2017 PGA Tour

HoyaSoxa

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With the possible exception of John Daly, Rory has made more questionable off-course decisions than any golfer I can remember.
DJ? So I am definitely a Rory fan/apologist, and I can see where his Olympics commentary and his equipment changes have been questionable, but I don't really understand the consternation over this one. Plenty of folks have suggested that JP was not getting the job done for Rory, and that he might need a stronger assist with the mental game than he has been getting. I wonder whether seeing Spieth's partnership with Greller made him decide that he could do better?
 

TFP

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I considered Tiger, but Tiger made a few big horrible decisions, not the multiplicity of smaller bad decisions Rory has made - ill advised press statements, financial decisions, club switches, romantic entanglements, you name it. As for DJ, his bad decisions are mostly on course, no?
I mean, Tiger made a million romantic entanglement decisions that were ultimately his downfall. Combine that with his swing changes, workout approach, addiction to the military concept, and some caddy drama of his own. He cost himself the chance at the title of undisputed greatest golfer of all time and maybe greatest athlete of all time, having to settle for just being in the conversation.

As for DJ - he's been attached to other players' wives and got suspended for half a season for drug use, missing a Ryder Cup in the process. Although from what I've heard about Rory - they're probably about equal here.

The best decision Rory probably made was calling off his wedding to Wozniacki, that was headed for a Tiger-like implosion. The incident that apparently caused him to call it all off was...troubling. I still want to know what he was doing that made him almost miss his tee time at the Ryder Cup, though.
 

steveluck7

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Rory may be comparable to Tiger in terms of volume of poor decisions but Tiger laps the field in terms of impact of the decisions. Swing change? Take 2 years to fully figure it out. Crazy workout routine? Irreparably wreck your back. Bang Shoney's waitress? Divorce and wrecked car. Date Lindsey Vonn? Get your teeth knocked out by a TV camera
 
Perhaps a better way of saying what I was thinking is that the variety of Rory's bad decisions seems unmatched to me - and he's also only 28, with plenty of time to increase his range in this regard. At 28, Tiger seemed a model of stability, and regardless of what happened thereafter, he was always appropriately cagey with the press (after that one GQ interview), didn't have issues with his management company, and had a very stable caddie relationship for a very long time.

(FWIW, I think Tiger's upbringing was destined to screw him up to a greater or lesser extent - he did very well to make it seem lesser until it was unavoidably greater. What's Rory's excuse?)
 

kenneycb

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Tiger seemed like the model of stability but we all know that was not the case. I imagine things would be different if he grew up in the age of social media and the like.
 

TFP

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Perhaps a better way of saying what I was thinking is that the variety of Rory's bad decisions seems unmatched to me - and he's also only 28, with plenty of time to increase his range in this regard. At 28, Tiger seemed a model of stability, and regardless of what happened thereafter, he was always appropriately cagey with the press (after that one GQ interview), didn't have issues with his management company, and had a very stable caddie relationship for a very long time.

(FWIW, I think Tiger's upbringing was destined to screw him up to a greater or lesser extent - he did very well to make it seem lesser until it was unavoidably greater. What's Rory's excuse?)
Excuse for what? Being an infallible person? Rory's made some mistakes but it's not like it's a giant personal implosion here. He's a person just like all of us and probably made some decisions he wishes he could have back. Lord knows I have the same.
 
I fear I'm making it sound like I have an axe to grind against Rory - I don't. He's incredibly talented and generally very likeable. I'm just staggered by the amount of dumb decisions and unforced errors he seems to make out in the open. Even if firing his caddie was justified, firing him days after publicly praising him for getting you back on track in a major championship just feels wrong to me. I guess it's the way that his errors seem to directly affect his performance which truly baffles me - signing a new club contract in the middle of a season? Talking about how the fairways at Erin Hills are so wide that nobody should ever miss them, thereby adding pressure on yourself when you start missing them? And now sacking your praiseworthy caddie days before a WGC event and a week-and-a-half before the final major of the season? And that's all just from the past three months. Tiger made mistakes in his life and even in his career, but in the long prime of his career he never, ever did any of this stupid, potentially game-affecting crap that Rory has made a habit of doing. I just hope Rory doesn't remain an immature twentysomething too much longer.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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Perhaps a better way of saying what I was thinking is that the variety of Rory's bad decisions seems unmatched to me - and he's also only 28, with plenty of time to increase his range in this regard. At 28, Tiger seemed a model of stability, and regardless of what happened thereafter, he was always appropriately cagey with the press (after that one GQ interview), didn't have issues with his management company, and had a very stable caddie relationship for a very long time.

(FWIW, I think Tiger's upbringing was destined to screw him up to a greater or lesser extent - he did very well to make it seem lesser until it was unavoidably greater. What's Rory's excuse?)
But first he fired Fluff. Players fire caddies.
 

cshea

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His next 2 events are at Firestone and Quail Hollow, courses that Rory has played (and won- twice in Quail Hollow's case). If there's ever a time to ax a caddie in-season, this would seem to be it. It's a quick turnaround to be sure, but it's not like he's going out to a brand new track. A lot of legwork is likely already done. There's some changes to Quail Hollow, but I'm sure Rory knows the way around that place and there won't be any surprises.

I always through JP was more hands off than some other caddies. Maybe Rory's looking for someone that'll be more hands on? Rory seems to read greens by himself, and on iron shots/drives JP just gives him yardage and Rory takes it from there. At least that's always been my impression watching him on TV. I don't remember many instances of Rory and JP grinding shots the way Spieth and Greller, Day and Colin, Bones and Phil do (did) from time to time. I know Rory said JP gave him a kick in the ass at The Open, but maybe that was a rare occasion and Rory's looking for more of that?
 

TFP

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I fear I'm making it sound like I have an axe to grind against Rory - I don't. He's incredibly talented and generally very likeable. I'm just staggered by the amount of dumb decisions and unforced errors he seems to make out in the open. Even if firing his caddie was justified, firing him days after publicly praising him for getting you back on track in a major championship just feels wrong to me. I guess it's the way that his errors seem to directly affect his performance which truly baffles me - signing a new club contract in the middle of a season? Talking about how the fairways at Erin Hills are so wide that nobody should ever miss them, thereby adding pressure on yourself when you start missing them? And now sacking your praiseworthy caddie days before a WGC event and a week-and-a-half before the final major of the season? And that's all just from the past three months. Tiger made mistakes in his life and even in his career, but in the long prime of his career he never, ever did any of this stupid, potentially game-affecting crap that Rory has made a habit of doing. I just hope Rory doesn't remain an immature twentysomething too much longer.
I'm not trying to harp on this, I promise. But in response to these points:

1. Re: clubs - Nike discontinued their equipment business entirely midseason. It's not like it was a change out of the blue for him, and it doesn't seem to be a factor in his play.

2. Re: caddy - Phil just fired his long time caddy weeks before a major after recently defending him. Players often fire caddies. It may be a questionable decision, but nothing about this decision screams immaturity or a disaster.

3. Re: Erin Hills comments - Rory's an honest guy. He maybe shouldn't have made the comments about Erin Hills, but fuck I love that he said what he felt. I don't think it's what caused him to miss the cut, and in a thread that has crushed Spieth for being a robot, I don't think we should discourage Rory from saying what he thinks. It's something I actually like about him.

Basically - you could apply most of these comments to Phil himself, and no one calls him immature. Agree or disagree, Rory isn't any different than most other players on tour. If the standard of criticism is that he's "not Tiger", well then we're going to be disappointed in a lot of guys going forward.
 

Average Reds

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Didn't Tiger fire Fluff in part because Fluff was becoming a distraction (e.g., featuring in SportsCenter ads)? Firing Fluff - and immediately hiring Stevie Williams - seemed part of a coherent plan, whereas Rory firing JP does not. Rory desperately needs some stability at the moment, doesn't he?
I tend to agree about Fluff and the reasons he was fired, but that was an unusual situation.

With the exception of a head case like Jason Day - or a young player like Spieth who has a friend/mentor on the bag - the caddy is the definition of fungible. I don't think that Rory's decision means anything other than he wants a new bag carrier.
 

Comfortably Lomb

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Tiger's failing body was a much bigger cause for his downfall than his off-course adventures. If his neck, back, and knees don't implode on him he keeps winning a bit through his 30s no matter how ugly the TMZ stuff gets.

Someone touched on his workout routine above as the cause of the injuries but that routine was a factor that made him what he was in his 20s relative to the rest of the tour. It's a weird argument to make. He was just the fire that burns twice as bright.

Also, I don't think it matters who caddies for Rory since he's going to have a decent guy on the bag no matter what. Elite players get their choice of bag haulers.
 

ezemerson

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so im assuming the early tee times for the WGC is due to the threat of weather, right? does this mean i wont be able to follow along with the scoring in the morning because i dont want the tape delay tv broadcast to be spoiled....ugh.
 

cshea

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Rob's off in the web.com event. 25th in the money list, $1,760 ahead of 26th (Jason Gore).

This is also the event Steph Curry is playing. I'm not so much interested in the "It's Steph Curry" aspect as much as I am in seeing how a 2 handicap does in a pro tournament. I'm guessing quiet poorly.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Rob's off in the web.com event. 25th in the money list, $1,760 ahead of 26th (Jason Gore).

This is also the event Steph Curry is playing. I'm not so much interested in the "It's Steph Curry" aspect as much as I am in seeing how a 2 handicap does in a pro tournament. I'm guessing quiet poorly.
Don't be so sure. Those non-pga pro events are not setup as difficult as you would think. They don't go out of their way to change the course for those events like they do for the PGA tour and most of the courses are fairly easy tracks. There are a few tough courses on the web.com tour, but most are nothing spectacular.

I played at the Scarlet (OSU) course quite often in Columbus and have played Victoria National multiple times and they are typically considered the hardest courses in the web.com. I played Scarlet the week before the web.com event two years in a row and while it was tough, I was able to get around in the low 80s playing not that great.

I actually just played a course here in Seattle this week where they hold the Boeing Classic for the champions tour and they are getting the course ready for the tournament. I asked a few members if they were growing out the rough and their response was "maybe a little". I shot 77 from the tips and that brought me down to a 1.9 handicap.

If Steph is truly a 2 and not a vanity 2, then don't be surprised to see him do decently. Although playing in front of crowds during a tournament can do weird things to your game.

Also, not so humble brag about joining the Club at Snoqualmie Ridge :)
 

cshea

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That's fair, these web.com tournaments seem like a race to -25 under for the pros. It would make sense that he may be able to break 80, but I don't think he'll be able to make enough birdies to sniff the cut.

+3 through 5 so far.

Also, I know there was some hand wringing over giving him the exemption, but I think all in all this is a good thing for golf. People seem more interested in him than the WGC, and I think the extra exposure on golf and the web.com tour can only be good.
 

FL4WL3SS

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That's a better than 2 performance, that's impressive considering the crowds and tournament pressure.

Stonebrae has a 74.5/141 rating/slope from the tips, he essentially performed as a scratch golfer in normal conditions and slight + golfer if you consider the circumstances. I'm impressed.

I would have folded like a lawn chair.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Rob goes into round 3 today in a 7-way tie for 3rd. He's 3 shots back of the leader, who shot 62 yesterday. A top 10 would be huge, but it would be just as big if a first timer didn't win again this week. Hard to move up the board when guys are jumping over you. Either way, he seems to be playing really good golf right now.

Curry shot another 74 day two. Finishes 11 shots off the cut. Very impressive. I had heard he was a 0.7 handicap, not a 2, which would seem to make sense given his showing this weekend. A lot of folks in the golf world eating their words after what he did, including Steve Wheatcroft, who has to eat his golf bag.
 

The Napkin

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72-70 on the weekend for Rob ti finish T31. Couple of doubles on Sat killed him.

11:
Shot 6 from the green (in the hole)
Shot 5 from the green
Shot 4 from the native area
Shot 3 Penalty
Shot 2 from the native area
Shot 1 from the tee box

16:
Shot 5 from the green (in the hole)
Shot 4 from the green
Shot 3 from the green side bunker
Shot 2 from the green side bunker
Shot 1 from the tee box
 

AirborneSas

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The impressive run of Steven Bowditch continues. He's missed the cut in 29 out of 30 events since the WGC-Bridgestone last year (T58 at the CareerBuilder Challenge). His OWGR ranking has dropped from 127th to 1085th.

Tiger's currently at 1046.
 

AirborneSas

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72-70 on the weekend for Rob ti finish T31. Couple of doubles on Sat killed him.

11:
Shot 6 from the green (in the hole)
Shot 5 from the green
Shot 4 from the native area
Shot 3 Penalty
Shot 2 from the native area
Shot 1 from the tee box

16:
Shot 5 from the green (in the hole)
Shot 4 from the green
Shot 3 from the green side bunker
Shot 2 from the green side bunker
Shot 1 from the tee box

Rob dropped to 27th. Only the top 2 from the week passed him.

It's on to Springfield.
 

cshea

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Locally, the Deutsche Bank/Dell Championship appears to be a casualty of this re-ordering of the schedule. They want to wrap up the Playoffs by Labor Day, which makes sense.
 

RedOctober3829

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It's going to be really interesting to see what the weather will be like here on LI for the PGA in May. We had a rough late winter this year getting a ton of snow in March. I hope they'll be able to get the course in perfect shape.
 

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gmogmo

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Locally, the Deutsche Bank/Dell Championship appears to be a casualty of this re-ordering of the schedule. They want to wrap up the Playoffs by Labor Day, which makes sense.
This would suck, I'm assuming they'd make an attempt to reshuffle the deck, and still have it here at some point in the summer
 

Deathofthebambino

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After going even par in the first round (not good), he came out and shot a -6, 65 in the 2nd round to get into the weekend tied for 16th. Huge cut to make. He desperately needs at a least a top 10, if not a top 5 to get himself back into the top 25.
 

TFP

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Some good Solheim Cup action going on now on the golf channel.
 

The Napkin

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After going even par in the first round (not good), he came out and shot a -6, 65 in the 2nd round to get into the weekend tied for 16th. Huge cut to make. He desperately needs at a least a top 10, if not a top 5 to get himself back into the top 25.
-3 today, still T16. Stop me if you've heard this before - big day tomorrow.
Would be nice if Tyler Duncan (who is also T16 and a couple slots ahead of him on the money list) shoots about an 80 tomorrow too