The Golf Wish Blog

Archive for June, 2010

Cristie Kerr Becomes Number One

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Cristie Kerr lead the LPGA Championship held at Locust Hill Country Club during all four rounds with a final score of -19, overtaking the rest of the field by 12 strokes. She went into the fourth round leading by 8 strokes and ended with a birdie on 18 for a final round of 66. Her game was definitely on during this tournament resulting in her second major champhionship title. Kerr is the first American to win this major since 2000 when Julie Inkster took the title.

By winning this major event, Kerr moves into the number one LPGA world player position. Hats off to Cristie! The number one player position has shifted quite a bit over the past three weeks. Kerr is the third player in three weeks to become the world’s best. Last week Ai Miyazato had the number one slot as a result of her ShopRite LPGA Classic win; the prior week, Shin was number one. Kerr has won 14 tournaments in her 14 year career with the 2010 LPGA Champhionship making her the world’s best LPGA player.

Over the years, Annika Sorenstam lead the world. After going into retirement, the reigns were taken over by Lorena Ochoa. In April Ochoa retired, leaving the lead role open to all.

“It means a tremendous amount,” Kerr said about the No. 1 ranking. “It’s something that I’ve wanted my whole life, I worked for my whole life. I take great pride in being the top American.”

Congratulations to Cristie Kerr for her LPGA win and the coveted number one ranking!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in General Golf, LPGA, Women's Golf | No Comments »

Graeme McDowell Wins the 2010 US Open

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland claimed the victory for the 2010 US Open. McDowell finished with a 74 (+3)… just 2 putts on the 18th hole to win. This was one great tournament and certainly challenged the best. Going into the final round, Dustin Johnson was leading by 3 strokes. But the table suddenly turned when he shot a triple bogey on the second hole and a double bogey on the third hole. After that it only continued to decline for Johnson as he finished his round with an 82 and tied for 8th place.

Els, Mickelson, Woods, and Havret all struggled to work some magic on the course to take the lead. Only one player could withstand the pressure of the tournament and the challenges of the course and that was Graeme. “I can’t believe how difficult this golf course was,” McDowell said. “No matter how good you play … good golf got reward, and bad golf got punished really badly.”

This is McDowell’s first major tour win. He’s the first European to achieve the feat since Tony Jacklin did it 40 years ago at Hazeltine. McDowell turned pro in 2002. Prior to becomng a pro, McDowell won the Fred Haskins Award as the United States’ top collegiate golfer. Two weeks ago, he won his fifth title at the Celtic Manor Wales Open. McDowell has earned a five year exemption as a result of his victory should he decide to join the PGA Tour. And why wouldn’t he? It’s a golden ticket to playing both the U.S. circuit and the European Tour.

McDowell’s victory was the perfect Father’s Day gift for his dad, Kenny, who has been by his side since he began playing golf in his junior years. For those of you who watched the final shot and green’s celebration, I’m sure you all caught that “Hallmark” moment when father and son hugged in glorious celebration. Congrats to Graeme McDowell for his well-deserved US Open win!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in General Golf, PGA, PGA Tour | No Comments »

2010 U.S. Open – Round 2 Recap

Friday, June 18th, 2010

What a difference a day makes! Phil Mickelson rallied with 5 birdies in the first 8 holes and another on #11 for a final score of 66 in Round 2, placing him one shot behind the leader, Graeme McDowell, who posted a 68. That’s a nine shot variance from Round 1 where he shot a birdie-free round of 75. Mickelson’s score of 66 is just one shot shy of the U.S. Open record lowest score at Pebble Beach. Phil’s focus is that of Bobby Jones…. “play against old man par”…. and that’s exactly what Phil did during today’s round finishing tied for second and placing him in great position for the rest of the tournament.

Tiger Woods finished at +4 with a round of 72. He had 3 birdies and 4 bogeys after his birdie-free Round 1. He’s right in the middle of the pack for the weekend. If he can rally in Round 3 like Phil did today, he’ll be right in the hunt. “ I’m right there in the championship,’’ he said. “I just need to make a few more birdies, a few more putts on the weekend and I’ll be right there.” If Phil and Tiger can get in the groove, Round 3 will prove to be exciting.

Other notable finishes: The “young gun”, Ryo Ishikawa, posted an even par 71 to maintain his second place finish for Round 2. Ernie Els posted a 68, moving him from #27 to tied for second. Dustin Johnson shot a 70 finishing tied for second.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods | No Comments »

U.S. Open – Round 1 Recap

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

The U.S. Open seemed to be a challenge for the majority of the field during Round 1 at Pebble Beach. Both Woods and Mickelson shot a birdie-free round; a first in any PGA Tour round. Mickelson posted a 75; his first round in on the PGA Tour without a birdie since the first round of the 2007 U.S. Open. On the other hand, Woods posted a 74, his first birdie-free round during a PGA Tour Major since the 2003 Masters. So how do they fare in the overall standings? All in all, not too bad; both are in the top half of the field in scoring.

Only three players posted a score under 70: Shaun Micheel, 69; Paul Casey, 69; Brendon de Jonge, 69. One of the lead “young guns”, Ryo Ishikawa, posted a respectable 70. (At age 18, Ishikawa, holds seven Japan Tour championships.) Along with Ishikawa, Cabrera-Bella, Choi, Weir, Poulter, and Cejka posted a first round of 70.

The late afternoon created a challenge for all on the putting surface. The fast, bumpy poa challenged the world’s best players. Those that are teeing off in the morning for Round 2 should find a kinder course on the greens.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in PGA, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods | No Comments »