GOLF PICKS JOHN DEERE AND SCOTTISH

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JOHN DEERE
~Round 1~

Justin Thomas fired a shot across Jordan Spieth's bow on Thursday. His opening round (63) sent a message to Jordan and the rest of field - that his retreat from the lead last weekend - was merely an evasive maneuver.  The attack was unprovoked - as the SS Spieth dropped anchor at John Deere for a last minute supply of fairways and greens. 

Jordan Spieth is currently adrift at Even Par. However, raising the white flag and missing the cut on Friday would allow him to set sail early for Britain. No reason to waste ammunition engaging a pirate ship - in route to capturing the British flag. Jordan's guns seemed polished - with the exception of his putter. Draining a few puts and pulling up anchor early would not hurt his cause.

Thomas on the other hand, will need every hand on deck. Winning for the first time on the PGA is a daunting task. Going wire to wire makes it an even more difficult campaign. He made several long puts on Thursday. He will not sink those tomorrow. Thomas will need to stick his approach shots much closer over the next 3 days - in order to capture the flag at Deere Run. 

 ~Round 3~

Jordan Spieth exercised his dominance on Saturday like the Queens fleet - letting the yanks know she is still in charge. Jordan shot 61 and assumed the lead. We'll have to watch and see if a tea party revolt breaks out on Sunday.  Comparisons between Tiger and Spieth are no longer premature conjecture - but historical fact.

Over-exposure makes it easy to take Jordan for granted. He makes it look easy. Not just the golf, course management, the interviews, everything. As he sat unshaven - next to seasoned commentators - you had to wonder how - in just 24 months - this kid has become not just "a man" but "The Man".  Anchors and politicians spend years trying to look natural on camera as they read their lines. Jordan does it better - without a script. His explanations of his game are not only generous and precise - they border on innovative revelation. All the while - he maintains a humble demeanor. Comparing other young guns to Jordan is not really fair - they are not in the same league. Prodigy does that - it adds decades of knowledge and experience that can not be accounted for

Justin Thomas missed 2 - 3 foot puts that cost him 2 strokes. He lost last week by 3 putting the same. Unlike Spieth, Thomas looks uncomfortable in his own skin. That's what I mean - we forget how scary a stage this is. The spotlight - the stakes. Thomas did surge on Saturday to pull within 3 of Jordan. The only real cure for lack of confidence on the PGA is winning. It will be a shot heard round the world - if Justin, Jordans roommate on tour can steal this back from his friend and college Nemesis. 

Live now on Golf Channel - then NBC

 ~Round 4~

"I hate this tee shot" 

Jordan complained aloud as his ball headed for the rough. After a 7 under round - followed by 10 under - some let down was to be expected. Jordan missed a few fairways down the stretch.  

 

Zach Johnson

was a favorite to win this week. However, he could not catch a break and provided comic relief in spite of his bad luck. An air cannon went of in his back stroke just before a put. The day before - After an Eagle by Spieth - Zack waved at the crowd as if the applause were for him.  

Danny Lee

would also have his share of bad luck. Lift, Clean and Place was in effect on Saturday, but not on Sunday. Danny picked up his bad to clean it and then realized his mistake. That 1 stroke penalty would keep him out of the playoff. "Ouch!

"Nobody does that" my friend, a golf fan of 30 years exclaimed. He lost it and then came back to win it in the same round. "We are seeing something special here". Jordan would Birdie from the fringe, catch the leader, and go on to win in a playoff

 

  

Cant Get Enough 

In spite of his over-exposure - it turns out - we cant get enough of Jordan Spieth. His pursuit of a third major is the headline going into the British Open. Frankly, after an overdose of Links Golf at Chambers Bay - he may be the main reason most Americanseven watch. One fan could not let go - literally - after Jordan handed her his glove following an errant tee shot.

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Scottish Open
~Round 1~

Thorbjorn Olesen shot a bogey free 7 under today. His first name means "Thunderbear". I posted last week that I will keep betting him until he wins. This danish version of Jordan Spieth seems to have a bright future ahead. Unfortunately - he was not on the bet sheets in Vegas, and like Danny Lee last week - won't make us a dime if he wins. I do have him at 200-1 in the British though. If he could save the best for next week and let Rafa win this week - I would pocket $800. 

Rafa Bello, is dead set on closing out his first tourney this year. After falling from the lead with a 40 on the front 9 - he rebounded last week with a 29 on the back. Like a group of persistent carolers it seems "He won't go until he gets some". After 5 straight top 15s or better - Let's hope he doesn't go away empty handed again. 

~Round 3~
 Rafa Bello, once again, drove is game off a cliff and is nowhere to be found on the leaderboard. 
Olesen followed suit and lost his invite to the British Open in the process.


~Round 4~
Ricky Fowler
finished with 3 birdies on the last 4 holes
to outplay Jacquelin and Luiten
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Stats and Picks

JOHN DEERE
NOT VERY GOOD ODDS  THIS WEEK
AND A REAL RISK A FAVORITE WINS IT

ZACH JOHNSON (10-1)

 OWNS THIS PLACE AND IS OVERDUE FOR A WIN

I WENT WITH BETTER ODDS ON

MY #2 PICK
HEARN

ALSO 

LANGLEY, STREB AND COVERED KISNER - PRICEY @ (15-1)


STICKIN WITH YOUNG GUNS

RODGERS AND THOMAS

FINAU DUE - BUT OVERPRICED
JONATHAN VEGAS A NICE LONGSHOT

SCOTTISH OPEN

Pregame 

MICKELSON IS MY ORIGINAL GUT PICK
I WENT WITH BELLO TO FINALLY CLOSE ONE OUT

BRITISH OPEN

Preview
JUST A FEW EARLY PICKS AND LONGSHOTS

GOT SPIETH AND DJ EARLY - BEFORE THE LINES DROPPED