The 2013 season is officially under wraps, and the players who received there 2014 cards are getting ready for the tour.
Just like them, the players who didn't, are ready to kick it around on the Web.com Tour, and get their cards for next year.
With the new playoff system for the Web.com Tour, and the elimination of Q-School, there was a lot of objectors. But I think those people objecting will be rethinking their objections after this years finale. The new system was an instant success, providing a lot of excitement and thrill as the professionals battled for their future jobs.
With all of the excitement, there's going to be winners and there's going to be losers. The top 50, are all getting their cards for next year. But for the guys who finished 51, 52, and 53. They're leaving this season empty handed. They were that close to getting their cards, but they don't have it.
It's back to the grind for Andres Gonzales, the man who finished 51st in the points standings. Gonzales earned his card last year through the Web.com Tour, but had to give it up after the 2013 season, that was less than stellar. Gonzales only made three of 17 cuts, and his best finish was T-8, his only top ten, or 25, or 50.
But for players like Chesson Hadley and Ed Loar, it's a whole new life. They are pursuing the dream, and they are going to be playing with players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in 2014. Making it on the PGA tour opens a whole new set of doors for them. They will be playing with best.
For the players who made it, there is nothing standing in their way. They are what we say, living the dream.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Stenson takes it all!
Last Sunday as Henrik Stenson approached the 235 yard 18th hole, and the 72nd hole of the tournament with a three shot lead, the dream of this has-been golfer, to make such a big comeback where he regained his status and then won the tour championship over a course of a year, came true.
Stenson, who at one point was in the elite status of golfers on the planet, had dropped off the planet after he won the Players Championship "fifth" major) in 2009. Stenson battled through injuries, and ultimately had to rebuild his swing after this severe downfall.
As a golf fan, I wanted to see this happen just like I wanted to see Mike Weir make a huge comeback after his struggles after his Masters win. But did I see it coming?
No. This comeback was very unexpected, and very appreciated all around by the golf community. Stenson is generally known as a very nice/funny guy on the PGA Tour, and everyone loved watching this marvelous comeback.
What Stenson took home with him this past weekend was $11.4 million, 1.4 from Tour Championship victory, and 10 from winning the Fed Ex Cup. The biggest thing Stenson got was IT back. The one thing all golfers with dreams of making it big want.
I wouldn't be surprised if Stenson wins multiple times next year, including a major. But that's always said after someone has a great year, especially the Fed Ex Cup champion.
Stenson has a better chance than the others, though. That's because Stenson has already been at the top of his game, and he knows what it's like to lose it all. Stenson's one of the few that has the best chances of being around for awhile, and that's because he's still on the way up, I don't believe he's reached his peak yet. And when he does, it's going to be a bad day for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and anyone whose looking to win a major that year.
This Swede is not going anywhere soon, and he's looking forward to an even better year next year.
Stenson, who at one point was in the elite status of golfers on the planet, had dropped off the planet after he won the Players Championship "fifth" major) in 2009. Stenson battled through injuries, and ultimately had to rebuild his swing after this severe downfall.
As a golf fan, I wanted to see this happen just like I wanted to see Mike Weir make a huge comeback after his struggles after his Masters win. But did I see it coming?
No. This comeback was very unexpected, and very appreciated all around by the golf community. Stenson is generally known as a very nice/funny guy on the PGA Tour, and everyone loved watching this marvelous comeback.
What Stenson took home with him this past weekend was $11.4 million, 1.4 from Tour Championship victory, and 10 from winning the Fed Ex Cup. The biggest thing Stenson got was IT back. The one thing all golfers with dreams of making it big want.
I wouldn't be surprised if Stenson wins multiple times next year, including a major. But that's always said after someone has a great year, especially the Fed Ex Cup champion.
Stenson has a better chance than the others, though. That's because Stenson has already been at the top of his game, and he knows what it's like to lose it all. Stenson's one of the few that has the best chances of being around for awhile, and that's because he's still on the way up, I don't believe he's reached his peak yet. And when he does, it's going to be a bad day for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and anyone whose looking to win a major that year.
This Swede is not going anywhere soon, and he's looking forward to an even better year next year.
Friday, September 27, 2013
It's a wrap! (the winners and losers of this season)
Well after Stenson holed the final putt of the Tour Championship to win it, the 2013 PGA Tour season came to an end.
Stenson is one of the obvious winners of this season, mostly because he regained his status as one of the elite players in the world. But who are the other big winners? And who are the losers?
Some of the biggest winners include Phil Mickelson, the 20 year old Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods.
Phil was a huge winner this season, and it all started with his win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open when he lipped out a long lag putt to miss out on a 59 by one shot. Phil then won the Open Championship with a huge comeback during the final round, which included magnificent putting, and excellent management of the conditions. Phil who is starting to run out of years showed excellent form this season, and will be apart of another Presidents Cup team next week.
Jordan Spieth, the 20 year old sensation, was just playing this year to gain tour status without playing on the Web.com Tour. He succeeded. Spieth actually broke through with a win at the John Deere Classic, and then brought the same play to the Tour Championship, where he ended up tying for second place. Spieth has made his name, and is now the young star in golf. Spieth is hoping to keep the play next week, where he will be repping the U.S. in the Presidents Cup.
And last but not least (for sure), Tiger Woods. Tiger had a five win season, he didn't win a major, but still he had the most wins on tour. This season might not go down in Tiger's record books as being great. But the man has high standards. When Tiger reflects on his season, he should think of it as another year where he was still fine tuning his game, and its another step in the right direction for Jack's record. Tiger ended up second in the Fed Ex Cup standings, and he was leading it pretty much the whole season, until Stenson won two of the last three playoff events.
Some of the biggest losers this year were Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, and Lee Westwood. All three of these former world-number-ones had less than stellar seasons in 2013.
Rory opened the season with a new contract with Nike, and soon after the signing, when there were many lows, there was talk about him switching back. Rory stayed with Nike, but nothing really got better. Rory struggled this season with only seven top-25's of the 14 cuts he made. McIlroy, who was on top of the world after his PGA Championship victory late in 2012, didn't have anywhere near the year he has had in the past. I would like to say the future is bright for this young star, but right now it's difficult to state that.
Donald was in the hunt on Sunday at this years U.S. Open, but fell short after some early miscues. Donald has won in the past two seasons on the PGA Tour, and had won the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour both years. This year Donald struggled a little more than normal, his highest finish was a T-3 in the RBC Heritage, and missed three cuts including the British Open and the PGA. Donald looks to be going in the right direction with good finished at the final two playoff events, but it's going to be an up hill battle if Donald wants to get to where he once was, now that Tiger Woods playing at full strength.
Lee Westwood was the talk of the majors going into the season, and was on everyone's list to finally win one this season. Westwood looked very good after three rounds of the British Open, holding the lead, but with Mickelson's late round charge, his efforts suddenly fell short. Westwood did not miss a cut this season, and was looking good most of the season. But with getting really nothing going late this year, Westwood missed the Tour Championship. This year showed promise out of Lee, but it also showed defeat. It's going to be interesting to see how Westwood can play next year, as once again he sits on top of the best players without a major going into the offseason.
The 2013 PGA Tour season created a lot of up and coming stars, as it did returning. But it also faced some of the worlds best with many struggles.
Stenson is one of the obvious winners of this season, mostly because he regained his status as one of the elite players in the world. But who are the other big winners? And who are the losers?
Some of the biggest winners include Phil Mickelson, the 20 year old Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods.
Phil was a huge winner this season, and it all started with his win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open when he lipped out a long lag putt to miss out on a 59 by one shot. Phil then won the Open Championship with a huge comeback during the final round, which included magnificent putting, and excellent management of the conditions. Phil who is starting to run out of years showed excellent form this season, and will be apart of another Presidents Cup team next week.
Jordan Spieth, the 20 year old sensation, was just playing this year to gain tour status without playing on the Web.com Tour. He succeeded. Spieth actually broke through with a win at the John Deere Classic, and then brought the same play to the Tour Championship, where he ended up tying for second place. Spieth has made his name, and is now the young star in golf. Spieth is hoping to keep the play next week, where he will be repping the U.S. in the Presidents Cup.
And last but not least (for sure), Tiger Woods. Tiger had a five win season, he didn't win a major, but still he had the most wins on tour. This season might not go down in Tiger's record books as being great. But the man has high standards. When Tiger reflects on his season, he should think of it as another year where he was still fine tuning his game, and its another step in the right direction for Jack's record. Tiger ended up second in the Fed Ex Cup standings, and he was leading it pretty much the whole season, until Stenson won two of the last three playoff events.
Some of the biggest losers this year were Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, and Lee Westwood. All three of these former world-number-ones had less than stellar seasons in 2013.
Rory opened the season with a new contract with Nike, and soon after the signing, when there were many lows, there was talk about him switching back. Rory stayed with Nike, but nothing really got better. Rory struggled this season with only seven top-25's of the 14 cuts he made. McIlroy, who was on top of the world after his PGA Championship victory late in 2012, didn't have anywhere near the year he has had in the past. I would like to say the future is bright for this young star, but right now it's difficult to state that.
Donald was in the hunt on Sunday at this years U.S. Open, but fell short after some early miscues. Donald has won in the past two seasons on the PGA Tour, and had won the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour both years. This year Donald struggled a little more than normal, his highest finish was a T-3 in the RBC Heritage, and missed three cuts including the British Open and the PGA. Donald looks to be going in the right direction with good finished at the final two playoff events, but it's going to be an up hill battle if Donald wants to get to where he once was, now that Tiger Woods playing at full strength.
Lee Westwood was the talk of the majors going into the season, and was on everyone's list to finally win one this season. Westwood looked very good after three rounds of the British Open, holding the lead, but with Mickelson's late round charge, his efforts suddenly fell short. Westwood did not miss a cut this season, and was looking good most of the season. But with getting really nothing going late this year, Westwood missed the Tour Championship. This year showed promise out of Lee, but it also showed defeat. It's going to be interesting to see how Westwood can play next year, as once again he sits on top of the best players without a major going into the offseason.
The 2013 PGA Tour season created a lot of up and coming stars, as it did returning. But it also faced some of the worlds best with many struggles.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Belly putter impact on Tour Championship
In the past two years, belly putters have been the talk of the town.
There had been talk about them being outlawed, but it all really started when Tiger opened his mouth, and said how much he hated them. I mean, why wouldn't the movement start when the greatest player in the world says he hates them.
There have been four majors won with belly putters in the last couple years, and that also led to the ban.
Starting in 2016 you can not anchor a putter above the waste, and forearm. This has caused a lot of controversy recently because some of the influential players, such as Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, have spoken out about the rule. The controversy will most likely continue up until the ban goes into effect.
This week at the Tour Championship there were only three players anchoring putters, and they were Adam Scott (2013 Masters winner), Webb Simpson (2012 U.S. Open winner), and Keegan Bradley (2011 PGA Championship winner). These are probably the most notable players to anchor, and it isn't a shock any of them were playing this week.
All three of these players finished in the top half this week, and Simpson had the high finish of fourth.
There wasn't a huge impact from belly putters this week, but Adam Scott with his long putter had a chance early in the week. And sitting third in the standings going into the week, with a win he would of taken the Fed Ex Cup home with him.
Personally I am not a fan of the belly putters, mostly because I putt better with a standard non-anchoring putter. But I am also not a fan of the ban because I see it as the players getting creative to improve weak parts of their games, and I don't see anything wrong with that. I don't see it as cheating.
At the Presidents Cup in a couple weeks, there will be the same three players, and Ernie Els being the fourth, who anchor. Two on each side, which really doesn't make either side cheating, right?
In the next couple years there will be much more controversy, and we will get to truly see how the putters affect the players when they have to switch in a couple years.
There had been talk about them being outlawed, but it all really started when Tiger opened his mouth, and said how much he hated them. I mean, why wouldn't the movement start when the greatest player in the world says he hates them.
There have been four majors won with belly putters in the last couple years, and that also led to the ban.
Starting in 2016 you can not anchor a putter above the waste, and forearm. This has caused a lot of controversy recently because some of the influential players, such as Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, have spoken out about the rule. The controversy will most likely continue up until the ban goes into effect.
This week at the Tour Championship there were only three players anchoring putters, and they were Adam Scott (2013 Masters winner), Webb Simpson (2012 U.S. Open winner), and Keegan Bradley (2011 PGA Championship winner). These are probably the most notable players to anchor, and it isn't a shock any of them were playing this week.
All three of these players finished in the top half this week, and Simpson had the high finish of fourth.
There wasn't a huge impact from belly putters this week, but Adam Scott with his long putter had a chance early in the week. And sitting third in the standings going into the week, with a win he would of taken the Fed Ex Cup home with him.
Personally I am not a fan of the belly putters, mostly because I putt better with a standard non-anchoring putter. But I am also not a fan of the ban because I see it as the players getting creative to improve weak parts of their games, and I don't see anything wrong with that. I don't see it as cheating.
At the Presidents Cup in a couple weeks, there will be the same three players, and Ernie Els being the fourth, who anchor. Two on each side, which really doesn't make either side cheating, right?
In the next couple years there will be much more controversy, and we will get to truly see how the putters affect the players when they have to switch in a couple years.
President's Cup Preview
In just a couple of weeks, the top 12 United States golfers will take on the top 12 International golfers (excluding Europe) in the Presidents Cup. The Presidents Cup is the second biggest team event in golf, to the Ryder Cup. The Presidents Cup just lacks the intensity of the Ryder Cup, probably due to the history of the Ryder Cup, and being a close copy of it. But still the Presidents Cup is a very glorified event in golf, and is something we will all be watching intensely to see how it unfolds.
The U.S. has eight returning veterans, and the International team has five. Considering the U.S. has only lost once to the Internationals, and also tied them once, I would rank them as the favorites. I wouldn't rank them by too much though, considering the International team has the two men who were in the playoff at Augusta this year, and last years British Open winner. But it will definitely take a lot for the global team to win.
Heres a list of the teams:
United States:
Tiger Woods
Brandt Snedeker
Phil Mickelson
Matt Kuchar
Jason Dufner
Keegan Bradley
Steve Stricker
Bill Haas
Hunter Mahan
Zach Johnson
Webb Simpson
Jordan Spieth
International:
Adam Scott
Jason Day
Charl Schwartzel
Ernie Els
Louis Oosthuizem
Hideki Matsuyama
Branden Grace
Graeme Delaet
Richard Sterne
Angel Cabrera
Marc Leishman
Brendon de Jonge
Some of the names that I believe could play huge impacts on how this ends up for the United States are Jason Dufner, Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, and Jordan Spieth. It's going to be interesting to see how J-Duf performs after his win at the PGA Championship. Since the PGA, Dufner's made all three cuts in the Playoffs, and had a T-9 finish at the Deutsche Bank. He currently sits 20th in the Fed Ex Cup standings, meaning he most likely win the Fed Ex Cup, but he's in line for a high finish.
Steve Stricker who shares a similar game with Jason Dufner, isn't just looking for a high finish in the Fed Ex Cup Standings this week, currently sitting in 6th place, Stricker is in line to win the Tour Championship, and take home the Fed Ex Cup. Stricker decided to play a limited schedule this year on the PGA Tour, and still he had no issue qualifying for the Presidents Cup. I think Stricker could have a huge impact on how the Presidents Cup plays out. Stricker had a less than stellar Ryder Cup performance last year, and that's what makes me wonder if he's still got the intensity for these things as he once had. I don't think the number one nicest guy on the PGA Tour lives and dies by these events, but it would be nice to see him have another good week because he's running out of how many more he can play in as he gets older.
Hunter Mahan, not only my personal favorite golfer, but also one of the most fashionable players on the PGA Tour. It's going to be interesting to see if he's going to break out the flat-bill for the Presidents Cup. Mahan who is making his fourth appearance in the Presidents Cup, went 4-1 at the last Presidents Cup, and has improved his play greatly since. Mahan had a multiple win season last year, and barely missed the Ryder Cup Team. This year, Mahan had a second place finish at the WGC match play, and had four other top tens. I think he will be a big part of this team because he was a huge part the last time around, and he has a lot to prove after not being a Captains pick at the Ryder Cup last year, when he really should have been, and there was a lot of talk after he was to blame after a chunked chip and loss at the last Ryder Cup he played in. It's going to be interesting to see how these three Americans impact the result of this years Presidents Cup.
The U.S. has eight returning veterans, and the International team has five. Considering the U.S. has only lost once to the Internationals, and also tied them once, I would rank them as the favorites. I wouldn't rank them by too much though, considering the International team has the two men who were in the playoff at Augusta this year, and last years British Open winner. But it will definitely take a lot for the global team to win.
Heres a list of the teams:
United States:
Tiger Woods
Brandt Snedeker
Phil Mickelson
Matt Kuchar
Jason Dufner
Keegan Bradley
Steve Stricker
Bill Haas
Hunter Mahan
Zach Johnson
Webb Simpson
Jordan Spieth
International:
Adam Scott
Jason Day
Charl Schwartzel
Ernie Els
Louis Oosthuizem
Hideki Matsuyama
Branden Grace
Graeme Delaet
Richard Sterne
Angel Cabrera
Marc Leishman
Brendon de Jonge
Some of the names that I believe could play huge impacts on how this ends up for the United States are Jason Dufner, Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, and Jordan Spieth. It's going to be interesting to see how J-Duf performs after his win at the PGA Championship. Since the PGA, Dufner's made all three cuts in the Playoffs, and had a T-9 finish at the Deutsche Bank. He currently sits 20th in the Fed Ex Cup standings, meaning he most likely win the Fed Ex Cup, but he's in line for a high finish.
Steve Stricker who shares a similar game with Jason Dufner, isn't just looking for a high finish in the Fed Ex Cup Standings this week, currently sitting in 6th place, Stricker is in line to win the Tour Championship, and take home the Fed Ex Cup. Stricker decided to play a limited schedule this year on the PGA Tour, and still he had no issue qualifying for the Presidents Cup. I think Stricker could have a huge impact on how the Presidents Cup plays out. Stricker had a less than stellar Ryder Cup performance last year, and that's what makes me wonder if he's still got the intensity for these things as he once had. I don't think the number one nicest guy on the PGA Tour lives and dies by these events, but it would be nice to see him have another good week because he's running out of how many more he can play in as he gets older.
Hunter Mahan, not only my personal favorite golfer, but also one of the most fashionable players on the PGA Tour. It's going to be interesting to see if he's going to break out the flat-bill for the Presidents Cup. Mahan who is making his fourth appearance in the Presidents Cup, went 4-1 at the last Presidents Cup, and has improved his play greatly since. Mahan had a multiple win season last year, and barely missed the Ryder Cup Team. This year, Mahan had a second place finish at the WGC match play, and had four other top tens. I think he will be a big part of this team because he was a huge part the last time around, and he has a lot to prove after not being a Captains pick at the Ryder Cup last year, when he really should have been, and there was a lot of talk after he was to blame after a chunked chip and loss at the last Ryder Cup he played in. It's going to be interesting to see how these three Americans impact the result of this years Presidents Cup.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
2013 Tour Championship Preview
The biggest individual cash prize in sports.
That is what awaits the winner of the overall points for the Fed Ex Cup. Whoever wins the Tour Championship will most likely win the Fed Ex Cup, but that isn't for certain.
Right now, the leaders of the Fed Ex Cup are:
1. Tiger Woods (points 4,352)
2. Henrik Stenson (points 4,229)
3. Adam Scott (points 4,122)
4. Zach Johnson (points 3,843)
5. Matt Kuchar (points 3,330)
The scenario. If any of these players win the championship, they win the Fed Ex Cup. Now the numbers might not prove it, but if any of the top five points leaders win the Tour Championship, they take it all.
To get to this point, you will of had to finish in the top 30 in the point standings. These players have gone through the first three of the four playoff events to get here. The first playoff event (the Barclays) cut from the top 125 to 100. Then the next (the Deutsche Bank), 100 to 70. Then finally (the BMW), 70 to 30. Some of the notable players that didn't make it this far are Bubba Watson (finished 37), Rickie Fowler (38), former world number one's Lee Westwood (41) and Rory McIlroy (50), and Ryder Cup sensation Ian Poulter (53).
Some of the notables that squeaked into the top 30 are Dustin Johnson (30), former world number one Luke Donald (29), and Sergio Garcia (25). These players will need to win the event, and have a bit of luck that the top players in the standings don't have a high finish in the tournament.
The people outside the top five that I believe have the best chances of winning are British Open Champion Phil Mickelson, who sits at eighth in the points standings.
Also the U.S. Open Champion Justin Rose, Rose overtook Mickelson down the final stretch of the U.S. Open. Rose sits in ninth place right now in the points standings.
And finally, the 20 year old sensation, Jordan Spieth. Spieth is tied for second in the field for most top 10 finishes. The 20 year old broke through this year, in the John Deere Classic with a playoff win over the hometown boy Zach Johnson, and David Hearn in a playoff after holing a bunker shot on his last hole for birdie. Spieth will also play in this years Presidents Cup, due to being a captains pick.
The 2013 Tour championship is currently underway, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out, and there will certainly be a lot of math done this weekend.
For points standings go to: http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02395.html
That is what awaits the winner of the overall points for the Fed Ex Cup. Whoever wins the Tour Championship will most likely win the Fed Ex Cup, but that isn't for certain.
Right now, the leaders of the Fed Ex Cup are:
1. Tiger Woods (points 4,352)
2. Henrik Stenson (points 4,229)
3. Adam Scott (points 4,122)
4. Zach Johnson (points 3,843)
5. Matt Kuchar (points 3,330)
The scenario. If any of these players win the championship, they win the Fed Ex Cup. Now the numbers might not prove it, but if any of the top five points leaders win the Tour Championship, they take it all.
To get to this point, you will of had to finish in the top 30 in the point standings. These players have gone through the first three of the four playoff events to get here. The first playoff event (the Barclays) cut from the top 125 to 100. Then the next (the Deutsche Bank), 100 to 70. Then finally (the BMW), 70 to 30. Some of the notable players that didn't make it this far are Bubba Watson (finished 37), Rickie Fowler (38), former world number one's Lee Westwood (41) and Rory McIlroy (50), and Ryder Cup sensation Ian Poulter (53).
Some of the notables that squeaked into the top 30 are Dustin Johnson (30), former world number one Luke Donald (29), and Sergio Garcia (25). These players will need to win the event, and have a bit of luck that the top players in the standings don't have a high finish in the tournament.
The people outside the top five that I believe have the best chances of winning are British Open Champion Phil Mickelson, who sits at eighth in the points standings.
Also the U.S. Open Champion Justin Rose, Rose overtook Mickelson down the final stretch of the U.S. Open. Rose sits in ninth place right now in the points standings.
And finally, the 20 year old sensation, Jordan Spieth. Spieth is tied for second in the field for most top 10 finishes. The 20 year old broke through this year, in the John Deere Classic with a playoff win over the hometown boy Zach Johnson, and David Hearn in a playoff after holing a bunker shot on his last hole for birdie. Spieth will also play in this years Presidents Cup, due to being a captains pick.
The 2013 Tour championship is currently underway, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out, and there will certainly be a lot of math done this weekend.
For points standings go to: http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02395.html
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