2017 PGA Tour

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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Feb 22, 2004
12,959
The Paris of the 80s
That's absurd. If that is an illegal mark I can assure you cameras on everyone would result in penalties galore. It would become a ball marking contest. They have to cut out this viewer call in crap.
Video here: http://golfweek.com/2017/04/02/lexi-thompson-loses-lead-4-stroke-penalty-day-later-ana-inspiration/

Absurd is right. I guess the ball is not exactly in the same spot? But it's never going to be. If they're going to be penalizing something like that you would need a rules official standing over every mark and replace to confirm it's good to go before striking every putt.

And yea, the call-in nonsense needs to go away. What you're watching doesn't even matter... some loser might phone in an absurd rules violation allegation and nuke the results.
 

johnmd20

mad dog
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This is the worst rule infraction call I've ever seen. To then assess an incorrect scorecard retroactively is also ridiculous. Lexi must be feeling like she's stuck in the Matrix.

The allow people to call in is also insanely stupid and the LPGA should shut that down immediately. This is US/Russia Olympic basketball level bad, but this is worse because to be comparable, the game would have ended with the US winning and then the refs later rule the game wasn't over and brought the teams back to play the next day.

I really want to know the type of person who feels the need to call in a rules infraction. How terribly small must your life be? Just an awful story all around.
 

Average Reds

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Sep 24, 2007
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Once the LPGA received the email about the events of the prior day, the responsibility for handling it falls on them. And of all the ways they could have handled it, they chose the most destructive and gutless option.

They deserve all of the scorn they are receiving.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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MYRTLE BEACH!!!!
Obviously as an amateur golfer its rare that I ever play on a course where the greens are anywhere near tour shape, so I can assure you 90% of my marks have been illegal over the years, and I'm talking about rounds that mattered. Putting it back on the exact same blade of grass never occurred to me. Not cheating the distance did, but a few cm's either way was never "illegal" in my mind.

In looking at that Lexi video, she wasn't crotched behind the ball placing the ball inline with the mark and hole. She was standing over it and replacing it quickly. So its possible she wasn't even tuned in to the actual line of the putt and just putting the ball back in front of the marker and wasn't paying attention to the line. Either way, its splitting a very thin hair and opens up a can of worms as we head into the most watched golf tournament on the schedule.

If I was the producer for CBS, I'd instruct all cameras to not get shots of players replacing the ball this week. There is no way the USGA/PGA will have a handle on this potential can of worms by Thursday.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
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Dec 4, 2005
19,615
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I hadn't heard of this until today but, wow. That's friggin awful in many aspects. And how tone deaf is the official? "I couldn't have gone to sleep tonight knowing a rule had been broken." No problem crushing the soul of a young woman who inadvertently moved her ball a half inch, that's just like popping a melatonin.
 

Average Reds

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Sep 24, 2007
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The odd part of this is that the actions taken yesterday are in direct opposition to spirit of virtually all of the massive rules changes that are being proposed for the near future.

None of the powers that be in the golfing world has any common sense.
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
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Feb 22, 2004
12,959
The Paris of the 80s
I hadn't heard of this until today but, wow. That's friggin awful in many aspects. And how tone deaf is the official? "I couldn't have gone to sleep tonight knowing a rule had been broken." No problem crushing the soul of a young woman who inadvertently moved her ball a half inch, that's just like popping a melatonin.
Tone deaf and out of touch is right. All of the tours seem to be struggling with the modern era and how to handle increased video/replay. We've had players say things like whatever is brought to their attention wasn't even visible to them when standing over the ball. It all just feels wrong and against the spirit of the competition.
 

johnmd20

mad dog
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The odd part of this is that the actions taken yesterday are in direct opposition to spirit of virtually all of the massive rules changes that are being proposed for the near future.

None of the powers that be in the golfing world has any common sense.
Nope, when presented with any situation that requires thought and a good decision, they really find a way to make the worst decision possible.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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It really depends on what you like in a closing hole. Pebble is a terrific risk/reward par 5 where lots of numbers are in play. HT is a butt-clenching don't fuck it up par 4 where par is generally a really good score.
Both great finishing holes.

On a separate note, Webb Simpson has the ugliest swing on tour.
 

cshea

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Nov 15, 2006
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Tiger announced he had another back surgery.

Feels like the end. Surgery in 2015, 18 month rehab, and the triumphant return lasts all of 7 competitive rounds.
 

BigMike

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Saturday at the Valero has basically turned into your regular weekend at a muni course. 1:50 minutes into the round and the leaders haven't tee'd off on their 6th hole yet. Took them almost an hour to get through the first 2 holes
 

HoyaSoxa

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Dec 4, 2003
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The Zurich team format is a fun little reason to pay attention to an otherwise forgettable event, and the field is really pretty decent. Day/Fowler and Rose/Stenson are the obvious headline teams, Berger/Pieters and Finau/Summerhays among the nice up and coming partnerships. I do wish Spieth had teamed with his buddy Justin Thomas or else with his Ryder Cup buddy Patrick Reed. I am also hoping some decent gossip emerges about the team selection process - who asked the guy who was out of his league to the prom and got rejected?
 

FL4WL3SS

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Jul 31, 2006
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Andy Brickley's potty mouth

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

has big, douchey shoulders
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The Zurich team format is a fun little reason to pay attention to an otherwise forgettable event, and the field is really pretty decent. Day/Fowler and Rose/Stenson are the obvious headline teams, Berger/Pieters and Finau/Summerhays among the nice up and coming partnerships. I do wish Spieth had teamed with his buddy Justin Thomas or else with his Ryder Cup buddy Patrick Reed. I am also hoping some decent gossip emerges about the team selection process - who asked the guy who was out of his league to the prom and got rejected?
My favorite team is Rory Sabbatini and Bryson DeChambeau. Last two standing when everyone was finding partners.
 

Vegas Sox Fan

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Jul 15, 2005
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The Dirty Desert
The Zurich team format is a fun little reason to pay attention to an otherwise forgettable event, and the field is really pretty decent. Day/Fowler and Rose/Stenson are the obvious headline teams, Berger/Pieters and Finau/Summerhays among the nice up and coming partnerships. I do wish Spieth had teamed with his buddy Justin Thomas or else with his Ryder Cup buddy Patrick Reed. I am also hoping some decent gossip emerges about the team selection process - who asked the guy who was out of his league to the prom and got rejected?
Interesting article here. It looks like the actual last two guys without a chair were Reifers and Beef Johnston. You don't really need a reason to root for Beef but now I'm all in. One other interesting thing is Brooks Koepka is playing with his brother who is in on a sponser's exemption. In theory he could ride his brother's hot hand this week and land himself 2 years of status.
 

SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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Not 2017 related, but the USGA announced that the U.S. Senior Open will be coming to Newport Country Club in 2020.

Humblebrag: In the two accompanying photos from the 2006 US Women's Open held at Newport, I'm in the second one, extreme left greenside, in light blue shirt and white hat (standing behind lady in lavender). I was a walking scorer for that event and had the privilege to walk with Lorena Ochoa (who was #1 in the world at the time), Karrie Webb, Natalie Gulbis (yikes), Michelle Wie, and - my favorite - Virada Nirapathpongporn from Thailand (although she missed the cut), and others.

Definitely volunteering again for 2020 Seniors. Hopefully, they won't have the 10+ inches of rain that fell Wed through Fri like they did in 2006.

Edit: Oh, and if folks don't already know, this year's Senior Open is at Salem CC in Peabody. June 26 - July 2. Ticket info here. (Why do the USGA sites always suck?)
 
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Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
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Apr 12, 2005
41,949
Wasn't sure if anyone knew Rob was playing this week. He's back on the Web full time, even though he could get into some of the lesser PGA events. Needs to earn money and try to finish top 25 to get his PGA card back.

Anyway, 10 birdies today, 3 bogeys. He made 6 birdies on the back 9, not including the par 5 18th which he made par, or he would have shot 29 on the side. Brother said he made just about every putt he looked at today. Let's hope it keeps up. He typically does better on the courses where the scoring is lower.
 

AirborneSas

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Jul 15, 2005
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Wasn't sure if anyone knew Rob was playing this week. He's back on the Web full time, even though he could get into some of the lesser PGA events. Needs to earn money and try to finish top 25 to get his PGA card back.

Anyway, 10 birdies today, 3 bogeys. He made 6 birdies on the back 9, not including the par 5 18th which he made par, or he would have shot 29 on the side. Brother said he made just about every putt he looked at today. Let's hope it keeps up. He typically does better on the courses where the scoring is lower.
+4 for Rob today to drop to T-19. Six back from the leader.
 

AirborneSas

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Jul 15, 2005
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Interesting article here. It looks like the actual last two guys without a chair were Reifers and Beef Johnston. You don't really need a reason to root for Beef but now I'm all in. One other interesting thing is Brooks Koepka is playing with his brother who is in on a sponser's exemption. In theory he could ride his brother's hot hand this week and land himself 2 years of status.
The Koepkas finished 5th earning Chase a spot in this weeks Wells Fargo.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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So cool that Daly won. Talent obviously has never been the issue, but man, handling the stress of a winning a tournament is a real good sign for his life in general. Over/Under 50 for staying alive was a legit discussion, let alone winning a tournament. Good for him.
 

inJacobyWeTrust

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Nov 12, 2007
1,245
Watertown
Why God damnit? He's a good dude, good for him.
I think this is the first time I've seen someone defend Poulter. My (negative) opinion of him comes from blowing up at cameramen and his thin-skinned twitter behavior.

Genuinely curious what makes you say Poulter is a good dude?
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
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Dec 4, 2005
19,615
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I think this is the first time I've seen someone defend Poulter. My (negative) opinion of him comes from blowing up at cameramen and his thin-skinned twitter behavior.

Genuinely curious what makes you say Poulter is a good dude?
Not to speak for FL4WLESS, and I can't speak to him as a person, but I absolutely love Poulter as a golfer. The guy is nails during Ryder Cup, he seems fun and the other players speak highly of him. And I like the way he dresses.
 

BigMike

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Not to speak for FL4WLESS, and I can't speak to him as a person, but I absolutely love Poulter as a golfer. The guy is nails during Ryder Cup, he seems fun and the other players speak highly of him. And I like the way he dresses.
Count me in the Poulter fan club. As above I don't know about him as a person off the course, but I love the player on the course. He was absolutely the highlight of a couple of Ryder clubs, and I love the way he lead that Euro team, such an incredible player when the pressure is on
 
Poulter also wore an Arsenal game shirt in one round of a European Tour event a while back. Which is nice.

Anyway, Sky Sports here in the UK has renamed one of its channels from Sky Sports 4 to "Sky Sports The Players" and has a bunch of Players-related programming. Today I got sucked into watching the final round broadcast of the 1987 Players - being shown because Sandy Lyle won it it in a three-hole playoff over Jeff Sluman - which was weird for all sorts of reasons, not least because CBS was broadcasting it. McCord at 14, Melnyk at 15, Lundquist at 16, Wright at 17, and Summerall/Venturi at 18...really took me back to my youth. But the weirdest thing was that with Lyle and Sluman playing in the penultimate group, after they hit their tee shots at 17, Melnyk (having left his tower at 15) suddenly appeared on the tee and started interviewing Sluman, asking him how nervous he was on the tee and how he might play 18! Completely and utterly bizarre. And then after they were done in regulation, Melnyk interviewed Lyle and Sluman - together - before they went to the scorer's tent! I can't begin to imagine any player letting those sorts of things happen nowadays.
 

TFP

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They just said that only 2 players in the last 12 groups out are under par today.
 

Average Reds

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Sep 24, 2007
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Holmes deciding to follow Garcia down the drain. +3 after 7 holes today.

Edit: my bad. He missed the 4 footer to go +4 for he day.

Second edit: pulled his next tee shot into the crowd at the par 3 8th. Has to wait for the woman he hit to be attended to/taken away. I'm guessing that Holmes is done, which is too bad.
 
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