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,

Sean O'Hair Outlasts Throng at Quail Hollow.

Tiger Woods returned the favor to Sean O'Hair at the Quail Hollow Championship. After O'Hair imploded at Arnie's Bay Hill event to hand Woods the title, Woods reciprocated by refusing to make birdies. Lucas Glover joined in the giving spirit as well when he bogeyed the tough par three 17th when temporarily tied for the lead. O'Hair finished at -11, one better than Glover and Bubba Watson. Truth be told, O'Hair snatched the trophy with a smooth 69 despite bogeys on his final two holes. Woods' even par final round gave him solo fourth place. The highlight of the day for me was when in the post round interview David Feherty asked Woods if he felt like a loser. Woods quipped, "Yes, and not even the 1st loser."

When I tuned in at 2:30 PM there were 18 players within two shots of the lead. In the end it was Watson in the clubhouse with his -10, then O'Hair waiting on Glover's finish. Everyone else shot themselves in their respective feet. For a fleeting moment even Phil Mickelson had a share of the lead in the house at -8. Yesterday's 75 had already sealed hid fate though. Lefty's 67 today, in full multiple personality mode, was the 2nd best round of the day to Jonathan Byrd's 66.

The Quail Hollow course had a major-like feel to it with narrow fairways and lightning greens. Had they grown the rough to more than the published two inches, it would have been a survival contest out there. All of which is a great lead-in to next week's Players Championship, a dart board course that places everyone on equal footing. Be there for the last relatively full field event before the US Open.




Til' next,

Quail Hollow Championship - Minor Major?

How's this for a field? Cabrera, Harrington, Kim, Mickelson, Ogilvy, Scott, Furyk, Garcia, V. Singh, Villegas, Woods. The best field this side of that sleepy town in Georgia. Anthony Kim defends at the Quail Hollow Championship, appropriately held at Quail Hollow. Wachovia must regret having to let go of this one as the field and the golf course have made it a "be there or be square" event that pushes the "other than the majors" stops on the Tour. If you question the upcoming Players Championship due to the restrictive venue, then this one's for you. TPC Sawgrass could generously be described as quirky, whereas Quail Hollow, ten year home to the Kemper Open, has flourished after a Fazio tweaking in 2003. The fact that Woods and Mickelson continue to show up regardless of title sponsor speaks volumes about the layout.

Will post- surgery Woods regain his form? Will Mickelson continue his spray and play policy? Does Cabrera have the consistency to continue on a post Augusta roll? Will any of the B+ players have the cajones to step up and snag one from the big boys? Stay tuned and find out at the first "must see" tournament since the Masters.




Til' next,