Author: Cody Thrasher

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Preview

Vijay will once again be looking to defend his title this weekend at the TPC of Louisiana.

zurich_classic_logo.gifVijay Singh is definitely getting comfortable with this defending champion stuff. Singh successfully defended his Houston Open title this past Sunday by edging out John Daly on the first playoff hole, and he will be looking to do the same this weekend in New Orleans. Last year at this venue, Vijay shot an awesome 63 in the final round to win by one stroke over Phil Mickelson and Joe Ogilvie. He will be looking to do the same this week because he is once again closing in on the world number one ranking. Vijay used a mistake-free (and nearly birdie-free) round of 70 to hold off Daly in Houston this past weekend, but he will need many more birdies than that this week to come out on top.

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The Big Four Should Be Big Five

Everyone talks about the “Big Four”, but one day everyone will be looking up at Retief Goosen.

Thrash TalkRetief Goosen is just another solid golfer from South Africa, right? That statement is the opinion of some, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. The 36-year-old Goosen turned pro way back in 1990, but it wasn’t until 2001 that he joined the PGA Tour. That is also the year he began to make his mark in a big way! When the 2001 U.S. Open came to Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, OK (my home state by the way), it was almost certain nobody picked Retief Goosen to win that week. He had a two-footer on the 72nd hole to seal the deal, but he missed the putt and had to make one equally as long to get into a playoff with Mark Brooks. He made that putt and defeated Brooks in an 18-hole playoff the next day to earn the first of his two U.S. Open titles.

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Singh And Coles Share Lead At Shell Houston Open

Gavin Coles will try to fight off Vijay Singh on Sunday for his first ever PGA Tour victory.

Vijay SinghGavin Coles once again holds a share of the overnight lead at the Shell Houston Open, but this time he is tied with the second ranked golfer in the world. Coles shared the lead with Brett Quigley after Friday’s action, but he will be playing in the final group with Vijay Singh in the final round on Sunday. The two golfers finished up the day at -11 for the tournament. Coles held his ground on a day that saw only 23 rounds under par at Redstone Golf Club. He put together three birdies and two bogeys for a one-under-par round of 71. “It’s awesome, mate,” Coles said. “I can’t imagine too many guys that wouldn’t want to be in my shoes tomorrow standing outside the ropes, that’s for sure. What better could it be, playing with the number two player in the world?”

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Shell Houston Open Preview

Vijay Singh will be looking for the third Houston Open title of his career.

houston_open_logo.gifThe PGA Tour stops in the Midwest for the first time in 2005. Redstone Golf Club will be the host of the Shell Houston Open where the course is long and the winds are plentiful. Two-time Houston Open champion Vijay Singh headlines the field this week, and his success in this tournament over the years has been nothing short of spectacular. The current number two player in the world has won here twice and placed in the top 10 seven times in his nine starts overall. He lost his number one ranking when Tiger Woods won The Masters two weeks ago, and he will be looking to gain ground on Tiger this week in Houston.

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Has Tiger Lost His Sunday Roar?

The final round at The Masters was a breath of fresh air for golf fans.

Thrash TalkIn the first edition of Thrash Talk, I talked about guys who I thought had great chances at winning their first ever major championship in 2005. This week, I’m going to spice things up a little by talking about Tiger Woods’ “Sunday Roar” – or lack thereof – at Augusta.

In my majors prediction article, I picked Chris DiMarco to win The Masters because he is such a great competitor and has played well at Augusta in the past. As we know, he came up one stroke short of winning a green jacket. The man that beat him with a birdie on the first playoff hole was none other than Tiger Woods, who claimed his fourth green jacket that very day. But this wasn’t the same Tiger that fans have become accustomed to seeing in final rounds of major championships when holding the 54-hole lead.

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Lonard Struggles, Clarke Takes Control At Harbour Town

Darren Clarke shot his second straight 65 to take a commanding lead at the MCI Heritage.

Darren ClarkeAll the golfers at the MCI Heritage forgot to tell Darren Clarke that the course was playing pretty tough on Friday. He carded six birdies and zero bogeys in the second round to take a six-shot lead into the weekend. His total of 12-under par after two rounds is only one off the record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1975. Clarke attributes his great play at this golf course to just feeling comfortable. “I knew I liked the golf course and that’s why I’ve kept coming back,” he said. “It’s easier to play on a golf course you’re comfortable on than one that you’re not. I’m enjoying myself and playing pretty solid golf.”

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MCI Heritage Preview

Davis Love III is looking to win for a sixth time at Harbour Town.

MCI Heritage LogoThe Masters is now in the past as far as the tournament itself goes, but the memories of Sunday afternoon will stick with the fans for much longer. Davis Love III chipped in at 16 in the final round of The Masters once, but his memories are likely to be far stronger at this week’s PGA Tour stop at Hilton Head for the MCI Heritage. Davis Love III has won five times here, after all.

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Friday At Augusta Brings More Rain

The second round at Augusta was suspended just about as fast as players could finish their first round.

Donald, DiMarco, HowellWhen play resumed Friday morning at The Masters, players hoped to finish their first and second rounds before going into the weekend. Play was suspended due to darkness Thursday evening, leaving 68 golfers still out on the course. The weather forecast once again called for rain showers on Friday, which is nothing new for the PGA Tour in 2005. The day started off positive, however, as everyone at least finished their opening round.

But once again, Mother Nature had the last laugh on this day. The players were called off the course at about 12:40 pm, and play was officially suspended for the day around 4 pm. The guys will be teeing off Saturday morning at 8:30 am, and they will once again be asked to get as much golf in as possible. The goal is to get The Masters back on track by getting in the second and third rounds tomorrow, leaving the final round for Sunday.

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First Time Major Winners

This debut column talks about guys who have a great shot at winning their first major in 2005.

Thrash TalkI am very proud to present the first edition of “Thrash Talk,” my new weekly column about anything PGA Tour. I will be talking about a lot of different topics, and my opinions aren’t always going to be the same as the general public. Feel free to contact me – whether you agree or disagree – and maybe I’ll mention your name in next week’s piece. Without further ado, here goes everything!

The Masters is right around the corner, and it is once again shaping up to be a great golf tournament. We all know the “Big Four” are all playing great golf right now. We also know there is a great chance that at least one of them will win a major this year, if not a couple more. They are the players everyone will be keeping an eye on, so I will try my best not to mention them too many times this week. Everyone knows they will be in contention all year long.

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