The Masters always deserves a thread of its own, even more so in this miserable year. Going by the pics I've seen online the course might be even more beautiful at this time of year....
Hoping as ever for Rory to complete the Grand Slam but he's throwing too many errors in at the minute so it's with no great conviction. Bryson the form horse but I can't warm to him at all. Hoping for 4 exciting days...
Best sporting event of the year
Not too many Europeans win this tournament. Willet and Garcia the last couple
Going for Brooks and Xander Schauffele
Quote from: Boycey on November 09, 2020, 09:40:12 PM
The Masters always deserves a thread of its own, even more so in this miserable year. Going by the pics I've seen online the course might be even more beautiful at this time of year....
Hoping as ever for Rory to complete the Grand Slam but he's throwing too many errors in at the minute so it's with no great conviction. Bryson the form horse but I can't warm to him at all. Hoping for 4 exciting days...
I'm not a big golf fan, but with the wide fairways and Bryson's brute strength it must be his to lose. It's a bit depressing to think some of the most skillful players in the world haven't got much chance of victory because one guy can smash the ball way further than anyone else
Quote from: dublin7 on November 09, 2020, 10:20:27 PM
Quote from: Boycey on November 09, 2020, 09:40:12 PM
The Masters always deserves a thread of its own, even more so in this miserable year. Going by the pics I've seen online the course might be even more beautiful at this time of year....
Hoping as ever for Rory to complete the Grand Slam but he's throwing too many errors in at the minute so it's with no great conviction. Bryson the form horse but I can't warm to him at all. Hoping for 4 exciting days...
I'm not a big golf fan, but with the wide fairways and Bryson's brute strength it must be his to lose. It's a bit depressing to think some of the most skillful players in the world haven't got much chance of victory because one guy can smash the ball way further than anyone else
You should have stopped there. There is too much hyperbole about his distance and a lot of it driven by himself. Plenty who can hit it just as long on the tour and when it go wrong it goes disastrously wrong.
No doubt his distance is an advantage but it's his putting which has massively improved. It's still a bit mechanical for my liking and it works for him but I reckon we'd soon see a difference if green reading books were banned.
I might not watch alot of golf, but I do watch the news and read the newspapers. He's the hardest hitting player on the tour and was on course to set a tour record a few months ago. There were articles in the paper at the weekend speculating how low he could score with his big hitting and wide fairways this week.
The bookies aren't stupid and they have him favourite for a reason.
Quote from: dublin7 on November 09, 2020, 10:54:37 PM
I might not watch alot of golf, but I do watch the news and read the newspapers. He's the hardest hitting player on the tour and was on course to set a tour record a few months ago. There were articles in the paper at the weekend speculating how low he could score with his big hitting and wide fairways this week.
The bookies aren't stupid and they have him favourite for a reason.
McIlroy's been favourite for probably the last 5 years!!
DeChambeau is rated by bookies to have about a 12% chance of winning, it's hardly conclusive.... As for the notion that it's his putting not his driving that's been the difference.. Really? He put all that bulk on to putt better.... He's driving it 20 yards beyond everyone, that's huge!
It's not just his distance - it's the accuracy of the drives to date, hitting 60% + of fairways - plenty of other big hitters on tour but not getting those accuracy figures.
Augusta will definitely suit his booming draw off the tee but I'd be leaning more towards DJ & a chance taken that Rory's time away working on his distance will reap some rewards.
Would enjoy a Brooks / Bryson pairing at some point or a DJ / Bryson pairing to see how the latter reacts when the pressure of Augusta comes on.
Quote from: Boycey on November 09, 2020, 11:08:34 PM
DeChambeau is rated by bookies to have about a 12% chance of winning, it's hardly conclusive.... As for the notion that it's his putting not his driving that's been the difference.. Really? He put all that bulk on to putt better.... He's driving it 20 yards beyond everyone, that's huge!
Yes. Look at his putting stats over the last few years, there is a massive leap. Short game too this year and arguably made a huge difference in the US Open. Tony Finau hits it just as far (or can) and has a bit more in the tank but he's a terrible putter.
DeChambeau (and lots of the pros) have that ball speed already. The bulking up may be him trying to find a way to stabilise the swing but there is plenty of evidence of him hitting it as far prior to this latest phase of his career.
On the 20 yards, they only measure the drives on 2 holes very round. It very much depends on on the player strategy on those holes etc... but in reality there has always been bigger hitters that the rest of the field on the tours. He just happens to be everything together at the moment and capitalising on that distance.
Another major and yet again Mcilroy is in the top 5 favourites having done nothing to warrant it.
He'll hopefully bottle it again as per.
Seems to be the outsiders winning the big ones recently, will likely happen again.
Quote from: Will it ever end on November 09, 2020, 11:10:19 PM
It's not just his distance - it's the accuracy of the drives to date, hitting 60% + of fairways - plenty of other big hitters on tour but not getting those accuracy figures.
Augusta will definitely suit his booming draw off the tee but I'd be leaning more towards DJ & a chance taken that Rory's time away working on his distance will reap some rewards.
Would enjoy a Brooks / Bryson pairing at some point or a DJ / Bryson pairing to see how the latter reacts when the pressure of Augusta comes on.
His accuracy year to date is approx. 52%. DJ, JT, bubba, McIlroy ect... are well ahead in the accuracy. He doesn't need to be accurate though, just needs to be in play which is the game plan.
As for McIlroy working on gaining more distance, won't make a bit of difference if he hasn't sorted out his short irons/wedges. Since the restart that's been his biggest problem.
you have to putt well so it's tiger or speith :)
hatton outsider
Quote from: thebigfella on November 10, 2020, 12:30:12 AM
Quote from: Will it ever end on November 09, 2020, 11:10:19 PM
It's not just his distance - it's the accuracy of the drives to date, hitting 60% + of fairways - plenty of other big hitters on tour but not getting those accuracy figures.
Augusta will definitely suit his booming draw off the tee but I'd be leaning more towards DJ & a chance taken that Rory's time away working on his distance will reap some rewards.
Would enjoy a Brooks / Bryson pairing at some point or a DJ / Bryson pairing to see how the latter reacts when the pressure of Augusta comes on.
His accuracy year to date is approx. 52%. DJ, JT, bubba, McIlroy ect... are well ahead in the accuracy. He doesn't need to be accurate though, just needs to be in play which is the game plan.
As for McIlroy working on gaining more distance, won't make a bit of difference if he hasn't sorted out his short irons/wedges. Since the restart that's been his biggest problem.
Not sure where you've got your stats?
PGA Tour YTD has Bryson @ 59%
DJ slightly below him & JT / Rory slightly above him.
Quote from: GiveItToTheShooters on November 10, 2020, 12:28:41 AM
Another major and yet again Mcilroy is in the top 5 favourites having done nothing to warrant it.
He'll hopefully bottle it again as per.
Seems to be the outsiders winning the big ones recently, will likely happen again.
Anyone having a punt on Rory might be better considering the 1st round leader market (where he's between 18/1 and 22/1) rather than the winner's market where he's between 11/1 and 14/1. Slightly less places in the ew market but the odds are much better and from memory in the majors where he has won he's had a very good start (and there's been a few where's he had a great start and not so good weekend).
I'm going for Bubba and Patrick Reed.
Quote from: Will it ever end on November 10, 2020, 08:23:06 AM
Quote from: thebigfella on November 10, 2020, 12:30:12 AM
Quote from: Will it ever end on November 09, 2020, 11:10:19 PM
It's not just his distance - it's the accuracy of the drives to date, hitting 60% + of fairways - plenty of other big hitters on tour but not getting those accuracy figures.
Augusta will definitely suit his booming draw off the tee but I'd be leaning more towards DJ & a chance taken that Rory's time away working on his distance will reap some rewards.
Would enjoy a Brooks / Bryson pairing at some point or a DJ / Bryson pairing to see how the latter reacts when the pressure of Augusta comes on.
His accuracy year to date is approx. 52%. DJ, JT, bubba, McIlroy ect... are well ahead in the accuracy. He doesn't need to be accurate though, just needs to be in play which is the game plan.
As for McIlroy working on gaining more distance, won't make a bit of difference if he hasn't sorted out his short irons/wedges. Since the restart that's been his biggest problem.
Not sure where you've got your stats?
PGA Tour YTD has Bryson @ 59%
DJ slightly below him & JT / Rory slightly above him.
PGA Tour YTD has Bryson @ 52% for me.
What you got to remember on the stats is 1 yard off the fairway and 90 yards of the fairway is the same. The further you hit it, the bigger the miss if you get it a few degrees off line - it's just basic geometry.
Bryson's strategy is all about making sure it is in play of the tee; even if he's in the trees 90 yards from the green and punching out side-roads, statistically from 90 yards the average no. of shots on tour is less than 2 shots (~1.92 or something) - so he's thinking worst case par. The statistics and reasoning about his strategy on each hole is all sound but he only has to get a little bit out of sequence with his swing for it to all go wrong.
As we seen at Memorial, he can easily hit a few out of bounds or potentially lose a few balls leading to big number of the card. That tournament at Vegas after the US Open was the same, one spectacular round followed by a car crash which put him out of contention. If it all goes to plan, he'll be hard to beat but golf isn't like that and I'm not sure he has a plan B at the moment.
I am a fan though even though he doesn't help himself at times with his attitude or slow play >:(
McIlroy is definitely worth an ew @ his current price he's been top 10 5 of the last 6 years so pretty good chance to get your money back and if he clicks you'll do well!
Agree when it goes wrong it goes very wrong very quickly!
Tiger is top 10 9 out of 12 of his last starts at Augusta!!
Really like those pairings...
Bryson's keeps the heat off him DJ/Rory & Brooks/JT will all be comfortable playing together ... hopefully sets up an exciting weekend with all in contention
https://twitter.com/TaylorMadeTour/status/1326233941276323843?s=19
Earlier tee times too meaning no late night excitement for us this year. Going by the tee times it'll all be wrapped up by 10PM, Irish time obviously, every night and 8PM Sunday night unless there's a play-off
That's not great. I was raging a few years back when they messed about with the times due to the weather. All wrapped up early. Just not the same
We usually give this guy's analysis a plug every year. He has ruled some high profile names out as usual..
https://www.golfwrx.com/640154/the-21-players-who-can-win-the-masters/
Quote from: An Watcher on November 11, 2020, 06:05:37 AM
That's not great. I was raging a few years back when they messed about with the times due to the weather. All wrapped up early. Just not the same
I'm sure they'll adjust the times back just to suit people on Ireland who are watching on the TV
Fair play to them, great bunch a lads
Quote from: Boycey on November 11, 2020, 09:53:06 PM
We usually give this guy's analysis a plug every year. He has ruled some high profile names out as usual..
https://www.golfwrx.com/640154/the-21-players-who-can-win-the-masters/
Thanks Boycey. He's never too far off.
Three hours play lost already today.... Rich Beem on Sky Sports saying there with the limited daylight hours it'll already take them until Sat afternoon to get back in position without anymore interruption.
Bryson's just hit a pull hook on the 11th (his 2nd today) into the trees, the guts of 150 yards where he was aiming. The provisional pulled as well, this could get interesting :D
Worse again on the 13th!!
Yep. Lucky to be only 2 over.
That provisional on 13 was terrible, too rushed but considering he's slow as fcuk it's like the pressure is showing already.
The wheels are back on unfortunately after two birdies in a row.
A lot of good scoring, ignoring the obvious I guess.....
Conditions may get a little trickier today. There was one ball this morning, from Hatton I think, that pitched well up the green yet trundled back into the water. That's the Augusta we know and love.
Good effort by McIlroy today to get back in the tournament.
Golf is a crazy game when you think about it. McIlroy started on the 10th this morning and played 9 holes poorly in 39 shots... A short 30 min break, back onto the same tee and plays the same 9 in 32 shots :o
Leaderboard getting very congested, good to see the cream starting to come to the top, sets up a brilliant weekend. Hopefully my pre tournament bets on Patrick Cantley and xander schauffele continue their good form through the weekend :)
Quote from: Boycey on November 13, 2020, 08:15:28 PM
Good effort by McIlroy today to get back in the tournament.
Golf is a crazy game when you think about it. McIlroy started on the 10th this morning and played 9 holes poorly in 39 shots... A short 30 min break, back onto the same tee and plays the same 9 in 32 shots :o
Yes indeed. I hope its not Rory's one good round.
Quote from: Orior on November 13, 2020, 08:41:16 PM
Quote from: Boycey on November 13, 2020, 08:15:28 PM
Good effort by McIlroy today to get back in the tournament.
Golf is a crazy game when you think about it. McIlroy started on the 10th this morning and played 9 holes poorly in 39 shots... A short 30 min break, back onto the same tee and plays the same 9 in 32 shots :o
Yes indeed. I hope its not Rory's one good round.
McIlroy can't cope with the pressure and you don't win the masters without a caddie ffs ::)
Rahm looking good at this stage but long way to go
Rory on a charge
There's a poor golfer hitting some decent shots in Augusta today (and yesterday)
Wish I was such a busted flush.
Quote from: JPGJOHNNYG on November 14, 2020, 06:36:39 PM
Rory on a charge
lads seriously, give it up, say what you see not what you hope, mcilroy hasn't a prayer
Did Tiger Woods not win the masters last year without a caddie?
Quote from: dublin7 on November 09, 2020, 10:54:37 PM
I might not watch alot of golf, but I do watch the news and read the newspapers. He's the hardest hitting player on the tour and was on course to set a tour record a few months ago. There were articles in the paper at the weekend speculating how low he could score with his big hitting and wide fairways this week.
The bookies aren't stupid and they have him favourite for a reason.
Golf is a fickle mistress
Quote from: Will it ever end on November 14, 2020, 09:13:45 PM
Did Tiger Woods not win the masters last year without a caddie?
No... Joe Le Cava is a veteran caddie for years.
Also McIlroy isn't struggling because of his caddie!! And it's been 4 years if he wasn't any good he wouldn't still be there!!
Won't make any difference to the outcome but a little insight there as to why Tiger was the best. Struggling with injury takes an embarrassing 10 at the par 3 12th, birdies 5 of the final 6 holes... Some operator 8)
What a performance from DJ
Quote from: Kidder81 on November 15, 2020, 08:14:28 PM
What a performance from DJ
dominant display from the world no 1, never missed a beat all week
quiet in here tonight for a major :)
Had a sneaky ew on Fritelli so very happy with that.
Otherwise it was fairly boring DJ had his wobble but others couldn't capitalise. McIlroy was too little too late if he'd had a reasonable first round he could maybe have challenged but he's not that far away.
Fair play to DJ his driving and wedge play is unreal will be interesting to see how long he can keep that form up for.
He's been doing it for 10 years Screen - with a few years sabbatical with his off course issues
What has happened to Speith?
McIlroy did his usual put himself out of contention and then a charge when no pressure on him. Hopefully he puts all 4 rounds together sometime and gets the green jacket.
Quote from: screenexile on November 16, 2020, 01:02:53 AM
Had a sneaky ew on Fritelli so very happy with that.
Otherwise it was fairly boring DJ had his wobble but others couldn't capitalise. McIlroy was too little too late if he'd had a reasonable first round he could maybe have challenged but he's not that far away.
Fair play to DJ his driving and wedge play is unreal will be interesting to see how long he can keep that form up for.
How many Majors has he won now?
Not the usual Masters Sunday excitement was it? DJ looked in control all day apart from the slight wobble early on. The chasing pack didn't seem capable of putting pressure on him which allowed him to lay up on a couple of tricky holes, knowing a par would do fine.
It was all a little flat. Partly due to DJ's great performance and partly the lack of crowd.
Why would they not have the usual Sunday pin position on the 16th that allows for hole in ones?
Quote from: lurganblue on November 16, 2020, 09:26:10 AM
Not the usual Masters Sunday excitement was it? DJ looked in control all day apart from the slight wobble early on. The chasing pack didn't seem capable of putting pressure on him which allowed him to lay up on a couple of tricky holes, knowing a par would do fine.
It was all a little flat. Partly due to DJ's great performance and partly the lack of crowd.
Why would they not have the usual Sunday pin position on the 16th that allows for hole in ones?
I think the scoring was already higher than it usually is so they set the course up a bit more difficult yesterday.