US Masters begins Friday

[Dippers Donuts]

For all you golf fans out there, I would just like to remind you both that the greatest golf tournament in the world - the Masters, begins this friday morning.

I think the winner will come from the following group;

Retief Goosen
Tiger Woods
David Duval

Roughie: Adam Scott.

Greg Norman (aka The Great White Flounder) will also be playing. Sadly I don't think he will make the cut.

I for one, cannot wait...

 

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by Dippers Donuts


Greg Norman (aka The Great White Flounder) will also be playing. Sadly I don't think he will make the cut.

I believe Norman has been at it again before this year's Masters and saying how he still believes a major is still not beyond him. He's says this every year and the Norman-obsessed Australian media lap it up.

As I see it, Norman is really a full-time businessman and part-time golfer and has been for several years - you don't win majors with that perspective. His time is long gone.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by Wayde Petersen
Aren't we a big group of iconclasts here on Bigfooty, god i'm sick of the Greg Norman bashing that goes on every time he plays, I mean he lost a major to Larry Mize (who's heard of him since then), and lost in majors in the most bizarre of circumstances, but do people at least give him some sympathy in the way that he's handled his personal disappointments with dignaty and composure ?, no you just want to slag him off and kick him while he's down, christ no wonder why we're going to hell in a hand basket when we have this jealous, pathetic attitude when it comes to those who have the backbone and drive to achieve thier goals, and just fall short.

I reckon Donald Horne's right, we're a first rate country, inhabited by second rate people.

Woah...where did that dummy come from!!

Wayde, I'm not bashing Floun..er..sharky, far from it.

IMO he has single handedly been responsible for the enormous growth of the game in this country in the last 10-15 years. He was, in his prime (and occasionally still today), breathtaking to watch.

However, for a player of his ability to have only won 2 majors, he has essentially under achieved where it really counts - the majors. He should have won 6-8 majors and be regarded as one of the true greats of the game.

Quite simply, he is a choker, who can forget his massive meltdown in the 1996 masters, when he lead Faldo by 6 shots going into the final round. Faldo hunted him down, sharky choked and lost by 5.

Love the bloke, just having a good humoured dig that's all.

 

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by Wayde Petersen
Aren't we a big group of iconclasts here on Bigfooty, god i'm sick of the Greg Norman bashing that goes on every time he plays, I mean he lost a major to Larry Mize (who's heard of him since then), and lost in majors in the most bizarre of circumstances, but do people at least give him some sympathy in the way that he's handled his personal disappointments with dignaty and composure ?, no you just want to slag him off and kick him while he's down, christ no wonder why we're going to hell in a hand basket when we have this jealous, pathetic attitude when it comes to those who have the backbone and drive to achieve thier goals, and just fall short.

I reckon Donald Horne's right, we're a first rate country, inhabited by second rate people.

So by your reckoning, all the country's social problems boil down to people like me criticising (very mildly) Greg Norman. Now that's a valid argument.

Despite your bombast, I don't feel regretful about what I said Norman. He is a multi-millionaire with 100 times more luxuries such as private jets then anybody posting on this board will ever have. As if he'd give a stuff what people like me say about him.

So he's lost a few majors - it's only a game. Even Norman himself was quoted as saying after losing to Nickalus in the 1986 Masters he was over it in an hour. I don't know why it's causing you such grief.

In anycase, I think the 'over in an hour' comments suggests why Norman has been unable to go the final step in US majors. Mentally, his emotional level is one or two points below what was required to take the championship and that's why he has never seemed to be emotionally devastated by these close defeats.

And considering the life he's leading, why should he be bothered by these sort of things. He's living the Good Life.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Where did your post go Wayde?

Oops, was I a bit hasty in quoting you?

 

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by Dippers Donuts
Where did your post go Wayde?

Oops, was I a bit hasty in quoting you?

It's like the Post on the Grassy Knoll. Nobody is quite sure what happened to it but our Zapruder posts captured it for all to see.

 

[blurton]

What do you guys think about Phil Mickleson? He seems to put himself in contention often in majors then just blows it. His is a mental problem too I think.

 

[kretchy]

What Australians are playing besides Norman and Scott?

 

[Stealth bomber]

I like Ernie Els or Vijay Singh. Both of them have won on U.S. soil in recent weeks, seem to be putting well. Of course, Mr. Woods is always a threat.

I also think the lengthened Augusta National suits Els and Singh both while eliminating half the field (for those unfamiliar, they built new tees on 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 18).

Because everyone will hit 6-irons into greens instead of wedges now, I don't think there will be a barrage of birdies like usual. I think the winning score is gonna be -8.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by blurton
What do you guys think about Phil Mickleson? He seems to put himself in contention often in majors then just blows it. His is a mental problem too I think.

Mickelson is a great player (awesome short game) Blurton but I think you have hit the nail on the head - he seems to have a mental block when it comes to Tiger Woods.

He talks the talk when it comes to taking on Tiger but when the opportunity arises to take on and beat him, he seems to fall apart. Still, he does have a great game so one day I think he will win a major. Not the Masters this year though.

Kretchy, the other Aussies playing are Appleby and Allenby.

Shame Parry and Lonard didn't get a guernsey.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by Stealth bomber
I like Ernie Els or Vijay Singh. Both of them have won on U.S. soil in recent weeks, seem to be putting well. Of course, Mr. Woods is always a threat.

I also think the lengthened Augusta National suits Els and Singh both while eliminating half the field (for those unfamiliar, they built new tees on 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 18).

Because everyone will hit 6-irons into greens instead of wedges now, I don't think there will be a barrage of birdies like usual. I think the winning score is gonna be -8.

Dead right about Els Stealth Bomber. How could I forget him, a huge threat, I will place him in my list of potential winners. Not sure about Vijay, a past winner so still a threat.

I think the changes to Augusta will suit the long hitters like Tiger and Els, which is ironic given the changes were largely made to "Tiger proof" the course. Of course the esteemed gentlemen of Augusta deny this was the reason. Hell, in '97 he was hitting wedges to the par 5s on his second shot.

 

[The Power Guy]

Golf is too damn hard to play and too damn boring to watch...... Played the game today and must say I officialy suck at it.... I'm alright at chipping though..... you should hae seen me clock it onto the green from the rough! wooo! But other than that can't drive can't put.

 

[kretchy]

Does anyone think Adam Scott is any sort of a chance. Most of his good results have been on the European courses haven't they.
Could more of a golf follower tell me if there is any great deal of difference between thecourse design of the European and American courses.

 

[Livewire]

Tiger Woods is the real class act in the field of course.

Robert Allenby is playing well and is a chance.

Phil Mikelson must break through for a win in a Major soon.

Wonder if they will show more than the last 9 holes each day?

 

[Joe Mama]

I deleted it (my mystery post) after I had a bex and a good lie down, and I hoped that someone didn't try to salvage that (bombastic, and mildly inane) post, but sadly, someone did and I acted like a real tool and i'm sorry.

But, back to the golf, although the Mize victory (against Norman in 1987) was an arsey fluke and he wasn't to blame there, but you're right Wagstaff, he hasn't been able to convert his considelable talent (he has such a pefect swing) into victories in the Majors, and that '96 last round debarcle was the biggest choke since Jana Novotna against Steffi Graf at Winbledon.

Anyway, does Sergio Garcia, and the Australians Appelby, Allenby and Scott (i've all but given up on Greg Norman winning a Major in the US) have a chance ?, or will be be between Els, Singh and Woods, who will be the only ones in contention on the lenghtened Augusta National course ?.

 

[Joe Mama]

considerable and perfect, (geez, I can't believe that I won all those spelling bees in Primary School).

 

[Joe Mama]

I should really review my posts, there's spelling mistakes everywhere.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by kretchy
Does anyone think Adam Scott is any sort of a chance. Most of his good results have been on the European courses haven't they.
Could more of a golf follower tell me if there is any great deal of difference between thecourse design of the European and American courses.

Adam Scott is my roughie for the tournament kretchy.

He is coached by the same guy that coaches Tiger, he has nearly an identical swing as Tiger and has all the attributes that Tiger has (distance off the tee, good short game etc). Just lacks experience in the big events really. I really rate this guy.

European courses (IE UK and the older Spanish and Dutch courses) tend to be more 'links' type courses, ie less water and you play more of a bump and run style game. The american courses are probably prettier as they are newer and are designed for the tv aspect more and more these days. Yank courses are more gimmicky for want of a better word. I prefer the older links style courses, they are more traditional and I think a better test for the true golfer.

 

[colin]

Originally posted by Dippers Donuts


Mickelson is a great player (awesome short game) Blurton but I think you have hit the nail on the head - he seems to have a mental block when it comes to Tiger Woods.

His short game is awesome as you say Donuts. I was fortunate enough to watch him in a practice round of the British open in 1997, and I remember him taking these bunker shots from a 10 feet bunker and he stuck it to the pin every time. Fantastic.

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by colin


His short game is awesome as you say Donuts. I was fortunate enough to watch him in a practice round of the British open in 1997, and I remember him taking these bunker shots from a 10 feet bunker and he stuck it to the pin every time. Fantastic.

Yeah, I love his flop wedge Colin, 20 foot in the air and 2 feet worth of roll. If only I could be so good.

BTW, are you really from Dublin, if so what part?

 

[colin]

Yup I'm a dub alright. I'm from a place called Leopardstown (beside the race course). It's on the South side of Dublin, near Stillorgan.

You got relations or something from Dublin?

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Originally posted by colin
Yup I'm a dub alright. I'm from a place called Leopardstown (beside the race course). It's on the South side of Dublin, near Stillorgan.

You got relations or something from Dublin?

I was born in Ireland, in Dublin.

We migrated to Oz when I was 5 so I am well and truly a dinki di Aussie, still, I will always be proud of my Irish roots (my Dad was Welsh -what a combo).

I was born in Churchtown, according to my mother across the road from a famous golf course where JFK himself played a round back in 1962.

 

[colin]

Ah I know Churchtown well. I'm about three miles away. The golf course you're referring to is probably Milltown, quite prestigious and a good course.

I'm hoping to go to Australia for a year to work and travel. Dunno where to go though, probably Sydney or Melbourne. Any ideas?

 

[Dippers Donuts]

Yeah, start with Melbourne or Sydney and move out from there.
Plenty to see and do in this place.

I'll send you a pm with my details and perhaps we could catch up for a Guinness or two.

cheers.

 

[colin]

Well I won't be leaving for 2 years so let's put that on hold! Plus I'll be driving there in a van with me mates which should take about a year I reckon.

But hey, in 3 years time get those pints lined up!
Nice one