58 and 62 = Ridiculous

Rory Mcllroy

Lets start with Rory Mcllroy. At age 20, he's been called the next Tiger but hasn't been playing great as of late....until Saturday at Quail Hollow. After making the cut on the number at plus one, he shot 16 under on the weekend to win by four shots over Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

He shot 66 / 62 on the weekend with a final round back nine of 30 which included six straight threes to end the round. He made a sick eagle at 15, stuck a seven iron from the fairway bunker to five feet on 16 to make birdie, and then nearly made a 50 footer on the very difficult par-3 17th. At 18, to top it all off, he drained a 40 footer (picture above) to finish in style.

Supposedly, Mcllroy as been working with Bob Rotella on the mental game and how to close out tournaments. I'd say it worked. I'd say I might actually have to read one of Rotella's books and see what the keys are.

It will be interesting to see how he does this week at the Players.

Ryo Ishikawa, age 18, and another next Tiger, shot a 58 to set a record for lowest score on a major tour. He made 12 birdies and no bogeys to win The Crowns in Japan.

He broke the previous Japan Tour record of 59 held by Masahiro Kuramoto. As for the PGA Tour, David Duval, Chip Beck, and Al Geiberger have each shot 59. Annika Soremstam holds the LPGA record with a 59 while Shigeki Maruyama shot a 13 under par 58 in the 2000 U.S. Open qualifier.

It's not quite yet the changing of the guard in professional golf, but with Mcllroy, Ishikawa, AK, and Fowler playing well, the time is getting closer.

We'll see how long it takes Tiger to get his act together again and fend off these guys.

Mcllroy photo / AP - Gerry Broome
Ishikawa photo / AP - Kyodo News

PGA Tour Golf 2010 = Snoozefest

Rory Mcllroy

If anyone out there has insomnia or just flat out feels like being bored out of their minds, go ahead and watch the PGA Tour. Your problems will be solved. Tiger doesn't need Ambien to fall asleep anymore. He can just watch his fellow players on TV.

The entertainment and excitement level thus far through five tournaments has been nil. The best word I can think of to describe the on-course stories and drama would be bland.

Earlier this year, I had considered using this formula to rate the entertainment value of each tournament played, but it seems pointless as every tournament is too boring.

The reasons for the Tour being so boring thus far are obvious. For one, there has not yet been a big event to draw all the top players. Many stars, especially from overseas, have been playing in the European Tour events rather than the PGA. The biggest headlines of the year so far have come from the groove controversy and whatever player, former player, former coach, caddie, or celebrity have to say about Tiger Woods.


AP photo / Matt York


What the Tour needs:

• Tiger to return
• Full field events with all the world's top players
• Young gun to get a big win (Mcllroy, Kim, Fowler, Ishikawa)
• Solve the groove controversy
• Rivalries other than Tiger vs. whoever is playing well at the time

Rory Mcllroy - AP photo / Nousha Salimi


Upcoming events which will provide quality fields and more excitement include:

• WGC Accenture Match Play / Feb. 17 - 21
  
• WGC at Doral / March 11 - 14
• Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill / March 25 - 28
• The Masters / April 8 - 11
  

News and Notes

Rory Mcllroy

• Tiger won the Australian Open for his first tournament victory ever down under. He also had another first when he flung his driver into the gallery. It would be interesting to see if the various tours publicly reported fines for throwing clubs and cursing, etc. Tiger would be in first place in another category.
  
• Michelle Wie finally got her first win which is great news for the LPGA Tour. This will give her a lot of confidence and momentum moving to the Tour Championship this week and for 2010.
  
• David Duval lost his card but should be fine anyway. He still has exemptions into the Masters and U.S. Open and will get hooked up through the connections he has made over the past decade.
  
• Rich Beem spent his time at the 19th hole after his final round at Disney sweating out making the top 125. According to Golf.com reports, he took down a couple beers and shots to relieve the stress. He made it though so he is good for 2010.
  
• Tom Watson, coming off his performance at the British Open at Turnberry, has been given a 5 year exemption to play in the tournament. We will see him in 2010 at St. Andrews.
• Rory Mcllroy has announced he will play the PGA tour in 2010. Look for him to have a huge season and possibly hit top 5 in the world.