The picture says it all. Graeme McDowell who poured it on in his final round, was able to stay in contention after he took a penalty drop on the 18th. He managed to compose himself and still card a bogey for the hole. Woods, then made a great shot to capture a birdie and take the tourney into sudden death. Although Graeme's 2nd round with a double bogey and 3 singles left him behind, he carded a round 3 68 with only 1 bogey.
Nearly a repeat of the 18th hole in regulation, Graeme had another lengthy putt drop from about 25 yards out for a birdie on the 1st playoff hole. Woods had approx 15 feet for his shot that would extend the tourney yet again, but caught the right of the cup edge and did not drop. I was at my folks' watching the finish before I could even think of driving home. The excitement on the last 2 holes of regulation and the playoff hole was intense. I myself kept cheering for Tiger; which confused my pup (who yes, is Tiger Wood's namesake). I nearly scared my mother out of her chair with my screams, when putts would drop!
Tiger led the tourney all 3 rounds and went into the final round with a 4 shot lead. From a history standpoint, Tiger had never lost a tournament when going into the final round with at least a 3 stroke lead on Sunday. Had he not had the double bogey that allowed Graeme to close the gap, he would have won his own tourney. Tiger should indeed be proud of the way he played throughout the tourney. I for one think it is safe to say....The Tiger is back! This is just a beginning to his new start back on the course in his great form. It gave me chills to see the well known "fist pump" after his shot onto the 18th in regulation. That image was rarely witnessed this season prior to Sunday's final round. To have this momentum going into the off season is huge to say the least. It's what gets good golfers to continue during the off season and become great golfers the next. The 2011 season starts in January for the PGA, with a clean slate for the Fed-Ex Cup.
Another winner was Jim Furyk, who finished in 12th place Sunday at Even Par, was named the PGA Player of the Year on saturday winning the Jack Nicholaus Trophy. It is the 2nd consequtive year that the PGA Player Tour Player of the Year did not win a major. This, to the guy who was disqualified from the Barclays earlier this year when he overslept for the pro-am. An apparent battery death on his cell phone alarm. At that time, Furyk was 3rd in the Fed-Ex Cup standings and felt that this likely was harmful to his year and race for the Cup. Furyk's victories came at the Transitions Championship, The Heritage at Hilton Head and the Tour Championship. He himself thought there was no chance at winning the Trophy. The tour had 39 different players win in 2010, compared to 31 last season. And although there was question as to why the Tour ended the vote before the last tourney was completed,remains unknown. This is only the 4th time since '97, that Woods did not win the Jack Nicholaus Trophy and the 5th time he did not win the money title.
Lee Westwood ends his 2010 season ranked as the Worlds No. 1 Player. He sealed this deal by winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Sunday. His final round of 68 carried him on to finish with an 8 stroke win over Tim Clark. Lee ends the season on his final event. This win is his 2nd of the year, but his first since becoming World's No. 1. His earlier win of the season came in June, at the St. Jude Classic on the PGA Tour.
Lee finished 2nd at the HSBC Champions tourney and 3rd at the Dubai World Championship. Dealing with a victory at Nedbank this past weekend, is something he can surely enjoy! After a season plagued by his calf injury, he had to withdraw from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. He played 21 events and had 12 top ten finishes this season. Well done Lee, well done!
Now, Go Hit Some Balls.................
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