2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational

[Zeph]

The best of today is his scrambling and short game. He’s really ground out some pars. The problem is the shots making him have to scramble. The good shots are definitely there, but off days here and there. If it’s good enough for a win depends on the next two days. It will be interesting to see what the top four does tomorrow. He’s just two shots off T5.

Are the bunkers really soft this week? There’s a lot of fried eggs out there.

[GrandStranded]

7 minutes ago, Dr. Manhattan said:

 

I'm watching and not taking anything for granted with his score. He's damn lucky to have the score he does today. Caught a couple very nice breaks at the 3rd and 4th holes. Grinding very well considering the fact he clearly doesn't have the ballstriking today.

He's like a prisoner of his own talent. People expect him to be Superman every time he tees it up. Anybody who's played a sport at a high level knows it just doesn't work that way. He didn't have it today but he's sitting at even par thru 16. Pretty solid in my book. Tomorrow's a new day. Jeez, a month ago people wondered if he could finish 18.

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

He's like a prisoner of his own talent. People expect him to be Superman every time he tees it up. Anybody who's played a sport at a high level knows it just doesn't work that way. He didn't have it today but he's sitting at even par thru 16. Pretty solid in my book. Tomorrow's a new day. Jeez, a month ago people wondered if he could finish 18.

Yeah.

[Zeph]

323 yards with 3 wood and the longest «drive» on 18 today. Not everyone hits driver, but that was a beautiful tee shot.

[Dr. Manhattan]

TW has to feel pretty good about shooting 72 or 71 today. That was some ugly stuff, especially the front nine. Meanwhile, Reed has to be kicking himself. He should be double digits under par if not for a bunch of water balls and OB tee shot. Lots of Reed birdies, but lots of boneheaded mistakes too.

[onthehunt526]

Well shit, I missed the boat on that one. I think Tiger got his "bad" round out of the way. I'll go even money he's within 3 shots headed into Sunday.

[GrandStranded]

I'm interested to hear what he has to say in his press conference. Golf is far from my sport, I didn't start playing until I was 55, and my biggest struggle is with patience. I'm almost 8 years in, and I'm my own worst enemy. I'm playing to a little under 13, but the better players at my club tell me my head is the only thing keeping me from single digits. I'm wondering if Tiger comes out of this round happier with the score he shot today, then on a day when he shoots 3 under, but leaves a few out there. I realize he obviously wanted to go low, but does he feel he got everything he could today, and go home, not happy, but satisfied?

[iacas]

@david_wedzik thinks the winner is at -14 or -15. I think -17 wins it. I bet him $5 at -16.5, taking the "over" (17+).

[GrandStranded]

2 minutes ago, iacas said:

@david_wedzik thinks the winner is at -14 or -15. I think -17 wins it. I bet him $5 at -16.5, taking the "over" (17+).

Sounds like you think Stenson is going wire to wire.

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

Sounds like you think Stenson is going wire to wire.

SLIG is right there with him. Stenson shot -8 in one round. That's unlikely over the weekend, but -4 or -5 x 2 is possible, and there are guys at -9, -8, etc.

[nevets88]

2 minutes ago, iacas said:

SLIG is right there with him. Stenson shot -8 in one round. That's unlikely over the weekend, but -4 or -5 x 2 is possible, and there are guys at -9, -8, etc.

HA! I got that! Good one.

[GrandStranded]

2 minutes ago, iacas said:

SLIG is right there with him. Stenson shot -8 in one round. That's unlikely over the weekend, but -4 or -5 x 2 is possible, and there are guys at -9, -8, etc.

It took me a second, but SLIG =Single Length Iron Guy? LOL. I think I'm going to steal that one.

[onthehunt526]

22 minutes ago, iacas said:

@david_wedzik thinks the winner is at -14 or -15. I think -17 wins it. I bet him $5 at -16.5, taking the "over" (17+).

Even 68s wins. I'm calling it now... You take the 36-hole lead and cut it in half... By the way I get 8 likes on Twitter for my this is Tiger's "bad" round comment... No love here. What did @colin007 have a coronary? Or is he out buying pants?

[iacas]

20 minutes ago, onthehunt526 said:

Even 68s wins. I'm calling it now... You take the 36-hole lead and cut it in half... By the way I get 8 likes on Twitter for my this is Tiger's "bad" round comment... No love here. What did @colin007 have a coronary? Or is he out buying pants?

I'd normally be with Dave. Usually the scoring on the weekend isn't anywhere near as strong as the first two rounds.

But that's -6 from the -11s, and those back have to make up some strokes so a 66 or whatever isn't out of the question for a round or two.

I'm feeling good about being $5 richer. But I think 16.5 is a good number. Could easily be "only" -16. I don't think -14 is reasonable, though. Unless some freakish weather occurs.

[colin007]

Seriously, who else is shooting even par on a terrible ball striking day like today??

[onthehunt526]

1 minute ago, colin007 said:

Seriously, who else is shooting even par on a terrible ball striking day like today??

No one. GOAT. That's who.

[colin007]

3 hours ago, onthehunt526 said:

No one. GOAT. That's who.

I mean, it's remarkable...no matter how many times I see it, it's remarkable. When he's healthy, his F game is so so soooooo much better than anyone else's F game....

[onthehunt526]

27 minutes ago, colin007 said:

I mean, it's remarkable...no matter how many times I see it, it's remarkable. When he's healthy, his F game is so so soooooo much better than anyone else's F game....

The first six or seven holes, Ball striking was absolute shit. (Though the wedge shot on 6 was pretty good). 8 good iron shot, 9 shit, 10 ok, 11 pretty good just a little long, 12 good hole, 13 that wedge was garbage, 14 ok, 15 bad break, great up and down, 16 trash drive great recovery, good birdie, 17 good iron shot, 18 was solid. So overall, yeah @colin007 it was trash. He'll be okay, he'll get back in it.

Tomorrow he plays B+ game shoots 64, gets in final group with Stenson. Then he shoots 68 on Sunday, wins and his F game on Friday doesn't matter...