Posts Tagged ‘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: Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, PGA, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Tony Jacklin, US Open
Posted in General Golf, PGA, PGA Tour | No Comments »
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: Dustin Johnson, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, PGA, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, US Open
Posted in PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods | No Comments »
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: Brendon de Jonge, Paul Casey, Pebble Beach, PGA, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Ryo Ishikawa, Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods, US Open
Posted in PGA, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods | No Comments »
Friday, August 7th, 2009
As we reflect back on Tiger’s career, seems like the number 3 has turned out to be his “lucky” number. At age 33 (double 3′s), Tiger has accomplished amazing feats in his quest to be (and remain) the number one player in golfing history. Here’s a little “Tiger” history and how the number 3 has factored into the career of the greatest golfer ever:
- At age 3 (1979), Tiger shoots a 48 for 9 holes at the Navy Golf Club in Cypress, CA.
- In 1988, Tiger becomes the 3 time winner of the Junior World Golf Championship (he goes on to win two more in 1989 and 1990)
- In 1993, Tiger becomes the 3 time winner of the US Junior Amateur Championship (1991, 1992, 1993) at age 17 (the only player to win more than once)
- In 1996, Tiger becomes the first golfer in history to win 3 consecutive US Amateur Championships (1994, 1995, 1996)
- In 1997, Tiger wins his first major, The Masters, by twelve strokes; he goes on to win 3 more PGA events that year
- In 2000, Tiger is the second player all time to win 3 major championships in a calendar year winning the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship
- In 2000, at age 25, Tiger received PGA Player of the Year honors for the 3rd consecutive year
- In 2002, Tiger wins The Masters for the 3rd time with a 3 stroke victory over Retief Goosen
- In 2006, Tiger becomes the 3 time winner of The British Open with 18 under par for his eleventh major win
- In 2008, Tiger wins his 3rd US Open Championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, CA
- In 2008, Tiger is the second player to have won the career grand slam 3 times along with Jack Nicklaus
- August 2, 2009, Tiger wins his 3rd Buick Open by 3 strokes with a 3 under par 69 and wins his 69th PGA Tour Championship
- In this decade, Tiger is the 3rd all time PGA Tour winner with 69 wins in 14 years to Sam Snead (82 over 30 years) and Jack Nicklaus (73 over 25 years)
- In this decade, Tiger is the 3rd all time European Tour winner with 36 wins to Seve Ballesteros (50 times) and Bernhard Langer (42 times)
- In November 2009, Tiger will play in the Australian Master in Melbourne and will be paid A$3 million for his appearance and if he wins, he takes home another $270,000….the magic of the number 3
Will we see more significant 3′s in Tiger’s career? With his Buick Open win, can he win 3 weeks in a row….. this week the WGC-Bridgestone and next week the PGA Championship? Perhaps Tiger will give us the chance to add more “3″ trivia to his already impressive career!
Tags: British Open, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, US Open
Posted in PGA | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Another Major, another feel good story blown. That’s what the prevailing theme is in men’s golf 2009. Let’s look at what has happened this year:
The Masters: Kenny Perry has a two shot lead which would make him the oldest major winner at the time and give him his first ever major win. What happens? He loses to Angel Cabrera after blowing his lead in the 16th.
The U.S. Open: Phil Mickelson almost wins one for his wife Amy who made it clear she would love a trophy for her hospital room. He loses to Lucas Glover after a rough 17th hole.
The British Open: In what I consider to be the biggest heartbreak of the year, 59 year old Tom Watson misses a putt on the last hole to lose to Stewart Cink. This makes Cink, by all accounts one of the nicest guys in golf, the villain in what should have been a feel good story.
What I find interesting in all of this is that in any other situation I would have been cheering for Cabrera or Glover and certainly for Cink but I found myself actively rooting against decent guys and great golfers because I, along with thousands of other fans, wanted that fairy tale ending.
It will be interesting to see what happens at the PGA Championship in August; will the heartbreak trend continue?
Post by Michele Minten
Tags: angel cabrera, British Open, Kenny Perry, Lucas Glover, PGA, Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, US Open
Posted in PGA | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
After a great, if surprising, performance at the US Open, David Duval is looking strong heading into the John Deere Classic. Once the world’s number one player, Duval’s fall from grace surprised even hardened golf fans who have seen many favorites make it big and then fall even bigger.
With his swing looking similar to what it did in Duval’s heyday this could be his “comeback.” We’ll have more for you over the course of the tournament. Personally I’ve always loved an underdog so I’m rooting for him.
Posted by Michele Minten
Tags: David Duval, John Deere Classic, US Open
Posted in PGA | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
Of all the stories unfolding at the 2009 US Open, Lucas Glover didn’t even factor in. First there was the story of Tiger’s dominance (will he or won’t he); Phil’s family concerns and the potential Hollywood moment of a trophy for his wife’s hospital room; the rain and weather; the “comeback” of David Duval. And where did Glover fit into this? Nowhere, really. He just played golf. And he played good, if unexciting, golf. Cool hand Lucas remained calm, cool and in control….and it worked for him.
Did it add to the excitement of the Open? In my opinion, not really. It’s great to see an underdog win but I admit that I would have liked some drama at the end. Nothing big; maybe a fist pump or a clicking of the heels.
At the end, though, it was the mild mannered guy from South Carolina who was able to take a fairly non-descript swing, stay on the right side of the weather, and set himself up at the top of the leaderboard. And, at least for the next several years, nobody will be asking “Lucas who?”
Posted by Michele Minten
Tags: Lucas Glover, PGA, US Open
Posted in PGA | 1 Comment »
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
While much of the country is experiencing record rainfalls and cities are inundated with deluges that would make Seattle natives cringe, golf fans are wondering……how much rain does it take to take down the top golfers in the world?
Bethpage Black isn’t easy under any circumstances but add in the pressure of the US Open along with record rainfall and even the top golfers are trying to figure out how to play on wet and difficult course conditions.
We saw Tiger lose his way as his hands slipped off his club and his first drive went wildly away from its intended mark. It didn’t get better for him as the day wore on and what golf could be played was played poorly by the man considered one of the best in golf.
But for some lesser known golfers the rain has been a blessing. Lucas Glover, Ricky Barnes, Peter Hanson, and Mike Wier, the current top four on the leaderboard are taking advantage of the chaos of the day and staying on the right side of the rain….for now. But there’s more golf to come. So who do you think will come out on top?
Posted by Michele Minten
Tags: Bethpage, leaderboard, Tiger Woods, US Open
Posted in PGA, Tiger Woods | 2 Comments »
