Big Play With T.J. Tomasi

Drawing on a tip her coach had given her a few days earlier, Meg
Mallon split the 18th fairway to set up a ho-hum par and win the
U.S. Women's Open

ANALYSIS

Early last week swing coach Mike McGetrick helped Meg Mallon
improve her balance by lowering her right shoulder at address to
stop it from dipping and moving out toward the ball in the
downswing. Their hard work paid off, especially on the 18th tee
on Sunday. Annika Sorenstam had just birdied 18 to cut Mallon's
lead to two, a stream lurked to the right of the fairway and
Johnny Miller was reminding NBC's viewers about Jean Van de
Velde. Unfazed, Mallon maintained her posture and balance while
ripping a drive down the middle--hitting her 20th (out of 28)
fairway of the weekend.

THE TIP

Stay Balanced Under the Gun

Golfers tend to dip forward toward the ball when they're under
pressure. This drill will help you stay in balance. Take a club
that's a little longer than the one you're swinging and lay the
grip against the inside of your right thigh. Hit shots so that
the grip stays in place until after impact, when your thigh
should nudge the club forward so that it falls and lies parallel
to the target line.

AND ANOTHER THING...

"Tiger Woods will never dominate again. The fear factor is gone
and impossible to get back."

******

"I was ticked off when Jack Nicklaus said he wouldn't play in the
U.S. Senior Open and support the Champions tour because he 'just
didn't want to play.' Arnold Palmer would never make such a lame
excuse."

******

"Charles Howell won't become a bona fide star unless he learns
how to putt under pressure, but at age 25 he still has time."

COLOR PHOTO: ERICK W. RASCO (TOMASI, 2)

COLOR PHOTO: COURTESY OF NBC (MALLON)

COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE: ERICK W. RASCO (TOMASI, 2); JIM GUND (BACKGROUND)

T.J. Tomasi teaches at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield,
Conn., and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.