2012 Justin Timerlake Shriners Open Discussion Thread

[mvmac]

I'm actually here at the event this week so make sure to check out the pics from

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday - new TaylorMade irons in Sean O'Hair's bag

and Video from this week

The final Fall Series has arrived. As of 2013, it will cease to exist. Next season will conclude with the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Shortly thereafter, the new wraparound 2013-14 schedule will commence.  T his week's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open begins what has been an annual home stretch for PGA TOUR members to chase goals established early in the year. The primary focus of the next few weeks will center on the edge of the bubble at No. 125 on the money list, for everyone inside it is fully exempt for next year.

Check out some Sleeper Picks

Jonas Blixt ... Eight of the last 10 champions of this event were first-time winners on the PGA TOUR. This includes Kevin Na , who defends this week. Blixt last competed at the Deutsche Bank Championship and placed T20, but fell one spot shy in FedExCup points to advance to the third phase of the Playoffs. It was his fifth top 20 in eight starts dating back to late April. (He missed 10 weeks due to a rib injury.) TPC Summerlin requires a hefty gathering of birdie opportunities to contend, so while the rookie ranks a forgettable 140th in greens in regulation, he's 12th in strokes gained-putting and 35th in par breakers. Second, should he find any of the 105 bunkers on the property, he'll be right at home as he leads the TOUR in sand saves on a track that perennially ranks among the most difficult in that category.

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Chris Stroud ... Once upon a time, October served as his proving ground. For the first four years of his PGA TOUR career (2007-2010), he thrived when his back was up against the wall, which is to say he's a poster boy for the inherent value of the Fall Series. This time around, he's comfortably inside the top 125 in earnings at 99th thanks a rare strong first half of the season. Nevertheless, other goals remain. He's 4-for-4 at this tournament with top 25s in each of his last three appearances.

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Tim Herron ... The only PGA TOUR winner of this bunch has fared nicely at this tournament, recording a trio of top 15s in his last five appearances. Last year's T5 is his last top 10 anywhere. He carded just four over-par holes all week. In his last start, he matched the season-low score on TOUR with a 61 in his second round at the Wyndham Championship. Ranks 52nd in greens in regulation.

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Richard H. Lee ... It was in this space during the week of the John Deere Classic that I noted his strong metrics in several key areas. They all but beg for one hot week as he navigates his way on the PGA TOUR for the first time. He'd go on to miss the cut that week, but he posted a pair of top 15s to close out the regular season. Then, of the 14 rookies that made an aggregate 33 starts on the Web.com Tour during the FedExCup Playoffs, his co-runner-up at the Albertsons Boise Open was one of two class-best T2s recorded. He's 21st on the PGA TOUR in greens in regulation and 68th in par breakers. Those are criticial factors for a run at TPC Summerlin.

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Danny Lee ... Unrelated to Richard H. Lee but also a PGA TOUR rookie, this Korean-born Kiwi logged the other T2 on the Web.com Tour during the FedExCup Playoffs. Danny Lee shared second place at the WNB Golf Classic, his fourth of five consecutive starts on the developmental circuit since the conclusion of the regulation season in the big leagues. He ranks a disappointing 126th in greens hit but he's capitalized on his opportunities, evidenced by sitting 41st in par breakers. What's more, TPC Summerlin should play more like a Web.com Tour stop in allowing a plethora of eagles and birdies. Given his splits of 28.09 percent in par breakers and 5.00 in birdie average in 18 rounds on the Web.com Tour, his return to the PGA TOUR may offer for a smooth transition.

[colin007]

i always root against tim herron.

[Beachcomber]

Tell Grant and Joe I said 'Hi'!

[sean_miller]

"Sleeper" as in makes me sleepy to read about them.

[Beachcomber]

Is it just me?  Or does Danny Lee look like he is wearing a clear mask - about to go off the grid for a covert Oceans 14 mission?

[colin007]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

Is it just me?  Or does Danny Lee look like he is wearing a clear mask - about to go off the grid for a covert Oceans 14 mission?

haha!!!!  youre right!  i looked at it again and that exactly what it looks like!

[cipher]

Great stuff mvmac, thanks for sharing!

[Beachcomber]

I just saw a headline that JT is no longer associated with Shriners?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2012/10/02/shriners-end-charity-golf-relationship-with-justin-timberlake/1609131/

Quote:

Frevel says the Shriners tried to get the former N'Sync star to become more involved with the hospitals and the patients they serve. "But it seemed that when the TV cameras weren't on, he disappeared."

Wow.  Those are some harsh words to say in public.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

I just saw a headline that JT is no longer associated with Shriners?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2012/10/02/shriners-end-charity-golf-relationship-with-justin-timberlake/1609131/

Wow.  Those are some harsh words to say in public.

Says it all.

Makes me even more amazed that he was given the stage at the Ryder Cup Opening ceremony. Truly bizarre.

On a more positive note, what about that interview with Mike Labrie? What an inspirational young man. Quite amazing.

On that note - I'm officially over and out on TST. Thanks for having me.

[MEfree]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvmac

The final Fall Series has arrived. As of 2013, it will cease to exist. Next season will conclude with the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Shortly thereafter, the new wraparound 2013-14 schedule will commence.  This week's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open begins what has been an annual home stretch for PGA TOUR members to chase goals established early in the year. The primary focus of the next few weeks will center on the edge of the bubble at No. 125 on the money list, for everyone inside it is fully exempt for next year.

Chris Stroud ... Once upon a time, October served as his proving ground. For the first four years of his PGA TOUR career (2007-2010), he thrived when his back was up against the wall, which is to say he's a poster boy for the inherent value of the Fall Series.

So do you think they should have left the "season" as calendar year?  Q School issues aside, I think the change makes sense as you will now have the season end with the playoffs (like with virtually every other sport).  Last year, I know of at least one player, William McGirt, who fished top 90 in the playoffs but had to go back to Q school to retain his card.  With the new schedule, everyone who makes the playoffs keeps their cards.  To me, this makes intuitive sense and strengthens the importance of making the playoffs.

A guy who plays well in October will have a chance to have his playoff spot (and next years card) guaranteed by Thanksgiving.  It will be interesting to see how it affects quality of the October fields.  Right now, it is usually a lot of guys who are fighting for their cards with many of the big names resting up for the silly season.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by MEfree

So do you think they should have left the "season" as calendar year?  Q School issues aside, I think the change makes sense as you will now have the season end with the playoffs (like with virtually every other sport).  Last year, I know of at least one player, William McGirt, who fished top 90 in the playoffs but had to go back to Q school to retain his card.  With the new schedule, everyone who makes the playoffs keeps their cards.  To me, this makes intuitive sense and strengthens the importance of making the playoffs.

A guy who plays well in October will have a chance to have his playoff spot (and next years card) guaranteed by Thanksgiving.  It will be interesting to see how it affects quality of the October fields.  Right now, it is usually a lot of guys who are fighting for their cards with many of the big names resting up for the silly season.

Yeah, they really only had two options if they wanted the fall finish to count as part of the season:  playoffs in November, or a season that begins in October.  I think they made the right call, because I want to watch football in November.

Once they start with the mega-tournament series at the end of the Web.com Tour season (October 2013), the top-50 from that event will roll right into the PGA Tour season after the first 4 events are completed, I guess?

[WWBDD]

What's the format in this one?

Do the pros have to drag Bill Murray and Kenny G around with them all week?

[Pakoh]

Ryan Moore has been playing really well in his past few events.  Good for him.

[Chilli Dipper]

Ryan Moore has been playing really well in his past few events.  Good for him.

After his run in the FedEx Cup playoffs, I figured Ryan would win the next time he teed up in the fall series. He went to college in Las Vegas, and I think he still lives there. He may go wire-to-wire.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Once they start with the mega-tournament series at the end of the Web.com Tour season (October 2013), the top-50 from that event will roll right into the PGA Tour season after the first 4 events are completed, I guess?

That is one of the things I like about the new format is that it gives the up and comers and journeymen that are playing well in September/Oct a chance to jump right in and make some PGA Tour money right away to try and retain their card for next year.  I also think you will see some of the mid level stars play at least an event or two so they don`t feel like they are so far behind coming back in January/Feb.

I like the Fed Ex Cup playoffs overall, but one negative is that a Jason Gore type guy who wins 3 on the Web.com tour often times can`t take advantage of his battlefield promotion.  If you recall, Gore`s lone PGA Tour win came of a battlefield promotion in SEPTEMBER.  In the current format, he wouldn`t have been eligible for that same tournament date as it would be the playoffs.  Along these lines, I think (at least) #1 on Web.com should get into the first playoff event as well as any Web.com with 3 wins.

[MEfree]

After tying for low round yesterday, Daly has the high round on the course today BY 10 SHOTS.  Makes me feel a little better by my lack of consistency.

[David in FL]

After tying for low round yesterday, Daly has the high round on the course today BY 10 SHOTS.  Makes me feel a little better by my lack of consistency.

15 over through 14....! He might not break 90! :~(

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by David in FL

15 over through 14....! He might not break 90!

after a birdie on 17, he is even for his last 5 holes and needs a par on 18 for 86