2010 PGA Championship - August 12-15

[malcolmk14]

The PGA Championship starts tomorrow. Phil Mickelson can officially pass Tiger Woods in the World Golf Ranking with the right results.

My picks for the top-5 are Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, and Justin Rose.

Notable tee times are: (Thursday - Friday times, Mountain Time)

Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, YE Yang (7:20 AM - 12:35 PM)
Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen (12:35 PM - 7:20 AM)
Steve Stricker, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott (12:15 PM - 7:00 AM)


Unfortunately Lee Westwood is injured, so he won't have a chance to overtake Tiger in the rankings.

[GirlySports]

Do golf rankings really matter? Unlike tennis where seeding affects the draw.

[moon]

Do golf rankings really matter? Unlike tennis where seeding affects the draw.

I think the only thing that matters for tee times in this tournament is that the 3 major winners from earlier in the year play the first two rounds together.

Edit: Totally read that wrong for some reason.

Golf rankings matter for some tournaments I think in terms of qualifying automatically.

[GirlySports]

Golf rankings matter for some tournaments I think in terms of qualifying automatically.


I believe that's the money list for PGA events.

For WGC events then maybe the lower World rankings matter.

[malcolmk14]

I believe that's the money list for PGA events.

For WGC events then maybe the lower World rankings matter.

They matter to an extent in some tournaments. I know for the Masters, you get an automatic invite if you're in the top-50. That's why you have lots of guys in the 40-80 range playing lots of tournaments before the Masters, to try and win their way into the top-50.

For the most part though, they're just a statistical way of seeing who the best golfers are at a given point in time.

Tiger falling out of #1 this week would be the end to his record 270 consecutive weeks atop the rankings (which broke his own record of 264).

If Phil does indeed pass Tiger, it would be on the same day that Tiger started his first five-year reign (August 15, 1999).

[Mayer]

Also interesting that Stricker can also jump to #1 in the world. I can't remember the exact scenario but it's not out of the realm of possibility at all. I think it was if Stricker wins and Mickelson is out of the top 3 and Woods out of the top 24 or something.

I'd rather Stricker take it from Tiger than Hefty.

[Jesse834]

Also interesting that Stricker can also jump to #1 in the world. I can't remember the exact scenario but it's not out of the realm of possibility at all. I think it was if Stricker wins and Mickelson is out of the top 3 and Woods out of the top 24 or something.

I'd rather Stricker take it from Tiger than Hefty.

Right on how Stricker has to become #1 in the world. http://www.pgatour.com/2010/r/08/10/world-ranking.ap/index.html

[Flabbibulin]

I don't think Phil and Tiger will contend this week. Whistling Straits is all about the tee shot, and neither are hitting it well off the tee right now. The fairways are deadly skinny, and the rough/bunkers look brutal.

Im betting on a first time major/European winner. If the wind picks up, the likes of Justin Rose and Mcilroy will feel right at home on the links style.

My pick is Mcilroy, dark horse is Overton.

Either Lefty or Tiger will miss the cut.

[Jesse834]

Gotta go with kids in this one so my pick is Rory McIlroy.

Dark Horse pick is Rickie Fowler.

[GirlySports]

I took a couple of experienced guys.

Zach Johnson and Angel Cabrera

Both 110-1!

[Flabbibulin]

Fowler would be interesting

I would love to see one of the olders guys, that have never won a major, take it- Perry, Stricker, or Goydos.

[edn88]

Fog delay - which is kinda funny for the US in August.

[Mayer]

This works perfectly! Now Tiger's round will fall right in the tv coverage.

[Flabbibulin]

Tiger looks on. 2 under through 2.

[Mayer]

That's the start he needed. I hope he keeps it up.

[Flabbibulin]

Good commentator- "thats a guaranteed 4 for any golfer in the world, I dont care who you are"... Followed by Tiger making a 3.

[Mayer]

Good commentator- "thats a guaranteed 4 for any golfer in the world, I dont care who you are"... Followed by Tiger making a 3.

That was a pretty impressive up and down.

[GirlySports]

Good commentator- "thats a guaranteed 4 for any golfer in the world, I dont care who you are"... Followed by Tiger making a 3.

That made no sense. "That's a guaranteed 4 for anyone unless they can make a 15 footer."

Doesn't he think PGA Tour pros can make 15 footers?

[Flabbibulin]

That was a pretty impressive up and down.

Crazy as it sounds, that might have been his best shot of the year so far.

[Flabbibulin]

Wow. Im a little surprised. Hope he keeps it up.

[gonzo29]

It's just really fun to watch Tiger make some birdies again. Hopefully he can keep this going, but it's going to be tough if the wind kicks up.

[questionmotives]

The commentators on the TSN stream would drink Tiger's bathwater if given the chance. It's quite entertaining.

I had the opportunity to follow Tiger at the Open Championship last month and I would definitely say I am not a huge fan of the guy, but golf is certainly not the same when he is playing average, middle of the pack golf. I either want him to explode and sulk (like last week) or play well enough to contend on Sunday (which he'll hopefully do this weekend).

[GirlySports]

The commentators on the TSN stream would drink Tiger's bathwater if given the chance. It's quite entertaining.



Heh.. but they're only following his group so that is understandable.
The regular tv coverage that I saw a bit over lunch seemed fairly balanced.

[questionmotives]

A little late, but here's a picture for CP.

note : It's very small, as I can't figure out how to attach the full picture saved in my photo's file. Any suggestions?

http://co124w.col124.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=112061b1-a644-11df-aec6-00215ad8013e&Aux=2154%7C0%7C8CD0867F8EC5700%7C%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C7% 7C5&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att

[Frank MetaMusil]

Surprised to see Howler at the top of the board (-4) with Jason Day.

[Fobulous]

Ugly bogey there to drop back to -1.

Hope Tiger pulls out the win and gets his golf game back on track.

[moon]

Come on Tiger!

Keep the bogey's coming.

[Flabbibulin]

Oh my... Did anyone just see Sergio's tantrum?! I have never seen that.

[Mayer]

Oh my... Did anyone just see Sergio's tantrum?! I have never seen that.

Did it happen just as you posted this? I missed it but want to know how far to go back.

[questionmotives]

I missed Sergio's tantrum, but the commentator's analysis of Tiger's swing was pretty funny.

"You can't let go of the club unless you open your hands at this point in the swing"

[questionmotives]

I think it's safe to say that Garcia will be taking a break, if not quitting the pro game altogether after this season. Hopefully the guy figures it out.

[Flabbibulin]

Did it happen just as you posted this? I missed it but want to know how far to go back.

Im watching the online coverage on tsn.ca, not tv coverage. They showed it about 10 minutes ago. Im sure it will be repeated many times over the next few days.

[Jesse834]

Im watching the online coverage on tsn.ca, not tv coverage. They showed it about 10 minutes ago. Im sure it will be repeated many times over the next few days.

You bum get back to work. ;)

[Flabbibulin]

You bum get back to work. ;)

Ha, im the only one really in the office today, so nobody knows. Good thing our web filter doesnt block it.

[Flabbibulin]

I really don't get why no one is showing the clip of Sergio's flip out? He must have smashed his club into the ground about 10 times and no one is showing it?! crazy.

[moon]

I really don't get why no one is showing the clip of Sergio's flip out? He must have smashed his club into the ground about 10 times and no one is showing it?! crazy.

They showed it today during the TNT coverage.

[Jesse834]

4 of the last Major champions have been first time winners and another is on top of the leader-board Matt Kuchar with him being at -8 followed by Bryce Molder and Simon Khan two strokes back.

[GirlySports]

4 of the last Major champions have been first time winners and another is on top of the leader-board Matt Kuchar with him being at -8 followed by Bryce Molder and Simon Khan two strokes back.

Yeah it's a real no name board. Can anyone of the established stars make a run. Ernie has fallen back. One of the Johnsons or McIllroy at -4?

[Jesse834]

Simon Khan now is one stoke back the lead with five holes left in his round.

EDIT: Nick Watney now also up there.

[Jesse834]

We have a tie atop the leader board Simon Khan and Matt Kuchar all tied at -8. Khan still has three holes left in his round.

[Flabbibulin]

Bubba just hit an easy sand wedge on a 155 yard par 3... Too bad he cries every time hes interviewed.

[Mayer]

Bubba is awesome. He's my new #2 favorite golfer. Move over, Weir!!

[HOOT]

Mike Weir sucks at golf!

That is all.

[GirlySports]

Pretty good round so far.. the leader Watney at -9 and about 20 guys within 4 shots of him :)

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah a lot of guys seem to be playing pretty well. McIlroy, Johnson, Watney, Furyk are all off to pretty good starts today. Some dude I've never seen before carded a 31 to get himself to 6 under. Could be a pretty good day with a few lead changes. Players like Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy are certainly talented enough to put up a good score.

[GirlySports]

Yeah a lot of guys seem to be playing pretty well. McIlroy, Johnson, Watney, Furyk are all off to pretty good starts today. Some dude I've never seen before carded a 31 to get himself to 6 under. Could be a pretty good day with a few lead changes. Players like Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy are certainly talented enough to put up a good score.


That dude is not -9! Two behind the lead! Talk about moving day!

[Sylvanfan]

Wenchong Liang fires a course record 64 to go from -1 to -9. Dude just missed a couple of other monster putts as well which would have let him shoot a 63 or better. I don't follow golf fanatically, but I do follow it enough to know all these other guys on the leaderboard except for Wenchong. If he shoots a 64 tomorrow he should win the tourney!

[Flabbibulin]

Tiger's driver is so unreliable right now. The rest of his game looks pretty good. He would have had a chance this week if he could just hit a fairway.

[Jesse834]

Jeff Overton broke the PGA tournament record for fastest round this morning. He finished his round in 2 hours and 9 minutes. http://forum.calgarypuck.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=94235

[Mayer]

Jeff Overton broke the PGA tournament record for fastest round this morning. He finished his round in 2 hours and 9 minutes. http://forum.calgarypuck.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=94235

It showed in his final score.

[Flabbibulin]

^^ ha, Overton was my dark horse pick. Might finish dead last.

Edit- why doesnt Tiger hit every tee with his 3 wood until he can settle down his driver?!

[Mayer]

^^ ha, Overton was my dark horse pick. Might finish dead last.

Edit- why doesnt Tiger hit every tee with his 3 wood until he can settle down his driver?!

Especially on the last hole he just teed off on (10th? shorter hole). Seems like he's taking a few chances today that he normally wouldn't if he was in any kind of contention. No real reason to pull driver on that hole.

[Jesse834]

Watney with a double bogey on the first after some poor club selection and Dustin Johnson birdies the first. They have a share of the lead after one.

[Flabbibulin]

Good job on cbs having no coverage of Mcilroy

[GirlySports]

Good job on cbs having no coverage of Mcilroy

But you're not going to miss any of Tiger's shots!!

[GirlySports]

It's going to be a wild ride now.

Kaymer -11
Furyk -10
Watney -10
bunch of guys at -9

Watney's done i think, going to shoot 80.

Come on Bubba! he's one of the guys at -9

[Jesse834]

nm

[Jesse834]

Kaymer takes a two stroke lead to go to -12 with a birdie on 10.

[questionmotives]

Go Elk!!!

[Jesse834]

Watson and Kaymer tied at -11.
Elkington -10
Zach Johnson -10
Mcilroy -10
Dustion Johnson -10

[GirlySports]

Bubba in the clubhouse at -11, will anyone join him in a playoff?

[Jesse834]

Dustin Johnson takes a one shot lead to the 18th at -12.

[GirlySports]

Dustin Johnson takes a one shot lead to the 18th at -12.

Yup two guys waiting for him now at -11, can he par the 18th?

[GirlySports]

WOAH!! McIllroy has about 15 feet for birdie on 18 to join the others at -11.

Dustin Johnson just hit his tee shot 20 rows deep into the gallery, he'll be lucky to par, maybe lucky to bogey!

[Jesse834]

Not a good tee shot for Dustin Johnson on the 18th. Lucky if he saves bogey on the 18th.

[Flabbibulin]

Best finish to a major this year

[Jesse834]

Johnson,Kaymer, and Watson are going to a playoff.

[metallicat]

What's going on here? Penalty stroke??

[Jesse834]

What's going on here? Penalty stroke??

nm

[metallicat]

Johnson had to par the 18th to win it he ended up bogey the hole.No, they are saying he may have grounded his club in that bunker.

[Flabbibulin]

Oh my. He touched the ground in the bunker.

[metallicat]

That's so hard to tell. He might have to call himself on that.

[GirlySports]

That's a bunker? Looks like just a path. That would be brutal.

[Jesse834]

That would effing suck if he grounded it.

[GirlySports]

It's actually a blessing that his missed that putt on 18. Can you imagine if he had made it, raised his arms, jumped up and down in celebration and then they assessed a 2 stroke penalty on him?

[metallicat]

And now he's sitting in the room, all stressed out rather than keeping loose for the playoff, in the event that they allow him to play.

[GirlySports]

I can't see how that's a bunker if people have been walking back and forth trampling on it.


---

Feherty's the best.

"It looks more like a manger."


----

OW, it's a 7 :(

[metallicat]

He doesn't look happy sitting there.

[Flabbibulin]

Pga officials are donkeys. He wont be playing

[Jesse834]

I don't agree with that call.

[metallicat]

Do you let people walk in greenside bunkers? No. So why are they allowed to walk in this one? BS.

[valo403]

Ridiculous. That is not a bunker.

[HOOT]

What a joke!

Even if it was a bunker the officials shouldn't have allowed people to be standing in it while he was hitting. It also should have been guarded and raked.

[metallicat]

And being that he's a pro golfer, he likely admitted to grounding him club which could have been his demise. That shot of the supposed mark after he ground the club was grainy and hard to prove.

[HotHotHeat]

Ridiculous. That is not a bunker.

Yes it is. It's an area of sand on a golf course. He's an idiot for not considering that it may be one, especially on a course like this.

[GirlySports]

yeah he can't deny that he grounded the club but probably argued that he didn't know it was a bunker.. but as a pro he has to know the course.

but the PGA letting people walk around and calling the course special and unique is a crock.

now you know why they say this course has 1000 bunkers!

[transplant99]

One of the very few things i hate about golf...that was in no way easy to identify as a bunker AND he did nothing to improve his position.

Awful call.

[metallicat]

Well that interview cleared things up. If these guys were well aware of these bunkers, then he doesn't have much of a case.

[Mike F]

Agreed -- PGA went out of its way to bring the number and variety of bunkers to the players attention, including that some would be marked by footprints and tire tracks, and it slipped his mind.

[valo403]

Yes it is. It's an area of sand on a golf course. He's an idiot for not considering that it may be one, especially on a course like this.

Thanks, that was obviously meant to be taken literally :rolleyes:

[Montana Moe]

Sounds like the PGA covered their bases pretty well with the local rules and posted signs. How much of that is on the caddy though? Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but he should have asked for a ruling.

There is nowhere on that course outside of the ropes that a crowd can walk without trampling through a bunker.

[GirlySports]

Agreed -- PGA went out of its way to bring the number and variety of bunkers to the players attention, including that some would be marked by footprints and tire tracks, and it slipped his mind.


Hard to blame him, just one of those things. On the brink of a major title, nervous as hell. The putt he missed (thank goodness he missed it) was really jittery.

[Mayer]

So is it a full 18 hole playoff tomorrow or does it happen now? I'm not at home able to watch right now.

Come on, Bubba!!

[Jesse834]

So is it a full 18 hole playoff tomorrow or does it happen now? I'm not at home able to watch right now.

Come on, Bubba!!

3 playoff hole right now.

[Montana Moe]

3 hole playoff: 10, 17, 18

[Montana Moe]

Ouch!

That left side of the fairway wasn't there in 2004, that could certainly help Watson recover.

[Flabbibulin]

Unbelievable

[Mayer]

Someone provide a little play by play for those of us who can't watch it and forgot to set the pvr, please.

[metallicat]

Both golfers tied at -1 after two playoff holes. Bubba in trouble, looks like this is Kaymer's to win.

[metallicat]

Damn! Bubba just about holed out from the bunker. That would have been amazing.

[metallicat]

And for anyone that cares, as long as I heard properly, Bubba Watson has made the Ryder Cup team, win or lose. Dustin Johnson also in.

[Jesse834]

Martin Kaymer wins the 92nd PGA championship and becomes the fifth of sixth major winners to win his first major.

[malcolmk14]

My picks for the top-5 are Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, and Justin Rose.

Well, got 2 of the top-5 right, including the winner. Not bad!!

[Jesse834]

Well, got 2 of the top-5 right, including the winner. Not bad!!

Congrats. :)

[Flabbibulin]

Even though I would have preferred Bubba or Johnson to win, I thought that was the best Sunday golf of the year. It wasnt a limp to the finish like the US Open, and the Open Championship was tamed by quiet and small galleries... Lefty winning at Augusta was ok I guess.

[edn88]

Watched part of the finish on my iphone, then watched the sand trap debacle on PVR after I got home. Feel bad for Johnson, but in golf rules are rules...

The TV announcers were all seemingly defending him, but Faherty made the point (and he was one of the biggest defenders) that during his playing days, whether he was in a waste bunker (where you can ground your club) or a proper bunker or just plain sand, he never grounded his club. I would think that a professional golfer would know better (as should his caddie) and that they would err on the side of caution - and or call in a rules official.

[GirlySports]

Even though I would have preferred Bubba or Johnson to win, I thought that was the best Sunday golf of the year. It wasnt a limp to the finish like the US Open, and the Open Championship was tamed by quiet and small galleries... Lefty winning at Augusta was ok I guess.

Yup it was a wonderful afternoon. So many guys had a chance.
Rory missed a bunch of putts, including a 12 footer on 18 so join the playoff. Elkington lipped out a bunch of putts too until he messed up on 17. Z. Johnson was around all day but didn't have enough birdie tries.

Great fun!

[HOOT]

I would think that a professional golfer would know better (as should his caddie) and that they would err on the side of caution - and or call in a rules official.

You would think in a major championship the officials would actually clear the bunker for him if it was one. There was people standing in it while he was hitting out of it. They made the NHL refs look competent.

[GirlySports]

You would think in a major championship the officials would actually clear the bunker for him if it was one. There was people standing in it while he was hitting out of it. They made the NHL refs look competent.

True but they say that's what makes a course like that 'unique'. There are a million bunkers and sand dunes everywhere!

[HOOT]

True but they say that's what makes a course like that 'unique'. There are a million bunkers and sand dunes everywhere!

And? They should still clear the bunker, if it is indeed a bunker, of the gallery. People walking in it is one thing, standing in it while you are hitting is another. It seems that the official following the group screwed up big time by allowing this.

[Frank MetaMusil]

And? They should still clear the bunker, if it is indeed a bunker, of the gallery. People walking in it is one thing, standing in it while you are hitting is another. It seems that the official following the group screwed up big time by allowing this.

For sure, I agree this was handled poorly. Johnson took it pretty well considering it cost him a lot of coin for finishing 5th as opposed to taking 2nd place money with Watson.

[HOOT]

For sure, I agree this was handled poorly. Johnson took it pretty well considering it cost him a lot of coin for finishing 5th as opposed to taking 2nd place money with Watson.

2nd Place? He could have won the whole damn thing if they didn't make that call. I understand the ruling but I still think the on course official could have done a better job. If it was truly a bunker than people shouldn't have been standing in it while he was taking his shot. If it was properly cleared it might have been more obvious it was a bunker to him and his caddy walking up to it.

[GirlySports]

Isn't the official just an observer? He can't go to Johnson and say "Be careful son, that might be a bunker!".

I heard that this used to be a 4 shot penalty and this year they reduced it to 2.

[HOOT]

Isn't the official just an observer? He can't go to Johnson and say "Be careful son, that might be a bunker!".


Huh? I'm not saying the official should have said anything to Johnson, but he should have cleared the bunker of the gallery at the very least. You don't see people standing in green side or fairway bunkers, why is this any different?

[GirlySports]

Huh? I'm not saying the official should have said anything to Johnson, but he should have cleared the bunker of the gallery at the very least. You don't see people standing in green side or fairway bunkers, why is this any different?

It's different because....They do on this course!

I do agree with you that it's pretty poor, we'll see if the PGA changes anything.

[Sylvanfan]

I'm pretty sure that grounding your club in a bunker, or water hazzard has been a two stroke penalty for as long as I can remember. That was one of the first rules my dad ever taught me was that it's two strokes if you touch the sand with your club before you attempt to make your shot.

[HOOT]

I'm pretty sure that grounding your club in a bunker, or water hazzard has been a two stroke penalty for as long as I can remember. That was one of the first rules my dad ever taught me was that it's two strokes if you touch the sand with your club before you attempt to make your shot.

It's a two stroke penalty. People are confusing this with what happened to Appleby in 2004 at the same course. He got a four shot penalty for doing the same thing, hitting it way into the gallery but on 16 (Rd 3), he thought it was just a walking area. The difference is he moved some sticks and stuff behind the ball which is an additional two stroke penalty on top of the two stroke penalty for grounding his club. He ended finishing 5 behind the leaders after 4 rounds.

[SeoulFire]

Isn't the official just an observer? He can't go to Johnson and say "Be careful son, that might be a bunker!".

I heard that this used to be a 4 shot penalty and this year they reduced it to 2.

I do believe that the on-course officials can approach players and inform them of potential penalties. He or she can go to Johnson and let him know.

[valo403]

I do believe that the on-course officials can approach players and inform them of potential penalties. He or she can go to Johnson and let him know.

According to everything that was said during the broadcast yesterday as well as the analysis today the on-course officials can only advise on the rules when requested, they cannot let the players know of a potential issue without a request.

[Clever_Iggy]

According to everything that was said during the broadcast yesterday as well as the analysis today the on-course officials can only advise on the rules when requested, they cannot let the players know of a potential issue without a request.

From reading an ESPN article, that contains an interview with the PGA rules official that was with Johnson's group, it seems like he thought Johnson knew it was a bunker and therefore didn't say anything. He said:

You don't remind a player on every hole that you can't ground your club.

The rules official goes on to say that all Johnson had to do was ask and he would have warned him that it was a bunker and that he can't ground his club. He wasn't going to go over and remind Johnson of something the rules official thought he already knew.

I take this to mean that the Rules official can advise the players of the rules, but choose not to because it would be annoying to the player if he already knew.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/golf/news/story?id=5468051

According to the interview with Mark Wilson, co-chairman of the PGA rules committee, the rules official walking with Johnson could have stepped in and said something before Johnson grounded his club.

Q. And he's not going to jump in and offer that advice unless asked?
MARK WILSON: David certainly would have jumped in, under the circumstances with the many people over there, it was hard. Obviously, for the player himself to get there, let alone for the walking official. If the walking official can prevent a breach of the rules, he certainly will, but under the circumstances it was hard enough to get the player over there and again if it's that hard to get the player over there, all the rules official is going to be doing is hovering over the player and they're really not trying to encourage that, we're not trying to tell the players that's, hey, you've been assigned a walking official because we're going to scrutinize every rule.