![]() ![]() Showed his true grit at the Wachovia Championship with birdies on two of his last three holes to get into a playoff. His wrist is fully recovered, and the rest of his game is getting close. His iron play is precise when he's on top of his game.īackspin: Remarkable performance to make the cut last year at Shinnecock Hills in his first tournament back from wrist surgery. Frustrated to the point that he walked off in the middle of a tournament last year, he went toe-to-toe with Ernie Els in a World Golf Championship, then won the British Masters last month. But he battled at Memorial despite a nasty bout with the flu, and after two great years he has shown he's not ready to fade away.īackspin: He has as good a chance as any European to end a 35-year drought in the U.S. He missed the cut after winning Colonial and has problems with his eyesight. Long driver who keeps it in play and a guy who makes everything when he gets hot. But he missed the cut at the Masters, and he must be careful not to press too much at Pinehurst.īackspin: His seven-shot victory at Colonial opened some eyes, because he is a streaky player who can get on a roll for a few months. Tremendous imagination around the greens with his chipping, and his ball striking has been awesome at times. Might have been hurt more than he lets on by blowing a six-shot lead in the final round of the Wachovia Championship. Open, so it might be his time to carry a pager.īackspin: His swing changes have taken full effect, but the putting remains a mystery. His wife is due with their second child after the U.S. Nearly pulled off an 11-shot comeback in Memphis on the strength of his putting, which is among the best in golf, and had a great chance at the Memorial. He has a classic swing, adequate power and tremendous poise.īackspin: He played the most flawless golf of the year in winning the Match Play Championship, and appears to have his game on track while going through a split with his longtime agent. He twice nearly won at Torrey Pines, another long golf course. Open was Bethpage Black, a course for big hitters. He should be there Sunday afternoon, simply because he's very good.īackspin: His promise outweighs his results - only one PGA Tour victory - but he is quickly becoming a force in big events. Open because of his driving and iron play, but his short game can be suspect - not only his ability to make the 12-footers for birdie, but his club selection when he doesn't hit the greens. Open finish, and he had as good a chance as anyone in '99. Majors: Masters ('00), PGA Championship ('98, '04).īackspin: Pinehurst was his best U.S. He's been in a lull since winning last month in Shanghai, and gave uninspiring performances at Dallas and Muirfield Village. Missed the cut at Pinehurst in '99, and while his short game is among the best, he'll need to hit his share of greens. Has won three times this year, but not against the best fields. Open ('94, '97), British Open ('02).īackspin: The Big Easy has not been particularly sharp since his "Desert Double" in the Middle East in early March. ![]() But his play has been spotty after consecutive wins in February. He should be the favorite, because his short game for these greens is the best. Stewart made every putt on the last three holes in '99, and Mickelson missed them all. But that image of Payne Stewart inspires Lefty, and he has looked forward to the return. Doesn't win regular events as often as he should, but he sure shows up in the big ones.īackspin: Pinehurst was the only major he felt certain was his to win and saw someone else with the trophy. Open twice in the last four years, and his cool under pressure was inspiring at Shinnecock. The Goose is an excellent driver whose power is underrated, a supreme iron player and a clutch putter. Open.īackspin: He has quietly - and we mean quietly - become the prototype player for the U.S. Amateur champion who knows what it takes to be patient, the key ingredient at a U.S. He hasn't won since 2001, but is the kind of player who never takes himself out of a hole with his accuracy off the tee and steady putting. His game seems to rise at the biggest events, and his short game could carry him to the second leg of the Grand Slam for the second time in four years.īackspin: Everyone expects the stars to be at the finish line at Pinehurst again, but he could be the candidate to crash the party. Tied for third at Pinehurst in 1999, two shots behind Payne Stewart. He won the Masters and two tournaments against strong fields, but also missed the cut at the Byron Nelson for the first time in seven years and finished out of the top 20 twice. Open ('00, '02), British Open ('00), PGA Championship ('99, '00).īackspin: He is better than last year, more unpredictable than ever. Open, to be played June 16-19 at Pinehurst No. A capsule look at 20 top players in the 105th U.S. ![]()
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