In another feel-good finish (what tournament hasn’t been lately) Brian Gay was able to secure victory in Memphis to earn a spot in this weekend’s US Open in Long Island. What did it for Gay was his superb putting, only 100 putts for the weekend. The fact that Gay does not crush the ball off the tee (he only averages about 265 on his drives) makes him rely heavily upon his short game. His great putting is only a by-product of a player that has discovered his type of game and is just starting to really find his niche.
Phil Mickelson wasn’t able to win the tournament this week, but he felt optimistic about playing Bethpage. In what should prove to be one of the best sporting events of the year so far, the US Open is already gathering all kinds of story lines, including these two: Gay coming off some hot play to compete in an event that he qualified for the week before and Mickelson playing despite his wife’s health and battling with the other big dogs (Tiger, Vijay, etc.). I know it’s only Monday but I am already excited for this weekend’s festivities, as is the rest of the golfing community. Right now, there are charity events going on at the Black course, one being a round played by Michael Jordan (who shot an amazing 86) with his caddy being Fred Couples. Look for more US Open news in the days to follow. Enjoy the pic of MJ and his buddy JT tearing it up on the links.
Tiger Woods won the Memorial Skins game in a memorable way this week. In a chipping contest on the eighteenth hole, Woods holed out from 25 yards away to win the tournament hosted by none other than the great Jack Nicklaus, at Jack’s own Muirfield Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Jack did put up a good showing though, winning two skins. The most remarkable of the two skins was on the par 5 eleventh hole where Jack hit an eight iron within four feet of the pin. Stewart Cink also won a skin and last years champ, Kenny Perry, was robbed by Tiger of four skins when he made a twelve foot putt. All in all it was a good showing by all the pros. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a video of the chip, but I will give you this classic video. Still gives me chills.
The second round of the Texas Open continued with more of the same from Paul Goydos. After his seven under 63, he continued with his five under 65, setting himself up with a three shot lead over Justin Leonard and four others. Look for more great golf this weekend, deep in the heart of Texas.
In other news, golf legend Arnold Palmer was given the Congressional Gold Medal, which is one of the highest honors bestowed on a civilian, in a 422 to 1 vote. The medal is awarded to “an individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States.” You may be asking yourself, who would vote against Mr. Palmer and his achievements in the game of golf? Well former presidential candidate Ron Paul was the single vote against. Although he knew his vote would be basically worthless in the nearly unanimous process, Paul voted against Palmer on moral ground. Paul believes that the medal is a waste of taxpayer’s money and should be eliminated from congressional proceedings. What is Congress doing? Although he is a little…out there, Ron Paul is right in his boycott of this unnecessary procedure. At this point in time, there are more pressing issues to deal with.
This weekend was of golf’s “major” tournaments and once again, it did not disappoint. Although not technically a major, the TPC is one of golf’s most prestigious and recognizable tournaments, mostly because it has the largest purse (about $9.5 million). In addition, the winner gets all kinds of exemptions and invitations to play in tournaments like the Masters and gets a five year PGA tour card. It is held every year at TPC Sawgrass in Pont Verda Beach in sunny Florida and has one of the most recognizable holes in all of golf. The seventeenth “island” green is the quintessential hazard par 3 in golf and even though it may be short, it is definitely not easy. All this being said, Henrik Stenson was able to cruise to an easy twelve under, four ahead of the next closest competitor, Ian Poulter. Tiger once again struggled to finish strong closing with a 73 on the final day and slipping to eighth for the tournament. Some people are starting to wonder whether or not Tiger will be able to compete at the same level he did before his knee surgery. Personally, I say he’s exceeded expectations by finishing all these tournaments with high rankings despite missing a whole year of training.
In other golf related news, Michelle Wie (remember her?) was recently quoted as saying she still hopes to win a PGA tournament and compete in the Masters. Puzzling? Yes. Although Wie is a great golfer, she has yet to win a tournament in the LPGA. How does she expect to play against the likes of Phil and Tiger, when she can barely finish rounds? This shocked me and even though I am a big fan of Michelle Wie, I think she needs to go to law school before she tries to become a Supreme Court Justice (terrible analogy but what can I say). I will leave you with a picture of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
What a great couple of days it’s been for sports fans. Before we get into the drama at Quail Hollow, a couple of events deserve mention. First, although the outcome wasn’t the way I’d have liked it, what a series it was for Bulls-Celtics. Ray Allen followed up his 51-point performance in Game 6 with 23 last night, and together with Paul Pierce’s 20, Boston pulled ahead before the half to beat Chicago 109-99 to make it into the next round where they’ll face the Magic. It was a truly great series with four OT sessions; a 7 seed taking the Champs to the edge. Let’s hope we’ll be seeing more great match-ups!
Then there was the Derby. A small 2-year old gelding, purchased for $9,500 at auction, dragged in a trailer from New Mexico to Louisville by the ex-bareback rider/cowboy trainer, first introduced to the rider last Monday; coming out of the gate dead last; blowing away the field to win by 6 3/4 lengths. After the last couple of years of doping allegations and tragedies like the fate of Eight Belles, the triumph of Mine That Bird and the brilliant cajun jockey Calvin Borel, was truly cathartic and satisfying. Someone said it was akin to some fringe pro golfer hitchhiking to the US Open and winning by 10 strokes.
Which brings us to the Green Mile, the last three holes at Quail Hollow Club. The par 4, par 3, par 4 finish has consistently bedeviled the field; in the past 6 years of the Quail Hollow Championship, only three golfers have negotiated the Green Mile in all four rounds without a bogey, and Tiger failed to join this group as he followed up his par trip through the Green Mile on Thursday by going four over the last two rounds. Should have been easy for Tiger: “Two 7-irons on the last two holes and made bogeys,” Woods said. “Not the way you want to finish.” The wind is such a factor here that, as David Toms said of his 158-yard approach on 18, “I could have hit three different clubs, depending on which way the wind was going to go.” The best club to have in your bag might be a weather vane!
Tiger is lurking two back from leader Zach Johnson, who stands at 11-under. Should be an exciting day, weather permitting.
