The.Frozen.Predictions- Wells Fargo Champoinship

   As the meat and potatoes of the golf season have started tour players find themselves in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Wells Fargo Championship. Considered as one of the more popular events and course on tour. And the field normally gets a boost with The Player Championship next week, but this week will be different with most the OWGR top ten taking a pass. We will still see some big names like Rory McIlroy, Webb Simpson, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. Who needs the eyeballs Tiger brings when you have the Green Mile reminding us of Micheal Clarke Duncan. Plus this stop has a history of the young guns capturing their first wins. highlighted by my favourite is he still alive story for 2013 party boy Anthony Kim. Last year it was Rickie Fowler beating D.A Points and Rory McIlroy, also a winner in 2010, in a dramatic playoff. (Also he won the pro-am playing with Holly Sonders, golf clap)



The Course:

Quail Hollow Club
Par: 72    Length: 7,492
Architect: George W. Cobb
Purse: 6,700,000 (1st- 1.2 mil.)



 
 
  The Story of the week has to the greens which had some major work done just two weeks ago check out this link. The final three holes, known as the “Green Mile,” are considered perhaps the toughest closing stretch on tour. But with this being a bombers ball park with young stars winning, look to names like Webb Simpson who is a member and lives close by as well as Bill Haas who has ties to the area. If you need a wild card you fits the young star think Nicholas Colsaerts. Who closed strong last week in New Orleans with a five under (67) to finish T-8. Then the Rory talk with this 24 birthday coming Thursday maybe the worlds number 2 wants a big check to celebrate.



Past Winners:
2012  Rickie Fowler (-14)
2011  Lucas Glover (-15)
2010  Rory McIlroy (-15)
2009  Sean O'hair (-11)
2008  Anthony Kim (-16)




A- List:

Bill Haas- Having a home in the area helps with course knowledge, but he needs to play like a past FedEx Cup champion at some point.

Sergio Garcia- Has a record for the low front nine but then he decided he didn't like the course. unlike The Masters I expect him to compete on Sunday too.

Phil Mickelson- You never know what Phil will show up but you can be sure he'll be aggressive, and that can payoff at Quail Hollow.

Notables: Rory McIlroy, Gary Woodland, Nicholas Colsaerts


B- List: 

Lucas Glover- Held the 54 hole lead last week and if it wasn't for the low round of Billy Horschel we would be coming in with a win. Also he won here in 2010.

Webb Simpson- He lives a mile away and last year had the lead through 54 holes.

Jimmy Walker- I talked about young stars having break through wins here, so why not Jimmy??

Cameron Tringale- Lives with Rickie Fowler and I think he wants some attention too. Posing on the green Sunday night will be a nice start.

Notables:  Zach Johnson, Nick Watney

C-List: 

D.A. Points- Last week his closing round 65 was one enough for a second place, and after Horschel he's having the best run in April, highlighted but his win in Houston.

Lee Westwood- He`s always in the conversation and after moving to Florida its time to expect more.

Russell Henley- Was a lock for rookie of the year, Horschel has that title now. So he has some motivation to get his second win soon.


Notables: Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson


   We can`t mention Charlotte and forget about MJ we mentioned his wedding in my last post but since he's on his honeymoon we might not see photos like this anymore. And that's not a bad thing!

Take the man from Chicago, but the R. Kelly....

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The week that was... Zurich Classic of New Orleans

  

  What more can I say Billy Horschel may not be a household name but by this time next year, you can be sure to see in him in a ping commercial. But we can guarantee he'll have a putter in the vault. Since that might not be the biggest event to happen on a golf course this week, with Micheal Jordan marrying long time girlfriend (Yvette Prieto) at the Bear Club in maybe the worlds largest tent.


   All that aside it's easy to said who the player of the month is even if the award goes to Adam Scott for his impressive Masters win. But seriously billy the kid has earned it with his worse finish being a T9 at Harbour Town. Add the T2 & T3 along with yesterday victory no ones going to argue when he makes his Ian Poulter comments. Given how he finished with a 23 foot putt to win on the 18th and the six hole birdie run from the 7th - 12th, its easy to say this was a long time coming. But you cant question the passion pictures don't do it justice check out the video. (you can understand the Poulter comparisons)


   When it comes to fantasy golf you have to ride the hot hand and for a guy who stated he likes to come behind and prefers to chase. Don't be surprised if he has a let down after finally winning on the PGA tour. Either way he`s taking this week off so you`ll have to look to the top players that are in the field. Maybe Rory or Rickie are ready to be relevant again.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

Golf`s Fort Knox

The.Frozen.Predictions- Zurich Classic of New Orleans

   Following the Masters I'm sure if you guaranteed two of the last three US open winners in a playoff we would have taken it straight to a RBC branch. I'm sure Graeme is happy but Webb not so much. When you factor in the Sunday's low round was -2 the highest for the season. That's saying something when you consider the conditions we've seen far this year. So this week we have another Pete Dye creation which almost the polar opposite of lasts weeks Harbour Town Golf Links, with wide fairways and almost 300 yards longer. One thing we can be sure of this week brides will be easier to find then crawfish and an drinking establishment in the French Quarter. (maybe not that easy)

 
The Course:

TPC - Louisiana
Par: 72    Length: 7,399
Architect: Pete Dye
Purse: 6,600,000 (1st- 1.15 mil.)






  As I said this course is long and past winners of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans have been known to go low, this week like most weeks look at the guys with hot putters. As the defending champ Jason Dufner showed last year, when he seemed to be in contention every week. If your holing long putts length off the tee can be overcome. Which is why Ernie Els lost in that playoff, look for him to rebound.



Past Winners:
2012  Jason Dufner (-19)
2011  Bubba Watson (-15)
2010  Jason Bohn (-18)
2009  Jerry Kelly (-14)
2008  Andres Romero (-13)








A- List:

Jason Dufner- we hadn't heard to much from him this year, look for him to change the conversation this week. Zurich was his breakthrough win on tour last year #countonduff

Brendon de Jonge- One of the best players without a PGA tour win, his ability to make birdies is worthy of a selection.

Nicholas Colsaerts- The Belgian Bomber is a risky pick cause there's a good chance he's more interested in the nightlight then golfing. I wouldn't hold it against him.

Notables: Bubba Waston, Gary Woodland, Charles Howell III

B- List:

Ernie Els- Last year at the Zurich he in a playoff and lost, this year he's the champion golfer of the year look for him to content again.

David Toms- His hometown is Monroe, Louisiana so you know he wants to play well. He'll need a win to be the most popular product from Monroe, since he can't complete with the Robertson Clan.

Bob Estes- You may have never heard of him but he's quietly having a good season. plus you can always save playing a Hunter Mahan who has been on the decline.


Justin Rose- Maybe the best player in the field, but if your like me you might want to save him for a bigger tournament.

Notables: Keegan Bradley, Freddie Jacobson, Charlie Hoffman

C-List:

Jordan Spieth- Everyone is talking about the 14 yr old Guan, but he's the youngster that has a chance to win.Coming off a T-9 last week and, currently 154 on the money list a big week could earn him full tour status in just 8 events.

Rickie Fowler- It's about time for him to make some noise again and with next week at the Wells Fargo, home of his only tour win. Expect a colourful effort this week.

Notables: Billy Horschel, Jerry Kelly, Thorbjorn Olesen


  This week instead of eye candy I'll offer a history lesson; Canadian Fact: The original francophone settlers to New Orleans were French Canadians after being forced to leave the Maritimes as part of the Expulsion of the Acadians (1755-1763)

 Don't like history but you haven't seen Mad Men or Community? Here's a reason to rethink your choices in life... Alison Brie everybody!!

-The.Frozen.Golfer

John Daly the Nike Athlete?

     John Daly an athlete seems like a run of the mill oxymoron, but its not that far from the truth. Well he may not be marketed like a Tiger or Rory, and well he's gotten less attention then David Duval. The other major champion Nike added to the stable this year. whom didn't receive the same fan fair as Rory and his water show.

 
    I've mentioned before that tiger doesn't move the needle he is the needle.If there's another golfer in the modern era that has a cult following it has to be John Daly. If its not his shirtless/shoeless exhibition, or the annual appearances at Hooters Augusta, to his affiliation with LoudMouth Golf. John Daly has to be the real life version of Happy Gilmore, lets be honest he hits the ball a county mile and I'm sure he's been hit in the face. Once I start to think about it he might be golf's version of Charlie Sheen, and if you look at his head covers you might be able to argue he has some tiger-blood running through his veins too.

   Regardless of all the jokes and public blunderers we've witnessed over the years you can't denied John Daly can golf his ball. You only need to reference his two major victories ('91 PGA & '95 Open) to see that. And its going to be hard to keep him out of golf's hall of fame when guys like Freddie Couples and Davis Love III call themselves HOF'er, with one major respectfully.

   So what bought this post on was golfwrx recent video with Sara Brown and photos included. It seems John is playing 10 Nike clubs: Driver, Fairways, Hybrid, Irons and Putter, the only clubs that aren't Nike are the four John Daly wedges by Warrior Golf. John is even wearing Nike lunar Golf shoes. IMO Nike needs to sign Daly then they can promote two of golf's great guts...

Carl Petterson

John Daly

                                                            Photos via: golfwrx.com

                              Who can blame a guy for spending time with friends at Hooters?

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- RBC Heritage

  With yet another Masters which didn't disappoint we are left wondering what's next? the next major, next masters? well that's fifty-one weeks away, so the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town will have to do. Lets be honest its a decent follow up, with the course being a classic Pete Dye creation (with input from Jack Nicklaus) Harbour Town Golf Links has for years been a PGA tour favourite. But hopefully not their favourite winners jacket. Also the short trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina from Augusta, Georgia all contribute to the strong field. Canadian bias of the week: a few years ago the Royal Bank of Canada stepped up and saved the tournament when they needed a sponsor. So hopefully one of the young Canadians can step up for the win, I'm looking at you Graham DeLaet, and the rest of Team RBC.

The Course:

Harbour Town Golf Links
Par: 71    Length: 7,101
Architect: Pete Dye
Purse: 5,800,000 (1st- 1.04 mil.)

  My first memories of this course came from Microsoft Links Golf which predates Tiger's arrival on tour shout out to Windows 3.0. What was true then is still true now its' a ball strikers paradise where hitting fairways and greens are a must. So leave the big hitters on the bench and look to the guys rolling the rock and hitting a lot of fairways and greens. Just like defending Champion Carl Pettersson, who when his broom stick is working can go low, with his five shot victory over Zach Johnson.


Recent Winners:
2012 Carl Pettersson (-14)
2011 Brandt Snedeker (-12)
2010 Jim Furyk (-13)
2009 Brian Gay (-20)*
2008 Boo Weekley (-15)


*tournament record



This weeks Yahoo picks:

A-list: 

Charles Howell III: He was trending in the right direction trying to get back to The Masters his hometown event. After falling short look for him to come out with extra motivation this week.

Brandt Snedeker: Whos year has had more highs and lows then Snedeker and following his disappointing finish Sunday. The ribs look healed and he`s due for some more highs.

Bill Haas: Has the ball striking to be in contention but the question has to be can he do it on the weekend.

Notables: Boo Weekley, Brian Davis and Tim Clark


B-list:

Luke Donald: Doesnt have the length to contend at Augusta good thing this isn't Augusta. Like Tiger last week you have to have him on the roster.

Matt Kuchar: His slow and steady game settles up well here. And how often does he finish outside the top 25?

Carl Pettersson: He won last year and the broomstick mafia is here too stay, giving the a big F-U to the rule 14- 1b. Best gut in sports well golf for sure, so why not?
  
Notables: Zach Johnson, Ernie Els, Aaron Baddeley and Graham Delaet (follow his wife on twitter)











C-list:

Jason Day: Well he didn't win last week for Aussies but he does have the game to be at the top of the leaderboard again this week.


Billy Horschel: Although its his first time teeing it up at Harbour Town, his first win is coming soon.

Notables: Harris English, Kevin Streelman, Canadian Brad Fritsch and Pat Perez (for my boy Shiz)


So if The Masters didn't make you want to get out and play well you shouldn't be reading this blog, but if you made it this far you should get a treat...

 God I hope the next Break Big is close to a beach.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The Week That Was.. The Masters

  Tour players, Golf legends and fans all circle Masters week on their calenders for a reason, and the 'tradition unlike any other' surely delivered. From Wednesday Par 3 contest to Sunday and the final putt fell in a playoff. There was no shortage of headlines, keeping millions of viewers were glued to the TV screen and if you weren't you should have...

                                                  The Big Three & The Par Three

 
     As the tournament starts we are treated to the yearly reunion of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, they highlight the Par 3 contest and hit the opening tee shot, with patrons lining up at dawn too catch a glimpse. If your unfamiliar The Master doesn't include a pro-am, so we have the par 3 contest. From current stars to past champions even past major winners, who never won at Augusta, come to play. Girlfriends, wives, children & grandchildren all take part. How can you not enjoy seeing golf's big three (Jack, Arnold, Gary) competing again. Or the eye candy behind the ropes thanks Paulina (right). But there's still the curse, no one has won both the par3 and the tournament in the same week.

                                       Guan Tianlang, The 14 year old from China...

  When you consider the remarkable story for the 14 year old beating pass major winners and locking down the sliver cup on Friday. Its hard to imagine another kid having a better week then Guan Tianlang, forget that month, he did arrive at Augusta three weeks prior to the event. Playing practice rounds with Ben Crenshaw, Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods, could be enough for best week ever. Forget about being the youngest ever competitor at the Masters a mark that I hope isn't surpassed in my lifetime. I feel old enough talking about a 14 year old. With all the attention if he came out and failed to break 90 everyone would have understood. This kid proved you better believe the hype he opened with a 73 and beat players like defending champ Bubba Watson. And shut up PGA tour players who were critical of his invite (click here). He didn't stop there in the second round he was assessed a one shot penalty for slow play, which he handled with class. To still go on and lock up low amateur honours as the only one to make the cut, at +12 (73-75-77-75). If Adam Scott is the first Australian to win the Masters, Guan Tianlang could be the first from China.



                                                         Tiger F'n Wood Ya'll....

  It's been said Tiger doesn't move the needle he is the needle and that was no more evident then Saturday at Augusta should he have been DQ'd? Should he WD? What happens if he wins? What if he doesn't? Everyone has an opinion. Personally I have no problem with him playing. What I can't understand is if the drop was reviewed after the round why did it take his post round interview to cause the penalty if your fine with in the scorer's tent. Leave it at that the rules are confusing enough and now every fool watching at home is calling to have an affect. This doesn't happen in any other sport. No one is calling to call a travel when Lebron take three steps for a dunk. But this is golf and the age we live in.

  As we all know now Tiger wasn't able to win his 15 major, but this has to feel like it was his to win and late Friday on the back nine he was tied for the lead, looking like he was going to have a tap in for birdie on the 15th and then he hits the flag, one bad bounce and the ball ends up in the water and then there's drop gate. Ultimately ending with Tiger taking an eight on the hole and after he finished T4 at five under and the playoff number being nine under. What if ? he doesn't hit the flag has to be factored in. Will all that I think Mr. Woods will win his 15 and possibly his 16 major this year, and he has Lindsay Vonn to help with the disappointment.



                                               Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi....

 
 Well Adam Scott who for years has been in the discussion for best players without a major and after last years collapse at the Open, it's hard to be happy for him. A well liked guy at the magic age of 32 (the avg. age of Masters winners), winning for Norman, winning for Australia. It was a finish that has rightfully eclipsed all the other story lines and rightfully so. Sunday at the Masters is known for the roars and birdies and great golf that needs to be played down the stretch. And Angel Cabrera wasn't going to go away quietly either, when he stuck his approach on 18 to within 3 feet he looked poised to win his 2nd masters even if he's ranked 230 something in the world. There's just something about that drive down Magnolia lane that can change a players week.

  Aussie's and there was a few with a chance late on Sunday Jason Day was in the mix until a bogey on the 16th ended his push. Marc Leishman the unknown Aussie in the hunt, played the final round with Scott was the first round leader and has earned the right to be on my fantasy team at some point this year. After all that it's still Adam Scott's moment and he earned it with a birdie on 18 that if you saw his reaction you must have thought he won, but Cabrera matched him. The weirdest stat of the day has to be with all the Masters playoffs in history none have gone farther then the second playoff hole, edition 2013 was no different. It wasn't Bubba from the pine straw but at 20 footer to win golf's greatest major who has dreamt of that...

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The Masters... What's For Dinner

Last night Bubba Watson hosted his Champions dinner, and kept us guessing what he would serve. Although he's wild and a little nuts. After seeing his menu started with Caesar salad, followed by grilled Chicken breast with sides of green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese and cornbread. Confetti cake and vanilla ice cream were served for dessert. I'm sure he's the guy who won't try anything different, we all know that someone. Here's what Sir Nick Faldo thought tweeting #HappyMeal. I think that's his dry British attempt at an insult. 

























And I know the three people who actually read my blog are wondering who I have this week. (Hint: Tiger) But I want to win all four majors this year in my fantasy league. So here's a good article from the commish, also its his day job. Pat Mayo of rotoexperts.com click here!


I promised to keep the hits coming this week with the masters only 24 hours away. Speaking of hits have you heard about Ray Js new joint. (yea the dude from that sextape you know you watched) So don't miss the par 3 contest wrap up tomorrow.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The Masters...A Walk To Remember

It's FINALLY here and I'll everyday this week cause why not? IT'S MASTERS WEEK!!!

  A verse familiar to most golfers is a "good walk spoiled", this week even shooting 80 can't completely spoil your day (just ask Rory). Because it's Augusta National Golf Club.


Most of us will never see the course but have memories of holes there that rival those of our home course. Professionals who play around the world on the best courses blush like school girls when they talk about it. Patrons with a golden ticket smile bigger than a fat kid inside Willy Wonka's factory. And for the rest of us we can relive the drive down magnolia lane through our TVs. And we can rejoices know spring has sprung and we have the most exciting golf weekend of the year.

-The.Frozen.Golfer