OT: 2017 Masters

[mauconnfan]

Really impressed with Pieters making the comeback after squandering an early lead yesterday...he's a player

 

[jleves]

Some fantastic pairings tomorrow (in order, starting from the +1s):
Kuchar and Rory
Spieth and Michelson
Rose and Scott
Rahm and Couples (amazing he is in the top 9 at age 57)
McGirt and Moore
Pieters and Fowler (this is good for Fowler not having to play with a big name)
Hoffman and Garcia

CBS hit the mother load this year.

 

[Robertelamin]

Do people still hate Sergio? I'd like to see him win one major even though history points to an inevitable implosion.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Do people still hate Sergio? I'd like to see him win one major even though history points to an inevitable implosion.

I think Sergio has morphed in to the loveable old guy looking for that career defining win.

Couple of things have helped him.

He made it through the yips and his constant backing off shots.

He has accepted he won't ever be Tiger.

He's been very good for the Ryder Cup.

And he's been playing some consistent good golf on the big stages.

I wouldn't mind at all if he won.

 

[uconnfan68]

Add to that the youngsters have 'caught up' and are playing great and equal or better to a current Tiger's best.

Also he has lost the 'fear factor'. Probably back in the day that was good for a couple of strokes on the weekend.

I have always argued that Tiger should not have returned to the big stage but competed in the lesser Tourneys, like a Traveler's in Hartford. He returned appearing cocky but not confident and a lot of golf is about confidence. Perhaps the lesser Tourneys (i.e. lesser competition) would have helped his progression. But to come back against Spieth, Rory, Jason, Dustin, etc... and expect to compete and dominate (his cockiness) to me was insane.

I think its karma. He needs to play the places he's dissed for years.

 

[uconnfan68]

I think Sergio has morphed in to the loveable old guy looking for that career defining win.

Couple of things have helped him.

He made it through the yips and his constant backing off shots.

He has accepted he won't ever be Tiger.

He's been very good for the Ryder Cup.

And he's been playing some consistent good golf on the big stages.

I wouldn't mind at all if he won.

As long as he isn't in the group ahead of you spitting into the cup.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Some fantastic pairings tomorrow (in order, starting from the +1s):
Kuchar and Rory
Spieth and Michelson
Rose and Scott
Rahm and Couples (amazing he is in the top 9 at age 57)
McGirt and Moore
Pieters and Fowler (this is good for Fowler not having to play with a big name)
Hoffman and Garcia

CBS hit the mother load this year.

Rahm and Freddie jumped out at me. Freddie is so mellow.

I'm torn if Freddie's calm helps Rahm or freaked him out.

If Rahm can handle the stress if Fred looking like he's taking an afternoon stroll rather than being on the leaderboard, Rahm can go bonkers. Also, I'll be interested to see if Rahm picks up cues from Fred on how to tame the course without overpowering it.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Hoffman and Garcia is another good group of two stellar drivers and shot makers.

 

[jleves]

Hoffman and Garcia is another good group of two stellar drivers and shot makers.

I think Spieth and Michelson could be really fun to watch. Kind of the old guard and the new guard and both have great short games. The greens are going to get hard and fast tomorrow. Putting will dominate.

 

[Danzz]

Believe it or not but ironically Rory is not a good wind player.

He said once a few years ago that he didn't particularly like playing in the wind and that got interpreted as Rory not being a good wind player. He plays as well as anybody in the wind.

 

[Danzz]

I don't disagree that his "comeback" could've been handled better. But I don't think cockiness had anything to do with it. You even said yourself he has no confidence. So I'm not sure how you can be cocky, but not confident.

He didn't return at a big tournament like you said. Rather, he came back to a small tournament in the Bahamas that had a field of 18 guys. Then he waited 6 weeks and returned to Torrey Pines, the course he grew up on and one of his most familiar courses. So he didn't just jump right back into a major.

The timing of it probably had a lot to do with his new endorsements. I think there is some truth to what Pat Perez was saying. Doesn't even have to be sinister in any way. But all these new brands were sponsoring Tiger and they wanted to get a return on their investment and create a lot of hype around his return, so they ran all these ads and commercials featuring him to coincide with the start of the season and the purchasing season for new equipment. Makes perfect sense.

If anything Tiger has no cockiness at all and looks like a shell of his former self, both mentally and obviously physically. He has no swagger anymore. Guy can barely walk.

It really sucks coming from a monster Tiger fan. He gave me a glimmer of hope during the Bahamas that he had a chance to return. His swing looked great and really smooth down there. Best I'd seen it in years. In that tournament he looked rusty rather than he lost it.

At Torrey he looked like the Tiger that we've sadly come to know. The one that doesn't have it anymore and can barely even swing a club. Kills me to say it, but hes definitely finished. Way too many injuries.

Tiger was a great player in his prime but I'd still take Jack on the 18th tee needing a birdie to win. Similar players in that they overpowered the course and neither of them are the nicer players on the tour.
I've always thought that Tiger made too many swing changes. He still has enough left to win a tournament if he stays healthy but it won't be a major. He was fun to watch in his prime.

 

[mauconnfan]

Tiger was a great player in his prime but I'd still take Jack on the 18th tee needing a birdie to win. Similar players in that they overpowered the course and neither of them are the nicer players on the tour.
I've always thought that Tiger made too many swing changes. He still has enough left to win a tournament if he stays healthy but it won't be a major. He was fun to watch in his prime.

Tiger in his prime prior to swing changes on the 18th all day long. Respect Jack and man at 46 he proved he could still do it, but Tiger did some amazing things when required time and time again. Can't lose choosing either one that's for sure.

 

[JSM1970]

The last 2 pairings are phenomenal. You'll rarely get everyone.

Basically having 4 of the top 10 out of 4 spots is something.

 

[jleves]

Should be an exciting final round for sure. Perfect conditions with the greens getting harder. Not hitting the correct part of the greens will be amplified as well putting. Hard to bet against Rose at this point. He's won a major before and doesn't have that hanging on his shoulders. Spieth in a great position considering where he came from - 10 shots back after day 1 with 40 players better, 4 shots back after day 2 with 9 players better, 2 shots back going into the final round with 3 players better. I think he'll need a 66 to win/tie but if gets off early and puts some pressure on the leaders, maybe a 67/68 will do. I was surprised Garcia bounced back. It looked like he lost all confidence in his putter midway through the round but the lucky break not going into the creek seemed to propel him.

I think it comes down to Rose and Spieth in the final couple holes and it's hard to count out Spieth in a grind.

 

[jleves]

Tiger in his prime prior to swing changes on the 18th all day long. Respect Jack and man at 46 he proved he could still do it, but Tiger did some amazing things when required time and time again. Can't lose choosing either one that's for sure.

Kind of hard to believe he hasn't won a major since 2008. 8 full years without a major. He got to within spitting distance of Jack and then fell off the map.

For the record, when you're the best golfer in the world and winning one or two majors a year, why do you change your swing? Was it too much torque and he had to try to adapt to play longer?

 

[uconnfan68]

Tiger was a great player in his prime but I'd still take Jack on the 18th tee needing a birdie to win. Similar players in that they overpowered the course and neither of them are the nicer players on the tour.
I've always thought that Tiger made too many swing changes. He still has enough left to win a tournament if he stays healthy but it won't be a major. He was fun to watch in his prime.

Was not a Jack fan for a long time, shame on me. He is the GOAT, and possibly one of the classiest people too.

 

[uconnfan68]

Kind of hard to believe he hasn't won a major since 2008. 8 full years without a major. He got to within spitting distance of Jack and then fell off the map.

For the record, when you're the best golfer in the world and winning one or two majors a year, why do you change your swing? Was it too much torque and he had to try to adapt to play longer?

I think that's pretty close. I think he could have done fine without being the longest hitter. Look how many times he didn't even hit driver in certain tournaments. Can't call him a headcase because he proved he could manage with less, so I have no idea why he isn't playing. Has to be confidence at this point.

 

[mauconnfan]

Was not a Jack fan for a long time, shame on me. He is the GOAT, and possibly one of the classiest people too.

Was never a Jack fan until he got older. But if you didn't have a couple tears during the opening ceremony watching him and Gary Player hold it together as they spoke of Arnie you aren't human. And then as Jack tee'd off and looked to the sky and tipped his cap in a gesture to his lost buddy, every touching.

 

[donyell34]

I started liking and pulling for Sergio a few years back. Would like to see him win a major, maybe today.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Any hack sportswriter can write the storyline this morning for any if the players in contention.

They're pretty much a likeable group of players.

The only player I can think of that's easy to dislike is Jason Day.

That is sponsored by Concur and Concur is pure evil. Screw him.

 

[JSM1970]

He is still a way below average putter. Dude would have 3-5+ majors if he was even average.

Today's last 2 pairings are as good as you can ask for.

I'll say Rose.

I think Sergio has morphed in to the loveable old guy looking for that career defining win.

Couple of things have helped him.

He made it through the yips and his constant backing off shots.

He has accepted he won't ever be Tiger.

He's been very good for the Ryder Cup.

And he's been playing some consistent good golf on the big stages.

I wouldn't mind at all if he won.

 

[Danzz]

Was never a Jack fan until he got older. But if you didn't have a couple tears during the opening ceremony watching him and Gary Player hold it together as they spoke of Arnie you aren't human. And then as Jack tee'd off and looked to the sky and tipped his cap in a gesture to his lost buddy, every touching.

I was always a Player fan because he picked me up hitchhiking on Blue Hills Ave on the way to a ball game. He even signed my glove. What a nice guy and a gentleman. He was wearing pants that had 1 white leg and 1 black leg which I thought was pretty cool at the time.
Jack was an arrogant and jealous ass and he always had a problem with Arnold's popularity.

 

[Goat]

I was always a Player fan because he picked me up hitchhiking on Blue Hills Ave on the way to a ball game. He even signed my glove. What a nice guy and a gentleman. He was wearing pants that had 1 white leg and 1 black leg which I thought was pretty cool at the time.
Jack was an arrogant and jealous ass and he always had a problem with Arnold's popularity.

As a young player, Jack was quickly the best player. But, he wasn't attractive and followed one of the most charismatic athletes ever. He remedied that and was able to display class when Watson crept up to him. Faldo'o charm was invisible during his playing career. Maybe your age compared to Jack's impacts how you see it. That happened to me, I thought John McEnroe was cool and that Woods was a punk. Of course, my age is closer to McEnroe's.

 

[storrsroars]

I've paid zero attention to this until checking the leaderboard this morning to see if it was worth watching. Turns out it will be, so I have an excuse to not do yard work.

 

[Danzz]

As a young player, Jack was quickly the best player. But, he wasn't attractive and followed one of the most charismatic athletes ever. He remedied that and was able to display class when Watson crept up to him. Faldo'o charm was invisible during his playing career. Maybe your age compared to Jack's impacts how you see it. That happened to me, I thought John McEnroe was cool and that Woods was a punk. Of course, my age is closer to McEnroe's.

Followed Jack at the old ICO (probably the last time he and Arnold played there). He was a pudgy stone faced player who chain smoked Tarryton cigarettes. Arnold was just the opposite: a personable player who always acknowledged his army and went for everything. True, Jack was probably the best player in the world but Arnie still had the popularity. Jack's jealously of Arnie didn't disappear as years went by as Jack would criticize Arnie's course designs long after both had ceased to be competitive.
I never thought Jack or Tiger were cool. BTW, I believe Jack was somewhat longer than Tiger. He could get it out there 330 if he wanted to with his MT Tourney steel shaft wood head driver when the average drive was probably under 260.

 

[JSM1970]

I don't understand why Faldo doesn't play it every year and the Open Championship

He could skip his CBS gig for a week

I don't blame him for not playing that garbage Sr Tour

As a young player, Jack was quickly the best player. But, he wasn't attractive and followed one of the most charismatic athletes ever. He remedied that and was able to display class when Watson crept up to him. Faldo'o charm was invisible during his playing career. Maybe your age compared to Jack's impacts how you see it. That happened to me, I thought John McEnroe was cool and that Woods was a punk. Of course, my age is closer to McEnroe's.

 

[storrsroars]

For being 57 and with the number of back issues he's had, Couples' swing looks beautiful - still a full range of motion and fluid follow through.

 

[Danzz]

For being 57 and with the number of back issues he's had, Couples' swing looks beautiful - still a full range of motion and fluid follow through.

Smooth as ever.

 

[uconnfan68]

Followed Jack at the old ICO (probably the last time he and Arnold played there). He was a pudgy stone faced player who chain smoked Tarryton cigarettes. Arnold was just the opposite: a personable player who always acknowledged his army and went for everything. True, Jack was probably the best player in the world but Arnie still had the popularity. Jack's jealously of Arnie didn't disappear as years went by as Jack would criticize Arnie's course designs long after both had ceased to be competitive.
I never thought Jack or Tiger were cool. BTW, I believe Jack was somewhat longer than Tiger. He could get it out there 330 if he wanted to with his MT Tourney steel shaft wood head driver when the average drive was probably under 260.

According to what I've heard and read, Jack and Arnie were close friends, that used to play bridge with their wifes while on tour. Criticizing course design is like criticizing art. No one sees it the same.
Became a fan if Jack mid 70s when I saw him at a tournament in Memphis. Was in the tree line near where his ball ended up, and he was a perfect gentleman, with a couple of jokes with the fans, before hitting a 4-iron about 230, through a 2' opening about 20 yds in front of him. Didn't even see that shot myself. I would have punched out sideways.

 

[HuskyHawk]

My two picks to win, Rose and Fowler, looking pretty good. I didn't see Sergio doing this, but he certainly has it in him to finally get the major monkey off his back. Should be an exciting finish.