***Buick Invitational Live Thread***[Golf Ping]

The Golf Channel, PGA.com and various print sources ^ | January 23, 2008 | Golf Ping List

[Zuben Elgenubi]

2008 Buick Invitational

Mickelson Fit for Play at Buick
By Associated Press - January 23, 2008

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Buick Invitational will have the Nos. 1 and 2 players in the world, after all.
 
After three days of bed rest and antibiotics for respiratory problems, Phil Mickelson said Tuesday he was feeling better and will play in the pro-am Wednesday at the Buick Invitational, paving the way for him to make his '08 debut at Torrey Pines. He also has a practice session planned with swing coach Butch Harmon.
 
"I'm feeling much, much better," Mickelson said. "I'm happy about that and looking forward to working with Butch to make sure everything is in order for this week."
 
Mickelson has not played since winning the HSBC Champions in China in November. He suspects the respiratory problems, which included shortness of breath, stemmed from either cleaning up debris outside his San Diego County home after the wildfires, or something he picked up in Asia during a two-week stint last fall.
 
Mickelson is a three-time winner of the Buick Invitational, ending Tiger Woods' six-tournament winning streak in 2000 and last winning in 2001 in a playoff.
 
Woods is the three-time defending champion.
 
Related Links:

• Full Coverage - Buick Invitational
  
• GOLF CHANNEL Airtimes

[Professional]

I’ve heard the ball goes a long way there, harder surfaces and all. In W Washington, you’re lucky to get a decent roll even during the summer, pretty soft fairways.

I see the Torrey Pines course for the US Open is going to play about 7600 yards, that is some serious length! Most of the par 4 are 450-470.

I’ve played Chambers Bay here in WA, and that is 7600 from the tips, designed for a US Open. Very nice course, right on the water, but the greens will need some time. CB was rated by many as the best new course in the country last year. Dupont around here also opened, and has now made Tacoma as good a golf area to live as anyplace in the world. Better yet, you can play most courses 9 months of the year, and the fees are between 30-70 bucks.

[Professional]

I can’t beleive that Stricker is world number 3, talk about a comeback and all. Duvall is the guy most would like to see, make a comeback. How do you go from being that good, to that bad??

[Professional]

Chambers Bay Golf Course - Robert Trent Jones Design

http://www.chambersbaygolf.com/layout10.asp?id=173&page=3342

Opened June of 2007 to great fanfare

[GOP_Raider]

Well, with the fact that there were, what, 28 college bowl games, I figured it would have been more efficient to have one big long thread for all the bowl games and a separate one for the title game.

But maybe one thread for each major would work???

(Although I don’t have a limited cachet of Elin Nordgeren-Woods pics on hand, so that might curtail any efforts I could bring to this). :)

[budwiesest]

As a Lefty myself, I really enjoy watching Mickelson. I've pulled off a few 'rescue' shots myself.

The Golf magazine offered a tip on fixing my slice that was a real gift.

Essentially, gripping the club in the last few fingers of the front hand, while keeping the middle and index out of the grip made a HUGE difference for me.

As a ball-player, I had many a first baseman covering his 'jewels' from line drives headed over the bag. Translating this power to a golf swing came with issues.

Hitting a ball long and staight makes this game much more enjoyable. I'm going to go out soon and hit another bucket just to insure I wasn't dreaming. It worked with wood and aluminum, btw.

[cleveland gop]

I checked the tee times and didn’t see Stricks listed. Am I blind or did he take this week off.
Is there anyone that is playing as well as he is? Number 4 IN THE WORLD!!! Talk about a comeback.

[GRRRRR]

oh gosh..NOT HIM!!!

ROID RAGE!!

[GRRRRR]

Anything in Maui is super...seriously, try the PUBLIC Course near Lahaina...CHEEP!

[Professional]

Yes, starting a hole with a decent tee shot is much more fun. I’ve taken golf very seriously the last 4 yrs or so, and if I had to start all over again, would only have two woods, being a driver and a 7 wood.

The driver I’d spend a great deal of time finding, using a launch monitor, trying as many clubs as I could get my hands on, and different shafts for sure. I swing very hard, fast, and while I currently have a stiff shaft with a mid kick, would have no problem/ego in buying a medium flex shaft. I was told shaft is 60% of the equation, and I really believe that now. My driver I hit between 270 and 325.

My 7 wood during the summer goes about 230-240, and is as easy to hit and accurate as a tennis racket. 23 degree loft makes em easy to hit, and straight. Perfect club for a tight or short par 4, or a really long par 3. At that distance, didn’t need a 3 or 5 wood, though this year I’m trying a tour exotic 5 wood to see if I can’t get some par 5s in two, and maybe get just a bit more length on the tricky or short 4s.

Golf books really do help, bought a whole bunch at discount book stores, and the tips on everything sink in after a while, make good sense, teaches you how to fix your game on your own. Without the books, would really need a pro, since some of golf is physics that seem to defy logic...

Don’t know about anyone else, but golf magazines, compared to books, I find completely worthless. Also, they just endlessly tempt you to buy stuff or tinker too much with your swing.

[Rummyfan]

Duvall is the guy most would like to see, make a comeback. How do you go from being that good, to that bad??

It's a very fine line between shooting 66-67 and shooting 72-73. Duval had good club pro scores at The Hope, one or two over. That's a far cry from shooting a 59 in the final round. I just don't think his heart is in it any more.....

[Rummyfan]

I probably played more this past year than the rest of my life combined, and I have really seen some improvement in my game. It’s no longer a shock to par a hole! I can’t wait for winter to be over!

[Professional]

That is strange, as everyone is going to be there other than the Euros. Vijay, Furyk, Choi along with Tiger and Phil...

[Professional]

The first two years I played seriously, I only watched the golf channel, and could not sleep at night without dreaming golf. I guess there are worse things to be addicted to!

The quickest way to good, is the range. “can’t play your way to good” is something I’ve heard from lots of people and it is the darn truth! Then again, I love hitting balls at the range, can do it for hours.

I also found professional golf all of a sudden very interesting. Unlike other pro sports, these guys are not gangsters, slackers, something more honest about the game.

Last weeks Chrysler Bob Hope, and the Champions Tour were both very exciting last day events. I’m almost a bigger fan of the Champions Tour because of the way the Golf Channel covers it, and the characters on that tour. Have been to the Seattle CT stop twice in Snoqualmie, very fun.

[onedoug]

You and me both bump!

[Professional]

Best golf shot, all time. Better than Tiger’s master chip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKcBTaTed0Q&feature=related

[Balata]

“Duvall is the guy most would like to see, make a comeback. How do you go from being that good, to that bad??”

Change your swing!

[andyandval]

That pic is ripe for photoshopping isn't it?

"Hey, Phil. I know why I always kick your ass."

"Why's that, Tiger?"

"You're standing on the wrong side of the ball."

"Oh."

[Publius Valerius]

Duvall is the guy most would like to see, make a comeback. How do you go from being that good, to that bad??

Duval had(s) vertigo. He could hardly even stand up, let alone drive a golf ball. He also has very serious back problems, even worse, I gather, than those that plague Freddie Couples. Only in the last couple of years is he beginning to get back into playing shape.

I hope he continues to do well.

[Rummyfan]

I also found professional golf all of a sudden very interesting. Unlike other pro sports, these guys are not gangsters, slackers, something more honest about the game.

I am a PGA geek! The PGA is one of the last meritocracies in sports: no long term contracts. It's perform or you're out. Look at Steve Stricker: off the Tour three years ago and scrambling for sponsor's exemptions. Look at Robert Gamez: out of the Top 125 last year and now doing the same as Stricker in the past. It's tough. Then there are players whose game leaves them like Duval. Or Baker Finch..... The Tigers and Mickelsons are the exception, most of the rest of the working pros have to grind it out week-to-week.

And I understand about the range - I too have spent a heckuva lot of time there this year.