2021 Pure Silk Championship (May 20 - 23)

[Shilgy]

4 hours ago, KBong said:

At least she came home with 2 birdies to finish +2...but will need a good rd tomorrow to avoid a trunk slam.

 

I think I recall reading a post last year that some did a Captain America and claimed that Bianca would be a Top 5 player....LOL.

It’s hard to get going when you don’t get starts.  She will play tomorrow about exactly on the cut line. 

[North Texas]

9 hours ago, JungleJimbo said:

@Argonne69 Is this Sarah Brown = different or same, vs the erstwhile “School of Golf” co-presenter with Martin Hall?
 

That Ms Brown = “Sara no H” , correct? (Albeit she was also a talented golfer/ had some Symetra card previously?)

 

 

 

 

Almost 100% certain that this is the Sarah D. Brown from Mount Pleasant, Texas who played college golf at Texas Tech. She currently plays the WAPT primarily and some on the Symetra Tour. Wife and I know her and were surprised to see that she had enough status to get into an LPGA event. 

[nosil]

7 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Definitely a head scratcher when it comes to scoring. Only 43 players under par. Fairways were firm, and drives were getting a ton of rollout. I guess the greens were on the firm side and not that receptive. 

 

 

Greens were definitely firm and fast; advertised as 12-12.5, but rolling true.  Also it has been cooler and no rain in our area so the Bermuda hasn't greened up or grown very thick.  Rough length is only slightly longer than the fairways so the ball just keeps rolling.   Tee boxes were also in some different locations than previous events;  some shorter,  but most a bit longer than I typically see.   I also think the earlier the players got out the better as the wind picked up as the day went on.  

[Golf Dino]

4 hours ago, Shilgy said:

It’s hard to get going when you don’t get starts.  She will play tomorrow about exactly on the cut line. 

 

I have a good feeling about Bianca for Friday's round @Supermilo.  She started out rough, double-bogey on her first hole, 4 over after 5-holes, but she did rebound.  Also her iron game and driving was not bad ... 14/18 GIR and 10/14 FIR.  Of course, putting was the Achilles heel, with 33 putts today.   I think @Shilgy is spot on when he comments about the infrequent starts have not been kind to Bianca.  I think she can pull it out tomorrow and make the cut ... regardless, I will be hoping she does.  

 

 

Edited May 21, 2021 by Golf Dino

[Golf Dino]

Another thing that I noticed this evening when scrolling the leaderboard, was that there are TEN players from Thailand in this event.  The same number as the South Koreans, with the American players representing a plurality of the field and almost 50% of the field. 

[KBong]

8 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

What on Earth happened to In Gee? Yikes. 6 over in her last four holes including a triple on the final hole. 

 

The Golf Gods found out In Gee threw away your 'hand crafted' Dumbo head cover and paid In Gee back during the Paula Creamer show today.

Karma always wins...lol.

[Stooch]

The 10th hole seems to be a beast, especially when it's your first hole of the day 🙂

[postfold]

Finally got around to watching the coverage and it's a bit odd to see all the dormant grass.  Must have really been an unusual spring for it not to be green, usually Kingsmill is picture perfect iirc.

 

Looking forward to seeing two or three groups from the other side of the draw today.

[kelpie]

Love watching Lexi play, she has to be one of the best ball strikers out there, but her new pencil putting stroke just looks horrible. If she ever gets comfortable with her putter she'll be back at the top. Looks like it's going to be a fun event to watch.

[HMHS]

2 hours ago, Stooch said:

The 10th hole seems to be a beast, especially when it's your first hole of the day 🙂

yup, that's what got Bianca yesterday and gave her a "wake up call" hopefully... 

[18majors]

 

I don't know what it is; but Pure Silk has been playing like an US Open suddenly.

 

It's weird, it can't be the course, Lexi shot -20 in 2017; the weather isn't bad, winds of less than 10 mph.  But, it seems there've been no shortage of bogeys among all players.

 

Maybe it's the combination of roughs and firmness of fairways and greens; because 144 players can't be wrong.

 

 

 

[Argonne69]

2 hours ago, postfold said:

Finally got around to watching the coverage and it's a bit odd to see all the dormant grass.  Must have really been an unusual spring for it not to be green, usually Kingsmill is picture perfect iirc.

 

Looking forward to seeing two or three groups from the other side of the draw today.

 

They mentioned yesterday that the course didn't overseed this winter, so instead of lush winter grass they have dormant Bermuda that won't green up until summer. 

 

[Argonne69]

20 minutes ago, 18majors said:

 

I don't know what it is; but Pure Silk has been playing like an US Open suddenly.

 

It's weird, it can't be the course, Lexi shot -20 in 2017; the weather isn't bad, winds of less than 10 mph.  But, it seems there've been no shortage of bogeys among all players.

 

Maybe it's the combination of roughs and firmness of fairways and greens; because 144 players can't be wrong.

 

 

Great minds think alike. I was just about to post the same thought. This could be the first tournament in a while where the winner was in single digits under par. 

 

The lack of overseeded turf grass seems to be a big factor. 

 

[18majors]

12 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Great minds think alike. I was just about to post the same thought. This could be the first tournament in a while where the winner was in single digits under par. 

 

The lack of overseeded turf grass seems to be a big factor. 

 

 

 

Yes, it's been weird.

 

I'm not surprised Jessica Korda had plenty of bogeys.  But Nelly had a double and two bogeys in 16 holes; that wouldn't happen on its own; there has to be a reason for it.

Edited May 21, 2021 by 18majors

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, 18majors said:

 

 

Yes, it's been weird.

 

I'm not surprised Jessica Korda had plenty of bogeys.  But Nelly had a double and two bogeys in 16 holes; that wouldn't happen on its own, there has to be a reason for it.

 

They're getting a lot of rollout. It's likely they're hitting approach shots from spots that they've never played from before. 

 

[Stooch]

Firm greens IMO, you can't throw darts and hope it will stop on a dime.  So when you're playing a landing spot and hoping it rolls out as predicted, you'll get tighter scores.  I don't recall but the year Lexi won  but you probably had soft greens and a ball that basically stops in it's pitch mark, the girls generally light it up under those conditions.

[18majors]

22 minutes ago, Stooch said:

Firm greens IMO, you can't throw darts and hope it will stop on a dime.  So when you're playing a landing spot and hoping it rolls out as predicted, you'll get tighter scores.  I don't recall but the year Lexi won  but you probably had soft greens and a ball that basically stops in it's pitch mark, the girls generally light it up under those conditions.

 

 

Actually, Lexi played out of sight when she shot -20.  I watched it closely, because In Gee was chasing but the more they played the farther In Gee fell behind.  In Gee finished solo second but lost by 5 shots.

 

Lexi's putting was immaculate in 2017, she made 2-3 putts longer than 30 feet and handled the 4-6 footers with aplomb.  

 

The course wasn't soft in 2017, but good shots stayed on the greens.

 

 

[Golf Dino]

Well it definitely sounds like it will be a good preparatory event for the US Women's Open in two weeks time -- particularly the firm greens and need to hit the higher trajectory, softer landing shots or to sort out approach shots, landing areas and run out.  Of course, the putting on a firm fast green will help too.

[3whacker]

3 hours ago, 18majors said:

 

 

Yes, it's been weird.

 

I'm not surprised Jessica Korda had plenty of bogeys.  But Nelly had a double and two bogeys in 16 holes; that wouldn't happen on its own; there has to be a reason for it.

with those two swings its a head scratcher on how either one makes a bogey...I sure hope one if not both make a good run at the US Open....always liked their Dad when he was playing tennis on the world circuit

[HMHS]

whew, just made the cut after 3 putting the last hole... otherwise GIR was finally good today for Bianca... 17/18...   at least gets category 13 status for making the cut after 3 tries this year...

[Stooch]

Still a pretty wide open tournament, we'll have to see who shows up and plays tomorrow to see the picture, I think.  Stacey was clutch and to escape with bogey on 18, that could help and "Bad Brooke!!" those were just lazy lack of concentration bogeys on 17 and 18, someone is still on break mentally.   Sei Young is still right there even with an off round.  Jessica is still playing well and Nelly  is lingering and a whole bunch of players can have a live changing win, tomorrow should be good.

[Gsea]

money is on Jessica and Ana

[Argonne69]

I think I figured out why the course is playing so tough. I keep forgetting that it's a Pete Dye design. The lack of railroad ties keeps throwing me off. 

 

The greens have multiple sections. Notice how shots landing away from the hole tend to move further away? You've got to be really precise to stick them close. As Morgan mentioned, players wind up with a lot of double breaking up then down putts. Add the dried out and grainy greens and there aren't a lot of easy two putts. 

 

Also, the TV does a poor job of showing the elevation and side slopes of many of the greens. Balls coming up short stay short on many holes. You also get balls kicking off the greens left and right. 

 

I've seen a lot of putts missed on the high side. I'm betting many holes are built on the side of a hill that isn't apparent to the eye. 

 

Then there's the good ol Bermuda grass. Never easy chipping off that stuff. It's scruffy around the greens, so no guarantee of a decent lie. 

 

Basically I think it's playing hard because it's simply a hard course! Lol. Pete didn't design many pushovers. The overseeded turf in past years probably took some of the teeth out of it. 

 

Anyway, definitely enjoying the tough going, along with the carnage at Pete's Ocean Course. Very surprised by Sei Young's and Brooke's late bobbles. Both were looking very solid. Of course they're still in it. 

 

It'll be interesting to see how Sarah holds up. She's been around for a while, but hasn't really been in this position. 

 

Stacy looking like old Stacy. 

 

[Golf Dino]

1 hour ago, Stooch said:

Still a pretty wide open tournament, we'll have to see who shows up and plays tomorrow to see the picture, I think.  Stacey was clutch and to escape with bogey on 18, that could help and "Bad Brooke!!" those were just lazy lack of concentration bogeys on 17 and 18, someone is still on break mentally.   Sei Young is still right there even with an off round.  Jessica is still playing well and Nelly  is lingering and a whole bunch of players can have a live changing win, tomorrow should be good.

 

And just think @Stooch, as "bad" or as "poor" as Brooke has played, she's only four shots off the lead heading into the weekend.  I think that in itself is a "positive" for her in knowing that her game does not have to be her "A" Game to compete for a win.   In fact, she acknowledged that she didn't win in LA (Hugel Open) with her "A" game either so that has to be a bit of consolation.  She better get her mental game and putting into shape though for I doubt Olympic Club will play as forgiving.

 

@Supermilo ... and yes, very happy to see Bianca make the cut.  I had a good feeling about her yesterday and today she came out and played steady golf ... and the way the course was playing, an even round was enough to pass several players along the way.  Hopefully, this will be the catalyst to kick start her season.

[Stooch]

@Golf Dino In the end those shots are the margins of winning and finishing 3rd.  I think she, Nelly and even Sei Young are kinda in same spot after 3 weeks off, not very sharp still can make lots of birdies but also too many bogeys but all could drop a 65 tomorrow.  I think Jessica and Stacey seem the most solid or least volatile on this course and have the best chance IMO we'll see if Sarah Kemp can hang on for 4 rounds.

[18majors]

7 minutes ago, Stooch said:

but all could drop a 65

 

The thing about good players are that they adopt to playing condition better than other competitors.  The course threw curve balls at them for two days and they've been batting 100; but they won't bat 100 forever.

 

Sei Young is more a favorite than Jessica at this point, but either Nelly or Brooke can change that in a heartbeat tomorrow.

[Golf Dino]

18 minutes ago, Stooch said:

@Golf Dino In the end those shots are the margins of winning and finishing 3rd.  I think she, Nelly and even Sei Young are kinda in same spot after 3 weeks off, not very sharp still can make lots of birdies but also too many bogeys but all could drop a 65 tomorrow.  I think Jessica and Stacey seem the most solid or least volatile on this course and have the best chance IMO we'll see if Sarah Kemp can hang on for 4 rounds.

 

 

Agreed ... they often are the difference. But, not always or rather, sometimes its the "bit of luck" shot that can be a catalyst too ... the eagle from the fairway, the 45 foot putt in the fourth round, the ball hitting a tree and bouncing into the middle of the fairway with a perfect angle to attack the green rather than heading OB like its original flight path suggested.  😃   I suppose we could call it the intangibles of golf, others call it the work of the "golf gods"!    It's one of the reasons why i generally repair 3-4 pitch marks on every green -- trying to build up some good karma with the golf gods!  😂

[nosil]

50 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

I think I figured out why the course is playing so tough. I keep forgetting that it's a Pete Dye design. The lack of railroad ties keeps throwing me off. 

 

 

 

There used to be railroad ties;  they took those out quite a few years ago.  

[18majors]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

The overseeded turf in past years probably took some of the teeth out of it. 

 

I still believe this is the main point.  I'd give one reason; players who've played here before had a harder time this week than players who played here for the first time.

 

It maybe a Pete Dye course, but intrinsically it hasn't been a hard course.  Note the winning scores have been -17, -14, -20, -14 and -15 in the last five tournaments.

 

Now they've seen it, I firmly believe the veterans will outplay the newbies over the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KBong]

3 hours ago, Stooch said:

 and "Bad Brooke!!" those were just lazy lack of concentration bogeys on 17 and 18, someone is still on break mentally.   

 

😂😛