Saturday: Moving Day

Commentators always call Saturday moving day.  Some players are getting ready for their weekend pushes for the fancy hardware, while others are going home to mend their wounds.  Rory and Tiger were able to add an extra two days of practice.  Rory needs to figure out the putter.  Three words for you Rory: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  You were not very good at the Nike or Titleist flatstick. Tiger buy yourself a rulebook.  Some light reading may help you out next week.

The players who have made the cut, it is now time to get in line to make a nice paycheck.  Another bonus of making the cut, is wearing another fabulous outfit.  Some players use Saturday's moving day to take a fashion risk.  It maybe time to add a little color, try a new hat, or change up the shoes.  I like to see it all: give me color, pattern, accessories, and try something new.  I can't wait to see what is ahead this weekend in the world of golf fashion.

Now lets take a look at some of the outfits of yesterdays rounds.

First to Abu Dhabi.  A little a head of us here in the States, the European Tour just finished up the third round.  Justin Rose is two ahead going into the last day.  Nothing special with his outfit. Nice carolina blue shirt with light slate color pant.  Rose always puts a nice outfit together.  Typical basic golf style that anyone can wear.

From: http://www.europeantour.com/

Now lets look at some of the more unique styles that were seen in the deserts of Abu Dhabi.  Up first is Thongchai Jaidee.  The first Thai golfer to win an European tour event, always looks flawless on the course.  Jaidee picks clothes that are always visually interesting but never over the top.  I love the white and black ensemble he chose for the third round.  The asymmetrical stripping adds a unique pattern to a typical white shirt.  Jaidee is also known for wearing visors that fit the whole outfit.  A great example of a well thought of outfit that takes the typical black and white to a new level.  

From: http://www.europeantour.com/

Next we are going to look at Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño. A Spanish golfer who's name never fits entirely onto his caddie's bib.  I like to call him Gonzalo because that is a great name and it is the shortest of all his amazing names.  Gonzalo is a great example of have someone who has signature pieces.  First is the high top visor.  It reminds me of the visors that Paul Azinger wore at the height of his career.  The visors go back to the late eighties and early nineties.  I like the retro visor with the nice flowing hair.  If you have beautiful locks, you should show them off.  The second signature piece is not really a piece of clothing but the popped collar.  Gonzalo always has the popped collar.  I am not sure his reasoning for the collar pop but it has to be a great way to prevent sunburn on the back of your neck.

From: http://www.europeantour.com/

Final player in the Abu Dhabi round up is Thorbjørn Olesen.  The guy is young, 23, so he can definitely get away with wearing pastel pants.  I also like that he has a unique color pant with a plain white shirt.  He does not overload the outfit but keeps it simple.  However, what is with his hat?  It looks like modified bucket hat that was turned into a baseball hat.  Also, is it suppose to be flat brim or the norm curved brim? The swoosh is too big.  This picture minimizes the swoosh but I in other pictures I found the swoosh obnoxious.  Olesen please pick a better hat, and one that fits your head a little better.  

From: http://www.europeantour.com/

Now on to the PGA Tour, where the pros are enjoying the Palm Springs area at the Humana Challenge.  The Humana Challenge is a pro-am format that is formerly and fondly remembered as the Bob Hope Classic.  The tournament began to struggle so a new sponsor, Humana, stepped in with the help of Bill Clinton.  Pros are paired with amateur players, and they amateurs get at least three days with the pros.  The pros also enjoy a guaranteed three days on three different courses.  The final cut comes Saturday with the final round played at the Palmer Private at PGA West.

Palm Springs area is enjoying great weather.  The nights are cold leading to chilly mornings but the afternoons are warming up quite nicely in the high 70s.  The outfits have been subdued.  Nothing has really stood out.  However, we still have two more rounds to see something new.

First, I am going to look at Matt Kuchar.  I would never consider Kuchar fashion forward. Kuchar typically gravitates to the khaki and white polo shirt style outfit.  However, yesterday I was suprised to see Matt in something bright and unique.  Matt had red pants with a white polo with subtle black stripes.  It was a great departure for Matt.  He looked well put together, and it was nice to see someone wear something other than a simple white shirt with colored pants.  He knew that the shirt needed something but it has to soft and subtle.  Red is a tough color to pull off, golfers need to be fit and trim.  Matt is athletic but not the slimmest guy on tour.  He was able to handle the red very well.  Maybe he is trying to show some hard work in the gym this winter break?  I say kudos: you look good.      

From: http://sports.yahoo.com/

My final review for today is Ricky Barnes.  It is nice to see the guy matched his sunglasses to his shirt.  Not often you see yellow frames but Ricky has them.  Maybe he will let you borrow them.  I have Ricky here today because of the hat.  Ricky's hats are definitely his signature piece of clothing.  However, I wish he would pick a new style hat.  The small brim bicycle style hat does not look good on anyone, even cyclist.  I am not a cyclist so I can not talk about its practical use for a cycling but for golf it has no practical use.  The brim cannot be protecting his face from the sun, it barely covers the yellow shades.  (Maybe the sunglasses need protecting?)  I get it is a fashion statement but you did it.  Please move on. 

From:http://sports.yahoo.com/