Golf
The Tour Championship
By: Rich Styles
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta is history.
Also making history is the amazing comeback of Tiger Woods. From 2008 to 2013, Tiger has dealt with family issues, injuries, surgeries….a fall from the top.
Now he is back. He has proved to his doubters that he can win, he can still play and he is ready for a full schedule for 2018-2019 season.
He is a changed Tiger. He has enabled the purses in all PGA Tour events to grow to what some would call unbelievable amounts of money, he is helped TV ratings increase and he has helped ticket sales.
Look at the crowd at East Lake on the 18th hole, I have not seen anything like that in a long time. I said Tiger has changed. He has in the following ways….he is a Dad, he is humble and he is grateful to be playing the game his Mom and Dad raised him to be playing from an early age. He is a champion again.
The Tour Championship could not have written a better script for a Sunday afternoon.
Tiger and Rory in the final group. Allison Fillmore, Tournament Director for the Tour Championship text me on Sunday when I said, “it could not be any better, Tiger and Rory, final group.” She texted right back…”I know, right!”
Half of the final pairing lived up to the hype. Tiger played well. Rory did not. Finishing ahead of Tiger was Justin Rose, who calmly and methodically, worked his way around the course to win the FedEx Cup and $10M. The story most will remember this year, will be that Tiger won the Tour Championship and oh yeah, another guy won the FedEx Cup.
Next year, the Tour Championship will be held in August and will have a different format.
Over the years, the average winning score was -11. Now the leader of the FedEx Cup going into the Tour Championship will be at -10 under. Others will also begin under par based on their ranking of FedEx points.
I have talked with many golf writers, who say they do not fully understand the new format but by the time the Tour Championship rolls along to next August, it will be written about, talked about enough that it will be more clear.
Fans, writers, etc are excited for the next season of the PGA Tour which begins in California and then the first half ends at the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort. The Top 25 of the web.com tour get to play all five of these tournaments.
Then the Tour does a reshuffle based on their performance in these five tournaments and then they can begin to schedule for 2019.
Plus several tournaments will have date changes. The Players will move to March; the Masters in April; PGA Championship moves to May at Beth Page; U.S. Open in May at Pebble Beach; The Open in July at Royal Portrush Golf Club and the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in August.
This should help with TV ratings since college and NFL will not have regular season games until September. That is the main reason for the changes. We will see.
Many say that the PGA Tour starts and ends in Georgia. Next year it will begin in FL and end in GA. It will be another exciting year and there are 156 tour pros who would like to win the FexEx Cup and the new prize to the winner of the Tour Championship of $15M. Not a bad way to end the Tour schedule. Not bad at all.
The Great Casper
By: Rich Syles
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Now, I have had a privilege to interview some of the greats in professional
Golf; Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Fred Couples, Tom Kite, Davis Love III, Billy Casper and a few more.
I have interviewed some of the great architects of some of the outstanding courses in the world. I would like to share with you one of my favorite interviews and why.
I had the opportunity to sit with PGA Tour legend, Billy Casper, one on one, for an hour and half at a friend’s house in Raleigh, NC.
Casper was funny, down to earth and humble. He was a man with a strong faith and did not have the notoriety that the others did.
Yet, Billy Casper’s winning percentage was third behind Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. He was ahead of everyone else; Palmer, Player, Trevino, etc. The statistic was figured upon number of PGA tournaments entered and number of wins.
That is a fact not many people realize about Billy Casper. He did not have a big public relations team behind him. He had his talent and his faith. Casper was a gentleman’s gentleman who loved people, his family, which included many adopted children.
I asked him specifically who was his biggest rival…..he said, “whoever I was playing at the time.” I asked him about his U.S. Open win at the Olympic Club. On the tenth
tee, he was 7 shots behind Arnold Palmer with nine holes to play. He told me about every hole, not only what he hit, but how he hit it and what Arnold got on those holes.
At the end, he tied Palmer and won in a playoff.
This was one of my favorite interviews and people. RIP Billy. To steal a line from Bob Hope…..thanks for the memories.
King Koepka
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the first time since Curtis Strange in 1989, Brooks Koepka has won the United States Open in consecutive years.
Koepka fired a final round 68 to beat Tommy Fleetwood by a stroke and World #1 Dustin Johnson by two strokes. Fleetwood who played earlier in the day on Sunday shot a record low round of 63.
Koepka with the win jumps to number 4 in the world rankings and looks like at age 28 he will be a force in American golf for at least the next decade.
Shinnecock Hills hosted another memorable US Open. Rounds 1 and 3 brought the best players in the world to their knees. Johnson was running away with the title after 36 holes but fired a 77 on Saturday to come back to the pack.
Phil Mickelson hit a moving ball and took a lot of criticism from the golfing media.
The USGA took a lot of heat from media and players regarding pin positions and baked out greens that made good approach shots into bad shots.
Shinnecock is a beast when the wind blows and after Koepka won at Erin Hills at 16 under in 2017 who did not see this coming? The US Open is regarded as the toughest test of golf in the world and the USGA likes the winning score to be around par.
Koepka has now won the toughest golf tournament in the world in back to back years.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Koepka was raised in Lake Worth and attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. He played college golf at Florida State University, where was a three-time All-American.
Koepka started his professional career on the European tour, where he won three times before coming to the PGA tour.
Koepka now has a reputation for being able to win on the toughest courses in the world. The Open is being played at Carnoustie this year, which is also known as the toughest course in Scotland so expect Koepka to contend there as well.
Some players just are built to compete for major titles. Koepka at 28 has won two, has 5 top five, and 7 top ten finishes. He has made the cut in straight majors dating back to the 2013 PGA Championship.
When you can do that you build a reputation as being a closer and that was evident in the final round at Shinnecock when he stuffed a short iron to 4 feet and drained a birdie putt to pretty much seal the deal playing alongside Dustin Johnson.
Willie Anderson of Scotland is the only man to ever win three consecutive US Open titles in 1905. Koepa can become the only American to accomplish that with a win at Pebble Beach in 2019.
Life is pretty good for Brooks right now, back to back US Open champion, top 5 golfer in the world, and a beauty pageant winner as a girlfriend.
Look for Brooks Koepka to help lead the US Ryder cup team this fall to a much needed victory on European soil. Something that has not happened in 25 years.
The future of US golf is pretty bright currently.
Tee It Up
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If you are a diehard sports fan then you know with Father’s Day approaching next week that it is US Open time as the tournament always concludes on that special day for dads.
The 118th edition returns to Shinnecock Hills for the 5th time. Shinnecock Hills claims to be the oldest formal organized golf club in the United States (1891), to have the oldest golf clubhouse in the U.S. (1892) and to have been the first to admit women, which it did from the start. It is a links course just east of New York City. If the winds blow, then look out.
If there is a tie after 72 holes then a two-hole aggregate playoff, introduced by the USGA this year, will be used to determine the champion.
Previously playoffs at the U.S. Open were 18 holes, with sudden-death if needed. The last 18-hole playoff occurred in 2008 with Tiger beating Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines. It was Tiger’s last win in a major.
Some memorable US Opens have unfolded at Shinnecock Hills.
1986: Raymond Floyd wins after shooting a final round 66 and beating the likes of Greg Norman, Lanny Wadkins, and Chip Beck. Norman held the lead after 54 holes.
1995: Corey Pavin won his only major with a two-shot win over Greg Norman who held another 54-hole lead at Shinnecock Hills.
2004: Retief Goosen beats Phil Mickelson by two shots.
The players to watch this year are: Phil Mickelson: The US Open is the only major lefty hasn’t won and he has finished runner-up six times in the US Open. Does he have a magical 4 days left in him at 47 years of age? Don’t count him out.
Tiger Woods: The three-time US Open champ has not won a major in a decade. Shinnecock is a monster to end a major championship drought. His game is coming around.
Justin Rose: Rose plays well at places like Shinnecock and he is a past US Open champion and his game is peaking right now.
Rickie Fowler: Fowler played well at Augusta and may get his first major at Shinnecock. Fowler has that dreaded best player to never win a major tag and let’s hope he gets rid of that soon. Fowler showed me something at Augusta down the stretch. His first major win is coming soon.
Jordan Spieth: Spieth won the US Open in 2015 and at 24 years of age will be a favorite in majors for probably the next decade.
Patrick Reed: The Masters Champ has the game to win a US Open but can he put together back to back great runs in a major?
Matt Kuchar: My gut is telling me the St. Simons Island resident Kuchar is going to contend at Shinnecock. Kuch has been close in majors before. Could this be the weekend?
Prediction: A Mickelson or Kuchar run would be heartwarming. A Tiger run would be ratings gold. At the end of the day I think it comes down to Fowler, Rose, and Spieth.
2018 US Open Champion will be Justin Rose. Fowler wins the PGA in August
Tiger On The Prowl
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Azaleas are blooming which means one thing to golf fans. Masters week is upon us.
So far in 2018 it has been a crazy sports year. I just watched Kentucky lose in the NCAA tourney to continue to throw it into utter chaos.
Ronald Acuna will start the season in Gwinnett, which is all about money and makes no sense at all. So, the theme in sports this year is to expect the unexpected so I ask this question:
Can Tiger Woods win the 2018 Masters? I’ll get back to that in a few paragraphs.
Here are my favorites in the 2018 Masters:
Phil Mickelson: Lefty just won in Mexico for the first time in five years and looked like the old Phil in doing so. The three-time champion loves Augusta and will contend this year.
Sergio Garcia: The defending champ is starting to round into form and has been near the top of leaderboards lately. Look for Sergio to be in one of the final groups on Sunday now that he knows how to win a major.
Rickie Fowler: He is overdue to win a major and his time in nearing if not the Masters then you have to think he will get one in 2018. This kid is just too good not have a green jacket in his closet one day. Fowler is going to be leading this tournament sometime on Sunday, but can he hold on is the question?
Jordan Spieth: Spieth is the best putter in the world and that makes him dangerous in Augusta and he will contend.
Justin Rose: Rose has the all-around game to compete for the green jacket and lost in a playoff to Sergio last year and that will be a huge motivator for Rose in 2018.
Now back to Tiger. Just a few months ago Tiger was ranked about 600 in the world in the World Golf Rankings maybe even higher. The golfing world left him for dead and Woods recovering from another back injury finally got back on the course. Then he started to contend in tournaments and now the Masters is here and Tiger is a betting favorite.
When Tiger contends people tune in and that is great for the game. Tiger will contend and the 2018 Masters will have record viewership.
I like Rose to win, but with all of the madness going on in March with the Loyola- Chicago’s of the world makes you think some special is in the works for Augusta.
Tiger won his first Masters in grand fashion at 21 years of age in 1997 and now 21 years later in 2018 the comeback will be complete as Tiger roars to another Green Jacket.
Better tune in folks because the 2018 Masters will be special.
Tiger Woods your 2018 Masters Champion. That would be great for sports. This would mark a historic comeback of a sports icon that everyone wrote.
I remember when I was a kid the experts wrote off Jack Nicklaus in 1980 and he finished off his career with three more majors with the 1980 US Open, and PGA Championship and of course the 1986 Masters.
Tiger Woods is great for professional golf.
Who is Brooks Koepka
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
A familiar presence was absent from the events of this year’s U.S. Open. A towering figure had left us late last year. For the first time in 64 years, Arnold Palmer would not be around for the American championship.
No doubt Palmer, in his prime, would’ve been ecstatic to take on the long, open course of Erin Hills. Palmer’s hulking physique and fierce ball striking perfect for the wide open holes.
Instead, the honor fell on the similarly large shoulders of Brooks Koepka. The Florida native, with ties to western Pennsylvania like Palmer, stoically took on the challenge of a course that was featured by the U.S. Open for the first time.
Ya’ll From Around Here?
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Father’s Day is right around the corner and as we come into the weekend another yearly tradition approaches. Dad and/or grandpa telling us to leave him alone, the U.S. Open is on.
Golf? Who watches golf? Believe it or not, a lot of us do. There’s nothing quite like the state of nirvana you slip into after eating a huge lunch and sinking into the couch, watching pro’s hit shots you dream of hitting. It’s hours of relaxation, sprinkled with moments of heart stopping majesty. And Dad deserves that on his day right?
Now I get it, why would you want to watch that? It’s not like bowl season or march madness, where you have betting pools going on. It can be a little tedious watching guys you’ve never even heard of. “Where’s Tiger?” “Wait, Phil isn’t playing because of his daughter’s graduation?” All valid points, but if you can find a couple guys that you have vested interest in watching, it changes everything. So, to help you find those guys, here’s a list of a bunch of dudes with ties to the area. Who doesn’t love pulling for the hometown guy?
Harris English: Harris is about as hometown as it gets. The Valdosta resident is a UGA grad and apparently loved Frat beach so much that he now calls St. Simons home. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2016 T-37
Zach Johnson: This former Masters and Open champion currently resides on St. Simons, and trains at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. Johnson is one of the most respected men on tour, and is a wonderful ambassador for the Golden Isles. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2016 T-8
Kevin Kisner: Another St. Simons resident and another Dawg. Kisner has been one of the most consistent players on Tour, with his name seemingly stuck on the leaderboards. The winner of two events on Tour, Kevin also trains at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2015 T-12
Matt Kuchar: KUUUUUUUCHHHH! Matt Kuchar is a fan favorite on tour, ever since he played as an amateur at the Masters twice while at Georgia Tech. A Sea Island resident, Kuchar has eight career top 10 finishes in Majors, and has been a member of the last 4 Ryder Cup teams. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2010 T-10
Patrick Reed: Reed, an Augusta State grad, is one of the fastest rising stars in the game. In just his sixth year on tour, Reed has put together 5 wins to go along with 2 Ryder Cup appearances. His aggressive play and fiery attitude has made him a great player to watch. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2015 T-14
Brandt Snedeker: The golden locks of Brandt Snedeker have become a familiar site on Tour. To date, Brandt has 8 wins on tour, and has 8 top 10 finishes in Majors. He is a St Simons resident and trains at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2015 8th
Bubba Watson: Bubba Watson is just plain fun to watch play. The two-time Masters champion consistently crushes the ball over 315 yards, and has no problem playing a hook out of the woods. The former Dawg is married to another UGA alum, Angie Watson, who played Basketball for Georgia. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2007 T-5
Davis Love IV: No, that’s not a typo. Davis Love III’s oldest son, Dru (short for quadruple) will be making his U.S. Open debut. The 6’5 Love won’t be doing it alone though. His father, with his 21 tour victories, will be caddying for him this weekend. That’s right, the two time Ryder cup captain and the man many credit for St. Simons golf being where it is will be toting his son’s bag all over Erin Hills. This has to be the best father-son moment in golf since Jack Nicklaus’ Masters win in ‘86.
So, don’t give dad a hard time on Sunday. Sit down and join him. Let him tell you all the stories I just did and all the ones you’ve heard a million times. It’ll be the best part of his day.
