Gotta-Grip Golf Blog

The winner that golf loves this week is none other than Sergio Garcia, but the world also got a good look at Paul Goydos. Both of these golfers showed exemplary form, and what a finish they put on during what was a tumultuous day of golf.

The wind alone, prevented shots that normally would have been routine for the top golfers in the world, from rising above par…Add fast greens and unpredictable roughs, and you have the recipe for an “anything goes” afternoon of golf at the 2008 Players Championship.

One thing was clear to the players as they danced around the top positions looking for a break, which was voiced by Sergio as he accepted his trophy...I am sure he spoke for all when he said, “I would like to thank Tiger for not showing up this week”.

It makes you wonder the effect that Tiger actually has on the field weekly, and (maybe) makes you appreciate the few events he misses so we get a chance to focus on some of the other “Good Guys” in Golf.

Sergio has had a long spell, which while not completely dry, has seen him falter in his putting at critical times. Not so this time! On a day where the viewing audience at home got a look at just how windy it was when on Par 3 hole #17 of the playoff, his tee shot landed in the center of the green. It then took a right turn, following the green contour, and all but came to a stop 12 feet from the cup, when the wind pushed the ball (you could actually see it accelerate), towards the hole stopping about four, to five feet away. He just missed the put, but since the wind that drove his ball towards the hole had also put Goydos’s tee shot in water, PAR was good enough for the 28 year-old Spaniard to claim the top prize.

It was unclear which of these two would win when they headed off to begin the playoff, but leading up to this moment, it was clear that both were worthy competitors.

Paul Goydos proves to be someone that the game, its players, and the viewing public have adopted as the new golfer to watch & I hope we do see a lot more of him. Not too bad to earn over $1,000,000 for second place either.

Some players were saying that this tournament should indeed become a Major in golf. I agree and yesterday, it was “major fun” to watch.

Congratulations to both from the team at Gotta-Grip.