Golf with Shanks - Last comments

In response to: Imagine Michelle Wie Without the Baggage

Wie's problems in the clutch have been highly exagerated. Shanks talks about the tournament that got away in the final round at the Sybase. Reality. She started tied for 4th with Creamer 3 shots behind Oh and Pettersen. She never got any closer. After she had played 11 and the leaders 10 she was at
-10 while they were at -13. She doubled bogeyed 12 effectively eliminated what slight chance she still had--but that chance was pretty remmote. That is hardly something I would describe as one that got away. Passing Lincicome to move up from T4 to T3 actually made it a decent final round. She would have needed the best round of the day just to tie Oh's winning score.

I think the question for Wie now will be how good she will be, not how good she will be in the clutch. With a win now, she figures to only get better in the clutch--but who knows how good she will be.

Stanford had 3 wins in 7 events and 9 straight top 7s. But then she cooled off, still a top player but not at that level. Has Wie just been in a hot spell, or is her recent good play simply what we can expect in the future, or will she improve. Big hitters tend to have hot and cold spells. In the past one of the things that has been amazing about Wie was her level of consistence. But I am not sure she has that same level of consistnce now.

In response to: Imagine Michelle Wie Without the Baggage

Shanks,

I fully expect domination, as Wie's last 8 events resulted in 4 top 4 finishes (a 4th, a 3rd, a 2nd and a 1st). And a 9th event in that span, Solheim, was absolutely a dominant performance. If you'll allow the Solheim performance to be considered another "top 4" performance--and perhaps most would consider it more resembling a win--then Wie's last 9 events comprised 5 top 4's. Imagine, 55% of one's starts resulting in top 4 performances.

It seems to me that Shin, Ochoa, Ai Miyazato and Wie are the best female players in the world at the moment, at least over the final 4 months or so. And consider these numbers: 67, 69, 70, 69,64, 70, 69, 66, 73, 66, 69. What are they? Wie's Sunday scores her last 11 events. And add to that Sunday's clutch performance at Solheim. Sunday has become Michelle Wie's best day.

Another year like this past year, especially the latter half, and she will be threatening the lead in the world rankings. Now #1 in the world in birdies per 18 holes, domination is not far away.

In response to: Imagine Michelle Wie Without the Baggage

A few of the posters around here might be found on a 20th floor ledge right about now, wondering how they can go on without their favorite punching bag to hit. Tell em all to get after Jamie Lovemark or Rickie Fowler next.

In response to: Imagine Michelle Wie Without the Baggage

Oh well 1/58. The win streak is over.

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

I can guarantee one wrap-up blog. And perhaps there will be a hint of gloat about it!

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Promise me just one gloat blog?

Do all the other teams have to kneel before you? I'm getting visions of total prostration here. Must be one of the biggest winning margins?

I hope she gets POY for what she has brought to the party. Go Jiyai!

TW - Huh! MW - Huh! Shanks - Yessir!

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Let's see if Shin can make it $1.2 million for us this final week of LPGA play. Just for effect.

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

JOB DONE!

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Yes, the winning margin could very well exceed $1 million. We're currently ahead by $941,000 and still have Jiyai Shin playing in the final 2 LPGA events.

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Hilarious! Still, it kept it gripping and the calculator keys burning. Any chance we can make it a thorough trouncing by a $1M?

Many congratulations for the win with such imaginative picks.

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Just found out that the HSBC - though sanctioned by PGA Tour - is unoffical. The win doesn't count for Mickelson nor does the prize money go towards PGA Tour money list. All that worrying this week for nothing.

WE WIN!!!!

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Never mind Westwood - I want some crowing - or are you waiting for the final whistle?

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

Brings to mind the old southern U.S. saying "It's all over but the shouting". The 2nd place team has no one playing in the final PGA Tour event at Disney World and nobody else is close enough to catch us, even with a miracle 1-2-3-4-5-6 finish.

So, now I say, best of luck to Westwood!!

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

I don't care; I just don't care .....

I'm currently singing "We Are The Champions ....Of The World", albeit not tunefully.

I think the HSBC purse was reduced from what I can see, which helped a bit and as Westy can't harm us now, shall we wish him in all the luck in Dubai?

My little calculator tells me at least half a horse ahead. What say you, Captain?

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

No shocker that Woods is 5 under in the first round but Paul Casey did also. Guess he's over that rusty period, dammit. Still, I'm hanging even with the at whole team as Perez & Kuchar are 4 under and Stenson is 3 under. Will definitely hold my interest for the next few days. The difference in payouts between first and second place is a four figure number.

In response to: Fanatasy Golf League Update: Shanks in front, going to the whip

who doesn't like some good old fanatasy golf, fanatasy football, or fanatasy anything? I've had my fun...good luck this weekend.

In response to: Fantasy Golf League Update: Shanks Leading By a Nose

Perez has a post on his website that he is playing in China. Kuchar is the only one in doubt and he is high on the list to fill the field to it's full 78 players. I tried to add it all up but admittedly am not 100% sure.

In response to: Fantasy Golf League Update: Shanks Leading By a Nose

I had seen Perez entry in Arizona & last 4 tournaments LPGA, but wasn't sure if they all counted or even if Shin had entered them all (assume at least 2 as defending champ). Checked qualifications for WGC, but obviously no actual confirmation of participants at this stage. I shall remain quietly confident in the meantime.

In response to: Fantasy Golf League Update: Shanks Leading By a Nose

I didn't realize this event would count until I looked closely at the schedule. It's not readily evident as they show it in a special event category. The good news is that we will have 4 players in China too - Stenson, Johnson, Kuchar and Perez. And Perez is playing this week in Arizona. Should we drop slightly behind, we have our insurance policy - Jiyai Shin - with 4 more LPGA events to play. I like our chances very much.

In response to: Fantasy Golf League Update: Shanks Leading By a Nose

Nooooooooo! I was working on the assumption that "everybody in the team chasing us will have finished their season next week" (9/15). How could you get a girl's hopes up like that?! And I was so looking forward to the hair of the dog after celebrating Button's F1 and Westwood's (allowable - European) wins last night. You had better bring it home or there'll be trouble :-(