Goosen Leads, Woods Disappears, Westwood WDs at Bridgestone Invitational

Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood both had a chance to supplant Tiger Woods as the world #1 at this week's Bridgestone Invitational. Woods has more than done his part to give up the title. Westwood spit the bit with a WD due to a nagging torn calf muscle. The injury will keep him out of the PGA Championship and threaten his Ryder Cup placement. Woods' calf muscles seemed fine, but his 2nd round 72 was the nagger that will keep him out of a run for the championship and place his #1 status in serious peril. 6 over par and 13 behind the leader forces Woods to treat the final two rounds as a practice opportunity or a shot at some locker room skins money.

Retief Goosen is your 2nd round leader at -7. 51 putts through the first two rounds will do that for you. Contrast that to 58 putts for Woods and it just proves Average Golfer's continual admonition that putting wins tournaments. Mickelson and Justin Leonard share 2nd, one stroke back. Peter Hanson, Bo Van Pelt, and 1st round leader Bubba Watson share 3rd at -5. Fully 22 players are within 5 shots of the lead making this a wide open event heading into the weekend. Full Field 2nd Round Scores.

Keep an eye on Rory McIlroy, at 4 back, who more than held his own playing with Mickelson for the 1st two rounds. A lesser playing partner might ignite the young Irishman who has shown the ability to go low in big events. Miguel Angel Jimenez at 3 behind is a man to be watched as well. Should make for good weekend drama. Hit the narrow fairways and make putts and the keys to the kingdom are yours.







Til' next,

Goose Golden at Transitions Championship

Retief Goosen ended his longish PGA Tour victory drought with a one shot victory over Charles Howell III and Brett Quigley today at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Golf Course. Goosen finished with a -1, 70 to claim his first paycheck in nearly four years on the American tour. Howell, who needs a victory in the next two weeks to earn a Masters invite, bogeyed 15 and 16 to effectively end his chances. Quigley, by virtue of his tie for 2nd, landed his second runner up finish in as many weeks. Third round leader Tom Lehman struggled to a 75 and a share of eighth place.

The tour moves to Bay Hill next week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational where a strong field makes their Masters prep. Tiger Woods defends. Click here for Arnie's field. Conspicuous in their absence are Sergio and Phil.



Til' next,