
Hole #2 – Appleby needed to shoot 59 in order to win. He only took the cake by one stroke over American Jeff Overton. Overton led after 36 and 54 holes. Stuart posted twenty-two under par for the week a few groups ahead of Overton’s. Jeff made birdie 3 on the 16 hole to get to twenty-one under par and only one stroke behind Appleby in the clubhouse. To get one or two more birdies, Overton faced a relatively benign par-5 on 17 and a short par-3 finishing hole. He had about 52 feet for eagle on 17. His first putt came up about four feet short. He went on to lip out his birdie try. Angrily and rather immaturely, he tapped in for his par. His ball appeared to hit a pebble about a foot from the hole on his second putt, and he was exasperated by his misfortune. Nantz and Faldo kept emphasizing that he had to overcome the unlucky break and focus on getting his birdie on the 18th. Overton, however, could not stop sulking. His tee shot was short of the eagle’s ridge running through the middle of the green with the pin beyond. He had another 52-footer for birdie, and he gave it an impressive run. But it was not to be. No playoff was needed, and Appleby stole the show with his calm, steady play.

Hole #3 – Pekin-native and former Illini golfer D.A. Points flirted with another 59 on Saturday. He needed to play the final two holes in one under par to etch his place in history. He made bogey on the 17th and par on 18. The pressure was clearly present during the final few holes. He did not get the score, but I thought he handled himself very well. Stuart Appleby was his playing partner Saturday. Maybe D.A. gave some inspiration for his performance Sunday.

Hole #5 – Yani Tseng won the Women’s British Open at the age of 21. Her victory at Royal Birkdale was the third of her young career. Tseng came into the final round with a four stroke lead over Katherine Hull. However as the final pair stepped onto the 18th tee, Hull was only one shot back of Tseng. Tseng ended up with par for a 73 while Hull missed a 20-foot birdie putt that would have forced a playoff.

Hole #6 – Ross Fisher of England took his fourth European Tour win at the Irish Open over three-time major winner and Irishman Padraig Harrington. Fisher entered Sunday with a one stroke lead, but his 6-under par 65 final round increased his margin of victory to two over Harrington. The victory vaults Fisher to sixth place on Europe’s Ryder Cup standings. The top nine on the European list automatically qualify for the team.

Hole #7 – K.J. Choi decided to leave the side-saddle putting style to Sam Snead and company a couple weeks ago. Choi employed the interesting technique for the John Deere Classic and Open Championship. However, it was not producing the results he desired apparently. Most instructors I have heard say the whichever grip or approach to putting gives you the most confidence is the best one to use. It is mostly psychological.

Hole #8 – Arnold Palmer was in the gallery at the Greenbrier last week to watch his grandson, Sam Saunders. Sam missed the cut by a few strokes, but the West Virginia course is not far from Arnie’s beloved Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Palmer won his first professional title at the Greenbrier in 1955. Sam Saunders did win the Sam Snead Outdoorsman Challenge prior to the golf tournament. The Challenge featured skeet shooting, fishing, off-road racing, and more.
Hole #9 – Marin Piller shot a final round seven under to take the Cox Classic of the Nationwide Tour in Omaga.
Back Nine


Hole #11 – The Turning Stone Championship is the opposite field event during this WGC week. The Turning Stone Resort of Verona, New York hosts the tournament. It is a full field event.

Hole #13 – Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Lee Westwood, Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, Rory McIlroy, Ryo Ishikawa, and most of the biggest names in the game are battling at Firestone.

Hole #15 – Firestone Country Club is an extremely difficult golf course. It has been reported to be in immaculate condition, and I believe it is ideal Midwest golf. Watch for the Monster of a par-5 at 17. Last year, Harrington lost his match with Woods on the 17th.
Hole #16 – Harrington will serve as my favorite for the week. He nearly won last year’s edition, and he came so close to winning his home’s national championship last week.
Hole #17 – Westwood and Mickelson both stand a chance to take over Woods as the official number one player in the world this week.
Hole #18 – CBS televises the Bridgestone Invitational. The Golf Channel will cover everything else.
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