Tom Lehman leading the Transitions Championship proves there is golf beyond Tiger Woods

Saturday March 21, 2009 | 07:24:00 pm 175 words, 2140 views

I don’t know about you, but I want to tune in tomorrow to see if 50-year-old Tom Lehman can take it to the house at the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla., near Tampa.

The fact that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson aren’t in the field makes little difference as far as I’m concerned. Seeing Lehman beat guys who are half his age is entertaining.

The former British Open winner hasn’t won on tour since the 2000 Phoenix Open, but he is in position after three rounds.

His 8-under-par total is one stroke clear of Retief Goosen, and if Lehman had gotten another rotation out of his last putt – and if his tee shot on the par-3 13th had another couple of inches of momentum – he could have a 3-shot lead. He settled for a tap-in birdie on 13.

Lehman, who credits recent work with Jim Flick for finding rhythm in his swing, is second in the field in putting, by the way.

Hope he can keep it going on Sunday.

2 comments

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Comment from: dsimpson [Visitor]

Chalk another one up for the "old guarde." Tom Lehman, once again, proves that golf is a game for all ages no matter what level you play it on. Sure, I love Tiger and Phil; but golf is bigger than any one or two superstars. In these days and times, people are so critical of everything and everyone. There was golf before Tiger and Phil, and there will be golf after Tiger and Phil. I personally wish there were more rivalries among the Tour competitors like the old days. Let's tighten up the courses and really see how good these guys are. The game today is bomb and gouge. Where is the rough ? Where are the defenses on the golf course ? I am tired of seeing 15-20 under par win tournaments. Let's make courses tougher so 2-3 under per round is great golf !!!!!

Permalink 03/24/09 @ 12:25

Comment from: John D [Visitor]

"I am tired of seeing 15-20 under par win tournaments. Let's make courses tougher so 2-3 under per round is great golf !!!!!"
Very good point, dsimpson. Did you ever watch the interviews aftr the match on Sunday where the scores are only 3-4 under? Wow, what a bunch of whinners.

Permalink 03/25/09 @ 05:19

The Accidental Golfer

The Accidental Golfer (AKA Mike Bailey) has spent more than 15 years writing about the game that has brought him unbridled joy and temporary bouts of insanity. Now on staff at WorldGolf.com, Bailey is a former senior editor for PGA Magazine, senior writer for Golfweek's SuperNEWS and Turfnet magazines and past president of the Texas Golf Writers Association. He has covered every facet of golf, including the PGA and LPGA Tours, equipment and course architecture, as well as the bane of his golfing existence: instruction. The last has led to at least 30 different golf swings, which all feel different but appear to his playing companions to be the same.