golf

How cool, Greg Norman is leading the British Open! Not bad for an old fart who doesn't play much golf these days.

The 2008 US Open at kicks off later this week at Torrey Pines. I really enjoyed watching the big hitting Angel Cabrera taking out the US Open last year. I hope this years Open is half as exciting. This year there are nine Australian starters, down from twelve from last year.

Leading the charge is the number one Australian golfer and number three in the world Adam Scott. Adam has been in pretty good form this year notching up two wins. The Qatar Masters at the beginning of the year and the Bryon Nelson Championship in April. Could this be the year Adam Scott finally lives up to his potential.

Then there is of course the 2006 US Open and world number five Geoff Ogilvy. Geoff's been going along ok this season, currently sitting 7th in the FedExCup race. He's also won on tour this year taking out CA Championship where of course he broke Tiger's run.

Robert Allenby is in good form, coming off a play off last week. Robert Allenby has been consistent as usual this season, currently tied for second in top ten finishes. He also leads the tour in greens in regulation and is always near the top in total driving. I'm surprised Robert hasn't performed much better in the majors. Perhaps he'll continue his good form and have a good week with the putter.

Finally it's nice to see Jarrod Lyle get an exemption. I assume it's because of his good performances on the Nationwide Tour this year.

3. Adam Scott
5. Geoff Ogilvy
18. Aaron Baddeley
30. Robert Allenby
31. Stuart Appleby
48. Rod Pampling
117. Mathew Goggin
165. Craig Parry
281. Jarrod Lyle

It's been a pretty good week for Australian golfers around the globe, however it could have easily been better. Matthew Googin just missed out on his first win after leading for the first three rounds of the Memorial Tournament. He finished behind Kenny Perry who I believe has won the tournament three times now. Over on the LPGA Karrie Webb lost to Seon Hwa Lee in a play off after three putting from 25 feet. However Aussie Scott Strange pulled through first his first win on the European tour, taking out The Celtic Manor Wales Open. Having started the day with a three shot advantage, birdies at four of the first six holes put him on easy street and he did not drop a shot all day, eventually carding a final round 64 – not as good as his course record opening 63 – but nevertheless good enough for a 22 under par total of 262 and a four shot victory.

Aussie Adam Scott has won for the second time this season taking out the EDS Byron Nelson Championship in a dramatic playoff. Adam, who was leading by three after the third round, dwindled his lead in the final round. However he sneaked into the playoff by birding the final hole for the third time in four rounds to make it into a playoff with Ryan Moore. On the third playoff hole Adam Scott nailed a 15 meter putt for victory.

Aussies are off to a pretty good start to 2008. Karrie Webb won her fourth Australian Open in one of the most exciting finishes to tournament you're likely to see. After commentators all but declared world number 7 Ji-Yai SHIN the winner, Karrie Webb birdied 16 and 17, which ranked amongst the hardest on the Kingston Heath layout to force a playoff. Karrie played the 18th almost identical 3 times in a row, finally sinking a birdie put for victory.

World number 5 Adam Scott won the Qatar Masters after an awesome 11 under 61. And of course Jarrod Lyle won the Mexico Open.

There's been plenty of other good finishes as well. In fact 13 top 20 placings by Aussies on the PGA Tour. Steve Elkington is having some what of a resurgence with 4th, 5th and 13th placings. PGA tour newbies Brett Rumford, Matt Jones and Jason Day have already managed to rank up top 20 finishes. And finally Stuart Appleby is currently sitting at number 2 for the scoring average with an average of 69.10