This professional golf season has been such an exciting season already, and we are only about a third of the way through. A "wrap around" schedule was introduced for this season, which essentially means that the current season started in Oct 2013, and runs until Sept 2014, whereas in past seasons, the tournament schedule of events in competing towards the championship would end in September, and the season would end in November. This means that us golf enthusiasts get the chance to watch golf all year round!
The Northern Trust Open was held this past weekend at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. Bubba Watson, 2012 Masters Champion, won the event by shooting a score of -7 in the final round, which gave him his first PGA Tour win since the Masters tournament in April of 2012.
Although seeing Bubba Watson finally win another tournament was particularly exciting for me, considering he is one of my favorite players, the hype around the tour this season has without a doubt came from Jimmy Walker. Walker had not had a win in his first 187 PGA Tour starts, until he entered this season with a spark. Walker has won 3 out of the 8 PGA tour events this season; putting him in first place in the race towards the FedEx Championship. The most remarkable statistic is that Jimmy Walker is now ranked 24th in the Official World Golf Ranking, where he was ranked 120th just a season ago.
The extreme success that Jimmy Walker has had so far this season makes him a likely candidate for a win at the Masters Tournament in April. For those who don't follow golf, the Master's Tournament is one of four Major tournaments in the golf season, and is one of the most important tournaments of the season for the players. Although Jimmy Walker's hot streak this season has earned him a candidacy for a Masters win, he is not particularly favored by many. Many people still favor Tiger Woods to win the Masters tournament in April (Go Figure!), but there are some other notable favorites such as reigning Masters Champ, Adam Scott, and also Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and many other household favorites. In my personal opinion, I believe that Adam Scott will win the Masters tournament for the second time in a row, simply on the fact that he has such a consistent game, which is a necessity in winning at the Masters. But, I hope that Jordan Spieth will win the tournament, because it would be unbelievable to see a 20 year old win a major tournament, let alone the Masters!
It is difficult to say who will win the Masters Tournament because the competition on the PGA tour is so stiff. But, it's exciting to make your own assumption on who will actually win.
So, who do you think will win the Masters Tournament in April?? Post a comment with your pick in the comment section of the blog!
To finish this weeks blog post, I have provided you with an upcoming schedule of tournaments on the PGA tour. Many of my friends who aren't golf enthusiasts like myself have said to me, "I don't know how you watch golf! It is so boring to watch!" BUT, although it may not have the excitement of a hockey or basketball game, I have found that it can be much more fun to watch if you have a player and/or players that you are rooting for! So, turn on some golf, and root for one of your favorite players!!
Here are some of the upcoming events on the PGA Tour schedule leading up to the Masters Tournament:
Feb. 19-23: WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, The Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona
Feb. 27-March 2: The Honda Classic, Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
March 6-9: WGC Cadillac Championship, Trump National Doral in Doral, Florida
March 6-9: Puerto Rico Open, Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
March 13-16: Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.
March 20-23: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orland, Florida
March 27-30: Valero Texas Open, TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas
April 3-6: Shell Houston Open, Tournament Course at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas
April 10-13: The Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia
I lived in Arizona for over 15 years and spent quite a few hours on the golf course with a humble start with some friends who told me I had to learn the game. I never thought I would like chasing that little white ball around the course however it became a life long love. Watched the tour once at the Scottsdale TPC and played the Biltmore Course over 50 times with friends. Thanks for the memories - grip it and rip it from a fellow golfer. Sure would be nice if this winter would let up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the schedule!
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