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.

Buick Championship Preview

The PGA Tour heads to the TPC at River Highlands this week.

PGA Tour LogoMost of the world’s best golfers are taking the week off after playing the PGA Championship at Baltusrol and WGC-NEC Invitational back-to-back. However, the show must go on, and there are still come very good stories for this week’s Buick Championship. The presence of the WGC-NEC Invitational on the schedule has hurt this tournament, but there have been some very notable winners in the past. This list of winners includes Greg Norman, Nick Price, and Phil Mickelson (twice).

This year, however, the highest-ranked golfer in the field is Kenny Perry. Perry comes into the tournament ranked 10th in the world, and he has been playing good golf lately. He has three top-ten finishes in his last five starts, including a tie for sixth last week at Firestone. Perry also has two victories on the PGA Tour so far in 2005. It’s no secret he will be the favorite this week at the Buick Championship.

PGA Championship Club Counts

Club (and shoe, ball, and glove) counts from the last major of 2005 are out. Any surprises? You betcha.

pgachampionship_baltusrol_logo.jpgThe PGA Championship has been over for awhile, but club geeks are still talking about the fact that Phil Mickelson used both a TaylorMade r7 TP 3-wood and a Titleist 980F 4-wood in his victory (see SirShanksAlot for more).

Late last week, GolfWeek published the official club counts, and geeks dove right in. Can you guess who the five players using the Titleist hybrid woods were? How about the three lonely souls playing Maxfli golf balls?

Player of the Year takes NEC Invitational

Tiger Woods won his fourth WGC-NEC Invitational at Firestone in six years on Sunday, edging Chris DiMarco by a shot, despite some mighty struggles with his putter.

Tiger Woods Fore Left!!!Tiger is at his best when he’s playing against the best, and despite not playing his best, Tiger managed to sneak out a one-stroke victory at the WGC-NEC Invitational. This victory marks Tiger’s 45th PGA Tour victory of his career, his fifth of 2005, his fourth at Firestone, and his ninth (of only 18) World Golf Championship tournaments. With two victories, a T2, and a T4 in the majors this year along with three other wins, do you think Player of the Year is wrapped up? I do.

WGC-NEC Invitational Preview

The best golfers in the world tee it up at the beautiful Firestone Country Club.

World Golf Championship LogoThe final major championship of the season is in the past, and it’s time for the golfers to push towards the season-ending Tour Championship in November. Usually the week after a major calls for weaker fields for the most part, but that won’t be the case this week. The World Golf Championship’s second event of the year is on tap and will be played at Firestone Country Club. The field for this event is made up of the following: players from the most recent Ryder Cup and President’s Cup, the top 50 golfers from the official World Golf Rankings, and winners of selected worldwide events.

Mickelson Prevails at the PGA Championship

Phil Mickelson wins the PGA Championship on the final hole with a clutch up and down birdie.

pgachampionship_baltusrol_logo.jpgIf there were any lingering doubts that Phil Mickelson deserved his single major (the 2004 Masters), they have been dispelled. He kicked the “lucky” monkey off his back by winning the PGA Championship, his second major in two years. After Phil’s great year at the big four in ’04, 2005 was shaping up to be an average year at best. His best finish this year came at the Masters when he finished alone in 10th place.

Mickelson started 2005 with a bang, winning twice in February and once in April. There weren’t many of us who expected Phil to snag a PGA Championship victory as he had cooled off in the second half of the season and had not been a factor at either the U.S. Open or the Open Championship. He surprised us all by leading at the end of every round and calmly walking off the 18th hole after sinking a short birdie putt for the win.

Lightning Delays Final Round of PGA Championship

Play was halted just as play was heating up at the PGA Championship.

Mickelson holds a one-shot lead in what could be a very exciting finish to this year’s PGA Championship. Play was halted shortly after a lightning storm moved into the area. Mickelson was getting a read on a par-putt at the 14th hole when lightning struck nearby. “Look, I love this championship,” he said, “but I want to live, man.” And that was reason enough to halt play.