PGA Heartbreaker

The final major of the year did not disappoint. With a chance to win Dustin Johnson’s twist of fate, and a two stroke penalty, left him wondering what may have been. In the end it came down to Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer. Two players well known within the golfing world. Kaymer took the title to become the third foreigner to win a major this year, Mickelson was the lone American with his win at the Masters. The golfing world has really entered a new era. Players from all over the world are not only winning tournaments, they are winning majors. It shows what a truly global game golf has become and is most certainly a sign of things to come. While Tiger and Phil had respectable showings they are certainly falling of the radar in comparison to their usual TV time. Young players from abroad are showing that they can come through in truly historic moments and beat the best in the world. The FEDEX playoffs should bring even more excitement and the Ryder Cup will top it all off. It should be one exciting fall of golf.

Tags: PGA TOUR
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Pebble Beach winning at U.S. Open

Just like previous years the course is certainly getting the better of the players. The USGA certainly has not disappointed in setting up the course for the championship. While Ernie Els and Graeme McDowell turned in a pair of 68’s many of the big names continue to struggle. Mickelson still can’t seem to get rolling and Tiger fired a one over 72 on Friday. Chances are the tournament winner will be over par so they are certainly still in the mix.

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One month from the U.S. Open

We are one month away from the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. If the big tournaments so far this year are any gauge we are in for a treat in June. Phil Mickelson has to want this one as much as any other tournament. With so many heartbreaking losses in his U.S. Open past he must wake up in a cold sweat some nights. His priorities have definitely shifted towards his family in recent years, but perhaps that has helped him. He does not seem to have the problems closing the deal in the big events recently. Perhaps this is finally Phil’s year.

There is no doubt that the USGA will have Pebble Beach set up like never before. It is rather short for a modern U.S. Open course so look for everything off the fairway to be big trouble. If the wind picks up we could see some high scores.

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What a day at Augusta

Golf fans could not ask for much more from a golf tournament. Mr. Fred Couples leads the tournament after day one. He has one of the most diverse groups in golf leaderboard history chasing him. With ten players within two shots there should be plenty of excitement. Tiger Woods had a surprisingly warm reception on the first tee and Phil Mickelson finally found his putting stroke to shoot a 67. Lee Westwood, who seems to be near the top of every major in recent history, also shot 67 along with Tom Watson. Following his 72 hole bogey, and eventual loss in a playoff, at the British Open last summer Watson is showing he can still compete at age 60.

Day one was everything promised and more. Perhaps the scariest thing is how comfortable Tiger Woods seemed to be. There is no doubt that even he had some butterflies going into today. There were a lot of questions regarding the reception he would receive and how some five plus months away would treat him. As usual Tiger scrambled around Augusta to a four under 68, just two shots back. If he settles in he could easily run away with this. For now it is a crowded leaderboard with proven winners in the hunt. There is not doubt that people will be glued to the tube this weekend.

Tags: Augusta, Phil Mickelson, The Masters, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson
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Tiger is back

Tiger Woods is officially back in action at the Masters tournament. Tiger played in his first practice round since his personal life came crashing down. Tiger spoke with press afterwards admitting that he has done some terrible things. He also stated his wife will not be attending the tournament this week.

Tiger comes in expecting to play well but will face some tough competition from Ernie Els and others. With two wins in the last month, Ernie Els appears to be returning to his prior form. Els faced criticism from Woods after coming back from a knee injury. Tiger questioned his work ethic following the surgery. Phil Mickelson looks to add another major to his trophy room as well.

There is no doubt that this will have the most drama of any golf tournament in recent history. Hopefully the tournament will be more about golf than personal problems.

Tags: The Masters, Tiger Woods
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The best Masters ever?

There is no doubt that the upcoming Masters event will be the most publicized golf event in recent years, perhaps history. So much seems to be riding on the tournament for Tiger Woods. It seems as though it can go one of two ways, he plays well and people will slow the Tiger “affair” talk or he misses the cut and it all starts again. Tiger is catching some grief for choosing the first major of the year from the media and golf greats such as Jack Nicklaus. If Tiger does not play well he is just setting himself up for further scrutiny. Attempting to win a major is enough work as is, throw in a scandal and it becomes nearly impossible. There is no doubt that Tiger wants to win this and get on with his career, and life, but we have to questions his choice of tournaments for his return. One thing is for sure, the grounds at Augusta National will be buzzing.

Tags: Tiger Woods
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Crane Wins, Mickelson Causes Controversy, Where is Tiger?

Ben Crane ended a five year drought on the PGA Tour with a win at the Farmer’s Insurance Open. Crane was able to hold off Marc Leishman by one stroke. Many of you may remember Leishman from his fantastic run in last year’s FEDEX Cup playoff which secured his tour card for the 2010 season. While Crane won the tournament the biggest news of the week was regarding the wedges of one Mr. Phil Mickelson. Phil decided to use wedges from Ping that are older than many of the players on the Tour this season. In a complicated loophole in the rules; a lawsuit filed against the USGA by Ping allows their Eye 2 wedges, produced in the more than twenty years ago, to be exempt from the 2010 groove restrictions.

Many people have their opinions and they range from declaring him an outright cheater, to others who believe he is doing nothing wrong. While this debate can go on forever the fact is that he is not breaking any rules according to the USGA. Other players and fans may not agree, but the bottom line is he can play them all year if he chooses. I don’t believe the groove rule should have ever been enacted so I applaud him for shoving it back in the face of the USGA, an organization that seems to make it as difficult as possible to play by the rules. Having said that it his decisions may show some poor taste given the current state of affairs on the PGA Tour. Without Tiger in the picture it seems as though the PGA may have a rough year.

I am in no way condoning what Tiger Wood’s did in his personal life. However, it does remain his personal life and it should not detract from the fact the he is the greatest golfer to ever live. He lives a life that few others have to live and clearly did not handle his personal life as many expected him to. He has let down millions of fans, sponsors and more importantly his family. It is now time to move on. The fact is the PGA Tour needs Tiger Woods to thrive. He has given golf the excitement that kept it from being considered a mainstream, or cool, sport for so many years. Tiger needs to come back so Phil can have someone to take the heat off his wedge situation.

While many have speculated that he may not return in 2010 I have to disagree. Whenever he comes back he will face the backlash for months or years to come so he might as well get it over with. I just can’t picture Woods missing a Master’s in April. So until he makes his return we will continue to talk about Phil’s wedges look for a newcomer to make a rise to the top.

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Who Should Be Number One?

For the first time in years there are questions as to who is the world’s best golfer. Tiger Woods had a great season yet still everyone seems to be talking about Phil Mickelson. In a season cut short, with the illness of both his wife and mother, Phil has been dominating on Tour. With his win in the last big event of the year at the WGC HSBC Championship in China Phil seems to have sealed his place at the top of the golfing world.

Starting this summer with yet another second place finish at the U.S. Open Mickelson has played extremely well. With wins at the Tour Championship and the WGC a showdown with Tiger in 2010 seems inevitable. A late season putting tip from Dave Stockton seemed to give Phil the extra confidence to come through with two huge late season wins. The tip was very simple, go back to using a forward press. This means that Phil leans his hands towards the target so they are ahead of the ball. This is a tactic that Phil used to use but had tried other means in the past few years. The renewed confidence on the greens has made all the difference in the world and is setting up a great duel in the year to come.

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Rain Soaked PGA Tour Championship

One lucky golfer will get paid $2.5 million per round at this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake. The FEDEX Cup is up for grabs because of changes made and several top ranked golfers have a chance to win it all. Heavy rain and flooding have soaked the Atlanta area in the recent days and will certainly give an advantage to the long hitters. Players like Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson may struggle to keep up with Tiger, and it may provide an opportunity for underdog Dustin Johnson to contend.

After Tiger Woods dominated the last FEDEX Cup event everyone is looking at him to win the Tour Championship and seal yet another Player of the Year award. He will have to fight for the title however. This year has shown that other players are ready to step up and compete with the world number one. Rookie sensation Marc Leishman looks to continue his magical run after a tie for second and the BMW to get into this weeks field.Padraig Harrington can still win the cup even though he has not won up to this point in the season.

There is no doubt that everyone is gunning for Tiger this week. With this being the last event of the season for many of the top ranked golfers many players will be leaving everything on the course. Add a $10 million check to the mix and we should get one interesting week of golf.

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New Ground For Tiger

For the first time ever a healthy Tiger Woods is simply getting out played. Poor putting, by his standards, has allowed Steve Stricker to take over the FEDEX Cup points lead heading into the BMW Championship. In a season with five wins, but no majors, Tiger can’t seem to find his typical magic on the greens we have all become so accustomed to. Tiger and Steve Stricker will play together for the first two days as the pairing are arranged by the points rankings.

Stricker has been impressive in the playoffs once again with a win and a second place finish. Stricker had two wins on the season, and opportunity for several more, has been nailing the shots under pressure to not only catch but pass Tiger Woods. The golf world has been waiting for someone to compete with Tiger for years. Perhaps now there is a group of players that can do just that. It seems as thought the rest of the PGA Tour is finally starting to see that Tiger can be beat. Something that he never allowed in the past.

With two weeks remaining before the Cup is handed out, along with the $10 million winners purse, and Tiger has plenty of time to rebound. While his putting stroke looks as strong as ever his reading of greens seems to be the problem. Perhaps returning to Cog Hill, where he has won in the past, will give him the confidence to regain the points lead.

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