The Masters 2020

Watching Westwood slice a drive in to the trees makes me feel a lot better about my golf ability :lol:
 
DeChambeau is a massive danger. He’s played very poor most of the day and is -2. If he gets it going at all, he’ll be in the mix.
 
DeChambeau is a massive danger. He’s played very poor most of the day and is -2. If he gets it going at all, he’ll be in the mix.

Yeah it's ridiculous how poorly has played but is still -2, if he turns it on any day this week he could go very low
 
To be fair, and I don't like him, he's far more than that.

He's technically brilliant, has turned into one of the best putters on tour and his course management/ strategy can be excellent. He won the US Open, because he took on the course in a way no one else dared, not because he hit it further. I think he was outside the top 5 in driving distance that week.

Thats a little bit of a mixed message.

I really enjoy how he plays golf.

But he hits long when others don’t as he puts so much faith in his short game and putting. He may not have been top distance in driving, but there were plenty of times that he took an extra club, bit longer and gave up a guaranteed good ball position, for a worse lie and a shorter approach.

It’s exciting. Boring when he’s fully on it. But I love the often inserted semi-recklessness.
 
Thats a little bit of a mixed message.

I really enjoy how he plays golf.

But he hits long when others don’t as he puts so much faith in his short game and putting. He may not have been top distance in driving, but there were plenty of times that he took an extra club, bit longer and gave up a guaranteed good ball position, for a worse lie and a shorter approach.

It’s exciting. Boring when he’s fully on it. But I love the often inserted semi-recklessness.

Absolutely. But you still have to hit it close, from shite lies and make putts. His biggest improvement in the last year has been his putting. That's my point. Yes, he can hit it miles, but he's got so much more to his game. Even with the decisions to give up good ball position, he's still picking a target and his 'miss' is on a certain side of the green. That's what I meant about his course management. He's analytical about where he's hitting these drives. He's not just standing up and smacking them hit and hope style.

That's not to say he doesn't have some bad ones. He hit some poor drives today, but he's more than a bomb and gouge golfer.
 
Absolutely. But you still have to hit it close, from shite lies and make putts. His biggest improvement in the last year has been his putting. That's my point. Yes, he can hit it miles, but he's got so much more to his game. Even with the decisions to give up good ball position, he's still picking a target and his 'miss' is on a certain side of the green. That's what I meant about his course management. He's analytical about where he's hitting these drives. He's not just standing up and smacking them hit and hope style.

That's not to say he doesn't have some bad ones. He hit some poor drives today, but he's more than a bomb and gouge golfer.

I agree with everything but today felt a lot like he was just trying to smash everything, or at least on the early holes, hence the mistakes and poor scoring.

If he gets his game in tow on any day this weekend, I think he’ll tear this course apart.
 
Absolutely. But you still have to hit it close, from shite lies and make putts. His biggest improvement in the last year has been his putting. That's my point. Yes, he can hit it miles, but he's got so much more to his game. Even with the decisions to give up good ball position, he's still picking a target and his 'miss' is on a certain side of the green. That's what I meant about his course management. He's analytical about where he's hitting these drives. He's not just standing up and smacking them hit and hope style.

That's not to say he doesn't have some bad ones. He hit some poor drives today, but he's more than a bomb and gouge golfer.

We’re agreeing with each other mate.

My only point was while he may not feature in top five by distance, he does hit longer more often.

I love him. He’s great to watch. I like watching players take things on differently. He’s get it wrong quite a bit but his recovery play is exciting.

Golf is terrible to watch most of the time. He makes it better.
 
We’re agreeing with each other mate.

My only point was while he may not feature in top five by distance, he does hit longer more often.

I love him. He’s great to watch. I like watching players take things on differently. He’s get it wrong quite a bit but his recovery play is exciting.

Golf is terrible to watch most of the time. He makes it better.

Was he not in the top 5 though because his drives weren’t on the fairway? I don’t think the distances count if they aren’t in the fairway but I could be very wrong about that.

I’m also sure he said during the tournament that how he won was in his plans and he believed that even if he wasn’t on the shorter grass, if he was 30/40/50 yards closer to the green, he’d have an easier shot in and its easier to get closer with a shorter iron.
 
Was he not in the top 5 though because his drives weren’t on the fairway? I don’t think the distances count if they aren’t in the fairway but I could be very wrong about that.

I’m also sure he said during the tournament that how he won was in his plans and he believed that even if he wasn’t on the shorter grass, if he was 30/40/50 yards closer to the green, he’d have an easier shot in and its easier to get closer with a shorter iron.
Longer grass means nothing to him, he just cuts through the rough with ease. I seen a clip of one of his shots in the past and he goes into the tiniest of details re the shot but doesn’t even mention the lie, unless I missed it
 
Was he not in the top 5 though because his drives weren’t on the fairway? I don’t think the distances count if they aren’t in the fairway but I could be very wrong about that.

I’m also sure he said during the tournament that how he won was in his plans and he believed that even if he wasn’t on the shorter grass, if he was 30/40/50 yards closer to the green, he’d have an easier shot in and its easier to get closer with a shorter iron.

Distance off the tee stats definitely count balls that don’t end up in the fairway. He wasn’t in the top 5 in distance because he’s very strategic. He didn’t smash it 350 on every hole. Only if there was an advantage to smashing it 350.

He’s leading the tour in driving distance this season alright. 2021, since the Fed ex. But heaveraging 15 yards further than DJ. 20 further than Rory. Those guys can match his numbers easily. The problem is, keeping the ball on the planet when you swing it that hard. And I think Bryson doesn’t get enough credit for that.

A lot of the talk is about his distance and how he’s overpowering golf courses. But DJ, Rory, Brooks and Finau, Cameron champ etc all have that power and club head speed too. It’s controlling it that’s the issue. So while Bryson has some wild ones, I dunno if he gets the credit he deserves.

Anyway, he could have a few wild ones tomorrow and miss the cut :lol: but he definitely has a chance of going low too.
 
I think Tiger found the method to winnning here last year at his age. Hole the shots you should, be conservative on high risk shots and just be there on Sunday. He may not be relevant at other courses, but this place means the same to him as wimbledon does to Federer
 
Got back from work late last night and watched the first round. I’m delighted and astonished at how well TW hit the ball, given how poor he’s looked for the last year+. Total control of every full shot in the bag. One hooked drive at 14 and a poor second shot to the par 5 2nd but otherwise immaculate. Swing looked butter, especially liked the little knock down iron at the par 3 6th.

Only concern is the putting. Basically holed nothing of note outside of the 15 footer on 1 and missed a load of makeable ones from 10-15 feet. Testament to how well he struck it that he had this many chances, and could well have shot circa -8 with the quality of his driving and iron play.

However, pace was very good on the lag putts, and no short misses which has been his kryptonite since 2018. Plus the stroke looked good, pace was just a little off on the makeable ones in contrast to the excellent speed from long-range. Left a couple just short that were right on line on his first 9 (back 9), then hit a few just through the break on his final 9.

Also find it incredible that his 2 best starts (and only sub 70 first rounds) at The Masters have come in 2010 and today, given circumstances and lack of play prior to the former and his form coming into today. Golf is a funny game.

If he can keep hitting the ball like he did today and the putters heats up then he’ll be in the mix on Sunday.
 
Got back from work late last night and watched the first round. I’m delighted and astonished at how well TW hit the ball, given how poor he’s looked for the last year+. Total control of every full shot in the bag. One hooked drive at 14 and a poor second shot to the par 5 2nd but otherwise immaculate. Swing looked butter, especially liked the little knock down iron at the par 3 6th.

Only concern is the putting. Basically holed nothing of note outside of the 15 footer on 1 and missed a load of makeable ones from 10-15 feet. Testament to how well he struck it that he had this many chances, and could well have shot circa -8 with the quality of his driving and iron play.

However, pace was very good on the lag putts, and no short misses which has been his kryptonite since 2018. Plus the stroke looked good, pace was just a little off on the makeable ones in contrast to the excellent speed from long-range. Left a couple just short that were right on line on his first 9 (back 9), then hit a few just through the break on his final 9.

Also find it incredible that his 2 best starts (and only sub 70 first rounds) at The Masters have come in 2010 and today, given circumstances and lack of play prior to the former and his form coming into today. Golf is a funny game.

If he can keep hitting the ball like he did today and the putters heats up then he’ll be in the mix on Sunday.
He actually shot 40 on his opening round front nine in 1997, many people don’t realize that.

He followed it up with a 30 on the back nine, then he was off to the races.
 
He actually shot 40 on his opening round front nine in 1997, many people don’t realize that.

He followed it up with a 30 on the back nine, then he was off to the races.

Yep, 40 on the front nine and still ended up winning by 12! Hard to believe he won the US Open 3 years later by an even bigger margin. Easily my fav sportsperson of all time, though admittedly there is a fair back of smoke about PED usage during some of his prime years (really hope it isn’t true).
 
Yep, 40 on the front nine and still ended up winning by 12! Hard to believe he won the US Open 3 years later by an even bigger margin. Easily my fav sportsperson of all time, though admittedly there is a fair back of smoke about PED usage during some of his prime years (really hope it isn’t true).
It’s probably more true than not, maybe not to the extent that some have alleged, but it’s probably a tad Pollyanna-ish to think he never used PEDs. His ultimate collapse of his body in the late 2000s trends towards their usage.

If he had only kept with Butch & his early swing; embraced Haney & his philosophy, or used this current swing (my choice out of the three), we would be calling Tiger the clear GOAT. As it stands right now, there’s really no daylight between Nicklaus & Woods. It’s fair to call Nicklaus the old school GOAT & Tiger the modern GOAT. If Tiger hasn’t have tinkered so much, he could have over 25 majors right now & the argument would be moot.
 
Does Tiger have any chance in any non Masters majors these days?

Wondering if he still has an outside shot at Jack's record. If he wins this week he's two back.
 
My friend's brother - Christiaan Bezuidenhout - is playing in his first Masters. Really hoping he makes the cut.
 
Does Tiger have any chance in any non Masters majors these days?

Wondering if he still has an outside shot at Jack's record. If he wins this week he's two back.
Very little, courses used in the US Open & PGA don’t suit his game as well as Augusta. The Open would be an easier major for him than those two, but who knows when we will see that again?
 
Was he not in the top 5 though because his drives weren’t on the fairway? I don’t think the distances count if they aren’t in the fairway but I could be very wrong about that.

I’m also sure he said during the tournament that how he won was in his plans and he believed that even if he wasn’t on the shorter grass, if he was 30/40/50 yards closer to the green, he’d have an easier shot in and its easier to get closer with a shorter iron.

I think you’re possibly right there. Any tee shot is calculated in yardage but I can imagine there’s probably a graphic that only tallies fairway distances.

I just really like the principle of “I’ll play an approach shot from anywhere”.
 
I think you’re possibly right there. Any tee shot is calculated in yardage but I can imagine there’s probably a graphic that only tallies fairway distances.

I just really like the principle of “I’ll play an approach shot from anywhere”.

No. Average Driving Distance for the tour doesn't take hitting fairways into account.
 
Rory's having a shocker this morning, just shanked one into the drink

Langar and Phil rolliing back the years
 
Rory finishing 1 under, but surely way too far back to have a chance of threatening.
The DJ wobble is back.
 
No. Average Driving Distance for the tour doesn't take hitting fairways into account.
Didn’t realize the fairway hitting component is no more. A few decades ago, it was determined from only a handful of holes & hitting the fairway was required, sometimes just one hole per nine.
 
The official website for the tournament is absolutely magnificent and should be something other sports should learn from
 
The official website for the tournament is absolutely magnificent and should be something other sports should learn from
It is quality. The ‘Featured Groups’ commentary trio is quite good, more subdued, even Michelle Wie isn’t bad.
 
The official website for the tournament is absolutely magnificent and should be something other sports should learn from

I don't like it :lol: seems very dated, suits the masters I suppose.

Edit: sorry, it's not that bad actually, but the app can suck a testicle, half the stuff you click just doesn't do anything on the app but on the site it's fine.
 
Didn’t realize the fairway hitting component is no more. A few decades ago, it was determined from only a handful of holes & hitting the fairway was required, sometimes just one hole per nine.

Yeah. It’s actually only averaged over 2 holes per competition now. They pick 2 holes, facing opposite directions to allow for wind, and that players are likely to hit driver and calculate your average drives over the week on those 2 holes.