Interesting weekend in the world of golf. First on the list was the debut of Fox Sports’ golf coverage. This past weekend’s Franklin Templeton Shootout marked the first time Fox broadcasted golf, with Joe Buck and Greg Norman on the call.
Reviews are mixed for Buck and Norman, and surely the network has a lot of issues to work out. Hopefully they’ll be up to full speed by the U.S. Open.
Franklin Templeton Shootout
Dates: Dec. 11-12
Venue: Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples (Tiburon Golf Club), Naples, Fla.
Jason Day and Cameron Triangle won the Franklin Templeton Shootout by one shot over Matt Kuchar and Harris English. It took a final nine string of six birdies in eight holes to edge out the one stroke margin of victory. In this “off season” event each player wins $335,000.
I wish I could make that kind of scratch in the “off season.”
EUROPEAN TOUR
Alfred Dunhill Championship
Dates: Dec. 11-14
Venue: Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa
How is this for intense? In the Australian Championship two aussies duked it out in a massive playoff which lasted seven holes. The two aussies, Adam Scott and Greg Chalmers, recorded the longest playoff in for a high-tier tournament in Australia.
Adam Scott’s 3-putt on the seventh playoff hole handed the trophy to Chalmers.
PNC Father/Son Challenge
Dates: Dec. 13-14
Venue: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Fla.
One day you are sitting at home playing video games, and a short-notice later you’re winning a big golf tournament in front of millions of people on TV. That’s the story of Bernhard Langer’s son Jason, the 15-year-old who took the place of his sister who withdrew due to back issues.
The Langers recorded a final round 13-under 59 to claim a two-stroke victory in the better-ball format.
