Global Event Forum Blog

Global Event Forum is in Augusta, GA this week for the Masters Championship.  Here’s a look at what’s going on, more pictures are available on our Facebook page.

Walk along Heath Dr to Gate 9

Gate 9

Friday night at Wild Wing

Tiger winning 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational in dramatic fashion

Tiger Woods played last weekend in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his final tournament before The Masters.

After a mediocre first round, Tiger shot the 9th lowest score (68) Friday, leaving him within striking distance (T12) going into the weekend.

Tiger’s two over par 74 on Saturday was disappointing, but did not rule out *all* hope.  A top-5, certainly top-10, finish was conceivable given a strong Sunday performance…. and until #17, Tiger did his part.

Standing on 17 tee, Tiger was -3 for the round, -4 for the tournament.  Two pars and he’d finish T8 – less than ideal, but respectable for “Tiger standards.”  Instead, he bogeyed the par-3 17th, double bogeyed the par-4 18th, and limped into the clubhouse at -1.  Joining Tiger at -1 (T24) were Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Brian Gay, Charlie Wi, and John Senden.

Next week’s Masters marks the one year anniversary of Tiger’s return to golf from a (very public) five month self-imposed hiatus.  In returning he has displayed flashes of brilliance but struggled to string a complete round together, let alone an entire tournament.  Woods is winless in his last 16 official PGA Tour Events, the longest drought of his career.  He isn’t playing this week so his next appearance will be at Augusta National in The Masters.

Martin Kaymer

Before professional golf’s first major of the year –  The Masters at Augusta National – there are two events that will attract (nearly) all of the world’s top golfers: World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play (Feb 23-27) and World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship (Mar 10-13).

The Match Play Championship began in 1999 and is the only of its kind on the PGA tour.  It’s a fun event and always makes for interesting matchups, here are a few to look for (view complete bracket).

First Round – 2010 Ryder Cup rematch, Ian Poulter v Stewart Cink.  Poulter and Cink did not face each other in Ryder Cup competition but each fared well for his side, winning three of four and two of three points respectively.

Second Round – Young guns, long ball,  Bubba Watson v Dustin Johnson (if both advance).  Two of the most likable and exciting players in professional golf.  Banter between shots will be as entertaining as their 400+ yd drives.

Third Round – pretty ugly, Rory McIlroy v Jim Furyk.  The prettiest swing in golf (McIlroy) versus the ugliest (Furyk).  Reminiscent of a Tiger Woods v Sergio Garcia pairing where Garcia’s obsessive gripping and re-gripping of the club caused Woods to look away when Garcia was at address.

Fourth Round  - oh brother, Francesco Molinari v Edoardo Molanari.  It is unlikely that both will advance this far, but if Francesco can best Lee Westwood and Edoardo beats Steve Stricker, the brothers will face each other in the quarterfinals.

Semifinals – sweet revenge, Rory McIlroy v Tiger Woods.  Prior to the 2010 Ryder Cup McIlroy was asked about Woods and his recent struggles:

I’m sure we’ll probably see [Woods] in Wales.  I would love to face him.  Unless [Wood's] game rapidly improves in the next month or so, I think anyone in the European team would fancy his chances against him.

Needless to say, the young Irishman didn’t pull any punches.  And Woods would love to return the favor in the form of a decisive mano-a-mano victory.

Finals – a changing of the guard, Martin Kaymer v the field.  The 26 year old German phenom is #2 in the World Golf Rankings, but unquestionably playing better golf than anyone in the world.  Depending on Lee Westwood’s performance, a win here could put Kaymer dangerously close to the #1 spot.

Global Event Forum is not offering ticket and travel packages for the World Match Play Championship, but if you’d like to join us at Augusta, a variety of Masters golf ticket and travel packages are available here.

The 2011 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National is eight weeks away.  

This weekend, many top professionals are playing in the Dubai Desert Classic.  Tiger has won the event twice (2006, 2008), and this year is joined by Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy, and Sergio Garcia.

To be clear, Tiger is competing 1) against a strong field, 2) on a course he likes, 3) in Dubai.

Dubai.  Away from throngs of fans and media personnel.  Away from national television.  Away from pressure, distraction, scrutiny, etc, etc.

For all intents and purposes, it’s Tiger v Tiger… or Tiger v the golf course…  or Tiger v 140 professional golfers.  NOT Tiger v the world, the media, or his personal life.  This is one event, maybe the only of the year, where Tiger can simply play golf.  And it may have come at the perfect time.  

After an inauspicious start at Torrey Pines (44th place), Tiger needs something to build his momentum and confidence heading into Augusta.  Now in Dubai, he’s currently tied for 5th, four shots off the lead, with two rounds to play.  This could be it.

The PGA Tour has enjoyed an unprecedented influx of new talent over the past few years.   Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Bubba Watson, and Rickie Fowler have all proven they can compete at the highest level.

But, as the addage goes, to be the best you have to beat the best… and none of  them have… yet.  

No one has beaten Tiger at the top of his game.  Now, finally, there might be a few players good enough to do so (particularly Kaymer, Johnson, and McIlroy).  But, again, none of them have competed against Tiger when he was playing like Tiger.

That could change at this year’s Masters.

Here’s to hoping Tiger builds off of this weekend and comes to Augusta… en fuego.  (Masters golf tickets and packages are available here)

Tiger’s inauspicious start to the 2011 PGA season marked the beginning of TW v3.

TW v3?

Video game?  Personal reformation?  Swing change.

Last season Tiger fired longtime coach Hank Haney and began working with Sean Foley.  This is the second time Tiger has rebuilt his swing as a professional.  The first change came in 2004-2005 when a slumping Tiger moved from Butch Harmon to Hank Haney.

Tiger Woods Swing #1 at 1996 US Amateur

Tiger Woods Swing #2 at 2009 PGA Championship

Now Woods has changed again, working towards a more controlled, repeatable motion.

Tiger Woods Swing #3 2010

Tiger’s 44th place finish at Torrey Pines last week was his worst ever at that venue.  He’s playing in Dubai next weekend and will pick up another three or four events prior to The Masters.

Will his swing be ready?  Will Tiger v3 be relevant at the years first major?  We’ll see, and so will Augusta National.

This weekend Martin Kaymer passed Tiger Woods in the World Golf Rankings by winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.  Woods hasn’t played yet this season, and (technically) could retake the #2 position this weekend at Torrey Pines.

More importantly… what does this mean for this year’s Masters at Augusta National?  Nothing – yet.

But what if?  What if Tiger has a strong showing this weekend?  He has more victories (7) at Torrey Pines than any professional on a single course (Nicklaus won six times at Augusta, Tiger has also won seven at Firestone).

What if Woods carries that momentum into World Golf Championship events and the Arnold Palmer Invitational?  What if he comes to Augusta – for the first time in six years – at the top of his game?  

What if Tiger wins?