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,

Nathan Green Leads Sony Open - Campbell Forgets to Enter

Subject to immediate change without notice, Nathan Green leads the Sony Open by a single stroke over yesterday's leader Shigeki Maruyama. Green was at -7 on the 17th hole as of this posting and Maruyama -6. In the clubhouse were Steve Marino, 67, -5, and David Toms, a previous winner, at -4 today, -4 overall. Due to the time delay in Hawaii many players have yet to begin their rounds, so expect a lot of movement on the leader board. Geoff Ogilvy, -4, and Boo Weekly, -4, were among those.

Although it's way too early to predict who will win this thing, it's not hard to say who won't. Among those with disastrous 2009 starts to their campaigns were Will MacKenzie, +4, Ryder Captain Corey Pavin, +5, Carl Pettersson, +5, Rich Beem, +6, J.B. Holmes, +8, and Notah Begay III, also +8. If this were a horse race the leaders would just be exiting turn two, with the trailers off your TV screen. You always know you're in trouble with the horse you bet on when you can't find the glue bag in the TV shot.

Chad Campbell Forgets to Enter Sony Open

Chad Campbell hopped on a plane in Texas for the arduous 8 hour flight to Hawaii hoping to pad his wallet and world ranking. The only thing he padded were his frequent flier miles. In a major blooper he'd neglected to enter the event leading to the shortest Hawaiian vacation on record. "Not good" he was quoted as saying. "I had actually thought about it on the plane." Before de plane boss, before de plane. Campbell is trying to protect his 64th position in the world rankings that would get him into the Accenture Match Play. He played a round with friends on Sunday at a different course, then red-eyed his way back to Dallas. Campbell claimed he usually received reminders from his agent or caddie. Sounds to Average Golfer like a Day Planner is in order.



Til' next,