Full disclosure. I bogeyed my last blog.
I talked about various golfers heading into the Players Championship.
I highlighted new stars, old stars and some in between.
I pointed out the main players using Titleist, Callaway and Bridgestone.
I mentioned how the PGA revised its schedule this year and that the Players Championship would be a preview of the Masters in a month’s time.
But I failed to mention Tommy Fleetwood (Titleist Pro V1x), who is tied with Rory McIlroy (TaylorMade TP5x) at 12-undrer after 36 holes. I wrote about Fleetwood many times last year, in particular his consistency. He is clearly one of the new stars on the rise, but given that I failed to mention him in my preview of the Players, let’s mention him.
The 28-year-old Englishman is ultra-consistent, but he has yet to net his first PGA win, although this is only his second full season on the tour. Maybe he will record his first win this weekend. At some point he is going to do it.
One thing that is interesting about him, aside from his hair, which should get him a commercial opportunity at some point, is his putting style. He has an unusual claw grip, but it works. He also has his caddie stand a few feet in front of the hole with his legs spread giving him a target. Again, if it works for him, does it matter how different his style is?
As for McIlroy, the 29-year-old of Northern Ireland is way over due to win. He hasn’t won on the tour in two years. You know it’s going to happen. Loved the hole in the second round when he hit it way right and bounce it off a tree on to the green and left himself with a good second shot to the hole. Then came his putt for a birdie. He had a perfect line and it roled every so slowly and came up one inch from falling into the cup.
It was tantalizingly close.
McIlroy shot a seven-under 65, following a five-under in the opening round. It was the opposite of what Fleetwood did in the opening round.
Beyond what will happen in the final two rounds, the 17-hole Island Green will be exciting. It resulted in a four-over par for Tiger Woods in the second round. He’s still only six back.
Jim Furyk (Callaway Chrome Soft) and Ian Poulter (Pro V1x) are only three back.
Can’t wait for the final 36 holes!