Big Play with Mitchell Spearman

WHO: Denis Watson

WHAT: 45-yard Texas wedge from the fairway

WHERE: 540-yard par-5 15th hole at Kiawah Island

WHEN: Final round of the Senior PGA Championship

WHY

To win his first major, Watson had to ward off two decades of bad memories. Sitting 27 yards off the green, he was so nervous that had he tried to pitch his ball, he could've easily mishit it. So Watson, always a deep thinker, was wise enough to putt. He knew that Kiawah's hard, seaside fairways are ideal for the Texas wedge and that his worst putt would've left him no more than a dozen feet from the hole. He putted it to three feet for the decisive birdie.

MITCHELL'S TIP

Under Pressure, Try The Texas Wedge

The key to a Texas wedge is to feel as if you're hooking the ball, because doing that prevents the ball from losing momentum and bumping off-line. At address, position the ball a little forward, so you don't hit down at impact, and stand a bit more upright. Most important, use a small pivot so the putterhead travels in an arc and goes back and through to the inside of the target line.

Mitchell Spearman teaches at Manhattan Woods Golf Club in West Nyack, N.Y.

... AND ANOTHER THING

"America is bereft of Tour stars under 30 because the U.S. college system emphasizes team results, not long-term individual improvement."

GOLF MAGAZINE

TOP 100

TEACHERS POLL

The Memorial will again use rakes that create furrows in the bunkers. Are furrows fair or unfair?

Fair 72%

Unfair 28%

"Most Tour players are spoiled. They should find a way to escape the bunkers or hit more greens and fairways."

--MIKE ADAMS, HAMILTON

FARM GOLF CLUB

PHOTO

COURTESY OF NBC (WATSON)

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND, SPEARMAN, 4)

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND, SPEARMAN, 4)

Backswing

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND, SPEARMAN, 4)

Follow-through