Back to back bogey free 65's by Hunter Mahan got him his second tour win, a $1.06 million payday, and that trophy which may have been modeled after headgear worn by Natalie Portman in Star Wars. Who in the world designs these things? Mr. Mahan has always struck me as the kind of guy who can go lower than anyone on any course on any given day. Prediction: he'll be the guy who shots the first 58 on Tour. He may not win with a 58, but he is perfectly capable of going that low when he gets one of those rounds going. Getting into the "zone" required to pound par to a pulp seems to be easier, and occur more often, for him than anyone else playing today. Holing a 15 foot birdie put on the raucous 16th hole put him back into the lead at 16 under par. When you can do that, and admit to enjoying the crazies who make the 16th one of the most identifiable holes in all of golf you are one cool customer. Ask Ian Poulter. He missed a seven foot birdie there, and was pelted with boos and chants of U-S-A, after which he appeared to flip off the gallery. I have to admit, the subtlety of his reaction was something to behold. A very casual move, unmistakable yet constrained. Not the projected response from missing a birdie of that length in front of a bunch of drunken crazies, something much more demonstrative seemed in order.
Rickie Fowler finished a stroke behind Mr. Mahan, alone in second place. It was the second time the 21 year old phenom from Oklahoma State has finished second in his short professional career. His bio very clearly states he 21 years old, so why can't I look and him and think anything but how did the 12 year old get on the course? Except for the eyebrows, Mr. Fowler could very conceivably pass for someone too young to drive. He sure can play golf. Given the limited experience in the world of professional golf, it's hard not to envision Mr. Fowler hoisting one of these odd looking trophies and cashing a million dollar check very soon. He's got some flair, which is nice to see at a time when golf could use a little, ok a lot, of flair.
Ryan Moore, part owner of Scratch Golf Co., probably would like to replay the 11th hole for the final three rounds. Mr. Moore played the 11th five over par for the week, with a par, a bogey and two double bogeys. Three bogeys and a par would have put him in a playoff, and four pars, well, you do the math. I know one has to get over stuff like that or it makes sanity an issue, but in order to do that there has to be some time to contemplate what could have been had one not played that hole wearing Bozo the Clown shoes. I wonder if he suffers from nightmares in which the 11th hole repeated stomps him like a bug? I think it would be interesting to find out what it is about that hole that ties him up and leaves him on the train tracks waiting to get run over? I know I have certain holes on all the courses I usually play which just whack me mercilessly time after time. Even knowing it's a head trip doesn't mean it's not a real issue.
Phil Mickelson had another disappointing week leaving him oh for the west coast. Not what I expected from Mr. Mickelson coming into the year.
So now it's on to the east coast and the rain that seems to have fallen all winter. Heck they even had freezing temps not so long ago. Should continue to be an interesting unpredictable year.
