Golf
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@MajorRage Yes that bunker shot was his moment to seize triumph or disaster - and we have seen disaster often at the 18th of a major. The PGA was the first time he was in the mix for a major on the final day and he flubbed it - but he hit 17 out of 18 greens on the day, with a hot putter he would have strolled to the win.
Zalatoris is already setting himself up in the Colin Montgomerie role - he hasn't even won a PGA event yet but has top 10 finishes in 6 of the last 7 majors he has played in - with 3 runners-up finishes.
It was a phenomenal shot in its own right but to do it when your opponent had middled the fairway with a driver with an almost perfect tee shot, all on the last hole of a major.
It was a brilliant finish and I do feel for Zalatoris on that putt that was millimetres from landing.
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Sources: Koepka latest to leave PGA Tour for LIV
Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka is the latest golfer to defect from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
The more high profile players that jump to LIV thr sooner the PGA will need to reach a compromise.
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@barbarian said in Golf:
Was a cracking open. Leaderboard chocked full of big game players. Great course that killed you if you were wayward.
Give me Zalatoris' record over a guy like Cantlay every day. A major top 5 is worth more than winning the Boise State Open Presented by Taco Bell. But you get the feeling he needs to win one soon.
Can't wait for the British at St Andrews.
Yes the time of year when people will point out to you that it is The Open and not the British Open.
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Cameron Young with a dream first round -8. Nailed a good birdie on the 18th to finish his day.
Old man Ernie Els is -5 after 13 and is swinging like he was 20 years ago.
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Love the Open, love the old course.
By rights the players should be ripping it to shreds in light conditions, but the course has put up an admirable fight.
Love where Cam Smith is. Didn't think he played all that well but his chipping and putting is so good he just hangs in there. The course is so well suited to him, getting up and down is probably going to separate the men from the boys.
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The greens were playing fast and some weren’t dealing well with it.
A bit of controversy today about how long it took for some of the groups to complete the round. I read that it took some 6 hours! Someone on Twitter posted “Max Homa estimates it took them an hour just to play No. 14.”
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@ACT-Crusader The mix of tough pins and driveable par 4s is a horrible combination for pace of play.
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Nice to see the best in the world put like I can. Such a great course.
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The 150th Open / Sensational Smith becomes Champion Golfer of the Year
Congrats to Cam Smith. Nicely done
Managed to win a few bucks by picking him as the outright winner at $23
Keep an eye on Cameron Young from the USA over the next few years, will be a major champion at some point, kids got game. -
Unreal performance from Smith. That back 9 was unbelievable.
His putting is the best I've seen from anyone bar peak Tiger. When he's hot he just does not miss.
Although the rumour is he is going to LIV Golf after the Presidents Cup. Not sure how I feel about that.
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@barbarian He is also one of the best, if not the best on tour in terms of his short game as well.
This major triumph likely only the first of many for Cam. Kiwi connection too with his caddie Sam being a NZer. Nice payday for him as well I'm sure. -
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@barbarian said in Golf:
Unreal performance from Smith. That back 9 was unbelievable.
His putting is the best I've seen from anyone bar peak Tiger. When he's hot he just does not miss.
Although the rumour is he is going to LIV Golf after the Presidents Cup. Not sure how I feel about that.
He may as well. He has exemptions for all the majors now. No need to qualify so go make some coin
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@Hooroo But does he need coin? On one level I get the appeal of LIV, but for a guy like Smith it's a bit cowardly IMO.
It's Mickey Mouse golf. No juice. If you're Lee Westwood at the end of your career then knock yourself out. But Smith could actually win some big tournaments on the tour. Tournaments at great courses with history. Nobody gives a shit if he wins a 54 hole event at a Trump course that's only shown on Youtube.
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@barbarian I saw a clip from Tiger the other day, just asking what are they playing golf for now?
They dont win but still get a shedload of money, normally, you have to play well to win, wheres the challenge, what drives you?
Certainly an interesting take, and like you say, Westwood, Phil and the likes in the twilight of thier careers, rock on, but young guys, playing in the lesser format, I read soemwhere that some who were on the LIV tour were saying we dont even need to practice as much...hopefully there will be a happy medium found somewhere along the way
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@taniwharugby I loved Tiger's comments. A guy like Cam Smith is renowned for his work ethic, but there's no way he's working as hard for 54 hole shotgun starts with the money already in his pocket.
In some ways it is similar to rugby players going to Japan. By all means take the cash, but there's no incentive for me to care about what you are doing or watch.
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@taniwharugby I loved Tiger's comments. A guy like Cam Smith is renowned for his work ethic, but there's no way he's working as hard for 54 hole shotgun starts with the money already in his pocket.
In some ways it is similar to rugby players going to Japan. By all means take the cash, but there's no incentive for me to care about what you are doing or watch.
Maybe its a bit like Kerry Packer and WSC? Sure he wasn't backed by a ruthless authoritarian regime, but the LIV are offering better conditions, better money and less strenuous playing schedule. I could see the PGA quietly adopting a few of LIVs better ideas over time and eventually a sort of acceptance of their existence
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@Hooroo But does he need coin? On one level I get the appeal of LIV, but for a guy like Smith it's a bit cowardly IMO.
It's Mickey Mouse golf. No juice. If you're Lee Westwood at the end of your career then knock yourself out. But Smith could actually win some big tournaments on the tour. Tournaments at great courses with history. Nobody gives a shit if he wins a 54 hole event at a Trump course that's only shown on Youtube.
I hear all of that.
I also haven’t needed a pay rise but have taken it happily to do a different variance of the same job. Just times it by a squillion for these guys.
I know it not directly comparable but most people are driven by money and accept more of it. Just these guys have differing opportunities than most so it’s easier to criticise.
Sometimes I’m happy with what I’ve got and then sometimes I want a nicer car. Change that for yacht/super yacht and it’s the same thing
