Rob Lee reflects on PowerPlay golf, Luke Donald topping the rankings and Sergio Garcia's form.
Rob previews this week's tournaments
I caught a glimpse of PowerPlay golf on
Sky Sports on Monday. It's not really my thing.
The critics of our game say that it is too long, but, for me, one of the pleasures of playing golf is to play 18 holes. I'm not particularly interested in rushing around the course.
The PowerPlay concept - where you play nine holes and select an easy or hard flag - has not been conjured up overnight, it's been around for a while.
They gave it a big splash at Celtic Manor and got a lot of top names playing, but it had a real exhibition feel to it.
I don't think it will have as big an impact on the sport as Twenty20 has for cricket, certainly not in the top echelons - but then I don't really think it's designed for that. I think they're trying to sell the concept to golf clubs and make money that way.
But I'm a traditionalist and I will always prefer regular, 18-hole golf.
Thrilling
One of the most traditional events, the PGA Championship at Wentworth, was contested this weekend and we saw a thrilling climax as Luke Donald edged out compatriot Lee Westwood in a play-off to lift the trophy.
Donald's triumph - which elevated him to world number one for the first time at the expense of Lee - was a mixture of two things; Westwood giving it to Luke and him taking it.
Westwood had a two-shot lead with three holes to go and after he picked up an excellent birdie at the 15th, I thought he would play the last three in no worse than par and that would be good enough.
But golf's not quite like that, and when Westwood made a mess of his tee shot at 16 and Donald birdied, it changed the complexion of things. The momentum was with Donald and he birdied the first play-off hole to take the title.
Results don't lie. Luke is number one by virtue of his performances. However, it is always easier to scale the mountain, so to speak, than stay there and we'll have to see how he plays with the pressure of being at the top. Donald will be extremely keen to stay there and Westwood will be keen to get back there.
Swinging freely
61 years old and still swinging as freely as ever; that's Tom Watson. He won the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla over the weekend to become the oldest victor of the event. Despite all his putting woes, he never went to a belly putter and I think he has been sensational.
He nearly won the Open Championship in 2009 when he lost in a play-off to Stewart Cink, which is remarkable considering he was 59 at the time. He is still an exceptional golfer.
Meanwhile, in the Byron Nelson Championship in Texas, Keegan Bradley defeated Ryan Palmer to win his maiden PGA Tour title. But what stands out for me was Sergio Garcia's performance. He was in second place going into the final round but carded a disappointing 77 to end up in 20th.
At the moment, Sergio reminds me of a football striker who isn't afraid to put himself in the position to score a goal but just can't get one. He's getting into contention but not finishing it off. One of these weeks he's going to be at it for four rounds - he just hasn't done it yet.
Favourite
Graeme McDowell heads back to Celtic Manor this week, the scene of two of his favourite moments from 2010. He won this event, the Saab Wales Open, and then later in the year he sunk the winning putt in the Ryder Cup to bring home the trophy for Europe.
He is not playing that well at the moment. That was the case last year, though, and he won the Wales Open and then a couple of weeks later he won the US Open. He's definitely in the running to win here again.
But I'm tipping
Stephen Gallacher to go well this week. He's just qualified for the US Open which I think is a good indicator that he's playing well. Plus, he had a really good summer last year. I think he likes the sunshine!
He's a very talented ball striker and even though he doesn't think he's a good putter that aspect of his game can fire, too. His overall package is greater than the sum of the parts and I'm predicting a good few days for him at Celtic Manor.
Over in America, players will be assembling at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village course in Ohio for the Memorial Tournament.
This is an event that players all want to win. It's one of Jack's best courses and it features on a bit of a run - you have the Ben Hogan tournament at the Colonial Country Club, the Byron Nelson and then the Jack Nicklaus event.
For players on the PGA Tour, to win one of those three is big potatoes but particularly this one because Jack is still around the game.
When the green speeds are up at Muirfield, it is a very exacting test. You can't scuff your way around the course otherwise you'll get found out. You can make birdies but you're not going to be able to stumble around for four days and somehow win it. I suppose that's the sign of a good golf course.
ROB'S SKY BET TIPS
Justin Rose will be defending the title having won it in incredible style last year. I'm backing
Rickie Fowler to do well at 33/1; he was in contention in 2010 up until the very end. And I don't think
Matt Kuchar (16/1 with Sky Bet) will be too far away.
Jim Furyk is a decent shout. He's had a poor year by his standards but he won here in 2002.
Edoardo Molinari, like his brother Francesco has slowed up recently, but he is a quality player and it would be no surprise if he had a successful week. And I'm going to tip
Sergio Garcia, too.
I was convinced he was going to win last week and it just didn't happen. His Saturday scoring is a worry so if he gets a good start he needs to find a way to maintain it. Perhaps he can do it in Ohio?
See
Sky Bet's latest odds ahead of Memorial
