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Luke Donald Tops No. 1 Martin Kaymer at Match Play Championship

February 27, 2011   FanHouse Newswire   No comments

Luke DonaldMARANA, Ariz. (AP) — Luke Donald spoiled Martin Kaymer‘s rise to No. 1 in the world by winning the Match Play Championship on Sunday with a performance so dominant he never played the 18th hole all week.

Not even the snow and sleet could stop Donald.

On a bizarre final day in the high desert, which began with snow covering the fairways, Donald pulled ahead for good with a birdie on the par-5 11th and a par on the next hole, eventually closing out Kaymer on No. 16 for a 3-and-2 victory.

The consolation prize for Kaymer is going to No. 1 in the career, which he assured by reaching the championship match.

Donald was in more dire need of this trophy, however.

It was his first win in America in five years, and it was only his second win worldwide since he captured the 2006 Honda Classic. The 33-year-old Englishman had done just about everything right except win.

He took care of that in a week like no other in the 13-year history of the Accenture Match Play Championship. Donald played only 89 holes in six matches and never trailed in any of them. In fact, he led after 81 of those holes.

“It feels amazing,” Donald said. “I had a bit of a monkey on my back. I hadn’t won in the U.S. in five years.”

 

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Power Rankings: Phil Mickelson Primed to Shine in Hollywood

February 16, 2011   B.J. George   No comments

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Phil MickelsonThe PGA Tour travels down the California coast to Los Angeles for the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. Surprisingly, the weather won’t be perfect this week, but that’s nothing new for this season. Forecasts call for a chance of rain everyday but Sunday, which might help soften and slow down the greens.

It’s another strong field, with a number of players making their 2011 debut. Here’s how we see the week shaking out, beginning with our favorites:

1. Phil Mickelson — He’s regaining confidence in his game and no one has earned more money at the Northern Trust Open, which makes him the easy choice this week. While it would be nice to see Lefty close out an event, we won’t pick against him as he tries to become the first three-time winner at this even since Arnold Palmer did it in 1967.

2. Steve Stricker — Last year’s winner mainly makes it on track record. Stricker took this tournament off for three years before returning to finish T11, second and first the last three years. In his only two starts this year, Stricker finished T4 and T9. It’s hard to argue that anyone has played as well as the him the last two years — five total wins and back-to-back runner-up finishes in the FedEx Cup standings. A win this week would make a great birthday gift for the man that turns 44 next week.

3. Matt Kuchar — Don’t forget about Kuchar, who took the last three weeks off. He opened the year with three straight top 10s, where he only shot two rounds outside of the 60s (both of those were only 70). You won’t find a flaw in the three-time Tour winner’s game right now. He ranks inside the top five on Tour in driving accuracy, greens in regulation, birdie average, and all-around.

4. Bill Haas — Haas must have taken the AT&T off to work on his game after falling all the way down to a T29 finish at the WMPO. All kidding aside, you could argue that he’s played the best golf on Tour this year. A final-round 76 in Scottsdale kept him from his fourth straight top 10 to start 2011. You can ignore his missed cuts the last two starts here because his game is solid.

5. Luke Donald — The Northern Trust Open is a great place for Donald to begin his 2011 campaign. He’s notched three straight top 10s at Riviera, including a runner-up finish in 2010. There shouldn’t be much rust to shake off either. When we last saw Donald at the end of the year, he had recorded a top-three finish in four of his final six starts.

 

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Pebble Power Rankings: Dustin Johnson Aims for Hat Trick

February 10, 2011   B.J. George   No comments

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Dustin JohnsonThe Tour heads back to California for one of the most scenic stops all year at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Players will be competing on three courses, all of which measure less than 7,000 yards and demand accuracy and a solid short game. Tiger Woods might be on the other side of the world this week, but the field in Northern California doesn’t lack star power.

Favorites

Dustin Johnson — After back-to-back top 10s to open the year, Johnson (pictured) might have made it three straight had the weather in Scottsdale not caused delays everyday. Less than 30 minutes after his opening-round 64, he was back on the tee for round two and shot nine strokes worse. The two-time defending champ at this event was a disastrous final round away from winning the U.S. Open here last summer.

Vijay Singh — Don’t look now, but the Big Fijian looks to be regaining his form. Winless since 2008, Singh has improved each week and earned his first top three finish in three years, which is pretty unbelievable. The 2004 winner here also has three runner-up finishes at the AT&T

Mark Wilson — Winner in two of his three starts this season, Wilson’s game is primed for the trip to Pebble Beach. He sits top 5 on Tour in greens in regulation, scrambling, and scoring, and his consistency will benefit him this week. While his past results here aren’t spectacular, the FedEx Cup points leader hasn’t missed the cut at the AT&T since 2003.

Jim Furyk — Last season’s FedEx Cup winner took a month off since missing the cut at the Sony Open. He also took a month break after playing both tournaments on the islands to open 2007, returning to the AT&T and finishing T6. Maybe that trend could be a bit of a stretch, but there’s no doubt Furyk enjoys Pebble Beach – he hasn’t finished outside of the top 40 since 1999.

J.B. Holmes — The two-time Tour winner nearly added number three at the AT&T a year ago. Holmes finished one stoke behind Dustin Johnson in a tie for 2nd and hasn’t missed the cut in four starts at this tournament. One of the longest hitters on tour, he also sits sixth in birdie average after a T5 at the WMPO.

 

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Mickelson in Contention at Phoenix Open

February 05, 2011   FanHouse Newswire   No comments

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Phil MickelsonSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Phil Mickelson was locked in concentration over a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th, the some 20,000 onlookers mostly quiet on the amphitheater hole except a fan who screamed “Tiger would make it!”

Playing partner Bill Haas heard it, but Mickelson was oblivious to the slight, perfectly striking the putt that drew a thunderous cheer when it dropped in.

“It’s Saturday of the Phoenix Open. It’s always fun,” Mickelson said. “There’s a lot of people out here. I don’t think there’s a shot I wanted to make more, other than a major championship, than that putt on 16. I wanted to make that so bad.

“To see that go in with the crowd right there was a great feeling.”

The birdie and another on the short par-4 17th helped Mickelson close within four strokes of leader Tommy Gainey halfway through the frost-delayed tournament.

“There’s a lot of golf left,” Mickelson said. “Even though it’s Saturday — it feels like it’s the third round — but we’ve only played two, so we’re halfway through and to be within a few shots, it’s where everybody is trying to get to.”

 

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Phoenix Open Power Rankings: Mickelson Primed for Success

February 02, 2011   B.J. George   No comments

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Phil MickelsonThe Waste Management Phoenix Open is one of the few PGA events that has the feel of an NFL game or a NASCAR race — not to confuse the two demographics, but both atmospheres have very similar qualities. Huge crowds will again be in attendance, despite weather so cold the pro-am was canceled.

TPC Scottsdale’s par-3, 16th hole is the most exciting hole in golf with bleachers surrounding tee to green. It will serve as the Kodak Challenge hole for the week, which gives it an unneeded boost. Sit back and enjoy the party in Arizona, and keep an eye on these players.

The favorites for this week are familiar names who have started strong in 2011:

1. Phil Mickelson — After a strong performance at Torrey Pines, Phil heads to another course that he loves. With two wins and nine top-10s at this tournament, he is the favorite to win this week. The former Arizona State player will need to tighten up his game off the tee, but his short game looks to be in order.

2. Dustin Johnson — Any personal issues that Johnson might have been experiencing when he withdrew a few weeks ago are not affecting him. He was near the top in every major statistical category last week and finished with a final-round 66, which included no bogeys. With top-10s in both starts this year, it would be a surprise if he didn’t make it three.

3. Hunter Mahan — Last year’s winner should be primed for a title defense. Mahan entered Sunday’s final round last week in the last group, but a double bogey on the opening hole set the tone for day and he finished the Farmers T6. His win in Phoenix a year ago was highlighted by only 12 missed greens the entire week. If he can continue to hit his driver well, expect him to have a lot of birdie opportunities.


4. Rickie Fowler — He came within one shot of winning here in just the sixth tournament of his rookie year. Fast-forward one year and the young star continues to look for that first Tour victory. Fowler didn’t play as well as his T20 finish last week would indicate. Following his 65 on the easier of the two Torrey Pines courses, Fowler shot 2 over for the remainder of the tournament, but he should feel pretty comfortable this week.

5. Jhonattan Vegas — It’s probably a bit premature to be including Vegas in the short list of favorites, but the rookie has earned it. The Venezuelan entered the 72nd hole last week just one stroke out of the lead and a realistic opportunity for back-to-back wins. The most impressive aspect of his performance was his calm and confidence in a high-pressure home stretch. The FedEx Cup points leader looks like he belongs.

 

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Point/Counterpoint: Arnold Palmer Flies; John Daly Complains

February 01, 2011   Mick Elliott   No comments

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Arnold PalmerFanHouse Golf Writer Mick Elliott runs through a point/counterpoint on the last week of happenings in golf:

Fact: A man who allegedly took a woman hostage during a Friday bank robbery in suburban Washington, D.C., was shot and killed by authorities.

Observation: Good.

Fact: Playing in the opening round of last week’s European Tour event in Bahrain, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez angrily broke his putter in two, picked up his wedge to use on the greens and made three straight birdies.

Observation: Would you expect anything less from the Most Interesting Man In The World?

Fact: Flying enthusiast Arnold Palmer (right) piloted his first aircraft in 1956. On Sunday, now 81, the golf legend made what he proclaimed his final flight as a pilot. With his license now expired, he will not seek to have it renewed.

Observation: Wait a minute. Arnold Palmer needs an airplane to fly?

 

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Monday Movers: Torrey Pines’ Dramatic Finish Excites Golf World

January 31, 2011   B.J. George   No comments

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Each week, Monday Movers will look back on the previous week in the golf world to see whose stock is rising and who will likely be heading back to the range.

Stock Up

Bubba WatsonBubba Watson — Watson’s victory at Torrey Pines won’t be remembered for the 362-yard drive he bombed on 13. Instead, it was the brilliant touch he showed with his short game as he got up-and-down from a tough lie in a bunker on the 72nd hole to secure the one-stroke win over Phil Mickelson. The left-hander had to earn his second career PGA win against an experienced group of competitors all making a push, but did so with consistency. He led the field in greens in regulation and only carded one bogey during the final round.

Paul Casey — The Englishman called Sunday at the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions “one of the toughest battles I’ve ever had.” On paper, Casey ended the day in the same position he started it — first — but he did so by surviving 23 final-round lead changes to win his first tournament in 20 months. If not for Mickelson finishing second in San Diego, Casey would have moved into the top five of the world rankings. Instead, he moved up three spots to 6th.

Golf Rulebook — PGA commissioner Tim Finchem spoke out about the recent rules violations that were reported by television viewers and led to disqualification for Camilo Villegas and Padraig Harrington. Finchem, speaking from the Farmers Insurance Open, said he wants a thorough review of the rules to decide whether there is a better way to punish players that aren’t aware of their violation. He’ll meet with the USGA executive committee next week and has also asked the European Tour to join him in examining the rule.

Sunday at Torrey Pines — The PGA was hoping for an exciting finish when Tiger Woods announced he would make his 2011 debut at Torrey Pines alongside Phil Mickelson — and they got it, despite Woods struggling efforts on the course. With the top of the leaderboard filled with some of the top players on Tour and super-rookie Jhonattan Vegas, the level of competition bordered on majoresque on Sunday. Nick Watney went out early and set the tone with a 28 on the front nine and the leaders followed. On a day in which only 11 of the 79 players broke 70, six of those came from the top 6 finishers, and that provided an incredible finish.

 

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Bubba Watson Edges Phil Mickelson to Win at Torrey Pines

January 30, 2011   Mick Elliott   No comments

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Bubba WatsonSAN DIEGO — With a 5-under final-round 67 Sunday at Torrey Pines, Bubba Watson won the Farmers Insurance Open — his second PGA Tour title — by one shot over Phil Mickelson and put the PGA Tour on notice.

He’s serious.

“It just shows that I can do it,” Watson said. “I did it twice now. I’m only like 50 behind Phil and 80 behind Tiger, so they better watch out.”

Watson, no malice intended, is seen by many as something of a golf goof ball. The 32-year-old self-taught player from the little Florida Panhandle town of Bagdad, likes to post Internet videos featuring trick shots and comedy. One of his favorites is a wedge shot from out of a tiny loving cup, over a swimming pool and into a sand pail.

He also has posted a “Happy Birthday” tribute to Ellen DeGeneres, and, last December at the Shark Shootout, dressed as Santa Claus to sign autographs after finishing play.

 

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Bill Haas, Phil Mickelson Lead; Collection of Talent Strokes Away at Torrey Pines

January 29, 2011   Mick Elliott   No comments

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SAN DIEGO — Phil Mickelson and Bill Haas are 12 under par and share the lead going into Sunday’s final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Anthony Kim and rookie Jhonattan Vegas are within three strokes as the sun-splashed week heads to the finish line.

What could possibly be wrong with a tournament like that?

Funny you should ask.

Sitting adjacent to Torrey Pines golf complex is the Scripps Clinic. When a visitor to the medical center arrived this week for a scheduled doctor’s appointment, she was confounded by signage in the parking lot that announced “NO ACCESS FOR FARMERS.”

Clinic officials are now aware of a coming petition demanding that in the future they accept the area’s farm workers for treatment.

 

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Phil Mickelson Stabilizes on, Off Course

January 28, 2011   Mick Elliott   No comments

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SAN DIEGO — After 19 PGA Tour seasons, 46 professional victories, four major championships, more than $60 million in career earnings and a public image that can pull more heart stings than Hallmark, Phil Mickelson should be a whole lot easier to figure.

But then he wouldn’t be Phil.

Few — in any — people in golf have ever done unpredictability bigger and better than Mickelson. Start with the fact that he’s a natural right-hander who plays golf lefty.

Over the years, Mickelson has lost events he should have won, and won others in which he probably should not have even been in contention. He has been heroic, steady and good. He has been his own worst enemy. He has been lampooned for talking too much about things he should not and applauded for insight and opinions on important issues inside the game. He has gambled and won, gambled and lost.

 

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