Westwood on fowler getting rookie of the year via twitter

[deasy55]

He hadn't played 11. He played, what, two or three fall series events in an attempt to get his PGA Tour card. He didn't quite get there so he went to Q School. He wasn't in the top 10 in the world and he hadn't played in 11 PGA Tour events. Big difference.

So...just because Rory decided to play his home tour for a while and played well enough to enter majors and go top10 in the world he shouldnt be allowed win rookie of the year on his first year on the PGA tour??? Pfft..................

Rickie had played 6 regular PGA tour events before joining(8 including majors). Rory had played in 4. Both should be (and were) eligible. Case closed.

[ERdiesel]

What's the big deal, fellow tour players voted for Rickie over Rory. So long as the "rules" call for subjective peer voting with no quantifiable criteria other than the pga tour definition of "rookie" than this just basically becomes a "popularity" contest to some extent. Unfortunately for Rory, more players felt Rickie deserved the Rookie of the Year honors. There is no right or wrong here. It was a purely subjective vote based on fellow players' opinions.

[iacas]

So...just because Rory decided to play his home tour for a while and played well enough to enter majors and go top10 in the world he shouldnt be allowed win rookie of the year on his first year on the PGA tour???

No, but again, if that's the case, then who will win in 2011? Angel Cabrera?

It's really not that hard to follow along... In the end, the players voted for Rickie over Rory. Discussion of whether Rory should have even been on the ballot are somewhat off the topic.

[deasy55]

No, but again, if that's the case, then who will win in 2011? Angel Cabrera?

Well if it was Cabrera's first season as a member and he was the best rookie then yes?

I'm done now. Some people on this site don't have their heads screwed on properly (not you specifically)

[Par Fore]

This is no big conspiracy.....Fowler played in 25 FedX events, Rory only 16......and Fowler had more points and finished ahead of him....I'm guessing FedX points likely played a sizeable roll in votes.......the voting would be similar in any other sport....if you only play 50% of the season, you will not be voted rookie of the year.....

FYI, I am a big Rory fan and prefer him over Fowler personally.....both are incredibly talented, but my money is on Rory long term, the kid has major game...

[Chas]

I'm done now. Some people on this site don't have their heads screwed on properly (not you specifically)

I resemble that remark.

Gotta love it when people say "I'm done", rather than just ...well .... being done with it and not posting any more. Me, I'm done .... [for now]

[Valleygolfer]

First of all Westie should know how this is chosen and calling out displeasure is calling out the golfers not the PGA tour. I am a firm believer in burning your bridges and not looking back on a decision but if he pokes the bull enough it may turn on him at some point. People aren't always #1 and sometimes need favors to get into certain tournaments (see Vijay). I am fine with the choice, it is a popularity contest for sure and Fowler made face time, more friends and pays dues. Rory, all be it a nice kid in his own right, may equally deserve rookie of the year but he didn't see a lot of the "lesser" guys that didn't play majors that also vote. I am sure he really could care less about the award and all the stink is a three sheets to the wind comment to dirty up people's panties.

[Chas]

This thread does demonstrate one thing though ...... the golfing Silly Season is upon us.

Roll on Torrey Pines (a.k.a. Farmers Insurance Open).

[sean_miller]

This thread does demonstrate one thing though ...... the golfing Silly Season is upon us.

Ironically, now I remember your username.

[Plox]

I hate to say it but I just lost some respect for Lee. Regardless of whether or not I agree with him, which I do by the way, assuming Rory was an eligible rookie. In my opinion the great players think these things to themselves but don't spew them in public. Especially not on a forum like Twitter.

God forbid he gives his opinion. More people should. And as for posting it on twitter, it's pretty much the biggest platform in which to express your views, so it's hardly taking the easy route. Good on him.

[Chas]

Indeed. And who knows what The Great Players might have posted if they had twitter or Facebook or whatever. I daresay they might have expressed a controversial opinion or two. If they had, and they could have backed it up with some good reasoning, that would have been a good thing for golf IMO.

I'd love to know what certain famous golfers thought about certain things. Of course, like anything else in life, discretion should be exercised ....

[Chas]

Ironically, now I remember your username.

You must be on top of your game then.

[uscfan]

don't think there is anything wrong with the european tour, every golf course in the world looks and plays different to the next! How can you suggest they stay away from 'your' majors when at least half of the top 10 are brittish or european? Dont forget that if golf was not invented in america, it was invented in scotland, does st andrews look like a muni?

is st. andrews played on the european tour? get it straight buddy!! the european tour is boring as hell and my point is if lee westwood doesnt lik the way the desicion was made then stay over there!!! simple as that hes a cry baby to begin with boo weekly should has smacked him silly lol just sayin!

[shankalots]

From the Sobel article: Prior to the announcement, Fowler told me, "I voted for Rory. I'm not going to vote for myself, I'll tell you that. That's just not who I am. He had a great year; he's definitely deserving."

That makes me like Ricky a little more. I havent been the biggest Fowler fan, the neon orange that can be seen from space annoys me on sundays. I remember one tournament late this year where someone was going through their pre shot routine on a par 3, waiting for the green to clear. You could see that bright, construction site orange so clear from 200 yards away.

Back on topic - I also like that Westwood shares his true feelings and isn't as plain and boring as most pro golfers are.

I do wish the PGA players took this more seriously and took the time to vote, rather than not voting or letting your wife vote for you...WTF? (Matt Kuchar-POY award) These awards mean a lot to the player that ends up with them, so by not voting or letting your wife vote seems like your undercutting the moment for the winner. These pros have everything they could ever want, have a dream job that most people would give anything for. Take your little ballot and vote, how hard is it? Makes some of them seem very spoiled to me.

OK OK, sorry back on topic. I like Rory over Fowler. Kid has a beautiful swing and will be fun to watch the next 20 years or so. If I had a ballot this year (which I would have used mind you) I would have checked Rory's box personally. Fowler did have an amazing year, just too much flair and no wins. I'm sure wins will come for him though.

[Stretch]

is st. andrews played on the european tour? get it straight buddy!!

Er, yes.

http://www.europeantour.com/European...068/index.html And can I just note my prescience at the start of this thread many pages back?

Don't bring logic into this. Let's just have another go at "The PGA tour sucks! No the Euro Tour sucks! No you suck!"

[shankalots]

^^ Gotta give it to you, you called that.

[Dave H]

God forbid he gives his opinion. More people should. And as for posting it on twitter, it's pretty much the biggest platform in which to express your views, so it's hardly taking the easy route. Good on him.

Then God forbid I should give mine, eh?

I don't like twitter. There, I said it. It's my opinion.

[Valleygolfer]

I like how the argument why Rickie shouldn't have won rookie of the year is very similar to the one about why Lee Westwood shouldn't be number one.