PGA TOUR
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Dates: Jan. 29-Feb. 1
Venue: TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course), Scottsdale, Ariz.
What a week in professional sports. The Super Bowl was a super game yesterday, coming down to the last few seconds. Seattle made a questionable offensive call on 2nd and goal to go from around the one yard line which will forever be questioned. New England intercepts the pass and seals the four point win. The Super Bowl was in Phoenix, along with the largest sporting event Arizona sees on a yearly basis with regards to attendance, the Phoenix Open.
Attendance ballooned to record levels early in the week as the former world #1 and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods had unexpectedly entered the field, following a crazy week where a photographer accidentally knocked his front tooth out in Italy.
Tiger struggled to a first round 73, then blew up with his worst round as a professional in the 2nd round, an 11-over 82. 82. Tiger Missed the cut and was tied for last place after Friday’s round.
The top of the leaderboard featured a player who managed some fine golf. After starting with a so-so round on 71 on Friday, Books Koepka improved every day for the rest of the tournament. Friday’s 68 was followed by a Saturday 64, and a closing 66. Under pressure the 66 was an excellent round of golf, enough to hold off the hot playing Ryan Palmer, Bubba Watson, and Kideki Matsuyama who were one shot back.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Dates: Jan. 29-Feb. 1
Venue: Emirates Golf Club (Majlis Course), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Meanwhile on the other side of the planet, the current world #1 Rory McIlory was trying to break a streak of runner-up finishes at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlory’s final round of 2-under 70 wasn’t stellar by his standards, but it was enough to secure a three-shot victory over Swedish golfer Alexander Noren. A second place finish is not bad for the 654th ranked golfer in the world.
The European Tour now leaves their desert swing, moving on to Malaysia for the next event.
