English Patience

Aside from my ineptitude of picking the bracket this past week, the big story at the WGC Accenture Match Play was the emergence of dominating young Euros, along with American struggles. Stewart Cink was the lone American in the event’s ‘Elite 8’ and was not able to advance any further. In fact in the ‘Sweet 16’ included only four Americans (Nick Watney, Brian Gay, and Ben Crane along with Cink). This group also included five young and talented Euros (Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald and Oliver Wilson), three South Africans (Reteif Goosen, Tim Clark and Charl Schwartzel), and even three Asian players (Ryo Ishikawa, Thongchai Jaidee and Jeev Milka Singh). Fan favorite and South American Camilo Villegas was the final member of this group.

The tournament started off with a bang as #1 overall seed Steve Stricker was upset by alternate Ross McGowan. In fact, by the end of day two there were no other #1 seeds left and only one #2 seed remained. When the weekend afternoon came around it was almost a European Ryder Cup-esque type ‘Final Four’ with Ian Pouler v. Sergio Garcia and Camilo Villegas v. Paul Casey. On there second 18 of the day on Saturday, the rain and winds picked up really affecting Sergio. Before you could even blink he was 6 down at the turn to Englishman Ian Poulter and his dreams were dashed 7 and 6 only three holes later. Villegas v. Casey, well that was a totally different story.

The two battled back and forth throughout the entire round, and they pushed each other so much they moved on to extra holes as the sun descended upon Tucson, AZ. The first few holes were closely contested and Villegas even pulled a rabbit out of his hat a few times to save himself. And on their 5th extra hole Villegas looked to have the match sewn up. After Casey missed a 12-foot par putt, Villegas had just a two and a half footer to move on to face Poulter. As dusk began to set in, this 23rd hole of the round was the final of the day…but not of the match. Villegas pushed the putt and the hole was halved, and the round had to be spilled over to Sunday early morning. It took only one Villegas hook off the 6th tee for Casey to prevail on the first hole of the day and the 24th of the match. So the stage was set for an all English final.

They teed it up following the one hole playoff, and Poulter, clad from head to toe in faded pink, got off to a great start building a four up lead on the second nine of 36 holes. But after he gave up two coming down the stretch of that nine, his lead was down to just two up after the first 18 holes. After a quick break the two went right back at it for the afternoon 18. Poulter again was hot out of the gates winning the first two holes and building a lead that wouldn’t get any closer than two up. When it was all said and done Poulter birdied the 16th hole to clinch up a 4 and 2 victory and the championship. Villegas took care of Garcia in the consolation match 5 and 4 giving the Colombian 3rd place.

This victory marked the 11th career win for the young brash Englishman, and his first win the US. Going unbeaten in six matches and seven rounds in the matter of five days is an incredible feat of good play and patience. It shows the kind of player he is becoming. Poulter has been close in majors finishing 13th or better in all four majors at one point in time, including a 2nd place finish at the 2008 Open Championship. He will be ready to roll at Augusta in April, and as it looks more and more like Tiger will not be a part of ‘The Tradition Unlike Any Other,’ Poulter is just as much of a favorite as anyone else. Congratulations to Ian Poulter on a big win in the US, and judging by the results of the Accenture Match Play, the US will have their hands full in the Ryder Cup.

PS – Congrats to Cameron Beckman on his 3rd career victory in Mexico at the Mayacoba Classic.

PPS - I know Tiger came out of hiding this week, to piss on Accenture's parade in Tucson. But I just don't have the energy to address this situation at the moment. All's I will say is that the apology seemed semi-heartfelt, and I know he just wants it all to go away.