Masters starts tomorrow weather permitting...which might be a good thing if its cancelled tomorrow for Dustin Johnson:

Johnson injures back falling down stairs on eve of Masters (http://www.pgatour.com/news/2017/04/05/dustin-johnson-injures-back-the-masters-questionable.html)

Coming off 3 wins and row, and now #1 ranking...just horrible if he can't play.

Yeah....that's such a freak accident, though I wonder if its nose candy related. (Only half joking.)

Wide open field otherwise.

Also related to golf majors on the women's side. LPGA really screwed up the Lexi Thompson situation the other day.

Lexi Thompson penalty hot topic at 2017 Masters | Golfweek (http://golfweek.com/2017/04/05/2017-masters-lexi-thompson-penalty-hot-topic/)

I think the real issue is, you've got people "calling in" but almost always the people who send in emails and call in are golf officials or folks who "know somebody." It was what happened when Tiger Woods had that infraction in the Masters a few years ago.

It's not regular Joe fans who are doing this, and that's what the bullshit is, since not every player end up on TV getting extra scrutiny.

It's also an issue where most of the shots in the tournament aren't shown. People at home are only getting what the broadcasters show them and mostly only what the leaders are doing. It's a very small percentage of the golf being played and a completely unfair disadvantage for the best players. The LPGA and PGA should pull their heads out of their backsides and realize this is not the right way to connect with your fans.

Yeah....that's such a freak accident, though I wonder if its nose candy related. (Only half joking.)

Wide open field otherwise.

Also related to golf majors on the women's side. LPGA really screwed up the Lexi Thompson situation the other day.

Lexi Thompson penalty hot topic at 2017 Masters | Golfweek (http://golfweek.com/2017/04/05/2017-masters-lexi-thompson-penalty-hot-topic/)

I think the real issue is, you've got people "calling in" but almost always the people who send in emails and call in are golf officials or folks who "know somebody." It was what happened when Tiger Woods had that infraction in the Masters a few years ago.

It's not regular Joe fans who are doing this, and that's what the bullshit is, since not every player end up on TV getting extra scrutiny.

no word yet on Johnson. I too hope its not a coverup for bigger problems like when he finally admitted he had a drinking problem.

Going to be very windy at Augusta today, with gusts there (and here) up to 40 mph this afternoon. I'm sure that won't do his back any favors. Going to be a very difficult course to play.

I think they are just going to have to ban "call-ins". Technology has improved so much that people who aren't even there at the course have power over what happens now, and that just doesn't seem right. Let there be "Monday night quarterbacking" on all the talk shows about it, but if you are going to assess a penalty for something like this, it should by rule, been given before the next round begins not like what happened to Thompson and Johnson.

They also need to get rid of the completely ridiculous double penalty applied for signing a scorecard that did not contain a penalty applied the next day. I can't believe they used to DQ for that, but I'm assuming that rule was in place without considering situations like that.

DJ withdrew at the first tee.

Also, the replies here are awesome.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At most sportsbooks, action is action. Doesn't matter if Dustin Johnson showed up at the first tee or even hit the ball.</p>&mdash; Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) <a href="https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/850051527070928896">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Very sad to see. Looked like he was going to try to play all the way to the first tee. The larger concern now is that this has sparked chronic back issues that will prevent him from regaining the form that brought him to #1

Rooting for Sergio to finally win one tomorrow.

Wow, cant believe they both missed on 18. Now it goes to a 73rd hole.

Congrats to Sergio

Finally!

Very happy to see some one with that much talent finally break through and win a major.

Kudos to Sergio. He's been way too good for way too long to not have a major.

I've been watching golf for a long time, and I have to admit that I never thought Sergio would win a major. I felt he had a game to win one, but wasn't sure he had the head to win one. Earlier in his career I though he definitely would, but after he lost to Harrington in the Brit Open years ago when his putt to win on 18 lipped out, he seemed to take the position that fate was against him. In fact, in several interviews for years he had a defeatist attitude about winning a major. I guess getting engaged again helps, and having Rose completely screw the pooch on the first playoff hole took a good bit of the pressure off.

since not every player end up on TV getting extra scrutiny.

That's the key. It would be like if the NFL decided to add an extra official to just focus on one offensive lineman the whole game to see if he committed any penalties.

Golf is such a mental sport, and those that do not play it do not understand this.

When I was in high school I worked at the TPC in Memphis, where the play the St Jude Classic. My job during the tournament was maintaining the golf carts during the event in case they needed a new one sent out for a scoreboard, if a marshall needed a new one, etc. My post was between the clubhouse, #1 tee box, and the club storage. As a result, I was able to meet most of the major golfers of the early to mid 90s.

One of the meetings that struck me the most was Payne Stewart. I gave him a ride out to his car most days of the tournament for 3 or so years. During his mid career slump, he was either at the top of the leaderboard or was in contention after the 2nd or 3rd round. He got in the cart, I complimented him on his round, and then he went on regarding his game at the time. His game was holding on by a thread, his putts were lucky to go in, etc., etc. It blew my mind how a guy that was a major figure in the sport was so defeatist. He went out the next day and shot an unspectacular 69 (it was an easy course) and finished 15th, in large part because he was missing putts.

Sounds like we all have the same thoughts about Sergio. So much talent. Such a head case.

Congrats to him. Maybe some maturity helped him break through.

Happy to see him win one.

Ten years ago he would have folded after those back to back bogeys to start the back 9 and go 2 down after being 2 up less than an hour before. He did a great job of keeping everything in check, and getting that eagle was huge.

10 years ago that winning put lips out and he either goes to another hole or finds a way to choke the win away right there.

Stunning number of eastern European Brians signed up for this place last November.

Tiger underwent another back surgery today.

Tiger underwent another back surgery today.

sounds like his career is pretty much over.

What a wild career arc. Thought he'd make one last run but that is obviously not going to happen.

Apparently, we can't have a golf major anymore without a little Dustin Johnson drama. His second child is due any day now, and he is still in Florida awaiting its arrival. Thankfully he got to see the course last week because he missed the cut.

Meanwhile Phil Mickelson might not even play unless a rain delay on Thursday gives him time to attend his daughter's high school graduation and make it to Wisconsin for his afternoon tee time.

Very eager to see how Erin Hills plays, At nearly 8,000 yards and very few trees, and weather softening the course this week, it looks like a long-hitter's paradise.

Mickelson did indeed withdraw, which is like the first major that one of he and Woods hasn't been in since the 90's or something.

Kinda good news bad news locally as Roberto Diaz of Mexico now takes his spot. He's been playing out of Myrtle Beach for a few years now, so happy to see him get in.

Well the course has been playing pretty easy so far (Rickie Fowler has the early lead at -7), well except for Dustin Johnson who is currently at +3. The real excitement however is an advertising blimp that caught fire and crashed. Pilot is injured but conscious and alert.

WATCH: Advertising blimp crashes at U.S. Open, passenger parachutes out - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/watch-advertising-blimp-crashes-at-u-s-open-passengers-parachute-out/?ftag=COS-05-10aaa0h&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_content=5942c54519694a000740b51b&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook)

Im very impressed with Mickelson. Congrats to his daughter.

Great back story to Erin Hills.

Well this has been a very strange US Open. None of the top 3 were close to making the cut, and the fourth (Spieth) is barely under par. Course has been very affected by rain and very little wind, meaning every one can go for broke...and they have. 32 rounds under par today, which is a US Open record, as well as Justin Thomas shooting a 9 under 63 today...and he's not even leading. No major winner is within 7 shots. No a lefty is leading and its not Mickelson of course, its Brian Harman at -12 under.

Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas probably have the best chance based on experience, and we should finally see some "US Open nerves" tomorrow. I think Fowler has to be drooling not having any of the top 4 to worry about, but especially if it rains more tonight, its pretty wide open for a crazy finish. It's a shame we won't get to see Erin Hills with a full set of teeth, kinda makes the course seem very blah to me.

The USGA is never coming back to this course. They'll probably try to brutalize Shinnecock next year to make up for this.

The USGA is never coming back to this course. They'll probably try to brutalize Shinnecock next year to make up for this.

Yeah probably not, but the one thing the USGA can't control is the weather, and it certainly bit them here. I hope this experiment with new courses-Chambers Bay a couple years ago- is not over as I find most of the regular Open courses to be pretty boring. I doubt though that they go to a course with no trees and almost no water on it again. The only defense Erin Hills has been the fescue rough, but the fairways are so wide its not that difficult to avoid (except if you are a Top 3 player in the world I guess)

Looks like the wind (and cooler weather) has arrived at Erin Hills. Lots of players in sweaters and long-sleeves.

Can we pass a law that says yelling idiotic phrases after a golfer takes his (or her) tee shot is considered just cause.

Can we pass a law that says yelling idiotic phrases after a golfer takes his (or her) tee shot is considered just cause.

:)

well Fowler and Thomas will probably be kicking themselves until the next US Open as neither could mount a charge. Brooks Koepka with some pretty clutch putting on the back nine to win it.

Just got an email from August National. I just won 2 tickets for Sunday's round.

Just got an email from August National. I just won 2 tickets for Sunday's round.

congrats!

Im watching the US Amateur Championship. Stroke play set the seeds for 64 golfers. Then on to match play.

Doc Redman was downb 2 with 2 to go. Nails an eagle with a 50 foot putt to win the 35th hole. They play 36 in the final. Then hits a birdie to win the 36th and force extra holes.

The kid he is beating was 1 up going into the 36th hole last year and lost on the 37th hole. Its about to happen again. Doug Gihm is his name. Poor kid.

Redman just won. Gihm not a good plyer under pressure.

Gihm hit his tee shot way left on the par 4 315 yard hole. Went over the green into the sand. Next shot over the green into the sand.

Great tournament. Fun to watch. I much prefer match play to stroke play.

Redman from Clemson. Only 19. He made 13 straight one putts at one point.

Gihm not a good plyer under pressure.

Did he play poorly? Because it sounds like the guy he was playing had to pull some stuff out of you know where to come back.

Did he play poorly? Because it sounds like the guy he was playing had to pull some stuff out of you know where to come back.

On the 37th hole he yanked his drive way left. He had to go over some small trees. Shot was blind. And he flew the green. It was a real tough 2nd shot.

Redman did make a 50 footer on the 35th hole for eagle. And did make shots.

But Gihm said in an interview after last years final he felt the pressure and lost it. So Im just guessing he isnt much of a clutch player.

sorry wrong thread

So weather (or lack thereof) making another Majors golf course not playing up to its strength. Two players (so far) have flirted with a majors record round of 62-falling just one short, and the afternoon groups are just getting started.

Of course after I said that, had enough of a rain delay to postpone the rest of the second round until tomorrow.

Humidity is preventing the greens from firming up. The soft greens have really been a factor.

How big of a news story is it if Tiger holds on to win the TPC today? How many years since he won his last major?

How big of a news story is it if Tiger holds on to win the TPC today? How many years since he won his last major?


Well I don't know how big of a story if he wins it will be, but social media will be ablaze for sure. I think many people want him to win again, if not regain some of the dominance he used to have. Certainly sets up well for the Ryder Cup next week too.

I think at this point Justin Rose is the only one who can stop Woods from winning the Fed ex Cup, and he is currently sucking big time at the moment at +4 for the day, and I think that would give Woods the Cup. Dustin Johnson was looking good too, but needed to eagle 18 to tie for second...I think. :) He parred.

Tiger has been choking a bit too with bogeys on 15 and 16, but has arrived at 18 with a 2 shot lead over Billy Horschel, who is still eligible for the Cup if he wins. Rose has a shot at Eagle on 18, and a birdie would give him the Cup...barely. No one has bogeyed 18 all day.

That crowd is old school huge.

US up early in the Ryder Cup, winning the morning session 3-1 with the only losers being Tiger/Patrick Reed. Nothing going right for the US so far in the afternoon matches. Losing in all of them, one is 5 down already, 2 others are 3 down.

Phil Mickelson, yikes

Well that might have been the worse I have ever seen the US play in the Ryder Cup. Lost all four afternoon matches by at least 2 up, and Europe now leads 5-3.

US suckitude continues in Europe. Lose the morning session 3-1, currently split in the afternoon sessions. Tiger Woods not won a point yet in this Cup.

afternoon matches not quite over, but looks like a split of the afternoon groups right now will give Europe a 10-6 going into singles tomorrow. Tiger lost 5&4.

US just cannot solve playing the Ryder Cup in Europe. Though they played better as a group today, they were too far behind. Biggest names on the US generally did not play well, and some (i'm looking at you Mickelson) were pretty awful. Congrats to the Euros.

Furyk's selections went 2-10. The Euros did much better. Woods and Mickelson were 0-6

Tiger with the lead. Molinari falling apart.

I'm glad Tiger is back on top. He probably won't dominate now like he did then but I feel he has paid his dues.

What could have been if he had not gotten distracted.

My wife was there. Took some customers of hers. Said it was nuts.

My wife was there. Took some customers of hers. Said it was nuts.

I am indescribably jealous.

I am indescribably jealous.

She didn't even want to go. Complained about it for weeks, but she is the VP so she had to be there.

I actually tweeted about it to the guys on VSIN and they made fun of her on the radio.

So oh yeah Golf is still being played, and what is normally the 4th major of the year, the PGA, started today

While there’s obviously a financial hit, I’m loving seeing the courses without the stands and spectators

From what I've read the players seem to like it too. Who wouldn't?

While there’s obviously a financial hit, I’m loving seeing the courses without the stands and spectators

I was supposed to be attending round 3 :(

Bummer Kingfc. :(

It's weird seeing a course with no spectators/crowd roars and groans.

Also weird: Seeing players in sweaters with temp's in the 60's and probably a windchill after countless days here with temps above 80, high humidity and heat index with little wind (other than the hurricane). Hard to imagine when I'll need to wear a sweater again here.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I saw Phil Mickelson this summer in Ocean City, MD. He guaranteed he would win this years Masters. <br><br>Go get em Phil! <a href="https://t.co/360WufwBXm">pic.twitter.com/360WufwBXm</a></p>&mdash; Brock Landers 41 (@BrockLanders41) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrockLanders41/status/1326357216467836928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Going to be a weird Masters, no fans, no par-3 contest, and the colors coming from the trees not the flowers

Well we have seen what a defenseless Masters looks like, no wind, slower greens and probably the lowest scores under par after one round. Lead by Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey,and Dylan Fritteli at -7. Most of the well known names are close too including Tiger and Phil. The late tee times yesterday are turning right back and starting the second round now. The players who tee off later may not finish their rounds.

Dustin Johnson got to -10 before falling back a couple, then parred every hole after that until he birdied his 18th hole, the 9th to finish at -9. He's joined there by Justin Thomas, Abraham Ancer, and Cam Smith so far as the afternoon groups get under way

Dustin Johnson ties the 54 hole scoring record at the Masters with a no bogey, -7 under round. His -16 under leads by 4 shots. Nice birthday present DJ, thanks

Dustin Johnson had an 0-4 record with a 54 hole lead coming into this round, and early on looked like he might go 0-5, but settled down with no other top players making a move leaving players with little Masters experience to chase him. Came back strong on the second nine to set a new Masters scoring record of -20 and wins his first Green Jacket.

Tiger Woods injured in a car crash this morning in CA. Had to be extracted from his car with the Jaws of Life, and is currently undergoing surgery for multiple leg injuries

That is one tough car that was pretty badly smashed.

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They are showing the vehicle being towed. It was a 2021 Genesis. It looks like it had a decal on the door. Loaner vehicle?

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They are showing the vehicle being towed. It was a 2021 Genesis. It looks like it had a decal on the door. Loaner vehicle?

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I'm guessing. It said Genesis Invitational on it. Not great product placement.

That was the tournament he was in town for. They must have given him a vehicle to drive.

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What I expect is that alcohol or drugs were involved. What's going to irk me is when people start leaking that they saw Tiger relapsing. If he's really a friend, you have to confront him, otherwise he's going to ruin or end his life eventually.

We will see, but initial reports is he did not seem impared. He was supposedly participating in a documentary for Golf channell which was why he was there and out that early. The sheriff said that was a pretty common stretch if road for that kind of accident because of the hill and the curves.
I mean, he might have been high or something, but it is possible it was just an accident.

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WTF, doesn't he have a chauffer (and a bodyguard)?

We will see, but initial reports is he did not seem impared. He was supposedly participating in a documentary for Golf channell which was why he was there and out that early. The sheriff said that was a pretty common stretch if road for that kind of accident because of the hill and the curves.
I mean, he might have been high or something, but it is possible it was just an accident.

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I hope he's clean, but relapsers tend to relapse.

Regardless, I hope he can be there for his kids and I hope he finds some level of peace and satisfaction.

I'm guessing. It said Genesis Invitational on it. Not great product placement.

considering he lived it is actually great product placement.

WTF, doesn't he have a chauffer (and a bodyguard)?
You would be really surprised at how few very wealthy people rarely use a driver. For like big events maybe, but not for the day to day.

"Multiple open fractures" in his right leg. Man, that sounds so painful. It sounds like his right leg just completely shattered.
Tiger Woods recovering from lengthy surgery to repair 'significant' injuries to right leg (https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/30951717/tiger-woods-hospitalized-vehicle-rolls-crash)

So the combination of he meant to hit the brake but was going 90, there was a pill bottle found, and Tiger thought he was in FL rather than CA, all point to continued substance use, IMO. Always covering for him doesn't help him long term.

Watching the hoop jumping the golfers are doing to defend playing in the LIV series is hilarious.

Watching the hoop jumping the golfers are doing to defend playing in the LIV series is hilarious.Are these golfers technically employees of the PGA with a "non-competition clause" or is the PGA a normal sports association/league? If the latter, the PGA will have no defence if the golfers go to court and demand their freedom to play wherever they want to. The CAS will destroy the PGA's penalties and such in a heartbeat, there's a lot of precedence. But if they are employees, tough luck for them, they knew what they got themselves into.

MIJB, I am also wondering that.

Because LIV is feel-good propaganda for a murderous regime, it is easy to root against it and against the guys who decided to play for them.

But it also seems like the PGA's legal position is basically "we've always been in charge, and we are going to keep it that way," which is also pretty problematic.

The devil's in the details, but I have no idea what those are.

Pretty disgusted my man Dustin Johnson is one of them. Greedy bastards who already have more money than they know what to do with willing to sacrifice everything else just so they can get more money. I can at least understand college kids ready to start their pro career jumping at the money, but the rest? Kinda hope they aren't allowed back to participate on regular PGA events (if they qualify/already qualified for a major that's one thing). Now they may not be able to compete in Ryder/President's Cup too.

They are not employees per se as they have often referred to them as independent contractors because they can set their own schedules. However, there are rules / by-laws of the organization that says the need permission to compete in another golf event. Those were almost always given to compete in European Tour events, but of course were declined for LIV.

As much as I don't like the background of the new tour, I think the players have a good argument especially since these releases are granted in the past.

I waa wondering about the legality of the PGA response. I don't think their strong stance will stand up in court.

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Wouldn't it be similar to August National? Is the PGA allowed to make the rules on who is and who is not allowed to be member of their tour From what I have read, the players that have been suspended can still participate in the majors as those are not under the jurisdiction of the PGA. The only question I have is whether anyone would care about the PGA events if the top players are playing in the LIV series. Maybe the Public Investment Fund will just buy the PGA.