PGA 2019

[Herman Cain]

Generally I would say Tiger is going to run away with it, however, the typical PGA Championship set up brings more  potential players into the competition.  The course is wet so the guys who carry the ball should do well and also the greens will be receptive. So quite a few different type of players will be in the thick of things the way it usually is at a PGA.

That said If Tiger is meaningfully  under par for the first round it will be very difficult for anyone to beat him.

[rocket surgeon]

herman herman herman-i love tiger and great to see crowd getting behind him working in to a fever, BUT not on this course under these conditions.  not only is it long, but it is wet.  if he has trouble keeping it on the short stuff, my fear is his back holding up to pounding it out of the thick thick rough.  my draft king line up-koepka, reed, finau, woodland, bubba, piercy.  all long and strong mofo's.  reed is hungry for some attention. 

[NorthernDancerColt]

herman herman herman-i love tiger and great to see crowd getting behind him working in to a fever, BUT not on this course under these conditions.  not only is it long, but it is wet.  if he has trouble keeping it on the short stuff, my fear is his back holding up to pounding it out of the thick thick rough.  my draft king line up-koepka, reed, finau, woodland, bubba, piercy.  all long and strong mofo's.  reed is hungry for some attention.

I agree. There’s a reason he didn’t show up for his slated Wed 9hole practice round. Fused or not fused, a back is weather-dependent and not to be messed with.

Apparently a certain punter agrees with Herman wholeheartedly. The infamous $85G Win bettor on Tiger is up to his old tricks...he apparently took $100G of his profits and wagered it on TW to complete this year’s calendar Slam...I think he got 125-1.

[Herman Cain]

herman herman herman-i love tiger and great to see crowd getting behind him working in to a fever, BUT not on this course under these conditions.  not only is it long, but it is wet.  if he has trouble keeping it on the short stuff, my fear is his back holding up to pounding it out of the thick thick rough.  my draft king line up-koepka, reed, finau, woodland, bubba, piercy.  all long and strong mofo's.  reed is hungry for some attention.

I think Tigers back is healed. He is still very strong and in shape. Tiger is older which is why he decided to rest on Wednesday.

[Herman Cain]

Course playing tough so far today.

[Herman Cain]

Tiger now -1 through 13 after an Eagle. Worked through a couple of doubles.   Going to be very hard for anyone to beat him in this tournament now.  Koepka is a good player but he won't be able to make enough birdies to keep up with Tiger down the stretch.

[cheebs09]

Tiger now -1 through 13 after an Eagle. Worked through a couple of doubles.   Going to be very hard for anyone to beat him in this tournament now.  Koepka is a good player but he won't be able to make enough birdies to keep up with Tiger down the stretch.

Well, unless Tiger starts making bogies like the last few holes.

I’m pretty convinced Koepka is more machine than man now. Listening to him on PMT this week was interesting. It helps show how he stays so calm out there.

[JWags85]

Tiger now -1 through 13 after an Eagle. Worked through a couple of doubles.   Going to be very hard for anyone to beat him in this tournament now.  Koepka is a good player but he won't be able to make enough birdies to keep up with Tiger down the stretch.

Yeah, Koepka is toast.  Start making the odds for Tiger to complete the Grand Slam cause he's got the PGA locked up.  9 off the lead after 1, 2 doubles and 3 bogeys on a course not suited to his game, should probably win by 4 strokes.

[MU82]

Koepka threatening to make it a runaway.

Tiger threatening to miss the cut.

[Herman Cain]

Koepka threatening to make it a runaway.

Tiger threatening to miss the cut.

Tiger had a bad day putting. He will do well tomorrow. 

Koepka had a good day putting. He will do well tomorrow. A very focused competitor.

 

[Coleman]

Why the hell are they playing the PGA in May?

[rocket surgeon]

Why the hell are they playing the PGA in May?

...and why in new york??  the southwest is ideal right now mid 70's-85 & DRY!!.  enough to make a grown wisconsin man cry

[jesmu84]

Tiger now -1 through 13 after an Eagle. Worked through a couple of doubles.   Going to be very hard for anyone to beat him in this tournament now.  Koepka is a good player but he won't be able to make enough birdies to keep up with Tiger down the stretch.

The irony in your Tiger stance is that you call out others for being Wojo slurpers.

There is NO ONE on Scoop that is even remotely close to supporting Wojo like you support Tiger.

And I say that as a HUGE Tiger fan.

[RJax55]

Why the hell are they playing the PGA in May?

The PGA Tour changed the schedule to have the FedEx Cup playoffs end prior to the NFL season. Due to that, numerous events got shifted in the calendar, including the PGA.

[RJax55]

...and why in new york??  the southwest is ideal right now mid 70's-85 & DRY!!.  enough to make a grown wisconsin man cry

It is fine. I'm tired hearing about the weather. Too many takes leading up to Bethpage acting like a blizzard would strike since the event is now in May. Not every tour event needs to be play at 85 degrees.

[tower912]

Moisture, wind, thick rough, temperature swings.   Weather is part of it.  Golf isn't played in a dome.  Layer up, sack up.

[rocket surgeon]

It is fine. I'm tired hearing about the weather. Too many takes leading up to Bethpage acting like a blizzard would strike since the event is now in May. Not every tour event needs to be play at 85 degrees.

fair point   

i guess i was looking at it from a fans viewpoint watching it live and my preferences not to golf in a parka

[tower912]

fair point   

i guess i was looking at it from a fans viewpoint watching it live and my preferences not to golf in a parka

Living in the upper midwest, sometimes you golf in a parka or you don't golf.    Adjust your yardages accordingly.

[Herman Cain]

The irony in your Tiger stance is that you call out others for being Wojo slurpers.

There is NO ONE on Scoop that is even remotely close to supporting Wojo like you support Tiger.

And I say that as a HUGE Tiger fan.

Point well taken.

I guess it is because Tiger represents Historic greatness.  Peak Physical and  Peak Mental Talent combined. We have only seen a few athletes in history with this combination. Jordan, Babe Ruth, Jessie Owens,Nicklaus, Phelps etc.

Tigers greatness actually makes me appreciate the performance of the guys who compete well against him.

 

[rocket surgeon]

Living in the upper midwest, sometimes you golf in a parka or you don't golf.    Adjust your yardages accordingly.

I will golf in a golf shirt maybe with a light windbreaker on/off and shorts in high 50’s. Anything much more, I don’t golf here, I fly south. Now in Az, it can be in 60’s to 70with a little wind and that is considered cold down yonder

[jesmu84]

Point well taken.

I guess it is because Tiger represents Historic greatness.  Peak Physical and  Peak Mental Talent combined. We have only seen a few athletes in history with this combination. Jordan, Babe Ruth, Jessie Owens,Nicklaus, Phelps etc.

Tigers greatness actually makes me appreciate the performance of the guys who compete well against him.

Agree

[MU82]

Koepka keeps rolling. Tiger right on cut line. Still early, though.

[Herman Cain]

Koepka keeps rolling. Tiger right on cut line. Still early, though.

Koepka very solid.  Tiger in danger of missing cut. He is +5 and current cut is +3.

[JWags85]

Koepka very solid.  Tiger in danger of missing cut. He is +5 and current cut is +3.

If Tiger doesn’t birdie this final par 5, fire up the yacht

[🏀]

If Tiger doesn’t birdie this final par 5, fire up the yacht

The yacht is un-moored already. Brooks DGASOF about Tiger.

[tower912]

Still a great leader board.    The lack of undulation helps Adam Scott.   Spieth finally showed signs of life.    Tiger will have two extra days to rest his back.   

[tower912]

Koepka after 63-65.... I didn't play that well today.

[Herman Cain]

Koepka after 63-65.... I didn't play that well today.

Koepka a very focused player. The weekend should be fun. Will see if anyone can make a run at him.

[rocket surgeon]

facking bubba needed a 2 footer to keep my draft kings lineup intact.  what a bum!

[Jockey]

Koepka after 63-65.... I didn't play that well today.

He’s hitting it good. After the 1st round, Tiger said 63 was the worst possible outcome. Could’ve been a 60.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Koepka is the best golfer on the planet. The problem for the PGA is he has to be one of the most boring personalities on tour as well. Can’t really profit off of him.

[rocket surgeon]

this is priceless-good thing rahm didn't have to drop a deuce-yeah, dustin's practice swings were that important

https://golfweek.com/2019/05/17/golf-jon-rahm-caught-urinating-dustin-johnson-pga-championship/

[MU82]

Call me negative, but I don't think Tiger can win this tournament.

[Herman Cain]

Call me negative, but I don't think Tiger can win this tournament.

I agree with this analysis.

[MU82]

It was strange to hear Tiger talk about not playing between the Masters and PGA because he wasn't "well enough," and that he hopes he's "well" for the U.S. Open in a month.

Not sure what all that means. His back? Some other issue?

His performance these last couple days makes what he did in the Masters seem all the more remarkable. Makes it seem like an outlier, too, but we'll see.

[tower912]

Tiger had an emotional high from the Masters.    Then he didn't play any tournaments before the PGA and said that he didn't feel the best.     Then he got hit with a lawsuit.    And he didn't feel well enough to prepare the way he likes.     Meh.    Already a great year for him.   

[🏀]

Does Tiger really care about the PGA anyway?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Does Tiger really care about the PGA anyway?

Teal?

[LloydsLegs]

Koepka In Pardon My Take fantastic

[tower912]

Koepka has a personality, and an interesting one.   The problem is how to market it.    I think what will ultimately happen will almost be a take from professional wrestling.      In other golf threads, we have reference Patrick Reed as a heel.    One of the things about a heel, though, is they have to be really good, so you can get the whole 'good triumphing over evil' schtick.    Right now, Patrick Reed isn't good enough to be a heel.   
  Koepka, on the other hand, could very well become a heel.   To mix metaphors, during recent majors, he is like the Borg (resistance is futile) or Thanos (I am inevitable),  a nearly unstoppable monolith.    Because of his takes.... golf takes too long..... I know that in a major I only have to beat a few guys.... slow play..... I just drift away between holes 5 and 12.... the media hates me.....   I feed off their disrespect.....   he could become the anti-hero.    The heel.    Who can only be beaten by heroic efforts of the scrappy underdog.   Or the oldster who wants one last major.  (Mickelson at Pebble?)     Having Phil out duel Koepka at Pebble for the career slam would be epic.      But it would not stop the inevitability of Koepka at every major for the next few years.   

Because right now, Koepka's best is better than anybody else's best.     

[JWags85]

Koepka has a personality, and an interesting one.   The problem is how to market it.    I think what will ultimately happen will almost be a take from professional wrestling.      In other golf threads, we have reference Patrick Reed as a heel.    One of the things about a heel, though, is they have to be really good, so you can get the whole 'good triumphing over evil' schtick.    Right now, Patrick Reed isn't good enough to be a heel.   
  Koepka, on the other hand, could very well become a heel.   To mix metaphors, during recent majors, he is like the Borg (resistance is futile) or Thanos (I am inevitable),  a nearly unstoppable monolith.    Because of his takes.... golf takes too long..... I know that in a major I only have to beat a few guys.... slow play..... I just drift away between holes 5 and 12.... the media hates me.....   I feed off their disrespect.....   he could become the anti-hero.    The heel.    Who can only be beaten by heroic efforts of the scrappy underdog.   Or the oldster who wants one last major.  (Mickelson at Pebble?)     Having Phil out duel Koepka at Pebble for the career slam would be epic.      But it would not stop the inevitability of Koepka at every major for the next few years.   

Because right now, Koepka's best is better than anybody else's best.   

Koepka has an issue that is fairly common throughout sports in my opinion. I was just discussing it with someone recently given Cutler’s resurgence on reality TV. When athletes have personalities that are “different” than the normal superstar persona, or the preeminent star in their sport, the media are often not sure how to handle them. They get labeled boring, or surly, or other nonsense. I mean, look at Giannis. He’s commonly labeled humble and focused, which is fine cause it’s meant to be positive, but he’s really funny, fairly cocky, and sarcastic at times, but it’s not as bold as people are used to.

[MU82]

Koepka has an issue that is fairly common throughout sports in my opinion. I was just discussing it with someone recently given Cutler’s resurgence on reality TV. When athletes have personalities that are “different” than the normal superstar persona, or the preeminent star in their sport, the media are often not sure how to handle them. They get labeled boring, or surly, or other nonsense. I mean, look at Giannis. He’s commonly labeled humble and focused, which is fine cause it’s meant to be positive, but he’s really funny, fairly cocky, and sarcastic at times, but it’s not as bold as people are used to.

Cutler also had a problem that, unlike Koepka, he wasn't great at what he did for a living.

[JWags85]

Cutler also had a problem that, unlike Koepka, he wasn't great at what he did for a living.

Sure. But he had that knock in Chicago even when he and the Bears were fairly successful early on. I dont think that even if the Bears won multiple division titles and he made more Pro Bowls, he would have been beloved in the media or had his personality handled differently.

Anyways, back to the PGA, incredible that Koepka is up 7 on a course playing so tough that the low round of the Day was -3. Likely will Coast tomorrow

[MU82]

Sure. But he had that knock in Chicago even when he and the Bears were fairly successful early on. I dont think that even if the Bears won multiple division titles and he made more Pro Bowls, he would have been beloved in the media or had his personality handled differently.

Anyways, back to the PGA, incredible that Koepka is up 7 on a course playing so tough that the low round of the Day was -3. Likely will Coast tomorrow

Perhaps with Cutler. We'll never know.

As for Koepka ... amazing. I won't be able to watch most of tomorrow's round because I am umpiring all day, so just as well that he makes it not exciting. Because, of course, it is all about me!

[Herman Cain]

I like how Koepka just straight out answers the questions asked of him. Very refreshing. Love his focus .

[tower912]

Koepka feeling the pressure.   96 Masters redux or does he pull it together?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Koepka feeling the pressure.   96 Masters redux or does he pull it together?

Choke job, hey?

[tower912]

DJ letting him off the hook.   

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I’d like to see the TV numbers but I get the impression that moving the PGA wasn’t the best idea.

[Herman Cain]

Koepka gained valuable experience with the win today.  Hung together while wheels were coming off the wagon.

The Long Island crowd was in classic form all week.

[MU82]

Tiger now -1 through 13 after an Eagle. Worked through a couple of doubles.   Going to be very hard for anyone to beat him in this tournament now.  Koepka is a good player but he won't be able to make enough birdies to keep up with Tiger down the stretch.

How many strokes did Tiger end up winning by?

[JWags85]

Choke job, hey?

DJ letting him off the hook.

I'm not gonna pretend that Koepka played well, but I think people are underestimating how RIDICULOUS that course got in the late afternoon.  The wind was playing in a way that players were finding it hard to trust themselves.

You see a player hit a tee shot, the commentators say "perfect line there" and it ends up in the second cut. 

Koepka on the 15th, hits 8 iron into a 150 yard hole, when DJ hit a 7 iron pin high 15 min earlier, and he ends up 30 yards past.  Thats beyond "well i misjudged the club".

You see a collapse like Greg Norman at the Masters where someone implodes, and then you watch Koepka's gnarly stretch and it just seemed like a really hard course playing even harder.  Credit to him for settling down and getting it.  Low round yesterday was 68 and most of the field was in the mid 70s, it was just brutal. DJ was just absolutely scorching until his late fade, thats the only reason it was ever in question

[MU82]

Choke job, hey?

Yep, DJ choked.

How 'bout the gallery openly rooting for Koepka to choke? I'm usually against the whole "golf is too pristine for anybody to move an inch" crowd, but actively going against somebody? Not too classy.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Yep, DJ choked.

How 'bout the gallery openly rooting for Koepka to choke? I'm usually against the whole "golf is too pristine for anybody to move an inch" crowd, but actively going against somebody? Not too classy.

As someone said earlier, he’s the heel of golf. People tune in to see Tiger win, they may also tune in to see Koepka lose.

Don’t think Brooks is gonna lose any sleep over it.

[tower912]

I tune in to watch Tiger lose.

[MU82]

As someone said earlier, he’s the heel of golf. People tune in to see Tiger win, they may also tune in to see Koepka lose.

Don’t think Brooks is gonna lose any sleep over it.

Why is Koepka a "heel"?

By most accounts, he isn't exactly Mr. Personality, and I could see how some might think he's aloof, but when I think of a "heel," I think of a jerk more along the lines of Reed.

[JWags85]

Why is Koepka a "heel"?

By most accounts, he isn't exactly Mr. Personality, and I could see how some might think he's aloof, but when I think of a "heel," I think of a jerk more along the lines of Reed.

Because he beat Tiger last year? Because he doesn’t ham it up for the cameras? Cause he approaches the game like a machine and doesn’t play up the “for the love of the game” angle? None of those are compelling to me, but it’s stuff I’ve seen. Hell, people were ripping on him for not kissing his GF on the way to the first tee yesterday.

He doesn’t fit the bold personality casual fans want, and he’s an absolute killer who beats people they do like, so I guess that makes him a heel now.

The irony of fans chanting for DJ is, while he seems to have cleaned up his act, thats a dude who was a complete scumbag with a recreational drug problem, and you can’t even play the success angle cause Koepka is far more accomplished

[MU82]

Still seems weird, given the definition of heel:

a contemptible person : a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy

He might be boring or robot-like, but that's a far cry from being a heel.

Effen Tiger has spent much of his life as a heel.

Not arguing with you, JWags because you're just the messenger here.

[tower912]

I didn't say he is a heel.  I said he could be marketed as a heel.

[LloydsLegs]

My extended interview exposure to him is limited to that PMT interview, but he has a great sense of humor. 

He could be marketed -maybe as a heel, maybe in other ways, as shown by:

his "that's Gucci bruh" comment;
laughing about Tiger being "caught" looking at his gf; and
then rejecting his gf attempt to kiss him before the final round

etc all show that he gets it; he just also is focused etc.

[🏀]

Brooks is an interesting study. I likely watch more PGA Tour than 99% of the world, but I don't have a feel for Brooks.

I like him, I like his game. Cheer for him, but ultimately I'm cheering for a lot more guys than him. The PMT interview helped a bunch to make him more personal, and I like him calling people out. I like Michelob Ultra.

[Herman Cain]

TV Ratings for PGA Championship were down significantly. Some of this was no Tiger on the weekend. The other part may be the move of the tournament to May where there are other sports events on TV.

 https://blog.timesunion.com/sportsmedia/pga-championship-preakness-ratings-both-stumble/19432/

[rocket surgeon]

watching the memorial-i get it, but the media love affair with anything tiger is kinda over the top.  follow him to driving range,to the putting green, into the bathroom...then there's the countdown to his tee time?  i mean follow the guy but...there are others.  i've got the app to watch these things live and stricker is having an incredible 3rd round!  -6 thru 12 holes after just making the cut and they haven't shown him once!!  old white man bringing himself back into contention at -5...come on man!!

[MU82]

watching the memorial-i get it, but the media love affair with anything tiger is kinda over the top.  follow him to driving range,to the putting green, into the bathroom...then there's the countdown to his tee time?  i mean follow the guy but...there are others.  i've got the app to watch these things live and stricker is having an incredible 3rd round!  -6 thru 12 holes after just making the cut and they haven't shown him once!!  old white man bringing himself back into contention at -5...come on man!!

Yes, the love affair of black folks at the expense of older white men is what will bring down this great nation of ours! 

Just having some fun there, rocket. I actually agree with you about the way the most hyped athletes get ever more hype all the time. I lived it almost daily with Michael -- was amused by it, and sometimes concerned about it ... and yet in my way I was part of the "problem."

If their research and/or their ratings didn't show that All Tiger All The Time worked, they'd stop doing it!

[rocket surgeon]

Yes, the love affair of black folks at the expense of older white men is what will bring down this great nation of ours! 

Just having some fun there, rocket. I actually agree with you about the way the most hyped athletes get ever more hype all the time. I lived it almost daily with Michael -- was amused by it, and sometimes concerned about it ... and yet in my way I was part of the "problem."

If their research and/or their ratings didn't show that All Tiger All The Time worked, they'd stop doing it!

absolutely!  the dude brought golf to a new level, he's...ahem...pretty good, and most of us love a good "come back" story.  he's one of those rare phenoms that actually continued to play to and beyond the hype first seeing him on the mike douglas show as a 2 year old.  he dominated golf through 2008.  then the lull and the doubt.  now he has resurrected the awe...but i still want to see some other golfers damn it...especially the ones i have on my draftkings lineup 

[Herman Cain]

absolutely!  the dude brought golf to a new level, he's...ahem...pretty good, and most of us love a good "come back" story.  he's one of those rare phenoms that actually continued to play to and beyond the hype first seeing him on the mike douglas show as a 2 year old.  he dominated golf through 2008.  then the lull and the doubt.  now he has resurrected the awe...but i still want to see some other golfers damn it...especially the ones i have on my draftkings lineup 

I am a huge Tiger fan because of his greatness. That said I prefer watching all the others compete to get to his standard.   For example, when Mike Weir won Masters in 2003 or  Zach Johnson won 2007 Masters it was a heck of a win for them. 

[rocket surgeon]

I am a huge Tiger fan because of his greatness. That said I prefer watching all the others compete to get to his standard.   For example, when Mike Weir won Masters in 2003 or  Zach Johnson won 2007 Masters it was a heck of a win for them.

yes-spreadin the love