The Memorial Tournament - preview

The Memorial Tournament

Muirfield Village Golf Club, Ohio

Thursday June 2nd - Sunday June 5th
by Michael Barwise

photo: fansided.com

This week, the PGA Tour takes us to the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio, otherwise known as 'Jack's place'. Designed by arguably the greatest player to ever have grace the game, Jack Nicklaus' course has played host to some of the biggest events in golf. The 1987 Ryder Cup, 1998 Solhiem Cup, and 2013 Presidents Cup were all played here, and it is the only course to have hosted the Ryder, Solhiem and Presidents Cups. But Muirfield Village's main purpose is to play host to the Memorial Tournament every year, and 2016 will see it entertain one of its' strongest ever fields.


The top five players in the world ranking will be in Ohio: Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, and Rickie Fowler, and overall, 29 of the world’s Top 50 will be on the links at Murfield Village. And to make the contest just that little bit more mouthwatering, the big three of Day, Spieth and McIlroy are all entering the tournament on the back of wins. Day claimed a huge victory at THE PLAYERS two weeks ago, Rory won at the Irish Open , and Spieth secured his first victory in months, winning the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational in Dallas last weekend.


So who looking the strongest to come out on top then?


Well aside from the big three, Hideki Matsuyama may well be the man to keep your eye on this weekend. He won the Memorial in 2014 and finished fifth last year, so he definitely knows how to play the course. He's in good form too, recording a seventh-place finish at the Players last time out, and also finishing 11th at the Wells Fargo Championship prior to that.

Another former winner at the Memorial making the field this year is Matt Kuchar. The American claimed victory at Muirfield Village back in 2013, and has seven top 15 finishes here since 2007. Kuchar is also in excellent form, finishing in the top six in his last three tournaments.


Whatever the outcome though, with that line up on such an iconic course, it's sure to be one heck of a weekend.

The Players Championship - preview

THE PLAYERS Championship

TPC Sawgrass

Thursday May 12th - Sunday May 15th, 2016

by David Barwise

Photo: pgatour.com

Big names, high stakes, an iconic golf course... what else could you ask for?

Doubtless if you’re reading this, you know a little about Sawgrass. The burning image for most golf fans is the terrifying tail end (most notoriously, the island-ed 17^th hole). There’s also the tiny greens, the tight fairways, and the undeniably brilliant atmosphere.

And to anyone who watched last year, there is a new memory etched into the pages of the course’s history – Rickie Fowler. God only knows how, but the young Californian pushed through against the odds to land one of the most spectacular victories this course has ever seen. Starting seven groups before the leaders, Fowler started steadily – not spectacularly. But he took the tourney to a playoff after shooting 5-under on the treacherous final four holes. Dispensing of Sergio Garcia in the playoff, he birdied the 17^th in a sudden-death game against Kevin Kisner to claim the win.

Photo: www.sportal.co.nz

The big question is, can we expect him to be competitive this year?

The simple answer is... YES! Claiming victory in Abu Dhabi earlier in the year and taking Hideki Matsuyama to a playoff at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Rickie looks incredibly strong this year. His driving stats are second to no one else in the “elite players” circle, and he’s putting is very strong too.

I’m also predicting Phoenix to be a good indicator of strength coming into this week – I can see Matsuyama and Danny Lee challenging this week. The big-hitters may have a tough time of it, as it is accuracy off the tee and from the fairway that will count the most. So expect Schwartzel and Stenson to be in the mix too.

I’ve deliberately skated around the other big names this week. Spieth is by no means playing badly, but he needs to rediscover his Midas touch around the greens if he’s going to push for the World Number One spot again. Day, on the other hand, has been putting well this year but I fear he’s lost the feel from his wedges. There’s nothing wrong with Rory – it’s all in his head. And that’s the most difficult part of the game to change.

Opinion: Who will win at The Masters?

Photo: www.whosyourcaddie.net

The first week of April always tends to shine the media spotlight on an individual. Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, even Bubba has had the “can he *really* do it again?” treatment. Typically, we’ve seen that most of all with Tiger Woods – whether he will add to his majors tally, whether he can rediscover his form, and (most recently) whether he will be playing at all. The closest we’ve had this year is Rory who announced his intention to not participate in the par-3 competition in order to take the main event more seriously.

But in truth, the media aren’t really sure who to focus on this year. The hype of this year’s Masters Tournament is just how close it’s shaping up to be. The “big three” have started the year convincingly… but so have a number of other household names. In fact, we’ve already seen six major-winners find victory in 2016 on the PGA Tour alone – four of those being former Masters winners.

So with so many big names in contention, how can we possibly predict who’ll be donning a green jacket on Sunday? Well, after a quick look at the numbers, I’m going to stick my neck out and have a go. Looking over previous years shows us a few (albeit quite obvious) things about former winners. There is a relationship between Masters performance and…

-          Official World Golf Ranking (this century, only two winners have been outside the top-30)

-          Average finishes that calendar year

-          Previous Masters performance (it’s the same course every year, after all!)

-          Strokes-gained: Total

-          PUTTING

-          Form

Nothing too surprising – but let’s see where this takes us. Let’s start with the top 30 golfers in the OWGR (replacing the injured Jim Furyk with Marc Leishman). If we tally up all of their finishes, we find that 17 of these golfers have averaged T25 finishes or better in 2016. Henrik Stenson actually top that list with an insane average of T9.

Of these 17 golfers, only 13 had finished T10 or better over their previous five appearances.  According to the official PGA Tour website, 8 of these are in the top-10 for “Strokes Gained: Average”. Undeniably, the most important part of a golfer’s game, as far as Augusta National is concerned, is putting. Of the 8 remaining golfers, only 5 are in the top-50 for “Strokes Gained: Putting”. This leaves us in the company of… Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

Photo: www.heavy.com

So who has the best form coming into this week? Let’s have a look…

Jordan Spieth (T13, T9, T18) --- Av. Finish = 13.3

Rickie Fowler (T10, T38, T8) --- Av. Finish = 18.7

Adam Scott (T28, T12, 1) --- Av. Finish = 13.7

Dustin Johnson (3, T5, T14) --- Av. Finish = 7.3

Phil Mickelson (T13, T18, 5) --- Av. Finish = 12

That’s right, Dustin Johnson comes out on top! I know that this just a bit of fun, but it’s a brave man who bets against DJ this week. There are many talented golfers who are hungry for a win this weekend, but (maybe apart from Rory), no one is hungrier than Dustin. He’s tidied up his putting, it’s a course that suits his game and, while other pros may be playing well, he’s on the crest of his wave.

Yes, Dustin for the green jacket is my prediction. Watch him miss the cut.

Who do you think will win The Masters?

With golf's biggest tournament just around the corner we asked some well known names in the world of golf who they were tipping to be wearing the green jacket at Augusta on Sunday night.

Photo: athletepromotions.com

Gary Player (3-time Masters winner): "I have no idea but fancy the chances of Day, McIlroy & Speith. At least another 20 like Oosthuizen, Grace & Schwartzel."

Photo: www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Ewen Murray (Sky Sports Golf commentator): My outsider is Marc Leishman - he's underrated. My top tip is Rory. He's very close and a little agitated. Perfect heading to Augusta.

Photo: telegraph.co.uk

Robbie Fowler (former Liverpool and England striker, and keen golfer) : "I honestly haven't got a clue... Maybe Andy Sullivan or Danny Willett each way."

Photo: golfchannel.com

Kay Cockerill (Golf Channel commentator and former LPGA player): "If Day is healthy, why not make it 3 wins in a row? He's better prepared now mentally to win The Masters if in position."

Photo: zimbio.com

Paul Gow (PGA Professional Golfer and presenter of Fox Sports Golf Show): "I have backed Rory, but very open event. Day, Scotty massive chance. Loius sleeper."

Photo: twitter.com

Shane O'Donoghue (golf host for Fox Sports): "It is Bubba Watson's to lose! If he is inspired, he could run away with it."

Photo: twitter.com

Ryan Burr (Golf Channel presenter): "Bubba Watson. If he plays well he can't be beat there."

Photo: twitter.com

Damon Hack (Golf Channel Morning Drive co-host): "Jason Day. I liked him in December and I like him now. At height of his power, I think he is the best in the world."

Photo: scoregolf.com

Tripp Isenhour: (Former PGA/Web.com Tour player. Current Golf Channel commentator/analyst.): "Rory McIlroy is my favorite. Has been all year. Game is trending in the right direction. Solid play against Day last week."

Photo: twitter.com

Neil McLeman (Daily Mirror golf correspondent): "If I had to pick 1 name: Bubba Watson. Because he wins every other year and is finding his Augusta form. But it is wide open."

Photo: twitter.com

Alan Shipnuck (senior writer at Sports Illustrated magazine): "Jason Day. When the best player in the world is playing his best, how can you pick against him?"

Tweeter Alliss (parody Twitter account of the BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss): "Bubba, because I said so. Majestic."

The Masters - preview

The Masters Tournament

Augusta National Golf Club

Thursday Apr 7th - Sunday Apr 10th, 2016

by David Barwise

Photo: espn.go.com

The biggest, most significant Masters tournament in recent years.

That may sound like an overstatement, but it isn’t. Let me put it like this – the “Big Three” are as tightly matched as ever. We’ve seen Spieth take victory at the beginning of 2016. We’ve seen McIlroy best Day to rise to 2^nd in the world, only for the Australian to leap-frog both of them to go top.In fact, Day has two wins from his last two tournaments. But then again Jordan Spieth is the only one of the three to win The Masters, and he’s defending champion. And let us not forget that Rory already has FOUR majors to his name, and he could have been higher up the pecking order if he hadn’t been side-lined last year with injury.

Suffice to say that a win at (arguably) the biggest event of the year would set any of these three apart from the rest. We all know what a Masters win can do for one’s authority on the game – if you don’t, I turn your attention to Jordan Spieth’s 2015. A victory on Sunday (or even a cut missed on the Friday) could set the golfing landscape for the next 12 months.

Photo: www.sportingnews.com

And that’s before we consider the fringe players. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an unfair term for golfers of this standard, but Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson currently stand where Day and Spieth did at this point last season. Both players are overdue for a major, and the hunger is definitely there. Rickie has already found victory this season in Dubai, and Dustin came close last week. They both have the ability to shoot low at Augusta, so this may be their best shot at joining the majors club… and the “big four”.

Of course, some of the other fringe players are already in the majors club. Bubba, Adam Scott, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel all have global wins in 2016, all have great experiences at Augusta, all have been victorious here (apart from Oosthuizen, who finished 2^nd to Bubba in *that* playoff). All of these players will expect to be in contention and show their resurgence to the world.

Photo: www.skysports.com

It’s the biggest tournament of the year so far, so of course it’s easy to claim that every big name is going to perform and challenge for a green jacket this year. But obviously, that’s not going to happen. So who am I not expecting to win? Easy. Henrik Stenson. I know that may seem strange considering he’s 6^th in world and on great form (a quick form-calculation shows that his average finish this season is 9^th – the only player in the world’s top 30 to crack an average in the top 10). But the fact is that he just isn’t finishing his tournaments off at the moment with the nerves getting the best of his putting. You can sometimes get away with being a shade uncertain with the putter at other golf courses, but not at Augusta National. Also, for a former world no. 2, his record at the Masters nowhere near as strong as his other major appearances (he has never broken into the top 10).

Another absentee at the top of the leaderboard – I’m predicting – will be Patrick Reed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the way that he’s playing, but I don’t quite feel that he’s mature enough to win just yet. Sure he has the determination to win you can see that with every swing of the club, but can he handle the sport’s biggest stage? Not quite. He’s played the Masters only twice so far and, unless if you’re Jordan Spieth (1, T2) I wouldn’t want to back anyone who has to battle the biggest names this week with so little experience. Remembering, on top of this, the controversial WD he had at the Farmers Insurance Open because of bad weather, he still has a little growing up to do before he’s in the mind-set of a major winner. Please, prove me wrong.

As always, the Masters is one of the most hotly-anticipated sporting events on the calendar. But whoever is able to cut through the pressure, media attention and mountainous greens, can carve their way into history.

Shell Houston Open - Preview

Shell Houston Open
GC of Houston, Humble, TX
Thursday 31st March - Sunday 3rd April
by Michael Barwise

Photo: www.wagertalk.com

With The Masters just under a week away, golfers have to make a big decision: do they prepare for the mother of all golf courses that is Augusta National by getting in four rounds of competitive golf at the Shell Houston Open or do they take the time off?

So who has decided to opt for the former then?

Well first off there is the defending champion J.B. Homes. He'll be looking to reproduce last year's sizzling form which saw him shoot a mightily impressive 64 on the Sunday after making nine birdies in his first twelve holes. That would see him force his way into a play-off with Jordan Spieth and Johnson Wagner, which he would go on to win. 

Then there's Jordan Spieth who has dropped down to world number 2, being overtaken by Jason Day's following his win at the Dell Match Play last weekend. Spieth has struggled to recapture the great golf of last year ever since his big win at the Hyundai Tour of Champions back at the start of the year, and risks going into his defence of The Masters in poor form.

Photo: www.skysports.com

As well as Spieth there are 4 other players currently ranked in the top 10 in the world that make this week's field.

Rickie Fowler's sensational win in Abu Dhabi earlier in the year was followed by three straight top 10 finishes so he looks to be in decent form going into a tournament.

Dustin Johnson is another player who seems to be having a fruitful start to the season. Six of the seven tournaments he has entered this year he's managed to finish within the top 20 and hasn't missed a cut in any of them. DJ's big hitting could come in handy on the course's notoriously long fairways.

Henrik Stenson hasn't played since the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago but he did finish runner up in this event three years ago.

Patrick Reed, who lives in Houston, has finished in the top 10 in three of his last five starts and tied for 17th in each of his last two trips to this tournament.

Photo: www.express.com

However, my pick for this weekend would have to be Louis Oosthuizen. The South African goes into the tournament on a high following a great display at the Dell Match Play which saw him beat then world number 1 Jordan Spieth and reach the final. Strong showings at the WGC Cadillac and the Valspar earlier this month signal that this is a man in red hot form at the moment,

The fact that he is peaking with The Masters right around the corner can be no bad thing either.

World Golf Championship Dell Match Play - Preview

World Golf Championships - Dell Match Play
Austin Country Club, Austin, Texas
Wednesday March 23 - Sunday March 27 2016
by Michael Barwise

Photo: texasgolfmag.com

The World Golf Championships takes us to Texas this weekend for the Dell Match Play. The tournament begins on Wednesday with 32 matches taking place on the first day of group play. 

We've taken a look at some of the stand out groups:



Group 1: Jordan Spieth (USA), Jamie Donaldson (Wales), Justin Thomas (USA), Victor Dubuisson (France)

Photo: www.cbs.sports.com

Jordan Spieth returns to his old stomping ground to see if he can kick-start his season. The former University of Texas student has struggled ever since his barn-storming win at the Tournament of Champions in January, failing to finish in the top ten in his last four tournaments. None of the group are particularly in form: Jamie Donaldson has failed to finish in the top-20 in his last five starts, while Victor Dubuisson has been struggling to adjust to his new clubs. And although Justin Thomas did finish T-3 at The Honda Classic, it was his only top-10 in his nine starts since winning the CIMB Classic. 

Group 2: Jason Day (Australia), Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland), Paul Casey (England), Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand)

Photo: www.golfweek.com

Fresh from his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Jason Day looks strong going into an event which he won just two years ago. Although the Australian did lose all three of his group matches in the tournament last year. As did Graeme McDowell, who goes into this tournament having missed the cut in four of his last six starts on tour. Paul Casey has a good history with this event, makes it to the final on two occasions. He'll be hoping to go one better and will be buoyed by coming off the back of two consecutive top-10 finishes. Thongchai Jaidee, who won the European Open in September, is making his first start in the U.S. since last year’s PGA Championship in August. 

Group 5: 5. Rickie Fowler (USA), Jason Dufner (USA), Byeong-Hun An (Korea), Scott Piercy (USA)

Photo: golftribune.com

Last November, An went on a hot streak which produced seven top-10s in nine starts. But in his two starts on U.S. soil, he’s failed to crack the top 30. Since his T7 at the CIMB Classic last year, . But he did play well at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, taking a share of the first-round lead before finishing T17. 

Rickie Fowler is in great form at the moment, with six top-10s in his last seven starts, including a win in Abu Dhabi. Jason Dufner also has a recent win, having claimed the CareerBuilder Challenge. In two starts on US soil this year, Byeong-Hun An has failed to crack the top 30, while Scott Piercy has yet to produce a top-10 in his eight most recent starts.

Group 9: Patrick Reed (USA), Daniel Berger (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng)

Photo: www.bunkered.com

Patrick Reed comes into this event on the back of a T-7 at Valspar, his best finish on the Florida Swing. Daniel Berger has really struggled since coming 2nd in last year's BMW Championship, making 11 starts without a top-10 finish. Someone in a little better form is Phil Mickleson. The five-time Major winner has the best scoring average on tour so far this season and has three top-5 finishes already. However this tournament hasn't been a hunting ground for Phil in the past. In 11 career starts, he's only managed to reach the quarterfinals just once. Matthew Fitzpatrick, isn't having a great time of late, failing to finish in the top-10 in his last nine starts and missing the cuts three times.