Big Play with Mark Wood
WHO: AdamScott
WHAT: 20-footputt to get up and down for par
WHERE: 453-yardpar-4 17th hole at East Lake
WHEN: Final roundof the Tour Championship
WHY
It's been apopular refrain since Adam Scott turned pro in 2000: He has Tiger Woods's swingbut not his putting stroke. But Scott found some flat-stick magic while winningthe Tour Championship. He led the field in putts per round (27.8) because hereleased the putter head on long putts, giving him better distance control,which in turn allowed him to make a few bombs, including thetournament-clincher at 17.
MARK'S TIP
Up Against a WallFor a Proper Release
To practice aproper release, take your stance with the top of your head against a wall. Thatforces you to keep your head still while you move your hands, arms andshoulders during the stroke. As you swing, make sure the butt end of the putterpoints at your belly button, especially during the follow-through (inset).Doing so helps maintain the proper radius between you and the butt end.
Mark Wood teachesat Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J.
... AND ANOTHERTHING
"Paul Azingeris a wonderful choice for Ryder Cup captain, but he alone won't change theoutcome. To win, the American team must unite the way the Euros do."
Tis the Season toBe Silly
The end of theTour Championship signals the start of Silly Season, two months of made-for-TVevents during which Tour players load up on unofficial but very real money. Forthe golf junkie, the Silly Season is a lifeline that connects November toJanuary, but not all silly competitions are created equal. Here's the scheduleof events, a summary, and a watchability rating, from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Event | Description | Ratings |
Nov. 10--12 Merrill Lynch Shootout USA/CBS | Greg Norman hosts, so there are big names among the12 two-player teams and plenty of birdies to spice it up. | 3 |
Nov. 21--22 PGA Grand Slam of Golf TNT | Majors winners (Geoff Ogilvy, Woods) on a 36-holeHawaiian vacation. Mike Weir replaces Phil Mickelson, while Jim Furyk fills outthe foursome. | 2 1/2 |
Nov. 25--26 LG Skins Game ABC | Stephen Ames, Fred Couples, John Daly, Fred Funk.Lots of dead time as the foursome plays nine in 21/2 hours. | 2 |
Nov. 30--Dec. 3 Del Webb Father/Son ChallengeNBC | The pros love this event. The dads want to play wellfor the sons, and the sons really want to impress their dads. | 4 |
Dec. 7--10 WGC-Barbados World Cup ESPN/ABC | Two-man teams from 24 countries. Stewart Cink andJ.J. Henry represent the U.S. | 3 |
Dec. 14--17 Target World Challenge USA/ABC | The atmosphere is almost as relaxed as the golf,which can get sloppy, as tournament host Woods and 15 friends tee it up. | 2 |
Dec. 23--24 Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge ABC | The top three players from the Champions, LPGA andPGA tours duke it out in a one-day team competition. | 2 1/2 |
Dec. 30--31 ADT Skills Challenge NBC | Punt, Pass and Kick for golfers. Watch the playershit fades, draws and other creative shots. | 5 |
>>>ANSWERS <<<
Who Am I? ... D)Heather Daly-Donofrio (left)
Trivia SteveHaskins played in 369 Nationwide tour events from 1990 through 2005, winningthe 1991 New England Classic and the 2001 Ozarks Open.
GOLF MAGAZINE TOP100
TEACHERS POLL
Did Tiger Woodshave an obligation to play in the Tour Championship?
Yes ... 57%
No ... 43%
"I can'tbelieve Tiger put himself in Phil's class, which is not a good one to bein."--MIKE PERPICH, RIVERPINES GOLF
PHOTO
COURTESY OF ABC (SCOTT)
FOUR PHOTOS
ERICK W. RASCO (WOOD, 3)
PHOTO
TRINETTE REED/CORBIS (TV)
PHOTO
AL MESSERSCHMIDT/WIREIMAGE.COM (DALY-DONOFRIO)
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK (WOODS)