Was the wait worth it in Scottsdale? It was for Mark Wilson as he beat Jason Dufner on the 2nd playoff hole to win the 2011 version of the Waste Management Open. His birdie on #10 capped a stellar weekend for the Wisconsin native as he was able to piggyback his beloved Packer's Super Bowl win last evening. Coupled with his previous Oahu win, Wilson stands atop all the early 2011 standings. With two wins he's now qualified for all of this year's majors and the WGC Match Play event.
The morning action began with Wilson holding a tenuous lead. Dufner made up two strokes in the last four holes to force the extra session with birdies on 16 and 17. Wilson and Dufner finished at -18. Fan favorite Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey spit the bit on the drivable par four 17th with a triple bogey 7. It was an expensive hole. Still, Gainey gained fans by virtue of his homemade swing with the Palmeresque lash in the finish and his solo use of two gloves on tour. This average golfer's glad he earned a good week's pay. Final Full Field Scores.
What's next?
The three top ranked golfers in the world, Westwood, Kaymer, and Woods head to the appearance fee fest known as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.The quality of the Euro Tour fields are giving the PGA Tour a run for it's dinero. Expect to see more of the same in a game that's growing internationally while stagnating domestically.
Most everyone else heads to Pebble Beach for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am, aka the APBNPA. I think I injured a finger typing one of the longest tournament names. Defending champ Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson headline the entrants in a tourney that's sort of lost it's luster over the years. IMHO it's the quality of the celebrities playing, or lack thereof, that's caused the demise. Sorry Mr. Murray and Romano, it's time to step aside for Brooklyn Decker and the rest of her friends.
Swing hard, look up.....
Monday, February 7, 2011
Mark Wilson Bests Jason Dufner on 2nd Playoff Hole at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Jarrod Lyle Lights Up the 16th at the Waste Management Open
A picture's worth a thousand words.........
Jarrod's first career ace came at the most raucous site possible, if not the most memorable. Evidenced by the green togs it was "Green Out Day" at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Tommy Gainey holds a tenuous 1 stroke lead at -14 over Mark Wilson after two complete rounds. Bill Haas, Chris Couch, Rickie Fowler, (62 today), and Phil Mickelson are in close pursuit. They'll most likely play the 3rd round and perhaps part of the final tomorrow and squeeze in the conclusion on Monday. Lyle finished his day at -5, T37. Full Field Scores.
So far it's been fun.
Til' next,
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey Leads Waste Management Open
With the temps I'm certain Tommy Gainey's two gloves may have been a distinct advantage at today's reverse global warming interrupted Waste Management Open. His sparkling 1st round 63 left him at -11 through 9 holes of the abbreviated second round. Also at -11, through 14 holes of round two was Mark Wilson, albeit with a lone glove, or perhaps no glove. I didn't personally spy Mr. Wilson as I didn't catch a lick of the telecast, if there was one. Geoff Ogilvy sat at -9 and J.B. Holmes, twice champion here, penciled in at -8.
PGA Tour officials have announced a Monday finish due cold weather start delays in the 1st two rounds. That's a mixed blessing as this Average Golfer sees it. On one hand they could have capitalized on the "sports fever" tone presented by Super Bowl Sunday. Millions of non-sports fans have grudgingly resigned their flat screens and Doritos to the one day a year when watching 12 or so hours of sports isn't considered bad form. The endless run up to the big game itself forces a sort of "remote frenzy", lending itself to golf viewing rather than football announcer's inane blather prior to kickoff. One might ponder if the Monday finale would provide a monopoly on sports viewers and therefore be the better outcome. One would be wrong. Post Super Bowl viewers are at work or hung over. Or, at work hung over. Then there's the competition, Oprah.
That leaves three more days of golf viewing. Darn. More if you consider the Euro Tour. Westwood missed the cut. That's my analysis of the desert duel.
Ciao,
Til, next,
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Waste Management Open - Phrosty Phoenix
Early frost caused a late start, so partial scores are in order. 74, 69, 75 70. Praise George Carlin. Rest his soul. The quad of Bill Haas, Jason Bohn, (pronounced.....), Tom Gillis, and Tom Lehman thoughtfully shared an opening round 65, -6. Irrepressible Philly Mick was just two back with a 67. See, math is easy. With partial results it's really too early to comment on much. The watered down field in the festive atmosphere should crank up by Saturday though. The 16th hole "patrons" may even surpass the Super Bowl crowd in raucousness. If fact they definitely will since the only people allowed at the Super Bowl are corporate wags that got the only available ducats as part of their compensation package. I went to the '86 Bears/Patriots Bowl in New Orleans as a wag. Shoulda sold my ticket. Better views in a bar. Regardless, I did see Refrigerator Perry score a TD on what then passed for a big screen.
I know we're rambling a tad here, but the real action doesn't start until the weekend, or a least until they complete one round. Find me here for poignant commentary and ridiculous analysis. Bank on it.
Til' tomorrow,
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Farmers Insurance Open, 3rd Round - Cream Rises
All the guys whose names I couldn't remember faded today during the 3rd round of the Farmers Insurance Open. They were instead replaced by more familiar monikers like Mickelson, Mahan, Watson, and Kim. Ideal conditions, albeit sneaky, tough greens, meant the day was tailor made for experience. Unless your name was Woods or Daly.
Bill Haas kept a tentative hold on 1st with a -1, 71, -12 total. Phil's superb 68 matched him and will plant them in the final group tomorrow. An apt test for young Haas. Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson are just one back at -11. Anthony Kim's injury concerns seem to be alleviated and he sits at -10. Jhonattan Vegas evidently hasn't heard that he's a tour rookie. -9 puts him within sniffing distance. Pressure doesn't appear to affect the young Venezuelan and that alone may serve him well and the more prominent names battle ahead of him tomorrow. The guy's got it in the bank already for 2011 with an early victory.
The "Farmers" title fit Mr. Woods to a tee today as he hacked, blasted, skulled, and otherwise looked like he was only trying to uproot soil on his way to an unremarkable 74, and an 8 shot deficit. Hope the tomatoes come out OK. Time will tell. For the historians in the crowd, this was Woods' first over par round at Torrey Pines since 2002. I can't discern much difference in Woods' current struggles vs the expected troubles last year in the wake of the meltdown. Take two weeks off then quit? His tour buddies claim he's "close" and "right there". They've been saying that for some time. Since last year as I recall. Mr. Daly imploded with a 76 that'll get him out from in front of the camera tomorrow. He's tied with El Tigre, -4.
Interesting enough event thus far. I'll tune in on a Sunday afternoon without much else happening. Will you?
Til' next,
Friday, January 28, 2011
Farmers Insurance Open, 2nd Round - Commentary and Insight
A tumultuous last 45 days has left me in career limbo. Tough on the wallet, but perfect for watching early season golf. You see, one door closes, another one opens. I managed to catch a good share of the Farmers Insurance Open's first two rounds. I typically don't care much for the season opening money grabs. Sure, Hawaii's beautiful on TV, but I've been there so it pales. The Hope has sunk to Nationwide Tour status unfortunately. Evidently the golf heroes don't care to play five round tourneys and the greens aren't in late season form. God forbid they have to putt on less than bathtub greens. So, off to Torrey, a US Open venue, with Tiger and Phil, but conspicuously missing the world's #s 1, 2 and 4. Hey, you can't be everywhere at once!
Observations for those who missed........
- John Daly has to be the early story. A T3 with a 69 today that included a four putt. Dalyesque. The pants are hideous. I can't wait til he wins and a better sponsor courts him.
- Bill Haas may have realized he's a pretty good player. Playoff last week and the lead by two so far here may cement it for him.
- Tiger Woods today managed to make me look like a damn good bunker player. He ain't the old Woods yet. Only time will tell if he can regain the form. Nobody looks too intimidated when partnered with him. I wasn't scared watching him either.
- Kelly Tilghman continued her love affair with Woods though. We were interminably reminded how Woods "loves" the venue and has "dominated" here since the course opened. Guess that squashes those hints that Kelly plays for the other team.
- Rickie Fowler needs a mirror, or a new line of golf pajamas.
- I'm pulling for Bubba Watson, as per usual. Just have always liked him. His 65 on the North Course brought him very much into the picture.
- I was particularly taken by the shot of the massive RV park between the course and the ocean. Reminds me of home. I forgot which hole it was planted on. Or which course.
- I must admit I've never heard of Michael Connell. He just missed the cut by one shot. I think I may have played in a scramble with him in '01.
- Jhonattan Vegas may be turning out to be a real player. Still, his folks can't spell.
- Dean Wilson DQ'd at 149. Too bad, would have tied him with Duffy Waldorf, safely 9 shots from last. BTW, Duffy's shirts seem rather bland now, don't they?
- Colt Knost's 78 today tied his number of runs through the breakfast buffet.
- Yesterday's crowd of about 200 swelled to maybe 275 today. Must all be at Charlie Sheen's house.
- Rocco Mediate wasn't able to duplicate his '08 heroics. He has the weekend to search for answers. I have a feeling he'll win something this year though.
- I'll watch tomorrow, unless the laundry runs over or my pipes freeze again.
'Til Next,
Monday, December 27, 2010
"When To Regrip Your Ball Retriever" - Average Golfer Book Review
Who couldn't use some golf yuks right about now more than me? Last week in December, 4 degrees outside, colder than a recent ex-spouse. My clubs are away until at least April so golf thoughts are on the back burner. If you're in a similar situation or just appreciate the humor in this confounded game, you'll find a release in Bobby Rusher's When To Regrip Your Golf Retriever. Forty seven "chapters" arranged in flip chart style with big print. Something for every forehead slapping occurrence we've all had on the golf course. There goes your last excuse for not picking up this book.
Aside from the title's answer you'll find many more solutions faced by the average golfer. Without giving away the farm I'd mention my personal favorites as being "How to Behave When You Lie Two on the Ladies' Tee" and "The Importance of Carrying a 95 Degree Wedge". You see a tree root modified my 60 degree to a 95, so this chapter held particular significance.
The book flows along and Mr. Rusher indeed proves he speaks from experience and of the same language we all pick up pretending to master the game. I've picked the book up several times for rereads and laugh at the same material with the same vigor. Definitely an Average Golfer recommend.
Evidently Mr. Rusher has a substantial cottage industry in the works, this book being the sequel to, How To Line Up Your Fourth Putt and a music CD, "Music To Shank By" by The Mighty Mulligans. All in the same vein, all clever and frequently laugh-out-loud funny.
Find them all at www.4putt.com, or check out The 4th Putt Video on YouTube. I've been assured no balls were harmed in the making of this video.
* Disclaimer - The publisher supplied the author of this review with a gratis copy of each book and the CD. They were subsequently donated to another golfer who enjoys laughing.
