2012 Northern Trust Open, Round 3 This And That
;)
Moving day lived up to its billing with 66's from Keegan Bradley, Aaron Baddeley and Bryce Molder. Perhaps more impressive were Phil Mickelson (70) and Pat Perez (70) who both could have easily posted 75s.
The full leaderboard is here. Doug Ferguson's AP game story is here.
A few thoughts from a lively Saturday at Riviera:
--Perez's putting fiasco(s) at 3 and 4 greens was not a product of yips, just unlucky horseshoes. As Randall Mell noted, Perez didn't sound too worried about them after the round because he recovered nicely to finish with 70, just a shot back of leaders Mickelson and Bradley.
--Besides the errant nature of his tee shots, Phil's drives were noticeably shorter Saturday. Even more surprising was how short he came up on the first three par-3s (followed by an artfully shaped shot into 16). Considering the places he put himself in trees and with long approach distances, 70 was an amazing score. I do wonder if he failed to account for the much heavier air Saturday compared to the dry, warmer opening 36-holes. Was that really a 4-iron on the 235-yard 4th today!?
--According to the PGA Tour's notes, no player has won in back-to-back weeks since Tiger in late summer 2009.
--The PGA Tour's video scoreboards are noticeably less schizophrenic than in previous years but still feature FedExCup nonsense at the worst possible times. This shot (right) was captured as the leaders were on 16 green getting ready to putt. Kind of makes one long for the old days when they posted FedExCup standings...in February.
-- This was the best Saturday crowd of the last decade and I know this based on my intensely scientific system of gauging 18th hole amph;)
itheater density. Today looked like a Sunday in any of the last ten years, with long lines at the concessions and portable toilets actually leading to some fans complaining. Yes, lines at the Northern Trust Open! It never hurts to be 65 degrees and sunny, but I still would love to know what else is impacting the increased gallery size. The cell phone policy? Young stars? Phil? Ticket promotions? It's probably an all-of-the-above deal. Either way, it's super to be at Riviera with the energy that comes from a decent-sized crowd.
--Media lunch report: Mixed greens with a cut slider: pineapple slices meshing most amicably with the raspberry vinaigrette. For entrees, your choice of Lone Star Brisket or Lemon Herb Chicken, accompanied by side dish that's an early contender for Golf World's first ever PGA Tour Media Dining Food Item Of The Year: Bleu Cheese Bread Pudding. I know this sounds positively strange but not only was the texture magnificent (vital for bread pudding), the bleu cheese was not overpowering. So much so that I went for a second helping. The things you learn at GeoffShackelford.com.
--Charlie Wi took the prize for strangest birdie at the 10th Sunday morning: lay up into the short carry bunker off the tee (about a 190 shot to clear?), next shot into the back bunker, followed by a hole out.
--A perplexed player who studies architecture came up to me on the range and asked if the rumors were true that the 10th green was going to rebuilt or changed after the tournament. I reminded him that anything was possible, pointing to the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 17th greens as evidence. "A $#@&*^% disaster," he said of the newly Fazzed up 5th green. And just for kicks, I told him that it was Thomas's original green which had been Pinehursted by lesser mortals and that I can still remember watching Ben Crenshaw agonizing over the contours when he and Coore rebuilt it in 1993 to match the lasered grades.;)
--There were zero bogey-free rounds Saturday compared to five Friday when there was a lot more wind early.
--This is the deepest leaderboard in years and also one of the least well-separated I've seen heading into Sunday. Riviera usually lets a few hot players separate themselves from the pack, yet anyone within five shots this year has a great chance to win. I'm not sure what the explanation is for the unusual lack of separation or if there needs to be one. It should be an exciting final round.
The third round highlight video:
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 05:16 PM
Reader Comments (22)
I recall the rough out there being much worse in the 80's and early 90's during the tournament.
It's not much of a penalty this week thru most of the course.
For a while, I've heard Scott Hoch and other shorties complain that the PGA Tour is setting all courses up for Tiger, Phil, Dustin, Bubba rather than straight/short.
I know in the other thread you say the course is in great shape.
What's your view on rough height at Riviera for this event?
Riviera doesn't necessarily need rough as a defense, but should it be higher for these guys in spots?
The lead score is 7 under through 54 holes. Why would the rough need to be any longer?
it's been a dry winter and am noting the change in approach to course set up from 20 years ago and curious about Geoff''s view on this aspect of PGA Tour set up.
The other grassing problem on the front of #4 kikuyu fairway being spongy w/ Luke Donald comment has already been mentioned - that also favors high speed, high launch in a different way. dry winter - why are the fairways surrounding the greens so over-watered?
I can't see Pavin, Faldo, Kite launch or distance competing in the current set up.
Headed out for my Sunday morning 18 holes. When we finish, I will enjoy a cheeseburger with fries and a bottle of
Bud.
I think Riviera has proven that a great golf course doesn't have to be "doctored" to be great. The often overused 2011 phrase "It is what it is" holds true with Riviera. The course conditions are dictated by the weather, not a USGA committee. The greatest compliment about the course is that you really have not heard comments about it, it's just there, providing a great test for great players. Why can't the USGA see that. If conditions turn the course soft then scores will be lower; if wind makes the course firm, they might be higher. Who cares what the final number is. Bravo to Riviera and the Tour staff for not butchering a classic.
I'm not a fan of slow play but really, 20 minutes? I don't think Phil has the rep on Tour of being one of the slower players, does he? Once he settles in he's ready to go unlike Ben Crane who must look back and forth 15 times before pulling the trigger. Merely commenting on how cool it was to hear the conversation as opposed to listening to another bad joke by Faldo. Fans say they don't want robots, Phil is not a robot, he's an entertainer, and he knows it and gets it, and embraces it.
IMO...The Putting Bible is a more comprehensive "study" about what happens on the greens and why..just make sure you .stock up on caffeinated drinks beforehand...it's rather anesthetizing.
Anyways...great to see Riviera holding it's own...makes for good TV and sounds like Geoff's in his element out there.
Regarding Riviera, this is something Tim seems not to understand as he channels Greenspan. There are events on TOUR that historically fall just below the Major tier, and the sustainable health of professional golf depends on these tournaments, as on all the others. Can't have a stable pyramid indefinitely without a strong base. The realization is likely to come too late, if it is not already past that time.
Personally, being a high handicap golfer, I find Riviera a real slog. Unless you can consistently drive it straight 250+ off the tee, you're in for a very long day. Also, the kikuyu catches all the balls short of the green, so forget about running the ball up to the greens. In addition, being so close to the ocean, you frequently have what we like to call "june gloom", which is a heavy, gray marine layer of clouds that doesn't burn off until midday, or not at all. It seems to be getting worse in recent years...I'd say at least a third of the year is gloomy along the beach in LA....fwiw, sep/oct are nicest months for weather. This damp, cool air makes the ball travel even shorter...and as you can see from the leaderboard, you better be long to play Riviera these days!
And I'm super not a fan of robots, but Phil's little smile after bad shots and while he's playing poorly creeps me out a bit