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With his second win in as many starts, Camilo Villegas, has definitely ascended to the upper echelon of Tour players.

Villegas won one of the Tour’s marquee events, yesterday by winning the Tour Championship on the first hole of sudden-death with Sergio Garcia. Garcia and Villegas had ended regulation play at 7 under par and one shot ahead of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim. It was a star studded leader-board.

The enigmatic 26 year old Columbian has everything that you need to become a big star. Villegas is (as my female friends have told me) great looking, dresses with flair, is passionate and most importantly can really play. Villegas has every shot in his repertoire, and the imagination and charisma of a Renaissance artist.

Sure enough, the absence of Tiger Woods has allowed some young players to learn to win, which is ultimately the barometer of greatness. When Tiger returns next year, he will find that some other players who heretofore had perhaps been influenced by his “aura”, may now be less affected by that. The reason is simple; winning creates belief.

2008 has seen the emergence of the following players:

Villegas. Although it took him 85 starts on Tour to win his first event, he has crashed through that barrier to win the last two events. For all the reasons listed above, he is going to be a very big star.

Anthony Kim. 23 year old Kim played another fantastic event and barely missed joining Garcia and Villegas in the playoff (was one shot behind). Following his heroics in last week Ryder Cup and combined with his two wins on the Tour this year, this brilliant young player may eventually be the person that challenges, Mr. Woods.

Sergio Garcia. It is sometimes easy to forget that Garcia is only 28 years old, since he has now been on the world’s stage for 11 years. Garcia was in contention in three of the four Fed Ex play-off tournaments and, lost two of those in play-offs; at the Barclay’s event to Vijay Singh and yesterday to Villegas. Garcia’s big win came earlier this year at the Player’s Championship, but he is showing signs of a new maturity and consistency with his game.

Boo Weekely. Boo may not have the talent of the three players above and at 35 years old he is not a young golfer but he has a genuine charisma and is impossible not to like. Weekley is also one the best ball strikers on Tour and plays without fear. His down home charm, humor and uninhibited joy make Boo, compelling.

When Tiger does return, he may find that these (and other) players have learned that they too, can draw from an “aura” of their own. Should make for some incredible golf.

We are very proud to report about the recent success of one of our wonderful teachers.

PGA Master professional, Craig Waryan, who is a superb teacher, still also plays a mean game of golf.

As reported in the Minnesota, Star Tribune on September 23^rd.

“Craig Waryan of Edinburgh USA defeated Jim Manthis of Midland Hills Country Club on Tuesday for the 2008 Minnesota PGA Senior Match Play Championship at North Oaks Golf Club.

In a rain-soaked contest, Waryan won 5 and 4 and took his second Senior Match Play title since 1999.”

This is a remarkable achievement as you will notice that Craig has won this event twice and the wins are 9 years apart. Just as remarkably, he and his opponent, Jim Manthis were the two oldest players in the field….by 4 years! One of the exemptions that Craig  wins with his victory are an exemption in to next year’s Minnesota State Open.

For those of our students who have the great fortune to work with this brilliant man, they would all agree that he is a teacher without peer. Craig is also a fine human being who has touched so many lives during his illustrious career (Craig has won every award that the Minnesota Section of the PGA has to bestow).

We are so proud that he is a member of the Bird Golf family and so happy for his triumph in the Minnesota Senior PGA Championship. Congratulations, Craig!

Momentum is a huge factor in the Ryder Cup. There is a domino effect that can be either fatal or fantastic in this golf event, more so than in any other.

The key match on any day is the first one but most especially the first singles match on Sunday morning. US Captain, Paul Azinger, chose as his lead off man; Anthony Kim. Kim is the fourth youngest US player in the storied annals of the Cup.

Playing brilliant golf, Kim did not beat, Europe’s best Ryder Cup player, Sergio Garcia, he; shellacked him. The match was over on the 14th. hole and gave the rest of the US team a much appreciated boost. Garcia must have felt like a dart board, as Kim fired one shot after another at the flagstick.

At 23, Kim will surely play in many more Ryder Cup matches but he may never replicate the vital role that he played at Valhalla.

Asked to describe Kim, Mickelson said “Anthony Kim is a really, really funny dude”. The poignant part of that remark is that humor/fun is precisely what the US team has lacked for the last few years. This team had fun from the very beginning and it was led by this incredibly talented 23 year old.

Combined with the superb play and joie de vie of Boo Weekley, both of these Ryder Cup rookies, put the US team firmly on their shoulders and put an end to the European’s dominance of Samuel Ryder’s, little golf trophy. Weekley is a joy to watch, and even more fun to listen to. Combine that with the fact that he is a seriously good golfer, and the chant “BOO” takes on a whole new meaning.

Three years ago, Boo Weekley was on the Nationwide Tour and Anthony Kim was in college.

There are many other reasons that the Americans were the winners, none perhaps as important as Paul Azinger. Azinger may have had more influence on the outcome of a Ryder Cup than any other Captain, in history.

He has poured his heart and soul into the preparations for the last 2 years. He asked for and received, four Captains’ picks (as opposed to the traditional two), he selected his players three weeks later than usual (those picks are usually made right after the PGA Championship but Azinger delayed them so he could pick the “hottest” players at the time) and he played hunches, that proved to be prophetic.

If the powers that be have any sense at all, they will ask Azinger to make a rare return appearance as Captain, in 2010.

Let’s hope that this great event continues to be like the “hoe-down in Kentucky”. Played in good spirits by both sides, it was a showcase for great sportsmanship and superb golf. It was theater on the grandest stage where the real winner, was the game itself.

After the second day’s play at the Ryder Cup, the European team made up precious ground on the American’s and trail 7 points to the US team’s 9 points.

Both teams were led by unlikely heroes.

The star of the European comeback was undoubtedly, Ian Poulter. A controversial, Captains’ pick by Nick Faldo, Poulter more than rewarded his Captain’s faith in him by winning both of his Saturday matches. Playing with passion and sheer determination, Poulter has inspired his teammates.

Considering the pressure of his selection being questioned by one and all combined with the heat of playing in the world’s most nerve wracking stage, Poulter was magnificent. Poulter was the only European player to play all four of the team matches and his 3-1 record accounts for almost half of Europe’s total points.

Ian Poulter has ascended to star status in the last two days. Up until now, he may have been best known for his flamboyant outfits; which have included an all pink ensemble (yes, shoes as well), a Union Jack number at last years’ British Open and assortment of plaids and paisleys come readily to mind but this young Englishman can really golf his ball.

Perhaps even more unlikely has been the consistent and clutch play of Hunter Mahan for the US team.

After winning both of his matches on Friday with Justin Leonard, he gained a valuable half point in his morning match on Saturday (again with Leonard as his partner), and then in a thrilling back and forth match, paired with Phil Mickelson, earned another precious half point, as the anchor team for the US in the afternoon.

Mickelson and Mahan withstood a barrage of 6 back nine birdies by Robert Karlsson and Mahan more than held his own with his partner out of the hole on the 18^th hole by hitting a superb 3 iron onto the green and two putting for his birdie. This is from the player who created a storm of controversy a few months back by saying that being on the Ryder Cup team was not important to him and was more of a pain than a pleasure. It would seem that Mahan’s attitude has changed somewhat.

These two superb young players have come to the forefront at a time when their teams needed them the most. To do so in this crucible of pressure, is remarkable.

Who will Sunday’s heroes be?

Sure enough, it is only the first day of the Ryder Cup, but it was a huge day for the American team.

The US squad leads 5 ½ points to the Europeans 2 ½ points and the truth be told it could have been much worse for the Euros. Jim Furyk and hometown hero, Kenny Perry had a two hole lead with two to play but lost the 17^th. and 18^th. holes to halve their match.

The “Good Old Boy” team of J.B. Holmes and Boo Weekley played some magnificent golf in their afternoon match against Lee Westwood and Soren Hansen but both Holmes and Weekley hit their tee shots in the water to lose the 18^th and come out with only a half point instead of the full point they would have received for a victory. Is there a more “likeable” golfer on this planet than Boo?

But that is being pretty picky, because if you had told anyone on the underdog US team that they would have the lead after the first day, they would have been ecstatic.

Surely the Europeans have dominated the Ryder Cup for the last 20 years but the main reason for that dominance is the success that their teams have enjoyed on the first two days of the competition, which is always the team matches (this is the first Ryder Cup since 1991 that the US team led after the morning matches). Traditionally the Americans have been the more powerful force on the last day which is 12 singles matches.

The Ryder Cup has had some historically fantastic pairings; Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal; Davis Love and Fred Couples; Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke come immediately to mind. A new superstar pairing was born today. Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim, who led off the morning matches with a compelling battle against two of the European’s best; Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson.

Three down with six holes to play, the American’s then won the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th holes to stage a stirring comeback. While both teams had opportunities in the last three holes, a tie was a fitting result.

In their afternoon match, Mickelson and Kim were again 3 down only to rally again and defeat Harrington and fellow Irishman, Graeme McDowell, 2 up.

An even more successful tandem were Justin Leonard (the hero from Brookline where the US last won the Cup) and Ryder Cup rookie, Hunter Mahan. The “Texas two-some” won both of their matches to finish with a 2-0 record on the day and played some impeccable golf.

As good as Leonard and Mahan were though, the Mickelson/Kim pairing may be one we see for many years to come. When did Mickelson ever look like he was having so much fun, on the golf course? There were more high-fives from this tandem than at an NBA game and they are the perfect match of thinker (Mickelson) and young gun (Kim).

There is an electric chemistry to this partnership which is so essential to this unique team format.

“I think we are going to be pretty tough to beat,” Kim said. “We are having a great time out there, and when you’re having a great time you’re going to play good golf.”

Saturday promises to be just as much fun.

The European team is the overwhelming favorite to win the Ryder Cup, and recent history could not bear much of an argument for that. However, (as opposed to an earlier post by admin), I think that the US will prevail at Valhalla; and would put forth the following Top 10 reasons, why:

1. Its’ about time. After losing 5 of the last 6 Cups, the US team is overdue for a win.
2. Anthony Kim. As has been accurately predicted in the blog, this young man has become a star. Twice a winner on the PGA Tour this year, this phenom has all the tools to be a great player and I think that he will be a leader on this team by virtue of his game.
3. Length. Valhalla is a big hitters’ playground. Two of the par fives are reachable in two shots by only the longer hitters and the penalties for poor shots happen more around the green complexes that from the tees. The US Team is filled with players who can “rip it”.
4. Home cooking. Valhalla is in Kentucky and there are two Kentuckians on the US team. Kenny Perry, who has won three Tour events this year and J.B. Holmes, one of those aforementioned players, who can hit the ball a very long way. The smart money says that these two players who are a mix of savvy veteran (Perry) and swashbuckling young gun (Holmes), will be paired together in the first round of matches on Friday morning. If that happens, and if they play well together the Blue Grass state will be rock-a-billying.
5. The Captains. The US Captain, Paul Azinger will be worth 1 point during the matches. He is an inspired choice and his brand of competitive fire combined with his sense of humor, may prove to be the difference. The European Captain, Nick Faldo is not universally loved by his players, some of whom have already questioned….
6. ….His decision to not to pick, Darren Clarke. One of the stalwarts of the last 6 Ryder Cups, this affable Irishman was not picked by Faldo to be on the team despite having won twice in Europe this year. With a career record of 8-1-1 in the team matches of the last 6 Ryder Cups and his great current form, his omission from the team, has left everyone shaking their head.
7. No Tiger. How can the greatest player in the world’s absence be a good thing for the US Team? Wood’s absence could be rallying call for the American’s, who will relish the role of underdog.
8. Boo Weekley. You just have to love the man called Boo.
9. Lou Holtz. One of the most inspirational speakers of our time, Azinger has asked the legendary coach to speak to his team. After his speech to them, the players may come out of their locker rooms like Vikings going into battle.
10. Valhalla Golf Club is owned by the PGA of America, who also own the rights to the Ryder Cup.

In what may be the single most questionable, Captain’s picks in Ryder Cup history, Nick Faldo yesterday chose Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, as his two choices.

In doing so, Faldo omitted Daren Clarke from the 12-man European squad. Clarke is a two time winner on the European Tour this year including a heroic victory two weeks ago in the KLM Dutch Open. More importantly though, Clarke, has been a mainstay of the European team for the last 12 years, and is an immensely likeable player who creates great team chemistry.

Clarke has a 10-7-3 record in the Ryder Cup. 8 of his ten wins have come being paired with Lee Westwood. Their partnership is one of the top pairings in the history of the event. Their collective record as a tandem is 8-1-1 which gives them an air of invincibility.

The consensus amongst the European players was that Clarke was a certainty to be picked (and we have been guilty of assuming that was a given, in the last blog). There will be an incredulous reaction to this decision by those players and a general outcry of “what was he (Faldo) thinking?”

The controversy that will be sure to follow will do nothing but damage the European team. In fact, this decision may be the single most beneficial one…..for the US Team.

Nick Faldo has always been his own man. As a player, he was aloof, rude and arrogant. It seems that, despite Faldo’s “Mr. Nice/Funny Guy” demeanor as a TV commentator, a leopard does not change its spots. This decision reeks of someone who basks in controversy and it makes positively, no sense.

Faldo may have just destroyed the single biggest advantage that the Europeans have had for the last 20 years; team camaraderie. It breathes new life for the underdog Americans.

It has been said in the past that the Ryder Cup Captain has very little to do with winning the Cup, but this may be a situation, where the Captain is responsible for losing it.

The Ryder Cup is coming in a few weeks to Valhalla G.C in Kentucky. In a contest that was once dominated by the American team it has now become a lop-sided affair in which the Europeans have been victorious for the last 9 years.

Here are the Top 10 reasons why the Euros will keep, Samuel Ryder’s Cup:

1. No Tiger. Given the fact that this is not Tiger’s favorite event, his absence on the US team, is a void that nobody can fill.
2. The European team actually all know each other and many of their players are close friends. In 2006, at the event in Ireland, Tiger Woods had never even met two of the other US team members before that week. Enough said.
3. The European team dresses better. Ian Poulter vs. Ben Curtis? No contest.
4. Darren Clarke just won the KLM Dutch Open. Clarke who may not have made the team before this week’s win, all but cemented his spot with his superb play. Clarke will be a huge boost to the Euros, for both his play and his persona.
5. The US has lost 5 of the last 6 Cups.
6. Any European player would give their left arm to be on the team. Many American players are ambivilant about playing.
7. Michael Phelps is not on the US squad but there is the potential for Aqua Man (aka Woody Austin) to be a part of the festivities.
8. Padraig Harrington. Sergio Garcia. Lee Westwood. Darren Clarke.
9. Not one of the American players has a winning record on their Ryder Cup resume.
10. There are no Irishmen on the US team.

There is at the moment, a great debate about Golf being introduced as an Olympic sport.

We love golf but it should not be an Olympic sport.

The Olympics should be about sporting events that have evolved from the ancient Greeks and the events that they participated in. It should also be about amateur athletes; which of course, has become a thing of the past.

The Olympic Games have always been the platform to watch sports that we do not ordinarily watch. It is the arena in which we can see athletes represent their countries for the sheer joy of competition and the pride that goes with that participation.

The Olympics are a celebration of human achievement and endeavor.

It is not about grossly overpaid, basketball players. Or for that matter, professional golfers. The games should be just that, games; not business.

You can watch any number of golf events on any given week. Tournaments and Tours abound around the world and those are the respective stages that the sport should be performed on.

It should be about Nadia Comaneci, not LeBron James. Michael Phelps not Tiger Woods.

When else does the average person watch swimming? Or rowing, or track and field or marathon running? The answer is for most people, once every four years.

If we want to see the best basketball players play, we watch the NBA. If we want to see the best tennis players, we watch Wimbledon. Mainstream sports have all of their respective avenues to thrill us. Let the Olympic Games have their moment, and allow it to be what it is supposed to be.

Irish eyes, that is.

14 months ago, Padraig Harrington was a very good player.

In the intervening months he has become an icon.

Harrington’s victory at the PGA Championship at diabolical, Oakland Hills, was stunning golf. After trailing the hapless, Sergio Garcia for most of the day, Harrington made three huge putts on the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th. greens to seal a two shot victory.

It was a battle for the ages with both players playing one magnificent shot after the other. It was compelling theater in which no matter who you were rooting for, you wished that there were no loser.

Sergio Garcia played brilliantly as evidenced by his last two rounds of 69 and 68 on a course that many players believe to be the hardest Championship lay-out in the world. Showing a new maturity and making several clutch putts (up until recently, his nemesis), Garcia proved that like a good wine, he is maturing with age. His time will come.

Ben Curtis also played with a great deal of heart. Starting the fourth round as the 54 hole leader, Curtis shot a brave 71 which under most circumstances would have been the winning score. Curtis was the shock winner of the Open Championship fives years ago and was immediately labeled as a “one hit wonder”.

Since that time he has won two more PGA Tour events and played his way onto this year’s Ryder Cup team with his second place finish yesterday. Curtis has never been given the respect due of his resume but his play at this Championship should prove to one and all that he belongs in the top echelon of American players.

If the golf world has been looking for a replacement for the injured Tiger; it has just found it’s man. Padraig Harrington tamed the mighty Oakland Hills with a pair of 66’s on the weekend. This on a course that most players reckoned a par score of 70, to be remarkable.

In doing so, Harrington becomes the first European player in 74 years to win the PGA, and the only one ever, to win the Open and PGA back to back. Combined with his stirring win at last year’s open Championship, that gives Harrington, three of the last 6, Major Championships.

At 36, Harrington has a very good chance to eclipse, Nick Faldo’s 6 Majors, the most by European-born players, before he retires.
It wasn’t very long ago, that Harrington was the ‘heartbreak kid’ as evidenced by his 17 runner-up finishes while only recording three wins on the European Tour. His sheer will to win and his devotion to improve have made him, a superstar. This everyday man has become the golfer that every man would like to be like.