The.Frozen.Predictions- The President's Cup

   

   As fall fantasy golf is finished, we've crowned a FedEx Cup champion and Breaking Bad just ended, if your depressed like me don’t worry there’s a glimmer of hope before the dark cold tunnel we call winter; 

  The President’s Cup. The bi-annual team competition that features Team ‘Merica vs The World, the International team is comprised of players from countries outside of continental Europe. This year’s edition held on US soil at Muirfield Village with Fred Couples and Nick Price assuming the role of captains. If you've seen the OWGR (Official World Golf Rankings) Australians and South Africans account for a majority of the team with 8 of the 12 players respectively, for us Canadian fans we can find a sense of pride in Graham DeLaet being the lone Canuck. For the Americans you have a list of usual suspects Tiger, Phil and Stricker all highlight the team and will serve as leaders in the team room, but it’s the young guys like Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley and not so young Jason Dufner that will truly make a difference.

    What sets the President’s Cup apart from the Ryder Cup other than the obvious missing Euro stars is the format. The President’s Cup is made for TV with four days of competition and a possible 34 points, where the Ryder Cup is over three days for 28 total points. Which means captains can’t hide a weaker player as everyone will have to play a minimum of four matches, were as in the Ryder Cup a struggling player could potentially sit until Sundays single matches. This format could also explain the lopsided record in favor of the US (7-1-1) the Internationals have their work cut out for them this week. Recently Adam Scott was quoted stating "The Internationals need to step up and win the thing and make it a real competition, I'm getting tired of getting killed out there. This is a big year for us."

     It’s not only the Internationals that will be feeling the pressure the American team has to overcome the demons from the Sunday collapse in last year’s Ryder Cup. "I feel a lot of responsibility there for not winning a point, Tiger and I not winning a point," Steve Stricker said. "The first week or two it wasn't much fun just trying to sleep, to tell you the truth.” Stricker’s poor play in the Ryder Cup caused him to drastically change his schedule this year playing less. Its worked wonders for him and he seems to be more refreshed and ready to repeat his undefeated performance from the last time the Cup was contested in the states.

    The Jack Nicklaus signature course Muirfield Village Golf Club, has also hosted several national championships and international team competitions, including the 1992 U.S. Amateur, 1987 Ryder Cup, the 1998 Solheim Cup and the 1986 U.S. Junior Amateur. Muirfield Village is now the only course to host the three major international team competitions; Ryder, Solheim and President's Cup. The course plays as a par 72 at 7,386 yards. Over the last few years Jack has make some changes to add a little more excitement to the back nine, but he has said this week the course shouldn’t play much different than the summer when the PGA Tour is in town for The Memorial. But if you’re looking for which team has an advantage it would have to be the US with Stricker, Woods and Kuchar winning the Memorial the last three years, and Tiger having won here five times.  Were as for the Internationals Ernie Els won here in 2004 and Jason Day lives in the area and is a member so both sides have a far bit of course knowledge.

   Normally at this point I would pick potential winners and fantasy picks, this week is a different beast so I've decided to make a couple powerhouse teams I would like to see:

Americans:

• Tiger Woods/Jordan Speith- Jordan has taken the world of golf by storm in the last year and I think playing him with Tiger would be good for both of them going forward and could potentially be an unstoppable combo.
• Keegan Bradley/Jason Dufner- These have become very good friends and both had good records at the Ryder Cup last year and will be future anchors for US team competitions for the next decade, it has to start somewhere.

Internationals:

• Graham DeLaet/Jason Day- DeLaet finished the year 1^st in total driving on the PGA Tour and Day is a member here on a course where distance is needed, this team could be what the internationals need to win.
• Adam Scott/Hideki Matsuyama- Scott will need to prove he can lead this week if his team has any chance and teaming with the rookie star could be a lot like Keegan and Phil last year in the Ryder Cup.

   The Americans are heavy favorites to retain the cup again this week and it hard not to pick them when you consider the 7-1-1 record over the history of the event. But it was at Muirfield Village in 1987 where the Europeans first won the Ryder Cup on US soil and truly sparked the competition we see today. And as scripted as sports sometimes seems to be I think it would be fitting for the President’s Cup to follow suit and become more than an exhibition with the internationals winning this week 17.5 to 16.5, coming down to Adam Scott over Tiger Woods late on Sunday. The PGA Tour and NBC could only hope for a finish that good you would have to wonder if it was written by Vince Gilligan.

Well everyone needs a little more Breaking Bad in their lives

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Conclusion- 2013 FedEx Cup Playoffs

   All Hail King Henrik, as the playoffs are over and there's only one man left standing Henrik Stenson and to his subjects goes a vintage coke machines he's promised to friends and family to celebrate his victory. And after walking away with the 11.44 million dollar prize money from winning both the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup he's got a few extra pennies to spend.

   The summer of Stenson has been well documented over the past few weeks since he failed to win the Scottish Open in July, finishing third, prior to the British Open. Stenson has only finished outside the top 3 twice, that's almost a three month span which includes; two majors (British & PGA), WGC Firestone, and all four FedEx Cup playoff events. In which he won two the Deustche Bank and Tour Championship it's easy to see who's the hottest golfer on the planet right now.

   If there's another player who could truly complete for that title it's, Jordan Speith not Tiger Woods, for the record I support Tiger as POY. Jordan Spieth is having one of the greatest rookie years ever on the PGA Tour, it ranks behind only a few others like say Jack Nicklaus or Tiger, but is still greater than a Keegan Bradley. Whom won twice in 2011 most notably was the PGA Championship, but he also missed 10 of 28 cuts and had just four top tens, including the wins. Spieth has missed only 5 cuts in 23 starts, has one win, three runner ups, and a PGA Tour leading nine top tens. All of which he accomplish without official status on even the Web.com Tour to start the year. And Bradley was a graduate of the Web.com Tour prior to his rookie year meaning he had an idea of what to expect in life on tour. Last September Speith was still a college student going to classes and doing college things. Today he's made 3.8 million, secured a job on tour for the next two years, tee times in the next three majors and he'll be playing in the President's Cup next week. Just like Tiger and the Player of the Year there's no contest for Rookie of the Year.

The Real Video Highlights of the Week:

  If you've read any of my previous posts you know I'm a fan of #Duffering, well Keegan brought it to the course, after holing out from the fairway Sunday, with you guessed it Dufner in his group:




  As a Canadian I have a certain appreciation for the "playoff beard" who doesn't like to forget about shaving when on vacation, to hide a cold sore (so I'm told), but the best excuse is to keep warm. So when Graham DeLaet started his nasty growth of hair and last weeks crumbs a month ago at the Barclays I supported him. But since he'll be representing all Canadian golf fans at Muirfield Village next week I was very happy to see this:



  We started this post with King Henrik and I'll end with the real King Arnold Palmer and the beautiful Kate Upton, if you just turned 83 and have Kate in your foursome you'll always be The King of Golf:



Well kids you'll have to wait until January for more Frozen.Predictions but stay tuned for more Frozen.Fun!

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- Tour Championship

    We've come to the end of the this fantasy journey there's only one week left and for us its bragging right and sticking it to friends, for the top five in the FedEx Cup standings it's a winner take all race for 11.4 million. So as you can believe Tiger, Stenson, Scott, Zach and Kuch all want too win, so all five if not most should be on your team come Thursday. Though it should be mentioned tiger was the last one seed to win the Cup and that was pre-scandal Tiger, maybe if he wins this weekend he'll finally be back and we can start to talk about something else, probably not though..

   Last week was won but Zach Johnson and unless you live under a rock you there's a new Mr.59 on the PGA Tour. Jim Furyk, on a day when the scoring average was at par and the next best score was 6 under by Jordan Speith. Furyk not only lapped the field he made it seem like he was playing a different course. He carded 13 birdies and even bounced back from a late bogey. Standing in the middle of the fair on the 9^th hole his final hole of the day, stuffed his approached to 4 feet to take all the questions off the table if he can handle the pressure and calmly knocked in the putt. Making himself only the 6^th player in PGA history to shoot a 59 a number the rest of us normal people can only imagine shooting playing Tiger Woods by EA sports (that’s a video game score in real life) and to do it in the playoffs has started the argument if it’s the best 59 ever. As we know Furyk in the last 5 times he’s held the 54-hole lead we would not go on to win. But it was certainly a round for the ages and a contender for round of the year.

The Course: 
East Lake Golf Club
Par: 70   Length: 7,154
Architect: Donald Ross (1913)
Purse: 8,000,000 (1st- 1.4 mil.)

Past Winners:
2012  Brandt Snedeker (-10)
2011  Bill Haas (-8)
2010  Jim Furyk (-8)
2009  Phil Mickleson (-9)
2008  Camilo Villegas (-7)

FedEx Cup Top- 5:

1. Tiger Woods-Was the last one seed to win the FedEx Cup and with eight T10s in 13 trips to East Lake he has to be the favourite.  
2. Henrik Stenson- Had six T3 or better finishes in 7 events before finally breaking through for the win in Boston, but if Woods finishes outside the top ten he will only need a T3 finish to win it all. 
3. Adam Scott- flying under the radar but he won just a few weeks ago in New York and win this week could give him the Fedex Cup and POY.
4. Zach Johnson- Tiger and Furyk made the headlines but he won the event, if he wins back to back no can force him to the back pages this week. 
5. Matt Kuchar- As usually Kuchar is having a solid year without much fanfare, he won twice and with a third can win the Cup and make a case for himself as the POY.

Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters  A-list: Tiger Woods  B-list: Steve Stricker  B-list: Matt Kuchar C-list: Jason Day

       Bench  A-list: Rory McIlroy  B-list: Hunter Mahan  B-list: Zach Johnson C-list: Adam Scott

Canadian Content: Please remember when in Canada hockey fights happen anywhere

   It's been a great year hopefully you won your pools, and if you didn't next you can follow me to trophies...

-The.Frozen.Golfer 

The.Frozen.Predictions- BMW Championship

    After a much needed week off the FedEx Cup returns and to the great city of Chicago, and the windy city will be just that with cold temperatures and high winds in the forecast. combined with the fact that most players will see Conway Farms Golf Club for the first time don't expect low scores. Luke Donald who currently sits 55th in the FedEx Cup standings is also a member of Conway Farms so look for him to make the push towards East lake and the Tour Championship.

    Luke is only one of a number of big name players currently outside the top 30 fighting for a spot in the Tour Championship and a chance at the 10 million prize. Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Charles Howell III, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter all sit outside looking in needing at a minimum of a top ten finish to have any hope. The advantage they do have is four rounds of golf with the BMW not having a 36 hole cut fantasy players can use this to your advantage as well. Take a risk on these players who are going for broke as you only have two weeks left for bragging rights. If you've played managed your starts correctly, you'll need Tiger on your squad as he coming off a week off rest and practice. Expect the Woods we saw at Firestone to return in his quest for the FedEx cup and POY honors.

The Course: 
Conway Farms GC
Par: 70   Length: 7,363
Architect: Tom Fazio (1991)
Purse: 8,000,000 (1st- 1.4 mil.)

   Although Conway Farms GC has never hosted a professional event it has hosted a number of top tier amateur ones, like the 2012 USGA Mid Amateur, 1998 USGA Jr. Amateur, and the 1997 NCAA Div. 1 Champion. Also Matt Kuchar missed the cut in '97 so if your like me and have one start left for kuch, use it next week at East Lake he played regularly during his time at Georgia Tech.

Past Winners:
2012  Rory McIlroy (-20)
2011  Justin Rose (-13)
2010  Dustin Johnson (-9)
2009  Tiger Woods (-19)
2008  Camilo Villegas (-15)

Yahoo Fantasy Picks:

-» Starters  A-list: Tiger Woods  B-list: Graham DeLaet  B-list: Luke Donald  C-list: Henrik Stenson

       Bench  A-list: Rory McIlroy  B-list: Hunter Mahan  B-list: Webb Simpson  C-list: Jordan Spieth

What you missed last week:

• Fred Couples and Nick Price finalized their President Cup teams with captain's picks. Freddie opted for Webb Simpson and Jordan Spieth, while Nick chose Brendon de Joung and Marc Lieshman.  
• The US won the Walker Cup in impressive fashion winning 17-9 at National Golf Links. If the course didn't make you miss you were a millionaire summering in Southampton, nothing can save your soul.
• If you do have millions burning a hole in your pocket you could buy the first Master's Green Jacket, which sold at auction over the weekend for nearly 700k That's a small mark up on a jacket which cost $ 250 to make. 
• How can we forget Arnold Palmer aka. The King, who on September 10th turned 84 years young. If being a seven time major champion, having a drink named after you and turning a swamp into Bay Hill doesn't make you the undisputed king of golf. Well taking Kate Upton on as your only student, means we should start calling you Zeus... 

Happy Birthday Mr. Palmer 

-The.Frozen.Golfer

Frozen.Reviews- Nike Forged Wedges

    When most people consider new wedges the first brands that come to mind are generally Vokey's from Titleist or Cleveland golf, rarely would you may consider the latest Nike has to offer. And why not? Even brands like Mizuno, Cobra and to some extent Taylormade get more consideration than Nike. If you recently walked pass these VR Forged Wedges without a second thought, you might want to change you might after this review;

Overview:

     Since the changes to the grooves was first implemented  in 2010 clubs companies have scrambled to find ways to offer wedges that's still have high spin rates within the rules. Enter Nike's High Frequency X3X grooves, I was unsure if more grooves and the X pattern between them could do everything that was advertised. Which unlike other companies that promise more spin from smaller grooves. Nike claimed to have less spin then the previous versions of the VR wedges, but improved control, feel and forgiveness. Could all of this be possible while still offering a forged feel, these are the questions I attempted to answer.

   When it comes to bounce and sole grinds we've all heard terms like dual sole, from Cleveland it's the dot system and from Titliest and Vokey we get names like M & K grinds. Nike however is offering three different grinds Standard, Dual Narrow and Dual Wide. Standard- with average bounce and heal relive should work for the majority of players and playing conditions. Dual Narrow- has high bounce options for the steeper angles of attack or a digger, better from tight lies and firm playing conditions. While the Dual Wide- is designed for the sweeper with a shallow attack with low bounce options, and ideal for wet and softer conditions.

Looks:

    First appearances good a long way in relationships and its no different in golf clubs. IMO Nike got it right with these wedges, the graphics aren't over whelming and blend seamlessly with the chrome and in the black seem to pop, a traditional pear shape and all three grind options have a similar look at address, even without swinging one I wanted to them in the bag. The chrome has a subdued colour which seems to help with glare you might expect from a chrome wedge, but I still prefer the Oxide black myself.

Performance:

   The first thing I noticed when picking up the club was the weight of the head it felt heavier than my current wedges, which seems to promote an easier more controlled tempo. even with the weight difference through the swing all of the wedges felt great, maybe that's the advantage to forged over cast wedges. But as someone who has used other forged wedges in the past the Nike Forged feel just as soft when you make a solid strike.  As for the advantages of the bounce options that maybe very individual for most golfers based on their swing as a digger, I tend to attack from a steep angle taking large divots. So the Dual Narrow grind worked very well and the added bounce and heel relief seemed to get through the turf very easily without causing me to chuck the ball. And as expected the Dual Wide with the low profile wasn't the best fit for my swing path (confirmed by thinned shoot running through the practice green), but in the hands of someone with a shallow attack angle they would be able to get maximum amount of grooves on to the ball and produced the results they're looking for.

Final Thoughts:

   Well Nike first released the VR line up in 2011 they have managed to improve the products each year, most notably the drivers with the VR Covert red becoming very popular this summer. As I said the top if you haven't given the forged wedge a try when looking for the perfect wedge this season, you may want to reconsider that decision. With all the options from loft, bounce and grinds Nike has a wedge that can help you hit it close.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

Cool.Golf.Gadgets- GolfBoard

"Surf the Earth" The company tagline for a new idea when it comes to getting around the golf course and for an industry looking for ways to bring more people to the game, The GolfBoard may just do that. As a walker normally when playing I welcome the opportunity to try surfing  fairways. Plus we've all been at the bottom of a steep hill with a bag on our back wondering if there's an easier way to the top... Well now there is Cowabunga!

For more info on the GolfBoard visit their website: http://www.golfboard.com/



-The.Frozen.Golfer

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