Back to Number One

If you stopped watching March Madness this weekend because your sleeper teams didn't make the run you knew they were going to, you may have seen Tiger Woods win his 77th PGA Tour title and move to #1 in the Official World Golf Rankings. The win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this past Sunday marked the 8th time Tiger has won the event. This tied him with Sam Snead for most victories at a single event.

There is much debate about whether Tiger is "back." I ask, "Back to what?" Back to being the Tiger of old? I don't believe anyone will ever play golf at the level Tiger did in 2000. Back to being the greatest golfer in the world? Considering the struggles of Rory McIlroy and the injury to Brandt Snedeker, I dont think there is any question as to who is playing the best right now.

Tiger measures himself in majors, and though he has not won any as of late, there is no doubt he has to be one of the favorites going into The Masters. Although he hasn't driven the ball as accurately as some say he needs to, putting is the reason he hasn't won a Masters since 2005. If he can putt as well at Augusta as he has in his past two victories he may very well be putting on the Green Jacket for the 5th time (thank you Steve Sticker).

There will always be debate as to who is the greatest golfer of all time. Based on their records in major championships the edge has to go to Mr. Nicklaus because he has more. But I believe Tiger has played the greatest golf to ever have been played (2000) and has many more opportunities to tie and surpass Mr. Nicklaus.

If they end up tied at 18 majors I will have to go with Tiger as the greatest ever. He will have both more PGA Tour and Worldwide victories. Tiger has held all four majors at one time, and he has won more U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur Championships.

The title of greatest golfer of all time may forever be debated.  I understand the arguments made for Mr. Nicklaus and there is merit to them.  We may never know who the greatest of all time is, but we are lucky to even have a debate.  For now I'm Team Tiger.  Which team are you?

Are you kidding mother nature?

Golfers in Nebraska are not the only ones that have had to deal with unpredictable weather. The PGA Tour has had to deal with some unusual weather to start the year.

The first event of the year, in Hawaii, was shortened to 54 holes due to high winds. Dustin Johnson won the event; his third win in tournaments that have been shortened to 54 holes.

The well known Marine Layer always seems to delay the Farmers Insurance Open, and this year was no different.  The delays were so long that the event had to finish on a Monday.

The WGC Accenture Match Play is held just outside of Tucson, AZ and this year the first round was postponed because of snow. SNOW! In Arizona.

So far this year in Nebraska we have had wind, rain, snow, and one day in the 70s. This time last year we had days into the 80s.  

The direction of the wind dramatically changes how tough Wilderness Ridge plays. The north wind is into the golfers face on the par fives and a south wind is into on the par threes.  

I personally prefer the south wind because the par threes require one full shot whereas the par fives require at least three into the wind. Others prefer the north wind because the par threes are long and tough even with no wind.

Let us know which wind you prefer in the comments section below.

Famous Three Holes Stretches

With the upcoming PGA Tour Event at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort in Tampa Bay, Florida, I got to thinking about famous stretches of golf holes. Many courses have great stretches, but few have a name that conjures up both excitement and intimidation.

This week at Innisbrook, the Snake Pit is the feature stretch of golf. Not only are these three of the toughest holes on the course, but they are are the final three holes which means that the tournament could ultimately be decided by how well these holes are played.

Other courses with great stretches

The Bear Trap - Holes 15, 16, 17 

PGA National Resort and Spa Champion Course 

Honda Classic

The Green Mile - Holes 16, 17, 18 

Quail Hollow Club 

Wells Fargo Championship

The Horrible Horseshoe - Holes 3, 4, 5

Colonial Country Club

Crowne Plaza Invitational

Amen Corner - Holes 11, 12, 13

Augusta National Golf Club

The Masters

There are different holes at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club that can both intimidate and excite. Holes 17 and 18 are dramatic. Hole 14 is long, difficult, and has the signature island green. But the first four holes could be the toughest stretch on the course especially with the all too familiar south wind.

I have yet to come up with any names that could do justice to any stretch of holes at Wilderness Ridge. That part may be up to you.