US Amateur Discussion

[Krt22]

As for the match itself, I still can't believe Carr hit a long club into the final par 5 after twinkle toes Bennet blasted his 2nd OB. Basically gave it away right there! 

[One Putter]

I wasnt all that impressed with either guy. As far as their pro prospects?

 

[Mike_C]

32 minutes ago, Krt22 said:

As for the match itself, I still can't believe Carr hit a long club into the final par 5 after twinkle toes Bennet blasted his 2nd OB. Basically gave it away right there! 

That is where a good caddy takes that club out of his hand and hands him a 7 or 8 iron, lay up to a full SW, 2 putt, win the hole and move on.  I know his caddy played on tour, but that is just an unforgivable mistake. 

[Krt22]

5 minutes ago, Mike_C said:

That is where a good caddy takes that club out of his hand and hands him a 7 or 8 iron, lay up to a full SW, 2 putt, win the hole and move on.  I know his caddy played on tour, but that is just an unforgivable mistake. 

Agreed, he had all the time in the world to do it as well. I am normally 100% onboard with the SG approach to course strategy. but in match play, with your opponent OB...do exactly as you said. Hit 8i, wedge, 2-putt and walk away. 

Edited August 22, 2022 by Krt22

[So_Cal]

1 hour ago, pcmancini said:

What do you guys in the know think about whether Bennett's game is pro-ready?  He does not seem to have the distance or the ball height the pros have.

It’s always a crap shoot whether the Am winners make it on tour.   Going down the list it’s hit or miss.  He certainly has a chance.  

[Wasted_Talent]

I had never heard of Kuchar when he won.  I saw that swing and said he has no shot on tour.  $55M later shows you how much of an eye for talent I have.

[jdl]

20 minutes ago, So_Cal said:

It’s always a crap shoot whether the Am winners make it on tour.   Going down the list it’s hit or miss.  He certainly has a chance.  

Sure but Bennett is the #3 ranked am in the world. That ranking is based on many stroke play events. Match play can lead to some lower ranked winners but this isn't like last year when James Piot came from 3 down on the back 9. 

 

Of course even the #1 ranked am is far from a sure thing to ever make it to the tour. But looking at the list of champions over the past couple of decades the majority of them have at least had a cup of coffee on the tour.

Edited August 22, 2022 by jdl

[ga_pike]

54 minutes ago, One Putter said:

I wasnt all that impressed with either guy. As far as their pro prospects?

 

 

How about they both get Master's invites?  Is that impressive enough for you?  

[Krt22]

18 minutes ago, jdl said:

Sure but Bennett is the #3 ranked am in the world. That ranking is based on many stroke play events. Match play can lead to some lower ranked winners but this isn't like last year when James Piot came from 3 down on the back 9. 

 

Of course even the #1 ranked am is far from a sure thing to ever make it to the tour. But looking at the list of champions over the past couple of decades the majority of them have at least had a cup of coffee on the tour.

I wonder what happens to Andy Ogletree. Goes from promising trajectory, then had surgery, played one single LIV event and got sacked. Now what?

[So_Cal]

27 minutes ago, jdl said:

Sure but Bennett is the #3 ranked am in the world. That ranking is based on many stroke play events. Match play can lead to some lower ranked winners but this isn't like last year when James Piot came from 3 down on the back 9. 

 

Of course even the #1 ranked am is far from a sure thing to ever make it to the tour. But looking at the list of champions over the past couple of decades the majority of them have at least had a cup of coffee on the tour.

Yeah if you win the Am you darn well better have a cup of coffee or you’re not doing it right.

[Krt22]

12 minutes ago, So_Cal said:

Yeah if you win the Am you darn well better have a cup of coffee or you’re not doing it right.

It should at the very least be good for a few sponsor invites

[NoCalHack]

2 hours ago, pcmancini said:

What do you guys in the know think about whether Bennett's game is pro-ready?  He does not seem to have the distance or the ball height the pros have.

 

 

His ball speed of 170 is below average on WRX.

 

re: US Am winners.  For every Tiger or Phil there are lots of guys you never hear from again.  Bennett has excelled in college and is WAGR #3 so I think he's got a better shot than say, Piott.  But odds are against him.  

[jdl]

1 hour ago, Krt22 said:

I wonder what happens to Andy Ogletree. Goes from promising trajectory, then had surgery, played one single LIV event and got sacked. Now what?

Q school?

 

Asian Tour?

[larrybud]

32 minutes ago, ga_pike said:

 

How about they both get Master's invites?  Is that impressive enough for you?  

 

Not sure what that has to do with their professional prospects. A lot of guys play in the masters one and done never to be heard of again.

[Wasted_Talent]

24 minutes ago, jdl said:

 

 

Asian Tour?

 

 

This would be my guess.  I doubt the PGA Tour will take him back even if he qualified.

[alittleoverpar]

1 hour ago, NoCalHack said:

 

 

His ball speed of 170 is below average on WRX.

 

 Definitely - that loser!  🤣🤣

[PhilsFanDrew]

2 hours ago, Gawbage_man said:

I had never heard of Kuchar when he won.  I saw that swing and said he has no shot on tour.  $55M later shows you how much of an eye for talent I have.

 

Kuchar went through a swing change when he started working with Chris O'Connell in 2006.  So the swing he has now is not the same as when he won the US Amateur in '97. 

[Krt22]

10 minutes ago, PhilsFanDrew said:

 

Kuchar went through a swing change when he started working with Chris O'Connell in 2006.  So the swing he has now is not the same as when he won the US Amateur in '97. 

Winning 55m with his "improved" current swing is still an accomplishment lol

[One Putter]

3 hours ago, ga_pike said:

 

How about they both get Master's invites?  Is that impressive enough for you?  

I am familiar with the process, yes.

[jholz]

I know there's been lots of talk about Bennett's pre-shot routine (reminds me of Sergio, not pleasant to watch) and he's obviously a strong player...

 

but am I the only one thinking his swing looks just a bit "funky?"

 

Maybe it was the TV angles, but looked like he brings the club back inside and has almost an "over the top" move at the top of his backswing.

 

Perhaps it's just me?

[kmbean]

It looks like he is using every fiber in his being to generate that 170bs.

[jholz]

50 minutes ago, kmbean said:

It looks like he is using every fiber in his being to generate that 170bs.

 

Dude needs to hit the gym and start training with Navy SEALS - clearly. 😀

[kmbean]

It seems his goatee is hurting his aerodynamic profile.

[alittleoverpar]

Congrats to Bennett for the win.  I didn't enjoy watching the constant regripping.  It reminded me of Sergio and that is the last thing I ever want to be reminded of.

 

[jdl]

5 hours ago, Gawbage_man said:

 

 

This would be my guess.  I doubt the PGA Tour will take him back even if he qualified.

I think they would. If they were to try and black-ball guys who weren't even Tour members that go through qualifying it would probably hurt their court case vs LIV. Ogletree never agreed to those tour rules about not playing competing events.

[snagy2000]

1 hour ago, jdl said:

I think they would. If they were to try and black-ball guys who weren't even Tour members that go through qualifying it would probably hurt their court case vs LIV. Ogletree never agreed to those tour rules about not playing competing events.

Nothing to worry about until he gets better at golf! 

[tssgj65]

11 hours ago, So_Cal said:

It’s always a crap shoot whether the Am winners make it on tour.   Going down the list it’s hit or miss.  He certainly has a chance.  

This is an interesting read for the conditions at the US Am:

 

https://golf.com/news/weird-us-amateur-us-open-conditions

 

The course was extremely challenging and both of the finalists had played a lot of golf which is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining for a full week!  I was on the grounds caddying for a first timer at this level.  Of course some strong favorites made it through stroke play and then went out early.  In match play sometimes it is just luck of the draw and how a lesser player may get hot, or a strong player just doesn't have it for that particular match.  Just luck of the draw.

[iBanesto]

17 hours ago, bladehunter said:

Loll it’s funny and part of me sees what you’re saying.  But. Who won?    That was a pretty big course.  Not smaller than anything on tour I can think of.  

 

Golf won.

 

😅

 

I think in a way we all won.

 

[NoFancyUsername.]

17 hours ago, Krt22 said:

I wonder what happens to Andy Ogletree. Goes from promising trajectory, then had surgery, played one single LIV event and got sacked. Now what?

On the weekend played the Asian Tour. 

https://www.asiantour.com/reports?url=https%3A%2F%2Fasian.ocs-asia.com%2Ftic%2Ftmresult.cgi%3Ftourn%3DISKR~season%3D2022~result%3DPF~&id=2022&code=ISKR&title=Final Result

[Yuck]

I always enjoy watching the US Am and this final was close.  But….The quality of golf played by Saki Baba in the Woman's AM in the Semi’s and the Final’s was so much better.  Bennet and Carr have game, but not yet ready for the Big Show.  Bennet reminds me a  cross between Sergio in the regrip, regrip, regrip, regrip, regrip…… stage of his career and Ted Potter Jr with that block fade fairway finder.

Edited August 23, 2022 by Yuck