Hello fans of golf, and welcome to this week’s Hittin’ the Links. We take a look at the PGA Tour’s first great finish at 2014 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, then meander our way from Michael Sam to Miguel Angel.
During a week when the northeastern United States experienced it’s first snow melt of the year, the PGA Tour heated up just as fast, thanks to a few unbelievable shots from Frenchman Victor Dubuisson. Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Jason Day outlasts Victor Dubuisson to win WGC-Accenture Match Play
It took 23 holes, but Jason Day won the first World Golf Championships event of 2014 in likely the best playoff we’ll see all year. [Link]
Hole #2: Dubuisson Escapes Cacti Twice in Playoff
After hardly even taking a practice swing, Dubuisson got up and down twice from the desert, first from under a cactus (more from those later), and second from behind a fallen tree branch. [Link]
Hole #3: Sergio Garcia Concedes 18-Footer, Loses to Rickie Fowler in Third Round
After a run-in with a beehive delayed Sergio’s approach shot, Garcia decided to concede Rickie Fowler’s 18-foot putt. [Link]
Hole #4: ESPN’s Bob Harig: WGC-Match Play Should Change Formats
I disagree with Harig about the event changing to stroke play, though a new date and venue wouldn’t be the worst thing. I like the one match play event of the season, but the idea of moving it overseas is an interesting one. The problem, of course, is getting the mostly-U.S.-based field to play an event on another continent without the promise of appearance fees. As move to Harding Park, as rumored, seems more likely. [Link]
Hole #5: Sports Illustrated Asks: Does Golf Have a Michael Sam?
The obvious answer is that, since nation-wide homosexuality levels are about 10%, you’d expect a similar representation in the golf community. Ultimately, aside from a few whiners, the first openly gay PGA Tour professional should see nothing but embrace. [Link]
Hole #6: Miguel Angel Jimenez Gives a Stretching Lesson
Putting greens read him, and they like what they see.
For him, only 30% of his putts left short don’t go in.
He yells “MASHED POTATOES” at the fans.
His trees are 100% air.
All of his bounces are members’ bounces.
He is … The Most Interesting Man in Golf. [Link]
Hole #7: Big Break Participant Meghan Hardin Places 83rd on AskMen’s Top 99 Women of 2014 List
Men: “…And she plays golf?”
Viewers of Big Break Atlantis and Big Break NFL: “Nope.” [Link]
Hole #8: Animated .gif Comparison of Cheyenne and Tiger Woods
It should be noted that this is a recent, Foley-fied swing of Tiger’s, rather a clip of his own 23-year-old swing. [Link]
Hole #9: Overanxious Fan Attacked By Cactus
Dubuisson apparently never saw this video. [Link]