Jason Gore might be the defending champion this week at the 84 Lumber Classic, but he is about to take a backseat to a 16-year-old girl as Michelle Wie takes on one of the longest PGA Tour courses this season. With all the talk she’s had recently about playing in the Ryder Cup in the future, she might want to think about making a PGA cut first.
Last Year
Jason Gore made his mark on the PGA Tour last season by winning his first PGA event since being given a battlefield promotion from the Nationwide Tour at the 2005 84 Lumber Classic. He did so in dramatic fashion, firing a final-round 70 to win by one shot over Carlos Franco.
The win came only a month after Gore won three straight Nationwide Tour events to gain PGA Tour status late in the season. He then made the most of the move to the big tour with $792,000 and a victory to gain exempt status for an additional year on the PGA Tour.
Gore was by far the feel-good story of the year after firing a final round 84 at the U.S. Open to fall out of contention. Gore might have learned losing the hard way, but at least he made the most of every situation.
The Course
The 84 Lumber Classic continues its love affair with the Mystic Rock Golf Course again this year, as the 7,516-yard layout brings one of the best tests of the Fall Finish.
The course has a ridiculous 78.1 rating and a slope of 151 that should again test every pro in the field. The current rating and slope make it one of the most difficult courses in the nation.
The par fives at Mystic Rock Golf Club average 579 yards, including an 11th hole that measures a gaudy 634 yards.
The 11th hole is a blind tee shot that must be accurate and long to give the players a chance to go for the green in two. However, miss anywhere to the left or the right, and you’re looking at par or bogey at best. The shorter tee shots will force the players to carry the water on the second shot in order to set them up for their third from the fairway to a green that has a number of hazards on the right side of the green. Again, this hole isn’t for the faint at heart!
The par-4 14th holes will also rank as on of the most difficult holes all week. At 465-yards, it measures as one of the longest par fours on the course. Length and accuracy are a must on this hole that takes skill and guts to fly the bunker on the left. If you’re too chicken to fly the bunker, try a shorter shot to the fairway where you have to contend with a long bunker fronting the green for your approach. Have fun!
The layout is always fun to watch; however, this week should be an interesting one for 16-year-old Michelle Wie. Wie is used to playing shorter courses than the 7,500-yard beast that is Mystic Rock. I doubt she makes the most of this course due in part to its tricky layout that forces players to take chances. Wie isn’t comfortable taking chances on a layout this long, and we know that usually doesn’t equal a made cut.
Who’s Hot
David Toms is my pick to win this week in what will be his final test before the Ryder Cup. Toms hasn’t finished out of the top 20 in his last three events, and should be well rested having not played a professional tournament since the WGC Invitational.
Camilo Villegas will really be at home this week on the long layout. After a T5 last week at the Canadian Open, Villegas is primed to use the length off the tee to his advantage. If anyone is going to make a late push for their first tour victory, it’s Villegas.
Who’s Not
Jonathan Byrd should be happy with last week’s T5 at the Canadian Open. If it weren’t for his solid play, his best finish recently would have been a T13 at the Booze Allen Classic. Since the tournament, Byrd has missed the cut once, withdrawn twice. It’s time for some consistency Mr. Byrd!
Chris Couch might be on his way to winning the award for worst player to win a 2006 PGA Tour event if he keeps his current streak up. Since his win at the Zurich Classic, Couch has missed 8 cuts in his past 12 events. That stat right there is enough to make you sick to your stomach.
TV Coverage Times
All times eastern (ET) unless otherwise noted.
Thu, Sep. 14 ESPN 4 - 6 pm Fri, Sep. 15 ESPN 4 - 6 pm Sat, Sep. 16 ESPN 4 - 6 pm Sun, Sep. 17 ESPN 3 - 6 pm