2010 Memorial Tournament Recap
Winner: Justin Rose
Score: 18 under, 270 (65, 69, 70, 66)
Quote: “Until you win over here, you don’t feel like you’ve really achieved all you want to in the game.”
Fact: Played with plastic club at 11 months old. Now plays TaylorMade.
Thought: Brits are on a serious roll.
SCRATCH JUSTIN ROSE OFF the list of Brits who haven’t won on the PGA Tour. Who’s next? I would say Lee Westwood, but I keep saying Lee will win in America (he won at New Orleans early in his career, as a commenter reminded me), or win a major, and it hasn’t happened. Close at the Masters and the Players, but no victory cigar. But the Brits (and South Africans, as my friend Mike says) are definitely trending on the PGA Tour. First, Ian Poulter, then Rory McIlroy, and now Justin Rose.
Rose just went out to Muirfield Village on Sunday and took it away from Rickie Fowler. Sure, Fowler helped him a lot by dunking one at the par-3 12th, but Justin charged home with birdies at 14 and 16 to post a 66 and have his “Jack” moment beside the 18th green. Even his 1-year-old boy broke out in applause.
Apparently, Mr. Nicklaus, as Rickie Fowler addressed the legend, is fond of the 29-year-old Englishman. “I just always liked his golf game,” Jack said in a joint press conference with Rose.
About Phil Mickelson’s 3-metal or whatever it was off the asphalt at the 15th, I was not surprised. Entertained, yes. Surprised, no. There is no shot that Phil won’t try. We know that. Besides, I’ll bet half of you have hit one off the pavement or cart path somewhere down the line. I have. You don’t want to catch it fat. Phil caught it perfect, but still made a double. And he would do it all over again.
Tiger Woods made the cut and finished in a tie for 19th. When you consider everything, that’s not bad. I have no idea what to expect from Tiger at Pebble in the U.S. Open. Not a win. But stranger things have happened, haven’t they?
Tour Notes
• European Tour: Graeme McDowell won the Wales Open.
• PGA Tour: Brian Gay defends this week at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis.
• LPGA Tour: The ladies tee it up at the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Illinois.
−The Armchair Golfer
I would indeed remind you that the South Africans are on a roll. (And that they have more victories than the Brits this year ;-D !) But I think you're right about Lee Westwood. I thought he would have already won over here this year.
Unless things change, I have Westwood penciled in to win the PGA Championship. Given my record, this may jinx him. But I did pick Tim Clark earlier this year…
Don't forget that Phil doubled mostly because he three-putted. He gave himself a chance at par with the cart path shot. I never did get a clear picture of what his options were from where he drove it, but from what I could tell it seemed like a pretty smart (if daring) maneuver. A lot of guys would have re-teed from where he was, I think, in which case a double bogey would be almost expected. Of course, it no doubt helped a lot that his cart-path shot landed in that thin strip of mown "foot path" grass between the tee and the fairway. So certainly *some* luck was involved! But you have to admire his pluck.
You forget that lee has already won in the states. He won in New Orleans early in his career
Well done to justin Rose, recently my playing partner said hes due a tournament win, he was right – $750,000 winners check, nice.
Anon: Yes, of course. I knew that about Lee. Apologies, and thanks for the reminder.