The reigning PGA Champion is not content with winning just one major, and being considered a flash in the pan player.
Keegan Bradley is preparing for the Masters with some serious work and ear chewing from two of the best at Augusta.
Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson.
Together, Nicklaus and Mickelson have a combined nine green jackets hanging in the closet. Of course, six for Nickalus and three for Lefty.
Bradley was recently given one of Mickelson's old Masters' yardage books, from Jim Macky. Mickelons's caddy.
I'm sure there is some very valuable information on Augusta National in those pages.
When Jack Nicklaus speaks, people tend to listen to what the 18 time major champion has to say. Regardless of the subject matter.
At his press conference on Tuesday at the Honda Classic. Nicklaus, probably one of, if not the best clutch putters of all-time. Weighed in with his opinion, on one of the hottest topics in professional golf these days -- The long putter.
Recently, the U.S.G.A. has said they are going to be reviewing the status of the long putters in the game today.
Even with one of the governing bodies of golf looking over it's outlook on the much debated long putters. The 'Golden Bear' as always, had an opinion on the matter.
“I’m not offended by it. It's a hard game, people need help” Nicklaus said. “I don’t have an issue one way or another with it.”
The PGA Tour begins it's Florida swing this week, at the 2012 Honda Classic hosted by PGA National.
This year marks the sixth year that PGA National has hosted this event.
The Champions course at PGA National boasts two of the PGA Tour's hardest par-threes of the 206 the players will face all season.
No. 1 and No. 2 on that list to be exact, are holes 15 and 17.
Of course, the course is best known for "The Bear Trap". The three hole stretch from No. 15 to No. 17. A par-three, a par-four and a par-three that combined to be played at 11.178 in 2011, overall.
After taking his first match of the day in the semi-finals 2 and 1 over Mark Wilson, Hunter Mahan continued his stellar play in the finals of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship beating Rory McIlroy, 2 and 1 to claim his second WGC title.
The victory in the Arizona desert was the fourth of Mahan's career, and first since 2010. Which also happened to be another WGC event.
The final match was all-square through the first five holes, until Mahan took control of the match, winning four holes in a five hole stretch from No. 6 through No. 10.
With a four-up advantage with eight to play, the match is certainly not over. As we witnessed several come from behind wins this week.
Mahan did however hang on to win 2 and 1, putting the damper on the crowning of a new No. 1 player in the world.
The field of 64 players has been shaven down to the final eight players heading into Saturday's matches in Marana, Arizona at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
The first three days of matches saw come from behind victories, big names fall and matches going to extra holes.
On the third day of play in the desert, there was little doubt involved in most of the matches. With just one contest going the entire 18 holes.
Time and time again we have seen Tiger Woods bury a 40-foot bomb on the green to keep a back-nine charge going. Or to instill fear in his opponent that it's not over yet.
Of course, that was the old Woods.
More recently, it's been his troubles with the flat stick that have kept him from showing that charge, that 'It's not over until I say it is' factor, that golf fans and Tour players alike are use to seeing.
By his own admission, his putting is what has been letting him down recently -- Not his ball striking or play off the greens.
Most recently at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Woods had a 5 1/2 putt on No. 18 in a match against Nick Watney. That if he made it, would force the match to extra holes.
Day 2 of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship again highlighted the phrase, 'survive and move on', as many bracketed match play events do so well.
After his shaky start on day one, Tiger Woods was matched against Nick Watney on the second day of matches in Arizona.
Once again, as it has been in recent events, his putter let him down and perhaps cost him from moving on to day three.
Woods missed a 5 1/2 putt on No. 18 that could have extended the match with Watney. Though his inept putting of late cost him that chance.
World No. 1 Luke Donald was so over powering last year in all of his matches, the Englishman never had to play an 18 hole in 2011.
The same can be said for 2012, however Donlad will not be playing at all as Ernie Els knocked him out of the WGC Accenture World Match Play today, 5 and 4.
“I don’t think it would have mattered who I played today. I just didn’t play well,” said Donald after his lack luster performance. “I struggled. I gave away too many holes and made too many mistakes. You can’t do that in match play against anyone, let alone Ernie.”
Former No. 1 Tiger Woods, had a brushy with the same fate as Donald did.
His playing competitor, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who earlier in the week said Woods was beatable. Almost kept good on his remarks.
Today the PGA Tour has announced that the FedEx Corp. has signed an extension on their contract, that will have them remain as the sponsor of the FedEx Cup through the year 2017.
Since it's inception in 2007, the PGA Tour playoffs and FedEx Cup has offered up $35-million to the qualifying players, in conjunction with their overall finishing place and point standing position.
Not to mention the $10-million pay day to the overall winner of the FedEx Cup.
Bubba Watson draws huge galleries at every event he is in, with this bombs off the tee, the way he works the ball all over the course and there is the pink driver.
The 33-year old is best known for his length, as he is currently No. 1 on the PGA Tour in driving distance at 315.5 yards.
However, the old saying in golf 'drive for shoe and putt for dough' reigns true even more so for Watson.
Yes he is No. 1 on Tour in driving distance, and fans love the long ball.
Though Watson's struggles on the green have continued to plague him so far in the 2012 season. Through the Northern Trust Open, Watson ranks 156th on Tour in Strokes Gained Putting, -.616.
He shows signs of improvement from round to round, however seemingly never able to put four solid rounds of putting together, so far at an event this season.
Extra holes were needed to determine the 2012 edition of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera on Sunday. A fitting dramatic end to an event played just miles from the 'tinsel town' of Hollywood.
2011 FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas rolled in a near 50-foot putt on the second hole of the three man playoff, to claim his fourth PGA Tour win, and second in a playoff.
With Haas finishing before the final pairing of Mickelson and Bradley, both players knew they needed birdies on the 18th to force a playoff, giving them any hope of winning the event.
The par-four, 18th had yielded only six birdies during the final round of play. Haas, however was on the practice range keeping loose and warm if both players could possibly make threes on the closing hole.
Mickelson jarred his 25-foot putt to send the gallery into a frenzy for the fan favorite heading into the week. With a meaningful fist pump to the cheering gallery, Lefty was in the playoff.
Only a few days removed from putting on a clinic at Pebble Beach for his 40th PGA Tour victory. Phil Mickelson seems to have kept the momentum rolling into Riviera at the Northern Trust Open.
Getting off to a quick start with a birdie on the first, Mickelson added one more red number on his card, to make the turn at 2-under, 33.
Playing in the afternoon wave of players, it seemed the weather; particularly the wind, might have been a little less for the guys in the afternoon.
Scores kept looking like they would go low early on as many were getting birdies at a faster rate than the morning wave.
As I'm sure everyone is now aware of and viewed, the photos LPGA player Natalie Gulbis posed for in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, wearing nothing more than body paint.
Of course, theses photos have been the much talked about subject on many social media sites.
True, Gulbis is an adult, and has the right to do what she feels is in her best interest, both on and off the golf course. And by no means am I judging her for what she chose to do.
However, many say this was a great boost for female golf. Where others say it detracts from it.
The LPGA Tour, seemingly becoming more and more popular over the past few years. Perhaps due to players such as Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Sandra Gal, Michelle Wie and the list can go on and on -- Though more due to their looks; unfortunately, than their play on the golf course.
It seems like the name Michelle Wie has been around golf, longer than her age of 22 would warrant.
Her name and game have been talked about and dissected with a microscope since the age of 10, when she qualified for the Women's U.S. Amateur Public Links Champions.
When Wie first burst on to the scene of professional golf, her power, iron play, physique and of course looks, had her on every one's 'can't miss list'.
However, recently the young super star has been struggling with her game. Many believe it is due to with her wanting to continue her education at the University of Stanford. Where, she will graduate from this spring, with a degree in communications.
The Northern Trust Open will be held at the Riviera Country Club beginning on Thursday morning, for the 50th time in it's long history.
Riviera is not looked upon as a course or event, that players not quite yet in form for the season look to to sharpen their games.
In 2011, the scoring average at this event was just a shade under 72 -- With a par of 71.
Hitting greens in regulation will be one of the biggest keys to victory this week for the PGA Tour players. Last season, Riviera ranked inside the top-10 on Tour in hardest greens to hit in regulation.
Sundays use to be when Tiger Woods was at his best. He thrived on the competition and on the PGA Tour's biggest stage during final rounds.
No matter if he was the leader heading into a final round, or whether he was charging from behind. Sundays, were his day.
Nowadays, it seems Sundays are Woods' worst enemy and day for golf.
Am I saying that Woods is done? Absolutely not.
Am I saying Woods is not improving on his swing under new(er) coach Sean Foley? Absolutely not.
The fact is, recent showings on Sundays for Woods have been, well -- Less than stellar.
Phil Mickelson entered the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am six strokes off of the lead of Charlie Wi. By the end of the afternoon, he would be hoisting the trophy in the winners circle for the fourth time at Pebble Beach.
Lefty, who was paired with Tiger Woods for the final round, played nearly perfect all day. Making putt after putt, as his playing partner Woods could not get anything going on Sunday.
Mickelson's putter was on fire for most of the day.
Saving par for him on several occasions from 30 and even 40 feet at times.
Mickelson began the 2012 season rather slow, missing the cut at Torrey Pines (his back yard) and not cracking the top-25 at the Humana Challenge.
By his own admission, his putting has been better than it may have ever been. He was just waiting for everything to click on the course at an event.
The 2012 PGA Tour debut for Tiger Woods grabbed all the early headlines at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Three now sit tied atop the leader board after the first round of play.
Danny Lee, Charlie Wi and Dustin Johnson are all at the top after the opening round, carding first round scores of nine-under on two separate courses at Pebble Beach.
Both Lee and Johnson played Pebble Beach in their opening rounds. While Wi was on the Monterey Peninsula course for his opening 18.
Johnson, the 2009 and 2010 champion at Pebble Beach , began his round with a very impressive first six holes.
Johnson was asked how he liked coming back to Pebble Beach, where he has had recent success.
"Yeah, well, today I would have liked any golf course." said Johnson in his post round press conference.
The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is one of the most unique events on the PGA Tour schedule each year.
Not only does it pair the golfers with a celebrity partner, it is played on one of the most breathe taking courses on Earth.
To many, Pebble Beach is THE golf course to play. Many consider it to be No. 1 on their list of courses.
The players will each play Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill Golf Club and Peninsula Country Club one time a piece.
Two of the three courses; Spyglass and Pebble, ranked fourth and fifth hardest courses (non-major) on the PGA Tour in 2011.
The PGA Tour and its members are no strangers when it comes to thinking of others who are less fortunate, before thinking of themselves.
Each year, the PGA Tour and it's players, donate millions of dollars as well as their time and effort to charities, that have positive effects to thousands, if not millions of people around the globe.
One such charity that hits home to so many, is Birdies for the Brave.
Birdies for the Brave is a military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA Tour that is dedicated to supporting the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
21-year old PGA Tour rookie Bud Cauley, had all the game in the world playing his collegiate golf at the University of Alabama.
Cauley was a three-time GolfWeek All-American for the Crimson Tide in his threes at the university. Where he was also a finalist for the Hogan Award, which is given to the best college golfer of the year.
Many thought he would forgo his senior year at Alabama, to pursue his dream of playing professional golf -- He did.
Cauley accomplished something that only a handful of golfers had done before him. He was able to secure a spot on the PGA Tour without having to go through the Tour's dreaded Q-School.
Much was made last week about how Kyle Stanley faltered coming down No. 18, with a three shot lead to inevitably lose to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff.
What a story it would have made if he could redeem himself this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with a bounce back win.
The odds, and score were stacked against him as Spencer Levin took a six stroke lead over second place into the final round.
Stanley was even further back to begin on Sunday, with eight strokes separating him from Levin.
Perhaps the pressure proved too much for Levin to handle as he carded a final round score of, four-over 75, to just collapse over his final round to leave the door open to so many -- Including Stanley.
After firing an eight-under 63 in the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Spencer Levin backed up his low round with another solid day in the desert, carding a three-under, 68.
Levin is now 17-under par through three rounds of play heading into Sunday's final round.
The 27-year old from Sacramento, California has never won on the PGA Tour. Coming very close to his first victory in 2011 where he lost in a playoff to Johnson Wagner at the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
Through three rounds of play this week, Levin has carded just two bogeys, off set by his 17 birdies and an eagle.
A one hour frost delay set everything in motion late at the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix in round one as 42 players were unable to finish their first rounds.
Delays are not uncommon at this event. Last year, delays forced the event to go to a Monday finish before crowning a champion.
Ryan Palmer closed out his first round, posting a seven-under 64 to take a one shot lead over Webb Simpson as it became too dark to continue play on Thursday.
Palmer, starting on the back nine today carded four birdies on the front nine to go out in 32. Over his next six holes, he would add four more birdies before his first and only slip of the day on No. 7.
His eight birdies in round one was the best; so far, during round one.
“I knew I was going to be here in the morning for the second round, so I wasn’t worried about it if we had to come back and restart.” said Palmer after his first round. “So, I didn’t think about it and I just kept hitting shots and sticking to my game plan.”
To qualify for the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play, a player must be ranked inside the Top-64 on the Official World Golf Rankings.
Over the next two weeks, names like Padraig Harrington, Stewart Cink and Vijay Singh are currently on the outside looking in.
Harrington, who is currently ranked 69th, has the best shot of the three to play his way into the event -- Though he is off this week.
However, Singh on the other hand, is down in the 90th position on the OWGR list. Needing some stellar player over the next two weeks to have a shot at making the event in Marana, Arizona.
The reigning PGA Champion is not content with winning just one major, and being considered a flash in the pan player.
