Kyle Stanley's run around Torrey Pines in this year's Farmers Insurance Open is most definitely a coronation - a year after Kyle pocketed more than $1.5 million in his rookie season the sophomore is avoiding the second year slump and staking his claim as one of the best young players in the game.
Stanley was victimized by Steve Striker in last year's John Deere, shooting twenty-one under in the runner up finish, but he finished strong during the Fed-Ex cup run. He also finished T10 in the Justin Timberlake event during the fall finish before taking a well deserved break a couple of events later.
With a year under his belt, the Clemson grad is staking his claim as one of the top up-and-coming American players in a rapidly growing pool of talent. The 2012 PGA Tour season is looking to be one of the more exciting in recent years as there are even more players capable of taking down a win week after week. With Tiger finishing strong albeit not being able to close out the win in Abu Dhabi next week's event at Pebble is even more compelling. The month and a half long run up to Augusta has become even more compelling. Buckle-up, folks!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Golden Age?
The New World Order is about to take over in golf - and that NWO has less to do with Tiger and Phil, and more to do with Kyle and Spencer. The golf landscape is being manicured by new young guns that you've never heard of, evidenced mostly by the out of nowhere year that Webb Simpson had in 2011.
I guess you could go back to Zach Johnson's win at Augusta in 2007 to see the beginning of this renaissance, and coupled with Woods' injuries and scandal the emergence of players you've never heard of winning golf tournaments is a testament to the strength of the game on US soil and overseas. The emergence of first time major winners has hit an all time high in the last four years, and speaks to the strength of golf as a whole and victories from many players that the layperson has never heard of.
The PGA tour has always been dominated by superstars - Hogan, Snead, Nicklaus, Palmer, Norman, Watson, Couples, Tiger, Phil, Vijay, etc. But for every Tiger Woods there is a Corey Pavin, a journeyman who won his handful of regular events and one major, and in recent years other journeymen like Steve Striker have taken control of the PGA Tour and actually dominated it, even after falling in to obscurity for a number of years.
In the last few years we've seen players like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan and others say "we've got game, and we won't back down." It's one of the greatest traits of the PGA Tour. Mark Wilson, the journeymen of journeymen, won two tournaments before the end of February in 2011, and the bar was set. Rickie Fowler is still looking for his first PGA Tour win, and you know it's coming sooner rather than later. There is now also a corps of rookies led by Bud Cauley that looks to be as promising as anything in the last twenty years.
And through it all people are going to be looking to see if Tiger is truly back; if Phil can find a way to play through what may be a dibilitating arthritis; if Webb Simpson is in fact the next great big thing; if Sergio can win The Open Championship as so many pundits are predicting; or if Rory McIlroy is the next annoited one, if Geoff Ogilvy can take the crown coming in to his prime, or if any of a couple of hundred truly talented players, led by the reigning best player in the world Luke Donald, can stake a claim as the greatest player not only of this moment, but of this generation.
There are no divisions or conferences in golf - as much as people say there is a divide between US golf, European golf and world golf, all the best players find their way to the biggest events. 2012 may prove to be the year that golf took yet another step forward and possibly to a golden age that few had seen coming, but many had hoped for.
I guess you could go back to Zach Johnson's win at Augusta in 2007 to see the beginning of this renaissance, and coupled with Woods' injuries and scandal the emergence of players you've never heard of winning golf tournaments is a testament to the strength of the game on US soil and overseas. The emergence of first time major winners has hit an all time high in the last four years, and speaks to the strength of golf as a whole and victories from many players that the layperson has never heard of.
The PGA tour has always been dominated by superstars - Hogan, Snead, Nicklaus, Palmer, Norman, Watson, Couples, Tiger, Phil, Vijay, etc. But for every Tiger Woods there is a Corey Pavin, a journeyman who won his handful of regular events and one major, and in recent years other journeymen like Steve Striker have taken control of the PGA Tour and actually dominated it, even after falling in to obscurity for a number of years.
In the last few years we've seen players like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan and others say "we've got game, and we won't back down." It's one of the greatest traits of the PGA Tour. Mark Wilson, the journeymen of journeymen, won two tournaments before the end of February in 2011, and the bar was set. Rickie Fowler is still looking for his first PGA Tour win, and you know it's coming sooner rather than later. There is now also a corps of rookies led by Bud Cauley that looks to be as promising as anything in the last twenty years.
And through it all people are going to be looking to see if Tiger is truly back; if Phil can find a way to play through what may be a dibilitating arthritis; if Webb Simpson is in fact the next great big thing; if Sergio can win The Open Championship as so many pundits are predicting; or if Rory McIlroy is the next annoited one, if Geoff Ogilvy can take the crown coming in to his prime, or if any of a couple of hundred truly talented players, led by the reigning best player in the world Luke Donald, can stake a claim as the greatest player not only of this moment, but of this generation.
There are no divisions or conferences in golf - as much as people say there is a divide between US golf, European golf and world golf, all the best players find their way to the biggest events. 2012 may prove to be the year that golf took yet another step forward and possibly to a golden age that few had seen coming, but many had hoped for.
Friday, February 27, 2009
ACM - Day 3 Live Update
I wasn't going to do updates today, but I just really saw Phil's white belt for the first time, and it looks terrible.
Leave the fashion endeavors to Poulter and Kim.
Well, I'll be here all afternoon, at least until I need to go in to work.
***
3:38 White belt sighting number 3? Paul Casey? Well, he's European - he's excused.
***
3:30 It took an hour, but matches are starting to tighten up. Luke Donald is back to 1DN, and the Phil/Stewie match has closed too, with Stewie only 1UP
Should be a great afternoon of golf.
***
2:39 Geoff Ogilvy takes the first lead of the day after 4 holes against Camillo. Ernie Els is taking it to Luke Donald, going 3 UP after five holes. Ernie may begin making a believer out of me again. He's making no mistakes
***
2:37 It looks like Cink has one of those stark white belts on too, but his shirt isn't tucked in so tight that it sticks out like a band of lights in Times Square. Phil, loosen up the shirt a little buddy.
***
2:35 Is this the new and improved Ian Poulter? It's not his game that needed improvement, but his arrogance.
Now, every professional athlete has a bit of an arrogant attitude - like Bobby Fisher said, you need to have contempt for your opponent.
But to see Poulter with conservative apparel and focusing on golf is actually refreshing. Perhaps we're going to see him ascend to the elite of the golfing world.
Leave the fashion endeavors to Poulter and Kim.
Well, I'll be here all afternoon, at least until I need to go in to work.
***
3:38 White belt sighting number 3? Paul Casey? Well, he's European - he's excused.
***
3:30 It took an hour, but matches are starting to tighten up. Luke Donald is back to 1DN, and the Phil/Stewie match has closed too, with Stewie only 1UP
Should be a great afternoon of golf.
***
2:39 Geoff Ogilvy takes the first lead of the day after 4 holes against Camillo. Ernie Els is taking it to Luke Donald, going 3 UP after five holes. Ernie may begin making a believer out of me again. He's making no mistakes
***
2:37 It looks like Cink has one of those stark white belts on too, but his shirt isn't tucked in so tight that it sticks out like a band of lights in Times Square. Phil, loosen up the shirt a little buddy.
***
2:35 Is this the new and improved Ian Poulter? It's not his game that needed improvement, but his arrogance.
Now, every professional athlete has a bit of an arrogant attitude - like Bobby Fisher said, you need to have contempt for your opponent.
But to see Poulter with conservative apparel and focusing on golf is actually refreshing. Perhaps we're going to see him ascend to the elite of the golfing world.
ACM - Day 3 Preview
I think I got a little overwhelmed with the full bracket breakdown on Wednesday, so I apologize for not putting up a day two preview.
Now that I've recovered, it's time to break down the sweet sixteen.
Bobby Jones Bracket
Match 53
#8 Tim Clark SAF vs. #4 Rory McIlroy NIR
I don't think Tim Clark will suffer any letdown after beating Tiger. I am also not surprised he pulled out the win. Tim Clark is a solid player who is going to be a major champion someday.
Rory McIlroy is plugging along. The look on his face after beating Hunter Mahan displayed relief and excitement - he wants to win, and he's looking forward to continuing to advance.
As well as Clark is playing I don't know that Rory has enough to beat him, but I still believe Rory's playing on a big stage and trying to make a statement here in his first start on U.S. soil.
I'll take the young gun in a thriller.
Outcome: McIlroy, 19 Holes
Match 54
#2 Geoff Ogilvy AUS vs. #3 Camillo Villegas COL
The left side of the bracket features 4 incredible matchups. And this isn't even the best of them.
It's a great pairing, though, and should be the most competitive of the bunch.
Ogilvy is as steady and unflappable as Villegas is fiery and explosive. Both are playing well, and this is a toss-up.
I'm continuing to make bad choices by taking the player I really like and going against the player I still haven't warmed to.
This will be a barn burner.
Outcome: Ogilvy, 1UP
Ben Hogan Bracket
Match 49
#9 Luke Donald ENG vs. #4 Ernie Els SAF
This decision isn't any easier to make. I don't know if Luke spent a ton of energy in his comeback against Vijay Singh, but it looks like he's playing well and ready to advance. Els' win over Steve Stricker was equally impressive, but I don't know how confident I am that he can continue to win.
Luke Donald is proving to me that he is playing well, and I'll take him in another closely contested match which could go either way. I have no idea.
Outcome: Donald, 1UP
Match 50
#2 Phil Mickelson USA vs. #6 Stewart Cink USA
This is the only match of the four where I really think I have an idea what's going to happen. I'm sure tomorrow the results will prove me wrong.
Phil is playing very good golf right now and he won his first two matches, which is all that matters. In any bracketed tournament, the motto is "survive and advance."
Stewart Cink has been doing the exact same thing, although in a different manner. He has not run out to big leads, but instead battled closely to the end to pull out wins.
I think they're both great match play players, but I'm giving the edge to the player who has an incredible record in both President's Cup and Ryder Cup play.
Oh, he has a runner-up finish in this tourney as well.
Outcome: Cink, 2 AND 1
Gary Player Bracket
Match 55
#8 Ian Poulter ENG vs. #12 Sean O'Hair USA
Ian Poulter is proving to be a capable match play player. Sean O'Hair is showing people why he will someday, sooner rather than later, become a successful President's Cup and Ryder Cup player.
O'Hair took out a very capable Boo Weekley today, and Poulter has been the recipient of a beneficial draw.
Sean O'Hair needs to step up soon. Getting to the Elite Eight here will be a good start.
Outcome: O'Hair, 2 AND 1
Match 56
#15 Peter Hansen SWE vs. #6 Paul Casey ENG
Peter Hansen is one of the few fifteen seeds to make it this far in this event. He's playing very good golf right now. Paul Casey got a bit of a reprieve in facing Matthew Goggin on day two after having to eliminate Aaron Baddeley.
The big upsets tend to stop once the players reach the sweet sixteen. Paul Casey is the one to watch on this side of the bracket and in the Gary Player bracket specifically.
Outcome: Casey, 4 AND 3
Sam Snead Bracket
Match 51
#9 Ross Fisher ENG vs. #4 Jim Furyk USA
Ross Fisher is not a fifteen seed, but with the lack of knowledge I had of him he just as well could have been.
Jim Furyk continues to do what he does best - play good golf, fly under the radar and pick up wins.
He'll continue to do that on day 3 since he has more experience in his earlobe than Ross Fisher has in his golf bag. This won't be a blowout, but I don't see Furyk losing here.
Outcome: Furyk, 2 AND 1
Match 52
#7 Justin Leonard USA vs. #11 Owen Wilson ENG
This will not be the most flashy of matches, even though both of these players can make putts from anywhere. They could be in your backyard right now and put it in the cup on your local muni.
Leonard is solid and experienced in match play. Owen Wilson got indoctrinated at last year's Ryder Cup, and came through in flying colors.
This will be an entertaining match to watch, filled with solid golf. I'm going to take the player I wanted to in the first round and who has convinced me that he's the real deal.
Outcome: Wilson, 2 AND 1
Now that I've recovered, it's time to break down the sweet sixteen.
Bobby Jones Bracket
Match 53
#8 Tim Clark SAF vs. #4 Rory McIlroy NIR
I don't think Tim Clark will suffer any letdown after beating Tiger. I am also not surprised he pulled out the win. Tim Clark is a solid player who is going to be a major champion someday.
Rory McIlroy is plugging along. The look on his face after beating Hunter Mahan displayed relief and excitement - he wants to win, and he's looking forward to continuing to advance.
As well as Clark is playing I don't know that Rory has enough to beat him, but I still believe Rory's playing on a big stage and trying to make a statement here in his first start on U.S. soil.
I'll take the young gun in a thriller.
Outcome: McIlroy, 19 Holes
Match 54
#2 Geoff Ogilvy AUS vs. #3 Camillo Villegas COL
The left side of the bracket features 4 incredible matchups. And this isn't even the best of them.
It's a great pairing, though, and should be the most competitive of the bunch.
Ogilvy is as steady and unflappable as Villegas is fiery and explosive. Both are playing well, and this is a toss-up.
I'm continuing to make bad choices by taking the player I really like and going against the player I still haven't warmed to.
This will be a barn burner.
Outcome: Ogilvy, 1UP
Ben Hogan Bracket
Match 49
#9 Luke Donald ENG vs. #4 Ernie Els SAF
This decision isn't any easier to make. I don't know if Luke spent a ton of energy in his comeback against Vijay Singh, but it looks like he's playing well and ready to advance. Els' win over Steve Stricker was equally impressive, but I don't know how confident I am that he can continue to win.
Luke Donald is proving to me that he is playing well, and I'll take him in another closely contested match which could go either way. I have no idea.
Outcome: Donald, 1UP
Match 50
#2 Phil Mickelson USA vs. #6 Stewart Cink USA
This is the only match of the four where I really think I have an idea what's going to happen. I'm sure tomorrow the results will prove me wrong.
Phil is playing very good golf right now and he won his first two matches, which is all that matters. In any bracketed tournament, the motto is "survive and advance."
Stewart Cink has been doing the exact same thing, although in a different manner. He has not run out to big leads, but instead battled closely to the end to pull out wins.
I think they're both great match play players, but I'm giving the edge to the player who has an incredible record in both President's Cup and Ryder Cup play.
Oh, he has a runner-up finish in this tourney as well.
Outcome: Cink, 2 AND 1
Gary Player Bracket
Match 55
#8 Ian Poulter ENG vs. #12 Sean O'Hair USA
Ian Poulter is proving to be a capable match play player. Sean O'Hair is showing people why he will someday, sooner rather than later, become a successful President's Cup and Ryder Cup player.
O'Hair took out a very capable Boo Weekley today, and Poulter has been the recipient of a beneficial draw.
Sean O'Hair needs to step up soon. Getting to the Elite Eight here will be a good start.
Outcome: O'Hair, 2 AND 1
Match 56
#15 Peter Hansen SWE vs. #6 Paul Casey ENG
Peter Hansen is one of the few fifteen seeds to make it this far in this event. He's playing very good golf right now. Paul Casey got a bit of a reprieve in facing Matthew Goggin on day two after having to eliminate Aaron Baddeley.
The big upsets tend to stop once the players reach the sweet sixteen. Paul Casey is the one to watch on this side of the bracket and in the Gary Player bracket specifically.
Outcome: Casey, 4 AND 3
Sam Snead Bracket
Match 51
#9 Ross Fisher ENG vs. #4 Jim Furyk USA
Ross Fisher is not a fifteen seed, but with the lack of knowledge I had of him he just as well could have been.
Jim Furyk continues to do what he does best - play good golf, fly under the radar and pick up wins.
He'll continue to do that on day 3 since he has more experience in his earlobe than Ross Fisher has in his golf bag. This won't be a blowout, but I don't see Furyk losing here.
Outcome: Furyk, 2 AND 1
Match 52
#7 Justin Leonard USA vs. #11 Owen Wilson ENG
This will not be the most flashy of matches, even though both of these players can make putts from anywhere. They could be in your backyard right now and put it in the cup on your local muni.
Leonard is solid and experienced in match play. Owen Wilson got indoctrinated at last year's Ryder Cup, and came through in flying colors.
This will be an entertaining match to watch, filled with solid golf. I'm going to take the player I wanted to in the first round and who has convinced me that he's the real deal.
Outcome: Wilson, 2 AND 1
Thursday, February 26, 2009
ACM - Day 2 Live Update
Sorry I don't have a preview for today's matches - I will be updating as I follow coverage on The Golf Channel, though.
Tiger's going to have his hands full with Tim Clark today. Clark is solid, he handled Retief Goosen yesterday, and he's not going to be intimidated.
The right half of my bracket is devastated. My two final four picks, Robert Karlsson and Stuart Appleby are out, and basically all my other picks lost too.
I was perfect in the Ben Hogan bracket, but all the favorites won there, and the 9 seed Luke Donald won. Not too tough to make those picks.
***
Tiger being Tiger, he calmly sinks a twelve foot birdie putt to square the match with Tim Clark after seven holes.
Zach Johnson hit a beautiful approach to about six feet and converts the birdie to get 1DN against Phil. They're going to the 18th, where Zach must win to stay alive in the match.
I can't get enough of the new Nike commercial - it's fantastic. Carl Petterson's reaction at the end of it is priceless.
***
Eww, an atrocious approach on the par-3 12th by Phil. He came up short of the bunker that fronts the green - I mean, that's SHORT.
***
Some incredible matches today: Ernie Els vs. Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson vs. Phil Mickleson, Lee Westwood vs. Stewart Cink, Miguel Angel Jimenez vs. Camillio Villegas...I could almost type them all - really great pairings.
***
After winning the par-5 second, Tiger hits a beautful approach on the par-3 third hole to about eight feet. Clark missed the green to the right. Advantage Tiger.
***
There's not a whole lot that's compelling in the coverage so far today - except that Phil just lost a hole, and we get to see if he can close the match out, or just hold on to squeak another one out.
I know that it's the win that counts, and it doesn't matter if it's ugly or not, but convincing wins build more confidence than close nail-biters.
***
Tim Clark just dropped an absolute BOMB. It actually looked like a mirror image of Tiger's putt on 17 at The Players a few years ago - without the island of course.
***
Phil misses ANOTHER shortish putt to give another hole back to Zach Johnson. From 4UP to 2UP.
In other action, Anthony Kim is making a comeback against Owen Wilson, draining a huge putt himself.
***
Phil got a little chippy with Steve Sands in the post round interview yesterday when Sands asked about giving up the 4UP lead and if it was comparable to last week's final round drama. If he gives up ANOTHER 4UP lead today, you don't think Sands is going to talk about it again?
I have no idea what's going on with Phil, but he's having another terribly difficult time closing out another match.
***
Well, Tiger is 1DOWN for the first time this week. This was going to be a difficult match, Clark is playing well, and how Tiger plays the rest of the way will show how 'back' he really is.
***
Nice approach by Phil, Zach carried his just a bit too far and he's got an almost unmakeable putt to try and halve the match.
***
Phil pulls his match out to face Stewart Cink tomorrow - one of the best pairings of the tournament.
Tiger has evened up his match with Tim Clark, and Owen Wilson just took out Anthony Kim. On the surface a big upset, but seeing how Owen Wilson played in last year's Ryder Cup I'm not that surprised. Plus, the guy made eight birdies on his round, so Tony didn't play terrible - he just got beat.
***
He bleeds!!! Tiger misses a putt to go to 3 down in his match. Sorry for the delay, I needed to go to the market.
And now I need to go to work. :(
See you tomorrow.
Tiger's going to have his hands full with Tim Clark today. Clark is solid, he handled Retief Goosen yesterday, and he's not going to be intimidated.
The right half of my bracket is devastated. My two final four picks, Robert Karlsson and Stuart Appleby are out, and basically all my other picks lost too.
I was perfect in the Ben Hogan bracket, but all the favorites won there, and the 9 seed Luke Donald won. Not too tough to make those picks.
***
Tiger being Tiger, he calmly sinks a twelve foot birdie putt to square the match with Tim Clark after seven holes.
Zach Johnson hit a beautiful approach to about six feet and converts the birdie to get 1DN against Phil. They're going to the 18th, where Zach must win to stay alive in the match.
I can't get enough of the new Nike commercial - it's fantastic. Carl Petterson's reaction at the end of it is priceless.
***
Eww, an atrocious approach on the par-3 12th by Phil. He came up short of the bunker that fronts the green - I mean, that's SHORT.
***
Some incredible matches today: Ernie Els vs. Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson vs. Phil Mickleson, Lee Westwood vs. Stewart Cink, Miguel Angel Jimenez vs. Camillio Villegas...I could almost type them all - really great pairings.
***
After winning the par-5 second, Tiger hits a beautful approach on the par-3 third hole to about eight feet. Clark missed the green to the right. Advantage Tiger.
***
There's not a whole lot that's compelling in the coverage so far today - except that Phil just lost a hole, and we get to see if he can close the match out, or just hold on to squeak another one out.
I know that it's the win that counts, and it doesn't matter if it's ugly or not, but convincing wins build more confidence than close nail-biters.
***
Tim Clark just dropped an absolute BOMB. It actually looked like a mirror image of Tiger's putt on 17 at The Players a few years ago - without the island of course.
***
Phil misses ANOTHER shortish putt to give another hole back to Zach Johnson. From 4UP to 2UP.
In other action, Anthony Kim is making a comeback against Owen Wilson, draining a huge putt himself.
***
Phil got a little chippy with Steve Sands in the post round interview yesterday when Sands asked about giving up the 4UP lead and if it was comparable to last week's final round drama. If he gives up ANOTHER 4UP lead today, you don't think Sands is going to talk about it again?
I have no idea what's going on with Phil, but he's having another terribly difficult time closing out another match.
***
Well, Tiger is 1DOWN for the first time this week. This was going to be a difficult match, Clark is playing well, and how Tiger plays the rest of the way will show how 'back' he really is.
***
Nice approach by Phil, Zach carried his just a bit too far and he's got an almost unmakeable putt to try and halve the match.
***
Phil pulls his match out to face Stewart Cink tomorrow - one of the best pairings of the tournament.
Tiger has evened up his match with Tim Clark, and Owen Wilson just took out Anthony Kim. On the surface a big upset, but seeing how Owen Wilson played in last year's Ryder Cup I'm not that surprised. Plus, the guy made eight birdies on his round, so Tony didn't play terrible - he just got beat.
***
He bleeds!!! Tiger misses a putt to go to 3 down in his match. Sorry for the delay, I needed to go to the market.
And now I need to go to work. :(
See you tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
ACM - Day 1 Live Updates
I'll put them all in one post, so check back here for updates before I head to work
Tiger makes a perfect swing off the first tee to get in an ideal position for his approach shot. He makes the second swing of the day, and it looks from his body language the he missed it a bit.
The result? The ball lands about twenty feet away then spins back to about five feet from the hole.
Pretty good.
Brendan Jones' swing looks really good, but if Tiger is on he's going have a great learning experience today.
Stewart Cink just drained a long putt to win his match on the 19th hole.
***
I'm 3-1 on my picks early in the day, but my Gary Player bracket is set up for disaster - 3 of my picks are already behind.
***
At this rate, Tiger's putts per greens in regulation stat is going to be ridiculous - he just lofted one from 230 yards away on the second hole within 5 feet again. No signs of rust at all.
***
2 holes, 1 birdie 1 eagle, and Tiger is 2 UP
And a lesson for all you standardized test takers - the old adage of sticking to your first instinct is important. In my initial picks I had Owen Wilson beating KJ Choi, and Matthew Goggin beating Kenny Perry. I went the other way when I finalized my picks.
The result? Perry and Choi both lost. Ick.
***
OOPS! Tiger overcut his approach to the par 3 third, and it looks like the wind may have gotten it a bit to push it in to the right hand bunker.
Jones is pumped though, and he powered his approach just over the green.
In other action, Phil Mickelson, who did have a 4 UP lead, is giving up some ground to Angel Cabrera who has the advantage on the par three 16th. Phil is 2 UP with 3 to go.
***
Angel Cabrera nails his birdie putt on the 16th hole to crawl back to 1DN with two holes to play.
***
Beautiful chip from Phil behind the green to save par, but Angel Cabrera makes another birdie to square the match!
Fantastic match here as they head to the 18th tee for a win or go home final hole.
***
Paul Casey defeats Aaron Baddeley to lose me my second sweet sixteen pick for the week. Ouch.
***
Angel Cabrera and Phil Mickelson halve the 18th hole with pars to extend the match. Phil living up to his nickname after being unable to finish with a 4UP lead. They go back to the irst hole to play overtime.
I'm hoping Phil pulls this one out so we can see him play Zach Johnson, who just won his first match 3 and 1 over Graeme McDowell.
***
The Big Kat is making a run! Shingo Katayama, with three consecutive birdies, has taken a 1UP lead over Trevor Immelman with four holes left to play.
***
Brendan Jones had a huge opportunity to make birdie and cut the lead to 1 against Tiger, but a little too much speed in the putt and it slides by to the left.
That's it for now. I need to go in to work. Enjoy the coverage!
Tiger makes a perfect swing off the first tee to get in an ideal position for his approach shot. He makes the second swing of the day, and it looks from his body language the he missed it a bit.
The result? The ball lands about twenty feet away then spins back to about five feet from the hole.
Pretty good.
Brendan Jones' swing looks really good, but if Tiger is on he's going have a great learning experience today.
Stewart Cink just drained a long putt to win his match on the 19th hole.
***
I'm 3-1 on my picks early in the day, but my Gary Player bracket is set up for disaster - 3 of my picks are already behind.
***
At this rate, Tiger's putts per greens in regulation stat is going to be ridiculous - he just lofted one from 230 yards away on the second hole within 5 feet again. No signs of rust at all.
***
2 holes, 1 birdie 1 eagle, and Tiger is 2 UP
And a lesson for all you standardized test takers - the old adage of sticking to your first instinct is important. In my initial picks I had Owen Wilson beating KJ Choi, and Matthew Goggin beating Kenny Perry. I went the other way when I finalized my picks.
The result? Perry and Choi both lost. Ick.
***
OOPS! Tiger overcut his approach to the par 3 third, and it looks like the wind may have gotten it a bit to push it in to the right hand bunker.
Jones is pumped though, and he powered his approach just over the green.
In other action, Phil Mickelson, who did have a 4 UP lead, is giving up some ground to Angel Cabrera who has the advantage on the par three 16th. Phil is 2 UP with 3 to go.
***
Angel Cabrera nails his birdie putt on the 16th hole to crawl back to 1DN with two holes to play.
***
Beautiful chip from Phil behind the green to save par, but Angel Cabrera makes another birdie to square the match!
Fantastic match here as they head to the 18th tee for a win or go home final hole.
***
Paul Casey defeats Aaron Baddeley to lose me my second sweet sixteen pick for the week. Ouch.
***
Angel Cabrera and Phil Mickelson halve the 18th hole with pars to extend the match. Phil living up to his nickname after being unable to finish with a 4UP lead. They go back to the irst hole to play overtime.
I'm hoping Phil pulls this one out so we can see him play Zach Johnson, who just won his first match 3 and 1 over Graeme McDowell.
***
The Big Kat is making a run! Shingo Katayama, with three consecutive birdies, has taken a 1UP lead over Trevor Immelman with four holes left to play.
***
Brendan Jones had a huge opportunity to make birdie and cut the lead to 1 against Tiger, but a little too much speed in the putt and it slides by to the left.
That's it for now. I need to go in to work. Enjoy the coverage!
Accenture Match Play - Day 1
Almost ten more minutes until Tiger tees off, most of the matches are underway, with a few final already.
Anthony Kim absolutely dismantled Lin Wen-Tang from Chinese Tai Pei 7 and 5. Other morning winners were Camillo Villegas and Lee Westwood. **Update: Owen Wilson defeats KJ Choi, and Stewart Cink has been pushed in to overtime.**
I haven't been able to see too much commentary on how the course is playing, but as the afternoon goes on, and the wind and heat pick up the course should play a little firmer and faster.
Here's the link for the live scoring on the pga website.
Also, Jason Sobel is doing another of his live blogs over on ESPN. It's always informative and fun to follow along with him as he's covering the action.
Jason Sobel live blog on ESPN.
I'll also encourage you to use the links I've posted on the right side of the page to the tour websites. All the player profiles are easily accessible, and it really adds to watching each matchup by being able to see each player's form and history.
Enjoy a great week of golf, and a great event. I'll be updating when I can.
Anthony Kim absolutely dismantled Lin Wen-Tang from Chinese Tai Pei 7 and 5. Other morning winners were Camillo Villegas and Lee Westwood. **Update: Owen Wilson defeats KJ Choi, and Stewart Cink has been pushed in to overtime.**
I haven't been able to see too much commentary on how the course is playing, but as the afternoon goes on, and the wind and heat pick up the course should play a little firmer and faster.
Here's the link for the live scoring on the pga website.
Also, Jason Sobel is doing another of his live blogs over on ESPN. It's always informative and fun to follow along with him as he's covering the action.
Jason Sobel live blog on ESPN.
I'll also encourage you to use the links I've posted on the right side of the page to the tour websites. All the player profiles are easily accessible, and it really adds to watching each matchup by being able to see each player's form and history.
Enjoy a great week of golf, and a great event. I'll be updating when I can.
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