It’s always tempting to use “Come On, Irene” in a word-play of the 1982 Dexy’s Midnight Runners hit, Come On Eileen. Thankfuly, I resisted. The Barclays, first in the FedEx Cup, 4 tournament playoff series on the PGA Tour, is underway. The rain-delayed first round will be completed early Friday morning and Hurricane Irene promises to arrive in some fashion on Saturday evening. In other words, the tournament organizers are earning their paychecks. Slugger White: “I guess the governor has announced a state of emergency for Sunday, which I think is, you know, that’s probably going to happen.
I said they haven’t had an earthquake here in a hundred years and they haven’t had a hurricane here in 90 years, and they are having both in the same week, so that’s pretty special. Welcome to New Jersey. Is that right?”
To the golf…Harrison Frazar, fairly fresh off his initial tour victory at Memphis, posted 7-under on Thursday afternoon, but that figure might not lead the field at the end of the day. By nightfall, William McGirt was at -7 through 12 holes and Matt Kuchar stood there as well, through 16. Chris Stroud was at -6 through 14 holes. Harrison Frazar: “I didn’t play that great. I started out poorly. I hit a couple of really wild tee shots. I chipped in on No. 1 from over. That’s a two-shot swing right there. I hit another bad tee shot on 2 and got up-and-down from about 110 yards for par. Started at that point to try to kind of — I kind of pulled it in, and kept it between the trees at that point for a little while. Made a couple of nice par saves. And on the back nine I really started hitting it well, and I didn’t putt as well on the back mine as I did the front, but you know, that’s okay. I’m very happy and very pleased with my score. I feel like I kind of stole one today. “
The host club, Plainfield, is a beautiful example of what happens when modern technology meets classic architecture meets soft fairways and greens. Architecture buffs extol the virtues of a Donald Ross this, a Walter Travis that and an Alister Mackenzie what-not but the truth is, touring professional golfers go low when all lights are green. Options for rounds two through four include tucking pins and shaving greens for a bit more speed. The rough? It is what it is and no amount of Rogaine will help. After the Canadian Open chop fest at Shaughnessy, it is nice to see a classic course play honestly (albeit soft) from tee to green.
Tournament commentary courtesy of ASAP Sports.
