WOW! - MclIroy Delivers in Record-setting Fashion

His Lowest 72 Hole Total of 268 will likely stand for years to come.  Jack Nicklaus set the bar at 272, back in 1980 at Baltusrol, and no one had gone lower until McIlroy's performance.

He also set the lowest score in relation to par at 16 under, which the USPGA will probably not want to see bettered, regardless of the weather which even MacIloy admitted helped him out.  He was actually 17 under at one point.

His wire-to-wire victory also meant 36 and 54 hole scoring records and he was the youngest player to win the US Open since Bobby Jones.  His fairways-in-regulation and greens-in-regulation statistics were also unprecedented.

In all he set 12 records over the past four days.

And he did it all with poise and youthful confidence that endeared him to everyone who witnessed it, especially after shooting a fourth round 80 at August just eight weeks ago (also a record by a tournament leader at The Masters.)

His free flowing swing matches his carefree personality and stands in stark contrast to the guarded Woods who is still chasing Jack's 18 majors.  It will be even tougher for Woods to accomplish that feat now that McIlroy has had a taste of major glory.

Tiger's Tail of Pain

 A chronology of Tiger Woods' injuries (From A.P. 06/07/11):

June 7, 2011 — Decides not to play the U.S. Open because his left knee and Achilles is not fully healed. It is the first time he has missed the U.S. Open since 1994, after he graduated high school.

May 12, 2011 — Withdraws after nine holes at The Players Championship after a 42, his worst 9-hole score at the TPC Sawgrass. Woods had a noticeable limp over the final hour. "The knee acted up, and then the Achilles followed after that, and then the calf started cramping up. Everything started getting tight," he said.

April 26, 2011 — Reveals he has a minor sprain of medial collateral ligaments in left knee and minor strain of his left Achilles, and he will miss the Wells Fargo Championship.

Dec. 11, 2010 — Has cortisone shot in his right ankle because of lingering soreness in his Achilles.

May 9, 2010 — Withdraws on the seventh hole of the final round at The Players Championship with what he fears is a bulging disk. He later says it was inflammation of a joint in his neck. He doesn't miss a start, returning a month later at the Memorial.

December 2008 — Ruptures the Achilles' tendon in his right leg.

June 24, 2008 — Eight days after winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in a 19-hole playoff, has reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and to repair cartilage damage. He misses the rest of the 2008 season and is out for eight months.

June 2008 — Advised in the weeks before the U.S. Open that he has two stress fractures of the left tibia and should expect to be on crutches three weeks, out of golf for an additional three weeks.

April 15, 2008 — Two days after his runner-up finish at the Masters, has athroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage. Decides against repairing ligament to avoid longer rehabilitation and to play the other three majors. Misses Quail Hollow, The Players Championship and the Memorial.

July 2007 — Ruptures his anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee when he took a misstep while running on a golf course. He wins five of his last six tournaments he plays, including the PGA Championship.

Dec. 12, 2002 — Has surgery to remove fluid inside and around the anterior cruciate ligament. Misses the season-opening Mercedes Championship for the first time, and returns 10 weeks later to win the Buick Invitational.

December 1994 — As a freshman at Stanford, has surgery to remove two benign tumors and scar tissue in his left knee.

True Grit

Dejected

To see David Toms pull it together after a heartbreaker at The Players and a blown 6 shot lead after back to back 62's at Colonial and capture the plaid jacket was a thing of beauty.

The fact that he is a serious contender now for The US Open is even more amazing.  I don't think he'll win it, but if he does, he has a serious case to make for Hall of Fame induction someday.

The fact that he is 44 years old (same age as me) makes it sweet indeed. 

Redeemed

Canucks on Target for the Cup

I just couldn't resist this logo...

White Hot! Tool or Trend?

First it was the White Cobra Driver; then Taylor Made came out with the R11 and followed that up with its line of white ‘Ghost’ putters.  What the heck is going on?  Is this simply a trend in club aesthetics, or is there something more to it?  And, what’s next? 

I have to admit when I first saw Ian Poulter hit his white S3 driver, I thought, “That looks pretty cool.  You can count on Poulter to make a fashion statement with his clubs.”  And, there is general agreement out there that both the S3 and the R11 are quality clubs.   

But, how much does the color affect you as you stand over the ball?  Several reviews in golf.com noted that the color makes the head look larger and some felt the white crown and black clubface provide a unique alignment system. (Read more at: http://www.golf.com/golf/equipment/article/0,28136,2025130,00.html#ixzz1MmgvHRXH).   

I tend to think the success of the R11 has more to do with the properties of the clubface and the adjustability of the weight and alignment features found on the R7 and R9.  Either way, we are seeing more and more pros teeing up white drivers in the past few months.

As for white putters, the arguments in favour of the beneficial alignment properties of contrasting colors may have more traction.  I test putted a Ghost putter recently and definitely felt the black alignment markings stood out dramatically against the white background and the entire club against the green itself too made me feel as though I were lined up better.  The true test, of course, would be holing more putts over several rounds with the putter, and I may have to make the investment to see if it indeed lowers my score, which in the end is all that matters.

I just worry that the main motivation for many is the trendiness may get out of hand.  In the not too distant future, I would not be surprised to see Paula Creamer tee up something like this...

The Players The 5th Major? Maybe not, but the # 1 ranking hangs in the balance.

Both current World number one, Lee Westwood, and number six, Rory McIlroy, are taking a pass on The Players at TPC Sawgrass this weekend.  While we can debate whether this is a smart move, a snub, or their right as pros to appear wherever they choose, the reality is that since they are not teeing it up, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer or Phil Mickelson could take over the number one spot with a win at the Stadium Course.

The Players is not a major, but the strength of the field, the challenge of the venue and the history of the event makes it a prestigious title to add to any pro’s resume.  Also, as a run up to the U.S. Open, with The Memorial in between, it is one of the last chances for the top players to get in form by facing major-like pressure.

Hot off his win at Quail Hollow, Lucas Glover, must be considered a favorite this week.  I have my eye on Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar and recent Hall of Fame inductee Ernie Els too. Of course, we are all waiting to see if Tiger can find his form amid recurring knee trouble in his run up to the US Open.

In a classy move, defending champion, Tim Clark, threw tradition aside and asked that the South African flag, which would normally fly atop the pole centering the Circle of Champions in front of the Sawgrass clubhouse, be replaced with a Spanish fag at half mast in honor of the passing of Seve Ballesteros.  Nice move.

All things considered, it should be a great tournament.

Adios Amigo

Passionate, talented, competitive...the list of adjectives to describe Severiano Ballesteros goes on and on.  In my first blog entry, I commented on the recent rise of European Golf.  Without a doubt, the current crop of European golfers owe the largest debt to Seve.  He single-handedly ressurected the Ryder Cup and captured the imagination of golf fans worldwide.  With 91 professional wins, including 5 major championships, Seve did it all and did it with class and imagination.  Taken from us at just 54 years of age, he handled his last great challenge, his fight against brain cancer, with dignity.  You will be missed.