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!

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.

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.

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.

Color Him Badds

On a week where Tour favorite and newly crowned Champions Tour dominator Fred Couples tried his best to steal the show, it ended up being all about the reemergence of an Aussie who was crowned on potential nearly a decade ago. In the early 2000’s Aaron Baddeley was at the forefront of the international golf world. As an amateur he took Australia by storm and racked up several victories. He hit the big boy tour by 2003 and had little to no success. After a few close breaks here and there, it wasn’t until Hilton Head 2006 did he realize his dream. On Easter Sunday (his anniversary with his wife Richelle) he was able to cash in his first career victory at the narrowed fairway and small greened Harbour Town.

After capturing the famed Tartan Jacket for the Harbour Town Champion, “Badds” as he is known in the Tour-circle, continued mediocre consistency. But less then a year after his first title he did it again in front of a raucous crowd at the FBR Open in his now hometown Scottsdale, AZ. This victory supplanted Baddeley as an established threat on the PGA Tour for some time to come. Flash to four months later in Oakmont, PA at the US Open, where Badds was the 54-hole leader at +2 heading into Sunday. Being in contention got to the youngster and he quickly faded away on the opening nine and ended up firing a 10-over par 80, giving him a T13 finish, his best major finish to date.

This struggle, all the while trying to start and cultivate his family, basically set his game into a tailspin. Although two wins had established him as a full PGA Tour card carrier, 2008 – 2010 he was only just a small blip on the competition’s radar. With only seven major championship appearances and only three cuts made in that three-year period, Baddeley looked to be losing his place on Tour quickly. But he never lost the faith.

Always being a man of strong conviction and spirituality, Badds pressed on knowing that good things will come to those who had faith. He had been working hard on his game over the passed year and commented this week to CBS’s Peter Kostis that he had not felt this good about his game in a long time. Well he proved that this week! The diminutive Badds surprised the field this week with is added length off the tee and his scrambling out of trouble in the tricky kikuya grass of Riviera. But what did not surprise anyone was the supreme putting prowess of the 29 year-old Aussie.

The roars at Riviera on Sunday were only often early. Like unforeseen lightning strikes the 51-year-old Freddie Couples posted three straight birdies to grab the lead away from Badds. But unpannicked the youngster took on mini-charges from resident old guys Couples and Vijay Singh, only to aggressively roll in a birdie or par putt to keep chugging ahead. Before you know it, Couples and Singh both threw a couple shots back to Badds, and he just kept moving forward. Although a double-bogey midway through the back nine looked like it would derail him, Baddeley was able to get to the 18th with a two shot lead and an easy walk up the famed 18th at Riviera Country Club.

This win was the third career victory for the Aussie and may serve as resurgence for the once potentially great player. He will make his sixth appearance at Augusta National in April, where he has never finished better than T17 (only has made 2 cuts). But this win should propel him forward and get him the confidence to compete at the highest level. And with the way he putts, Badds is a threat at any course he tees it up at on any week. Although he will sit out the Accenture Match Play this week, as he is not currently within the World’s Top 64, it will give this family man time to spend with his wife and two daughters before the start of the grueling Florida Swing.

Cinderella Story

How cliché is it for me to quote one of Bill Murray’s most famous characters in an annual golf event made most famous by Murray himself. The stars of the screen, sports, music and business come out every year to visit one of the most breath-taking institutions in golf – Pebble Beach. Located on the shores of the Pacific Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Golf Club’s are not only three of the most challenging tracks in the US, but as they were carved into the coastline, are seen a little slices of heaven. So it is no wonder that the stars of the Tour make it a point to get together every year with the influential to make spectacular synergy.

Although when it came down to Sunday, there weren’t exactly Tour stars at the top of the leader board, just a group of hungry run of the mill every week starters. Long hitting Virginian Steve Marino finished the third round –12 one shot clear of fellow no-namers (to Tiger viewers) Jimmy “Dynamite” Walker and Bryce Molder. Sitting two shots back was journeyman D.A. Points, who consequently enough had Bill Murray as his Amateur partner. To not be a total waste of the big-name only fans, Ryder Cuppers Phil Mickelson and Hunter Mahan were paired together a few groups ahead of the leaders both five shots back of Marino.

Marino kept a very level head and game with an even par front nine, doing his best to not pay attention to the fireworks happening to the two big stars who were dropping in birdies and cutting into the lead. By the early back nine it was curtains for both Molder and Walker who were struggling to keep up the pace that Marino, Mahan, Mickelson and Points were setting. Mahan’s five-under outward nine got him a share of the lead until bogeying #10, which was the site of an impressive birdie by Marino just minutes later. But just like most events at famed Pebble Beach, the pivotal par five 14th played a major role.

The difficult boomerang-like 573 yard gem of a hole with a sloping green that looks the size of a Twister mat from the fairway is anything but a party. Mickelson was the first of the leaders to be affected by this demon, by posting a bogey six that started his demise from the top. His playing partner Mahan hit a nearly perfect wedge to a couple of feet and was positively affected by the 14th with a birdie. It is no surprise that the venue for the shot of the tournament was this very same hole. D.A. Points hit a lay-up to within a gap wedge swing, which he applied and the ball sailed through the salty sea air before hitting in the rough just over the bunker and short of the green. The ball took a big hop forward and rolled perfectly as if it was guided by a mini-golf ramp right into the hole. Before you could blink, the new leader Points and his partner Murray sprinted toward each other and performed one of the most uncoordinated chest bumps of all time in the midst of the crowds roar.

Points rode that eagle momentum to a birdie on the 15th and although Mahan birdied the par three 17th his inability to convert a two-putt birdie after getting home on the historic 18th left him high, dry and 2 shots back of Points who bumbled, mumbled and joked with Murray to three pars to close his round at 67 and –16. Marino too, was unable to convert any birdie opportunities and stood on the 18th tee two shots back of Points. A pull hook on his 2nd shot literally sunk him into the Pacific and led to a triple-bogey snowman, dropping him out of a T2 to a T4.

As for Points, this victory marks his first on the PGA Tour, and qualifies him for his first ever competitive trip to Augusta for the 2011 Masters in April. In fact this trip to the Masters will be only his 4th appearance in a major championship, although he will have played in each major once come April. But as for his performance as Pebble, he attributed his cool and calm demeanor to Bill Murray who through comedy and conversation kept his mind away from the moment. He seemingly was as relevant to the novice golf fan as Carl Spackler Assistant Greenskeeper at Bushwood Country Club, would be at the Masters. But to those who know of D.A.’s game, could easily see this win on his horizon.

It was a magical week for this Cinderella story from Illinois, who stood in the 14th fairway in second plac, and left the green in the lead because he struck a perfect shot…”and it's in the hole!” So he “has that going for him, which is nice.” He was also able to carry fan-favorite Bill Murray to his first ever Pro-AM team championship at the famed tournament. Game, set, match…Points!

Marathon Mark – Part Deux

Like Austin Powers “Goldmember” and Home Alone’s “Lost in New York” one may state the Marathon Mark sequel as “Frost in the Desert.” The Waste Management Phoenix Open was pushed to a Monday finish at the TPC at Scottsdale due to a five hour frost delay on Thursday coupled with an hour and a half delay on Friday. But the unseasonably cold weather was not enough to keep away the usual raucous crowd that makes up the most attended tour stop of the season.

The crazies that line the 16th hole were out again in full force cheering, jeering, chanting, booing and basically making it the second most difficult short iron par three in the world (see 17th at TPC Sawgrass). The house was brought down numerous times throughout the week. Rickie Fowler’s near hole in one, Jarrod Lyle’s actual hole in one and Phil Mickelson’s 35ft birdie bomb made the place explode. But the story of the week on the 16th was Billy Mayfair slipping into a Pat Tillman #42 jersey and hitting the flagstick before draining the 15 footer to an arousing explosion from the Sun Devil faithful.

As for the tournament, the awkward everyman Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey stole the show for the first three rounds with his herky-jerky swing and his duel rain gloves. This Ex-Big Breaker had played on nearly every tour across America over the past decade, and has finally arrived to the show and plans to stay. But entering the final round he had run-ins with some of the hottest players on Tour at the moment with previous winner Mark Wilson and previous multiple high finisher Bill Haas. When push came to shove, the winner rose to the occasion, even with unexpected heat.

Wilson held a one shot lead over Gainey on the 17th tee, but was now looking out his side window at Jason Dufner, whose 66 had him in the house tied with Wilson. Haas was out of the picture after a struggle in his final round. Speaking of struggle, when the final group walked off the 17th green, “Two Gloves” had shot himself out of the picture suffering an inexplicable triple-bogey seven on the reachable risk/reward par 4. After a par on the 72nd hole, we strapped in for our third playoff in the first five tour stops. After all was said and done in a difficult week, it was Wilson again who outlasted the field for his second marathon victory of the season, vaulting him well atop the FedEx Cup standings.

Because we know where Wilson stands (see Marathon Mark) I will round this out with the top 10 finishers: 2 Dufner, T3 Vijay and Laird, T5 Watney and My Boy (and ROY) Gary Woodland, and T8 Snedeker, Simpson, Yang, Couch, and “Two Gloves.” Despite the delays the Thunderbirds put together yet another successful event in one of the Tour’s oldest tour stops.

‘Bubba’licious

For the second week in a row on Sunday on the PGA Tour there was a Vegas and a Gary battling in contention for the title. Jhonattan Vegas, last week’s winner at the Hope, played spectacularly once again putting himself in the second to last group in he final round of the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open at famed Torrey Pines in LaJolla, CA. After defeating Gary Woodland in a playoff and capturing his first ever PGA title, Vegas was once again staring a Gerry in the face…Gerry Watson, aka ‘Bubba.’ Oh, and there was this other guy in contention making his first start of the season, some local guy by the name Phil Mickelson.

And while those three gentlemen stole the show on Sunday, the biggest story to start the week was the return of Tiger to competitive action. He performed well early in the tournament posting a bogey free three under par 69 on the North Course in his opening round and matching that 69 on his return to the South Course where he clinched the ’08 US Open. But the weekend took its toll on the ‘Striped One’ as he faded with back to back over par rounds (74 / 75) to finish T44 at one under par.

As round four began Mickelson and last weeks co-runner-up Bill Haas were tied for the lead, one shot up on Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson with Jhonny Vegas and Anthony Kim in close proximity. Haas, Mahan and Kim all struggled out of the gate and failed to get anything going early and shot themselves out of the tournament as the back nine progressed. It became a virtual three horse race and provided great entertainment for the entire afternoon. It was a birdie festival and as the final two groups made there way to the 18th tee, Watson held a one shot lead on both Vegas and Mickelson (as Mickelson poured in a birdie on the 17th green to a cadagoric eruption).

After smashed drives from the long hitting Vegas and longer hitting Watson on the par 5 18th both players were poised to hit the green in two. After not so solid contact with a five iron Vegas screamed at his ball to ‘go’ as it flew through the air, only to come up well short into the Bruce Devlin pond saturating any chance he had at the tournament. Watson was also errant with his iron shot short siding himself left on the down-slope of the greenside bunker. He hit a very good blast, but still had 15 feet of so to secure the birdie and two shot lead. All the while, in the final grouping, Mickelson was deep in the left rough and had to lay-up to 72 yards short of the pond. As he walked up the fairway he watched on as Watson hit the putt of the tournament by curling in the slippery birdie putt to get this lefty two shots clear of the ‘Lefty.’

From there Phil knew he had to knock it in from the fairway just to force a playoff. He walked all the way to the green to survey the situation, and after a few minutes of deliberation, he made an unconventional move by sending Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay to the green to tend the pin to prevent the ball from hitting the stick and bouncing out of the cup. With supreme concentration he made a perfect swing and posed as the ball propelled through the SoCal air hit some eight feet passed the pin and spun to just inside five feet before coming to a halt and securing Watson’s victory. The birdie placed Mickelson in second alone, not bad for his first start of the 2011 season.

As for Watson, this victory was his second career win and consequently both were insurance company sponsored tournaments (see 2010 Travelers). The win does not fill the void of losing out to Martin Kaymer in a playoff in last years PGA Championship, but it definitely is a start. It was an emotional win for Bubba as he became misty-eyed describing how losing his Dad last year has been a big inspiration in his career. The win gets him into the 2011 Masters field for the third time in his career, and is a great start to the Fedex Cup season as he also eyes a very attainable spot on the Presidents Cup team. Another great win for this long hitting fan-friendly pro…just not the fan’s #1…he finished #2.

What Happens at ‘The Hope’…Stays with Vegas!

Newly carded PGA Tour rookie Jhonattan ‘Jhonny’ (don’t call me Peralta) Vegas has the week of his life at the 2011 Bob Hope Classic from PGA West in La Quinta, CA. The 26 year old Venezuelan began his assault on the five round four course event right from the start with a scorching 64 at Arnold Palmer’s PGA West Course. Vegas followed that up with two 67’s and a 66 one the remainder of the courses to set him on top of the leaderboard with fellow rookie and my pick for ROY former Kansas Jayhawk Gary Woodland.

As these two leaders started to separate themselves from the rest of the field it looked to be a two-horse race. But it was proven to both rookies that things don’t come so easy in ‘the show’ as defending champion Bill Haas put on an epic Sunday charge with a thrilling 62! As Vegas and Woodland pared and blundered their way on the inward nine, they approached the par five 18th with Vegas one shot up on Haas and two up on Woodland following his crippling bogey on the 17th. And with the pressure squarely on Vegas to make a par and wrap up the championship, he did the unthinkable – he three putt bogeyed! And after a miraculous birdie from Woodland, we were staring a three-man playoff directly in the face.

The first playoff hole was the par five 18th and what this hole boasted, was that we were not going to have a repeat champion as Haas’ par five was not good enough to match both Vegas and Woodlands birdies. As darkness crept into the equation they moved to the tough par four 10th where like a magnet to a refrigerator Vegas’ tee ball caught the left rough and bounded into the water hazard. Woodland then played it safe and hit a stinger 2-iron right down the pipe. Woodland then cracked the door for Vegas as he blocked an iron dead right onto the down-slope of the greenside bunker. Vegas not only stuck his foot through the door, but body-blocked the whole thing down staking a 9-iron to inside 15 feet.

Woodland’s bunker shot was less then impressive, and his par putt ran past the hole leaving Vegas from damn near in his pocket, to a 15 footer to win his first ever PGA event in only his fifth career start. He struck the putt and as it smoothly rolled down the hill Vegas took two small baby steps forward and then pumped his fist in celebration as the ball disappeared into the center of the cup. It happened, his dream came true.

Not only is this a win on the biggest stage of the golf world, but with it comes a two-year exemption card along with an invitation to the 2011 Masters Tournament. This is quite a leap for a guy who grew up in Venezuela dreaming of playing big time golf, and laying it all on the line by moving to the US to play as an ammeter and earning the opportunity to play big time college golf at the University of Texas. After turning pro he bounced on some mini-tours and found good success on the Nationwide Tour before earning his PGA card this past off-season. It didn’t take Johnny Vegas too long to solidify himself as a full-fledged PGA Tour member, and will be for the foreseeable future. And now in April he will make his first ever appearance in a major at the ‘Tradition Unlike Any Others.’

***A quick and small pat on the back to me who predicted a good season for Gary Woodland. He’s off to a great start!***

Marathon Mark

***I apologize I have been sick all week and have not been able to update until now***

It was a long Sunday for the players that made Saturday’s cut in the 2011 Sony Open from Waialea Country Club in Maui. After heavy rains battered the islands on Thursday soaking any chance for the field to play its opening round, the skies cleared and made it beautiful Friday through Sunday. The first two rounds were played on Friday and Saturday, where the cut was made, and most of the field was relegated to wait until Sunday for a 36 hole final day.

Japanese throwback Shigeki Maruyama fired back to back 65’s and was tied for the lead with fan-fav Aussie Stuart Applby who shot 64 – 66. But close on their heels were Englishman Justin Rose, lesser known Americans Jimmy Walker, Roland Thatcher, and Matt Bettencourt; along with heavy-hitting Steve Marino and the consistent Matt Kutchar.

When push came to shove the final 36 holes belonged to Mark Wilson who matched his 65 –67 opening two rounds, with the same on Sunday. He was able to hold off the hard charging reigning Player’s Champion Tim Clark by two strokes, who fired a blistering 66 – 64 on Sunday to tie for 2nd with Marino. Wilson was able to close out his 3rd career tour victory (’07 Honda Classic and ’09 Mayacoba Classic) and wrap up his first ever trip to Augusta National in April.

With this victory Wilson will only tee it up for the fourth time in a major championship. He has only made three prior appearances in the ’98 US Open, the ’07 PGA Championship and the ’09 PGA Championship. In those prior three events he failed to make the cut! But he will get a shot at redemption and glory at the most famous course in the world and a tradition unlike any other.

Byrd-ie Ball!

Sunday was a day that Robert Garrigus will never forget. Although late in the 2010 season he was able to exercise his winless demons with a victory, Sunday brought those demons from TPC Southwind right back to the forefront. Just less than six months ago at the 2010 St. Jude Classic from Memphis, Garrigus held a 3 shot lead on the 18th tee looking for his first win when disaster struck. After a couple of waterlogged shots and a heck of a scramble he managed a triple-bogey 7 to force a playoff, which he lost. Although it would seem that his Memphis demons were all but erased by his late season win in Disney, he was haunted again in the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course in Kapalua Hawaii.

After rolling in a miracle 50+ footer for eagle on the 18th on Saturday afternoon, Garrigus grabbed a share of the lead with Jonathan Byrd and Steve Stricker. On Sunday it was evident that Sticker (who shared the final pairing with Byrd) was not going to be able to keep in contention as the scores were going extremely low. But Byrd and Garrigus remained neck and neck in the lead starring at the leaderboard and watching one of the hottest players in the world charging closer from a few groups ahead. Graeme McDowell got it to –23 (and 11 under for the day) when he got to the 18th green, but was not able to capitalize on the par five and got to the house with a final round 62 and a tie for the lead.

But as the birdies continued to fall for the field, both Byrd and Garrigus were able to drop birdies on the finishing holes relegating the reigning US Open Champion McDowell to third alone and setting up a playoff between the two. After a pair of par five’s on the first playoff hole, they moved to Kapalua’s 1st hole for a second playoff hole. Garrigus who was a top five in driving distance a year ago, blew it by Byrd by nearly 80 yards on the par four. Byrd hit his second shot to within 35ft and Garrigus followed that up with nearly the same shot just putting it 5ft closer. Byrd nearly drained his putt and tapped in for par while Garrigus paced it some 3ft passed the cup. Garrigus then unbelievable missed the comebacker to seal the deal for Byrd.

It was obviously tough for Byrd to celebrate with the way that he won, but it was good to see the 32-year-old tour vet cash in his 5th Tour victory and his biggest pay day to date. The former standout at Clemson as been a consistent staple on the Tour and has earned over $1 million every year but one since 2002. In his first start of the season he has already achieved that number. He has also grabbed early control of the Fedex Cup race and earned only his 4th ever appearance in the Masters. All of that for a guy who earned his way into the Hyundai TOC by hitting a hole in one on the fourth playoff hole at the 2010 Justin Timberlake Tournament in Las Vegas. And that’s the way he plays…an eagle there a par here, but always a Byrd-ie.

Hyundai T.O.C. Preview - Let’s Get It On!

Today is a banner day in the life of Jimothy. The 2011 PGA Tour kicks off in Kapalua Hawaii at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. This is a great opportunity for the small field of 34 players to piggyback off of their 2010 wins and capitalize with a 2011 win. Although the majority of these players are already in the 2011 Masters, a few of the pre-Masters winners from last year are not exempt into the Tradition Unlike any other.

The Golf Channel will have wall to wall night coverage of this tournament from the islands starting today through Sunday’s final round. Join Kelly Tilghman my brother’s partner Nick Faldo and rest of the GC bunch and take in some much-anticipated PGA Tour golf.

Prediction: After an injury riddled 2010 the bounce back of fan favorite and leader of the US youth movement Anthony Kim will find his game and cash in at Kapalua

2011 PGA Tour Preview

If I learned anything from 2010, it is that when it comes to golf I should expect the unexpected. I expected the legend Tiger Woods to dominate 2010; instead he trudged through a difficult season winless. This proves that even the most mentally tough guys can’t always block everything out. I’ve discussed this Tiger thing to no end, and now that he is a so-called changed man and that now that 2011 is on the horizon, I think it’s time to turn the page and focus on his golf and not the scandal.

Speaking of his golf…he starts the season in a position he hasn’t been in for almost 6 years! As the #2 ranked player in the world. As the 2011 season kicks into gear Englishman Lee Westwood sits atop the World Golf Rankings. As mentioned Tiger is #2, ahead of #3 Martin Kaymer, #4 Phil Mickelson and #5 Jim Furyk who is coming off one of his best seasons as the reigning Fedex Cup owner.

If there was a second thing I have learned from 2010, is that there has never been more high-powered parity on the Tour. From the Tour Vets (see Furyk), the Long-Ballers (see Bubba Watson), the Young Guns (see Fowler / McIlroy / Ishikawa), the Stars (see Tiger), to the Euro-Invasion (see Poulter / Fisher / McDowell / Quiros / Kaymer) there are so many players that can win any tournament, at any place, at any time. And for me, that beats the days of Tiger domination. But I’m not your casual viewer!

Here are my champion picks for the main tournaments of 2011:

Accenture Match Play – Graeme McDowell. The reigning US Open champion will kick start his season in style defeating a field of 64 in the desert. The cardigan clad Northern Irishman just came off a huge comeback playoff victory over Tiger at the Chevron, and that’s enough for me. If you can beat the big guy in a playoff, you can win the match play.
Runner up: Francesco Molonari

CA Championship – Charl Schwartzel. I’m not really sure why I’m picking the long hitting South African, but I guess they just fall into order: Els, Goosen, Immelman, Clark, Oosthuizen and now Schwartzel. Why not right? He had a very good showing at Doral last year and he’s primed to do it again.
Runner up: Matt Kuchar

The Masters – Tiger Woods. Can you really ever bet against this guy at Augusta? 2010 was a nightmare for him and he still found a way to muster a T4 finish after taking a near 6-month leave of absence from competitive golf. This guy knows the echoes amongst the magnolias and lob lollys as well as anyone and will harness that for his 5th Green Jacket and a welcome back (but won’t be his first win of 2011).
Runner up: Phil Mickelson

The Players – Zach Johnson. This guy has been one of the most consistent players over the past 5 years and it’s about time to add another big time title to his 2007 Green Jacket. With recent winners like Tim Clark, Fred Funk, Stephen Ames and Hal Sutton; Sawgrass isn’t just for the long ballers. Johnson’s accurate game and early season success leads to a win in the season’s deepest field.
Runner up: Martin Kaymer

US Open – Hunter Mahan. He was one of my 2010 up and comers and he did not disappoint. He had two victories (Scottsdale and Akron), the second of which was a WGC event where he dominated. I like him at Congressional because of what he did there at the ’08 AT&T National. He fired a third round 64 en-route to a top five finish and he’s even better now as a two time Ryder Cupper.
Runner up: Dustin Johnson

The Open Championship – Martin Laird. As the world’s oldest tournament moves to the South shores of England at Royal St. Georges it will usher in another…Scottish champion? Yes with all of the talented and heralded Englishmen in the field it will be a Scot who rises to the top. Forget Westwood, Poulter, Casey, Fisher, Donald and Rose; the Open will produce another unlikely hero.
Runner up: Rhys Davies and Tiger Woods

Bridgestone Invitational – Justin Rose. Rosey will finish the career sweep in Ohio by tackling the tight fairways of Firsestone after his ’10 victory at Jack’s place. You can never go wrong with Tiger in Akron, but last year’s performance has left him shaken at the place he had once dominated. The once upstart and now veteran Rose will cash in with his biggest career win.
Runner up: Tiger Woods

PGA Championship – Rory McIlroy or Rickie Fowler or Ryo Ishikawa. The Shootout in Atlanta as I will call it. Picture a 4-hole playoff between three of the golf world’s young guns. One with long curly locks hanging out the back of his cap another dressed head to toe in neon orange Puma gear, and the third with spiked up hair a visor and tight white trousers. Imagine the birdiefest that would ensue from there. It blows my mind so much right now that I can’t pick a winner…but I guess I’ll say Ishikawa.
Runner up: Rory McIlroy & Rickie Fowler…4th Nick Watney.

Tour Championship – Phil Mickelson. I can’t have an entire season without ‘Lefty’ winning a fairly significant tournament, I figured I’d hedge my bet with one of the season’s smallest fields and pencil him in at the final Fedex Cup event edging Tiger by a stroke. I have no explanation why aside from what I said above, and feel I don’t need one as this is my blog and I do what I want!
Runner up: Tiger Woods

Fedex Cup – Tiger Woods. ‘The Striped One’ will clinch his 2nd Fedex Cup with his runner-up finish in Atlanta at the Tour Championship. He will take command of the standings after the Masters and will ride it out throughout the summer until the Standings are reset. A win in Chicagoland at Cog Hill and a 2nd place in the season’s final tournament and he will lock up the coveted Fedex Cup.
Runner up: Zach Johnson

President’s Cup – USA. The Stars and Stripes will make the trip out to Melbourne Australia and dominate like they should. Europe may have their number right now, but I’ll take my chances with the US against a not so cohesive rest of the world bunch. It won’t be as decisive as Harding Park in ’09, but it will be enough to retain. Stars and Stripes by 2.5 points.

Individual Awards:

Player of the Year – Tiger Woods. By season’s end Eldrick will be back where he is supposed to be. He may not be as dominant as his earlier years, but he will find a way to win relatively consistent, and it will be enough to surpass Westy to reclaim his rightful spot at the top of the World Rankings. He will inch closer to the Golden Bear with yet another Green Jacket, but still will have a ways to go. The Fedex Cup will be a great cherry on top of a bounce back season.

Q-School Rookie of the Year – Gary Woodland. The 2010 graduate class of PGA Q-School is chock full of PGA veterans. From semi-successful journeyman like Billy Mayfair, Brandt Jobe, Paul Stankowski, and Kent Jones; to younger established players like James Driscoll, Richard S. Johnson, and Jarrod Lyle. It was very difficult for me to come up with a youngster rookie worthy of the ROY. I picked Woodland as he had been semi-exempt in the past and is coming off of a season ravaged with injury. If he can stay healthy look for a big season from him. Others to watch: Ben Martin (US Am runner up), Kyle Stanley, William McGirt and Korean Bi-o Kim.

Comeback Player – Tiger Woods. If he is successful as I think he will be, it’s going to be tough to not name Tiger. In a year of personal turmoil and professional ineptitude (for his standards) he will rise to the top with a Tiger-esque season. Others to watch: Anthony Kim coming off of a injury riddled 2010, Sergio Garcia who needs to get the focus back, and Rory Sabbatini who has dipped significantly in the World Rankings.

Falling Star – Stewart Cink. 2010 wasn’t great for the Twitter star Stewart Cink, and I don’t think 2011 will be any better. If Vijay Singh was the apparent loser of 2010 Cink will be in the running this season. He has yet to crack the winner circle since his Claret Jug winning performance at Turnberry, and will have a second straight dreadful season at the majors. Others to watch: Angel Cabrera has sneaky made it halfway to the career slam, but won’t get any closer in 2011. Look for the long in the tooth ‘El Poto’ to take a dive in the World Rankings. ***Please note: I selected Furyk as one to watch fall in 2010 and he won the Fedex Cup, so it’s not exactly the kiss of death.

The Next Big Step – Ryo Ishikawa. This Japanese teenager sensation has taken the golf world by storm with his long hitting and incredibly seasoned game. His predicted win at the PGA Championship will give him his first major and obviously jump him into the next category of upper echelon of professional golfers. Others to watch: My predicted winner in Sandwich UK Martin Laird, the combination of the two flamboyant youngsters Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, and although he will not make a big impact on the PGA Tour look for Welshman Rhys Davies to take a huge step in the European Order of Merit.

2011 should be a great year in the world of golf…and I can’t wait ‘til Kapalua.

Rosie Ruling, DJ's Epic Blunder and Jimmy's Jackpot - 2010 PGA Second Half Capsule

The week I spent at Jack’s place (Muirfield Village) led me to fall behind on blog updates…okay fine it effectively ended my updates. But I’m going to try and get it back again. First let me get proper congrats to the winners for the rest of the season. ‘Rosie’ won twice once at Memorial where my brother Jim quoted a Bette Midler song, and again over the 4th of July at Tiger’s tournament. Lee Westwood won for the first time in over a decade on American soil in over in Memphis. A teary-eyed win was in place for Bubba Watson in Hartford, while the Master of the Midwest Steve Stricker, went extraordinarily low in the Quad-Cities. Carl Pettersson and Stuart Appleby pulled themselves out of obscurity with comeback wins in Canada and West Virginia. Hunter Mahan ruled the week in Akron at historic Firestone, while Arjun Atwal made a name for himself with a breakout win in Greensboro. In lesser-known tournaments Matt Bettencourt and Bill Lunde jumped into the winner’s circle.

I missed the final 3 majors of the season. At world-renowned Pebble Beach it was a real battle for our national championship. Dustin Johnson grabbed defeat with a final round 81 leading the way for the extremely steady cardigan clad Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell to grab his first ever major. Tiger and Phil both finished in a tie for 5th. At the home of golf it was pure and utter domination from a relatively unknown. South African Louis Oosthuizen lapped the field in an impressive wire-to-wire victory to capture the Claret Jug at The Old Course at St. Andrews. The biggest controversy occurred at the PGA championship on Wisconsin’s modern throwback Whistling Straits. A tightly packed bunch was slimmed to a three horse race on Sunday between Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and German Martin Kaymer. From there it got crazy!

After Watson and Kaymer finished they were one shot back of Dustin Johnson who was standing on the 18th tee. He walloped his tee shot right into the midst of the gallery and into a highly traveled spectator area. After evaluating his situation he pulled off a great shot knocking it just to the left of the green. He pulled off a pretty solid chip and had a 12-foot putt to win the tournament. He just barely missed it and evidently forced a three-way playoff with himself, Watson, and Kaymer. After he walked of the green he was met by a rules official who had to be the bearer of bad news informing Johnson that he had incurred a two-stoke penalty on his second shot because he grounded his club in an apparent bunker. Although it looked only like a patch of dirt, the rules sheet clearly stated that bunkers were located all over the course even in the rough and gallery areas. This ruling left Johnson out of the playoff and gave him a second heartbreak in a 2010 major. These headlines dominated leaving Kaymer's playoff win over Watson as merely an afterthought.

The playoffs were ultimately how the FedEx Cup was going to be decided. Matt Kuchar grabbed the top slot after his win at the Barclays, where top 10 points man Jim Furyk found himself DQ-ed after missing his tee time in the Pro-Am event at the practice sessions. In Boston at the Deutsche Bank Charley Hoffman found himself on the comeback trail with his sharp game and unmistakable flowing blonde mane. Some solace was taken at the third event of the playoffs as Dustin Johnson cashed in at the BMW event in Chicago. But the Cup was secured at the final event at Eastlake North in Atlanta and the Tour Championship. One of the most consistent players all season was Jim Furyk and he showed it taking control of the field and locking up a BIG payday with a win and a FedEx Cup.

A rainy Ryder Cup at soaked up Celtic Manor in Wales showed the European machine to be just a bit much for an inexperienced but gutty US bunch. The Euros took back the Cup holding off an American charge in singles matches on a Monday finish. It was very competitive!

The fall series featured wins for Bill Haas, Heath Slocum, Rocco Mediate, and Jonathan Byrd. There is only one more even left before the official hiatus starts for the pros. This week is the Children’s Miracle Network Classic from Disney. Expect future blogs previewing the 2011 season. Will Tiger get it back?

Ex-Zach-ting His Dominance

Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, TX is a site that is rich in history and is one of the oldest and most respected tour stops on the PGA Tour. ‘Hogan’s Alley’ as it is called, may not be the longest course, but what it lacks in shear length it makes up for in tight fairways and old-style natural hills. The need for accuracy and grittiness almost personifies the course's namesake Mr. Ben Hogan. It also seems to personify the 2010 champion Zach Johnson.

Coming into the Crowne Plaza Invitational most of the talk was about Phil Mickelson who with a good showing, had the opportunity to move past Tiger Woods as the world’s number one player. By Friday afternoon that story was dead as the two-time winner at Colonial inexplicably missed the cut with a poor showing. Mickelson’s struggles opened the door for other players to cash in with a victory.

At the halfway point Bryce Molder lead the charge by setting a 36-hole scoring record at Colonial with a 13-under par 127. He remained in contention throughout the weekend but by Saturday’s end was in the middle of a serious battle with previously blogged about Brian Davis, previous 2010 winner Jason Bohn, and Zach Johnson who fired a 64 on Saturday to get himself into contention. Johnson’s precision off the tee and from the fairway make him an ideal candidate to perform well at Hogan’s Alley, but I’m not sure anyone thought that he would back up his Saturday 64 with a matching Sunday 64 and run away with the title.

His 72-hole record breaking score of 21-under 259, earned Johnson the championship tartan plaid jacket similar to the one given at the Verizon Heritage. The same tournament where Brian Davis was the runner-up, as he was again here at Colonial. But differently from Hilton Head, this time at the finish Davis was a whopping 3-strokes back and his dreams of a tartan plaid jacket once again went up in smoke. For Johnson this was his 7th career PGA Tour victory and his 3rd in the state of Texas (see 08-09 Texas Open).

Zach can hang that plaid jacket his locker at Augusta Nations next to the Green Jacket he earned back in 2007. As we all know he has a lifetime exemption to the April ‘Tradition Unlike Any Other,’ but another win is building a resume for a guy who is quietly one of the top 25 players in the world. Although he has only two career top 10’s in majors (07 Masters and ’09 PGA) he has quickly become one of the more consistent players and should be in contention many more times. Johnson’s simple swing and accuracy would no doubt earn the respect of a man like Ben Hogan…and that’s something special.

No Ordinary Day

Another win for a PGA Tour twenty something. 22 year old and former Australian junior standout Jason Day jumped into the winner's circle in Dallas at the famed Byron Nelson Tournament. But it wasn’t easy. Amid the late Spring Dallas humidity and the energy from 16-year-old Dallas area high schooler Jordan Spieth, when it came to the back nine on Sunday it was a two horse race between Day and 2009 Q-School graduate Blake Adams. Day stood next to Adams on the 18th tee with a one-stroke lead when all the wheels fell off…of both.

It started with Adams smashing a drive right of right into the mess of trees right of even the gallery. With Day recognizing the open door he decided to hit an iron to insure he would hit the fairway, as 18 had reeked havoc on him all week with three straight drives into the water. His chunky iron barely even got to the fairway and he sat a long iron away from he and victory. Unfortunately he chunk hooked his long iron into the water for the fourth straight day opening the door for Adams who stood watching in the trees trying to visualize an out of trouble shot of his own. It turned into an into more trouble shot.

His iron sailed just short and left of the green karaming off of the bank and into the water joining Day in the sloppy play festival. When it was all said and done Day had two putts to win and put Adams away with no problem cashing in his first career win on Tour and his 2nd career professional win (Nationwide event). He was able to walk off the green and greet Peggy Nelson wife of the late ‘Lord’ Byron Nelson as the new champion of tournament that was created in Nelson’s honor. In the end it was a two shot victory over Adams who backed up enough to tie Brian Gay and Jeff Overton for second place.

Congrats to Jason Day on his first career PGA Tour win and earning his first ever appearance at Augusta National for the 2011 Masters. When Jason tees it up next April he will definitely remember this fine Sunday in May and reflect back on it as no ordinary day. .

***A quick shout out to Jordan Spieth on an amazing effort this week. He definitely captured the hearts of golf fans everywhere. It was a magical week.

Great Scott!!!

It had been a long time since Adam Scott was ranked in the top 5 of the WGR’s, and even longer since his break through win at the 2004 Players Championship. After that win at Sawgrass most expects had this Burberry clad Australian as one of the contenders to test Tiger in the decades to follow. This has not exactly been the case. Although Scott has 17 professional wins worldwide (7 on the PGA Tour) his bout to be one of the top players in the world hit the skids following his 2008 win at the Byron Nelson. That win was a peak before a very large valley.

This downfall started shortly after his Nelson victory with a finger injury that seemed to bother Scott maybe more than it should have. Although respectable showings at the US Open and Open Championship that very same season, his MC at the PGA started a disturbing trend of four missed cuts in the next five majors. His only unblemish in that stretch was a less then impressive T36 at the 2009 US Open, not exactly the kind of performances those expects predicted out of Scott. Some explained his poor play on his injury, while others blamed it on his inconsistent and sometimes downright awful putting; while even others talked about his personal life and breakup with his long time girlfriend as the major distraction. But one this was for sure Scott was not playing the kind of golf he had been expected to play.

Although Scott was Greg Norman’s final captain’s pick for the 2009 International Presidents Cup squad, he did not exactly step up as he finished the weekend 1-4 in his matches leading to the US blowout victory. But maybe this confidence that one of the best Australian’s of all time placed on Scott did something for the young man entering the 2010 season. No one would confuse his season thus far as something of genius for Scott, but it has been a step in the right direction. It started with a much-improved T18 performance at the Masters and lead to his outstanding 54-hole weekend in San Antonio.

Rain battered much of Central and Eastern Texas washing out Friday at the Velero Texas Open. But the guys tried their best to play catch-up with a 36 hole Sunday effort. What they didn’t realize is that they had to play catch-up to Adam Scott who’s magical 36 hole Sunday of 66-67 paved the way to his one stroke victory over hard charging Swede Freddie Jacobson. Scott totally found his game, and more importantly found magic in a place that had toyed with him for so long…his flat stick. Aside from a par miss at the 72nd, which slightly opened the door for Jacobson, his Sunday putting was as good as ever. This win marked Scott’s 3rd victory in the state of Texas (08 Nelson and 07 Houston). He will have the chance to clinch the career Texas-slam in two weeks at Colonial.

But for now, he has reintroduced himself on the world stage and may be primed to make a major championship run. He is just 2 months shy of 30, but will get that final chance to cash in that major win in his 20’s at Pebble Beach next month. If he could somehow pull that one out, he could start the prime of his career the way many expected. Either way, he will be teeing it up at the Tradition Unlike Any Other next Spring and who knows, maybe just maybe he’s bound for something even greater. If not, he’s still dating Ana Ivanovic, and that’s great too!