The.Frozen.Predictions- Deutsche Bank Championship

    As the sports world focus is shifting to fantasy football Tiger and his merry men are doing their best to keep you watching golf. If you somehow missed Tiger get up off the ground to rally and come up just short of the win Sunday, at the Barclay's shame on you.

    As the conversation for Player of the Year has really started to heat up especially now with Scott winning a playoff event, the potential showdown behind Tiger and his former caddie Steve Williams we almost had. I for one would have enjoyed the handshakes and comments afterwards no matter who walked away the winner. While Scott can call himself the champion the true story is all the players who choked coming down the stretch Justin Rose the US open champion three putted the 18th for bogey and was unable to force a playoff. Matt Kuchar one of the 54 hole leaders bogeyed the 1st hole and never bounced back he shot 78 for the day. Kevin Chappell who on Saturday shot a course record 62, posted a (+6) 41 back nine Sunday to fall out of contention. And Gary Woodland the other 54 hole leader shot 73 and missed birdie putts on 17 and 18 that would have put him in the playoff or given him the win out right. However you look at it the Barclay's had all the drama you would expect on Broadway.

Canadian content:

    Last week the CN Canadian ladies’ Open was held outside Edmonton at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club, and just like last year the young amateur from New Zealand Lydia Ko won. Following the Solhiem Cup the event was boosted by 23 of the 24 competitors in the field, but Lydia blew them away with a 5 stroke victory. And by doing so the world top ranked women’s amateur rose to 7th in the professional ranks as well. Lydia as a young phenom will be compared to Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson, but she has surpassed both of them already in both wins and world ranking. Wie is ranked 87th and has 2 professional wins while Lexi ranked 26th has 3 wins. Lydia Ko has 4 wins worldwide and doesn't seem to be rushing to be called a professional, it’s not only refreshing I for one am excited to see what the future brings.

The Course: 
TPC Boston
Par: 71   Length: 7,241
Architect: Gil Hanse & Brad Faxon
Purse: 8,000,000 (1st- 1.4 mil.)

     This week we have the Deutsche Bank Championship held on the TPC Boston. This events tenth year and some of the biggest names in golf have won here. Rory Mcllroy is the defending champion, but Adam Scott, Phil Mickleson, Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson have all won this event in the past. It’s easy to say the top players in enjoy the layout originally designed by Arnold Palmer and re-designed by Gil Hanse and Brad Faxon, the course plays to a par 72 at 7,241 yards. This year the Tiger Woods foundation is managing the tournament and if you wondering if that guarantees he`ll tee it up, he also missed the AT&T national which his foundation also manages.

Who thinks more events should give out title belts?

Past Winners:
2012  Rory McIlroy (-20)
2011  Webb Simpson (-15)
2010  Charlie Hoffman (-22)*
2009  Steve Stricker (-17)
2008  Vijay Singh (-17)
*Tournament Record

Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters  A-list: Phil Mickleson B-list: Graham DeLaet  B-list: Zach Johnson  C-list: Adam Scott

       Bench  A-list: Rory McIlroy  B-list: Steve Stricker  B-list: Keegan Bradley  C-list: Jordan Spieth

-The.Frozen.Golfer

Debating Player of the Year?

    Coming on the heels of Tiger’s back problems and Adam Scott’s win at the Barclay’s Sunday the conversation for Player of the year has truly started to heat up. When is five wins not enough? Well when your name is Tiger Woods, as the PGA tour playoffs have stated the FedEx Cup winner may determine POY as well. And conventional wisdom says Tiger is the front runner. He’s currently leading the tour in more categories then I’m willing to list but here are the highlights; FedEx Cup pts., scoring avg., all-around ranking (an avg. of 8 stats), the money list and wins. But because Tiger is no longer compared to his peers and is judged solely on his performances in Majors, which is why we’re having this debate. Yes Tiger didn’t win a 15^th major this year, but he did win The Players, 2 WGC events, The Farmers Insurance Open and Arnold Palmer’s Invitational. All of which have strong international fields and in the case of the Player’s which some call a fifth major is promoted as “the strongest field in golf”.

    Obviously Tiger’s year is better than any of the other major winners Phil being the front runner as he’s won twice on tour including The Open Championship. He also won the Scottish Open on the European tour and that doesn't count towards any rankings in the US. Adam Scott winner of the Master’s in April was in contention at The Open and was in contention early at the PGA Championship, now he can add a playoff win. Justin Rose he won the US Open his first major and is having a career year. The one stat that sticks out to me, he’s played 13 events and has 10 top 25's, with 5 top 5's and a 2^nd place finish. Then you have Jason Dufner who won the last major of the year and although it was impressive he was having a slow year prior to his first major. He’s currently 15^th in the FedEx Cup standing and has just 7 top 25's in his 18 events this year. These four are having great years and majors are valued more than a normal tour win. But in my opinion for any one of the current major title holders to win Player of The Year, they’ll need to win the FedEx Cup as well. 

    This isn't just my humble opinion this week at The Barclay's a few players we’re asked the question who is the player of the year? Most notably Adam Scott when asked answered “Tiger”. When asked if he would trade years with Woods? Scott replied “He may want mine. I mean No.15 is proving to be difficult for him, so that would have given him that.” At the heart of this conversation is Tiger’s own expectations it’s be documented and reported for years he’s chasing history Jack Nicklaus widely consider the greatest golfer of all time won 18 majors. Tiger currently stuck on No.14 hasn't won a major since 2008, and when asked for the last 5 years has said he doesn't consider a year great unless it includes a major. Those are Tiger expectations his goals have far exceed what anyone has thought possible, case in point is the all-time PGA tour victory record held by Sam Snead who 82 events over 29 years in 4 separate decades. Tiger as of the 2013 Barclay’s has 79 wins over 17 year and we all know about the multiple breaks he taken from the game because of injury and the scandal, that say he could break Snead’s record before the 2014 Master’s and the first major of the year. He’s won so much over a short period of time we've all been spoiled by the greatest that is Tiger Woods; Wikipedia has a page just for his achievements .

   Now it is mostly the media which questions the value of Tiger’s year this peers and other tour players all see him as the POY of the year sans the major. Bill Haas (2011 FedEx Cup champion) had these comments when asked if he felt Tiger was POY? Haas said “His lack of winning a major is the only thing talked about, which I think is sad, I think it’s ignorant. There’s five wins this year… but (not winning a major) is what we’re basing his year on” and that sentiment seems to be shared in the locker room across the tour and it’s the player who vote for POY not the media. The best thing Tiger can do to end the debate of his failure in the major season would be to win the year’s biggest prize in the FedEx Cup and the 10 million dollar bonus that goes with it. Maybe then Nike can reuse a controversial ad campaign  from earlier in the year!

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predicitions- The Barclays

In channeling my inter Jim Mora we're talking about Playoffs:

    So there's no doubt the golf season is long and if you read my previous article it's only getting longer, but it's also still exciting. I know golf and exciting it's not your normal word association, but as most are beginning to focus on their Fantasy Football teams and not their Fantasy Golf squad. You have a few weeks left to win a trophy and earn some bragging rights, unless your competing in my league, oh I'm going for the clean sweep. Otherwise good luck to you I'll continue to share the winning picks!




The Course: 
Liberty National Golf Club
Par: 71   Length: 7,400
Architect: Robert Cupp & Tom Kite
Purse: 8,000,000 (1st- 1.4 mil.)





    Liberty National Golf Course designed by Robert Cupp and Tom Kite is considered to be one of the most expensive projects in golf with a price tag of 250 million for a former landfill that houses a heliport and yacht services. As well as a list members like New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. As this is the playoff's almost all 125 in fedEx Cup standings are on site with a few expectations like Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson, both of whom could use a good week to ensure a President's Cup invitation. The added incentive for the Americans and international players along with the 10 million dollar bonus for winning the FedEx cup should provide a playoff feel in the Big apple.. 






Past Winners:
2012  Nick Watney (-10)
2011  Dustin Johnson (-19)
2010  Matt Kuchar (-12)
2009  Heath Slocum (-9)
2008  Vijay Singh (-8)

Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters  A-list: Phil Mickelson B-list: Matt Kuchar  B-list: Justin Rose  C-list: Henrik Stenson

       Bench   A-list: Brandt Snedeker  B-list: Jim Furyk  B-list: Dustin Johnson   C-list: Adam Scott

     And for some Canadian content last week at the US Amateur young Canadian Corey Conners made it to the quarterfinals where he lost to eventual champion Matt Fitzpatrick. show the kid some love and follow him on twitter! And if your a fan of long driver champion, Jaime Sadlowski also Canadian. check out his latest visit to Golf Channel, keep in mind that's a 7 iron in his hand...

-The.Frozen.Golfer

Q- School End of an Era & Finding Glory in Playoff Golf...

        

While watching the PGA Championship this week, the year's fourth and final major, I started to realize the golf season and summer is almost over. Then I saw the PGA of America and the PGA Tour have decided to drop the slogan “Glory's last shot” because there’s still much more excitement on the horizon and it doesn't stop with the FedEx Cup. We’re entering into a new era in golf where playoffs have become a very serious business, we know about the 10 million dollar prize that awaits the FedEx Cup champ. Starting this year we also have the Web.com finals, a four event playoff to decide who receives 25 tour cards for the next season. Followed by The Presidents Cup and the beginning of the 2014 PGA Tour season in October, “Glory's last shot” seems like “Last Call” at midnight in a bar that closes at 2 am.

In the past there was Q School, considered golf’s hell week, which was a gruelling 108 hole, six round tournaments where the top 25 and ties would earn PGA status for the following year. Q school was one of my favorite events of the year. We saw past tour winners, standouts from the NCAA’s and Tin- Cup-esque stories fighting for 25 tour cards.  Also you could earn a card through golf’s minor leagues called the Web.com Tour, previously called the Nationwide Tour & Nike Tour. The top 25 leading money earners received tour status, after the finals normally held in October prior to Q school beginning. Graduates of the Web.com tour, include major winners and household names in golf. Names like Tom Lehman, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Brandt Snedeker, Bill Haas, and Keegan Bradley.

The new qualifying system called the Web.com Tour Finals will be contested over four events, in which the top 75 money winners on the Web.com Tour and PGA Tour members placing between 126 and 200 on the FedEx Cup points list will be eligible. The top 25 on the Web.com Tour money list heading into the Finals will receive PGA Tour cards, with the remaining 25 cards to be awarded based on money earned in the Finals. It needs to be noted these players are playing for priority placing as their status is below the Top 125 which are eligible for the FedEx Cup playoffs. That means a player who finishes 3^rd through the Web.com finals money list will get into most events they would like, but the 45^th finisher is effectually 170^th in tour priority and will miss many of the larger events..

Important Dates:

Aug.22nd- FedEx Cup starts at The Barclays for the top 125 in FedEx Cup standings

Aug.29nd- Web.com Finals start at Hotel Fitness Championship

Sept.19th- PGA Tour Championship where a FedEx Cup winner is decided

Sept.26th- Web.com Tour Championship where 50 tour cards are awarded

Oct.3rd- The President’s Cup at Muirfield Village between USA v. Internationals teams

Oct.10th- 2014 PGA season beginning at the Frys.com Open

Although I was a fan of Q School and the stories of players struggling through six pressured packed days, playing for their dreams only to be crushed or elevated. The Web.com Finals will cause the cream to rise to the top, and for the fans we have more events to see players’ competing for Glory. 

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- Wyndham Championship

         

                                           
      Unless you're living under a rock you didn't miss Jason Dufner win the PGA Championship but it wasn't until recently I noticed he's also the golf version of my favourite bowler "The Dude" from The Big Lebowski:

               

      Well if you want to read more about dufner and #Dufnering check out my last post #MajorDufnering

      

      It's crunch time and not the chocolate bar kind, for many of the tour players hovering around the all important 125 number on the Fedex Cup list. As the PGA Tour regular season is over on sunday those players 125 and higher with start the playoffs next week at The Barclays where only 100 players will advance to the next stage. As for the players outside the 125 after sunday they will have to complete in the Web.com finals for only 25 tour cards. The new PGA Tour is kinda exciting when you really look at it, players knew all year this shorten season was going to tough without the fall series to try and maintain your status. Which is why the field is bottom heavy with every player from 83rd to 125th in the feild. That said we still have a few marquee name like Brandt Sendeker 3rd, Bill Haas 6th, Zach Johnson 23rd and Jordan Spieth 15th playing, whom are safely through the next few stages of the playoffs. And on the outside looking in you have names like Pardriag Harrington, Vijay Singh, David Toms, Trevor Immelman and Davis Love III, all major winners. All of which, without great weeks will see their seasons finish sunday.

The Course: 
Sedgefield Country Club
Par: 70   Length: 7,130
Architect: Donald J Ross
Purse: 5,300,000 (1st- 954,000)



Past Winners:
2012  Sergio Garcia (-18)
2011  Webb Simpson (-18)
2010  Arjun Atwal (-20)
2009  Ryan Moore (-16)
2008  Carl Petterson (-21)

Random Tournament Facts:

- This used to be called the Greater Greensboro Open and dates back to 1938

- Sam Snead won the inaugural Open and his 82nd and last PGA tour victory was here in 1965 

- In 1961 Charlie Sifford was the 1st African American to play on the PGA tour in the South

- 4 player share the course record 61 Arjun Atwal, Tim Herron, Carl Petterson, Kevin Na

Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters  A-list: Bill Haas B-list:  Zach Johnson  B-list: Webb Simpson  C-list: Jordan Spieth

       Bench   A-list: Tim Clark  B-list: Bud Cauley  B-list: Aaron Baddeley  C-list: Roberto Castro

-The.Frozen.golfer

#MajorDufnering

   
    It's a few months removed for the social media craze known as #dufnering was trending worldwide on twitter, and last night the name jason Dufner was trending again. Although this time was different and he's a major champion winner, After winning the PGA Championship. Dufner took the tournament by the balls with a course record 63 on friday then  followed that historic feat with a solid weekend of 71 and 68, to win his first major. In doing so dunfer has arrived as one of the game's elite players.

So to honor Dufner and his achievement I've collected a few of my favourite #dufnering photos;

The Original photo that started it all 

Lindsey Vonn posted this on twitter @ The Open

D.A Points after winning at the Shell Houston Open

Keegan, Dustin & Brandt all #Dufnering

Winn McMurry of Golf Channel fame

Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson

Even The DD boys joined in

World #2 Rory McIlroy just looking scary

It's so awesome pets are joining in

 
 
     And I can't do a post about the phenom that is #Dufnering and leave out this .gif thats floating around from when he saw his wife Amanda on the 18th green:




     If you don't have a man crush on this guy I don't know what's wrong with you!

Well I had to get in on the fun

-The.Frozen.Golfer

TaylorMade Honors Frederick Douglass

       If you golf fanatic you've been glued to the tube this week watching the last major of the year.  And if you haven't been what's wrong with you?

        I'm sure a few of you have noticed the TaylorMade Limited Edition Collection. For the last ten years TaylorMade has released special bags and head covers for each of the four majors. This year since Oak Hill is in Rochester NY. the collection was designed to honor Frederick Douglass. A former slave who went on to be an inspiration for abolitionists and even when even when on to counsel Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and finally settled in the Rochester area.

To learn more about Frederick Douglass check the link! And because we need some fun I'll let this short piece from Don Cheadle, Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel speak for itself;

Drunk History Vol. 5 w/ Will Ferrell, Don Cheadle & Zooey Deschanel from Will Ferrell      

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- 95th PGA Championship

The Tagline for the PGA Championship has been “Glory’s last chance” well that was the past this is a

new age of the PGA Tour, and Commissioner Tim Finchem doesn’t want to think the season is over not

with the millions of dollars spent advertising the FedEX Cup playoffs and how we forget Tiger. The 

tour has seen Mr. Woods back to full potential and we got a rare glimpse into the private life with the

moment he shared with his son Sunday.

If you were watching and by all reports the WGC- Bridgestone the viewership was up some 96% over last year. We all know Tiger moves the needle but what about Rory is time running out to save his season? 

Remember just last year Rory won at Kiawah and was the belle of the golf world, then he signed “the contact”, and we're still waiting for Nike and Rory to click.

The Course: 
Oak Hill 
Par: 70   Length: 7,145
Architect: Donald J Ross
Purse: 8,000,000 (1st- 1.4 mil.)


An upstate N.Y. landmark was founded in 1901 and designed my famed Donald J. Ross, this is considered
to be another throwback all the major venue which each seemed to be steeped in history. Although it
may not be long compared to the courses we see weekly as a par 70 and 7,145 yards with be a major
test. Oak Hill has hosted two previous PGA Championships, three US Opens and a Ryder cup, winners
named Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Curtis Strange have won majors here. So I'll understand if you
run to google when you hear the last champion at Oak hill in 2003 PGA was Shaun Micheel. The classic
layout may not be long but you will still need to hit fairways and greens we can expect to see a score
hovering around seven under. As with most tree lined course ball strikers rise to the top, and last week
may seem like Déjà vu.




Past Winners:
2012  Rory McIlroy (-13)
2011  Keegan Bradley (-8)
2010  Martin Kaymer(-11)
2009  Y.E Yang (-8)
2008  Padraig Harrington (-3)

Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters  A-list: Jason Dufner B-list: Steve Stricker  B-list: Justin Rose  C-list: Henrik Stenson

       Bench   A-list: Tiger Woods  B-list: Hunter Mahan  B-list: Dustin Johnson   C-list: Adam Scott

Bonus pts if you can name this golfer?