2014 WGC-HSBC Champions Discussion Thread

[mvmac]

This week marks the fifth event of the 2014-15PGA Tour season, as players head to China for the WGC-HSBC Champions.

Sheshan International can stretch 7,261 yards. The par-4 13th hole was extended 26 yards since last year and the par-5 14th was shortened by 31 yards. In a vacuum, because the greens are prepped to top out at just 11.5 on the Stimpmeter, its primary defenses are wind and dry weather. Recent rain has softened the turf and there is a chance for more this coming weekend, but relatively cool air (mid- to upper 60s) combined with cloudy skies are likely to turn the tournament into target practice yet again. Wind comparable to last year's shootout is forecast.

Luke Donlad is also in the field and looking to make some changes for 2015:

http://www.pgatour.com/tour-insider/2014/11/05/luke-donald-pat-goss.html

Quote:

A few weeks ago, Pat Goss’ phone rang. On the other end was Luke Donald, who wanted to know if Goss would be interested in returning as his swing coach.

“I didn’t anticipate (the call),” said Goss. “A few people had asked me (if I thought he would call) and I told everybody I didn’t think that would happen.”

Goss had coached Donald since recruiting him to Northwestern University in the late 1990s and had remained with him until Donald split for Chuck Cook just over a year ago, retaining Goss in only a short-game capacity in the process.

But Goss also needed a day or two to think about it.

After almost 15 years coaching Donald and even longer at Northwestern, he thought about what else he was interested in doing with his coaching and wanted to objectively evaluate the right thing to do.

“In the end, there was no way I could make that evaluation objectively because I have been so emotionally invested with Luke for so many years,” Goss said. “How much I care about him was too big a factor. We’ve been great friends and kind of came up together and that’s one of the things that’s unique about our relationship.”

[Crim]

G-Mac with a 2 stroke lead after day 1

I wasn't able to stay up and watch it last night. But a repeat airing will be on the Golf Channel in 30 minutes. I'll be watching.

[davechen]

http://deadspin.com/patrick-reed-on-his-own-putting-you-****in-faggot-1655322621

Patrick Reed after 3 putting.  He seems like a pleasant fellow.

[Crim]

http://deadspin.com/patrick-reed-on-his-own-putting-you-****in-faggot-1655322621

Patrick Reed after 3 putting.  He seems like a pleasant fellow.

Wow, lol yeah, he's a little intense. Uncalled for.

On the other side, PGA players have enjoyed his company lately from what I've been reading.

[JPK1988]

Patrick Reed has gone from one of my least favorite to one of my favorite golfers in the span of one season...  Sure, he shouldn't be spouting slurs and F-bombs, but at least the kid has some balls and a little fire...  His top 5 comment came off as cocky and a little entitled, but at least he wants to win and he believes in himself and has a little bit of an F-you attitude...I think he's shown he's more like your typical golfer, at least mentally, than any of us might have originally expected..Maybe golf's popularity, at least in the states, would grow if a few more guys had that intensity on the inside.. He doesn't come off as another Chris Kirk, Harris English, Jim Furyk type country club silver spooner who would offer up a limp finger handshake and who could care less about winning and beating an opponent.  Good for him, be a little gritty and go out and beat someone-- The last young American golfer with Reed's fire and intensity was caught more than once cursing himself out on the course as well...14 majors later I think it worked out for him.

[Crim]

Oh man, at one point McDowell was 7 under. Solid play.

His swing is so different. Such a quick tempo short back swing. I love watching it but could never play it.

[Crim]

Patrick Reed has gone from one of my least favorite to one of my favorite golfers in the span of one season...  Sure, he shouldn't be spouting slurs and F-bombs, but at least the kid has some balls and a little fire...  His top 5 comment came off as cocky and a little entitled, but at least he wants to win and he believes in himself and has a little bit of an F-you attitude...I think he's shown he's more like your typical golfer, at least mentally, than any of us might have originally expected..Maybe golf's popularity, at least in the states, would grow if a few more guys had that intensity on the inside.. He doesn't come off as another Chris Kirk, Harris English, Jim Furyk type country club silver spooner who would offer up a limp finger handshake and who could care less about winning and beating an opponent.  Good for him, be a little gritty and go out and beat someone-- The last young American golfer with Reed's fire and intensity was caught more than once cursing himself out on the course as well...14 majors later I think it worked out for him.

A PGA blog about the slur.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/response-reed-bishop-represents-progress/

I enjoyed the user comments at the bottom. Particularly this one...

"The burning question I have that no one seems to be addressing is why was it even broadcast? The NBA and NFL have a delay because their mikes were constantly picking up stuff. Don't all live broadcasts have some sort of delay mechanism built in? The slur was the 3rd F bomb in his sentence. As soon as he said "Nice f*****n putt..." that mike should have been turned off and this is a non-story. But instead, they leave the mike open to catch all 3."

[Golfingdad]

http://deadspin.com/patrick-reed-on-his-own-putting-you-****in-faggot-1655322621

Patrick Reed after 3 putting.  He seems like a pleasant fellow.

I would read absolutely nothing into that comment.  Nothing.

I do stuff like this to myself on a daily (sometimes multiple) basis.  There isn't a swear word in the lexicon that I haven't called myself.  (I usually try and make up new swear words too when I'm doing something really stupid.)

It's a dumb, non-issue.

[Mr. Desmond]

Reed made the comments, the broadcast relayed them, social media takes over...

this scene is so familiar ... and frequent.

I, too, am demanding of myself, although studies have shown that belittling yourself hurts your game.

So I am learning to accept results without comment ... doesn't always work, but am trying.

I smile ... and that releases endorphins ... a good thing.

[Ernest Jones]

I would read absolutely nothing into that comment.  Nothing.

I do stuff like this to myself on a daily (sometimes multiple) basis.  There isn't a swear word in the lexicon that I haven't called myself.  (I usually try and make up new swear words too when I'm doing something really stupid.)

It's a dumb, non-issue.

Ditto. I don't think words really matter, intent matters. Reed was just calling himself a dumbass, poor choice of words under the circumstances. At least he didn't call himself a l'il girly.

[Golfingdad]

I don't think words really matter, intent matters.

Exactly.

[3putter]

This is such a non-issue, but it's going to get more than its fair amount of play in the media.

[Mr. Desmond]

This is such a non-issue, but it's going to get more than its fair amount of play in the media.

I think one golf forum already has over 10 pages of discussion on this morning's profanities from Reed..

[newtogolf]

I agree, it's not as big a deal as most would like to make it.  Though Tiger has been put the ringer by the media for saying much less than this.

[mvmac]

The apology

[Golfingdad]

I agree, it's not as big a deal as most would like to make it.  Though Tiger has been put the ringer by the media for saying much less than this.

Agreed.

The apology

Good enough for me.  Somebody posted on a another thread that he would get fined for it.  That's fine too.  Should be the end of it in my book.

[3putter]

I think one golf forum already has over 10 pages of discussion on this morning's profanities from Reed..

I can't even say I'm surprised. I guess it'll get it's fair share of attention from all angles. It might even prompt a discussion about (Fill in the blank)

[newtogolf]

Agreed.

Good enough for me.  Somebody posted on a another thread that he would get fined for it.  That's fine too.  Should be the end of it in my book.

Yep, wasn't a big deal for me when Tiger used profanity so it's not a big deal that Reed did either.  I don't have virgin ears and have heard much worse from golfers with a lot less on the line than Reed did.