3 Jack Recap: Rory Wins WGC Match Play

The top 64 in the world teed it up World Cup soccer style.  Mayweather/Pacquiao had nothing on Bradley/Jimenez.  The PGA Championship is headed to Kiawah.  Tiger’s back on the market.  Inbee Park wins the North Texas Shootout.

Rory McIlroy Reminds the World Who #1 Is.

  • McIlroy took down Gary Woodland 4&2 to win the  WGC Cadillac Match Play.
  • He trailed late in three of his final five matches, but summoned late rallies each time.

McIlroy managed to win without his best stuff.  Jordan Spieth had dominated recent headlines making it clear his next step was to take over the top spot in the world.  McIlroy made his own statement on the matter.  Rory joins Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to collect 10 or more wins by age 25.

Match Play Format Comes Under Fire

“Go home or go home” said Ian Poulter on his lame duck Friday match against Jimmy Walker.  The match was meaningless since neither player had a chance to advance.

A total of eight Friday matches were irrelevant due to the head-to-head results being the first tiebreaker.

  • Jordan Spieth shot 15 under par in his three group matches finishing 2-1, but not advancing due to his Friday loss to Lee Westwood in a classic match.

Changes are sure to made before the Match Play moves to TPC Austin next year.  Tim Finchem has stated the Tour will listen to player input when considering tweaks for next year.

Bradley/Jimenez Undercard

  • The Mayweather/Pacquiao Undercard (photo courtesy of PGA Tour)
    The Mayweather/Pacquiao Undercard (photo courtesy of PGA Tour)

    Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jimenez got into a heated argument over Jimenez questioning a drop Bradley was taking on 18 then telling Keegan’s caddie to “shut up”.

  • Bradley got in The Mechanic’s face to back up his caddie telling Jimenez “you don’t tell my caddie to shut up”.

Word is the argument carried over into the clubhouse and potentially became even more spirited than the cameras caught.  Miguel was within his rights to question the drop.  Bradley’s closest point of relief was on the cart path.  He then got relief from the cart path.  It’s a stupid rule.  Thing is, in match play, each match is assigned a referee so Bradley was simply doing what he was told.  Jimenez’s beef was with the referee.  Check out the video here.

Kiawah to Host 2021 PGA Championship

  • The PGA announced the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the 2021 PGA Championship.
  • Kiawah has previously hosted the 2012 PGA Championship and the 1991 Ryder Cup.

Inbee Park Wins North Texas Shootout

  • A final round 65 gave Inbee Park the victory in the Volunteers for America North Texas Shootout presented by JTBC.
  • Park also won the inaugural Shootout in 2013.
  • 17-year-old Brooke Henderson was tied for the lead at one point Sunday.  This after she nearly made a playoff last week yet still had to Monday qualify to get into this tournament.  The LPGA has a minimum age requirement of 18 for membership, so the talented Canadian has to play on sponsor exemptions or qualifiers.

The best story might be Lydia Ko’s caddie scaling a tree in the first round to try to identify a golf ball.  Ko had tried to hit over the tree but got the ball lodged in a branch.  Determining if the ball was lost or simply unplayable decided whether Ko got relief from the tree or not.  The ball was ruled unplayable due to witnesses watching the flight of the ball into the tree.  Ko still triple bogeyed the hole, barely made the cut, and finished outside the top 40.

Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn Split

  • Lindsey Vonn announced the pair have mutually agreed to end their relationship.
  • Woods and Vonn had been together for three years.

Ian Woosnam Wins Insperity Invitational

  • Woosnam beat Kenny Perry and Tom Lehman in a playoff.
  • It’s his first victory on the Champions Tour.

Next up: The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass where Martin Kaymer defends his title.

Have a good week.

Chris Racic

Chris Racic lives and plays in NE Ohio. He works full time in the Financial Services industry and owns an absolutely horrendous short game. Chris chipped in for an eagle at Seven Hills Country Club in Hartville the day before his oldest daughter was born and is positive it’s some sort of sign.