The Masters

[Jimmy Floyd]

The computer hasn't had a distinguished first day but there's a long way to go.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The computer hasn't had a distinguished first day but there's a long way to go.

This statement no longer applies, because big Tony is on the CHARGE.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Si Woo with a chimp out and now having to putt with his 3 wood, lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If The Computer is unable to give us a winner here I really hope Zalatoris takes it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't mind who wins other than opposing the bratty Americans (Thomas and Spieth) as always. Been a great watch so far. Hooter will balls it up though.

[Pleb]

Big Dick Tony is close to a place finish isn't he?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hideki has been brilliant today, especially the back nine.

[Boydy]

Has Matsuyama got this wrapped up or is there any value to be had on any of the chasers?

[Manc]

Rahm absolutely lives for a late charge.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Has Matsuyama got this wrapped up or is there any value to be had on any of the chasers?

I'm sure there is if only because Augusta can be a real dick.

[Boydy]

Stuck 3 quid on Justin Rose at 13.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Patriotically I should want Rose to win here but I just cannot support a man wearing a shirt with roses all over it. As a result, Hideki all the way.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If Rahm can't mount The Great Comeback I'm on team Zalatoris.

Edit: £5 on Big Z.

[Boydy]

If Rahm can't mount The Great Comeback I'm on team Zalatoris.

He looks weird. Really lanky and sticks his arse out really far.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He used to look weirder:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/U8EcxtluJSE/maxresdefault.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

He doesn't have an arse. It's completely flat from neck to heel.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hideki has been great this weekend.

Feels like he's secured the win now unless he shits his pants.

[igor_balis]

Hideki has been great this weekend.

Feels like he's secured the win now unless he shits his pants.

:uhoh:

hideki van der velde

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Something is starting to smell.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That shot by Xander was an absolute shocking bottle job. No one hits it in that water.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Shame Zalatoris has wobbled on the 18th too because if he managed to birdie that -10 could have forced a playoff.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hideki's caddie bowing back at the empty golf course got me. Lovely win.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/57860263


Cobra, who work with DeChambeau, told Golfweek: "It's really painful when he says something that stupid."

:D

No mincing words there, eh.,

[Manc]

The Open highlights on the beeb last night consisted purely of McIlroy's round. Shocking coverage.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1416079664855011329

1416098785885769733

:D

dots.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Morikawa was having a real wobble on the front 9 but he's recovered seriously well.

Top 3 right now look quite a bit ahead of the rest.

Edit: Spieth has had a shitter to end his round though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Honestly no idea who wins from here. Maybe it's finally Louis's time again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's shitting his pants.

[niko_cee]

May as well dig this up for the Ryder Cup.

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Bryson 'The Scientist' DeChambeau:


On Long Drive Contests:

In golf, it's the one thing where you can judge your accomplishments by a number

Really? In a sport which is literally entirely governed by the NUMBER of shots you take?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If they manage to implode this time as well it really would be some going, but the early signs are promising.

Bryson is the gift that keeps on giving. As if he's wandering into the Ryder Cup having busted his hands preparing for the Long Drive Championship literally the day after.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I think Koepka annoys me more. Tries so hard to 'not care'.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Team Europe coming out wearing Cheese Heads :sick:

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's clever stuff tbh, rubbing in the yank faces that they don't take themselves seriously.

[Dquincy]

Links course (appreciate it's a lake and not the ocean) could lead to some challenging golf this weekend.

Looking forward to this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

First lot of foursomes:

Spieth/Thomas v Rahm/Garcia
DJ/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland
Koepka/Berger v Westwood/Fitzpatrick
Schauffele/Cantlay v McIlroy/Poulter

Very predictable from USA, but Europe not really what I was expecting - he's piled most of his good drivers into two groups. I don't like Rahm/Garcia as a pairing. Think USA take games 1 and 3, Europe take game 2, 4 not sure, depends if Rory turns up.

If Europe snag a 2-2 we're on solid ground. 3-1 would be wonderland.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I hate this crowd so much.

[Waffdon]

Rahm :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

McIlroy and Poulter are sitting the bed.

[Waffdon]

Mcilroy on day one. I’m not surprised

[Dquincy]

McIlroy and Poulter.

https://www.davidbrentquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/1et39g.jpg

[Waffdon]

Sergio :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

McIlroy/Poulter in 2021 is such a lazy, bad pairing. Lowry should be playing with McIlroy.

'Ryder Cup experience' vastly overrated as always.

[SvN]

Nothing reminds me of how much I hate Americans like the Ryder Cup.

[Waffdon]

Only the Spanish could hold a put

[Jimmy Floyd]

Europe in a fair bit of bother here, badly need to win the later session.

No away fans makes a huge difference.

[Jimmy Floyd]

USA 3-1 up. Fourballs:

DJ/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger
DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton
Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland

Both captains on the sauce. I'd be amazed if we could get anything from game 1, but have a chance in the others.

[Waffdon]

2nd and 4th to Europe

[Waffdon]

Mcilroy:sick:

[Dquincy]

It's not going well chaps.

This could get embarrassing. Wonder what the biggest win has been in Ryder Cup history...

[Jimmy Floyd]

18.5 for Europe in 2004 was the highest.

I have loads of money on 18-10 America to cover this scenario, so might end up having to root for that. We're just overpowered and outputted so far.

[Dquincy]

This is the Yanks biggest opening day lead in 46 years.

Would be a good story for Europe to turn this around.

[Waffdon]

Americans look strong in them foursomes again. Not a fan of Westwood/Fitzpatrick again. The Spanish should win their match and Hatton looked good enough yesterday to run them close today if he gets a little more from Casey.

Europe
USA
Tie
Tie

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That putt from Garcia could be massive.

Sergio is ON IT.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Casey needs to have his clubs taken off him.

Have to win this session, probably 3-1.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking hell Casey.

That attempted chip is horrendous.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That par from Schauffele/Cantlay was incredible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Schauffele's wedges/irons have been MVP for the yanks thus far. Just doesn't miss a single one. You have to question why he doesn't win more/any regular events.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No chance Hovland/Wiesberger hold out against Thomas and Spieth now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Brooks needs to shut the fuck up and just get on with it.

If he's that concerned he can take a penalty the fanny.

Edit: Oh look his wrist didn't crumble to pieces.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was one of the most egregious pieces of behaviour I've seen in golf. They should both be turfed off the course. Horrible people.

The first (American) ref telling them to piss off was a legend.

[Dquincy]

Casey...what a hit. :cool:

[Waffdon]

hatton’s had a bit of a ‘mare today compared to yesterday yet they’re somehow only one behind.

That’s even worse

[Waffdon]

Hovland can’t hold a lead to save himself.

This is probably over now. Was a bit of hope when Casey got it back to one down and they were up in the other two but now only up in one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Westwood has been absolutely shite and Hovland has missed three short ones to win/halve holes. Need a miracle turnaround in one of these to stay in it.

[Waffdon]

I’m not sure Europe have won a Par 5

[Dquincy]

Not sure about these hoodies that the Americans are wearing. Would put me right off.

[Giggles]

I’m finally going to get to see a bit now, but the Americans are all less repulsive than McIlroy so go team USA.

[Waffdon]

I like Hovland but every round it feels like he’s blown a lead.

Rahm’s putting has been incredible

[Clunge]

Rahm is such a massive don. What is it with the Spanish at the Ryder Cup?

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's just an absurdly good golfer, easily the world's best.

In fact, a feature of this edition has been the world's best handful (per ranking) being unbeatable by the others. Unfortunately most are American.

[Waffdon]

Unreal from my namesake to carry Hatton throughout that

[Clunge]

What a beast.

[Waffdon]

Mcilroy hasn’t even seen the 16th tee yet :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

McIlroy being a pile of shit is hugely costly. If he's even at his own mediocre historical levels Europe would be 9-7 down and who knows from there.

They haven't really got the players to win this once you take him out.

[Waffdon]

Mcilroy sent out first :sick:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can only assume he has an early flight to catch.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sky doing a fine job trying to hype this up. Chance of a comeback = absolute zero.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Chance of the 18-10 win for USA?

[Jimmy Floyd]

7-5 on the day, so very possible I would say.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rory actually leading...

[Waffdon]

Him, Poultee, Westwood and Casey to win and the ones you’d fancy are gonna lose eh

[Dquincy]

Rory's crying. Well done America.

[Giggles]

By “team-mates” he means “brand”.

[Jimmy Floyd]

McIlroy one of the most genuine people in a sport full of corporate drones, you get him almost as wrong as you get everything else.

[Giggles]

That cage is well rattled today Jimbo. He’s a businessman first, golfer second.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hovland fucking it up again.

Edit: Morikawa helping him out.

[Giggles]

Should end up quite the hammering :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

American team is going to be hard to beat at these for a while. You could see 9 or 10 of these players being in the next few editions. Europe have a load of players in their 40s and the next gen is a lot thinner, especially in England. The big talents coming through for Europe are the Hojgaard twins, Migliozzi, Horsfield maybe, and a few younger ones but it will be a tough gig unless we get a couple of big dogs emerge from the amateur ranks like Rahm did - his countryman Chacarra is meant to be decent, as is Rousaud but it's such a long way from vague promise to actually playing Ryder Cups.

Rahm, Hovland, McIlroy will have to be the basis of the next 4 or so teams and it's just not enough in a 12-man event.

[Dquincy]

Can I use my Partridge meme again?...

[Dquincy]

Ah, it was Brent, not Partridge.

Anyway...final score of 19-9 means a record breaking win for the Yanks. They outplayed Europe all weekend.

2 years until Rome 2023, so hopefully some time for new challengers to appear.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Reitan will finally bring it all together.

[Shindig]

The big armed mentalist pulling out the big drives will get done for roids, as well.

[John Arne]

I tuned into the first few holes of the final day, only to be greeted by fat Americans shouting "get in the hole" after every yank shot. How is that still a thing?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Reitan will finally bring it all together.

He legit drives it as far as Bryson. Just not straight enough to crack the world's top 500 (yet).

[niko_cee]

I find it fascinating how much of a matchplay don Poulter is. I knew he was good and all [won the worlds etc] but I had no idea he was unbeaten in Ryder Cup singles, which is so strikingly at odds with how he goes in even the team matchplay formats.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Generally correlates well with being a top putter, as he is, although not in the case of Spieth who has never won a singles match either in this or the Presidents Cup.

[Dquincy]

Casey.

Played 4. Lost 4. :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Casey and McIlroy being shit was a huge problem. I still think Rahm/Garcia was a bad pairing (even though they won a lot) as it concentrated most of our limited ball-striking strength into just 1 match each session, with 2 others being lambs.

[niko_cee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/58887841

I have no particular view as to club length etc, but I thought Martin Slumbers was an extraordinarily apposite name for someone charged with leading the R&A.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Any article that begins 'Despite opposition from Phil Mickelson...' has my vote.

[Giggles]

There’s some lad playing in this champions tournament in a tracksuit bottoms. They’ll have entrance music and a lairy crowd next.

[niko_cee]

They already have that at the ryder Cup.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure how much if at all this has bled through into wider sporting press, but the current machinations around the Saudi Golf League are incredible theatre. Basically, the Saudis want to sportswash in golf (as they do in many sports) and, having been rebuffed by the golfing establishment in US and Europe, have now resorted to attempting to launch something akin to the football Super League, i.e. trying to get the top players to break away from the main US Tour and have their own events with no cuts, no relegation and guaranteed money for certain players (mainstream golf is very performance-related in terms of payout, which frustrates some of the world's top 20 who believe they are entitled to a greater share of the pie just for showing up. Sound familiar?).

The Saudis signed up Greg Norman as their CEO and he's set about trying to get big name defectors. First in the queue for the breakaway is apparently Phil Mickelson, who despite career earnings of $100 million is reputedly strapped for cash. The tour's pantomime villain, Bryson DeChambeau, also wants in, and reports say that he has probably already played his last PGA Tour event before joining the breakaway, having been offered the eye-watering sum of $135 million to jump ship. Dustin Johnson and others (mostly over the hill players in their 40s) are also said to be keen to join the Saudi money grab.

However, a lot of the younger and biggest names, including McIlroy, Morikawa and Hovland, have stated their opposition to it, so it seems like there is about to be a massive schism of some kind. The Saudi product would be absolutely dogshit (who wants to watch a load of past it players compete for, I dunno, the Saudi Masters?), and yet mainstream golf would also lose if 20 or more of its top 100 players defected. Interesting to watch what unfolds, anyway.

[Manc]

Niemann & Young are going to take some catching.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not sure how much if at all this has bled through into wider sporting press, but the current machinations around the Saudi Golf League are incredible theatre. Basically, the Saudis want to sportswash in golf (as they do in many sports) and, having been rebuffed by the golfing establishment in US and Europe, have now resorted to attempting to launch something akin to the football Super League, i.e. trying to get the top players to break away from the main US Tour and have their own events with no cuts, no relegation and guaranteed money for certain players (mainstream golf is very performance-related in terms of payout, which frustrates some of the world's top 20 who believe they are entitled to a greater share of the pie just for showing up. Sound familiar?).

The Saudis signed up Greg Norman as their CEO and he's set about trying to get big name defectors. First in the queue for the breakaway is apparently Phil Mickelson, who despite career earnings of $100 million is reputedly strapped for cash. The tour's pantomime villain, Bryson DeChambeau, also wants in, and reports say that he has probably already played his last PGA Tour event before joining the breakaway, having been offered the eye-watering sum of $135 million to jump ship. Dustin Johnson and others (mostly over the hill players in their 40s) are also said to be keen to join the Saudi money grab.

However, a lot of the younger and biggest names, including McIlroy, Morikawa and Hovland, have stated their opposition to it, so it seems like there is about to be a massive schism of some kind. The Saudi product would be absolutely dogshit (who wants to watch a load of past it players compete for, I dunno, the Saudi Masters?), and yet mainstream golf would also lose if 20 or more of its top 100 players defected. Interesting to watch what unfolds, anyway.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/60457721

Bryson and DJ have gotten cold feet it seems.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yes, it looks like big mouth Mickelson has managed to sink the entire thing with this truly legendary quote:


"They're scary motherfuckers to get involved with," Mickelson said, per Shipnuck. "We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.

Amazing how he has managed to completely torch his own legend status in the space of about three weeks. Proper heads-have-gone stuff.

[Ben]

Jesus. :D

[Boydy]

He's signed up to it and then says that about them? :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stunning.

[Yevrah]

While it's funny I've no issue with that quote at all. Everything he's said is true and I'd much prefer that than the "I'm just concentrating on my performance" type shit that gets usually gets wheeled out.

A sign of the messed up times we live in where a quote like that is 'reputation ending' when Eddie Howe, Kieran Trippier etc. can take money from the Saudi establishment and no one really cares.

[Ben]

Apart from the fact he's pretty much said murdering dissidents and gays is palatable as long as it gives the PGA Tour the kick up the arse it needs.

[Yevrah]

Apart from the fact he's pretty much said murdering dissidents and gays is palatable as long as it gives the PGA Tour the kick up the arse it needs.

Everybody who is taking or benefiting from Saudi/Russian/Chinese or whatever money is implying exactly the same thing, they just haven't got the balls to actually say it - and our sports and societies are rife with that money.

Honestly, the delusion over this stuff staggers me.

[Manc]

That's a mental effort from Mickelson. Why does he hate the PGA so? Presumably finance related.

[Jimmy Floyd]

While it's funny I've no issue with that quote at all. Everything he's said is true and I'd much prefer that than the "I'm just concentrating on my performance" type shit that gets usually gets wheeled out.

A sign of the messed up times we live in where a quote like that is 'reputation ending' when Eddie Howe, Kieran Trippier etc. can take money from the Saudi establishment and no one really cares.

It's not that quote alone which is reputation ending. He's spent two years building up to it with loads of guff about 'Growing the Game in the Kingdom' (his words, not mine) and purring over picturesque views of the Red Sea available from King Abdullah Economic City.

That quote is just an example of self-immolation after backing himself into a very questionable corner and trying to work the room and get other top players to jump - which, it must be said, some of them looked likely to until he blew it up with the negative publicity from that quote.

[Ben]

That's a mental effort from Mickelson. Why does he hate the PGA so? Presumably finance related.

The bloke has apparently made $800m in his career and he's blown the vast majority of it. Which is the fault of the PGA Tour in his Aviators.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's a mental effort from Mickelson. Why does he hate the PGA so? Presumably finance related.

The general view is that he is desperate to get into the NFT game (probably due to his massive gambling debts) but the PGA Tour owns his image rights so he isn't able to do so.

[Ben]

Nobody wants to win the Honda here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

RIP Lowry, serves him right for being a dickhead about Saudi Arabia.

[niko_cee]

This (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/60593933) is pretty lol, if entirely predictable.

[Ben]

Very windy at Bay Hill today, so makes for good viewing.

I still can't get my head around how Rory is such a bad player on par 5s. It's not even a wayward drive half the time, he'll always find a way to play a ridiculous shot between there and the hole.

[Manc]

How's Homa getting along? That hole in one looks to have kept him within the places.

[Ben]

T17, one under.

[Ben]

What are Sky playing at here? They've bumped the Valero for the Augusta Women's Amateur. :cab:

I'm on Kuch E/W @ 90 so keep it going old boy.

[Manc]

They've been at it all week.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They probably have to do it to butter up the green jackets.

[Ben]

Tiger looks in absolutely incredible shape. Not sure if he can manage four rounds or not, but my word what a specimen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He'll win it, then die in a helicopter crash on the way home, then rise up from the sea, a girl on each arm, and win it again in '23. It's just how he rolls.

[Manc]

Selections?

[Giggles]

Is that this week?

[Ben]

Some of the early odds this morning were mental. They've been backed in to their semi-rightful positions a bit now but I got on Henley @ 70 and Niemann @ 60 while I could at those prices. I reckon they should be around 50's tops.

Sungjae Im and Leishman both @ 70 are nice odds and suit the course well. I want to get on Scheffler and Hovland but they need to drift a bit; too short for me right now. Long shots of the weekend Hoge @ 175 and Palmer @ 200.

[Jimmy Floyd]

No long shots at this. Who was the last triple figures man to win, Mike Weir?

My pick to win is Cam Smith but he's too short to bet on, so I've got this for a four-man squad:

Deki (back to back, motherfuckers) 35/1 - outrageously long
Lowry 33/1
Fitzpatrick 40/1
Pieters 90/1

Death to America. The only one of the favourites I'd consider would be Scheffler. Others too short.

I've also had a long term fancy as a course fit for Garrick Higgo, but 200/1 on debut is surely too much to ask. If he wins then you can call me a genius, but I won't get rich on it.

[Ben]

Mike Weir probably wasn't even triple figures. He was in great form that year and went in with a couple of wins in the months previous.

[Manc]

I'm all in on Lowry.

[Manc]

A few I like the look of that haven't been covered. Spieth, Koepka, Finau & List.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Koepka I can sort of see, but it's such a joyless experience backing him. Spieth is for white knuckle riders only. Finau, lol.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Right, doing a proper post for the first time in ages. Not as proper as I did for the 2021 Masters, but life is different now unfortunately and I don't have the time or the drive.

This is with Sky Bet and the main picks are all e/w 11 places.

Main picks
Scottie Scheffler 14/1. I have come to the conclusion that the world number one, who has swept all before him in 2022 and has a properly rounded golf game, being longer than Justin Thomas and the same as DJ and Cam Smith, is a bit ridiculous. Feel free to call me boring but I've got half a ton here.

Shane Lowry 30/1. I have long believed there is a form link from Wentworth to Augusta - a lot of the same things are going on at the two venues, particularly when it comes to the importance of driver, some awkward short game requirements, and the large amount of racism on site. I have therefore been waiting a long time for Lowry, who is always brilliant at Wentworth, to pitch up and do well at Augusta. He has shown he has the mettle for the big events, too, and yet here he hasn't yet had a top 20. This time, I hope, the signs are better than ever: a solid 12 months of form, 2021 was his best Augusta effort, and he's been practising with Irish buddies McIlroy, Power and Harrington so hopefully in a good frame of mind too.

Hideki Matsuyama 35/1. I just don't understand why Deki is so lengthy. Yes, he can't putt - we know he can't putt. He has never holed a putt, and despite this, he won the Masters last year, holing putts. His ball-striking remains as utterly elite as ever. He served wagyu beef at the Champions Dinner and probably gave Sandy Lyle the shits with the 'mixed sashimi' starter as well. Deki is a don and if he went back to back it would be epic as fuck.

Matt Fitzpatrick 40/1. This is another one who is growing into the course, with experience. He's been up there in recent events in America, and nightmarish greens like these are usually where he comes to the fore. He's gaining half a stroke off the tee this year which is probably, without actually checking, his best ever. He putts like a don. My main concern with him is whether his arse sometimes goes a bit in contention, but I like him at 40/1 to get involved at least.

Harold Varner 125/1. I have decided to ditch Pieters as he has been heavily backed in to 70s, and in his place comes HV3. Now, Varner is a debutant and an extremely streaky player at times, but he arrives at the peak of his career to date, with a recent win in the oil death murder classic to his name, and if he happens to take to the course I think triple figures is generous. I can certainly see him Charley Hoffman-ing his way onto the Sunday leaderboard and then hopefully clinging on for a place.

Side action
Top lefty - Garrick Higgo 11/2
Higgo is a kid but he's already a multiple winner (once in the US, just a stone's throw from Augusta), is a lefty (they do notoriously well here), and he bombs the driver which will give him an advantage on the scoring holes. I fancy him to overcome volatile Bubba Watson, short-hitting Brian Harman, out of form Bob MacIntyre, and boring uncle Mike Weir to take this title.

Keita Nakajima top 40 finish 5/2
Being me, I actually watched the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Amateur last year, in which this kid clutched the fuck out of the last hole, sinking a birdie putt to see off some dude from Hong Kong. I was going to have him for top amateur but that's probably not even a contest, so instead I'm backing Mr Nakajima to top 40. He joins Takumi Kanaya as a serious young Japanese talent, and what better week to come here than one in which he can be around Deki as he does all the defending champion shit.

Cam Smith, Dustin Johnson, or Scottie Scheffler to win 4/1 needs little explanation.

[Baz]

Whoa when did Tommy Fleetwood get a glow up?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A what?

[Ben]

There's some tragic odds amongst the favourites. I've bet on Scheffler against my better judgement (don't think the odds are quite good enough really but he's hard to look past).

The value looks to be in the "second tier" with Matsuyama and Burns; Lowry too but I'm not on him this week.

Gooch, Hoge and Homa are all in solid form this year and their triple figure odds seem to be solely down to a lack of play at Augusta, so they're worth a small punt. On Leishman too because it's mandatory at Augusta.

[Jimmy Floyd]

With Scheffler I just cannot fathom why he's so far outside Justin Thomas. It doesn't make any sense to me. My man Coley has put the farm on JT too but I just don't see it. Maybe I'm wrong and he'll win by seven, but I dunno.

Rahm I can understand as the guy is a freak.

[Ben]

To be fair to Coley, JT is top of most stats rankings so by those metrics he should be favourite. Indeed my own predictor has him top also, I'm just not betting on him because the odds aren't good enough. Scheffler is only just inside what I think he should be so he's worth it in this instance, even if my usual strategy is to go for *value* (eg. Matsuyama).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mine has Rahm top by miles but it's had that at every event he's entered for about two years, and I haven't worked on it much since about October. The edge I had in 20/21, though, my word.

[Ben]

I've been tinkering with weightings (this season vs. previous seasons) and in the past month, as this season takes more weight, Rahm has dropped from 1st to 5th. Cameron Smith would be top if he played more.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tiger Woods playing proper old man golf here. It's like watching a 46 year old Zidane or something, strolling around midfield at walking pace.

[Ben]

I’m loving he and Louis nudge it 270 off the tee and having to lay up. Proper throwback and now I’m rooting for them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I normally get bored of Eldrick hype but this is mesmerising stuff, particularly alongside Niemann who is about the most athletic player on tour. It's like watching someone else's cool uncle get out of prison and pull at a bar.

[phonics]

How's Max Homa doing. He's a likeable guy from all his interviews I've heard.

[Manc]

The bogan is running riot.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You jinxed him on the 18th.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Haven't enjoyed a round of golf as much as that Woods round for ages. At least ten absolutely dogshit golf shots, maybe more, and he can clearly barely walk, but the man is mentally utterly indestructible and totally inspired. An amazing watch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nakajima did not have a good day with the wind it seems.

Today has been brutal for some.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Schwartzel -3 and Willett -4 are truly mystifying occurrences. Charl is going to be in the last group out tomorrow.

Spieth double wet on 12 brought back some lovely memories.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Woods on the ropes here.

[Ben]

It all seems a bit mental today. I’ve just switched on so I haven’t got my head around it yet.

Oh hang on I’ve got Scheffler, Matsuyama, Im, Niemann, Conners and Gooch all up there. Sound.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Deki is fucking vibing here. I'm gathering numbers because come Sunday night the bento boxes are going to be coming from every angle.

[Ben]

I actually win the most money with a Matsuyama win (thanks to his bloated odds) so hell yeah.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What will definitely be bloated is me after I attempt his full Champions Dinner menu on Sunday night.

[Ben]

Let’s hope it’s to toast his victory.

Also what the fuck is Willett on?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have no idea where him and Schwartzel have come from. I'd barely be more surprised if Sandy Lyle was five clear in his knitted cardigan.

[Ben]

Schwartzel has been so bad this year that my predictor has him rock bottom, literally on par with someone who has no stats recorded. Baffling.

[Ben]

Niemann is sinking some clutch putts. If he can sort his tee shots out he’s well in it.

Tiger :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

The coverage is doing a great job of pretending that Scottie isn't going to win by ten, tbh.

[Giggles]

Harrumph.

[Ben]

Tiger wants to have a word with “Joe” telling him to bunt a 7 iron on 12.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd be alright with a Scheffler win, especially if we get some others placing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't think I've ever had my picks looking this good at this stage of a major, so I think I'll just declare myself a genius and switch off until Monday.

[Ben]

I’ve currently got 1st, two T2 and three T10. Moving day today can only shaft me.

[Ben]

What's the deal with no course coverage until 7:30pm?

[niko_cee]

Always the same.

Something something patrons, something something course looks great. There should be summary executions for the bland platitudes all commentators are clearly REQUIRED to peddle.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Protecting the patrons'. It felt like there was a lot more than usual Thursday and Friday this year so we should be grateful for small mercies.

[Ben]

Cliquey wankers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Paul McGinley wearing this wig while talking about Scottie Scheffler marrying his childhood sweetheart is the most 'golf' golf punditry I've seen for a long time.

[Ben]

Scheffler is just on a different planet here.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've just turned it on, Scheffler is on something else.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is the best anyone's played here since Spieth in 2015. DJ 2020 doesn't count.

Some evening viewing, especially taking into account Will Zalatoris and his pornographic trousers.

[Ben]

My wife is convinced Cameron Smith is a heroin addict rather than a pro golfer.

[niko_cee]

Scheffler being 25 is mind bending. He looks like he could easily be 40.

[Giggles]

No matter how good the golf is the frequency of ads is just rendering this unwatchable for me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The coverage in general has been a bit weird today, incredibly long stints by the commentators and they seemed to be forced into using US studio coverage for hours beforehand.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Scheffler being 25 is mind bending. He looks like he could easily be 40.

Fuck off he's 25, he's late 30s early 40s at best.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He looks like a 1950s baseball player. Hit his tee shot on 13 like one, too.

Tiger is off his face on painkillers.

[Shindig]

I hope someone else is driving, then.

[Baz]

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just came back round to thinking that Scheffler had this pretty much sewn up after the birdie on 17 but that tee shot on 18 has got me nervous.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He wobbled a bit on the back nine last night, but the base level of his play is so high that it's hard to see how Smith gets to him. The only way I can see it happening is if Scheffler's putter goes stone cold.

Either that or Sungjae shooting 64 are the routes to losing.

[Ben]

I'm on Sungjae so I can stomach that, but the big win for me comes with Scheffler.

Guaranteed to be Smith then.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm going to be almost a thousand to the good if Scheffler wins, so if/when he collapses it will be a great night. I haven't had a Masters winner since Garcia, and I've not been on Scheffler any of the times he's won (though I have been on him on about 25 other occasions).

My 4/1 bet on victory for Scheffler, Smith or Johnson was sadly very under-staked so Smith is only a mild win. Sungjae is red.

[Lofty]

I could really use the Scottie win ahead of payday Friday so he's definitely chimping out today, sorry lads.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scheffler horrendous off the tee so far. Mugilroy on the charge. Might just pop off a bit.

[Ben]

This is just wild.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Smith getting utterly robbed so far. I'm still nervous.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just turned it on, I'd like him to be a few more shots up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Also, seeing McIlroy on a charge and hitting that chip has me worried.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The 12th hole :wub:

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

What a finish for McIlroy.

Smith going for that pin at 12 is a shocking decision. Such a brilliant hole though.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Fucking hell. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

His head has completely gone.

[Baz]

Dammit Smith

[Jimmy Floyd]

Golden Bell. She gets them every year...

Such a glorious game, played in the mind.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Tiger 10 there a couple of years ago was incredible viewing.

[Lofty]

Thanks for the tips, Jim.

[Ben]

A win and two each ways, which could have only been better had Im not bogeyed the last.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scottie Scheffler sending me on holiday, what a guy.

[Ben]

Rory was box office viewing yesterday. The first time in years I've thoroughly enjoyed him.

I can't help but feel his "caddie" is a significant hindrance in achieving the only things he's lacking: any sort of consistency.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Caddies are a very underrated part of the game, I think. I don't know what Scheffler's old caddie was like, but it can't be a coincidence that he's turned into a monster since Ted Scott took the bag.

Presumably Rory just likes the vibes from having Harry or whatever he's called, but there does appear to be a lot of carelessness about his game that you'd think a grizzled old fuck could help rectify.

[phonics]

His caddie was the national table football champion in 1994 so you know he’s got that winning mentality.

[niko_cee]

I've always thought, particualrly at Augusta where they make them all wear the boiler suits which sort of have a bit of a prejudiced vibe to them, that golf caddies should be allocated in the same way that horses are in the Modern Penthalon [ie random draw at the start of the event]. Tough shit if you get the lol won't jump ones they obviously chuck in for bantz. One could be Rich Beam, mic'd up of course, whispering that he's recommended a 5-iron whilst barely containing a giggle.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A bit of a prejudiced vibe? It's basically cosplay for the slave era (the place was even built on a plantation).

[niko_cee]

Yeah, but I wasn't really sure which angle of racism it was coming from. Were they dressing up black caddies like that? Were black people even allowed to caddie [or be on the grounds]? Was it more so that they could easily get to their Klan meetings after the round? Lots of balls in play.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Before a certain year (mid 80s maybe?) you couldn't use your own caddie at the tournament, they made you use the local black caddies attached to the club, who were all dressed up like that with the names on their back.

Ben Crenshaw famously kept his black caddie every year, even after you were allowed to use your regular one.

[Ben]

The Saudis have finally attracted a player to sign up to their sportswashing tournament starting in June: Robert Garrigus (lol). He's applied for a waiver from the PGA Tour but I really don't expect that to go anywhere because that would potentially open the floodgates.

[Ben]

Here we go.

Featured coverage of the morning groups: Matsuyama/Schauffele/Finau going off right now, then Hatton/McCarthy/Homa, Hovland/Zalatoris/Smith and Spieth/McIlroy/Woods in the next half hour. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

That Spieth/McIlroy/Woods group is giving me the shivers as someone who goes to tournaments sometimes. Any one of those three would draw a massive crowd, the three of them together will cause some sort of Hillsborough event. I'd just give up and follow, say, that Hovland group in glorious peace.

[Giggles]

What’s on, the PGA?

[niko_cee]

Aye, but 'Roy McIlrory' is on the charge so maybe avert your gaze.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of the best things about golf is the convention of TV commentators pretending to wish the best for all the players on every shot, while in reality they very obviously root hard for or against certain players. Monty used to be hilarious for it, and McGinley's not much better.

[niko_cee]

Enjoyed watching Daly over those first few holes.

[phonics]

1527324392383926273

[Jimmy Floyd]

Beat Tiger Woods by two. Who's aged better?

[Giggles]

The leaderboard for this looks a bit like one of those tournaments the week after a major.

[Waffdon]

1527324392383926273

It’s a meme account

[igor_balis]

Final days of majors are the best things to watch in all of spectator sports.

[niko_cee]

Brutal.

Why does this sort of shit never happen to the players you don't like?

[Ben]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/61641439

Dustin has gone Saudi. Interesting to see how the PGA Tour react.

[Jimmy Floyd]

DJ is probably the most pure mercenary in sport. I'm surprised at some of the names. What does, say, Ian Poulter gain from being part of this? He's already got enough money that his social media content consists exclusively of him chipping into swimming pools, test driving Ferraris and doing shit banter in private jets.

[niko_cee]

As a YouTube video my 5 year old was watching the other day proudly proclaimed "you can never have too much money".

[Ben]

DJ has gone full resignation. He’ll come crying back in a couple of years when it goes tits up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Are the majors going to ban them? I can't see Augusta inviting back people who are part of this circus.

This is a proper split though now, hasn't been such a breakaway in sport for ages.

[Giggles]

A couple of years and he would be able to put the feet up with more money that he'd have had in 6 or 7 of it works out for him. I'd rather see the whole thing crash and burn but hard to blame him at the same time.

[niko_cee]

It's not like the PGA isn't an enormous money grabbing shit show anyway.

This fight feels a bit like the one the ECB sort of picked with the IPL. Perhaps the power disparity isn't quite the same, but trying to stop 'franchise golf' feels a bit like taking a stand against the immediacy of modern life.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cricket has the advantage of being a team sport where people can make connections to the team (even if it's the Ranchi Tuskers or whatever) outside of whichever players are being paid the dollar to represent it that week.

LIV Golf has no chance as a standalone product, who gives a fuck whether Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen or Richard Bland wins the made-up Hertfordshire Classic? The attraction of golf is all about the idea that victory is something massive and historic, which is why the majors are so popular and the 3M Open isn't other than for its place in the wider narrative and build-up to the majors.

The only way it has a chance is if the majors stick the middle finger up to the PGA Tour, which in the case of at least two of them, maybe three, I just can't see.

[niko_cee]

No one gives a fuck about golf in general though, by and large, it is and always has been mostly just about the money, and whilst solidarity is all well and good [lol at the PGA Tour pleading the need for this] would the good old boys down Augusta way not simply be cutting off their own noses by not allowing the best possible field to enter their tournament? Same for the Ryder Cup.

Fine for the USPGA, they'll obviously fall into line, it's not even really a major, and ok, if you view the USGA and the R&A as the guardians of the game [also quite lol] maybe they'll also follow suit [doesn't that somewhat flyin the face of the idea of an open championship?] but I don;t see why the Masters would want to be banning former winners et al.

Why do the majors need to be beholden to the wanton greed of the PGA Tour, but not the wanton greed of the players or Greg Norman's travelling circus?

[niko_cee]

Obviously this all has a strong whiff of Alan Stanford to it, but maybe without the sense that the money will run out, as it probably won't.

I see DJ's just turned in his badge and firearm.

[niko_cee]

Also, say what you will about the LIV Golf series, one thing's for sure is its press conferences are fairly box office.

'DJ' just laughing as a journalist reads out a laundry list of criticisms of the Saudi state, 'GMac' just saying 'game of golf' over and over again, members of the press corps being blackballed and then jumped on by press officers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why do the majors need to be beholden to the wanton greed of the PGA Tour, but not the wanton greed of the players or Greg Norman's travelling circus?

Because the PGA Tour is funded (via corporate sponsors) by demand for the golfing product and ecosystem that feeds into those majors, and LIV is funded by aggressive donation by the Saudi state.

You can see why a predictable tranche of players have gone over - they want tens of millions of dollars, they want it immediately and they don't want to have to work for it. Others, like McIlroy and Spieth and anyone on the way up or with a future in the game, knows that the golden goose is on life support if this goes through.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I mean, what the fuck is this?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FUpddibXwAEy-uy?format=jpg&name=medium

Wade Ormsby captains the PUNCH team so I'm sure they'll be favourites down under.

[niko_cee]

Needs more crisp sponsorship.

[Ben]

That's horrific.

[niko_cee]

I also did laugh a little when Dustin '$74m in career earnings' Johnson said he didn't want to be playing golf for the rest of his life and without this Saudi thing he might just have to do that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Golfers are probably even less self-aware than footballers, as I guess is natural when you've been plodding around artificial landscape for your entire working life.

The odd properly real ones you get, like Marcus Armitage or Victor Dubuisson, are heroes.

[Giggles]

Woods turned down the guts of a billion dollars? Did he hit his head or something?

[niko_cee]

Probably doesn't want to risk being chopped up if his back gives out mid-tournament/he misses the winning put for the MBS Bonesaws.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The first shots are being hit at 2pm, should be pure popcorn from then on as the banhammers come out. Golf :drool:

[Ben]

It's on YouTube if anyone's curious. Mickey Mouse as fuck is my initial takeaway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1534856656273780736

Has he blacked out the Augusta logo?

[Jimmy Floyd]

With Hy Flyers team mates like Justin Harding, Chase Koepka and Ratchanon 'TK' Chantananuwat (am) by his side, the mid life crisis should have disappeared by tomorrow lunchtime.

[Jimmy Floyd]

lol, they're all banned.

https://c.tenor.com/ySc3SMJvnO0AAAAC/war-the-day-today.gif

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck them all.

[niko_cee]

Interesting to see what the European Tour do seeing as they are already largely owned by the middle east, are they not?

Watched a bit of LIV today. Looked like a normal non-major tournament [ie a bit tinpot]. They shouldn't let them move/take down the greenside signage.

[Giggles]

The golfers will win in the end.