The Masters

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

3 putts, do it Jimmy.

[Giggles]

That's that then. Easy 2 from there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He needed to hit his first putt a bit longer :(

He's done well though, fair play to him.

If Matsuyama could putt he'd have taken this though, the bottling Japanese.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Still two weeks until the Masters but I highly recommend anyone interested tune in for the World Matchplay final on SS4 on the hour. Dustin Johnson v Jon Rahm, world number one in insane form against 22 year old Spanish tyro, also in insane form and both are hitting it miles. Lovely country club course in Austin, Texas as well.

[Adamski]

Country clubs in America look absolutely ridiculous. Would love to go to one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's today :cool:

Sky all week, BBC at the weekend.

Dustin Johnson has opened proceedings by falling down some stairs and his participation is in doubt. Such a Dustin thing to do.

[Giggles]

Raging I hadn't the foresight to book today and tomorrow off for this. Won't be shifting from the TV at the weekend though.

Anyone but 'Rory'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They only start the proper live coverage at 8pm anyway as the good ol' boys down there have to protect the 'patrons'.

[Giggles]

That's right too, this one does start coverage later. I'll do the first two rounds on Eir Sport as they normally have less ad breaks than Sky on most other things. Harrington is commentating for someone, could be them, which would be a minus though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I turned on the preview on Sky last night and there was Paul McGinley, golf's answer to the 'proper football man', verbally puffing up his mates as always. I'll organise a whip round to have him on the Irish coverage instead.

[Giggles]

Johnson gone.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Butch Harmon back on Sky :drool:

[Giggles]

Watching Sky til Eir kicks off at 8. They love their graphics.

[Giggles]

Speith shatting himself already.

[ItalAussie]

Only Dustin Johnson.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Charley Hoffman was in the last group on Sunday a couple of years ago (when Spieth won) and I don't think the host network showed any of his shots. He's the sort of person who American TV tries to pretend doesn't exist.

The BBC also referring to players ranked top 50 in the world as 'little known Americans', I love it.

Still, good to see Westy already in the top three, ideally placed to pick up the pieces when the Hoff collapses on Sunday.

[Giggles]

Would love this to be the one Westwood wins. I missed the end last night, that was a storming finish.

[Waffdon]

On the Aussies.

Sergio though :wub:

[Waffdon]

Of course he misses that on 18.

[niko_cee]

I was going to :drool: a Sergio/Westwood day 4 final pairing but I see Lee's already done the dirty on himself.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm sure I spied a missed three footer from him whilst half-watching it over dinner. Westy, the gift that keeps on giving.

This is actually shaping up beautifully for the weekend. Loads of big names and some little ones in the mix.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fred Couples is taking the absolute piss, as he does every year.

[Waffdon]

Speith is going to get back into this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nah. He's not playing well enough tee to green. Short game digging him out. You can't win the Masters that way from seven back, he'd have to shoot 65 and 68 or something.

I had Fowler and Mickelson (of the top names) for this and happy with that so far. Rahm is absolute class as well. Reckon he might win the Open at Birkdale.

[Waffdon]

Lovely putt :cool:

Should be right back into it now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Westwood on an early CHARGE. Come on Lee, get in those last couple of groups for Sunday.

[Giggles]

The pig nosed little bastard is ominously placed. Need him at least 6 back once today is wrapped up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If he wins tomorrow you'll have to lock yourself in a padded room for the next six months.

I don't find Phil as objectionable as I used to. Maybe it's just Stockholm Syndrome.

[Giggles]

Ah you get used to him winning. As bad as it is at the time, you've forgot about it the following weekend.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah but this will be a career Grand Slam and lead to load of op eds and a statue.

I'm a huge fan of his personally.

[Giggles]

Hadn't even copped about the grand slam. He's going to win it eventually anyway.

[Giggles]

Oh and it was Sky got Harrington :D

I knew he was commentating somewhere from a preview podcast the other day, but I just presumed it was Eir. That said, it may still be an improvement on Bjorn.

EDIT: Peter Alliss talking about how well Fred Couples' trousers fit. BBC :cool:


.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is shaping up to be an absolute classic. I just hope none of them go on a mental run and streak away with it.

Everyone with a heart has to be rooting for Garcia though. Mon Sergio.

[Giggles]

God yes, a Garcia win would be brilliant. Like yourself though I'm just hoping it trundles along like it is for now to set it up for tomorrow.

[niko_cee]

Fowler was putting like an absolute champ on those opening holes.

Westwood sticking it to within 3 feet off the tee and then missing the put could be a Bill Murray comedy vehicle.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd actually quite like Hoffman to go on and win too, if only for the raging seethe it would cause from a less famous player daring to do well (golf, especially American golf, biologically despises the unheralded).

[niko_cee]

Enter William McGirt. I was thinking as he was up there that his name is more suited to a rogue PGA win (or maybe a US Open gone wrong in the style of Lucas Glover) than a proper one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

His name is more suited to assassinating a little known 19th century President than anything to do with golf.

The TV directorial choices are always fun in America. They seem to have given up on Pieters. Obviously not doing the numbers in Antwerp.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Hoff goes maritime at 16, that's him off the scene.

Looking at some fruity final groups tomorrow here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Last two groups:

Fowler/Spieth
Rose/Garcia

:drool:

[Giggles]

That's lined up lovely.

Between a Grand Prix at 7am and this ending late night, Monday is going to be a fucker.

[Waffdon]

Meant to be next to no wind. Gotta fancy Spieth but Sergio winning on Seve's birthday would be too damn good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's Sergio's time.

Can't believe I've just said that but it is.

[Giggles]

I reckon Speith, but please let it be Garcia.

[niko_cee]

Westy leaving it an inch short at the first I see.

Although he's being outdone by Casey at the moment.

I can already see Garcia walking down the last looking to the heavens, so I imagine he's going to have a spectacular meltdown somewhere.

[Giggles]

I see an amateur there with one of those long putters. I thought they were banner, or is he allowed because he's an amateur?

[Jimmy Floyd]

You're allowed long putters but you're not allowed to anchor it in your body. So what a lot of them do is practice with it anchored and then hold it millimetres away for the actual putt.

[niko_cee]

Do any actual/club amateurs ever use those long putters? Or is the temptation to buy one (can you buy one?) the point at which you get measured up for your Team Sky lycra onesie?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've never seen a clubbie use one, though they do have them for sale in the fancier pro shops. It's basically for people who get the yips, which is realistically going to be pros. Bernhard Langer/Adam Scott made/saved their careers on the back of them but most people don't get as horrendously yippy as they did.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Come on Serg. We both know the triple bogey is coming. It's just how you respond to it. Come on Serg.

[rush]

It's going to be so, so sad when Sergio fucks this.

[Waffdon]

Nah, he's got this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

10, 11 and 12 are the dangerous holes. Nothing clear until those are done.

[seniorguvnor]

There's only one dangerous hole. We all know that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Pieters or Schwartzel post -7 then it's game on.

[Waffdon]

Anyone but KUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[rush]

I hate KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH's face; it's just so...American.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is how Kuchar wins all his tournaments. If he's ever out on the course knowing he has a chance, he falls to bits.

[niko_cee]

Buenas noches.

[niko_cee]

Thought Kuchar had a passing resemblance to this legend just there:

http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7068019.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Tim-Curry-in-Home-Alone-2.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spieth and Fowler are going to be let off their massive pathetic bottle jobs here as well, which annoys me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is fucking epic. Garcia back from the dead.

[Dark Soldier]

Amazing final day, proper Garcia misread to top off the 18.

[Dark Soldier]

Fair fucks Sergio.

[Jimmy Floyd]

:)

Lovely moment.

[GS]

It's genuinely great to see Sergio win this. :cool:

[ItalAussie]

One of the most likeable possible outcomes. Feel for Rose, but he's won a major before and could easily win again.

[Giggles]

That was epic but by fuck I'm paying for it now. Ended up just pulling a blanket over myself on the sofa once it was over, never even seen the presentation.

[niko_cee]

Had to call it a day after the 16th. Glad to see Sergio did it, although I wasn't expecting him to. Genuinely thought he'd lost it when he lined his feet up on 13. To come back from there was fairly unlikely. I suppose there had to be a bit of Seve in there somewhere.

[Jimmy Floyd]

His irons into greens 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 (twice) were all phenomenal. I don't think he was further away than about 12 feet on any of them.

Could only have been bettered if he was reeling in some cunt like Bubba Watson.

[rush]

I dropped out when they were on the 10th, but watching it back now (perks of working from home).

How much was this Garcia playing well (which from the above, sounds likely) and how much was it Rose doing a Garcia? I ask as I've just seen him play that ridiculous tee shot on the 13th...

Regardless, still genuinely pleased to see him finally win one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

13th green was big. After that it was gladiatorial stuff all the way in from both players, but Garcia obviously from behind.

Garcia on 15 was fairly epic as well.

[niko_cee]

The swing (or lack thereof) on 13 when Rose missed that short birdie putt felt massive, but I wouldn't say it was a bottle job from Rose (although I haven't seen 17 and 18). He played exactly how I think everyone thought he would (solid), put the pressure on Sergio and it took a fairly herculean effort on his part to come back from looking like it had broken him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rose made a slight arse of 17 with a one shot lead, but even that wasn't terrible golf, just went in a bunker and missed a putt.

Probably the best closing holes I can remember since the Woods/DiMarco one.

[John]

I watched a bit of this and even from my position of very little knowledge it was obviously brilliant stuff.

Sergio Garcia has a tiny head, by the way. My mate has a picture of himself with him and he looks like Spikey.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A fun US Open Sunday in progress. No real big names among the contenders, Fowler aside but it's wide open at the moment early in the round, although Brooks Koepka looks well placed and the latest young American hero, Justin Thomas is losing the plot.

[niko_cee]

I didn't think The Open moving from the beeb to Sky would be a big deal (I have access to Rupert's dark empire after all) but whereas in the past I would have seen it in the morning first thing the tv was turned on I almost completely forgot it was on yesterday.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was a totally mad decision, even if the BBC's coverage is TERRIBLE (apart from Ken on the course, of course).

[Giggles]

Love those Ken bits.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It should be noted that this year's PGA Championship (American one) has just gone to the BBC from Sky, in one of the more bizarre pieces of late doors TV rights shifting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Anyone who finishes today under par is right in the mix. If Kuchar gets in -5 in a minute, that will lead easily.

Mugilroy getting himself in the game by the looks.

[John]

I saw McIlroy in the paper yesterday issuing a rallying call to his fans that they could 'beat the bookies' together. I think he's losing his head.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ah, Rory going backwards as soon as the wind picks up, classic. Hits the ball too high.

Anyone in the clubhouse now might as well get on the sauce, it's their lucky Friday.

[Giggles]

I hope the pig nosed little manchild gets struck by lightning.

[ItalAussie]

Spieth should walk this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

74 wins it for him I reckon. Sunday Kuch needs to be at least 10 groups back to threaten.

[niko_cee]

They should probably just bin the PGA and make 'The Players' their major.

When you're being bumped to red button on the BBC you know the time has come.

[niko_cee]

Box office from Speith here though. Pine straw to pine straw and now he's hit it into a tree. Will probably still get kicked in for a par but it's enjoyable to watch.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This whole BBC thing is an absolute farce. They've sent Mark James and are streaming it someone's phone by the looks. Also Peter Alliss needs to fucking retire. Best thing Murray Walker ever did was get out at the right time.

[Giggles]

How the fuck did they end up at this course? My old course in Loughgall had better greens.

[Giggles]

Dunne is going to fuck this up :face:


EDIT: Just about. Lucky he'd the cushion. What a cunt to beat to it too :drool:


914510697144360960

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tiger charge ongoing on Sky.

[niko_cee]

Seems Tiger isn't going to save golf and win this one then.

My now nearly 10 year old bet that he'll never win another major still going strong. When can I call it in? Does he have to die? Retire?

[Waffdon]

Garcia :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

I hope it isn't the case (even though I have big money on him) but I fear Spieth will piss away with this, one of the big boys might need a 63 somewhere to catch him around here. He's timed his season's run to perfection.

[niko_cee]

Speith obviously read he had your backing overnight.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Backing Spieth is one of those win-win situations really, even if you lose your dough you gain the joy of those cunts who inexplicably care that he's a TEXAS LONGHORN or whatever being sad.

That said the prick is still leading.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're now suffering a far worse fate, which is Fat Pat running away with it.

[Baz]

We're now suffering a far worse fate, which is Fat Pat running away with it.Good for my bank account though.

[Giggles]

Why are they all saying pot instead of putt? Is that a thing now?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I haven't noticed it, but if you can please take Paul McGinley back and bury him in a swamp somewhere that would be much appreciated.

[Giggles]

I haven't noticed it, but if you can please take Paul McGinley back and bury him in a swamp somewhere that would be much appreciated.

He's one of them at it, and Rickie Fowler was another earlier. The main commentator mixed it in a couple of times yesterday too.

On the latter point, nobody wants him back. He's fucking brutal.

[Giggles]

Also, 'play' instead of 'shot'. That's even more rife.

Is that some Augusta patrons type bullshit or just plain wankery?

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Play' is just American bullshit that they seem to use to describe anything in any sport for lack of a vocabulary.

Patrick Reed pulling on the XL green jacket is the worst outcome imaginable here, someone needs to dock in a 64 tomorrow and get in amongst it.

[Giggles]

The Mrs just looked up at the TV from her tablet and asked why hobos (Tommy Fleetwood) were playing golf now.

[Giggles]

Pig nosed little cunt had to go and ruin the best golf viewing weekend of the year.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He is fucking phenomenal. So are all the others. Course is a little receptive today but rarely seen a better standard from so many players at one event.

McIlroy will shoot 62 or something if he wants it here.

[Boydy]

Mon Rory.

[Ian]

So how is Woods getting on in the end? Is he BACK?

[Jimmy Floyd]

He is somewhere between back and BACK. Made the cut.

[Boydy]

Watching this is making me itch to get out again and play this year. I wish the fucking weather would improve.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fuck off Reed. If he went back to 9 or something it would be a classic Sunday. 15 is too many, he won't melt down.

[niko_cee]

I do hope we see a Fat Pat meltdown tonight.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't see it. Could see Rory taking it off him with brilliance though.

[Giggles]

The prospect means I won't have to ruin my Monday with a late night at least. Fuck watching a second of it now.

[Boydy]

The prospect means I won't have to ruin my Monday with a late night at least. Fuck watching a second of it now.

:D

Why do you hate McIlroy? Just because he's from up here?

[Giggles]

:D

Why do you hate McIlroy? Just because he's from up here?

Not really, there's plenty of British golfers I like. It's a combination of the media hype train about him here for no justified reason, and mostly because he's a really odious unlikeable little worm.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He won four majors by the age of 25, I think that's a fair justification for media hype.

[Giggles]

He won four majors by the age of 25, I think that's a fair justification for media hype.

You're misunderstanding, they treat it like he's an Irish golfer (by 'here' I don't mean your media) and it's just endless fawning. Little cunt even flashed his visa and took our home tournament away from us.

[Boydy]

He gives loads of money to charity too. He seems like a nice lad.

[Giggles]

He gives loads of money to charity too. He seems like a nice lad.

When has he ever seemed like a nice lad? He's the epitomy of a spoilt brat, every bit of his demeanor and attitude sings it.
I can understand you all liking the home sportsman and all, I'd do the same myself, but there's no point in fairytales.

[Boydy]

The charity money. He funded the building of some respite centre for kids with cancer up here.

[Giggles]

Like all sports people, his management and PR will have done that. I wouldn't pat any of my own home golfers on the back if they appeared to do similar either, things like kids with cancer don't exist inside a top sportspersons bubble.

Anyway, it's all irrelevant really anyway. I don't like him and others do like him. If we all had the same opinions then sport wouldn't exist.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What I do have a lot of time for is Bubba Watson putting it into a bunker.

[Boydy]

Jon Rahm looks so goofy and awkward when he eaves to the crowd. I love him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's like a friendly child in a gigantic body.

I don't often take the Lewis approach on this subject, but Tiger Woods really needs to get one of those hair transplants.

[Boydy]

Fuck off Spieth, quietly sneaking up in there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Reed is such a prick that a Spieth win would be blessed relief.

Spieth could post 13 or so here which would make life interesting. Think 15 wins it.

[Boydy]

Why do you hate Reed so much?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not the only one. He's just known as an arrogant prick by everyone in golf. It started when he won some tournament and said 'I'm in the top five players in the world', which has never yet been the case.

[Boydy]

Fair enough, sounds like a prick. I don't follow closely enough to really know their personalities.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's going to be jacketing up at this rate sadly because Rory is a careless midget.

[Ian]

It's weird that in golf there are frequently guys who win the majors who I've never heard of. I barely watch it but the same goes for loads of other sports where I've at least usually heard of the winners/challengers of the big tournaments.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We haven't had any real surprises for a few years. There was a brilliant period in about 2002-04 when Tiger went off it for a bit and we had luminaries like Rich Beem, Ben Curtis, Shaun Micheel and Todd Hamilton scooping up the big prizes.

In golf you have to beat everyone in the field to win, which is a lot harder to do and more random than tennis where you just have to win 7 head to head shootouts.

[Ian]

It's less about me considering them to be surprises than there being a bigger disparity between my level of golf knowledge and golf's popularity than other sports of a similar level.

That said I just read an article about Reed and he sounds like a fanny so I'm all about the Anyone But Reed bandwagon. Not that I'm actually watching it, you understand.

[Boydy]

Rory's fucked it. Come on Rahmbo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You can even tell from the muted roars at Reed birdies that everyone there hates him.

Come on Jordan :moop:

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://deadspin.com/how-patrick-reed-became-golfs-latest-villian-1682766305

For reference on Reed, dunno if it's the same article Ian read. Basically he's a ****.

[Waffdon]

I do love Spieth. He’s given himself too much to do though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I do love Spieth. He’s given himself too much to do though.

If he gets to 15 I reckon playoff at worst. Even 14 has a chance.

Course record if he gets one more birdie.

[Ian]

https://deadspin.com/how-patrick-reed-became-golfs-latest-villian-1682766305

For reference on Reed, dunno if it's the same article Ian read. Basically he's a ****.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/04/patrick-reed-masters-popularity-why-do-so-many-fans-hate-him

This was mine.

[Gray Fox]

That last hole bogey surely ends it now?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Reed pars in it's done. He's just made too many putts for anyone to live with.

[Kikó]

How did your tips do Jim?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cameron Smith tying for 5th at 100/1 has done my tipping credibility, and bank balance the world of good. Spieth also making me a bit but that's hardly a bold call.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was at Turnberry when Stewart Cink won the Open beating Tom Watson in a playoff in 2009, and the gallery (sorry, patrons) reaction here is the same, crowd clearly gutted.

[Giggles]

:)

At least I can listen to a podcast before Wednesday or Thursday now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://www.golf.com/knockdown/2018/04/08/masters-patrick-reed-estranged-family-complex-mix-emotions

I didn't know all this family stuff about Reed. Having the police escort his mum and dad from the premises while watching him in a tournament 4 years ago. Sounds a proper wrong un.

[Giggles]

You'll definitely like this topic @Jimmy Floyd (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/member.php?u=111).

983242855203426304


EDIT: Forgot that's the live feed.

[niko_cee]

Is Bubba Watson on there because he's just really boring/ostensibly a simpleton or is he a dickhead as well?

I would imagine the harder pick would be a collection of interesting people from 'the world of golf'.

[Baz]

Sorry for the [semi-]after-event but bloody hell I wish I'd put some money on my own tips. This was before the Players Championship started:

994170891301945344

And now:

https://i.imgur.com/Pr46Sfe.png

70/1!

[Jimmy Floyd]

If there was anyone good in that chasing pack I would put a decent sized lay on Wimpson, but they're all bed wetters as well.

[Giggles]

Is this a major that's on? Heard a good few score updates on the radio when normally it would be like golf didn't exist.

[Waffdon]

The so called fifth major. Kuchar and Fowler won it though so it’s a load of shite.

[Giggles]

Sawgrass, or has one of those race to a trillion billion things in Dubai replaced it?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sawgrass. I've never really liked Sawgrass or this championship, but everyone seems to swear by it.

[niko_cee]

What's Mickelson been up to here then? Running after his ball and stopping it? Sounds bizarre.

By the seethe coming off Zach Johnson it also sounds like this one might be heading south in comedy fashion. Good old toughest test in golf. Never change boys.

[Boom-Boom-18]

https://twitter.com/adam_stanley/status/1008052607544430592

[Giggles]

According to the first reply there they've basically let him off with it too.

[niko_cee]

2 shot penalty when they should probably have kicked him out.

It's pretty embarrassing.

[niko_cee]

Tony Finau (and some chap called Berger) leading the US Open is quite lol. I wondered whether that might be the case when I saw they were in with that before the wind hit the fan. Could be absolute carnage today if it's windy again. Some clubhouse mug sneaking in at +6 early afternoon and winning it would be hilarious.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Every time they host it here it's an absolute joke. It was the same in 2004.

[niko_cee]

It's pretty much always a joke wherever they hold it, at least at some point.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just seen the video of Phil running after the ball and whacking it back. Absolute cheat and always has been.

[niko_cee]

They massively bottled the decision in giving him the 2-shot penalty, particularly when you consider what he said afterwards.


"If someone is offended I apologise, but toughen up. Knowing the rules is never a bad thing. You always want to use them in your favour," said Mickelson.

"I know the rules and the ball was going to go off in a bad spot. I did not feel like continuing going back and forth. I would still be out there potentially. I've wanted to do it many times before and finally did," said Mickelson.

Quite how that isn't a "an action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball in play" (a DQ offence) is anyone's guess.

[Giggles]

And you know if it was some nobody, or probably one of 90% of the players out there, they'd be on the way home this morning.

[Giggles]

Those were two serious putts from that Knox lad today.

[niko_cee]

With the way the weather has been I would have thought the scoring would be brutal this week (my mind goes back to another baked brown course - maybe Hoylake or Lytham) but it seems not.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Was piss in the morning but got brutal in the afternoon. Will probably be so all week if the weather stays as it is, it just dries out and firms up as the day goes on

I could see it being another one where someone chucks in a 64 on Sunday 15 groups back and watches them all fall over.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

It's due to be rain here all morning tomorrow.

As ever, if the wind stays down (which it's meant to tomorrow) in these conditions there should be decent scores. Having lived here for 6 years now I can say that there's usually a decent wind more often than not, today must have been an odd calm one.

[Waffdon]

You going along? I didn’t realise it was £45 for under 25’s so will probably go on Saturday or Sunday depending on how hungover I am.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Nah, feel like it's rude not to since it's so close but I've not given a shit about watching golf for too long to warrant it at £80/90.

[Max Power]

This ‘Pat Perez’ character who is now troubling the lead :D

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Pretty sure I just saw Mark Chapman in the Co-op. What a time to be alive.

[Waffdon]

Hugh Grant was noncing about the ferry last night. Scott Brown too for comparison.

Woods is on one :drool:

[Waffdon]

Woods has this :drool:

[Pleb]

In before Woods blows it in an unexpected playoff.

[-james-]

I've never even remotely heard of some of the names in contention here.

[Baz]

Cmon Molinari lad.

[ItalAussie]

Molinari winning a major is a pleasant and unexpected surprise. My officemate had money on him too.

[niko_cee]

Is the PGA Championship on tv anywhere?

[Giggles]

Is the PGA Championship on tv anywhere?

11Sports have it now. They've just launched (they're online only) but this weekend is free. Well you've to subscribe for a week but you can cancel before the week is up. First two rounds are live on their Facebook page without signing up at all.

http://elevensports.com

They also have exclusive Serie A and La Liga.

[niko_cee]

Oh, I see. Seems that's the deal here too. Appealing to a younger market? Lol at that. Literally no one is going to watch it, but maybe that's nothing new.

[Jimmy Floyd]

People are a bit deluded about the idea of streaming sport. People watch sport, especially things like golf, because it's on, they're not going to seek it out.

'But the younger generation...'

No, boomer retards.

[phonics]

I think it's a smart idea. They weren't getting the money they asked for from sports broadcasters so why not give it away for free and gain control over the ad market. The people who want to watch it won't not watch it so who does it hurt.

They say they've got 17 million subscribers as well so they can't be doing too badly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The people who want to watch it will absolutely not watch, Golf Twitter suggests such people are in a huge majority.

The problem the PGA has is that it's a shit tournament held on deliberately easy courses, so of course broadcasters aren't getting near the sums they pay for the three good Majors.

[phonics]

Golf Twitter being loud and moany over nothing? Doesn't sound like them.

[niko_cee]

I would probably watch it if it were on tv. At least some of it.

That said, I have never, ever bought anything from American Golf, nor will I in all likelihood, so maybe I'm not much of an audience.

[Waffdon]

Tiger Woods is most definitely back and my body is ready. I don’t know if he’ll ever sort his driver back out but if he does :drool:

[Luke Emia]

I think it's a smart idea. They weren't getting the money they asked for from sports broadcasters so why not give it away for free and gain control over the ad market. The people who want to watch it won't not watch it so who does it hurt.

They say they've got 17 million subscribers as well so they can't be doing too badly.

On 5live this morning the sports reporter was saying something along the lines of when he was watching only about 1000 other people were according to the stats they were showing. However, they did a terrible job of promoting they had it. On the other hand lol at SKY showing repeats of the other majors all weekend.

[ItalAussie]

So do we have to entertain the possibility that Brooks Koepka may be a top tier player?

He's won precisely one not-a-major tournament ever, but three majors.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He'll win more as well. Easily the best of the current Americans, has the best temperament in the game, hits it miles, has broad experience, putts well... a bit of a kick in the teeth for most of America who want Spieth to be that guy.

When you think for all DJ's game he only has one major and Brooks has 3, there's the difference between the two. Brooks is only in his 20s as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That said, I can't see him ever winning a green jacket (nor DJ), you need subtlety round there.

[phonics]

Viewing figures were up 70% so it can't have been too bad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They won't have been.

[Giggles]

They have to be fudged to fuck.

[phonics]

That's some Trumpesque Fake News reaction.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If there is, it'll be because Tiger was in contention on Sunday and Tiger is probably 20-30 times more popular than golf is. You definitely see that sort of absurd skewing on US TV figures for golf - it's literally all about Tiger, and if he isn't winning then nobody is interested.

It's cute that tech heads like to think streaming has anything to say with regards to the future of live sport but it just simply does not - fracturing an already fractured product, we know from years of experience, makes sport less popular and less engaged with. Where streaming/online giants might have something to say is sideshows like that City doc that Amazon are bringing out.

Live TV is here to stay when it comes to sport, the numbers prove it and tech nerds just have to accept it.

[ItalAussie]

That said, I can't see him ever winning a green jacket (nor DJ), you need subtlety round there.

So you know more than I ever will, but Bubba Watson has won two of them. He's many things, but subtle?

[Jimmy Floyd]

The crucial tool he has for Augusta is left handedness. Bubba two jackets, Phil 3, Bob Charles back in the day... there's a reason Mike Weir won a major.

There are loads of right to left tee shots at Augusta (particularly 10 and 13) and lefties love those.

Bombers tend not to do particularly well around there as you really have to be in position and you can't just bully the golf course.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Some cracking golf on tonight, the final round of the Tour Championship, good ol' Tigger has a three shot lead and plays with McIlroy in the last group. Ryder Cup next weekend as well.

[Giggles]

Didn't realise that was next weekend. Sweet.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't know what to make of it at all. Have thought America for a long time but now starting to think Europe. So many of the yanks have gone off a form cliff.

[niko_cee]

A heroic Woods-led US win.

And I'd probably be almost pleased for the old sod.

Obviously when it comes down to it I'll be all over Poults mugging them off, but deep down a US win would probably reignite it for me. Or at least make my mindset that they always win a bit more in keeping with reality. Like the Ashes, these things are better conducted via cyclical dominance than they are by just winning the home leg all the time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought their team was going to become more likeable as time went on, but with Reed, the God Squad fully reunited, a sulking Spieth, and convicted cheat Phil Mickelson involved it'll be the normal pro-European jingoism from me. Fancy that.

[Giggles]

I'll be as normal. Whatever team McIlroy isn't on.

[Waffdon]

Beautiful start. Boss man :cool:

[niko_cee]

Do we get the Ryder Cup back after Brexit?

At least we'll have the psychological advantage of maybe playing in red back on our side, I guess.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Absolutely mad scenes here, it's like Arnie came back with Elvis on his shoulders.

[Waffdon]

Absolute boss.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought their team was going to become more likeable as time went on, but with Reed, the God Squad fully reunited, a sulking Spieth, and convicted cheat Phil Mickelson involved it'll be the normal pro-European jingoism from me. Fancy that.

I should have put the biggest bell end of all on this list, Bryson DeShambles, a one man bullshit academy. Here he is being blanked by Tiger on the way off.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dnz_ayJWsAAjEvK.jpg

[niko_cee]

Not going great.

Getting mugged in the top game looks like it'll be a big loss. Rahm horseshoeing that 6-footer to go 2-up and Finau's outrageous fluke off the railway sleepers soon after pivotal.

Rahm's been a bit useless all told.

Will be lucky to escape the day 5-3 down at this rate.

[Giggles]

The US win was meant to be all kinds of jammy. Those are the best ones :D

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Rose and Rahm were out in front for pretty much the whole match, then botched the last, and the yanks got it back to all square after Finau stuck it to within 5 feet of a par 3 (the 16th?) off the railway sleepers around the green. It was mad lucky.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As ever we are a bit dependent on about 4 people and if McIlroy is still in can't be arsed mode (as he has been for 3+ years) then it doesn't bode brilliantly.

Another trip to the Garcia and Stenson wells this afternoon, I'll take 2-6 if it means our point is Phil and Bryson getting filled in 8&7.

[niko_cee]

At least Fat Pat lost, and Woods looks like he's dead.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tiger is a circus sideshow in this, always has been. Their engine room is DJ/Fowler/Spieth/Thomas.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Good old foursomes back to save the day as ever.

[niko_cee]

Jesus.

[Giggles]

This is the first time I've missed Sky since I cancelled it.

[niko_cee]

I see Jimmy got his wish. I left it with Mickelson taking a short iron off the tee into the water on a par 4 and it obviously didn't get much better. The beeb's text even rolled out 'DeShambles'. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't think of a better scenario for Europe than Phil getting a double-benching tomorrow, getting bored and destroying US team morale.

Well, I suppose him playing again would be a better scenario, but you know what I mean. I think him and DeChambeau is one of the worst pairings you could ever dream up, two borderline ADHD fucking weirdos, and good ol' Team USA smashed it out of the park.

I read something about how this morning Bryson was trying to come up with scientific ideas for how to win and Phil was lapping it up. I mean, come on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also, Koepka is basically their best golfer (number 3 in the world, won 3 of the last 6 majors), played brilliantly in the morning, and they benched him for the God Squad and the aforementioned comedy duo. What's all that about?

It's as if his face doesn't quite fit into the spring break wanker hegemony that seems to exist in the US golfing establishment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Highlights currently on beeb.

I listened to some on the radio earlier, which was an interesting experience as the commentators don't really have a lot to work with or any time to work with it ('The ball goes up...') but do a decent job considering, although you also get quite a lot of 'Molinari, richly tanned forearms...' and the like.

[niko_cee]

Rahm's found the water off the tee at 1 and 2.

:cab:

Pouter's going to have to be in overdrive to get anything out of that one. Bit of a strange pairing really. McIlroy and Garcia should cruise their match and hopefully Fleetwood and Molinari can do Fat Pat and Tiger again for a 2-2 minimum.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Poulter/Rahm is an odd one. McIlroy/Poulter yesterday was genius, with the former being his usual lazy self in the morning he needed an injection of madness to focus him in the afternoon. Double madness though, not sure.

Reed and Woods are looking an absolute shambles early doors. That's a strange pairing as well. Two loners.

[niko_cee]

Rolling on the ropes at the moment.

The yanks need a few good holes to stop things getting out of hand here.

[niko_cee]

Mickelson out on the range has to be some sort of mind game. They can't be thinking of sending him out in the foursomes again, can they?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was just putting my putative list together for them, the problem they have is that they had two totally useless pairings yesterday who are all benched at the moment, but the people on the course aren't exactly covering themselves in glory either.

I've drafted up Koepka/Woods as a pairing, and Watson/DeChambeau, but I bet they play Phil.

[niko_cee]

Phil and Fat Pat for the driving dream partnership.

I can't believe Koepka and Finau are still going in this one (and they've left a few shots out on the course as well). Surely they can't pull it out of the fire again?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Phil and Fat Pat for the driving dream partnership.

Driving the club cart I suspect.

McIlroy left the building some time ago, he's so poor mentally nowadays for someone with his ability.

[niko_cee]

It's a bloodbath. What's the most consecutive points a team has ever won? 8 in a row seems like it'd have to be close to a record.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In terms of world ranking, this US team is the strongest ever fielded by either side at a Ryder Cup. They really have been an embarrassing disaster in these last two sessions.

Put any sort of rough on a golf course and they just melt away like, well, snowflakes.

[niko_cee]

Fleetwood and Molinari really are absolute dons. 17 up over their four matches.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoRzQTTW0AEj25d.jpg

I think I'm taking us.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think we've got this fairly comfortably.

[Waffdon]

Getting somewhat interesting now. Rory is going to lose it on 18.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, it's going to be nervy but hopefully the spackloaded US line-up comes through for us.

[Waffdon]

Getting somewhat interesting now. Rory is going to lose it on 18.

:D

Worse than I could have imagined.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just as well Spieth decided to leave his clubs at the hotel really. The big cat doing his fair share of mongery as well.

[Waffdon]

I don’t think I’ve seen a single bit of Garcia/Fowler today since turning it on.

Lol. As I say that, Garcia does that

[Waffdon]

They’re going to actually win this with that mong with the flat cap topping it off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think they'll need Tiger's or Rickie's point to have a chance. And they definitely need DJ's.

[Waffdon]

Rahm/Woods have had a proper shit off on the green.

[Waffdon]

Mickleson conceding the Ryder Cup after dumping it in the water tops this off.

[niko_cee]

Aye, what a shit way to win/lose.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Rahm/Tiger match summed it up. One of them off his head on mental juice, the other quite ostensibly does not care one jot and doesn't want to be there.

[Giggles]

Never seen any after but doesn't look like I missed much. Very disappointing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You did miss the 'pug-faced Irishman', as my mum calls him, getting plugged in the lip of a bunker on 18, hacking it back into the bunker and then from there to the water to lose his game. Still, better luck next time.

[Giggles]

You did miss the 'pug-faced Irishman', as my mum calls him, getting plugged in the lip of a bunker on 18, hacking it back into the bunker and then from there to the water to lose his game. Still, better luck next time.

There wasn't an Irishman on the team, pug faced or not.