If you consider the Crosby Clambake to still be one of the big ones, Steve Marino might succeed where his namesake's Miami Dolphins fell short. Steve took a 4 shot lead into the 3rd round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am today with a sterling 66 at Pebble. That left him at -13 through two rounds and a 4 shot cushion over D.A. Points. Marino's only used 51 putts over the first two days and that's what provides the advantage. D.A. Points hung tough in solo second at -9. Keegan Bradley grasped 3rd on his own at -8. 9 golfers were at -7 including Arnie's grandson Sam Saunders and Padraig Harrington. Young Sam carded a 67 today to earn mention on the Golf Channel telecast. Marino and Harrington head to the Monterey Peninsula course considered the easiest of the three in the rota, for tomorrow's 3rd round. The tourney uses an unusual 54 hole cut policy. How about a 72 hole cut and a shoot out on Monday for the survivors?
Friday, February 11, 2011
This Marino May Win a Big One at Pebble Beach National Pro Am
Thursday, February 10, 2011
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am, Round 1 - Journeymen Lead
Steve Marino and D.A. Points matched 7 under scores to share the lead after the 1st round of the ATTPBNPA. Marino's 65 at Pebble Beach and Point's 63 at the par 70 Monterey Peninsula course were accomplished during near perfect conditions in this golf mecca. Alex Cejka, playing at Monterey, held solo 2nd with a -6, 64. Tom Gillis, Gary Woodland, and Keegan Bradley shared the next slot at -5. See what I meant by a distinct lack of big names near the top? Plenty of golf left though, so expect to see a lot of movement on the board in the coming days. Points and celeb partner Bill Murray shared second in the amateur fight with -11 score. Sounds like a winning scramble score at my course.
Notable's starting efforts included Padraig Harrington and Vijay Singh at -3, last week's everyman pick Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey at -1, and John Daly, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson knotted at +1. Full Field 1st Round Scores.
My chuckle of the opening round had to be at the expense of ESPN's icon Chris Berman. He had a serious case of the rights on 18 at Pebble. Not that I can't relate. Gun toting luxury homeowners kept the mayhem to a minimum. I'm not certain who has the worst attack at the golf ball, Berman or Rush Limbaugh. I suppose it would be tough for Limbaugh to go any righter than he already is though. Advantage Rush.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
2011 AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro Am - Odds and Expert Picks
The APBNPA, aka The Dustin Johnson Invitational. Two time defender is the easy pick. We'll look for the tough ones. Bit of a watered down field with the world's top ranked 3 off in the Dubai desert for a slurp at the appearance fee trough. Still, plenty of great players and Pebble's always a treat, even with tiny, slow, bumpy greens.
British betting house Ladbrokes again provides the odds. Average Golfer supplies the witty, insightful commentary.
And we're off...
Phil Mickelson, 7/1 - How much more unpredictable can a man with this much talent get? We'll see. Loves the West coast. Should contend, won't win.
Dustin Johnson, 7/1 - All the tools. Gained valuable experience in last year's dogfights. Expect him to be right there. Safe to say he likes it here.
Jim Furyk, 16/1 - On reputation alone. Hasn't been the same Jimbo of late. Still, may contend. Like anyone, if the putts fall....
Nick Watney, 16/1 - Waiting for a bust loose season. Might as well start here. Could very well win.
Tim Clark, 16/1 - T2 last year. Lack of mistakes makes him a constant threat. Could win.
Geoff Ogilvy, 20/1 - Rallying well from slump. Played well last week in AZ. Still, not quite. Won't win.
Brian Gay, 25/1 - Odds seem low. Steady, but nothing of distinction. Don't see it or him ahead of a Mahan.
Vijay Singh, 25/1 - Reminded us last week that he hasn't retired. Has a golf age of 92. Not all the way back yet. Won't win.
Padraig Harrington, 25/1 - The man of a million swing reincarnations. Surprised not in Dubai. Have no idea with Paddy. You tell me.
Jonathan Byrd, 33/1 - Gee, who knows? I put him in the B.Gay category. See B. Gay.
Brent Snedeker, 33/1 - May be best putter on tour. Rest of game too spotty to favor him. Won't win.
Mark Wilson, 33/1 - Let down in order? Couldn't blame him. Ride the streak as far as it takes you though. Won't win again this week.
Hunter Mahan, 33/1 - The beard's gotta go, along with Fowler's wardrobe. By golly should win or least be right there.
JB Holmes, 33/1 - Visibly upset at WMO where he'd won twice. Ryder Cupper should have a chance. May win.
Sean O'Hair, 40/1 - Disappeared after promising career start.. Oodles of talent, but not here, not now.
Average Golfer's AT&T Picks
1. Dustin Johnson, Hey, til' he loses.
2. Tim Clark
3. JB Holmes
Dark horses to watch...
Overton, Daly, Duval, Hoffman, Flesch
There you have 'em. Gratis as usual. Feel free to forward donations when you win. Tax deductible.
Swing hard, look up,
Monday, February 7, 2011
Mark Wilson Bests Jason Dufner on 2nd Playoff Hole at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Was the wait worth it in Scottsdale? It was for Mark Wilson as he beat Jason Dufner on the 2nd playoff hole to win the 2011 version of the Waste Management Open. His birdie on #10 capped a stellar weekend for the Wisconsin native as he was able to piggyback his beloved Packer's Super Bowl win last evening. Coupled with his previous Oahu win, Wilson stands atop all the early 2011 standings. With two wins he's now qualified for all of this year's majors and the WGC Match Play event.
The morning action began with Wilson holding a tenuous lead. Dufner made up two strokes in the last four holes to force the extra session with birdies on 16 and 17. Wilson and Dufner finished at -18. Fan favorite Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey spit the bit on the drivable par four 17th with a triple bogey 7. It was an expensive hole. Still, Gainey gained fans by virtue of his homemade swing with the Palmeresque lash in the finish and his solo use of two gloves on tour. This average golfer's glad he earned a good week's pay. Final Full Field Scores.
What's next?
The three top ranked golfers in the world, Westwood, Kaymer, and Woods head to the appearance fee fest known as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.The quality of the Euro Tour fields are giving the PGA Tour a run for it's dinero. Expect to see more of the same in a game that's growing internationally while stagnating domestically.
Most everyone else heads to Pebble Beach for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am, aka the APBNPA. I think I injured a finger typing one of the longest tournament names. Defending champ Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson headline the entrants in a tourney that's sort of lost it's luster over the years. IMHO it's the quality of the celebrities playing, or lack thereof, that's caused the demise. Sorry Mr. Murray and Romano, it's time to step aside for Brooklyn Decker and the rest of her friends.
Swing hard, look up.....
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Jarrod Lyle Lights Up the 16th at the Waste Management Open
A picture's worth a thousand words.........
Jarrod's first career ace came at the most raucous site possible, if not the most memorable. Evidenced by the green togs it was "Green Out Day" at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Tommy Gainey holds a tenuous 1 stroke lead at -14 over Mark Wilson after two complete rounds. Bill Haas, Chris Couch, Rickie Fowler, (62 today), and Phil Mickelson are in close pursuit. They'll most likely play the 3rd round and perhaps part of the final tomorrow and squeeze in the conclusion on Monday. Lyle finished his day at -5, T37. Full Field Scores.
So far it's been fun.
Til' next,
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey Leads Waste Management Open
With the temps I'm certain Tommy Gainey's two gloves may have been a distinct advantage at today's reverse global warming interrupted Waste Management Open. His sparkling 1st round 63 left him at -11 through 9 holes of the abbreviated second round. Also at -11, through 14 holes of round two was Mark Wilson, albeit with a lone glove, or perhaps no glove. I didn't personally spy Mr. Wilson as I didn't catch a lick of the telecast, if there was one. Geoff Ogilvy sat at -9 and J.B. Holmes, twice champion here, penciled in at -8.
PGA Tour officials have announced a Monday finish due cold weather start delays in the 1st two rounds. That's a mixed blessing as this Average Golfer sees it. On one hand they could have capitalized on the "sports fever" tone presented by Super Bowl Sunday. Millions of non-sports fans have grudgingly resigned their flat screens and Doritos to the one day a year when watching 12 or so hours of sports isn't considered bad form. The endless run up to the big game itself forces a sort of "remote frenzy", lending itself to golf viewing rather than football announcer's inane blather prior to kickoff. One might ponder if the Monday finale would provide a monopoly on sports viewers and therefore be the better outcome. One would be wrong. Post Super Bowl viewers are at work or hung over. Or, at work hung over. Then there's the competition, Oprah.
That leaves three more days of golf viewing. Darn. More if you consider the Euro Tour. Westwood missed the cut. That's my analysis of the desert duel.
Ciao,
Til, next,
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Waste Management Open - Phrosty Phoenix
Early frost caused a late start, so partial scores are in order. 74, 69, 75 70. Praise George Carlin. Rest his soul. The quad of Bill Haas, Jason Bohn, (pronounced.....), Tom Gillis, and Tom Lehman thoughtfully shared an opening round 65, -6. Irrepressible Philly Mick was just two back with a 67. See, math is easy. With partial results it's really too early to comment on much. The watered down field in the festive atmosphere should crank up by Saturday though. The 16th hole "patrons" may even surpass the Super Bowl crowd in raucousness. If fact they definitely will since the only people allowed at the Super Bowl are corporate wags that got the only available ducats as part of their compensation package. I went to the '86 Bears/Patriots Bowl in New Orleans as a wag. Shoulda sold my ticket. Better views in a bar. Regardless, I did see Refrigerator Perry score a TD on what then passed for a big screen.
I know we're rambling a tad here, but the real action doesn't start until the weekend, or a least until they complete one round. Find me here for poignant commentary and ridiculous analysis. Bank on it.
Til' tomorrow,
