2012 PGA Tour Discussion Thread

[wayned]

Hi folks

New to the forum. Wayne here. Hoping I can get some banter going regarding the 2012 PGA Tour season. I'm a fantasy sports nut, and hoping that those with the same interest can share some info. For example, I hear that Rory McIlroy is going to join the PGA Tour in 2012. As you may or may not know, he was not a PGA Tour member in 2011. As a result, even though he had a great season, he was not eligible for the FedExCup playoffs.

Other players with question marks are Paul Casey (didn't finish in top 125 in 2011), Tim Clark (hurt most of 2011, had surgery this fall on elbow), and Graham DeLaet (hurt most of year following back surgery). Of course, every year there are questions regarding European Tour players like Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, who were not PGA Tour members in 2011.

If anyone else out there shares my fantasy golf interest, feel free to jump in, and thanks for reading my post.

[mvmac]

Hi Wayne, welcome to The Sand Trap!  Great to have you.

Regarding your post, that would be interesting if Rory joins the PGA tour, seems like he plays in a lot of events already.  I wonder if that decision had anything to do with the split from Chubby Chandler.

Overall though I think we'll continue to see the emergence of the next generation of notable players and seeing less and less of the "older" guys like Phil, Furyk, Ernie, Vijay on the leader board.

I don't know what's going to happen with Tiger long term but I think he will win in 2012.  He always has a chance at Augusta.

[wayned]

Hi, Mike, and thanks for the welcome and the reply!

Yes, I totally agree. It's becoming a younger man's tour for sure. There are just so many good young players emerging now. Even the kids just coming out of college can really play. Look at Bud Cauley for example. Here's a kid who decided to skip his senior year at Alabama and turn pro. In just a handful of tournaments he made over $700,000 and is now exempt for the 2012 season.

In regards to Tiger, with just so many good young players now, in my opinion his days of dominating the tour like he once did are over. I agree with you that he will win some tournaments, but these young kids just aren't intimidated by him like players once were.

Let me throw a few names out there in hopes that some others will jump in with some opinions. Is Webb Simpson for real? Is Luke Donald really the best player in the world. Remember, he's never won a Major. Have the Europeans (Donald, Kaymer, McIlroy, Westwood etc.) caught up with the Americans? It would certainly seem so. How about Phil? Has he still got a Major left in him?

Hope to hear from some others.

[jamo]

I think we've already had fantasy leagues the last few years, and registration for 2012 isn't open yet. To try and answer your other questions: I don't think Simpson is "for real," Donald is the best player in the world, Europeans have caught up with (or passed, if the Ryder Cup is any indication, though I think the American side might be deeper) with Americans, and I doubt Phil has another major win in him.

[Bo the Golfer]

I think Phil could win at Augusta again or perhaps another PGA at the right venue. I think Simpson is as real as any other of the many tier2 players. Getting a win or two a year would not be a shock from any of the guys from that group. Tiger will win again and I am sure I am in the minority but I still think he passes Jack. I used to think he would win 25 majors but I think now the number is 19.

[Stretch]

I'm homer-ing for Ernie to sort out his putting and get one last major. But he's probably also going to have to stop pulling this kind of kak (tr. shiznit).

You can really see the fear in Steve's eyes there at the end.

[Bigcats82]

I think you'll see Rory take his Tour card in 2012.  He has stated in some interviews that he is giving some thought to playing the PGA Tour next year.  As for Casey, I think he'll be fine next year as he is exempt due to past wins.  Clark is exempt as well, but his performance will depend on his injury.  I'd love to see Westwood and Kaymer accept their Tour cards as it would guarantee them in 15 events, but they'll probably end up playing 11 or so events anyway.

As for Simpson, he is definitely for real.  He is super talented and just needed a breakout win which he got this year.  He'll be good for quite some time.  Now on the other hand, I would definitely stay away from the rookie winners from 2011 next year.  Guys who have had great rookie years in the past tend to have a "sophmore slump."  Guys like Vegas, Steele, Bradley, and Kirk scare me in 2012.

I really think Gary Woodland is going to make more noise next year.  I could see him winning a major.  He can bomb the ball, has improved is short game, and plays really confident.

[wayned]

Hey Big Cats. We really think a lot alike. I love Woodland myself this year. As you say, he kills it, and he can putt. Another player I like is Kyle Stanley. He bombs it too, and he really came on in the 2nd half.

I was reading about Casey yesterday. He went through a tough divorce last year, and had a foot injury as well. However I also read that he's not exempt for 2012. His last win was in Texas 2 years ago. However, because of his world ranking, he'll get in all the majors and WGC events. Plus, it would seem to me he'll get a sponsor invitation to any tournament he wants to play.

In regards to the sophomores, the one I think will continue to thrive is Bradley. He's tough as nails (that PGA performance was something), and he's great with that long putter.

Of course, I also see big things for John Daly. Unfortunately, they won't be on the golf course.

[Bigcats82]

I read on rotoworld that Casey will have conditional status, but may choose to play primarily European events in 2012.  I like Stanley as well.  It's actually pretty amazing how good of a rookie class the PGA Tour had in 2011.  Out of all of the rookies from this year, I like Kyle Stanley and Kevin Chappell to perform well in 2012.  I'm not so confident in Bradley.  I think he'll be good, maybe make around 1.5 million, but I don't see him coming close to the year he had in 2011.  He won't have to play near as many events in 2012, so he'll probably be much more selective with the tournaments he plays.  Plus he'll have a lot more distractions next year with endorsements and such.

[wayned]

Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy have joined the PGA Tour for 2012. Of course, this increases their fantasy value big time, because they are now eligible for the 4 FedExCup playoff tournaments. Neither could participate in those tournaments last year, and they are big money tournaments.

Players have until December 1st to join the tour. It doesn't look like Martin Kaymer will be joining.

[deasy55]

He said he wouldn't be joining for 2012 a while back.

Originally Posted by wayned

It doesn't look like Martin Kaymer will be joining.

[wayned]

Hey Deasy

Ya never know with these guys. Westwood said earlier that he wasn't going to join, but he announced today that he was. Again, they have to join by 12/1, so we'll have a definite answer on all these guys then.

[deasy55]

Kaymer said it only a few weeks ago at the HSBC CHampions though, so I doubt he will change his mind in that short a time. He will join eventually, I just don't think it will be next year.

Originally Posted by wayned

Hey Deasy

Ya never know with these guys. Westwood said earlier that he wasn't going to join, but he announced today that he was. Again, they have to join by 12/1, so we'll have a definite answer on all these guys then.

[Bigcats82]

With McIlroy and Westwood joining the PGA Tour in 2012, who does everyone see as the top fantasy pick in 2012?

I could see any of these guys being in the picture...

Donald, Mickelson, Woods, Watney, D. Johnson, McIlroy, Westwood, Day, Schwartzel...

My vote would be for Watney or McIlroy.  Although, I think McIlroy will probably play the minimal amount of events so I would have to lean more towards Watney.

[augafan48]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Bradley has another great year in 2012, I'm not saying he'll win a major, but maybe a WGC and some other events.  Everyone talks about long hitters, why isn't he in the mix? I've seen him in person and he can hammer the ball, and also his putting is great, he wields a long putter like nobody's business.  I'm sounding like a Keegan homer here but I really like how the guy plays and I'm expecting more from him soon.

Also, I'm looking for Woodland, Stanley, Cauley, and other young guys to break out, while I expect (as said above)  guys like Steele and Vegas to fall off.  Vegas is too inconsistent, and Steele can only get so far with that hook swing...

Tiger will have a solid year as well, I'm looking for him in the Masters and US Open primarily, not so much the British or PGA

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by jamo

I think we've already had fantasy leagues the last few years, and registration for 2012 isn't open yet.

To try and answer your other questions: I don't think Simpson is "for real," Donald is the best player in the world, Europeans have caught up with (or passed, if the Ryder Cup is any indication, though I think the American side might be deeper) with Americans, and I doubt Phil has another major win in him.

Based on your other predictions, can we unofficially crown Webb Simpson as the 2012 PGA Tour Player of the Year? The lad might even sweep the majors.

[cheffdiddy_45]

I will be interested to see how Adam Scott continues to progress.  It is hard to argue with his performance while Steve was dragging the bag and I think the last Tiger flap will have the two focused on winning tournaments and less on running the mouth *cough SHUT UP STEVE cough*.  As someone else pointed out above, I am looking forward to Keegan Bradley's 2nd season.  Dude hits it a mile and plays with so much passion.  He is a blast to watch.  Tiger will win.  Tiger will win a major.  I say he wins the Masters.

[mlf16507]

I have set a Fantasy League  for us on Yahoo.  The League is called "The Sandtrap.com League"  The League runs from 1st week till Tour Championship. 50 Players only, No cost-for bragging rights only!

League #: 3354

Password:  fore

See you on the 1st Tee

Mike(TurkeyLurkey**9/11**)