2014 Shell Houston Open Discussion

[jamo]

Methinks it's going to be an ugly week in Augusta; expecting a forgettable Masters like 2003.

Another Canadian? Ugh. Congrats to Graham DeLaet.

[Chilli Dipper]

Another Canadian? Ugh. Congrats to Graham DeLaet.

Ooh, I actually like that.

[ChrisP]

The winter of our discontent concludes with yet another tournament where an elite player cannot close out the victory, allowing a journeyman to take the trophy.

Methinks it's going to be an ugly week in Augusta; expecting a forgettable Masters like 2003.

Been a very disappointing year for golf. I cannot remember a worse way to start off the year pre-Masters. The positives for today that might give us hope for next week is the fact Phil had a good showing and Rory had a good Sunday. But my goodness, we now have guys like Matt Jones, Steven Bodwitch, Matt Every and John Senden in the Masters. The Masters has really never had a "bad champion." Even Weir and Immelman were building up good careers before their win. This could be our first "bad champion" if this virus hits Augusta.

Also, never remember a year where there's more apathy going into the Masters. Even golf fans just don't seem as interested as they usually are.

[Hammer 4]

Been a very disappointing year for golf. I cannot remember a worse way to start off the year pre-Masters. The positives for today that might give us hope for next week is the fact Phil had a good showing and Rory had a good Sunday. But my goodness, we now have guys like Matt Jones, Steven Bodwitch, Matt Every and John Senden in the Masters. The Masters has really never had a "bad champion." Even Weir and Immelman were building up good careers before their win. This could be our first "bad champion" if this virus hits Augusta.

Also, never remember a year where there's more apathy going into the Masters. Even golf fans just don't seem as interested as they usually are.

Maybe I missed something..? But why do you call it a "Virus"..?  All those guys out there are Pro's for a reason, cuz they be Good. Maybe I misunderstood you.?

[treebound]

A guy comes charging and gains 6 or more strokes in the final round, the leader has a few mis-hits but still has a chance to win it, two go to a playoff, the charger sinks a wedge shot from across a bunker, the former leader has one shot (a comparable shot) to take the playoff to a second hole but comes up short, and the charger wins it along with an entry into the Masters. To me that was a pretty good finish. I'm thinking the Masters is shaping up to be a very interesting and unpredictable event.

[ChrisP]

Maybe I missed something..? But why do you call it a "Virus"..?  All those guys out there are Pro's for a reason, cuz they be Good. Maybe I misunderstood you.?

Look at the last 6 tournaments. You don't see a trend with the top players in the world collapsing at the end of tournaments? I give Jones credit....he didn't go Bodwitch. He went out, played well, watched Kuchar slip at the end (which has been the trend) and won in a playoff.

Some people love the parity....and that's your opinion. Good for you. I don't like it. I don't think it's good for the game. That's just my personal opinion. I'm a golf nut, as probably are you, so we'll watch it regardless, but if golf wants the ratings and the coverage, we need the stars to step up.

[Foursum Golf]

Another Canadian? Ugh.

Congrats to Graham DeLaet.

Hey now!

[9iron]

A guy comes charging and gains 6 or more strokes in the final round, the leader has a few mis-hits but still has a chance to win it, two go to a playoff, the charger sinks a wedge shot from across a bunker, the former leader has one shot (a comparable shot) to take the playoff to a second hole but comes up short, and the charger wins it along with an entry into the Masters. To me that was a pretty good finish.

I'm thinking the Masters is shaping up to be a very interesting and unpredictable event.

Totally agree. That was an incredible finish yesterday. Jones put a lot of pressure on Kuchar to hit that 18th green because making par from that right sand trap is no given. So Kuch goes for the green and hits it into the drink. Anyone who ever played for anything even at the club level can understand the situation. Jones went out there and earned that big time. I don't care at all that he's a journeyman.

[David in FL]

Look at the last 6 tournaments. You don't see a trend with the top players in the world collapsing at the end of tournaments? I give Jones credit....he didn't go Bodwitch. He went out, played well, watched Kuchar slip at the end (which has been the trend) and won in a playoff. Some people love the parity....and that's your opinion. Good for you. I don't like it. I don't think it's good for the game. That's just my personal opinion. I'm a golf nut, as probably are you, so we'll watch it regardless, but if golf wants the ratings and the coverage, we need the stars to step up.

Guy shoots 66 on Sunday to force a playoff, then chips in from 35 yards to win, and that's not good for the game? :-\ That's the stuff that makes me tune in on Sunday, even if a "star", has the lead.

[iacas]

Guy shoots 66 on Sunday to force a playoff, then chips in from 35 yards to win, and that's not good for the game?

That's the stuff that makes me tune in on Sunday, even if a "star", has the lead.

I didn't watch it at all. I knew I'd be spending four hours watching golf later, and didn't want to extend that to six or more.

Generally, people like stars to win. Kuchar > Jones, even if his win total is only 6 (versus, now, 1).

[Ernest Jones]

Guy shoots 66 on Sunday to force a playoff, then chips in from 35 yards to win, and that's not good for the game?

That's the stuff that makes me tune in on Sunday, even if a "star", has the lead.

Agree, as much as I was pulling for Kuchar, it's always fun to see someone get their first win and he definitely earned it.

---

On another note, how can you not like a guy who washes his ball on the 18th and berates himself with, "AWE GOLLY Matty!!!" He's kinda like a character from the Andy Griffith show or something.

[Golfingdad]

On another note, how can you not like a guy who washes his ball on the 18th and berates himself with, "AWE GOLLY Matty!!!" He's kinda like a character from the Andy Griffith show or something.

I think we need to start a "Matt Kuchar Catch-All Thread" so I can say things about how his "cursing" on live TV offends me and my children.

Come on, Matt, you should know better!!!!!!!  Kids look up to you!!!!!!!!

[Ernest Jones]

GOLLY MATTY!!

[jamo]

GOLLY MATTY!!

Ugh. Despicable. Can't believe Augusta Nationak is going let that potty mouth on their hallowed grounds.

[iacas]

Ugh. Despicable. Can't believe Augusta Nationak is going let that potty mouth on their hallowed grounds.

BAN HIM!

[boogielicious]

When I was coaching soccer, my vocabulary changed to be very similar to Matt Kutcher.  My expletives became, "fudge" and "Monkey Farts".  The later always got the kids giggling.  Kutcher is probably keeping it clean for his kids.

[Ernest Jones]

When I was coaching soccer, my vocabulary changed to be very similar to Matt Kutcher.  My expletives became, "fudge" and "Monkey Farts".  The later always got the kids giggling.  Kutcher is probably keeping it clean for his kids.

Monkey Farts! Big, stinking M**ther F**king Monkey Farts!

[boogielicious]

Monkey Farts! Big, stinking M**ther F**king Monkey Farts!

The other was the Bill Murray quote from Ghostbusters.  Mother Puss Bucket!