10 Shot Rule

Brian Gay is a mid 30-something PGA tour journeyman. Entering mid-April’s Verizon Heritage event he had one ‘semi-official’ win on tour, and had fought hard and bounced back and forth from the mini-tours to ‘the show’ since the mid-90’s. His only ‘show’ victory came at the 2008 Mayacoba Classic in sunny Mexico. FYI – this tournament runs opposite the Accenture Match play, which consists of the 64 top ranked players in the world. So needless to say, the Mayacoba field wasn’t exactly full of the Tigers, Leftys or even Camilos of the world. It was more like newly tour-carded competitors, young Champions Tour gents, and even the experienced Nationwide guys getting their shot in the show. But a wins a win I guess.

Although Gay cannot shake the grade school wisecracks and jokes about his last name or the neon pants he wears, he can break away from the moniker of being a non relevant tour winner.

It was seen as a lazy relaxing Sunday stroll in between the lob-lolly pines and their dry needles swaying in the gentle early spring costal breeze of South Carolina [how bout those adjectives! Feels like your right there doesn’t it!]. Entering the final round of the Verizon Heritage Classic Gay held a commanding 7 shot lead that, if relinquished, would’ve been the choke of the year. Instead – his birdie, eagle start propelled Gay to the biggest victory in the long standing history of the Heritage Classic. By the time he turned to the inward nine he had the same amount of holes left as the size of his lead. Is this the equivalent of stroke play dormie?

Clad in lime green pants, a trendy tight white polo, a modern visor, blonde tips and a spitfire engraved belt buckle, Gay continued his Sunday onslaught on Habourtown Golf Links…and terrible fashion. I’m sure between Gay’s gay [but sharp] lime green pants and two time defending champion Boo Weekley’s camo hats and shirts the tournament committee has been mighty frustrated with their grand champions apparel. But lets face it, these old guys and their prestigious tartan red plaid jackets aren’t exactly the sharpest dressed fellas your gonna find. Garb aside, Gay was on top of his game recording a tournament low 20 under par 264! The only resistance he met in his 72 hole ride were 2 bogeys that were as harmful to his endeavor as a season finale loss to Philly was to the #1 seeded Cleveland Cavs. He was dominant!

And now the wait begins. As a man who has as much Masters experience as me, Gay has earned his way into the “tradition unlike any others” in April of 2010. And that is the only real problem with winning the Heritage – the long year round rate wait your guarantee tee time at Augusta National. But all and all, I’m sure gay is mighty gay about it in the end.