Category: PGA

It wasn’t a 60, but it was good enough to extend his lead to 4 shots over youngster Kevin Na heading into the final round of the Phoenix FBR Open. The likes of K.J. Choi, Kenny Perry, and Steve Flesch remain within five, but this is now Phil’s tournament to win or lose.

Going into the 15th, Na and Mickelson were knotted at -12. From 238 on the par 5 hole and a bit unsure of the wind direction, Na yanked his approach just a bit left, ran through the bunker, and trickled into the water. He wedged his penalty drop to four feet and missed the par putt, while Mickelson played safely after a poor drive and parred. On 16, Na three-putted to Phil’s good save from the deep, deep bunker. On the short par-4 17th, Phil birdied and Na made an ordinary par, a situation that repeated itself on 18.

Continue reading “Phils Like Home”

The Phoenix FBR Open began rather mundanely for Phil Mickelson with a +2 round of 71 in the strong, gusting Thursday winds at the TPC of Scottsdale. Friday’s round was anything but mundane: a blistering 60 put Philly Mick in a tie for the lead heading into weekend play at the rowdiest stop on tour.

Mickelson, an Arizona State alumnus who lived in Scottsdale before moving to California, tied the course record (Grant Waite in 1996, Mark Calcavecchia in 2001). He birdied his last five holes of the round, so 59 was never really a tangible possibility, but the round marks Phil’s best ever PGA Tour score. Many recall the 59 Phil shot in last November’s Grand Slam of Golf. Said Phil of his 60, “It was a wonderful day. No complaints here.”

Continue reading “Phil Leads in Phoenix”

PGA.com touts tomorrow’s Phoenix FBR Open as “The Party’s On.” This tour stop, more than any other, is an event unto itself. The raucous crowds sure know how to throw a party, and they do so all across the TPC of Scottsdale’s 18 holes.

The party’s hot spot is undeniably the 162-yard par-3 16th, a bowl-shaped hole in typical stadium course style. 7,000 noisy (and quite often drunk) fans gather round, jeering and booing golfers who don’t go at the pin and hollering for the ones who do.

Fans sing college fight songs, “Happy Birthday,” and “O, Canada” for Mike Weir. They shower the tee with hundreds of beer cups, as Tiger Woods found out at the 1997 event. Tiger hasn’t been back since 2001 when an orange thrown by a fan narrowly missed his head as he putted on the ninth. In 1999, a heckler was removed and later found to be carrying a loaded pistol in his fanny pack.

Continue reading “Phoenix, errr, FBR Open Kicks Off”

Ernie Els, quoted in The Scotsman Evening News as saying Tiger Woods, who won eight majors between 1997 and 2002, will not be able to dominate as he did before.

Everybody has become better players and technology has brought everybody closer together. He’s had a very good start (to the year), but I can’t see him being dominant again. The guys out there are a lot more confident and they’ve stepped up their games. No one is hitting it 30 or 40 yards past everybody else.

Els added that “at the moment, he is playing better, and more confident. But other guys will be right there.” Other guys weren’t there when Woods overcame the flu to win at the Buick Invitational, and only two players bested Tiger in his only other event of the season, the Mercedes Championship.

Els also said that “technology has changed the game – 12 or 15 years ago, before titanium drivers and new golf balls, it was a different game.” Some quick math reveals that neither 2002 nor 1997 were even 12 years ago, but that’s beside the point, we suppose.

Els could simply be expressing confidence in his own game, or the games (and fitness routines, and equipment) of others. Golf fans are in for a treat regardless.

Steve Williams, caddie to Tiger Woods, recently made the news due to a crash while racing a saloon car (video of such races can be found on Williams’ personal website). Said Williams, “There was a massive amount of blood… I was looking down at my hand and saw bone… It’s a pretty damaged hand. I’m going to have to make some sort of adjustment. I might have to have a little assistance from Tiger.”

Obviously, we should be glad that Williams wasn’t injured more significantly, and we wish him a speedy recovery. However, one has to wonder how much longer Woods will employ Williams, given his tendency for making headlines. If you recall, Williams has had several well-publicized run-ins with on-course photographers. Additionally, Woods has shown little tolerance in the past for similar behavior, separating ties with former caddy Fluff Cowan and former swing coach Butch Harmon when their respective persona became too large for Tiger’s liking.

In June, at the height of the flap over Williams run-in with photographers, Woods stated that Williams, “probably went too far.” It will be interesting to see how long Woods is willing tolerate his caddy’s antics.

Photo Credit: © Lucy Nicholson/Reuters.

Justin Leonard, who signed with Nike only 25 days ago and who missed his first cut with Nike equipment at last week’s Buick Invitational, today shot 5-under 67 to capture the 2005 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at 28-under 332.

Joe Ogilvie, who led the tournament after four rounds, remains winless after six years on tour. He shot a closing-round 73 and finished T2 with Tim Clark at -25, three back. Ogilvie joked “The rain dance didn’t work. I was trying for a rainout today, but that didn’t happen.”

Said Leonard of this victory, his first in 22 months since the 2003 Honda, “it will inspire me a bit, knowing that one is not enough. I’ve been sitting on eight wins for almost two years, and it’s nice to get a ninth.” Leonard had only three top-10s last year and finished 42nd on the money list with $1.5 million. He failed to qualify for the Tour Championship for the first time since joining the PGA Tour.

As the last two Hope champions went on to capture the Green Jacket of Augusta, Leonard may now be the odds-on favorite to capture the Masters.

Photo Credit: © Nike

Joe Ogilvie is holding on to a two-stroke lead going into the fifth and final round of the 2005 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He managed only a 3-under 69 in Saturday’s round while Justin Leonard leapt into third with a 64 and Peter Lonard sits in second. Ogilvie’s round included an eagle and two birdies at La Quinta Country Club.

Peter Lonard also shot 69 and remains two strokes back. Justin Leonard, currently at -23, is three strokes back. Tim Clark is four back at 266, and Phil Mickelson, defending champ, sits with several others at 268, six back, after shooting a Saturday 68.

Continue reading “Saturday at the Bob Hope”

During the second day of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, the strong trend of low scoring continued across the professional ranks. Today it was Joe Ogilvie who took a three shot lead with a stellar nine-birdie, no-bogey round of 63. Ogilvie, who played at Bermuda Dunes, recognized that the most difficult rounds of golf were still to come, saying: “Mickelson shot a 64 today at La Quinta. I’d say technically he’s probably leading. Score-wise, I am, but technically I’d say he’s leading.” Indeed, Mickelson has played well early in this tournament, now at 14-under par after turning in rounds of 66 and 64. First round leader Robert Damron is also close behind 4-shots back with five other players.

Continue reading “Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Round 2”