Archive for June, 2010

Congratulations to Graeme McDowell, 2010 US Open winner. Good to see a Brit being in contention in the early rounds and finishing it off with a win. As he says his “career has started”. Did anyone notice a little know Frenchman also having a go? One for the future?

Now we look forward to July and The Open at St Andrews.

US Open golf courses are set out as tough examinations of golf. One of the big tests that golfers will have is the need to play out of thick rough. We have all been there. If you find your ball, very often it provides an unwanted challenging test. Take a look at this useful video below from Barry Power on how to get out of the rough.

The US Open is upon us and it returns to Pebble Beach in 2010. For me Pebble Beach is      everything you expect from a test of golf and as host for the US Open will be set out to be  an even bigger test. Holes 17 and 18 are wonderful finishing holes and I look forward to  the drama over the course of the next four days. Mention Pebble Beach and I always  remember Tom Watson in the 1982 US Open ( Watson US Open 1982).  Watson played his  tee shot into rough on the edge of the 17th Green. Trailing Nicklaus he probably thought  it was all over however, what does he do, chip it in! A fantastic shot which was no mean    feat given what I always remember about US Golf Opens and how the rough is kept long  so close to the greens.

It will be interesting to see how Tiger in his current state of mind plays on a course where  he triumphed so well in 2000 (Woods Pebble Beach 2000). I don’t expect him to repeat that feat and do feel that he finally has competition – Mickelson and Westwood to name but two. Here’s to an exiting weekend.

…you wait an age for one to win a tournament and then three win in the space of a few weeks. Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood have all won tournaments. I feel that myself and colleagues in work have contributed in some way to this as each of them have been on the receiving end of adverse comments. “Choker” has been mentioned along with “promised much over the years but as usual has not delivered”. Lee Westwood has found a rich seam of form and deserved his victory over the weekend. A British prospect for US Open I feel although paired with Tiger will be a good test. Justin Rose and Luke Donald were, as usual in the British press lauded as the next great golfers in Britain. This however, was at least 6 years a go and very little has happened. I am pleased for them that recently things look like they could be changing.  The true test of a great golfer will be their ability to maintain consistency over a number of years. Can they do it? Only time will tell but it is encouraging in this Ryder Cup year to see form from some British golfers. On a personal note it would be good to see some Scottish golfers showing the same promise.