Ten reasons to tune into the season's last two TOUR stops
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
And you thought the Fall Series would be boring. A channel turner. A can miss.
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Then boom, baby.
Just when you figured no Tiger, no Phil , no impact on No. 1 and just a smattering of bold-faced names in the fields meant ... well, not so much, Rocco Mediate got your attention. Big time.
What happened in the closing minutes of the Frys.com Open should have you thinking again about the last few events of the regular PGA TOUR season.
There was drama. Electricity. Amazing shots. Close calls. Yet another hole-out for eagle. And a 47-year-old chatterbox with his latest -- oh, we've lost count now on the exact number -- new lease on life.
Just saying.
What's been going on in these closing weeks? A little of everything.
Heath Slocum picked up win No. 4 of his career at The McGladrey Classic. Bill Haas got his second win of the year at the Viking Classic and another trip to Augusta National now that's he's firmly entrenched in the top 30 on the money list.
And, of course, there was Rocco.
After his comeback win, we're figuring you know there's more to the final two tournaments of the year than instant updates on the top 125 and a pause while waiting for the big boys to tee it up in the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai next month.
But in case you don't, we're here to offer you 10 reasons you shouldn't pass on the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open -- say that three times fast -- or the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
1. Rickie Fowler. You want someone who can out-Rocco Rocco? Fowler's your guy. He's got the charisma, the talent and, now, the putter. He birdied the last four holes -- and won four of the last six -- to halve his Ryder Cup singles match. Then Sunday, he birdied three of the last five holes to finish fourth. He was justthisclose to his first win. That Oklahoma State orange on Sunday is growing on everyone.
2. David Duval. You're keeping an eye on the former world No. 1, aren't you? He's had an inconsistent season, but a few flashes here and there -- like last week's share of sixth. Seeing him win again -- his last was the 2001 British Open -- would be fun, right?
3. Anthony Kim. One of the best when he's healthy, but underwhelming since he came back after thumb surgery -- four missed cuts in six starts. He's been off since a tie for 48th at the BMW Championship, so look out. Remember earlier this year? A second at The Honda Classic, a playoff win at the Shell Houston Open and a tie for third at the Masters before the surgery. This week is his chance to exit 2010 with some momentum. Same goes for Rich Beem and Trevor Immelman, both coming off injuries and looking for something good going into 2011.
4. Kodak Challenge. Someone will be $1 million richer on Sunday when the Children's Miracle Network Classic is over thanks to the Kodak Challenge. Right now, Troy Merritt, last year's q-school medalist, and Ryder Cupper Rickie Fowler are tied for the lead, one stroke ahead of Tim Petrovic and Aaron Baddeley. The 16th hole at TPC Summerlin this week and the 17th at the Magnolia Course for the Children's Miracle Network Classic will decide the season-long competition.
5. Davis Love III. Three top-10s this season -- one at THE PLAYERS, one at the U.S. Open. Edging toward the Champions Tour and a Ryder Cup captaincy, but he's got game and wants to finish the year strong. He won the Children's Miracle Network Classic two years ago and in Vegas, albeit on another course, in 1993.
6. Graham DeLaet. The Canadian media was buzzing about the rookie from Saskatchewan back at the Masters. No, he didn't play, but he was coming off a tie for third in Houston. Ties for fifth at the Viking Classic and sixth on Sunday got our attention. He's a former hockey player who is playing with a bulging disk. The next top Canadian player?
7. Going low. If you love to see 62s and 63s, get ready. These final two courses are made for low scores, which usually translate into exciting tournaments. Seven back? No problem. Stephen Ames threw out a closing 64 last year to win the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
8. Justin Timberlake. Forget who he's dating, his role in "The Social Network," those boy-band days or his latest movie project. He's got a passion for the game and his event is growing every year. He rolls his sleeves up, too; he's not just a name on the event. In his spare time, he spiffed up his eco-friendly Mirimichi Golf Course near Memphis and he plays to a single-digit handicap. Makes a pretty funny commercial for his event, too.
9. The PGA TOUR card. So many players, not so much room to squeeze into the top 125 to avoid q-school and asking for exemptions. The cut line shows no mercy. Veterans like Paul Stankowski and Joe Ogilvie are in the fight. So are Troy Matteson, Aron Price and John Mallinger. A shot here, a shot there. And there's always a chance someone farther back could win and jump into a spot -- Rocco went from No. 182 to No. 72 and earned a two-year exemption that will take him almost to Champions Tour time.
10.. Ageless wonders. Speaking of the Champions Tour, a pair of its 51-year-old members are battling for spots in the TOUR's top 125, as well. Michael Allen, after a second-place finish at the Viking Classic, is 123rd on the money list while Tom Pernice Jr. is No. 133. Both have made it this far by splitting time between the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, where both rank in the top 20 in Schwab Cup Points.
Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM and can be reached at melaniehauser@gmail.com. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.
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