114 US Open - 'Merica vs. The World

Seven of the last Ten US Open winners have been International players and I don't expect to see that trend changing this year. Now having said that I should tell you I tend to be indecisive.. And with some of these American story lines like a Phil finally hanging up his bridesmaid shoes...

I present the 20 players I full expect to dominate the story lines this weekend

              USA 

1. Bubba Watson                                    
2. Matt Kuchar
3. Phil Mickelson 
4. Bill Haas
5. Dustin Johnson
6. Jimmy Walker
7. Zach Johnson
8. Jordan Spieth
9. Ryan Moore
10. Steve Stricker

           International 

1. Luke Donald
2. Rory McIlroy
3. Charl Schwartzel
4. Martin Kaymer
5. Justin Rose
6. Ian Poulter
7. Hideki Matayama
8. Sergio Garica
9. Adam Scott
10. Miguel Angel Jimenez

Obivously im still sturgguling to finalize my team troops but this week is open anyone, and theres a few big names that haven't made my short list..

The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- FedEx St. Jude Classic

   As you can imagine most of the golf world is looking ahead to the US Open and Pinehurst No. 2 but that's still a week away. There's still the FedEx St. Jude in Memphis, TX this week. But first let's discuss the many top players who fell apart coming down the stretch at The Memorial.

   Rory McIlroy has had the craziest tow weeks in golf and friday when his former fenice took to twitter in order to cast a spell, he would go on to make 3 staright double's. That was Friday the true trainwreckes came on Sunday starting with Adam Scott who was making a late charge simmalr to how he won in Texas, but he hit a flag stick. The collase wasn't reserved for just World #1, Bubba watson who looked to have the event in hand made a bogey late only to follow with a double. Then on the 18th needing to make bridie overshot the green, with a 6 iron from 219 yards up hill I guess you should have pulled 7 iron.

  Then we have Hideki Matsuyama the young Japanese star who came in under the radar unless your reading this blog you could had all three on your team. He would stubble on 16th but was able to bounce and get into a playoff he would win on the first extra hole over Kevin (wait for it) Na. What could be better than winning your first PGA Tour event at the Memorial how about legendary Jack Nicklaus having this to say about you; "I just think you’ve just seen the start of what’s going to be truly one of your world’s great players over the next 10 to 15 years.” the 1.2 million isn't bad either.


 #USOpenQualifying..
   You maybe framilar with its other name Golf's Longest Day and there's never a shortage of stories of tour pros, past major champions and amatuers all completing, in what's considered the most demogractic Major Championship in the l and. The highlight for me has to be Landon Michelson, who as an alternet was able to get in the field then goes on to shoot 69- 71, and qualify to make the trip to the US Open only to realize moments later he signed for a 70 and was then DQ'd.. well that's golf!! Check out Geoff Shackleford full run down here

   

@TheFrozenGolfer @GolfChannel @USGA Not subtle! was a costly day to cover.
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) June 3, 2014

Past Winners..

2013 Harris English (-12)
2012 Dustin Johnson (-9)
2011 Harrison Frazar (-13)
2010 Lee Westwood (-10)
2009 Brian Gay (-18)

 

The Course..
  TPC Southwind in Memphis has been the host course for this event since 1989 and has been a great warm up for the US Open which tradditionally follows the next week. The course opened in 1988 designed by Ron Prichard plays to a par 70 at 7,241 yards. I would be foolish to say players arent't looking ahead to Pinehurst No. 2. But TPC Southwind isn't a track which they can take to lightly as it has one of the toughest par 3s on tour (No. 14 at 239 yards) and has ranked as high as 9th highest scoring avgerage as well. Still players can go low with the course record currently at 61 shared by Jay Delsing ('93) & Bob Estes ('01).

 Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters A-list:Lee Westwood  B-list:Webb Simpson  B-list:Billy Horschel  C-list:Luke Guthrie

   Bench  A-list:Patrick Reed  B-list:Ian Poulter  B-list:Dustin Johnson  C-list:Harris English

And in case you missed this happened..

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- The Memorial

    Monday the US celebrated Memorial day which gave us an opportunity to appreciate the troops and all those that Serve. But golf this past weekend gave us a chance to honour everything we love about the game.

Canadian Golf also lost a legend this week..

My tribute and memories of Dick Grimm http://t.co/Ex8iqJD18y
— Rick Young (@RickSCOREGolf) May 27, 2014

    While some of us had the begins of summer in the frozen land were I reside I wasn't so lucky. But I couldn't complain, it was too cold even for me to hit the course, but for a full day of golf on the telly it was perfect.  Sunday started with the BMW in London we saw Rory fight back from seven shots back to win. Then major winners Jason Dufner and Adam Scott squaring off in a playoff, but if you were watching all this unfold, you may have missed out on the Seniors PGA as Sir Monty finally won on US soil and in a major no less. But the ladies weren't about to be overshadowed by all the men with a group of young stars Michelle Wie, Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson all in contention it was Jessica Korda that birded 4 of 5 closing holes to win by a stroke.

   When we look back at this week which started with a Tiger Presser and  news that Rory called off his wedding. The conversation had shifted away from the play on the course. It was great to have a Sunday that brought the focus back to on course achievements. Anyway onto Dublin, Ohio and Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield Village.

Past Winners..

2013 Matt Kuchar (-12)
2012  Tiger Woods (-9)
2011  Steve Stricker (-16)
2010  Justin Rose (-18)
2009  Tiger Woods (-12)

The Course..
   The last time the PGA Tour stopped in Jack's backyard it wasn't for this event just a year ago it was for the President's Cup and the US was victorious as usual. But if you're looking to members of each team competition to put on your team don't look past the likes of Brendon de Jonge and Hideki Matsuyama. Muirfield traditionally plays as a long hitters ballpark, playing as a par 72 at 7,352 yards with some of the fast greens on tour a alot like Augusta National. So you may want to put Bubba Waston and Jordan Speith on your team as well. But if I have to pick a winner today it would Rory McIlroy cause he's building a case for the bachelor life, since Clooney is getting hitch someone has to pick up the torch

 Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters A-list: Adam Scott B-list: Hideki Matsuyama  B-list: Rory McIlroy  C-list: Charl Schwartzel

   Bench  A-list: Bubba Watson  B-list: Justin Rose  B-list: Brendon de Jonge  C-list: Kevin Chappell

Quite possibly the best trick shot you'll see today!

 

   For the few of you wondering where I've been the last few weeks, well you'll have to wait and theres more exciting news for The.Frozen.Golfer right around the corner stay tuned...



-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- Zurich Classic of New Orleans

   The past could have been written for Survivor's Redemption Island, First it was Michelle Wie finally breaking through in her home-town, then Lee Westwood won on the European Tour in Asia. But the biggest story has to be Matt Kuchar winning after 3 weeks of being in contention and failing apart on Sundays. He's been so bad on Sundays his scoring average was 73.8 this month. finishing inside the top 5 the previous three weeks the headline became his failure too close. And then after a 3 putt from inside 5 feet on the 71st hole he would go onto hit this bunker shot, what a way to close out redemption week on Hilton Head Island..

In other news..

• CBS sports recently reported that Tiger's injury and resulting time away from golf could cost the industry as a whole 15 Billion dollars. Now more surprisingly in the world of Tiger news US weekly is report Lindsay Vonn has a new bestie and you won't believe it is!
• It was this week last year the phenomenon known as #Dufnering began and took the tour by storm, this week he's playing ping pong in china with Ian Poulter!
• Brooks Koepka another young star rising could earn conditional status on tour this week with a T-40 finish or better, he also was forced to Monday qualify this week and he did so with a (-8) 64.
• Last week it was Michelle Wie winning in her backyard this week could it be Andrew Loupe

The Course..

   After The Masters began a journey through what could be described as Pete Dye appreciation month with last weeks event at Harbour Town, this week it's TPC Louisiana and in two weeks we have another TPC course Sawgrass. Which could be argued is his most famous work. In my opinion its Harbour Town and TPC Louisiana the best showcase how diverse Dye has become as a course designer. These two course are as much polar opposites as our north and south poles or Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia. Last week the empasis was on driving accuracy and hitting tight greens. This week will be bombers paradise with some of the widest fairways, seen on tour all year and huge greens that temp longer hitters to swing for the fences. TPC Louisiana plays to 7,399 yards and a par 72, where as in contrast Harbour Town was playing to a par 71 at 7,101 yards. So we can expect plenty of low scores and exciting finish like we saw from Billy Horschel last year.

Past Winners..

2013  Billy Horschel (-20)

2012  Jason Dufner (-19)

2011  Bubba Watson (-15)

2010  Jason Bohn (-18)

2009  Jerry Kelly (-14)

In honour of @ThePME and his  #fordmoreyears I`ll share his Hot List this week

 Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters A-list: Rory Sabbatini B-list: Justin Rose  B-list: Keegan Bradley  C-list: Brooks Koepka

   Bench  A-list: Rickie Fowler  B-list: Graham DeLaet  B-list: Matt Every  C-list: John Senden

And simply cause golf isn't the only place to see a trick shot, check out the NBA's next MVP!!!

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- RBC Heritage Classic

  After the Masters we're always left with a few questions this year is no different. Although we had no Tiger or Phil on the weekend for the first time in over 20 years. The Bobby Jones and Alistair MacKenzie classic didn't disappoint, but I was left wondering; Has Augusta National's Tiger proofing become right-y proofing? Who's the next golfing great Jordan Speith or Rory McIlroy? Will Bubba Golf be inducted into the HOF? But most importantly Is Bubba Watson the real life Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy?


    Before I get into this weeks upcoming event (RBC Heritage Classic) let's look closer into the Bubba, Tin Cup comparisons.

• Tin Cup was a washed up driving range pro from West Texas, Bubba is from a small West Florida town called Bagdad. 
• If you seen the movie you know Tin Cup has a self taught swing, Bubba once threaten to leave the University of Georgia golf team because he didn't agree with his coach trying to change his swing.  
• Bubba career defining moment was his amazing shot in the 2012 Masters play-off. While Tin Cup's highlight has to be the 235 yard hole out for 12 he made on the 72nd hole of the US Open.
• Finally after Roy McAvoy shot a 2nd round 62 (also tying the lowest round ever shot in major) just to make the cut, Tin Cup celebrated but going to IHOP. Bubba on the other hand chose Waffle House 

Champ dinner @WaffleHouse! #hashbrowns #covered pic.twitter.com/rXuaHtXqj5
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) April 14, 2014

And with that I rest my case!!

The Course:

      The Harbour Town Golf Links located in Hilton Head South Carolina, just down the road from Augusta National and another iconic golf property. Harbour Town has held the tournament following the Masters since 1969 and as recently as 2012 was named by PGA tour players as their 2nd favourite course after Augusta National. The course steeped in history was designed by Pete Dye and was also the first course Jack Nicklaus helped to design. Playing to a par 71 at 7,101 yards, Harbour Town is one the few course left that length of the tee isn't an advantage. Tight fairways and small penal greens has always favoured players who rely on driving accuracy and strong wedge play, the only evidence you need is to look at the pass winners here. Because until last week there's no way these guys are showing up for the jackets.

Recent Winners:

2013 Graeme McDowell (-9)

2012 Carl Pettersson (-14)

2011 Brandt Snedeker (-12)

2010 Jim Furyk (-13)

2009 Brian Gay* (-20)

*tournament record

 Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters A-list: Brandt Snedeker B-list: Jim Furyk  B-list: Bill Haas  C-list: Graeme McDowell

   Bench  A-list: Luke Donald  B-list: Jerry Kelly  B-list: Jordan Spieth  C-list: Pat Perez

The Big Three @ Amen Corner!

    I always like to finish these reviews with a little clip of some sort but this week I have to say Bubba is making me eat me words, here's the proof:

And a special S/O to @ThePME for letting me come on the program.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- The Masters Edition

   If this isn't your favourite week in golf check your heartbeat, cause you maybe dead.  I'm sorry if this seems like a love note to the garden of Eden,  . But it just is... When the Masters starts on Thursday morning with Arnold, Gary and Jack hitting drives in the fog, until the final putt on Sunday. You know you've witnessed something special, that's why its the only major played in the same venue year after year and we just don't care... it truly is a "the tradition unlike an other".

   The field is set and the number of competitors is 97 with one name we all can't believe is missing as World #1 Tiger Woods is resting his ailing back after surgery two weeks ago. As they said the show must go on and it shall. Tiger isnt the only name coming in with injury questions, Phil Mickleson, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose all potential favorites. But then you have guys like Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott who have both thrown away events in recent weeks looking to put that behind them only to cement their claim to the throne not Westeros, but the world #1. Each has a lot to prove and you'll have to wait to see who I'm picking.

Masters Links:

Jason Sobel of Golf Channel put together this list of Bold Predictions!

 Nike's Masters Editions! thanks to GolfWRX for keeping us informed

What's a Major without Scripting and Golf Digest Fashion Preview!

Check out @THEPME and his Master's Glossary 

Past Winners:

2013  Adam Scott (-9)

2012  Bubba Watson (-10)

2011  Charl Schwartzel (-14)

2010  Phil Mickelson (-16)

2009  Angel Cabrera (-12)              

 Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters A-list: Matt Kuchar B-list: Rory McIlroy  B-list: Zach Johnson  C-list: Graeme McDowell

   Bench  A-list: Patrick Reed  B-list: Dustin Johnson  B-list: Jason Day  C-list: Harris English

   What is left to say I love The Masters you loveThe Masters and how can't you its the start to spring and the major season. It's also the one week being a couch potato is encouraged. 

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- Shell Houston Open

  Well I go by The.Frozen.Golfer, that name has never been more fitting then this year in Canada it's not just cold we're still dealing with the biggest snowstorm a decade. But don't worry I'm working to get the best picks and info out to the masses.

  As we continue to look ahead down #MagnoliaLane with The Masters right around the corner we should be talking about names like Rory, Tiger, Phil & Adam all rounding into form. Instead we're talking about PARITY after Steven Bowditch won last week in San Antonio. He became the fifth player outside of 100 in the OWGR to win on tour this year, the tours slogan "These guys are good"  has never seem more true then right now. I could talk about this subject for hours but  Jason Sobel of Golf Channel said it much better here comparing the Tour to March Madness.

The Course: 

  Formerly known as Redstone Golf Club and now Golf Club of Houston, is a Rees Jones gem in Humble Texas, playing to a par 72 at 7,457 yards. Since the 2003 has been consider the best place to tune your game heading into Augusta and the green's staff has always set the course up to play as closely to "the tradition unlike an other" as possible, which is why the field this week is stacked many of the games biggest names. But the highlight of the week for this guy will be one special guest and his crazy socks!!

Past Winners:

2013  D.A. Points (-16)

2012  Hunter Mahan (-16)

2011  Phil Mickelson (-20)

2010  Anthony Kim (-12)

2009  Paul Casey (-11)              

*Stop the press' where in the world is Anthony Kim??

 Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters A-list: Russell Henley B-list: Hunter Mahan  B-list: Bill Haas  C-list: Ryan Palmer

   Bench  A-list: Henrik Stenson  B-list: Rory McIlroy  B-list: Jason Kokrak  C-list: Sergio Garcia



  If you didn't get the earlier sock reference or didn't look at the link you'll never get this, but Johnny Football he's saying something.

God Bless 'Merica

-The.Frozen.Golfer