What The Golfinggods Say….

 

Last weeks tournaments were reflective of the Brides mantra ‘ something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’!

 

Both Phil Mickelson and Craig Parry must represent the something old camp with victories in the FBR and Heineken tournaments. They both showed their years of experience in getting the job done when even their games were not completely working. In particular Mickelson who for a couple of shots on Sunday looked like imploding with a horrid ‘bail out left’ push, but once again his sublime short game saved him.

 

The something new must of course be Kevin Na who showed once again that at only 21 years of age he has a bright future ahead of him. Playing with the local hero (Mickelson) for the last two days in front of one of the most hostile crowds on tour he played admirably although never really threatened. With more experience at the sharp end of a tournament Kevin may just find himself ‘Numero Uno’ come Sunday evening.

 

And the rather hapless Nick O’Hern must receive both the something borrowed and something blue award this week. With a putter that must have been borrowed from a house of horrors and more in common with an axe than a piece of Golf equipment, he once again showed us how not to win a tournament. Three glorious shots into the eighteenth at Royal Melbourne in the playoff against Parry and he could only watch all three slide by the hole. As a spectator you get the feeling that if Nick could only win one tournament he could possibly win another ten, but after this weekend Nick is definitely feeling something blue!

 

And so to this week.

 

The US PGA tour heads to the revered Pebble Beach Golf  course for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am. Played over the Pebble Beach, Poppy Hills and Spyglass Hill courses this tournament really is the ‘giggle golf’ event of the year. This is because one man above all attends and for four days causes mayhem. He is of course Bill Murray and no player or spectator is safe as he risks life and limb to entertain or annoy, depending on how you interpret it. Players must be able to play through long, slow rounds and have an adaptability with the ever changing weather conditions of all three courses. Finally players must come to terms with the bent grass greens. At this time of the year they are bumpier and slightly grainier than usual and experience playing on them is essential.

 

Selections:

 

Davis Love: since 2001 David has either won this event or missed the cut! Last year he missed the cut so if you believe in trends then he must contend this year.

 

Tom Lehman: six top tens in the last seven starts and has consistently played well in all Pro Am events. A likely contender this week.

 

Mike Weir: another consistent performer here with four top 10’s in the last five events. If Mike can get his game in shape this week he has the patience and putting stroke to win this event.

 

Vijah Singh: boring I know but this is another tournament where his record is formidable. The winner here last year and second in 2001 & 2002 Vijah must contend once again. If he brings the ‘A game’ then it is hard to look past him.

 

Others to mention: Phil Mickelson, Matt Gogel, Rory Sabbatini and KJ Choi.

 

The European tour this week takes its players to New Zealand for the New Zealand Open which is played over the beautiful Gulf Harbour Country Club. This course may have stunning views over Hauraki Gulf however with many sideways lies on the fairways, tricked up greens and many blind shots this course will not endear itself to the players. And of course the weather will play a big part in this tournament as the course is perched high on cliffs and strong coastal winds could turn scores very high indeed.

 

All though a number of quality players from Europe such as Nick Dougherty, Anders Hansen and Joakim Haeggman are playing this week only two non Australasian players have won the event in the last twenty years!

 

Selections:

 

Craig Parry: an obvious choice as he is favourite but his low left to right ball flight will assist him this week as will his usually reliable putting stroke. Expect him to be at the sharp end of this tournament!

 

Michael Campbell: twelve months ago Michael would have been favourite for this event but his game, and his fitness has dramatically dropped. With a local crowd giving him support this week the New Zealand Open could be the re birth of this classy golfer. If it is then Campbell could win this easily.

 

Steven Alker: second in this event in 2001 & 2002 Steven has just come off a successful start to the Nationwide tour in America. If he can continue his good form then he will challenge this week.

 

Brett Rumford: one of the most consistent ball strikers on the European tour Brett only needs to find some magic with the flat stick to contend. Another of the ‘broomstick bunch’ Brett has the demeanour and game to win this week. It is all about the putter!

 

Others to mention: Nick O’Hern, Mahal Pearce, Stephen Scahill and Gareth Paddison.