Henrik Stenson wasn’t a very happy man when he made two successive three-putts for a bogey and par on holes 15 and 16 and virtually handed the Arnold Palmer Invitational trophy to Matt Every last Sunday.
At the end of his round, the normally affable Swede, who can see the humorous side in any situation, was far from amused after being put on the clock by the PGA Tour officials on the 15th hole for slow play.
Anyone who has seen Stenson play, will find the suggestion that he is a slow player utterly ridiculous.
His pace of play is quite brilliant. And his two-ball with Morgan Hoffman actually finished the round in three hours and 56 minutes, which is about six minutes more than what is considered a good time for 18 holes as a two-ball.
But the problem was that a gap had opened up with the group in front, and hence the warning.
I guess a bit of leeway (of course, within limits of common sense) should be given to the groups that are in contention. But what happened with Stenson and Morgan was a case of the PGA Tour sticking to the rules to the absolute letter.
Having said that, I have been among the many writers who have virtually pleaded with the Tours to take action on slow players.
If this is the start of tough new regimen on the PGA Tour, then I am happy. I just hope they stick to it with rigidity, and do not make exceptions based on the status of the players involved.
Lure of the Masters
I am in Australia at the moment, covering the World Cup of cricket and I keep meeting some of the superstars of the game, who are now so engrossed with golf, it is a wonder they ever decided to play cricket!
The other day, I overheard this extremely interesting conversation that involved South African legend Barry Richards. Most cricket experts agree he was the most complete batsman in the history of the sport after Sir Don Bradman.
But the country’s isolation because of Apartheid meant he could play only four official Test matches.
Richards will turn 70 on July 21, and he has made grand plans of celebrating it with his wife. So what is he doing? The maestro is planning to make a trip straight to Augusta National Golf Club to watch the complete week of the Masters.
Apparently, Chubby Chandler, the manager of players like Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen, has organised for corporate hospitality tickets all week and the Richards are hiring one of the houses close to the hallowed golf course.
Richards said: “Attending the Masters was always there on top of my bucket list. I am so excited I am doing it now. We are paying a packet for the trip, but you don’t turn 70 every year, do you?!”
When it rains…
So, you thought an albatross was the rarest of rare birds? That’s not really the case if you go by last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Since the PGA Tour started keeping records in 1970, there have been 121 occasions when a player either holed his second shot on a par-5 hole, or aced a par-4.
And then, like buses in a deserted place, two of them arrived almost at the same time.
On Saturday, young American Daniel Berger holed out his 2-iron second shot from 237 yards on the par-5 sixth, and then Zach Johnson made his on the 16th hole with a 5-iron from 205 yard.
Only one player has made an albatross on a par-4 hole – Andrew Magee in the 2001 Phoenix Open.
Spieth’s big investment
Looks like there is one less question to ask Jordan Spieth now. The 21-year-old American, who has made more than $10.1 million on the PGA Tour in two short years, is constantly badgered about what he does with his money.
Well…now that question has been answered. Spieth, who takes care of his 14-year-old sister Ellie, a special needs child, has purchased a beautiful new bungalow in one of the swankiest communities in Dallas. His total spent on the property – a cool, $2.3m.
Stat of the Week
31 – By finishing tied 13th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, Brandt Snedekker became the 31st player to earn over $25m on the PGA Tour. That doesn’t include the $10m bonus for winning the FedEx Cup in 2012. Tiger Woods leads the list with $109.3m in career earnings, while Palmer, one of the most successful players in his time, has made $2.1m.
Quote of the Week
“Were it not for Barbara, I would have been just another golfer. People have asked me to quantify her importance in my career. I’d have to say she is responsible for at least 15 major championships. I will give myself credit for three.” – the legendary Jack Nicklaus on the secret behind his 18 major win.
