March Madness Sale

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Paul Casey outduels Tiger Woods to capture Valspar Championship

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By: Dan Kilbridge | March 11, 2018 8:49 pm

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Paul Casey.

Paul Casey won the Valspar Championship.

That was the answer to the question posed by the 50-something man riding a bicycle, circling the exterior of a massive fence that surrounds the players’ parking lot a short golf cart ride away from the first tee at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.

“But Tiger finished second, right?”

The man was trying to get an autograph and catch a glimpse of Woods as he left the property, oblivious to the fact that Casey finished off a 6-under 65 nearly an hour prior to win for the first time on the PGA Tour since the 2009 Shell Houston Open.

The man wasn’t alone, nor was he the only one fixated on Woods this week while 143 other guys quietly went about their business. Even the 40-year-old Englishman who shot 10-under 274 on the week said if he didn’t win, he was hoping to see Woods finish on top.

“We’ve been friends and competitors for a long, long time,” Casey said. “It’s the only time he’s congratulated me immediately after a victory. Normally it’s the other way around. That’s something special.”

The PGA Tour has produced back-to-back winners in their 40s. Phil Mickelson was victorious at last week’s WGC-Mexico Championship at age 47, and Woods, 42, finished T-2 at the Valspar alongside Patrick Reed at 9 under.

Young stars such as Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm dominated the landscape for much of 2017, but 2018 has had more variety with Woods’ resurgence and Mickelson’s steady play.

“It’s becoming a young man’s sport,” Casey said. “So it’s very rewarding to be able to go up against the young guys and still beat them and still compete with them.”

Reed shot 3-under 68 in the final round to finish T-2 but made bogey at 18 to miss forcing a playoff. Sergio Garcia matched Casey’s final-round 65 to finish alone in fourth, and Corey Conners, the 54-hole leader, shot 6-over 77 to finish T-16.

All of them were playing to modest-at-best crowds, because the fans go where Woods goes and they desperately wanted to witness the trademark Sunday magic when he began the final round firmly in the hunt.

Woods delivered with a theatrical 44-foot birdie putt at No. 17 to get within a shot of the lead, but he missed several significantly shorter birdie attempts in the prior 15 holes and wasn’t quite as sharp with his iron play. He shot 1-under 70 Sunday, his sixth consecutive round of par or better.

This was a huge week for Woods to test his new swing under final-round pressure and remember how it feels trying to close out a win, something he hasn’t done on Tour since 2013.

“I felt very comfortable,” Woods said. “I’ve been here (in this situation) before a few times. So I felt very comfortable. My game was quite solid this entire week. As a whole I feel very good about what I did this week.”

Woods heads to the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week at Bay Hill in Orlando, where he’s won eight times. His reputation and presence will transcend the tournament, as it were, just as it did at the Valspar. Perhaps more so now that everyone has seen a man who at least resembles the Woods of old.

Casey, a 13-time winner on the European Tour, is flying back to England after just his second career PGA Tour victory. He spoke about the buzz Woods brought to the tournament, the vintage roars he heard throughout the week and the quality golf he played for four consecutive rounds to finish on top.

“Probably not the most significant win of my career,” Casey said. “But it’s certainly one of the most satisfying ones.” Gwk

SOURCE:  GOLFWEEK

 

Phil Mickelson remains golf’s greatest showman  

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ByJoel Beall

13 hours ago

Phil Mickelson edged out Justin Thomas in sudden death at the WGC-Mexico Championship on Sunday, earning his first win in more than four-and-a-half years. That he won, however, is secondary. Victory or not, Mickelson’s display was theater of the highest degree.

Despite the Club de Golf Chapultepec demanding accuracy off the tee, Mickelson explored parts of Mexico that Coronado failed to discover. He hit fans, routinely short-sided himself and bogeyed one of the course’s easiest holes … you know, the general Mickelson repertoire. And yet his irons and wedges were magical, always managing to save him from tree limbs, patchy rough and galleries. Like Julius Erving with dunking, Mickelson has transformed scrambling from an act to an art form.

Better yet, his putting, historically uneven but solid thus far in 2018, continued to be stellar. He was in total control on the greens, dropping his share of bombs, yes, but more importantly taking care of the testy ones from six feet and in. If you’re wondering how one ranked 131st in strokes gained/off-the-tee has been one of this season’s most consistent players, look no further than his flat stick.

Of course, the mention of his play fails to encapsulate Mickelson’s performance, in every sense of the word. On Saturday, Mickelson inadvertently blew off 36-hole leader Shubhankar Sharma thinking he was a reporter. Cameras caught him telling fans he signs autographs after rounds … in fluent Spanish. Before play on Sunday, he asked Tyrrell Hatton, far from a stranger to golf’s biggest stages, how he pronounces his name. And during the final round, he aided Sharma on a ruling involving a drop, and gave more thumbs-up than a mother liking her children’s Facebook posts.

It was a stage for Mickelson’s goofiness, daring, vulnerability, talent, hubris and engagement. If one was forced to explain the Phil Mickelson Experience to the uninitiated, this weekend would serve as a proper “Best Of” montage.

The problem is that part of that experience often involves falling just short. Perhaps it’s an unfair sentiment; after all, the man has five majors and 43 PGA Tour wins to his credit. But—save for a future miracle at Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach or Winged Foot—his U.S. Open shortcomings are a central theme to his narrative, to say nothing of playing in the shadow of Tiger Woods. That he’s never led the PGA Tour money list or earned Player of the Year honors is remarkable. It’s a complicated tapestry, and a backdrop that adds to his aura.

Runner-up appeared to be Mickelson’s fate yet again on Sunday after Thomas dunked his approach on the 72nd hole for eagle, capping a marvelous weekend that saw the reigning PGA Championship winner post a 62 and 64. But Mickelson answered with vigor in consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, the latter thanks to a drained 20-footer, to gain entry into overtime with Thomas. On the first hole of sudden death—the par-3 17th— Mickelson lipped out a 20-footer for birdie, and it appeared fans would be treated to another playoff marathon. But following a so-so chip, Thomas failed to convert a six-footer, giving Mickelson his long-awaited W.

“It’s been a tough go the past four years, not playing my best, but to have the belief that I was going to get there and do it and eventually breakthrough is incredible,” Mickelson said. “I believe more is to come, and feel I’m starting to play my best golf.”

RELATED: The mysteries of Phil Mickelson

A concept inconceivable as late as last fall. There was a palpable sense at Liberty National that the proceedings could be Mickelson’s last for Team USA. He hadn’t played particularly well in 2017; following a flat performance at Quail Hollow, some speculated if off-the-course affairs—such as the parting with friend and long-time caddie Jim (Bones) Mackay and his involvement in an insider-trading case—had taken their toll on Mickelson’s vitality. Moreover, last we checked, golf’s top ranks have become inundated, and dominated by, youth. Turning 48 this June, Mickelson was nearing that purgatory where golfers aren’t old enough for the PGA Tour Champions circuit and disappear from weekend leader boards.

But the calendar turned, and here’s a rejuvenated Mickelson with a win and four additional top-six finishes in the early campaign. He added a newfound physicality in the offseason, and putting his brother on the bag full time has paid dividends. Efforts, Mickelson said, invested into making the American squad in Paris. Spring and summer will bring their share of surprises and nominations, but damned if Mickelson hasn’t already cobbled together a viable case to make his 12th consecutive Ryder Cup team.

Of course, that’s on the horizon, along with Augusta National in April and Shinnecock Hills in June, the site of one of his U.S. Open silver medals. Sunday was about Mickelson climbing back to the top, overcoming the bombers and young guns with a creativity and mettle rarely seen from today’s stars.

“I enjoy the challenge, to have something like this today makes it all worthwhile,” Mickelson said.

It’s fitting that Mickelson won on Oscars night, where 2,000 miles away in Los Angeles a film inspired by the creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus was up for Best Original Song. Its title? “This is Me.” A tune tailored for golf’s greatest showman.

Source:  https://www.golfdigest.com

Justin Thomas edges Luke List in playoff to win Honda Classic

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By AP NEWS

Sunday, February 25, 2018

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Justin Thomas was down to his last chance when he delivered his most clutch shot of the final round in the Honda Classic.

Turns out he wasn’t finished.

Thomas nearly holed a gap wedge on the par-5 18th hole for a birdie to force a playoff with Luke List. Moments later, he hit 5-wood over the water, urged it to keep going and lost it momentarily in the darkening sky over PGA National.

“All I was looking at was the water to see if it splashed,” Thomas said. “And it didn’t. So I figured I was in the bunker, and then people started clapping and I could kind of see some little white dot on the green.”

That set up a two-putt birdie that made him a winner when List, who hit his own bold shot in regulation to the 18th to set up birdie, could only manage par in the playoff.

Thomas closed with a 2-under 68 and won for the second time this season. He also won in a playoff at the CJ Cup in South Korea last fall. With eight career victories, including seven in his last 31 starts on the PGA Tour, he moved to No. 3 in the world. He is one spot ahead of longtime friend Jordan Spieth for the first time, which was of little significance to Thomas.

“Not really,” he said. “Because there’s still two more spots that I want to climb.’

List, going for his first PGA Tour victory, shot 32 on the back nine and closed with a 69. His only regret was a tee shot wide right in the playoff that landed amid palm trees and left him little options. He went left against the bleachers, and hit a superb approach to about 25 feet and two-putted for par.

 

 

“Obviously, it hurts right now,” List said. “But I think that when I look back on it, I’ll be proud of the way I hung in there.”

Alex Noren (67) finished third. He was tied for the lead when he went for the green on the 18th, only for the ball to hit hung up on the side of the collar of a bunker, leaving him a tough chip. He missed a birdie chance from 20 feet.

Tiger Woods was briefly within three shots of the lead on the front nine. He closed with a 70 and finished 12th.

The 5-wood turned out to be the winner for Thomas. The wedge made it possible.

Jack Nicklaus was in the broadcast booth for most of the final round, leaving before Thomas and List reached the 18th hole. It might have all looked familiar to Nicklaus, the U.S. captain of the 1983 Ryder Cup at PGA National. The big moment that year was Lanny Wadkins nearly jarring a wedge on the 18th hole, a shot so meaningful to the outcome that Nicklaus kissed the divot.

Thomas missed the 18th fairway in regulation and had no choice but to lay up. List followed with his 4-iron to 35 feet.

“I have a lot of confidence in my wedge game,” Thomas said. “I knew if I got a decent number that I was going to be able to get inside 10 feet. That’s all I wanted was a chance to try to get into a playoff. And then ended up hitting a great wedge.”

Thomas and List finished at 8-under 272. It was the seventh playoff in 15 PGA Tour events this season.

Woods made that Sunday red shirt look a little brighter, at least for a while. With an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 eighth hole, he momentarily pulled within three shots of the lead. That only lasted the few minutes that it took Thomas to tap in for birdie on the par-5 third.

 

Woods made bogey to close out his front nine, and he still was four shots behind until getting swallowed up again by the water-filled closing stretch. He put his tee shot into water and made double bogey for the second straight day, three-putted the 16th for bogey and was out of hope.

“I made a big leap this week because I really hit it well,” Woods said. “I was able to control it, especially in this wind, which is not easy to do.”

Woods led the field in proximity to the hole on his approach shots at just over 29 feet.

Not to be overlooked was Sam Burns of LSU, who last year won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top college player who received a sponsor exemption. Playing alongside Woods in such a chaotic arena, he was bogey-free for a 68 to tie for eighth. That will get him into the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in two weeks.

Five players had at least a share of the lead. Only three of them stuck around until the end.

Webb Simpson missed the fairway on the 11th hole and had to lay up instead of taking on the water. That led to the first of three bogeys in a four-hole stretch and sent him to a 72, four shots behind. Tommy Fleetwood was tied for the lead until a three-putt bogey from long range on the 14th, and a bogey from the back bunker on the 15th. A birdie on the final hole for a 69 left him two shots behind.

Source: Golf.com

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WATCH: Billy Hurley III releases hilarious campaign video against Jordan Spieth

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By SEAN ZAK

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

It was a quiet race for Chairman of the PGA Tour Advisory Council. That was until Billy Hurley III made a late splash this week.

Hurley III was going up against Jordan Spieth, Golden Child and no. 3 golfer in the world. It was tough competition, and with just one day left for Tour players to vote, he turned to a classic campaign strategy: mudslinging.

Hurley III released a video pinpointing all of Spieth’s flaws, from him being an elite, “one percenter” golfer, to the ways in which he treats his caddie Michael Greller. Beyond that, Hurley III called attention to his own military history.

The video swept across PGA Tour circles Monday, with many players tweeting it out saying Hurley III had captured their vote. Why? Well, because the video is hilarious and you’d need to watch it for yourself. The impact of the video was so great that Jordan Spieth himself even admitted he would vote for Hurley III.

 

Source: Golf.com

Merry Christmas from Lakeshore!

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May peace, love and the spirit of Christmas be with you and your family during the Christmas season.

End of Year Blowout Sale 25% to 45% OFF all Pro shop Merchandise

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December 13th – from 11am to 7pm
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Tiger begins latest comeback with 3-under 69 at Hero

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Tiger Woods made his latest return to golf Thursday, shooting a solid 3-under 69 in the first round of the Hero World Challenge. It was his first competitive round in 301 days — and by most accounts, it was a successful first step in his comeback.

“For me, I thought I did great,” Woods said after his round that included five birdies and left him tied for eighth, three shots off the lead held by Tommy Fleetwood. “To come out here and score like I did, it was nice.”

Tiger Woods hole by hole

1 (par 4): Drive to fairway. Chip to 14 feet. Misses birdie putt on left side. Result: par.

2 (par 3): Hits green with tee shot. Birdie putt from 20 feet misses to the left. Result: par.

3 (par 5): Drive to fairway. 2-iron from 260 yards finds the green. Eagle putt from 50 feet comes up short. Tap-in for first birdie of the round. Result: birdie; moves to 1 under.

4 (par 4): Drive finds light rough near fairway bunker on right side. Pitching wedge from 157 yards misses green to the right. Chip short, finishes in fringe. Saves par with a putt from off the green, followed by a vintage fist pump. Result: par.

5 (par 3): Tee shot on 169-yard hole flares to the right but stays on green near fringe far from pin. Aggressive putt rolls 4 feet past, but he makes comebacker. Result: par.

6 (par 5): Driver into the wind misses the fairway right and finds the native area. Second shot lands in fairway, 93 yards short of pin. Wedge shot lands past pin, spins back near left fringe. Birdie putt clips right edge of cup. Result: par.

7 (par-4): Driver to 340-yard hole finds bottom of bunker near green. Poor bunker shot from a good lie finishes well past pin near fringe. Birdie putt misses right. Result: par.

8 (par 3): Tee shot with 4 iron finds green near fringe. Makes first long birdie putt (approx. 23 feet). Result: birdie, moves to 2 under.

9 (par 5): Tee shot splits fairway. 3-wood from 282 yards hits green but feeds off into the rough. Chunked chip comes up short of green. Opts for putter on birdie putt and rolls it 12 feet past. Par-saver misses to left. Result: bogey, falls to 1 under.

10 (par 4): 3-wood off tee finds fairway. Knockdown 7-iron to green. Makes 15-footer for bounce-back birdie. Result: birdie, moves to 2 under

11 (par 5): Splits fairway with drive. Second shot misses green to right; one of his few misses with a full swing. Chip finishes near far side of green. Not happy with long par putt, but makes 7-foot comebacker to save par. Result: par.

12 (par 3): Not happy with tee shot that sails wide right into rough. Pounds club into ground. Solid chip leads to 5-foot par putt. Result: par. 

13 (par 4): Tee shot finds rough down left side. Approach from 113 yards lands near middle of green. Rolls in birdie putt from 22 feet. Result: birdie, moves to 3 under

14 (par 4): Opted for safe play to fairway on short par-4. Good decision, as he sticks approach from 88 yards to tap-in range. Result: birdie, moves to 4 under

15 (par 5): First poor swing with driver all day, as tee shot sails right into the native bushes. Hits provisional that finishes in fairway but manages to find his initial shot. Takes a penalty and hits third shot that finishes behind dune near green. Approach lands near edge of green. Two putts for bogey. Result: bogey, falls to 3 under.

16 (par 4): Drive to native area down right side. Terrific approach that finds back of green and spins back to 15 feet. Birdie putt misses right. Result: par.

17 (par 3): Tee shot comes up just short of green. Delicate chip leaves tap-in par. Result: par.

18 (par 4): Finds fairway. Approach hits greens but bounces off to left. Made 8-footer to save par. Result: par and a score of 3-under 69.

Source: PGAtour.com

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