Notebook: Spieth hits out, Scott rocking for Rio and Rickie’s ace
Spieth hits out at ’trolls’
It is pretty rare that Jordan Spieth loses his off-course cool but he couldn’t help himself on social media after opening with a 76 at the Valspar Championship.
One Instagram follower had a virtual go at the World No 1, writing ’IF HIS PUTTER IS NOT WORKING, HES GARBAGE’.
Which was as ungrammatically poor as it was incorrect. Spieth, who actually took just 25 putts, replied ’couldn’t be more further from the truth troll. Go do research before hating’.
He then turned on his employees with the below which, again, was fair enough given a light-hearted remark taken out of context. Needless to say both tweets were removed before too long.
Masters champ attached to favourite jacket
Spieth admitted that where he goes so too does his Green Jacket most of the time. The Masters champion will have to return the jacket next month and admitted that it is with him ’the majority of the time’ on his travels.
“I go in the closet to grab something and I see the jacket or I see the garment bag that says, ’Masters Champion, 2015,’” Spieth said. “It’s just like, ’That’s mine. Oh, shoot, I got to give that back. Oh, wait, let’s try to get this back in our hands.’”
Spieth remains the 7-1 favourite for Augusta.
Scott will be ready to ’play his butt off’ in Rio
Australia’s team captain for the Olympics Ian Baker-Finch has insisted that Adam Scott will be ready, willing and able by the time the Games comes around in August.
The in-form Scott had previously said that he would unlikely play, adding that ’looking at the schedule some time off looks quite good actually’ but Baker-Finch claims that the World No 6 is good to go.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk about Adam, the way he started off this year, but he says, ‘Finchy, I play in the green and gold every week, you know that.’ … And he’ll be playing his butt off when the time comes.”
Of Day he added: “Every time I see Jason Day, he says, ‘Finchy, I’m pumped, I’m pumped, I can’t wait,'” Baker-Finch told Melbourne’s SEN radio station.
The course was played last week by nine Brazilian players, with Alexandre Rocha hitting the first shot. The Brazilian, unsurprisingly, described it as ’pristine’ and ’perfect’.
And Baker-Finch has only heard good reports.
“I’ve seen lots of photos and videos. The clubhouse is done (and) practice facilities look good. The course has grown in well.
“The course will stand up. It’ll be new and the greens won’t be as good as we’re used to on the (Melbourne) sandbelt because of its age, but the course itself will be really good. It has a little links style, an open look to the course, some wetlands and lovely-looking bunkering.”
Fowler borrows club and ball and aces for autism
We have an early contender for Shot of the Year when Rickie Fowler holed his tee shot, from 113 yards, to earn the Els for Autism Foundation $1m.
The American had already changed out of his golf clobber so, with a wedge borrowed from Luke Donald and a ball from Thomas Aiken, he holed out at the Old Palm Golf Club in South Florida. On hand to celebrate were Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Aiken, Camilo Villegas and host Ernie Els who very promptly hoisted Fowler up in his arms.
Afterwards Fowler tweeted ’One of the coolest moments in my career no question!! So cool and pumped what we able to raise’
If you haven’t seen the video, watch it now..
Scrivener adds to European Tour aces
Jason Scrivener was another to hole in one but his came on the European Tour.
Playing in Thailand the Aussie recorded the 11th ace of the season when he knocked in an 8-iron at the 3rd. It was his fifth in tournament play and seventh overall.
Perez done for 2016
Pat Perez is out for the rest of this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The American has been out of sorts this term, his best result being a T41 at Pebble Beach, but he will miss the FedEx play-offs for the first time since 2007.
Last year Perez was 45th on the Money List with 11 top 25s in just 26 starts.
Tiger boosts Full Swing sales
Finally, another update on Tiger Woods’ recovery and, like all the others, there is no real update.
On his most recent website entry the 40-year-old discussed being part of Jack Nicklaus’ Ryder Cup get-together, his early days on Tour and, what we all want to know, when he might be back in time for Augusta.
Other than a plug for the Full Swing simulator there wasn’t much to go on…
“Health-wise, I continue to improve. I’m working hard on my short game at my outdoor practice facility and on my indoor Full Swing golf simulator. Still no timetable on my return, but I’m excited to get back out there with the guys.”
Mark Townsend
Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game
