The Ping Pong Wizard, Tricky Nicky and Midwest Steve – Before They Cross the Pond

With less then a month in between ‘Our’ Open Championship and ‘Their’ Open Championship are only three opportunities to compile big Fedex Cup points for the season long race.

‘Jac’ It Up

In Hartford, at one of the PGA’s most respected tour stops, Swede and tour vet Freddie Jacobson held off a hard Sunday charge from Americans John Rollins and Ryan Moore who both fired impressive 63’s. The big talk early in the week was the lights out 60 shot by amateur Patrick Cantlay, who competed in the event after capturing the low-amateur designation a week prior at Congressional. But he faded a bit finishing T24 for a very respectable two weeks with the Tour. As for Freddie the very likable vet, who is known by the players in the locker room as the most dominating ping pong player on Tour, took his game off the table and dominated the TPC River Highlands with consistently low rounds of 66-65-63-66 and holding on to a one-shot victory. Welcome back to Augusta Freddie!

‘Wat’ A Patriotic Week

At Tiger’s Annual 4th of July Weekend tour stop, it was another strong but Tigerless field. The young guns and established vets fought it out for the title and in the end, American Nick Watney outlasted Korean KJ Choi by two shots to win his second event of the 2011 season. The difference in the week was his week low Saturday 62, which paved the way for the title to go with his 2011 Cadillac Championship. Watney has supplanted himself as one of the strongest Americans in the golf world and should be a fixture in the American golf landscape for some time to come. He was also four shots clear of the impressive group that finished T3 including Adam Scott, Jeff Overton and Charles Howell III. No need for Augusta directions...

Quad City Quagmire

By Sunday afternoon at the John Deere Classic it was evident that it was a two horse race and there was only one question left to ask…will Steve Stricker complete the ‘3-peat’ in the Quad Cities? Stricker, the Wisconsin native, University of Illinois alumni and a fan-favorite in the area brought the crowd into utter hysteria with one stroke of the flatstick. Trailing tour rookie Kyle Stanley by two shots with two holes to play, Stricker made a birdie on the par five 17th while Stanley bogeyed the 18th out of a green side bunker, evening the battle with one hole to play from Stricker. A slightly pulled drive gave Steve an awkward lie in a fairway bunker and after much deliberation he stuck a perfect shot right over the flagstick onto the back fringe and 30 feet from the cup (a great shot). But what ensued from there struck a small quake on the Richter scale as he stroked in the putt from the back edge to win in unbelievably dramatic fashion clinching his third straight John Deere Classic.

Congressional Rors

It was a laugher. The 111th US Open held for the third time at Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course produced one of the most lop-sided victories in the history of the illustrious tournament, and crowned a champion who has now been dubbed the heir apparent to Tiger. Rory McIlroy’s record setting 16-under-par 268 was the most impressive victory in the US Open since Tiger obliterated the field by 15 strokes in 2000. McIlroy’s wire to wire victory boasted rounds of 65-66-68-69, and more impressively, only 4 over par holes the entire week! But is it fair?

No I’m not questioning if Rory versus the field is fair because obviously it is only his second career Tour victory and first career major. What I’m questioning is the media blitz that is crowning him as the next Tiger. The quotes from players like Padraig Harrington all but guaranteeing his ascent to the top and eventual breaking of Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major championship record. And although he is the same age as Jack when he won his first title, please remember that McIlroy is the same kid who crumbled on the back nine on Sunday at the Masters, firing an 80 and blowing a 4-stroke 54-hole lead!

I’m not saying that McIlroy doesn’t have the potential and game to get to that Tiger-esque domination, but also take note that at this point in Tiger’s career, he had already won over 20 PGA Tour events! He looked like an unstoppable force and it was only a matter of ‘when’ not a matter of ‘if’ he was going to break Nicklaus’ major record. Between knee and Achilles injuries, pancake waitresses, pornstars and his wife taking a nine-iron to his grill (allegedly) his world is currently in shambles. But let me quickly point out that Tiger is sitting on 14 majors, only four shy of tying Jack, and a whopping 13 majors ahead of Rory!

I’m not saying Tiger will break any major records, but if healthy why doesn’t he have a chance? What I do know right now is that I would put money on Tiger passing Jack before Rory passing Jack. Nothing against this outstanding young man, in fact, I’m a huge Rory fan, but what I am essentially trying to say is we need to curtail all of this Rory-Jack-Tiger conversation for a bit. I would just like to see him win a few more majors before this conversation arises. Sure, he’s a pro’s pro with arguably the best swing in golf, amazing maturity for his age, and a personality and swagger people tend to gravitate toward. But there’s a lot of majors to win and a lot of young talent and potential looming for Mr. McIlroy.

Ask Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Jason Day, Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald, Bubba Watson, Nick Watney, Paul Casey, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, Molinari’s Squared, Adam Scott, Steve Stricker and Justin Rose about wanting a major. Have you heard of Matteao Manassaro or Ryo Ishikawa? What would Sergio Garcia do to get a major? Is Phil Mickelson done winning majors? Or Charl Schwartzel? Or Graeme McDowell? Or Martin Kaymer? How about Louis Oosthuizen, YE Yang, Zach Johnson, Geoff Ogilvy or even Angel Cabrera? What about Tiger Woods for that matter? My point is that competition is so strong right now and there is so much parity on the PGA Tour and worldwide that nobody’s game is safe.

Sure, I would be extremely surprised and disappointed if McIlroy does not cash in on another major championship. I don’t even think it’s out of the question that he’ll win another one this season, but the talk needs to stop. I want to see how Rory handles the pressure of going for number two…three...four etc. How he deals with the stress of success and winning or disappointment and losing. And more importantly how he deals with the impending return of Tiger. To me all of that is in question and we may get some answers next month at Royal St. George’s. What I do know, is that McIlroy’s total and utter domination of a US Open track warranted talk of greatness, but will that quiet confidence he seems to carry, continue to keep that spring in his step?

This is a story that will unfold over the next decade and I’m more than ready to watch what this young man is capable of achieving. We may see even more of those ‘Congressional Rors’ at future major venues. He’ll get his opportunity at Green Jacket redemption next April at Augusta.

PS – Welcome American’s Robert Garrigus and Kevin Chappell to The Masters on CBS on the strength of each of their T3 finishes!

Oh, Oh, Oh...My God

Obviously 'Golf Boys' brainchild Ben Crane is a funnier guy then anyone who doesn't know could ever imagine. To think up and perform a golf boy band and have the means to produce a video is genious. Totally crushing most casual fans and outsiders view of the stuffy country club game, the youngsters on the tour have found and proclaimed a reputaion of their own, and it's not your fathers game anymore. With the help of the long-hitting fan fav Bubba Watson, the boyishly flamboyant and just as popular Rickie Fowler, and the ever brazen and solid Hunter Mahan; Crane has led the 'Golf Boys' as a viral explosion and You Tube sensation. Please view the below link to see the 'Golf Boys' debut song 'Oh, Oh, Oh' as Farmers Insurance is donating funds for charity by the amount of views the link generates. So its not all just about comedy and fun, it's also for a good cause.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DEBUT OF THE 'GOLF BOYS'

Pre-US Open Swing

Of course its US Open week and I haven’t had an update since The Masters. I am still trying to get over the fact that a South African named Charl won the ‘Tradition Unlike Any Other.” But he deserved it! Anyway it has been a long stretch between then and now so here is a quick overview of the events and pairity that has transpired on the PGA Tour.

Man of Steele


In Texas the wind blowed and the scores were high in a less then stellar field at the TPC San Antonio. But Rookies Brandan Steele and Kevin Chapell fought tooth and nail to stay atop the leaderboard for a first victory. Despite charges from Brandt Snedeker and Charley Hoffman, the steady Steele brought home his first win and an invitation to the 2012 Masters.

Southern Gentleman

In the tournament formerly known as the Verizon Heritage, the pros took their games to one of the PGA’s oldest and most enjoyed tour stops…Harbourtown! The field was paced by top 3er at the time Luke Donald, accuracy and putting guru Ben Crane, Aussie Jason Day, and the awkward southerner Tommy (2-gloves) Gainey; among others. But nobody saw the Sunday charge from good ole Tennesseean Brandt Snedeker. “Sneds” fired a final round seven-under 64 to force a playoff with Donald with Gainey just one shot too many. On the second playoff hole the former Vanderbilt Commodore Snedeker sealed the deal, thwarting Donald’s chance at World #1 and capturing the Tartan Jacket for his second career win.

Bayou Bubba

In New Orleans it was a new week and the same Bubba. Of course it was another tournament sponsored by an insurance company, so it was no wonder that the reigning Travelers and Farmers champion cashes in at Zurich. Although it was not easy for the long hitting tour favorite, as it took a playoff with the talented youngster Webb Simpson who has been knocking on the door for a couple years now. But Bubba was just a bit too much on the par five playoff hole, and jumped into the winner’s cirlce for the third time in his career.

Like A Glove

In Charlotte, at the fair but difficult Quail Hollow, the field was dominated by Tigers and not of the Woods variety. Former Clemson Tiger’s Lucas Glover and Jonathan Byrd held off a Sunday charge from Rory Sabbatini to make it an all orange and purple final. One back and in the final group, Byrd made an unbelievable birdie three on the extrememly difficult 72nd hold to force the playoff. On the first playoff hole the 2009 US Open Champ Glvoer closed out his former teammate with a par four, stopping Byrd’s chance for his second win in 2011.

KJ-Ation

I spent a lot of time watching NBC’s coverage of the Tour’s claimed “5th Major”, but still didn’t get the initiative to write an entry. The tour’s deepest field took to the risk reward TPC Sawgrass for the annual Players Championship. The week was headlined by the return of Tiger Woods to competitive action, but just as soon as he teed it up, the was a WD next to his name. After showing visable signs of pain, and lack of game firing a 9-hole six-over 42, ‘The Striped One’ called it quits for the week. This led to one of the more interesting and entertaining Sunday’s since the wild one at Augusta. It seemed like a two horse race with vetrans David Toms and KJ Choi, but an unexpected visitor named Paul Goydos made another magical Sawgrass run. He came up a bit short as Toms and Choi capped their day deadlocked. On the first playoff hole, the signature island green 17th, the always steady with the flatstick Toms, inexplicedly missed a three-foot par putt basically giving Choi his biggest win to date. But don’t think he didn’t earn it!

Toms-Toms-Toms-Tooooooommmmms

On the heels of the disappointment of his 2nd place at Sawgrass David Toms prmptly came out on fire at the short but challenging Colonial. He opened the tournament with back to back eight-under 62’s and took a commanding stranglehold on the third leg of the Texas swing. A thrid round four-over 74 brought the field back into the mix and actually made it into a competitve tournament. Sunday was a two horse race between Toms and Charlie Wi, and a steady 67 from led to some vidication from his putting woe at the Players and a one shot victory at Colonial.

Rookie Fever

It was another windy and difficult scoring week in Texas as the Tour contined their stay in the Dallas Metroplex at the Byron Nelson. And once again their was another playoff! Sunday was an up for grabs free for all, but four players rose to the top: Ryan Palmer, Ryuji Imada, Joe Ogilvie, and rookie Keegan Bradley. Keegan Bradley posted an early two-under 68 to sit in the clubhouse at three-under total. He watched as the difficult conditions took their toll on the leaders. Imada held a one-stroke lead on the 71st tee, but promptly bogied in to finish one back. Palmer was one back of Bradly on the 72nd and stuck a wedge and drained the putt to force a playoff. But he could not match that magic as on the very same hole he drained his ball…into the greenside pond leading to a bogey and giving the New Enlander Bradley his first professional victory and an invite to next season’s Masters.

He's A Stricker

Finally out of Texas the Tour focused on my home, Dublin Ohio and Jack’s Memorial Tournament. I spent a few beer drinking extremely hot days walking around Muirfield Village watching the Tour’s best. Tour vet Steve Stricker’s assult on Muirfield’s front nine (a whopping 20-under for the week) paced the field growing a one time seven shot lead midway through Saturday’s third round. But a few stumbles down the stretch opened the door for the rest of the field. On Sunday “Strick” once again abused the front nine before a late afternoon weather delay once again tightened the field with Brandt Jobe and Matt Kuchar capitalizing on Stricker’s mishaps. But in the end the late finish had Stricker on the 72nd tee with a two-shot lead and although he bogied, he was still able to gain another emotional win at Jack’s place.

'Fraz' Your Glass

Long time journeyman Harrison Frazer finally won his first PGA event in 355 career starts at the Fedex St. Jude in Memphis. Frazer and Swede Robert Karlsson lapped the field and deadlocked through 72 holes and yet another 2011 playoff. After 3 playoff holes Frazer realized his long time dream and captured his first ever PGA win. Welcome to Augusta Mr. Frazer.

Sweet 16!

It’s the God’s honest truth that in my life I can never recall making anything close to a 16 on a hole. Not that it means I’m super badass or anything because 16 strokes are a lot of strokes! Well, in the first round of the Valero Texas Open, 27-year-old Tour star Kevin Na suffered that fate…the fate of a nasty 16 on the 474 yard par four 9th hole at the TPC San Antonio Oaks Course. It was jokingly described by Aussie Geoff Ogilvy as “a comedy of errors” as he watched NA hack around in the woods as he stood on teebox in the group behind. Have no fear Kevin, that six footer you made for a 16 put you just behind the record of a 17 from the 1998 Bay Hill Tournament. And who performed that masterpiece? You guessed the master of blow-up himself ‘Long’ John Daly! See the comedy below.

Where in the World Are...

...Rory's sticks???

Apparently on the way out of Augusta Rory McIlroy charted a plane to Kuala Lumpur for this week's Euro Tour stop. You can trust those private charters, right? Well apparently not as upon landing in Kuala Lumpur McIlroy learned that his golf clubs have come up missing. I know what your thinking...they came up missing on Sunday at Augusta too right? Shame on you. Anyway, I am taking theories on where the sticks may be.

Oh and one more extra punch in the face...A Green Jacket clad Charl Schwartzel was a fellow passenger on the plane. Coincidence???

May the Schwartz-el Be With You

Growing up as a boy in Johannesburg, South Africa Charl Scwartzel emulated his great countryman Ernie Els. After joining the youth programs as a teenager he got to not only meet his idol, but almost become a protege to Els. But on Sunday at Augusta National he did something his mentor was never able to do in his great career – slip into the Green Jacket as a Masters champion. His fabulous final round 66 included a 30 yard chip in birdie on the difficult 1st, a 100+ yard eagle hole out on the 3rd, and four straight birdies to close the round. He leaped the field in tremendous fashion on his way to a two-shot victory that wasn’t entirely decided until the final few holes.

Ninth ranked player in the world 21 year old Rory McIlroy slept on a 4-shot 54-hole lead entering Sunday and was vying to win the Green Jacket in wire-to-wire fashion. After a mediocre 37 on the front nine that nearly evaporated his lead, the 10th hole buried the youngster. After hitting tree off the tee his ball bounded nearly 50 yards left of the fairway near the cabins, where he was forced to chip out leaving him over 250 yards to the green. Another wild hook, a bad chip that struck a tree, and a merciful two-putt lead to an ugly triple-bogey seven and essentially killed his hopes mentally. A double-bogey on “Golden Bell” and a couple more bogies led to a final round eight-over 80 and a tie for 15th. It was difficult to watch, but the young man took it in stride and I’m sure will learn from the experience.

The all too familiar roars were out on Sunday…the Tiger Roars! After sticking a three wood to 12 feet on the par five 8th, Woods found a way to roll in the eagle putt sending echoes through the lob-lolly pines and almost shaking the 4th green where the leaders were putting. This eagle got Tiger to five under on the day and ten under for the tournament, and more importantly just one shot back entering the final nine. But a three put bogey on “Golden Bell”, a failed opportunity on “Azalea” and a missed eagle chance on “Firethorn” lead to an even par second nine, giving him the clubhouse lead with a lot of players in contention yet to finish.

2008 US Open champ Geoff Ogilvy matched Woods –10 clubhouse lead with an epic display of five straight birdies on the back nine and a 31! Luke Donald was next, despite a crippling water-logged double-bogey on “Golden Bell” he was able to get to the house matching Woods and Ogilvy at –10. It wasn’t until the dueling Aussie group of Adam Scott and Jason Day dashed the hopes of a 5th Green Jacket for Tiger coming to the house at –12. Scott led for much of the late back nine sweeping in birdie putts and par saves with his long putter. While Day just hung around and rallied by closing with birdies on both 17 and 18. But they had no idea on the display Scwartzel was putting on behind them.

After an easy birdie at the par five “Firethorn” Scwartzel rolled in a 20 footer on the Verne Lundquist announced “Redbud.” He then averted the Eisenhower Pine enroute to another birdie at “Nandina” putting him in position of only needing a par on the closing “Holly.” He did one better by rolling in another 20+ footer for birdie to the pleasure and exclamation of my brotha Jim! He posted a 14-under-par 274 and received the Green Jacket from Phillip in the friendly confines of Butler Cabin amongst my brotha, close personal friend Chairman Billy Payne, Low-Am Hideki Matsuyama and his translator.

Sunday was an unbelievably competitive day at Augusta National where and unheard of seven players had an outright or share of the lead at some point in time during the day. In the end it was the 26 year old South African who cashed in on the biggest win of his career…a Green Jacket. As usual the top 16 and ties are invited back for the 2012 edition: T2 Adam Scott and Jason Day, T4 Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, and Geoff Ogilvy, 7 Angel Cabrera, T8 Bo Van Pelt and KJ Choi, 10 Ryan Palmer, T11 Justin Rose, Steve Stricker, Lee Westwood and Edoardo Molinari, T15 Fred Couples, Trevor Immelman, Brandt Snedeker, Ross Fisher and Rory McIlroy.

Plunging into the Winner’s Circle…In a Major Way

After the World’s #1 Yani Tseng passed 36-hole leader Stacy Lewis to lead by 2 strokes entering the final round of the Kraft Nabisco, the LPGA’s first major of 2011, it seemed all but academic for a Sunday stroll for the Tapaian Tseng. But as the winds picked up in Rancho Mirage, CA and the scores skyrocketed it was the former Arkansas Razorback Lewis, who stood up to the challenge.

Lewis’ impressive final round 69 in the face of the #1 player in the world, showed that there is more promise in the 26 year old then she has shown in her first two full seasons on the LPGA. Although she was able to score a few top 10 finishes in her first two seasons, she had not cashed in a title like she was predictably supposed to after her outstanding play in her first professional appearance at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen. She lead after the opening round in that event only to fall short in a tie for 3rd, a distant five shots behind winner Inbee Park. That event seemed to pave the way for immediate success for the former razorback…but it just never came.

In 2009 she finished a mediocre 47th on the money list, mustering just under $300,000, with a T4 as her best finish. That season also included a T9 at the LPGA championship. She improved a bit in 2010 finishing 21st on the money list grossing over $550,000, while finishing second to Ai Miyazato in the Tres Marias Championship in Mexico. But she still only compiled four top ten finishes (none in majors) throughout all of the 2010 season. All of this makes this breakout performance in the first major of 2011 unexpected, but not surprising.

Lewis struggled at a young age with scoliosis, which caused her to wear a back brace through much of her young life. But after clearing up the issue, it gave her the determination to move forward and become one of the better players growing up in her age group. She complied a very impressive amateur record winning such accolades as SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, National Champion (Individual), along with many tournament victories. She was also a member of the winning 2008 US Curtis Cup team where she became the first ever to go 5-0 in that event! Those finishes along with that strong finish in the 2008 U.S. Woman’s Open, were all reasons why many thought she was poised to be a threat on the LPGA.

This big first career win may open the floodgates for Lewis, who has already collected over $370,000 in earnings in 2011, putting her third in overall standings. Also, her seemingly head to head victory over the top rated player in a major, shows she can win anytime, anywhere, and under any set of circumstances. Lewis no doubt earned the victory plunge she and her family made into Poppy’s Pond off the 18th green at Mission Hills Country Club. Although not without collateral damage...as her mother fractured her leg after making the leap! I guess the least Stacy can do is pay the medical bills, right?

Wat, My ROY, The Scot, and Lefty: The pre-Masters Southern Swing

With the Championship Week and the NCAA Basketball Tournament on CBS (shameless plug) I have been extremely immersed in collegiate hoops. But now that it’s winding down and my brotha Jim is calling the national championship game tonight, it has officially kicked off ‘A Tradition Unlike Any Other’ Week. But first let me describe the results from the last few weeks in the Florida Swing.
At the WGC Cadillac Championship 20-something American Nick Watney out played an extremely deep field at ‘The Blue Monster’ to capture his most prestigious crown to date. He was able to hold off fellow American Dustin Johnson, Dane Anders Hansen and Italian Francesco Molinari for a one shot victory and punch his already punched ticket to Augusta.
In the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook in the Tampa area rookie Gary Woodland continued his outstanding onslaught of the PGA Tour with his first career victory in come from behind fashion. He edged 54-hole leader Webb Simpson by one stroke on a highly contested Sunday, earning a spot in the top ten of the Fedex Cup standings, and an all-important trip in the field at Augusta. I’ll brag about this all year if his hot hand continues, as he was my pick for Tour Rookie of the Year.

Another stellar field was put together at Arnie’s place, as fast starts gave way to struggles on Sunday for many of the top players. As the week went on average scores plummeted and Scotsman Martin Laird held a two shot 54-hole lead and increased it even further on the front nine on Sunday. He lost a couple of wheels coming in, but had enough of a lead to par the closing hole for a one shot victory (his 2nd career PGA Tour win) over Steve Marino, who continues to be a PGA Tour bridesmaid.
Many of the stars came out to Houston for the Augusta warn-up known as the Shell Houston Open, but to many it was their last chance to earn a spot in the Masters. But Houston was not to be for the guys on the outside looking in as Phil Mickelson lapped the filed over the weekend firing an impressive –16 (63-65) for his first win since the 2010 Masters. He is looking to repeat his ‘Win for the Family’ this week for his 4th Green Jacket. Runners up Chris Kirk and Scott Verplank came up 3-shots short for the automatic bid.

Special shout outs to Michael Bradley who won the official / unofficial Puerto Rico Open and to the guys from Lake Nona who dominated to defeat Isleworth, Albany and Queenswood to retain the Tavistock Cup.

It’s Masters week…time to strap in and get it on!

Ror-y-ing His Way to Augusta

Only a few years ago Rory Sabbatini was known as a brash arrogant youngster whom many of the golf writers loved for headlines and fans hated. Like an ’05 incident in DC where, because of slow play, he started to play the 18th hole before his playing partner Ben Crane finished the 17th. Or in ’07 where after blowing a five stroke final round lead to Tiger Woods, he filled the golf gossip columns with his calling of Woods “more beatable now then ever.” These events along sparked venom amongst the golf pubic.

But this talented South African has seemed to grow into his own over the past few years to become a consistent competitor on the PGA Tour. Heading into this past week’s Honda Classic, Sabbatini had quietly amassed five career wins with his last being at the ’09 Nelson. And heading into the weekend at a blowing and cool Palm Beach Gardens Florida, his game seemed head and shoulders better then the rest of the field. And with the pending WGC Cadillac Championship looming this strong field contained the likes of Lee Westwood, Greame McDowell, Luke Donald, and Ian Poulter among other top rated players from around the world.

After an amazing 64 on Friday and an impressive follow up 66 on Saturday, it seemed like Sabbatini was in for a Sunday stroll at the famous “Bear Trap.” He approached the final round with a five shot lead on veteran fan-favorite Jerry Kelly and ’09 PGA and Honda Classic Champion Y.E. Yang. The improved weather on Sunday lowered scoring significantly, but the South African was able to hold his five shot lead through the turn. And then came some speed bumps.

Yang slowly but surely converted some birdies while Sabbatini continued to be a par machine. After a huge mistake bogey on the par four 14th the final group moved to the beginning of the “Bear Trap” with Sabbatini only leading by two stroke. Yang was first to strike and staked a shot to within 18 inches and a kick-in birdie on the difficult par three 15t h, consequently the closest shot of the week. And even though his once five shot lead was cut to one with three holes to play, this is where the talented South African failed to be outdone. He rolled in a much needed birdie putt on the 16th to all but clinch the title, and was able to negotiate the rest of the “Bear Trap” to finish the week at nine under-par and a one shot winner over Yang, who’s birdie at the 18th was not enough. Kelly finished two shots back and solo 3rd for the Wisconsin native.

As for Sabbaini, it was another memorable week for the now Stetson clad Texas transplant. He cashed in his sixth career title and cemented himself in the field at the ’11 Masters. His career finishes at the majors are anything but impressive as all but once has he finished any better then T20. In 2007 he did though have a magical week at Augusta finishing in a tie for second behind the champion Zach Johnson. In 2010 he failed to make a cut in the three majors he teed it up in, and did not participate in The Open Championship. But with this solid start in 2011 he looks to resupplant himself as the dominant Rory in the world of golf. But I’m sure Mr. McIlroy will have something to say about that!

Cool Hand Luke

Just like the movie Luke Donald was unfazed and unbreakable at the 2011 Accenture World Match Play crushing the will of top 64er after top 64er. Coming into the week at the Ritz Carlton Course at Dove Mountain in Tucson, AZ, the Englishman was ranked 9th in the World Golf Rankings – what he didn’t know is that he would leave the weekend ranked 6th!

In a week where Tiger Woods made headlines again with a shocking first round defeat to the ‘Great Dane’ Thomas Bjorn; it was all about the worldwide youth movement. Rickie Fowler backed up a solid first round win with a runaway crushing of world #4 Phil Mickelson. The now former World #1 wasn’t safe either as he was dispatched in round two by the youthful and improving Nick Watney. With Martin Kaymer being the only #1 seed to advance to the ‘Sweet 16,” this event was once again (as always) up for grabs.

The final eight in contention in the desert were: Ryan Moore (12) v. Luke Donald (3); Matt Kuchar v. Y.E. Yang (11); Martin Kaymer (1) v. Miguel Angel Jimenez (6); and Bubba Watson (5) v. J.B. Holmes (6 – alternate seed for taking Tim Clark’s slot). On Saturday morning it was clear that some players were ready and other were just flat out not! Donald jumped all over ex-US Amateur Champion Ryan Moore and rode it to a dominating 6 & 5 victory. Kuchar did much of the same to Yang, although the Korean made some ground up on the back, he was just too far back. Kaymer as grabbed a huge lead on his fellow Euro Ryder Cupper, but a flurry on the back nine got “The Mechanic” to the 18th, before dropping the game 1 down. But the battle of the long-ballers Watson and Holmes, may have been the match of the week!

J.B. was absolutely dominating in all aspects through the first ten holes as he held a five-up lead over the reigning champion at the Travelers and Farmers. But when you hit the ball like Bubba (and like J.B. for that matter) no lead or deficit is safe. Bubba chipped away into the lead and through 16 holes was down dormie-two with two holes to play. He hit a miraculous approach at the difficult par four 17th for an almost kick-in birdie to force the 18th. After Bubba drove it into the right trap Holmes drove it into the left rough and instead of playing it safe, tried to play a near impossible shot deeming himself unplayable in the desert and extra holes. In another marathon hole where Holmes hit the ball all over God’s creation, Bubba was able to par the hole and eliminate the stunned Holmes who lost the biggest lead in WGC match-play history.

But that wasn’t the only round Bubba had to play that day. The world’s number two-ranked player Martin Kaymer awaited him after his marathon against Holmes. Donald and Kuchar, who didn’t have to wait, got out on the course significantly earlier and played a very lop-sided match. This one seemed over midway through the opening nine as the Englishman blew out the normally consistent American 7 & 6 to earn a spot in the final. Kaymer and Bubba finally got out on the course and played a highly competitive see-saw battle that went down the 18th again, as Kaymer was able to hold off Bubba not only securing the slot in the final match, but securing the number one spot in the World Golf Rankings.

The four remaining players woke up to an incredibly cold and snowy morning in the Sonoran Mountains, where Dove Mountain collected over an inch of snow! The snow dissipated before the final matches began, but old man winter made his presence felt with the wrath of cold and blustery conditions. In the third place match, Bubba seemed to be worn down from an incredibly long week and fell down quickly to Mr. Consistency Matt Kuchar. The former US-Am Champ and Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket fended off a back nine surge from the long hitting Watson to the tune of a 2 & 1 victory. It was a solid match between two U.S. Ryder Cuppers.

The same flow could been seen the championship match between the two Euro Ryder Cuppers, as Luke Donald did what he did all week and took off out of the gates to a 3-up lead through five holes against newly anointed World #1 Martin Kaymer. The stubborn German did not back down and actually squared the match by the end of the outward nine. But some loose play from Kaymer coupled by some solid shots from the Englishman gave Donald the Accenture Match Play Championship and moved him to #6 in the new World Golf Rankings. The most incredible thing about Donald’s week was that he never once trailed in a match…not once! This win made him the second straight Englishman to bring home this title, following Ian Poulter’s 2010 victory.

***Special shout out to the man with two last names, Johnson Wagner, who was a winner for the 2nd time in his career in Mexico at the Myacoba Classic. Although this win does not get him the automatic bid into the Masters, it does get him 250 all important Fedex Cup points.

2011 WGC Accenture Match Play --- My Bracket

WGC_AM
Any past research shows that I did not have the best outcome at picking the 2010 WGC Accenture Match Play. Although I did have the eventual champion Ian Poulter in my Elite 8, I wouldn’t say that would be enough to save my 37.25% accuracy in the opening round. So what better for me to do than redeem myself in 2011? Once again this new modern ‘British Invasion’ has dominated my bracket with three British Islanders in my Elite 8 (Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey and Martin Laird). I think the US will do a better job of bouncing back as I have four players waving the stars and stripes in this group of 8 (Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan and Ryan Palmer). Rounding this group out is Aussie and one of the most consistent players in this format, two-time WGC Accenture Match Play Champion Geoff Ogilvy.

I am interested in how Tiger will fair in this format after taking some time off since his semi-struggle at Torrey. I think the potential 2nd round matchup against the previously mentioned Ogilvy may be too much for Tiger. When it all comes down to it I like a second straight year of an all Englishman final with reigning US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and fellow World Top Tener Paul Casey. I’ll take the US Open champion on the strength of his mano-a-mano playoff victory against Tiger at the 2010 Chevron. This will leave Casey with his third career bridesmaid finish at this WGC event.

One thing that has been made perfectly clear…is that when it comes to picking this event, most of the time my opinion isn’t worth the popularity of this blog. But with that being said I can always go back to my 2007 bracket where I correctly picked Henrik Stensen to bring home the title. I know I mention this win every year this event rolls around…it’s really all I got!