The question has been asked in various corners recently and it's a fair one:
Who is the best American golfer right now?
And, no, it's not him or him, as in Tiger or Phil.
That says something about the current state of both of their golf games, neither of which qualifies as sharp. Tiger's game is someplace between lost and found and Mickelson's game is missing its familiar crackle. It's just the first of March, which means the azaleas haven't begun blooming in Augusta so there's still time for them to be ready when the pollen really pops.
Hold your breath at your own risk.
So who's the current Yankee Doodle Dandy?
The world rankings, top-heavy with Europeans at the moment led by the undeniably No. 1 Martin Kaymer, say the top American is No. 5 Woods with Phil at No. 6. We've already excused them from this discussion so we're still looking.
Steve Stricker comes to mind. What doesn't come to mind with Stricker is a big performance recently. He finished tied for fourth in the season-opening Tournament of Champions but, given the field size, that was close to the middle of the pack. He's among the best but not the best.
Jim Furyk's game is currently in a state of disobedience so he's removed from the discussion.
That brings it down to Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson.
So far, Johnson's season has been underwhelming. Maybe he's bothered by the great expectations heaped on his broad shoulders this year (I'm among those who expect a big year from him) or maybe he's just not getting much to happen now. He's moved away from Myrtle Beach to south Florida and maybe it's messing with his mojo.
Kuchar just keeps rocking along, having turned into a big-time player over the past year or so. He seems intent on staying around for a while and that's a good thing. Fowler is just arriving but still needs to win a tournament though I think he's going to win a whole lot of them.
Right now, though, I take Bubba as the best American player. He's certainly the most dramatic with all creativity and power. Maybe Bubba gets a little too creative at times but at least he plays golf with flair and he doesn't seem afraid of failure. Seeing him on a telecast is like running across 'The Godfather' on cable. You can't help but stop and watch at least some of it.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
For Johnson Wagner, Another Win Is One Day Away
Sunday could be a huge day for Charlotte's Johnson Wagner.
Wagner takes a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Mayakoba Classic in Mexico, the other PGA Tour event being played this week. It doesn't have the stars like all those who have gradually been culled from the field at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship but it still has plenty of players and would be a terrific victory for Wagner.
Even if Wagner doesn't win, a good finish can go a long way toward easing his mind. He started this season without a full exemption on tour and needs to make the most of the starts he gets, particularly early when it's tough to get in smaller fields. He's doing that in Mexico.
Talking with Wagner before he left Charlotte for the Mayakoba, he sounded like a guy who really believed he was close to a week like he's having. He's been disappointed by his relative lack of success since winning the Shell Houston Open two years ago but he finished strong last year, even if he missed keeping his card by one stroke.
He said he was nervous Saturday early in the third round and he's sure to feel even more nerves in the final round. When he beat Paul Casey to win at Houston, his only PGA Tour win, Wagner said he was almost shaking on the final green. That's understandable.
But he knows now that he can do it which should surely help today. Wagner has a ton of talent and is one of the really good guys on tour or anywhere else. A win can redirect his career and a good finish will take some pressure off.
Wagner is having to do it the hard way this year, not being fully exempt. But a good day Sunday could make things a whole lot easier.
Wagner takes a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Mayakoba Classic in Mexico, the other PGA Tour event being played this week. It doesn't have the stars like all those who have gradually been culled from the field at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship but it still has plenty of players and would be a terrific victory for Wagner.
Even if Wagner doesn't win, a good finish can go a long way toward easing his mind. He started this season without a full exemption on tour and needs to make the most of the starts he gets, particularly early when it's tough to get in smaller fields. He's doing that in Mexico.
Talking with Wagner before he left Charlotte for the Mayakoba, he sounded like a guy who really believed he was close to a week like he's having. He's been disappointed by his relative lack of success since winning the Shell Houston Open two years ago but he finished strong last year, even if he missed keeping his card by one stroke.
He said he was nervous Saturday early in the third round and he's sure to feel even more nerves in the final round. When he beat Paul Casey to win at Houston, his only PGA Tour win, Wagner said he was almost shaking on the final green. That's understandable.
But he knows now that he can do it which should surely help today. Wagner has a ton of talent and is one of the really good guys on tour or anywhere else. A win can redirect his career and a good finish will take some pressure off.
Wagner is having to do it the hard way this year, not being fully exempt. But a good day Sunday could make things a whole lot easier.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Picking Winners...Or Trying To
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
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
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/
