Heading down to N'leans for some team golf
Some interesting teams that should dominate. Homa and Morikawa. Breakfast Souflle and Cantlay.
Manager Golfers expected to play
Kevin Collin Morikawa
Big J No one
B.T.O. Max Homa
Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Don Henley
Jaustin Sungjae Im, Taylor Pendrith
Paul Si Woo Kim, Dustin Hoffman
The Doctor Xander Schauffele
Monica Keith Mitchell, Thomas Detry
Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, Sam Burns, Sahith Theegala, Tom Hoge
Commish Tom Kim, Taylor Montgomery
Time to get ready for golf season
Julian will be providing Happy Baby stretch lessons. Al - if you hope to golf more than 3 times this summer, you should sign up.
What a crazy Master's Tournament
Monica’s Zatoris withdrew right before he was to tee off.
Al’s Hovland went -7 his first day, which at the end of the tournament would have been good for 4th place.
Two LIV golfers tied for 2nd place (Lefty and Koepka) and Robert Reed came in 4th. I didn’t see that happening. And ironic that Rory missed the cut.
Monica had no one miss the cut - but only picked up 6 points.
Big J looked to have the victory locked up with Koepka dominating but then Sunday afternoon, it appeared that Koepka and Spieth might tie for 2nd giving Big J far too many points. As it was, Team Big J picked up 22 points, the same as Doug’s team.
Tiger - I only paid a nickel for him so it’s hard to complain much. But of all the Majors, Augusta is the course he’s played the most. And he never misses the cut there. Seemed like an ideal time for him to recreate some magic. And yet he was destined to miss the cut until Justin Thomas threw in a few late bogeys to move the cut line. Tiger played about 8 holes in the nasty rain Saturday and then called me Sunday morning. “Commish - I think I’m going to bail on golfing Sunday. I’m cold and aching. And my kid Charlie wants to have an Easter Egg Hunt”. What could I say? All that work and no points. I should have drafted Freddie instead.
Walking off the 18th green, Rahm was hugging everyone. I kept waiting to see him embrace his “Losing is Not An Option” Manager but it didn’t happen. Probably rushing to get to Hilton Head. Anyway - 30 points and the Sidebet Win for Dave. And he is now in 2nd place on your FGL leaderboard.
Friday' afternoon’s Master’s party at Yogi’s was pretty good. With trees flying around, the tournament (and coverage) was put on hold. And Yogi’s seemed to be in over their head with our crew. Doug had his bourbon, members of Team Julian made the trek up, Monica nearly kidnapped a baby and well - there’s always Al. A good time!
Let's go to Hilton Head next. Strong field. Must be an elevated event
Manager Golfers expected to play
Kevin Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Pete Rose, Brian Harman
Big J Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Doris Day, Jimmy Conners, Tyrrell Hatton
B.T.O. Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Gary Woodland
Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Great Scott, Don Henley, Cap’n Kirk, Chez Reavie
Jaustin Rory, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Long
Paul Seamus Power, Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim
The Doctor Breakfast Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Kevin Kisner, Alex Noren Matt Kuchar
Monica Will Zalatoris, Keith Mitchell, Milton Bradley, Thomas Detry, Emiliano Grillo
Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, George Burns, Sahith Theegala, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Hoge
Commish Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, lil Rickie, Taylor Montgomery, J.T. Poston
Big J adds to lead
Jimmy Conners came through in Texas with a win that Big J really didn’t even need. It’s just not right.
Kevin proudly sits in the basement with Monica only one point ahead of him. Team Jaustin had a tough tournament with both of his guys missing the cut.
Your Commissioner makes the first trade of the season with the firing of Hayden Buckley. With a need to get more players at the Master’s, I have chosen to pick up JT Poston. I don’t even know what he looks like. I really don’t care. Just want him to make the cut. Good-bye Hayden Buckley.
Happy belated birthday to former Manager Lauren We partied at PINS in Dublin Sunday in her honor. But of course, the pictures were of Julian!
Our first Major.........
Manager Golfers expected to play
Kevin Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Brian Harman
Big J Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Jimmy Conners, Tyrrell Hatton
Commish Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, Tiger, Poston
Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott, Donl Henley, Chris Kirk
Jaustin Rory, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, Bryson DeChambeau
Paul Seamus Power, Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim, Bubba
B.T.O. Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland, Harris English, Francesco Molinari
The Doctor Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Kevin Kisner, Alex Noren
Monica Will Zalatoris, Keith Mitchell, Keegan Bradley, Cameron Smith
Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, Sam Burns, Sahith Theegala, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Hoge, Newman!
Bow your head - it's time for the Master's
Gary Player isn’t happy that it’s so hard to get on at Augusta to play 18 holes. Welcome to my world Gary!
Before the draft, I had Morikawa, Tony Finau and Jimmy Connors on my own FGL Christmas list. I think they are all due for a big year. Will it be at the Masters?
Sports betting is here in Ohio now. I think that’s scary stuff. And yet, I have put $10 down that no LIV golfer will win a Major this year. I think it’ll be tough for DJ or Cam Smith or anyone else to play the back nine on Sunday, keep their cool and win it. And while Rory and Robert Reed don’t get along. I also think it’ll be somewhat like a high school reunion once they get through the Master’s dinner Wednesday night. Other than the media questions about LIV, I think this will be a good Master’s. Go Scheffler!
Off to San Antonio next. Some FGL guys trying to win to qualify for Master’s.
Manager Golfers expected to play
Kevin No one. Another week off for you
Big J Jimmy Conners, Tyrrell Hatton
Commish lil Rickie, Taylor Montgomery, Hayden Buckley
Jim Captain Kirk, Chez Reavie
Jaustin Taylor Pendrith, Adam Long
Paul Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim, Peppermint Patty, Dustin Hoffman
B.T.O. Hideki Matsuyama, Francesco Molinari
The Doctor Alex Noren, Matt Kuchar
Monica Keith Mitchell, Thomas Detry, Emiliano Grillo
Doug No one
Got a few Farside cartoons I’ll be adding here throughout the season
Back where I belong
Got to watch Sunday’s NCAA basketball round at Nationwide Arena from the Columbus Blue Jacket suite. Yes. This is indeed how I was meant to attend such events.
Finally - the G&R Tavern
As I drove back to Cbus this past week, I finally made a stop in Waldo for the famous bologna sandwich. Dinner for two for all of $15.
Not much changes after Tampa tournament
Big J picked up 8 points with two top 10 finishers and Doug grabbed 7 points. But 6 FGL managers scored 0 points or less. This leaves us with three managers tied for 2nd place right now.
The FGL will be having a bye week as the annual Match Play tournament in Austin takes place.
Speaking of Austin, Adam Schenk is no relation. Because had Adam won (he finished 2nd) and not been on Jaustin’s team, that would have been embarrassing!
The latest rule for next year to roll back the distance on golf balls is not expected to impact me. Thank you for your concern.
On a serious note...
An FGL salute goes out to Big J’s mom, Anne Moore. Anne passed away Friday night. She was born in Scotland in 1938. John is the oldest of her five kids. I can remember attending a few parties at the Moore house back in high school. We weren’t shy, we weren’t modest. Mostly we were incredibly messy. Mrs. Moore was always incredibly gracious with all our misbehavior. Our thoughts go to you and your family, J. Obituary.
FGL leaderboard gets bunched up.
My boy Hayden Buckley opened up the Player’s with an ace on #17 and in that opening round, he was -5 and leading the tournament. Wow! And then he proceeded to miss the cut. That’s not the kind of luck you need to win the Tommy O. However, Scheffler did pull out a win at TPC Sawgrass to help score the Commish 13 points. His win also earned me a hot dog at the turn someday (with lots of mustard and onion) from Big J - thanks to a super secret bet!
As far as breaks go, Big J’s Spieth appeared to be on his way to missing the cut Friday. At +2 and on his last few holes, he hits his tee shot way right on #16. Heading into the water, penalty and a free weekend for Jordan. But no, his ball hits a guy in the knee and bounces back into the fairway, leading to an eagle for Spieth. Those are the kind of breaks you need in the FGL.
B.T.O. had a good week with Homa and Matsuyama finishing Top 10. However, his number 1 guy, Jon Rahm, quit after Friday’s round. Tummy bug. Sorry Dave.
Kevin jumps out of the basement with this tournament. Now that honor is shared by PAK and Monica.
Sunday, I went down to the Cincinnati area for an on-site visit with Team Jaustin. Julian didn’t seem happy with me as I was rooting against his boy Im. Julian spit up all over me. And then he smiled. And so the FGL season begins. And on the way home, Mrs. Commissioner and I found a Ponderosa on the southside of Columbus. Wow - hadn’t been in a Ponderosa for 30 years. The buffet is still ridiculously huge. Kind of felt a little naughty walking out of there!
Off to Valspar next (just a few of us) with Valero Texas Open after that
Manager Golfers expected to play
Kevin Pete Rose, Brian Harman
Big J Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth
Commish Taylor Montgomery
Jim Great “Adam” Scott, Chez Reavie
Jaustin Adam Long
Paul No one (sorry Paul)
B.T.O. Gary Woodland
The Doctor Kevin Kisner
Monica Milton Bradley
Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, George Burns, Fleetwood Mac
What a Sunday with Arnie!
So many big names had chances to win this tournament. But putts were hard to make.
For a period of time Sunday afternoon, it looked like Big J would bring home 1st and 2nd place (Spieth & Hatton) as well as other top 10’s. Fortunately calmer minds prevailed and someone I’ve never heard of won the tournament.
In other big news, Team BTO is no longer in the basement. Seriously! Been a long time since we’ve seen that.
Manager Jim holds onto the FGL lead, but not by much. Lots of tightening on your FGL leaderboard.
Kevin is now in the basement, just above his arch-enemy Doug. I’ll give Kevin a break though. He was confused. He thought this weekend’s competition was at The Arnold in Columbus; not the Arnold Palmer. Innocent mistake.
PGA came out with new plans for 2024. Elevated tournaments for next years will change some - such as including the Honda Classic so that field isn’t so weak. But now, they’re also moving to more limited fields for some tournaments and no cuts. Wasn’t that part of the complaint with LIV? Never boring.
Player's Championship coming up next. One of the strongest fields of the season.
Manager Golfers expected to play
Kevin Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Pete Rose, Brian Harman
Big J Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Jimmy Conners, Tyrrell Hatton
Commish Scottie Scheffler, Tom Kim, lil Rickie, Taylor Montgomery, Hayden Buckley
Jim Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott, Don Henley, Captain Kirk, Chez Reavie
Jaustin Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Long
Paul Seamus Power, Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim
B.T.O. Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland, Harris English, Francesco Molinari
The Doctor Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Kevin Kisner, Alex Noren, Matt Kuchar
Monica Will Zalatoris, Keith Mitchell, Keegan Bradley, Thomas Detry, Emiliano Grillo
Doug Matt Fitzpatrick, George Burns, Sahith Theegala, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Hoge