Observations from the Farmers Insurance Open

While following the Farmers Insurance Open this past week and weekend I couldn't help but notice a few things I felt the need to point out below.

1. Contrary to popular belief (via Twitter), Ryuji Imada is NOT Ryo Ishikawa. I know they are both Japanese and all, but they are not the same guy.
2. John Daly is an emotional guy who says what he is feeling at that exact moment, even if he doesn't really mean it. Go figure. I have sworn off the game more times than I can count.
3. My blogging buddy Vince over at the OneEyedGolfer really and truly does not like John Daly.
4. Ben Crane is unbelievably painful to watch play golf on TV. I can only imagine how brutal it is for his playing partners. He takes as many practice swings and as much time over the ball as my wife's crazy Uncle Bart. The only difference between them is that Crane is a much sharper dresser and not a 30 handicapper.
5. Rickie Fowler is the real deal. He's not like most of the other rookies out there just hoping to post some good finishes and make some cash to keep their card. He's there to win and he showed that he has the game to do it. In his last 6 PGA tournaments he's had 3 top 10's. Oh and he REALLY likes orange.
6. Scott McCarron must have some prior beef with Phil Mickelson. The way he called him out and the harsh words he used seemed to say to me that there's some history there! I don't necessarily agree with what Mickelson and others are doing but he handled the criticisms like a class act.
7. Phil Mickelson really needs to lose those Callaway shirts that have the white piping/striping down the sides. They are not made for someone of Phil's "build". They only further accentuate his middle-aged spare tire he's sporting. Those shirst are made for skinny dudes like Ian Poulter and Charles Howell III.
8. There is tons of young talent on Tour this year. Between Marc Leishman, Alex Prugh, Michael Sim, Troy Merritt, and Rickie Fowler, these guys are showing they can flat out play.