Okay, so I only picked three of eight winners in Friday's matches at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
One of the good things about match play is yesterday doesn't matter. You start fresh every day.
That said, I'll take another stab at guesswork for the quarterfinals. Here goes nothing:
-- Luke Donald vs. Ryan Moore: There's a stylish element to this match which pairs two players who don't rely on power but on managing their games. That's what you say about guys who don't routinely bomb it 310 off the tee.
I love Moore's unique style but I more love Donald's match play success in recent years. Pick: Donald.
-- Miguel Angel Jiminez vs. Martin Kaymer: The Mechanic keeps hanging around, winning matches then enjoying his cigars and wine. There's something to be said for that.
Then there's Kaymer, who can take over the No. 1 world ranking if he reaches the finals. It could happen. Pick: Kaymer.
-- Matt Kuchar vs. Y.E. Yang: Kuchar continues to solidify his place as one of the best American golfers and this week adds to it. Yang, meanwhile, has been quiet since taking down Tiger Woods in the PGA but he's back. Pick: Kuchar
-- J.B. Holmes vs. Bubba Watson: Gentlemen, start the jaw dropping.
This is golf's version of a muscle-car competition. I see your 322-yard drive and raise you 10. Holmes wasn't in this tournament until Tim Clark withdrew and now he could win. Watson hasn't trailed in any match so far and he's been playing beautifully this year. Should be fun to watch: Pick: Watson
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Whose Loss Was Worse, Phil or Rory's; Picking The Winners
Observations from a second day at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship:
-- Who's wipe-out was worse, Rory McIlroy's 8 & 7 loss to Ben Crane or Phil Mickelson's 6 & 5 loss to Rickie Fowler?
Does it matter?
McIlroy walked into a buzz saw against Crane, who was 7-under par par for the 11 holes they played if you count one conceded birdie. That's going to beat anyone especially when the other guy -- McIlroy in this case -- isn't sharp.
Crane is famously, uh, deliberate over his shots but the good news is he didn't have to hit many shots against McIlroy. Crane is also famous for his on-line videos, which prove pro golfers can have a sense of humor.
Asked if he's underrated in match play, Crane deadpanned that he's never made it past the round of 16 so it would be hard to say he's underrated.
"I don't think anyone is going, 'Wow, Ben Crane is really coming through this bracket...look out. Gosh, sorry you've got to play Ben Crane..boy, tough draw there.'"
Who knows, maybe that's what Miguel Angel Jimenez is saying right now.
Fowler's win over Mickelson was another case of a player getting hot at the right time. Fowler had six threes on his card and he only played 12 holes. Not hard to do the math there.
"If you ham and egg it the right way, you make birdies on the right holes and make pars on the others, a match can go that way. It's the beauty of the beast," Fowler said.
But Mickelson didn't look sharp. He keeps talking about how close his game is to being very good but after a second-place finish to start the year, Mickelson hasn't been a factor on Sunday.
He won't be this Sunday, either.
-- It was a tough way to go for Charlotte's Robert Karlsson. He was 1-up on Hunter Mahan with six holes remaining but lost the last three holes, three-putting twice, to be eliminated.
-- Remember the name Matteo Manassero, if you don't already know it.
He's young enough (17) to make Fowler feel old but his game is grown up. He's not super-long -- a rarity among young players -- but he's solid and already seems comfortable on the big stage.
Manassero faces Luke Donald, an excellent match-play golfer, in the third round today. That's a tough ask for Manassero but don't be surprised if he pulls it off.
-- Now that they're down to eight matches, here's a look at each one:
-- Who's wipe-out was worse, Rory McIlroy's 8 & 7 loss to Ben Crane or Phil Mickelson's 6 & 5 loss to Rickie Fowler?
Does it matter?
McIlroy walked into a buzz saw against Crane, who was 7-under par par for the 11 holes they played if you count one conceded birdie. That's going to beat anyone especially when the other guy -- McIlroy in this case -- isn't sharp.
Crane is famously, uh, deliberate over his shots but the good news is he didn't have to hit many shots against McIlroy. Crane is also famous for his on-line videos, which prove pro golfers can have a sense of humor.
Asked if he's underrated in match play, Crane deadpanned that he's never made it past the round of 16 so it would be hard to say he's underrated.
"I don't think anyone is going, 'Wow, Ben Crane is really coming through this bracket...look out. Gosh, sorry you've got to play Ben Crane..boy, tough draw there.'"
Who knows, maybe that's what Miguel Angel Jimenez is saying right now.
Fowler's win over Mickelson was another case of a player getting hot at the right time. Fowler had six threes on his card and he only played 12 holes. Not hard to do the math there.
"If you ham and egg it the right way, you make birdies on the right holes and make pars on the others, a match can go that way. It's the beauty of the beast," Fowler said.
But Mickelson didn't look sharp. He keeps talking about how close his game is to being very good but after a second-place finish to start the year, Mickelson hasn't been a factor on Sunday.
He won't be this Sunday, either.
-- It was a tough way to go for Charlotte's Robert Karlsson. He was 1-up on Hunter Mahan with six holes remaining but lost the last three holes, three-putting twice, to be eliminated.
-- Remember the name Matteo Manassero, if you don't already know it.
He's young enough (17) to make Fowler feel old but his game is grown up. He's not super-long -- a rarity among young players -- but he's solid and already seems comfortable on the big stage.
Manassero faces Luke Donald, an excellent match-play golfer, in the third round today. That's a tough ask for Manassero but don't be surprised if he pulls it off.
-- Now that they're down to eight matches, here's a look at each one:
- Y.E. Yang vs. Graeme McDowell: Two recent major championship winners square off. Yang has stayed under the radar and McDowell admits his game isn't where he wants it to be but he's played better than he's practiced. Pick: McDowell.
- Fowler vs. Matt Kuchar: This may be the week when Fowler breaks through. He loves match play and it shows: Pick: Fowler
- Luke Donald vs. Matteo Manassero: A classic youth against experience pairing. Manassero is playing well but Donald thrives in his format. Pick: Donald.
- Ryan Moore vs. Nick. Watney: This was supposed to be Lee Westwood's bracket but it hasn't turned out that way. Watney has been working with Butch Harmon on the range after his rounds this week and it's apparently paying off. Pick: Watney
- J.B. Holmes vs. Jason Day: Holmes wasn't supposed to be here but got a last-minute call to fill in for Tim Clark and now he's beaten Camilo Villegas and Ernie Els. If he can do that...Pick: Holmes
- Bubba Watson vs. Geoff Ogilvy: This is an odd pairing but then most of them are where Watson is involved, given his incredible power. Ogilvy's track record in this event suggests he can get it done. Pick: Ogilvy
- Miguel Angel Jimenez vs. Ben Crane: After playing 11 holes 7-under par against McIlroy, did Crane spend all this birdies on Thursday? He's an underrated player who may change that view this weekend. Pick: Crane
- Mahan vs. Martin Kaymer: This could be one of the best matches of the day. Neither makes many mistakes. But there's a reason Kaymer is ranked No. 2 in the world. Pick: Kaymer.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
On Tiger's Loss, Rory's Little Jab and Seeing Dove Mountain
Observations from the first day of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, a little bonus day built into my assignment covering the NASCAR race in Phoenix this weekend:
-- No sooner had Tiger Woods given us an old Tiger moment -- making an eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to extend his first-round match against Thomas Bjorn -- than he gave us another moment, this time with the new Tiger.
After seeing him do a baby fist pump after holing his birdie putt to stay alive at 18, it was shocking to see him blow a tee shot into the desert along the right side of the first hole. The reason he was in trouble against Bjorn was primarily due to his short game, which cost him a couple of holes, and then his driver deserted him again.
If he's truly on the way back, Woods needs to produce a tournament that makes it easier to believe. It's one thing to hope. It's something else to believe it. I'm not sure how much he believes in his game right now. He needs some positive feedback and he's not getting it right now, not in tournaments.
-- It's the nature of a match-play bracket that the field gets whittled away in a hurry, still it's odd to see Woods, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson, among others, dispatched immediately.
And what's up with Furyk's suddenly shaky game?
-- Rory McIlroy wasn't trying to rip anybody but he got a dig in, anyway, when he was asked Wednesday about how comfortable the young players seem to be facing Woods and Phil Mickelson, among others.
McIlroy said, "Phil hasn't gotten any worse (but) Tiger's not as dominant as he used to be and Phil won the Masters last year."
It drew chuckles in the media room and a sheepish shrug from McIlroy but he's not wrong.
-- I'm interested to see what happens in the Mickelson-Rickie Fowler second-round match. Fowler is one of those young players who plays with an older head on his shoulders. This could be a big moment for him.
-- The golf course at Dove Mountain is striking to look at, framed as it is by mountains and cactus but it's the epitome of target golf. Miss a fairway or many of the greens and your ball will wind up in the desert. Just ask Tiger.
It's so different from what we see and play in the Carolinas. It can't help but have an artificial look about it because there's no grass in the desert except the fairways.
-- No sooner had Tiger Woods given us an old Tiger moment -- making an eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to extend his first-round match against Thomas Bjorn -- than he gave us another moment, this time with the new Tiger.
After seeing him do a baby fist pump after holing his birdie putt to stay alive at 18, it was shocking to see him blow a tee shot into the desert along the right side of the first hole. The reason he was in trouble against Bjorn was primarily due to his short game, which cost him a couple of holes, and then his driver deserted him again.
If he's truly on the way back, Woods needs to produce a tournament that makes it easier to believe. It's one thing to hope. It's something else to believe it. I'm not sure how much he believes in his game right now. He needs some positive feedback and he's not getting it right now, not in tournaments.
-- It's the nature of a match-play bracket that the field gets whittled away in a hurry, still it's odd to see Woods, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson, among others, dispatched immediately.
And what's up with Furyk's suddenly shaky game?
-- Rory McIlroy wasn't trying to rip anybody but he got a dig in, anyway, when he was asked Wednesday about how comfortable the young players seem to be facing Woods and Phil Mickelson, among others.
McIlroy said, "Phil hasn't gotten any worse (but) Tiger's not as dominant as he used to be and Phil won the Masters last year."
It drew chuckles in the media room and a sheepish shrug from McIlroy but he's not wrong.
-- I'm interested to see what happens in the Mickelson-Rickie Fowler second-round match. Fowler is one of those young players who plays with an older head on his shoulders. This could be a big moment for him.
-- The golf course at Dove Mountain is striking to look at, framed as it is by mountains and cactus but it's the epitome of target golf. Miss a fairway or many of the greens and your ball will wind up in the desert. Just ask Tiger.
It's so different from what we see and play in the Carolinas. It can't help but have an artificial look about it because there's no grass in the desert except the fairways.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Who's In The Match Play Final Four?
Finally, a week where all the top players in professional golf are together.
It's only taken until the end of February so let's see...the PGA Championship was in August, which means it's been....too many months.
I'm a big fan of match play golf. There's a different kind of drama to it and it forces players to play differently. They can't play just to make the weekend. They have to make something happen.
The bracket for this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is drawn up like the NCAA tournament bracket with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods as the top seeds. The fun is in the match-ups, both starting out and what may happen down the line.
In Woods' bracket, there are first-round matches pitting Bubba Watson against Bill Haas and Mark Wilson against Dustin Johnson. There's also Geoff Ogivly against Padraig Harrington.
So, if Woods can beat Thomas Bjorn in his first match, he'll have to play his way through two of the aforementioned six players just to reach the finals where he could face Paul Casey, who seems to make an annual appearance in the finals at Dove Mountain.
How about the first-round match between Twitter stars Stewart Cink and defending champion Ian Poulter? Should the tour suspend its rules and allow them to tweet during play?
Potential second-round match-ups: Mickelson against Rickie Fowler and Westwood against Anthony Kim.
Who do I have in my final four?
I'm taking Westwood, Bubba, Kaymer and Fowler.
Given my record in picking winners, they may be gone by lunchtime Wednesday.
It's only taken until the end of February so let's see...the PGA Championship was in August, which means it's been....too many months.
I'm a big fan of match play golf. There's a different kind of drama to it and it forces players to play differently. They can't play just to make the weekend. They have to make something happen.
The bracket for this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is drawn up like the NCAA tournament bracket with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods as the top seeds. The fun is in the match-ups, both starting out and what may happen down the line.
In Woods' bracket, there are first-round matches pitting Bubba Watson against Bill Haas and Mark Wilson against Dustin Johnson. There's also Geoff Ogivly against Padraig Harrington.
So, if Woods can beat Thomas Bjorn in his first match, he'll have to play his way through two of the aforementioned six players just to reach the finals where he could face Paul Casey, who seems to make an annual appearance in the finals at Dove Mountain.
How about the first-round match between Twitter stars Stewart Cink and defending champion Ian Poulter? Should the tour suspend its rules and allow them to tweet during play?
Potential second-round match-ups: Mickelson against Rickie Fowler and Westwood against Anthony Kim.
Who do I have in my final four?
I'm taking Westwood, Bubba, Kaymer and Fowler.
Given my record in picking winners, they may be gone by lunchtime Wednesday.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Kaymer Commits To Play Wells Fargo Championship
The Wells Fargo Championship is still 10 weeks away but it has already secured a commitment from Martin Kaymer, current ranked No. 2 in the world rankings.
Kaymer has accepted a sponsor exemption into the field because he is not a full-time member of the PGA tour. Kaymer won the 2010 PGA Championship and surged up the world rankings with three late victories last year.
In addition to Kaymer, the tournament also has commitments from defending champion Rory McIlroy, former champion Jim Furyk, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson, all ranked among the top 20 in the world.
The Wells Fargo Championship will be played May 2-8 at the Quail Hollow Club. For ticket information, visit http://www.wellsfargochampionship.com/
Kaymer has accepted a sponsor exemption into the field because he is not a full-time member of the PGA tour. Kaymer won the 2010 PGA Championship and surged up the world rankings with three late victories last year.
In addition to Kaymer, the tournament also has commitments from defending champion Rory McIlroy, former champion Jim Furyk, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson, all ranked among the top 20 in the world.
The Wells Fargo Championship will be played May 2-8 at the Quail Hollow Club. For ticket information, visit http://www.wellsfargochampionship.com/
Nagy Played Through Pain To Get First Victory
For Corey Nagy, the former Charlotte 49ers All-American, 2011 could hardly have begun better.
Nagy won his first pro event Saturday, beating two-time Walker Cup player Brian Harman in a a sudden-death playoff to win the Smithwick Shootout in the eGolf Professional Tour season-opener at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Financially, it was worth more than $31,000 to Nagy but its true value may be in how it reinforced his self-confidence. Disappointed after not advancing through the second round of PGA Tour qualifying school last fall, Nagy adjusted his focus, starting with a busy eGolf tour schedule that will lead into a series of Monday qualifiers on the Nationwide Tour later this spring.
In winning at Hilton Head, Nagy played through a hand injury he suffered during the third round and left him uncertain if he could play the final round despite holding the lead. Nagy said he jammed a wedge into the turf on Friday and felt pain in his right hand.
The pain persisted and it led to cautious swings early in the final round.
"On the fifth hole in the final round, I told myself that pain is only for the moment. What happens in this tournament will last forever," Nagy said.
He decided to live with the pain and make his normal, aggressive swing.
"The win means even more because I wasn't 100 percent and I figured out a way to get it done," Nagy said. "I thought about Tiger winning the U.S. Open on a broken leg. I figured if he could win the Open with something like that, I could win here."
The victory convinced Nagy to make the two-week trip to Morocco next month to play a pair of eGolf events there, getting a taste of international travel and competition in the process. When the Nationwide Tour swings closer to Charlotte in late March, Nagy will start trying to Monday qualify with the goal of earning status on the tour.
Nagy won his first pro event Saturday, beating two-time Walker Cup player Brian Harman in a a sudden-death playoff to win the Smithwick Shootout in the eGolf Professional Tour season-opener at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Financially, it was worth more than $31,000 to Nagy but its true value may be in how it reinforced his self-confidence. Disappointed after not advancing through the second round of PGA Tour qualifying school last fall, Nagy adjusted his focus, starting with a busy eGolf tour schedule that will lead into a series of Monday qualifiers on the Nationwide Tour later this spring.
In winning at Hilton Head, Nagy played through a hand injury he suffered during the third round and left him uncertain if he could play the final round despite holding the lead. Nagy said he jammed a wedge into the turf on Friday and felt pain in his right hand.
The pain persisted and it led to cautious swings early in the final round.
"On the fifth hole in the final round, I told myself that pain is only for the moment. What happens in this tournament will last forever," Nagy said.
He decided to live with the pain and make his normal, aggressive swing.
"The win means even more because I wasn't 100 percent and I figured out a way to get it done," Nagy said. "I thought about Tiger winning the U.S. Open on a broken leg. I figured if he could win the Open with something like that, I could win here."
The victory convinced Nagy to make the two-week trip to Morocco next month to play a pair of eGolf events there, getting a taste of international travel and competition in the process. When the Nationwide Tour swings closer to Charlotte in late March, Nagy will start trying to Monday qualify with the goal of earning status on the tour.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Five Quick Questions With Robert Karlsson
Robert Karlsson, who moved from Monaco to Charlotte last year, begins his first full season on the PGA Tour this week at the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles.
Before teeing it up, the world's 16th-ranked golfer answered five questions, most unrelated to golf.
You've played 68 PGA Tour events in your career but this year you're officially a rookie by virtue of your full-time membership. What are you expectations for this season?
RK: It’s one of my big things not to build up big expectations. I take every tournament as a separate event and see where we end up. If I build up too much, I get out of focus. I will enjoy every shot if I can. That’s my expectation.
You were born in Sweden and still visit. What do you miss most about your homeland?
RK: Not much actually. I’ve been away for such a long time. I come and go. I see myself as a world citizen. For 20 years I’ve been trvaeling around the world.
You moved to Charlotte from Monaco. What's the biggest difference in the two places?
RK: The attitude of the people. Monaco is a very small and very rich community. It’s a little bit of an enclosed island within a big country. It’s driven by money and flair. Charlotte is a place where people come and live and have their normal life and work. Monaco is not a place where people work,.
Have you learned your way around Charlotte? Can you get to Southpark?
RK: I don’t need directions (to Southpark). I can do that. I can get to the (uptown) arena. I’m pretty decent. If I get lost, I have my bearings. I’m trying to drive without much help from naviagtation system.
On your website (www.robertkarlsson.com) there's a photo of you holding an accordion. Do you play?
RK: I can’t play. It’s a picture we use for my biggest challenges in life. It was a fun illustration.
Before teeing it up, the world's 16th-ranked golfer answered five questions, most unrelated to golf.
You've played 68 PGA Tour events in your career but this year you're officially a rookie by virtue of your full-time membership. What are you expectations for this season?
RK: It’s one of my big things not to build up big expectations. I take every tournament as a separate event and see where we end up. If I build up too much, I get out of focus. I will enjoy every shot if I can. That’s my expectation.
You were born in Sweden and still visit. What do you miss most about your homeland?
RK: Not much actually. I’ve been away for such a long time. I come and go. I see myself as a world citizen. For 20 years I’ve been trvaeling around the world.
You moved to Charlotte from Monaco. What's the biggest difference in the two places?
RK: The attitude of the people. Monaco is a very small and very rich community. It’s a little bit of an enclosed island within a big country. It’s driven by money and flair. Charlotte is a place where people come and live and have their normal life and work. Monaco is not a place where people work,.
Have you learned your way around Charlotte? Can you get to Southpark?
RK: I don’t need directions (to Southpark). I can do that. I can get to the (uptown) arena. I’m pretty decent. If I get lost, I have my bearings. I’m trying to drive without much help from naviagtation system.
On your website (www.robertkarlsson.com) there's a photo of you holding an accordion. Do you play?
RK: I can’t play. It’s a picture we use for my biggest challenges in life. It was a fun illustration.
