Tiger Watch ’16 continues.
Speculation continues at a fever pitch for when we will next see Tiger Woods playing competitive golf. The deadline to enter Quail Hollow has passed, but rumor has it that Team Woods has made lodging arrangements for both the Players and the Memorial. That could mean he believes he’s ready to play again, or it could mean that he has more than enough to be willing to risk a few security deposits just in case he’s ready by then.
Let’s hit the links.
Happy birthday, Lydia!
Lydia Ko turned 19 Sunday. She has 12 professional wins, including two majors. Had she won in San Francisco, it would have been her third consecutive win at the Swinging Skirts. Instead, she had to settle for 6th.
Speaking of great golfers, Tiger Woods is back in the news, and he may or may not be finished. We might or might not see him in action as soon as Quail Hollow. If we do see him, will he or won’t he be able to compete again? Questions remain.
Let’s hit the links.
I took a six on a par 3 this weekend in support of Jordan Spieth.
With Masters weekend past, all of the major tours were in action this weekend giving the golf fan plenty to watch.
Jason Bohn returned to play for the first time since his heart attack, and made the cut; celebrities and those with deep pockets gathered in Myrtle Beach for the annual Monday After the Masters golf tournament/party; and those bitten by bad luck or bad play at Augusta licked their wounds while the media and fans pondered what it all means. And most importantly to me personally, Spring found the Midwest again and the golf was good!
Let’s hit the links!
Why would you go at a right pin on #12 with a lead?
For seven straight rounds over two years, Jordan Spieth led the Masters. Then over less than 60 minutes, he dropped six strokes (and two balls into Rae’s Creek). The safe play to #12 has always been the middle of that green, especially when playing with a lead on Sunday in the Masters. So did he really flare it that badly or was he shooting at the pin and wiped it?
Either way, an uncharacteristic series of mistakes by Jordan Spieth helped a charging Danny Willett emerge victorious for his first major and first win in the United States (he has four previous wins in Europe). Willett shot a bogey-free 5-under 67, that bested runners-up Spieth and Lee Westwood by three strokes. The last player to arrive in Augusta this year, Willett is a new father of less than two weeks, and the expected due date was to be Sunday, April 10. Right date, different coming out party.
Let’s hit the links.
Yes, sir!
Despite the fact that it snowed here in Central Ohio this weekend, Spring has arrived. I know, because the Masters starts on Thursday.
The annual Drive, Chip, and Putt contest kicked off the week at Augusta National, giving us a first look for the year at those Georgia pines and beautifully manicured grounds. The anticipation is just going to build until those ceremonial tee shots fly Thursday morning.
The women held their first major of the year in California and the same teenager who won the last one picked up where she left off.
Let’s hit the links.
Jason Day is really having his, well, day.
Austin Country Club had a good showing at this week’s WGC Dell Match Play. The short holes worked well in the format, and there were some ridiculously long downhill drives. As is typically the case with match play, big names fell at the hands of not so big names, but in the end the player on the hottest streak won.
We’re two weeks out from the Masters. Just a quick stop in Houston to go before that annual rite of Spring tees off on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. Golf’s big three are playing well, as are a number of other top names. It’s going to be fun.
Let’s hit the links.
It’s all about Arnie.
Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler kind of stepped in it last week by not playing. For two guys who generally do all the right things, their absence (and that of other top Americans) at Bay Hill was noticeable. Yes, their schedules are very hectic and both have been doing quite a bit of traveling this year. Still, it’s Arnie’s week.
All tour players owe a great deal to Arnold Palmer for popularizing golf beyond the country club set, for trailblazing endorsement deals, and so much more. Unfortunately, the number of times left that he’ll be there to shake the winner’s hand as they come off the 18th is dwindling. This year he will sit out the ceremonial first drive at the Masters because he can no longer hit it like he wants to. American pros, find another week to get your rest in, this one belongs to the King.
Best t-shirt at Bay Hill? “Arnie for President, 2016.” We could (and probably will) do worse.
Let’s hit the links.
Spring ahead… Golf, too.
This week we set the clocks ahead, which means that spring and the core of the golf season are almost upon us.
Next week is the Arnold Palmer Classic, a week later the WGC Match Play, then the Houston Open follows, and then the one we’re always waiting for. Major season begins with the Masters in four short weeks.
But first, the Valspar Championship frustrated tour pros all week and gave us the game’s #1 pro getting beat by the game’s #1 amateur. So that was pretty cool.
Let’s hit the links.
Wetting your putter, bowling on the course, and a tour pro can’t break 80.
The WGC Cadillac Championship turned out to be quite a spectacle. The Donald turned up on Sunday amid cheers and shouts of “small hands.” A crowded and quality leader board led to a late charge on Sunday by the eventual winner. There were rules controversies, big numbers, and narrow escapes. What more could you ask for?
In the end, Adam Scott beat fellow countryman Steven Bowditch by 49 strokes. Let’s hit the links.
