Every swing Dustin Johnson made on the front-9 produced the queezy feeling I get everytime I watch Meet the Parents. You just knew something bad or awkward was bound to happen. You didn't know when or how, but you could just feel the debacle mounting.
Johnson, 25, is one of America's top young guns. The South Carolinian will more than likely represent the U.S. at this year's Ryder Cup, but you have to ask yourself if he is permanently scarred from this ordeal.
After all Pebble Beach was his course. He had won the previous 2 AT&T Pro-Am's, including a victory this past February; but as he found out in yesterday, this isn't February and George Lopez isn't in the group behind him.
Although he had won the AT&T his last two tries, and Pebble is the featured course, that tournament is also played on Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the MPCC Shore Course, so to say that he owned Pebble Beach might be a little of a misnomer. Johnson's Sunday collapse shouldn't be that much of a surprise considering he shot a 74 in the final round this past February on the Pebble Beach course.
With Johnson's Van de Veldian effort, along with Major Champions Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Ernie Els failing to take advantage of the leader falling back to around EVEN, Eddie Murphy's boss from Coming to America was crowned champion, and subsequently left the fast food business behind.
Graeme McDowell became the first European in 40 years to win the U.S. Open. The Northern Irishmen shot a 3-over 74 to post a score of EVEN par for the tournament and hold off Frenchmen Gregory Havret for the victory.
Tiger finished the second Major of the year the same way he finished the first, tied for fourth. After shooting a 66 on Saturday, the world number one, looked poised to win his 15th Major Championship, despite being down 5 shots. Tiger's third round performance, that was capped off by a ridiculous shot on 18, in which he was positioned in the fairway behind a tree some 260 yards away from the hole, opted to fade a 3-wood out over the Pacific, and landed the ball on the green which a chance for a 15-foot eagle putt.
Once I saw that I was convinced we were getting a glimpse of the old Tiger. I figured that was the shot that would jumpstart him into Tiger Destroy Mode for Sunday.
I was wrong.
Most players on tour would be overly exuberant with two top-4 finishes in the Master's and U.S. Open, somehow you get the feeling that Tiger isn't one of those players.
There are obvious flaws in his game, but somehow, Tiger finds a way to score and stay in contention in the tournaments that matter most. Even though his swing needs work, it's his magic on the green that I feel is hurting him most.
Maybe we have been spoiled, but I completely expect Tiger to make a few putts each round that he has no business making. Putts that the pessimistic Johnny Miller deems impossible. We've all seen it before, a putt for birdie or eagle that revs up his round and turns him into an unstoppable force. Sorta like Stephen Strasburg against the Pirates.
Once he gets his magic on the green back, he will be back in the winner's circle. Once back in the winner's circle, his personal problems will be forgotten by the public; look at Kobe for a prime example of that. His endorsers will return, and his assault on Jack's records will resume.
Today there has been a lot made of Tiger "criticizing" Stevie Williams. From what I've seen he just questioned a club selection and attack plan on a few holes. But to Tiger's credit, he took the blame for not sticking to his instincts and making awful shots. I don't find this to be critical, but what do I know.
One thing I do know is that Tiger doesn't need Stevie Williams. Stevie Williams needs Tiger. If Williams is offended by Tiger's comments and quits, I'm sure there will be more than a couple caddies lining up for that annual multi-million dollar salary.
I'm not by any means a fashonista, but what the hell was Phil wearing this weekend. Who dressed him Craig Sager?
I will take DJ majors over Tiger majors for the next two years. I might look online for those odds I am thinking 2/1 sounds like too much value to pass up.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot for TIger, I'll also note that show wasn't 260, it was 273 to the hole. I don't drive that far, but I do play that cut shot almost the same. I will say I was pulling for him to make a run on Sunday, but I was pulling for Els, Mickelson, & McDowell just the same. Compared to what TIger did in 2000 at PB, it goes to show you how the gap has tightened. All in all, this will rank as a great major, especially if McDowell proves to be more than a 'one & done' winner, whether in majors or not.
ReplyDeleteAlso, golfodds.com had McDowell at 60/1.