Michelle Wie didn't make it, but who did?
Here's the USGA wrap-up on qualifiers from around the country...
QUIGLEY HEADS U.S. OPEN QUALIFIERS IN N.J., WIE UNSUCCESSFUL
Far Hills, N.J. – Brett Quigley fired rounds of 68-63 for an 11-under-par total of 131 to head up a group of 18 qualifiers from 36-hole U.S. Open sectional qualifying in Summit, N.J., where 16-year-old Michelle Wie’s bid was unsuccessful. The 2006 Open will be played June 15-18 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
A total of 73 qualifying spots in the U.S. Open field of 156 players were available prior to the beginning of sectional qualifying at 14 sites today and Tuesday. Three spots had previously been earned May 29 in Japan.
At Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., Wie of Honolulu, Hawaii, was vying to become the first woman to play in a U.S. Open. She played admirably, firing a 2-under-par 68 on the South Course in the morning and holding that position through 30 holes before scoring bogeys at her 31st, 32nd and 33rd holes. (see accompanying story on www.usopen.com)
Quigley, who won the 1987 U.S. Junior Amateur, will be competing in his fourth Open. Michael Harris, Kent Jones, Greg Kraft and Kevin Stadler also won Canoe Brook spots at 8-under-par 134. Mark Brooks, the 1996 PGA champion and the runner-up at the 2001 U.S. Open, J.J. Henry, who grew up nearby in Connecticut, and Rob Johnson, logged in at 135.
Andrew Svoboda, who holds a membership at Winged Foot and was a quarterfinalist at the U.S. Amateur there in 2004, earned a spot by shooting 72-65-137. Another local product, Chris Nallen, who grew up in Hackettstown, N.J., shot 69-68—137 to advance to the Open. A five-player for one spot playoff gave Brad Fritsch of Canada the last of 18 places.
Prominent players who did not qualify were Billy Andrade (73-66—139) and Mark O’Meara (74-68—142).
Canadian Tour player Benjamin Hayes (67-64) and European Ryder Cup player Ian Poulter (65-66) shared medalist honors at the Columbus, Ohio site at Brookside Country Club and The Lakes Golf and Country Club at 13-under-par 131 to head the largest field of the day with 21 qualifying spots.
Also among the qualifiers at this Columbus site were Camilo Villegas (67-69-136), J.B. Holmes (70-66-136), Jeff Sluman (65-71-136) and 52-year-old Jay Haas (69-70—139), who just won the Senior PGA Championship on May 28. Among those not advancing to Winged Foot were Jeff Maggert (140), Aaron Baddeley, Jesper Parnevik, and Jason Gore (141), Bob Tway (147), and Ryan Moore (151).
At the Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Ore., two members of the newly crowned 2006 NCAA Champion Oklahoma State team, who happen to be roommates, battled in a playoff for the one available slot. Freshman Jonathan Moore of Vancouver, Wash., who won NCAA individual honors at Sunriver Resort in Bend, Ore. over the weekend, and senior Pablo Martin of Spain, who finished 5th, each shot 70-67-137, 5-under-par and went just one hole when Moore prevailed with a birdie for the trip to Winged Foot.
International qualifying was staged for the second time this year and at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England, Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands shot rounds of 64-66 for 14-under-par total of 130 to head a group of eight qualifiers. Lafeber, who will be playing in his second Open, made 16 birdies and two bogeys in his trips around Walton Heath’s OId and New Courses.
Tommy Armour III (68-67-135), Joey Sindelar (70-66-136), David Berganio (70-67-137) and Chad Collins 69-68-137) were the four place-winners from the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
With two berths at stake at St. Charles (Ill.) Country Club near Chicago, Steve Stricker earned his 11th Open appearance by shooting 15-under-par 129 (65-64). Stricker was joined by Jason Allred, who shot 71 and a course-record 63 for 134. Allred, the 1997 U.S. Junior Amateur champion who plays on the Nationwide Tour, birdied four of his last five holes for the 9-under 63.
At the second Columbus, Ohio site at Double Eagle Golf Club, Madalitso Muthiya of Zambia, who played college golf at New Mexico, shot 65-69-134 to earn the first of two spots. He was joined by Stephen Woodard of Charlotte, N.C., who shot 70-68—138.
A pair of amateurs, Ryan Baca of Richmond, Texas (67-69) and Ryan Posey of Dallas, Texas (65-71) each shot 136 to win berths from Lakeside Country Club in Houston, Texas. Baca, 23, just finished his eligibility at Baylor and Posey, 22, is a senior at Oklahoma State.
Dustin White of Pueblo West, Colo., earned the only berth among 25 players at Columbine Country Club near Denver, by shooting 67-68 for a 9-under-par total of 135.
Fifteen-year-old amateur Tadd Fujikawa of Honolulu earned the only spot at Poipu Bay Golf Club in Koloa, Hawaii by shooting 71-70--141.
At Lake Merced Golf Club near San Francisco, Calif., Michael Derminio of Scottsdale, Ariz., earned the qualifying medal with scores of 70-68—138. The other three qualifiers at Lake Merced were amateur Taylor Wood of Laguna Niguel, Calif., (64-75—139) Alex Coe of La Quinta, Calif. (69-71—140) and Patrick Nagle of Pacifica, Calif. (73-67—140). Coe and Nagle earned their berths in a playoff.
Canoe Brook qualifiers...
Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, N.J. – 153 players for 18 spots
Brett Quigley, Jupiter, Fla., 68-63--131
Gregory Kraft, Largo, Fla., 67-67--134
Kent Jones, Albuquerque, N.M., 66-68--134
Kevin Stadler, Scottsdale, Ariz., 66-68--134
Michael Harris, Shorewood, Wis., 68-66--134
J J Henry, Fort Worth, Texas, 70-65--135
Mark Brooks, Fort Worth, Texas, 68-67--135
Rob Johnson, Orlando, Fla., 66-69--135
Andy Bare, Jacksonville, Fla., 70-66--136
John Mallinger, Reston, Va., 68-68--136
Nicholas Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla., 69-67--136
Tom Pernice Jr, Murrieta, Calif., 68-68--136
Andrew Svoboda, Larchmont, N.Y., 72-65--137
Chris Nallen, Scottsdale, Ariz., 69-68--137
David Oh, Cerritos, Calif., 67-70--137
Phil Tataurangi, Flower Mound, Texas, 71-66--137
Scott Hend, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., 68-69--137
Brad Fritsch, Canada, 72-66--138
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Monday, June 05, 2006
U.S. Open qualifying story lines
As compelling as the Michelle Wie saga is, she's not the only interesting story in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open.
Here are a few from the USGA:
June 5
Littleton, Colo. (Columbine C.C.): 25 golfers for 1 spot
Steve Irwin of Golden, Colo., the son of three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin, is in the field. The younger Irwin has never competed in an Open, while his father has 34 appearances, the second-most in history.
St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles Country Club): 33 golfers for 2 spots
Joel Kribel of Edmond, Okla., was the runner-up at the 1997 U.S. Amateur and a member of the ’97 USA Walker Cup team. Just to qualify, he flew from his Nationwide Tour event in Virginia on May 21 to Phoenix, Ariz., where he drove to Tucson at midnight to play at Tucson C.C. Kribel competed at the 1997, ’98 and 2001 U.S. Opens, but has yet to make a cut.
Summit, N.J. (Canoe Brook C.C.): 153 golfers for 18 spots
Several New York-area residents will be trying to make it a special week at Winged Foot.
George Zahringer of New York is the oldest winner of the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He was 48 when he won in 2002 at his home course, The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn.
USA Walker Cupper Nicholas Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., will be trying to advance to his first U.S. Open. He advanced from a Weston, Fla., qualifier. Thompson now plays on the PGA Tour.
Michelle Wie, 16, of Honolulu, Hawaii is attempting to become the first female to ever play in a U.S. Open. Wie was medalist (shot even par 72) at her qualifier at Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. Wie won the 2003 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship as a 13-year-old, becoming the youngest winner of an “adult” USGA championship.
Former major winners Mark O’Meara (1998 Masters and British Open) and Mark Brooks (1996 PGA) are in the field.
Hunter Mahan of Plano, Texas, won the 1999 U.S. Junior title and was the runner-up at the 2002 U.S. Amateur. He has competed in one U.S. Open (2003).
Ricky Barnes of Stockton, Calif., was the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion. He competed in three U.S. Opens as an amateur, but has yet to qualify since turning pro in 2003.
Former Walker Cupper (1995) Kris Cox of Dallas, Texas, will look to draw on his good memories of Canoe Brook, where he shot a course-record 64 on the South Course to help him qualify for the Open in 2004.
Ben “Bubba” Dickerson of Plano, Texas, won the 2001 U.S. Amateur, but turned pro after the Masters and thus forfeited his exemption into the ’02 Open. He is hoping to qualify for his first Open.
Austin Eaton III of North Sutton, N.H., won the 2004 U.S. Mid-Amateur and was a semifinalist last summer at the U.S. Amateur.
David Gossett of Germantown, Tenn., won the 1999 U.S. Amateur and made the cut at the 2000 Masters. He is paired with Michelle Wie in this qualifier.
John Nieporte of Boca Raton, Fla., would like to have a special Father’s Day at Winged Foot. His father, Tom, is Winged Foot’s longtime head professional.
Allan Small, at age 54, is one of the oldest players to qualify from the local field. The Florham Park, N.J., resident was the New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur of the Year in 2004.
Columbus, Ohio (Brookside Golf & C.C./Lakes Golf & C.C.): 144 golfers for 21 spots
Sam Saunders, Arnold Palmer's grandson, survived a six-man playoff to grab one of the final three berths available from his qualifier at Orlando’s MetroWest Golf Club. An 18-year-old amateur, he was the stroke-play medalist at the 2005 U.S. Junior, where he recorded a hole-in-one. Palmer has played in 32 U.S. Opens, while Saunders will look to play in his first.
Jason Gore of Valencia, Calif., who was the ‘Prince of Pinehurst’ in 2005, went on to win three Nationwide Tour events and the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic. Gore played in the final pairing last June, only to shoot an 84 on Sunday.
Two-time major winner John Daly (1991 PGA and ’95 British Open) hopes to make it to his 14th U.S. Open, where his best finish is a T-27 in 1996.
J.B. Holmes of Campbellsville, Ky., competed on the 2005 USA Walker Cup squad and then captured his first PGA Tour event as a rookie this past January at the FBR Open in Phoenix
Trip Kuehne of Dallas, Texas, is a two-time USA Walker Cupper and the runner-up to Tiger Woods at the 1994 U.S. Amateur. He also was low amateur at the 2003 U.S. Open.
Ryan Moore of Puyallup, Wash., would like to get back to the venue where he won the 2004 U.S. Amateur. Moore also won the 2002 and ’04 APL titles and competed on the 2003 USA Walker Cup team.
Jeff Sluman of Hinsdale, Ill., captured the 1988 PGA Championship and competed in 17 U.S. Opens.
Camilo Villegas of Colombia was the 1999 U.S. Junior runner-up and one of the top rookies on the PGA Tour. The 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills was his professional debut.
Columbus, Ohio #2 (Double Eagle Golf Club): 37 golfers for 2 spots
Matt Weibring of Dallas is the son of Champions Tour player D.A. Weibring, who was the runner-up at the 2005 U.S. Senior Open and a 14-time U.S. Open participant. Matt is hoping to play in his first U.S. Open.
Bill Haas of Greenville, S.C., and the son of 2006 USGA Bobby Jones Award winner Jay Haas, hopes to have another father-son week at the U.S. Open. The two both made the cut at the 2004 Open at Shinnecock Hills. Jay has played in 26 Opens, while Bill has competed in two. Jay will also compete in Columbus at the Brookside/Lakeside courses.
Houston, Texas (Lakeside Country Club): 32 golfers for 2 spots
Tom Kite of Austin, Texas, the 1992 U.S. Open champion, will be loo
Robert Floyd, the son of 1986 Open champion Raymond Floyd, turned in a 68 to lead four qualifiers at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.. This is the fifth time in the last six years Floyd has advanced to sectionals, but he has yet to qualify for an Open.
Josh McCumber is the son of former PGA Tour pro Mark McCumber, who competed in 13 U.S. Opens, including a tie for second in 1989 at Oak Hill. Josh qualified for the 2005 Open at Pinehurst, but missed the cut.
Fred Ridley of Tampa, Fla., won the 1974 U.S. Amateur and just completed his two-year term as USGA President. The 53-year-old will try to qualify at his home club.
Here are a few from the USGA:
June 5
Littleton, Colo. (Columbine C.C.): 25 golfers for 1 spot
Steve Irwin of Golden, Colo., the son of three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin, is in the field. The younger Irwin has never competed in an Open, while his father has 34 appearances, the second-most in history.
St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles Country Club): 33 golfers for 2 spots
Joel Kribel of Edmond, Okla., was the runner-up at the 1997 U.S. Amateur and a member of the ’97 USA Walker Cup team. Just to qualify, he flew from his Nationwide Tour event in Virginia on May 21 to Phoenix, Ariz., where he drove to Tucson at midnight to play at Tucson C.C. Kribel competed at the 1997, ’98 and 2001 U.S. Opens, but has yet to make a cut.
Summit, N.J. (Canoe Brook C.C.): 153 golfers for 18 spots
Several New York-area residents will be trying to make it a special week at Winged Foot.
George Zahringer of New York is the oldest winner of the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He was 48 when he won in 2002 at his home course, The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn.
USA Walker Cupper Nicholas Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., will be trying to advance to his first U.S. Open. He advanced from a Weston, Fla., qualifier. Thompson now plays on the PGA Tour.
Michelle Wie, 16, of Honolulu, Hawaii is attempting to become the first female to ever play in a U.S. Open. Wie was medalist (shot even par 72) at her qualifier at Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. Wie won the 2003 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship as a 13-year-old, becoming the youngest winner of an “adult” USGA championship.
Former major winners Mark O’Meara (1998 Masters and British Open) and Mark Brooks (1996 PGA) are in the field.
Hunter Mahan of Plano, Texas, won the 1999 U.S. Junior title and was the runner-up at the 2002 U.S. Amateur. He has competed in one U.S. Open (2003).
Ricky Barnes of Stockton, Calif., was the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion. He competed in three U.S. Opens as an amateur, but has yet to qualify since turning pro in 2003.
Former Walker Cupper (1995) Kris Cox of Dallas, Texas, will look to draw on his good memories of Canoe Brook, where he shot a course-record 64 on the South Course to help him qualify for the Open in 2004.
Ben “Bubba” Dickerson of Plano, Texas, won the 2001 U.S. Amateur, but turned pro after the Masters and thus forfeited his exemption into the ’02 Open. He is hoping to qualify for his first Open.
Austin Eaton III of North Sutton, N.H., won the 2004 U.S. Mid-Amateur and was a semifinalist last summer at the U.S. Amateur.
David Gossett of Germantown, Tenn., won the 1999 U.S. Amateur and made the cut at the 2000 Masters. He is paired with Michelle Wie in this qualifier.
John Nieporte of Boca Raton, Fla., would like to have a special Father’s Day at Winged Foot. His father, Tom, is Winged Foot’s longtime head professional.
Allan Small, at age 54, is one of the oldest players to qualify from the local field. The Florham Park, N.J., resident was the New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur of the Year in 2004.
Columbus, Ohio (Brookside Golf & C.C./Lakes Golf & C.C.): 144 golfers for 21 spots
Sam Saunders, Arnold Palmer's grandson, survived a six-man playoff to grab one of the final three berths available from his qualifier at Orlando’s MetroWest Golf Club. An 18-year-old amateur, he was the stroke-play medalist at the 2005 U.S. Junior, where he recorded a hole-in-one. Palmer has played in 32 U.S. Opens, while Saunders will look to play in his first.
Jason Gore of Valencia, Calif., who was the ‘Prince of Pinehurst’ in 2005, went on to win three Nationwide Tour events and the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic. Gore played in the final pairing last June, only to shoot an 84 on Sunday.
Two-time major winner John Daly (1991 PGA and ’95 British Open) hopes to make it to his 14th U.S. Open, where his best finish is a T-27 in 1996.
J.B. Holmes of Campbellsville, Ky., competed on the 2005 USA Walker Cup squad and then captured his first PGA Tour event as a rookie this past January at the FBR Open in Phoenix
Trip Kuehne of Dallas, Texas, is a two-time USA Walker Cupper and the runner-up to Tiger Woods at the 1994 U.S. Amateur. He also was low amateur at the 2003 U.S. Open.
Ryan Moore of Puyallup, Wash., would like to get back to the venue where he won the 2004 U.S. Amateur. Moore also won the 2002 and ’04 APL titles and competed on the 2003 USA Walker Cup team.
Jeff Sluman of Hinsdale, Ill., captured the 1988 PGA Championship and competed in 17 U.S. Opens.
Camilo Villegas of Colombia was the 1999 U.S. Junior runner-up and one of the top rookies on the PGA Tour. The 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills was his professional debut.
Columbus, Ohio #2 (Double Eagle Golf Club): 37 golfers for 2 spots
Matt Weibring of Dallas is the son of Champions Tour player D.A. Weibring, who was the runner-up at the 2005 U.S. Senior Open and a 14-time U.S. Open participant. Matt is hoping to play in his first U.S. Open.
Bill Haas of Greenville, S.C., and the son of 2006 USGA Bobby Jones Award winner Jay Haas, hopes to have another father-son week at the U.S. Open. The two both made the cut at the 2004 Open at Shinnecock Hills. Jay has played in 26 Opens, while Bill has competed in two. Jay will also compete in Columbus at the Brookside/Lakeside courses.
Houston, Texas (Lakeside Country Club): 32 golfers for 2 spots
Tom Kite of Austin, Texas, the 1992 U.S. Open champion, will be loo
king to compete in his 34th Open. Only Hale Irwin (34) and Jack Nicklaus (44) have competed in more U.S. Opens.
Kevin Tway of Edmond, Okla., won the 2005 U.S. Junior title on his 17th birthday. He is the son of 1986 PGA Championship winner Bob Tway, who will try to qualify in Columbus, Ohio.
Addison Awe, 20, a Rice University golf team member, shared the top spot with four other players in his local qualifying round in Grand Prairie, Texas.
June 6
Tampa, Fla. (Old Memorial Golf Club): 59 golfers for 3 spots
Kevin Tway of Edmond, Okla., won the 2005 U.S. Junior title on his 17th birthday. He is the son of 1986 PGA Championship winner Bob Tway, who will try to qualify in Columbus, Ohio.
Addison Awe, 20, a Rice University golf team member, shared the top spot with four other players in his local qualifying round in Grand Prairie, Texas.
June 6
Tampa, Fla. (Old Memorial Golf Club): 59 golfers for 3 spots
Robert Floyd, the son of 1986 Open champion Raymond Floyd, turned in a 68 to lead four qualifiers at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.. This is the fifth time in the last six years Floyd has advanced to sectionals, but he has yet to qualify for an Open.
Josh McCumber is the son of former PGA Tour pro Mark McCumber, who competed in 13 U.S. Opens, including a tie for second in 1989 at Oak Hill. Josh qualified for the 2005 Open at Pinehurst, but missed the cut.
Fred Ridley of Tampa, Fla., won the 1974 U.S. Amateur and just completed his two-year term as USGA President. The 53-year-old will try to qualify at his home club.
Friday, June 02, 2006
O'Hair clubhouse leader at the Memorial
Sean O'Hair from West Chester fired a 5-under par 67 at the Memorial Tournament on Thursday, making him the leader in the clubhouse by a shot over Steve Flesch when first-round play was called.
Here are a few excerpts from his post-round press conference:
Q: Sean, a great start actually, a double bogey on the third hole and from there on it was cruise control. But a great start overall for you.
SEAN O'HAIR: Yeah, it's great. It's been a while since I had a good start to an event, so it's nice to just feel positive about what happened today instead of fighting, trying to make the cut.
Q: I know you were unhappy with the way you began the season, but you've shown signs in the last month. Anything in particular that you...
SEAN O'HAIR: You know, the whole West Coast was kind of a tough, tough deal for me, because I was working with an instructor who was... we were working on a few things. And I don't think they fit me. And finally I made an instructor change at Doral, to a guy I used to work with Gary Gilchrist, that I used to work with as a junior at the Leadbetter Academy. He looks at it from a player's perspective. And he kind of clarifies things for me, and he keeps it simple for me. And he's worked with my swing instead of trying to rebuild a swing. I think my swing is pretty good. It won a lot of money last year. And I'm just kind of getting back to that and working on shaping shots and stuff like that. And I've been working with (Bob) Rotella a little bit on trying to clear my head out there. There's been a lot of negative thoughts going on.
Q. As much I think I've heard you say this but as much stability that Steve (Lucas) brought to you at that time in your life, was it difficult, awkward, making the switch?
SEAN O'HAIR: You know, it was a mutual thing. It wasn't like "Well, Steve, I've got to tell you some bad news, I'm firing you." It wasn't like that at all. For some reason, we started talking about it at dinner one night. And I said, "Hey, maybe we need to think about making a change." And we did. And we felt like now was the best time, instead of waiting at the end of the year and doing it, or waiting until next year. It's pretty easy. It's hard to see him go, because I miss him being out here. It's nice to have him out here and enjoy some things with him. But I think it's good for both him and I, to be honest with you, in the long run.
Q: Is he going to be at the U.S. Open, that would be weird?
SEAN O'HAIR: No, I think he's going to enjoy it a little bit more. He'll be able to enjoy it rather than working. And plus, it's going to be brutally hot, so he'll have a beer or two at the turn.
Here are a few excerpts from his post-round press conference:
Q: Sean, a great start actually, a double bogey on the third hole and from there on it was cruise control. But a great start overall for you.
SEAN O'HAIR: Yeah, it's great. It's been a while since I had a good start to an event, so it's nice to just feel positive about what happened today instead of fighting, trying to make the cut.
Q: I know you were unhappy with the way you began the season, but you've shown signs in the last month. Anything in particular that you...
SEAN O'HAIR: You know, the whole West Coast was kind of a tough, tough deal for me, because I was working with an instructor who was... we were working on a few things. And I don't think they fit me. And finally I made an instructor change at Doral, to a guy I used to work with Gary Gilchrist, that I used to work with as a junior at the Leadbetter Academy. He looks at it from a player's perspective. And he kind of clarifies things for me, and he keeps it simple for me. And he's worked with my swing instead of trying to rebuild a swing. I think my swing is pretty good. It won a lot of money last year. And I'm just kind of getting back to that and working on shaping shots and stuff like that. And I've been working with (Bob) Rotella a little bit on trying to clear my head out there. There's been a lot of negative thoughts going on.
Q. As much I think I've heard you say this but as much stability that Steve (Lucas) brought to you at that time in your life, was it difficult, awkward, making the switch?
SEAN O'HAIR: You know, it was a mutual thing. It wasn't like "Well, Steve, I've got to tell you some bad news, I'm firing you." It wasn't like that at all. For some reason, we started talking about it at dinner one night. And I said, "Hey, maybe we need to think about making a change." And we did. And we felt like now was the best time, instead of waiting at the end of the year and doing it, or waiting until next year. It's pretty easy. It's hard to see him go, because I miss him being out here. It's nice to have him out here and enjoy some things with him. But I think it's good for both him and I, to be honest with you, in the long run.
Q: Is he going to be at the U.S. Open, that would be weird?
SEAN O'HAIR: No, I think he's going to enjoy it a little bit more. He'll be able to enjoy it rather than working. And plus, it's going to be brutally hot, so he'll have a beer or two at the turn.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
DL-3 on Tiger and Phil
Interesting comments from Davis Love III during a conference call with writers last week...
Q. I guess just to totally change course, you mentioned Phil and Tiger. Do you think Phil has closed the gap, and do you think in general the field has closed the gap on Tiger?
DAVIS LOVE III: They've closed the gap. If you go back and read what we were saying around 2000, around that period, we were saying, this ain't going to happen forever; this is the best golf that's ever been played. All those things we said about Tiger, but he played -- for his whole career he's played better than anybody has probably ever played, but for that one period, like the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, nobody has ever played golf like that. He's had a two-, maybe three-year period where we said, look, the standard is now being set. You're seeing it being set. Nobody will ever approach this.
You can watch Barry Bonds catch Hank Aaron that we thought was never going to happen, and he's saying, look behind me, look at this Pujols guy; he's on a much better pace than me. You never know. We never thought Jack's records would be approached, but Tiger is the one to have a chance.
That period was so good. I think Phil is playing up to his potential. If Tiger plays to his potential and Phil plays to his potential and Vijay plays to his potential and Davis plays to his potential, they're going to win big golf tournaments. I just think that Tiger obviously is just a little bit more special than everybody else, maybe like Jack was. If everybody played to their potential, Jack was still going to win probably more majors and golf tournaments than the rest of them.
Raven's Claw media day
Despite a withering barrage of 300-yard bombs off the tee and dead-on approach shots, the Raven's Claw course record shockingly remained intact after Tuesday's media day outing at the Pottstown course.
Course architect Ed Shearon's vision for the par 3 14th (above) was a sort of reverse image of the 12th at Augusta National.
Co-owner Bob Davis (below) overpowers the devilish dogleg 9th.
For a fuller look at the course, click here.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Tiger's in the Open, for sure
At his first public appearance since his dad's death on May 3rd, Tiger Woods told a bunch of youngsters in Arkansas Tuesday he'll definitely be back in action for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in two weeks..
"Am I definitely going to play? Yeah," Woods said, according to Bloomberg News.
For more, click here.
For the Memorial, Nix Nicklaus
You know Jack Nicklaus' golf career is winding down when he demurs from playing in his own tournament, this week's Memorial. Sad to say, but that's the reality. It's time, and Nicklaus knows it
"Have you seen me play lately?" he asked writers. "...It will be a pleasure not to play."
For more, click here.
Tiger @ Winged Foot
Almost a month after the death of his dad, Tiger Woods still has returned to the PGA Tour. (He's skipping this week's Memorial). But he is practicing again. On Saturday, he turned up at Winged Foot, site of the U.S. Open in two weeks, along with his swing coach, Hank Haney.
For details, click here.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Lange defends in Mid-Am
Chris Lange from Overbrook Golf Club, one of the elder statemen of the Golf Assocication of Philadelphia at 51, shot 77 Wednesday at Commonwealth National Golf Club, just enough to defend his title as Mid-Am champion.
Chip Lutz from LedgeRock shot 73 to finish within a stroke of Lange, with a two-round total of 7-over par.
For full details and scores, click here.
Lange leads Mid-Am
Chris Lange from Overbrook Golf Club is off to a strong start in his effort to become the first player ever to repeat as Mid-Am champion for the Golf Association of Philadelphia.
Lange, 51, shot even par 71 yesterday in the first of two rounds at Commonwealth National Golf Club in Horsham.
Mike Danner from Lu Lu Country Club is one shot back after a 72.
For full details and first round scores, click here.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Reading CC
If you saw the course review in the Sunday Inquirer, it's no secret I gave high praise to Reading Country Club, a venerable old private club that's now a muni.
Judging from the emails, my take on the place is no different from most everyone else who has played Reading CC since they threw open the doors on April 1. Whether you agree or beg to differ, you can throw in your 2-cents worth in the "comment" below.
Philly Mid-Am
On the PGA Tour, it's the Masters, the major of the year, that officially signals the arrival of another golf season. At the Golf Association of Philadelphia, it's the Mid-Am.
Beginning tomorrow, 132 of the top middle-amateurs from the area will descend on Commonwealth National Golf Club in Horsham for the annual 36-hole battle royale among golfers 25 and older.
The defending champion is Chris Lange, who won by four shots last year, kick-starting another stellar year for he 51-year-old.
For a fuller preview of the Mid-Am, click here.
For a Mid-Am fact sheet, click here.
Whatever happened to...?
Matt Kuchar, the 1997 U.S. Amateur champion, won this past week's Nationwide Tour stop in Richmond, Va., his first victory since the 2002 Honda Classic.
Annika Chronicles
If you missed it, Annika Sorenstam, who is going through and uncharacterisic rough patch in her career, was at 3-under par and in contention in Sunday's final round of the Sybase Classic when she was suddenly visited by calamity.
At the 9th hole, playing into an elevated green, Sorenstam's approach shot spun off the green and down a hill three times, before she finally got one to hold. The resulting triple-bogey was all the opening Larena Ochao needed to nab victory. Sorenstam shot 74 and finished tied for 6th.
“I hit a lot of good shots. I really did,” said Sorenstam. “It's a tough green. I hit a 9‑iron in the first time and I thought it was a great shot. I actually took one more club to hit it soft to make sure it wouldn't spin. And then I hit a sand wedge. I don't know what to say other than that. I made seven good shots.”
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Sean O'Hair interview...
From this week's media day interview with Sean O'Hair, winner of last year's John Deere Classic.
On struggling this year...
SEAN O'HAIR: For me right now it's learning how to deal with the expectations, not so much of everybody else but of myself. I had a good year, and I've got a certain, I guess, image or a certain thing that I see for myself for the future, and I'm trying to achieve that. I don't want to be just a good player on the PGA TOUR; I want to be one of the best players of all time. That's pretty high obviously because you've got some pretty phenomenal players.
On his father-in-law and former caddie, Steve Lucas...
SEAN O'HAIR: You know, with Steve -- Steve is my best friend, always will be.
Him and I have got a very special relationship. He's kind of like my dad and my mentor and my best friend all wrapped up in that big body of his....
Last year was supposed to be a temporary deal. He just wanted to help me get comfortable out here until I found somebody, a proper guy to carry my bag. Last year we just had a breakout year, and it was one of those things that you just didn't want to mess with.
We just decided to ride it out, and then we kind of had the same mentality going into this year, just kind of like let's do whatever until we find somebody. To be honest with you, I never really found anybody.
And then Steve came up to me the other day and said, you know, we kind of need to think this thing out because I think it's time for you to move on, and we've delayed this long enough. It never really was a long-term thing.
I actually was fortunate enough to run into a guy who carries for Gary Player on the Champions Tour, and we've kind of hit it off the last couple weeks, and hopefully we continue improving. I think it's going to be a good team.
Steve's and my separation business-wise on the golf course was a mutual thing. He's got his own business that he kind of put on hold for me, and I think it was time for him to kind of go back and do what he does. I mean, he left the bag saying, "Any time you need me to caddie, I will be there."
I talk to him every day; I live five minutes from him; I have dinner with him every day I'm home. We're as close as it gets. There was nothing there, it just was time to move on.
On his new caddie...
SEAN O'HAIR: Bobby Verwey. He's South African, so it's like a French-Dutch thing...It's actually Player's nephew, believe it or not.
On Verwey replacing Lucas as a pep-talker and butt-kicker...
SEAN O'HAIR: Not yet. Hopefully he will as time goes on. Hopefully he'll learn about me. Steve was a very good motivator, still is a very good motivator. I talk to him every night, and he still motivates me. Just sometimes he can say something that can kind of clarify things for you or he can say something that kind of just pumps you up a little bit.
No, that's what Steve was good with. He was good with kind of making it light out there, he was good with if I needed a kick in the pants, he was there. If I was getting down on myself, he was there. You know, he was more of an inspirational type of figure out there for me.
You know, Bobby kind of brings that professionalism, I guess, to the bag, the fact that with his experience, being a caddie for I don't know how many years, he's played professional golf and things like that.
Steve did an awesome job, and he could have been my caddie for my career, but I don't think him or I wanted that. I think it was a good move for us to do it when we did it, and I think we made the right move as far as Bobby is concerned. I think things will start coming around.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Tiger's Brit Open digs cost $250,000
This just in from the Mirror in the UK...
TIGER WOODS EXCLUSIVE: THE TIGER'S LAIR
Golfer pays £140k to book an entire hotel for the Open
By Patrick Mulchrone
GOLF superstar Tiger Woods is sparing no expense in his defence of the Open - he's taking over an entire hotel.
The world's highest-earning sports star has booked the exclusive Tudorstyle Hillbark Hotel for five nights at at the cost of £140,000. (about $250,000 U.S.)
For more click here.
Best Places to Play? Yeah, but puh-leeze...
The new 2006 edition of Golf Digest's Best Places to Play ($24.95) is out and, frankly, I think we are looking at some serious grade-inflation.
Never before have so many so-so to pretty good golf courses suddenly been accorded semi-great and great status.
For example, Five Ponds, the muni in Warminster, is not a bad little course, not at all. But would you plan your next vacation around it? In Best Places to Play, Five Ponds gets four stars out of a possible five, thereby elevating it to “Outstanding: Plan your next vacation around it” status. Hmmm.
Not to pick on Five Ponds, because just in the Philadelphia area alone, four-star ratings were also awarded to Pennsauken Country Club, Turtle Creek Golf Course, Deerwood Country Club and Town and Country Club Links.
According to the legend in the front of the book, the rating system breaks down like this:
* Basic golf.
** Good, but not great.
*** Very good. Tell a friend it’s worth getting off the highway to play.
**** Outstanding. Plan your next vacation around it.
***** Superb. Golf at it’s absolute best. Pay any price to play at least once in your life.
In years past, whenever a new, updated version of Best Places to Play would come how, I’d quickly find a couple of absurd ratings for courses I knew, then I’d call the editor to give him an earful. The response was always the same: the ratings in Best Places aren’t the judgment of the editors of Golf Digest, they are based on questionnaires submitted by ordinary golfers who’ve played the courses.
If the scruffy Dog Track GC on the edge of town somehow manages to earn a loyal following among un-traveled, undemanding locals, they could stuff the ballot box sufficiently to rank Dog Track in the five-star league with Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2 and Bulle Rock.
Crazy, but true.
In the latest Best Places, many of the local courses seem to get a half-star to full-star bump, if you ask me. Horsham Valley Golf Club, which is deserving of probably two stars gets, three and a half. So do Jeffersonville Golf Club, Limekiln, Paxon Hollow, Mainland, Downingtown, Centerton, Rancocas, Pitman, Three Little Bakers and RiverWinds.
On the high end, three courses -- Glen Mills, Pine Hill and Scotland Run -- all got four and half stars, a mere half star removed from “pay any price to play at least once in your life.” Now, I know and very much like all three of those courses. Excellent, all. But don’t make them out to be something they are not.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Reviews R Us
Now that the golf season is in full bloom around Philadelphia, I intend to resume a full schedule of investigative golf.
As the Inquirer's intrepid golf writer, I believe it is incumbent upon me to plunk down my company credit card at new and different golf courses across the region so that you don't have to. Why should you give up your regular tee time to play some strange new course that might turn out to be over-priced and over-hyped, or a prime example of architectural malpractice. That's my job.
So, if you know of a course that needs reviewing, or maybe just an update since my earlier review, give me a heads-up at jlogan@phillynews.com.
Wie wins local Open qualifier
Michelle Wie moved a step closer in her long-shot bid to become the first female player to qualify for the U.S. Open, shooting an even-par 72 on Monday to win a local qualifier.
U.S. Open qualifier, Part II
GLEN MILLS, Pa.–Jeff Osberg, 21, and William Mullen, 23, carded 1-under-par 70s at The Golf Course at Glen Mills (par 71, 6,602 yards) on Monday, earning co-medallist honors in a local qualifier for the U.S. Open Championship. Osberg, Mullen and three others advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers set for June 5-6 at multiple nationwide sites.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
