These guys are good

[Dan Michler]

How about Avery Jenkins shooting 1050 golf for 3 rounds at this B tier last weekend and losing by 4?  3rd place was only 17 shots back of 2nd place. 

http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=7754&year=2008&includeRatings=1#Open

On one hand it'd be awesome to have these guys show up to your local B tier, but if I was a local professional it'd be a little demoralizing to just be completely dominated on my home course like that.  I bet Avery and Dave agree to split the winnings when they travel to a little tourney like that.

My predictions for possible 1st time major winners this year are Cale Leiviska and Coda Hatfield.  I've seen them both play in person and they both seem pretty good (duh!).  It'd be nice to see somebody different win besides the exclusive club of Feldberg, Barry, Climo, Doss, and Jenkins.  That Gurthie kid tears up the Players Cup every year, so maybe he'll break through in 08.  How has Rico never won a major?  He is top 5 every single time, but just can't break through and win something.

NT Overall winner will be Feldberg.  Thats a real sleeper pick there 

[discpro99]

How has Rico never won a major?  He is top 5 every single time, but just can't break through and win something?
i never understood that either. how can a top 5 golfer in the world never have won a major?

[skipache]

although rico hasnt wonan american major he did win the japan open, for what its worth

[Dan Michler]

Japan is definitely not the same as winning Players Cup, USDGC,  or Worlds where you are giong up against a full field of the best.  I think the European Open is a major too, but thats also not quite the same (although the money is pretty big there).

[SERG]

Look at the women's divison in the same event...25 stroke difference from first to second. Then 18 strokes from second to third. I think this just shows the differences among "touring" professionals and other golfers.

[bigeric]

Japan is definitely not the same as winning Players Cup, USDGC,  or Worlds where you are giong up against a full field of the best.  I think the European Open is a major too, but thats also not quite the same (although the money is pretty big there).

When Rico won the japan open in 2006, all of the top names were there, climo, doss, jenkins, schultz, feldberg.  I know it's not the same as winning a US/World title but that is one of the biggest tournaments, sort of bragging rights, they only have a japan open once every 2 years.

[Dan Michler]

I totally agree that its a huge win and the biggest of Rico's career to date, and he did beat those names.  But the field is not nearly as deep over there without guys like Cale, Anthon, Kallstrom, Coda, Moser, on and on with about 20 other names of guys who can step up and win big tournaments if they have a hot weekend.

[bigeric]

I see what you are saying, I get it now.  Well I guess I'll ask this while we are on the topic of Steve Rico but does anybody know if he is part of Team Innova or not?  I know I've seen pictures of him wearin like a team polo or whatever, but he is not listed on their site anywhere.   The only Rico on there is his brother Bamba.

[CEValkyrie]

I see what you are saying, I get it now.  Well I guess I'll ask this while we are on the topic of Steve Rico but does anybody know if he is part of Team Innova or not?  I know I've seen pictures of him wearin like a team polo or whatever, but he is not listed on their site anywhere.   The only Rico on there is his brother Bamba.

I played with Rico at the 2005 USDGC. I think the thing that separates him from other top players is his distance. He does not have as many bonus birdies since he cannot reach those holes. He does not throw much farther than I do however his putting is unbelievable. He just does not miss when he's inside 10 meters. He also cans many putts outside the circle. He is an very consistent player. While at worlds I watched him practice putting. He did not miss 1 putt.