Can you be a true World No.1 if you can't play Augusta?

[toonarmy]

So Kaymer yet again fails to play around Augusta. Anyone got any suggestions as to why Herr UberGolf can't cut it around the course that simply demands patience and control?

Does this diminish his current ranking as World Number 1? Given that plenty on here seem to think that Westwood was an undeserving No.1 as he didn't have a Major, is Kaymer any more valid when he has 1 Major but cannot appear to play a Major course? For example, I've never seen Westwood unable to score around any of the big tournament courses.

Or will he eventually figure out a way to play the place?

 

[brendy]

From what I can see, he hasnt really been playing well this past month or two. After the initial shock yesterday, I wonder how he will react today.

 

[Mongoose]

I believe Kaymer's preffered shot is a fade and Augusta really needs a reliable draw shot, plus I just dont think it suits his style of play.

One could make a case to be world No. 1 that the player has to have won one of the world's premier tournaments, i.e. a Major.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Lots of players have courses they aren't fond of. I don't know why Augusta should be such a bogey course (no pun intended) for Kaymer and a lot is probably in his head now. Just because he failed here doesn't detract from the fact that he is consistently the best golfer out there at the moment which is why he is top of the pile.

 

[freddielong]

Some golf courses dont suit some people I think pre masters no one doubted he is number 1 on merit, and that he has an insane amount of talent so I dont think you can change that veiw after one round of golf, imo he will come good might be next year, or the year after but he will figure it out.

 

[toonarmy]

I believe Kaymer's preffered shot is a fade and Augusta really needs a reliable draw shot, plus I just dont think it suits his style of play.

Didn't seem to do Nicklaus any harm with his lifelong fade did it?

And shouldn't the No.1 be able to adapt his game to any course? It's not like Augusta is impossible - no rough and put it in the right places and it's easy enough to score, as regular 65s and 66s show us.

I'm not basing this on 1 round. Kaymer has consistently failed to score at AN. My query is why.

 

[Aztecs27]

Interesting thread.

The cynic in me can't help but think that if we were talking about Westwood who had won a major last year, got to number one and failed to continually cut the mustard around Augusta there would be the usual "He's not the REAL number one, Tiger/(insert other golfer here) is the REAL number one, it's only a matter of time before he's (back) at the top" tripe that we had at the end of last year when Lee was crowned world Number 1.

There are plenty of players who fade the ball and do alright around Augusta. I'm not saying he should be expected to win, but if you're world number 1 and have the talent that Kaymer has, I would think you should plink and plunk your way around Augusta to play well enough to make the cut.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Did he not try to alter his shot shape specifically for this tournament?As soon as I heard that you kinda think he'll struggle.

 

[Bacardibatman]

Did he not try to alter his shot shape specifically for this tournament?As soon as I heard that you kinda think he'll struggle.

thought he just changed his driver to draw mode

 

[Aztecs27]

Did he not try to alter his shot shape specifically for this tournament?As soon as I heard that you kinda think he'll struggle.

Seems like something a club golfer would say to explain his bad play. He's the best in the world right now, he should be able to either a.)know he can change his swing without it effecting his game or b.)make the cut at Augusta in 4 attempts.

(I'm a massive Kaymer fan by the way).

 

[john0]

Sorry but if your Wrold No. 1 then you should be able to hit a fade and a draw, and every other type of shot with any club. Myself, I can hit a draw but struggle with a fade but that's why im world no. 15,385,627. Saying the course doesnt suit his game when he's the no. 1 is a load of bollox imo

 

[DCB]

Saying the course doesnt suit his game when he's the no. 1 is a load of bollox imo

Tiger gets away with it. There are certain courses he won't play as they don't suit him

He was No 1 for a wee while

 

[john0]

Tiger's a knob though

And I thought the same about him when he used to say it as well

 

[thecraw]

S41te thread, Simple answer YES.

I didn't play to my handicap in my last medal yet I played to it at Machrihanish, a much much tougher track in the A&B Spring Meet, does that mean my handicap shouldn't be what it is?

 

[Aztecs27]

S41te thread, Simple answer YES.

I didn't play to my handicap in my last medal yet I played to it at Machrihanish, a much much tougher track in the A&B Spring Meet, does that mean my handicap shouldn't be what it is?

Yes.

 

[Mongoose]

There's a big difference being able to shape the ball, and being able to do it to the precision to the greens that Augusta required. And comparing Nicklaus to Kaymer isnt even a comparison, chalk and cheese. Comparison between Kaymer and Trevino is more relevant, Trevino could hit draws but his strongly preffered shot shape was fade, which is why (and he says it) he never did well at Augusta, they also both just seemed not to get on with the course. Another example, though not Augusta, is Mickelson and the Open, he can hit chip and run, hit the ball low when required, pretty much do anything witha golf ball, but he cant seem to do it when under the pressure of the Open.

 

[NWJocko]

Monty hit the nail on the head on Sky when he said something like "I've never seen a golf course where a straight shot doesn't work" when they were talking about needing a draw round Augusta. Fair point I thought.

 

[Aztecs27]

Monty hit the nail on the head on Sky when he said something like "I've never seen a golf course where a straight shot doesn't work" when they were talking about needing a draw round Augusta. Fair point I thought.

Precisely!

 

[lobthewedge]

Answer to your initial question :

YES you can be the true No1 and not be able to play Augusta. Kaymer is the dogs bloody bollocks and deserving to be at the top. Last year he won on desert, parkland and links courses, so he has the shots and game for any conditions.

Everybody has their bogey hole/course, maybe Augusta is his?

 

[toonarmy]

I'm not seriously suggesting Kaymer is unworthy - I think he's frikkin' awesome. But the logic is exactly the same as those who claimed Westwood was unworthy due to his lack of Major.

I'm more interested in why he seems unable to play it, which as yet, no one has offered any reasonable guess for.

I can't understand it. He controls his ball well, can play on all types of course environment, very compact short game, not short off the tee and even has his idol as a previous winner (and the last to do it with a proper wood)...so why the regular 73+ scores?