Eurasia Cup Final Results - PGA Tour and LPGA news - Golf tours general

What a golfing weekend so far. So what happened?

Well first let's talk about the Eurasia Cup. When I got up this morning I was able to watch some of it and it was interesting what I saw. Asia playing extremely well and catching up and Europe struggling to move on to win that event.

Honestly when I left to play in a tournament myself, I thought Europe will close the deal and win the first ever EurAsia Cup. But coming home I was proofing wrong big time.

Opening the PGA Tour official site I found that Asia actually not only caught up with Europe, but almost won the entire event. Amazing. When I first wrote about this new tournament I mentioned on how the Europeans were the favorite on paper. Seems like they were the favorite on paper only.

Those Asian players got excited and motivated. Shot by shot, hole by hole and they pulled it off. Making this event an exciting show for the finally showing up spectator crowed and the viewers on TV. This is team golf as it was meant to be.

In the end, the finished with a tie. Is that a good thing? Well I think it is not a bad thing and they all looked pretty happy and smiling. Showing great sportsmanship. The EurAsia Cup is on the map and with a beginning which leaves all players involved with a positive experience in mind.

In Asia they will talk about how they were holding off the strong Europeans and in Europe they will talk about a loss which was acceptable , because everybody gave his best and after all it is golf and anything can happen. Starting today, European and Asian players will not only work on trying to play in the Ryder Cup, but to qualify for the EurAsia Cup , which might even count as a last opportunity for some to proof themselves.

Looking forward to find out who will show up in the Ryder Cup Team. There is a couple players which for sure will make it and this event confirmed their ability.

Meanwhile in Texas. Most exciting news I found so far. Phil made the cut after showing some great workmanship in the water and a good 18th. Then he injured and withdrew from the tournament. Makes you wonder if he pulled his muscle in the water.

The leaderboard show some interesting names. Bowditch leading for example or Loupe in a tie for 2nd. Both players with holes to go. Right in the middle of a bunch of well known players and winners. Loupe really did not have the breakthrough yet and it remains to be seen if he can keep up his good play n today and then finish strong tomorrow.

Bowditch finished a little better so far, but not much. Both players are well outside the top 125 and a good finish will move them up a lot. Thing is, you never know what happens and Sunday is the toughest day and the last 5 holes are the longest holes ever.

I can not write too much about the play itself. I was playing myself and did not get a chance to watch and follow what is going on. The leaderboard looks interesting and I look forward to watch more tomorrow.

Had no chance to watch much of the LPGA either. But seeing the Dori Carter on top of the leaderboard is great. She is just at the beginning of her career and is one of many great rookies joining the tour. I love ladies golf and think it is underrated and needs some more attention. For that matter I wish that one of her wishes, being interviewed by David Feherty, will come true soon.

Those young players will help bringing this attention. They are exciting to watch. They are excited and some of them will hopefully be great role models. It is nice to see favorites like Inbee or Stacy Lewis win, but it is even nicer when more new players not only join the tour, but also start winning and competing. That will push the veterans to new heights and to more work. Which I know they are all willing to put in.

Some of my favorites, like Sandra Gal, did not make the cut. But again, that is golf live :). You play, you work  ,you practice, you make the cut, you miss the cut, you win and you lose. In one word: Golf.

The new NEC Latin America Series is something I really like. It will give many new players a stepping stone to make it to the web.com. Just like Ryan Blaum, who also played the NGA. I am excited to see Daniel Maziotta in the field after making another cut. I know Daniel for a few years now. Even in 2012 we already knew he will make it. Played often good on the West Florida Golf Tour, NGA Tour and so on. Glad to see him out there doing what needs to be done and playing well.

In my mind, there is a future PGA Tour player in the making. There are some others I actually know, but we do not want to go through all of them. The scores look good, plenty of new names and no doubt we will see some of them on the web.com tour.

Here is my thought for tomorrow.

At least one of the two Bowditch or Loupe will finish in the top 5, Matt Kuchar will be in the top 5 and Kevin Na is hot and might just pick up a win.

Not sure about the ladies. I would hop for Dori Carter to make it and win this event, but there is some big shots right behind her.

Nothing about the NEC. I hardly know any of the players on top. Just wish Daniel a good round tomorrow.

One thing is for sure. I will make it a point from here on to watch more /Asian golf. Wonder if there is more golfers out there who are interested in the Asian tour, ladies tour and so on. What is your prediction for tomorrow?

Wonder why I did not mention the web.com or Champions Tour? Well, tomorrow is another day and I just did not get into it today :).

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Eurasia Cup Day 1 result - Jimenez leads European team to huge lead

I was only able to watch up to a certain time yesterday and had to go to bed. But I wish I could have been right in front of my TV to see the European players finish with this incredible lead.

Not that I had doubt that they will win. The odds were pretty much in their favor from the beginning. However, this was such dominant performance even I was surprised. Jimenez, El Capitano, lead the pack in star fashion. Most impressive were his two eagles I watched  before hitting the sack. Those two approach shots were unbelievable.

My second favorite team effort must be the one by McDowel and partner. Falling behind so fast was a big surprise and then winning the match, shows exactly what I wrote before and will write again. McDowel isn't done until he is done. I am sure Donaldson learned something in that round.

Looking at the pairings for Friday Jimenez decided to stay with the pairings as he had them play the first day. This also is not a surprise. It seemed like the teams were in good shape and comfortable. As he said long before this weekend when asked by media. He kept it relaxed. Let players do what they can do best and just gives them confidence and calm.

He sure did, with this play and simply as a person.

Jaidee did change his teams. Not sure why, but I am sure he has something in mind and we will see if it will do any good. At times change is good. Here is the thing. Those Asian players are just not well known. To me at least. I follow golf all over the World. But the Asian tour is somewhat far away.

I personally think, that the EurAsia Cup went off to a great start. Players seem to enjoy themselves and all look organized. One thing I hope for tomorrow and Saturday are more spectators. When you look at the galleries they put up there, they must have expected more even on day 1.

No matter how many people will show up, this event will be a success and largely because of the players who are playing and the passion they show. Tonight they will not start televising until midnight. Since I will play in a tournament myself , I will not get to see any of it.

There will be some great golf again and surely the Asian players will put up a good fight. I am hoping, that we will still get an exciting Saturday. It would be sad if the match would be over early. Makes me wonder if they finish play if points are reached? I might have to read the entire rules section.

My tip for tomorrow is that Asia will get 3 points back. They are good for more, but after this start Europe is hot.

Did you watch any of it ? Any opinions on the event? It would be interesting to hear what other golf fans, writers or professionals think.

EurAsia Cup Day 1 - watching life right now

The first day is running and we are lucky. Golf Channel has it on beginning at 8 30 pm EST. It is now 11 45 pm and I am still watching.

The parings were published on the official European Tour website and I am confident that many of you actually studied them.

Check out the Pairings and Standings of the EurAsia Cup

Looking at the standings right now, it looks like Europe is leading comfortably. Most impressive is so far without a doubt the captain himself. Miguel Angel Jimenez played 9 under par through 11 holes, including 2 very good eagles. Looks like he is absolutely confident that he can not miss a shot today.

Jaidee is playing well , but can only do so much. Being so far ahead , I think, that while I am asleep Jimenez and Larrazabal will bring it home. At least I hope so.

All matches following the first match are wide open. Anything can happen at any time. In team golf you just never know what will come next.

Only huge surprise is the last match. Graeme McDowel and Donaldson are 2 down at this point. The Asian team players did a good job converting their opportunities. But this match is far from over as well.

I like the fact that the captains both play in the first group. Leading the way and after the round being able to communicate with the other groups and welcome them on the 18th hole.

It all looks like a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I am a little disappointed by the number of spectators I am seeing on the course. Then again, it is not a surprise. It is a brand new event and it is day one.

The Ryder Cup did not start any better many years ago and now look what it became.

Really would like to know what the TV coverage in Europe is. In Asia it is probably covered pretty well.

For me it is bed time soon. But I am excited about this upcoming weekend. All tours have interesting events coming up and for sure we will get some interesting news.

What is your tip for the EurAsia Cup? I think Europe will finish day 1 with a 3 : 2 lead. Looking forward to wake up and read the results. Certainly will write some comments on what I read. Maybe I can even do some live blogging on Saturday evening.

EurAsia Cup 2014 in Malaysia - Inaugural tournament featuring Europe and Asia in a Ryder Cup like format

The EurAsia Cup 2014 - to me an exciting addition to the game of golf worldwide.



Here we go. Players and team captain alike arrived in Malaysia for the EurAsia Cup 2014. A Ryder Cup like event featuring 10 of the best players each of Asia and Europe. It is the first event in an attempt to create a competition between top players of those two continents which will be held every two years.

It is not supposed to be a copy of the Ryder Cup, but a first step in an outreach of the European Tour towards Asia to strengthen the relation ship. I have read many articles about this upcoming event. There a few writers who did not necessarily like the creating of the event, relating their concerns to the Royal Trophy. That argument is meaningless. The Royal Trophy is a an event in cooperation with three different golf governing bodies and is not sanctioned by the European Tour.

But I do not want to go into further details. If you like to find out more about the differences between some players, organizers and the European Tour, go to the official European Tour Website.

I want to focus on this exciting event which brings some of the best players of  Asian and European Golf together. Especially the Asian players are rare to be seen on TV and news about those competitors are not often published in main stream media.

 The format is exciting. Fourball, Foursome and Singles. The event offers all kinds of other competitions including a Pro Am and other events where players can compete against each other.  Looking at the schedule I think it will be a wonderful golf week and spectators and fans are going to see some excellent golf.

Born in Europe I certainly am a fan of some of the players on our team. Miguel Angel Jimenez being one of my all time favorite golfers and golf personalities. His team includes some very exciting players.

Dubuisson being one of them. This  young gun plays some exciting golf and has no fear on the course. That will be refreshing and with his talent he can be a point winner.

Graeme McDowel. The fighter, the player, the man who never gives up. I like his style and no doubt he will put some good rounds on the board.

Thomas Bjorn. This veteran is not only nice to watch, but he leads the Race to Dubai, which is self explanatory.

Also playing on the European Team are Fernandez Castano, Donaldson, Larazabal and Gallacher. All tournament winners. All players on the European Team are in the top 70 of the World Rankings. Now that is some promising stuff. With a captain like Jimenez I am almost tempted to say that they will be unbeatable. Here is what Miguel had to say when ask some questions about the EurAsia Cup .



But, I am in the golf business for years and I know, that there is no such thing as unbeatable. The Asian team is a powerhouse in itself. With the fearless leaser Tongchai Jaidee leading the charge the players on this team have the ability and the talent to win. Tongchai is one of the most decorated golf players in Asia.

He showed on endless locations his calm, talent and ability of leadership. His team has some Asian Tour Heavy weights.

Leading of with a veteran who has plenty of wins to show for Prayad Marksaeng. Born 1966 is not the youngest. That shows confidence by the captain and will bring experience to the team.

Koumei Oda. Not exactly a newcomer Oda had a great year in 2013 and played himself into this team.

Hideto Tanihara. Plenty of wins are on his account and again an experienced player for this team.

There is younger players in this team of which I like Kiradech Aphibarnrat the best. He is an exciting player to watch and is able to beat anyone at any time.

My feeling is that Jimenez will lead his time to an exciting win and set the foundation for an event which hopefully will be part of golfs history from here on.

Wednesday the players will be part of the Pro Am. Not sure if I there will be much on TV. But I will follow it closely online and surely will have some comments available. Thursday both teams will be on the course for the first time. No idea bout the pairings. I just will wait and let the team captains surprise me.

It would be interesting to hear what other writers and players think. About the tournament and about the outcome. So leave comments if you are interested.

Official EurAsia Cup Website

The following videos related to the EurAsia Cup Q&A I also found online.

Webb sets course record, claims Founders Cup title - Stacey Lews comes up short, Lydia Ko can not hold up - but where is a word about Azahara Munoz?

It was an interesting tournament and I must say that Webb played yet another great event. Well deserved win by the veteran who seems to really get in motion this season. You have to congratulate here. It was also nice to read that KO was in the hunt and only lost because of the sensational round Webb put on the board.
However, to me the story of the tournament is actually a totally different player.
Azahara Munoz! When you look at here last 5 events, she quietly and constantly gets better and finishes pretty good. Last two tournaments she finished 2nd.
It makes me wonder why there is literally no article , no news, no nothing about this girl to find. It is nice to read about the other players. They play well, break records, are the youngest , are the oldest or whatever. But what about some of the players doing a good job while not being the flashy, famous or breaking records? To me Azahara showed yet another time how good she is and how close to get more wins on her resume. I am already looking forward to see here in Carlsbad. 2 second place finishes show a trend which could lead to a big win soon. No guarantee, but a good trend. I like women's golf. It is nice to watch and those ladies play some good golf, but I think the media needs to recognize in a broader matter what some of the girls get done out there. Which btw also counts for TV coverage where we, just like when the men are playing, only get to see the leading top 10 or so. But that is no news to anyone :) .


Webb sets course record, claims Founders Cup title

By

Associated Press

Mar 23, 2014 9:20 PM ET

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PHOENIX - Karrie Webb is close friends with founding player Louise Suggs and has a deep appreciation for the 13 women who started the LPGA in 1950.
The 39-year-old Australian made some more history of her own Sunday in the JTBC Founders Cup, rallying to win the event that honors the tour's pioneers.
''It's a very special event,'' Webb said.
The Hall of Famer shot a course-record 9-under 63 to take the lead, then waited 90 minutes to see if anyone could catch her.
To her surprise, no one did.
''I didn't expect to be sitting here at the start of the day,'' Webb said. ''Even, actually, when I finished the day, I didn't expect to be sitting here. So I feel a little bit lucky, I guess, to be sitting here. But it doesn't make it feel any less special.''
For the second time in the event, Webb overcame a six-stroke deficit in the final round. In 2011 in the inaugural tournament, she finished with a 66 for a one-stroke victory.
''I just love the feeling of this event,'' Webb said.

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Webb donated $50,000 of her $225,000 check, giving $25,000 each to LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and ''The Founders'' documentary movie. She did an interview for the film this week and learned that only about 10 percent of the necessary money had been raised to complete the project.
''I was just standing on the 18th green when Mike (Whan, LPGA commissioner) was introducing me, and it just came to me that, 'You know, I would love to be a part of that movie being produced.'''
Webb talked Friday night with the 90-year-old Suggs, a fixture at the tournament the last three years but unable to make it this year.
''She told me that I had to go out and shoot 64 yesterday, which I let her down and I didn't do that,'' Webb said. ''So, I made it up to her today.''
She certainly did.
Webb had 10 birdies and a bogey, playing the back nine in 6-under 30. She birdied five of the last six holes, making a 20-footer on the par-4 18th to finish at 19-under 269.
''I definitely putted probably the best I have all week,'' Webb said. ''Worked on a few things last night and really got the ball rolling on the back nine.''
Webb also rallied to win the Women's Australian Open last month and has 41 LPGA victories to match founding player Babe Zaharias for 10th place.
Third-round leader Lydia Ko parred the final three holes to finish a stroke back along with 2013 winner Stacy Lewis, Azahara Munoz, Amy Yang and Mirim Lee.
The 16-year-old Ko shot 70. She had a three-stroke lead after birdieing Nos. 2-5, slipped back with bogeys on Nos. 6, 9 and 11 and pulled within one with a birdie on the par-5 15th.
''I tried to get myself together,'' Ko said. ''I made some bogeys at the wrong time, which wasn't ideal, but I tried my best until the last.''
Munoz and Yang, playing together in the third-to-last group, missed long birdie putts on 18 and each shot 67. Lee shot 69 in the next group, also missing a long birdie try.
That left Ko - and her 25-foot try on the last was just short and right.
''I played really well overall, so I'm just going to take the positive out of it,'' Ko said.
Lewis birdied the final two holes for a 66.
''Unfortunately, I just came up one shot short,'' Lewis said. ''But to finish the way I did, it was just really nice to hit the shots and make the putts at the end of the round. Seeing putts go in always helps going into the next couple of weeks.''
DIVOTS: Jessica Korda, playing with Ko in the last group, had a quadruple-bogey 8 on the par-4 seventh after hitting her approach into the desert, then played 11 holes in 5 under to tie for seventh at 17 under. The Bahamas winner closed with a 70. ... Hee-Won Han also matched the course record with a 63 to tie for 15th at 14 under. Playing in the ninth group of the day, she holed a sand wedge for eagle on No. 7 and had only 24 putts. Ai Miyazato set the course record in the first round last year, and Cristie Kerr matched it Saturday. Kerr finished with a 67 to tie for 10th at 16 under. ... Top-ranked Inbee Park also closed with a 67 to tie for 10th.

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Karrie Webb, Lydia Ko, 2014 Founders Cup

Bubba Watson does a really good John Daly impersonation at Bay Hill - is what I read today and it is only partly true and what about Morgan Pressel

Compare Bubba Watson in any way with John Daly is pretty bold I think. It will take another decade until Bubba has accomplished what JD did. But I could write pages about that matter. More important is the article below which I found today online.
It tells us about Bubba shooting an 11, 1 less than JD in Tampa, and then walking of the course because of allergy. Right. Allergy. I do not think so.
I would agree that JD had his moments over the years. But in recent play he finished, regardless of score and play. So he did in Tampa and even commented on his round. Bubba walked off. But most likely for different reasons. Will we ever know? Probably not.
Also interesting is another fact which confirms my article I wrote about the value for sponsors players like John Daly bring into a tournament.
I watched golf, read golf and live golf all day long, every day. Yet it took me a complete day and literally an internet search to find any headline about Bubba Watson shooting an 11 or even playing at all. The Val Spar Open had huge exposure on the internet and not because of the winner or because of the great play. But because an iconic golfer shot a bad round and finished. Can not wait to see John back on the course.

Here is what I read before I wrote my note above.

Bubba Watson does a really good John Daly impersonation at Bay Hill

Thursday, March 20, 2014

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By Alex Myers

A long-hitting PGA Tour player knocked three straight balls into the water before writing a double-digit number on his scorecard and shooting one of the worst rounds of his career. Sound familiar?

Six days after John Daly shot 90 at Innisbrook, Bubba Watson signed for an 83 at Bay Hill, including an 11 on the par-5 sixth hole. Watson withdrew following his round because of allergies.

"It's hard to focus when you're heads all discombobulated from medicine and pollen #spellcheck" Watson tweeted.

Related: John Daly pulls a John Daly, shoots 90

But the Watson-to-Daly comparisons don't end there. Coincidentally, Watson's 11 came on the same hole Daly posted the biggest blowup of his blowup-filled career. In the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational, Daly made an 18 on No. 6 in the final round.

This week's Arnold Palmer Invitational is used by many players as the final big tuneup for the Masters. Interestingly, on Thursday, the reigning Masters champ, Adam Scott, bested Bubba, the tournament's 2012 winner by a whopping 21 shots.

"Looking forward to getting back out there #twoweekstilaugusta" Watson added on Twitter.

Follow the original link to read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/blogs/local-knowledge/2014/03/bubba-watson-does-a-really-god-john-daly-impersonation-at-ba.html#ixzz2wbpE8oE3


Another story which I really liked and which you briefly read about in the article below, was about Morgan Pressel. I like this girl. She is playing some good golf and the first round at The Founders was impressive. But if I would be 9 under par after 11, I would not know what to think myself. Will I keep going like that? Shall I bring it home? I am not sure. One thing is for sure. Morgan did a good job finishing the round and putting herself in a great position at this tournament. It would have been nice to beet the only 59 ever played by Annika, but that is a huge undertaking. It will happen. Just a matter of time. Reading the article below I think this will be a good lady's golf weekend.

Morgan Pressel flirts with 59, settles for 65 at Founders Cup

Published: Thursday, March 20, 2014 | 09:50:57 PM      

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Consecutive bogeys torpedoed Morgan Pressel's bid for 59.

PHOENIX (AP) --- Morgan Pressel's bid for history ended Thursday in a tangled desert bush. She settled for the second spot on the crowded leaderboard in the JTBC Founders Cup.
Golf's magic number of 59 in range after she played the first 11 holes in 9 under, Pressel bogeyed the next two holes and closed with five pars for a 7-under 65.
"I don't know if I was necessarily thinking 59, but I probably just got a little bit excited, because I had never been that many under par in that short of a span," Pressel said. "I just got a little bit quick and came back to earth."
She ended up a stroke behind Mirim Lee at Desert Ridge.
After birdieing Nos. 1 and 2 -- her 10th and 11th holes -- to reach 9 under, Pressel pulled her drive left on the par-4 third. Her ball lodged at the base of a short bush, with the bulk of the branches between the right-hander and the ball. There were burrowing animal holes near the ball, but they didn't interfere with a possible swing or stance.
"I could have hit it left-handed and there were a couple of burrowing animal holes around," Pressel said. "I brought them (rules officials) over to ask, but I didn't honestly think that I was going to get relief and I don't think that I deserved it."
Pressel took an unplayable lie and missed the green to the right, chipped to 7 feet and made the putt to save bogey. She also dropped a stroke on the par-3 fourth, missing a 15-footer after hitting another iron to the right.
"It wasn't the finish that I would have hoped for, but it gives me a little bit of confidence knowing how many birdies I can make and I'm capable of," Pressel said.
She was 6 under after six holes, birdieing the first four and making a 50-footer for eagle on the par-5 15th. She also birdied the par-3 17th and made the turn in 7-under 29.
"I don't know that I've ever gotten off to that hot of a start," Pressel said.
Annika Sorenstam shot the only 59 in LPGA Tour history in the 2001 Standard Register Ping at nearby Moon Valley. Ai Miyazato holds the record in the 4-year-old Founders Cup, shooting a 63 in the first round last year.
A tour regular since she was 17, the 25-year-old Pressel won the 2007 Kraft Nabisco to become the youngest women's major champion. She also won the 2008 Kapalua LPGA.
"I definitely feel like I have the ability to win again," Pressel said.
Lee also started on No. 10 and nearly matched Pressel's start, playing her opening nine in 6-under 30. She had three birdies and a bogey on the front side for a 64.
"Everything was good," Lee said.
Defending champion Stacy Lewis, top-ranked Inbee Park and Michelle Wie were two strokes back at 66 along with 2011 winner Karrie Webb, Eun-Hee Ji, Catriona Matthew, Gerina Piller and Perenilla Lindberg.
"A lot of tee shots set up well for me," Lewis said. "They fit my eye."
Coming off a victory two weeks ago in China in a Ladies European Tour event, Park birdied the final three holes. She closed with a tap-in birdie on the par-4 ninth after nearly holing a full pitching wedge.
"It was a very solid round," Park said. "Very good irons."
Wie eagled the par-5 fifth.
"I hit 3-wood, 5-iron over the green and then chipped in," Wie said.
Sixteen-year-old Lydia Ko opened with a 67. Playing alongside Park, Ko closed with a bogey after driving left into the desert.
"I forgot to bring my food and my protein bars," Ko said. "That's my excuse."
Park had six LPGA Tour victories last season, sweeping the first three majors, and became the first South Korean to win the player of the year award. She took a break after the season and skipped the first two events this year, returning with a second-place finish in Thailand and a tie for fourth in Singapore.
"I was a little bit exhausted last year after all the things happened," Park said.
Paula Creamer, a playoff winner three weeks ago in Singapore in the last LPGA Tour event, shot 70. She had a double bogey on the par-4 eighth, her 17th hole.
"Just one bad swing on the tee shot and hit in the hazard," Creamer said

Original article posted by:  http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/morgan-pressel-flirts-59-settles-65-founders-cup#ixzz2wbsMjWjp

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Tiger Woods withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational because of injured back and what impact has John Daly with his 90 at Val Spar on sponsor exemptions

Tiger Woods withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational does not come as a surprise to me.

Despite some people saying he withdrew from a tournament before that  because he did not play well I never believed that for a second. Over the years I watched Tiger Woods play, he would rather play in pain than withdraw from any competition. However, he gets older and his body works different.
He thinks different and has a different point of view in regards to golf and what risk to take.

So I think that this is a good decision. It is sad that he can not play at this tournament. After all , he won it 8 times and could set a new record by winning it a 9th. But at what cost? The price of hurting even more and being out of the game for a longer period is simply to high. No doubt, that it is a little sad for spectators, sponsors and the golf world. On the other hand, there is plenty of great players who will compete this week and we might see some great performances. There is other records to be broken and who knows, someone might just do that.

Tiger should get some rest, get in shape and let the back heal. I believe Tiger is doing the right thing. If this in the end will help him to win the Master, we will see. But at least he tries to be in the best shape he can be for this event.

Here are some of the articles on line about Tiger Woods withdrawing.

It seems like this made the news all over the globe. It shows you, how much influence this one athlete really has.

I found the following article today and here is what I think about the issue:

John Daly is one of the most popular players of all time. It really does not matter how he plays. Wherever he shows up there is lots of people. He has an exciting golf game. Long drives, fantastic touch in his hands and on top he looks great and different. He is a player who stand for the original golf player. The go for it guy. It would be a huge mistake to not have someone like JD getting into tournaments on the PGA, web.com or on any tour. He draws people. People mean $ and $ mean more $ for charity and charity is the key to a successful golf event.

Lee Janzen is a good name in golf, but does he draw people ? Not as much as John Daly. Then there are all the young guns who want to make it. Sure they need a chance and if there is a spot, why not. But in the first place we have to think about the tournament and not those young guys. They will get other chances and they can play themselves into bigger tournaments.

So in my mind it would be a huge misstate to not let guys like John Daly play. As a matter of fact, I would give him a chance whenever possible. He played some very good rounds and has the potential to get something done.

I have to say , that if I would be John, I would have been to Q school long time ago. But I am not and that is a good thing. John is John and we sure do not want to miss him on any tour. I hope that the sponsors will give him some entries and even more I hope that he has a top 3 finish soon or even win. It would set the record straight. It would be good for golf and certainly for John. Also it would bring back one of the most exciting personalities of golf back on the TV screen more often. That is what I think and I am sure there is plenty of other opinions out there. 

Note: I really like the little statistics in the following article. Interesting and rarely found. Thank you for that.

John Daly's unfortunate disaster at Innisbrook revives the debate over sponsor's exemptions

• By Gary Van Sickle, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated

 

 

     

Getty Images

John Daly tees off during the second round of AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He would miss the cut.

ORLANDO -- You don’t want to step on a guy when he’s down, and there’s no reason to criticize John Daly for shooting a 90 last week in the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook. That score was inflated thanks to a 12 on one hole and what he said was a full-blown case of the putting yips.
Daly’s unfortunate disaster is only notable because he was playing on a sponsor’s exemption. His performance revives the debate over who should receive sponsor’s exemptions among the usual assortment of rising stars, washed-up former champs, and friends of the sponsor or someone else.
It’s pretty simple. It’s the sponsor’s tournament, so the sponsor should choose -- end of debate. Daly had a bad week. It happens. He wasn’t trying to shoot 90. If a sponsor gives the occasional spot to a sideshow, such as former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien or Michelle Wie or Annika Sorenstam, so be it. Anyone who sells tickets or helps promote the tournament is fair game. Golf was better for having Annika play at Colonial.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with a watchdog keeping track of who’s getting the exemptions. When Ray Halbritter, CEO of Turning Stone Resort & Casino in New York and founder of the PGA Tour's Turning Stone Resort Championship was going to use one of the exemptions to play in the tournament himself a few years back, the public backlash forced him to step down. He wasn’t even a scratch golfer. It was a bad, ego-driven idea, and when he went out and shot 103, it would’ve left a bad taste in a lot of mouths.
Daly didn’t do that, despite his 90. So he’ll turn 48 next month. So he has a history of injuries, a record number of withdrawals and makes no effort to regain any tour status by going to Q-school or Monday qualifying. So what? Valspar wanted him. That’s all that matters. Our opinions don’t.
Daly received 21 exemptions over the previous three years -- six in 2011 (one cut made); eight in 2012 (six cuts made) and seven last year (three cuts made). He has received three passes this year. He made one cut, finishing 32nd at the Sony Hawaiian Open. As embarrassing as Daly’s 90 was, it did get front-page treatment in the sports world, and it did draw attention to Valspar. So maybe he helped, after all, since the absence of Tiger, Phil and Rory left the tournament slightly bereft of media play.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational this week at Bay Hill gets 21 exemptions to distribute -- most tournaments get only four, but as an invitational the API plays by different rules -- and passed them out to a wide range of players, including tournament host Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders and former major champions Lee Janzen, Trevor Immelman, Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen. Past major winners always add a little luster to a field. The API annually gives a spot to the Southern Amateur champ, and this year that’s Oklahoma State’s Zachary Olsen.
I’ve been charting who gets exemptions for the last few years. I call it the X Men Derby. The guys with the most exemptions have been Brad Faxon, Scott McCarron and Joe Ogilvie with 11 in 2011; David Duval, 12 in 2012; and Jordan Spieth and Camillo Villegas with nine last year. This year’s X Men Derby leaders aren’t at all who you’d expect. Rookie Max Homa, a University of California alum, and Brooks Koepka, a former Florida State University star who packed his bags for Europe’s Challenge Tour, lead the standings with six exemptions apiece thus far.
Koepka has made three cuts and tops the list of money won by players competing on exemptions with $270,345. He earned most of that from a third-place finish at the Frys.com Open last fall, when he led the tournament after the second- and third-rounds before Jimmy Walker ultimately won it.
Tour veteran Chad Campbell is next with five exemptions, former University of Alabama golfer Justin Thomas has four, and 11 players have received three, including WGC-Match Play sensation Victor Dubuisson of France; Chris DiMarco; Ogilvie; Duval; Paul Casey; Kevin Tway, Rickey Barnes and Peter Uihlein. Tway and Uihlein are the only ones in that group who haven’t made at least one cut with three exemptions.
The other way for non-tour members to get into tournaments is by Monday qualifying, in which typically more than 100 golfers play an 18-hole round and the guys who shoot the four lowest scores get into the field.
Jason Allred is the poster boy of the Monday men, having played his way into the Northern Trust Open at Riviera and finished third. Chris Smith has successfully Monday-qualified three times this season, while Kyle Reifers, Frank Lickliter and Eric Axley have done it twice. Well done, gents.
Here are the top ten money lists from each group:
Sponsor’s Exemptions
1. Brooks Koepka: $270,375
2. Matteo Manassero: $243,000
3. Victor Dubuisson: $155,306
4. Justin Thomas: $144,816
5. Max Homa: $135,000
6. Robert Karlsson: $121,916
7. Will Wilcox: $119,000
8. Hideto Tanihara: $119,00
9. Rickey Barnes: $117,400
10. Paul Casey: $94,800
Monday Qualifiers
1. Jason Allred: $388,600
2. Jay McLuen: $84,171
3. Tim Petrovic: $25,833
4. Eric Axley: $24,102
5. Chris Smith: $21,080
6. Kevin Tway: $19,000
7. Troy Merritt: $15,600
8. Len Mattiace: $14,660
9. Derek Broadaway: $13,671
10. Derek Fathauer: $13,320
Let’s check the Van Cynical Mailbag:
Van Cynical, Here’s a slow-play solution. Pair Kevin Na and Ben Crane off second behind Rory Sabbatini and Robert Garrigus, then let them (Na and Crane) play on the clock the entire round. -- Tom Davenport via Twitter
Brilliant concept, T.D. I second the idea. It’s not too much different from what Brandt Snedeker admitted in a televised interview with David Feherty, that when his group is put on the clock because of a slow player (Brandt is very quick), Brandt said he intentionally slows down to keep the offending player on the clock longer and increase the slowpoke’s chances of drawing a penalty.
Vans, There’s a whole heck of a lot wrong with 18 under par winning tournaments. Tough courses are far more fun for us fans. -- Brian Rosenwald via Twitter
I stand corrected, Rosebud. I forgot how lousy the 2000 PGA Championship was when Tiger Woods shot 18 under and tied Bob May and they had a boring playoff. Nobody liked the 1990 British Open at St. Andrews, either, where Nick Faldo staked out his own new era by posting 18 under and beat nobodies Greg Norman and Payne Stewart in a wild shootout. And there was that new kid firing 18 under at the Masters in 1997 and hitting wedge into every green. He ruined golf for the next 17 years.
Now that baseball’s Opening Day approaches, remind me again when the PGA Tour officially starts. Is it August? -- Chad Rucker via Twitter
I see you’re still suffering from split-season trauma, or splitosis as some call it. A lot of folks have trouble realizing that we’re six months into the 2014 PGA Tour season, which began in mid-October with the Frys.com Open and kicked off The Jimmy Walker Era. But we’re still languishing a few weeks away from the Masters, the official start of the golf season for some purists. I like your ironic point, Ruckster. Golf should take that crazy starting day in October an go all in and make it a real Opening Day with banners and lemonade and pomp and circumstance and crusty Hall of Fame greats hitting ceremonial first tee shots or the Queen of England parachuting in. Or something.
Van Sickle, Who’s the early favorite for the Masters? -- DougS via email
I’m tempted to answer nobody. Let’s just say that all the usual suspects don’t appear primed to play their best. Jason Day, a popular pick, has a sore thumb and just WD’d from Bay Hill. Justin Rose faded with a chance to win on the final nine at Innisbrook, which was disappointing. I’ll go with Patrick Reed -- two wins this year and he’s driving it long and on a string and he’s got a winner’s attitude. That’s a strong combo platter.
Van Cynical, What took the USGA until 2021 to go back to Torrey Pines for the Open? Wasn’t the last one there a huge hit? -- EMUguy via email
Good point, Emu. The USGA discovered prime time commercial rates thanks to the three-hour time difference, and of course there was Tiger in all his limping, wincing, heroic glory, plus the beauty of La Jolla. It was a big win except for the part about a financially strapped local government operating the course. I’d guess it was political squabbling and bureaucratic interference that kept Torrey Pines off the candidate list. Good luck in ’21.

Find the original article by Gary and more about golf following the link below:

Read more: http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/john-dalys-unfortunate-disaster-innisbrook-revives-debate-over-sponsors-exemptions#ixzz2wQrHcJPK

March 6th 2014 - WGC at Doral, Puerto Rico Open and then some. Jumping into golf discussions and news

There we go. I am so excited. Today I am starting my golf news and discussion blog. Something I always wanted to do. Write about golf. Talk about golf. Have discussions about golf and everything around this great sport. It took me a while. I wanted to find out what I want to write about. Trust me, I gave it a ton of thought. But in the end the answer was simple. I want to write about golf. Professional golf, Amateur golf, golf TV, international golf, golf professionals and more. Show golf results of all kinds of tours and follow professionals on their career. Maybe I even do some interviews. We will see.

So today the PGA Tour started the World Golf Championships - Cadillac Championship and the Puerto Rico Open. Both events have on thing and only one thing in common. Donald Trump. That was it. Looking at the field of both tournaments , in Doral the 50 top ranked players are trying to master the newly designed course while new comers, old timers and former champions give their best to take advantage of those other guys not playing an moving up in the rankings or catching a win and some exemption.

Both events are interesting and I like to follow certain players. I actually am more interested in the Puerto Rico Open then the mega event in Miami, Florida. Not that I do not like to watch Tiger going for more records, Stenson hitting a shank while trying to follow up his most incredible year, Jimenez showing the young guys how you can relax and play well anyway, but what I really like are the guys who are fighting to survive. The young professionals who are trying to reach for their dreams, the older guys who are trying to stay in and get another shot at a big year and the Major Champions like Duval and Daly who with their presence alone fill tournaments and who are simply trying to get back in the ranks one more time in preparation for the senior tour.

At Doral good golf was played and yet, many balls found the water on this much harder golf course.  Those guys had to work hard to keep the ball in play. The wind did not help as well. On top of that , they had to stop playing because of incoming storms and rain. Not an easy start. It seems that some of the young guys like English, Henley and Reed were able to deal with all that pretty well. But also some of the veterans and some of my favorite players like Jimenez, Garcia as well as Michelson did well. Overall, when I look at the current leaderboard, it is all pretty mixed up and anything can happen. Many players were not able to finish and with the weather being better tomorrow, they might have a slight advantage when finishing. We will see. Not sure who I would call a favorite at this point. I think for now I just let them play. Tomorrows round will give us some more inside.

Complete Leaderboard at WGCC at Doral in Miami , Florida

In Puerto Rico my favorite player by far is John Daly. John had a rough start, but came back nicely and put himself with many others in a reasonable position for tomorrow. Even being back by a few strokes, John is always good for a low round. I really would like to see him in the top 10 again or even win a tournament. David Duval might not be my favorite, but after this long and tough time I really wish him some success. Stuard shot a great round and has a comfortable lead. But we will see if he can keep it up and is strong enough to follow with another good round tomorrow.

Complete Leaderboard at Puerto Rico Open

One of the most interesting events today: Stenson Shank. Not because he hit a shank. But because the media made a big story out of it. Yet, shanks are nothing special. Happen all the time. They just are not caught on camera that often. But with a name like Stenson, oh well. Looks interesting and gives you some peace of mind when hitting one.

Other results in professional golf around the World:

Leaderboard web.com tour Chile Open

Leaderboard Asian Tour Open Qualifying

Leaderboard Barclays Kenya Open

Leaderboard NGA Golf Tour Spring Hill Classic

Surely there is more results, but those are the tournaments I am following right now. Soon you find a page with a link list of pro golf tours all over the World. Be patient.

So what is your word on the two PGA tour events? Any favorites? Any specials comments? Remember this is just a start and it is not all about tournaments.

Let's talk about golf - Pro Golf Tours, Players, Travel, Destinations, Equipment and much more

I love golf. Love to play it, love to watch it and love to talk about it. If there would be a way to have it on 24/7, fine with me. But for now it is rather complicated to stay on top of all those professional tours, events, the equipment, the endless stream of teaching media and everything which happens around this game. So I thought I will start writing and publishing. Results, news, stories, interesting and funny stuff, reports. Just what I find, hear and experience and do so several times a week. Encouraging discussion and communication. There is a ton of tours and players out there. I also will publish articles authored by myself and give people and readers opportunity to comment. That should make for an interesting discussion.
So let's talk golf. Let's watch golf and let's enjoy the game and everything connected to it.
I have no specific plan. I just write about stuff, publish info and try to find interesting golf relate things which others do not publish or only seldom. You will find that I have my own opinions and ideas might not be mainstream and at times not liked. If you have to comment, keep it clean. NO NEGATIVE OR OFFENSIVE comments will be tolerated. So if you have something to say, keep it clean. That does not mean you have to agree with me. Just say it in a way that will help to progress the discussion.

Want to know why I am qualified? Well. Find my profile once it is posted and learn about me. You can also find my other blogs.