With the commemorative tee shot's form Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player the 2014 Master's Championship is underway. There have been numerous players making early round charges, but there seems to be a pattern of receding shortly after. Webb Simpson birdied his first three holes to start the day, but then made a double bogey mid way through his front nine. Reigning champion Adam Scott had a two shot lead at four-under par, but then also followed that up with a double bogey. We saw the fifty year old Spaniard, Miguel Angel Jiminez, make a charge up the boards to get to four-under, but that was also short lived. At the moment, we have four players finished at two-under par, and Bill Haas holds a one shot lead over Louis Oosthuizen at four-under. Past champion, Fred Couples, who currently resides on the Champions Tour shot a nice one-under par round. The theme so far for this year has been a magic number of four, and some old timers who are showing they can still compete on the biggest stage.
Multiple players have only been able to reach four-under par and cannot go further, and then they dip back down. This is showing us viewers that Augusta National is still holding up its reputation. The course always has given up some birdies, but it always finds a way to take many of those shots. There are plenty of birdie holes at Augusta, but there are many holes where the player gets onto the tee, and is wishing to just get to the next hole with the same ball. This great feature allows for makes and breaks on final rounds, and it allows for an exciting finish down the stretch. That is what makes this arguably the greatest tournament in the world, and the one I look forward to every year. The Master's is a golfer's Christmas.
for Master's coverage visit: http://www.masters.com/en_US/index.html
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Matt Jones takes down Kuch and buys ticket to Augusta
Matt Jones started Sunday at -9, six shots back of the leader Matt Kuchar. Kuchar has won The Players and a WGC event, so his lead was not to be caught. But Jones had other plans. Matt Jones who had never won on tour fired a final round 66 (6-under) to match Kuchar's even par round, and force a playoff. Jones ended up taking the playoff by chipping-in in dramatic fashion, and punching his ticket to the Master's.
Jones had not already qualified for the Master's, and this victory bought him an invitation. He had to chase down not only Kuchar, but he also had to pass Sergio Garcia. Garcia, who is also a past Players champion, was the closest to Kuchar entering Sunday. He ended up two behind Kuchar and Jones. This was a good finish for Garcia. He has been lacking confidence these past few years, and has lacked a lot of success on the tour. So hopefully this third place finish will give him some confidence with the major season starting next week. Sergio has been close in many majors over the years, and maybe this year will be the year.
Past number one in the world, Rory McIlroy had a great finish to the event with a final round 65 to give him some confidence going into the Master's. Rory, like Sergio, has struggled on the PGA Tour these past years after being on top of the game at one point. This finish should carry over some momentum going into next week, and maybe both McIlroy and Garcia will be back and in contention in majors this year.
Jones' victory was huge to a small time name like himself. He through his name out there, and is now a PGA Tour champion and will be playing at Augusta National. This next week's major should be a suspenseful one, especially with Tiger not in the field.
Jones had not already qualified for the Master's, and this victory bought him an invitation. He had to chase down not only Kuchar, but he also had to pass Sergio Garcia. Garcia, who is also a past Players champion, was the closest to Kuchar entering Sunday. He ended up two behind Kuchar and Jones. This was a good finish for Garcia. He has been lacking confidence these past few years, and has lacked a lot of success on the tour. So hopefully this third place finish will give him some confidence with the major season starting next week. Sergio has been close in many majors over the years, and maybe this year will be the year.
Past number one in the world, Rory McIlroy had a great finish to the event with a final round 65 to give him some confidence going into the Master's. Rory, like Sergio, has struggled on the PGA Tour these past years after being on top of the game at one point. This finish should carry over some momentum going into next week, and maybe both McIlroy and Garcia will be back and in contention in majors this year.
Jones' victory was huge to a small time name like himself. He through his name out there, and is now a PGA Tour champion and will be playing at Augusta National. This next week's major should be a suspenseful one, especially with Tiger not in the field.
Tiger to not compete in Master's
Tiger Woods announced earlier this week that he will not compete in this year's Master's. This came as a shock because I don't think anyone believed his injury was as severe as it ended up being.
Tiger withdrew at the end of WGC Cadillac Championship due to a pinched nerve. He then withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and has now had back surgery and will not play at Augusta. This shocked the whole country because this is known to be the one Tiger wants the most, and he has rarely missed it. Tiger's absence this year really opens up the tables to who is the favorite. Most people will have to take Adam Scott, who is the defending champ and number two player in the world, behind Tiger. This is just adding to the suspicion that Tiger's body is wearing down, and his time is running out quickly to catch Jack. He has gone from injury to injury, and still manages to be the best player in the world. So I don't think he's done yet, but I do think that this is just showing how easily he can break down now. There is no doubt Tiger's time is limited.
This year's Master's might be a very good show, now that Tiger will not be competing. There is no clear favorite now, and there are many guys that have a great chance to win. It's all up in the air now. The guys to look for now are Jason Day, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Jordan Spieth. Jason Day is coming off of a win at the WGC Accenture Match Play, and has finished in the top 10 multiple times at Augusta. Scott, as I said earlier, is the defending champ and the number two player in the world. Garcia is having a good week right before Augusta, and has one multiple times this year on the European Tour, and has had multiple top 10's this year on the PGA Tour. And finally the 20 year old Spieth already has one win on tour, and can play anywhere, so what's stopping him from winning at Augusta? With Tiger not in the field, there is not a favorite for this year's Master's. Anyone could take home the green jacket this year.
Tiger withdrew at the end of WGC Cadillac Championship due to a pinched nerve. He then withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and has now had back surgery and will not play at Augusta. This shocked the whole country because this is known to be the one Tiger wants the most, and he has rarely missed it. Tiger's absence this year really opens up the tables to who is the favorite. Most people will have to take Adam Scott, who is the defending champ and number two player in the world, behind Tiger. This is just adding to the suspicion that Tiger's body is wearing down, and his time is running out quickly to catch Jack. He has gone from injury to injury, and still manages to be the best player in the world. So I don't think he's done yet, but I do think that this is just showing how easily he can break down now. There is no doubt Tiger's time is limited.
This year's Master's might be a very good show, now that Tiger will not be competing. There is no clear favorite now, and there are many guys that have a great chance to win. It's all up in the air now. The guys to look for now are Jason Day, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Jordan Spieth. Jason Day is coming off of a win at the WGC Accenture Match Play, and has finished in the top 10 multiple times at Augusta. Scott, as I said earlier, is the defending champ and the number two player in the world. Garcia is having a good week right before Augusta, and has one multiple times this year on the European Tour, and has had multiple top 10's this year on the PGA Tour. And finally the 20 year old Spieth already has one win on tour, and can play anywhere, so what's stopping him from winning at Augusta? With Tiger not in the field, there is not a favorite for this year's Master's. Anyone could take home the green jacket this year.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
UConn and Kentucky both advance
Connecticut and Kentucky both entered the Final Four being looked at as teams who did not deserve to be there. The Huskies dominated the Florida Gators and ended up beating them by double digits. The Wildcats were able to pull off a down-to-the-wire victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, and were able to win by just one point. The seven seeded Huskies and the eight seeded Wildcats could only have dreamed of being in this spot entering the tournament, the visualization would have been tough.
When you look upon the championship game tomorrow, think about the all the really good teams from this season, and then look at the two that are still standing. The Big Ten Champions, gone. The Big 12 Champions, gone. The lone undefeated team, gone. Two teams whose regular seasons had been considered a disappointment are the teams who remain. Kentucky started the year as the number one overall ranked team, but quickly fell through the ranks and was not ranked for a large part of the year. Even with those poor regular seasons, the Huskies and the Wildcats found ways to advance throughout the tournament.
For Kentucky, they have been riding on the back of the Harrison twins, and they have stepped up big. Aaron Harrison has it to big game winning shots to eliminate Michigan in the Elite Eight, and Wisconsin in the Final Four. Julius Randle and James Young stepped up against Wisconsin both scoring over 15 points. It seems to be that the Kentucky's five freshman starters are finally starting to play like the team they were expected to be.
UConn did not enter the season with as big of expectations as the Wildcats. The Huskies were expected to be a good team and have a good seed in the tournament. But they were not supposed to be the best team in the country. Their starting point guard, Shabazz Napier was a freshman on the 2011 championship team, so he will lead his Huskies into Monday night with experience. This should be a good game of two teams who have ended up where they wanted to, but with a different path than what was expected.
When you look upon the championship game tomorrow, think about the all the really good teams from this season, and then look at the two that are still standing. The Big Ten Champions, gone. The Big 12 Champions, gone. The lone undefeated team, gone. Two teams whose regular seasons had been considered a disappointment are the teams who remain. Kentucky started the year as the number one overall ranked team, but quickly fell through the ranks and was not ranked for a large part of the year. Even with those poor regular seasons, the Huskies and the Wildcats found ways to advance throughout the tournament.
For Kentucky, they have been riding on the back of the Harrison twins, and they have stepped up big. Aaron Harrison has it to big game winning shots to eliminate Michigan in the Elite Eight, and Wisconsin in the Final Four. Julius Randle and James Young stepped up against Wisconsin both scoring over 15 points. It seems to be that the Kentucky's five freshman starters are finally starting to play like the team they were expected to be.
UConn did not enter the season with as big of expectations as the Wildcats. The Huskies were expected to be a good team and have a good seed in the tournament. But they were not supposed to be the best team in the country. Their starting point guard, Shabazz Napier was a freshman on the 2011 championship team, so he will lead his Huskies into Monday night with experience. This should be a good game of two teams who have ended up where they wanted to, but with a different path than what was expected.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Connecticut and Kentucky survive to make Final Four
When talking about UConn and Kentucky basketball you normally think of teams that are in contention in the tournament, and teams who are usually ranked in the top 10 for the AP polls. Not this year. Kentucky opened the season being ranked number one in the nation, but immediately dropped out of the top 25. UConn had some success through out the season, but never lived up to the standard the standard they hold for basketball. Entering the tournament neither of these schools were projected to make it through the second round, and some predicted them to lose in the first round. But as we now enter the final four, the two teams are still alive.
UConn was a seven seed starting the tournament, and had to beat Villanova, then Big 12 champs Iowa State, and then the Big 10 tournament champs in Michigan State. Their road was not easy, considering both Michigan State and Iowa State had been picked by a lot of people to win the whole thing. They will face the number one overall seeded Florida Gators on Saturday, and this will be an even tougher test than the ones they have already had. Most experts are picking Florida to win this game, but do not be surprised if Connecticut is with them the whole way, they did dominate MSU and ISU for practically the whole game.
Kentucky started the tournament as a eight seed, and had to face an undefeated Wichita State in the second round. After they handed the Shockers their first loss, they then had to play last years champions, the Louisville Cardinals, and after the shocking win over the in-state rivals, they faced the Big 10 champions, Michigan. So, just like the UConn Huskies, the Wildcats faced a very tough road to get to the final four. On Saturday the Wildcats will face the Wisconsin Badgers, who just knocked out the one seeded Arizona Wildcats.
Both Connecticut and Kentucky do not have easy roads to winning the tournament, but with their seeds, adn the teams they had to face, it is impressive that they are even in the Final Four.
UConn was a seven seed starting the tournament, and had to beat Villanova, then Big 12 champs Iowa State, and then the Big 10 tournament champs in Michigan State. Their road was not easy, considering both Michigan State and Iowa State had been picked by a lot of people to win the whole thing. They will face the number one overall seeded Florida Gators on Saturday, and this will be an even tougher test than the ones they have already had. Most experts are picking Florida to win this game, but do not be surprised if Connecticut is with them the whole way, they did dominate MSU and ISU for practically the whole game.
Kentucky started the tournament as a eight seed, and had to face an undefeated Wichita State in the second round. After they handed the Shockers their first loss, they then had to play last years champions, the Louisville Cardinals, and after the shocking win over the in-state rivals, they faced the Big 10 champions, Michigan. So, just like the UConn Huskies, the Wildcats faced a very tough road to get to the final four. On Saturday the Wildcats will face the Wisconsin Badgers, who just knocked out the one seeded Arizona Wildcats.
Both Connecticut and Kentucky do not have easy roads to winning the tournament, but with their seeds, adn the teams they had to face, it is impressive that they are even in the Final Four.
Cyclones fall in tourney
The Iowa State Cyclones coming off of a great Big 12 performance were looking to make a tourney run this March. That is until they met a hot Connecticut team.
Connecticut came into Friday's game after a big upset over the #2 seed Villanova, and they kept the momentum going all throughout the game. Connecticut got up to 16 point lead before the Cyclones were able to get within five, but they were never able to catch them. Connecticut kept the momentum going into Sunday's game when they defeated one of the tourney favorites #4 seed Michigan State.
They will face the number one overall seed, Florida, Saturday night.
Iowa State did have a good run for their past performances, even if it was not what the Cyclone's players had in mind. The Cyclones were able to defeat the North Carolina Central in the first round pretty handily, and then faced a tough opponent in the second round with North Carolina. The Tar Heels looked as if they were going to send the Clones packing, but with a late game charge by the seniors Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, the Cyclones managed to survive.
With the season coming to an end, the Cyclones will wave goodbye to Melvin Ejim who was the Big 12 player of the year, and DeAndre Kane who was the Big 12 tournament MVP. These are two major losses for the Clones, but there is definitely some potential for next years team. Naz Long and Monte Morris definitely arose as potential stars, and Georges Niang is already a star for the Cyclones. This was a great year for Iowa State basketball, and hopefully the success will continue.
Connecticut came into Friday's game after a big upset over the #2 seed Villanova, and they kept the momentum going all throughout the game. Connecticut got up to 16 point lead before the Cyclones were able to get within five, but they were never able to catch them. Connecticut kept the momentum going into Sunday's game when they defeated one of the tourney favorites #4 seed Michigan State.
They will face the number one overall seed, Florida, Saturday night.
Iowa State did have a good run for their past performances, even if it was not what the Cyclone's players had in mind. The Cyclones were able to defeat the North Carolina Central in the first round pretty handily, and then faced a tough opponent in the second round with North Carolina. The Tar Heels looked as if they were going to send the Clones packing, but with a late game charge by the seniors Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, the Cyclones managed to survive.
With the season coming to an end, the Cyclones will wave goodbye to Melvin Ejim who was the Big 12 player of the year, and DeAndre Kane who was the Big 12 tournament MVP. These are two major losses for the Clones, but there is definitely some potential for next years team. Naz Long and Monte Morris definitely arose as potential stars, and Georges Niang is already a star for the Cyclones. This was a great year for Iowa State basketball, and hopefully the success will continue.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Cyclones take Big 12 Tourament
The Iowa State Cyclone's men's basketball team just completed one of there tournaments on top, now it's round two. The Cyclone's claimed victor to the Big 12 Tournament this weekend with a victory over Baylor in the finals. This was the second time the Cyclone's won the tournament, the first being in 2000. This title run says that the Clones could do some damage in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State had not led against Baylor until a three pointer tied it up at 50 a piece late in the second half. The Cyclone's then never looked back. They dominated the Bears for the last part of the second half and showed that they were definitely a force to be reckoned with. The Cyclones go into the NCAA Tournament a #3 seed facing North Carolina Central in the first round. Most experts are picking either Iowa State or the #4 seed Michigan State to win their section of the bracket. The Cyclone's definitely have some threats with the Big 12 player of the year in Melvin Ejim, and the Big 12 Tournament MVP in DeAndre Kane. They also Georges Niang who is a major threat from inside. The Cyclone's pack a heavy punch, and they are really looking to make a name for themselves these next couple weeks.
Iowa State had not led against Baylor until a three pointer tied it up at 50 a piece late in the second half. The Cyclone's then never looked back. They dominated the Bears for the last part of the second half and showed that they were definitely a force to be reckoned with. The Cyclones go into the NCAA Tournament a #3 seed facing North Carolina Central in the first round. Most experts are picking either Iowa State or the #4 seed Michigan State to win their section of the bracket. The Cyclone's definitely have some threats with the Big 12 player of the year in Melvin Ejim, and the Big 12 Tournament MVP in DeAndre Kane. They also Georges Niang who is a major threat from inside. The Cyclone's pack a heavy punch, and they are really looking to make a name for themselves these next couple weeks.
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