Webb captures WIN in Singapore!

Karrie Webb is the 2011 HSBC Champion. Karrie had a final round 69, to win the tourney at -13. Her best round this week, was round two when she carded a 66.

Karrie had 6 birdies and 3 bogeys in the final round, which put her one stroke better than Chie Arimura, who claimed 2nd place at -12. In 3rd place at -10 was Yani, who brought on the steam to try and capture a 4th consecutive win (and 5th of the year).

While Chie Arimura had a lead through the first 3 rounds, she couldn't keep that magic going in round four to sustain such. She carded 4 birdies and 3 bogeys for a 1 under par 71.
In fourth place was Sun Young Yoo, who had a climb up the leaderboard on saturday. She finished with a final round 69, to end at -8 overall. Morgan Pressel finished in 5th place at -7 after a final round 68. Na Yeon Choi took 6th place and I.K. Kim followed in 7th.

Cristie Kerr wasn't able to to do what she needed in the final round; of which she had 1 double bogey, 4 bogeys and 6 birdies for a final round par 72 and -2 for the tourney. Stacy Lewis also finished at 9th with Cristie, after a final round 70.

Last years defending champion Ai Miyazato finished in a tie for 14th place after a final round of +2, 74. Although she had 1 eagle, she had 5 bogeys and only 1 birdie. Christina Kim moved up the leaderboard on the final day, with a -2 to finish in a tie for 16th place. Karen Stupples who kept in the hunt early on, finished in a tie for 24th after a final round 74. She had an eagle on 9, and a birdie on #16, but the 5 bogeys were grueling on her card.

Next up for the ladies after a couple of weeks off, is the RR Donnelly LPGA Founders Cup March 18-20 in Phoenix, Arizona. The next tourney is March 24-27th in City of Industry, California. I'm sure the ladies will be glad to get back to the states after some very extensive travel during the past several weeks, from Australia to New Zealand to Thailand and this past week in Singapore.

Congrats to Karrie on her win! While she may be a "veteran" of Golf, she has shown that she still has the talent to win tournaments! Well done!

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...................................

Chie Arimura holds on to lead in Singapore

Like most people, I had never heard of Chie Arimura from Japan. That is, until this week's tourney in Singapore. After a 3rd round 71, she had only 2 birdies and 1 bogey. It's hard to believe that 1 under par for the round, kept Chie leading the tourney. A member of the LPGA of Japan Tour, this is her first tourney of 2011. While she was dissapointed to have gotten the bogey in round 3, she plans to do better in the final round to hold onto the lead.

One stroke behind Chie, is Karrie Webb at -10. Webb had a 3rd round 70, with 4 birdies and 2 bogeys. Karrie has been playing some solid golf starting the 2011 season. She finished in a tie for 3rd place at last week's Honda LPGA Thailand.  Karrie has had 36 career victories on the LPGA and hopes to increase that number this season. Turning pro in 1994, she first began on the LET Tour, of which she has had numerous wins. Karrie has carded 48 international victories, and 7 Majors! Karrie is a  member of the LPGA and ALPG Tours. You can check out her website via KarrieWebb.com Could this be her week?

In 3rd place, 5 strokes behind Webb and 6 behind Arimura, is a 3-way tie with Yani Tseng, Na Yeon Choi and Sun Young Yoo. Yani had a 3rd round 69 consisting of 4 birdies and 1 bogey. Will she have enough to hang in there and get a 4 consecutive win? I'm not saying she won't however, she seems to be showing more frustration at her game this week than I've ever seen her show. Perhaps she's putting too much pressure on herself to keep her streak going?

Cristie Kerr had a 3rd round 73, to move her into a 3 way tie at 8th place alongside Ai Miyazato and Mika Miyazato at -2. Morgan Pressel has 7th place to herself after a 1 under Par 71 for her 3rd round. She is currently -3 for the tourney.Others making some climbs are Suzann Pettersen who is now +1 overall and in a tie for 17th place alongside Natalie Gulbis, Karen Stupples, Song-Hee Kim and Amy Yang. Karen had some steady rounds in day's one and two. And while her 3rd round of +5 may not be acceptable in her book, she is playing with a focus this season. While a member of both the LET Tour and the US LPGA Tours, I'm sure we'll be seeing her name atop the finishes more than once this season! #TEAM STUPPS

If Ai wants to defend her HSBC title, she will have some ground to make up in the final round. Catch the action and see who will be the 2011 HSBC Champion. And remember, the top 3 from each tourney will gain their spot into the season finale Titleholders!

The coverage for today's LPGA 3rd round action was moved back to the afternoon via the Golf Channel. Times are 2:00 - 4:00 PM ET for both today and Sunday's telecasts. You can catch the live leaderboard via HSBC Women's Championship page or LPGA .

Now, Go Hit Some Balls..................

Karen Stupples shows her talent in Singapore

Karen Stupples shot another round under par, to keep her in a tie for 4th place with Na Yeon Choi. After TWO EAGLES in her first round, Karen carded 3 birdies and one sole bogey. She had a beautiful hit out of the sand on the 13th hole in the 2nd round to capture one of those birdies. This was the same hole she Eagled in the opening round. While the 3rd round in Singapore will be starting soon, Karen will tee off at 10:04 along with Na Yeon Choi & Cristie Kerr. Karen will begin the 3rd round at -4. I for one am rooting for her! #Team Stupps

Yani Tseng, who won her last 3 consecutive tournaments, moved down the leader board after the 2nd round to be in a tie with Morgan Pressel at -2. She shot an even par after a first round 70. While Yani had 4 birdies in her 2nd round, she also had 4 bogeys. Will she be able to get her momentum going for another great finish.....only time will tell.

Michelle Wie shot 1 under today to bring her at even oar for the tourney. She currently sits in a tie for 12th place With 8 others. Natalie Gulbis has her 3rd round underway after carding a 2nd round 75 to drop her into a tie for 26th. She is currently -1 in her 3rd round. Creamer shot a 2nd round 70 and remains in the group tied for 26th place. Pettersen shot +2 for her 2nd round and is currently in 34th place with her 3rd round underway.

While the time changes offer some challenges for viewers and keep us nearly a round behind, at least we have coverage. Thanks to Golf Channel. The programming has changed for round 3, and was tweeted by the LPGA today to now be from 2:00 -4:00 PM ET on Sat.

Tweet your favorites and show them some support! I'll be rooting for an English woman, who often signs off on Twitter with "Stupps Out".

Now, Go Hit Some Balls.............

2011 VGT season starts tomorrow!

Most of you reading this blog know, that I am also a fan of the VGT. After getting to do a Q&A interview with @BrandanPrice last summer, I found it fun to follow along and get to know some of our Canadian friends.

Tuesday Feb. 22nd, the 2nd Annual Van Isle Cup will begin. This will place VGT vs Island PGA. Defending champs "Team VGT" will be ready to hold onto to the title again this season. On Wednesday, round 2 will be played. The tourney will be played at the Bear Mountain Golf Resort and will have a purse of $3,600. There will be 2-man teams and the front 9 will be played wtih a better ball format, while the back 9 will play alternate shot method for day one. Day Two will consist of singles matches. During the dinner held on the eve of round 1, Captains picks will determine wednesday's matches. The field will consist of 24 players.

Day one will be played on the Valley Course at Bear Mountain, while day two will be on the Mountain Course. Both are said to offer spectacular views of British Columbia's gorgeous landscape. Priority is given to the top 10 VGT Professionals from 2010 and VIPT Order of Merits plus 2 captains picks. The Bear Mountain Resort is Canada's only 36 holes of Jack Nicklaus design. While Jack designed the Valley Course, Jack & Steve Nicklaus co-designed the Mountain Course.

The VGT is easy to follow with their social media outlets via the internet and on twitter. Go to Vancouvergolftour.com and you can click on the current tournament and see LIVE SCORING as well. If you're a fan of Twitter, you can follow @VancouverGolf . The twitter account are timelines from Fraser Mulholland, who was the man behind the vision for the VGT and holds the title of President & Commissioner.

Notable VGT Player Bryn Parry who was top of the money list at the end of last season, will have the likes of Phillip Jones and Adam Hadwin trying to get their name  atop the list this season. Adam Hadwin finished only 400 behind Parry in professional earnings last season. While Bryn carded 3 wins, 5  2nd place finishes, he had only 2 finishes out of the top 5 all season!

Adam Hadwin who played in 6 tourneys, had 1 win, 3 second place finishes or ties and one tie for 4th. Only one tournament finish was out of the top four and that was a tie for 21st at the Russell Brewing VGT Tour Championship last October. Phillip Jonas played 10 events and carded 2 wins, 2 ties for 2nd place, and the rest were all top 10 finishes! James Allenby played 8 events and also carded a win. He then had 4 finishes in the top 10 and 3 outside of such, which were all ties for 16th place.

The next tourney following tomorrow's start of the 2nd Annual Van Isle Cup, will not be until March 14th for the Paine Edmonds/Brad Garside Open. That will give the guys time to tweak their game after the first tourney and see where the off season left them.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls.............

Tseng gets her 3rd Victory in as many tourneys!

Wow! Yani Tseng has done it! She won her 3rd straight tournament in Thailand this week by 5 strokes.

The top 3 positions at the Honda LPGA Thailand did not change in the final round. Tsend, Wie and I.K. Kim held those. Tseng won the tournament with a final round 66, for an overall -15! Next in line was Michelle Wie who captured 2nd place at -10 after very consistent play throughout the tourney. In 3rd place, I.K. Kim ended up sharing that position with Karrie Webb, by finishing at -9. Paula Creamer couldn't make her momentum shift into high enough gear yet she managed to secured 5th place solely, with a -8 followed by Juli Inkster in 6th at -6.

These gals held the near identical positions throughout the entire tournament, not giving up the top 3 positions. Yani carded 7 birdies and only 1 bogey in her final round which came on the par 4, 14th hole. Michelle had 3 birdies and 1 bogey to hang on and maintain 2nd place. I.K. Kim who started the tourney and held the lead in the beginning rounds, ended up with 6 birdies and 1 double bogey in her final round.

Some other notables, Suzann Pettersen couldn't get any additional momentum and finished in a tie for 8th. Australian Katherine Hull climbed up to 18th to finish in a 8-way tie at +1. Additional gals in that tie were; Cristie Kerr, Natalie Gulbis, Na Yeon Choi, Stacy Lewis and Mika Miyazato.

Karen Stupples climbed into a tie for 29th at +4, while the always jubilant Christina Kim finished in a tie for 53rd at +12. LeAnne Pace who's had great success on the LET Tour, also finished in a tie for 53rd alongside Jennifer Song & Wendy Ward.

Next up......the women head to Singapore for the HSBC Women's Champions. This tournament is held at the Tanah Merah Country Club, Garden Course. The course plays 6,547 yards and is a par 72. You can follow along for live scoring from the tournament website at HSBC Women's Champions .

The tourney will run from Feb 24- 27th and is a 72 hole format. Since Ai Miyazato was not able to capture her defending title in Thailand, she'll have the chance to do it in Singapore! Ai defeated Cristie Kerr by 2 strokes to win last year's event. Television coverage will be via the GC from 11:00 - 1:00 pm ET thursday and friday and 10:00 - 12:00 PM ET on Saturday. Sunday's final round will be from 2:00 - 4:00 PM ET.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls.......................

Will COUPLES bag his 16th PGA Victory at Riviera?

What tales will today tell? Fred Couples who loves Riviera, was leading by 2 after two rounds. He had a 94 ft putt on the 1st hole of round two for an eagle! Shazam! While he states he has some back issues, one could not see that on Friday! He shot a bogey free 66! Fred even went as far as to say he could play Riviera blindfolded. To some, that may sound cocky however, Freddie simply states such in regards to his love of the course and how well he seems to play at Riviera.

I know one person jumping up & down, and that is @ahh2fly  , who is a Twitter friend and LOVES Freddie! Anyone who follows Monica on Twitter knows this and is sharing in her smiles this weekend! Couples played with Anthony Kim, who was 9 strokes back. Anthony couldn't believe the shots Fred was making and just how limber he looked while doing so! AK, who withdrew after round two due to illness, will not be there to see the magic today.

While Couples leads by 2 strokes, there's four guys in 2nd place that are chomping at the bit; J.B. Holmes, John Senden, Spencer Levin and Aaron Baddeley. Kevin Na and Trevor Immelman are making their climb up the ladder and join Stewart Cink and Ryan Moore in a five-way tie for 6th place. Couples had a bogey free 2nd round, with just 3 birdies. That was enough to maintain his 2 stroke lead at Riviera Country Club! While Couples has a driving distance just shy of 300 yds, he is ranked 2nd for eagles and 14th for birdies thus far. He tied for 41st in last weeks Waste Management Open. This weeks winner will receive not only $1,170,000 but also 500 Fed-Ex points!

While a member of the Champions Tour, he had 4 wins in 2010. He made 17 out of 17 cuts last season on the Champions Tour and 4 of 7 on the PGA Tour. Hailing from The University of Houston, Couples turned Pro in 1980. He's had a career total of 15 1st place finishes on the PGA Tour and currently ranks 23rd in career earnings for the Tour.

He will tee off at 10:50 a.m. for the 3rd round. You can catch live coverage on the Golf Channel from 1:00 - 2:30 pm today and then on CBS from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. GC will run also air again at 9:30 - 11:30 pm.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...................

Tseng & Wie in 1st & 2nd in Thailand

Yani Tseng shot a 3rd round 70, to take the leading position at the Honda LPGA Thailand at -9. Yani had 5 birdies, 1 eagle, 3 bogeys and 1 double bogey in her 3rd round. I'd say the only thing left for this young lady in this tournament, is an Ace!

Michelle Wie also was not about to lose her position at the top, and remains in 2nd place alongside I.K. Kim at -8. Michelle shot a 3rd round 71. She had 5 birdies and 4 bogeys carded in the 3rd round. I.K. Kim also in a tie for 2nd place shot a 72, with 4 birdies & 4 bogeys. Many recall last season's win she had at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, where she said before her final round that "if she won", she would donate her entire winners check to the charities. Well, she won and she did donate the entire check! Fairly quiet and reserved on the field when playing, this gal has a generous heart and is a great role model for young girls.

Paula Creamer managed to finish at -7 to hold onto 4th place soley. Australian Karrie Webb is right behind at -6, followed by M.J. Hur in 6th place at -5. The 7th position has a four-way tie consisting of: Stacy Lewis, Mika Miyazato, Juli Inkster and Pornanong Phatlum all at -4.

Cristie Kerr is currently sitting in a two-way tie at 16th place with a -2. Other notables, Suzann Pettersen is in a tie for 11th place at -3. She had only 2 birdies and carded 3 bogeys for her 3rd round play. English woman and Twitter friend Karen Stupples is currently in a tie for 35th, sitting at +4. If she can trim out those bogey's, she can certainly have room for a decent finish. Aussie Katherine Hull in in a tie for 30th at +3 and Christina Kim sits at +10 overall, in a tie at 53rd.

The Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course is certainly presenting some challenges for the ladies this week. Last years Champion Ai Miyazato who is currently in a tie at 23rd place, is +1 overall. She will have her work cut out for her to climb up the leader board in the final round. She is 10 strokes behind leader Yani Tseng and while I "never say never", she's going to need her "A" game to take this win from Yani, Michelle or I.K. Kim who have maintained their positions throughout this tourney!

Now, Go Hit Some Balls.................

Honda LPGA Thailand 2nd round complete

I.K. Kim was the leader after both rounds 1 & 2 at -8 overall. She shot a 63 followed by a 73. Hours away from beginning the 3rd round, she has her eyes poised on a Win to start her season off! She had a bogey free first round with 9 birdies! Her 2nd round included 4 birdies and 5 bogeys to card a 73 for round two.

Currently in a tie for 2nd place is Michelle Wie and the World's #1 Yani Tseng at -7. Yani, who captured back to back wins in Australia, took over the World's #1 from Jiyai Shin. Michelle Wie, who you can follow on Twitter via @TheMichelleWie carded 5 birdies and 2 bogeys for a first round 69. She then followed that by a bogey free 2nd round and 4 more birdies! Yani on the other hand carded a bogey free 1st round with 6 birdies. She followed that with 5 more during her second round and 2 bogeys. Yani has a determination and focus starting this season off, like I've never seen. She appears to have matured in many ways and appears to her goals set. She is now starting to fill up the trophy cases at her home on Lake Nona that she purchased previously from Annika Sorenstam.

In a four-way tie for 4th place sits; Momoko Ueda, Na Yeon Choi, Paula Creamer and Fan Favorite Juli Inkster! Suzann Pettersen (or "the Susan Lucci of Golf" as I refer to her), sits in a tie for 8th currently. Inkster had a first round consisting of 7 birdies, 1 EAGLE and 3 bogeys. She had 4 birdies and 3 bogeys in her 2nd round. Juli has played some great golf recently and was a close contender for a win more than once last season.

Some popular gals in a tie for 12th are; Natalie Gulbis, Stacy Lewis, Karrie Webb and Christie Kerr to name a few. Bam Bam (Brittany Lincicome) sits in a tie for 18th as well as does one of my faves Karen Stupples! Karen started her season off with a top ten finish. She is an avid Twitterer as well and you can follow her via @KStupples I believe that Karen is going to be one to watch this season and I see a WIN coming soon!

Another favorite is the always chipper and a fashionista of color and social media expert, Christina Kim. You can follow her on Twitter via @TheChristinaKim . Christina is currently in a tie for 46th place at +3. Christina had a good start to her season opener in Australia. She is one who is very focused and can make things happen. Pilla Sports made the "Freedom Frame" Pilla sunglasses specially for Christina. Not just for her love of playing in the Solheim Cup for the USA, but also as a gift for her great play in such. Keep your eyes on her! Australian Katherine Hull is currently in a tie for 41st place. She carded 3 birdies and 4 bogeys followed by a round two of 72 after 2 birdies and 2 bogeys.

Yani Tseng WINS 2nd straight Tourney & takes #1 Ranking

Yani Tseng started this tourney like the one last week, with full steam ahead. She ended up winning by 4 strokes at -24, over Stacy Lewis & Australia's Nikki Campbell. Yani had a stellar bogey free final round with 9 Birdies to card another 63! With the win this week, Yani took over the World's #1 Ranking from Jiyai Shin.

Last years tournament winner Karrie Webb was not able to gain enough momentum, and finished in a pack tied for 9th place with -16. Australia's other popular golfer Katherine Hull, finished in a tie for 15th place at -14.

Christina Kim finished with a final round 68, to put her in the tie for 9th place at -16.

Congrats to Yani! It looks like she is starting to fill those trophy shelves in the house at Lake Nona that she purchased over a year ago from Annika Sorenstam. What a way to start the 2011 season, with back to back WINS!

While the LETour goes onto New Zealand for their next tourney, the LPGA will be in Thailand before the ladies travel on to Singapore after that. The good thing is.... that this weeks coverage should be shown on GC as follows: 18th 12:30 - 2:30 PM ET and then 3:00 - 5:00 PM ET on both the 19th and 20th.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...........

Yani Tseng leads the ladies in Queensland, Australia

Hot is how you could describe the way Yani Tseng started the 2011 season off. She won last week at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open and is leading this week's tourney after 3 rounds at the ANZ RACV Ladies Masters. Tseng leads the pack by 3 strokes and is currently at -20. She carded a 2nd round 66 that was improved upon even more with a 3rd round 63!

Defending Champion Karrie Webb is currently in a tie for 15th place at -11. She won the tourney in 2010 and is on the hunt for a back to back win in her homeland Australia. Karrie carded rounds of 66, 71 and 68 and has her work cut out for her to catch Yani who sits 9 strokes ahead of her.

This week's event is played at RACV Royal Pines Resort, located in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Previously played at Palm Meadows, the tourney found it's permanent home at the Royal Pines Resort in 1992. US Open Champion Jane Geddes had won back to back titles in 1990 & 1991; which was a very fitting farewell to Palm Meadows.

The field is made up of 144 players that come from the following: 50 ALPG, 50 LET, 15 KLPGA, 4 LPGA of Japan, 4 Amateurs & 15 Sponsor Invitees. And while television coverage is said to be via the GC in the USA, Canada & Japan....I have yet to find it! Very disappointing that our LET events are  not better televised for the USA.

Holding 2nd place soley at -17 is Stacy Lewis, who posted rounds of 67, 65 and 67 respectively. Behind Stacy is Ryan O'Toole, also from the US. In a tie for 5th place is one of my favorites Christina Kim, who had a 3rd round 66 which followed a 69 for both prior rounds.

A recent young lady who turned 16 last week, Alexis Thompson is in a tie for 23rd place at -10. Joining her at -10 is a popular Australian, Katherine Hull.

Next week, the LET tour will be in New Zealand at the Pegasus Golf Club in Christchurch. In the USA, the LPGA will head to  the Honda LPGA Thailand tourney in Chonburi, Thailand. Ai Miyazato is the defending champion who won last year's tourney with a -21. She defeated renowned 2nd Place finisher Suzann Pettersen by 1 stroke. Will 2011 be the year Suzann takes her game to the end and gets a win? She went without any wins last season and I have called her the "Susan Lucci" of Golf.

The Honda LPGA Thailand event began in 2006. It is a 72 hole format and will be played at the Siam Country Club. The course plays 7,016 yards. Currently in the Rolex Rankings, Yani Tseng sits closely in 2nd place behind Jiyai Shin. Cristie Kerr is in 3rd followed by Suzann Pettersen in 4th place. 5th & 6th places are filled by Na Yeon Choi and Ai Miyazato respectively.

I don't know about you, but I'm glad to see the 2011 season begin and the excitement as the ladies strive for that #1 World Ranking!

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...........

Annika Sorenstam to be honored

Annika Sorenstam will be honored along with 17 other women at the Founders Cup Tournament March 18-20 in Phoenix Arizona. This will be in recognition of their contribution to the game of Golf.

Not only has Annika previously been honored as a 3 time ESPY award winner, has 6th career Vare Trophies (for year's of the lowest scoring average in the LPGA), crossed the $20 million mark while a player on the LPGA, shot that phenomenal 59, opened her own Golf Acadamy, rang the bell at the NYSE, was the Rolex Player of the Year in 2005 (only her 2nd year on the tour), won a skins match again Lorena Ochoa in Lorena's backyard.... Mexico, launched a fragrance, has her own chardonnay  & a wine club, was the recipient of the EWGA 2009 Leaders award, designed several courses, has her own blog, is a Hall of Famer, and a selected recipient of the Saint Leo Women in Sports Achievement Award (she is the 16th recipient of such), she is  now retired (after the 2008 Tour season) from the game and by early summer will be a two time MOM.

Annika will also serve as honorary chair at the 2011 Women's US Open in Reunion, FL July 4-8th. 

The Annika Academy is located in Central Florida, south of Orlando. There, you can learn from Annika and her coaches both in a state of the art facility.  Annika perfected her game with the help of Henri Reis and Kai Fusser. Henri has been Annika's only swing coach while Kai is her personal trainer. She has also enlisted at the Academy, the help of her sister Charlotta, who is the Director of Golf Operations.

One thing is for sure, Annika will never be away from Golf. She continues to work for the better of her Academy and her Foundation. She works toward the goals of fitness and nutrition and teaches kids the importance of "living Healthy" and fighting childhood Obesity.






To say that Annika has a "passion" for golf would be
selling her short. She lives and breathes golf and tries to give back through her charities and to help kids through her Academy.

Married to Mike, they will become the parents of another baby girl in early summer. How she can manage so many things at any given time is sheer wonder.

So, join me as I congratulate Annika on her upcoming recognition honor at the Founders Cup in March. This is just one more way to say Thank-You Annika, for your endless contributions to the game of Golf and your dedication to helping kids living healthier lives and never stop striving for their dreams.


Now, Go Hit Some Balls....................

Poulter nude on the Euro cover of Golf World in March...whoa!

Yes, we've got ourselves a winner for a March issue! That's Ian James Poulter on the cover with nothing but his pink golf bag! The only problem is it isn't the American version, only the Euro. For those that want to read about it, Click on this link (Happy drooling ladies)

Bubba Watson, a 2nd time PGA Tour Winner!

A close battle at the end of Sunday afternoon, left Watson a winner and lefty well....left out. Bubba sunk a 12 foot birdie to stay 2 strokes ahead of Mickelson, who had to eagle #18 to take it to a play-off. Mickelson, who on #17 went up ahead of his shot to check out the green and then came back to hit an amazingly close shot, which he then dropped in for a birdie. He tried the same again on #18, when he needed to sink it from 72 yards out (with Bones tending the pin) for an eagle to tie Bubba.

Phil's wedge shot was a tad short and left him a 4 foot putt for birdie. He got his bird and finished solo in 2nd place. There was a bit of an onslaught of people saying that Phil having Bones tend the pin from 72 yards out was, well....a LONG SHOT! Phil agreed that it was indeed a long shot however, he didn't want anything to stop a potentially tie if he got the right line to the hole. There was alot riding on that one shot and it certainly was Phil's choice. Now, everyone needs to leave it behind. After all, he did have an amazing shot on #17 and to want to better that to take this into a play-off, which was not exactly far fetched. His 2nd place finish moved him into the No. 4 spot in the rankings.

Bubba on the other hand, played a stellar tournament from start to finish. He averages 315 yards on his drives. On #13, the 525 par 5, Bubba had one heck of a monster drive that left him a simple wedge shot to the green. When he chipped out of the 17th hole bunker with Johnny Vegas and Lefty only one back, his ball ran approximately 10 feet past the hole. That was a shot that he made look effortless. The ball ran right to the cup as if it had direct radar. Then on #18 when he had a 12 foot putt for birdie, he repeated the finesse that he had just shown on the 17th green. Before he got to the birdie putt, he looked up expecting that Phil was going to "go for it". What he didn't know, was that Phil had already taken his shot and laid up. That, was another source of groans by many. The majority of golfers I've spoken with and read their responses about, state that they felt Lefty should have waited to take his shot. Phil on the otherhand, saw nothing wrong with it.

There's no question Bubba's putting was HOT when he needed it to be. His long game, is also something that continues to shave strokes off his card. He can sore off the tee box with aim that we as golfers can only hope to master. He has worked on the off season on his short game. I would say that it has certainly paid off! While the WIN was a happy moment, it was also bittersweet. It was the first win since his father passed last October. Bubba got his first win while his father was still alive, yet very ill. And, while he didn't have his father there to congratulate him with a hug, his devoted wife Angie was.

If there's one thing that Bubba proved, it's that hard work and determination pays off. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Well done Bubba, well done! I think I can speak for many and say, "Your father would be very proud of you Bubba". I think his win was for his father, who was no doubt wataching over him at Torrey Pines this past week!

Now, Go Hit Some Balls............