The Battle for Augusta: Young vs. Old

It’s turning out to be another exciting year at the Masters. Last year at Augusta it was youngster Rory McIlroy who took the lead late into the tournament, but this year its seasoned veteran Fred Couples who is taking charge of the pack. Through two days of play, Couples is at the top of the board and is not showing signs of slowing down – shooting a 72 on day one and a 67 yesterday in Round 2.

Golf is one of the few competitive sports that can be won by newcomers and old-timers alike. Tiger Woods became the youngest person to win the Masters, winning his first green jacket at the age of 22 in 1997. Jack Nicklaus is the oldest golfer to ever win The Masters, winning the tournament in 1986 at the age of 46…… 46! What other major sporting event can be won by a 46 year old? You don’t see NFL quarterbacks winning Super Bowls at 46, and you sure don’t see 46 year old professional basketball players leading their teams to the NBA Finals.

If Fred Couples were to win The Masters this year, he would break Jack’s record of oldest person to win a green jacket – Couples is 52 this year and already has one green jacket of his own. He won The Masters back in April of 1992. Let’s take a minute to put that into perspective: in 1992 Rory McIlroy was 2 years old. It’s amazing that 20 years later these two are competing against each other in this year’s Masters; both Couples and McIlroy are in the hunt heading into the final two days at Augusta.

One of the things that make golf so great is the competition of the young versus the old. There is great respect and tough competitive mindset shared between the generations. Masters Week was kicked off with the Par 3 Competition where both the current pro’s and old-timers compete, and on Thursday, the first round was opened with honorary tee shots by three of the all-time greats: Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player.

The game of golf has something that no other game has or probably ever will: The great competition of the young and the old.

What did Darren Clarke do to win the 2012 British Open at Royal St. George’s?

In an earlier post I had predicted that Lee Westwood would win this year’s British Open. It looks like I backed the wrong horse. Darren Clarke was nothing short of spectacular in the way he handled the pressure and the weather to be named Champion Golfer of the year. What did he do to win? Quite simply, he kept his ball in play, avoided the big number, and made clutch putts when he needed them.

In the same post I had selected 61 year old Tom Watson as the sentimental favorite. What did he do? Well he out scored a host of players to finish tied for 22nd place. The list of players he beat included Westwood who didn’t make the cut, and such notables as Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, and yes Rory McIlroy. Way to go Tom.

I would also like to offer my congratulations to Darren Clarke. He may be the best advertisement for Guinness that they have going. If they don’t have him signed up already, I would expect he’ll be signed up by tomorrow. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

To improve your own game, please check out the practice aid that allows you to hit full iron shot’s, with a real ball, in your own back yard. Click here to check out the Ropeit!

Who will win the 2011 British Open at Royal St. George’s?

OK. I had mentioned Tom Watson in a previous post as the sentimental favorite, and it would truly be a monumental win if he were to pull it off. But, who are the most likely candidates to win this year’s British Open?

I successfully predicted Rory McIlroy to win the US Open, and you have to like the kid’s chances. The bookmakers have him as the favorite at 8-1. He has had to deal with a lot of hype since his US Open win, and winning back to back majors is a very difficult feat for anyone not named Tiger. Tiger? He won’t be competing so Rory has that going for him.

The next two players the bookies like are Luke Donald at and Lee Westwood at 12-1. Two US players, neither named Phil come in at 35-1, Steve Stricker and Nick Watney. Phil? He is listed at 45-1 and is my favorite among US Players.

So I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict Lee Westwood to win. Is Lee Westwood going to be the heir apparent to Colin Montgomerie, to be the best player to never win a major? I don’t think so. Westwood has game, he has grit, and I don’t think he is going to let the kid beat him again. If he doesn’t pull it out, I feel it is only a matter of time before he is holding a major trophy. In his last seven majors he has been in the top three five times. He just has to close it out. Westwood has the experience should the weather act up, and his history, short of winning, at the British Open’s has been quite impressive. So, don’t be surprised if Lee is drinking from the Claret Jug when it is all said and done.

To improve your own game, please check out the practice aid that allows you to hit full iron shot’s, with a real ball, in your own back yard. Click here to check out the Ropeit!

Rory McIlroy wins the US open. What can you learn?

Well, the kid did it. Wire to wire. He set or tied 12 US Open records. He won going away, by eight shots. No collapse this time. Congratulations Rory. Here is a great article on Rory's Records.

The kid’s swing is a thing of beauty. So, what can we learn from Rory’s win? I think that one of the most important lessons is that, what happened in the past (the Masters collapse) has nothing to do what will happen in the future. The ball has no memory. It does not remember the drive you blasted down the middle, the one you duck hooked into the woods, or the three foot putt you missed. Golf is a game of one shot at a time. Each new shot is a chance at redemption. So, enjoy each shot.

Is Rory the best player on the planet? He certainly was for four days. What’s in store for his future? Only time will tell, but I do not think we have heard the last of Rory McIlroy.

We did get an unconfirmed report that Rory said he owed it all to his practice sessions with the Ropeit. So, get yourself a Ropeit at: http://www.theropeit.com/ , and who knows, you could be shooting lights out for your next round.

As always, keep it in the short grass.

Who is the best golfer on the planet? It just may be Rory McIlroy.

In an earlier post, before the US open started, I had stated that I liked Rory McIlroy to win the major championship. Well, after two days he has been putting on a clinic. The way he is playing right now, he certainly looks like the best player in the world. Of course the tournament is not over yet, and there are still two rounds to play. And we all know what happened at the Masters. We will have to wait and see if he can handle the pressure. I am predicting that he handles the pressure, and wins this one going away.

While you are watching the tournament, enjoy the golf, but focus on watching the swing of McIlroy. It is a thing of beauty. It is always smooth and powerful, and always in balance. Notice the various positions he is in, especially at the top, at impact, and at the finish. You will do well to emulate any of these positions, but pay special attention to the balance of the swing.

You can practice getting into these positions on your time and on your schedule in your own backyard. All you need is the Ropeit. Visit http://www.theropeit.com/ to check it out. Get a Ropeit, become a better ball striker, and shoot lower golf scores.

Good luck Rory. No matter what happens you have played some unbelievable golf for two days, and you made it look easy.

Your questions, comments, and/or observations are always welcome. Please let us know what you think.

As always, keep it in the short grass.

Will Tiger Woods win the 2011 US Open at Congressional?

The short answer is: NO. Tiger has withdrawn from this year’s 2011 US Open to be held June 16th-19th, at congressional country club in Bethesda Maryland. Tiger will not be at this year’s US Open due to lingering injuries. This will be the first time he has not played in the Open in 17 years.

Will Tiger be missed? Of course he will, but he was pretty much a side note at this years first major, The Masters, and it was arguably one of the most exciting Majors of all time. Even if Tiger had been in the field this years Open is, well, wide open.

Since Tiger’s fall from the perch, the top ranked player in the world keeps changing. If I remember correctly it has changed four times this year. Those who held the top spot have one Major between them.

I like Phil Mickelson, or Rory McIlroy. I like these two for completely different reasons. I like Phil because he is a seasoned veteran that has proven he knows how to win a major. He also has proven that he knows how to lose one. I like Rory because I personally believe that he is the best player on the planet right now. That being said, he also has proven that he knows how to lose a major.

If recent history is any indication, ANYONE, in the field could win. The last four majors were won by first time major winners. Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open), Louis Oosthuizen (British Open), Martin Kaymer (PGA Championship) and Charl Schwartzel (Masters) , not exactly household names.
Weigh in and let us know your favorite, and why. We would love to hear from you.

Thanks.