The Big Picture
By Tony Ammann Golf Consistent play on the Professional Golf Association Tour can be very rewarding. Just ask the No. 1 player in the world, David Duval. On Sunday Duval convinced the golf world that he is definitely the best player on earth by winning the coveted Touring Player's Championship by just two strokes. The 17th hole at Sawgrass might be the most demanding par 3 that players face all year. The green is 240 yards away and completely surrounded by water. Dynamic rounds of golf can turn into disaster just by missing the green by a couple of yards. Payne Stewart walked to the 17th on Sunday in third place. One of the better ball strikers in the game, Stewart proceeded to hit two balls in the drink and tap in for an eight. Stewart dropped from 3rd to 23rd place. So now it was Duval's turn at the 17th. Duval could answer three questions with the outcome of his teeshot. A) Since he was in the lead, would he play it safe on the fat part of the green? B) Would adrenaline cause Duval to hit it over the green into the water like 15 other players did that day? C) Would nerves cause him to hook or fade the ball into the water to the left or right? Answer: D) None of the above. Duval effortlessly stuck his tee-shot within six feet of the pin and eventually made birdie on a hole where most of the touring players walked away with a four or worse. Accurate? Duval was the only player in the tournament to never have more then two putts on one hole. Duval's nerve and ability to control his own adrenaline on the 17th may have been even more impressive than winning the TPC. If Duval can continue to be one of the straightest hitters, combined with a steel nervous system, we could be looking at the greatest golfer in history. |