1. Jason Day is a beast, a beast with a great touch. He was blasting that driver so unbelievably long at the WGC-Match Play but showed great skill with his putter. Put those two together and you get back to back wins.
2. This tournament can be a nightmare for the networks and sponsors. So many years we have seen all the big names knocked out before the weekend and that can be distressing for the tour and its partners. But this year the superstars made it to the weekend and Day and Rory McIlroy to Sunday.
3. I am torn about this “Pool” format. Part of me liked seeing some high seeds sent packing on Wednesday in previous years. But with the pool play that doesn’t happen to Friday. I like seeing my favorite golfers hanging around but I think it dilutes the feeling of real match play. That being said it was a very good tournament.
4. So Jason Day was close to bowing out when he tweaked his back early in the tournament. He was driving it close to 400 yards. What the heck could he do with a healthy back?
5. Day’s and Rory’s physiques certainly show all the hard work they put in the gym. But does Rory need to wear those Nike shirts and sweaters so dang tight? I think it was Nick Faldo that said it looked liked they were sprayed on.
6. Jordan Spieth didn’t make it to Sunday but he still put on a good show. He kind of lost his feel on Saturday but I still think he’s primed for a good run at The Masters.
7. Austin Country Club looked like one interesting golf course. I liked the fact that there were some short par 3’s. You don’t see the PGA Tour pros playing on 132 yard holes but the 17th was driving them crazy. It goes to show you that a good design trumps all.
8. Life is all about timing sometimes and The Golf Channel will reap the rewards of a bit of fortunate timing on Monday. Jason Day will be David Feherty’s guest tomorrow on his weekly show. Perfect timing.
9. While Day and Rory were the headliners on Sunday I thought Rafa Cabrera Bello did himself proud as did Louie Oosthuizen. Oosthuizen’s swing is so smooth and his pencil/claw putting grip has transformed his game.
10. This just in: Lydia Ko just won another tournament. She’s world number one, played in two LPGA events this year with a win and a second, has 11 LPGA wins along with a bunch of world wide wins and she’s just eighteen. Oh, and the women play their first major next week.
11. Tony Finau finally broke through for his first PGA Tour win at the Puerto Rico Open. Good for him. He came from modest beginnings and has realized one of his career dreams. Tony leads the PGA Tour in driving distance and I have a feeling this won’t be a one and done. Good stuff.
12. Who leads the PGA Tour in scoring average? Phil Mickelson (69.008) Who has played himself into great form for a 45 year old? Phil Mickelson. Who is playing again this week at the Shell Houston Open to keep it going? Phil Mickelson. Who is heading into his favorite tournament, The Masters, next week? Phil Mickelson. Who thinks he’ll be winning his fourth green jacket?
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