So much going on in the golf world, so let’s touch some bases here…first, (and selfishly, most important) my round on Friday was extremely rained out. Been a while since my friend Doctor Robert and I have played, and it was a big, wet disappointment.
With a TV-loving houseguest over for the weekend, I saw almost no golf on TV (despite the rain), but did catch a quick look at the ladies. It occurs to me that the women’s tour has a lot of very good players (many of whom are easy on the eyes) that really should be garnering more interest in the LPGA than it seems to get.
Safeway Classic winner M.J. Hur had to stave off some serious competition, and a playoff, to win. Suzann Pettersen and Michele Redman also finished at -13, before being beaten by Hur. Right behind the leaders at -11 were Michelle Wie (who has found her game this year), Ai Miyazato (who was very impressive during the time I was watching) and Seon Hwa Lee. Also worth noting was the play of Anna Nordqvist at -10. Extra eye candy? Nordqvist, Natalie Gulbis and Jennifer Rosales.
The U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship was also held this weekend with a record-breaking finish. The title of youngest Amateur champ stood for 85 years before young Tiger Woods lowered that number at TPC Sawgrass many moons ago. Danny Lee dropped it down further last year, but this year’s champ Byeong-Hun “Benny” An lowered that number even further. Not yet 18 years old, Korean-born An returns to finish high school with major tournament invites in his back pocket, due to his win. Benny says the PGA Championship victory of fellow Korean, Y.E. Yang was an inspiration.
On the PGA front, the FedEx Cup playoffs are on! Points leader Tiger Woods maintains the top spot in the playoffs, despite being edged on 18 by Heath Slocum who vaults from #124 to #3 by virtue of his victory in the shadows of Lady Liberty over the weekend. Once again, El Tigre has to spend the next couple days thinking about those narrowly missed putts that cost him the win. Steve Stricker has a lot to think about, too. He had a shot to take over first place from Woods with a birdie on 18, and bogeyed. I feel your pain, Steve!
As the pros head to Boston for Playoff Round Two, and the weather cools, get out and chase that little white ball!