Enjoy the recap of this week's feature event and a Thumbs Down method instruction tip.
WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship
The Gallery at Dove Mountain (South Course)
Tucson, AZ
February 21 - 25
Defending Champion: Geoff Ogilvy
A golf tournament is typically like a four day marathon. You can't win it on the first day, but you can lose it. In match play events, like this week's Accenture Match Play Championship it's a sprint all the way. Bottom line, win today's match or go home.
As Jack Nicklaus suggested, match play teaches a player to close the deal every day. In match play format a player can play well and lose or play just OK and win. With players of this high level, seed rankings mean nothing. Just like the famous football expression goes "on any given day anyone can beat anyone". What happened yesterday is ancient history. Finding a way to win is all that matters day after day. In this event a player needs to win five tough matches just to make the 36 hole final.
On day one, with a field of 64 players competing for $8 million of total prize money, most of the favorites won their matches. The most notable exception was Ernie Els, who made a quick exit. When your putter escapes you, it makes for a long day as Els missed four putts inside 10 feet, losing 4 and 2 to Bradley Dredge of Wales.
On day two, Tiger Woods kept his hopes alive to win his 8th straight PGA TOUR event by beating Tim Clark 6&5. However, on this day many upsets of top bracket seeds occurred, including Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and VJ Singh.
On day three, Nick O'Hern established himself as the modern times Tiger slayer. O'Hern accomplished something no one else in the world of golf has been able to. In a shocker, he beat Tiger Woods for the second time head to head in a match play event. There goes Tiger's winning streak and this weekend's TV ratings.
It was a day that Woods simply didn't have it. The weather didn't help either, as it was windy and frigid by desert standards, with a little rain added at times. His drives were blocked right and pulled left on a horrendous front nine, where he would surely have scored in the 40's if it was stroke play. Who would have thunk that!
After clawing back from a 4-down deficit to tie the match on 18, (in typical Tiger fashion) the REAL shocker happened when he missed a 4-foot birdie putt to win on the first extra hole. This time it was Tiger's turn to experience the meaning of "sudden death", as O'Hern saved par with a 12-foot putt that barely snuck into the hole, to win on the 20th hole. He made a nice up and down on a long greenside bunker shot, after watching Tiger fail to get it within 20 feet on his chip from off the green.
It was no surprise for me to see Tiger make a strong comeback after falling behind. He was 4 down after eight holes and looked more like a club player than the world's #1. As he stood over his 10 foot birdie putt on 18th to tie the match, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that it was a virtual gimmie. You knew he would make it and he did.
What happened in the playoff was a different story, one of those "I can't believe what I just saw" events. No one ever thought Tiger would miss a 4 footer to win, then NOT getting up and down and losing was a rare event. If you missed seeing this, you missed golf history. After watching it on TV live, as a golfer I don't remember feeling so human.
For current standings of all brackets paste this link into your Internet browser: http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/leaderboards/current/r470/
Thumbs Down Method Instruction tip:
Start with Solid Contact … and work backwards
What this means is that although ALL the steps that make up the entire golf swing are important (all 10,000+), learning to square the club at impact should be on top of your list. Simply put; First teach yourself to control the clubface (with the hands), using it as a tool to get the job done. For best results, discipline yourself to focus your practice sessions on the impact zone.
Try this Drill: Take slow motion swings only to calf or waist height, making a Thumbs Down motion as you strike down on the ball. After getting the feel of making solid contact on the sweet spot, your confidence level will dramatically improve, along with your game. Lower scores are not a guarantee …they are the natural results.
February 10, 2007
Thumbs Down method - Newsletter2, Feb 07
On Super Bowl Sunday the final round of these pro tour events were played:
PGA TOUR
FBR Open
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona
Aaron Baddeley shot his second straight 7-under 64 and took advantage of Jeff Quinney's collapse down the final four holes to win the FBR Open by one shot. Trailing by three strokes with four holes to play, Baddeley made three consecutive birdies from No. 15 to secure his second career PGA TOUR victory, completing the lowest weekend score in tournament history.
Formally the Phoenix Open, this tournament which finishes annually on Super Bowl Sunday enjoys a football game-like atmosphere. It's louder and routier than any other event all year, with the only exception being the Ryder Cup, where the Golf Gods permit (and expect) heavy fan participation like this. The 16th hole is unique in all of golf, resembling a stadium where booing is permitted, but Noonan's are not allowed. It's also lined with corporate boxes which account for a majority of the tournaments revenue, loyal is the only other tournament that even this kind of more like a than golf.
It ain't over till it's over is a Yogi –ism, which has never played so true to form as it has so far this season on the PGA TOUR. With the exception of season opening Mercedes Championship, each week has seen the leader going into the final round falter and NOT finish the deal, even when it looked like they were going to win.
Quinney, a former US Amateur Champion and Nationwide Tour grad seemingly handed Baddeley the win. He had the opportunity to put it virtually out of reach but missed a short birdie putt on 15. Later, he hooked his tee shot into the water on 17, made a great chip within 4 feet, before missing the short putt and settling for bogey, then another on 18. He finished one shot behind John Rollins, who slipped into secondplace at 20-under after quietly shooting the round of the day with an 8-under 63. Rollins may have forced a playoff if he hadn't gotten unlucky at the 18th. His approach shot was dead-on, but it hit the flag stick and rolled back off the front of the green, where he made par. In my recap of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic I referred to Rollins as a "who is this guy?"unknown player. He's owed more respect than that, as he's playing very well this year so far. Here's a trivia question: Who's the current FedEx Cup leader? Answer: John Rollins.
Baddeley, meanwhile earned the victory when he made a 10-footer for birdie on 17 and pulled ahead by one shot. He closed with a routine par at the 18th to finish at 21-under-par to win the $1.08 million first prize.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Dubai Desert Classic
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
Playing the final round in sandstorm conditions in the desert, Henrik Stenson won the Dubai Desert Classic. The Swede closed with a 4-under 68 to finish the tournament at 19-under-par. Third-round leader Ernie Els, finished second at minus-18. The three-time winner struggled early with three bogeys on the first six holes to shoot a 1-under 71.
Tiger Woods steadly moved up the leaderboard every day and had his chances to challenge Stenson, but had a frustrating day on the greens to finish two back. Woods birdied four of the final six holes to shoot 3-under 69, tieing for third place with Niclas Fasth, who shot a final round 68, at 17-under-par. Ross Fisher, who held at least a share of the lead after the first two rounds, closed with a 71 to finish in fifth at minus-16. Fisher joined Woods, Els, Fasth and Stenson as the five players who owned at least a share of the lead during the final round, before he finished with all bogeys from the 16th.
Peter Hanson shot 1-under 71 Sunday to take sixth at 14-under-par 274. Simon Dyson, Prom Meesawat and Jyoti Randhawa were one stroke further back at minus-13. Thomas Bjorn, shared 10th place at 12-under-par with Robert Karlsson, Maarten Lafeber and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
WOMEN'S EUROPEAN TOUR
Australian Women's Open
Karrie Webb shot an even-par 72 in the final round of the Australian Women's Open for asix-stroke win. Webb, who began the day with a four-stroke lead over Wei Yun-jye of Taiwan, never saw her lead drop below three shots to finish at 10-under. Wei shot 74 to finish second at 4-under.
Paula Marti of Spain and Minea Blomqvist of Finland, each with closing 69s, finished tied for third at 2-under. Brittany Lincicome of the United States and Shin Ji-yai of South Korea also finished with 69s and were another shot back tied for fifth. Katherine Hull of Australia shot a 7-under 65, the best round of the day, to move into ninth place at 1-over. Two of the highest profile golfers in the field had disastrous final rounds. Laura Davies shot 77 to finish at 13-over, while Natalie Gulbis had an 81 and finished at 14-over.
Hot off the presses:
U.S. Women's Open Adopts Three-Hole Playoff
Beginning in 2007, the playoff format for the U.S. Women's Open will be changed to a three-hole aggregate total immediately following the end of regulation play. Until this year, players tied after 72 holes faced an 18-hole playoff the day after regulation play to determine the winner, like last year at Newport (R.I.) Country Club when Annika Sorenstam defeated Pat Hurst. The 2007 Women's Open is scheduled from June 28-July 1 at Pine NeedlesLodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
February 08, 2007
Thumbs Down method - Newsletter Jan 28
This week on the pro tours:
PGA TOUR
Buick Invitational
SAN DIEGO, CA
Jan 25-28
Tiger Woods won his third straight Buick Invitational, for his seventh consecutive victory on the PGA TOUR, the second-longest winning steak in history. Byron Nelson set the record in 1945 with 11 in a row, another one of those records nobody thought was in reach of ever being threatened.
With Tiger, the final result is becoming all too predictable, even when he's on the second page of the leaderboard during the early rounds. These days it's just a matter of WHEN and not IF he'll catch the leaders and win, especially when the top contenders combined have a total of one win. Woods caught up to the pack during the final round with an eagle on the 9th hole, then buried the final challengers on the back nine for a 6-under 66. He got help when Andrew Buckle and Jeff Quinney, who shared the lead on the back nine until they both stumbled on a cool, breezy afternoon at Torrey Pines. Charles Howell III provided the final challenge with three birdies in a four-hole stretch and tour rookie Brandt Snedeker, who held the lead from the opening day with a 61 closed with a 71 and finished third.
The way Woods is playing reminds me of the 2000 season when he won six in a row, including two majors, the US OPEN and PGA. To put it in perspective, since July he's finished no worse than second in stroke play anywhere in the world. Even though Nelson's record was a true winning streak and Wood's isn't because he lost once in Europe and twice in Asia since September, it counts in the PGA TOUR record books.Should Byron Nelson's record be in jeopardy of being broken? My own personal opinion is that Nelson won eleven tournaments in a row and that's the record. The tour he played them on is irrelevant so Nelson's record should stand. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EUROPEAN TOUR
The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
DOHA, Qatar
Jan 25-28
Playing the 17th hole in the final round Nick O'Hern held a two stroke lead, then quickly lost it to Retief Goosen who finished birdie - eagle to win over a stunned O'Hern. Goosen, O'Hern and Richard Green started the final round tied for the lead. With two holes remaining Goosen held a share of the lead until he bogied the 15th, then fell two back when O'Hern birdied 16. Green fell off the pace during the final five holes with three bogies an eagle and a birdie on 18 to finish tied for fourth with Graeme McDowell and Stuart Appleby. 2005 champion Ernie Els, finished third with a 5-under 67.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Turtle Bay Championship
KAHUKU, Hawaii
Jan 26-28
Fred Funk cruised to his second Champions Tour victory after posting his second consecutive round of 8-under 64 in the final round at the Turtle Bay Championship. Funk's 23 under par is the lowest score in relation to par in a 54-hole tournament in Champions Tour history. His birdie on the final hole and Tom Kite's bogey made the margin of victory 11. That bested the previous Champions Tour record for largest margin of victory by two.
Kite threw away an easy runner-up finish down the stretch. He dropped three shots in the final two holes and fell into a tie for second at 12-under-par. He was joined by Loren Roberts, the 2006 champion, Tom Purtzer, Denis Watson and Kiyoshi Murota. Tim Simpson, D.A. Weibring and David Eger shared eighth place at 11-under-par. Scott Simpson, David Edwards and Mike Reid tied for 10th at minus-10.
NATIONWIDE TOUR
Movistar Panama Championship
PANAMA CITY, Panama
Jan 25-28
Miguel Carballo fired a 5-under 65 in the final round to win the Nationwide Tour's 2007 season-opener. He finished at 6-under-par for a two-shot victory over three players: Jim McGovern, Hunter Haas and Patrick Sheehan. Third-round leader Marc Yurnesa shot a 73 and slipped into a tie for fifth place with Camilo Benedetti.
Carballo is the third Latin American to win on the Nationwide Tour after Paraguay's Angel Franco and Keoke Cotner and Esteban Toledo of Spain. His victory came at the same course, Panama Golf Club, where another famous Argentine golfer won: Hall of Famer Roberto De Vicenzo. Jeremy Anderson shot a 67 to move into a tie for seventh place at 2-under. He was joined there by Chris Nallen, Tim Wilkinson, Richard Johnson and Gary Christian.
PGA TOUR
Buick Invitational
SAN DIEGO, CA
Jan 25-28
Tiger Woods won his third straight Buick Invitational, for his seventh consecutive victory on the PGA TOUR, the second-longest winning steak in history. Byron Nelson set the record in 1945 with 11 in a row, another one of those records nobody thought was in reach of ever being threatened.
With Tiger, the final result is becoming all too predictable, even when he's on the second page of the leaderboard during the early rounds. These days it's just a matter of WHEN and not IF he'll catch the leaders and win, especially when the top contenders combined have a total of one win. Woods caught up to the pack during the final round with an eagle on the 9th hole, then buried the final challengers on the back nine for a 6-under 66. He got help when Andrew Buckle and Jeff Quinney, who shared the lead on the back nine until they both stumbled on a cool, breezy afternoon at Torrey Pines. Charles Howell III provided the final challenge with three birdies in a four-hole stretch and tour rookie Brandt Snedeker, who held the lead from the opening day with a 61 closed with a 71 and finished third.
The way Woods is playing reminds me of the 2000 season when he won six in a row, including two majors, the US OPEN and PGA. To put it in perspective, since July he's finished no worse than second in stroke play anywhere in the world. Even though Nelson's record was a true winning streak and Wood's isn't because he lost once in Europe and twice in Asia since September, it counts in the PGA TOUR record books.Should Byron Nelson's record be in jeopardy of being broken? My own personal opinion is that Nelson won eleven tournaments in a row and that's the record. The tour he played them on is irrelevant so Nelson's record should stand. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EUROPEAN TOUR
The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
DOHA, Qatar
Jan 25-28
Playing the 17th hole in the final round Nick O'Hern held a two stroke lead, then quickly lost it to Retief Goosen who finished birdie - eagle to win over a stunned O'Hern. Goosen, O'Hern and Richard Green started the final round tied for the lead. With two holes remaining Goosen held a share of the lead until he bogied the 15th, then fell two back when O'Hern birdied 16. Green fell off the pace during the final five holes with three bogies an eagle and a birdie on 18 to finish tied for fourth with Graeme McDowell and Stuart Appleby. 2005 champion Ernie Els, finished third with a 5-under 67.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Turtle Bay Championship
KAHUKU, Hawaii
Jan 26-28
Fred Funk cruised to his second Champions Tour victory after posting his second consecutive round of 8-under 64 in the final round at the Turtle Bay Championship. Funk's 23 under par is the lowest score in relation to par in a 54-hole tournament in Champions Tour history. His birdie on the final hole and Tom Kite's bogey made the margin of victory 11. That bested the previous Champions Tour record for largest margin of victory by two.
Kite threw away an easy runner-up finish down the stretch. He dropped three shots in the final two holes and fell into a tie for second at 12-under-par. He was joined by Loren Roberts, the 2006 champion, Tom Purtzer, Denis Watson and Kiyoshi Murota. Tim Simpson, D.A. Weibring and David Eger shared eighth place at 11-under-par. Scott Simpson, David Edwards and Mike Reid tied for 10th at minus-10.
NATIONWIDE TOUR
Movistar Panama Championship
PANAMA CITY, Panama
Jan 25-28
Miguel Carballo fired a 5-under 65 in the final round to win the Nationwide Tour's 2007 season-opener. He finished at 6-under-par for a two-shot victory over three players: Jim McGovern, Hunter Haas and Patrick Sheehan. Third-round leader Marc Yurnesa shot a 73 and slipped into a tie for fifth place with Camilo Benedetti.
Carballo is the third Latin American to win on the Nationwide Tour after Paraguay's Angel Franco and Keoke Cotner and Esteban Toledo of Spain. His victory came at the same course, Panama Golf Club, where another famous Argentine golfer won: Hall of Famer Roberto De Vicenzo. Jeremy Anderson shot a 67 to move into a tie for seventh place at 2-under. He was joined there by Chris Nallen, Tim Wilkinson, Richard Johnson and Gary Christian.
Thumbs Down method - Newsletter Jan 20
While many of us were watching the NFL playoffs on Sunday January 21 to determine this year's Super Bowl finalists, these pro golf events were taking place:
PGA TOUR
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
PALM DESERT, CA
Jan 17-21
Justin Rose shot a 6-under 66 to take sole possession of the lead after three rounds of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at 18-under-par and looked in control to win his first PGA TOUR event. Unfortunately for Rose, he joined last week's final round leader Charles Howell III as frontrunners, hungry for a win but who couldn't close the deal. Rose finished one stroke back to the eventual winner Charley Hoffman (who??), who finished regulation with a birdie and an eagle to post at 17-under-par. Hoffman then defeated John Rollins (another who??) on the first playoff hole.
Low scoring, sometimes 30 or more under par is the norm for this five round, 90 hole tournament, the only one on the PGA TOUR schedule. It's rotated over four courses for the first four rounds: Bermuda Dunes Country Club, the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West, La Quinta Country Club and The Classic Club, which will host the final round on Sunday. This year's winning score defied past history by going in reverse during the final round, mostly due to gusting winds over 40 mph. The winds were so severe they almost cancelled the final round. Last year in January I played a round in Florida with this same type of wind. You know the conditions are difficult when the wind is howling so hard that the ball actually wobbles on the green as you're putting.
With the exception of defending champion Phil Mickelson, who kicked off his 2007 season at this event, the leaderboard consisted of very few familiar names to the casual viewer. In addition to Hoffman and Rollins, other lesser known players in contention included: Lucas Glover, Charles Warren, John Senden, Matt Kuchar, Dean Wilson, Heath Slocum Vaughn Taylor, Charles Warren, Cliff Kresge and Jeff Quinney to name a few.
Think about how good these guys are. Every week they battle and typically finish their four rounds under par, ending up so far down on the leader board that we don't even notice. When was the last time any of us had a round under par, let alone four? NEVER is the honest answer. Hey, these guys are REALLY GOOD! As for Mickelson, he closed with a 6-over 78 to share 45th at seven-under-par. Not bad for a week the press described as atrocious.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
MasterCard Championship
KA'UPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii
Jan 19-21
Anyone who thought Hale Irwin was too old and washed up is sadly mistaken. Irwin showed how competitive and determined he was in the off-season, as he won the Champions Tour's season-opening MasterCard Championship, beating Jim Thorpe and Tom Kite by five strokes for his tour-record 45th victory. Coming off his first winless season in 12 years, the 61-year-old Irwin closed with a 7-under 65 for a 23-under winning score.
Last year, he was shutout for the first time since joining the Champions Tour in 1995 and saw his streak of seasons with $1 million in winnings end at 10. On Saturday, Irwin had 10 birdies and almost shot his age, but missed a 12-foot birdie putt on 18 and settled for a 62. He has dominated in Hawaii like no other golfer, winning nine times on the senior tour, including the 1997 MasterCard and also taking the 1981 Hawaiian Open on the PGA Tour. As a side note, Gary Player is still playing on the Champions Tour and CAN STILL play, as he shot his age of 69 two out of the three rounds.
Jay Haas and first-round leader Brad Bryant tied for fifth place at 15-under-par. D.A. Weibring and Tom Jenkins both shot rounds of 5-under 67 and shared seventh place at minus-14. Eduardo Romero (68), Tom Watson (68), Jerry Pate (70) and Allen Doyle (70) tied for ninth place at 13-under-par. Dana Quigley, the iron man of golf who won here in 2003 and 2005, was in contention until fading in the final round.
Just think about this for a moment. Athletes in their 50's and 60's are competing in a sport and playing at such a high level. WOW! Only in golf is this possible. I remember when I was first watching professional golf in the mid 1960's when the top players were: Billy Casper, Orville Moody, Miller Barber, Bob Murphy and an out of shape Jack Nicklaus. These guys could hit it far and shoot under par (with yesterday's equipment), but didn't look anything like our vision of professional athletes. Arnold Palmer was one of the few that wasstrong and athletically built. In those days Gary Player was the rare exception in that he worked out frequently, but back then it meant he was doing hundreds of push-ups and sit-ups each day.
LPGA TOUR
Women's World Cup of Golf
SUN CITY, South Africa
Jan 19-21
Paraguay won the Women's World Cup by seven strokes over the United States at the Gary Player Country Club. Celeste Troche and Julieta Granada who won last year's ADT LPGA Championship combined to shoot a 7-under 65 Sunday in betterball for the easy win.
Granada had five birdies and Troche added three more, including a chip-in at the 17th, to win at 9-under 279. The United States team of Pat Hurst and Juli Inkster finished second, seven strokes back. South Korea (67) was third at 287.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates
Jan 18-21
Paul Casey shot a 7-under 65 Sunday to win the by one stroke over Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson. Defending champion Chris DiMarco was fourth at 15-under. Casey had five birdies on the front nine and three on the back, easily overcoming his three-stroke deficit from the third round. Jimenez, who was even with Casey after 16 holes, bogeyed the 17th and wasn't able to birdie 18 to force a playoff. Padraig Harrington, Jean Francois and Retief Goosen tied for fifth at 14-under.
PGA TOUR
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
PALM DESERT, CA
Jan 17-21
Justin Rose shot a 6-under 66 to take sole possession of the lead after three rounds of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at 18-under-par and looked in control to win his first PGA TOUR event. Unfortunately for Rose, he joined last week's final round leader Charles Howell III as frontrunners, hungry for a win but who couldn't close the deal. Rose finished one stroke back to the eventual winner Charley Hoffman (who??), who finished regulation with a birdie and an eagle to post at 17-under-par. Hoffman then defeated John Rollins (another who??) on the first playoff hole.
Low scoring, sometimes 30 or more under par is the norm for this five round, 90 hole tournament, the only one on the PGA TOUR schedule. It's rotated over four courses for the first four rounds: Bermuda Dunes Country Club, the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West, La Quinta Country Club and The Classic Club, which will host the final round on Sunday. This year's winning score defied past history by going in reverse during the final round, mostly due to gusting winds over 40 mph. The winds were so severe they almost cancelled the final round. Last year in January I played a round in Florida with this same type of wind. You know the conditions are difficult when the wind is howling so hard that the ball actually wobbles on the green as you're putting.
With the exception of defending champion Phil Mickelson, who kicked off his 2007 season at this event, the leaderboard consisted of very few familiar names to the casual viewer. In addition to Hoffman and Rollins, other lesser known players in contention included: Lucas Glover, Charles Warren, John Senden, Matt Kuchar, Dean Wilson, Heath Slocum Vaughn Taylor, Charles Warren, Cliff Kresge and Jeff Quinney to name a few.
Think about how good these guys are. Every week they battle and typically finish their four rounds under par, ending up so far down on the leader board that we don't even notice. When was the last time any of us had a round under par, let alone four? NEVER is the honest answer. Hey, these guys are REALLY GOOD! As for Mickelson, he closed with a 6-over 78 to share 45th at seven-under-par. Not bad for a week the press described as atrocious.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
MasterCard Championship
KA'UPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii
Jan 19-21
Anyone who thought Hale Irwin was too old and washed up is sadly mistaken. Irwin showed how competitive and determined he was in the off-season, as he won the Champions Tour's season-opening MasterCard Championship, beating Jim Thorpe and Tom Kite by five strokes for his tour-record 45th victory. Coming off his first winless season in 12 years, the 61-year-old Irwin closed with a 7-under 65 for a 23-under winning score.
Last year, he was shutout for the first time since joining the Champions Tour in 1995 and saw his streak of seasons with $1 million in winnings end at 10. On Saturday, Irwin had 10 birdies and almost shot his age, but missed a 12-foot birdie putt on 18 and settled for a 62. He has dominated in Hawaii like no other golfer, winning nine times on the senior tour, including the 1997 MasterCard and also taking the 1981 Hawaiian Open on the PGA Tour. As a side note, Gary Player is still playing on the Champions Tour and CAN STILL play, as he shot his age of 69 two out of the three rounds.
Jay Haas and first-round leader Brad Bryant tied for fifth place at 15-under-par. D.A. Weibring and Tom Jenkins both shot rounds of 5-under 67 and shared seventh place at minus-14. Eduardo Romero (68), Tom Watson (68), Jerry Pate (70) and Allen Doyle (70) tied for ninth place at 13-under-par. Dana Quigley, the iron man of golf who won here in 2003 and 2005, was in contention until fading in the final round.
Just think about this for a moment. Athletes in their 50's and 60's are competing in a sport and playing at such a high level. WOW! Only in golf is this possible. I remember when I was first watching professional golf in the mid 1960's when the top players were: Billy Casper, Orville Moody, Miller Barber, Bob Murphy and an out of shape Jack Nicklaus. These guys could hit it far and shoot under par (with yesterday's equipment), but didn't look anything like our vision of professional athletes. Arnold Palmer was one of the few that wasstrong and athletically built. In those days Gary Player was the rare exception in that he worked out frequently, but back then it meant he was doing hundreds of push-ups and sit-ups each day.
LPGA TOUR
Women's World Cup of Golf
SUN CITY, South Africa
Jan 19-21
Paraguay won the Women's World Cup by seven strokes over the United States at the Gary Player Country Club. Celeste Troche and Julieta Granada who won last year's ADT LPGA Championship combined to shoot a 7-under 65 Sunday in betterball for the easy win.
Granada had five birdies and Troche added three more, including a chip-in at the 17th, to win at 9-under 279. The United States team of Pat Hurst and Juli Inkster finished second, seven strokes back. South Korea (67) was third at 287.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates
Jan 18-21
Paul Casey shot a 7-under 65 Sunday to win the by one stroke over Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson. Defending champion Chris DiMarco was fourth at 15-under. Casey had five birdies on the front nine and three on the back, easily overcoming his three-stroke deficit from the third round. Jimenez, who was even with Casey after 16 holes, bogeyed the 17th and wasn't able to birdie 18 to force a playoff. Padraig Harrington, Jean Francois and Retief Goosen tied for fifth at 14-under.
2007 Intro Newsletter
Happy 2007 to you and yours!
This year's Thumbs Down Method newsletter has changed quite a bit from last year's. They're more frequent, so expect to receive 3 or 4 each month throughout the year. Each issue will include a recap of the recent Pro Tour events with my comments and opinions, golf related topics of interest, plus ball striking tips from ME. To be removed from the list please email me at info@thumbsdown.info
Many of you who receive this newsletter are customers of the Front Nine edition of Thumbs Down, the virtual golf lesson. I'm pleased to report that a lot of progress has been made in completing the re-construction of The Back Nine edition, which provides step by step ball striking drills in a graphical format that let's each picture tell thestory. The images were designed to easily understand, remember and replay in your mind, so you can give yourself a Virtual Golf Lesson anytime, anywhere. The Back Nine is positioned as a HOW TO guide and training aid you can practice with, then legally use on the course as you play.
A short Sneak Preview is now available (holes 10-13), which I'd like to personally share with you on request FREE. If you'd like to receive an electronic copy please email info@thumbsdown.info. For those of you in the US, I'd also like to introduce a new technology product, which I use to electronically deliver the book using the Internet and discuss will you one-on-one in real-time. Soon this technology will include a video component and made available to teaching pros for giving live lessons remotely.
Now, I NEED YOUR HELP. On February 1st I will be attending a Golf Channel audition for an upcoming show on new golf inventions. My presentation will describe how I developed (invented) the Thumbs Down method to cure my slice, by squaring the club at impact and how it improved my ball striking and ball flight to hit a draw.
If you've used the Thumbs Down method and have experienced positive results I would appreciate a few encouraging words as a testimonial (I won't name names), which will be included in my presentation. Please email info@thumbsdown.info with your comments and results. Thank you, Alan.
The Mercedes-Benz Championship
KAPALUA, Hawaii
Jan 4-7
The new era in golf began with many of us scratching our heads, wondering why Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson decided to skip the season-opening and Fed Ex Cup ribbon cutting tournament. I don't know about you but ever since The Western Open, one of golf's oldest and most respected venues changed it's name to The Cialis Western Open, golf lost some of it's shine. In an era when athletes are a far cry from the roll models of yesteryear, golf was in my eyes squeaky clean. Ever since the re-naming a few years ago I've noticed Tiger and Phil acting bigger than the game, playing whenever they wanted. As an example, what's up with Phil missing the World Series of Golf, which features the winners of all 4 majors. As winner of the 2006 Masters, Phil was the lefty that was supposed to play, not Mike Weir. I really don't care anymore who wins many of these tournaments, but players have always had an obligation to play in certain events and always did, until recent years when they make millions even if they don't win a tournament. It's a sign of the times in sports I guess.
Coming off his least productive season in five years, the old version of Vijay Singh showed up and delivered a strong statement that he's still around. Singh closed with a 3-under 70 for a two-shot victory over Adam Scott. This is Singh's 30th PGA TOUR win and with that he reached three milestones. He became the 17th player with 30 or more wins in PGA TOUR history. The title was also his 18th since turning 40. That broke the tour record for victories over 40, previously held by Sam Snead. Finally, the $1,100,000 winners check pushed Singh over the $50 million mark in career earnings on the PGA TOUR. He is just the second player to break that plateau, joining Tiger Woods, who has over $65 million in career earnings. Will MacKenzie was by far the crowd favorite all week. He contended for the lead until falling behind Adam Scott, who finished second. Trevor Immelman was alone in third at 9-under-par 283. Davis Love III, the 1993 winner, fired a five-under 68 to share fourth at minus-8. He was joined there by J.B. Holmes (72) and Mackenzie (72). Luke Donald took seventh place at 7-under-par 285 after his third straight 71. Former PGA champion David Toms closed with the best round of the day, a 6- under 67, to end in a tie for eighth at minus-6. He ended alongside K.J. Choi and J.J. Henry. Stuart Appleby, who won this event the last three years, shared 13th as he closed with three straight rounds under par.
Sony Open in Hawaii
HONOLULU
Hawaii
Jan 11-14
With ALL of the buzz, ALL of the talk and most of all, ALL the hype about Michele Wie's attempt to finally qualify on the PGA Tour , another Hawaiian fenom Tadd Fujikawa stole the spotlight. Never mind who won the tournament, these two teenagers received a large majority of the media's attention all week. Wie left very little doubt that this wasn't her week when she shot herself out of contention early. An opening round of 78 was followed by a 76 to miss the cut by 14 shots. In the past, the media would have interviewed her into submission, asking about her lack of success trying the make the cut vs the men and how much did her wrist injury affect her play. I for one am glad that we weren't subjected to that. Instead, Michelle virtually disappeared from the TV stage, replaced by Tadd Fujikawa as he played the Back Nine during his second round. At 5 foot 1 and just turning sixteen years old earlier in the week Fujikawa closed in on history right before my eyes. I began watching him on The Golf Channel starting on the 15th hole at 1 under par, with the cut line at even par. After a bogey, he ended the round with a dramatic eagle on the 18th hole for a 66, finishing at 4 under par. Fujikawa became the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA TOUR. I for one think it's time for Michelle Wie to forget about competing against the men and focus her efforts on regularly playing the LPGA Tour and winning against her peers, women pros. Those girls can play! What do you think? Email me your comments at info@thumbsdown.info
Oh bye the way, Paul Goydos staged a rally with three birdies in the final four holes to win the tournament. It was his first victory in 11 years after passing third-round leader Charles Howell III, who looked like the eventual winner with a 2 stroke lead with three holes to play. Instead, it was a crushing defeat for Howell who hasn't won since 2002. He tied with Luke Donald for second, a stroke back. During his post tournament interview with Jerry Foltz of The Golf Channel Goydos answered the question about whether he thought he would win again on the PGA TOUR by saying in a very laid back tone "I like to win at least once every decade". Golf
Thumbs Down Golf Tip:
The Truth Be Told
AJ Bonar sold millions of videos called "AJ Reveals The Truth About Golf" on The Golf Channel over the past few years. In the October issue of Golf Magazine, Bonar was featured and established himself as a maverick teacher by accusing teaching pros of teaching incorrectly to their students. With too much focus and attention on swing planes, too many teaching pros and instructors overlook the importance of controlling the clubface using the hands, wrists and forearms. I agree with AJ and wrote this quote for the 11th holeon The Back Nine edition. "All great ball strikers use their hands and wrists for hidden power, whether they choose to admit it or not".
This year's Thumbs Down Method newsletter has changed quite a bit from last year's. They're more frequent, so expect to receive 3 or 4 each month throughout the year. Each issue will include a recap of the recent Pro Tour events with my comments and opinions, golf related topics of interest, plus ball striking tips from ME. To be removed from the list please email me at info@thumbsdown.info
Many of you who receive this newsletter are customers of the Front Nine edition of Thumbs Down, the virtual golf lesson. I'm pleased to report that a lot of progress has been made in completing the re-construction of The Back Nine edition, which provides step by step ball striking drills in a graphical format that let's each picture tell thestory. The images were designed to easily understand, remember and replay in your mind, so you can give yourself a Virtual Golf Lesson anytime, anywhere. The Back Nine is positioned as a HOW TO guide and training aid you can practice with, then legally use on the course as you play.
A short Sneak Preview is now available (holes 10-13), which I'd like to personally share with you on request FREE. If you'd like to receive an electronic copy please email info@thumbsdown.info. For those of you in the US, I'd also like to introduce a new technology product, which I use to electronically deliver the book using the Internet and discuss will you one-on-one in real-time. Soon this technology will include a video component and made available to teaching pros for giving live lessons remotely.
Now, I NEED YOUR HELP. On February 1st I will be attending a Golf Channel audition for an upcoming show on new golf inventions. My presentation will describe how I developed (invented) the Thumbs Down method to cure my slice, by squaring the club at impact and how it improved my ball striking and ball flight to hit a draw.
If you've used the Thumbs Down method and have experienced positive results I would appreciate a few encouraging words as a testimonial (I won't name names), which will be included in my presentation. Please email info@thumbsdown.info with your comments and results. Thank you, Alan.
The Mercedes-Benz Championship
KAPALUA, Hawaii
Jan 4-7
The new era in golf began with many of us scratching our heads, wondering why Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson decided to skip the season-opening and Fed Ex Cup ribbon cutting tournament. I don't know about you but ever since The Western Open, one of golf's oldest and most respected venues changed it's name to The Cialis Western Open, golf lost some of it's shine. In an era when athletes are a far cry from the roll models of yesteryear, golf was in my eyes squeaky clean. Ever since the re-naming a few years ago I've noticed Tiger and Phil acting bigger than the game, playing whenever they wanted. As an example, what's up with Phil missing the World Series of Golf, which features the winners of all 4 majors. As winner of the 2006 Masters, Phil was the lefty that was supposed to play, not Mike Weir. I really don't care anymore who wins many of these tournaments, but players have always had an obligation to play in certain events and always did, until recent years when they make millions even if they don't win a tournament. It's a sign of the times in sports I guess.
Coming off his least productive season in five years, the old version of Vijay Singh showed up and delivered a strong statement that he's still around. Singh closed with a 3-under 70 for a two-shot victory over Adam Scott. This is Singh's 30th PGA TOUR win and with that he reached three milestones. He became the 17th player with 30 or more wins in PGA TOUR history. The title was also his 18th since turning 40. That broke the tour record for victories over 40, previously held by Sam Snead. Finally, the $1,100,000 winners check pushed Singh over the $50 million mark in career earnings on the PGA TOUR. He is just the second player to break that plateau, joining Tiger Woods, who has over $65 million in career earnings. Will MacKenzie was by far the crowd favorite all week. He contended for the lead until falling behind Adam Scott, who finished second. Trevor Immelman was alone in third at 9-under-par 283. Davis Love III, the 1993 winner, fired a five-under 68 to share fourth at minus-8. He was joined there by J.B. Holmes (72) and Mackenzie (72). Luke Donald took seventh place at 7-under-par 285 after his third straight 71. Former PGA champion David Toms closed with the best round of the day, a 6- under 67, to end in a tie for eighth at minus-6. He ended alongside K.J. Choi and J.J. Henry. Stuart Appleby, who won this event the last three years, shared 13th as he closed with three straight rounds under par.
Sony Open in Hawaii
HONOLULU
Hawaii
Jan 11-14
With ALL of the buzz, ALL of the talk and most of all, ALL the hype about Michele Wie's attempt to finally qualify on the PGA Tour , another Hawaiian fenom Tadd Fujikawa stole the spotlight. Never mind who won the tournament, these two teenagers received a large majority of the media's attention all week. Wie left very little doubt that this wasn't her week when she shot herself out of contention early. An opening round of 78 was followed by a 76 to miss the cut by 14 shots. In the past, the media would have interviewed her into submission, asking about her lack of success trying the make the cut vs the men and how much did her wrist injury affect her play. I for one am glad that we weren't subjected to that. Instead, Michelle virtually disappeared from the TV stage, replaced by Tadd Fujikawa as he played the Back Nine during his second round. At 5 foot 1 and just turning sixteen years old earlier in the week Fujikawa closed in on history right before my eyes. I began watching him on The Golf Channel starting on the 15th hole at 1 under par, with the cut line at even par. After a bogey, he ended the round with a dramatic eagle on the 18th hole for a 66, finishing at 4 under par. Fujikawa became the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA TOUR. I for one think it's time for Michelle Wie to forget about competing against the men and focus her efforts on regularly playing the LPGA Tour and winning against her peers, women pros. Those girls can play! What do you think? Email me your comments at info@thumbsdown.info
Oh bye the way, Paul Goydos staged a rally with three birdies in the final four holes to win the tournament. It was his first victory in 11 years after passing third-round leader Charles Howell III, who looked like the eventual winner with a 2 stroke lead with three holes to play. Instead, it was a crushing defeat for Howell who hasn't won since 2002. He tied with Luke Donald for second, a stroke back. During his post tournament interview with Jerry Foltz of The Golf Channel Goydos answered the question about whether he thought he would win again on the PGA TOUR by saying in a very laid back tone "I like to win at least once every decade". Golf
Thumbs Down Golf Tip:
The Truth Be Told
AJ Bonar sold millions of videos called "AJ Reveals The Truth About Golf" on The Golf Channel over the past few years. In the October issue of Golf Magazine, Bonar was featured and established himself as a maverick teacher by accusing teaching pros of teaching incorrectly to their students. With too much focus and attention on swing planes, too many teaching pros and instructors overlook the importance of controlling the clubface using the hands, wrists and forearms. I agree with AJ and wrote this quote for the 11th holeon The Back Nine edition. "All great ball strikers use their hands and wrists for hidden power, whether they choose to admit it or not".
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