Category: PGA

An eagle on the 72nd hole was the perfect way to cap off Mickelson’s magical week. Lefty was on fire all week, opening on Thursday with a 63 and following that up with three more stellar rounds – 65-67-65. His opening round 63 earned him a share of the course record and added to his already impressive collection of course records (TPC Scottsdale, TPC River Highlands, Spyglass Hill Golf Club). He also joins David Duval and Davis Love III as the only players to shoot four consecutive rounds in the 60’s at TPC Sugarloaf. This victory marks his 28th career PGA TOUR victory in 314th career professional starts. Lefty’s numbers were off the chart: he averaged a ridiculous 1.594 putts per greens in regulation, of which he hit 88.9% of the time (this number is somewhat misleading because although he technically missed the green, many of his misses made the fringe), and averaged 309.1 yards off the tee. It goes without saying that Phil’s chances next week are looking very good.

Continue reading “Mickelson Demolishes Field at Bellsouth Classic”

There may be another stop on the PGA Tour this week, but c’mon, who is thinking about The BellSouth Classic right now? Here at The Sand Trap we’re in full Masters mode. We’re checking the quality of our HD signals, we’re buying snacks and timing how long it takes to get to the refrigerator and bathroom and back to the couch, and we’ve put all of our family and friends on alert: we cannot be bothered a certain four days next week.

Here at The Sand Trap, as we like to do with all the majors, we’ve quizzed our staff and come up with some predictions. Find out what we think about the course, who will win (and with what score), who could be a dark horse, who will disappoint, and what will surprise us (though, by spilling our surprises now, will they surprise anyone?).

Read now, and tell us whether you agree. And remember: this article will still be here after The Masters is over. For some, that will give them bragging rights. For others, tremendous shame…

Continue reading “2006 Masters Predictions”

The third annual Tavistock Cup kicked teed off this morning at Isleworth Country Club. How often do you get to see twenty of the world’s top golfers have a fun casual competition, in shorts no less? With a small purse of 1.7 million, bragging rights are the real prize to be had in this friendly competition.

“The Tavistock Cup is a healthy and spirited sports competition and a unique opportunity to give back to the community,” said Tom Morgan, president and CEO of Hughes Supply.

Continue reading “Tavistock Cup Preview”

Stephen Ames managed to avoid a train wrecks all week long, never carding back-to-back bogeys. That’s more than Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk, Camilo Villegas, Henrik Stenson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, and Tiger Woods can say. He put on a clinic in the final round, staying steady under pressure and maintaining composure after a double-bogey on the 10th hole. He played with both skill and luck, the latter of which helped him enormously on the 16th hole when his ball took an unnerving bounce but wound up close enough to the pin for him to drain an eagle putt.

Continue reading “Ames Dominates Players Championship”

Yesterday, Erik touched on The Players Championship in an article that asks whether this illustrious tournament should be considered golf’s fifth major (it shouldn’t). Regardless of your own opinion, you’re still in for a real treat because the tournament draws many big names who consider this a big tournament.

It all started back in 1974 when Jack Nicklaus won the event, known then as the Tournament Players Championship. He won again in 1976 and 1978. While there has never been a repeat winner of The Players Championship, Jack is one of only four players with multiple wins on the Stadium Course. The course doesn’t have a preferred style of player but it is called by many the “second shot course.”

Continue reading “The 2006 Players Championship Preview”

For over two decades the Bay Hill Club & Lodge and Bay Hill Invitational have been under the control of Arnold Palmer and his family so it’s only fitting that the event be named the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2007. I’m happy for Mr. Palmer and he is thrilled as well.

It’s been a matter of great pride for me when my name has been placed on an entity of one sort or another over the years,” Palmer said Tuesday. “But I can’t think of anything that brings me more pleasure and satisfaction than having it on the tournament that has meant so much to me for so long.

Continue reading “Bay Hill Invitational Preview”

Luke Donald won his first PGA Tour event after only three rounds, thanks to two days of rain showers. Now he’s doubled both his career PGA victories and added to the number of rounds it took to win each of them. The Blonde Briton shot a final-round 69 (-3) with a clutch birdie on the 72nd after he stuck his approach to four feet and increased his lead to two. Donald believes this is just one step toward his goal, “I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction. Anytime you can win, especially out here on the PGA Tour, it’s a huge boost of confidence. Hopefully this will just keep the momentum going.”

Donald’s 72-67-68-69 was good enough to hold off Australian Geoff Ogilvy by a two-stroke margin. Ogilvy, who carded 15 birdies, three eagles, and one double-eagle, played three rounds of excellent golf, but brought home four bogies in the final round to finish outright in second place.

Continue reading “Donald and Sorenstam Each Seal the Deal”