Golf: 2007 Year in Review (Part 2)

By Jim Brighters, Sports Network, The Sports Network

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Denis Watson Runner up - Angela Park, Fred Funk

If you win a major championship as a rookie, congrats, you get the nod.

Park was beyond impressive. At the ripe age of 19, Park posted eight top 10s en route to over $1 million and eighth place on the final LPGA Tour money list.

But Watson won a major.

Funk was a contemporary of Watson's on the Champions Tour and a winner on the elder circuit. Heck, Funk even won with the boys on the PGA Tour and did it battling back pain.

But Watson won a major.

At the Senior PGA Championship, Watson rallied on the back nine to overtake Eduardo Romero. It was Watson's first win of any kind in 23 years and led to Watson getting his name on the ballot for Champions Tour Player of the Year.

Don't forget he also tasted victory in a historic event. At the Boeing Classic, Watson eagled the second playoff hole to win the title. Not a big deal you say?

Consider he had to beat six other golfers in the playoff, which was the largest in tour history. A second win validated the first and made Watson an impact player on the Champions Tour.

And Watson won a major.

TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR - British Open Championship Runners Up - Masters, Nabisco Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship.

When the British Open returned to Carnoustie, Jean van de Velde began scheduling the interviews. (He allegedly charged a fee for some.)

For it was on this piece of Scottish real estate some eight years prior, this fun Frenchman, a moderately successful journeyman, became not just golf's, but all of sports', punch line.

He made such a mess of the 18th at Carnoustie (finding the burn, then trying to hit out of it), that he ended up blowing a three-shot lead thanks to his triple-bogey.

Fast forward to 2007 and the tale of Padraig Harrington. The Irishman held a one-shot lead over Sergio Garcia and watched his drive at 18 bounce twice before falling into the burn.

After a drop, Harrington hit his third shot into water guarding the front of the green. All totaled, it was a double-bogey and now Harrington was one behind Garcia.

The Spaniard found the fairway then had to wait. And wait. He waited a lot, then found a bunker with his second. Garcia blasted out to six feet and had that putt for the claret jug.

He missed, so it was on to a playoff.

Harrington won to become the first European to win a major since? Paul Lawrie, who took the playoff at Carnoustie nine years prior.

Padraig Harrington wins golf writers trophy

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - British Open champion Padraig Harrington has added the 2007 Golf Writers' Trophy to his European Tour Golfer of the Year award.

The 36-year-old Irishman won a 75 percent share of the vote in the annual poll of Golf Writers.

"I was thrilled to get the news I had won the golf writers' award," Harrington said in a statement on Monday.

"I have a great respect for the writers' organisation and it means a lot to find myself bracketed alongside such great former winners, especially Irish players Joe Carr (1953), Harry Bradshaw (1958) and Christy O'Connor Snr (1977).

"All are great heroes of mine."

Briton Justin Rose, who won the European order of merit, was second in the vote ahead of Scotland's World Cup-winning duo Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren. (Editing by Alison Wildey)

My Thoughts
Padraig had a wonderful season and has totally deserved the Golf Writers' Trophy and the European Tour Golfer of the Year awards

Maybe next year I will get invited to vote ;-)

Golf News: Target World Challenge Day 2

Tiger Woods has shrugged off any hint of rust after a two-and-a-half month break to charge four shots clear in the Target World Challenge second round.

Hunting his eighth victory of the year, the world number one fired a sparkling 10-under-par 62 to equal the course record at Sherwood Country Club.

That gave Woods a 13-under total of 131 and ideally placed to win his fourth title in the elite 16-man tournament which he has hosted since 2000.

"I hit some good shots but I made some bombs out there," Woods told reporters after holing an eight-foot birdie putt at the last.

"The only difference today was I made some good putts," he added, referring to his double-bogey on the final hole in the opening round.

"I didn't throw away a good round like yesterday. I am very pleased with the way I hit the golf ball today."

World number three Jim Furyk birdied the last two holes for a 67 to lie second, one ahead of fellow American Zach Johnson who also carded a 67.

British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland (67) was a further two strokes back at six under in fourth place.

Great Golf Swings of the PGA tour (Video)

There are some amazing golf swings going around on the tour. This little video showcases the swinging talents of:
Sergio Garcia
Phil Mickelson
Padraig Harrington
Ernie Els
Tiger Woods

It is well worth watching as it contains swing analysis and some amazing slow motion shots. After following some great advice I always have tired to model my swing on players with similar body types than me so I am off to find a slow motion camera to see how my swing compares to some of the greats of the game.

Cabrera wins Grand Slam of Golf

US Open champion Angel Cabrera overcame an atrocious start with a spectacular finish to win the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, outlasting Padraig Harrington in a playoff.

Cabrera recovered from a triple bogey on the opening hole that put him five shots behind with a birdie-eagle finish to close with a two-under 68 and get into a playoff with the British Open champion at Mid-Ocean Club.

He finally beat Harrington on the third extra hole with another booming tee shot and a 4-iron into 18 feet on the par-5 18th.

Cabrera took two putts for birdie, which was all he needed when Harrington hit into a deep bunker off the tee and still had four feet for par when the Argentine tapped in.

It was the first time Harrington, who closed with a 69, had trailed all afternoon.

Cabrera finished at 4-under 136, earning $US600,000 ($A674,574) from the tournament restricted to major champions...

Read full article here

The biggest disappointment of this event was that Tiger didn't play and it almost felt like the tournament didn't mean anything because of it (well for me anyway!).