Golf News On and Around The Links
Apr 12, 2015; Augusta, GA, USA; Jordan Spieth (right) shakes hands with Justin Rose after winning The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Golf News for the past week has revolved around Augusta National and The Masters. It’s that simple. The Masters was the only game in town and just about everybody who’s anybody in the golf world was either at Augusta National Golf Club, nibbling on a pimento cheese sandwich and watching the drama unfold or sitting in front of a television wishing they were sitting in a green chair somewhere around Amen Corner nibbling on a pimento cheese sandwich and watching the drama unfold.
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On the Links
Jordan Spieth made it very clear this week that he’s headed for the top of the world golf rankings and that he’s fully qualified to step into the dominant position that Tiger appears to vacating. As Spieth broke record after record on the way to the first wire-to-wire victory at Augusta National since Raymond Floyd’s in 1976, he rolled over some of the biggest names in golf: Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, and Dustin Johnson.
Jordan Spieth. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
The young guy from Texas plays a brand of golf that’s forged by unique combination of self-confidence and a quiet, almost stoic demeanor. There was no prancing and prowling around the green that followed any number of impossibly difficult putts. He consistently complimented Justin Rose, his closest challenger and Sunday playing partner, for shots will delivered. Between shots he held private conversations with his caddy behind a hand held to his mouth, blocking out the prying eye of the camera and muting the commentators’ speculations.
Lydia Ko. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Enough has been written and will be written about Spieth’s win that I can focus on what it means to the Game to have a guy who spent his evenings this week playing cards with his grandparents. If Jordan Spieth assumes the symbolic mantel of leadership I sense that golf will experience a Renaissance, that Jordan Spieth’s and Lydia Ko’s combined and very refreshing appeal will draw a new generation to the game as both golfers and as fans.
Around the Links
The annual GWAA awards dinner, which coincides with the beginning of Masters Week, honored Rory McIlroy, Stacy Lewis and Bernhard Langer with Player of the Year awards for their respective tours.
Morgan Pressel. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Morgan Pressel received the Charlie Bartlett Award, given to a playing professional for unselfish contributions to the betterment of society. Pressel, who joins Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lorena Ochoa, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, and the late Payne Stewart as a Bartlett awardee, was recognized for her foundation’s work in heightening breast cancer awareness and research to fight the insidious disease. The Morgan Pressel Foundation has raised more than $3.4 million over the last six years.
Ben Crenshaw played a practice round with Jordan Spieth, shared his deep understanding of the Augusta National track, and then played his final Masters Tournament. Will Crenshaw now join Arnie, Jack and Gary and transform The Big Three into a proper foursome?
Coming Up
Everybody’s going back to work this week with Matt Kuchar, Michelle Wie, Carlos Ortiz, Min Seo Kwak and Miguel Angel Jiminez defending titles and two new events in China.
PGA Tour: RBC Heritage, Harbor Town GL, Hilton Head SC, Matt Kuchar is defending champion, CBS and ESPN media coverage.
LPGA Tour: LOTTE Championship, Ko’Olina Golf Club, Oahu, Hawaii, Michelle Wie is defending champion, Golf Channel media coverage.
European Tour: Shenzhen International, Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen, China. Debut event. Check local listings for television coverage.
Ladies European Tour: Off until May 7-10 and the Buick Championship, Shanghai Qizhong Golf Club, Shanghai, China.
Web.com Tour: El Bosque Mexico, Championship, El Bosque Golf Club, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, Carlos Ortiz is defending champion. No media coverage.
Symetra/Legends Tour: Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial, Cypress Lake Country Club, Ft. Myers, FL. Min Seo Kwak is defending champion. No media coverage.
PGA Champions Tour: Greater Gwinette Championship, TPC Sugarloaf, Duluth, GA, Miguel Angel Jiminez is defending champion. Golf Channel media coverage.
My colleagues and I at ProGolfNow will keep you up-to-date as the competitions unfold and will also provide ongoing commentary on all things related to golf. We hope you’ll visit us often during the coming week.