by Jeff Skinner
OK Peter King…Here’s 10 things I think…and more.
1. One tournament does not a rivalry make. But with all we know of Rory and Tiger no one can blame us for thinking that this could be the rivalry for years to come.
2. Did I see Tiger implementing a new fist pump yesterday? He was using a more downward fist pump like Rory uses instead of his traditional uppercut. Maybe that was part of new swing change.
3. Ernie Els played with Tiger on Sunday and said “To me, it was the old Tiger back, the guy that I remember.” He knows of what he speaks. Els was there at the 2000 U.S. Open eating Tiger’s dust when he dusted the field.
4. How about Tom Gillis holding his own in the final group? He played out from the water and sank some long bombs. A pro for over 20 years, playing on any tour he could he cashed a check for half a million and finished tied for second with Woods and had a fun time doing it.
5. Tiger said he was confident of playing in the blustery conditions after playing so well in the winds in Australia. He had a very “complete” round with all phases of his game clicking.
6. It’s great to see Jack Nicklaus in the booth and listen to the greatest of all time. He’s class all the way. The only person that gives Jack a run for his money there is his wife Barbara. Her dedication to family, charity, the tour and her husband is legendary.
7. Speaking of class or lack of it… Did I hear Tiger drop an F-Bomb on fifteen yesterday? See it here.
8. Erik Compton didn’t set a course record but he did make his fifth cut in six attempts this season and continues to be the inspirational story of the year.
9. Lost in the Rory/Tiger matchup was Lee Westwood who carried his newly fit and trim self around PGA National in 63 strokes, climbed 23 slots to fourth place, put the pressure on Rory and let us all know that he ready to challenge for the top spot again.
10. So Jack Nicklaus mentored Rory a bit last year and Keegan Bradley is sitting down with him to pick his brain on Augusta National. Not one to discriminate, Jack is playing at Seminole today with Lexi Thompson. Why isn’t every young golfer lining up at Jack’s door?
11. You could tell that Tiger was feeling it yesterday. His caddie Joe LaCava was running to replace those divots and he and Woods couldn’t wait to get to the next shot.
12. For all those that are thinking about next week when Phil Mickelson will join Rory and Tiger at Doral here’s an update on Donald Trump’s plans to change the Blue Monster. He’ll pump 10 million into the course with Gil Hanse doing the work and stretch it to 7600 yards. No plans for a waterfall, yet.
13. Rory displayed that same Nicklaus class afterward as he thanked all those that put on The Honda and the commitment to charity that The PGA Tour has. This young man gets it and we are all fortunate to have the chance to watch him grow into the man he is.
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