Category: Hittin’ the Links

Does anyone else remember that Adam Scott started out last year putting well with a short putter before returning to the security blanket of the broom? Well, now he’s won with the regular-length flat stick and, barring a retreat on the rule by the USGA, there’s no going back.

Sergio, Sergio, Sergio. You were supposed to be the new rival for Tiger, more than 16 years ago. And you’re still allergic to Sunday? Bogey-bogey-birdie finishes don’t often work out.

On the women’s side of things, Lexi Thompson proved once again that when the flat stick cooperates, she is very, very hard to beat.

Next week, we get our first stop at a Trump property with the presidential candidate leading the GOP field in an election year. This should be weird.

Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Seven”

Bubba Watson won for the first time in 2016 this week, furthering the argument that he belongs with Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, and Rory McIlroy at the top of the golf world. This was Bubba’s second win at Riviera, and came at the end of quite the busy week.

It was the opposite of a busy week for Tiger Woods, who is still unable to even hit chips after his third back surgery. It was reported that Tiger has had a setback in his rehab, though agent Mark Steinberg has issued a denial. Woods will also be the subject of an upcoming biography about his life and career.

In addition we’ll touch on Jordan Spieth missing the cut, the LPGA Tour’s dwindling ratings, and a big birthday for Happy Gilmore.

Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Six”

The AT&T National Pro-Am pulled a coup this year by getting six of the world’s top 10 players to tee it up with celebs and business types. It’s cool to see the players relaxed and having fun, but the real show at Pebble Beach is usually the scenery and the celebrities. But this year, it also managed to produce a suspenseful finish.

Next week, it’s Jordan vs. Rory at Riviera, as McIlroy makes his first U.S. start of the year. Just one more stop on the West Coast Swing and then it’s on to Florida.

Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Five”

Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama conspired to create marital discord in my house. See, I was under strict orders to record Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. While I remembered to set the DVR to record the Super Bowl, I was caught up in the sudden death action in the desert and wasn’t watching what was happening in San Franscisco.

Suffice it to say, Ms. Gaga began right about 6:29, and the DVR started to record at 6:30. Oops! “I got part of it for you, Honey.” Oh well, that’s what YouTube is for.

So, did you miss Denver’s fast start in the Super Bowl, or did you miss the Rickie vs. Hideki showdown? It was a tough choice.

Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Four”

With the women back in action this week at the LPGA’s Pure Silk Classic in the Bahamas we can officially say that all of the major tours are back in action. Paradise Island also saw what’s believed to be the first par-4 ace in the tour’s history.

The annual drool-fest in Orlando took place last week as the golf industry rolled out its newest products that will soon be turning up in a pro shop near you.

But the weather at the Farmers Championship and its effect on the players was the highlight of the week. Trees were down all over the course as play resumed on Monday, but scores were up.

Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Three”

Several of golf’s current stars gathered for a showdown in the desert. But it wasn’t in Palm Springs.

The Abu Dhabi Championship is one of the few weeks during the year when the European Tour unequivocally overshadows the PGA Tour. It all started with Tiger getting an early start on his season (and a big appearance fee). This year’s field included eight major winners and four of the top six in the OWGR. Not too bad for January.

It’s going to be an interesting year. Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-Two”

For the second full week of January, it was sure a busy golf calendar.

The PGA Tour went full field for the first time in the shadow of the “Big W.”The European Tour split up to play the EurAsian Cup (yawn) and the Joburg Open (yaw…, oh look a monkey!). There was the new Latin American Amateur Championship, thanks to the Masters, the USGA and the R&A, contested for the first time at the Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic. And if that weren’t enough, Mardy Fish handily beat a celebrity field in Florida to win the Diamond Resorts Invitational.

Not bad for January. Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty-One”

And we’re off. It’s a new year if not a new season on the PGA TOUR.

Questions abound… What does the year hold for the Big Three-plus. Will Rory get back to form? Probably. Will Jordan Speith pick up where he left off? Keep reading… Now that Jason Day has won a major, how long will we wait for number two? Not too long, I suspect. Can Fowler make it a Big Four? A major win would go a long way. Will Tiger tee it up in 2016? Would you really be that shocked if he showed up on the tee at Augusta? What young players will break through this year (DeChambeau?… assuming he goes pro after the Masters), and what old pros will show they’re not quite ready for the senior circuit (Phil?)?

Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Sixty”

Is he or isn’t he? Have we seen the last competitive golf from Tiger Woods who, love him or hate him, is right at the top of the greatest of all time list?

This week was also Tiger’s Hero World Challenge, where Jordan Spieth had a hole in one on his second hole. The Euros’ South African swing is on hiatus until January. There are 17 shopping days until Christmas. Let’s hit the links.

Continue reading “Volume Four Hundred Fifty-Nine”