Walter Hagen and the Cap

Walter Hagen was meticulous about his clothing. He wrote: "I always chose my clothes with extreme care... selecting the finest in fabrics and with strict attention to harmonizing colors. After my first appearance at Brookline and Chicago in the wild-striped silk shirt, red rubber-soled shoes, whit rolled-cuff pants and an eye-socking plaid cap, I never again went in for loud colors. I liked shades of browns, grays, blues or black and white combinations. Since that plaid cap of 1913, I've never worn or owned a hat."

Now adays the Haig would lose a great deal of sponsor money if he didn't wear a sponsor-logoed hat of some description. In his book The Walter Hagen Story, Hagen did speak of one particular incident where he did put on a cap--at least for one shot in particular. Hagen writes:

    "I did, however, borrow a cap temporarily during the last round of the PGA at Dallas in1927. I was playing against Tommy Armour, and had him 4 down going to the thirteenth hole. All during the tournament I'd been closely followed by my caddie on one side and a most enthusiastic young boy about twelve years old on the other side. As I squinted at my ball before taking my second shot, I remarked to my caddie, 'This is one time I wish I had a cap.'

     Immediately my young golf fan stepped forward and very politely offered his cap--a baseball type, peanut-size cap with his school insigne on the bill. It was just about big enough to shade my right eye and I wore it cocked precariously when I made my shot on the green. The gallery got a laugh when it almost dropped off onto my ball, but I got the shot away. I then walked over, thanked the youngster and assured him I'd never have made the green without his cap. I won the match from Armour 5 and 4.

     A dozen years later, in 1939, at Pomonok Country Club at Flushing, Long Island, I was playing in the lower half of the PGA Championship against Tony Manero. When I had holed my ball on the home green, a very charming lady stepped over and introduced herself as Byron Nelson's mother. She reminded me of the small boy who had followed me so diligently around the course at Dallas in 1927 and whise cap I had borrowed.

    'That youngster was my son, Byron,' she told me."

The Haig wrote that he hoped he had given Byron some of the inspiration that led to his becoming one of "our top ranking golfers." I reckon he probably did. 

2017 Wish List

Prior to the Olympics I was really bullish on Jordan Spieth. Unfortunately, When he, McIlroy, DJ, and Day decided not to go to Rio, I was turned off the lot of them. I could not respect their decision not to go. It was not, in my opinion, a decision made for the good of the game. 

As a result, I have started rooting for some terrific players who did go. First of all, I'm rooting for Rickie Fowler, who has both style and substance, and a natural move I'd be happy to imitate. I hope 2017 finally brings him a Major. 

I also continue to follow Henrik Stenson. The big Swede might just have played the greatest final round ever played in a Major at St Andrews. I think he has the best swing in golf, and I hope the next year brings him another Major; just to prove that St Andrews was no fluke, in case anyone actually thought it was, and to prove that the older boys can still get it done.

I'd also love to see Patrick Reed break through and get his Major. I've always liked the way he plays the game. And the Ryder Cup proved that he has the right stuff. He may come across as a bit cocky, but he's got the game to back it up.

Finally, I hope Matsuyama wins a Major to be the first Japanese player to win one. This kid is sensational. I love guys who play their own game, and swing their own swing, not relying on teachers to hold their hand. 

I know I said, "Finally," but I have one last wish. I hope the Internationals win the President's Cup. They put on a great show last time, and although it was nice to see Bill Haas deliver the winning point for his dad, we really need the Internationals to get it done for the good of the competition. If the Internationals can't get a win, the President's Cup will become a ho hum event like the Ryder Cup was until they let the Europeans bolster the British players and make it an exciting contest.

So, here it is: Rickie Fowler wins the Open. Matsuyama wins the Masters. Henrik wins the US Open. And Reed wins the PGA Championship. Oh yeah, I also hope Tiger plays well and stays healthy. Those are my hopes for 2017. What are yours?

It's the Fiddler

Well, Tiger Woods managed to play 72 holes against a really strong field. While his first tournament was in a limited field, with no cut, it was against a bunch of thoroughbreds. If he was going to embarrass himself, he picked the right field to do it in. He was, after all, playing against eleven of the top twenty players in the world.

While he looked like the Tiger of old with some of his iron shots, he drove it poorly, putted okay, but was not bullet-proof from six feet like he was when he was the best, and he made too many mental mistakes. I'm sure he gave his fans a few things to feel optimistic about. I'm not, however, convinced that he will be happy with his play. He finished poorly every day but one--his second round 65. Not only did he make bogeys, he made several doubles. He must be disappointed; especially with that final round--the highest round of the tournament.

After two days, I thought, here we go. Tiger really is back. Now, it's obvious that he has a long way to go. We saw some good stuff from him--hell, he led the field in birdies--but there is nothing in what we saw that would have Jack worrying about his Major record quite yet. 

They say the three most important clubs are the driver, the wedge, and the putter--not necessarily in that order. Tiger's driving, especially as he tried to finish the rounds off, let him down. His wedge game was okay, but nothing to write home about, and his putting was not remotely like it was when he was knocking off Majors at a high rate of speed.

Gene Sarazen said that the first thing to go is your putting. He may be right. When the putts start lipping out, and the four footers start looking easy to miss, the game changes. It affects your confidence in a big way. There was a time when a six footer was pretty much a sure thing for Tiger. That's simply no longer the case. 

Raymond Floyd said the six foot putt was the most important shot in golf. I think he's right. And, for now at least, Tiger is a long way from being where he once was when standing over a six footer. Can he get the magic back? He's got the right putter. But, as they say, "It ain't the fiddle. It's the fiddler."

Patrick Reed in Pink

I noticed that Patrick Reed, who usually sports the Tiger red and black on Sundays is resplendant in a pink shirt. Patrick is clearly rendering due respect to Tiger. That's the thing with Tiger. Whether you love him or not, you have to give him his due. What he has already accomplished in the game sets him up there in the pantheon of golf's greatest players.

Whether Tiger deserves the title of the greatest ever often depends on who you grew up idolizing. For me it was Jack. For those who saw Bobby Jones, or Harry Vardon, or Sam Snead play, they might put forth the argument that those guys could have taken on the big cat and won. The argument is really pointless because they all came from different generations. All any golfer can do is beat the guys he's playing against, and Tiger has done that in spades.

We talk about his fourteen Majors, but what about World Golf Championships? Tiger has totally dominated when playing against the strongest fields in golf. Compared to his contemporaries, Tiger's record makes that of even the best if his rivals pale in comparison. It's simply no contest.

I have enjoyed Tiger's return. I've enjoyed seeing him play well. And I've enjoyed watching him smile and interact so well with the other players and the media. Whether he wins another five Majors, as he believes he can, or whether he never wins another tournament, you just have to give the man his due. He may not be the GOAT, depending on your point of view, but he is definitely the greatest of his generation. And, in the end that's all you can do.

Patrick Reed understands that red and black belongs to Tiger. It will be interesting to see whether, with Tiger back in the fray, he will become the man in pink and black on Sundays. I prefer pink anyway. Real men wear pink.

To Pause or Not to Pause

Watching Hideki Matsuyama put on a show in the Bahamas at Tiger's Hero World Challenge, we see a swing unlike any on the tour that I can think of. That distinct pause at the top of the backswing is not something we see very often. Obviously, the pause works for Matsuyama. How about for the rest of us?

Sam Snead liked to see a pause at the top. I believe Bobby Jones liked it as well. On the other hand, Jack Nicklaus was dead against the idea. It's obviously a personal choice. What is important, as Bobby Jones taught, is getting in the position on the backswing where we feel capable, and ready, to strike the ball. 

The problem for many of us, especially when under pressure, is that we are in a hurry to hit the shot. We don't complete our backswing, and we often lurch at the ball. I think that pause at the top might be a good thing to try, but only if you can start the downswing smoothly with everything working together. 

Then again, what the hell do I know? The Slammer and Bobby Jones like the idea. So there must be some merit in it. Jack doesn't think it's a good idea for most of us. Obviously, given Matsuyama's great play, it works for some. However, the real issue is making certain you get yourself in a position on the backswing where you feel capable of striking the ball as you wish. That, as Bobby Jones said, is the only purpose of the backswing.

I wonder how many Japanese are trying to imitate Matsuyama's swing. It may just become a very popular move if Matsuyama keeps doing what he's doing between the ropes.

Tiger Goes Bogey Free

Thank heaven you can record Golfchannel programming. Is it just me, or does Golfchannel force us to watch more commercials than actual program content? You see two or three shots, then "let's break to commercials." It's painful.

Today I feared we might be seeing perhaps the worst case scenario when it comes to Tiger's return. He found himself playing alone--the last man in the field after Justin Rose decided his back was too bad to continue. Tiger must have been extremely disappointed. He must also have been concerned that he could find himself playing alone for the remainder of the tournament if he didn't continue making birdies and eliminate the bogeys. But then, that's how I would be thinking. I'm not Tiger Woods.

Well, seven birdies and no bogeys has pretty much eliminated the possibility that Tiger will find himself at the back of the pack. The biggest moment for me was when he holed that long putt to save par on sixteen. By his reaction, I think it was a huge moment for Tiger as well. He well knows the importance of saving pars.

Tiger may not win this week, but he hasn't embarrassed himself. When you watch guys like Bubba, DJ, and JB Holmes overpower the golf course, you still have wonder whether Tiger has the physical equipment left to run with those guys. But at least we know he can still make a score. And, in the end, it's only the score that counts.

Tiger and the Driver

El Tigre made his first competitive start in the Bahamas today at the Hero World Challenge--in case anyone hasn't heard. There was some good stuff and some not-so-good stuff. The good news is he didn't finish last in the eighteen man field. The bad news is he was second to last after double bogies on two of his last three holes. It was a tale of two nines.

All in all, Tiger looked pretty decent. Going out in 33 he had us wondering. Coming home in 40, it seems that he's still got a way to go. The problem club continues to be the driver. It cost him again today. Whether it's the driver, as one announcer suggested, or whether it's the guy driving that's the problem, only time will tell. 

Tiger looks lean. He looks pretty loose. I like that his swing seems to be more upright and less violent. His irons were pretty darn good. It's just that driver. It really has been his nemesis. Greg Norman, one of the game's greatest drivers had some advice that I think might be applicable to Tiger's situation when he said:"If you can't hit the driver, don't."

I have always maintained that had Tiger used a hot three wood, like Henrik Stenson, instead of hitting a driver, he would have been pretty much unbeatable. So, while the start wasn't too bad, I would have two suggestions, not that I'm anyone someone like Tiger would, or should, listen to. I'd suggest he listen to the Shark's advice, and that he get the specs on that three wood Henrik is using.

Anyway, it is nice to see a smiling Tiger Woods back playing. I hope he keeps smiling and enjoys his time competing from now on. Let's face it; it isn't like he has anything left to prove; other than maybe to himself.