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Sleeper Picks: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
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Spieth relishing opportunity to go head-to-head against ReedSpieth relishing opportunity to go head-to-head against Reed
AUSTIN, Texas — Depending on how things shake out over the next few days, Friday afternoon’s match between Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed could be for the chance to advance out of the group stage at the World Golf Championhsips-Dell Technologies Match Play. Or it could be for pride. Regardless of the scenario, Spieth knows there will be something on the line when the two tee it up. “Even if [the match] doesn’t matter, trust me, it will matter to both of us,” Spieth said with a smile. “… I wish they’d mic us both up, to be honest. I think you all would wish they would mic us both up.” Mic’d up or not, Spieth versus Reed is going to be appointment viewing this week. That’s what happens when you pit two fiery competitors with strong match play records against each other. While this week represents the first time the two Americans have gone head-to-head in match play, they have a history that dates back to the 2013 Wyndham Championship, where Reed bested Spieth in a sudden-death playoff. Spieth later returned the favor at the 2015 Valspar Championship, defeating Reed and Sean O’Hair on the third extra hole. Of course, their history in sudden-death playoffs isn’t what links Spieth and Reed together. The duo is known more for their near-spotless record in team match play where they’ve gone a combined 8-1-3 at the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Spieth said. “[Patrick] has a great match play record. I’ve seen it firsthand when he’s been at his best. It will be an exciting Friday afternoon. I don’t think the trash talk has started. Typically he’s on my team trash talking, not the other side.” Having played on the same team since 2013, Spieth said he’s learned two things over the years from playing with Reed: That he plays best when he’s mad and tends to come up big when he takes a more aggressive approach. The latter he’s tried to implement into his own game at times, particularly during match play where Spieth noted he tends to take more chances instead of paying attention to the score. Justin Thomas, who’s played on teams with both players, echoed Spieth’s comments about Reed match play mentality. He also pointed out that Spieth, one of the fiercest competitors on TOUR, shares some of those same traits as well. It’s likely why the two players have enjoyed so much success together as a team over the last few years. “I think Patrick has made it well-known that he loves to win and he’s very competitive,” Thomas said. “Jordan is the same way, he’s probably just not as outwardly emotional as Patrick is. Patrick gets fired up out there, which is not wrong, everyone has their own thing. “I think they do so well in match play because of their short games. That just wears on an opponent. When you’re hitting it better than your opponent and he keeps getting up and down for par, up and down for par, and then all of a sudden you’re a couple down, you’re like, I’m playing better than this guy, how is he beating me? That can wear on you, and I think over the course of their careers thus far that’s why they’ve done so well in match play.”
What’s really wrong with Tiger Woods? His game, his body or both?What’s really wrong with Tiger Woods? His game, his body or both?
Considering Tiger Woods hasn’t been himself since that Masters win there are some big questions hovering. Only he knows the answers.
No. 22: Pat PerezNo. 22: Pat Perez
THE OVERVIEW By Cameron Morfit, PGATOUR.COM Pat Perez is an overnight success story, 20 years in the making. That explanation makes as much sense as anything else when you delve into why Perez, 41, is just hitting his stride at an age when others start eyeing PGA TOUR Champions eligibility. “I’m such a different person than I was 17 years ago, even like five years ago,â€� Perez said after winning the CIMB Classic in Malaysia on Oct. 15, his second TOUR win in less than a year. “I’m learning how to play the game and learning how to play my own game and stay within myself and that kind of stuff. “I’m a late bloomer.â€� Perez seemed like a can’t-miss kid when he beat Tiger Woods by eight shots in winning the 1993 Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines. But something always got in the way, and today Perez would call that something immaturity. But the tipping point came when he underwent shoulder surgery in March of 2016. He lost his equipment contract, and when he got healthy and received a sponsor’s exemption into the no-cut CIMB Classic nearly eight months later, he was determined to prove the doubters wrong and make the most of his second chance. He did. Perez knocked the rust off at TPC Kuala Lumpur to start his 2017 season; finished T7 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas; and won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. The rest is history.   Newly eligible for all four majors, the World Golf Championships and the TOUR Championship, Perez did have one unchecked box on his to-do list last season: He failed to make the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Oh, well. There’s no sense in peaking too early. Now that he’s in full bloom, he should have plenty of other opportunities. BY THE NUMBERS How Pat Perez ranked in Strokes Gained statistics during his last full season on the PGA TOUR. FEDEXCUP Current 2017-18 position: 2nd Playoff appearances: 10 TOUR Championship appearances: 1 Best result: 15th (2017) INSIGHTS FROM THE INSIDERS PGATOUR.COM’s Insiders offer their expert views on what to expect from Pat Perez in 2018. TOUR INSIDER by Ben Everill How can you not love the renaissance that is Pat Perez? Seemingly left for dead by fans and sponsors once a shoulder injury derailed him 18 months ago, Perez has pulled himself off the canvas with two wins inside a 12-month period. The OHL Classic win last fall kick-started it all but the CIMB Classic win this fall might have been even more impressive. Perez refuses to ride into the sunset quietly. He’s primed to teach the youngsters a few more lessons yet. FANTASY INSIDER by Rob Bolton As much as he’s rewritten expectations not to dismiss a 41-year-old post-shoulder surgery, he’s reminded us that some molds are unique. How apropos. The three-time PGA TOUR winner who happily beats to his own drum aligns exceptionally well with the counterculture that exists in fantasy sports. You want him on your team and you need him on your team. Best of all, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. EQUIPMENT INSIDER by Jonathan Wall Perez added the company’s 0341X 3-wood the week he won the CIMB Classic, as he liked the penetrating ball flight it produced during testing. Only member of PXG’s staff playing the company’s game-improvement 0311XF model (3-4), in addition to 0311 mid and short irons (5-PW). Prefers the bounce and offset the XF model provides. STYLE INSIDER by Greg Monteforte Perez marches to his own beat. This is reflected in his unique style. His William Murray Golf threads, Jordan kicks, flat brim lids, and long, flowing hair help him to stand out from the crowd. You do you, Pat.