Golf news, commentary and opinion

Tiger Woods to play Masters

Tiger Woods is coming back.  He announced today that he will make his 2010 PGA TOUR season debut at the Masters.  This, thankfully, ends the onslaught of speculation and will finally get Woods back inside the ropes.  Woods stepped away from golf after his accident in November brought out a series of affairs the golfer had outside of his marriage.  It had been speculated that Woods would return to tournament golf at either the Tavistock Cup, a non-PGA event, or the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  There is no surprise that the Masters is Woods’ first event since it is a major (one he has won four times) and a place – Augusta National – that Woods feels comfortable and protected.

The following is Woods’ statement from his web site:

“The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta.

“The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been awhile since I last played.

“I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment. Although I’m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.

“When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.

“I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game.”

Els stays “easy” in CA Championship win

Ernie Els erased a two-year win drought with a four-shot victory at the World Golf Championship-CA Championship on the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.

The 40-year-old Els looked like his old “easy” self with a bogey-free 66 in the final round to top fellow South African, and house guest, Charl Schwartzel.  The pair were tied at the start of the final round and through 10 holes of the final round.  Els started his Sunday with birdies on three of his first four holes, adding another on the eighth.  Schwartzel had a birdie on the second hole and a bogey on the fifth hole before dropping three straight birdies from the sixth to eighth holes.  A birdie on the 10th hole brought Schwartzel even with Els with eight holes to play.

Schwartzel started to drop off the pace after a bogey on the 11th hole.  Over the final eight holes, Els made birdies on the 12th and 17th holes while Schwartzel bogeyed the 11th, 15th and 17th holes, with a birdie on the 12th.  Schwartzel finished with a final round 70 to Els’ 66.

Matt Kuchar continued his strong play with another top finish.  Kuchar shot 67 and 68 over the weekend to finish tied for third place with Padraig Harrington and Martin Kaymer.  Paul Casey has yet to finish outside the top 10 on the PGA TOUR in 2010, landing tied for sixth place with a final round 69.  Casey finished at 10-under par, eight shots behind Els, with Bill Haas, Graeme McDowell, Alvaro Quiros and Alistair Presnell.

Outside the top 10

Vijay Singh seems to be picking up his game just in time for Spring.  Singh finished at nine-under and tied for 11th place with Robert Allenby and John Senden.  Phil Mickelson tied for 14th with Francesco Molinari.  Camilo Villegas tied with Steve Stricker for 16th place at seven-under par for the week.

Anthony Kim tied for 22nd.  Lee Westwood finished tied for 30th with Hunter Mahan.  Ian Poulter used a final round 64 to move up to 37th place with Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Sergio Garcia.  Geoff Ogilvy finished tied for 45th place after a third round 75.

Tiger Woods causes panic on the PGA TOUR

It seems with Tiger Woods out, the PGA TOUR is in panic mode.  Every week there is a different story about when, where, why and how come Woods will make his return – the who and what are a given.  It is almost like there has not been golf played this season.

Wake up!

The PGA TOUR has had tremendous tournaments and people are paying attention.  Some terrific players have raised trophies so far this season.  In the last three weeks alone we saw Ian Poulter, Hunter Mahan and Camilo Villegas outplay the field for their first wins in more than a year.  Geoff Ogilvy got things started at the SBS Championship.  Then, a couple of surprise winners in Ryan Palmer, Bill Haas and Ben Crane.  Steve Stricker became the #2 ranked golfer in the world with a win at the Northern Trust Open and Dustin Johnson took over the FedEx Cup lead winning at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods is not the only story in golf.  Yes, he picked up the clubs last week.  But, that’s his job.  It was inevitable that Hank Haney was going to Florida to work with Woods.  Again, it’s his job.  Unlike many people, Woods has the wealth to take a few months or a year off from his job and probably not miss a beat.  Golf is what he does so, why are we surprised that he started going to the range when he returned home?

Do you think, maybe, with the PGA TOUR at another World Golf Championship event this week, that Woods called Haney in to create a stir?  Yes, Woods will return to golf at some time.  It always seemed if he were to come back, that the Masters was going to be the perfect stage.  Augusta National gives Woods comfort, plus, it is the world’s best field at the greatest venue.  It is the type of event Woods thrives on.

So, will he come back?  Only Woods knows.

For now, we have to embrace what the PGA TOUR is offering and that is great, competitive golf from the best players in the world.

Schwartzel leads CA Championship

The PGA TOUR is in Doral, Florida for the World Golf Championship-CA Championship at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.  Charl Schwartzel leads after the first round with a 67, one shot better than Robert Allenby, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els.

The three veterans – Allenby, Singh and Els – are looking to land their first win of the season but Schwartzel bested them with a bogey-free round.  Schwartzel started on the 10th hole with a par and made birdies on the next two.  He started the second nine with birdies on the first, second and fourth holes before paring out.

Paul Casey leads a group of six players at three-under par.  Tied with Casey for fifth place are J. B. Holmes, Dustin Johnson, Francesco Molinari, Soren Hansen and John Senden.