Padraig Harrington.....2015 Honda Classic Champion

gladrags

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I agree pierce. I'd be one of his biggest fans.

But . I'd still be happy if he made cut. Finished top 40.

One round doesn't make a golfer.

All . I've ever said on here, is he will have a big big outing at a major again at some stage.

Proud comments.

FixdePitchmark

I don't think he can get to his best.

But I think he can do

A Langer
A Watson
An Ells
A Clarke
A Couples
A sort of Jimenez. But, what Jimenez has done is a once off but. To be at that level that long.

Again. Just an ok round. Wouldn't be jumping to anything.

Pierce_1991

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I don't think he can get to his best.

But I think he can do

A Langer
A Watson
An Ells
A Clarke
A Couples
A sort of Jimenez. But, what Jimenez has done is a once off but. To be at that level that long.

Again. Just an ok round. Wouldn't be jumping to anything.

Yeah I certainly wouldn't expect to see him win 3 majors in a year anytime soon. I think he could potentially have another major in him but he'll need to win a few tournaments first. This is a big year for him now, he's made a positive start I think. Missed the first few cuts but his game has been improving week by week. He should make the cut this week and maybe can push on a little bit. I'm an optimist at heart so I always believe he could win this week but realistically he could get a top 30 finish and we'll all be pleased. If he can keep improving to the point where he feels he belongs at the top of the leaderboard again then we'll see him winning once more.

The Big Easy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I don't think he can get to his best.

But I think he can do

A Langer
A Watson
An Ells
A Clarke
A Couples
A sort of Jimenez. But, what Jimenez has done is a once off but. To be at that level that long.

Again. Just an ok round. Wouldn't be jumping to anything.

Like you I believe he has a couple more hurrahs left in him like most elite level golfers. The Baker-Finch's, Duvals and Woods:P are the rarer of the species in golfing terms and even Duval nearly won a US Open from nowhere.

Think you're being a bit unfair calling it an ok round (I know you're trying to play down expectations but this is the wrong thread for that ), it's his best round on the PGA Tour in a very long time and long may it continue.

Either way the man is an absolute legend and an engaging personality to boot.

Pierce_1991

He's interviewed on this weeks Golf Weekly podcast from Newstalk for anyone interested.

FixdePitchmark

The Big Easy wrote: »

Think you're being a bit unfair calling it an ok round (I know you're trying to play down expectations but this is the wrong thread for that ), it's his best round on the PGA Tour in a very long time and long may it continue.

Well if he didn't have a round in him like that - should he be there at all ?
It is the PGA tour after all.

That to me is why it is not unfair - I don't think anyone should be in the field if they can't do that.

That is a valid question after the last year we have had. Should he have been in the field at all. Exemptions and invites are an unusual aspect of the pro game.

At one stage as others said - he could have done with time out. Real time out.

Even after time out - I think he is the type of guy mentally, who would put work in and have a big Open for example.

Anyway - a top 40 will do me,
Top 20 class

Anything else not realistic at this stage.

Every pro at that level should have a 3 under round in them.
John Daly does it every few months.

Old diesel

Heres the thing - the key here - is how does he build on this round moving forward

The great thing about a round like this - is that it shows potential for Padraig.

Its always going to be hard for him though as hes trying to get out of a slump

Theres potential there for this weekend - and maybe the future - but the potential needs to be converted into performances.

Great round today though

abff

Nice post round interview with Padraig on the PGA Tour website. He's definitely not getting ahead of himself.

The Big Easy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Well if he didn't have a round in him like that - should he be there at all ?
It is the PGA tour after all.

That to me is why it is not unfair - I don't think anyone should be in the field if they can't do that.

That is a valid question after the last year we have had. Should he have been in the field at all. Exemptions and invites are an unusual aspect of the pro game.

At one stage as others said - he could have done with time out. Real time out.

Even after time out - I think he is the type of guy mentally, who would put work in and have a big Open for example.

Anyway - a top 40 will do me,
Top 20 class

Anything else not realistic at this stage.

Every pro at that level should have a 3 under round in them.
John Daly does it every few months.

Get what you're saying but it's not a bog standard three under. There's going to be quite a few 80 plus scores out there today I reckon.

Rory and DJ are struggling big time out there on a tough course in tough conditions. Agree it doesn't mean much unless he can string four reasonable rounds together.

Would love a top 20 to give him some confidence to kick on and challenge again. Believe this round to be the most encouraging I've seen out of him in a long time (not to discount Indonesia but this is a proper tournament on a proper course).

The fact he didn't visit the water over the closing stretch with a good score in his sights is even more encouraging given Paddy's penchant for taking a dip, especially over the closing stretch

And just in case he's struggling to hold on for the cut tomorrow (hopefully that won't be an issue), the bear trap will be around the turn lessening it's likelihood to completely derail him.

vienne86

Only just come home and seen this score for today - well done, man.....great if you can give us something to cheer about and stop all of us doom predicters wrong.

FixdePitchmark

Yes and an 80 - doesn't make a bad golfer.

The following lads had 3 under or less in them

Herman OWGR 394
Harrington OWGR 297
Flores OWGR 278

Every pro in top 500 of OWGR has a low round in them - on any course in any conditions.

It is about 4 rounds - big big difference.

Panrich

Dan Chipowski wrote: »

Just loaded up the PGA Tour site and figured I'd be scrolling down for quite a while until I got to Padraig......

Pleasant surprise to have no scrolling at all! Great start.

Is it only me who can't do that. I always scroll straight to the bottom and then start scrolling up hoping that I dont see the irish players until we're near the top. Thought I'd missed Padraig today. Great round.

The Big Easy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes and an 80 - doesn't make a bad golfer.

The following lads had 3 under or less in them

Herman OWGR 394
Harrington OWGR 297
Flores OWGR 278

Every pro in top 500 of OWGR has a low round in them - on any course in any conditions.

It is about 4 rounds - big big difference.

Yeah but the three of them had to be playing exceptionally well to post those scores today. He had to be hitting the ball really well today to shoot 67 and the amount of makeable birdie chances suggests his game is in good nick.

The point I'm trying to make is you can shoot (not literally you but maybe someday :P) 66 or 67 in benign conditions on a less challenging course and not necessarily have played well but you couldn't fake a 67 around there today; it had to be pure and that's why I'm taking it as a positive.

We'll find out tomorrow though if it's just another false dawn or the start of a glorious Indian summer

FixdePitchmark

Yes - but today is a freak in a way.

On a normal day 80 % of the field would have that round in them or lower.

Padraig has never had issue with hard conditions and hard courses - he would have had a greater career if it was based on that.

In perfect conditions Padraig would have a 67 or a little lower on a great day - but someone else would have 66s - 65s. 10 to 15 would be ahead of him on his great day in perfect conditions.

The problem for Padraig is he doesn't have low low for the week in him. He hardly ever had that in is career - he is not going to get it now.


Look at his stats for the year - pages of them - it is very early and he has improved.

But _ I wouldn't see much in them stats - that equal wins - or sadly even making cuts easy.

So - that is why - I hate to say it , he has a future - but as a specialist in very tough conditions - hard courses - links courses - The Open or other unusual conditions, higher scoring weeks.

I'd love to be wrong - and this is the start of something - but would need to see this for a few tournaments at least.

4 rounds would be a start.

His long game is good - his scrambling is ok.

But - just to pick one - his approaches from 125 down are just too bad.

We will watch stats as season goes on.

http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.20766.padraig-harrington.html/statistics

tayto lover

Great round today but probably back to square one tomorrow.

abff

tayto lover wrote: »

Great round today but probably back to square one tomorrow.

Very constructive contribution.

Whyner

abff wrote: »

Very constructive contribution.

I wonder where he got that notion.......

Rikand

Can't wait to see where the SpaceCraft Experience takes us this evening!

The Big Easy

Rikand wrote: »

Can't wait to see where the SpaceCraft Experience takes us this evening!

Should get some coverage as well, as long as he starts half reasonably *fingers crossed*

gladrags

We are talking 5:05 pm tee time.

I think

Good luck Paddy

Stella89

A top ten finish this week would be a great result

BoardsMember

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes - but today is a freak in a way.

On a normal day 80 % of the field would have that round in them or lower.

Padraig has never had issue with hard conditions and hard courses - he would have had a greater career if it was based on that.

In perfect conditions Padraig would have a 67 or a little lower on a great day - but someone else would have 66s - 65s. 10 to 15 would be ahead of him on his great day in perfect conditions.

The problem for Padraig is he doesn't have low low for the week in him. He hardly ever had that in is career - he is not going to get it now.


Look at his stats for the year - pages of them - it is very early and he has improved.

But _ I wouldn't see much in them stats - that equal wins - or sadly even making cuts easy.

So - that is why - I hate to say it , he has a future - but as a specialist in very tough conditions - hard courses - links courses - The Open or other unusual conditions, higher scoring weeks.

I'd love to be wrong - and this is the start of something - but would need to see this for a few tournaments at least.

4 rounds would be a start.

His long game is good - his scrambling is ok.

But - just to pick one - his approaches from 125 down are just too bad.

We will watch stats as season goes on.

http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.20766.padraig-harrington.html/statistics

I'm not sure about what point(s) you're trying to make here.

Yesterday was a normal day, what was not normal about it. Everyone was playing golf on the same course, and trying their best. On any given day you have different outcomes, that's golf. Does it need one or a few to go low in order for it to be a normal day?

It's hard to imagine Padraig have a much better career than he has had. His poor form has not been caused by an inability to go low, it has been that he's been playing cr@p, lost his long/short/putting game, wahtever. Before his latest troubles, he had an excellent record on both tours. Ok, stats may show that he did not often go low, but this did not seem to harm too much. Obviously if he'd gone lower more often he would have an even better record, but that's kind of stating the obvious, and is the same for every golfer to ever play the game.

One of Padraigs strengths is that he can back up a round, shoot a 68 after shooting a 68, or whatever, and he can cope with the pressure of the last 9 holes on Sunday. One low round is no good if you blow up after.

So he does not need low low for the week, particularly on a tough course like this. 4 rounds at or under par will leave him very competitive. There is no problem with this, as you suggest. Yes, as has always been the case, when its a birdie shoot-out he's unlikely to win the event, but he's done well enough overall, on balance, to say the least.

So, if he ever does get back, which is not at all guaranteed, and assuming he has the same type of game as he had before, he'll do just fine: lots of good finishes, some wins etc. To say he'll only be a specialist in tough conditions makes no sense, unless you think that is the way he has always been, and the evidence would certainly suggest that he performs better on tougher course/more wind etc, but not exclusively.

Regarding the wedge shots, that certainly seems to be his achilles heel, but of all the things he's battled in the last 5 years, I would take that over struggling with scrambling, putting, driving etc.

Who knows what's going to happen, but lets not be too revisionist. He was a great champion, and if he gets a lot of that game back, he will be again, and whether he has low low rounds in him or whatever is not relevant.

Jazzzman

he's still got it! 8)

lorenzo87

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Yes - but today is a freak in a way.

On a normal day 80 % of the field would have that round in them or lower.

Padraig has never had issue with hard conditions and hard courses - he would have had a greater career if it was based on that.

In perfect conditions Padraig would have a 67 or a little lower on a great day - but someone else would have 66s - 65s. 10 to 15 would be ahead of him on his great day in perfect conditions.

The problem for Padraig is he doesn't have low low for the week in him. He hardly ever had that in is career - he is not going to get it now.


Look at his stats for the year - pages of them - it is very early and he has improved.

But _ I wouldn't see much in them stats - that equal wins - or sadly even making cuts easy.

So - that is why - I hate to say it , he has a future - but as a specialist in very tough conditions - hard courses - links courses - The Open or other unusual conditions, higher scoring weeks.

I'd love to be wrong - and this is the start of something - but would need to see this for a few tournaments at least.

4 rounds would be a start.

His long game is good - his scrambling is ok.

But - just to pick one - his approaches from 125 down are just too bad.

We will watch stats as season goes on.

http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.20766.padraig-harrington.html/statistics

How on earth do you think 80% of the field would shoot -3 on a "normal" day on that course? Yesterday was a normal day at Palm Beach. -8 won the bloody thing last year, it is a very tough course. Just because these are professionals, it doesn't give them the right to shoot -5 every round they play on tour. I actually don't even know what you are trying to imply by your post, it's bizarre.

benny79

He was summoned to dinner by Bob Rotella Tues Night and they had a 1 to 1 seemed to do the trick Bob said he's starting to get to a good place mentally.

May give him a call myself! Now if I could only find were I but his No :P

tayto lover

abff wrote: »

Very constructive contribution.

It's the normal thing for him though.

fearruanua

Honda currently suspended during to rain : (

spacecoyote

lorenzo87 wrote: »

How on earth do you think 80% of the field would shoot -3 on a "normal" day on that course? Yesterday was a normal day at Palm Beach. -8 won the bloody thing last year, it is a very tough course. Just because these are professionals, it doesn't give them the right to shoot -5 every round they play on tour. I actually don't even know what you are trying to imply by your post, it's bizarre.

I don't think Fix was talking about a normal day on this specific course, but more of a general observation on scoring, ie, in an average PGA tour event guys will shoot low more easily than paddy does

BoardsMember

spacecoyote wrote: »

I don't think Fix was talking about a normal day on this specific course, but more of a general observation on scoring, ie, in an average PGA tour event guys will shoot low more easily than paddy does

It's still hard to make sense of that tbh, when you consider his career stats before he lost it. Just doesn't add up. If these "guys" consistently shoot lower then they end up having better stats, and there are not many with better stats than PH. I understand the point that he has never gone ultra low very often, but what relevance that has to anything at all is hard to grasp. He doesn't need to go low now any more than he ever has, and not being able to do so has never harmed him too much. I imagine the guys that habitually go low on Thursdays would not mind his cojones in the heel of the hunt, or indeed a few of his majors.

mrkiscool2

Tee-off timed re-adjusted to 9:50 Irish time