The week that was... Valero Texas Open

Since we're forced to wait extra week for the years first major, here's my final thoughts on the week that was... Billy Horschel needs to claim down, Rory's is back, Siem was oh so close and who's Martin Laird? Plus I really cant wait for the Masters just so I don't have to listen to Johnny Miller at least for a week.


My pick Billy Horschel hung in tough and put on a putting display his friend Tiger could be proud of, but is he too fired up on the course and if he had won a few majors a legend named Tom Watson and the like would call his behaviour disrespectful and unprofessional. After a Texas two step that gave him back to back top 3 finishes. Going into Sunday he looked the most likely to be the last player earning a tee time Thursday at Augusta. That same emotion and intensity that gave him the 54 hole lead, may have cost his first tour victory. We all know the guy who screams and breaks a club on the course and his normally the same guy saying he needs to stay loose, comments also made by Horschel. If he keeps putting the way he did on Saturday making over 240 feet of putts, a win is in the near future. Personally I think the tour should let guys like him smoke the occasional joint. 
 

After the rocky start to the season and with all the hype for the move to Nike and being the world #1 Rory McIlroy. Wasn't living up to the expectations, and with the bad taste left in this mouth from the 2011 Masters can you blame him for the last minute decision to play this week. After a 2nd place finish and four solid rounds (72, 67, 71, 66) on a tough course, Rory looks posed to be a popular pick to content next week. Maybe he needs to listen to Arnold Palmer and tee it up at Bay Hill next year, then we wont hear I need more reps and he wont be asked if he has broken up with his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, (right) he's not stupid.

The fairy tale story of the year had to be Marcel Siem, last week he won on the European tour and for the moment got within the top 50 and in the field for The Masters. Only to have Henrik Stenson's finish in Houston knock him out. So the organizers of this week's Valero Texas Open offered him a sponsors exemption. Late Sunday he was one shot back until a triple bogey seven on the 12th hole. With that Cinderella's slipper didn't fit, I hope he got some Texas BBQ out of the trip.

Martin Laird the streak buster, with his bogey free nine under 63 the low round for the week. He's not only won a cool 1.1 million, he's playing next week at Augusta too. The streak he broke was the American revolution of sorts on tour, with American's winning the first 14 events of the year. Laird being Scottish also tied the score record with his 63. Starting five shots back I doubt he truly thought he was going to finish as the winner, especially when you consider his best finish prior was a T-34 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

This week in Golf...

Well we know the major season in golf has arrived  the ladies are playing the Kraft Nabisco this week and the guys are playing the Masters next week. So in the world of golf there's no shortage of headlines:



First we have Annika  Sorenstam attacking Michelle Wie, well if you call speaking the true an attack you can read more on it here at golfchannel.com. But shortly after Annika contacted Michelle to claim she was misquoted, what she should have done is offer her some lessons in winning tournaments.





 
With Bubba Watson doing countless media appearances to promote The Masters, Oakley did one of the coolest things we've seen lately in golf. In trying to justify stealing Bubba from Travis Matthew last year. (something it has to be pointed out they plan to sue Nike for doing with Rory) Well now we know Oakley offered Bubba a hovercraft as a cherry on top. check out the link here!

And if you think that's cool just look at the watch he wears worth a cool 525,000.00.







 

And the Masters scripting has been released, I don't know if I like idea of clothing companies knowing what golfers are wearing months in advance. Then again these are the times we live in. I couldn't do a better job with the details then mygolfspy so check out their take on @NIKEGOLF

And I want to say I told you so, Billy Horschel is doing alright at the Valero this week!

-The.Frozen.Golf

The.Frozen.Predictions- Valero Texas Open

Can we just fast forward to masters week? A question posted by most of the golfing world and endorsed by The.Frozen.Golfer. So this week's tour stop The Texas Valero Open has few subplots that don't end with next week in Augusta... But let's highlight the best event in San Antonio not named the Spurs.

The Facts: Valero Texas Open previously the Texas Open which dates back to 1922. With a winners  that include Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer. Is currently played at TPC San Antonio Oaks course, the love child of architect Greg Norman and his ex future son in law Sergio Garica. The layout of 7,433 yards, par 72 has been known to produce low scores, as has the event as there hasn't been a winner over par since 1934. 

Recent Winners:
2012 Ben Curtis (-8)  
2011 Brendan Steele (-8)
2010 Adam Scott (-14)
2009 Zach Johnson (-15)
2008 Zach Johnson (-19)


This weeks yahoo picks:

 First lets just say Kevin Na didn't make the list. if you really need a reason watch this!

A- List:

Padraig Harrington: We haven't heard much from him this season, but with my St. Patty's day hangover finally wearing off, why not find some luck of the Irish.

J.J. Henry:  Well he's from Texas and this is his Open, playing for pride usually causes bridies to drop.

Gary Woodland: It's about time he plays up to his potential. Plus his Jayhawks didn't make it to the final four so we should have his full attention this weekend.   

Brendon de Jonge: Every year he seems to fly under the radar, I think this week we'll see him #duffering with his first trophy.

Rory McIlroy: More Irish

B- List:

Jimmy Walker: I had him on the list last week and he was in the mix until this thrid round 78 but rebounded well with a ten shot swing 68 Sunday. Also a Texan!

Aaron Baddeley: He can surely putt and on a course where you have to make bridies I think he'll be fine.

Feddie Jacobson: He definitely dresses Swedish, and if you read my previous post I'm a fan of Peacocking (look it up)  
 
Jim Furyk: If the past Ryder Cup is still leaving a bad taste in you mouth get over it, you're not throwing away a pick with Jim. Also Fluff has a serious duster!

Bud Cauley: Another young gun posed to make some noise in the wild west.


C- List: 

It has to be noted the chioces in the C section seem more likely to produce a winner that the other two, but here's my who's who.

Charl Schwartzel: Like Snedeker at the start of the season he was one of the hottest golfers on the planet, but he wasn't sidelined with a bad rib.

Ian Poutler:  Unlike our buddy Furyk he left chi-town on top of the world but he has yet to show it, look for this week to be different.

Brendan Steele: He's a past winner and after this video with my favourite big breaker of all time,(@sarabrowngolf ) he deserves a second look. 

Billy Horschel: If he keeps playing like this we could see him tee it up next week as well.

Share Lowry:  Why not more Irish. And I like anyone I know will share a burger with me.


Notable Texans: Chad Campbell, Ryan Palmer, Colt Knost, Justin Lenard, Jordan Speith, Hunter Hass.

My final thoughts need to be mentioned I won the winter segment of my fantasy pool with the a score of 1983, the same year I was born. It's a sign. And if you need a sign that spring is truly around the corner you can thank Golf Digest and Holly Sonders for this offering, which can surely melt any leftover snow on your home course!!

If you missed the link here it is again you can thank me in the comments below (http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2013-05/photos-holly-sonders#slide=1)

The.Frozen.Golfer

The week that was.. Shell Houston Open

As we're warming up and so is the PGA tour as we head to the years first major, I feel its necessary too highlight what stuck out from the week that was. There were a few things like Saturday's crazy sock day and a birdie barraged weekend  Let's start with the rain delay as the weather has been the story for most part since new years and the Tournament of Champions at Kapallua. Did you really think we could get through Sunday without one? Anyway, after the short break (almost 4 hrs.) D.A. Points (-16) was able to come out and hold off a charging pack which included names like Stenson(-15), Horschel(-15) and Johnson(-14). Points proved his win at Pebble as no fluke with a crucial birdie on seventeen and a par save on the final hole, that wasn't assisted by Carl Spackler. but makes me wish it was so we can get more clips like this!

Henrik Stenson who may not have won the tournament looks like he won the right to drive down Magnolia lane in two weeks with his six under 66. Billy Horschel who finish T2 tied Stenson with a 66 as well, it has to be pointed out he's becoming a player to watch. And my new favourite peacock (also my new favourite term of the week, thanks GQ) Dustin Johnson with the day's low round of seven under 65, has to be added to the short list of masters contenders. After what seemed like a mid season slump, can you blame the guy if your not distracted dating @PaulinaGretzky there's something wrong with you!! bonus points for following her on twitter too.

Now for the bogeys of the week it's tough to say Charles Howell III(-11) didn't put up a fight but with a 66 and finishing T10, unfortunately as we know this game is a cure mistress and it looks like we won't be making the trip for that small golf thingy in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. That might be an easier pill to shallow then the bottle Geoff Ogilvy must be drowning in right now after missung the cut with rounds of 73-79. He's due to fall outside the magic 50 on the OWGR, which he was projected to be inside of had he taken the week off. As for world #2 Rory McIlroy we'll wait until next week to pass judgment,



So this week the tournament within the tournament was Saturdays Crazy Sock Day inspired by the real George Bush who knew he was so stylish and I'll let you guys pick the winner.

 

 

 -The.Frozen.Golfer










P.S= In case you missed it #duffering happened

A Hidden Gem- Golf du Palais Royal

It's tough to argue that the PGA Tour based in the United States is bigger than the European Tour played from Asia to the United Kingdom. Especially when you consider the difference in purses is occasionally as much as five million dollars. Once you look past the money you can surely find some advantages, like this week on the other side of the pound is the Trophée Hasssan II. A tournament played at the private golf course of none other than Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid's Golf du Palais Royal (7,000 yards Par: 72) in Aqadir, Morocco.  Maybe it's a mouthful but it rolls off the tongue better than Redstone GC where the PGA Tour stop Shell Houston Open is being held.

And when you're a Royal Highness (left) and need a golf course inside the gates of one of your many Palace's whom do you look to for the design? How about Robert Trent Jones Sr. the Hall of Fame Architect of courses named Spyglass Hill, Firestone North & South, and Hazeltine National. We cannot forget some of the redesigns on the resume either, when you have done work on properties like Augusta National, (if you need me to tell you its the home of The Masters you stumbleupon the wrong blog), Olympic Club home of the US Open`12, and Oak Hill which will host this years PGA Championship. So its save to say this backyard blows Tiger`s Play-land out of the water.

 
So after all those facts why would I follow, the likes of say Peter Uihlein and start my career on the Euro Tour. Well I need a reason to keep you coming back... besides you wont this scenery in Houston.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

The.Frozen.Predictions- Shell Houston Open

In todays age of social media and online lifestyles you can not have a golf blog without getting into the wonder world of fantasy picks. Since I'm different and at the The.Frozen.Golfer offices we'll strive to separate ourselves from the pact. The.Frozen.Predictions will take clues from my favourite experts on the subject.  @ThePME & @AlexMyers3

So what does this mean well I won't give the guys im competing aganist too much insight to this weeks winning picks but lets highlight a few of the names you should be looking at. As per the Yahoo Fantasy format, but first you have to have some eye candy:

A- List:

Rory McIlroy: After losing the top spot in golf the questions are how will he respond, personally I think they'll be just fine.

Brandt Snedeker: Well he did miss the cut last week, but so did a few other big names. the current Fedex cup champion is a good pick most weeks once his putter heats up.

Charles Howell III: This not so young lad is playing with not only money on his mind, he's trying to get into the Master, which all so happens to take place in his hometown Augusta GA.

Out-of-bounds: Approach Phil Mickelson & Bill Hass with some caution


B- List:

Steve Stricker: Tiger's new coach is spending the season playing where he wants and it's working he may play less then the ten times you could use him. He's played twice this year and finished second both times.

Cameron Tringale: Might be Rickie Fowler's roommate but this week he'll join him with wins on the PGA Tour

Hunter Mahan: He's the defending champion and he's a T-30 machine, and you have to like Sean Foley's stable. plus there's  you Canadian content.

Graham Delaet: why not hes a Canuck and it lets me post this video so why not!

Players to watch: Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen

C- List:

Lee Westwood: He's never a bad choice and he's moved to the States full time now plus the euro experience will help with the Texas winds

Jordan Spieth: He's from Texas and left school early and he's making noise on tour looking to be the first player to since Bud Cauley to earn a spot by skipping Q-School even if the format has changed.

Players to watch; Scott brown, Erik Compton, Billy Horschel


Well there it is not sure if one of these guys will win but I'm sure it's better than what you were thinking.

-The.Frozen.Golfer

Spring is coming!

In channeling the upcoming "Game of Thrones" season three. Spring surely is coming and we can smell it in the air, feel on our skin. And If you backyard has slowly changed from a snowy abyss, to a wet yellow sign of hope. The Golf season is just around the corner. And if you don't take these as signs it's time to take your clubs out of hibernation, The Masters is just around the corner. "A Tradition Like No Other"
Golf fanatics get your clubs ready!

-The.Frozen.Golfer