The PGA: Clock-watching Paramor on prowl

August 14, 10:23 PMGolf ExaminerDave Seanor

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No thunder Down Under.   (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

CHASKA, Minn. – Snippets from the PGA Championship, Friday edition:

• Thongchai Jaidee survived the curse of John Paramor.

Despite being prodded by the recently notorious European Tour referee to pick up the pace during Round 2 at Hazeltine, Jaidee posted a topsy-turvy, 4-over-par 76 and sits tied for 39^th place, nine shots behind midway leader Tiger Woods.

Leaving the tee box at the16^th hole (Jaidee’s seventh of the day after starting at No. 10), he and playing partners Scott Verplank and Craig Thomas encountered Paramor, the rules official who created a ruckus last week when he put Padraig Harrington and Tiger Woods “on the clock” for slow play on the 70^th hole of the WGC Bridgestone Championship.

Harrington, of course, rushed his next couple of shots and made 8 on the hole, ceding the lead to Woods, who made birdie and went on to notch his 70^th career title.

Paramor didn’t put Jaidee’s threesome on the clock, but he did warn them to hit the accelerator. Jaidee double-bogeyed that hole and the next, but the Asian Tour’s leading money winner from Thailand didn’t blame those results on being rushed.

“It was OK. If you don’t get a penalty, it’s OK,” said Jaidee, adding that Paramor was simply doing his job. “He’s a nice guy. I love John Paramor.”

Paramor said players have generally been supportive of his action at the Bridgestone.

“If nothing else, it has brought attention to the issue of slow play,” he said.

Paramor said Woods and Harrington walked past him on the 5^th hole during Round 1 at Hazeltine, which was the first time he had seen either player since the incident at Firestone. He said Woods and caddie Steve Williams ignored him, but Harrington smiled and gave him a nod.

• Word is swing coach Butch Harmon has parted company with two of his high-profile pupils, Adam Scott and Ernie Els. Both players have been searching for answers that Harmon apparently can't provide.

Scott, who irked Harmon by forsaking the practice range to have a weeklong fling with actress Kate Hudson last winter at the Mercedes Championship, had a woeful PGA Championship. He shot 82-79 and missed the cut by a mile.

The Aussie heartthrob has missed the cut nine times in 14 starts worldwide since tying for second at the Sony Open in Hawaii (the week after his hookup with Hudson), the lone bright spot a tie for fourth at the Barclays Scottish Open. He characterized the split with Harmon as temporary.

Els, meanwhile, clawed his way back into contention with a second-round 68 that vaulted him into a tie for ninth place at 1-under-par 143. 

• John Daly may have been gone, but he wasn’t forgotten. His patrons from apparel maker Loudmouth Golf were still on the Hazeltine grounds Friday, in all their glory.

Alan Wallace, vice president of sales for Loudmouth, was among a group following club pro Mitch Lowe of Modesto, Calif., who was attired in Loudmouth outfits during his two rounds at the PGA. Wallace had toned it down somewhat, wearing lime green and yellow checked pants and matching yellow golf shirt. On Thursday he was sporting the company’s Aloha Girls pants, which retail for $90.

Wallace said Loudmouth sales are up 60 percent since the end of April. He wouldn’t divulge sales figures for the privately-held company, saying only Loudmouth has quadrupled its volume thanks to Daly.

Loudmouth apparel was available only via the 7-year-old California company’s Web site until April, when it began to sign up retail accounts. Wallace said Loudmouth already is in 220 retail outlets, mostly golf shops and specialty shops, and the company has hired 17 sales reps.

“Not many people can say that in this economy,” Wallace said.

For the record, Wallace said Daly wore pants with a 42-inch waist when he signed on to endorse Loudmouth in April, and he’s now down to 36s.

TIGER WOODS WATCH: For the insights on Woods' attempt to win his fifth PGA Championship, check out Tiger Woods Examiner Michael Kaplan.