Farrell Evans

  (2:57 PM)

Welcome guys. Let's get started.

S. Tyler (Phoenix, AZ)

Hi Farrell! Hope all is well. What's your take on Tiger's fan video and will this be the trend in the upcoming future amongst PGA tour pros? Talk to you soon!

Farrell Evans

  (3:00 PM)

I don't love it but Tiger has been talking to the media for 16 years. If he wants to try social media with his fans that's ok, but he shouldn't do it at the expense of the working media who should have a chance to talk to him before the tournament starts.

Tom H. (Hartford, CT)

What happened to Kyle Stanley? He was in contention seemingly every week early in the season. Did he lose his swing?

Farrell Evans

  (3:01 PM)

Kyle is still there but it's a long season and it's tough for these guys to stay sharp for 25 to 30 weeks.

Tom H. (Hartford, CT)

Any chance Kyle Stanley or John Huh make the Ryder Cup team?

Farrell Evans

  (3:02 PM)

Sure, Huh is a long shot but I think Stanley could get there with another win and some good finishes at the majors.

JY (TO)

Other then Augusta, what is your fav course to visit?

Farrell Evans

  (3:03 PM)

I enjoy visiting TPC Sawgrass because I have some wonderful memories of working there one hot summer, chasing carts for $20 tips from beer salesmen and plastic surgeons and reinsurance guys.

Ashley (FL)

Who's your pick this week, Farrell?

Farrell Evans

  (3:03 PM)

Webb Simpson. He's a member at Quail Hollow and he's due to have a breakthrough this season.

JY (TO)

You think it will be a while before we see another player win multiple majors in one year?

Farrell Evans

  (3:05 PM)

No. The majors are such a fluke. Winning one doesn't mean you are great player. It just means you were the best that week. The top players, as you know, don't win all the time.

JY (TO)

Your colleague Bob faced alot of rage yesterday during the chat. Dont you guys know some of these questions are just designed to rile you up by people who seem to have nothing better to do?

Farrell Evans

  (3:07 PM)

I understand but it's important to know how we try to be balanced, but with Tiger you can't win. People either love him or hate him.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

What Golfers that are on the PGA Tour are Brothers?

Farrell Evans

  (3:08 PM)

Chris,Right now there are no brothers with cards on the tour. The last two were the Sutherland brothers from Sacramento. Kevin is still out there but his younger brother, David, is not.

Patrick (Philly, PA)

Would you rank the Wells Fargo as the biggest "regular" tournament of the season? It's not a major, WGC, or the Players, but always has a terrific field, and some great golf.

Farrell Evans

  (3:10 PM)

Yes, it's definitely up near the top of the schedule amongst the players, probably ahead of Bay Hill and the Memorial but a notch or two below the WGCs and the Players.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Farrell, I noticed that Oosthuizen is going to play THE PLAYERS, Nelson, Colonial and memorial. Since he is a member now on Tour, you see him playing more over here now, especially after the Masters?

Farrell Evans

  (3:13 PM)

Nick,When I talked to him at the Masters he said that he was inching toward that. But I think he likes his international schedule, but would like to play enough to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs. That would mean he would need to play about 14 events. That's the big thing.

JY (TO)

How would you fix the OWGR system?

Farrell Evans

  (3:14 PM)

It's based on a points system. It works, I think. The most consistent players should be the highest ranked.

Jason Fields (Paoli, IN)

Do You Think Tiger Woods' Swing Problems Comes From Being "Grip And Rip" Tiger Prior To The 2008 U.S. Open To More of A Fade And Easy Swinging Tiger Woods post knee surgery and 2008 U,S. Open?

Farrell Evans

  (3:18 PM)

Jason,Tiger went from an tall, athletic, more upright swing under Butch to a squatting, flat move under Hank to what is now a a very steep, upright, stay-on-my-left side-move with Sean that's helped him hit the ball a lot longer but it doesn't jibe with his natural motion.

Rob (Oakland)

Do you think that PGA and EURO tour have the right # of tournaments to maintain tour cards?

Farrell Evans

  (3:21 PM)

Yeah. 13 to 15 events is plenty. To ask a guy to play any more could create the kind of situation that Deane Beman had back in the 1980s with Seve Ballesteros. You want your best guys to play both tours. That's good for the game.

Rob (Oakland)

Could Yani Tseng compete and maintain a tour card with the guys?

Farrell Evans

  (3:23 PM)

No way. She's not long enough and she wouldn't be able to spin the ball enough with longer clubs to hold any of these greens. She could make a lot of pars, but I doubt she could ever make more than a couple of birdies a round and that's not going to get you to the weekend on the PGA Tour.

Rob (Oakland)

Played Olympic Club before?

Farrell Evans

  (3:23 PM)

Hoping to play it with a member this summer for the first time.

Andrew (WI)

About your column a couple of days ago, and noted the general criticism you had about how LPGA players were being promoted. I'm not so sure the LPGA is making the mistake you think they're making - seems like they've tried to promote the golf in the past and it's failed, so it's time to promote the players. I'm cherry-picking an example, but a guy like Rickie Fowler is getting promoted heavily on the PGA Tour for many reasons not to do with actual on-course results.

Farrell Evans

  (3:25 PM)

Andrew,The PGA tour doesn't have an image problem. Everybody knows it's about the golf. The LPGA has a very dominant player in Yani Tseng that it would never put in an ad like that. I know it's harmless but the emphasis should be on the field of play. Women have had to fight too hard for recognition as athletes.

Goldia (Charlotte)

How did Tiger look during the Pro-am this morning?

Farrell Evans

  (3:26 PM)

I wasn't there but I'm sure he got around ok. It's a pro-am!

Tim (SF)

OK...couple weeks to the US Open. You want me to book us a Tee-time at Gleneagles? Also, I'll be volunteering in Caddie Hospitality - I think that means I hand Fluff his bib and make sure Furyk is spelled right. Stop by and say hey.

Farrell Evans

  (3:26 PM)

Will do.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Farrell, I'm an unashamed (although tougher now) Sergio fan who still believes he will have a good career. You feel the same?

Farrell Evans

  (3:28 PM)

Sergio is one of the great ball strikers in the game. I mean that ball comes off pure. But I don't know if he has the self belief to make a go of it as a top player. His comments at the Masters were some of the most baffling I've ever heard from a professional athlete.

Rob (Oakland)

Best on tour right now for each of following? Putting, chipping, driving, bunker play? And players that each is a glaring weakness for?

Farrell Evans

  (3:29 PM)

Big question, Rob. Putting (Stricker), chipping (Luke Donald), driving (Hunter Mahna), bunker player (any South African)

Creme uf sum yung gie (tokyo)

Who is this years sleeper?. . ala Rocco Mediate

Farrell Evans

  (3:29 PM)

Cameron Tringale

Zach (Florida)

im curious why David Duval is getting exemptions seemingly every week? He's made what, one cut, And then finished last on the weekend? Or is he Monday qualifying in every week?

Farrell Evans

  (3:30 PM)

Zach,Duval has won like 14 tournaments, I think and a major. He was the No. 1 player in the world. He's not Monday qualifying for sure.

Tim (SF)

Hi Farrell - why was there such backlash from the media to Tiger's decision to answer questions from his fans? Seems to me Tiger can talk to whoever he wants to, when he wants to. And Tiger said he would still give interviews after his rounds.

Farrell Evans

  (3:32 PM)

Tim,He always does a pre-tournament interview. It looked bad this year because he got away from having to talk about what happened at Augusta with the working media. He did it on his own terms, but to a controlled crowd.

Tim (SF)

Mahan...now there is a guy that O-Club is set up for. Super solid pick for his first major I'm thinking.

Farrell Evans

  (3:32 PM)

Hunter is the man now that he can actually chip the ball.

Shoshana (Boston)

How much self-delusion is involved in Phil saying he hit the shot on 4 where he wanted? (and I'm not knocking it self-delusion is important for high level athletics)

Farrell Evans

  (3:34 PM)

Shoshana!Phil is not delusional. He really believes he hit it to the right spot because he must have hit the same shot in his thousand practice rounds at the place. He's definitely a prisoner to his own self conceits.

Patrick (Philly, PA)

Who has the better chance of winning the US Open, Stricker or Donald?

Farrell Evans

  (3:36 PM)

They have a pretty equal chance of winning, but I would give Stricker the edge because he had a chance at Olympic when the Open was there in '98. He was in the group with the winner, Lee Janzen on Sunday.

Shoshana (Boston)

From watching/reading golf media since the Masters I have come to the conclusion that the only reason a player follows a good performance with a bad one is deep psychological issues. So I'm wondering what deep psychological problems McIlroy and Donald had?

Farrell Evans

  (3:38 PM)

Not really. Golf is a really hard game. I think it's psychological if a player goes from shooting 65 to 80 on the same course in the same week in the same conditions. But it's an outdoor sport. Everything changes.

Wenis (Germany)

Phil, tiger or the field for the US open?

Farrell Evans

  (3:38 PM)

The field.

Nick (Washington DC )

Do you ever think we will see a person win a major in their fifties? (Norman 2012 Open Championship!!!)

Farrell Evans

  (3:39 PM)

Easily. You had Norman and Watson, who almost won at 59. I bet it happens sooner than later.

Rob (Oakland)

What things do you like best and least about covering the Tour?

Farrell Evans

  (3:41 PM)

A lot of the PGA tour players have very similar backgrounds-junior golf, middle class, swing coaches, college. So the backstories can get a little boring. But what I love about it is the constant change. it's an individual sport where every week a new player can emerge with a fresh perspective on what it takes to win out here.

Shoshana (Boston)

I was making a joke, that the golf media has decided Tiger's prob must be mental (I'm not saying it's not, but it is golf, so the presumption that it must be seems rather silly)

rick reillly (boston )

u think JDaly can ever contend for 4 rounds again, even on the senior tour?

Farrell Evans

  (3:42 PM)

Daly will win on the Senior tour. He is still very talented and there is no pressure to make a cut for most of the events.

Shoshana (Boston)

Have you had the chance to read the owgr bias piece? and if so any thoughts?

Farrell Evans

  (3:42 PM)

No. what does it say.

Stees (DC)

Tell me Jason Dufner is the most exciting and personable up and comer in the game. A dynamic personality to match the golf game...deadly duo. WATCH OUT BUBBA!

Farrell Evans

  (3:43 PM)

I know you're trying to be funny. But Dufner has a great work ethic. He's been sort of a late bloomer, but he's got plenty of game to catch up to Bubba and pass him.

Rob (Oakland)

Any players current or past, that you saw amazing game, but couldn't quite figure out the mental side?

Farrell Evans

  (3:45 PM)

Hank Kuehne was one but he had a lot of injuries. He's coming back now. Tim O'Neal is another guy. We played junior golf together. He missed getting his card by shot about a decade ago now.

Nick (Washington DC )

Tiger almost won Honda, a course in his home state he could easily drive and play, why doesnt he like to play more tournaments in general? I bet he would have 90 wins if he played some more tourneys every year in his career!

Farrell Evans

  (3:46 PM)

That's a part of his aura to not play too much. And it's beneath him to play the John Deeres and the Renos of the world. But he needs to play more to stay in tournament shape.

Shoshana (Boston)

They used a normal statistial model to rank players, and determined that on avg pga tour players were ranked 36 spots to low. Essentially that the owgr (based on decisions they made) operated as Affirmative Action for other tours (like Asian) to get their players into higher events

Farrell Evans

  (3:47 PM)

I like it. Everybody has an angle.

Andrew (WI)

What's more likely at this point: Anthony Kim ever being relevant as a Top 10-20 guy in the game, or going a full week in this chat without getting asked about Tiger? I might bet on the latter

Farrell Evans

  (3:48 PM)

Poor AK. That's all I got to say. I hope he finds his game again.

Shoshana (Boston)

Tiger's problem might be mental, but when anyone isn't hitting the ball well they tend to be more mechanical sorting it out. Even Bubba

Farrell Evans

  (3:49 PM)

Bubba feels his way through his issues. He moves the ball the ball in his stance, he widens his stance, he stands taller. He's old school.

Tim (SF)

What kinda irons you playin Farrell? and how often do you get to play the Tournament courses? once or twice a year?

Farrell Evans

  (3:51 PM)

I play Titleist AP2 and I get to play a tournament course probably two or three times a year, but I could play more if I tried to do all the media days.

Rob (Oakland)

Can Freddie be competitive in another major this year?

Farrell Evans

  (3:51 PM)

Augusta was his best chance.

Tim (SF)

You guys hear from Sobel at all anymore? (I actually wrote that to see if the ESPN servers would explode)...Seriously, when a media guy changes jobs is it any different than other industries? Gotta be kinda weird to see a former coworker holding a mic with a different network name on it no?

Farrell Evans

  (3:52 PM)

I see Sobel at tournaments. He's alive and well.

Colonel Nathaniel Aardvark Stees, Esq. (NC)

Ok here is the deal. I am a golf snob, I'm sorry but I am. This is mainly because I am about a 10 handicap.That being said, I really think that Tiger is going to win the next 3 majors. Thoughts?

Farrell Evans

  (3:54 PM)

Colonel,You are nuts and I hope you are not gambler. But I appreciate that you are a golf snob. I hope you know that means that you don't play slow, you fill your divots, you don't talk too much between shots, you tip your caddie well and you change your shoes in the locker room.

Tom (boston)

Sergio Garcia when will he play again?

Farrell Evans

  (3:54 PM)

The Players, for sure. He's a past champ.

Zach (Florida)

Sure, Duval had a great career, but he went to Q school and missed out on getting his card, and has been playing some of the worst golf on the tour. Why don't the exemptions go to young up and comers trying to get there feet wet on tour?

Farrell Evans

  (3:54 PM)

Zach,The tour has a category for past champions.

Tom (boston)

Sergio not in wells fargo is he hurt

Farrell Evans

  (3:55 PM)

That finger is probably not in great shape, but I'm not sure.

Andrew (WI)

Along the same lines of my earlier LPGA question, what do you think about the whole Lexi and prom thing? Obviously it's a Lexi decision and not a LPGA decision, but curious if it's a good idea to do it and make it as public as it is.

Farrell Evans

  (3:55 PM)

A well-intentioned publicity stunt. Like I said earlier this week, I hope she has a wild and fun night with the lucky soldier.

Casey (Arizona)

What are Phil's chances of finally getting the US Open monkey off his back? His better putting certainly can't hurt his chances.

Farrell Evans

  (3:56 PM)

It's hard to say but I can assure that no one will be more prepared than Phil at the Olympic Club.

Tim (SF)

You read that bit a few weeks ago from Carl Pettersson about drinking beers and having ice creams for dinner? Who knew I had a TOUR diet?!?!? Take it easy Farrell - thanks for the time.

Farrell Evans

  (3:57 PM)

Great diet. The beer works but I'm lactose intolerant.

Tom (Boston )

Please tell me the US Open won't play easy like last year?

Farrell Evans

  (3:58 PM)

Mike Davis will make sure that the Open is more difficult than it was last year. But then as long as you have graduated rough, it's not ever going to be the old school Opens where you had to pitch out from a few feet off the fairway.

Rob (Oakland)

Which player(s) does Kiawah set up for later this year for the PGA?

Farrell Evans

  (3:59 PM)

It sets up for a long hitter. Few courses are set up for mid to short hitters.

Nick (Washington DC )

Is the US Open your least favoirte major to watch of all the four? I feel like it always has the lamest sunday of the four majors.

Farrell Evans

  (3:59 PM)

Hard to say. It depends on the weather.

Nick (Washington DC )

Jim Thorpe said he played practice rounds with both Norman and Woods in their primes. Said they had equal talent but Tiger was better once the bell rang. Any truth to that?

Farrell Evans

  (4:01 PM)

Thorpie would know. Just look at their records. Norman was there very often but he didn't finish off a lot of events. Just two majors.

Patrick (Philly, PA)

Which course will be set up harder: Olympic or Kiawah? I know both the USGA and PGA are looking to go full bore.

Farrell Evans

  (4:01 PM)

Olympic.

Farrell Evans

  (4:02 PM)

See you guys next week at the Players, same time, same place, same good attitude. Peace.