Golf 2011 PGA Tour Season

[AG]

First tournament starts this week and it's the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. A tournament where Australian golfers have been very successful and Ogilvy is the defending champion. Ogilvy, Scott, Day and Appleby are in the field of 34.

Hopefully Day builds on his good 2010.

 

[mattys123]

Finally, the "real stuff" returns, after months of half and half tournaments around the world.

Love this tournament too, you get to see coverage of all the players involved, simply because it's a winners only event, and they have to show every player just to keep the coverage going.

It's also covered by the Golf Channel, which do about a 20 times better job of actually covering the golf then NBC or any other US provider.

My tip for this week is either Dustin Johnson, who always starts the season off well, or our own Stuart Appleby, who just loves this place, and is returning for the first time in a few years.

 

[AG]

http://www.pgatour.com/2011/tournaments/r016/01/05/mcallister-column/index.html#

 

[Thommo 42]

If you want to make some easy money, jump on Jim Furyk in the head to head matchup with Geoff Ogilvy. Make sure you do it over the 72 holes, not just 1st round 2-ball.

My mail is that Geoff will withdraw after a few holes, as he has 12 stitches in his hand after an accident surfing on the reef. Needs to tee-off to collect his last place $$ though.

The 72 hole betting stipulates the players must only tee off, the 1st round H2H betting stipulates they must complete 18 holes.

Some agencies still offering 2.25! Most have seen the writing on the wall and suspended betting.

 

[mattys123]

Ogilvy didn't even start, guess that injury was even worse then what was reported.

Strange he didn't tee off, just to get points for the Fedex cup.

First round almost completed, Byrd leading with the Swede Petterson, both at 7 under, with the likes of Furyk and Stricker 2 back with a couple of holes left.

As for the remaining Aussies, Appleby leads (no shock there), with a solid 4 under round, with Scott and Day both back at even par.

 

[AG]

Watched a bit this morning and Byrd was on fire. Perfect start to the season from him.

Big fan of the course because the fairways are so wide but for some reason I prefer smaller greens.

 

[Daytripper]

Watched a bit this morning and Byrd was on fire. Perfect start to the season from him.

Big fan of the course because the fairways are so wide but for some reason I prefer smaller greens.

I hate these courses. Where's the challenge ?

You blast it mindlessly down this large wide open fairway and them aim for a huge putting surface.

25-30 under wins. Nobody has a double bogey or worse.
Player who hits his wedges the best for the week wins.

Any course where professionals are allowed to shoot 15 under or less should be taken off the PGA Tour roster IMO.

 

[AG]

I meant from a playing pov for the everyday golfer. Personal preference, as I said with the smaller greens. I didn't really make it clear, sorry.

Agree with your post in regards to the actual tour and watching it on tv. It's fairly straightforward. As is that other tournament early in the year they player over 5 days where the second stringers from the PGA tour end up with ridiculous scores.

 

[Daytripper]

I meant from a playing pov for the everyday golfer. Personal preference, as I said with the smaller greens. I didn't really make it clear, sorry.

Agree with your post in regards to the actual tour and watching it on tv. It's fairly straightforward. As is that other tournament early in the year they player over 5 days where the second stringers from the PGA tour end up with ridiculous scores.

No worries.

That Bob Hope Classic is a joke.

They should just line all the professionals up 130 yards out from a green and have them hit wedges from 130,120,110,100 yards out. Then have them putt.

Player who makes most birdies wins.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Ogilvy didn't even start, guess that injury was even worse then what was reported.

Strange he didn't tee off, just to get points for the Fedex cup.

Has to finish 72 holes to get them.

 

[mattys123]

Has to finish 72 holes to get them.

Oh well, that makes sense then, seeing as a few extra thousand of dollars doesn't really make a difference to a golfer like Ogilvy anyway.

Hopefully his hand heals properly, and he's back in a few weeks, he's still our best chance of winning a major this year IMO.

 

[Tigertriumph]

I'm so glad the 2011 PGA/Euro tour seasons are back underway they are a great oppourtunity to make some dollars if you watch enough golf to understand the ebbs and flows of form in players and can pounce on good odds when they are available. My favourite markets are the daily H2H and Handicap where I feel good value can be obtained with adequate knowledge of players form/previous efforts at the course etc...

 

[AG]

Bubba hit an awesome shot off the fairway with the driver.

Gets back to what Daytripper was saying. This is probably the only course on tour where someone would try that.

 

[mattys123]

Any course where professionals are allowed to shoot 15 under or less should be taken off the PGA Tour roster IMO.

But it's the "American Way", apart from a few select tournaments, most weeks in the states the winner is at least in double figures, if not around or better then 15 under.

It all has to do with TV ratings, the PGA and the networks believe the public, especially those in the states, won't watch golf unless there are plenty of birdies and eagles being made.

Rightly or Wrongly, that's how it is, and it won't change soon, unless they US PGA actually grow some balls and start spreading the tour worldwide like has been suggested by many for 30 years or so.

 

[AG]

Day is on fire with -6 through 11 holes. Scott has started well with -4 through 10.

Villegas has been disqualified.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Day just gave hope to all us weekend hackers.

 

[mattys123]

More low scoring today, Day and Scott have been doing very well, while Dusty Johnson starts every season so well, and it's no different here as he takes the joint lead.

Apples going backwards, down to 3 under now, hope he can recover a little bit.

 

[Pres]

Is this yawn fest over yet? Watching multi millionairres playing on woefully designed and set up golf courses hitting the shots that Daytripper has described ad nauseum.

Better viewing watching tourneys like the Victorian Open from Spring Valley IMO. Following up and coming stars and blokes close to the bread line battling 40 kph winds on a tough sandbelt track is miles more entertaining.

 

[AG]

It gets away with being the first tournament of the year so many are just keen to see some sort of action. Extremely straightforward course but I'll always enjoy watching the big names.

 

[Daytripper]

Come on JByrd. On him for a good drink @ 70s.

 

[AG]

McDowell is tearing the course apart.

 

[Daytripper]

McDowell is tearing the course apart.

It really is a joke of a course. McDowell has driven two of the par 4's on the back 9 and whilst he is a decent hitter, he's no Bubba Watson.

I don't mind having a shortish par 4 but at least make it tricky so there is a big penalty for missing the green if you do go for it.

 

[Tigertriumph]

Come on JByrd. On him for a good drink @ 70s.

Nice one mate enjoy that drink. Unfortunately for me Poulter fell 2 short of his handicap. Who you liking for next week at Waialae?

 

[Pigdog]

McDowell is tearing the course apart.

Seems the equipment change over the break hasn't stopped the momentum he built through 2010.

 

[Cousin Jed]

I thought this was amusing

Rory McIlroy has developed blisters on his hands since he split up with his girlfriend of six years.

And its not even from The Onion either http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2011/1/11/mcilroy-returns-to-his-first-love-golf.html