The beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is beckoning this week, as the PGA Tour makes a quick stop in Castle Rock, Colorado for the International before heading to Chicago for the PGA Championship. Even with Tiger sitting out this week, there is still a lot of anticipation in the air, as Phil Mickelson makes his return to the tour after taking two weeks off to rest following the British Open at Royal Liverpool.
Last Year
Last year’s International tournament sure felt like a major championship down the stretch – or at the least like a grueling day on the links – as the field played 36-holes Sunday to decide the title.
In the end, Retief Goosen was the only man left standing with the trophy after firing a Modified score of 32 (or 10-under-par) for four days.
In the process of winning, Goosen became the final member of the so-called “Big Five” players on tour to secure a tournament victory in 2005. The win didn’t come easy for Goosen, though. Tour veteran Brandt Jobe had the tournament in hand going into the fourth round before a four-over-par 76 derailed any chance for his first tour victory.
The Course
Don’t be fooled by the Castle Pines Golf Club yardage book – the course really does play to a ridiculous 7,619 yards. But while the length might come as a surprise to most, you still have to remember that the tournament is being played in the friendly confines of the Rocky Mountains. Anyone who’s ever played in the mountains knows you hit everything about 10% longer. That means a lot for the average tour pro that already hits his pitching wedge 135 yards. The pros estimate that Castle Rock plays about as long as a 7,000 yard course at sea level.
Unlike last week’s Buick Open, which had several drivable par fours, Castle Rock has two par fives over 600 yards, as well as a par four that measures a beefy 485 yards.
Having played Castle Pines before, I can tell you that the first tee-shot of the day at the first hole will be critical to getting the round off to a great start. The hole plays at a ridiculous 644 yards with an elevation drop of 120 feet to the fairway. The shot is tight and tree-lined to begin with, but it looks even more intimidating when the wind is blowing through the mountains. Miss the ball left or right and you take birdie and early momentum right out of the picture.
If the par-five first hole is the toughest tee-shot of the day, then the par-five 17th has to be the easiest hole on the course. At only 492 yards, the hole can be reached with anything from a 3- to a 6-iron. In 2002, tour veteran Steve Lowery made double eagle (worth eight points) on the 17th with a 6-iron for his second shot. The hole could be critical to deciding who wins this week.
Who’s Hot
Phil Mickelson isn’t exactly what I’d like to call hot, but his play at the International over the years has to give him a serious edge. Mickelson won the tournament in 1993 and 1997, and continually ends his week at Castle Pines in the top 15.
Brett Quigley has to get some consideration this week after a T7 last week at the Buick Open. Quigley is a guy that loves to take chances with every possible shot on the course. If there is one course that might allow him that opportunity, the Castle Pines is that course.
Who’s Not
I think it’s ironic that Retief Goosen ends up on this list; however, his recent form has to garner him a spot here with the other “Nots.” Goosen is winless again this year, as well as having not finished better than 10th since April 30th. That has to be a hard pill to swallow for one of the best players in the world.
Fred Couples is one guy I would love to see on the Ryder Cup team, but if he doesn’t start playing better, the chance to play on the squad will pass him by. It’s never a good thing when your best finish since April is a T25. The back could be an issue for him, but if it is, I would then have to wonder why he’s even playing through it in the first place.
TV Coverage Times
All times eastern (ET) unless otherwise noted.
Thu, August 10 USA 4 - 6 pm Fri, August 11 USA 4 - 6 pm Sat, August 12 CBS 3 - 6 pm Sun, August 13 CBS 3 - 6 pm
Photo Credit: © Ann Heisenfelt, AP, © PGA.
How do I get PGA tickets for the practice round at Cantigny for this month?