News & Tours
The difference-making shot in Phil and Keegan's win over Rory and Sergio
By Jim Moriarty
GLENEAGLES, Scotland -- Keegan Bradley's eagle on the 16th
might have been the momentum swing that put the U.S. on the path to
stealing a full point in Friday morning four-ball, and in the process
taking down Captain Tom Watson's No. 1 target of value, the world's best
player, Rory McIlroy. But Bradley's third shot on the 18th was nearly
as crucial in a intricuate, match-play sort of way.
McIlroy
and Bradley both hit their drives well left on the final hole with
their respective partners, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson, perfectly
positioned in the fairway. McIlroy drew a horrendous lie and could only
manage to leave himself a lengthy third shot into a tightly tucked pin.
Bradley, however, was able to get a fairway metal on his ball, and his
second shot finished just short of the bunkers fronting the green. Both
were equally horrible tee shots, but had critically different outcomes.
When it came time for Garcia and Mickelson to play, Garcia lost his approach right into the rough while Mickelson hit a low, boring 4-iron into the front bunker. McIlroy's third, then, found the bunker, too, while Bradley's pitch over the bunkers finished five feet right of the hole. Advantage U.S.
Because Bradley was already in tight for birdie, and Mickelson was lying 2 in the bunker, Garcia was forced to attempt a perfect shot from a difficult lie. It came up scarcely a foot short and fell diabolically back into the bunker. With the Europeans now struggling to make a par, Mickelson delivered a beautiful, high bunker shot to three feet. As it turned out, that was critical as well, as Bradley would miss his birdie but Mickelson would roll his in to secure the win and give Americans the 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 edge in the opening day's morning session.
People like to talk about the vagaries of match play, but it's the nuances that are equally intriguing.
Photo: Getty Images
McIlroy
and Bradley both hit their drives well left on the final hole with
their respective partners, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson, perfectly
positioned in the fairway. McIlroy drew a horrendous lie and could only
manage to leave himself a lengthy third shot into a tightly tucked pin.
Bradley, however, was able to get a fairway metal on his ball, and his
second shot finished just short of the bunkers fronting the green. Both
were equally horrible tee shots, but had critically different outcomes.When it came time for Garcia and Mickelson to play, Garcia lost his approach right into the rough while Mickelson hit a low, boring 4-iron into the front bunker. McIlroy's third, then, found the bunker, too, while Bradley's pitch over the bunkers finished five feet right of the hole. Advantage U.S.
Because Bradley was already in tight for birdie, and Mickelson was lying 2 in the bunker, Garcia was forced to attempt a perfect shot from a difficult lie. It came up scarcely a foot short and fell diabolically back into the bunker. With the Europeans now struggling to make a par, Mickelson delivered a beautiful, high bunker shot to three feet. As it turned out, that was critical as well, as Bradley would miss his birdie but Mickelson would roll his in to secure the win and give Americans the 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 edge in the opening day's morning session.
People like to talk about the vagaries of match play, but it's the nuances that are equally intriguing.
Photo: Getty Images
No comments:
Post a Comment