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GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
Top Five
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 Phil Mickelson has won two events thus far in 2009 (Photo: Eddie Meeks). San Diego’s Phil Mickelson overcame dehydration to win the World Golf Championships-CA Championship at Doral in Orlando, Fla., holding off 2009 Buick Invitational champ Nick Watney by a stroke. Better yet, Lefty stole the spotlight from Cypress native Tiger Woods, who was participating in his first stroke-play event of the year. Woods struggled to find his rhythm through the first 36 holes but went 68-68 on the weekend to sneak into the top 10. Fitting, considering he has never finished outside that cut-off in seven starts at Doral’s famous Blue Monster. This week figures to be calmer on the professional scene as Woods and Mickelson take time off to prep for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill the following weekend; however, the regeneration of the Tiger/Phil storyline points to one special April week whose exciting tradition might even outstrip that of March Madness — the Masters. 1. Is it his time? (Again?) Mickelson’s stumble out of the gate this season has swiftly faded in the rearview mirror, as he’s won in two of the last four weeks at tournaments with very strong fields. A World Golf Championship may boast more first-place prize money than a major, but a major it is not — so while Lefty loves the effort at Doral, he’s equally excited about the shape of his game heading to Augusta National. “This is all part of the process,” Mickelson said after last weekend’s win. The three-time major winner hasn’t contended for grand slam title No. 4 since his collapse on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot in the 2006 U.S. Open. Combine Mickelson’s inspired play this season with his recent results in majors, his successful Augusta track record and Woods’s return and you have what is one of the most anticipated Masters ever. 2. Southern Californians to watch as PGA Tour heads to Innisbrook. Sometimes, I see a PGA Tour event with a sponsor that leaves me scratching my head. This week’s Transitions Championship at Tampa’s Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club is such an event — the title sponsor manufactures those eyeglass lenses that darken when you’re outside during the day and remain clear indoors and at night. I’ve only seen a few people actually wearing these, but apparently Transitions is the official eyewear of the PGA Tour. Watch for these Southern California golfers on the leaderboard this week: Charley Hoffman. The Poway native continued his solid campaign with a tie for 13th at Doral. He has made almost $1.1 million in only six events — that’s a lot of green, but he’ll need a few more high finishes in the next few weeks to qualify for a chance to win the Green Jacket at Augusta National. Kevin Na. The part-time Diamond Bar resident recorded his third top-five finish of ’09 at the Mayakoba Golf Classic early this month. Na hasn’t fared well on the Florida Swing in recent year – in a combined four events in 2007 and 2008, he’s had three missed cuts and one withdrawal.  Corey Pavin (pictured). The Oxnard native has made two consecutive cuts after not making any in his first five events of ’09. Plus, he finished tied for 14th at Innisbrook last year.Pat Perez. The Torrey Pines High School alumnus is already in the Masters field thanks to his win at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. But he’s not in the U.S. Open yet – he’ll have to win again before that tournament, jump inside the top 50 in the world rankings (currently, he’s No. 60) or be among the top 10 money leaders two weeks before the Open. Scott Piercy. Did you know the former San Diego State golfer’s 69.31 scoring average ranks second on the PGA Tour? With nearly $600,000 in earnings, Piercy is nearly a shoe-in to cement his status for 2010. ALSO IN THE FIELD: Olin Browne (Occidental College), Paul Goydos (Coto de Caza), Bill Lunde (San Diego), John Mallinger (Long Beach), Parker McLachlin (UCLA), Rocco Mediate (Brentwood), Charlie Wi (Westlake Village). 3. LPGA Tour back in North America After events in Thailand and Singapore, the LPGA returns to North American soil this week for the MasterCard Classic in Huixquilucan, Mexico. The first three events of 2009 have seen world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa and sensational youngster Ji-Yai Shin already win, while high-profile rookie Michelle Wie nearly won. Many players with Southern California ties are in the field in Mexico, including world No. 2 Yani Tseng (Beaumont), Katherine Hull (Pepperdine), Charlotte Mayorkas (UCLA), Erica Blasberg (Orange) and Irene Cho (USC). 4. Callaway Collegiate Match Play Championship comes to Farms One of the most prestigious regular-season events on the NCAA Division I men’s golf schedule is in San Diego this year. The Callaway Collegiate Match Play Championship kicks off at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe this Sunday, March 22. Normally held during the fall, this year’s edition has been moved to the spring, and the format also has changed – whereas in years past the tournament was strictly match play, this time the 16 teams will play 36 holes of stroke play on the first day, and cumulative scores will be used in determining seeds for the match-play portion on the final two days. There will be a championship bracket for the top eight squads and a consolation bracket for the rest. Southland schools University of San Diego (the host), UCLA, San Diego State and UC-Irvine are in the field along with national powerhouses Stanford, Arizona State, Alabama and Texas Tech. The field is comprised of the top 10-ranked teams nationally at the conclusion of all conference championships in 2008, two sponsor invites, (host University of San Diego and San Diego State), and the four-highest finishers from the 2008 national championship not otherwise exempt. 5. Win $1 million in the Toyota/Kraft Nabisco Championship Hole-in-One Contest If you’re supremely confident in your ability to get it close from 90 yards — or if you like supporting a worthy cause – then check out the Toyota/Kraft Nabisco Championship Hole-in-One Contest. Beginning this Saturday, March 21, visit Palm Desert’s College Golf Center or Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs for a chance to win. Pay for a certain number of balls ($8 for five, $15 for 10, $20 for 15 or $45 for 50) and you’ll have that many chances to be among the closest to the hole from 90 yards. The top two golfers from each day advance to the semi-finals on March 29, while the top five from each day are eligible to win prizes. Finalists compete on the 18th hole of the Arnold Palmer Course at Mission Hills Country Club on Monday, March 30 with a Kraft Nabisco Championship competitor, and if either the professional or amateur hits a hole-in-one, they split $1 million. A portion of all proceeds goes to the United Way. For more information, visit kncgolf.com. |
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