That statement from Tiger Woods shortly after completing his final round at the Masters on Sunday sums up why he was unsuccessful in defending his title from last year. His putting was awful all week; he three-putted six times, which is the worst he has ever done at the Masters. On the back 9 Sunday, he had two relatively easy eagle putts and was unsuccessful on both attempts. His driving and iron play was spectacular, and if he had putted to his normal standards, he would have walked away from Augusta with his fifth green jacket.

On the flip side of that, Phil Mickelson played solid golf. His unconventional choice to use two drivers, one for a draw and one for a fade. This choice paid off for him as his play off the tees was phenomonal and one of the reason his play was so solid. Phil definitely has his game in great shape. He has won the last two majors and has won three of the last nine majors after starting zero for forty-two in his career.

He now has to be considered the second best golfer in the world behind Tiger Woods, and their rivalry is great to watch. I’m hoping that sometime soon they are in the final pairing on a Sunday in a major championship. The atmosphere and the crowds would be incredible, and neither player would give an inch. It would have to be the equivalent of an Ali vs Frazier fight, just on a golf course.

2005

2006

AUSSIE UPDATE

T16 - Geoff Ogilvy +1, T16 - Rod Pampling +1, T19 - Nick O’Hern +2, T19 - Stuart Appleby +2 (almost close with my top placed Aussie prediction), T22 - Robert Allenby +3, T22 - Mark Hensby +3, T27 - Adam Scott +4

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