The Trick to Winning 2 Majors & Final Thoughts for 2014

Listen up folks, I'm gonna let you all in on a secret that I learned during the 2014 PGA Season on how you can win two majors in one season: "Break Up with your Fiancee" That's all it took right? Rory ends things with his fiancee, "C-Woz", just as the wedding invitations were being delivered and...BOOM...he wins two more majors. Wow if that's the secret to success, then Stephanie, you and I need to have a talk when I get home....Just Kidding! ...and now I'm sleeping on the couch. Here's my final take on the good, the bad, and even the ugly of the PGA Tour as 2014 comes to a close. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/2/"]Next: Tiger's Back[/button] "Back" to the Future...starring Tiger Woods and the rest of the PGA Tour... During the 2013 Fed Ex Cup Playoffs, we literally saw the fall of Tiger Woods right before our eyes. On the 13th hole of the final round of the Barclays Championship, Tiger hooked a ball straight into OB territory falling to his knees in pain. The belief was that he had returned to soon from back surgery and aggravated his back injury. When 2014 came around, eyes were on Tiger as he prepared to overcome his nagging injuries in hopes to a promising 2014 season. However, his fight was short-lived after a missed-cut performance at the PGA Championship sent his season packing. We soon learned that he once again had hurt his back again a week prior during the Bridgestone Invitational, unrelated his previous injury from 2013. Tiger wasn't the only one suffering with injuries this season. At one point or another it seemed like the Tour had lost some of its top competitors due to a variety injuries. Phil Mickelson, Brandt Snedeker and Matt Kuchar all withdrew from tournaments this year due to back-related injuries. While it was no surprise to many that Lefty was having issues with his back again, the most interesting story of the ”back-injury” drama had to been from Kuch. Kuch withdrew from the 2014 PGA Championship after he had sat too long in a car while trying to find a slip n’ slide for a party. How does that come across on a stat sheet- Kuchar, Matt/WD/Back Injury-CAR? The Jason’s both took some time on the IR as well. Jason Day took some time off to heal from a thumb injury while Jason Dufner withdrew from the PGA Championship and missed the rest of the season due to a neck injury. Even though Duf-Daddy was missed, his wife, Amanda, had no problem keeping his fans entertained for the remainder of the 2014 season. The start of the 2015 season will be without 26 players rolling over from injuries which were occurred in 2014. Some of the more notable players on that list include Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Ben Crane. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/3/"]Next: Never Fear, Rickie is Here![/button] Never Fear…Rickie’s Here! Okay, so he’s been winless since 2012, but this past season I believe was Ricky’s way of showing everyone that he means business. Even thought he didn't post a win this year, his 2014 stat line paints a different picture: After he missed two cuts back to back, (Crowne Plaza Invitational and the Memorial Tournament) Rickie never fell out of the Top 25 the rest of the season. This past year, he was in the Top 5 in scoring for all four majors including tying for second back to back at the U.S. Open and Open Championship. He had took some flack earlier in the season as many were under the impression that he was more concerned about this social media accounts than he was with his overall performance. He quickly silenced those critics by putting on some of his top playing performances to date. In 2014, Rickie showed us all that his name is can be associated with more than golf fashion. I expect big things from Rickie in 2015. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/4/"]Next: My Apologies to Patrick Reed[/button] My apologies to Patrick Reed... I let out a hearty laugh back in March when Patrick Reed made it publicly known that he was Top 5 PGA player and called out some of the better known players on tour. At first I said, "The guy has 3 wins on tour and thinks he's in the same category as Adam Scott, Tiger Woods and Bubba? Yeah, and I'm in line to fill out the SS position when Jeter retires." But after winning the WGC in Doral and making that statement, Reed made it known to the rest of the world that yeah, he should be considered a Top 5 player. Let's look at his 2014 state line: 20 out of 28 cuts made, 2 wins, 4 top 10 finishes and 12 top 25 finishes. And on top of the that he led the US Ryder Cup team in points (3.5) posting an overall record of 3-0-1. Not too bad for his first Ryder Cup. Oh yeah, and then there was that small little gesture he made to the European crowd during his round. He shushed the crowd and then tried to fire up the U.S. fans in attendance. That was hilarious and awesome. It was something that our boys needed but none of them really caught on too. My apologies to Patrick Reed, you are a force to be reckoned with. I take back my previous comments about your personality and performance. You have shown me that can run with the big dogs. I wish there were more players like Patrick out there who let the fire come out and don't mind the consequences. He's the Bulldog. The American Bulldog. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/5/"]Next: Goodbye Holly Sonders... Sad Face[/button] So Long Holly Sonders...Hello Joe Buck? Golf Media gets a Public Facelift... This was my first full year as a subscriber to Golf Digest Magazine. While there things that were published which made me scratch my head (Paulina Gretzky Cover...Really? And was Tiger Woods "interview" really necessary?), I still have to say I do like the new approach of the publication altogether. They are going with a fresh "vintage" look for the logo, and are now offering a more broad perspective on the sport, both on and off course. On the television side you have now more than just the Golf Channel, you have the Back9network. To me it's a network that should be played on every 19th hole bar and clubhouse locker room in America. Just like Golf Digest, the network is also trying promote the "golfer's lifestyle"; what golfer's talk about when they are not talking about golf swings and putting techniques. I got to sit down with the President of the Back9Network Carlo Silva, just before their launch date. Pretty excited to see how this network grows in the next few years. Speaking of the Golf Channel, whatever happened to Holly Sonders? She left the network mid-season to join Fox Sports but where has she been? And I heard she's not going to even cover golf but football? Not sure if that was the best move by Fox Sports. Did anyone see their broadcast of the Shootout last month? If it wasn't for Greg Norman, I don't know how much longer I would have watched the broadcast. I don't think Joe Buck's voice is really meant for golf...maybe I'm wrong. I'll give him a shot when they broadcast the 2015 U.S. Open. They have from now til June to work the kinks out before they go live. I wonder if they'll bring Holly back for that. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/6/"]Next: Hack Golf and Slow Play[/button] What happened to Hack Golf? Slow Play Revisited... It’s unfair to say that when you think of Hack Golf, you think of Taylormade. That’s only because Taylormade was the only manufacturer willing to team up with the PGA of America in hopes to help promote what was thought as a “faster, more enjoyable” way to play the sport. The idea was simple, how can they make golf fun for the regular golfers out there...the "Hackers". Let's start out with the idea of increasing the cup size to 15 inches. Then let’s test out this idea on a couple of courses. Okay great…what’s next….seriously…what was next? Last thing I had heard was that it was going to be used on a couple courses in San Diego. That was back in August. Since then I haven’t been able to get much information on the project. I had read that back in November at the release of the Taylormade R15 and Aero burner drivers, Taylormade CEO Ben Sharpe admitted that it was just impossible for just one manufacturer to be involved with the Hack Golf project, everyone needs to be involved. He did say that they were going to continue to work with the PGA on this initiative. The second thing that’s holding me back from saying that Hack Golf will rear its head again in the near future is that Ted Bishop former PGA of America President, is no longer associated with the project. Since being dismissed of his job it’s uncertain what sort of relationship Ted now has with the Hack Golf project seeing as he was one of the biggest supporters behind Hack Golf initiative. Besides the 15 inch cup, does anyone else remember what else what was supposed to go with it? I honestly can't remember. I just remember bright orange flags with the number 15 on it. The only way I truly saw the Hack Golf project becoming useful is if it was used in teaching children and beginners the game. First it was the "While We're Young" campaign in 2013, then it was this Hack Golf Initiative for 2014, what's next for 2015? Golf balls that you can directly via remote control to roll where you want them too? Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the effort all of these campaigns. I for one find myself being stuck behind slow play at public courses all the time. It's one of the main reasons why people are leaving the sport in general. I wish there was true way of monitoring the amount of time people spend on the course just how it's done with the pros. Wasn't there like a good couple of weeks where player's were being penalized for slow-play or given the slow play warning? I remember Robert Garrigus' caddy, Brent Henley, went off about how long it took to play with Kevin Na which he felt lead to the downfall of Garrigus's performance at the 2014 Valspar Championship. Time officials had given out warnings (also known as being "on the clock") both to Na and Garrigus which Brent Henley felt rushed Garrigus. And we all know what happens when you start to rush on the golf course. According to the PGA Tour rules: If a player receives a bad time while on the clock, they are given a warning by PGA Tour officials. A second bad time results in a one-stroke penalty and a $5,000 fine. A third bad time results in a two-stroke penalty, and a player is automatically disqualified from the event if he is given a fourth bad time during a single round. I wonder if there is a way they can impose this sort of ruling for amateur golfers. Maybe if golf carts had a timer on them? You press it once you start your round and an alarm goes off if you are taking too long. That would really wake a golfer up, no? But then there's the other "dark" way of looking at it; slowplay is just inevitable and golfers can choose either to stay or go. Those that go, opens up the course more for those that are willing to tough it out. However, the more people leave the game, the less money there is to be had. This would then ultimately lead to the shutting down of courses; public and private. And the sad thing about this "dark" view, is that it has already begun. Photography and Video on Tour...Let's be real Okay, I'll make this brief. I've been to five events in the past three years. Each time I've seen one person being thrown out be security because they were taking a picture/video with there smart phone. Honestly, is it that big of a deal? Why can't we take pictures or videos? What's really the problem. If you have your phone on silent, then you can't hear any camera noise on your phone. So why not take the picture? If you can do it at pretty much every sporting event on the planet, why not in golf? Okay, talking on the phone during the round is one thing, but taking a picture...PGA needs rethink this strategy. You want fans to come and have a good time, you want them to come back. Let them take a couple pictures. Who are they hurting? [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/7/"]Next: The TaylorMade Saga[/button] The Taylormade Saga- In July of 2014, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced that it was releasing 500 full-time PGA Professionals from there stores. There were a handful of reasons of why this decision was made, but many in the golf industry were pointing in the direction of golf manufacturers, most notably Taylormade-Adidas Golf. It boggled the mind of many golf enthusiasts when the #1 driver in golf in the world decided to release four different drivers in one single year. Four drivers. When you state that you’re the #1 driver in golf is that in amount produced or is that in sales? With the industry as a whole struggling ,does it make sense to release four products within one year? Dick’s Sorting Goods suffered from the release of the drivers as they continuously had to keep marking down the products. To drop a product from $300 to $100 in a short time span in order to make room for the next release doesn't help retailers at all. Especially in an industry struggling like this one! As a consumer, I found it difficult to trust the Taylormade brand after they continued to push and promote the release of newer products. To reference, a few years back I bought an RBZ Stage 1 a few months into the golf season just as the RBZ Stage 2 was already given a release date. As a consumer, I had to think to myself, “What’s wrong with the RBZ Stage 1 that the RBZ Stage 2 is already being announced within a year?” If you’re new to sport and decide to buy clubs would you: Go with a company that produces clubs faster than rabbits create their offspring? Go with a manufacturer who changes their model at a more conservative rate? If a company continues to throw out product after product in such a small time span, do they not trust what they have produced? New Taylormade CEO Ben Sharpe is looking to steer away Taylormade from this illusion that they more than just a mass-production of drivers....despite this past November when it was announced that Taylormade would be releasing two different models at the same time, the R15 and rejuvenated Burner line. I don't get it. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/8/"]Next: This is Awkward - Ryder Cup 2014[/button] Did you see that new Soap Opera on the Golf Channel? It was called the Ryder Cup 2014 starring Team USA: Honestly, I could point out the various ways things could be handled differently, just like everyone else has already done. I could say stuff about Tom, I could even say stuff about Phil. I could say stuff about how a team is put together in the first place. But I won't. All I want is for Team USA to start acting like a team and not like a bunch of kids who just got in trouble for breaking a window. Man up, regroup and WIN! That's all I will say. [button color="blue" size="big" alignment="center" rel="follow" openin="samewindow" url="https://bunkersparadise.com/43414/the-trick-to-winning-2-majors-final-thoughts-for-2014/9/"]Next: Rapid Fire Finish!![/button] Now let's end this article with a Bang! PGA Tour 2014 Tournament Review Rapid Fire..Ready, Set, Go! Hyundai Tournament of Champions - Zach Johnson...Though he'd win more than one this year... Sony Open - Jimmy Walker...Fun Fact: He likes taking pictures of Stars Humana Challenge - Patrick Reed...First Win of the Season WM Phoenix Open - Kevin Stadler...BRING BACK THE CADDY RACES! Farmers Insurance Open - Scott Stallings...He once was a Blogger AT&T Pro-Am - Jimmy Walker...Where was Tony Romo? Northern Trust Open - Bubba Watson...Wouldn't be the first time he would cry this season. The Honda Classic - Russell Henley - They cut my Dad and I out of the picture when Derek Ernst had the Eagle on the First Round Puerto Rico Open - Chesson Hadley - I got confused between Henley and Hadley, my bad! WGC Cadillac - Patrick Reed...I'm a Top 5 Player...yeah right Valspar Championship - John Senden...They are still waiting on Kevin Na to finish. Arnold Palmer Invit. - Matt Every...He likes the band Oasis...and I don't. We have a problem. Valero Texas Open - Steven Bowditch...He looks like my future Uncle in Law, Victor Pirolozzi. Shell Houston Open - Matt Jones...Why do I just wanna scream Mike Jones instead? Masters Tournament - Bubba Watson...See I told you he'd cry again. RBC Heritage - Matt Kuchar...Those jackets are cooler looking than the Masters green one. Zurich Classic - Seung-Yul Noh...Say that name three times fast WGC Match Play - Jason Day...Did a fan get attacked by a Cactus? The Players Championship - Martin Kaymer...Should have been his "first" major of the year. Wells Fargo Championship - J.B. Holmes...He was inducted in the U of K Sports Hall of Fame Crowne Plaza Invitational - Adam Scott...There he is! Last time him and Steve Williams would party together.Gre Byron Nelson Championship - Brendon Todd...Grew up playing against Webb Simpson The Memorial Tournament - Hideki Matsuyama...Not to be confused with Hideki Matsui St. Jude Classic - Ben Crane...Dem Golf Boys are looking good this year! U.S. Open - Martin Kaymer...Technically his second major win of the year Travelers Championship - Kevin Streelman...I almost got kicked out of that event. CVS Caremark Charity Classic - Steve Stricker, Bo Van Pelt...I like the team events, makes the sport more interesting Greenbrier Classic - Angel Cabrera...Whose nickname is El Pato (The Duck) John Deere Classic - Brian Harman...Golf is the only thing he does left-handed. The Open Championship - Rory McIlroy...Oh hey Rory, where you been? RBC Canadian Open- Tim Clark...Had his first hole-in-one at the age of 8 Quicken Loans National - Justin Rose...I like following him on Instagram Barracuda Championshup - Greg Ogilvy...How is not "Barracuda" the anthem for this tournament? WGC Bridgestone Inv. - Rory McIlroy...Oh hey Rory, you're back again? PGA Championship - Rory McIlroy...Did you thank your Ex? Wyndham Championship- Camilo Villegas...The Spider is back! The Barclays - Hunter Mahan...All we need now is Rickie to win to fill out the band! Deutsche Bank Championship - Chris Kirk...He likes Lasagna. BMW Championship - Billy Horschel...Where ya been Bill? Tour Championship - Billy Horschel...Oh, you've been practicing haven't you? Ryder Cup - Team Europe...Well this just got ugly didn't it? (Wrap Around Season...Take a breather...Okay Go!) Frys.Com Open - Sang-Moon Bae...Winning the Frys.Com Open doesn't get you exempt from military duty in South Korea. He's currently fighting a legal battle to stay in America to play. PGA Grand Slam of Golf - Martin Kaymer...Rory still had the best shot of the tournament. Shriners -Ben Martin...Missed that one...Bring Justin Timberlake back for better marketing McGladrey Classic - Robert Streb...Fun Fact: He once played hockey with Sam Bradford CIMB Classic - Ryan Moore...Expected More from him this past season...Get it? Bad Joke Sanderson Farms Championship -Nick Taylor...Fun Fact: Favorite Food is Fruit Loops HSBC Championship - Bubba Watson...That bunker shot was pretty sweet. OHL Classic at Mayakoba - Charley Hoffman...Didn't he just win like $700 bucks in a local tourney with some friends? Hero World Challenge - Jordan Spieth...Didn't seem like anyone else showed up to play. DOMINATED! Franklin Templeton Shootout - Jason Day/Cameron Tringale...Watching Fox Broadcasters all try pronouncing Tringale was funny. Well there you have it folks, my final thoughts for the 2014 PGA Tour Season. It's been on great year here with Bunkers Paradise! Looking forward to all the fun and excitement that will be coming our way in 2015! See you all next year! Looper Out!