Category: Thrash Talk

Oakmont Brings (Some) Monsters to their Knees

Can we dispense with the golf Armageddon talk? In the end, it was precision, or lack thereof, as much as power that won the day.

Thrash TalkWhile the metal filings left over after engraving the name “Angel Cabrera” on the U.S. Open trophy have probably yet to be swept away, the mad choruses of the distance obsessed have already started their wailing. It sounds like Verdi’s “Dies irae” and has all the warm fuzziness of a requiem mass. I just hope they get it over with quickly this time, so that maybe there will be a chance to hear some of the real stories from one of the best golf championships I can remember.

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2007 U.S. Open Staff Predictions

You’d think we’d all just pick Tiger Woods and go home, but that’s not the case.

Thrash TalkThe 107th U.S. Open Championship returns to Oakmont, hosting the national championship for a record eighth time.

As usual, our staff has gathered our thoughts into an article. We’re putting our money where our mouths are, so to speak. More likely, we’re setting ourselves up for eventual ridicule, but hey, we can take it!

Read on to see how right – or how incredibly wrong – we may be as we predict the winner, score, and some surprises at the 2007 U.S. Open.

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2007 Players Predictions

It’s prediction time again at The Sand Trap, so have a seat and enjoy the ride!

Thrash TalkThe Players has been called the “fifth major” by certain fans and members of the golf media. The Sand Trap staff members don’t consider it a fifth major, but it’s pretty damn special nonetheless. If I was a professional golfer, I’d want to win this event more than any other after the four major championships. It isn’t called “The Players” for nothing.

When big golf tournaments arrive, so does the Tiger talk. Mr. Woods narrowly missed out on winning The Masters last month, but he did win the Wachovia Championship this past weekend. He is obviously playing very well right now, and he will be the heavy favorite as usual. Woods has won The Players before, but it’s not his best event by any means. It will be interesting to see how he plays this week.

Other favorites include Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson. Singh has quietly put together another solid season and would love to win The Players on his home course. Mickelson is also playing pretty well after going through a large coaching change and a small swing change. Will one of these three win this week, or will a dark-horse like Fred Funk or Stephen Ames step up and take on the challenge? Who will disappoint, and who will surprise? Read what we think below. If you have anything to add, please comment below or discuss it in the forum.

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Slow Play

If John Wayne were alive, and had a job as a course ranger, you can bet your behind that course wouldn’t have a slow play problem.

Thrash TalkI’ve played nine holes, walking, in as little time as 50 minutes. I’ve played 18 in under two hours playing two balls most of the time. With a full set of clubs, no less. I’ve played in foursomes and fivesomes in well under four hours. I’ve also played nine holes that took just north of three hours. And then there was the 30-minute wait at the turn while everyone grabbed a five-course lunch.

Slow play is disgusting, and we’ve chosen to discuss it this week because we’re fed up. We’re tired of trying to find six or seven hours to play a round of golf. Sporting events are supposed to take three hours – baseball, football, hockey, and basketball generally meet the criteria – but golf is too important for that.

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Early LPGA Talk

The LPGA Tour has had its ups and downs so far this season.

Thrash TalkThe 2007 LPGA Tour season is in full swing, but it’s been flying under the radar of many. The first major championship of the season wasn’t nearly as exciting as last year’s edition, and that has definitely hurt things a little. I was happy Morgan Pressel won the Nabisco Championship, but the way she won it wasn’t very thrilling. She basically finished her round and watched the leaders crumble coming down the stretch.

In other action on the LPGA Tour this season, a young gun returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year, someone other than Annika is number one in the world, and the Korean contingent is still looking for their first victory of the year. There have been some positives and negatives so far in 2007, and I’m here to break them down.

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2007 Masters Aftermath

Was the 2007 Masters as unbearable as some people are saying? Not at all.

Thrash TalkIt’s been a great golf season for me so far. Charles Howell III has a win and is right in the middle of The FedEx Cup race and Zach Johnson outlasted the world’s best to win a green jacket. Johnson has been one of my favorites since I realized how similar our respective golf swings are, even if his has paid off a little more. It was truly great to see the Iowa native hold on in such a huge tournament. You could tell he was blown away by everything, and that was refreshing.

Overall, I’ve heard a lot of negatives about the 2007 Masters. The course was a lot tougher than usual, and there weren’t as many birdies or eagles throughout the four days of competition. Also, some fans get a little bent out of shape when Tiger or Phil don’t win every major championship. All this aside, this year’s Masters was still pretty damn good!

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2007 Masters Predictions

Was anyone brave enough to pick against Tiger? Read our predictions to find out.

Thrash TalkThe 2007 Masters begins today. It’s a great day to be a golf fan! (On the other hand, it’s not so great to be the spouse of a golf fan.) The season’s first men’s major championship has arrived, and everyone has a clean slate as far as predictions go. The Sand Trap staff members are included in this group and have once again voiced our opinions in what has become a tradition for us come majors time.

This year, Tiger Woods will be attempting to win his fifth green jacket and third straight major while Phil Mickelson will be trying for his third green jacket in four years. The spotlight will be on those two golfers for the most part, but there are plenty of guys talented enough to win this time around.

Were any of us brave enough to pick against Tiger? If so, who did we pick to knock off the world’s best? Finally, which golfers may sneak up on the field and contend, and what are our opinions of the ever-changing Augusta National? All this and more can be found below. If you have anything to add, please comment below or discuss it in the forum. Now let’s get this show on the road!

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Bunker’s Dozen: March 2007

The world’s best, an LPGA Tour young gun, a spitting Spaniard, and more in this month’s list.

Thrash TalkThe West Coast Swing ended in February, and The Florida Swing began shortly thereafter. Now it’s the beginning of April, and The Masters is here. The 2007 season is well underway, and it has been very exciting to say the least. On top of that, the LPGA Tour’s first major championship is in the books, and the Nationwide Tour is in full swing.

Tiger Woods had an up-and-down month of February. Woods completely lost focus at Bay Hill in the final round, shooting a lofty 76 on Sunday at Arnie’s place. In true Tiger fashion, however, he bounced back by winning at Doral, and he also won the individual scoring title at The Tavistock Cup.

How did all this affect the world’s best in this month’s Bunker’s Dozen? Also, did Vijay move up any after winning his second PGA Tour event of the season? Finally, where will LPGA young gun Morgan Pressel find herself after becoming the LPGA Tour’s youngest ever major winner? These three and others can be found in the March edition of Bunker’s Dozen. If you have anything to add, please comment below or discuss it in the forum.

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Will Tiger Tame Augusta for the Fifth Time?

The 2007 Masters is a week away, and it’s time to list some contenders, pretenders, etc.

Thrash TalkTiger Woods played in The Tavistock Cup this past Monday and Tuesday and won his third consecutive Payne Stewart Award in the process. The award goes to the golfer with the lowest 18-hole score on the final day. Woods’ team lost, but that’s not the point. The world’s best birdied seven holes in a row for crying loud and let the world know he wants a fifth green jacket next week.

Not only will Tiger try to win a fifth green jacket next week, he will also try to continue towards another Tiger Slam. Woods won the 2006 British Open Championship and 2006 PGA Championship, so he needs to win this year’s Masters and U.S. Open to close the deal. It’s definitely tough to bet against the guy, but I usually do anyway.

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