Mike Borich Wins Utah Senior Open Title
Mike Borich, ever since he was a teenager, he has been winning golf tournaments in Utah for more than 40 years. The 55-year-old Borich captured the Utah Senior Open by one shot over Jimmy Blair, Dave DeSantis and Stu Nelson and added another trophy to his collection at Toana Vista Golf Course.
Borich earned the $1,200 first-place check and added a 73 to his opening-round 67 for a 140 total. For Borich, this will be the third Utah Senior Open win. He also won the trophy in 2008 and 2009.
Borich said that is a nice win for him. He putted real good yesterday and he played pretty good with a nice run of four birdies in a row. Borich was “coasting” along with a five-shot lead over his playing partner Blair with three holes to play and had led going into Thursday’s round and after a run of birdies at 9, 10, 11 and 12.
However, Borich missed a short birdie putt at 17, double-bogeyed 16 and bogeyed 18 and “backed in” for the victory. Since he stopped competing for a couple of years before picking it back up this year, the win was especially satisfying for him. The Senior Open win was Borich’s fourth senior triumph this year.
In October, Borich also earned a spot in the PGA Senior Club Pro Championship in Virginia as did Blair, DeSantis and Nelson. They have the chance to compete next year in the PGA Senior Tournament, if any of them finish in the top 30 there. PGA Senior Tournament is one of the majors on Champions Tour.
The Super Senior Division (over 60) was won by Promontory’s Tom Rogers with a 143 total that included a hole-in-one at the par-3 No. 2 hole.
Orem’s Scott Fairbanks was the amateur winner. His 74 Thursday gave him a 143 total and a one-shot win over Jeff Powars. Randy Davies was the First Flight winner at 164, while David Fischer was the Super Senior winner among the amateurs at 144.
Utah Senior Open at Toana Vista Golf Course Professionals: 140 – Mike Borich (67-73); 141 – Stu Nelson (70-71), Dave DeSantis (72-69), Jimmy Blair (69-72); 143 – David Hall (72-71); 145 – Kim Thompson (76-69); 147 – Tom Costello (76-71).
Potter Jr. Wins Greenbrier Classic Title
PGA Tour rookie Ted Potter Jr. won his first title on the US circuit at the Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia with a nerve-jangling playoff victory over fellow American Troy Kelly.
Potter birdied the third extra hole to defeat Troy Kelly and win the Greenbrier Classic after missing a potential winning putt on the second playoff hole. Potter fired a 6-under 64 to reach 16- under-par 264 after 72 holes and earned his first PGA Tour title. Kelly carded a 66 and joined Potter, who finished his round with a short par putt, and the two went to a playoff.
This season, the lefthander became the sixth first-time winner on the tour. This win at the Greenbrier Classic made him jump from 173rd to 51st in the FedEx Cup standings and earned almost $1.1 million. This season, the lefthander became the sixth first-time winner on the tour and he gets a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Charlie Wi (65) and Charlie Beljan (67) shared third place, while Daniel Summerhays (64) was fifth. U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson struggled to a 3-over 73 and finished in a tie for seventh at minus-11. At minus-12 was Martin Flores (67), while Roberto Castro (63), Kevin Na (65), Sean O’Hair (66) and Ken Duke (70) joined Simpson in seventh. At minus-10, John Daly (65) was part of a five-way tie.
Just last year, the 28-year-old made headlines when he went from big man on campus on the Hooters Tour to a member of the Nationwide Tour in one weekend, Monday qualifying and succeeding the South Georgia Classic to achieve status for the rest of the year. In a matter of 16 months, Potter managed to go from Hooters Tour legend to Nationwide Tour winner to PGA Tour winner. He has had a meteoric rise up the professional ladder that is hard to comprehend, although his achievement is nothing short of incredible.
Next week, the PGA Tour heads to Silvis, Illinois for the John Deere Classic. Steve Stricker will be looking to defend the title this year. He has been the three-time defending champion. John Deere Classic Outrights has odds – Steve Stricker 37/5, Zach Johnson 62/5, Ted Potter Jr. 129, Nick Watney 25, Charles Howell III 33, and Jonathan Byrd 33.
Fowler Claims His First Victory on the US PGA Tour
Rising American Rickie Fowler claimed his first victory on the US PGA Tour when he won a three-way playoff at the Wells Fargo Championship. On the first play-off hole, he delivered a clutch shot to set up a four-foot birdie and beat US Open champion Rory McIlroy and American DA Points. The 23-year-old Fowler won in his 67th PGA Tour start as a professional. He has been one of golf’s most popular players.
McIlroy reclaimed the world No.1 ranking a week after the tie for second place. He was supplanted by England’s Luke Donald. For the past two months, the two have exchanged the top spot and McIlroy needed only a top-seven finish at Quail Hollow to return to No.1.
Fowler closed with a three-under 69. He was dressed in his Sunday orange. He and McIlroy (70) got into the playoff when Points (71) made his first bogey of the final round on the last hole to finish tied with them at 14-under 274. Last year in South Korea was the only other win as a pro for Fowler. Then, he had defeated McIlroy.
Webb Simpson (73), the other rising American was outright fourth. He was a shot behind the leading trio. England’s Lee Westwood carded a six-under 66 to finish in a tie for fifth with Ben Curtis (67) and Ryan Moore (74). With a final-round 70 to finish tied ninth at nine-under for best finish of the season, Jason Day was the best of the Australians. John Senden faded with a 75 in his final round to finish in a tie for 15th while Geoff Ogilvy was a further shot back. Senden had started the tournament brightly.
Fowler said he never felt the pressure of waiting 2 1/2 years for his first win. He could make sure it had enough to take the stream out of play, as the longest wait might have been for his shot in the playoff to descend from the cloudy sky. Fowler achieved his primary goal of winning on the PGA Tour and earned $1.17 million. That should help him getting to the Tour Championship for the first time and possibly getting another spot on the Ryder Cup team.
In 2010, he was picked. He was the first PGA Tour rookie ever selected by a captain. He won the last four holes to earn a halve in his singles match and showed his promise. However, with a major championship and a return to No. 1 in the world, McIlroy is far more accomplished. There is a continuing generational shift in golf and this could be a rivalry worth watching.
Bubba Watson Wins Masters Tournament
Bubba Watson bagged his first victory at one of golf’s four annual major championships. He defeated Louis Oosthuizen on the second hole of a playoff to win the Masters Tournament. On the par-4 10th hole, Watson won after hooking an approach shot from out of the trees to 10 feet (3 meters) of the cup. After Oosthuizen came up short of the green on his second shot and made a bogey, Watson’s shot off matted pine straw set up a two-putt for the victory.
In the 76-year history of the Masters, the playoff was the 15th and the ninth since the tournament went to a sudden-death format in 1976. When Angel Cabrera defeated Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell on the second extra hole, the last playoff was in 2009. In today’s final round at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, Watson shot a 4-under-par 68 to finish the tournament at 10-under par. Oosthuizen also finished 10 under after a final-round 69.
At 6-under par, Watson entered the fourth round with three shots behind Peter Hanson of Sweden, two behind three-time champion Phil Mickelson and one back of Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner from South Africa. Bo van Pelt and Adam Scott managed hole-in-one shots on the par-three 16th, while Oosthuizen got an albatross two on the par-five second – the first double eagle on that hole and fourth overall in tournament history.
Watson started the day three back of Mickelson and four shots back of leader Peter Han-son, who faded early. He had a front-row seat against Oosthuizen. Onto the second green, he hit a 235-yard four-iron and watched it filter all the way across and into the hole for only the fourth double-eagle in Masters history, the first ever on No. 2.
Watson said that winning would not change him, after he picked up 1.44 million dollars for the victory. Tiger Woods was tied 40th place finish with 293 is his worst at the Masters since turning pro. He twice threw his club down in disgust, once even kicking it into a bunker, although it was not only with his play that he disappointed.
World number one Luke Donald tied in 32nd place. Rory McIlroy managed to finish the round on 77. He is too far behind the leaders to mount a challenge. A 76 on the final day made him end up tied 40th.
Tiger Woods Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational
Tiger Woods had a famous win and he brought the winning buzz back to the very thing that made him famous. Woods looked dominant as ever in that red shirt to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with two weeks after another injury scare, and two days before his former coach’s book goes on sale.
Since the sex scandal at the end of 2009 led to one of the greatest downfalls in sports, it was his first PGA Tour victory. Woods looks more capable of ever than resuming his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus in the majors and with the Masters only two weeks away. For a five-shot win over Graeme McDowell, Woods closed with a 2-under 70.
After this famous win, the question that everyone is interested in is whether he can get back to being the player who once ruled golf. Woods, dating to Sept. 13, 2009, at the BMW Championship refused to acknowledge the win in the Arnold Palmer Invitational as his first PGA Tour win in 923 days. He counts the unofficial Chevron World Challenge last December.
Woods tapped his putter on the ground waiting for his turn with the final hole a mere formality, knowing that 30 months without a win on the PGA Tour was about to end. Woods was on his way by promptly birdied four of the next six holes. on the front nine with a controlled, he followed his 33, cautious 37 on the back nine in windy conditions, for a two-under-par 70. All he needed was with no one making a charge.
In all aspects of the game, Woods was in total control, the final two holes of the front nine showed it. Woods hit an 8-iron from 182 yards that cleared the bank by a few yards and rolled within 4 feet for birdie on No. 8. McDowell missed a 4-foot par putt to fall four shots behind on the next hole. inside 10 feet, McDowell missed three putts early on the back nine, one of them for par and then was merely along for the ride.
Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas
Justin Timberlake is known for his music but the popular singer is fast becoming the host of one of the most popular stops on the PGA Tour. The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on the TPC Summerlin Course in Las Vegas, is one of the most popular tournaments with celebrities as well as PGA Tour regulars.
Golf in Las Vegas during the month of October is a popular destination for many traveling golfers and this event brings golf enthusiasts from throughout the world to Sin City for an entertaining weekend of gold during the day and partying at night.
The tournament is modeling itself after the Phoenix Open. The wild tournament in Arizona features stadium seating on the 17th hole and it is a raucous affair that some PGA players avoid.
The Timberlake tournament features plenty of opportunities for the fans to imbibe in alcohol but the crowd is in a more friendly and less boisterous mood.
There will be PGA golfers in attendance as well as numerous “A” list celebrities. Defending champ Martin Laird returns to scene of his incredible hole-in-one playoff win last year. Laird joins by some of the greatest golfers on the PGA Tour.
Local Las Vegas golfers should get some attention this week. So do not ignore Charley Hoffman in this event and although UNLV golfer Adam Scott will not attend, Chris Riley is a good representative for the UNLV Rebels golf team.
Looking for a long shot to root for this year. Take a look at Steve Elkington. He is due for a win in a big tournament and the million dollar prize is a good win for any PGA Pro.
Make sure to visit your favorite sportsbook to check out their betting lines for this awesome event. Hell if you pick right you might even consider giving some of those winnings to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Preview Of 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship
For the PGA Tour, the HP Byron Nelson Championship is the sign of summer. For the U.S. Open which is just a few short weeks away, most golfers use the tournament as a serious tune-up. As the previous winners prove the point, the TPC Four Seasons course is considered a thinking man’s course.
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On the previous winners list, there have been some golfers that have a good first drive off the tee although that does not mean they can be lumped in as strictly big bombers. A perfect example for this is Adam Scott. He is also known as one of the smartest golfers on the PGA Tour as he is big off the tee.
Jason Day (20-1), Matt Kuchar (20-1) and Choi (20-1) are among the favorites for this event. Matt Kuchar is nearing $2 million in earnings as he has made the cut in all 11 tournaments he has entered. Even though Kuchar is better than average at hitting greens in regulation and he is one of the best scramblers on tour, he is not the biggest ball striker on tour.
This will be a perfect spot for K.J. Choi to show the victory was no fluke as he is coming off the high of winning the Players Championship. Although when Choi does get in trouble there is no one better than Choi at getting out of a sticky situation, he is hitting the ball well.
When it comes to winning a PGA tournament, Jason Day is another favorite not many people think of. Day’s five top ten this season have given him respect as he has gained more notoriety after finishing second in The Masters.
Preview Of 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational PGA Tournament
On the PGA schedule, the Crowne Plaza Invitational is one of the oldest golf tournaments. When Ben Hogan won the inaugural Colonial Invitational, it dates back to 1946.
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The tournament has become a nice addition to many PGA golfers’ resumes, still held on the historic Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Kenny Perry and Phil Mickelson are the past winners.
Who else has a strong chance to keep Johnson from repeating as Zach Johnson will be in attendance to defend his title. As this tournament tees off Thursday, Tim Clark, Bo Van Pelt and Steve Stricker are also golfers to watch.
Phil Mickelson will be the favorite going into this tournament. Although he is no threat to make a run on the Colonial course, his odds will be 10-1 as he tees off. K.J. Choi’s odds should be tempting in the 50-1 to 60-1 category as a long shot, look for K.J. Choi to make a surprise run.
On this course why does Choi look strong? Even though Choi is improving immensely with his scrambling, he has been a little behind the average of the PGA golfers when it comes to driving. Choi can correct and improve himself better than most golfers on tour when he gets off course.
Lucas Glover will be another long shot to look at in this tournament. Even though Glover has a much better chance, he should come in around 100-1 or higher in the odds department. Glover can also scramble well when shots go off course as he can out drive the average golfer on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy looks to repeat at Wells Fargo Championship
The Wells Fargo Championship being held May 5-8 has a history of surprises closes finishes and terrible choke jobs.
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Unfortunately Tiger Woods will be missing the event this year as he nurses a sprained knee and pulled Achilles tendon. Woods sustained the injuries as he was blasting a shot onto the 17th green at The Masters. Woods powered a shot out of dense pine straw and was forced to finish the last 19 holes of The Masters under duress.
Who are the favorites to take home the hardware in the Wells Fargo Championship? There have been eight champions crowned in this event and the winners list is a who’s who in the PGA. From last year’s winner Rory McIlroy to Tiger Woods.
Vijay Singh won one of the most memorable titles and the original champ, David Toms will also return to the site of one of his greatest wins. The question remains: Who is the favorite for the Wells Fargo Championship?
Look past the former winners when looking for the 2011 winner. Look to Ricky Barnes to break through for a big win in this event. Barnes will be a 40-1 shot in Las Vegas but he has the tools to do well in this event. Another golfer to watch out for in this event will be Zack Miller.
Why Zack Miller? Why not? Miller is one of the biggest hitters on the PGA Tour. He out drives the average pro by nine yards and he is better than average at scrambling out of trouble. Miller can win this tournament and make a major dent in the FedEx Cup standings.
Preview Of 2011 Heritage PGA TOUR Golf Tournament
With a healthy list of PGA Tour regulars looking to get back in the swing of things in the wake of The Masters, the Heritage tees off next week. With extensive history at the Heritage Returning champ Jim Furyk leads a field of golfers.
In PGA betting lines, Furyk is at 16-1 Odds while Luke Donald is the favorite at 10-1.
Of the Heritage event, Boo Weakley is the most recent two-time winner. In 2007 and 2008, Weakley won in back to back years. Including Arnold Palmer as the inaugural winner in 1969 and Jack Nicklaus in 1975, the event has a notable group of past winners.
On one of the nicest courses on the PGA Tour the event will take place. The Harbor Town Golf Links is one of the courses many PGA regulars look forward to returning to every year and this is located in picturesque Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The million dollar prize for first place is always a major draw for many of the top PGA golfers as the event is also considered a tune up for the impending Players Championship in May.
Boo Weakley who leads all PGA golfers with an average score of 68.44 over the last 16 rounds of play will be among the favorites for The Heritage. With a scoring average of 68.75 over the last years Behind Weakley is Ricky Barnes, Angel Cabrera and Kris Blanks.
Of this group, Ricky Barnes is the golfer to watch out. Even though this course could kick start his season, Barnes is returning to form slowly. Although Barnes has become adept at scrambling after making mistakes, he has fallen below the PGA average for ball striking.