So the first full field event of the 2009 season, the Sony Open, produced another weekend of talking points...
Zach Johnson played the type of golf on the weekend that won him the 2007 Masters in the freezing conditions at Augusta National… Charlie Howell III let another possible victory slip away and David Toms recaptured some of his old form on the narrow fairways and small greens in Honolulu.
However, the highlight of the Sony Open surely had to be the 62, 8-under par round by 18 year old… 5ft 2in Tadd Fujiwaka…
In 2006, I attended and volunteered at an AJGA event at Bay Hill in Orlando. On that day I stood by the 17th green recording scores of the young players that played the tough par 3 before watching them tee off on the daunting 18th hole at Arnie’s place.
A young Californian called Ricky Fowler won that day, and remember that name, as the young star who is now at Oklahoma State studying and practicing his golf, will surely be a star on the tour when he turns pro.
However, the star of the tournament, even then at the age of 16, was a 5ft 2 kid from Hawaii.
Fujikawa you see, had made his way through endless qualifying rounds to reach the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot, to become the youngest participant in the Open for years.
Even though he did not make the halfway cut that week (NOTE – Tiger failed to make the cut that week, the first tournament he had played since the death of his father Earl. He has however made every cut he has played in since), the 16year old who weighed just 2 pounds at birth, became a household name (within the golf world).
So fast forward 2 and a half years from that sunny summer day in Orlando, sitting on a Saturday night watching an 18year old shoot a sensational 62 on a tough PGA Tour course, was a sight to see.
Fujikawa may have been the star on Saturday, but unfortunately his game did not stand up on Sunday, and a final round 73, placed him well down the pack.
However, the action at the top of the leaderboard was still intense as Johnson held a tight lead playing the 18th, with Toms having the chance to catch him.
However, Toms’ drive found the fairway bunker, and he was unable to get it close enough for a decent birdie chance, and Johnson claimed his 2nd tour victory in the space of 3 months after capturing the Valero Texas Open in October.
Throughout the last 3 years, I have had the chance to play and practice at Timacuann Golf Course in Sanford FL, just outside Orlando. And up until this past winter, the home of Zach Johnson.
On many occasions, I have watched Johnson practice with his then coach Mike Bender, on swing plane, takeaway and swing techniques at Timacuann.
However, I always felt that the short game facilities were not really tour caliber. Compare the practice facilities at Isleworth and Lake Nona where many of the tour players are based, and there was a huge difference, and in the modern game, the short game... is the scoring zone!!!
Therefore it was no surprise to hear that during the off-season Johnson had moved up to Sea Island, Georgia. With the improved facilities and his amazing record in Georgia, (3 of Johnson’s 5 victories have been in Georgia) Johnson had found a home to take his game to the next level.
With his 5th victory on tour at the Sony Open, it looks like a wise decision…………..
This week….
The tour moves to the 50th Bob Hope Classic in California this week, with all players playing with amateurs for the first 4 rounds, with a cut being taken on Saturday night.
Then from there, we move to the lively FBR open in Phoenix and then to the Buick Invitational in San Diego. San Diego I hear you cry… that must mean Torrey Pines….
That must mean….. TIGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If only my friends… Tiger may return at the end of February, but my guess is still Doral in March, but I am sure when the Buick returns in 2 weeks time, we will see countless replay’s of his 2 victories at Torrey last year… Can you remember them?
I am sure you can remember one of them………………….
DJ - 1/24/08
