I was a bit disappointed. I always look forward to the drama this tournament provides and it just was not there at all today. Ames was rock solid and Ernie provided some hope of a challenger but after about the 6th hole for the final group I was channel flicking.
The way the course was playing, if you told me Retief Goosen would finish at -8, I would have said he's gonna be your champion. I couldn't believe how Ames dominated that course. It was playing as hard as the US Open with the rough being high and greens rolling more than a 13 on the stimp. Sure it was a little non-dramatic b/c it was a runaway, but hey, that's a tip to the cap to the Ames. Incredible golf.
Ames was really on. He hit fairways and greens and his approach shots were mostly exactly where you wanted them. It was definitely playing like a US Open out there, and he was amazing. Mind you, so was Retief. I don't even think he was hitting the ball that well.
Right now, it looks fairly open for the Masters, if Tiger continues his short game woes (it only happens once every 5 years). I was not overly impressed with how Singh, Els, Mickelson took advantage of a weaker Tiger. They played OK, but just did not show championship level play.
Ames was really on. He hit fairways and greens and his approach shots were mostly exactly where you wanted them. It was definitely playing like a US Open out there, and he was amazing. Mind you, so was Retief. I don't even think he was hitting the ball that well.
Right now, it looks fairly open for the Masters, if Tiger continues his short game woes (it only happens once every 5 years). I was not overly impressed with how Singh, Els, Mickelson took advantage of a weaker Tiger. They played OK, but just did not show championship level play.
Tiger is still the odds on favorite at Augusta. It's a driving & putting show there and he'll do fine. At the TPC you can't just hammer it anywhere , then wedge it in and hope your putter carries the day. They actually had to concern themselves with where they hit each shot... even their drives .. what a concept. I thought it was great.
Tiger is still the odds on favorite at Augusta. It's a driving & putting show there and he'll do fine. At the TPC you can't just hammer it anywhere , then wedge it in and hope your putter carries the day. They actually had to concern themselves with where they hit each shot... even their drives .. what a concept. I thought it was great.
Yep, truth.
No wonder Ames won this weekend. He was the tournament leader in fairways hit and greens in regulation.
I can't wait for the Masters. Tiger's no doubt the favorite still, but he's definitely vulnerable. He hasn't played his best the last couple weeks. I think Goose is going to be a tough guy to beat if his putter is hot like it was today. Els is starting to how signs of regaining form. Garcia will probably get people's hopes up that he may break out and win one before he pulls his typical final round collapse again. Should be a fun week.
Tiger is still the odds on favorite at Augusta. It's a driving & putting show there and he'll do fine. At the TPC you can't just hammer it anywhere , then wedge it in and hope your putter carries the day. They actually had to concern themselves with where they hit each shot... even their drives .. what a concept. I thought it was great.
Actually, Augusta is more of an iron and putting show, but I get your point. The rough this week was pretty tough and getting it to the green from the spinach was no guarantee. You typically only see that at a US Open or here, so it's nice to have that for a few weeks a year. Ames played the best this week, and so he won. No secret formula there.
It was one of the best final rounds I've ever seen especially given the magnitude of the tournament and the field. His swing was just incredibly tight in rythm the entire round. And once again Ames not not a "Bomber". Superior ball striking beats "Bombing" once again.
I can't wait for the Masters. Tiger's no doubt the favorite still, but he's definitely vulnerable. He hasn't played his best the last couple weeks. I think Goose is going to be a tough guy to beat if his putter is hot like it was today. Els is starting to how signs of regaining form. Garcia will probably get people's hopes up that he may break out and win one before he pulls his typical final round collapse again. Should be a fun week.
I don't think you can honestly pick a favorite for this years Masters. This is the first tournament with a revised course. Tiger, Vijay and Sergio are not putting well. Ernie hasn't put together four solid rounds in a U.S. tournament this year. Reteif hasn't really stepped up on a major since his U.S. Open win in 2004. Phil Nickelson isn't playing well. Chris DeMarco is comming off an injury. This could be the year a "Dark Horse" takes it all.
Ames truly beat a fine field but I hate to see a guy like that win. He'll disappear like Michael, Curtis, Lawrie or Perks for a couple of years.
Why, he played some excellent golf. It was a great example of what you can do with accurate ballstriking and solid putting. And who's to say he'll dissappear. This win could give him the confidence he needs to catapualt him to another level of play. It's going to be interesting how he performs the rest of the year.
March 26th, 2006, 06:47 PM
.. what a concept. 
I thought it was great.
Linear Mode
Similar Threads
