Greetings From L.A., Cut Day This And That
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Just another warm, sunny day with Junior Chamber of Commerce weather at Riviera.
Question: will we still get these glorious days when PGA Tour Championship Management takes over operations from the Junior Chamber?
Crowds were larger Friday, though still not nearly the size or exuding the energy level of past Friday afternoons. Players continued to respond with excellent play despite firming greens and a little afternoon wind. Phil Mickelson suffered from the usual post-incredible-round blues, posting a 72 and struggling most of the way. Still, he's only three back heading into the weekend with a nicely stocked leaderboard.
Mickelson blasts out of the bunker on 11 and knocks it three feet even though a shutter went off way early and turned Bones into Stevie for just a second (click to enlarge)
The sponsor exemptions played admirably but not well enough for the weekend. Sifford exemptee Vincent Johnson impressed many, Pepperdine's Jason Gore is positioned for a nice check, and most observers feel Ryo Ishikawa has a ways to go in the course management department. In other words, he's no Rory McIlroy. ;)
Friday's "Where's Marty Hackel When You Need Him?" Award Winner (click to enlarge)I bounced around the course and took in a variety of groups, mostly hovering near the 10th hole when possible. Naturally it did not disappoint even with more guys laying-up today, but they still don't seem to want to lay-up left, meaning there were still plenty of things just won't see anywhere else in golf. Look for a juicy hole location Saturday to spice things up even more.
It was great seeing Peter Kostis, CBS analyst, former Titleist something-or-other and overall fan of all things this website, reunited with a Titleist bag while shooting some segment that most will TiVo right on by.
Love the Titleist bag Peter! (click image to enlarge)
A strange, you-had-to-be-there highlight of the day came while watching Johnson Wagner in the trees off No. 13, asking marshals to fuss with ropes, lemonade stands, pretzel cards and anything but the trees themselves. After a host of requests for the team of marshals on No. 13 and changing his mind on where to pitch out, Wagner finally decided on a simple chip out (therefore rendering all previous requests pointless).
After the shot he smiled sheepishly, blushed and said "So sorry" to the devoted volunteers. They of course said they were happy to oblige, but it was just one of those nice little gestures you don't see enough of from today's pro: an acknowledgement of the men and women in green who make the tournament a reality.
