Golf is in a Very Good Place

While I picked Cabrera-Bello, Thorbjorn Oleson, or Andy Sullivan to win in Dubai, another up and coming Englishman, Danny Willett, grabbed the lead in Dubai with back-to-back 65's.  Cabrera-Bello and Sullivan didn't exactly fall away, with Cabrera -Bello shooting his third consecutive round of 67, to leave him one shot back.   Andy Sullivan posted another 66 to find himself two shots back heading into the final round.

Unfortunately, Ernie Els lost the feel on the greens and fell away, unlikely to be a factor on Sunday.  One has to think that the winner will likely come from the top three players, all of whom are in great form, and all of whom know how to get it done.

Cabrera-Bello looked a little shaky coming in, and probably feels fortunate to only be a shot back.  Andy Sullivan might just feel he has even better golf to play, given the number of makeable putts he has missed so far.  And Willett looks to be in total command of his game, but must sleep on the lead.  It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

Whoever wins tomorrow, the Desert Classic has shown us once again that there is a fine crop of players in Europe, and that we may just see some new faces on this year's European Ryder Cup team.  Both Willett and Sullivan look to be solid candidates, as does Cabrera-Bello if he can hold his current form.  

This year is going to be fun watching them battle it out on the European Tour, because it's not just about the Race to Dubai, it's also about making the Ryder Cup team for the Europeans.  The landscape is changing on both sides of the pond as these young guns are making a name for themselves.  Golf is in a very good place.

Meanwhile, in Scottsdale, Rickie Fowler looks like he might just grab another title, and Phil finds himself in with a shot.  If we ever thought the game was in trouble, with 201 thousand fans in attendance at the Waste Management event, I think we need to think again.  I haven't been this excited about the golf in I don't know when.

And that's just the men.  How about that finish by the ladies in Ocala?  While I love to see our little Canadian girl, Brooke Henderson, playing so well, it was wonderful to see Ha Na Jang break through and win her first LPGA title in style, making birdie on the final hole in those miserable conditions.  

It's just a good thing I have a DVR and an understanding wife.  Because, tomorrow, as it's been the past three days, I'm going to be ensconced in the man cave watching the golf.  It promises to be quite a show.