With Hurricane Earl rampaging up the east coast, (about to hit Halifax this morning around 9am), PGA officials had the tees up and the pins accessible to help speed up play. Throw in lift clean and place on perfect fairways and little wind and you have a recipe for low scoring.
Only 13 players failed to break par of 71, and yes Tiger was one of them at +1, 72. Remember this is the last week for captain Corey Pavin to make his 4 picks..
Woods, I didn't drive it well, I didn't putt it well and my irons weren't very good either", bogeyed 4 of his first 6 holes and will need a strong round today to make the cut, and stay in the playoffs.
The leaders are the guys who have all been playing well for the last month
Jason Day and Zach Johnson lead at -8, 63
8 guys are at -7, 64 including Hunter Mahan, Ryan Moore, Ryan Palmer, Rory McIlroy, Charlie Hoffman and Geoff Ogilvy who hasn't had a top 10 since he won the SBS early in the year.
Others... Stricker T11, -6,65....Matt Kuchar and Martin Laird continue their fine play T16 -5,66... Phil Mickelson T61 -2,69.....Stephen Ames T28, -4,67
So the leaderboard is bunched and the winds and rain from the hurricane will dictate play today.
For me Corey Pavin does not have any one jumping out at him from the group he is choosing from..
Anthony Kim ?? Stewart Cink, Zack Johnson, Ben Crane, JB Holmes, Ricky Fowler, Tiger Woods are some of those who are on his list. Personally I would pick Fowler since he is playing as well if not better than anyone else and he would be a youthful spark plug for this underdog team.
Big question of course is Tiger. On form alone he would not be on the team, but there must be tremendous pressure from the PGA never mind ESPN and NBC to select him. If you select him he becomes the lightning rod immediately. If he plays well he becomes the rallying cry for the team.
Unfortunately for Pavin, his team ,the PGA and TV, Tiger's play and his spotty Ryder Cup record does not warrant his selection.
However in my opinion, he will be selected. After all, as we all know in the US, Tiger is the story whether he shoots 64 or 84 and country and others more worthy be damned, he will be in the team
Bryan Angus bryanangus4@gmail.com
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