Capelle On Golf

I took my own advice and played hooky this afternoon to watch the Accenture Math Play and was rewarded with a show for the ages by the world’s two top players. Tiger Woods strolled to the 14th tee 3-down to an even longer hitting J.B. Holmes. An O.B on the first hole and a drive into the desert on 13 were largely to blame for Tiger’s seemingly insurmountable deficit. On the par 3 14th Holmes’ conservative tee shot left him with a long putt, which he got close. Then Tiger unleashed a four hole, five under par barrage.

• 14th Tiger’s 14-footer topples in the middle – 2 down.
• 15th Woods snakes in a 17’ for birdie – 1 down.
• 16th A 22’ makes a beeline into the cup – even.
• 17th On in two on this 601 yarder, Woods drains a 35’ eagle putt – 1-up.
• 18th J.B. Holmes fails to sink an 8-10’ putt – Tiger wins.

Playing behind Woods, Mickelson was enjoying a 2-up lead with five holes to go when Perez dropped a 40’ bomb. 1-up. On the next hole Perez rolled in another long putt to even the match. Mickelson responded with a 35 footer to regain the lead. When both players parred the last two holes, Mickelson’s advanced to the second round.

Capelle’s Picks in the First Round

• 12 Top Picks to Win: 8-4
• 5 Little Chance: 2-3 (a losing record is good!)
• 14 No Chance 2-14 (same as above)

Thursday’s Featured Matches

• Woods vs. Oberholser  – What can he do for an encore?
• Mickelson vs. Appleby - Both strong in the early season.
• Garcia vs. Weekley - Mercurial Spaniard against popular Boo.
• Leonard vs. Westwood - Two players on the comeback trail.