Great Golf Swings: Ben Hogan

The Design of Muirfield Village Golf Club

Muirfield Village Golf Club was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The golf course sits on 220 acres, which includes an 11-acre driving range. On Memorial Day, May 27, 1974, the course was officially dedicated with an exhibition match between Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. Nicklaus won with a 66, which stood as the course record until 1979.

The layout presently plays at 7,265 yards with 75 bunkers and water hazards on 11 holes. The course annually hosts the PGA Memorial tournament.

Early Odds to win 2013 U.S. Open at Merion

 

The U.S. Open begins June 13th at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Here is a look at the early betting odds for the year's 2nd Major Championship.

Tiger Woods: 7-2
Rory McILroy: 10-1
Adam Scott: 20-1
Phil Mickelson: 22-1
Graeme McDowell: 25-1
Luke Donald: 25-1
Sergio Garcia: 28-1
Jason Day: 33-1
Keegan Bradley: 40-1
Webb Simpson: 55-1

Ken Venturi played vs. Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson in "The Match"

 Ken Venturi, who passed away last week at the age of 82, was a famous golfer and excellent long-time golf announcer for CBS. The 2013 Golf Hall of Fame inductee was also part of a famous golf match detailed in the book "The Match" by Mark Frost.

"The Match" occurred in 1956 and was developed through a bet by two millionaires named Eddie Lowery and George Coleman. If you have ever seen the movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played" Eddie Lowery was the 10 year old caddy for Francis Ouimet when he won the 1913 U.S. Open as a 20 year old amateur.

Years later, at a celebrity/charity golf event, Lowery begins boasting that his two top amateur golfers Ken Venturi (who went on the win the U.S. Open) and Harvie Ward (an unbelievable talent who also enjoyed partying), can beat any two players in the world. George Coleman then makes a few calls and immediately recruits Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan, two of the greatest players in history, who happen to be at the tournament for the week.

At this point in time, the two upcoming amateurs were at the top of their games, while Nelson and Hogan's careers were winding down. Without giving the details, let's just say "The Match" was unbelievable. It occurred at Cyprus Point in California, was a back and forth battle all day, and all four of them went low.

The book provides an excellent description of the match that occurred that day, while at the same time discusses each player’s story, how they arrived at that point in time, and what they went on to in the future. All four players lived remarkable lives in the world of golf and the match that they played will always be a part of golf history.

Tiger Woods: By the Numbers at The Players Championship

With his victory Sunday, Tiger Woods earned his 2nd Players Championship and 78th win overall on the PGA Tour. He took home 1.7 million for the effort and holds steady at number one in the world rankings, as well as number one on the Fed Ex Points list and money list. He has now won for the 4th time in 2013.

Scores: 67,67,71,70 -13
Total birdies: 18
Total eagles: 1
Sand saves: 100%
Driving accuracy: 67%
Greens in Reg: 76%
Putts per green: 1.7

The Players Championship Betting Odds

The 5th major begins Thursday with Tiger Woods as the betting favorite, although he's only won once here in his career. Adam Scott, playing his first tourney since winning the Masters, is at 16-1. Derek Ernst, last weeks winner out of nowhere, comes in at 200-1.

Tiger Woods 7-1
Rory McILroy 16-1
Adam Scott 16-1
Luke Donald 18-1
Phil Mickelson 22-1
Jason Day 40-1
Steve Stricker 50-1
Lucas Glover 100-1
Derek Ernst 200-1
Bud Cauley 250-1

PGA Championship Photos from Kiawah Island

TNT Coverage Notes from the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island

TNT commentators: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Vince Cellini

Baker-Finch on how the course conditions could favor Gary Woodland (-5) and Rory McIlroy (-5): “It’s a bomber’s paradise and no one fits that description better than Gary Woodland or Rory McIlroy.”

Baker-Finch on The Ocean Course: “It’s unusual. It’s a [links] course that appears to play low so you want to bump it around but you have to get [the ball] up in the air and spin it.”

Baker-Finch on how Rory McIlroy (-5) is leading a youth movement in golf: “As more young players like Rory McIlroy win, more young players right behind them feel they can win as well.”

TNT’s Vince Cellini interviewed Rory McIlroy (-5) following his first round:

McIlroy on taking advantage of the good weather during his first round: “I had to take advantage of the [weather] conditions because I don’t think it’s going to stay like that for the next four days. It’s nice to shoot a good round in those conditions and it gets me off to a good start in the tournament.”

TNT’s Vince Cellini interviewed Tiger Woods (-3) following his first round:

Woods on his first round: “I’m pleased. Anything in the 60s is going to be a good score.”

Woods on his mindset during his first round: “I was patient today…but it’s one of those things where you can’t force the issue. You have to continue to plod along and I did that today.”

TNT’s Vince Cellini interviewed John Daly (-4) following his first round:

Daly on his good play in recent weeks: “All year, I’ve been really close to playing good golf. I think when you make a bunch of cuts, you give yourself a chance to do that. The last few weeks have been really good.”

Baker-Finch on The Ocean Course: “It’s a ‘bucket list’ course. If you get a chance to play here…put it on your list.”

Baker-Finch on course strategy at The Ocean Course: “It’s so hard from these tight lies to elevate those pitch shots with spin. It’s going to be a key part of this [PGA] Championship to be able to do that.”

Kratzert on Ernie Els’ first round (E): “This is as well as I’ve seen Ernie strike the ball. He’s been very impressive today.”

Baker-Finch on Davis Love III (E): “Davis still hits the ball a long way with his silky-smooth swing.”

Baker-Finch on Adam Scott (-4) “facing the music” after his British Open collapse earlier this year: “It’s good to be able to talk the talk but [Scott] did it the very next day. That’s what I really enjoyed hearing from Adam - ‘I know I lost. I’m disappointed but I learned so much from it and I feel my game is good enough to win more.’”

TNT’s Vince Cellini interviewed Adam Scott (-4) following his first round:

Scott on the importance of a good start: “It’s very important. It’s great to get out on the right foot during a Major and not be chasing really hard because it’s hard to chase tough golf shots on these golf courses. For me, starting today, that’s a mission accomplished.”

Scott on rebounding from his performance at the British Open a few weeks ago: “You have to take advantage when you’re playing well. Obviously, I was playing so well at The Open and moving forward, I couldn’t let those last few holes spoil my good play. Last week, I was a little out of rhythm but it came back quickly this week and today felt good.”

The Design of Kiawah Island Ocean Course

Apparently the Kiawah Island Ocean course could be absolutely brutal for the PGA Championship this week, especially if the wind blows. The course has more seaside holes than any other in the Northern Hemisphere with 10 along the Atlantic Ocean and is capable of playing up to 7900 yards.

Here is an excellent description of the course designed by Pete Dye and what players can expect.

In his design, Dye made a point to be fair. Everything is out in front of the player. There are very few blind shots. Players can see the hazards and targets. Landing areas are expansive with few surprises. But it is also a course where strategically attacking each hole is imperative. From the back tees, players have to work (and think) their way around the golf course. A player must pick the best approach angles. With the shifting winds, decisions have to be made on whether to play the ball up into the wind or hit a knockdown shot, loft a wedge or hit a bump-and-run. The ability to shape shots is also very important. Additionally, players need to know where they can miss the ball around the greens and know where they can't. And, they'll need to be able to scramble if they expect to post a good score.

PGA Championship Past Winners

The Wannamaker Trophy

2011: Keegan Bradley (Atlanta Athletic Club)
2010: Martin Kaymer (Whistling Straits)
2009: Y.E. Yang (Hazeltine)
2008: Padraig Harrington (Oakland Hills)
2007: Tiger Woods (Southern Hills)
2006: Tiger Woods (Medinah)
2005: Phil Mickelson (Baltusrol)
2004: Vijay Singh (Whistling Straits)
2003: Shaun Micheel (Oak Hill)
2002: Rich Beem (Hazeltine)
2001: David Toms (Atlanta Athletic Club)
2000: Tiger Woods (Valhalla)
1999: Tiger Woods (Medinah)
1998: Vijay Singh (Sahalee)

Full List of Past Champions

PGA Championship 2012 Betting Odds

Tiger Woods is the betting favorite to win his 5th PGA Championship.

PGA Championship betting odds:

Tiger Woods: 6-1
Lee Westwood: 14-1
Luke Donald: 16-1
Rory McILroy: 16-1
Phil Mickelson: 20-1
Adam Scott: 25-1
Webb Simpson: 33-1
Graeme McDowell: 33-1
Ernie Els: 40-1
Steve Stricker: 40-1
Jim Furyk: 50-1
Louis Oosthuizen: 50-1
Keegan Bradley: 66-1
David Toms: 125-1
Vijay Singh: 175-1
John Daly: 250-1

PGA Championship 2012: Pairings and Tee Times

Notable pairings for the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah:

Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Ernie Els (2012 major winners)
John Daly, David Toms, Shaun Micheel (PGA champions)
Lucas Glover, Ben Curtis, Trevor Immelman (One time major winners)
Hunter Mahan, Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott (Best without majors?)
Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III (PGA champions)
Scott Piercy, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar
Dustin Johnson, Rory McILroy, Jim Furyk
Keegan Bradley, Martin Kaymer, Tiger Woods (PGA champions)
Y.E. Yang, Rich Beem, Vijay Singh (PGA champions)

All Pairings and Tee Times

WGC Bridgestone Invitational Pairings

Notable pairings:
Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner
Tiger Woods, Brenden Grace
Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald
Rory McILroy, Ryo Ishikawa
Ernie Els, Bubba Watson
Rickie Fowler, Lee Westwood
Steve Stricker, Martin Kaymer
Dustin Johnson, Alvaro Quiros
Hunter Mahan, Louis Oosthuizen

All Pairings and tee times

WGC Bridgestone Invitational Betting Odds

Notable player betting odds for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone:

Tiger Woods: 5-1
Luke Donald: 14-1
Adam Scott: 16-1
Lee Westwood: 18-1
Rory McILroy: 18-1
Hunter Mahan: 25-1
Graeme McDowell: 33-1
Phil Mickelson: 33-1
Ernie Els: 50-1
Keegan Bradley: 66-1

Adam Scott is the defending champ but coming off a brutal loss two weeks ago at the British. Tiger Woods is the heavy favorite having won this event seven previous times. (1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009)

Canadian Open Betting Odds

Notable player betting odds for the Canadian Open:

Matt Kuchar: 11-1
Hunter Mahan: 14-1
Jim Furyk: 16-1
Ernie Els: 22-1
Charl Schwartzel: 25-1
Sean O'Hair: 33-1
Bud Cauley: 40-1
Vijay Singh: 50-1
Ryo Ishikawa: 100-1
John Daly: 150-1