Well, with all the other things going on in the world of sports lately, regular tournament golf will be back to a prominent role this weekend with the final individual World Golf Championship taking place at Harding Park in San Francisco. From my understanding, that muni underwent an extensive facelift to get into shape for this event, and this event will be a good test of those upgrades. The course looks spectacular, and the field is stellar as always in the WGCs....should be a nice weekend of golf for those who watch between the NFL, NCAA and MLB games on the docket.
Any picks for contenders? The course looks a little tight and not too long at par 70, 7086 yards, so length probably won't be a huge factor. Possibly a guy like Dimarco, Goosen or Mickelson will build on their successes at the President's Cup a few weeks ago...Dimarco in particular is due for a win. Of course, you can never dismiss Tiger and Vijay, although this course likely won't play to their strengths, although when they're playing well that doesn't typically matter. For some sleepers, I like Shigeki Maruyama, coming off a good showing this past week, and Luke Donald, who should be at home in the cooler, wetter San Francisco climate and this would seem to be the type of course that would favor an excellent shotmaker like him.
I will be there on Sunday, and I may break free of the tyrannical shackles of my day job to go to a practice round on Wednesday. I'll try and snap some pictures if I do!
Looking at the field, less than half of the players are American ,with only Els and Clarke as potential winners missing from the field. The format of the event looks sound but why such a small field? 70 is too small a number. Surely the top 100 on the World rankings ,followed by 20 slots for the 'smaller ' tours outside USA and Europe wouldmake it a bigger and better tournament.
Maybe its the lack of a cut that ensures evryone turns up?
Looking at the field, less than half of the players are American ,with only Els and Clarke as potential winners missing from the field. The format of the event looks sound but why such a small field? 70 is too small a number. Surely the top 100 on the World rankings ,followed by 20 slots for the 'smaller ' tours outside USA and Europe wouldmake it a bigger and better tournament.
Maybe its the lack of a cut that ensures evryone turns up?
The thinking is probably; the smaller the field the higher the quality of the competition. The underlying pricinciple of the WCG is to get the best players in the world together. I think number of players is desigh to add to the "exclusivity" of the event.
I've been looking forward to this event for quite some time. San Francisco is such a wonderful place and a perfect host for a major sports championship. And I'm looking forward to Harding Park's triumphant return to professional golf.
Did you know that Harding Park was renamed in honor of Warren Harding, who died of a heart attack whilst staying in San Francisco? Are you aware that Harding Park used to host the PGA TOUR's Lucky International tournament during the 60's? The late George Archer's first TOUR victory came at Harding Park.
Harding Park is essentially on the same property, albeit across the lake, from the Olympic Club. I anticipate that Harding Park will look, feel and play somewhat like the Olympic Club.
If you consider how Phil, Tiger and Vijay have performed, over the years, on courses like the Olympic Club, Riviera, Colonial and Harbour Town...all tight, tree-lined courses with smallish greens and sudden doglegs...you'll realize that they may not make great picks this week, althought I'm hoping Phil will win. My pick.....Luke Donald.
The course looks a little tight and not too long at par 70, 7086 yards,
I was under the impression that anything over 7k was in the decent length range...its definitely not short. Now, it might play a heck of a lot harder at a par 70 instead of 72, but not short.
October 4th, 2005, 12:38 AM
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