Prior to the Masters, the question was not whether who was going to win the Masters. Everybody already knew that answer, Tiger Woods. The real question was how much will Tiger win by.

So here we are, after the Masters asking two new questions: Who is Trevor Immelman, and how did he beat Tiger?

The answer to the latter question is simple, Immelman shot 280, and Woods shot 283. But let’s not worry on how Immelman won, rather on the fact that he did win and who are new Masters champion is.

Most golf watching geeks (me included) have heard and may even know about Trevor Immelman. He is currently ranked 15^th in the World Golf Rankings after his Masters victory. (Last week he was ranked 29^th)

During the final round of the Masters, I think Immelman showed remarkable courage and metal toughness. For starters, not just any golfer can play in the Masters without being intimated. Secondly, you try walking the fairways with a lead in the final round at Augusta National. Now add on top of that the fact that Tiger Woods is right behind you on the leaderboard. Could you have even attempt to do that, let alone win? I know all lot of golfers, including me, who could not.

I realize that many people wanted and picked Tiger Woods to win, and don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Tiger fan. However, everybody has to love this new trend that has carried the last two years at the Masters. The underdog has won. How can you not love to see that! Not to say we don’t enjoy watching Tiger and Phil make galleries roar with amazing shots while on their way to winning major championships. But almost everybody loves seeing the little guy win. That is what is so great about tour golf. Yes, it has the big titans of the game such as Tiger and Phil, but there are some great stories on the tour about other players playing as good as they ever have, and winning some of golf’s greatest prizes.  

June 8, 2008

Below are my picks for the US Open Championship at Torrey Pines:
5. Tiger Woods- Yes, I know he is coming off knee surgery and this will be his first event since the 
    operation. But he is the world #1, and we have seen him do stranger things.
4. K.J Choi- This guy right here can play. He has one of sweetest swings on tour, and if he is feeling it, he
    could very well be the champion.
3. Jim Furyk- He usually is in contention at the US Open, and expect him to be in contention here.
2.- Justin Rose- Last year's European Tour Order of Merit winner could be this year's US Open winner, if he
     can find last year's groove.
1. Phil Mickelson- What a way to kick off the championship, Tiger and Phil in the same group. The fans
    do not want it any other way, and neither do Tiger and Phil. Phil has an opportunity to make a  
    statement by playing with Tiger, and winning. Lets see if he can take advantage of it.

June 8, 2008

Of all the complaints that I have heard about the US Open, there are two that really stick out in my mind. One is an old argument that has been talked about for several years now, and the other is new.

The old opinion of what is wrong with the US Open is that the courses are to hard, and that people are sick and tired of seeing the best players in the world shoot “high scores” at a golf venue that is a “beast”. But argument got taken a whole step further when I read in an edition of Golf Magazine from several weeks ago, about players using new technology analyze courses.

The situation that publication was based on, happened at last year’s US Open, held at Oakmont. In the weeks leading up to the championship, Phil Mickleson and his team of golf instruction experts, including Butch Harmon and Dave Plecz, arrived at Oakmont armed and ready to break down Oakmont. One of their tools was a high tech green speed reader invented by Plecz, that is supposedly more accurate at reading green speeds that the conventional method. Soon, the new green reader had found several major differences in the greens’ speed determined with the old method. When Phil and his crew were questioned about the use of the “green reader on steroids”, Phil responded by saying “it was very important that I have information”. Some golf fans were outraged by Phil’s statement, claming that he had gained an unfair advantage over the rest of the field with that information. Most people, including myself, however did not even know that this took place. At least until we picked up that fateful issue of Golf Magazine. Alas, a lot of good it that “unfair information” did for Phil Mickelson, as his US Open week ending with a score of 11 over par, a missed cut, and a really sore wrist.

The issue at hand here has two parts. One is are the US Open venues selected and refined by the USGA playing to hard for the best golfers in the world to wow fans with excitement and drama. The second issue is if the US Open is going to play tough, should players be allowed to use every bit of technology to their advantage.

My position is this. I love watching Major Championships, and because of that I love the history and drama of the US Open. So for me, I do not care how the US Open is played (as long as it is played fair) just as long as it is played. Our national championship is such a great event in golf, let’s not get worked up on the little things, let's watch and enjoy it. This year is a great chance for that. Tiger and Phil are going head to head on the first two days, and all of us want to see how Tiger will return for his surgery and layoff. The US Open is a tough Championship to win, and it has long and remarkable history. That is the way it has been, and that is the way it’s going to be. So just sit back, relax, and have fun watching one of the best events in the golf season, without getting worked up over small, insignificant details.