***official*** 2015 masters thread

[Kyle]

even if he makes the cut, I think he should have taken more time off to heal so he'll be competitive.

being +10 from the lead will keep him on TV (and make TV execs happy because ratings) but still makes him look sad.

maybe just play the last Major of this year and skip the rest?

Eh, I think he's pretty healthy, just some swing issues and mental issues - I think he needs to compete as much as possible personally. And I'm going to be @ the US open on Thursday so hoping he at least plays that day.

I also think he'll make the cut in this tournament, but don't see him ever getting close to the leaders.

Also, I doubt he skips any majors- never know when you'll get hot, and he's running waaay short on time if he's going to catch Nicholas - though I think that ship has sailed.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

It's almost as stupid and useless as cricket...almost.

OK, well, I take that back. at least with cricket, you're actually competing against people (somehow--right? I mean, do you?), and you aren't shitting all over the local ecosystem in the process, so there's that.

Meh. The backyard of my house is a fairway. There are birds, waterfowl, deer, foxes, coyotes, bears, and bobcats. There's a lake with a ton of bass, some as big as 12 lbs. It's basically a wildlife refuge. If the golf course wasn't here it would be developed instead. There would be little in the way of an eco-system. A good groundskeeper can maintain a course without using copious amounts of pesticides and fertilizer.

On topic, I would like to see Spieth hang on to win but it's very unlikely. Opening day leaders rarely bring home the trophy. It would be nice to see Sergio take it as well but he tends to choke when in contention in the big tournaments.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Saw on SC this morning Spieth is leading with 8 under? Kid's a beast, I'm pulling for him. Would love to see a younger dude win it.

 

[Drako]

Saw on SC this morning Spieth is leading with 8 under? Kid's a beast, I'm pulling for him. Would love to see a younger dude win it.

Same here. The kid is really good.

He's killing it again today, -3 after 8 so far today.

 

[Muse]

I'd add Patrick Reid and Dustin Johnson to the possibles....but I'd put my money on Spieth.

Good to see Els off to a fast start, but I'd be pretty shocked if he's contending on Sunday.

I agree with Reed (I edited my post a few minutes ago). Forget about Dustin Johnson, I'd include him among the possibles, but I think still a bit of a long shot right now, but it wouldn't surprise me if he rose to the top with the momentum he's had since he came back to the tour.

Same here. The kid is really good.

He's killing it again today, -3 after 8 so far today.

I'm rooting strongest for Spieth, myself. I wanted him to win last week, although I'm a Holmes fan too, but Spieth, yeah, I'm 100% behind him. Last week at the end of the last round he had some shaky shots, almost missed a few really short putts and his iron into his last playoff hole was a WTH shot. Hopefully, he took those as a wake up call for this week! His distance putting has been amazing! I'm talking about his last few tournaments, I haven't been able to see what he's done this week, I don't have subscription TV... I'll be watching CBS's coverage the last two rounds.

 

[Muse]

It's almost as stupid and useless as cricket...almost.

OK, well, I take that back. at least with cricket, you're actually competing against people (somehow--right? I mean, do you?), and you aren't shitting all over the local ecosystem in the process, so there's that.

Lighten up, golf is fun, they call it "the great game" and I wouldn't argue that. It's easier on the body than most sports. Among competitive athletes, especially the professionals, it's undoubtedly the sport that is most commonly played for recreational purposes among them. If you don't dig it, don't put it down.

I cannot comment on cricket, I don't know anything about it other than they play it with something like bats.

i'd love to see the big easy win one more, or maybe sergio finally pick one up

They're both capable, but Sergio is the more likely right now. His swing abandoned him a little a couple of months ago, but maybe he's worked that out. He's been putting a lot better since going to that claw grip (a couple of years ago?). Yeah, I hope he finally wins a major.

I predict tiger doesn't make the cut, then ratings will drop in half

I don't care to see Tiger fuck up. I'm rooting for him for sure, but I don't get all the attention he gets. IMO it's not more interesting to watch him play than any of at least 25 other pro golfers these days. TBH I hate it when he throws a tantrum after making a bad shot. He doesn't always, but I've seen him do it a number of times.

 

[allisolm]

Wow, Spieth was on fire today with a 64.

Still on fire.

Spoiler

New record low 36-hole score of -14.

(in case someone doesn't want to see the score yet.)

 

[Drako]

Tiger making a little run today too.

 

[brianmanahan]

hoffman's been keeping it close at -10. has had a couple chances to get even closer, but hasn't capitalized yet.

hopefully he can keep it close, makes for a more interesting weekend than a runaway victory.

 

[Printer Bandit]

bubba is T24.

 

[brianmanahan]

dang they are taking forever on 13 with luiten's lost ball

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Tiger making a little run today too.

Started the day 9 off the lead, ended the day 12 back.

 

[Drako]

Started the day 9 off the lead, ended the day 12 back.

Yet he went from T41 to T18.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Yet he went from T41 to T18.

And from 9 back to 12 back. Tiger himself only views winning as important, not top 20 finishes. Since you seem to be confused about this, allow me to help: a "charge" is when you closer to the lead, not further back.

 

[Drako]

And from 9 back to 12 back. Tiger himself only views winning as important, not top 20 finishes. Since you seem to be confused about this, allow me to help: a "charge" is when you closer to the lead, not further back.

Who the hell said anything about a "charge" except for you? :biggrin:

Everybody in the field lost strokes again today to Spieth except for Kevin Na. :whiste:

FYI, Tiger had the 6th best round of the day.

 

[BUTCH1]

It's almost as stupid and useless as cricket...almost.

OK, well, I take that back. at least with cricket, you're actually competing against people (somehow--right? I mean, do you?), and you aren't shitting all over the local ecosystem in the process, so there's that.

You have to see the course to experience it's beauty, the landscaping and grass are beyond belief in their perfection. We walked all 18 holes and didn't see a single weed, clover, ant. Even the trees in the woods are landscaped to perfection, it's so perfect I told my brother it was like something Disney manufactured LOL. Now I know most will say "yea, but it's golf, big deal" but let me tell you, after walking the course all day I had the sorest legs ever, the TV does not do a good job of relating how hilly it is and a full round is probably close to 5 miles of that for 4 days in a row. Amazing to learn of the "sub-air" system in place under the greens (and some fairways), the use huge vacuum pumps to literally suck rainwater through the turf so the course can be ready to play quickly if heavy rains come, also the pumps work in reverse to aerate the turf from below and they can speed-up the already treacherous greens if scores are getting too low, expect the pumps to be on tonight making for a difficult weekend.http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2011-05/david-owen-tech

 

[brianmanahan]

Now I know most will say "yea, but it's golf, big deal" but let me tell you, after walking the course all day I had the sorest legs ever, the TV does not do a good job of relating how hilly it is and a full round is probably close to 5 miles of that for 4 days in a row.

lol yep i walked 8 miles in 1 day there last year. if i pay 300$ for a ticket, i'm gonna get my money's worth!

 

[BUTCH1]

lol yep i walked 8 miles in 1 day there last year. if i pay 300$ for a ticket, i'm gonna get my money's worth!

My brother scored tickets for a practice round, everything is very expensive though, we had a room at an Econ-o-lodge@$250/night, I asked the manager if people rent all the rooms at that rate, "we're booked solid through the weekend", wow, then he told me the price goes up to $350 night on tournament days. The policy for ANY electronic device on your possession is draconian, you will be escorted off the course and your credentials are permanently revoked, without refund. I kind of like it, not hearing people yapping loudly and "death-ray" or rap ringtones are things I did not miss one bit. I guess if your spouse was expecting a child or something similar, you could have a small cheap flip-phone in your pocket set to vibrate only and then leave the course if it goes off to return the call.

 

[brianmanahan]

My brother scored tickets for a practice round, everything is very expensive though, we had a room at an Econ-o-lodge@$250/night, I asked the manager if people rent all the rooms at that rate, "we're booked solid through the weekend", wow, then he told me the price goes up to $350 night on tournament days. The policy for ANY electronic device on your possession is draconian, you will be escorted off the course and your credentials are permanently revoked, without refund. I kind of like it, not hearing people yapping loudly and "death-ray" or rap ringtones are things I did not miss one bit. I guess if your spouse was expecting a child or something similar, you could have a small cheap flip-phone in your pocket set to vibrate only and then leave the course if it goes off to return the call.

here's a trick i did for getting a cheap hotel in augusta at masters time:

1. make a wyndham rewards account (i already had an existing one with no points)
2. buy 6000 points for 60$
3. use the 6000 points to get a room at super 8 which was currently going for 225$

 

[BUTCH1]

here's a trick i did for getting a cheap hotel in augusta at masters time:

1. make a wyndham rewards account (i already had an existing one with no points)
2. buy 6000 points for 60$
3. use the 6000 points to get a room at super 8 which was currently going for 225$

surprised the hotel would accept reward cards during that one week when they can charge 4-5X what the room is worth.

 

[brianmanahan]

surprised the hotel would accept reward cards during that one week when they can charge 4-5X what the room is worth.

i know, in other cities with different events they do not. but i checked again this year (even though i wasnt going to the masters) and it was still available for the small amount of points.

 

[Jadow]

Spieth just shoots par for 2 days in a row and he's probably got it in the bag.

 

[brianmanahan]

lol, tiger and sergio are in the same group today! i don't know if they've played together since sergio's fried chicken joke directed at tiger a few years ago.

 

[BUTCH1]

Spieth just shoots par for 2 days in a row and he's probably got it in the bag.

True, but Augusta is a special place, birdies can be had if your playing well and make sound decisions but trouble can also come quickly, just ask Greg Norman.

 

[Muse]

And from 9 back to 12 back. Tiger himself only views winning as important, not top 20 finishes. Since you seem to be confused about this, allow me to help: a "charge" is when you closer to the lead, not further back.

I think Tiger would be better off (make better progress with his game) if he didn't obsess so much with winning majors. That will come if his game comes back, but before he can do that he has to:

1. finish tournaments
2. get on the leaderboard
3. win something

He shouldn't put out PR saying he's only interested in winning majors. It smacks of hubris. He had that year (~2 years ago?) when he won ~5 tournaments, went to #1 in the world, but couldn't win a major. Then it all unraveled. This "I must win majors or I'm a failure" attitude is stupid, he should distance himself from that image of himself. After that Thanksgiving blowup, the scandals, the divorce, his fall from golfing grace, he's struggling to regain his self confidence, his identity. Hubris he doesn't need.