2018 Masters Tournament Discussion Topic

[Frank-0-Sport]

Greetings ...

Despite the threat of bad weather, the players are going out in twosomes (Paul Casey will play with a marker) and the tee times are what one would expect on a normal Saturday.

http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/pairings/index.html

Oh, Yes -- How about some of these pairings ??
Reed-Leishman / Stenson-McIlroy / Spieth-D. Johnson / J.Thomas-Finau
Fowler-Oosthuizen / Rose - B. Watson / Kuchar-Rahm / Matusyama-Z. Johnson

Should be quite a Saturday, weather permitting.

 

[Shorty]

21 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

Yeah, if you just quote the first sentence of the post. It was only meant to tease some people a little bit, but also kick start things a little. But it is turning out to be true though isn't it?

I find it very strange -  and I doubt that I'm the only one -  that you seem to see anything that Woods does as a personal victory for you when it doesn't live up to the hopes of others. My hunch is that most people here are really pleased that he's playing pain free and is hitting it really well a lot of the time. And that's a lot to be optimistic - even excited - about. Few really thought he'd contend and possibly even see a made cut as something positive. But you have a misguided belief that EVERYONE is a crazy Tiger fan and you seem to think that everyone is sulking and eating crow and humble pie because he isn't leading the tournament. You might be advised to examine your motivations and wonder why you invent a reality that suits your twisted vision of the majority of golf fans.

Edited April 7, 2018 by Shorty

[GrandStranded]

1 minute ago, Shorty said:

I find it very strange -  and I doubt that I'm the only one -  that you seem to see anything that Woods does as a personal victory for you when it doesn't live up to the hopes of others. My hunch is that most people here are really pleased that he's playing pain free and is hitting it really well a lot of the time. And that's a lot to be optimistic - even excited - about. Few really thought he'd contend and possibly even see a made cut as something positive. But you have a misguided belief that EVERYONE is a crazy Tiger fan and you seem t think that everyone is sulking and eating crow and humble pie because he isn't leading the tournament. You might be advised to examine your motivations and wonder why you invent a reality that suits your twisted vision of the majority of golf fans.

Gee, you're making me wonder why I picked him in my Masters pool. Sorry, but not everyone is ALL about Tiger. I respect the hell out of everything he's done on a golf course. Unlike a lot of people here though, I don't look at a major, or any tournament actually, through the prism of Tiger only. I enjoy watching the entire story unfold, and I don't hate or root against anyone. That's the truth, and if it upsets you when I tease his fans a bit, think how old it gets for those of us who don't live and die with each of Tigers shots each round he plays to read about each one dissected  in detail.

[iacas]

15 minutes ago, Shorty said:

I find it very strange -  and I doubt that I'm the only one -  that you seem to see anything that Woods does as a personal victory for you when it doesn't live up to the hopes of others. My hunch is that most people here are really pleased that he's playing pain free and is hitting it really well a lot of the time. And that's a lot to be optimistic - even excited - about. Few really thought he'd contend and possibly even see a made cut as something positive. But you have a misguided belief that EVERYONE is a crazy Tiger fan and you seem to think that everyone is sulking and eating crow and humble pie because he isn't leading the tournament. You might be advised to examine your motivations and wonder why you invent a reality that suits your twisted vision of the majority of golf fans.

Nice try @Shorty, but he completely missed the point.

1 minute ago, GrandStranded said:

Sorry, but not everyone is ALL about Tiger.

Nope. Just you, @GrandStranded.

1 minute ago, GrandStranded said:

Unlike a lot of people here though, I don't look at a major, or any tournament actually, through the prism of Tiger only.

Complete mischaracterization of almost everyone here.

1 minute ago, GrandStranded said:

That's the truth, and if it upsets you when I tease his fans a bit, think how old it gets for those of us who don't live and die with each of Tigers shots each round he plays to read about each one dissected  in detail.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

And…

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

[onthehunt526]

2 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

Gee, you're making me wonder why I picked him in my Masters pool. Sorry, but not everyone is ALL about Tiger. I respect the hell out of everything he's done on a golf course. Unlike a lot of people here though, I don't look at a major, or any tournament actually, through the prism of Tiger only. I enjoy watching the entire story unfold, and I don't hate or root against anyone. That's the truth, and if it upsets you when I tease his fans a bit, think how old it gets for those of us who don't live and die with each of Tigers shots each round he plays to read about each one dissected  in detail.

I actually refrained from posting in this thread today... until after play completed for a reason.

I enjoy watching it. I don't need to see the blow by blow accounts on Twitter and here, while I'm watching it. I actually muted the broadcast when I watched it, and actually enjoyed it more while just watching... I don't need the dissection of every shot... That's why I watch, I'm a golf fan.

[Shorty]

3 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

That's the truth, and if it upsets you when I tease his fans a bit, think how old it gets for those of us who don't live and die with each of Tigers shots each round he plays to read about each one dissected  in detail.

Thing is - I don't see that he has that many (if any) fans here who are as obsessed as you seem to think. So, I seriously don't even know who you think you're teasing.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, Shorty said:

Thing is - I don't see that he has that many (if any) fans here who are as obsessed as you seem to think. So, I seriously don't even know who you think you're teasing.

@colin007 is about it.

[b101]

This is pretty much the leaderboard I'd have wanted at the start of the week. Really bunched (let's hope Reed comes back to the field a little bit like Spieth did yesterday), loads of good names up there and some brilliant pairings for the Saturday round. I'm particularly happy that McIlroy is with Stenson and not Spieth - I remember Spieth's slow pacing really throwing Rory when they were paired together on the Saturday in 2016. 

It really felt that Leishman and Reed were pushing each other yesterday; here's hoping that doesn't happen again tomorrow! Weather looks interesting as well and all-in-all, should be a great weekend.

[Zeph]

@GrandStranded it's not about the schadenfreude, I get that you get a kick out of people rooting for someone and that someone failing to deliver. It's that you complain about everyone talking about Tiger, yet you talk about him yourself most of the time too. Out of curiosity, I counted your posts in this thread and what you talked about in them. Out of a total 41 posts, 25 of them were about Tiger, 16 about someone or something else.

I understand that all the talk about Tiger gets boring, but you aren't contributing for anything else when you complain about people talking about him. By doing that, all you acheive is even more posts about Tiger. Try shifting the focus to some of the other players instead, and accept that some people are more interested in Tiger than the rest of the field, even when he's not playing well. All these posts berating the Tiger focus is just making the discussion more negative and focused on anything but the tournament.

On topic: Wow, great round by Reed. I hope he and Leishman comes back a bit today and sets up for a great Sunday. They'll be facing rain and up to 9 mph winds today.

Edited April 7, 2018 by Zeph

[Zeph]

Saturday's Featured Groups Schedule

10:20 a.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Phil Mickelson
10:40 a.m. – Tiger Woods, Ian Poulter
2:10 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson
2:20 p.m. – Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy

Quote

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta National is already playing plenty tough at the Masters.

Throw in a little wind and rain, and Saturday figures to be very interesting.

The early forecast for the third round calls for rain and possible thunderstorms – as much as an inch of rain is expected – and wind gusts up to 30 mph.

That means a precise course will get even more demanding.

“I don’t think many of us have played in windy, rainy conditions here,” Rickie Fowler said.

One possible benefit of some Saturday rainfall? It’d slow down and soften the firm, speedy greens.

“But then you deal with the golf ball being wet and getting water in between the ball and clubface,” Fowler said. “Controlling the golf ball becomes tough into these greens when you’re trying to hit into a two- or three-yard section.”

Jordan Spieth said players also need to be more aware of mud balls, since the mowing pattern in the fairways is from green to tee.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” he said. “You’ve just got to be aware, and obviously it becomes a tactical golf course when the conditions get tougher or you’re presented with tough breaks like that.”

Sunday’s forecast calls for cooler temperatures, in the mid-60s, but no additional rainfall.

https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/rainy-windy-conditions-could-pose-problems-augusta/

I can't remember too many rounds with rain at Augusta either. Zach's win comes to mind.

Edited April 7, 2018 by Zeph

[Al B Tross]

3 hours ago, b101 said:

It really felt that Leishman and Reed were pushing each other yesterday; here's hoping that doesn't happen again tomorrow!

Totally agree that they were pushing each other yesterday. For that reason I think today may tilt heavily in Reed’s favor as this sets up like Match Play - Reed’s wheelhouse. He usually slips back a bit Sat/Sun but I think today he’s thinking “me vs him” not “me vs the field” and if Leishman stays on track it’ll stoke Reed’s fire and he’ll put his foot on the gas. I have a feeling the only way the gap closes is if a few players make a big move today and gain ground from behind.

I'm actually really interested in today’s round as I WANT to like Reed but just havent been able to yet. He rubbed me the wrong way when he came on the scene with his “I’m a top 5 player” arrogance with no results to back it up. (I know / like he gives a $hit what I think...)  Love him on Ryder Cup teams though because his arrogance works and he delivers. Hey - I’m from Philly and we’re bred to hate any opposing player with a vengeance until they play for one of our teams so I can’t help myself...?).

LET MOVING DAY COMMENCE!!

[GolfLug]

I would assume all the rain will present a different course today. First thought is lot more attacking approaches. Putting lines and speed changes will be interesting.

Reed vs. Leishman is compelling theater to me. Bull dog vs. Gentle giant. Like them both but can't help root for Leishman a bit more (he married a local girl from Virginia Beach and has settled here) unlike scores of international players who go to the pro haven Florida. Haven't met him personally but the pros at the course he practices say nothing but good things about him. Go fella!

 

 

[b101]

59 minutes ago, Al B Tross said:

Totally agree that they were pushing each other yesterday. For that reason I think today may tilt heavily in Reed’s favor as this sets up like Match Play - Reed’s wheelhouse. He usually slips back a bit Sat/Sun but I think today he’s thinking “me vs him” not “me vs the field” and if Leishman stays on track it’ll stoke Reed’s fire and he’ll put his foot on the gas. I have a feeling the only way the gap closes is if a few players make a big move today and gain ground from behind.

I'm actually really interested in today’s round as I WANT to like Reed but just havent been able to yet. He rubbed me the wrong way when he came on the scene with his “I’m a top 5 player” arrogance with no results to back it up. (I know / like he gives a $hit what I think...)  Love him on Ryder Cup teams though because his arrogance works and he delivers. Hey - I’m from Philly and we’re bred to hate any opposing player with a vengeance until they play for one of our teams so I can’t help myself...?).

LET MOVING DAY COMMENCE!!

I actually quite like Reed, for the same reasons I like Poulter in spite of every shred of evidence I have - it's just nice to see players who are competitive, speak honestly and aren't going to always give the standard PG interviews. There's a fine line though; I find Bubba whiney and annoying as he never blames himself but takes it out on whatever else. 

With Reed, I'm just a big fan of his attitude and desire to get better. As you say, he has that underdog mentality that I think will really help. I did think he'd have broken through into the top ten proper by now, but he's just a bit streaky.

Also interesting how the activity in this thread compares to the last couple of years:

2015: 1,927 replies
2016: 1,663 replies
2017: 980 replies
2018 (after two rounds!): 913 replies

I know we've spoken about it a lot, but proof that:

a) this is a properly entertaining tournament.
b) Tiger still moves the needle amongst golf fans more than any other.
c) For whatever reason, people didn't get into last year's tournament.

I find c) strange - it was one of the best final rounds of a major we've ever had...

[phillyk]

1 hour ago, Al B Tross said:

I'm actually really interested in today’s round as I WANT to like Reed but just havent been able to yet. He rubbed me the wrong way when he came on the scene with his “I’m a top 5 player” arrogance with no results to back it up. (I know / like he gives a $hit what I think...)  Love him on Ryder Cup teams though because his arrogance works and he delivers.

This is exactly where I am at too. He started on a very arrogant note with nothing to help and he really hasn’t delivered much. I am fine with being competitive like Ryder Cup but he talked himself up more than that. 

Well with that forecast, today should certainly be very interesting! Not many low scores expected. Hopefully it squeezes together and we get an exciting finish tomorrow. 

[dennyjones]

Couldn't anyone but Poulter .....

[burr]

well, the rain has arrived, a light rain and a still air.  forecasts are for strong winds later, maybe after play this evening.

Edited April 7, 2018 by burr

[nevets88]

Would this shot have exploded a Flightscope? Supination baby.

[phillyk]

Another Mickelson triple and a Woods bogey on #1...

Edited April 7, 2018 by phillyk