The storyline for the Hope was Steve Sticker’s meltdown. It is significant that one bad swing (or in this case, three bad swings) can rapidly change the outcome of a tournament.
It can happen to anyone and at anytime but one cannot help but wonder if the same thing would have happened if all four rounds had been played in the tough conditions and more challenging pin placements prevailing during round five.
My problem with the Hope is (1) five rounds and (2) the course set-up over the first four rounds. The scores underline how soft the courses were and perhaps the tough conditions just hit ‘em between the eyes on day five and they weren’t prepared?
Five rounds is simply too long. This day and age calls for 72 holes. Retain the Pro Am format but three days of amateur play is plenty before the finale.
Since the amateurs are playing best ball anyway why is there any need to make the pins accessible? Give the pros a test. It’ll never be a US Open but real golfers like to see the best sweating a little.
Perez earned and deserved (not the same thing) his victory. The eagle at 18 said it all. Behind him, it was good to see perennial top liners such as Mike Weir, Stephen Ames (highly under-rated), Chad Campbell and David Toms all play well.
Among the newer names it will be interesting to see if John Merrick and Webb Simpson can repeat the effort on tougher tracks.
The format is perhaps geared more towards entertainment (and we have more of the same to look forward to at the A, T&T) and less towards skill so the form shown has an asterisk. I wish it were different but it is what it is and tradition is hard to break. It's just as well there was some 72 holes of serious golf going on in the Middle East.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Arnold, Seve, Sergio and Alvaro?
Swashbucklers have a firm place in golf.
Arnold had it. Seve had it. Sergio might have it. Alvaro has it.
Is this the next Spanish superstar?
This guy has the power, the heart, the guts and the talent. Is he Seve II?
His brilliant bogey-free 64 in round three put him in a strong position leading into round four but things looked shaky after an ordinary front nine. Then, in true swashbuckling fashion, he comes home in 32 including a bogey.
Meanwhile, Oosthuizen could not get any traction and was playing for second down the stretch. The only real challenge came from Stenson but his ugly three-putt at the par 5 last merely allowed Quiros to cruise across the line.
Quiros looks the goods after now having won three times but this field was very strong – way stronger than the Hope – and it only remains to be seen if he can continue this form against the best.
The short downhiller he left himself for par at the last looked simple but moments before Stenson had messed it up badly. That green is tricky yet nowhere near as fast as those Quiros will find at Augusta. However, his nerves were excellent despite the fact that the championship was over. Those nerves will be tested again but he’s up to it.
Sergio is getting closer. Four Spaniards in the top seven. Simon Dyson improved every round and is coming into form nicely. Aaron Baddeley had a good championship but finished weakly. Adam started too slowly and Ernie is not there and doesn’t look like he’ll be there any time soon. The competition is getting stronger Ernie.
Arnold had it. Seve had it. Sergio might have it. Alvaro has it.
Is this the next Spanish superstar?
This guy has the power, the heart, the guts and the talent. Is he Seve II?
His brilliant bogey-free 64 in round three put him in a strong position leading into round four but things looked shaky after an ordinary front nine. Then, in true swashbuckling fashion, he comes home in 32 including a bogey.
Meanwhile, Oosthuizen could not get any traction and was playing for second down the stretch. The only real challenge came from Stenson but his ugly three-putt at the par 5 last merely allowed Quiros to cruise across the line.
Quiros looks the goods after now having won three times but this field was very strong – way stronger than the Hope – and it only remains to be seen if he can continue this form against the best.
The short downhiller he left himself for par at the last looked simple but moments before Stenson had messed it up badly. That green is tricky yet nowhere near as fast as those Quiros will find at Augusta. However, his nerves were excellent despite the fact that the championship was over. Those nerves will be tested again but he’s up to it.
Sergio is getting closer. Four Spaniards in the top seven. Simon Dyson improved every round and is coming into form nicely. Aaron Baddeley had a good championship but finished weakly. Adam started too slowly and Ernie is not there and doesn’t look like he’ll be there any time soon. The competition is getting stronger Ernie.
Monday, January 19, 2009
It's 72 holes - not 63
Four strokes and a stunning front nine had the appearance of a runaway win for Paul Casey in Abu Dhabi. Ahead by four starting the final round, he extended that lead by recording five birdies in ten holes. The beauty of tournament golf however is that championships are 72 holes, not 63. The old adage that tournaments begin on the back nine of the final round was certainly the case for Casey.
A remarkable weekend run of 14 birdies in 28 holes suggested that he was in total control but suddenly with just eight to play he stumbled with three bogeys in four holes. The wobbles were shaken off but the chasers were in with a look.
Oosthuizen’s 64 meant that Casey still had to hit the fairway at the par 5 18th (he missed it left in the rough) and had to lay up within a menacingly narrow spot for his pitch into the green. Kaymer’s fabulous eagle putt also meant that Casey needed to two-putt from about 18 feet to avoid a three man play off. He didn’t get it to the hole but it was close enough that he didn’t have to sweat.
While too far back with the final round still to be played, the class of Harrington and Garcia was evident, the latter’s putting stroke causing him much frustration in rounds one and two. It will be no surprise to see either player pick up a European Tour win before they head to the PGA Tour’s Florida swing.
A remarkable weekend run of 14 birdies in 28 holes suggested that he was in total control but suddenly with just eight to play he stumbled with three bogeys in four holes. The wobbles were shaken off but the chasers were in with a look.
Oosthuizen’s 64 meant that Casey still had to hit the fairway at the par 5 18th (he missed it left in the rough) and had to lay up within a menacingly narrow spot for his pitch into the green. Kaymer’s fabulous eagle putt also meant that Casey needed to two-putt from about 18 feet to avoid a three man play off. He didn’t get it to the hole but it was close enough that he didn’t have to sweat.
While too far back with the final round still to be played, the class of Harrington and Garcia was evident, the latter’s putting stroke causing him much frustration in rounds one and two. It will be no surprise to see either player pick up a European Tour win before they head to the PGA Tour’s Florida swing.
Form Horse vs Rust
The first full-field event of the 09 PGA Tour was far more exciting than the opening affair in Hawaii. The proven format of a 36 hole cut provides much more drama than the “no-cut, benefits” such as the Mercedes.
Zack Johnson showed that recent winning form was the difference between him and field and especially against David Toms. His putting was superb but so was his ball striking. The final fantastic drive drove the last nail into the coffin. His precision was evident throughout the final round.
David Toms is back. Only rust prevented him from winning. If, as he stated, he has re-dedicated himself to tournament golf, he will be a factor anytime he tees it up.
The media story was the local star Fujikawa. Sixty-two is a great score on any golf course, especially one set up for a tour event but one has to wonder if he can take that form to the mainland, should he be invited. To compete against the likes of major champions and proven tour winners, Fujikawa’s sights might be a little beyond his years.
What is it about Hawaii that instills teenage phenoms with the belief that they can win on tour?
The Nationwide Tour is the perfect arena for him to launch his career.
It is significant that two of the five major winners that made the cut fought out the finish while fifth-major winner Adam Scott tied Toms.
The big question mark hangs over Ernie. It’s just not happening for him – yet.
Players to watch: Bill Haas had a very good tournament as did Charles Howell III, despite a disappointing finish. Lower in the order, Luke Donald appears to be heading in the right direction with some steady play.
Zack Johnson showed that recent winning form was the difference between him and field and especially against David Toms. His putting was superb but so was his ball striking. The final fantastic drive drove the last nail into the coffin. His precision was evident throughout the final round.
David Toms is back. Only rust prevented him from winning. If, as he stated, he has re-dedicated himself to tournament golf, he will be a factor anytime he tees it up.
The media story was the local star Fujikawa. Sixty-two is a great score on any golf course, especially one set up for a tour event but one has to wonder if he can take that form to the mainland, should he be invited. To compete against the likes of major champions and proven tour winners, Fujikawa’s sights might be a little beyond his years.
What is it about Hawaii that instills teenage phenoms with the belief that they can win on tour?
The Nationwide Tour is the perfect arena for him to launch his career.
It is significant that two of the five major winners that made the cut fought out the finish while fifth-major winner Adam Scott tied Toms.
The big question mark hangs over Ernie. It’s just not happening for him – yet.
Players to watch: Bill Haas had a very good tournament as did Charles Howell III, despite a disappointing finish. Lower in the order, Luke Donald appears to be heading in the right direction with some steady play.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Boring, boring, boring
The only excitement during the four days of the PGA Tour's opening event lasted about 15 minutes. That was when the leader, Geoff Ogilvy, had just a one stroke lead after four bogeys on the front nine.
Within 15 minutes he had eagled the par 5 ninth and then went on a rampage over the closing nine to pull away by a wide margin.
Take nothing away from the victory. As Ben Hogan said to Nick Faldo, who had asked the maestro how to win the US Open: "Shoot the lowest score".
Ogilvy thoroughly deserved the win.
This blogger's question is: How can this tournament be improved? The format has become, quite honestly, rather boring. Perhaps altering the entry list to include representatives from each of the previous year's events would at least broaden the field. If each individual winner cannot be bothered (injuries excepted) to show up, invite those players who finished second - including ties.
The purse payout could be arranged differently. Being a small field should provide the opportunity to increase the winner's share to 40% from the usual 18%. Even the elite players might be impressed with $2m to the winner.
This won't happen in my lifetime but if the event was a "Winner Take All" affair with the also rans getting appearance money of $10,000, might that really get the elite's competitive juices flowing.
One can only dream.......
Within 15 minutes he had eagled the par 5 ninth and then went on a rampage over the closing nine to pull away by a wide margin.
Take nothing away from the victory. As Ben Hogan said to Nick Faldo, who had asked the maestro how to win the US Open: "Shoot the lowest score".
Ogilvy thoroughly deserved the win.
This blogger's question is: How can this tournament be improved? The format has become, quite honestly, rather boring. Perhaps altering the entry list to include representatives from each of the previous year's events would at least broaden the field. If each individual winner cannot be bothered (injuries excepted) to show up, invite those players who finished second - including ties.
The purse payout could be arranged differently. Being a small field should provide the opportunity to increase the winner's share to 40% from the usual 18%. Even the elite players might be impressed with $2m to the winner.
This won't happen in my lifetime but if the event was a "Winner Take All" affair with the also rans getting appearance money of $10,000, might that really get the elite's competitive juices flowing.
One can only dream.......
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