eduardo PDX [via mobile]

How far do you see woods goin this week?

Farrell Evans

  (10:59 AM)

Welcome to my weekly chat. I'm reporting live from the WGC-Accenture Match Play. Let's get started.Eduardo,I have Woods losing to Lee Westwood in the third round.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

How are you at Golf? Who do you think is the Best PGA Golfer this Year?

Farrell Evans

  (11:01 AM)

Like last year, there hasn't been a dominant player. And I don't expect one to emerge in the year.

Paul (Boston)

If Tiger goes out early, do the ratings severely drop off?

Farrell Evans

  (11:03 AM)

Without Phil in the tournament, Tiger is the only major television draw in the field. However Tiger will be in the TV window whenever he plays. But yes ratings do drop when he's not in the TV window.

Howard (Miami)

Rory was all the talk last year, but I haven't heard much about him since then...was the hype too much? Did we vault him forward too much?

Farrell Evans

  (11:05 AM)

Rory plans to play a bunch on the PGA Tour in 2012. So we'll get to see a lot of his game. He's as good as any young player in the world, but he's still got a lot to learn. I want to see how he does on a tough golf course with a bunched leader board.

Leon (Hamden)

I can't believe none of the espn writers have confidence in Tiger pulling out a win. I see a Tiger/Donald final and Tiger winning 4/3

Farrell Evans

  (11:07 AM)

Leon,How do you pick a guy who hasn't won an official event in three years? He has the best record in this event, but he's not the same player that he was five years ago.

Karl (Detroit)

Why no Phil? Did he not qualify or did he not want to play? He just won, so I'd think he would have been qualified to play.

Farrell Evans

  (11:08 AM)

Phil played five weeks in a row. He took off the week to spend time with his family. Plus, he's probably tired.

Will ( LA)

Do you think playing three straight weeks might actually help Tiger in the long run? Will this stretch tell us a lot about what kind of play we'll see from Tiger this season?

Farrell Evans

  (11:09 AM)

Will,I have been begging Tiger to play more. He needs the reps. I think the more he plays the more consistent he will perform over the course of the year.

blake brown (roanoke,va)

do you think tiger has a decent shot at winning 2+ majors this year with his current golf game? Especially if he can close on sunday rght.

Farrell Evans

  (11:10 AM)

No way.

Steve (NYC)

Tiger's playing three straight weeks....when's the last time he did that?

Farrell Evans

  (11:12 AM)

I believe it was 2007 when he played in three straight FedEx Cup events in September.

Chris Augur (Covington, KY)

Have u ever golfed with an NFL pro?

Farrell Evans

  (11:15 AM)

I once played with in an outing with Rocket Ismail. He enjoyed talking more than he did hitting golf shots. Around the same time I played in an event with Cecil Fielder, who told me that his teenage son was going to be an all star major leaguer.

JB (Arizona)

Do you ever think will see a dominant Tiger again, by that I mean 5-6 wins a season? Also do you think sean folley is the right guy for him or do you think someone else such as buch harmon would be right for him again?

Farrell Evans

  (11:18 AM)

JBIt would be a nice story, but he's 36 and probably past his best years on tour. Foley is a great teacher but he can't be expected to turn Tiger's career around. The instructor has become too important to the former No. 1 in the world.

Leon (Hamden)

Thats ok that you don't pick him now, just be sure not to jump on the bandwagon when he wins big this year. And to answer your question, you pick him because you know his best can't be equaled by this field. And Tiger is going to bring his best to this tournament and beyond!

Farrell Evans

  (11:19 AM)

Leon,Tiger can win any tournament that he enters. He has that much natural ability. But the likelihood of him winning six matches is pretty small.

Chris Augur (Covington, KY)

Cecil Fielder, related to Prince Fielder? when u say teenage son, do u mean Prince is Cecil's son?

Farrell Evans

  (11:20 AM)

Yes. And Cecil was right.

Ed (Long Island)

Is there any real preparation difference for the players between a stroke play tournament or a match play format?

Farrell Evans

  (11:22 AM)

Ed,Players work on the same things on the practice range. They are trying to drive the ball in the fairway and hit greens. But their mentality is to beat one guy, instead of worrying about what the rest of the field is doing.

Shoshana (Boston)

Today is one of the best days in golf, but Sunday can be rather dull. Any changes you would make to the format?

Farrell Evans

  (11:23 AM)

Shoshana,It is what it is. It's a bracket. What makes the first round exciting is when you see upsets.

Ed (Long Island)

With Phil being on such a roll, do you think he has some regrets now about not playing this week? Publically he'd say family first, but I think when you are on a hot streak you don't want to take a break.

Farrell Evans

  (11:24 AM)

Ed,Phil made up this mind a long time ago not to play here. Also this is match play, a format that's not used in the majors. So Phil is sleeping pretty good over his decision.

Chris Augur (Covington, KY)

thats incredible!!! So, who is Rocket Ismail?

Farrell Evans

  (11:25 AM)

Rocket was a wideout and punt returner for Notre Dame and later with the Raiders and Cowboys in the NFL.

Shoshana (Boston)

Is there a world class player with a worse short game than DJ?

Farrell Evans

  (11:26 AM)

He was dead last in the main short game categories in 2011. So you can't be worse than last.

Ed (Long Island)

Shoshana is right about a dull Sunday finish, especially when not a lot of other sports to contend with for television ratings. How about starting on Thursday, have the quarters and semi's on Sunday and final on Monday. At least give more potential exposure for TV and if a hot pairing, bonus Monday.

Farrell Evans

  (11:28 AM)

Ed,People are back at work on Monday.

Ed (Long Island)

If Yani Tseng was allowed to drive from her traditional tees, could she compete in this type of format against the men?

Farrell Evans

  (11:30 AM)

Ed,Yani probably could hold her own against some of the players. A lot of the girls could if they were on the proper tees.

Robert (New York, NY)

When I play matches with my buddies we talk a lot of smack during the course of the match...i have seen players talk to each other during practice rounds but do they talk to each other during match play events like this?

Farrell Evans

  (11:32 AM)

Robert,Guys who talk a lot talk regardless of the event. And guys who don't say much don't talk more or less during the match play. It just depends on the relationship between the two players.

Kenny (NorCal)

What round is Tiger going out this year?

Farrell Evans

  (11:32 AM)

I have Tiger going out in the third round against Lee Westwood.

Scott (San Diego)

Are Phil's (41) best years on tour behind him? At what age did he have his best years?

Farrell Evans

  (11:34 AM)

Phil has played consistently from 22-years-old to the present. He's averaged about two wins a year. He can still win with regularity, because he still prepares like he did when he was 30.

Dave (New York)

Who ya got south of the border this week?

Farrell Evans

  (11:34 AM)

Spencer Levin. He lost in a playoff there last year to Johnson Wagner.

Ed (Long Island)

A lot of players being interviewed are already talking about Augusta. Is every tournament pre-Masters considered spring training for these guys to have their games ready it?

Farrell Evans

  (11:36 AM)

Ed,All the top players want their games to peak heading into the Masters. All the tournaments are momentum builders for Augusta. Few players go in there playing bad and win, unless they have won there before.

Shoshana (Boston)

Why so much coverage of Keegan's spitting but little said about smoking? Can't we all just agree to complain about slow play?

Farrell Evans

  (11:38 AM)

Shoshana,Keegan is a major champion and one of the bright young stars on the PGA Tour. We had to ask him about the spitting. It's obviously a compulsion that he wasn't really aware that he was doing.

Kenny (NorCal)

I saw Kevin Na flatten a bump between his ball and the hole last week. Is that legal?

Farrell Evans

  (11:38 AM)

Yes.

Chad (Iowa)

I have Snedeker making it to the Championship this year. What's your outlook for him?

Farrell Evans

  (11:39 AM)

I have Sneds losing to Luke Donald in the third round.

Keith H (Seattle)

I think we need to separate the wheat from the chaff here. 1) Phil has earned a week off. 2) Before pencilling in Tiger for 5-6 wins and 2 majors, let's see if he can win one. 3) Tournaments end Sunday because the volunteers staffing it have to work Monday. 4) The questions aren't of the A Game variety today.

Kenny (NorCal)

What's up with Keegan Bradley spitting all over the place? He doesn't even get it out cleanly.

Farrell Evans

  (11:41 AM)

Kenny,Spitting well isn't easy. Guys who dip smokeless tobacco are very accurate with it, but regular guys struggle with it. Tiger has struggled with his spitting technique over the years. Seriously.

Wade (Springfield, MO)

With LaCava being new to Tiger's bag, do you feel that he is having any ill affect on Tiger's inability to close out tournaments? Caddies should be able to focus their golfers in the closing moments.

Farrell Evans

  (11:43 AM)

LaCava is one of the most experienced caddies on tour. But caddies are only as good as their players. At the end of the day a caddy's job is ultimately to not hurt his player.

Hank (Arlen)

How much time do players spend pre tourney studying the courses little nuances and determining what clubs to carry in the bag?

Farrell Evans

  (11:45 AM)

Hank,Caddies go out for their players and bring back all the yardages and places to miss, etc. Then during the practice rounds the players work out what's best to carry in their bags for that week.

Chris Augur (Covington, KY)

Is golf the only sport u play or do u enjoy other sports?

Farrell Evans

  (11:45 AM)

I enjoy all sports, except for hockey.

Chris Augur (Covington, KY)

So, do u only golf or what other sports do u play?

Trip (Mobile)

It used to be that guys were in their prime when they were in their mid 30s. Everyone talks about how Tiger's an "old" 36 because of all the golf he's played, but in reality, I'd say he's played a lot less than most because of his restricted schedule. Tiger's problem is not with Sean it's with Scotty or whoever at Nike is making his putters. That's the difference.

Farrell Evans

  (11:47 AM)

Tiger doesn't have a technical problem with his stroke. He rarely hits a bad putt. However he has the tendency to hit the short ones too firm and he misreads putts.

Shoshana (Boston)

Tiger played 3 in a row in 2010 in the play-offs, not that long ago

Farrell Evans

  (11:48 AM)

Thanks, Shoshana for the update on Tiger's schedule.

Lewis (Pickerington(oHIO))

Which wildcard per say do you think has a good chance at winning this tournament? like 4 seed and lower?

Farrell Evans

  (11:48 AM)

My wildcard was Simon Dyson, who won twice last year on the European Tour.

tdiddy (winnipeg) [via mobile]

Is Chris A being serious? He did'nt know Prince was Cecil's son? Yikes...Anyway, lets be honest, the match play format stinks. Other than the first two rounds it's a snooze to watch. Plus the final round is 36(!!!!) holes. The match is usually well in hand by the time TV coverage cuts in. Why not start with cutting it down to 18 holes? Or making the par 3's worth 'two holes'. So if you are down three and you win a par three hole you're only now down one...

Shoshana (Boston)

What's your favorite non-Major, non-Ryder Cup tournament to cover?

Farrell Evans

  (11:49 AM)

Shoshana,The Barclays. I can sleep in my own bed during the week of the event.

Jake (Ole Miss)

Are we witnessing a Phil-rejuvenation? Or, were these last two tourneys outliers?

Farrell Evans

  (11:50 AM)

Jake,Phil is solid. Don't know if it means he wins a major this year, but he'll win a few more times this year.

Hank (Arlen)

Other than sponser obligations and cash payout of events what are some of the determing factors in the events players schedule for a season and do players change the plans for the years very often(adding an event) other than injuries.

Farrell Evans

  (11:52 AM)

Hank,Everything is about the money list and the FedEx Cup standings. The typical player plans his schedule around his position on the money list.

Shoshana (Boston)

Just saying Tiger playing 3 in a row happens, sometimes even multiple times in a year, it's 4 he doesn't do. But do think him adding a tournament before the Masters is a good thing

Farrell Evans

  (11:53 AM)

He's not going to play Houston.

Ed (Long Island)

Maybe you should ask Cecil Fielder who he thinks will win this week...he was right on with his son. With all the parity now and anyone can win any week - how much has equipment and ball changes over the years leveled the palying field and taken away from the pure ball strikers?

Farrell Evans

  (11:54 AM)

Ed,The equipment and the ball changes have been the great equalizer. There isn't as much a premium on raw talent.

Matt (Chicago)

Are you in favor of Conway Farms being awarded the 2013 BMW Championship?

Farrell Evans

  (11:55 AM)

Conway Farms is due a shot.

Shoshana (Boston)

Do we underrate Phil's career? What are the chances any of today's players reaches 40 pga wins?

Farrell Evans

  (11:56 AM)

I don't see any player out there now coming close to Phil's record. Twenty wins is doable for Rory and a handful of other young players.

Tom (L.A.)

We're all excited to see Phil playing well but CBS ran a graphic showing his wins by state. If I remember correctly, it was Georgia, California, and Arizona in the top 3. Meaning, Phil Pre-Masters and Phil Post-Masters are often 2 different players.

Adam (Work)

Do you think Keegan should be catching so much heat about the whole spitting thing? I guess I didn't really see a problem with it. It's not like he was spitting all over someone else's line on the green. I would have more of problem with the slow play than anything.

Farrell Evans

  (11:58 AM)

Adam,I wrote about it on Tuesday. I definitely think he needs to address the spitting. It can only hurt him down the road to carry something that is a distraction from his golf.

Mitch Scharschmidt (Lomira, WI)

Will Tiger Woods win the Match Play Tournament?

Farrell Evans

  (11:58 AM)

No, he will not win.

eduardo PDX [via mobile]

Does tiger need butch harmon?

Farrell Evans

  (12:00 PM)

Tiger needs to concentrate on making birdies. He can't play swing and do well.

Farrell Evans

  (12:00 PM)

My time is up here. Thank you all for joining me this morning.

Kenny (NorCal)

Webb Simpson is playing like a robotic balll-striker. What's his secret?

Farrell Evans

  (12:01 PM)

Webb works hard on his game.

Shoshana (Boston)

Will people ever realize that Tiger's record under Butch Harmon is very similar to his record under Hank? And that Tiger didn't repeat 2000 while under Harmon in 2001 or 2002 (though they were good years)

Shoshana (Boston)

I just don't get why we turn spitting into a thing but not smoking? (for the people who turn it into a thing, I don't really think people should be doing either one, but also think it' a personal decision)

Farrell Evans

  (12:02 PM)

The Tour agrees with you, Shoshana.