Buick Invitational

Uh Oh

Date Written: February 9, 2009

One could make the case that either John Rollins' wheels fell off down the stretch at the Buick Invitational or that Nick Watney's late charge won the day. Watney, who never led until the 72nd hole, trailed Rollins by five shots. He trailed by four shots with 11 holes to play and by three with five holes left. Rollins' collapse surely wasn't a "Van de Velde," but the juxtaposition of the two players made it look eerily similar.

I can't summarize the results from the Buick Invitational any better than the Associated Press (AP), so I'll just quote 'em below:

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Nick Watney appeared to be along for the ride Sunday until making two birdies over the final three holes to take advantage of a late collapse by John Rollins and win the Buick Invitational.
Watney knocked in a 40-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-3 16th, then completed his five-shot rally with a two-putt birdie on the 18th hole to close with a 4-under 68 for his second career victory, earning a trip to the Masters.
Rollins let this one get away.
He had a three-shot lead with five holes to play until making a bogey with a poor chip on the 14th, another bogey from a plugged lie in the bunker on the 16th, and failing to hit the green on the par-5 18th, leading to a par. He closed with a 74.

Best finish of the week in our trusty pool was posted by The Donald who picked Hunter Mahan (T-11). Mahan was 2 shots better than a pack of us who thought Ryuchi Imada (T-19) was ready to play back to last year's 2nd place finish. Doc 'N Jill and Charlie Tuna blew their Mickelson bullet on his home course where he's won three times. Lefty couldn't find his game. I saw him 4-whack on one hole Sunday. He never does that. Watney, by the way, never three-putted during the week.

No-Show-of-the-Week Award goes to Stewart Cink who disappointed seven pool players by skipping the event. Stewie ain't no dummy. He's also skipping this weeks AT&T which now features such stellar-less players such as, John Ellis, Zach Miller, Joel Sjoholm, Jason Schmuhl (not exactly household names) and a bunch of amateur hackers with fat wallets. Can you tell I don't like this part of the season? I just can't wait for the PGA caravan to stop at the oasis called, "Riviera" next week, where men are men and the duffers are relegated to the gallery where they truly belong.

Fashion follow-up: Last week's column featured a spiel about Ryan Moore's fashion choices. According to an article on the PGA Tour website, those fashion choices are his by design. Right now, he doesn't have or want any endorsement deals for equipment and clothing. If this is truly the case, he is not only an iconoclast but a renaissance man. It's a pleasure watching someone who is not a typical, walking corporate billboard. You can read Moore (no pun intended) about the logo-less man by holding your control button and clicking on the PGA Tour link below:

http://www.pgatour.com/2009/tournaments/r003/01/30/moore.feature/index.html?eref=sitesearch

Charlie Woods was bornded on Sunday. Now that Watney's in-the-chips, do you think he ought to send Charlie a giant birthday present cuz his dad stayed home?

Last thought: I wonder if "Charlie" Woods was named for "Charlie" Sifford?

Final last thought: Eight of youse are pick'n Veej this week. Buenos Suerte!