43rd US Senior Open

[fixyurdivot]

Anyone watching the US Senior Open? Looks like the weather at Sentry World Stevens Point, WI is looking a whole lot better than Detroit.  The course is playing tough and day 2 scores are looking as one would expect for an open event.  Das Machina is leading currently but may not be by end of today's play.  I'd love to see him get the win as the opportunities to add to his HOF career record are dwindling.  A win this Sunday would make an even dozen senior majors!!

I'm a bit surprised Padraig isn't at the top but looks comfortably make the projected +8 cut... yes, +8 .  Don't count out Stricker, and seeing Ells, Goosen, or Kelly at the top after round 3 would not surprsie me.

50,000+ flowers.  Could you see a player hitting into them and deciding to play out of them... getting the stink-eye from the head flower planter .

 

[fixyurdivot]

What are the odds?  Two local heros, who have been friends/combatants since junior golf and at the top of the leaderboard, get paired together today.  Stricker and Kelly are in 2nd and 3rd place currently trying to chase down Langer. That will be a big crowd all the way around the course. 

[revkev]

Bernard!  
 

What an accomplishment 

[revkev]

I’m also so tired of them saying he wasn’t the guy on the PGA tour. Maybe that’s because he was a regular on the European tour, during a time when the Euros were winning the Ryder Cup, when the best players in the world played that tour as much as the PGA tour. Despite that he had a run as World number 1. Oh bc and 2 Masters.

 

Most under rated guy not name Larry Nelson I guess  

 

 

[fixyurdivot]

Congratulations Bernhard Langer on the win and record setting day!!   Amazing, absolutely amazing. Think about it, he is 65 years old. 12 senior majors and the most wins on the Champions Tour.  Both of these will be hard to eclipse, at least in my lifetime.  Das Machina was a man on a mission and it was clear from the start of todays round he would not be denied.  Think about the pressure knowing what was at stake and having 90% of the fan base rooting for the local boys to out gun him.  With Kelly stuck in 2nd gear, Stricker caught fire on the back and gave the locals a whiff of hope... but Bernard as he has done so many, many times, is just relentless with the lead on Sunday.  I think the nerves combined with the magnitude of what was about to happen did start to get him over the last few holes.  To that end, it was good he got off to a hot start.

For many years when I was younger, I rooted against him.  But since meeting him and watching him at numerous Boeing Classic events, he grew on me.  I'm really happy for him.

[LICC]

20 hours ago, revkev said:

Bernard!  
 

What an accomplishment 

It would be except he is so obviously cheating with his putter technique. Pressing your forearm to your body is anchoring.

[revkev]

21 minutes ago, LICC said:

It would be except he is so obviously cheating with his putter technique. Pressing your forearm to your body is anchoring.

Sorry but there are rules officials on his tour, the USGA and an entire field of players week after week that make this call - so I would respectfully disagree with you. 

Personally, I would never have allowed the long putters when they came out and most certainly would not have banned them once I allowed them to be used for 40 years.  I remain stunned that some younger player didn't try and bring a lawsuit when they were banned. 

 

Langer is playing by the rules that are being enforced on his tour.  Whatever he may appear to be doing or not doing others could do or not do too.  

[LICC]

7 minutes ago, revkev said:

Sorry but there are rules officials on his tour, the USGA and an entire field of players week after week that make this call - so I would respectfully disagree with you. 

Personally, I would never have allowed the long putters when they came out and most certainly would not have banned them once I allowed them to be used for 40 years.  I remain stunned that some younger player didn't try and bring a lawsuit when they were banned. 

 

Langer is playing by the rules that are being enforced on his tour.  Whatever he may appear to be doing or not doing others could do or not do too.  

Oh please, look at the 4:52 mark here: 

 

 

Don't believe your lying eyes ...

[revkev]

It's probably not worth it but I will try one more time - it's not our call.  If you think the USGA is going soft by all means reach out to them.  

 

I will go to my grave saying I think the long putters were stupid and should never have been allowed.  The only thing worse than allowing them was banning them after a lifetime of players were allowed to use them but then including a usage that is difficult to enforce - this is a classic example of that.  

[BIG STU]

57 minutes ago, revkev said:

Sorry but there are rules officials on his tour, the USGA and an entire field of players week after week that make this call - so I would respectfully disagree with you. 

Personally, I would never have allowed the long putters when they came out and most certainly would not have banned them once I allowed them to be used for 40 years.  I remain stunned that some younger player didn't try and bring a lawsuit when they were banned. 

 

Langer is playing by the rules that are being enforced on his tour.  Whatever he may appear to be doing or not doing others could do or not do too.  

If the USGA would have really thought they could have had a maximum putter length. And I have conceded since the anchoring ban that he is NOT cheating. Too much scrutiny and close up camera angles. And besides USGA and PGAT officials are running things not LICC or Lanny Watkins

[BIG STU]

47 minutes ago, revkev said:

It's probably not worth it but I will try one more time - it's not our call.  If you think the USGA is going soft by all means reach out to them.  

 

I will go to my grave saying I think the long putters were stupid and should never have been allowed.  The only thing worse than allowing them was banning them after a lifetime of players were allowed to use them but then including a usage that is difficult to enforce - this is a classic example of that.  

I have always been straddle on the fence on the long putters. I used one for a short while basically for the novelty of it. And I did not anchor. As far as Bernhard I have always been a fan. He is one month older than I am and inspires me. I liked what he said the other day about age and distance and I am applying it now. He is also a good Christian man and is ethical too IMHO.

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, LICC said:

It would be except he is so obviously cheating with his putter technique. Pressing your forearm to your body is anchoring.

Do you ever have anything positive to say about anyone or anything? Ever post I see you make is negative. 

[LICC]

6 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

If the USGA would have really thought they could have had a maximum putter length. And I have conceded since the anchoring ban that he is NOT cheating. Too much scrutiny and close up camera angles. And besides USGA and PGAT officials are running things not LICC or Lanny Watkins

There is no way the Champions Tour is going to come down hard on one of its only big draws. Yes they are going easy on him with this 

[LICC]

1 minute ago, BIG STU said:

Do you ever have anything positive to say about anyone or anything? Ever post I see you make is negative. 

You don’t see many of my posts then. My last before this was praising Rickie Fowler. 

[NM01]

52 minutes ago, revkev said:

It's probably not worth it but I will try one more time - it's not our call.  If you think the USGA is going soft by all means reach out to them.  

 

I will go to my grave saying I think the long putters were stupid and should never have been allowed.  The only thing worse than allowing them was banning them after a lifetime of players were allowed to use them but then including a usage that is difficult to enforce - this is a classic example of that.  

I doubt a bunch of guys are going to not say anything and let him beat them over and over while cheating. They all want to win and aren’t going to just let it slide. And as you mention there are enough eyes on him from Turks officials, cameras, players and caddies that if he is actually cheating it would be called out. Some people will go down arguing their point no matter how wrong it is just for the sake of arguing.

As to your last point it’s just another example of the ruling bodies screwing the pooch on a decision because they didn’t like the optics despite years and years of allowing it and somehow there’s a group of people that think the ruling bodies can do no wrong in heir proposals and decisions.

[BIG STU]

Just now, LICC said:

You don’t see many of my posts then. My last before this was praising Rickie Fowler. 

Yeah I tend to ignore you---- You posted something positive? The world must be ending

[LICC]

6 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

I doubt a bunch of guys are going to not say anything and let him beat them over and over while cheating. They all want to win and aren’t going to just let it slide. And as you mention there are enough eyes on him from Turks officials, cameras, players and caddies that if he is actually cheating it would be called out. Some people will go down arguing their point no matter how wrong it is just for the sake of arguing.

As to your last point it’s just another example of the ruling bodies screwing the pooch on a decision because they didn’t like the optics despite years and years of allowing it and somehow there’s a group of people that think the ruling bodies can do no wrong in heir proposals and decisions.

Other players have complained but after the ruling bodies let it be known they were backing Langer no one is going to say anything now. 
 

"Anybody who sees what Langer and Scott McCarron and Ian Woosnam are doing knows it's questionable," Chamblee told GC colleague Tim Rosaforte following the Senior Open at Salem Country Club. "The whispers are out there. All of the players look askance whether they say it openly or not. I've talked to enough of them to know — and many have contacted me — they all look askance at what's going on out there.”

[LICC]

7 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

Yeah I tend to ignore you---- You posted something positive? The world must be ending

I see you are having a hard time ignoring me now. No one is forcing you to reply back. 

[BIG STU]

Just now, RickyBobby_PR said:

I doubt a bunch of guys are going to not say anything and let him beat them over and over while cheating. They all want to win and aren’t going to just let it slide. And as you mention there are enough eyes on him from Turks officials, cameras, players and caddies that if he is actually cheating it would be called out. Some people will go down arguing their point no matter how wrong it is just for the sake of arguing.

As to your last point it’s just another example of the ruling bodies screwing the pooch on a decision because they didn’t like the optics despite years and years of allowing it and somehow there’s a group of people that think the ruling bodies can do no wrong in heir proposals and decisions.

Very well stated and like you said some people will argue for the sake of argument. And yes absolutely the ruling bodies do things to screw the pooch. Like I told Rev just now they could have put a maximum overall length on putters of say like 37". Back in the day Sam Snead was using the Croquet style of putting Bobby Jones did not like it and rallied the USGA to ban it. IMHO I have a lot of respect for Bobby Jones and his accomplishments but in this case he was retired from comp and should have STFU. But the USGA did their usual kneejerk reaction and bowed down to him. When the anchoring thing became a controversy it was spiked by the Golf Channel mainly Brendall ,Tripp and Frank Nobilo. That is why I say today the GC makes policy not the USGA

[BIG STU]

4 minutes ago, LICC said:

Other players have complained but after the ruling bodies let it be known they were backing Langer no one is going to say anything now. 
 

"Anybody who sees what Langer and Scott McCarron and Ian Woosnam are doing knows it's questionable," Chamblee told GC colleague Tim Rosaforte following the Senior Open at Salem Country Club. "The whispers are out there. All of the players look askance whether they say it openly or not. I've talked to enough of them to know — and many have contacted me — they all look askance at what's going on out there.”

OK what about VJ or Adam Scott? The Langer thing got stirred up by Lanny Watkins who Langer could beat even with the yips. I have this from a good friend in Florida who did work for the GC that Lanny was told to can it or get off the air

[BIG STU]

5 minutes ago, LICC said:

I see you are having a hard time ignoring me now. No one is forcing you to reply back. 

Hey bud it is a free country and I will reply when and where I want to. Naah you aint backing me down

[LICC]

3 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

OK what about VJ or Adam Scott? The Langer thing got stirred up by Lanny Watkins who Langer could beat even with the yips. I have this from a good friend in Florida who did work for the GC that Lanny was told to can it or get off the air

Scott and Vijay both keep their left elbows up. You can visibly see the forearms are away from their bodies. 

[NM01]

18 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

Very well stated and like you said some people will argue for the sake of argument. And yes absolutely the ruling bodies do things to screw the pooch. Like I told Rev just now they could have put a maximum overall length on putters of say like 37". Back in the day Sam Snead was using the Croquet style of putting Bobby Jones did not like it and rallied the USGA to ban it. IMHO I have a lot of respect for Bobby Jones and his accomplishments but in this case he was retired from comp and should have STFU. But the USGA did their usual kneejerk reaction and bowed down to him. When the anchoring thing became a controversy it was spiked by the Golf Channel mainly Brendall ,Tripp and Frank Nobilo. That is why I say today the GC makes policy not the USGA

Some of those are on my ignore list so it gets easier to skip over them.

They have lots of knee jerk reactions and they do like to cave to certain voices.

 

[LICC]

1 minute ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Some of those are on my ignore list so it gets easier to skip over them.

They have lots of knee jerk reactions and they do like to cave to certain voices.

 

Or they just make intelligent points based on facts

[BIG STU]

1 minute ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

They have lots of knee jerk reactions and they do like to cave to certain voices.

 

That is why after many years a member I dropped my membership in like 2015 after the groove rules thing

[NM01]

2 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

That is why after many years a member I dropped my membership in like 2015 after the groove rules thing

I dropped mine around then give or take a year.

[revkev]

3 hours ago, LICC said:

There is no way the Champions Tour is going to come down hard on one of its only big draws. Yes they are going easy on him with this 

That's possible but this was not the Champions Tour, this was the USGA who seemingly loves to choke any fun that anyone might possibly ever have from the game of golf.  There is no way that the USGA lets "cheating" ride.  I also think that if an official from the USGA or the Champions tour approached Langer and said that he made an illegal stroke, he would take the penalty and move on.  

 

In the end though the USGA makes and interprets the rules.  If we are going to play in sanctioned events we have no option but to abide by their decisions or else we become the "cheater."

[fixyurdivot]

I find the jealousy and envy based accusations and comments entertaining.  Further it is of no surprise who has brought them into this thread . He's almost as consistent as Bernard's golf game.  The anchored putter baloney is just that.  He's been scrutinized on film for years and not found in violation of the rules.  Like so many that moved to those and either had to adjust or move away from them, he has adjusted and done so better than any other player except perhaps Adam Scott. Haters gonna hate and that's fine.  

How many think he'll reach 50+ wins before he calls it quits?  I think he will.  He seems to be in very good shape, his game is so consistent, and he's so good at putting it's almost like he's cheating .

 

[BIG STU]

14 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

I find the jealousy and envy based accusations and comments entertaining.  Further it is of no surprise who has brought them into this thread . He's almost as consistent as Bernard's golf game.  The anchored putter baloney is just that.  He's been scrutinized on film for years and not found in violation of the rules.  Like so many that moved to those and either had to adjust or move away from them, he has adjusted and done so better than any other player except perhaps Adam Scott. Haters gonna hate and that's fine.  

How many think he'll reach 50+ wins before he calls it quits?  I think he will.  He seems to be in very good shape, his game is so consistent, and he's so good at putting it's almost like he's cheating .

 

As Bernhard said himself yesterday--- He will play as long as his body holds out

[revkev]

24 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

I find the jealousy and envy based accusations and comments entertaining.  Further it is of no surprise who has brought them into this thread . He's almost as consistent as Bernard's golf game.  The anchored putter baloney is just that.  He's been scrutinized on film for years and not found in violation of the rules.  Like so many that moved to those and either had to adjust or move away from them, he has adjusted and done so better than any other player except perhaps Adam Scott. Haters gonna hate and that's fine.  

How many think he'll reach 50+ wins before he calls it quits?  I think he will.  He seems to be in very good shape, his game is so consistent, and he's so good at putting it's almost like he's cheating .

 

A beautiful picture of a true champion.