So now we know what done it - K J Choi’s new driver. The sound of Nike’s new “SasQuatch Sumo” (don’t ask because I don’t have a clue) striking the ball has been likened to hitting a cola can. Ernie Els described it as a tuna fish can with a shaft on the end. Did the trick nicely, whatever the noise, leaving Choi 16th for accuracy off the tee, part of a very impressive all-rouind set of figures for the match. Struck me he was having far more difficulty with his English than the Copperhead course.
It certainly didn’t take long for Choi to crush our hopes of a happy day’s trading. When Paul Goydos birdied his first to share the lead with Choi it looked like game on. Out comes Choi to fire an eagle - game over.
Considering how benign the weather was, I would have thought someone could have put up a fight, but no one did. It didn’t take long for Els to dash my high hopes - boy is he lucky still to be in the Tour Championship? Expect a big effort from Mike Weir? Cue sound of crunching gears as he slams into reverse. A trademark Sunday charge from Vijay Singh? He too beat the retreat instead. By the turn there was little choice but to lump on Choi, lie back and think of Atlanta.
It’s a pity Els left the best till last, but I bet the Tour Championship bosses whistled in relief when he made those great saves on the final two holes to slide under the wire. The competition was already looking a bit threadbare without him dropping out too. Since the only tour competition he’s played since August was in Europe, I guess Jose Maria Olazabal isnt that fussed at being dumped out of the event by our Mr Choi.
Darren Clarke was also a bit fortunate that some less than stellar performances down the field left him sitting bang on the money list cut-off line. Hope we see a bit more of him in America next year.
PS: Is sense beginning to prevail on the Michelle Wie front? I read that the boss of the European tour has asked Omega to reconsider giving her sponsors exemptions so that she is not “put through that torture again". The specific torture he was referring to was the European Masters in Switzerland in September when she finished last (and slowest). But the point is obviously more widely applicable and, let’s face it, she isn’t the only one being tortured.
The PGA Punter, aka Anthony Urquhart, writes about pro golf from a gamblers point of view. Without claiming to have a crystal ball, the Punter offers WorldGolf.com readers views on the players and wagering possibilities that present themselves each week on tour.
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