This weekend the Buick Open kicks off and yes, Buick spokesman Tiger Woods will be playing. Most fans will be looking at Tiger as he prepares to show that his performance in the British Open was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon and that he really is not mortal (although reports these days are skeptical). Tiger is hopeful to prepare to win at least one major this year, and as the PGA Championship is the last, he is running out of time. Hopefully Tiger will bounce back from his injury and his recent funk and put on a show at the last GM sponsored Buick Open (GM recently stated that this will be the last Buick Open as they have decided to finally devote more time and money to actually making cars).
I am personally excited for the rebirth of John Daly, who has showed some promise in recent tournaments. His play should hopefully amount to something and what’s better than winning a tournament that has the same sponsor as his last tour victory (the Buick Invitational in 2004). This is also the tournament that he showcased his “tremendous skills” in last years Buick Open Pro-Am with Kid Rock. Take a look at the video below and get ready for some golf!
After almost two months off from the grind of the tour, it is reported that Phil Mickelson will return to play in the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio next week. The site of the tournament is the Firestone Country Club which interestingly has three courses, each of which has hosted a separate professional golf event. Phil has always played well at this event, scoring five top ten finishes and a runner-up finish in 1999. He looks to shake the rust off a week before the final major of the year, the PGA Championship at Hazeltine a week later. If this is any indication of how his family is doing, it seems to be a good sign that Phil is back on the course and looking to get back into the tour schedule. Even though he missed the British Open and snapped his consecutive major streak at 61, he is always a competitor and should play well in the coming weeks.
Other notable golfers that are going to be playing at the Bridgestone include Tiger Woods, who has won the tournament six times and looks to get back on track after losing to Vijay Singh last year after winning the previous three in a row. Also competing will be new British Open champ Stewart Cink, who has also won the tournament back in 2004. Although not a major, this event is the third event in the WGC circuit and is an important pre-PGA round for many of the top golfers. Look for a strong field and some inspired play that could lead into momentum for the PGA Championship.
This weekend at the Canadian Open, golfer Leif Olson hit one of the most amazing hole in ones I have ever seen. Teeing off, his ball rolls away from the cup, only to strike his partner’s ball on the green and ricochet directly into the cup! In a million rounds of golf, a shot like this would probably only happen once. It is complete luck, yet it is probably one of best shots golf has ever seen. Leif is not a huge earner on tour, but this shot will give him some exposure and a brand new convertible BMW. Not too shabby.
Even though we usually don’t cover the senior tour, I think it is relevant to see how these men have been playing, especially after the recent success of 59 year old Tom Watson. Despite being in the “twilight” of their careers, many of these players are just as capable as many of the players on the PGA tour. The only major difference is how far the seniors can hit the ball, because that is their main challenge when competing on the regular circuit.
Anyhow, the week after the British Open, Tom Watson is back on the course competing against men his own age. Unfortunately he has not had the success he had last weekend and is currently seven back of the leader. However, Fred Funk (the leader at eleven under) shot a five under sixty five following his first round sixty four to hold a three stroke lead over the second place golfer. It is incredible golf like this from former stars that keeps the Senior Tour so interesting.
The PGA is currently hosting the Canadian Open this weekend, which is not quite as prestigious as the British Open or US Open, but is still an important tournament (sorry Canada). There have been quite a few rain delays so far, Jerry Kelly currently has the lead at eleven under through almost two rounds. There are many big names close behind like Villegas, Goosen and Kim, so this tournament looks to have a good fight left in it.
I just read an article that claims Phil Mickelson is planning to buy 105 Waffle House locations throughout the southern US. Really Phil? Being a Yankee myself, I am not privy to the delicious cuisine that these famous (or infamous) diners have been serving up for years, but something good must be going on. Phil is reportedly bailing out the SouthEast Waffles branch of the Waffle House corporation for a reported $20.2 million, and looks to help these restaurants continue to serve the general public. Well this explains a lot, as Phil seems to have gained a little bit of weight since he began his PGA career. I guess his love of waffles and hash browns got the best of him and now he feels like he owes his beloved restaurant something back. In today’s failing economy, it is nice to see Phil doing something “major” to help a beloved American institution (personally I would have invested in IHOP, but that’s just me).
