Golf Talk

Both tournaments take place on desert courses.

The Bob Hope Classic Hosted by Arnold Palmer is underway and shooting way under par is all the rage this year. The first day’s low round was a holy moley 61 by Pat Perez (an eagle, ten birdies and one bogey). But then there were twelve golfers shooting under 65 that day, so yeah, conditions must be perfect. Notables among that group were Mike Weir and Ben Crane (both on my fantasy team this week), in addition to Bubba Watson, Briny Baird and Chris DiMarco.

However, the second round was not quite so kind to those doing well after round one. Pat Perez kept on trucking, though, shooting nine birdies for a 63. Lots of guys shot 63 that day, too, including Stephen Ames and Tom Pernice, Jr.

Third round action: Steve Stricker shot an impressive 11 under to move up from a tie for 18th to second at 2 behind the leader, which is still, ta dah, Pat Perez. And that is after Perez only shot a measely 4 under. So he could be rocking a considerable lead if he shot anywhere near what he shot the first two days, but he is still the guy to beat this week.

Meanwhile on the European Tour, Louis Oosthuizen (at left) is leading the…deep breath…Commercialbank Qatar Masters Presented by Dolphin Energy. Geez, I feel bad for the engraver.

Some of the bigger European names are at the Qatar Masters in Doha, Qatar. My favorite golfer, Sergio Garcia has shot consecutive 70’s to go 4 under. Unfortunately for my fiery Spaniard, the leader is at 12 under, so i am not sure if Garcia will be able to make up that many strokes, but crazier things have happened and that guy is totally capable of going six or even seven under on any given day. I heart him.

Another Spaniard and another fav, Miguel Angel Jimenez, is at 7 under, after blowing the lead after shooting 66 in the first round. He shot a 71, 1 under today. Round One co-leader Henrik Stenson fell apart and shot par today, and slipped to a tie for 6th. I know, it’s really hard to say the guy “fell apart” while shooting par. Besides, it’s only the second day, so who knows. Stenson is good and could totally make up for his lack of birdies today.

Aaron Baddeley is tied with Garcia at 4 under. Lee Westwood is also in that group. Ernie Els is at 3 under. Retief Goosen is at 2 under. Adam Scott just made the cut at 1 under. Justin Rose missed the cut, too. And finally, the lone Americans, Brandt Snedeker and Boo Weekley did not fare well in Qatar, also failing to make the cut.

Maybe you should have worn a turban there, Boo?

PGA, Tour, golf, Bob Hope Classic, Arnold Palmer, Qatar Masters, Pat Perez, Mike Weir, Ben Crane, Bubba Watson, Briny Baird, Chris DiMarco, Steve Striker, Stephen Ames, Tom Pernice, Jr, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Henrik Stenson, Aaron Baddeley, Retief Goosen, Lee Westwood, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Justin Rose, brandt Snedeker, Boo Weekley