PLAYERS Thoughts

Well, "Journeyman" Paul Goydos valiantly battles for THE PLAYERS but unfortunately, destiny did not arrive for Goydos as it did for such luminaries as Craig Perks, Shaun Micheel and Ben Curtis (since redeemed). Despite a miracle 50-footer on #4 and a chip in on #10, Goydos succumbs to the pressure and the elements by bogeying #14, #15 and #18. He'll be just fine with his $1MM 2nd place check, however. His is a media darling now -- we'll see how many interviews TV wants from Goydos 3 weeks from now. He'll be forgotten within 2 years unless he somehow wins something again.

Speaking of Goydos, how psyched is Finchem that Sergio won and not Goydos? Since the re-design, Mickelson and Sergio win this thing. You can't ask for anything more for Team Finchem, except Tiger winning.

Thoughts on Sergio:
Sergio gets the proverbial gorilla off his back and leaves a smallish chimpanzee looking for that 1st major. Sure THE PLAYERS (would Finchy be happy I am using all CAPS for his big event?) isn't a true major, but this tournament is a huge deal. As their time to be evaluated for the Hall of Fame (HOF) comes near, I think Couples and Davis Love III are really happy their 2 wins will go farther as each year ticks by. Biggest win by Sergio by far in his career. (More on the HOF in a future post).

I didn't like Sergio's post-round initial comments after receiving the trophy: "First off, I want to thank Tiger for not being here." ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Even in victory, the first thing you think about is Tiger? This is not good for the long-term prognosis for Sergio. "El Nino, Tiger has won the Players exactly one time and hasn't had a top 10 in the Players in about 5 years." Relax. Your win counts man! Repeat after me Sergio: "PLAYERS Champion"

I will say that having Sergio on one of my fantasy teams, at no point during the week did I think Sergio would actually win the tournament until he made the putt on #18 Sunday. He has seemed destined to miss out on making the one key putt to define his career. I'm not going to say this is going to put him over the edge to definite majors now, but it HAS to help. I mean, he had to go to a playoff for this thing despite leading the field in driving and Greens in Regulation. He is not going to make as many putts Sunday as he did today every week. But think about this...judgin Sergio's putting honestly on Sunday, wouldn't we have said it was "typical" if Tiger had done same? I mean Sergio made just about everything except putts on #1 and #16...everything within reason.

Quick hit player thoughts:

• Was it me or did Phil Mickelson look like pre-2006 Masters winner Phil?
• Ernie, you teased us with that eagle on #11 man. I consider you a great wind player and you had us thinking. Then I realized this was the Ernie Els of the Tiger era and you immediately gave away two more shots.
• Jeff Quinney is getting closer and closer. This is three serious back nine bids in the last two years. One of my favorite quotes ever on TV was Quinney a few years ago on the 18th hole of I believe a Canadian Tour event being covered by the Golf Channel. I think he needed birdie on the last hole to tie the lead and the microphones picked him up saying to himself "Be a player". I used it for a few weeks until I realized it wasn't meant for me. He didn't stick it, but I loved the quote.
• Kenny Perry, I know it's too late to change now, but Johnny Miller is so right -- you need more shots dude. You are the nicest guy, but no flop shot and no cut shot means NO SHOT when conditions get tough. Robert Allenby, I mean you too.
• One of my friends thought Boo Weekley would win this thing and with his ball striking it wasn't a bad call. Unfortunately, Boo is still learning in these big events and he doesn't exactly putt like Ben Crenshaw.
• Briny Baird is showing signs also, but I still fear his putter will be his achilles heel holding him back for a couple more years. But you never know.

Thoughts on the Tour in 2008:

• How exciting is it to think about the US Open at Torrey Pines with all these 20-somethings winning and Tiger possibly not at full strength? It will be interesting to see how things develop out of the Tiger camp over the next few weeks. It is SO hard to come off of a competitive layoff for such as demaning event. Just think Winged Foot in '06.
• Next up on the Tour: The AT&T Classic - I have been in Atlanta for 11 years now and I have yet to make the 20 minute drive to this event. Why? Weak fields and an utterly terrible course for spectators that weaves in and out of the massive high-end sub-division known as Sugarloaf. Even Phil is skipping it this year. The best 'names' are local boy Stewart Cink and Greg Norman. Not enough. This event could be out of here soon if something isn't done. Awful spot on the calendar this year of course. But hey - it's a FedEx Cup event, right? Guys are drooling for those elusive points.

Congratulations Sergio. Please show up at the U.S. Open and contend. It would really generate excitement on the Tour.