Harrington reclaims Open title
July 21, 2008
Padraig Harrington claimed back to back Open Championships with a fantastic win at Birkdale. Harrington started the day two back of Greg Norman but some mistakes by Greg and some “par golf” from the Irishman allowed him to win. There was a late surge from Ian Poulter who ended the tournament at +7. But it didn’t matter as Padraig eagled the 17th and parred the last to win the tournament by 4 shots.
After the win he said…
“I’d like to put the Claret Jug right back where it was last year, I really tried not to think about the consequences of winning today but I did think it would be nice to have the trophy back on the breakfast table again. I had a great year as Open champion, so much so I didn’t want to give it back. It’s important that you go on and win a second major. Very few people have won two majors or back-to-back majors. I was always trying to play that down but winning a second sets you apart. It’s a new level and there’s less people in that club.”
Tiger Woods out for the season
June 19, 2008
The consequences that Tiger has suffered after his historic win at the US Open mean he will miss the rest of the season. Tiger played through the pain barrier to claim his 14th major and keep in touch with Jack Nicklaus. He has paid the price heavily and will miss the Ryder Cup and the other two majors.
Tiger said…
“I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time. I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the US Open. Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee.”
Simon Says…
Watching that US Open was brilliant and what Tiger said afterwards capped it off. He said he would never pull out in front of the thousands of people watching. I now wish he did because we will not see him again this year. I wish Tiger all the best and cannot wait to see him in action next year.
Tiger Woods wins US Open
June 17, 2008
Tiger Woods won one of the most dramatic US Open events to date. After 18 gruelling holes the two could not be separated and an extra hole was needed.
The play-off…
Both players had poor starts with a bogey at the first from Tiger Woods and a horrible double bogey at the first from Rocco Mediate. Read more
Tiger forces play-off
June 16, 2008
Tiger Woods kept his hopes alive of winning his 14th major after making a 20ft putt on the last to force a play-off with Rocco Mediate.
Tiger had been playing poorly all day and his knee was clearly hurting him. On numerous occasions he stood and just felt his knee, he was clearly in pain. Woods made a terrible start making a double bogey at the first and throwing away his lead. It didn’t get any better and he dropped another shot at the second, he now wasn’t thinking about winning he was just thinking about staying in contention. He did make birdie at the fifth but he still was not driving well and his putting wasn’t brilliant either.
Tiger showed great resilience throughout the back nine but he still was not playing well and he couldn’t find that elusive birdie to draw level, until the 18th hole. Tiger continued his poor driving on the 18th when he put his ball in the bunker. He couldn’t find the fairway with his second shot either as he put it in rough. It looked liked it was over and Rocco was going to win… That was until he played a great shot into the green leaving himself a “chance”; by that I mean a 15ft putt. Westwood also had a chance but he missed his putt and would have to wait a bit longer to win his first major. So it was left to Woods… He made the putt and forced a play-off with Rocco today.
Afterwards Woods said…
“I hit it terrible today, just a terrible day of ball striking, But I hung in there, scrapped around and gave myself a chance. My knee was pretty sore, I took some things to relieve that, and now here we are. At least I’ve got a chance.”
Simon Says…
I cannot see how Woods is going to lose after that putt. Having hit the ball terrible all day and still to be leading it shows the quality of the man. I’m looking forward to today but I don’t think Tiger will have to make a putt like that on the 18th green.
Tiger charges at Torrey Pines
June 14, 2008
Tiger Woods sent out shivers to the other players after a scintillating back nine left him just one shot off the lead. Tiger came home in 30 shots to propel him up the leader board. After the front nine he was seven shots off the lead but some magic on the back put him back in the running to win his 14th major.
Tiger said…
”Today I was just trying to get back to even par, to be honest with you, that’s all I was trying to do. And I just happened to make a couple more putts. I shot 30 on my back nine in a US Open, that’s not too bad. I’m in great shape so far. I’m right there.”
Stuart Appleby leads after halfway but with Tiger on the charge he could be blown away by the world number one.
Tiger makes edgey start
June 13, 2008
Tiger Woods looked like he was still suffering from his knee injury in round one of the US Open. Tiger still managed to end just four shots off the lead at +1 par.
Tiger said…
“The knee is a bit sore right now. That wasn’t the only one that I winced on. It is what it is, you’ve got to deal with it and continue playing. Unfortunately, I three-putted the last and there is no excuse for that. I had a terrible start. I couldn’t ask for a worse start. It’s not like I haven’t been there before. I’ve made bogeys before, just not two of them on the first hole. Stay patient, there are some birdie holes out there. I got back to under par, unfortunately I didn’t stay there.”
The US Open is being lead by Justin Hicks who shot a four under 68.
He said…
“It is not every day you get to say you shot under par at a US Open so it feels pretty darn good,”
Tiger Woods will have to improve if he is to add to his 13 majors.
Is Woods the best ever?
June 11, 2008
It is one of the most intriguing questions. Is Tiger the best?
His performances since he has been professional have been amazing, he has won over 60 tournaments and has 13 majors to his name. Every time he plays there are record crowds and they are all there to see him.
The competition he faces…
Golf is very competitive, any number of players can win, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Stewart Cink. Not forgetting the Europeans: Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey. I mean there is a new winner every tournament.
Every one of these players can beat Tiger Woods, just not on a regular basis. That’s why he may struggle to get the record off Jack Nicklaus. I suppose we will only now if he is greater when he retires. I’m sure that by the time he has finished he WILL have the record of most majors and most tournament wins! It just won’t be as easy as people think.
Woods and Mickelson paired at the US Open
June 5, 2008
Tiger Woods will be reunited with his old foe Phil Mickelson after they were paired with each other at the US Open. That’s not all as they will be joined by World number 3 Adam Scott in what is going to be a really awesome group.
Woods back in action..
Meanwhile Tiger Woods has played his first round since having surgery on his knee. The American played 17 holes at Torrey Pines with no spectators and no media. As he got to the 17th a crowd began to appear and he immediatly picked up his ball and went off the course.
The US Open will be Woods first competitive tournament since The Masters where he come second.
C-Groove Olivia Putter
June 4, 2008
I heard about this putter when I was in the clubhouse a few weeks ago. I decided I would invest in this putter.
What qualities has the putter got..?
Well I was told that you can put spin on the ball with the putter, also the ball is supposed to roll a lot better with this putter (I suppose you have to rely on the greens for that to happen). Well I thought I would try it on the green and low and behold I did start to putt better. I couldn’t quite put spin on the ball but i could judge the pace of the putt a lot better. I started going very close to holes and having a very easy second putt.
The price..
Well at £149 there are cheaper putters, I think the price is that high because the pro’s do use this club. I think if you’re struggling with putting then you must invest in this putter, it is really easy to judge the pace and it could give you lower scores and more points.
The Draw shot
June 4, 2008
The draw shot, perfectly played from Tiger Woods.
So How do you do the shot..
Firstly set your clubface square to the ball and aim your body right of the target. Hold your club a bit more loosely than usual as this will help your follow-through. If you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable then move the ball up you’re stance. This creates an out-to-in swing which is perfect for this shot. As you follow-through you may feel your right hand turns over your left hand, again perfect for the draw shot.
Advantage’s of this shot..
Well I find this shot so natural and it isn’t as hard to control as the fade shot. This shot will improve your game and if you’re a “slicer” then try this swing to hit the ball straighter.
