Post by greenjacksixpack on Mar 23, 2015 22:32:22 GMT
Despite this week being the crappiest course and venue of the 2015 season (although the John Deere, and Zurich New Orleans deserve honorable mentions here), this is a big week in golf. A week from today...The final Top 50 rankings used to determine invites to August a will take place after the tourneys this week. After that, only a VICTORY at the Shell Houston Open the week before The Masters will get one last guy in, if he has not already qualified. Now, most playing for the green jacket this year already have qualified...but every year there are a few on the bubble trying to nudge inside the Top 50 just in time. As for those currently in the Top 50....All have qualified....EXCEPT Paul Casey....who is at #49....All nd who is NOT playing this week, but will next week in Houston ( where he actually HAS won before)...He will be sweating this weekend to see if he will HAVE to again. The MAIN guys to focus on are Marc Warren (#52), Harris English (#53), and Alexander Levy (#54). Everyone else ranked currently between 50th and 60th....have also already qualified. Warren and English are both playing the Valero...Warren needs to finish 18th or better...to get in. English...I do not now exactly...but obviously since Warren needs 18th...English certainly should be shooting for a Top-15 finish, if not even Top Ten. Levy is playing in Morocco on the European Tour in a really cool tourney in its own right. This is the Royal tourney...where the royal family makes the course open to public, on a beautiful course overlooking the Atlantic...very unique venue. This is not as big points wise as some other Euro events. ..nor the Valero...so Levy needs third or better...especially since Warren and English are playing at Valero. A few others...Matt Jones...heating up again right before Augusta. He will defend his title in Houston next week...currently at 62...He needs a Top 5 showing at least at Valero, and Francesco Molinari at #63 needs a third or better. Back to Morocco. .. #61 Andy Sullivan....who has been red hot of late...needs a solo second or better. Last year he finished second alone, and like Levy probably is one of the main contenders. At #66, Tommy Fleetwood, #68 Marcel Siem, and #69 George Coetzee... All have qualified for other majors....but each would move up enough into the Top 50 if they were to win....and Siem won this event a couple years ago. One other...#71 Ross Fisher ...If he were to win...He COULD maybe sneak in, but it would be counting percentage points to see what others did at Valero. If you remember..couple years ago....Siem won in Morocco and thought he was in Augusta...but a late birdie by Henley gave him a couple more percentage points, and Siem was 51st. To give Siem the ultimate kudos...He then zoomed over here to try to win in Houston, and gave a valiant effort, finishing seventh. Well...If Ross wins in Morocco. ..He will likely have to endure something similar...will likely depend on what Warren, English..and maybe even what Levy dies as well. Finally...One last name to note...DeLaet. He is #67... and has fallen to where he essentially needs to WIN (which he has yet to do on tour)...either this week or next...to get to play Augusta. This is why I was so critical a couple weeks ago...because he was one with the most to gain...even if it was not a full event in Puerto Rico...so much could have been gained...even with a Top 5 there...then WD from Valparaiso where he had played well. Even if he was still outside the bubble....He could have entered this week only needing a Top 10-12 placing....now he needs to WIN...where even if "only" Puerto Rico...He could have won thst...and experience what it was like. The guy wants to be among the redwoods, but you cannot be a bonsai upstairs.SO...anyway..that is main areas to watch this week...and I do suggest watching Golf Channel, not just to see what is going on for Masters spots, but really...that course in Morocco is sweet....totally enclosed by the Royal Palace...Robert Treat Jones designed....beautiful course and views...and only time others get to see it, is during this event.