Golf Thread - June

[CanadianChris 0]

Yesterday, he fired off a "Backbackback" on someone's drive.

[Red Baron 0]

Paul Goydos just had the shot of the day, and probably the tournament.

[CanadianChris 0]

Baddeley's in the clubhouse at +2. I'd lay some pretty good money that he'll be leading the tournament at the end of today. Probably by himself, too.

[CanadianChris 0]

Paul Casey shot 66 to sit at +3. That might be the best round anyone will shoot on the entire tour this year.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

I'm surprised the announcers aren't making more of a case of Casey whipping out that 66, especially at Oakmont of all courses given how many other golfers are just struggling.

[CanadianChris 0]

I've got Padraig Harrington finally winning a major.

Well, what do I know? He shot 80 today and will miss the cut.

 

I don't think I could deal with a major winner named Bubba. I probably won't have to, but still.

[Vern Gagne 0]

My pick barely made the cut.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Angel seems due. He seems to always kind of show up at the majors, doesn't he?

 

Even with his length, I don't like Watson's chances either. I know this is contradicting of my Zach Johnson comment earlier in the week, but if you look at the pedigree of the players who stumbled on Sunday afternoon last year, where does Bubba fit in with a handful of major winners, Ryder Cuppers, and Order-of-Merit winners? The physical and mental beating these guys are going to take on the course is really unlike any other tournament.

[CanadianChris 0]

I'm pissed at Cabrera because his birdie on 18 knocked Jon Mills out of the weekend.

[Vern Gagne 0]

He birdied 18? I guess my pick didn't make the cut.

[Red Baron 0]

Go Stephen Ames. I can see him being in the final two pairings on Sunday, and could possibly win this tourney.

[CanadianChris 0]

Go Stephen Ames. I can see him being in the final two pairings on Sunday, and could possibly win this tourney.

Good call. He's in the second-to-last group with Justin Rose.

 

I can really see Aaron Baddeley winning this tournament. He's not going to be intimidated by being in the final pairing or playing with Tiger -- this is a guy who won the Australian Open as an amateur when he was 18 years old.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Here are the guys I'm watching out for tomorrow...

 

Aaron Baddeley - Has nailed a 70 par the last 2 rounds and has just been consistent.

Tiger Woods - Outside of Round 2, he's shot a +1 in R1 and a -1 in R3. If he can repeat or better Round 3, he can run away.

Paul Casey - Has been an enigma, swinging from a 77 to a crazy 66. He managed to stay in the hunt with a 72 in R3 but if he can manage to shoot a 68-67, he can find himself the winner.

Justin Rose - A bit of an outside shot but he managed to shoot +1 in Rounds 1 and 2. If he can shoot a +1 or better in R4, he has a chance.

Steve Stricker - Has been improving with each round from a +5 to a +3 to a solid -2 in R3. If he can repeat today's performance or even better it, he could be a surprise shot.

Stuart Appleby - Like Stricker, he's improved each round from a +4 to a +2 and a +1 today. He needs a really strong R4 but is capable if his improvement can continue.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Go Stephen Ames. I can see him being in the final two pairings on Sunday, and could possibly win this tourney.

Good call. He's in the second-to-last group with Justin Rose.

 

I can really see Aaron Baddeley winning this tournament. He's not going to be intimidated by being in the final pairing or playing with Tiger -- this is a guy who won the Australian Open as an amateur when he was 18 years old.

 

And also at 19. He's got a few wins under his belt on the PGA Tour now, so I'd say he's ready.

 

Tiger, as you're going to hear in the next 18 hours alot, has never won a major without at least a share of the 54-hole lead. He's gotta break that sooner or later.

[Guest]

The only thing with Tiger's game as of this moment is the putting.

 

I have a feeling that Tiger's putting will not be as bad tomorrow as it was today. It can't be.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I think anyone at +8 or better can win the tournament.

[Red Baron 0]

Expect the pins today to be placed in the most ridiculous spots today.

[Red Baron 0]

A 300 yard Par 3.

 

Unbelievable.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

17, as expected, turned out to be a pretty pivotal hole. It directly cost Furyk, essentially cost Tiger, and damn near cost Cabrera.

 

Alas, Angel is the first Argentine (or South American of any nationality, right?) since diVicenzo in 1967 to win a major. This should put even more pressure on Mike Weir and Stephen Ames, who both had pretty respectable weeks, with the President's Cup 3 months away.

[Red Baron 0]

Good for Cabrera winning a major.

[Red Baron 0]

I'm not looking forward for next years US Open. I really hate Torrey Pines.

[World's Worst Man 0]

The President's Cup is in Montreal this year isn't it? It'd be a real shame if Ames and Weir don't make the team.

[CanadianChris 0]

Ames will probably make it as a captain's pick, only because it's in Canada and there'll probably be a bit of pressure to include a Canadian. I don't think there's any chance of Weir making it, barring a miraculous two-month stretch.

 

Side note: Aside from the Tiger Slam, I believe that Woods' latest performances in the majors (1-1-2-2) is the greatest four-major stretch by any player ever.

 

EDIT: Second-best; Jack had a 1-1-1-2 stretch from the 1971 PGA to the 1972 Open.

[CanadianChris 0]

Mickelson has been told not to pick up a club for the next two weeks to heal his wrist.

 

I have to believe that he either won't play at Carnoustie or won't be a factor at all.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I think the President's cup should be North America vs International Team.

[Guest George's Box]

I cannot fathom how we can have so much discussion here, on TV, and everywhere, about golf. It's fucking golf, the sport of rich white assholes. There is no way that it warrants leading off Sportscenter, having a 50+ post thread here, or any of that. Nobody can mock ESPN for overexposing poker and bowling and then come here to talk about golf.

[Red Baron 0]

Its a major championship + It's in the United States + Tiger Woods could possibly get his 13th major. + Oakmont where the course is beating up the players badly. = Deserves first mention.

 

Besides the Yanks/Sox/Cubs can take a back seat for a while.

[Red Baron 0]

Chris, would you still cheer for Ottawa if Pat Quinn becomes coach.

[CanadianChris 0]

Chris, would you still cheer for Ottawa if Pat Quinn becomes coach.

Nope.

 

Weird question for the golf thread, though.

[Red Baron 0]

Wow.

 

My bad.