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PGA Tour: Is Spring Break Over?

PGA Tour
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The leading lights of the PGA Tour have recharged their collective batteries and are back out in force in Charlotte this weekend. Whilst not as strong a field as last year when 28 of the top 31 in the world rankings competed, there is still a strong turnout for the Wachovia Championship.

A true championship course, Quail Hollow C.C., hosts this event which, in its 5-year history, has already been won by four Major Champions (Toms, Singh, Furyk, Woods). Runners up have included Furyk, Garcia, Immelman, Singh and Stricker, so a strong leaderboard can once again be expected.

Until the last couple of years, the PGA Tour calendar seemed to have defined seasons, the West Coast "swing" followed by the Florida swing culminating in the much-anticipated TPC, and the conclusion of the Tour's "winter".

The Masters warm-up heralded spring, exhibited in all its glory at Augusta, and was followed by a couple of laid-back weeks in the Carolinas, New Orleans, Houston, and the Metroplex's Texas two-step. Memorial in late May signalled the start of US Open preparation.

Now "Wachovia" is followed by the Tour's flagship event, the TPC, which has been rescheduled primarily in the interests of higher TV ratings (and to put a spanner in George O'Grady's works?). But will this work? Does the TPC retain its former identity? Early days yet, but it does seem as if it lacks quite the focus it used to enjoy.

Certainly the pros are having trouble sussing out their schedules to allow optimum preparation for tournaments important to them and, instead of 28 of the top 31, this year's "Wachovia" only has 20, the International contingent especially being weaker than in 2007.

We are also more than halfway through the FedEx qualifying season and it is worth noting that some prominent players are well down the rankings. The top 144 will qualify for the "Play Offs" but those currently outside the top 100 include Messrs Rose, Westwood, Garcia, Clark, Lehman, Poulter, Love and Toms. (Potentially good news for Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup preparation but not for the likes of Poulter and Rose who might have set up their playing schedule assuming they'd be eligible for at least a couple of "Play Off" events.)

Europeans have made little impact on Tour this year, Chopra's Hawaiian win being their only title and Chopra, Donald and Harrington are the only Europeans in the top 50 official money winners. Donald, Garcia and Parnevik were all well placed before Sunday's fourth round in Dallas, then promptly went a combined 15 (fifteen!) over par for their first five holes. How they would have loved Wales's Richard Johnson's round, only a closing bogey away from a tournament best 64.


Meanwhile, it was terrific to watch Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam finish third in the Champions Tour "Legends" team event; fantastic camaraderie and both getting welcoming hugs from the likes of Nick Price. $108,000 apiece in their bank accounts and hopefully some confidence for the rest of the year.

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comment by Blisteringblue (U1061680)

posted May 2, 2008

Rose is having a mare of a season. If he carries on like this he's going to have the fastest rise and fall in the world rankings ever. He was a virtual shoe-in for the Ryder Cup but even that could be in doubt now.

A big test of character today, he is going to have to go -4 to make the cut. Is he up to it?

Personally I would say he's not and I'm a big fan. He needs to open with a par today !! Last few rounds including his 1st at the masters he has opened with a dropped shot or even a double like yesterday and his head is then down and its a struggle !! yikes

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 3, 2008

Excuse me for being underwhelmed by the British / European efforts so far in Charlotte. Only Ian Poulter scrapes into the top 40, Casey, Donald, Rose hitch-hiking to Sawgrass as we write.

While Paul Azinger is quaking in his boots, the Europeans need to figure out how they're going to make ends meet if they carry on like this. Luke Donald scrambled his way back from oblivion only to bogey three of his last four holes . . . . . .

Good to see the so-called "journeyman" Brits take things a bit more seriously with Davis, Johnson and Ferrie around for the weekend.

Fortunately, I'm predicting a 60-something from Sergio to liven up Europe's Saturday.

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comment by GJ The Aussie Stud AUSTRALIA 2009 ASHES WINNERS (U10814819)

posted May 4, 2008

i think kim will choke and scotty will win in a play off cool

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 4, 2008

Kim was dominant on Saturday, GJ.

But it should be a day of low scoring, Sergio please take note, with very little wind, especially early on.

All contestants in goldwolf's wonderful Fantasy League should note that anyone finishing below the top 70 and ties after the third round takes Sunday off. Including Richard Johnson and Kenneth Ferrie.

*Stewart Cink was plus five after twelve holes on Thursday.

**Brian Davis leading European, followed by Jesper and Ian Poulter. Pathetic tournament so far for the other Europeans.

***Greg Owen in second place after three rounds of the Nationwide tournament.

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comment by GJ The Aussie Stud AUSTRALIA 2009 ASHES WINNERS (U10814819)

posted May 4, 2008

kwin

kim has never won on tour and i think nerves will hit him today and if scotty can shoot 66 or better he can win this

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 4, 2008

Anthony Kim is the real thing, so don't get too excited.

But Scotty neds to go lower than 66 to stand a chance. If Kim backs up, there's others in better position that Scott also has to overtake.

Now, if Scott or Phil or Veej can post a 63 or 64, then game on.

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comment by dazzlingdublinblue (U8221553)

posted May 5, 2008


Europeans have made little impact on Tour this year, Chopra's Hawaiian win being their only title and Chopra, Donald and Harrington are the only Europeans in the top 50 official money winners.
..
Take this in context.

Harrington has probably played more in Europe this year than on the US circuit.

He also finished fifth in the Masters and will be looking for another top ten place this week.

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 5, 2008

And your point is . . . . ?

Harrington has being playing superbly, (but not at all in Europe), as I acknowledge. It's the rest of them (Luke Donald excluded) that give me pause. Even Chopra's done next to nothing since his moment in the Hawaiian sun.

This will be a crucial weekend at the TPC for a lot of our favourite Euros, a boatload of World Ranking points to be earned.

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comment by GJ The Aussie Stud AUSTRALIA 2009 ASHES WINNERS (U10814819)

posted May 5, 2008

kwin

scotty up to number 3 in the world rankings ok

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comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted May 5, 2008

GJ: As much through other players' ineptitude, though. And remember, Scotty was only a fourteen foot par putt from missing the cut.

That group from 3 (Scott) to 11 (Harrington, who has some good events for him coming up) could reshuffle every tournament, Rose the most likely to drop out of it unless he gets his act together or gets fit, whatever his problem may be.

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