Golf Confessions

The players in The Corning Classic were greeted by some very cold and windy conditions for their first round.  Even with these bitter conditions the field handled these adverse conditions and shot some very respectable numbers.  Erica Blasberg has a two shot lead after opening with a seven under par 65.

The top ranked player in the field is Paula Creamer who opened with a two under par 70.  Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam the top two ranked women players in the world are taking  the week off.

Again, if you look at the field the American players are few and far between.  The world golf scene is no longer dominated by the American players.  The college ranks are full of the foreign born player and they continue their dominance into the pro ranks.

Jay Haas is the only player under par for the first round of the Senior PGA.  Jay who had it to three under at one point finished his first round at one under par.  The wind blew and the temperatures were low.

The very demanding Oak Hill does not need any help from Mother Nature to inflict pain on the senior group.  The wet conditions were very difficult when a player missed the fairway and had to deal with the long and wet rough.  Most of the greens are elevated and protected by magnificant bunkering.  Tom Watson who had it under par at one time finished with a disappointing eight over par 78 and will have to pick it up to make the cut.

Bernhard Langer who has been playing well on both tours had a one over 71.  Look for the steady playing German to be there on Sunday afternoon.  Langer plays very well on hard courses and does not normally beat himself.

Greg Norman shot a respectable two over 72.  Greg has not been playing on the senior circuit for the past two seasons.

Wagner went out early and fired a course record 63.  Johnson posted nine birdies and had two bogeys midway through his round to shoot the course record.  The afternoon players saw more wind and harder conditions.  Phil Mickelson and Bret Wetterich had the two best rounds in the afternoon 65’s.

 Corey Pavin showed his ability to maneuver the ball with a fine 67.  This course is not overwhelming in length and requires the ball to be moved around and under the giant pecan trees that line the fairways and lean over the entrances to he greens.

Two time champion Kenny Perry who has been playing well lately but unable to close the deal recently, had an even par round 70.

Paul Goydos who just recently had a shot at winning The Players Championship had a two under par 68.  This course also fits someone like Goydos.  Look for Paul to rebound after his loss to Sergio Garcia in a playoff for The TPC title.

Phil Mickelson is using these next two tournaments to get ready for The US Open at Torrey Pines.  Next week is Jack Nicklaus tournament The Memorial which always has a good field.  Phil is putting in a lot of work on his short game, especially his putting.  Phil has been working mainly on his full swing and the short game has suffered.  But with the rough that is usually associated with the Open, the short game and putting will be very crucial in saving those valuable pars.