Houston day 4

No top ten for Phil as he rinses a short iron on 18. Found the hazard at least once every round.

If Phil could have played the 6th at even par he'd be -14 and probably a winner

sugar cookies-- a bogie and a top 15

PHIL GAVE A GOOD INTERVIEW SAID HE USED DRIVER A LOT MORE FOR PREP FOR NEXT WEEK . HE IMO ABSOLVED HIMSELF FROM ALL THOSE PENALTY STROKES. FEELS GOOD ABOUT NEXT WEEK.

Overall another solid week from Phil. It's been a good year up until this point. All that's missing is a W and his level of play should lead him to believe there's a good chance next week could be a special one.

Sidenote: did anyone catch the dry blood on the side of Phil's face during his post-round interview? His skin is looking rough. I wonder if it has anything to do with his arthritis/meds.

I did notice Phils face. My guess is it is meds related. I remember reading recently that he has cut back quite a bit on them.

The skin condition goes along with his arthritis. Did you hear how often Johnny said Phil had a good chance next week? Phil said if he'd played to win this week that he'd have used 3 woods. Said he needed to practice driver for 13 under tournament conditions. He made some good putts.

he putted really well for the most part today, aside from #10

However, the ball striking was not the best. Not as good as 2011

For next week, think Phil has a chance if 8-12 under wins. If it is a birdie fest like last year, top 10 is more reasonable

Yes, my son said on Friday, Phil almost hit them and he got a selfie with Phil in the background. He said his face had all these red splotches and looks like he had a rash, but yea, likely from the arthritis condition or meds for it.

I think that people with his arthritis have psoriasis as well. For years I have seen him itch and scratch himself in press conferences. Must be annoying. Wonder if the sun is bad for it.

I don't believe that for a minute; think it was more of an excuse for his sponsors, trying to extend his $45 mill/yr his sponsors provide for as long as possible by giving some kind of excuse than to give real explanation (some day when they feel he is 'over the hill', those funds will decrease). I can't believe how many drives would that have been?.... 7,8, 9? at most where he could have used 3-wood instead of a driver. I agree, hitting into an open range tells you nothing, but I go to the left edge of our driving range with trees lining the edge and see if I can hit shots parallel, that fade (to a clear area on left >200+ yrds out beyond the line of trees, or draw to the right (I'm a left) in contrast to the line of trees on my left, or if no one is around, I'll hit multiple balls on the course or plop some in the fairway and hit 3-4 approach shots.  Or in other words, I don't see how hitting driver in a tournament instead of 3-wood maybe a half dozen times puts you in practice for Augusta that you give up vying for the tournament....you can get 5x that level of practice in one range session or close down some small golf course (for a fee) and practice on-course.

gophil36 wrote:The skin condition goes along with his arthritis.  Did you hear how often Johnny said Phil had a good chance next week?  Phil said if he'd played to win this week that he'd have used 3 woods.  Said he needed to practice driver for 13 under tournament conditions. He made some good putts.

Just telling you what he said. Lol Maybe he's just trying to put his positive spin on it. The only reason I might believe it is that I know of no one who would keep using the same club and hitting in the water round after round for no apparent reason other than poor judgment or execution, unless it's his explanation.

After listening to Phil say that about the fairways being pinched in at 300 yrds and that brings hazards into play it jogged my memory and I remember him saying the exact same thing at this tournament before so as dumb as we think it is he has used that strategy before. He still was 1 stroke short from a top 10 so all in all pretty good. Lets face it at this stage of his career a major win is the only thing that will elevate his status.

About his irritation on his face Bob Harig of ESPN answered a persons tweet about it and said Phil has a procedure done before the match play and it will look worse before better. Have no idea if arthritis related or early skin cancer or whatever.

Might be skin cancer. I'm in FL and everybody here, it seems has problems. Back to the North and snow ugh! soon. LOL

based upon the prelim weather forecast, Phil should be fine

20-30 mph winds the first 2 days

Good to know.
Thanks for the update!