Sunday Stuff

I shan't keep you long, but tomorrow is a travel day.  Since you'll be on your own for weekend wrappage, it seems I should throw you bone today...

Innisbrook Intrigue - It's not nor is it likely to ever be a high-wattage event, but it's by far the best golf course the lads play in Florida and therefore draws a decent field.

First, the leader:

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) -- Adam Hadwin of Canada made two long birdie putts on the back nine and had a 4-under 67 to extend his lead to four shots in the Valspar

Championship as he goes for his first PGA Tour victory. 

More than two big birdies, Hadwin kept a clean card Saturday on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook. 

He was at 14-under 199, with Patrick Cantlay four shots behind. Cantlay, a promising amateur who missed the last two years with a back injury, had a 66 and will play in the final group in just his second tournament this year. 

Jim Herman had another 71 and was five shots behind.

I first heard Hadwin's name from fellow Canuck Art Trojan about seven years ago, and it probably took longer than expected for him to make his way to the big leagues.  But that 59 in the desert and other high finishes have ensured that he'll be with us for a while, and it's sure smelling like this is his week.

But, you know, golf... Shack has this succinct summary of the stories on that third-round leader board:

While there was plenty of social media swooning over last weekend's WGC Mexico City Championship leaderboard, I couldn't get as excited on a no-cut, limited field rich-get-

richer event on a claustrophic course. Yet Sunday's Valspar Championship intrigues me far more given that some life-changing opportunities exist for all of the leaders. 

Third round leader Adam Hadwin has been knocking on the door all year, including a 59 in the Careerbuilder Challenge. His first PGA Tour win and a spot in the Masters seems appropriate. 

Patrick Cantlay, playing on a medical exemption and needing a big check, could rekindle a once-promising career derailed by injury and tragedy. Ryan Lavner with Cantlay's story. 

Dominic Bozelli, who will need a brilliant final round and some leader stumbling, would make a massive career leap with a win after his share of mini-tour time. 

And lurking is the President's favorite tour pro, whose win last year at Houston might pale in comparison to getting a post-round victory call from Donald Trump. Bob Harig with Jim Herman's story.

I'm so conflicted....  Normally Patrick Cantlay would be my instinct.  I have a soft spot for those can't miss phenoms who, you know, miss....but then climb their way back to relevance.  And this lad has dealt with more than most....

But Jim Herman checks off a number of boxes as well....  Not only does he inspire for being an old guy, but a win and post-round congratulation phone call from POTUS would have any intact lefty crania spontaneously combusting.... 

Needle, Unmoved - We all understand the use of click-bait, but I'm pretty sure that Jeff babineau can't deliver on this header:

The Tiger Woods mystery deepens after Bay Hill news

Actually, that news clarifies rather than obscures... Remember, the word was when Tiger WD'd from Dubai that these were minor back spasms unrelated to the two "successful" back surgeries....  Ha, that's a good one, Steiny!  You almost had me there...

Jeff's a good writer, but he seems to have bought some swampland here:

As always with Tiger, there is little concrete to tell you. The normal progression in life is that the longer you study something, and the more that time passes, the more you know. 

We know more in fifth grade than we did in third, and knew more as a college senior than the first day on campus.Tiger is golf’s Benjamin Button. Time, somehow, goes in reverse. We seemed to know a whole lot more in December than we do today.

Hmmmm... perhaps you should reassess those assumptions, Jeff?  I think we should defer here to Donald Rumsfeld:

Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones

Back to Jeff:

Health-wise, is Tiger simply in a slight valley, with this being a setback from which he can overcome to bounce back and win again in his 40s? Or is this where his story ends? Seventy-nine PGA Tour wins, 14 majors? That’s OK, too. He has plenty of other things in life that could keep him busy. A man can only fall and fail so many times when trying to climb a mountain until the journey there finally breaks him.

You mean Call of Duty?  But given that it's four years since his last win and approaching ten since that last major, calling it a "slight valley" is about as accurate as "minor back spasms"... 

Spike This - Just a quick hit-and-run on the proposed rule changes via Shack and Justin Thomas....here was Justin a couple of weeks back with thoughts on the rules changes:

OK, let's stipulate that 140 characters doesn't allow for much in the way of nuance, but what the heck is his point?  You'd be allowed to fix any and all imperfections on the green, so where does abuse come in?  

But the best reason for this rule change is to avoid the kind of scene that Shack captures both verbally and on film.  The fact that the offender is the aforementioned Justin Thomas is simply schadenfreudalicious.....

The King, Bigger Than Life - OK, this one was inevitable:

Palmer will remain so in spirit, but also now an impressive likeness of The King will

loom over the 1st and 10th tee boxes at the course he made famous. 

A 13-foot, 1,392-pound bronze statue of Palmer will be unveiled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bay Hill. The statue is a replica of one of Palmer at Wake Forest University, his alma mater, and depicts the unique and recognizable follow-through of his powerful golf swing. 

“There will be no ropes or fences around this statue,” said Marci Doyle, chief operating officer of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “It will be infinitely approachable, just like Mr. Palmer.”

But I might prefer this one just because it's so unexpected:

 Valspar is a paint company, duh!

Kids Do The Darnedest Things - I'm a bit disappointed by this Henrik Stenson story/video.... Oh it's cute enough and who doesn't like watching these guys with their young-uns?  So, why was I let down?  Simple...  I thought it happened during yesterday's third round when Henrik actually needed the hug.  

But all is well, as it allows us to link to this BBC interview that's well off-subject but so very great....

The father seems quite humorless and cold, though perhaps we should cut him some slack for being in character as a South Korean expert?  Nah, cutting slack isn't in our field of expertise here.  It's the mother that chews the scenery here, as her frantic dive for the door handle is the stuff of legend....

Why Bother? - I guess the folks at Golf Digest aren't finding that Valspar leaderboard as riveting as Shack, because they've taken the time to put together a slideshow under this rather off-putting header:

13 Picks To Win The 2017 Masters

You'll no doubt understand my reaction.... I can just as easily go to Masters.org to review the entire field as look at this effort...  OK, the only names that mildly surprise are John Rahm and Matthew Fitzpatrick, and only the latter could be considered a longshot....

Although this could be considered a surprise as well:

(And In Case You're Wondering. . .) Tiger Woods 

Masters history: Four-time champ (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005) 

Current Vegas odds: 100/1 

Reason to pick: There couldn't be a bigger sports story in 2017 than Woods coming back from injury to win a fifth green jacket on the 20th anniversary of his landmark victory in 1997. Also, how many times do you get a chance to bet on a four-time Masters champ who is still nine years away from the senior tour at 100-to-1 odds? 

Cause for concern: The back. The rust. The driver. We could go on, but you get the point. It's not happening.

Oh, pulleaze.....  I have it on god authority that they're only minor back spasms...

Also Cute -  Lydia does a promotional video for her national championship:

You know what would make this even cuter?  Yup, glasses....

Also Schadenfreudalicious - I'm shocked.....shocked, I tell you:

It’s time to say goodbye. IJP Design’s online shop is closing down. 

After 10 years, IJP Design, Ian Poulter’s clothing line, is ceasing operations. Poulter announced the closing Wednesday with a heartfelt message to his fans.

“To all my fans, followers and customers that have bought IJP Design over the 10 years, I can’t (thank) you enough for trying the product and trying to help build the brand,” Poulter wrote. “It’s a very sad day to announce I will be closing down the IJP Design shop after 10 years of hard work. The following and support of my customers has been truly amazing. I’m sorry it will no longer be trading, but I hope you all understand our efforts in trying to restructure the business to make it work. Unfortunately, it’s not been possible to continue in today’s market. For anyone wishing to grab some of the last items at a bargain, please fill your boots; I have done the same. Sincere thanks to you all, Ian.”

I'm sure he has filled his boot, we can just take comfort in the fact that he doesn't get much air time these days....