Random Day 2 Images From The Presidents Cup

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Brutal conditions but fascinating golf. A few quick observations...

- The Americans have acquitted themselves beautifully but I did see a few cracks today, with Nick Watney hitting way too many high approaches. He and partner Haas also laid up poorly on the short par-4 sixth whole Ogilvy and Choi played further back and both hit beautiful approaches.

- The pace of play could be justified at times because of the conditions, but it became appalling that the Baddeley-Day team was not asked to pick it up. Their slow play created a front nine logjam, most of it Day's doing.

- The 18th hole rough (note below Bill Haas photo on 18) is becoming increasingly tedious and worrisome if the matches come down to the last hole Sunday. The green is wild enough. Trying to control an approach into it from the fairway is enough challenge. Bomb and gouge is the play.

- I can't fathom what Captain Greg Norman is thinking by pairing Robert Allenby with Geoff Ogilvy in Saturday's foursomes. Ogilvy has been solid and appeared to have a nice bond with partners Schwartzel and Choi. Allenby hasn't been good. Foursomes is a sensitive format, requiring matching personalities and compatible games. Stick Allenby with another likely lost point, and try to win four points with your best combinations.

These photos can also be viewed here:

2011 Presidents Cup Second Day Open Thread

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Four-balls, hot and high winds, Royal Melbourne...should be fun. I'm off to the links, but would love to hear what you are seeing.

The matches, all times ET:

5:35 p.m. ET -- Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, United States, vs. Ernie Els and Ryo Ishikawa, International.
5:49 p.m. ET -- Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods, United States, vs. Aaron Baddeley and Jason Day, International.
6:03 p.m. ET -- Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, United States, vs. Adam Scott and K.T. Kim, International.
6:17 p.m. ET -- Bill Haas and Nick Watney, United States, vs. Geoff Ogilvy and K.J. Choi, International.
6:31 p.m. ET -- Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker, United States, vs. Y.E. Yang and Robert Allenby, International.
6:45 p.m. ET -- Hunter Mahan and David Toms, United States, vs. Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel, International.

"No gimme for Steve Stricker on a 2-footer?"

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A fun bit from the Choi-Scott v. Woods/Stricker blowout Thursday, courtesy of Bob Harig.

No gimme for Steve Stricker on a 2-footer?

"I was very surprised,'' Woods said. "Probably the best putter on the planet. I don't think he's missed one of those [since] coming out of the womb.''

And yet, Woods would be the first to admit that if there were any angst from that moment, if there was to be any motivation derived from such a perceived slight, it didn't happen.

From that point forward, the match of the day was a dud -- unless, of course, you're a fan of the International side, or Scott and Choi in particular, or perhaps in seeing Williams exact some revenge on his old boss (if you could even call it that).

FanVision Down Under...For A Good Cause

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I was stopped about ten times during day one of the Presidents Cup and asked to explain what the device was hanging around my neck. Longtime readers here know it to be FanVision, the incredibly cool televisions/leaderboards available at select major championships.

This week they're sponsored by Citi and for a $20 donation fans can pick them up at the entrance. All proceeds are going to Mission Australia, whose "vision is to see a fairer Australia enabling people in need to find pathways to a better life." I have no idea what that means, but it sounds fantastic. Especially if it takes the fan experience to a new level.

Random Day 1 Images From The Presidents Cup

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A glorious day with huge galleries and Royal Melbourne shining made for some great viewing. After first vowing to plant myself on a green, I opted to go with the fascinating Ogilvy-Schwartzel v. Haas-Watney match. Though it ended in a draw and both teams struggled at the finish, the energy combined with the genius of Royal Melbourne made for fun viewing.

A few images from the day, where the U.S. leads 4-2...

 

TV Times Adjusted Friday's Inclement Weather Adjustment

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Golf Channel will be going live with tee times moving up 2 hours:

Due to the threat of inclement weather for day 2 of The Presidents Cup tomorrow (Thursday), tee times are being moved up two hours.  Golf Channel has adjusted its schedule to continue to air live coverage of the event.  Listed below is how Golf Channel’s schedule is now going to air on Thursday (all times Eastern), with Live From the Presidents Cup now starting at 4 p.m. ET, followed by live tournament coverage of day two now starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.  CME Group Titleholders round one coverage is the same time as previously scheduled.
 
Let me know of questions, thanks!
 
Jeremy
 
1:30PM – 4:00PM             Round 1 CME Group Titleholders (L)
 
4:00PM – 5:30PM             Live From the Presidents Cup (L)
 
5:30PM – 12:00AM          Day 2 Presidents Cup (L)
 
12:00AM – 1:00AM          Live From the Presidents Cup (L)
 
1:00AM – 2:00AM            Live From the Presidents Cup (R)
 
2:00AM – 3:00AM            Live From the Presidents Cup (R)
 
3:00AM – 4:00AM            Live From the Presidents Cup (R)
 
4:00AM – 6:00AM            Round 2 Iskandar Johor Open (TD)

Jury Reaches: Norman And Couples Do Not Make Good Liars

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Captain I-Think-I'm-Fantastic and The Brown-Ecco-Wearing Cowboy didn't pass the smell test with their no "premeditation" nonsense Wednesday in Melbourne. Ron Sirak howled the loudest and best:

"It played out the way it played out," Norman said in the very next sentence. "There wasn't any premeditation by it." Oops, my bad.

Now let me get this straight: It needed to be done but it wasn't done intentionally? Is Rosemary Woods taking this all down?

Fred Couples, who at times has the ability to make Norm Crosby sound like Bertrand Russell, actually came a lot closer to making sense than Norman, but still had one foot firmly in murky.

The Rest Of Royal Melbourne: Pure Bliss

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I had the distinct joy of walking the final 7 holes of Royal Melbourne's 2011 Composite Course and shot a few videos (links below) which include some insights about some of the more interesting features from local Chris Kane.

After taking in the entire layout, I'm giddy with anticipation, namely because today's Hogan's and Snead's have so rarely played approaches and greens with this melding of firmness and clever design.

For viewers at home, many of the best holes will come early in the round, something touched on by John Huggan in this interview with Mike Clayton looking at the current composite of the East and West.

Nothing is ever perfect, however, and the latest composite is no exception "The problem now is that the very best holes all come along early in the round," points out Clayton. "The most spectacular holes -- 3-4-5-6 West is arguably the best four-hole run in golf other than maybe 11-12-13-14 at St. Andrews -- are all over with before the turn. Which is not to say the course "dies" at the end, but there is no doubt that the later holes are not quite as strong.

"On the up side, the 16th hole on the East course -- a really good par-3 -- is now part of the composite lay-out. And the 2nd West is a really strong finishing hole. So it's all a bit subjective really. All three versions have their plusses ands minuses. The first was the best course but the worst for the spectators. On both the second and third, however, it is a lot easier to create drama and noise and atmosphere."

I personally like all of the matches going through the best holes because it's never very satisfying when great holes are not reached. That said, there are some beauties along the finishing stretch, including the par-4 11th where my favorite green resides on the property. Watch this short 4 to see some truly wild and weird shots.

As for the green complexes, Greg Norman is right (no, not: “Royal Melbourne will give you a look up her skirt and shut you down very, very quickly."): you are wise to look at every hole from behind the green.

It's so rare when you see golf course photos from behind greens showing much, but at Royal Melbourne I'm constantly wanting to take in the greens from the rear view and seeing so many elements that were not evident from other angles. It speaks to just how complex many of the greens are and just vital local knowledge will be.

As for videos, here's what I Tweeted Wednesday:

A very shaky look at the bunker maintenance at Royal Melbourne where the faces are raked with a board to promote firmness.

Video take from behind 11th at Royal Melbourne, normally 1East and one of the most best greens on the course...or anywhere.

Here's a heads up for when you might see someone drive into the 17th fairway for the 16th hole. Not sure the players will think this way, but anything's possible.




Predictions, Predictions, Predictions: Presidents Cup Edition

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John Huggan and Ron Sirak do the point-counterpoint thing, with Huggan making the case for the International squad and Sirak going all patriotic for the US of A.

In this week's Pond Scrum Huggan and Elling kicked around the possible outcome.

Elling: To begin with, the only time the U.S. team lost the Presidents Cup was at Royal Melbourne, and it wasn't even close. It's a fast, nuanced course, and with a slew of hometown Aussies in the lineup, this road game looks like a tough ask for the Yanks.

Huggan: I'm going with the Internationals because of the golf course. Royal Melbourne isn't the longest or the toughest test, but it does take a lot of knowing, especially if conditions play fast and firm. If we get a hot northwest wind like they had at the matches in 1998, there is only going to be one winner -- the team with five Aussies.

Huggan: Uh-oh, so we agree? That tired "ole-ole-ole" song the Euro fans sing at the Ryder Cup? This time, the Americans might be tired of the "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy" chant.

Elling: A crucial player for the Yanks is Steve Stricker, who hasn't played in two months and has been battling a nerve issue in his neck. Stricker practiced in the Arizona desert as a warmup, but the lack of live fire seems problematic. The dream team of him and Woods is the biggest question of the week, to me.

Huggan: I think you may be right about Stricker. His game is made for this course. But if doesn't bring it with him, he likely isn't going to find it here.