It was a birdie fest at the John Deere Classic this week. As usual the field had to take it low to compete. And what a shot by Zach Johnson Sunday afternoon to win the playoff. After tying the first hole with a pair of doubles, he almost makes a two out of the very same bunker he was in previously. Now the golf world will turn its attention to Lancashire, England for the third major of the year. I do not believe we will have quite the number of birdies this coming week.
Welcome to Hittin’ the Links. In this edition we combine a couple of weeks and begin with a look at an amazing young man, then look into Lee Westwood’s unlikely injury last week, and check out the official site of the Open Championship. Also, we investigate a golf program in India, find out how Bubba saved the day, and do a wrap-up of the last two week’s events. Read on!
Hole 1: Amazing Kid
Jake Olson has lofty goals for his golf game, especially since he is blind. [Link]
Hole 2: Watch Your Step!
Lee Westwood hurts himself walking to the first tee at the French Open. [Link]
Hole 3: Can I Play Through?
A reporter in Detroit played his way through the city, all 18 miles of it. [Link]
Hole 4: Taking a Swing at Poverty
An upstart program in India is taking a swing at poor junior golfers. [Link]
Hole 5: Michelle Wie
A little Q&A with Michelle Wie. [Link]
Hole 6: Too Late!
Peter Whiteford’s hole-in-one at the Scottish Open was anti-climactic. [Link]
Hole 7: What the Pros Play
Here is a look at some of the clubs made exclusively for the big boys. [Link]
Hole 8: Bubba Saves the Day
Bubba Watson comes through with a special birthday gift for one of his fans. [Link]
Hole 9: British Open
Here is the link to the official 2012 Open Championship. [Link]
Hole 10: Young and Old Alike
Kirk Triplett gets his first Champions Tour win at the Nature Valley First Tee Open. [Link]
Hole 11: Senior U.S. Open
Roger Chapman makes it two for two in Michigan by winning the U.S. Senior Open. [Link]
Hole 12: U.S. Womens Open
Na Yeon Choi wins the U.S. Women’s Open. [Link]
Hole 13: Greenbrier Classic
While the elite floundered, relatively unknown player Ted Potter Jr. wins the Greenbrier Classic in a playoff. [Link]
Hole 14: John Deere Classic
Zach Johnson gets the win in Illinois after a brilliant shot in the playoff. [Link]