Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Preview

A couple young guns lead the field this week in Greensboro.

Chrysler Classic of Greensboro LogoThe Presidents Cup is in the past, and it’s time to move towards the Tour Championship in November. This week, the PGA Tour heads to Greensboro for the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro. The field won’t be nearly as strong as it usually is, but there are still a few young superstars ready to tee it up on Thursday. Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott will be playing this week, and the two are ranked sixth and seventh in the world, respectively.

Presidents Cup Wrapup

The Presidents Cup is over, and our staff predictions are either right or wrong. Let’s see how they break down.

Presidents Cup CelebrationJust before the start of the Presidents Cup, the staff of The Sand Trap .com made some predictions. By now, of course, you know that the United States won the Presidents Cup, 18½-15½ over a strong International team. You know that Chris DiMarco holed a clutch 15-footer to seize the 18th and critical point. You know that Phil Mickelson is the only player to halve his match on Sunday, and that Tiger Woods lost in singles – a rare occurrence.

Let’s see how our predictions held up.

Presidents Cup Staff Predictions

The staff of The Sand Trap .com weighs in on the Presidents Cup and the final score, big point-getters, disappointments, and key matchups.

Presidents CupThe Presidents Cup is here, and we’re as excited as we can be for a Ryder Cup wannabe event that ended in a tie the last time it was played. The last time a major sporting event ended in a tie, Bud Selig was commissioner of Major League Baseball and the All-Star Game was called a draw.

What? You say Bud Selig is still the commissioner of the MLB? Oy.

Here are our staff predictions for this, the sixth playing of the Presidents Cup.

Gore Wins at the 84

Jason Gore, less than three months after shooting 84 to lose the U.S. Open, wins the 84 Lumber Classic with a solid final-round 70.

Jason GoreNo-one would have predicted that virtual nobody Jason Gore would be tied for second entering the final round of the U.S. Open. Fewer would have predicted the final-round 84 he shot to tie for 49th. It’s hard to say how many would have predicted that Jason Gore would shoot 59 to earn a Battlefield Promotion, winning three straight Nationwide Tour events to jump to the PGA Tour.

What can all the doubters say now? Jason Gore, less than three months removed from his final-round 84 at the U.S. Open, has captured his first PGA Tour victory at the appropriately named 84 Lumber Classic. With a final-round 70, Jason Gore has perhaps exorcised the demons that haunted him earlier this year when he considered giving up golf altogether. What a wild ride it’s been.

Toms Taken to Hospital

David Toms was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition after his heart rate rose dramatically while playing in the 84 Lumber Classic.

David TomsFor the second time this week another professional golfer has been admitted to the hospital with a rapid rising heart rate. Meg Mallon had just enjoyed the closing ceremonies of the Solheim Cup in Carmel, Indiana when her rate climbed upwards to 290 beats per minute. To put that into perspective, cyclist Lance Armstrong during crucial stages of the Tour de France will rarely exceed 220 bpm. Yesterday after making the turn at the 84 Lumber Classic, PGA TOUR veteran David Toms was seen clutching his chest and taking a knee due to his escalated heart rate then being rushed to a hospital via helicopter where he is now in stable condition.

84 Lumber Classic Preview

Ten Presidents Cup members tee it up just one week before the big match-play event.

84 Lumber Classic LogoWith the Presidents Cup just one week away, the 84 Lumber Classic is this week’s stop on the PGA Tour. The field is very strong, including seven members from the United States team and three members from the International team. These ten golfers want to keep their golf games in great shape heading into the Presidents Cup next week. And besides, the course is one of the toughest on tour and has been rated by Golf Digest as one of the best places to play in the United States.

Bell Canadian Open Preview

Vijay Singh will be trying to defend his title this week at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

Canadian Open LogoVijay Singh will be teeing it up just one week after withdrawing from the Deutsche Bank Championship due to a back injury. Singh hurt his back while playing table tennis with his son. He was scheduled to defend his title last week, and the same can be said about the Canadian Open this week. Singh comes into the week ranked second in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods. He is also second on the PGA Tour money list behind Tiger. Singh has four victories on the PGA Tour in 2005 and will be the odds-on favorite this week as well.

Deutsche Bank Championship Preview

Tiger Woods leads the field to the TPC of Boston this week.

Deutsche Bank LogoTiger Woods has had a great 2005 so far, and it could get even better this week at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Woods has an amazing six-point lead in the world rankings after regaining the top spot from Vijay Singh earlier this season. Tiger comes into Boston this week off the heels of a win at Firestone two weeks ago in the WGC-NEC Invitational. Add to that the fact Woods finished second in this event last year.

The man that beat Tiger and rest of the field last year at the Deutsche Bank Championship was Vijay Singh. Singh outplayed Woods en route to moving into the top spot in the world rankings for the first time in his career. Vijay was planning on defending this week in Boston, but that unfortunately isn’t going to be the case. Singh pulled out of the tournament on Tuesday because of back spasms. He hurt his back while playing table tennis with his son.

Faxon Captures Buick Championship in Playoff

Brad Faxon prevails over South African Tjaart van der Walt in a playoff to capture his first victory in 125 events on the PGA Tour.

Brad FaxonBrad Faxon fired a career- and tournament-low 61 on Sunday to seemingly lock up the Buick Championship until Tjaart van der Walt finished birdie-birdie to force a playoff. Tjart’s drive on the first playoff hole found the fairway while Faxon found the bunker. Tjaart’s approach ripped through the flag and came to rest six feet away. Faxon’s came to rest two feet away. When Tjaart missed and Faxon made his center-cut, the all-Titleist playoff was over, and Brad Faxon – who has not won in 125 starts on the PGA Tour – captured his eighth PGA Tour victory.