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Post by The Boss on Dec 13, 2021 17:00:52 GMT
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Post by The Boss on Dec 16, 2021 10:59:41 GMT
Round 1 - It's always a treat to play at the TPC Scottsdale course, but the windy forecast might make it not quite so pleasurable. The breeze wasn't so bad on the opening day, and the immaculate fast greens might even be condusive to good scoring. Unfortunately, Ian McKinley's ongoing medical treatments were responsible for his uncharacteristically poor round of 80, but all credit to the tough Canadian for even completing his round. Hans Kunok fought his way around in 70 strokes when he was probably hoping for something better, while Bob Fletcher wasn't too displeased with his opening 69. Last week's winner, Les Souter, had a few putting problems on his way to a respectable 68, and Mark Lipping made a good start by shooting a very good 65. However, the round of the day came from Randy Grant who fairly sizzled around to post an astonishing 60!! That gives him a 3-stroke lead over Tom Lehman and Phil Mickelson - but surely he can't maintain that incredible standard for the whole week, can he?!   
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Post by The Boss on Dec 17, 2021 0:37:36 GMT
Round 2 - Strong winds were the order of this round and, combined with lightning fast greens, we had a recipe for an intriguing day's play. Ian McKinley appeared to feel better today, registering a 70, but still has work to do if he is to avoid finishing rock bottom. Hans Kunok's play improved and he was rewarded with a 68, but will have to score a lot lower in the second half of the tourney to get into contention. A mixed front nine but a better back nine saw Les Souter post a 69, and a second consecutive victory now looks unlikely. Bob Fletcher's 67 moved him into a tie for 12th, but still 9 strokes off the pace. A shot ahead of Bob is Charlie Roberts after an opening 66 and today's 69, which contained 2 eagles! Mark Lipping shot another 65 and is now in a share of 2nd place with tour pro Tom Lehman, 3 strokes adrift of the leader, Randy Grant. Randy maintained that Day 1 advantage by producing a 67, but he recovered well after carding a triple-bogey on the short 12th hole. It's all to play for over the weekend...   
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Post by The Boss on Dec 19, 2021 0:17:56 GMT
Round 3 - The wind blew strongly today and the greens were firmer and faster than they had been all week. Having said that, it was to the guests' great credit that they all shot a sub-70 round! Ian McKinley's 69 was his best round of the event so far, and he now lies only 3 strokes behind tour pro Billy Andrade in his quest to avoid finishing the tourney in last place. Bob Fletcher's second 67 of the week elevated him into a tie for 9th place, one stroke adrift of Les Souter (a fine 65), Hans Kunok (a super 64), and Charlie Roberts (a solid 67) all of whom now share 5th spot with pro Robert Allenby. However, although highly placed, a win for any of them looks unlikely, given the size of the gap they would have to bridge to achieve victory. Randy Grant led by 3 at halfway, but after his 69 today he was ousted from the top spot by Mark Lipping, who became the new outright leader by firing a stunning 64. Mark's lead is 2 shots over Randy, and 8 shots over the guests tied for 5th. So it's a two-man contest now - who will prevail...?!   
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Post by The Boss on Dec 20, 2021 12:23:30 GMT
Round 4 - Rain arrived for today's tournament climax, but brought by very strong winds. At least the greens were slower which some preferred. Ian McKinley's 74 consigned him to last place, it was just that opening round that did all the damage really. To their credit, all the other guests finished in the top 20. Late starter Rich Urban, with respectable rounds of 69, 72, 66 and 67, finished in a tie for 15th with Charlie Roberts who carded a relatively poor 72, which was mainly due to the slower greens and leaving putts short. Hans Kunok's 71 earned him a share of 11th, while Les Souter's worst round of the week, a 70, in which his putter let him down big time, meant he had to make do with a tie for 7th. Bob Fletcher had bemoaned his swing timing all week but his third consecutive 67 today saw him clamber into a share of 3rd spot with tour pro Tom Lehman. Randy Grant began the day 2 strokes behind the pacesetter and hopeful of a win but, after a terrible front nine those aspirations had all but disappeared. He staged a mini-revival on the back to sign off with a 69, but it was only ever going to be enough to clinch 2nd place. Overnight leader Mark Lipping found it difficult to find the pins due to the gusting wind, but some good par saves earned him a closing 68 and the Phoenix Open title by 3 shots from Randy! So after 4 events we have had 4 different winners, 3 of them guests, an indication of how well Ian's handicap system is working and giving everyone a chance to taste glory. See you all at Pebble Beach in the lead-up to Christmas!   
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