Pack Tightens at Arnold Palmer Invitational

Martin Laird, Round 2 leader, belly putter user.

Scotsman Martin Laird, on the strength of a 2nd round 65, assumed the lead at the halfway mark of the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational. I have no bone to pick with Mr. Laird, other than the fact he uses the ridiculous long putter that should be banned along with Nitro balls. Round one leader Spencer Levin hung tough with a -2, 70, to lay one back. Tied with Levin was KJ Choi after a spectacular 64. No beef from this Average Golfer with Choi even though his putter grip is thicker than mud.    

With the wind abating, the 2nd round was noticeably more benign, resulting in more scores in the 60s and a closing in of the field. There's four way tie for third at -6 between Steve Marino, Vaughn Taylor, Hunter Mahan, and highlighted by Chucky-Three-Sticks superb 65. Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia both carded 73, 68s in the 1st two rounds to set up a third round pairing that should hold all the charm of dental appointment. Not Facebook buddies I'm guessin'. 

The first round wind and toughness of the course produced a cut line of +4. Notables failing to meet the minimum included Appleby, Manassero, O'Hair, Villegas, Vijay Singh, Dustin Johnson, and last week's winner Gary Woodland. 2nd Round Full Field Scores

Should be an interesting weekend with an intriguing cast of characters. The difficulty of the layout and potential for wind makes this one a must watch.








Swing hard, look up,

PGA Tour "Bubble Boys" Migrate to Las Vegas

The ultimate in "pay for play" moves to Las Vegas this week for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open. As I said recently, this tourney is in desperate need of an acronym. For a hilarious read on acronyms try Heather's Jones' golf blog, Real Women Golf, for her article on just that subject.

Martin Laird is the week's official bubble boy sitting right in the lucky 125th on the money list spot. Counting Martin, the five players above and behind him leaves eleven golfers precariously close to keeping their jobs. Of those eleven, ten are teeing it up in Vegas on Thursday at the TPC Summerlin. The barely in and the almost in are.....

120 - Jeff Overton
121 - Brad Adamonis
122 - Patrick Sheehan
123 - Jay Williamson
124 - Vaughn Taylor
125 - Martin Laird
126 - Matt Jones
127 - Jason Gore
128 - Rich Beem
129 - Tom Lehman, (not entered)
130 - Jason Day

Overton's played well of late. Adamonis was a contender earlier in the year. Williamson landed in the last seat to the Open Championship. Taylor's been hanging around the "number" for quite some time. Jones made a splash in the Florida swing. Beem is Beem. Jason Day was a projected wonder kid. Still could be.

Also on display will be notables Woody Austin, John Daly, Freddy Couples, last week's winner Zach Johnson, Davis Love III, Rocco, and Mike Weir. Reagarding Weir, it was just called to my attention that his full name isn't Canadian Mike Weir.

*Average Golfer reason to watch.... Any chance of a replay of the JT/Janet Jackson Superbowl wardrobe malfunction?