It has been nearly a week since Rory McIlroy wrote his name in the sky above the Quail Hollow Club but the impact of what he did continues to reverberate.
McIlroy's Sunday 62 and breakout victory went beyond a typical victory on the PGA Tour. It was so spectacular that it has launched the discussion as to whether it may be the moment when the professional game began to shift toward a new generation. It's too early to tell but give it three or four years and we'll know more.
That's not to say that Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are going anywhere. Mickelson is at the top of his game right now and has talked about his goal of being competitive throughout his 40s. Woods is in a tough spot right now but over time he'll be back and have something to prove. I still expect him to win a major championship this year, most likely the British Open at St. Andrews.
What McIlroy did at Quail Hollow crystallized the potential of the next generation, which includes Rickie Fowler, Anthony Kim and Ryo Ishikawa. McIlroy may ultimately be the best of them but each of them brings both a big game and a big personality to the first tee.
Almost every place I've gone since McIlroy's victory people have wanted to talk about what he did. It excited people and for good reason. It's something to hold on to.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Where Can You Find 120,000 Golf Balls?
There is probably too much attention paid to the gimmicky 17th hole at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass but there's also too much attention paid to American Idol, Lindsay Lohan and who's wearing what to the Oscars. There's a side of us -- yes, all of us -- that can't resist that kind of stuff.
That's one of the reasons the 17th hole at the Stadium Course fascinates people. It's one of the rare golf holes, maybe the only one, that non-golfers know and will stop to watch someone play it in the same way casual viewers stop to watch wrecks in racing. It's short, it's different and it's potentially embarrassing. Perfect for Americans.
It's why golfers flock to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., -- to have their moment at the 17th hole. For the record, I've played it three times, drowned one Titleist and made two pars. That's not bragging. Just the facts. My record on the 18th hole looks more like the big one at Talladega.
Anyway, according to various reports, an average of 120,000 golf balls are hit into the water at the 17th hole every year. Based on an average of 44,000 rounds per year at the Stadium Course, that means most players go through close to a sleeve of balls when they're on the 17th tee. Sounds about right. Most of them still walk away smiling, having taken their swing -- or swings -- at glory.
And in case you're getting any ideas about selling recycled golf balls, divers go into the water four times a year and pull out the balls that didn't make it. Sounds like a good business to be in.
That's one of the reasons the 17th hole at the Stadium Course fascinates people. It's one of the rare golf holes, maybe the only one, that non-golfers know and will stop to watch someone play it in the same way casual viewers stop to watch wrecks in racing. It's short, it's different and it's potentially embarrassing. Perfect for Americans.
It's why golfers flock to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., -- to have their moment at the 17th hole. For the record, I've played it three times, drowned one Titleist and made two pars. That's not bragging. Just the facts. My record on the 18th hole looks more like the big one at Talladega.
Anyway, according to various reports, an average of 120,000 golf balls are hit into the water at the 17th hole every year. Based on an average of 44,000 rounds per year at the Stadium Course, that means most players go through close to a sleeve of balls when they're on the 17th tee. Sounds about right. Most of them still walk away smiling, having taken their swing -- or swings -- at glory.
And in case you're getting any ideas about selling recycled golf balls, divers go into the water four times a year and pull out the balls that didn't make it. Sounds like a good business to be in.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Charlotte's Nagy Nominated For Nelson Award
Charlotte's Corey Nagy is now being recognized for more than his golf game.
The 49ers' senior is one of six players nominated for the prestigious Byron Nelson Award, given annually to a graduating college golfer for his achievements on the course, in the classroom and for the character and integrity they've shown.
Nagy is nominated along with Seth Fair of Indianapolis, Brendan Gielow of Wake Forest, Adam Long of Duke, Jack Newman of Michigan State and Tom Whitney of Air Force. The award will be presented May 28 in Dallas.
For Nagy, it's another impressive honor in a special career. He has led the 49ers to four straight Atlantic-10 team championships and four straight NCAA tournament appearances. In the process, Nagy has won the A-10 individual title twice, finished second once and third another time. He is also on pace to set the school's single-season scoring average this year.
The 49ers' senior is one of six players nominated for the prestigious Byron Nelson Award, given annually to a graduating college golfer for his achievements on the course, in the classroom and for the character and integrity they've shown.
Nagy is nominated along with Seth Fair of Indianapolis, Brendan Gielow of Wake Forest, Adam Long of Duke, Jack Newman of Michigan State and Tom Whitney of Air Force. The award will be presented May 28 in Dallas.
For Nagy, it's another impressive honor in a special career. He has led the 49ers to four straight Atlantic-10 team championships and four straight NCAA tournament appearances. In the process, Nagy has won the A-10 individual title twice, finished second once and third another time. He is also on pace to set the school's single-season scoring average this year.
Monday, May 3, 2010
On Rory, Phil And A Great Week At Quail Hollow
A few thoughts before the Quail Hollow Championship gets too far away:
-- The golf world is buzzing about what Rory McIlroy did over the weekend at Quail Hollow, particularly what he did on Sunday. Coupled with the 58 shot by 18-year old Ryo Ishikawa on the Japanese tour, it was a monumental weekend for golf, especially the new generation.
The temptation is to say we've found the new Tiger. Not so fast. What we've found is a group of young players -- Rickie Fowler and Anthony Kim belong in the disucssion -- that is exceptional. Talking to Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo, he said "At worst, one of them has to be very special."
I think he's right. If I had to pick just one, I'd pick McIlroy. But I'd take any of them.
-- I was surprised by Phil Mickelson's comments about the greens at Quail Hollow but I think some of it was frustration after the day he had on Saturday. Mickelson generally has an agenda when he says something like that. Just what the agenda was, I'm not certain.
Maybe he was talking to the PGA Tour set-up staff, suggesting better hole locations. Maybe he was talking to Quail president Johnny Harris and Kerry Haigh of the PGA of America and telling them if they're serious about bringing a PGA Championship to Quail Hollow, soften some of the greens.
I thought Harris handled it perfectly, saying he'd rather know how Phil feels than not know. It doesn't mean Harris agrees with Mickelson but it will generate some discussion about what, if anything, to do next. The funny thing is Mickelson didn't say anything about the eighth green.
-- I don't have high expectations for Tiger Woods at The Players Championship this week based on what we saw at Quail Hollow. He looked lost as a golfer. There are swing issues he's dealing, for sure, but there's more than that.
As good as he's been at compartmentalizing things, he may have more than he can handle right now.
The funniest thing about it is to hear people saying he's finished at age 34. No, he's not. Not even close. I still think he wins a major championship this year.
-- It was another terrific week at Quail Hollow, maybe the best from start to finish given the multiple storylines. From Tiger's return to Phil to McIlroy and everything else, it was pure gold.
Congratulations again to the many people -- officials, volunteers and fans -- who make it what it is.
-- The golf world is buzzing about what Rory McIlroy did over the weekend at Quail Hollow, particularly what he did on Sunday. Coupled with the 58 shot by 18-year old Ryo Ishikawa on the Japanese tour, it was a monumental weekend for golf, especially the new generation.
The temptation is to say we've found the new Tiger. Not so fast. What we've found is a group of young players -- Rickie Fowler and Anthony Kim belong in the disucssion -- that is exceptional. Talking to Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo, he said "At worst, one of them has to be very special."
I think he's right. If I had to pick just one, I'd pick McIlroy. But I'd take any of them.
-- I was surprised by Phil Mickelson's comments about the greens at Quail Hollow but I think some of it was frustration after the day he had on Saturday. Mickelson generally has an agenda when he says something like that. Just what the agenda was, I'm not certain.
Maybe he was talking to the PGA Tour set-up staff, suggesting better hole locations. Maybe he was talking to Quail president Johnny Harris and Kerry Haigh of the PGA of America and telling them if they're serious about bringing a PGA Championship to Quail Hollow, soften some of the greens.
I thought Harris handled it perfectly, saying he'd rather know how Phil feels than not know. It doesn't mean Harris agrees with Mickelson but it will generate some discussion about what, if anything, to do next. The funny thing is Mickelson didn't say anything about the eighth green.
-- I don't have high expectations for Tiger Woods at The Players Championship this week based on what we saw at Quail Hollow. He looked lost as a golfer. There are swing issues he's dealing, for sure, but there's more than that.
As good as he's been at compartmentalizing things, he may have more than he can handle right now.
The funniest thing about it is to hear people saying he's finished at age 34. No, he's not. Not even close. I still think he wins a major championship this year.
-- It was another terrific week at Quail Hollow, maybe the best from start to finish given the multiple storylines. From Tiger's return to Phil to McIlroy and everything else, it was pure gold.
Congratulations again to the many people -- officials, volunteers and fans -- who make it what it is.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A Remember Where You Were Kind Of Day
Years from now, Sunday may be one of those 'remember where you were' moments when it comes to Rory McIlroy.
Greatness has been expected of him for years now and what he did over the final 39 holes of the Quail Hollow Championship delivered greatness. He was headed to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., for some early practice work before he eagled his 16th hole in the second round to make the cut on the number.
From there, as McIlroy said, the rest is history.
He made nine birdies Saturday shooting a 66 that could have been better then posted a 62 Sunday that could hardly have been better. Looking for the game's next superstar? He introduced himself Sunday at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy turns 21 on Tuesday but seems older. Not in his face but in his approach. He sees the big picture. According to the various stories I've read about McIlroy, his parents raised him well. He is polite, talkative and charming. He handled the champagne reception with Quail Hollow members flawlessly and seemed stunned when he checked his cell phone a few minutes later and discovered 58 text messages.
It's difficult to comprehend just how good McIlroy's Sunday performance was. It was a tough golf course, tough enough that Camilo Villegas shot 80 and Dustin Johnson shot 77. But McIlroy made it look benign.
After his eagle at 15, the one that basically won the tournament, McIlroy was in a fairway bunker at the 16th. After hitting his shot toward the green, McIlroy began walking out of the bunker without watching his ball land. Asked why, he sheepishly said, "I knew it was good."
It was beyond good. Sunday was beyond good. So is McIlroy.
Greatness has been expected of him for years now and what he did over the final 39 holes of the Quail Hollow Championship delivered greatness. He was headed to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., for some early practice work before he eagled his 16th hole in the second round to make the cut on the number.
From there, as McIlroy said, the rest is history.
He made nine birdies Saturday shooting a 66 that could have been better then posted a 62 Sunday that could hardly have been better. Looking for the game's next superstar? He introduced himself Sunday at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy turns 21 on Tuesday but seems older. Not in his face but in his approach. He sees the big picture. According to the various stories I've read about McIlroy, his parents raised him well. He is polite, talkative and charming. He handled the champagne reception with Quail Hollow members flawlessly and seemed stunned when he checked his cell phone a few minutes later and discovered 58 text messages.
It's difficult to comprehend just how good McIlroy's Sunday performance was. It was a tough golf course, tough enough that Camilo Villegas shot 80 and Dustin Johnson shot 77. But McIlroy made it look benign.
After his eagle at 15, the one that basically won the tournament, McIlroy was in a fairway bunker at the 16th. After hitting his shot toward the green, McIlroy began walking out of the bunker without watching his ball land. Asked why, he sheepishly said, "I knew it was good."
It was beyond good. Sunday was beyond good. So is McIlroy.
Harris On Phil's Comments; 'Not A Big Deal'
While admitting he was surprised by Phil Mickelson's sharp criticism of the greens at Quail Hollow, club president Johnny Harris said Sunday he's glad to know how Mickelson feels.
"If he said it, he felt it," Harris said. "I'd rather know that than not know it."
After his Saturday round, Mickelson said Quail Hollow has "some of the worst-designed greens" on the PGA Tour, citing the 12th and 18th greens in particular. Mickelson was tied for second, two shots off the lead, at the time.
Harris said he looks forward to talking with Mickelson about his specific issues regarding the greens at Quail Hollow.
"I was sort of glad he voiced it," Harris said. "It helped us understand he had some concerns that he can help us to understand. We've always listened to players and patrons about how to improve the tournament. We want to be the best.
"We look forward to discussing it with him. It's not a big deal."
Mickelson was particularly bothered by a hole location on the right side of the 18th green. After hitting his second shot well beyond the hole, Mickelson was unable to putt toward the hole. Instead, he putted to the side then made an eight-footer for par.
The par-4 12th hole, which has a sharply sloped putting surface, also created a number of problems for players on Saturday.
"I was as surprised as anybody," said PGA Tour rules official Steve Rintoul, who is in charge of the course set-up. Phil has played here enough that to say that out of the blue when he didn't have a bad day was a little surprising.
"This is perhaps the best set of greens on tour because they are so different from the other greens on tour."
"If he said it, he felt it," Harris said. "I'd rather know that than not know it."
After his Saturday round, Mickelson said Quail Hollow has "some of the worst-designed greens" on the PGA Tour, citing the 12th and 18th greens in particular. Mickelson was tied for second, two shots off the lead, at the time.
Harris said he looks forward to talking with Mickelson about his specific issues regarding the greens at Quail Hollow.
"I was sort of glad he voiced it," Harris said. "It helped us understand he had some concerns that he can help us to understand. We've always listened to players and patrons about how to improve the tournament. We want to be the best.
"We look forward to discussing it with him. It's not a big deal."
Mickelson was particularly bothered by a hole location on the right side of the 18th green. After hitting his second shot well beyond the hole, Mickelson was unable to putt toward the hole. Instead, he putted to the side then made an eight-footer for par.
The par-4 12th hole, which has a sharply sloped putting surface, also created a number of problems for players on Saturday.
"I was as surprised as anybody," said PGA Tour rules official Steve Rintoul, who is in charge of the course set-up. Phil has played here enough that to say that out of the blue when he didn't have a bad day was a little surprising.
"This is perhaps the best set of greens on tour because they are so different from the other greens on tour."
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Phil Takes A Big Rip At Quail's Greens
When Phil Mickelson made a point Saturday afternoon of saying the greens at the Quail Hollow Club are "some of the worst-designed greens" on the PGA Tour, it wasn't a one-off comment.
Mickelson said it on television, to a radio interviewer and to print reporters. He had a point to make and he made sure he made it.
He was still steaming from what was a terrific two-putt at the 18th green. He hit his approach shot 58 feet past the hole but because of the hole location and the slope, Mickelson couldn't try to make the putt. He had to play to the right of the hole and try to make the eight-footer for par. He did but he didn't like it.
Almost to make a point, Mickelson didn't have his caddie, Jim 'Bones' Mackay leave the flagstick in even though he was on the green. He was trying to make the putt.
When asked about what happened on 18, Mickelson used it to air his frustrations.
"For as beautifully designed as this golf course is from tee to gren, the greens are some of the worst-designed greens we have on tour and 18 is one of them," Mickelson said. "I would say 18 is the worst on tour except it's not the worst on this golf course, 12 is, and we have some ridiculous putts here that you just can't keep on (the green).
"But my mistake there was hitting it past the pin. I know that green is ridiculous. I never should have put myself in that position."
For a tournament that gets so much praise -- Mickelson has been among its strongest supporters -- it was an abrupt change to hear such sharp criticism. It may not change anything but it probably made Mickelson feel better to get it out.
And some of his fellow pros are probably glad he said it, too.
Mickelson said it on television, to a radio interviewer and to print reporters. He had a point to make and he made sure he made it.
He was still steaming from what was a terrific two-putt at the 18th green. He hit his approach shot 58 feet past the hole but because of the hole location and the slope, Mickelson couldn't try to make the putt. He had to play to the right of the hole and try to make the eight-footer for par. He did but he didn't like it.
Almost to make a point, Mickelson didn't have his caddie, Jim 'Bones' Mackay leave the flagstick in even though he was on the green. He was trying to make the putt.
When asked about what happened on 18, Mickelson used it to air his frustrations.
"For as beautifully designed as this golf course is from tee to gren, the greens are some of the worst-designed greens we have on tour and 18 is one of them," Mickelson said. "I would say 18 is the worst on tour except it's not the worst on this golf course, 12 is, and we have some ridiculous putts here that you just can't keep on (the green).
"But my mistake there was hitting it past the pin. I know that green is ridiculous. I never should have put myself in that position."
For a tournament that gets so much praise -- Mickelson has been among its strongest supporters -- it was an abrupt change to hear such sharp criticism. It may not change anything but it probably made Mickelson feel better to get it out.
And some of his fellow pros are probably glad he said it, too.
