Golf FanHouse

Fowler Will Be Top Offseason Attraction

Mick Elliott — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: LPGA, PGA, Golf Odds and Ends

Rickie Fowler's dramatic play over the final month of the PGA Tour season makes him the player most likely to be watched through the offseason's qualifying progresses.

Fowler, 20, did not turn professional until late summer, but the former top-ranked amateur out of Oklahoma State, took advantage of three sponsor's exemptions to earn $571,090 in those three tries, a number that would have placed him No. 136 on the year's money list.

After finishing seventh and runner-up in his first two events, a strong performance at the Children's Miracle Network Classic could have put Fowler into an exclusive group of past players -- Tiger Woods is one of them -- to avoid qualifying school by finishing among the top 125 money winners as a non-member.

More coverage: Golf.com: Winning Wasn't Everything at PGA Finale

But after being one shot out of the first-round lead, a second-day 75 led to Fowler finishing 40th. Nevertheless, his rewards are still handsome.

As a result of finishing among the top 150 earners, Fowler gets to jump past this week's second stage of qualifying school and go directly to the final round next month at Bear Lakes in West Palm Beach, Fla.

"I'll find a way to get out here. I feel like I can play with these guys. I put up a couple of good finishes. You never know. It could come from going to Q School. It could be a few years of grinding it out and trying to get exemptions. But I'll find a way to get out here."
- Rickie Fowler Also, even if Fowler fails to be one of the top 25 finishes and ties who will earn the PGA Tour card at Bear Lakes, he's already assured of some degree of exempt status on the Nationwide Tour.

"The whole last month has been awesome," Fowler said. "I'll find a way to get out here. I feel like I can play with these guys. I put up a couple of good finishes. You never know. It could come from going to Q School. It could be a few years of grinding it out and trying to get exemptions. But I'll find a way to get out here."

Winless Rookies

Stephen Ames' victory Sunday in the Children's Miracle Network Classic, the season's final event, means no rookie won on the PGA Tour this year, something that had not happened since 1998 when Steve Flesch was rookie of the year.

That result leaves Australian Mark Leishman as the leading rookie of the year candidate. He made 18 cuts in 28 events, including one runner-up finish and three top 10s, to finish 47th on the final money list with $1.7 million.

Going Quietly

David Duval was the biggest disappointment at the season-ending Children's Miracle Network Classic, arriving 125th on the money list only to shoot 76-73 and miss the cut. By the time the week was over, the former world No. 1 and British Open champ dropped to 130 on the final money list and will not be exempt for next season.

Duval is entered in final-stage qualifying, but suggested he will most likely skip it and attempt to play next season on sponsor exemptions.

Interestingly, on the strength of past accomplishments, Duval is exempt into next season's first three major championships.

"Funny, enough, I find it a bit ironic that I'm in the position I'm in right now," he said. "I don't have exempt status on the tour, but am in the Masters and the U.S. Open and the (British) Open Championship.

"It's kind of funny how the game works."

LPGA Finale

There is a lot on the line when the women's tour completes its season this week with the inaugural LPGA Tour Championship at The Houstonian Golf and Country Club in Houston, Texas.

South Korea's Jiyai Shin, already assured of Rookie of the Year honors, also leads in Player of the Year points.

If Shin can clinch the award, she would become the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year and Rolex Player of the Year in the same season since World Golf Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez did it in 1978.

Youth Served

Twenty-year-old Irishman Rory McIlroy can become the youngest winner of the European Tour's Order of Merit since Seve Ballesteros accomplished the feat in 1976 when he was 19.

The European Tour ends its season this week with the Dubai World Championship and McIlroy goes into play with a small lead over Lee Westwood.

"I will still be trying to win the Dubai World Championship," McIlroy said. "I won't be trying to protect a lead or finish ahead of this guy or that guy. I want to win. If I win it will take care of everything."

Fowler Will Be Top Offseason Attraction originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joy and Heartbreak at PGA Finale

Mick Elliott — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A sure sign something outside the norm was in the works Sunday afternoon at the Children's Miracle Network Classic came when Nicholas Thompson rolled in a nine-foot bogey putt on the final hole that would leave him five shots out of a playoff eventually won by Stephen Ames and broke into a fist-pumping, arm-slinging celebration.

"It could have been a double," Thompson said. "And I knew if I missed that, I didn't have a chance and I'm going to qualifying school. I knew making it at least gave me a chance."

Sunday's big prize at Walt Disney World was not as much the tournament championship as it was a secure future. Ames shot a final-round 64 and won his fourth career title, outlasting George McNeill and Justin Leonard in two playoff holes, but on this day you didn't have to get a trophy to feel like a winner.

More Coverage: Leaderboard | Photos | Money Leaders

The last event of the season locked down the money list, giving the top 125 finishers exempt status for 2010 -- golf's version of The Biggest Losers.

The routine repeated itself throughout the afternoon. Golfers completed play, walked off the 18th green to sign their scorecard, and then went straight to a laptop computer set up inside a roped-off area. Updated by the moment, the computer projected each player's place on the final money list.

"I never expected myself to feel the way that I did, but, you know, when somebody tells you you can't do your job next year, and you are so close, that's not such a good feeling," Rich Beem said.

Beem, the 2002 PGA winner, felt much better later. On the strength of a 4-under final round to tie for 24th at 10 under, he secured the 122nd spot on the money list after starting the week 124th.

"You know, it was really weird," Beem said. "I just don't know what it was -- kind of panic set in a little bit. I was so fixated on keeping my job. I couldn't get my mind off of it."

When the day was finally over, two golfers played their way into exempt status and two golfers dropped out.

Thompson and Jimmy Walker worked their ways in. David Duval and Robert Garrigus fell out.

Playing for a title is pressure. Playing for the right to come back and continue playing for a title can be down right brutal.

Thompson, a third-year tour player, arrived 132nd on the money list, shot a final round 66 to tie for 11th place, and moved to 123rd on the money list. He's got the bruises to prove it.

"I knew approximately where the number was going to be," Thompson said. "I knew I needed to make roughly $100,000, which is between 12th and 14th place. So I knew I needed to finish there or better to have a chance."

But coming to the final hole with success waiting, Thompson pushed his drive under a tree, bent his 6-iron on a root hitting the second shot that missed the green short and right near water.

"I jumped out from behind the tree and saw the ball moving like about an 18 handicapper," Thompson said.

A so-so chip left him with a 50-foot putt for par, which came up nine feet short. Making the putt may be the most important bogey Thompson will ever make.

Walker had just as big, if not a bigger struggle getting home. He double bogeyed No. 17 and then had to make a five-foot putt to save par at 18. Good enough. With a final-round 69 Walker tied for 15th which pushed his standing on the money list from 130th to 125th.

After playing 24 events this year and winning $662,683, Walker claimed the final full exempt spot by $2,997 over Will MacKenzie.

Going the other way, Garrigus arrived 123rd, missed the cut and dropped to 127th. Duval also didn't survive the cut and dropped from 125th to 130th. Others who left thinking what could have been included Jeff Maggert, who arrived 127th and left 128th, and Chris Riley, 126th to 129th.

By that time, Thompson was already in his car and driving down the Florida Turnpike to his South Florida home. He didn't know the final results, but there was nothing left that he could do.

"I'll get the call from someone, whether it's good news or bad news -- 125 or 126," he said. "Who knows. But hopefully it's 125 or better."

It was a very good bogey.

Joy and Heartbreak at PGA Finale originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McNeill Shares Lead With 3 at Disney

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:17:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- George McNeill stepped onto the 18th tee with a two-stroke lead, and was surprisingly still feeling good after just making bogey.

That's because everybody else was struggling, too.

"It was funny. Justin Rose walked up on the tee and he says, 'Man, out of the three guys making 5, I think there's one guy that is actually happy about it,"' McNeill recalled. "I think he was right because Justin Leonard turned around and kind of gave him a look."

That was only the beginning.

McNeill closed with a double bogey Saturday for a share of the lead entering the final round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic, giving hope to others who seemed far out of contention.

McNeill overcame a five-shot deficit and made two eagles on a cool day at Disney World that made greens fast but easy to reach. He shot a 3-under 69 that left him tied with Rose (69), Leonard (71) and Mathias Gronberg (66) at 13 under.

"I felt back in the tournament, and I felt like it was going to be us three guys fighting it out," Rose said. "Then all of a sudden now we're in a tournament where it's a complete logjam."

McNeill kept his poise after two early bogeys. But he gave back three strokes on the final two holes, including a double bogey on the 18th.

McNeill found trouble from the outset.

His first shot of the day hooked past the brush and into the trees, forcing him to take a drop before guiding the ball 20 feet from the hole. McNeill two-putted for bogey but gained six strokes back on six holes later in the round.

None were bigger than when McNeill sank a 34-foot putt for eagle on the 10th and made a 30-footer for another eagle on the 14th.

"I can't remember the last time I made two eagles in a round," said McNeill, who won the 2007 Frys.com Open for his lone tour title. "So I was pretty excited about those."

Then things went sour -- again.

After bogeying the 17th, McNeill's final drive landed out of play. He took a drop before missing a 10-foot bogey putt to take the lead into the final round.

Leonard, the leader after two rounds, had his troubles as well.

He had a five-shot lead after five holes and seemed as if he were going to run away with the tournament. But one hole did him in. His drive on the 11th sliced way right, bounced off the cart path and splashed into the water. He was able to fade the next shot 30 feet from the pin and two-putted for bogey.

Leonard figures most of the field now has a chance.

"There's three or four or five or eight of us tied," he joked. "Don't really know what to expect Sunday. I think with it bunched up as it is, it's going to take a really good round."

The competition to secure tour cards next year won't be decided until Sunday.

Only those who finish in the top 125 on the money list are guaranteed full status. The next 25 will at least get conditional status and be able to enter more than a dozen tournaments.

Rich Beem was among those in danger. The 2002 PGA Championship winner shot a 68, and he is projected to finish No. 128 on the money list unless he improves in the final round.

Jeff Maggert and Ricky Barnes stayed inside the cut line for full status with solid rounds. Barnes, who tied for a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, shot a 71 Saturday.

For those at the top, it's a different feeling.

"I think you almost don't want to think that you're leading because I certainly don't see any pressure," Rose said. "I don't feel like I'm leading the tournament because there are so many guys around the lead."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL

McNeill Shares Lead With 3 at Disney originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leonard Surges Into Lead at Disney

FanHouse Newswire — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:37:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Justin Leonard is one of the few players not feeling any pressure this week to secure his PGA Tour card next year.

He's already got that in hand. That much is clear from his play.

Leonard shot an 8-under 64 in the second round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic on Friday, surging to the top of the leaderboard in the final Tour event of the season.

"Any time I can come out and do that and play a nice, relaxed round where there's not a lot of pressure, I'm giving myself a lot of chances," he said. "It just makes the game easier."

Sure seems that way.

Leonard had 11 birdies and three bogeys on a sun-baked day at Disney World, where the 15 mph winds caused problems for some players. Justine Rose and George McNeill were two strokes back.

More coverage: Golf.com Photo Gallery

Leonard landed his approaches close to the pin, but he had to three-putt twice and missed a chance to extend his lead.

"On the flip side of that, I came back and birdied the next hole each time," Leonard said. "I was able to hit the ball pin-high a lot, which is really important when you're playing in windy conditions.

Chances to lock up a tour card next year are quickly fading for others.

Only those who finish in the top 125 on the money list are guaranteed full status. The next 25 will at least get conditional status and be able to enter more than a dozen tournaments.

Former world No. 1 David Duval missed the cut and was among those who will likely lose their cards. Duval finished 5 over par and near the bottom in the tournament.

Duval's runner-up finish at the U.S. Open this year and his 2001 British Open championship will get him into the first three majors next year. But losing his full status on tour is a demoralizing blow in a once shining career that has sputtered for nearly a decade.

"It's not a position you want to be in," Duval said. "It's not fun, but really, I haven't been focusing on it a whole lot."

Kevin Streelman, on the other hand, couldn't have been happier Friday.

He won $1 million in the Kodak Challenge, a contest that designates a hole on each course and keeps score throughout the season. Streelman protected his lead on the 17th at Disney's Magnolia course by knocking a 118-yard shot about 3-feet from the pin, and he was helped with Bo Van Pelt missing the cut.

After sinking the putt, Streelman pumped his fist twice and got a hug from New York Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, who was among the celebrities playing as an amateur. Streelman then jumped up to high-five fans sitting above him the bleachers.

"I wanted to close it out in style," Streelman said. "I wanted to do it with maybe some class. For me, I enjoy that moment, the nerves and the excitement and the exhilaration of playing golf for a living. And then being in that arena and atmosphere, that was pretty much the height of it thus far for me."

Erik Compton, the two-time heart transplant recipient who made his return to the tour at this same event last year, also missed the cut. Compton received a sponsor's exemption and finished at even-par 72. He already advanced to the second stage of qualifying school.

Twenty-year-old Rickie Fowler followed his dazzling first-day 66 with a 75, moving him back to a tie for 43rd place. The former Oklahoma State star is trying to join Tiger Woods as one of the few college players to bypass qualifying school in the same year by earning enough money through sponsors exemptions. Fowler probably will need to finish in the top 10 to accomplish that feat.

But with only two rounds complete on a course ripe for birdies, nobody was satisfied with his standing.
"I want to be leading after four rounds," Leonard said. "It's nice to put myself in position going into the weekend, so I'm looking forward to the challenge of putting myself in good position in order to go into the last round and try and win the tournament."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Leonard Surges Into Lead at Disney originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rose Overtakes Fowler at Disney

FanHouse Newswire — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:35:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Justin Rose shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday in the opening round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic, edging upstart Rickie Fowler for the top spot on the leaderboard.

Rose was bogey-free on a breezy day where a steady morning drizzle and temperatures dipping into the low 50s made greens soft but tough to reach. Fowler, Greg Owen and Casey Wittenberg were one shot back at Disney World in the final PGA Tour event of the season.

The 20-year-old Fowler is making only his third start since turning pro from Oklahoma State. He can join Tiger Woods as one of the few players to go from college to receiving full status on tour in the same year by earning enough money on sponsors exemptions.

"It's nothing special," he said. "I'm not doing anything different really, just kind of playing golf. I'm just making less mistakes."

Defending champ Davis Love III withdrew with neck pain after shooting a 1-over 73. But the pressure was mounting for others to secure their tour cards for next year.

Former world No. 1 David Duval was among those in danger of losing their full status. Duval shot a 4-over 76 and was tied for next to last in 124th place, meaning he'll need a major push Friday to have any hope of keeping his full status.

More coverage: MacKenzie Loaded for Bear | Amateur Hour for Whitley

Only the top 125 on the money list will have full status, and the next 25 will at least get conditional status and be able to enter more than a dozen tournaments. Duval, whose runner-up finish at the U.S. Open combined with his 2001 British Open championship will get him into the first three majors next year, began the tournament at No. 125.

"There's guys grinding for their livelihood out there," said Will Mackenzie, who is four shots off the lead. "It's tough. I mean, it's tough."

Maybe it's time to make room for the new kid.

Fowler has stormed onto the tour, shooting in the 60s for nine straight rounds. He lost in a playoff at Phoenix and, because the Viking Classic was rained out, his top-10 finish in the desert landed him a spot at Disney.

He's making the most of the opportunity.

Fowler ended the day with a 40-foot birdie chip from just off the 18th green. He was alone atop the leaderboard for most of the day until Rose surpassed him in one of the final groups.

Fowler is trying not to think about his chances of earning his PGA Tour card so quickly.

"I definitely think about it off the course," he said. "When I'm out here playing, I'm just trying to get the ball in the hole as fast as I can and get things going."

It wouldn't exactly be an easy feat.

Fowler can avoid qualifying school for now if he can earn enough money at Disney, likely needing a top-10 finish. Woods and Phil Mickelson are a couple of the big names who have accomplished what Fowler is trying to do.

Woods played in 11 events in 1996 -- winning twice -- to avoid Q-School. Mickelson landed a two-year exemption on tour in 1991, when he won the Northern Telecom Open while still playing at Arizona State.

Ryan Moore was the last player to go from college to full status on tour in the same year when he accomplished the feat in 2005.

"You don't have those guys that are like that perennial coming-up guy. You're not sure," Mackenzie said. "Maybe this is one of the guys that's going to whip off a few majors."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Rose Overtakes Fowler at Disney originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amateur Hour at the Children's Miracle Network Classic

David Whitley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:40:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

ORLANDO -- There are some places on the planet where I never thought I'd end up. The Oval Office and Jennifer Aniston's bedroom come immediately to mind.

But there's nowhere I belong less than on the first tee of a professional golf tournament.

With a club in my hand. And people watching. And my score actually counting. All in all, I'd rather have been in Whoopi Goldberg's bedroom Thursday morning. What was a hack like me doing in a place like the Children's Miracle Network Classic?

I couldn't pass up the chance to see what it's like to be Tiger Woods. Or at least work in his office.

He isn't at Disney World this week, but 125 of his colleagues are. It's the final PGA Tour event of the season, which means it's the last chance for golfers to make the top-125 money list and earn a full exemption for next season. That means pros would rather play in evening gowns than with us dorks. But the Children's Miracle Network is one of only three tournaments where dorks play in the real event, not the early-week pro-am.

It would be like the Lakers letting Jack Nicholson get out of his seat and play point guard for a few possessions. The difference being Nicholson probably wouldn't need a diaper if he faced a crucial 18-inch shot.

For some reason, the kind folks at Disney offered me a spot in the field. Amateurs play the first two rounds with a pro, and the lowest best-ball score wins. A friend who works in the golf business gave me some advice.

Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't walk in the pro's putting line. Don't take more than one practice swing. Don't use bathroom humor. Don't use the bathroom. "My goal is to stay out of your way," I told my lucky pro, Joe Ogilvie.

I usually shoot anywhere from mid-80s to infinity, which qualified me as an 18-handicap for this tournament. I have no delusions of winning, but one name on the amateur board does intrigue me.

Johnny Damon.

How great would it be to beat a Yankee who just won a World Series? Especially just days after his agent, Scott Boras, started contract negotiations by comparing Damon to Derek Jeter.

Boras will say anything to enhance a client's value. Nothing against Damon, but if he can't beat me in any athletic competition his agent has no business demanding a $13-million-a-year contract.

As I stood over that first tee shot Damon escaped my mind. Another famous athlete became my swing thought:

Gerald Ford.

My first goal was to not completely miss the ball. My second was to not shank one into the gallery and kill a family of four. Of course, a gallery would have required actual people. And there weren't many around at 7:25 AM.

Too bad, because I somehow had a par on the first hole. Sanity returned on the next hole when I missed an 18-incher for par. The next tee shot went swimming. At least I hadn't hit Ogilvie in the head with a backswing.

Playing with him and Harrison Frazar was a pleasant revelation. From media to fans to passing pigeons, all eyes are usually on Woods or Phil Mickelson or a few other glamour boys.

As their intense circuses travel 18 holes, guys like Ogilvie, right, and Frazar just go about their business. The tour cards may be at stake this week, but they were nice enough to read putts, offer a few tips and not laugh when I broke out the 7-wood I got for $15 in the Edwin Watts discount bin.

You want relaxed? Have you ever heard Woods or Mickelson recite lines from Caddyshack while waiting for a green to clear? Ogilvie and Frazar were such regular guys I felt like the usual group of chops I play with.

"Good par," I told Ogilvie after he tapped one in.

No, stupid. When a pro misses a 10-foot birdie putt, he does not consider it a "good par."

Back on Planet of the Dorks, any par is grand. I had a few, and even lucked into one birdie. But as always, the good shots were more than matched by ones that make you want to cuss like Tiger.

But if a Tiger cusses in the woods and nobody hears it, can the PGA fine him? Ogilvie had a few choice words after a tee shot bounced behind a tree, but I wasn't about to report him to the nearest marshal. I gave him other reasons to hate merely being in my presence.

"Nice shot!" I yelled after he hit a wedge toward the hole.

I looked over and Ogilvie was slamming that wedge into the ground. No, stupid. Pros don't consider simply getting the ball on the green a "good shot."

Ogilvie ended up shooting a 70, which was great considering the 185-pound handicap he was saddled with. My key moment came on the final hole.

After a decent drive, I got to the ball and noticed there really was a gallery around the green. Being the grizzled PGA Tour vet at that point, I got out my trusty 7-wood and felt relatively confident I'd give the fans a treat. Splash.

Welcome back to Dorksville.

As much as I dreaded it, I got to the clubhouse and checked the pro-am leaderboard. Through the magic of getting a stroke a hole, we'd managed a 68.

T-33: Whitley.

And guess who I tied with?

T-33: Damon.

Poor guy will be lucky if the Yankees offer him $13 a year.

Amateur Hour at the Children's Miracle Network Classic originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MacKenzie Loaded for Bear at Disney

Mick Elliott — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:47:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Just like most every PGA Tour player, Will MacKenzie is happy to pass along helpful advice to amateur pro-am partners and fans.

One MacKenzie tip you may never have heard from anyone else: "If you are being chased by a bear, you're supposed to just get down in the fetal position and let him rip -- pop you for about 300 stitches real quick and hopefully then leave and not eat you."

It is sage advice passed along by a skilled professional. While MacKenzie, fighting to save his tour card this week at the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World, is no Jack Nicklaus, he does know bears -- Golden or otherwise.

This is because MacKenzie, 35, and in his fifth PGA Tour season, took a fascinating detour on his way to the first tee. Although a junior golfer of particular merit when he was 14 and growing up in Greenville, N.C., MacKenzie one day decided he didn't care that much about golf anymore.

More coverage: Rose Overtakes Fowler | Amateur Hour for FanHouse's Whitley

Leading an American Junior Golf Association competition, he missed a tap-in on the 17th hole. He missed another in the playoff and lost.

"I was pretty frustrated," he remembers. "I didn't have a great attitude back then anyway. It didn't make sense for me to play golf at that time when I had all these other things I wanted to do. So I quit."

MacKenzie's clubs went into the family garage. MacKenzie went free.

"This game is as creepy as anything I've ever done. It's like anything, you want to play well. You want to do whatever you're doing well."
-- Will MacKenzie By the time MacKenzie turned 18, he was living out of a van in the Big Sky country of Montana and Idaho, snowboarding mountain slopes, kayaking mountain rivers and fishing for trout in icy streams.

He worked here and there as a guide or a security guard. He put in some time as a dishwasher and a cook.

After a while he moseyed up to Alaska where he tried heli-skiing and found a nice cave to briefly call home. By MacKenzie's estimation, there was one full month he went without a shower or a shave. He reports two toes with little to no feeling as a result of bouts with frostbite.

"I was young when I did all that stuff," MacKenzie said Thursday at Disney World. "I wasn't afraid."

Now an older MacKenzie feels real dread. He's scared of losing his PGA Tour exempt status.

He arrived for this week's season finale No. 131 on the money list that promotes the top 125 finishers to next season. He's $63,012 back of David Duval who currently holds the 125 spot, meaning a good week of golf is mandatory.

Thursday he bucked up. MacKenzie made six birdies and one bogey on Disney's Palm course. His 5-under is four shots behind leader Justin Rose and he's positioned for a productive tournament.

"This game's creepy," he said. "This game is as creepy as anything I've ever done. It's like anything, you want to play well. You want to do whatever you're doing well.

"And I mean some times staring over shots that you gotta hit over water, you know you gotta make a great strike. But you haven't been doing it that well. I mean it's difficult."

It was a long route getting here. MacKenzie does not want to leave now.

The game called him back 10 years ago during a return to North Carolina to visit his parents.

At that point he already had given up wilderness living, flying in from Costa Rica where he had been surfing and testing his talents for selling hammocks. The plan was to head for France for another go at snowboarding after the family visit.

But he flipped on the television and watched the final round of the 1999 U.S. Open, won by the late Payne Stewart in a final-day duel with Phil Mickelson.

It was being played at Pinehurst, about two hours from the family home.

Golf looked fun again.

"So I just started practicing. I was determined to come back."

Mackenzie played his first PGA Tour season in 2005. He has been playing ever since, claiming wins in 2006 and 2008.

This year, however, he has putted like a man with a snow shovel, arriving at Disney ranking 181st on tour.

"I didn't even know there were 181 players on tour," he said.

Thursday he clawed back -- get it, clawed?

"All I did different than what I do every week is I kept my head still over my putter and I putted well," he said. "I didn't hit it any better or anything. So my goal is to do that again tomorrow, and then actually for the rest of my career. If I could keep my head still, I might become a very -- I might become a decent putter, because I'm a pretty bad putter."

Bear down.

MacKenzie Loaded for Bear at Disney originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Names Scrambling for Tour Cards

Mick Elliott — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The last (honest, they really mean it this time) tournament of the PGA Tour season, the Children's Miracle Network Classic that tees off Thursday at Walt Disney World, always provides an interesting scramble as golf's working class looks for one last seat on the life raft.

More From Golf.com: Adam Scott Might Stay on PGA Tour

It's the PGA Tour's version of musical chairs. The top 125 players on each year's final money list are rewarded with full exempt status for the coming season. Those who finish outside the boundary line are left with several options, although none of them particularly satisfying.

That divides the field at Disney World into two distinctive groups: The ones who brought the wife and kids along to enjoy Magic Kingdom and the ones who are here hoping to find a little magic.

"You just kind of hope at the beginning of the year you happen to be one of those guys having fun with the family," said Kevin Streelman, safely entrenched at No. 89 on the money list.

Typically, those who finish on the wrong side of 125 take aim at PGA Tour qualifying school, the upcoming final stage being a six-round marathon of frayed nerves that opens the door for about 30 players. Others, anyone with significant notoriety, may court tournament directors for enough sponsor's exemptions to piece together a full schedule. And, finally, others come up short on all options and head down to the Nationwide Tour.

Whatever, it always makes for an interesting last dance.

"Either I play good or I go to Q-School," Rich Beem said. "That's about the only comments that I have to really make. So, you know, I must say that this predicament sucks. I'm not having any fun with it."

Actually, Beem, much like David Duval (above), another "bubble boy," has more options that most.

Name recognition means everything.

Beem will go into tournament play 124th on the money list. Duval is 125th.

Should either fail to earn full exempt status, they can still play next year -- just maybe not the exact schedule they might like. If a return to qualifying school does not produce exempt status, they can line up tournament appearances by writing letters and asking for a tournament sponsor invite.

Beem (right), who won the 2002 PGA, took that route last year.

"But I don't want to do that again," he said. "You have so many young players that are up and coming. Why wouldn't you give those kids a chance because one could be the next Tiger Woods? So being a 39-year-old, short, fat, balding guy, how many chances are they going to give me?''

Duval insisted he would not ask for a place in an event he did not routinely play when exempt, but figures he could still expect a full schedule.

"I would like to think that because of the relationships I've built up over 15 years I would get kind of the starts I would typically play," he said. "But I think it would be inappropriate if I had to ask a tournament I didn't typically go to. You know, that's begging."

Duval, once a world No. 1 and former British Open champ, entered qualifying school -- just in case.

All the same, having earned a name that's known can cure a lot of ills.

"What's fair and what's not fair?" Beem said. "How do you look at it? Are you looking for big names? Are you looking for ticket sales? I know what sponsors are looking for. They're looking for ticket sales; they want big names, guys who have won. Or they want a new, hot young name, obviously of late, Ricky Fowler."

Fowler is not yet a PGA Tour member, but after a successful college career at Oklahoma State, he turned pro late this summer following the Walker Cup. He earned invitations into two events on the strength of his amateur career.

In those to appearances, highlighted by a tie for second at the Frys.com Open, he has earned $553,700 and with a top-10 finish this week could break into the top 125.

The few players to have gone directly from amateur golf to the PGA Tour without Q School include the likes of Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, Ryan Moore and Charles Howell III.

"I knew I could come out and play with these guys," Fowler said. "But it was a surprise to make enough money to get through first and hopefully second stage of Q School.

"A month ago if you said that I would have made over half a million and I'd get straight to final stage, I'd run with it."

It's a good start toward making a name -- which one day can come in handy.

Big Names Scrambling for Tour Cards originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rags to Riches: Golfer on Verge of $1M

Mick Elliott — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Kevin Streelman is 31 years old and playing his second season on the PGA Tour. After college golf at Duke, it took five years of mini-tours and other assorted minor-league labors before, in 2008, he advanced through all three levels of qualifying school to earn a place in the big leagues.

"Just four or five years ago, I didn't have much at all," he said. " About $400 in my bank account and pretty much ready to stop playing."

But on Sunday afternoon Streelman can become an instant millionaire. He'll get a freshly printed check to prove it.

"Definitely exciting," he said.

Streelman played in 28 PGA Tour events this year, making 18 cuts. He has only two top-10 finishes -- a third and a tie for eighth -- and ranks a respectful but unglamorous 89th on the season money list.

But he played some holes extremely well.

How convenient several of them are part of a new PGA Tour promotion called the Kodak Challenge, a season-long bonus competition that concludes with Sunday's final round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic being played at Walt Disney World.

Before the season started, 30 holes were selected by an advisory board for their picturesque beauty. During the year golfers had to play at least 18 of the holes to be eligible for the bonus. A player's lowest score relative to par on his best 18 holes are counted.

Now just the 485-yard par-4 No. 17 on Disney's Magnolia course remains.

The only way Streelman cannot win is for Bo Van Pelt, who is two shots back, to eagle the hole. There is almost as much likelihood Space Mountain in the nearby Magic Kingdom will come alive with volcanic activity than Van Pelt knocking in a shot from the fairway. The long par 4 has given up a total of four tournament eagles since 1983, and none since 1998, a year it played 427 yards.

If Van Pelt does force a tie, tournament officials are prepared to place lights on the hole to allow for a nighttime playoff.

"It's a dream come true," Streelman said, careful to point out the check is not yet his, but obviously on his mind. "It really has been a culmination of my American dream just getting on the PGA Tour. So this is obviously icing on the cake and would be a huge blessing."

What makes Streelman's bonus success such a bonus is that he's not one of the tour's captain's of industry. To a degree, the Kodak Challenge was designed that way. Since golfers were required to play at least 18 of the designated holes, the more a player played, the better his chances.

For a guy still clawing his way along to grab the big check makes the perfect story.

And speaking of stories, Streelman has plenty of them -- like the time, when, as a mini-tour player, he was abandoned by sponsors.

"I was playing everything from the Hooters Tour, Gateway Tour, U.S. Pro Golfers Tour, any state open I could get into just to try to play for a couple hundred bucks," he said. "Then I had a group approach me from Chicago that said, 'We will sponsor you.' "

So Streelman goes west to take a shot at PGA Tour Monday qualifying, and a few weeks into the adventure, calls back to Chicago.

"They didn't pick up the phone," he said. "And to this day I've never heard a word from them. They'd promised me a bunch on money for that year to get me through, then totally left me stranded in California."

That was almost the last straw. Streelman remembers being ready to quit. But he didn't.

And Sunday can be the payoff.

Picture that.

Rags to Riches: Golfer on Verge of $1M originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rickie Fowler Moving Toward Rare Air

Shane Bacon — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:50:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Ryan Moore. Those are just some of the elite names on the list of people that have bypassed PGA Tour Qualifying School because of elite play when they were youngsters.

Rickie Fowler has a chance to join that group with a top-10 finish this week at the Children's Miracle Network Classic, the last official tournament of the year on the PGA Tour and Fowler's lone shot to earn somewhere around $70,000 or more to make it in the top-125 and avoid the final stage of Q-School.

Some interesting components come about here. First, Fowler was playing his best golf the last two tournaments, finishing t-7 at Justin Timberlake's tournament and a playoff loss at the Frys.com Open in Phoenix. That means, if Fowler could somehow put together another high finish, he would have earned his card in three tournaments!

Golf.com: More Fowler Coverage

Tiger played in 11 events back in 1996 when he was avoiding the stench of Q-School (Sure, he won twice, but it still isn't three straight top-10s, something Fowler would do this week if he continued his play).

Mickelson landed a two-year exemption on tour back in 1991, when he won the Northern Telecom Open while still playing at Arizona State. The next year, however, when he finally turned pro (after the U.S. Open), Mickelson had just two top-10s in 17 events, missing nine cuts. Without that win in 1991, Phil would have surely gone to Q-School that fall.

Fowler first two tournaments as a professional were both six figure checks, with the near win at the Frys.com everything that is holding him back from being stress-free until January.

It shouldn't seem like that big of a deal if Fowler couldn't earn his card this week, since he seems to have the game to breeze through Q-School, but for anyone that follows golf, PGA Tour Q-School is the toughest admissions test in the world, forcing you to beat out a ton of sticks just to have a job for next season.

How hard is it to finish in the top-25 in the final stage and earn full status for the next season? Y.E. Yang, the PGA Champion this season, made it by one shot last year after a closing 68 that saw wheels a-flyin' when he bogeyed two of his final four holes including a bogey on his last hole to stay within the cut line. Yang doesn't make that bogey putt on his 18th hole and he's jumping between the Nationwide Tour and PGA Tour this year, and Tiger's got himself another major championship trophy and nobody is talking about how an obscure man from South Korea is helping to globalize golf.

Fowler's game seems destined for greatness, but I promise you members of his camp are hoping he can take care of business this week so he can avoid the six rounds of hell at Bear Lakes Country Club starting Dec. 2.

Rickie Fowler Moving Toward Rare Air originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Doug Barron Becomes First PGA Tour Player to Fail Drug Test

Shane Bacon — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

Doug Barron has been suspended for a full year after failing a drug test, becoming the first PGA Tour player to fail such a test since the tour instituted their drug policy in July 2008.

Barron may not fit the mold of the normal athlete to fail drug testing, but in golf, he seems like the perfect culprit. The 40-year-old Barron has been a professional golfer since 1992, playing in 238 career PGA Tour tournaments and 110 career Nationwide Tour events.

On Monday, Barron issued an apology in a statement through the tour.

"I would like to apologize for any negative perception of the tour or its players resulting from my suspension," Barron said in the statement. "I want my fellow tour members and the fans to know that I did not intend to gain an unfair competitive advantage or enhance my performance while on tour."

The tour announced the suspension but, per its drug policy, would not disclose what substance Barron used. Barron's statement also made no mention of a specific drug.

The reason Barron is such an interesting case is because he's that golfer not trying to go from good to great, but from mediocre, by tour standards, to good.

"I'm surprised to hear that," British Open champion Stewart Cink said after hearing of the positive test. "I know him a little bit. He's taken medicine in the past for a lot of different reasons. I would think that has a lot to do with it."

Sure, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia have the natural talent to play good golf, but someone like Barron, who has made just $2.7 million on the PGA Tour in his career -- petty cash for what the pros make -- could probably use any advantage he could muster to be able to compete with today's golfer.

Barron averaged 277 yards off the tee this past season on the Nationwide Tour, 11 yards below the average on the PGA Tour, and a number that would have had him in the 170s in rankings this season. Standing only 5-foot-9, Barron could stand to use any and all advantages with distance.

Barron has never won a tournament on either the PGA or Nationwide Tours.

Doug Barron Becomes First PGA Tour Player to Fail Drug Test originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viking Classic Officially Canceled

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

MADISON, Miss. -- PGA Tour officials canceled the weather-stricken Viking Classic on Saturday because of unplayable course conditions.

There will be no makeup date and players will move on to the final event of the season, the Children's Miracle Network Classic on Nov. 12-15 in Orlando, Fla.

Annandale Golf Club received 1.75 inches of rain overnight Friday and Saturday, completely soaking an already marginal course that had areas of standing water and large tracts of mud.

Madison has received more than 20 inches of rain in the last six weeks.

"I told them this was closer to a FEMA disaster site than a golf course," tournament director Randy Watkins said. "Somebody asked if you could play somewhere else. I don't think you could play golf within 150 miles of here."

Officials postponed, then canceled play Thursday and Friday mornings after nearly constant rain. There had been hope officials might shorten the tournament to 54 holes and play next week or weekend, but groundskeepers don't think the course will dry out that quickly.

Slugger White, PGA Tour vice president for rules and competition, said Commissioner Tim Finchem had asked the board for permission to play a 36-hole tournament as early as Monday but was unsuccessful.

"We just couldn't get there," White said.

This is the first time a tournament has been scrapped outright because of weather since the 1996 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which was canceled due to unplayable conditions. The last rainout came in Houston in 1991, though that tournament was rescheduled.

The Viking Classic was important for a few dozen players who are chasing tour cards for the 2010 season. The top 125 on the money list pass through and most of the players hovering around that level were in attendance. They'll have just one chance now to move up.

Rich Beem entered at No. 124 and hoped to have a good tournament to wrap up his spot on the tour. Now he'll be in a sudden-death situation of sorts in two weeks.

"I would be lying to you saying it wasn't nerve wracking to a point," Beem said. "The only thing I can control is how well I play. If I could go home with this week, with a week off now, get practice time in and get ready for Disney, that's all I can control. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to go out to Disney and play well and see if we can't wrap this thing up."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Viking Classic Officially Canceled originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby to Play in World Match Play Semifinals

Shane Bacon — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

In a rematch that is sure to disappoint bar owners in Caseras, Spain, Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby are set to square off in the World Match Play Semifinals on Saturday, giving us a much-needed golf treat during the offseason.

As you probably remember, Kim and Allenby played against each other at the Presidents Cup earlier this month during the Sunday singles matches, with Kim defeating Allenby 5 and 3, only to have the Australian rip Kim for partying the night before their match.

Maybe we should all take the theory of Anthony Kim," Allenby said at the Presidents Cup. "Get home at 4 o'clock (in the morning) and then go shoot 6 under."

Asked if his comments were on the record, Allenby said, "I don't care. Ask his playing partners. Ask his team. He is the loosest cannon in that team."

Allenby went on to call the 24-year-old Kim golf's "current John Daly."

The two have since buried the hatchet, with Allenby admitting that he not only called Kim to apologize, but, shockingly, was taken out of context by the media. Kim's response was equally political, saying, "We are both moving on, and I don't have anything more to say about the issue. I had a great experience at my first Presidents Cup and look forward to competing in many more international team competitions for my country."

This will be the first time the two have played together since the incident, and for anyone who has ever played sports knows, it will not just be the type of friendly match that usually happens during competition. I'm sure Kim isn't a fan of Allenby and obviously Robert doesn't love the way Kim approaches the game, so having them face each other in match play will be a good time.

That said, it isn't like Kim is going to change how he approaches life. His quote after hearing he'd be playing Allenby in this match?

"I'm going to be in bed by 9:30," Kim said Friday.

I guess the calimocho will have to wait for another day.

Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby to Play in World Match Play Semifinals originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rickie Fowler Earning His Stripes on Tour At Breakneck Speed

Mick Elliott — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

Rickie Fowler is two weeks into his PGA Tour career and by anybody's yard stick -- even one belonging to the guy with the big yacht -- things are going exceptionally well.

Fowler, only months removed from his sophomore year at Oklahoma State where he was the top-ranked player in both college and amateur golf, made his PGA Tour pro debut two weeks ago in Las Vegas by finishing seventh in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. On Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., he tied for second in the Frys.com Open, losing to Troy Matteson in a three-way playoff.

That means Fowler, playing on a pair of sponsor's exemptions, has made $553,700 in two tournament appearances. Not bad for a 20 year old.

Even better, it also means, although not a PGA Tour member, he is the equivalent of 136th on this season's money list, and with two events still remaining has time to reach the top 125 and earn exempt status for next season without going to qualifying school.

Since 1980 the only players to earned their way to the PGA Tour without facing qualifying are Gary Hallberg, Justin Leonard, Tiger Woods, Ryan Moore and Charles Howell III.

Not bad company.

Even if he falls short of that target, the special temporary membership earned by the current money-list standing allows Fowler to skip this week's first round of Q-school, and most likely will send him straight to the final stage.

"I knew I was capable of coming out and competing," Fowler said. "But to finish tied for seventh and then tied for first, and lose in a playoff ... pretty quick start."

That's one way of putting it. Here's another. Fowler has yet to record a round outside of the 60s. He carded rounds of 67-64-69-68 (16-under) in Las Vegas before going 65-64-69-64 (18-under) at Scottsdale.

And another thing: Two weeks. Two tournaments. Two holes-in-one.

"My expectations were to have two fun weeks and play as well as I could," he said.

What's not to like so far?

No question Fowler brings game. He's feisty and aggressive, a personality trait likely earned in competitive motocross, a sport in which his father is a champion. He helped lead the U.S. to victory in this summer's Walker Cup, putting up a perfect 4-0 record in the match-play competition.

There's very little finesse to his attack, which goes well with a head of wild hair and a face that earns actor Leonardo DiCaprio comparisons.

Another sure sign there's something a little different about Fowler, he does not have a swing coach.

"I don't really have any coaches," he said. "I'm kind of my own thing. Yeah, I'm not the typical junior golfer or amateur golfer coming out these days. I don't have a swing coach, mental coach, all of those people following me around. Kind of me, my caddie and my parents."

Although it is wise not to rush to a conclusion of future greatness, Fowler's late-season arrival is a perfect tonic for the dog days of the tour schedule.

Plenty of others before him have revved up early expectations, only to sputter into the background. But Fowler is interesting.

"Right now, I'm gonna play Viking," he said of this week's tour stop in Madison, Miss. "The plans are still to go to Q School.

"I'm going in with the same game plan I did those last two. Seemed to work out pretty well, these last two weeks. So we'll see what happens next."

So far, there's good reason to watch.

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Players take part in a practice round at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on October 27, 2009 two days before the start of the Barclays Singapore Open golf tournament. The European Tour is co-sanctioning the tournament for the first time with the Asian Tour, leading to a stellar cast of players keen to improve their standing in the Race to Dubai. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / HO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKATOS/AFP/Getty Images)

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CASARES, SPAIN - OCTOBER 27: The Volvo World Match Play Championship competitors (L-R Back Row), Sergio Garcia of Spain, Anthony Kim of USA, Martin Kaymer of Germany, Ross Fisher of England, Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Robert Allenby of Australia, Lee Westwood of England, Camilo Villegas of Colombia and Angel Cabrera of Argentina, (L-R Front Row) Paul Casey of England, Retief Goosen of South Africa, Oliver Fisher of England, Scott Strange of Australia, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Simon Dyson of England and Jeev Milkha Singh of India pose for a group photo prior to the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin on October 27, 2009 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sergio Garcia;Anthony Kim;Martin Kaymer;Ross Fisher

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US golfer Phil Mickelson (C) of the US takes part in an official practice round at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on October 27, 2009 two days before the start of the Barclays Singapore Open golf tournament. Mickelson on October 27 described his topsy-turvy year as "interesting and unique" as the world number two gets back to his best after a break to help wife Amy battle breast cancer. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / HO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKATOS/AFP/Getty Images)

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US golfer Phil Mickelson speaks during a press conference at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on October 27, 2009 two days before the start of the Barclays Singapore Open golf tournament. Mickelson described his topsy-turvy year as "interesting and unique" as the world number two gets back to his best after a break to help wife Amy battle breast cancer. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / HO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKATOS/AFP/Getty Images)

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Golfer Adam Scott of Australia speaks during a press conference at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore on October 27, 2009 two days before the start of the Barclays Singapore Open golf tournament. Scott vowed to come back a better player as he slowly rebuilds his game after a miserable season. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / HO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKATOS/AFP/Getty Images)

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This handout provided by World Sport Group shows Padraig Harrington of Ireland during an official practice round at Sentosa Golf Club, on the Serapong Course, Singapore on October 27, 2009. The European Tour is co-sanctioning the tournament for the first time with the Asian Tour, leading to a stellar cast of players keen to improve their standing in the Race to Dubai. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group / HO (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKAT0S/AFP/Getty Images)

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This handout provided by World Sport Group shows Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand during an official practice round at Sentosa Golf Club, on the Serapong Course, Singapore on October 27, 2009. The European Tour is co-sanctioning the tournament for the first time with the Asian Tour, leading to a stellar cast of players keen to improve their standing in the Race to Dubai. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group / HO (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKAT0S/AFP/Getty Images)

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This handout provided by World Sport Group shows Chapchai Nirat (R) of Thailand kissing compatiot Thongchai Jaidee during an official practice round at Sentosa Golf Club, on the Serapong Course, Singapore on October 27, 2009. The European Tour is co-sanctioning the tournament for the first time with the Asian Tour, leading to a stellar cast of players keen to improve their standing in the Race to Dubai. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE AFP PHOTO / Paul Lakatos / World Sport Group / HO (Photo credit should read PAUL LAKAT0S/AFP/Getty Images)

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Rickie Fowler Earning His Stripes on Tour At Breakneck Speed originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jamie Lovemark Is Living Right

Shane Bacon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

Before this week, Jamie Lovemark wasn't a household name. He'd made one cut this season on the PGA Tour. He is 21-years-old, with the face of a 17-year-old and the clothes of a 43-year-old. Whatever he is, one thing's for sure -- Lovemark has grasped the "luck" concept in golf.

On Sunday, Lovemark joined eventual champion Troy Matteson and Rickie Fowler in a playoff at the Frys.com Open, and after booming a drive on the first playoff hole, Jamie was left a short iron to a green guarded by a pond. Fowler and Matteson were both safely on the green, but without real birdie opportunities. Lovemark had a chance. Well, until he pushed his iron shot well right of the green, directly in the lake, only to have it pop out.

It is still one of the luckiest breaks I've ever seen on a golf course. Sure, balls skip off water all the time, but to have it completely submerged only to come back out, on land, and stay there, is as lucky as it gets.

Lovemark eventually lost on the next playoff hole, but that shot will be the one remembered from this week's PGA Tour tournament.

Jamie Lovemark Is Living Right originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Troy Matteson Outlasts Young Guns to Win Frys.com Open

Shane Bacon — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:06:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

On a week when the hole seemed to be the size of a bucket for most of the golfers at the Frys.com Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., it was only fitting that Troy Matteson end the playoff with a tap-in birdie. Matteson, who at 29 was the ancient man in the three-man playoff, beat Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark to win his second career PGA Tour tournament at Greyhawk Golf Course, in an interesting conclusion to a very golf-friendly week.

Matteson, who had the tournament all but wrapped up, inexplicably bogeyed his 17th and 18th holes to fall into a playoff with the 20-year-old Fowler and the 21-year-old Lovemark, and that was just when the fun began.

More Coverage: Frys.com Leaderboard

On the first playoff hole, the 18th, Lovemark was in the middle of the fairway, with a short iron in his hands, but completely pushed his shot right of the green, heading for the lake and doom. His facial expression said it all, but then something bizarre happened. His shot went in the pond, underwater, and hoped back on land, something I can honestly say I've never seen happen in all my years as both a golf fan and a golfer myself.

Lovemark took advantage of the good fortune, getting up and down for par to move to the next playoff hole. It was there that Matteson hit a 6-iron nearly inside the leather, for a tap-in birdie, beating Fowler and Lovemark's pars.

Matteson's Sunday 68 was good enough for a playoff, but it was his two rounds before that that got him in contention. Troy shot consecutive 61s on Friday and Saturday, breaking the record for lowest two-day total ever on the PGA Tour, and his three birdies and an eagle on Sunday were the reasons he walked away with the trophy.

Not enough can be said about Fowler and Lovemark, however. Fowler, the more known of the two, played in his first ever PGA Tour tournament as a professional last week, finishing t-7, and Lovemark only cashed one check all season on the PGA Tour, a t-46th at the Canadian Open.

The big question now is what will Fowler do. His goal all year was to go through PGA Tour Qualifying School to earn his 2010 card and be exempt next season, but his two top-10s in a row not only have earned him a considerable amount of cash, but have allowed him a spot in next week's Vikings Classic. The problem is, that would conflict with his Q-School date, so Fowler will have to decide rather quickly if he wants to roll the dice with Q-School or make some more money on the PGA Tour.

Whatever his decision, it's just good to see a young guy out there putting himself in contention. It took Tiger Woods five tournaments to win as a professional. If Ricky keeps playing like this, it might come sooner.

Troy Matteson Outlasts Young Guns to Win Frys.com Open originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nicholas Thompson Follows Double Eagle Up With a Hole-in-One

Shane Bacon — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

Nicholas Thompson isn't a household name on the PGA Tour. He's ranked 145th on the money list and is currently playing in the Frys.com Open in hopes of a high finish to possibly secure his card for next season. Oh, and he's the guy that played two holes 5-under on Saturday at Greyhawk Golf Club.

Thompson, who shot rounds of 66-68 on Thursday and Friday, jumped up the leaderboard after a double-eagle on the par-5 11th hole, when he knocked in a 3-wood from 261 yards for the rare albatross. After he made a dinky par on the 12th hole (come on Nick!), Thompson stood on the tee of the par-3 13th and hit a 7-iron ... in the cup.

Double-eagle, par, hole-in-one.

I'm pretty sure if there was a skins game going on, Thompson would be leaving with some nice parting gifts.

The 5-under total on the two holes helped the 26-year-old Thompson to a Saturday 65, which currently has him at 11-under for the week, and in the top-10, a place he has yet to finish a tournament in this season.

I don't have actual concrete information that this next statement is correct, but I'm willing to bet nobody has ever made an albatross and an ace in a three-hole stretch. Ever.

Nicholas Thompson Follows Double Eagle Up With a Hole-in-One originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rickie Fowler Tied for Lead at Frys.com

Shane Bacon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

Rickie Fowler was asked on Friday, after a second round 64 put him in a tie for the lead at the PGA Tour's Frys.com Open, if he was still planning on going through Q-School next week to try and earn his tour card for 2010.

"Right now that's still the plan. First stage is starting next Tuesday," Fowler told PGATour.com.

The crazy thing is, he might not have to if he keeps this up. Fowler, just 20-years-old and playing in his second event on the PGA Tour as a professional, is tied for the lead at 11-under after rounds of 65-64, making one more eagle (2) than he's made bogeys (1) the last two days at Greyhawk Golf Course.

Fowler, who announced he was turning pro just a month ago, is scheduled to take on the grind of the PGA Tour Q-School, but a win at the Frys would completely mute that idea, giving him a two-year exemption on tour and making him the Tiger Woods of the 2000s.

The young professional will have to fend off a rather impressive group at the top of the leaderboard for such a small event, including Justin Leonard, who is a shot back at 10-under, and Ryan Moore, who was the early decade's Ricky Fowler.

Sure, we're 36 holes away from this event ending, but the way he's strutted around Greyhawk, you can feel the confidence steaming off of this kid. His first tournament last week as a pro, he finished t-7. This week, he's birdied his final two holes both days. If he wins, it might be the most unexpected surprise since Phil Mickelson won as an amateur in 1991 in this same state.

Greg Owen, who is currently 116th on the PGA tour money list, is tied atop the leaderboard with Fowler.

Rickie Fowler Tied for Lead at Frys.com originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remembering Payne Stewart

Shane Bacon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

In the past 20 years, golf has a small number of images that have burned themselves deep into our brains. Greg Norman hitting his knees on Sunday at the Masters in 1996. A year later, Tiger Woods winning his first major championship and embracing his father, Earl, with such power and love that it made non-golf fans tear up. Payne Stewart, needing to hole a putt on the 18th green at Pinehurst, rolling it in and extending out on one foot, hand in the air, a memory lasting forever.

On Sunday, it will be 10 years since Stewart died tragically in an airplane crash, exactly four months and two days after that putt dropped at the U.S. Open. It was a moment that rocked the golf world, but gave everyone a chance to remember just how special Payne was to the PGA Tour. A religious man, Stewart wore a WWJD (What What Jesus Do) bracelet on his wrist that Sunday at Pinehurst, and, in typical Payne fashion, grabbed Phil Mickelson, who finished second that day, moments after the winning putt dropped and told him, "You're going to be a father," helping to ease the pain of defeat.

Golf.com: Payne's Career Photos

Stewart was always an anomaly to me. His clothes were different, from the NFL sporting days to the classic plus fours, he has been one of the few golfers of any generation to completely change styles and make it work. He was a classy guy in every sense of the word, even when the cocky attitude would surface for a second. That's who he was. He knew he was good, and he should have, because he was.

If Stewart was around today, who knows how many more major championships the straight-hitter would have claimed. When the putter was hot, his game was as tough as anyone, and watching him compete with the talent out there now would have been a treat for all of us.

He was charismatic, fun to watch and a damn good golfer, along with being the type of person you'd want to be friends with. The plane crash that claimed his life? Yeah, he was on his way to Dallas to see about building a new home course for the SMU golf team, his alma mater.

With character a problem in sports these days, it's easy to forget about guys like Stewart. He was a family man who, seconds after winning the biggest golf tournament in the world, spoke to a competitor about family, knowing that no matter how many trophies he could add to the case, the end of the day is all about those around you ... the important ones in your life.

Nobody expected we'd lose Payne so soon, and it's crazy to think it was 10 years ago. On Sunday, if you're planning on going out to your local course and slap the round ball around with some buddies, try and take a minute to remember Stewart. His outfits, his smile and that lasting image of his arm outstretched, leg in the air, king of the world for a moment. It's only fitting that a putting tip from, who else, his wife was the reason he may have won that final major championship, at Pinehurst 10 years ago.

Remembering Payne Stewart originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Players Going Low at Frys.com Open

Shane Bacon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:58:00 EST

Filed under: PGA

I've played both courses at the wonderful Greyhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., sitting in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak, a few miles north of the more well known TPC Scottsdale and it's raucous FBR Open. I'll tell you this -- that course isn't as easy as the PGA Tour players are making it look after the first round of the Frys.com Open.

Nick O'Hern is leading the par slaughterfest after his 7-under 63 skipped past Bob Heintz and Heath Slocum's 64s, four others at 65 and 15 players at 66. The problem is, after the Presidents Cup, is anyone besides us golf enthusiasts (Read: driver nerds) paying a lot of attention?

See, after the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour kicks off what is called the Fall Series, that includes the last two weeks, the Frys.com, and two more tournaments that end in mid-November. Basically, the Fall Series is a fancy name for the more definitive name, "Race to Gain More Money and Earn your 2010 PGA Tour Card." Okay, lengthier, but more truthful. Players that struggled all season have a chance to go out in these tournaments and earn more money, hoping to find themselves in that coveted top-125 which keeps them with a good paying job for another season.

The one bonus with this end-of-season run is there is always a young face hoping to get lucky and win an event, hoping to avoid PGA Tour Qualifying School or the sponsor's exemption grind of next season. The face of 2009? Rickie Fowler (pictured), the 20-year-old stud that joined the professional ranks in September and played in his first PGA Tour tournament as a pro last week, finishing seventh, and with a birdie on his 18th hole on Thursday, is t-4, two shots back of O'Hern.

Along with Fowler is a few names you've heard of enjoying the beautiful Scottsdale weather. Mike Weir, who won the inaugural Frys.com Open in 2007, shot a 66 to tie notables Ryan Moore, Ricky Barnes and Stephen Ames.

Fred Couples, coming off captaining a winning Presidents Cup team, shot a 3-under 67, his best round in two months.

If the weather stays like it was on Thursday, the winning score could be well north of 20-under.

Players Going Low at Frys.com Open originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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