The Presidents Cup - Day 2

Wow, now that's excitement! The players, some down to the wire golf, the wet and wild fun! Today was an all around winner with some great golf out-of-the gate from the International Team. Thanks to some great play from Mike Weir and Ernie Els, the International Team closed the deficit to within 2 points from the 5 they were down at the start of the day. Weir's play in particular was a stand out, making 7 birdies and carrying the duo most of the day. Weir and Els were notably lifted from the incredible support of the hometown fans.

For the American Team, Woody Austin made the biggest splash of the day with his inspired play and deft ability as an aquatic athlete. The dip did nothing to cool his great play, finishing with 3 birdies on the home holes. Being a rookie at age 43, Austin makes it clear that he is leaving nothing out on the course.



The only question remaining is; Is it Weir and Woods or Woody that are headed for a collision on Sunday? And will it deliver what we are all hoping for?

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

The Presidents Cup

After a long wait and little media attention here in Toronto and the GTA, The Presidents Cup has arrived. Day one proved to be a challenge for the International Team, playing on a course that is decidedly more North American for the host team than European and in a city, Montreal, that has the most European flare on this continent.

Home-country favourite, Mike Weir along with partner Vijay Singh, posted the only half point for the International Team with a conceded putt on the 18th hole. With Captain Jack Nicklaus standing close by, the conceded putt may have been more showmanship then sportsmanship. We can't have our local hero shut-out on the first day.

"I want the Canadian fans to treat the International Team like the Canadian hockey team," assistant captain Ian Baker-Finch said Wednesday. "We are 12 Canadians this week". I am sure that in Montreal as in any city here, we will not disappoint.



Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com

It's the Play-Offs

It's the finals and as you could have guessed Tiger Woods is in the point lead for the Fed-Ex Cup. Congratulations to the PGA Tour for pulling off what I thought to be difficult, creating excitement with both the fans and players in the late season. Known in the past as the second season for the lack of stars and the race of the unknowns to get their tour cards for the following season. Golf needs this kind of a conclusion to stay competitive with the big 3 sports in North America, Baseball, Football and Basketball. An honourable mention to the NHL of course, although huge here at home, not so south of the border.

Surprising the the race is close with Steve Sticker a little more than 3000 points away and the colourful and unpredictable Phil Mickelson just 4000 points behind. Mickelson produced a fantastic performance head-to-head with Tiger during his victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship. In Phil fashion he promptly took the next week off. A vacation well deserved, but no rest for the world's # 1 Tiger Woods, who is pursuing another first, to have his named engraved on the Fedex Cup.

Mark Sharpe

sharpe.golf[at]gmail.com