Players Championship changes to 3 hole playoff - good news from my point of view

The following I just read in the news and I really like it. Every year I am at the TPC for the final day. Love this tournament, this golf course and everything around it. Sudden death play offs can be exciting, but overall I always thought of them to be boring and more important not really fair.

 

There is 2 or more players who played 4 days exceptional golf. They made it into a play off setting and now they are not only depending on each of their shots, but also on other uncontrollable factors. There is too many of those. Playing 3 holes levels the field of those unexpected things, unlucky breaks or moments of confusion. It will make it more fair and more exciting. The spectators will love it as well. This is some positive breaking news. What do you think about it?

 

Players Championship changes to 3-hole playoff

Golf Headlines

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (AP) The Players Championship is changing this year to a three-hole aggregate playoff involving the closing holes at the TPC Sawgrass.

U.S. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem announced the new format on Wednesday.

The Players Championship previously had a sudden-death playoff that began on the par-3 17th hole, famous for having an island green. Starting this year, a playoff would take place on the par-5 16th hole, the 17th, and the par-4 18th. If players are still tied, it would go to sudden death starting on the 17th.

The Players Championship is from May 8-11.

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Miguel Angel Jimenez playing first Champions Tour Event

Today is a great day for golf fans like me. One of the most interesting and good players of our time will play his first Champions Tour Event, The Greater Gwinnet Championship in GA.

There are a few reasons why I am excited about it. Miguel Angel Jimenez is one of  my 2 all time favorite golfers. Beginning in the early 90s I started to like this man's  unique style and approach to this game. True, he was not always successful over the years, some might say. But looking at his record I would have to disagree.

He might not have been in the top 10 of the European tour every year since he turned professional in 1982. However, to my knowledge, Miguel Angel Jimenez was in the top 100 of the European tour ever since the late 80s and that show is durability and ability.

It was and is nice to watch Miguel playing the game, warm up or give interviews. His normal and ever so calm way of doing things transmit a good vibration. Not that he can not get excited on the course. But even when he does it looks different.

To me Jimenez always looked like someone who enjoys what he does on the course and in life. Someone who lives his dream without being tight up about it. Some might say that it all looks like that on TV only. It might. But some 7 years ago I was able to actually meet this man in real life.

The Mallorca Classic at Pula Golf ( Mallorca, Spain) was a European Tour event for a few years. It happened to be, that in 2007 we actually moved to Mallorca for a while. I was in preparation for the Alps Tour ( a third leg mini tour in Europe) and needed a membership at a good golf club. Moving to Cala Millor made my choice easy. Pula Golf was just around the corner.

I was not aware they will play the Mallorca Classic that year. But when I found out I was excited and when I found out that Jimenez, Garcia and many others will play, I was flat out happy.

Needless to say that my focus was on those two players. I wanted to find out first hand, if Miguel Angel is living up to what is shown of him on TV. Was sitting next to him at the restaurant, the café, watched his warm and walked an entire round with the group.

Result: Miguel Angel Jimenez is exactly how we get him presented on TV. As a matter of fact, he seems so relaxed at times that you might wonder if he is going to tee off at all. While most of the guys warmed up on the range. Miguel Angel was having a cigar, chatting with some friends, fans and his team. The warm up was very short. On the course, he had a good time. He was in focus on this tough course, but never looked tight or stressed.

Only one time, after his not so good tee shot on 12 he had to say a word or two. Totally understandable because it was a very bad tee shot and almost was out of play.

Overall, it was one of the most enjoyable groups I have ever walked with. ( not to say that I did not like to walk with Sergio the next day. He was fun to watch and played some incredible shots). Seemed like a round of golf in the club. He finished tied for 18th that weekend.

Funny. In that very same tournament there were many great players like McDowell, Jaidee, Bjorn and the list goes on. But yet my interest was focused on Jimenez. It was all worth it. Now when I see him play, practice and talk, I have a much bigger connection. I understand , that the man we see on TV is actually the man you would meet in real life. He is what his, does what he does and says what he means. You got to love him.

Having Miguel Angel Jimenez on the Senior Tour and PGA Tour will be wonderful. He will excite us with great golf, his laid back style and simple and honest interviews. No doubt in my mind that he will win soon on the Champions Tour. Also no doubt that he is good for a win on the PGA Tour at any time.

What makes today and tomorrow even more special? Jimenez is playing with Fred Couples. Fred Couples is the second of my all time modern players. I lived over 15 years in Seattle and played where he played. I watched him win lose and endure life. Never losing his humor, his charm and his incredible talent.

Pure pleasure to have those two together in one group. I think  that Miguel Angel Jimenez deserves the title: Most interesting man in golf.

He showed and shows us, that you can play at the highest level even just being a normal person and even beyond 50. In an interview recently he said that he enjoys what he does and that this is the key to whatever you do. He is right.

Miguel Angel Jimenez to me is an encouragement for my golf career and hopefully to many young players.

What do you think about Jimenez? Will he succeed on the senior tour? Where does he rank in your pro golfer list?

The Masters Tournament - First day and current play

Some of  you probably were wondering why I did not write a word yet. There is a simple reason for that. I am playing golf myself. What is better than watching The Masters? Playing golf. I love watching golf tournaments. It does not matter where they are played and what they are about.

However, if I get a chance to play a tournament or even a regular round of golf, I am out there doing it. So yesterday, the first day of the Masters, I was out and playing a tournament on a wonderful golf course. Had a great time and did not give one thought to the Masters. When you play your thoughts should be on the task at hand anyway.

But when I got home I still had the opportunity to watch some of it. Immediately I looked for my personal favorites. Garcia being one of them did not look to bad in the beginning. Sergio has a good year going and it is only a matter of time to get a Major on his resume. We will have to see how he can handle the course today. I still  have a feeling that Sergio will play well and finish in the top 5 this year.

Cabrera had a tough first day and the margin he has to overcome to make the cut is pretty big. Not that it is impossible to do so, but this golf course is tough and every shot needs to be exactly right in order to make it happen. Angel knows how to do it as we know. So we will see what kind of Argentine magic and emotions he can bring on to the course.

Two of my all time favorites are Fred Couples and Miguel Angel. No doubt that those guys are golf legends and they know how to play. Tied for 12th after the 1st round shows that they have the ability to make things happen. Miguel had a wonderful start being as much as 4 under par. Now that gets me excited for sure. Those two and Bernhard Langer are living proof that you can play fabulous golf at 50 or older. That gives hope to literally every one.

What about those young guys. Patrick Reed played well , but the course took some shots back in the end. Spieth looks great and I think he is good for a great round today. He wants it bad and it would be nice to see him Saturday and Sunday.

Looking at the leaderboard, there is plenty of good players who can make it happen. Adam Scott is in the hunt and according to him he plays better than last year. Watched him all last year and this year. Not sure what the improvement might be. Looks the same to me. He certainly has the ability to win this tournament. Is Scott my favorite? Nope. Sure is not. But he was not last year and he won anyway :).

I really like Kevin Stadler being up there. Loved to watch his das play and I like his game as well. They work, they have fun and they are naturals. Kevin would make a great Masters Champion. Especially in this event. An event where Father and Son are playing in the same field. How good would that be.

But here is what we have to realize. This golf course and this tournament are absolutely unpredictable. You just never know what will happen on any given time. If you put your ball in the wrong spot by a foot, you might lose a few strokes one that hole. Phil showed us just that with a 7 on a par 4 after being pretty close to the pin.

There is also the nerves. I do not care who is playing. At Augusta, everybody shows nerves and is vulnerable to mental errors.

I have the opportunity to watch more of Augusta National today. My feeling is , that we will see a couple surprising stories develop. An older guy making a great move and a new talent playing himself into contention. Also I think that Scott will play a solid round and stay in the hunt or at least close. Bill Haas knows how to win big and he feels good. His swing looks good and his on course decision making looked good as well.

But in the end, we all have to wait and see what the course will do to the players today. Conditions are perfect and the field is one of the best fields ever to go after this title. So what is your prediction? Who will make the biggest move today ? What will the cut line be? ( I think it will be 2 or 3 over).

Garcia play well at Shell Houston and leading the field - in my mind a contender for the Masters Title

Funny. When I was asked last week who I think is one of the favorites for the Masters. Without hesitation I said Garcia. And I stand by that. Sergio Garcia has a great year going and he shows it already again this week.

Already a winner in Quatar, Sergio Garcia showed some good golfing over the past weeks. He seems happy, confident and in great shape. Those three points are all important when trying to win a major. But even more significant. Sergio seems to have found his passion again. Passion for the game and passion for winning, for playing good.

Listening to him in Interviews he is calm, smiling, confident but not arrogant. Just a happy guy trying to win. Just as we know him from years ago when he first started to excite us with his game and behavior.

This tournament is by far not over. There are two days of play and there is some pretty hot golfers right behind him. Not only Kuchar comes to mind. Although I do not think that anyone 7 shots ore more behind has a realistic shot at the win, there is plenty of winners within reach.

Jimmy Walker certainly is in position to benefit from any mistakes Garcia and Kuchar might make. Also Michelson and Stricker some big names in the hunt. Interesting who else is right up there. Maybe another first time winner is in the making. Stefani seems to have found some good rhythm and looking at this time on the tour and web.com, this might be the time for his first one.

Making a prediction is really impossible. I have read articles from so called golf gurus and writers who do this for decades. There are guys out there claiming to be specialists and what not. Fact is, you just do not know what will happen. All they seem to do is take numbers and write a comment on them.

I look at numbers and I read and listen. To me. Sergio Garcia is the favorite this weekend and I hope he will bring it home. Also he is good for a top 5 finish or win at the Masters and I am cheering for him.

So who do you think will win the Shell Houston Open and who are your top 5 favorites at Augusta this year and why :) .

Eurasia Cup Final Results - PGA Tour and LPGA news - Golf tours general

What a golfing weekend so far. So what happened?

Well first let's talk about the Eurasia Cup. When I got up this morning I was able to watch some of it and it was interesting what I saw. Asia playing extremely well and catching up and Europe struggling to move on to win that event.

Honestly when I left to play in a tournament myself, I thought Europe will close the deal and win the first ever EurAsia Cup. But coming home I was proofing wrong big time.

Opening the PGA Tour official site I found that Asia actually not only caught up with Europe, but almost won the entire event. Amazing. When I first wrote about this new tournament I mentioned on how the Europeans were the favorite on paper. Seems like they were the favorite on paper only.

Those Asian players got excited and motivated. Shot by shot, hole by hole and they pulled it off. Making this event an exciting show for the finally showing up spectator crowed and the viewers on TV. This is team golf as it was meant to be.

In the end, the finished with a tie. Is that a good thing? Well I think it is not a bad thing and they all looked pretty happy and smiling. Showing great sportsmanship. The EurAsia Cup is on the map and with a beginning which leaves all players involved with a positive experience in mind.

In Asia they will talk about how they were holding off the strong Europeans and in Europe they will talk about a loss which was acceptable , because everybody gave his best and after all it is golf and anything can happen. Starting today, European and Asian players will not only work on trying to play in the Ryder Cup, but to qualify for the EurAsia Cup , which might even count as a last opportunity for some to proof themselves.

Looking forward to find out who will show up in the Ryder Cup Team. There is a couple players which for sure will make it and this event confirmed their ability.

Meanwhile in Texas. Most exciting news I found so far. Phil made the cut after showing some great workmanship in the water and a good 18th. Then he injured and withdrew from the tournament. Makes you wonder if he pulled his muscle in the water.

The leaderboard show some interesting names. Bowditch leading for example or Loupe in a tie for 2nd. Both players with holes to go. Right in the middle of a bunch of well known players and winners. Loupe really did not have the breakthrough yet and it remains to be seen if he can keep up his good play n today and then finish strong tomorrow.

Bowditch finished a little better so far, but not much. Both players are well outside the top 125 and a good finish will move them up a lot. Thing is, you never know what happens and Sunday is the toughest day and the last 5 holes are the longest holes ever.

I can not write too much about the play itself. I was playing myself and did not get a chance to watch and follow what is going on. The leaderboard looks interesting and I look forward to watch more tomorrow.

Had no chance to watch much of the LPGA either. But seeing the Dori Carter on top of the leaderboard is great. She is just at the beginning of her career and is one of many great rookies joining the tour. I love ladies golf and think it is underrated and needs some more attention. For that matter I wish that one of her wishes, being interviewed by David Feherty, will come true soon.

Those young players will help bringing this attention. They are exciting to watch. They are excited and some of them will hopefully be great role models. It is nice to see favorites like Inbee or Stacy Lewis win, but it is even nicer when more new players not only join the tour, but also start winning and competing. That will push the veterans to new heights and to more work. Which I know they are all willing to put in.

Some of my favorites, like Sandra Gal, did not make the cut. But again, that is golf live :). You play, you work  ,you practice, you make the cut, you miss the cut, you win and you lose. In one word: Golf.

The new NEC Latin America Series is something I really like. It will give many new players a stepping stone to make it to the web.com. Just like Ryan Blaum, who also played the NGA. I am excited to see Daniel Maziotta in the field after making another cut. I know Daniel for a few years now. Even in 2012 we already knew he will make it. Played often good on the West Florida Golf Tour, NGA Tour and so on. Glad to see him out there doing what needs to be done and playing well.

In my mind, there is a future PGA Tour player in the making. There are some others I actually know, but we do not want to go through all of them. The scores look good, plenty of new names and no doubt we will see some of them on the web.com tour.

Here is my thought for tomorrow.

At least one of the two Bowditch or Loupe will finish in the top 5, Matt Kuchar will be in the top 5 and Kevin Na is hot and might just pick up a win.

Not sure about the ladies. I would hop for Dori Carter to make it and win this event, but there is some big shots right behind her.

Nothing about the NEC. I hardly know any of the players on top. Just wish Daniel a good round tomorrow.

One thing is for sure. I will make it a point from here on to watch more /Asian golf. Wonder if there is more golfers out there who are interested in the Asian tour, ladies tour and so on. What is your prediction for tomorrow?

Wonder why I did not mention the web.com or Champions Tour? Well, tomorrow is another day and I just did not get into it today :).

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Eurasia Cup Day 1 result - Jimenez leads European team to huge lead

I was only able to watch up to a certain time yesterday and had to go to bed. But I wish I could have been right in front of my TV to see the European players finish with this incredible lead.

Not that I had doubt that they will win. The odds were pretty much in their favor from the beginning. However, this was such dominant performance even I was surprised. Jimenez, El Capitano, lead the pack in star fashion. Most impressive were his two eagles I watched  before hitting the sack. Those two approach shots were unbelievable.

My second favorite team effort must be the one by McDowel and partner. Falling behind so fast was a big surprise and then winning the match, shows exactly what I wrote before and will write again. McDowel isn't done until he is done. I am sure Donaldson learned something in that round.

Looking at the pairings for Friday Jimenez decided to stay with the pairings as he had them play the first day. This also is not a surprise. It seemed like the teams were in good shape and comfortable. As he said long before this weekend when asked by media. He kept it relaxed. Let players do what they can do best and just gives them confidence and calm.

He sure did, with this play and simply as a person.

Jaidee did change his teams. Not sure why, but I am sure he has something in mind and we will see if it will do any good. At times change is good. Here is the thing. Those Asian players are just not well known. To me at least. I follow golf all over the World. But the Asian tour is somewhat far away.

I personally think, that the EurAsia Cup went off to a great start. Players seem to enjoy themselves and all look organized. One thing I hope for tomorrow and Saturday are more spectators. When you look at the galleries they put up there, they must have expected more even on day 1.

No matter how many people will show up, this event will be a success and largely because of the players who are playing and the passion they show. Tonight they will not start televising until midnight. Since I will play in a tournament myself , I will not get to see any of it.

There will be some great golf again and surely the Asian players will put up a good fight. I am hoping, that we will still get an exciting Saturday. It would be sad if the match would be over early. Makes me wonder if they finish play if points are reached? I might have to read the entire rules section.

My tip for tomorrow is that Asia will get 3 points back. They are good for more, but after this start Europe is hot.

Did you watch any of it ? Any opinions on the event? It would be interesting to hear what other golf fans, writers or professionals think.

EurAsia Cup Day 1 - watching life right now

The first day is running and we are lucky. Golf Channel has it on beginning at 8 30 pm EST. It is now 11 45 pm and I am still watching.

The parings were published on the official European Tour website and I am confident that many of you actually studied them.

Check out the Pairings and Standings of the EurAsia Cup

Looking at the standings right now, it looks like Europe is leading comfortably. Most impressive is so far without a doubt the captain himself. Miguel Angel Jimenez played 9 under par through 11 holes, including 2 very good eagles. Looks like he is absolutely confident that he can not miss a shot today.

Jaidee is playing well , but can only do so much. Being so far ahead , I think, that while I am asleep Jimenez and Larrazabal will bring it home. At least I hope so.

All matches following the first match are wide open. Anything can happen at any time. In team golf you just never know what will come next.

Only huge surprise is the last match. Graeme McDowel and Donaldson are 2 down at this point. The Asian team players did a good job converting their opportunities. But this match is far from over as well.

I like the fact that the captains both play in the first group. Leading the way and after the round being able to communicate with the other groups and welcome them on the 18th hole.

It all looks like a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I am a little disappointed by the number of spectators I am seeing on the course. Then again, it is not a surprise. It is a brand new event and it is day one.

The Ryder Cup did not start any better many years ago and now look what it became.

Really would like to know what the TV coverage in Europe is. In Asia it is probably covered pretty well.

For me it is bed time soon. But I am excited about this upcoming weekend. All tours have interesting events coming up and for sure we will get some interesting news.

What is your tip for the EurAsia Cup? I think Europe will finish day 1 with a 3 : 2 lead. Looking forward to wake up and read the results. Certainly will write some comments on what I read. Maybe I can even do some live blogging on Saturday evening.