Bubba Watson was all business yesterday claiming his second career PGA victory. Sunday's march to the winner's circle was exciting from start to finish.
Watson said earlier that he had practiced nothing more than putts under 10 feet in the off-season and his attention to this part of his game paid off when it counted the most. These short putts were almost a "gimme" for him all day. And, on the 18th, with the gallery and the television world transfixed on him, Bubba did not fail. His putt trundled to hole, and with a little hesitation, as if to accentuate the moment, it dropped in.
Perennial favorite Phil Mickelson flirted with the lead on several occasions.
His flair for the dramatic was in evidence on the 18th. Needing to hole out from around 100 yards to force a tie, Phil sent Bones, his caddy, to the green to hold the flag. As soon as the ball was in the air out came the flag. And, Phil's golf ball landed just short of the hole rolled by and then rolled back to the hole, but ended up only a few feet from the hole. I have never seen anything like that before. But, then there is only one Phil Mickelson! I can't wait to see him next week in Arizona in front of the crazies on the 16th.
Phil tapped in his putt for a birdie and a -15 score, one behind Bubba.
Rookie Jhonatton Vegas provided his share of the drama yesterday. Playing in the same group as Bubba, Vegas almost matched Watson shot-for-shot until the 18th when for some reason he imploded and fell back to a -13 tied for third with Dustin Johnson.
As readers of this blog know, I am a huge fan of PGA pro D.A. Points. Since I first saw him capture a Nationwide event I have been a big fan of this golfer. I met him at the first Wayne Gretzky tournament. I have always believed that D.A. had the stuff for the PGA.
This weekend Points proved me right. He has been playing well on tour for more than a year, but this weekend he played like I always knew he could. On Thursday and Friday, he played well enough to make the cut. On Saturday he surged close to the top. On Sunday, when most golfers choke under the pressure, D.A. rose to the occasion and made his way to fifth place. Points made a fantastic birdie on the very tough 16th to push him closer to the top. In fact, an unlucky break on the 18th probably kept him from placing higher.
Congratulations D.A.! There is more great golf ahead for you this year!
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