NATIONWIDE TOUR
Compton Wins Mexico City Open on Pure Heart
Folks, I’m starting this week with the Nationwide Tour because this very well may be the story of the year. Many athletes pound there chest after pulling off a heroic comeback or breakthrough win. Eric Compton has ‘em all trumped. He won this week on his 3rd heart!
It was a Disney Movie like ending when Compton, who has endured a major heart attack and two heart transplants, won the Mexico City Open. He has been featured on HBO’s Inside Sports, ABC News, and many others. Eric, age 31, had his first transplant at 12, and after a heart attack just 5 years ago, he sold his golf clubs and quit the game.
Capping off his comeback, Eric entered the final round of the Mexico Open trailing by 2 shots and swiftly fired a 65. What’s more, is he had to play 25 holes on Sunday because the tournament was delayed by storms.
"To win this is everything to me, I never thought I'd play golf again - at least not at this level. “
Source: Sun-Sentinel
Next time you get upset over missing a three foot putt, or you decide to sit out because you have a sore knee, I want you to think of this Eric Compton. He’s a real Tiger. Ahem.. (Yes, I did just go there.)
Next up: Chiquita Classic, TPC River’s Bend, Maineville, OH, July 14-17, Defend Champ. Tommy Gainey
PGA TOUR
Swedish Seve Finally Breaks Through
Another 1st timer on the PGA Tour: Swede, Fredrik Jacobson broke through shooting 66 on Sunday at the Travelers Championship beating John Rollins and Ryan Moore by one stroke.
In his 8th year on tour, the 36-year-old has been expecting this for awhile. After all, he’s won three times on the European Tour.
“The Swedish Seve,” as he’s known over the pond, is a fun guy to watch play golf because his swing looks more like that drunk guy who joined your group at the muni course. And if you’ve never heard him interviewed, his bass voice sounds like a 200 lb. bull-frog.
Tiger Declawed
Tiger Woods, the former host of the AT&T National (until he became the host of the front page of TMZ) will be making an appearance at Aronimink Golf Club to shake some hands and kiss some babies. Perhaps that will get some people out to see this event in Phili’ which is also being skipped by many pros that are gearing up for the British in a few weeks. Those who are showing up for some cheese-steaks are: Nick Watney (#15), K.J. Choi (16, Player’s Champion winner), Jim Furyk (19), Hunter Mahan (20) and Adam Scott (21, and with Tiger’s Looper, Steve Williams).
Next up: AT&T National @ Aronimink Golf Club, Phili, PA., June 30-July 3, Golf Channel/CBS, Defend Champ. Justin Rose
LPGA TOUR
“Hey Rory, Call Me!”
In the wake of Rory Mcllroy’s runaway victory in the open last week, 22-year-old, Yani Tseng starred in her own domination of the ladies this week. The #1 ranked golfer won the LPGA Championship by 10 strokes and became the youngest to win 4 majors.
She shot 66 at Locust Hill Country Club and her four day total of -19, 269 matches the record low score at a major. Runner up was Morgan Pressel, followed by Suzanne Pettersen and Paula Creamer sharing 3rd.
Lucky for her, the next major is only a couple weeks away: The Ladies US Open. This is the only major she hasn’t won.
I don’t know if she has a boyfriend or not, but she doesn’t need Match.com to tell her Rory is her perfect man. What d’ya say, Rory?... Hit up her digits.
Next up: US Women’s Open, The Broadmoor, East Course, Colorado Springs, CO, July 7-July 10, Defend Champ. Paula Creamer
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Huston Captures Dick’s
And finally, John Huston was a first time winner on the Geezer tour firing a 65 on Sunday to win the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open. Huston benefitted from Mark Wiebe’s meltdown. Wiebe who won the last Champion’s event suffered a 3-hole senior moment when he strung a trifecta of bogeys together.
Walking off the green, the usually steady Wiebe was asked if the pressure affected him. Weibe replied, “You kids get off my lawn!”
Next up: Montreal Championship, Club de Golf Fontainebleau, July 1 – July 3, Golf Channel, Defend Champ. Larry Mize
Until next week, hit it, go find it, and then hit it again.