Players are killing the course today, the field to par is historically low more than 50 shots lower than the previous low in 1996.
Scottie battled that back 9, had a lot of up and downs then finished with a birdie. Lee had also got out of a lot of jams but finished with a bogey. Scottie and Lee in the final group. They've noted several times that Lee's sister Minji Lee is a 2 time major winner on the LPGA Tour. Quite a golfing family. Lee's parents, Soonam and Clara Lee, were both from Korea, and emigrated to Australia in the early 1990s. Lee's older sister, Minjee Lee, is also a professional golfer. When Min Woo Lee won the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur, they became the first brother/sister pair to win the USGA's junior championships, Minjee Lee having won the U.S. Girls' Junior in 2012.[5]
We have to mention Tom Hoge who had to cancel his 2:59 flight out of town yesterday. Not that making that reservation was unreasonable after all he did fire an awful 78 in the first round and missing the cut seemed pretty certain. He shot an impressive 68 in the second round which he finished after the rain delay and low and behold he just made the cut. Then came yesterday when he bettered his first round score by 16 strokes! He's now tied for 8th 6 shots off the lead and he now is the holder of the course record 62.
Scottie Scheffler is in control right now, he's 16 under par and closest is Tyrell Hatton at -12 in the clubhouse. Right now I'm watching M.W. Lee really go off the rails on #11. I had a hole like hie's having today and carded a snowman.
Scheffler heading to 17 up by 5, but while he was putting on the 16th he watched 2 guys hit into the water, one long and onen short. The wind is swirling and a tough shot is even tougher.
Scottie had his whole family there, even his 88 y/o Grandmother who apparently lives about 20 minutes from Sawgrass. She was in a walker and in the presentation ceremony he hollered out to her about "walking" all 18 with him and it seems like she said she did. That's impressive.
He's really unflappable. When he has his game, which is often, he's really good. The "young guns" like JT, Jordan, and Rickie are getting old and struggling.
I didn't like how his caddie allowed him to hit a 3 wood of the tee on 18. With that lead, it should been a stinger 3 iron down the middle, and not right and into trouble. Scottie should put him on a CIP (Caddie Improvement Plan).
To be fair Scottie went with less than Driver on #18, but didn't hit it very well and that's why he ended up where he did. Good up and down though to win ! This week they are in the Tampa area for the Valspar a very tough golf course. The field is pretty average, as it's not a "designated" event so the purse is less. Still Jordan Spieth is there and finished today 1 shot back of leader Ryan Brehm (who's he?) who had a hole in one on the par 3 17th to give him the lead.
Funny story AJ can relate to with his high standards for caddies. So one of the players today was being interviewed, didn't recognize him or catch his name. But I guess he had a good round and walking off the 18th he told his caddy who is just doing it this week and is one of his buddies, good job. The caddy reportedly replied well don't say that just yet, we finished with 13 clubs I left your lob wedge in the bunker on 15. The golfer said it was a good thing I didn't need it on 16,17 or 18 with a smile.
Jordan Speith in a good position to win, but it was a weird round for him. Eagle on #1, then 5 birdies and 5 bogey's later he finishes with a 2 under 69. -7 one stroke behind the leader at -8 another guy I've never heard of. Adam Schenk.
Taylor Moore, you know him right, won the Valspar by a stroke over Adam Schrenk (surely you know him) for the 1st win of his PGA career. Jordan finished tied for 3rd with Tommy Fleetwood. Now off to Austin Texas for the WGC Match play. This is the last time this will be played, a victim of the changes to the PGA Tour. Jordan Uppleger, the tournament’s executive director, made the announcement Monday morning. "It was determined that a 64 player event didn’t fit the confines of the schedule," Uppleger said. "There’s really not another reason than that. I think it’s a special week for our players. I’m sure they’re going to miss a lot of the components to that. It may not fit in (next year's) schedules, but we’re definitely going to be looking back at Austin, Texas and figuring out a way to come back."
Jordan and his caddie need group therapy. Schenk needs to shoot his horse (caddie) and get a new one from the barn. Moore has been in top 15 of several big tourneys this year.
Ah, the azalais are beginning to bloom and the wind is getting warmer. Soon they'll be gathering at Augusta National. We'll be watching every swing and putt with rapt attention and in the end frustration and disbelief will abound as 12 yr. old girls drive the ball 270 yds. in the Drive, Pitch and Putt contest.
I didn't watch it but I see that Ernie Els denied Bernhard Langer the career victories record by coming from 5 shots down and shooting a 65 for a 1 shot win. Langer who was leading going into Sunday shot himself out of it though with a 73. Langer and Hale Irwin are tied with 45 career PGA Seniors Titles.
I was playing in a scramble in Northern Michigan one time and there was a woman on our team. At one point I left the foursome and hit the woods for a piss. When I came back she was appalled and said, "How can you do that and come back without washing your hands?" Without skipping a beat I said, "don't worry, I changed my glove."