Zurich Classic of New Orleans / PGA TOUR / March 27-30, 2008
 

This week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans is being played at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. There's a lot at stake here: A purse of $6,200,000 with $1,116,000 to the winner (and a ticket to The Masters if he is not otherwise qualified). In the field are LBG students Brian Gay, John Riegger and Jay Williamson. Catch today's first round action on The Golf Channel at 3:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET.

With three to play and the 'late' field just now teeing off, Jay Williamson has the solo lead at -4. http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/...018/index.html

Jay started on the backside, so he is now facing the Par 5, 7th. Get that birdie, Jay!

:rambo:

Way to go Jay. Steve Elkington has joined Jay at the top of the leaderboard. Steve is also an A.I. of TGM. The consistent good play of these TGM'ers is going to bring The Machine to the forefront of golf intruction.

Jay Williamson Among the Leaders
 

After Round 1, here's the LBG Leaderboard:

Jay Williamson 68 / -4 / T5
Brian Gay 73 / +1 / T73
John Riegger 74 / +2 / T92

Here's a nice article on Jay from the PGA TOUR website:

http://www.pgatour.com/2008/tourname...day/index.html

:)

What did the bit about "his right shoulder passing the club"mean:question:

Garden Variety 'Over-the-Top' Move
 

A Flat Downstroke Shoulder Turn (Off Plane per 10-13-B). It happens in the best of families.

:crybaby:

That was funny!

Jay Is T2 At the End Of Two
 

Congrats to Jay Williamson on today's fine, 3-under-par 69. At 137 (-7) for the tournament, he is T2, only one shot out of the lead. http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/...018/index.html

A glance at Jay's stats shows why he scoring so well:

• Driving Distance 277.5
• Driving Accuracy 78.57%
• GIR 77.78%
• Putts Per GIR 1.750
• Avg. Proximity to Pin 30'05"
• Scrambling 87.50%

Here's a brief mention from the PGA TOUR's website:

Williamson -- who played much of the last two seasons on the Nationwide Tour -- birdied the first hole and added birdies on No. 7, 11 and 15. A bogey on 12 prevented him from catching Baird.

"I've got to putt better," said Williamson, who iced his right shoulder after the round. "I've got to be more confident with my stroke."

Saturday is Moving Day on the PGA TOUR. Good luck, Jay!

The two other LBG competitors, John Riegger (146) and Brian Gay (147) had a tougher time of it and failed to make the Even Par cut. They've got plenty of good company: Six of the top 10 players in the FedExCup Points Standings who were in the field this week also missed.

Both are in the field (along with Jay) for next week's Shell Houston Open.

:salut:

Long Day Comin' In Louisiana
 

Big storms moved into area today and forced suspension of the third round. Only three players completed the full 18 holes, and the 36-hole leader, Briny Baird, has 33 holes to play tomorrow. Jay Williamson -- currently +1 through four (-6 for the tournament and two shots back) -- is in the same boat with 32 to play.

It's an odd situation, with some players beginning their 4th round tomorrow at 7:20 a.m., while the leaders are just getting underway in the 3rd round. Players will remain in their 3rd round pairings, and the scheduled 54-hole 'second' cut has been cancelled. Read about this unusual circumstance here: http://www.pgatour.com/2008/tourname...day/index.html

Jay turned age 41 on February 7th, so the advantage goes to the younger guys on what is going to be a very long day. Nevertheless, he's a terrific athlete and in great shape. He will be a formidable competitor.

:rambo:

The Leader Is Ahead . . . WAY Ahead!
 

The 36-hole leaders have just begun their 4th round. The current leader, Andres Romero, was well back after 36, but shot 65 in the 3rd round. As I posted yesterday would be the case, due to the rain suspension, the 3rd round pairings were maintained for the 4th. Which leads to this very odd current circumstance:

Romero is now twelve holes ahead of Briny Baird (the 36-hole leader) and six holes ahead of Woody Austin (currently in second place by a shot). He will finish more than two hours ahead of the final group, a long time to wait to see if he takes home the trophy!

Meanwhile, Jay Williamson was even for his third round and is now two holes into his 4th round. He is -7 for the tournament and T12, five shots back. Here's a video of his pitch-in from the back of the 13th green in this morning's round:

http://www.pgatour.com/video/?/video...13th .pgatour

Andres Romero -- Argentine Ace
 

Andres Romero today won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a score of 275 (-13). After sitting for more than two hours chatting with friends and checking his iTunes library, he's got his first PGA TOUR victory. Good for him!

Jay Williamson played 34 holes today, 11 more than the 26-year-old Romero. He shot 75 (+3) on his final 18; finished at -4 (T33) for the tournament; and won $30,724.44.

With another Zurich in the books, the PGA Road Show moves on to the Shell Houston Open.

:3gears:

Mr. Miller's Commentary
 

Congratulations Andres...It was great to see you stay so relaxed & confident...while players & commentators were choking at their locations you stayed cool & within yourself. It's amazing how Johnny Miller sees every negative possibility of a bad shot when a player is preparing to make his swing. I can't believe he played that way with his success on the Tour. He must announce the opposite of how he played. It must be easier playing from the announcer's booth. I wonder why he never tried the Champions Tour. Probably no guts is my guess.:)

The yips! Whether the cause was no guts or not is up for debate. He claims he yips when he writes checks too.

Overcoming Demons
 

Bernhard Langer is about as famous as one gets for the yips. Did he walk away from it or did he fight and overcome it .... and now is playing fabulous golf on the Champions Tour. It's much easier sitting in the booth critiquing others at play than competing on the field & placing one's own skills to scrutiny. Besides, he can't match his glory days so why try. I'll stick with my "no guts" theory with regard to Mr. Miller.:)

I buy your argument. Langer shows that sheer will and stubbornness may be more important than talent in many cases. Langer + extreme talent = Tiger

I am still a great fan of Johnny Miller the player. To have seen him in his prime was something special. It seem that that negative style of announcing is characterictic of American golf commentary. I for one prefer the style of Renton Laidlaw of the European tour. He is both positve and professional.

As an aside, when Miller says a guys insides are churning and he looks like puking in his shoes, you can bet he is. Insight from a guy who has been there and is humble enough to admit it.

You are probably very correct that Miller did not think like that in his heyday, but his present way of thinking is likely the best indication of why he is not competing today.

you choking dog!
 

Renton Laidlaw is a mild sedative! You never know what is going to come out of JM's mouth next, or what "Rog" is going to have to agree with! Miller is an analyst, not a polished commentator...Jimmy Roberts and the boyz compensate well for his foot in mouth thing. I think Finchy is pretty good...Feherty is a great mix of know how and personality. JM tells it like he sees it. Langer beat the yips...Miller did not. I miss Peter Alliss...a link to the Henry Longurst era. "There but for the grace of God..." Poor Doug!

Renton
 

Where IS Renton Laidlaw?? I've watched many of the euro event in 08 and can't recall Renton announcing in one of them. I seem to recall he was on and off with an illness last year, but haven't heard any updates on the telecasts.

CG