Big Play WITH MIKE LOPUSZYNSKI

Jennifer Rosales's swing isn't pretty at the top, but it's
picture perfect where it counts, as she proved by stiffing a
wedge at 14 to clinch her first LPGA win

ANALYSIS

Jennifer Rosales looks like a 20 handicapper at the top of her
backswing, where her club is laid off and way off plane. But
Rosales's swing illustrates that not being textbook perfect at
the top doesn't doom you to a poor result. What's important is to
have a smooth and technically sound transition to the downswing
to set up your move into the ball. Rosales's transition is
perfect. Her move down begins with her lower body, and she keeps
her head still and her hands passive. That's how she can pull off
shots such as the wedge to three feet that set up her winning
birdie at the Chick-fil-A.

THE TIP

USE YOUR HEAD ON THE TRANSITION

To practice making a smooth transition from the backswing to the
downswing, have a friend rest the grip end of a club on your
head. Take your club back to the top, stop, then swing down in
slow motion until your hands are waist high. Do that a few times,
feeling your lower body--the hips, legs and feet--shifting toward
the target as your head stays still and your hands remain
passive. Then hit a few teed-up balls, repeating the motion.

AND ANOTHER THING...

"David Duval will be another Ian Baker Finch--a pro who is off
the Tour for good only a few years after winning the British
Open."

******

"Because fans only care to watch the stars, the Tour should cut
the exempt list to 60 and have 40-man fields at every event
except the majors."

******

"Jay Haas should quit the PGA Tour for the Champions tour. Guys
over 50 have a short window of opportunity, and Haas needs to
dominate while he can."

COLOR PHOTO: ERICK RASCO

COLOR PHOTO: COURTESY OF ESPN (ROSALES)

COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE: ERICK RASCO/JIM GUND (BACKGROUND)

Lopuszynski teaches at Hudson National Golf Club in
Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.