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| David Toms was the man of the day at Innisbrook, surging with a round of 65 (-6) to take the lead at the Transitions Championship moving into the weekend, according to the Associated Press. Harrington is at 134 (-8) for the tourney and is one stroke ahead of Jim Furyk, Carl Pettersson, Bubba Watson, and Retief Goosen. |
Our View: Three players, including Steve Stricker, Jeff Maggert, and Steve Elkington are two strokes off the pace while David Toms and Jonathan Byrd are three. Geoff Ogilvy, Lucas Glover, and Trevor Immelman were among the 86 players making the cut on the number at 144 (-2).
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| David Toms has been diagnosed with a bone spur in his rotator cuff that will require surgery, according to the Associated Press. Toms spoke with reporters today after carding an impressive round of 63 (-8), stating, "I've been to two different doctors and I've got an issue there. They tell me I'm going to be out eight weeks if I have it done. So I'm just taking medication and trying to get through it." |
Our View: Toms noted he would push throug the first major of the season (The Master) with pain medication but is likely to seek surgical attention shortly after. Of course, after today's round he may feel like postponing the surgery a bit longer. Toms indicates he has lost 10 yards off his tee shots due to the injury. He has yet to define a schedule or date to make a decision but it will linger a bit and should be tracked moving forward.
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| Reports indicate Tiger Woods will not replace AT&T, long featured on Tiger's golf bag, with new corporate sponsor logo and will instead feature the Nike brand logo on his bag, according to the Associated Press. Agent Mark Steinberg informed AP reporters via text message, "We are not actively pursuing a new business partnership at this point in time." |
Our View: AT&T released Woods from his sponsorship agreement on December 31st amidst speculation of rampant infidelity. This will be the first time Tiger has used an existing sponsor's logo on his bag (coveted as one location that receives maximum time on television during play). This will be the fourth logo Tiger has put on his bag during his professional career, starting with Titleist as a rookie in 1996.
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| Garrett Willis failed to qualify for the field but two weeks ago he learned he wouldn't need it, getting the sponsor's exemption into today's opening round at the Transitions Championship and taking full advantage, grabbing the lead with an amazing round of 65 (-6) on the day, according to the Associated Press. Retief Goosen (touting multiple major titles) tops a large group of golfers including Rickie Fowler, Jonathan Byrd, Jeff Maggert (getting in only after learning Vijay Singh had withdrawn), Jim Furyk, and Carl Pettersson that are two strokes back of the lead. |
Our View: As fate would have it, Willis grew up just 40 miles from the Innisbrook course and thus he knows this track as well as any other member of the field. Goosen will likely continue to challenge, touting two trophies on the mantle from this event. Pettersson is also a former champion on this course. We're just getting started so stay tuned.
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| We were hoping to see the reversal of recent fortunes continue but we will have to wait as Vijay Singh, coming off his best performance on the Tour at the WGC CA Championship last week, filed for withdrawal from this week's Transitions Championship today citing back injury, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Singh's back has been a persistent problem for some time now and it appeared he was rounding into health and form, but this decision today could indicate reason for concern. We tend to believe Vijay is simply saving his strength for the first major of the season and will likely be less active than normal. Don't be too alarmed.
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| Jose Maria Olazabal has decided to withdraw from the field at the first major of the season, The Masters, due to pains associated with rheumatism, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Olazabal has twice won this tourney (1994, 1999) and has only missed one (1996) since qualifying for his first many years ago. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame last year but reports the pain in his hands, forearms, and shoulders will not allow him to swing a golf club.
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| Tiger Woods has confirmed he will make his official return to professional golf at Augusta National, filing his first PGA start of the season at The Masters, according to Golf.com. Tiger filed the "report" on his own website, noting, "The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played," Woods said. "When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play." |
Our View: Woods has been out of golf since an auto accident on Thanksgiving night last year followed by reports of rampant adultery. Woods has four wins at The Masters and has been seen practicing with trainer and swing coach Hank Haney at a course near his home. Woods also noted that he is still in treatment (though he failed to note what for).
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| Reviewing the list of confirmed participants for this week's Transitions Championship, we note Ryuji Imada is no longer listed as a member of the field, likely indicating he has filed for early withdrawal, according to PGATour.com. |
Our View: We had Imada in our sites as a player to start this week and noted his name was no longer listed a member of the field this afternoon. We worry it may be sign of lingering injury but the Tour does not put forth official announcements for these withdrawals, thus we do not know his reason for dropping out. It appears he has been replaced in the field by rookie Josh Teater.
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| In review of the published field put forth by the Tour, it appears two golfers of note, including Charley Hoffman and Michael Sim, have been removed from the list of participants and likely filed for early withdrawal from the Transitions Championship, according to PGATour.com. |
Our View: We were set to name Hoffman as a player to avoid this week and this decision could indicate woes due to injury or peripheral concerns. Hoffman filed for early exit from the Honda Classic two weeks ago as well, and at the Puerto Rico Open he missed the cut by three strokes. Sim has played well and, coming off the WGC CA Championship, is likely due for a rest.
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| PGA rookie Derek Lamely pulled through to get the win at the rain-delayed Puerto Rico Open today, according to the Associated Press. Lamely finished the week at 19 strokes under par (269) to top Kris Blanks by two strokes. |
Our View: Lamely finished #4 on the Money Leaders of the Nationwide Tour lasts season and today he walks off with the win, earning PGA privileges through 2012 and a check for $630,000.
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