Posts Tagged ‘ mickelson ’

Oldies But Goodies

There are eight “old timers” competing in the Presidents Cup next week. Four Americans over forty, four more on the International side. Not to knock the game’s viable vets–who possess 11 major championships–but 2011 is about a bubbling cauldron of young talent. Still, leadership is a magnified trait in pressured-filled team events like this one. It’ll be up to the upperclassmen to manage emotions and sink crucial putts. Here’s a scouting report on the 4-0 club.

K.J. Choi (I)

Choi would make a great poker player. The even-keel, often emotionless Korean never shows his hand on the course. Despite this, he’s still never won an elusive major championship. He’s been plagued by the “Sunday crumbles” a little too frequently for my liking. Choi is 3-6 in the Cup, but numbers are always skewed towards the Americans (who have only lost once as a team). The 41-year-old should be healthy and rested for this year’s matches. I’d even bet he has a winning record this year. There’s a good chance he could be paired with exuberant countryman Kim Kyung-tae, as well.

Retief Goosen (I)

Don’t forget about the Golden Goose. It’s been seven heart-aching years since his last major championship (a potential swan song). He’s played in this event 5x prior, so put him at the end of Sunday’s singles. At 11-13 in his career, he’s once of the most experienced participants. In recent years, he has played poorly. I foresee a revival of sorts, and Goosen will sweep his Friday and Saturday matches.

Ernie Els (I)

It can be argued that this man single-handily made the Presidents Cup what it is today. Maybe that doesn’t mean much, but it certainly means something. Critics scoffed at the idea of a U.S.-International showdown at first, but Els has delivered a victory for his squad, and the notorious tie of 2005. He’s anchored this team since 1996, and expect him to do it again. The Big Easy’s health remains a question, but he’s a gamer and up for the challenge. He would relish the opportunity for a rematch against Tiger Woods.

Robert Allenby (I)

The only thing that doesn’t make this a rogue selection for captain Greg Norman is that Allenby calls Melbourne home. The crowd will absolutely rally behind their hometown boy, making him a huge catalyst. The ripple effect will be felt whether Allenby is winning or losing. The crowd noise or silence will echo throughout the course, swinging momentum back and forth. It will be hard for him NOT to be a factor in this event.

Steve Stricker (USA)

Stricker is a golfing patriot. He’s the type of rah-rah player every team needs. While he can sometimes be reserved, playing for country brings out his best. He’s also one of the most underrated American players of all-time. Put a club in his hand for as many matches as possible, and results will follow. The maturity of Stricker also makes him compatible with almost any fellow American. He’s been here three times before, and it could potentially be his last, so look for a strong performance.

Phil Mickelson (USA)

Mickelson has logged so many miles, his game has taken a step back. Arthritis, and other elements of age are starting to win little battles on his body. However, the four-time major winner is without a doubt team’s biggest focal point. He’s shown his stars and stripes enough times to be able to gut out any victory. However, he also has the ability to go bananas–in a bad way. Things can go south in a hurry if he starts piping the driver left and right of center. His aggressive play can be good when solo, but a detriment in alternate shot or four ball.

David Toms (USA)

The comeback player of 2011? Toms is definitely in the discussion. The 2001 PGA Championship will be his lasting legacy on the PGA Tour, but he will also be an asset in this year’s Presidents Cup. Toms has been known to play well in match play events, winning the 2005 Accenture Match Play Championship. Two suggestions for playing partners: Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson. Toms could help Mahan settle any lingering jitters from last year’s Ryder Cup. Watson could help with length (and form a potentially dangerous southern tandem).

Jim Furyk (USA)

After winning three times in 2010, Furyk went AWOL in 2011. The 2003 U.S. Open champ hasn’t won since his big Tour Championship payday last year. However, he’s second to Mickelson in appearances at the Presidents Cup and brings a laundry list of clutch moments. His leadership should not be overlooked for this captain-in-waiting. A quirky putter could derail Furyk’s game this year, but what else is new? Either way it’s a near-lock that the West Chester, Pa. native secures at least a point for Team USA.

A couple of South African bosses.

Things are looking up for the 40-somethings, all thanks to Cialis.


2011
11/07
CATEGORY
President's Cup
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Revisiting Hotlanta

[Me]: Has it really been 10 years since the PGA Tour has been to Atlanta Athletic Club?

[Wikipedia]: Yes.

It’s been a while, AAC. The golf world is a vastly different, unpredictable entity. Truths we knew then, we certainly don’t know now. Tiger Woods used to win tournaments back then. Phil Mickelson tried to. Sergio Garcia was relevant and still somewhat a sensation. The present and future of golf was solely on the still-gangly shoulders of a 25-year-old. Now, a slew of contenders lay stake at the throne. Anybody can win this week. And I mean anybody. Grant Waite could probably win as the 79th alternate.

Flash back to 2001. I have fond memories of being stationed at my shore house in Stone Harbor, N.J. Rooting vehemently against Woods–just because he won too much. Admit it, you probably did too. Hey, it worked, he finished T-29.

The tournament itself played out exactly how it should have. The right man won, the right man lost. The course layout might have been a bit forgiving, but left plenty of theatrics. If you followed as closely as I did, you’ll remember we learned to say “Shingo” and that sometimes, it’s OK not to be Tin Cup. You can have balls and not go for the “ultimate score”.

The final stretch is built to encourage dramatic finishes. The par-3 15th, played host to David Toms’ ace during the third round in 2001. It’s difficulty literally helped Toms pick up 2-3 shots on the field. The 5-wood he hit might have careened over the green if it didn’t hit the stick. Having another par-3 two holes later on No. 17 is extremely unique. You need to be a crafty iron player to navigate this one. Finally, No. 18 is undulated to perfection. The right side slopes the fairway left, and water is definitely waiting for you on the left. Players today will have to cede distance for accuracy. The approach shot taunts you, laughs at you, and implores at you. At 507 yards, it’s a challenge to get the shot close. Toms, famously laid up, and stuck a chip and putt to win by one shot. The steadfast veteran (at age 34), deserved the win. Toms is like dozens of solid tour players who rarely ice up the “big one”. They’ll win the Zurich Classic’s and wind up with a couple big pay days, but that’s about it. A tremendous short game, and Lefty’s passion for runner-ups at the time helped seal the deal. Mickelson played the “Everybody’s Favorite Loser” card well into 2004, when he finally broke through at Augusta. But, without these agonizing near-misses and 11th hour collapses he wouldn’t have evolved into the player he is today. He’s morphed into “Everybody’s Favorite Winner”/”All-American Family Man”/”The Damn Math and Science Guy Who is In All Those Freaking Commercials During Major Championships”. All the heartache made for a pretty good storybook ending.

AAC, let’s do it all over again in 2011.

[AAC]: Just make sure you bring that Dustin guy.

2011
08/10
CATEGORY
PGA11
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The Next Seven Years’ War

Are the best players in the world playing on the European Tour or does the European Tour have the best players in the world? That’s a very specific and intriguing question that requires some analyzing.

The top four ranked players in the world are all from Europe (holding tour cards overseas). In the past, if you were in that group, you’d play the lion’s share of your golf in the United States. Assuming that the PGA Tour still is the most competitive, respected and desirable  place for professionals (highest purses, most exposure) to take their talents, the current trend is bizzare.

The next three players on the world ranking list are Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson–all PGA mainstays. If the globalization of the game continues to move at a breakneck pace, the PGA Tour will continue to lose its luster. The movement started with Tiger Woods nearly a decade ago, as the superstar spent his offseasons playing in exotic tournaments in Dubai, Japan and Australia. Enough continent-hopping spawned a rapid surge of talent from ever corner of the globe.

Now, another hum-drum week on the PGA Tour begins, as the field migrates its way to West Virginia for The Greenbrier Classic. While across the Atlantic, the European Tour hosts the Irish Open with a newly acquired attraction.

Phil Mickelson and 13 other major winners highlight the field at The Greenbrier, but in Ireland three of the past six major champions are dueling for a shot at victory. It may be a coincidence that three of those past six winners hail from Northen Ireland, but it may not. And that’s a scary proposition for the state of American golf, not to mention Tim Finchem.

Young players under 30 (i.e. Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer) continue to shun opportunities to appear in the States. The excitement comes with these freshly-minted stars. So does the money. That’s why the next seven years become absolutely critical. To stabilize the PGA Tour, and sustain its place as a high-water mark in a player’s career, the following needs to happen. If not, then the growth of the game will be too strong. Burgeoning markets in Asia and the Middle East are ready to attract the world’s best with absurd purses and lavish accommodations.

1) Tie-down more affluent, global corporate sponsors. When the recession hit the United States in 2008, it blew up the identity of the PGA Tour. Names of tournaments survived on a revolving-door policy, with sponsors backing in and out like a bad parallel park job. Buick, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler were a few that shifted into reverse, leaving various events in limbo. Can anyone land the “Jumeirah Open” so that Rory is obligated to come play?

2) Get Tiger back. First and foremost, Woods needs to be healthy. Without that, he’s nothing. Get to 100%, and start playing a full (probably 12-15 tournaments) schedule for 2012. Play at Jack’s, Arnie’s, Byron’s (He’s up there waiting for you to come back) and all the World Golf Championships. Return to Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach at the beginning of the year, and gear up for the playoffs in late-August. You don’t have to necessarily care about them, just show up. Chances are the system won’t get any traction, but every player in the world wants a shot at going head-to-head with you. Once you get your game together, a brash crop of newbies want the throne.

3) The “Next Big Thing” needs to show up. There are plenty of contenders out there, but nobody seems to have the moxie. Mickelson, Stricker, Jim Furyk and Matt Kucher are all great players–from the 90s. The PGA Tour needs to market guys like Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson, who have shown the potential to win. They also serve as a shot in the arm to ratings and can garner a young audience. This player-to-be-named needs to be revered globally, playing occasionally on other continents. Most of all they need to win. Soon.

The next two weeks will bring all of the top-ranked players to the United States for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship. Now would be a good time to reverse the course of recent developments. In seven years, we could have The Beijing Open and Dubai Classic in their place. They are more than willing to shell out the money. In seven years, the globalization of the game could devour the PGA Tour, vacuuming out America’s talent pool. Let’s hope Mr. Finchem can rally ’round the flag.

Gen. Phillip Mickelson, fatally wounded at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, with his 2010 Masters’ flag at his side.

The always flamboyantly-dressed Gen. Rick Fowler rallies troops at the Battle of Torrey Pines.

2011
07/26
CATEGORY
Finchem's Folly
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