Augusta natural: Spieth upstages Tiger’s return

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Kevin Streelman and PGA TOUR rookie Beau Hossler each had a 7-under 65 on different golf courses in the same splendid weather and shared the lead after one round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Dustin Johnson shot a 67 at Spyglass Hill without any stress Thursday, not that he ever shows any. Rory McIlroy made his tournament debut with a scrappy finish to salvage a 68. McIlroy played alongside Phil Mickelson, who shot 31 on the back nine at Spyglass for a 69. Warm, sun and virtually no wind made the Monterey Peninsula feel even more idyllic than it already is, and the scoring conditions were perfect. Among those who couldn’t take advantage was defending champion Jordan Spieth. He made one birdie, one bogey and 16 pars at Spyglass.

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Bravo! Bravissimo! Just weeks ago, Italian Francesco Molinari broke a 70-year drought by winning on the PGA TOUR at the Quicken Loans National and now he has upstaged himself with his Claret Jug claiming efforts. Welcome to the Monday Finish where Molinari became the first Italian to win a major championship, continuing a serious purple patch of form with his efforts at Carnoustie. A healthy congratulations also to Troy Merritt, who needed an actual Monday finish to win the Barbasol Championship. FIVE OBSERVATIONS 1. The search for the perfect golf swing has been going on since before Thomas Kincaid tried to master it, and write it down, in 1687. Through the times of Old and Young Tom Morris. Past the likes of Harry Vardon, Walter Hagan, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. Into the era of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. And, of course, it continued through Tiger Woods and the plethora of young talent we see before us now. The reality is – there is no perfect swing. But if you find one that works – and you can replicate it often – you just might make something of yourself at this game. Francesco Molinari’s ball-striking of late has been downright incredible. Many of us would wish for that sort of consistency in our game for just one round. The way in which his swing held up on Sunday as Carnoustie showed some of its infamous teeth was incredible. The only player in the field to go bogey-free on Sunday (he also was blemish-free on Saturday!), his 2-under 69 deserved the reward. The first Italian to win a major. Incredible stuff. It came not long after he destroyed the field at the Quicken Loans National. That week Molinari had a birdie putt from inside 20 feet on 40 of his 72 holes. (55.6 percent). Insanity. While distance has clearly changed the game and been advantageous to big athletes, it is great to see measured accuracy can still flourish. Now Molinari missed plenty of fairways at Carnoustie … but it was generally by mere fractions and not into dangerous bunkers or deep rough. His last six starts worldwide now include three wins and two seconds. If he keeps replicating that swing of his there is no telling when this run might end. 2. While his mechanics are one thing, you also have to pay special tribute to Molinari’s mental toughness. Sunday produced one of the all-time great final rounds in terms of entertainment. Tougher winds and pin placements meant the difficulty of Carnoustie came out. And with a history of players coming from behind at the venue fresh in everyone’s minds there were multiple challengers. There were stumbles from the guys out front, including the defending champion Jordan Spieth. There were charges – from the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, no less. At one point a six-man playoff for the Claret Jug looked extremely plausible. But amongst all this hysteria and roars, Molinari stayed calm. Playing with Woods he could have easily been pulled into the madness. For a good stretch it appeared Woods was about to produce history. Woods pulled ahead of the Italian early in the round. Others might have tried to chase him. Molinari stayed steady. And Woods, like the others, dropped a few shots. The game plan never wavered. The pressure mounted but – at least on the outside – Molinari showed no signs of feeling it. That’s a special type of human. 3. If you haven’t been converted to the side that says Woods can win again – you’re too tough. Two early birdies on Sunday and the golf world was heading for meltdown. Woods joined the lead, then held it alone. Most likely vintage Woods – the guy who notched up 79 PGA TOUR wins – puts the hammer down from there. But this version still has some kinks. Woods used to be able to recover from his bad shots. But a double bogey on the 11th hole was a killer blow and when followed by a bogey the dream became a long shot. But hey, perspective still needs to be maintained. A year ago you would have received better odds on Woods never playing an Open again as opposed to leading on Sunday in one. His return from back surgery continues to take strides upward. And his T6 finish was enough to have him sneak into the field at the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. He has won there eight times. Maybe this was all part of the script … a farewell to Akron with a famous victory anyone? 4. As always, there can only be one winner and the list of those who got very close was long in Scotland. Along with Woods having his chance, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele tied second. Kevin Chappell could’ve stolen it. Jordan Spieth let it slip. We tend to overanalyze the guys who don’t win. Point out what they could’ve done. But all of the contenders added to the incredible story this week. Rose had to birdie the last on Friday to make the cut so his weekend was superb. McIlroy had early stumbles Sunday so we shifted focus elsewhere … then, as true champions do, he eagled the 14th and announced his intentions. Kisner had bunker troubles early but he never gave up, showing fighting spirit. It was similar for Schauffele, who could have given up when he dropped four shots in three holes. Instead, last season’s TOUR Championship winner fought back and showed the future is bright. Spieth’s Sunday 76 was the most deflating. But his form hasn’t been great this season so it wasn’t too shocking. Instead, let’s hope the former FedExCup champ takes the positives out of the week and surges forward. 5. While the fight for the Jug was going on in Scotland in near perfect weather, the Barbasol Championship faced multiple weather delays that stretched into Monday. The opposite field events are always critical for so many players looking to keep their FedExCup hopes alive and Troy Merritt was no exception. Since claiming a breakout win at the 2015 Quicken Loans National, Merritt had been unable to truly kick on like he would have preferred. He was 56th in the FedExCup that year but then barely snuck into the Playoffs the season after. Last year he slumped to 151st and had to fight his way back via the Web.com Finals. Entering this week he sat 131st just looking to surge his way into the top 125. Now he’s projected to 65th and has a two-year exemption. His poise under the gun down the stretch was impressive as multiple players tried to run him down. FIVE INSIGHTS 1. In the space of 21 days, Molinari moved from 123rd to 7th in the FedExCup. 2. Molinari averaged 307.37 yards off the tee and hit just 26 of 60 fairways. But he was able to hit 48 of 72 greens. He needed just 111 putts for his four rounds and three-putted just once. 3. It was Molinari’s third win in last six starts worldwide. (Won – The Open Championship; T2 – John Deere Classic; Won – Quicken Loans National; T25 – U.S. Open; 2nd – Italian Open; Won – BMW PGA Championship) 4. The last three Open Championship winners at Carnoustie have trailed going into the final round (Francesco Molinari – three back in 2018; Padraig Harrington – six back in 2007; Paul Lawrie – 10 back in 1999). 5. Rory McIlroy now owns top-five results, including victory in 2014, in his last four appearances at The Open. (T2 2018, T4 2017, T5 2016, Won 2014). Also posted a T3 in 2010, giving him top fives in half of his 10 starts.

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