The Atlanta Athletic Club -- home to this week's 93d PGA Championship -- has always reminded me a great deal of Atlanta: it's relatively new, it's soulless, it's relationship with its own history is extremely ambiguous (back in the 1960's the club simply abandoned its longtime location at East Lake and moved way out of town to its current location in Duluth), and it's constantly being re-worked (every time we return to the AAC for a major they've made more changes in an effort to make it interesting).
Anyway, I fully expect another foreign player to win this event, as they have completely dominated golf for the last two years. Plus, I'm ready for football season anyway. Plus, Emma Talley got stomped. Plus, here's what happened to Tiger on his first nine holes (he started on the back nine):
10: Birdie (-1)
11: Par (-1)
12: Birdie (-2)
13: Par (-2)
14: Birdie (-3)
15: DOUBLE BOGEY (-1)
16: Bogey (Even)
17: Par (Even)
18: DOUBLE BOGEY (+2)
So long, thanks for playing.
Further updates in the comments as events warrant. But in all honesty, the only way this golf season could be saved is if Rory McIlory wins his second major of the year.
UPDATE (11:41 AM): I feel a lot better now. The Guardian's live coverage featured this song by Bing Crosby, so I have cheered up.
Maybe it really is all about Stevie Williams's caddying skills. Tiger is now four over through 12 holes, and on pace to miss the cut. Meanwhile, Williams's new golfer, Adam Scott, is cruising along. He is three under through 15 holes, in good position for his second win in a row. And his position is even better than he looks, because Scott is from Australia, and we know the winner has to be a non-American.
ReplyDeleteMore evidence that Bubba Watson will never win a major. Watson started on the back nine, and birdied holes 12 through 15 to move to four under par and in sole possession of the lead. He then bogeyed 18, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (five bogeys in a row!) to fall back to one over par. He has since made another bogey and is 2 over for his round.
ReplyDeleteTiger finished with a seven over par 77, and his chances of winning his fifth PGA title are gone. I'm honestly concerned Tiger may be headed toward a Steve Blass-type situation.
ReplyDeleteBubba Watson, who is never going to win a major, finishes with a four-over par 74. J.B. Holmes of Campbellsville, who is having lousy year, is 10 over through 15 holes. So it looks as though Russ Cochran will be Kentucky's only major-winner this year.
ReplyDeleteOne final comment on Tiger. I don't know whether he will ever win another major (or even another tournament) or not, but I am certain he will never win another major as long as he's wearing that silly goatee.
ReplyDeleteLeaderboard at 2 PM EDT:
ReplyDelete1. S. Stricker: -7 (17 holes)
2. J. Kelly: -5 (15)
3. B. Haas: -3 (16)
T4. B. de Jonge (ZIM): -2 (18)
T4. M. Manassero (ITA): -2 (18)
T4. D. Love III: -2 (18)
T4. J. Senden (AUS): -2 (18)
T4. S. Verplank: -2 (15)
Stevie Williams, with the help of his golfer (Adam Scott) finished at 1 under par today.
The PGA Tournament is on TNT, which in and of itself tells you about its importance on the sports calendar.
ReplyDeleteSteve Stricker does not become the first man in the history of major-championship golf to shoot a 62. Instead, he pars the last hole to complete a seven-under par 63.
ReplyDeleteRory McIlroy, the best player in the world, has badly damaged his wrist. On the third hole, his ball was up against a root. Instead of chipping out, he took a full swing and whammed his club into the root. For a while, it looked as though he would have to quit. But so far, he is playing through the pain.
ReplyDeleteRickie Fowler, meanwhile, did not get paired with McIlroy this week, and his performance shows it. He is 5 over through 9 holes, and his chances of picking up his first tour victory this week are gone.
ReplyDeleteLeaderboard at 4 PM EDT:
ReplyDelete1. S. Stricker: -7 (18 holes)
2. J. Kelly: -5 (18)
T3. S. Verplank: -3 (18)
T3. S. Micheel: -3 (10)
T3. R. Palmer: -3 (7)
T3. T. Immelman (RSA): -3 (6)
Anthony Kim is also going nowhere. He is 4 over through 12. This is literally the least talented generation of American golfers since Americans started playing golf.
ReplyDeleteLeaderboard at 5 PM EDT:
ReplyDelete1. S. Stricker: -7 (18 holes)
2. J. Kelly: -5 (18)
3. S. Micheel: -4 (14)
T4. S. Verplank: -3 (18)
T4. M. Kuchar: -3 (11)
Believe it or not, Shaun Micheel has actually won the PGA Championship. He won it in 2003, and it remains his only tour victory.
Leaderboard at 6 PM EDT:
ReplyDelete1. S. Stricker: -7 (18 holes)
2. J. Kelly: -5 (18)
3. S. Micheel: -4 (16)
T4. S. Verplank: -3 (18)
T4. J. Day (AUS): -3 (14)
McIlroy is still playing with his injured wrist. He is even par through 15 holes.
Here's an update on the world's top 10 golfers:
ReplyDelete1. L. Donald (ENG): Even (18 holes)
2. L. Westwood (ENG): +2 (14)
3. M. Kaymer (GER): +2 (17)
4. R. McIlroy (NIR): Even (15)
5. S. Stricker: -7 (18)
6. P. Mickelson: +1 (18)
7. J. Day (AUS): -3 (14)
8. D. Johnson: +3 (16)
9. A. Scott (AUS): -1 (18)
10. N. Watney: Even (18)
Dustin Johnson finishes with a 75, Rickie Fowler finishes with a 74, Anthony Kim takes a 74, Bubba Watson has a 74. Meanwhile, Lucas Glover is 11 over through 15. These guys are all done.
ReplyDeleteMcIlroy, playing almost the entire round with an injured wrist, finishes with an even-par 70.
ReplyDelete