When Keegan Bradley triple-bogeyed the 15th at the Atlanta Athletic Club during yesterday's final round of the USPGA championship, it looked like he was about to dramatically fall at the final hurdle for the second week running.
Bradley's misfortune gifted tournament leader Jason Dufner, who was watching events back on the tee, with a five-stroke lead and the Wannamaker Trophy within his grasp.
Amazingly, after being so cool throughout his round until this point, Dufner - he of the extravagant pre-shot waggle - pushed his tee shot into the water and dropped the first of three consecutive strokes.
While Dufner struggled down Atlanta's notorious closing stretch, Bradley recovered from his 15th hole horror and pulled one shot back with a monster putt at the 17th. Thus by the time Dufner putted out for par on the 18th to take the championship into a play-off with Bradley, one could sense the writing was on the wall for him.
Bradley went on to win the three-hole shoot out by one stroke and claim his first Major title in his debut event - a superb achievement. The victory does wonders for his world ranking and for US golf - he is the first American to win a Major since Phil Mickelson claimed his third Masters title in 2010 just down the road at Augusta National.
It was a triumph in perseverance and shows that Bradley has got what it takes to recover quickly from potential knock-out blows. Will the unfortunate Dufner be able to do the same in the coming weeks.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Ckarke proves to be a popular champion
Darren Clarke's victory at the Open Championship at Royal St George's was one of the most popular triumphs in recent years - not only among the cheering galleries, but also his closest rivals.
The 42-year-old Northern Irishman is the third of his countrymen to remarkably claim a Major in little over a year and, after more than 20 years of trying, he is one of the oldest first-time winners of golf's big four championships.
Yes, he rode his luck on occasion during his final round, but no-one would begrudge Clarke the rub of the green among Sandwich's bumps and hollows. This is because it was not only Mother Nature's earthly contours in this corner of Kent that Clarke mastered - he also took on the demeanour of a rock; immovable, despite being battered by the gusty winds and heavy squalls that blew others away during a weekend of testing conditions.
After enduring some dark times in recent years, Clarke seems to be 'in a good place' right now, and I had the impression that while he was walking up to the 18th green for a final time and later sharing the trophy with the galleries in a prolonged lap of honour, he wanted to savour every moment of this sweetest of victories.
He said the party would be a long one, and it duly was. Hopefully there will be no long-term hangover and Clarke can now focus on trying to add to his Major tally.
The 42-year-old Northern Irishman is the third of his countrymen to remarkably claim a Major in little over a year and, after more than 20 years of trying, he is one of the oldest first-time winners of golf's big four championships.
Yes, he rode his luck on occasion during his final round, but no-one would begrudge Clarke the rub of the green among Sandwich's bumps and hollows. This is because it was not only Mother Nature's earthly contours in this corner of Kent that Clarke mastered - he also took on the demeanour of a rock; immovable, despite being battered by the gusty winds and heavy squalls that blew others away during a weekend of testing conditions.
After enduring some dark times in recent years, Clarke seems to be 'in a good place' right now, and I had the impression that while he was walking up to the 18th green for a final time and later sharing the trophy with the galleries in a prolonged lap of honour, he wanted to savour every moment of this sweetest of victories.
He said the party would be a long one, and it duly was. Hopefully there will be no long-term hangover and Clarke can now focus on trying to add to his Major tally.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
The greatest Championship is raring to go
So here we go. It's the eve of the Open Championship and all eyes are unsurprisingly on Rory McIlroy. Apart from one poor round in Augusta, the young Northern Irishman could be preparing to tee off at Royal St George's with the year's first two Majors already in the bag. Not too much pressure to perform then!
Yet, let's not forget McIlroy's rivals for the title. The last time a pair of British hands lifted the Claret Jug was back in the 20th Century - Paul Lawrie in 1999 - so it's about time one of the homegrown players who have been knocking on the door in recent years decided to join the party.
Don't dismiss an outsider either. America's Ben Curtis was the surprise winner at Sandwich in 2003 when he pounced on Thomas Bjorn's misfortune during the run-in on the final afternoon. And this leads to a factor that shouldn't be ignored; Royal St George's has teeth and it is going to take four days of hard graft to walk away from the Garden of England with all the riches on offer.
Yet, let's not forget McIlroy's rivals for the title. The last time a pair of British hands lifted the Claret Jug was back in the 20th Century - Paul Lawrie in 1999 - so it's about time one of the homegrown players who have been knocking on the door in recent years decided to join the party.
Don't dismiss an outsider either. America's Ben Curtis was the surprise winner at Sandwich in 2003 when he pounced on Thomas Bjorn's misfortune during the run-in on the final afternoon. And this leads to a factor that shouldn't be ignored; Royal St George's has teeth and it is going to take four days of hard graft to walk away from the Garden of England with all the riches on offer.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Tiger Woods to miss US Open
Tiger Woods has announced he will not be taking part in next week's US Open at Congressional due to his knee and Achilles injuries not healing in time.
Announcing that he needs to listen to his doctors, Woods has decided to focus on the long term and get himself fully fit. He still expects to play again by the end of the month, but I wouldn't be surprised if this return date is flexible.
Despite the loss of Woods at one of golf's blue-ribbon events, commentators tend to agree with the former world number one's decision not to attend in the hope he can reach full fitness and be a serious contender at future tournaments.
Golf needs a fit and healthy Tiger Woods because the longer he continues performing at less than 100 per cent, the more diminishing his aura becomes and the less formidable he appears to be - not only to golf fans but, more importantly, to the players now overtaking him in the world rankings.
Announcing that he needs to listen to his doctors, Woods has decided to focus on the long term and get himself fully fit. He still expects to play again by the end of the month, but I wouldn't be surprised if this return date is flexible.
Despite the loss of Woods at one of golf's blue-ribbon events, commentators tend to agree with the former world number one's decision not to attend in the hope he can reach full fitness and be a serious contender at future tournaments.
Golf needs a fit and healthy Tiger Woods because the longer he continues performing at less than 100 per cent, the more diminishing his aura becomes and the less formidable he appears to be - not only to golf fans but, more importantly, to the players now overtaking him in the world rankings.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Ramsay's day goes from bad to worse
The next time you are having a bad day at work, think of Richie Ramsay who lost out on a chance to qualify for this year's US Open after missing a play-off during qualifying at Walton Heath.
The Scotsman should have faced Johan Edfors and Andreas Harto but believed the play-off would have taken place today (Tuesday) due to the other players finishing late after a weather delay.
So Ramsay decided to try and hop on a plane to attend a wedding reception in Belfast, only to miss the flight from Heathrow and then hear that the play-off could be taking place. He never got back in time and Edfors claimed the spot at Congressional.
Ramsay now has to sit and wait as a reserve, but he probably wishes he sat and waited for the conclusion of yesterday's events.
The Scotsman should have faced Johan Edfors and Andreas Harto but believed the play-off would have taken place today (Tuesday) due to the other players finishing late after a weather delay.
So Ramsay decided to try and hop on a plane to attend a wedding reception in Belfast, only to miss the flight from Heathrow and then hear that the play-off could be taking place. He never got back in time and Edfors claimed the spot at Congressional.
Ramsay now has to sit and wait as a reserve, but he probably wishes he sat and waited for the conclusion of yesterday's events.
PowerPlay - how radical can it be?
I was at Celtic Manor yesterday to witness how the inaugural PowerPlay: IGNITION event turned out and to see for myself if this really is the future for golf.
The assembled golfers were in favour of the format, including Gary Player who stood by the first of his 10 commandments - that 'change is the price of survival', although he conceded that PowerPlay will obviously not threaten the Majors.
Ian Poulter also looked forward to the tournament after having a practice in soggy conditions during the morning pro-am. He said: "Two pins on greens should lead to plenty of volatility between the scores and, obviously, if you power play, there are double points if you make a birdie or eagle, so that in itself should make for some very interesting viewing. It's going to be good for everyone to see how fun this game can be."
Obviously, the promoters were hyping the event as much as possible, as were Sky TV. Any companies launching a new product would do the same.
This was the first to be televised and was something of a trial - but a 15-minute overrun wasn't bad compared to some debut live events I've known. And now the first one has taken place, speed and technical issues can be ironed out for future broadcasts.
Where this goes as a TV format, I'm not sure. The three-hour block is ideal for advertisers in a market where consumers want quick fixes of their favourite sports. But whether a professional tournament series is the way forward, I need convincing.
Yet, I thought the mixing of genders and ages was refreshing (Caroline Hedwell, Paula Creamer and Helen Alfredsson all finished in the top three), and I could envisage PowerPlay as a regular pro-celebrity event for charity. It would be great to see something similar to the old pro-celebrity golf series on our screens with this format.
But most importantly, will this change the way golf is played at ordinary clubs? Will it encourage more juniors to play? And will purpose-built PowerPlay courses be created around the world? Only time will tell, although I would be willing to give it a try if I only had time to play nine holes.
I'm pleased for Peter McEvoy, one of the brains behind this format. I spoke to him almost three years ago in Berlin when he was trying to launch PowerPlay, and to see him contented and relieved after the event yesterday was a nice moment.
The assembled golfers were in favour of the format, including Gary Player who stood by the first of his 10 commandments - that 'change is the price of survival', although he conceded that PowerPlay will obviously not threaten the Majors.
Ian Poulter also looked forward to the tournament after having a practice in soggy conditions during the morning pro-am. He said: "Two pins on greens should lead to plenty of volatility between the scores and, obviously, if you power play, there are double points if you make a birdie or eagle, so that in itself should make for some very interesting viewing. It's going to be good for everyone to see how fun this game can be."
Obviously, the promoters were hyping the event as much as possible, as were Sky TV. Any companies launching a new product would do the same.
This was the first to be televised and was something of a trial - but a 15-minute overrun wasn't bad compared to some debut live events I've known. And now the first one has taken place, speed and technical issues can be ironed out for future broadcasts.
Where this goes as a TV format, I'm not sure. The three-hour block is ideal for advertisers in a market where consumers want quick fixes of their favourite sports. But whether a professional tournament series is the way forward, I need convincing.
Yet, I thought the mixing of genders and ages was refreshing (Caroline Hedwell, Paula Creamer and Helen Alfredsson all finished in the top three), and I could envisage PowerPlay as a regular pro-celebrity event for charity. It would be great to see something similar to the old pro-celebrity golf series on our screens with this format.
But most importantly, will this change the way golf is played at ordinary clubs? Will it encourage more juniors to play? And will purpose-built PowerPlay courses be created around the world? Only time will tell, although I would be willing to give it a try if I only had time to play nine holes.
I'm pleased for Peter McEvoy, one of the brains behind this format. I spoke to him almost three years ago in Berlin when he was trying to launch PowerPlay, and to see him contented and relieved after the event yesterday was a nice moment.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
PGA win puts Donald on top of the world
Luke Donald continued his fine run of form to beat Lee Westwood to the BMW PGA title at the first extra hole after an enthralling day at Wentworth, and leapt to the top of the world rankings at the same time.
It was probably fitting that the world's top two ranked players ended up head to head in one of the European Tour's flagship events, much hyped this week as overtaking The Players' Championship in tournament stature.
Yet the actual conclusion to this championship was a damp squib for Westwood. Coming down the par-5 18th for a second time, both players had laid up with their second shots to leave themselves short pitches to the green. Donald's ball responded superbly, landing at the back of the green before spinning back towards the pin.
Westwood played a similar shot but his ball 'bit' too much, spun back too far on an unforgiving green and ended up in the water. Seven strokes were ultimately played by the Worksop man before Donald - free of pressure - rolled his putt in for a birdie.
The new world number one has had a great year with 10 top-10 finishes (including two victories) from the 11 worldwide tournaments he has played in the 2011 calendar.
The next step for Donald and Westwood must be to try and win a so-far elusive Major.
It was probably fitting that the world's top two ranked players ended up head to head in one of the European Tour's flagship events, much hyped this week as overtaking The Players' Championship in tournament stature.
Yet the actual conclusion to this championship was a damp squib for Westwood. Coming down the par-5 18th for a second time, both players had laid up with their second shots to leave themselves short pitches to the green. Donald's ball responded superbly, landing at the back of the green before spinning back towards the pin.
Westwood played a similar shot but his ball 'bit' too much, spun back too far on an unforgiving green and ended up in the water. Seven strokes were ultimately played by the Worksop man before Donald - free of pressure - rolled his putt in for a birdie.
The new world number one has had a great year with 10 top-10 finishes (including two victories) from the 11 worldwide tournaments he has played in the 2011 calendar.
The next step for Donald and Westwood must be to try and win a so-far elusive Major.
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