The 3 Jack Recap is a review of the week that was in the world of golf (photos courtesy of Getty Images).
In what was formerly known as the “silly season”, we had a laundry list of golf news and some serious cash given out this week. Stick around for the poll question at the bottom, too.
Kevin Kisner’s First Career Win At RSM Classic.
Over the past seven months, Kisner has finished in 2nd place four times. Three of those runner-up finishes were playoff losses.
It started in April when he lost to Jim Furyk at the RBC Heritage. Two events later, Kiz came within a centimeter of winning in regulation at Sawgrass before Rickie Fowler took TPC. Two months later, a final round 64 had him tied for the lead again after 72 holes at the Greenbrier, but Danny Lee would win that playoff.
Just two weeks ago, Kisner was in the final group at the HSBC Champions with a share of the 54-hole lead, but a final round 70 left him in 2nd place yet again.
So many close calls without hoisting the trophy would cause some to start questioning their own abilities and, for a pro in his thirties (Kisner is 31 years old), doubt if a victory would ever be in the cards. But Kiz remained firm in his abilities and was seen laughing and joking around over a weekend he would claim his first win on Tour and set the tournament scoring record.
Kisner recorded consecutive 64’s over the final two rounds to cruise to a six-stroke win and set the tournament record of 22 under par. He decided Saturday night, sleeping on a three stroke lead, to stay aggressive:
“You know, only thing you can do is win or fail in that position. It’s hard to keep yourself not thinking what if it doesn’t work out. So I just wanted to go out and make birdies early and try to keep playing the way I was playing.”
Kisner’s winnings of just over $1 million is more than he made for the entire 2014 season.
Remember How Good Rory Can Be?
The media and its momentum can have a frustratingly short memory. Looking back over the last year, I can recall three different eras that have been declared:
- First, it was the Rory Era as he was vying for the career grand slam heading to Augusta.
- By the time spring arrived it had become the Spieth Era and he had his own grand slam chase.
- Then towards the end of the summer, Jason Day made it the Era of The Big Three.
I’m no expert, but I am fairly certain “eras” last longer than a fiscal quarter.
As the season progressed and especially as Rory rolled an ankle on his soccer ball, talk moved away from the first member of the premature Big Three. Rory’s detractors became more vocal in my golf conversation circles (I hadn’t realized he had any detractors before). His putter failed him as he returned to competition and he started to feel like old news.
Well, Rory sent a cannon-shot reminder of what he is capable of over the weekend. McIlroy and Andy Sullivan separated from the pack and dueled in the final group on Sunday. Rory’s 66 was enough to overcome the stroke Sullivan (who shot 68) had entering the day.
The key moment on Sunday came on the 17th hole when Rory was staring a big, crooked number in the face with a two-stroke lead and Sullivan with par in hand. Rory sunk a clutch 40 foot putt for bogey to salvage a one stroke lead heading to the final tee box.
The DP World Tour Championship victory sealed McIlroy’s 3rd Race to Dubai title in four years. He pockets a cool $1.25 million from the year-long Race.
LPGA Wraps Up Its Race To The CME Globe.
Cristie Kerr drained an eagle putt from 12 feet on the 17th hole to take control of the CME Group Tour Championship and her tap-in par on the 18th sealed a one stroke victory for the 38 year-old.
Lydia Ko, despite missing a four-foot putt on 18, finished tied for 7th place after a final round 72. That would be enough to claim the $1 million bonus for the Race to the CME Globe, her second consecutive title, and earn her Player of the Year honors.
Inbee Park shot a 3 under par 69 in the final round to finish solo 6th, one stroke better than Ko. While it wasn’t enough to take the million dollar bonus, it was just enough to win the scoring title for the year. The 2nd place finish in the year-long Race earns Park a $150,000 bonus and the Vare Trophy, awarded for scoring title, earns Park enough points for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
There was so much golf over the weekend. I still didn’t even get to 56 year-old Peter Senior’s win at the Australian Masters, which included a 2nd place finish for Bryson DeChambeau.
I mentioned earlier that this portion of the calendar used to be called the “silly season”, but that nickname doesn’t reflect the amount of compelling action we see towards the end of the year. So my question for the poll has to do with what you watch:
Have a good week!
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