nation had big articles and photos yesterday before the final round started. Now that he's lost, not any mention of the outcome at all in either publication.

Kind of shows character, doesn't it. :roll: Pete :cheers:
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Post by PeteC »

I think Tiger has gone a bit nuts. This cover photo and associated story is in the February 2010 issue, so it is reported. I would have thought he would try to avoid things like this. :roll: Pete :cheers:

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Re: Professional Golf

Post by PeteC »

A big loss for the LPGA. Only 28 years old. :( I predict a come back in a few years though, just like many do in tennis and other sports. :D Pete :cheers:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/ ... retirement
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Re: Professional Golf

Post by JW »

Ochoa retiring is a big blow to womens golf, not only a great player but a character too.

Just read all of this thread again and boy how things change in 8 months - still reckon that Tiger is the guy to beat - he played pretty rough at The Masters and still finished 4th....the big news is Phil he really does look like he has matured as a player and is making those clutch shots that show a true great.. maybe his family troubles have brought out the best in him.
just a note on Thongchai Jaidee - this guy is a real gentleman, very classy guy who is a great spokesmen for Thai golf. Would love to see him win a European Tour event this year.
Greeat show coming to the Golf Channel soon - "" Being John Daly" a warts and all look from his side, think it will make great viewing.
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Re: Professional Golf

Post by lomuamart »

I've changed my avatar as I'm hopelessly in love and I'm playing reasonably.
C'mon Michelle you know it makes sense :cheers:
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Re: Professional Golf

Post by PeteC »

lomuamart wrote:I've changed my avatar as I'm hopelessly in love and I'm playing reasonably.
C'mon Michelle you know it makes sense :cheers:
I saw her up close at the Pattaya Siam Country Club event. I think she's 6' or 6'1". God help her and us of she ever gets fat. :shock: :D She's something to look at, even though her golf was terrible that day. Pete :cheers:

PS: I think Buks was there as he mentioned maybe going with his family, but I went at the last minute and never knew for sure.
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