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Top Five
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 John Mallinger nothced his ninth career top-10 finish at the Shell Houston Open (PHOTO: Eddie Meeks). I’ll admit that I had Robert Karlsson as my pick to win, and unfortunately the tall Swede missed the cut. But, if you were following Southland Golf on Twitter, you would have found the following nugget that was posted at 10:50 a.m. PST on Friday: “Sleeper of the day: '07 U.S. Open champ Angel Cabrera is quietly at 4-under and could easily play his way into the final group tomorrow” The 39-year-old Argentine is clearly one of the most astonishing ballstrikers in the world (that shank on the eighth hole not withstanding), and when he maintains his touch around the green (as he did for much of the most of the final day at Augusta National), he is capable of beating anybody. “El Pato” (that means the duck) waddled his way to a Green Jacket while Americans Kenny Perry, Chad Campbell, Phil Mickelson, and yes, even Tiger Woods, frittered away chances to seize the title. What a great way to start the major championship season. Now, the march begins to the U.S. Open in June. That kicks off with one of the most revered stops on the PGA Tour – the Verizon Heritage, played at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. 1. Southern Californians to watch at the Verizon Heritage Many of the game’s greats of yesterday and today have conquered Harbour Town, a short but treacherous par-71 layout that’s one of the most acclaimed works in Pete Dye’s portfolio. Champions include: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Fuzzy Zoeller, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Davis Love III and Nick Price (notice the theme: all major winners). That was more than a few, but you get the idea — players relish the chance to add their name to the championship pantheon. Here are nine local players to watch: Charley Hoffman. The Poway resident has yet to miss a cut in ’09 and has only two finishes outside the top 20. But Hoffman is coming off his worst round of the year, a 76 to wrap up the Shell Houston Open. Bill Lunde. The San Diegan has enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, which has been buoyed by a tie for sixth at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. But Lunde has struggled a bit in his last four tournaments, failing to post a single round in the 60s and missing two cuts. John Mallinger. The Escondido native noticed his ninth career top-10 finish at the Shell Houston Open earlier this month. Parker McLachlin. It’s been a tough year for the former UCLA standout, who’s missed six of nine cuts. Kevin Na. The part-time Diamond bar resident has done everything but win in 2009. Na ranks second on the Tour in putting and seventh in final-round scoring average. Corey Pavin. The 49-year-old Oxnard native continues what is likely his farewell tour before he turns 50 and heads to the senior circuit. Tom Pernice Jr. The Murrieta resident has struggled since tying for ninth at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, missing three of six cuts and finishing no better than 42nd. Scott Piercy. Still one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year, the former San Diego State golfer will be looking to rebound after a disappointing finish in Houston. In contention at the start of the final round, Piercy tumbled down the leaderboard with an 80. Charlie Wi. The Westlake Village resident’s ballstriking has been off in 2009, his putting hasn’t. Wi is third on Tour in putts per green in regulation. Check Southland Golf’s Twitter page during the tournament to see how the locals are faring. 2. Local PGA Tour members look to rediscover form on Nationwide Tour The Nationwide Tour isn’t just a place for competitors to finish inside the top 25 and earn a PGA Tour card for the following year. Many times, PGA Tour members who don’t qualify for their event’s field in a certain week will compete on the Nationwide Tour to keep their competitive juices flowing. Troy Kelly (La Quinta), Peter Tomasulo (Long Beach), Chris Riley (San Diego), Brian Vranesh (Northridge) and James Oh (Lakewood) will be doing just that this week at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic at Jennings Mill Country Club. There are plenty of other locals to watch, including Todd Demsey (Torrey Pines High School), Steve Pate (Ventura), and Robin Freeman and Brian Smock (Coronado). 3. Can O’Meara seal the deal? This week’s Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am is a landmark event for Mark O’Meara, as it was the site of his first event as a member of the Champions Tour in 2007. The former Mission Viejo resident hasn’t contended in two appearances at the Florida event, and he’s still yet to win on the over-50 circuit. But O’Meara heads into this event with a pair of second-place finishes in four Champions Tour starts this season, so keep an eye on him as he looks to make TPC Tampa Bay the site of another historic first. 4. Play golf, America. Whether you’re a casual golfer looking to become more serious, a beginner looking to improve, or someone who’s never picked up a club, Play Golf America is a campaign that can help. This Sunday, April 19 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. is Play Golf America Day at Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry. The free event will feature clinics and lessons from PGA professionals, games for kids, new demo equipment from top manufacturers, raffle prizes and more. Visit playgolfamerica.com or scpga.com for more information, and read this to learn more about Play Golf America. 5. Try new clubs at the North County Golf Expo From Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, the Del Mar Golf Center in San Diego will hold the North County Golf Expo. Admission is free, and visitors can try and buy the latest equipment from companies like Callaway, Nike, Titleist, Ping and more. There also will be free golf clinics. Event last from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. |
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