Big Play
WHO
Geoff Ogilvy
WHAT
223-yard three-iron to 21 feet for eagle
WHERE
521-yard par-5 9th hole at Kapalua
WHEN
Final round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship
WHY
Ogilvy faced a critical moment at the 9th. Would he berate himself for bogeying 7 and 8 and letting his six-shot lead shrink to one, or would he see himself as the leader by one with 10 holes to play? In the past Ogilvy struggled with his temper, and he probably would've imploded. But he recently exorcised his anger demons and mellowed out. The new Ogilvy remained focused, casually flushed his long iron and made an eagle.
MICHAEL'S TIP
Watch the Spot on Long Irons
It's tempting to try to lift the ball into the air, but that causes your body to sway. Instead, maintain your posture over the ball throughout the shot. Practice by making sure that after impact you're still looking at the turf where the ball was sitting. That'll keep your body down, help you stay balanced and maximize your swing speed.
Michael Breed teaches at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.
... AND ANOTHER THING
"Banning square grooves will be tragic. It'll make a hard game even harder at a time when interest is already waning."
GOLF MAGAZINE TOP 100 TEACHERS POLL
How will Tiger Woods play upon his return?
Better 54%
Same 37%
Worse 9%
"I had the same surgery, and he'll be fine. Tiger can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants."
--RICK SMITH, TREETOPS RESORT
PHOTO
COURTESY OF GOLF CHANNEL (OGILVY)
PHOTO
ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND)
TWO PHOTOS
ERICK W. RASCO (BREED)
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK (WOODS)