WGC - HSBC Champions discussion thread *spoilers*

[Lundingolfer]

[quote name='BigPete' timestamp='1289036899' post='2777156']
Oh boy this is turning into the perfect tounament. I've never wanted anyone to win more than I want Westwood to win here.

7 of the Euro Ryder Cup team in the top 20 plus Casey and Fisher.
Lee and Luke battling it out for the lead with a Molinari while certain other big name flounder...

Yes I'm a biased European / Englishman - but that's who I support and they're who's doing well - I just wish I could figure out what time I have to get up / stay up to watch this thing tonight / tomorrow morning
[/quote]

Is this a European Tour event or has the Yanks plane got lost on the flight over....................

[kafka01]

[quote name='TMfan54' timestamp='1289052309' post='2777279']
I wish we could've seen the flight and shot of Harrington's two on the par 5!
[/quote]
Just saw his scorecard - funny nobody mentioned it before. There has to be footage somewhere?

[quote]7 of the Euro Ryder Cup team in the top 20 plus Casey and Fisher.[/quote]
When was the last time no american finished in the Top 20 in a high profile field like this? I guess they have their work cut that somebody makes the Top 20 at least... Heck, even the LPGA leaderboard in Japan this weekend has more americans in the Top 20.

[iBanesto]

Did they show Richard Green's hole in one in R2?

[TMfan54]

[quote name='kafka01' timestamp='1289052861' post='2777292']
[quote name='TMfan54' timestamp='1289052309' post='2777279']
I wish we could've seen the flight and shot of Harrington's two on the par 5!
[/quote]
Just saw his scorecard - funny nobody mentioned it before. There has to be footage somewhere?

[quote]7 of the Euro Ryder Cup team in the top 20 plus Casey and Fisher.[/quote]
When was the last time no american finished in the Top 20 in a high profile field like this? I guess they have their work cut that somebody makes the Top 20 at least... Heck, even the LPGA leaderboard in Japan this weekend has more americans in the Top 20.
[/quote]

well tommy mentioned it, but that was at 2 am and i wasnt watching the coverage then. the footage was him swinging his fairway wood. then they showed the cup and him smiling and they said it went in.

[craz-e]

I guess the Europeans are more used to traveling and playing further afield.

[Jimbud]

I've heard lots of comments about the course being so close to a busy roadway and the non stop honking of the car's horns. I noticed one other sound that makes this tournament sound different then the ones in the United States. The lack of the unmistakable sound of a big twin cylinder Harley Davidson roaring by. You always hear them in the background at events in the USA.

[Bob57]

Funny how all the hope about Tiger's game was around one round of golf he played against Molinari. How funny is it that Molinari is leading this tournament while Tiger is no where in sight. Oh well maybe Tiger will win the Thai skins game which is less than 4 rounds of golf which seems to be his problem this year. All that "hard" work with maybe my coach or maybe not my coach Sean Foley. He never played this bad when he was changing his swing before with those other flawed previous coaches. Time to have Rick Smith just look at his swing a little bit I guess. Other stuff must be bothering him---like being a single dad and the time that requires..

[kafka01]

[quote name='craz-e' timestamp='1289053668' post='2777305']
I guess the Europeans are more used to traveling and playing further afield.
[/quote]
Yep - that must be it:
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/european-tour/2009-hsbc-champions/scores/

[HCEG1]

[quote name='Bob57' timestamp='1289053888' post='2777312']
Funny how all the hope about Tiger's game was around one round of golf he played against Molinari. How funny is it that Molinari is leading this tournament while Tiger is no where in sight. Oh well maybe Tiger will win the Thai skins game which is less than 4 rounds of golf which seems to be his problem this year. All that "hard" work with maybe my coach or maybe not my coach Sean [b]Foley[/b]. He never played this bad when he was changing his swing before with those other flawed previous coaches. Time to have Rick Smith just look at his swing a little bit I guess. Other stuff must be bothering him---like being a single dad and the time that requires..
[/quote]

Foley Shmoley...... Tiger's all over the place. Missing 50% of fairways & averaging 12 GIR. Hardly the stuff champions are made of

Give Butch one more call Tiger

[stokepoges]

I'm enjoying the coverage of Ernie Els' round - got himself in contention and playing well. Good to see.

[avrag]

3 thoughts after watching the 3rd round of the HSBC:

1) That pitch from the rough on the leftt hand side of the 16th green must be really tough. Harrington made a mess of it today. I remember last year Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson playing in the same group also both struggling from there. Tiger chunked his into the bunker and Phil fluffed his completely. If I remember correctly, though, Mickelson proceeded to hole his second attempt for a 3, or at least knocked it really close.

2) Has anyone on this board ever lived in Shanghai? If so, can you explain which misconception exactly the good people of Shanghai have about the horns of their cars? Do they think that a car only goes, if they honk all the time?

3) Is anyone else reminded of "Wallace & Gromit", when Lee Westwood smiles?

Really looking forward to the final round with F. Molinari, Westwood and Donald in the final group.

[Bob57]

[quote name='avrag' timestamp='1289064168' post='2777501']
3 thoughts after watching the 3rd round of the HSBC:

1) That pitch from the rough on the leftt hand side of the 16th green must be really tough. Harrington made a mess of it today. I remember last year Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson playing in the same group also both struggling from there. Tiger chunked his into the bunker and Phil fluffed his completely. If I remember correctly, though, Mickelson proceeded to hole his second attempt for a 3, or at least knocked it really close.

2) Has anyone on this board ever lived in Shanghai? If so, can you explain which misconception exactly the good people of Shanhai have about the horns of their cars? Do they think that a car only goes, if they honk all the time?

3) Is anyone else reminded of "Wallace & Gromit", when Lee Westwood smiles?

Really looking forward to the final round with F. Molinari, Westwood and Donald in the final group.
[/quote]
I agree with you that final round with those three in the last group will be enjoyable. Hopefully Phil and Tiger will be done by the time the coverage starts so they can get the 5 minute low lights of their rounds out of the way.
I haven't lived in Shanghai but have spent a few months there on business and the horn is definitely the most important feature on their cars. They constantly use the horn almost like they are still checking to see if the electrical system is working. Many times they just honk the horn and it has nothing to do with traffic or anything else. Maybe it replaces road rage for their drivers.

[Michael Scott]

shot (and comment) of the day

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbszpZzhZ3g[/media]

[rony]

Not surprising at all that Woods is where he is in this tournament. I said it earlier in the year, "C,est Finis!" He'll win again, that's for sure. But, you are never again going to see him or anyone else for that matter, dominate the tour like he did over the last 14 years. The "Talent Pool" is too deep now with fantastic players from all over the globe. IMO, it makes for a more interesting Tour this way when all players feel that they really have a shot at the "Big W."

[steveh1591]

everyone moaning about the westwood cover...
he is world no1
and he is 2nd in the event

what would you expect ??

[OneBowTie]

[quote name='steveh1591' timestamp='1289073630' post='2777697']
everyone moaning about the westwood cover...
he is world no1
and he is 2nd in the event

what would you expect ??
[/quote]

I imagine that Westwood is loving where he's at, he can brag about another second place finish.

[jaskanski]

[quote name='OneBowTie' timestamp='1289075234' post='2777724']
[quote name='steveh1591' timestamp='1289073630' post='2777697']
everyone moaning about the westwood cover...
he is world no1
and he is 2nd in the event

what would you expect ??
[/quote]

I imagine that Westwood is loving where he's at, he can brag about another second place finish.
[/quote]


...from his #1 spot presumably. Of all the players that turned up to claim the #1 crown, Westwood is certainly making the best hash of it. What the others wouldn't give for a second place spot now. So much for a showdown.

[OneBowTie]

[quote name='jaskanski' timestamp='1289075852' post='2777733']
[quote name='OneBowTie' timestamp='1289075234' post='2777724']
[quote name='steveh1591' timestamp='1289073630' post='2777697']
everyone moaning about the westwood cover...
he is world no1
and he is 2nd in the event

what would you expect ??
[/quote]

I imagine that Westwood is loving where he's at, he can brag about another second place finish.
[/quote]


...from his #1 spot presumably. Of all the players that turned up to claim the #1 crown, Westwood is certainly making the best hash of it. What the others wouldn't give for a second place spot now. So much for a showdown.
[/quote]

I was tongue and cheek ..... but careful this event isn't over yet....

I do agree with you.... that of all the so called contenders, Lee does look the best and does look like he is not going to give up anything.... I think his message is clear now....if you want to be no. 1 .... you are going to have to beat me.

I am more then impressed with what I am seeing from him, he is answering all the nay sayers

[JonnyWilson]

Yeh yeh everyone complaining about how boring Westwood is to watch, that boringness of fairway ,green,putt got him to number 1.
Yes i agree tiger is more interesting to watch but that is because of wayward drives then miraculous recoverys and great putting,while westwood plays the game as it should, consistant ball striking and accuracy, thats what pro golfers should be like the amount of practice they get in! Its not boring its just consistantly being good

[Scaldy]

I have never seen so many balls burn the sides of the cup and not drop. What is up with these greens?

And for some reason, as good as the field is, this is some pretty boring coverage. I'm not getting a good grasp of the holes and it seems like half of the coverage are close putts? Maybe I've been spoiled by the coverage we usually get.

And now that someone mentioned it, all I hear are those car horns in the background...

[drpino]

[quote name='Jimbud' timestamp='1289053887' post='2777311']
I've heard lots of comments about the course being so close to a busy roadway and the non stop honking of the car's horns. I noticed one other sound that makes this tournament sound different then the ones in the United States. The lack of the unmistakable sound of a big twin cylinder Harley Davidson roaring by. You always hear them in the background at events in the USA.
[/quote]
Not to mention, there aren't that many (if any) "GET IN THE HOLE!" yells from the gallery. Perhaps they're still doing it, just in Mandarin or Cantonese

[quote name='Scaldy' timestamp='1289083840' post='2777879']
And for some reason, as good as the field is, this is some pretty boring coverage. I'm not getting a good grasp of the holes and it seems like half of the coverage are close putts? Maybe I've been spoiled by the coverage we usually get.
[/quote]

Spoiled by US PGA coverage? Really? IMHO, coverage of the US PGA Tour is some of the worst in professional sports. A few tee shots, a few birdie putts, way too many commercials and way too many melodramatic vignettes. Euro coverage is FAR superior IMHO.


[quote name='Michael Scott' timestamp='1289070228' post='2777642']
shot (and comment) of the day

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbszpZzhZ3g[/media]
[/quote]


Hilarious commentary... even though I have no idea what's being said. Sounds like the guy's about to cough up a lung....

[OneBowTie]

I don't know about US Tour coverage not being very good.... I can't remember when I have watched 3 rounds of any coverage like I have so far of this coverage, and not know the layout of a single hole. I will say that the Tee boxes, the greens and close approach shots make the course look great..... but this coverage is by far the worst I have watched.

I watched when Paddy hit his double eagle...... well I watched what they showed, his second shot.... then a pan to the green where a ball was seen about 8ft from the flag stick rolling in the hole..... and that was it...... generally, a shot like that would be on sports center about 10 times, let alone replayed often during the tournament round coverage, but nope, one and done.

I don't care who they are following, but geez, if your gonna follow Lee or anybody else, lets see a whole hole shot and result.....

I can't tell you about how US Tour coverage is compared to Euro, I don't get to see Euro coverage enough to compare, but from reading other threads and posts, I would suspect that like here in the US, it has it moments of brilliance and its moments of weakness.

But honestly, this here event is not very good coverage. Regardless of which tour you normally follow.

[drpino]

Fair enough in regard to this particular tournament. The broadcasters didn't get off to a very good start with technical difficulties from the beginning (coverage was 30-40 minutes delayed from the get go).

 

 

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<br>

 

 

<br>

 

 

 

the club he used?

 

<br>

 

<br>

 

 

Padraig Harrington

made a double eagle on the par-5 14th on his way to a 2-under 70. Credit: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

[HCEG1]

Yeah, I'm sure Lee could hardly sleep last night because of the comments from some on here doubting his right to be Number 1!

If he goes on to win today, he'll bag well over a million bucks, plus bonuses, appearance money & 68 OWGR points (more than for coming 2nd in a Major)

2nd place still gets him more OWGR points than 3rd place in any of the Majors

Even if he doesn't play in Singapore & Hong Kong, a strong finish in Dubai will put a lot of clear blue water between himself & his would-be challengers

Not so daft, the lad from Worksop, is he?

[Scaldy]

Is there any word on the "mist" in the air? It looks suspicoiusly like the heavy air pollution issue during the Olympics.

[RJC59]

[quote name='HCEG1' timestamp='1289055272' post='2777335']
[quote name='Bob57' timestamp='1289053888' post='2777312']
Funny how all the hope about Tiger's game was around one round of golf he played against Molinari. How funny is it that Molinari is leading this tournament while Tiger is no where in sight. Oh well maybe Tiger will win the Thai skins game which is less than 4 rounds of golf which seems to be his problem this year. All that "hard" work with maybe my coach or maybe not my coach Sean [b]Foley[/b]. He never played this bad when he was changing his swing before with those other flawed previous coaches. Time to have Rick Smith just look at his swing a little bit I guess. Other stuff must be bothering him---like being a single dad and the time that requires..
[/quote]

Foley Shmoley...... Tiger's all over the place. Missing 50% of fairways & averaging 12 GIR. Hardly the stuff champions are made of

Give Butch one more call Tiger
[/quote]

lol. A little impatient? Since beginning to work on his game with foley at PGA where he finished 28th, hes gone 12th 11th 15th, 3-1 at ryder cup, and now a 6th place finish it looks like at HSBC.. Keep in mind before working with foley he came DEAD LAST (not including stenson who had food poisoning) at one of his favorite courses.. firestone

This week he is leading driving distance by over 10 yards thru 3 rounds (10 more than quiros) hitting more fairways than usual, and nobody is hitting too many greens as TW is still in top 15 in greens after 3 rounds likely to move up to top 10 after todays round.

His swing looks So much better if you have even been watching. Like any swing change it takes time to ingrain it as well as trust it.. he hits some great ones and some not so great ones. Part of the process.. Hes also putting horrible. I witnessed about five 3 footers he missed this tournament when in his prime he didnt miss any for 2 years.

I suspect we'll see the best year of ballstriking we've seen out of woods in 2011. Whether or not he returns back to the focus he had is anyones guess.. Lee westwood whomping his a** like this surely might light the fire for him again.

just IMO

[BParis]

Is there any word on the "mist" in the air? It looks suspicoiusly like the heavy air pollution issue during the Olympics.

 

"mist".... that's funny!

 

The World Expo ended at the end of October and so did the Chinese government's moratorium halting production at many of the Shanghai factories to reduce air pollution levels. Since that time, the "mist" has returned with a vengeance.

 

We won't see the blue sky until some time next spring... if we are lucky. It's going to be a long, "misty" winter.

 

Cheers!

[JD3]

Seems like the pace of play is painfully slow. Especially with the group one ahead of the leaders

[JD3]

Fair enough in regard to this particular tournament. The broadcasters didn't get off to a very good start with technical difficulties from the beginning (coverage was 30-40 minutes delayed from the get go).

 

 

<object width="576" height="324" allowfullscreen="true"><param name="movie" value="http://d.yimg.com/nl/yahoo%20sports/site/player.swf"><param name="flashVars" value="vid=22871834"><embed width="576" height="324" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://d.yimg.com/nl/yahoo%20sports/site/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="vid=22871834"></object>

 

<br>

 

 

<br>

 

 

 

the club he used?

 

<br>

 

<br>

 

 

Padraig Harrington

made a double eagle on the par-5 14th on his way to a 2-under 70. Credit: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

I know he made an albatross and everything, but his swing sure looks like crap. Im shocked all the work he's done has resulted in that action.

[HCEG1]

[quote name='RJC59' timestamp='1289116101' post='2778435']
[quote name='HCEG1' timestamp='1289055272' post='2777335']
[quote name='Bob57' timestamp='1289053888' post='2777312']
Funny how all the hope about Tiger's game was around one round of golf he played against Molinari. How funny is it that Molinari is leading this tournament while Tiger is no where in sight. Oh well maybe Tiger will win the Thai skins game which is less than 4 rounds of golf which seems to be his problem this year. All that "hard" work with maybe my coach or maybe not my coach Sean [b]Foley[/b]. He never played this bad when he was changing his swing before with those other flawed previous coaches. Time to have Rick Smith just look at his swing a little bit I guess. Other stuff must be bothering him---like being a single dad and the time that requires..
[/quote]

Foley Shmoley...... Tiger's all over the place. Missing 50% of fairways & averaging 12 GIR. Hardly the stuff champions are made of

Give Butch one more call Tiger
[/quote]

lol. A little impatient? Since beginning to work on his game with foley at PGA where he finished 28th, hes gone 12th 11th 15th, 3-1 at ryder cup, and now a 6th place finish it looks like at HSBC.. Keep in mind before working with foley he came DEAD LAST (not including stenson who had food poisoning) at one of his favorite courses.. firestone

This week he is leading driving distance by over 10 yards thru 3 rounds (10 more than quiros) hitting more fairways than usual, and nobody is hitting too many greens as TW is still in top 15 in greens after 3 rounds likely to move up to top 10 after todays round.

His swing looks So much better if you have even been watching. Like any swing change it takes time to ingrain it as well as trust it.. he hits some great ones and some not so great ones. Part of the process.. Hes also putting horrible. I witnessed about five 3 footers he missed this tournament when in his prime he didnt miss any for 2 years.

I suspect we'll see the best year of ballstriking we've seen out of woods in 2011. Whether or not he returns back to the focus he had is anyones guess.. Lee westwood whomping his a** like this surely might light the fire for him again.

just IMO
[/quote]

Tiger played well today. Good to see. However, Thurs thru Sat, he missed 50% of fairways; not so good. Looked like he was spraying it to me, esp when he hit that spectator

BTW,Quiros had him off the tee by 3 yards. Tiger's driving distance stats were boosted by a freak drive on Friday. He was under 300 for 2 of the days

As for his putting, we have become so used to seeing him drain everything over the years, but 28.25 per round is hardly terrible

OK, perhaps we'll give Foley & TW some more time, things are obviously still work in progress. In the meantime, Westwood continues to pull clear at the front