Watson Snags Senior PGA Championship

A number of weeks ago I reviewed Tom Watson's new book, The Timeless Swing. Little did I realize then how prophetic it would turn out to be. The 61 year old Watson defeated David Eger on the 1st playoff hole to capture the 82nd Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla. Eger fashioned a superb 67 to Watson's final round 70 to close a 3 stroke deficit at the start of the final round and force the extra hole. They both finished regulation play at -10. Truth is, both missed relatively easy putts on the 72nd hole that if either one had dropped, the playoff would have been unnecessary. It seems no one is immune to major championship pressure.Eger found a fairway bunker with his tee shot, while Watson split the fairway. Advantage Watson. Eger was forced to lay up and Watson's 2nd shot on the par five nestled in a greenside sand trap. Watson calmly played out to about three feet for a birdie and the win. When asked about the winning putt he responded, "Why dawdle. I didn't take much time with the putt. I took one practice stroke and figured, 'Let's get this over with"'.      

Kiyoshi Murota battled back problems stemming from the 3rd round to capture solo 3rd at -9. Hale Irwin, at 65, almost 66 years young, threatened throughout the event. His tough final round 73 placed him in 4th alone at -8. Full Field Final Scores

Watson has indeed proved that a solid, repeatable golf swing can be enjoyed for life. It would be hard not consider him a contender at this year's Open Championship. I'm not Watson's age, but I'm a lot closer to it than Rickie's or Rory's. Guess I'll keep playing.







Swing hard, look up,

Resurgent Sergio Shares Halfway Lead at HP Byron Nelson Championship

Infected fingernail be damned, Sergio Garcia posted a 2nd consecutive 66 to tie Ryan Palmer for the lead after the 2nd round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship. No slight on the Spaniard regarding the injury. Something inflamed under a fingernail would hurt like hell. Gripping a golf club would be one of the worst things you could throw at it. I'm positive I couldn't endure it at half his swing speed. Garcia's return to form had much to do with his putting success. 27 and 28 putts through two rounds are a marked improvement. His confidence from 10 feet in was in direct contrast to the distaste he's shown for those in the recent past. Tee to green, no one's questioned Sergio's ability. Like many, it's the flat iron that's determined his fate. Known as a bit of a brooder, I detected a slight attitude shift in Sergio's play. I saw him smile during today's round. Step in right direction.

Palmer's 65, 67 for a -8 total were remarkable in their own right. He and Garcia were three clear of Tim Petrovic at -5 and four in front of Nick Watney, Joe Ogilvie, Chad Collins, and Scott Piercy. Amateur and high school senior Jordan Spieth was at -3 and impressed all for the second year in a row. Spieth's dilemma for tomorrow is that his latish tee time is in direct conflict with his high school graduation. Something tells me he'll be collecting the sheepskin in absentia. Can't blame him. Final 2nd Round Scores

The weekend in Lord Byron's event should be compelling. If it continues to rain here in Biblical proportions I'll be watching. You should as well.






Swing hard, look up,

Toms Blinks, KJ Choi Takes Players Championship

David Toms picked the worst possible time for his first miss inside of 5 feet this week. His 3 1/2 foot miscue on the 1st playoff hole gave KJ Choi the 2011 Players Championship trophy. About an hour earlier, Paul Goydos was in the clubhouse at -11, Choi had laid up on the par five 16th. Toms elected to go for it from 240 with a hybrid yanked from his bag. He found water and the accompanying bogey, while Choi made par. All tied. On the first go around on 17 Choi birdied from 10 feet to Toms par, giving him a one stroke advantage into the tough 18th, where only three birdies had been carded all day. Toms' best drive of the day found what was probably the only fairway divot, but he hit a spectacular shot to about 20 feet and dead-centered the putt to force the playoff after Choi's up and down par. His aforementioned miss on 17 closed the deal for Choi. Both players had finished 31 holes for the day after a rain delayed Saturday. They had logged about 12 hours of course time. Graeme McDowell, the third round leader by 1, grabbed an anchor and plummeted 32 spots on the board after an unfortunate 79. Final Full Field Scores

I'm of the strong opinion that TPC Sawgrass is a tricked up mini-putt course and a crapshoot for determining winners. The tour leading 1.7 million dollar purse and lavish exemptions for the winner is certainly a factor in attracting what's always a strong field. I just hate to see players penalized for good shots. Happens a lot here. Still, it can be tolerated once a year and has the reputation for supplying drama. I just don't see it as the 10th major, much less the 5th.

It was great to see a rejuvenated David Toms and KJ, a couple of 40 year olds, duke it out on Sunday. Nice going KJ. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Swing hard, look up,

4all Presents 2011 Line of Women's Golf, Tennis, Fitness Apparel

Here at Average Golfer we never expected our first clothing review to be of women's apparel. How in the world did the folks at 4all find out about my propensity to wear women's clothes? Doesn't matter. 4all is a female owned company headed by Joanne Cloak, founder and CEO. Their foray into the crowded sports apparel business is built on the advantage of being designed by women athletes for women athletes. Sounds like a winning formula.

Tested Garment

Since 4all graciously offered a merchandise sample to back up their claims, I had to find a volunteer reviewer. I recruited a woman friend who's a part-time golfer, full-time runner and workout fiend. She's also extremely discriminating in the clothing department. It seemed to a good combination for putting a 4all garment through it's paces. She chose a V-Neck Contrast Tank Top as pictured here. It's in the tennis section of the catalog, but migrates well to almost any activity. After a week long session, long on the workout, and short on the golf, due to never ending snow, the results were in. At first she commented on the great fit, something not always guaranteed with catalog shopping. Second was the comfort level, affording a full range of motion, whether running or working through a cardio session. Clothes that bind can ruin a session. Clothes that are too loose can distract. The 4all top, in her words, was "Just meant to be worn". The third criteria was moisture handling capability. Today's synthetic fabrics leave no reason to feel wet or clammy during a workout. 4all's Dry Jersey fabric met all expectations in the moisture-wicking and breathability departments. In short, all the bases covered, an excellent all around athletic top and a great value for the money.

Check out 4all if you're considering smart, high-performance, and attractive women's gear. You really must visit their catalog site to understand the large range of styles and offerings. Chances are if they don't have it, you don't need it. Tell 'em Average Golfer sent ya'.



* Merchandise for review was supplied to Average Golfer by 4all.

  

Jim Furyk Partners With Children's Miracle Network, Announces Miracle Birdies

Beginning with this week's tournament, The Heritage in Hilton Head, SC, 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year Jim Furyk debuts his partnership with Children's Miracle Network. The network is a charity that raises funds for over 170 children's hospitals in North America. Miracle Birdies is a new program where individuals, groups, and sponsors can pledge money every time Furyk makes a birdie during his play in 2011. Importantly, donations are are localized so the money ends up in the person's local hospital.

I must admit I have a parochial interest in this program. My brother John Brancato is a pediatric emergency physician at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT, a Children's Miracle Network facility. His husband, Thomas Richardson, is Senior Director of Strategic Planning & Development at the hospital. Here's what they and Martha Schall, President of the hospital's Foundation, had to say about being a part of Children's Miracle Network;  

"Children's Miracle Network Hospitals support touches every corner of Connecticut Children's Medical Center.  Those gifts make possible investments in state-of-the-art technology, groundbreaking research and development of new clinical programs that provide care of the highest quality in the most effective and efficient ways possible.

Children's Miracle Network donors number in the thousands every year.  Every donor makes a difference, and we hope every donor remembers we are here for their families and their friends' families, so that every child in our region who has the chance to receive the special care that comes from doctors and nurses who only treat children, and have the comfort of an environment specially designed for children and their families."

 

There's no better way to invest in our future than through our children, our most precious resource. The golf community has a validated history for charity, so I ask you to consider this cause, as Furyk has, and add to that legacy. 

Here's where you can enroll... Miracle Birdies

Schwartzel Birdies Last 4 Holes, Takes 2011 Masters

They say the Masters doesn't really start until the back nine on Sunday. At one point on the back nine today there were 5 golfers tied for the lead and a slew more within sniffin' distance.  26 year old Charl Schwartzel put and end to the madness by birdieing the last four holes for a two shot win over Aussies Jason Day and Adam Scott. He finished with a 66 to leave him at -14 for the tourney. Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy carded 67s to place them in the conversation, but four shots shy of Schwartzel and tied with Luke Donald.

Third round leader Rory McIlroy succumbed to the moment with a disastrous back nine 43, falling to T14, ten strokes back. I was going to say he came apart like a $30.00 suit, but remembered he's just 21. I'll take him in all the majors for say, the next 20 years. Too much talent not to. I was particularly taken with McIlroy's classy post-round interview. It must have been difficult under the immediate circumstances. It stood out in complete contrast to Woods' terse, "get me the hell out of here", comments. Woods' front nine 31 had the crowd going his way, but he strangely shot just even par on the birdie-laden back nine. He was leader in the clubhouse, but only for the briefest of tenures. A balky putter did most of the damage highlighted by a 3 foot miss for eagle on 15 that effectively sealed his fate. Adam Scott's chances were jettisoned by an errant 17th hole tee shot. He salvaged par, but Schwartzel's subsequent birdie on the same hole gave him the lead for good. Day and Scott threatened to be the first Australian winner of the Masters. Instead, Schwartzel, South African, won on the 50th anniversary of Gary Player's victory that made him the first foreign champion. Final Full Field Scores

All in all it was a compelling dogfight with any of eight or so players with a chance to win on the back nine. It really wasn't sealed until Schwartzel's bird on the 71st hole of the event. Great way to ring in the golf/major season. Can't wait for the US Open.







Swing hard, look up,

McIlroy Boosted By McDowell For Masters 3rd Round

US Open winner Graeme McDowell shadowed Rory McIlroy around Augusta National today during the Irish lad's 3rd round. McDowell had missed the cut, but stuck around to support his young countryman. Quite a nice gesture from a multi-millionaire who could have easily hopped on a private jet yesterday and been somewhere else before SportsCenter. Think any male American player would do the same? It probably speaks volumes in explaining their Ryder Cup successes.

McIlroy takes a 4 shot lead into tomorrow's final round.





Swing hard, look up,