Thoroughly enjoyed watching Rory McIlroy take over the number one spot in the world rankings after winning the Honda Open Sunday in sunny Florida.
The Northern Irishman, in his early 20's, has already announced his intention to win trophies on the professional tour after a stellar 2011 season.
To ascend to the front of the rankings this early into the PGA tour season sends a clear message to McIlroy's rivals.
Having won the U.S. Open last year, he is aware of the pressure cooker environment at the majors and has showed he can handle all distractions. But the number one ranking does put a target on the back and anyone, as a fella named Shwartzl reminded us, can win a major with the right combination of factors coming together over a four-day stretch.
I thought it was interesting that Tiger Woods (who obviosuly read my last post and decided to play one of his best final rounds in ages) made a late surge that included an eagle on 18. Tiger ran out of holes to play and was in the clubhouse, fingers crossed, hoping McIlroy would shoot a few bogies. It didn't happen. Rory held his composure and the playoff that everyone in the world wanted to see didn't materialize.
Tiger's final round, coupled with a stellar round on Friday, reminded us the multiple major winner just could be rounding back into form and may have something to say in Augusta or Pebble Beach.
Anywhere, really, there is a golf tournament to win.
I still need to see more from Tiger but he's getting back to that level.
So Rory gets the spoils of a solid victory and the number one ranking to go with it. A great weekend for the young man and Northern Ireland.
We can hardly wait for the majors to begin.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Finally a stunning finish from Tiger...alas, two rounds too early
We have all heard this one before.
Tiger Woods hits back-to-back birdies to finish out a round and bring about a roar from the crowd packed in like sardines to watch the golf legend.
Problem is, this two-hole mastery at the Honda Classic came on a Friday and Woods needed the strong finish not to win the tournament, but to make the cut. A day after taking 30-plus putts in the opening round, Tiger did what he could to play on through the weekend in Florida. It's a far cry from the Tiger of yesterday, the golfer who had the golfing world hinging on his every stroke, ready to wear red on Sundays and pump their fists like their hero.
The fall from grace is long and well documented and media today focus intently on the Woods' comeback, which has included but one tournament win.
There were signs of the focus and tunnel vision today that has put Woods in the photograph of all-time greats, but any golfer knows that consistency leads to the lowest scorecard on Sundays, not a good round here and there.
Woods was coming off an awkward press conference. He was pressed for comment on Hank Haney's tell-all book and when a reporter wouldn't take 'no comment' for an answer, Woods fired the death stare of all death stares at the scribe. All this because he allegedly wanted to be a Navy Seal?
Woods hate-in with the media continues to grow. Only the scribes with enough parts to ask tough questions get shot down. The fluffy, after the round television love-ins with side-course reporters don't count. I am interested to see how Tiger fairs this season in the Majors. He is playing better golf and no-one can turn on the tunnel vision better when need be.
The Americans commanded 11 of the top 13 places at the Honda Classic when I sat down to write this blog, just Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose carrying the hopes for Northern Ireland and England, respectively.
Tiger Woods hits back-to-back birdies to finish out a round and bring about a roar from the crowd packed in like sardines to watch the golf legend.
Problem is, this two-hole mastery at the Honda Classic came on a Friday and Woods needed the strong finish not to win the tournament, but to make the cut. A day after taking 30-plus putts in the opening round, Tiger did what he could to play on through the weekend in Florida. It's a far cry from the Tiger of yesterday, the golfer who had the golfing world hinging on his every stroke, ready to wear red on Sundays and pump their fists like their hero.
The fall from grace is long and well documented and media today focus intently on the Woods' comeback, which has included but one tournament win.
There were signs of the focus and tunnel vision today that has put Woods in the photograph of all-time greats, but any golfer knows that consistency leads to the lowest scorecard on Sundays, not a good round here and there.
Woods was coming off an awkward press conference. He was pressed for comment on Hank Haney's tell-all book and when a reporter wouldn't take 'no comment' for an answer, Woods fired the death stare of all death stares at the scribe. All this because he allegedly wanted to be a Navy Seal?
Woods hate-in with the media continues to grow. Only the scribes with enough parts to ask tough questions get shot down. The fluffy, after the round television love-ins with side-course reporters don't count. I am interested to see how Tiger fairs this season in the Majors. He is playing better golf and no-one can turn on the tunnel vision better when need be.
The Americans commanded 11 of the top 13 places at the Honda Classic when I sat down to write this blog, just Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose carrying the hopes for Northern Ireland and England, respectively.
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