Phoenix Open Talk

PIGDivot

Anyone know why they didn't finish the 2nd round last night? Said play was suspended by darkness? What happened, did they let Ben Crane and/or Keegan "twitchy reset" Bradley out in the first group, essentially holding everyone else up or something?

James Hahn has won before, and has the lead; can he be in the mix on Sunday, or will he fade?

Snedeker is still hot and is lurking near the top of the leaderboard. Back to back?

I see Ricky is stroking it nicely and is threatening. Is this another win for Fowler?

PIGDivot

I see split tees and threesomes for the 3rd round. What's the deal? Are there weather issues or is Ben Crane holding up the show?

PIGDivot

Golf Channel just posted a statistic where there were four pros who posted a 7 at the par three 16th hole. How does a pro make a 7 on what seemingly appears to be a rather benign and simple par 3?

Side note - they mentioned that one of the players (Bob Tway) who had made a 7 at the 16th had also posted a 12 at #17 at Sawgrass. I guess Tway is not a fan of loud and noisy par threes.

PIGDivot

Danny Lee with a three shot lead over Matsuyama and Fowler to start the final round. Mickelson lurking at five back.

Can Lee hold them all off or do you see someone making a run at him?

Would be well within form for Fowler to go low today and steal a W.

Does Lefty have a few tricks left in the bag to claim victory?

Compelling leaderboard either way.

PA-PLAYA

Three shot leads are nice, but wouldn't be surprised if someone closes the gap and gives the young feller something to think about. In fact, looks like Lee has already given one back in just the first 30 minutes of play.

Could be a barn burner.

PA-PLAYA

Five players tied @ 11-under. Already a dog fight going.

azgreg

This is going to be a heck of a finish.

PIGDivot

I can't believe Fowler hit it in the water on 17. You've got a two shot lead with two to go and you walk off that green tied for the lead. Head scratcher for sure.

Spuzz

Maybe he can't hit a three wood?
lol

PIGDivot

Great clutch putting by Matsuyama and then Fowler to force a playoff. I still wonder what would have happened if Rickie hadn't dunked it on 17. Good stuff though.

PIGDivot

Incredible clutch putting, especially under such pressure! Great golf to watch!

darpar

Man these guys can putt.....don't they know there's a Super Bowl coming up?

PIGDivot

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Rickie!!!

Spuzz

Waiting for somebody to yell during the long pause and back swing of Matsuyama.
It would be unfortunate, imo.

Spuzz

Better player won.
🙂

FauxAmish

Spuzz

Congratulations to Matsuyama.

PA-PLAYA

That 17th hole has Rickie's number. With the two balls that he put in the water there today, he's only a sleeve shy of drowning a dozen balls there since 2009. With where that hole location was, nursing a 2-shot lead, I was really surprised he played it so aggressively in regulation.

Typhoon

PA-PLAYA

I thought Fowler was laying up on 17 in the playoff to avoid the water. He didn't have driver... Seemed he should have laid it back further and take the water completely out of play. Don't know what he was thinkingq.

PA-PLAYA

Typhoon

Agreed. I was listening to it on Sirius radio, didn't see that last playoff hole live on tv. I was shocked that he would hit any club that would challenge the water hazard under the premise that he wasn't going for it. Again, not seeing it, I'm merely speculating... maybe he thought after hitting driver the over the back of the green and into the water the first go round - he could rope a 3-wood and maybe get it to the front apron but just overcooked the draw? Otherwise the smart play (and the situation) would've dictated hitting an iron up there, leaving a small wedge for his second shot.

Isn't that hole location usually all the way in the back normally for that hole on Sunday??? I was surprised it was cut front-left...

I'm sure he's arm chairing himself to death this evening. Losing is losing, but man... losing a playoff to a routine par on a 300-yard hole is just salt in the wound.

PIGDivot

PA-PLAYA Fowler crushed a 3 wood on the 4th playoff hole on #17 with a nice little draw. He just overdrew it, and it landed about 10 feet short of the water, took one bounce and then splash. Perhaps the lesson for him on this hole for future years of this tournament is to take 5 iron on this hole off the tee, and hit a wedge to within 10 feet, and take your chances with the birdie putt. Just really bad course management, especially after you crushed a drive over 355 yards behind the green into the water the previous time playing the hole.