Tiger Woods Implodes at Quail Hollow

They say you have to hit rock bottom before you begin the long journey upwards. If that's indeed the case, then Tiger Woods at least hit golf bottom at the Quail Hollow Championship. His 79 featured wild drives, water balls, and nonchalant three putts. Sort of like my game on a national stage. He missed only his 6th cut in his professional career and he missed by a mile. His two round +9 total left him a staggering 17 shots behind leader Billy Mayfair who was at -8. Woods' playing partner Angel Cabrera was one back of Mayfair at -7. Four players gathered at -6 including Phil Mickelson. Full Field 2nd Round Scores.

After Woods' horrible performance speculation will reach new heights. Have his personal demons finally cracked the impenetrable shell he's exhibited for his whole career? Is Hank Haney really the guru to fine tune his swing? Didn't Woods play better golf under Harmon? Is this just a blip on the radar screen, or just a couple of bad days? Certainly anyone that has ever picked up the sticks can relate to a couple of bad rounds. Bad rounds? Bad rounds for Woods are even par. Woods shooting a 79, featuring a smooth 43 on the back, is like me carding a 130. OK, a 132.

Woods is signed up for next week's PLAYERS Championship. The TPC Sawgrass isn't a course he speaks highly about. Quail Hollow is one of his favorites. That makes for a lot to accomplish in the week between. On the bright side, Woods has an extra weekend to prepare.










Til' next,

Table Set For 2010 Masters

Anthony Kim almost handed the Shell Houston Open victory to Vaughn Taylor today. Had he done so,  Taylor, the Augusta native, would have been playing next week on his home court. As it is Taylor will be a spectator at Augusta. Kim's bunker to bunker maneuver on the 18th hole with his second and third shots forced him to win it on the 1st playoff hole. A win's a win though and Kim captured his 3rd career PGA Tour victory.

All of which leads us to the question of favorites for this year's Masters. To this Average Golfer it's really looking like a crapshoot. Woods will be battling ring rust among "who knows?" how many other demons and distractions. Mickelson's play this year has been a roller coaster, to be kind. Ernie Els appears to be the hottest stick, but he'll have to climb the mountain that says he can't get it done in the majors. Steve Stricker has all-around stats and moxy, but isn't really a constant presence in the major golf discussion. Perhaps strangely under the radar we'll find the defending champ, Angel Cabrera. He leads the tour in driving distance, which would put a wedge in his hand on many of Augusta's stupidly long holes. Hey, worked last year. Cabrera seems immune to pressure, a convenient quality to possess in majors.

A young gun? Possible. Villegas, Mahan, McIlroy, the aforementioned Kim, among others, all have the tools to accomplish the mission. Still, there's a mystique about the Masters and experience factor the means it's more likely for Nicklaus to win at 46 than anyone else to win in their twenties. The diabolical greens and course knowledge required to know exactly where to place every shot works against youth. 

Tomorrow we'll show that while the Masters is a great golf exhibition, it's nowhere near the best test of golf. Don't change that channel.






Til' next,

2009 Masters - It's Cabrera !

Argentine Angel Cabrera outlasted Kenny Perry on the 2nd playoff hole to snag the 2009 Masters. Cabrera stuck his approach on the 10th hole, the 2nd playoff hole, to routinely two putt for a par. On one of his few loose shots of the tournament, Perry had yanked his approach and short sided himself with a left pin placement. His subsequent pitch couldn't defy physics and left him with a lengthy par putt that he missed. Chad Campbell had earlier missed a putt on 18, the 1st playoff hole, that finished his day. So, the day's final pairing were the last men standing with Cabrera being the 1st Argentine to wear the green jacket. It was also Cabrera's 2nd major championship following his US Open victory. Perry was extremely gracious in defeat, giving due credit to Cabrera for his Houdini-like escapes throughout the final round. None was more crucial than the 1st playoff hole where Cabrera's errant tee shot gave him almost no look at the green. His necessary blast through some trees ricocheted back into the fairway where he stuck his 3rd and calmly sunk the resulting par putt to extend the playoff. Campbell and Perry were both in the fairway when Perry shorted and pushed his 2nd shot and Campbell right bunkered his from 154 yards. Perry neatly pitched to gimme range while Campbell's bunker shot rolled to about six feet. Campbell had shown a lot of spunk by shooting himself back into the fray with a 69. That missed six footer however ended his chances.

Average Golfer accurately predicted that starting the day at -4 was a no win proposition. But, not without a couple of runs at it. Phil Mickelson shot a front nine 30 to get to -10 and it appeared a miracle comeback was starting to form. His tee ball at the par three 12th walked the plank however and he carded a round killing double bogey. Tiger Woods got it to -10 after a 16th hole birdie, but bogeyed 17 and 18 to end his quest for a 5th green jacket. 18 was a Woods nemesis all week. The final results after regulation were Cabrera, Perry, and Campbell at -12. Shingo Katayama's superb 68 earned him solo 4th at -10. Mickelson was alone in 5th at -9 and there was a four way tie for 6th consisting of Woods, Steve Flesch, Steve Stricker, and John Merrick with a sterling final round 66. Full field scores.

The course was more than fair with superb weather, receptive greens and scoring opportunities aplenty. The leaders were fairly conservative in their play through the first nine while the trailers hurried to make birdies before they ran out of holes. That made for must see television golf as it seemed at mid point in the day anyone could have walked away the winner. Great and enjoyable spectacle.

So, congratulate Angel Cabrera on a hard fought and well earned victory. Somewhere Roberto DeVincenzo is smiling.


Til' next,

Perry, Cabrera Lead Into Round 4 of Masters.

It's a pair of bulldogs duking it out in the final round of the 2009 Masters. Tenacious Kenny Perry and fearless Angel Cabrera share the round 3 lead, each at -11, two shots clear of 3rd round co-leader Chad Campbell. Cabrera's 69 today got him even with Perry. Cabrera is in position to be the 1st man in Masters' history to shoot all four rounds in the sixties. Perry was steady, if unspectacular and seemingly took what the course gave him. Campbell's back nine 38 cost him his portion of lead, lowlighted by a double bogey on the par three 16th hole. Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker posted excellent 68s to land at -8 and -7 respectively. Todd Hamilton, still playing in the 5th and final year of his Open Championship exemption was hanging tough at -6, tied with Shingo Katayama and Rory Sabbatini. Tim Clark was alone at -5. Full field scores.

Who's Still In It?

There's a pack at -4 consisting of Ames, Kim, Mahan, Mickelson, O'Hair, Poulter, Watney, Westwood, and Woods. The only shot they have is to break up into teams and play the final round as a scramble. 7 shots is too many to overcome on a relatively compliant Augusta and 9 players ahead of them is too many to climb over. If the leaders shoot par tomorrow a 65 from this group would earn them a tie and a playoff. Technically possible, just not going to happen. I'd call Furyk my sleeper pick if the leaders falter.

See you tomorrow on 18.



Til, next,