It may be a new year, but so far 2010 looks exactly the same as 2009.
Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy fired a stellar final-round -6, 67 to hold off a hard-charging Rory Sabbatini and successfully defend the SBS Championship in Hawaii, Sunday.

Although it was not in the same dominating fashion as last season when Ogilvy cruised to a six-shot win over Anthony Kim on the Kapalua course, the victory makes him the seventh player in the history of the event to successfully defend as champion, and the first since fellow Aussie Stuart Appleby made the tournament his own from 2004-6.

“I like the golf course, I think it’s fair to say,” Ogilvy joked following the win.

Despite a near-flawless final 18 holes it wasn’t all smooth sailing for 2006 U.S Open champion. Starting the day six shots behind, Sabbatini went on a tear during the final round, rattling off ten birdies including five in a row on the back nine to briefly take the lead from Ogilvy.

But the fiery South African failed to birdie the par 5, 18th hole and had to settle for posting a total of -21.

“I said to my caddie, ‘We need to birdie the last two holes to have a chance,’ ” Sabbatini said. “The situation was you had to keep moving forward to put pressure on him. I had my opportunity, and unfortunately, it didn’t pan out.”

Ogilvy, who teed off over an hour behind Sabbatini, had holes to play with, and he re-gained the lead with back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. Three pars from there secured him the victory.

“If you beat Sabbo’s score, you’re going to win the tournament,” Ogilvy said. “It’s hard to make birdies when you have to make birdies. I’ve had that situation with a couple of holes to play, but never with nine holes to play. I’m pretty proud of the fact I did it.”

The win jumped Ogilvy ahead of Rory McIlroy and back into the world’s top 10 ranking in 9th place. Just like at the beginning of 2009, Ogilvy is excited at his prospects for the season, but he is wary of over-practicing and over-playing, which he said led to a fast start and a slow finish last season.

“When it’s good, it’s really good,” Ogilvy said with regards to his current form. “I like how I play when I play good, so I’m not concerned about how good I can be when I’m actually playing well, because I think I can hang with most guys. I haven’t shown that I could do well when my game is a little off. I think that’s the sign of a really great player.”

With Tiger Woods taking an indefinite hiatus from the game many of the world’s top players see 2010 as a year to do some damage on the world scene, and Ogilvy is no different. He sees improved consistency as a way to achieve some of his goals.

“I think I need to get to that sort of point,” Ogilvy said. “I think I can. I think I can be a player who can win any golf tournament I play. I’ve just got to work to get through the bad days and bad patches.”

Ogilvy is taking next week off from the PGA Tour and heading to Abu Dhabi for the European Tour event in two weeks. All but eight of the players in the SBS Championship field will island-hop to the Sony Open next week, the first full-field event on the PGA Tour for 2010.

I’ve refrained from writing about Tiger Woods over the last month for a couple reasons. First, I’m genuinely disappointed with the whole mess and don’t feel ready to share my thoughts until I can see it less emotionally. And second, I don’t think anyone really knows the true story…and won’t until either Tiger or Elin decide to speak out on the subject. And, I don’t want to join in on the speculation round table, as I feel there has been enough of that going on…without my help. Plus, no matter how disappointed I am, Tiger has earned my respect with his spectacular play; his countless hours of charitable work; and his ability to take the sport I love to unprecedented heights.

So…although I certainly have an opinion on Tiger’s extracarricular activities — I will not judge.

Now, that said, golf is going to hit a little speed bump this year without Tiger Woods. Even if Tiger plays in 2010, he still wont be the Tiger we’ve known…if that makes sense. And between the economy and new TV contracts, this probably wasn’t the greatest time for us to find out that Tiger is human after all. That said, golf, long term, is of course is bigger than any one person. But for the sake of the short term, here are four things I think golf could use in 2010.

1. Phil Mickelson to have a monster year. The stars have never been better aligned for Mickelson to take his place among the all-time greats. He’s rediscovered his putting stroke after finding Dave Stockton. He’s missing full shots better than ever after finally getting comfortable with his Butch Harmon designed golf swing. And, he has a new found perspective after his wife and mother both faced down health scares. Golf needs Phil to win 5+ times in 2010… preferably with a couple of majors. And one of those majors should come at the home of golf, St. Andrews, in the British Open — so Mickelson can become a global champion and not just an American one. He’s made some international strides the last couple years in China, but all things being equal, he’s pretty much thought of as an American golfer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — but Tiger Woods belongs to the world. And right now, golf could use a global figure who won’t drop the ball. And at this point in time, Phil is that choice. I’ve been lucky enough to attend some major events where Tiger and Phil both competed, and I’ll wager that, at least in America, fans love Phil more. They may respect Tiger more (or at least used to) but they love Phil. Maybe it’s his style of play. Or maybe, it’s that, from day one, we’ve always known he was a fallible human being. Or maybe, we love the the fact that in the middle of a practice round, he’ll buy the crowd hamburgers from the snack bar. Or maybe, we love that he smiles. Or maybe, we love that he’s the tour’s most generous tipper. Or maybe, it’s a combination of all of the above. But I know one thing for certain — if Phil can play some truly spectacular golf in 2010 — he’ll add a whole lot of respect to that love.

2. The kids — Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Ryo Ishikawa and Danny Lee — to come alive in big events and preferably battle one another for a title. Golf needs a couple new superstars and more importantly… rivalries. I can think of nothing better than a couple of these kids in a back nine battle for a Green Jacket in April. Can you imagine Rory fearlessly matching Anthony birdie for birdie at The Masters? It would certainly be fun to watch. It would give us something to talk about besides Tiger Woods. Okay, you’re right, we’ll always talk about Tiger Woods. But a teenage/twenty-something shootout at Augusta would infuse some much needed excitement into the sport.

3. For a rivalry to develop on The LPGA Tour that makes people actually want to watch. Annika Sorenstam became Annika Sorenstam after Karrie Webb made her work harder and smarter than any woman professional to date. Wouldn’t it be nice if Michelle Wie could battle Lorena Ochoa or Paula Creamer for a few majors this year? I say Michelle because, even with her controversies of the last few years, no one moves galleries on Tour like her. I’ve spent a lot of time on the LPGA Tour and trust me, it’s easy to find Michelle on the golf course — just find the people. Despite her controversies, I like Michelle. I think she was the victim of a few things outside of her control the last few years. I think she will mature into a well-liked, if not beloved, golf figure over the next ten years. I don’t think she’ll dominate until she becomes a better putter — but I think, thanks to her, we’ll see women’s golf played at a level never seen before. Simply, the LPGA Tour needs Michelle. And right now, golf needs Michelle.

4. For the major tours to give back…more. Face it, this is a tough time financially for a lot of people…and I think golf has a wonderful opportunity to lead the sporting world in giving something back to fans and communities. First, I’d like to see the tours voluntarely cut their purses 20%. The current purses reflect an economic boom time and when Tiger was…well Tiger. This would go a long way with the sponsors as well as those fans who are also hurting. If companies could sponsor an event for $4.8M this year for what was $6M last year — this would prove that major tours are in this for long term partnerships and not short term gains. Basically the anti Carolyn Biven model. It would also help with the networks who are losing more and more ad revenue to the web. If they could televise an event for 20% less than last year, it would also do wonders for that partnership. Next, I would like to see ticket prices cut for the average fan and for the tour’s to expand on free tickets to kids. I would like to think, even if a family is hurting economically, that a father could take his kids to a PGA Tour event for a reasonable amount of money. Again, this would go a long way to proving to fans that golf cares and wants to continue to grow the game.

I think if these four things happen, then this time next year, we’ll be looking back on 2010 as a very successful golf year. Tiger or no Tiger.

What do you think, please leave a comment below?

The Hollywood Foreign Press announced their nominations for the Golden Globe Awards this week and the Academy of Arts and Sciences will be doing the same in a month or so. And while December is a hot month for movies, it is a decidedly slow one for golf. That being said it’s a great opportunity to run through the players who shone brightest in 2009 and who were consequently recognized by the major tours for their efforts. We begin, as we always seem to do when it’s awards time, Tiger Woods.

PGA Tour Player of the Year – Tiger Woods – For the 10th time in 13 years Tiger Woods has claimed the mantle of the best player on the PGA Tour, and even in light of his off-course media attention of late, few would be brave enough to suggest he didn’t earn it once again in 2009. Despite not winning a major this year (the one thing Tiger measures his success by), Tiger went ahead and dominated all comers in 2009, winning the Fed-Ex Cup, the money title and recording the lowest scoring average on tour for the 9th time in his career. His money total of $10. 5M was $4M ahead of second place finisher Steve Stricker and his six wins was more than double any other player on tour.

Yes, he did struggle in the majors by his standards, recording 6th place finishes at the Masters and U.S Open, a missed cut at the Open Championship and finishing 2nd behind the improbable Y.E Yang at the U.S PGA. Despite all this 2009 was a year where things must be kept in perspective. Woods returned from major knee surgery at the beginning of the year, an injury that has taken Ernie Els the better part of three or four years to recover from, and stepped straight back into the role of the game’s most dominate player. With an indefinite hiatus ahead for Woods, 2010 is going to begin the same way 2009 did – amidst uncertainty. But if nothing else, Tiger is still Tiger and 2010 is sure to prove to be a defining year in the great man’s career.

European Tour Player of the Year – Lee Westwood – Ten years ago Lee Westwood was on top of the European golfing mountain. He was the Order of Merit winner, a Ryder Cup star and had climbed to No. 3 in the world rankings. By 2002 Westwood was languishing outside the top 250 in the world. He was frustrated and discouraged with his golf game. In his own words he was lost. This year Westwood showed just what hard work, patience and a strength of will can do. Trailing 20-year old Irish supernova Rory McIlroy into the last tournament of the season at the Dubai World Championship, Westwood went ahead and played the tournament of his life, shooting an absolutely flawless eight-under, 64 in the final round to claim a six-shot win in the event and leap-frog McIlroy to win the inaugural Race to Dubai. For a player who as been close in multiple majors the past two seasons, the win reaffirmed many pundit’s beliefs that Westwood is a player on the cusp of greatness.

LPGA Tour Player of the Year – Lorena Ochoa – She may not have done it in the same dominating fashion as in recent years, and she may have found a new challenger to her crown as the best female player I the game, but Lorena Ochoa is still had the LPGA Tour player by which all others are measured. Although she finished 4th on the final money list, $400,000 behind rising star Jiyai Shin of South Korea, Ochoa’s three wins and Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average were enough to give her the nod for the fourth consecutive year in the POTY points-based system . It took a final hole birdie from Ochoa at the Tour Championship to hold off tour freshman Shin in what may have been the best and most under-appreciated finish in a non-major event in golf in 2009.

LET Player of the Year – Catriona Matthew – While many women are still on maternity leave less than three months after giving birth, Scot Catriona Matthew was back at work and on her way to winning her first major championship, the Ricoh Women‘s British Open. Punctuated by a five-under, 67 in the second round, the 15-year veteran was the only player to finish under par at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. She finished the tournament at three-under, three shots clear of runner-up Karrie Webb. Matthews is the first Scottish player to win the LET POTY and just the fourth Brit in the 30-year history of the award.

PGA Tour Rookie of the Year – Marc Leishman – The Aussie became the first player since Charles Howell III in 2001 to win ROTY honors without winning a tournament. “Leish” finished 20th on the final Fed-Ex Cup points list and 47th on the final Money List, rubbing shoulders with the game‘s best throughout the playoffs.

European Tour Rookie of the Year – Chris Wood – After bursting onto the scene and contending late on Sunday at the 2008 Open Championship, Wood went ahead and did the exact same thing in 2009 at Turnbury. He eventually finished T3 and also made the exclusive field for the Dubai World Championship at the end of the year.

LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year – Jiyai Shin – Few rookies have dominated golf in recent years like Shin did in ‘09. After winning 10 of 19 events on the 2007 Korean Tour and the 2008 Women‘s British Open, Shin transplanted herself to the LPGA Tour in 2009 and continued her rise to greatness, winning three times, more than any other player on tour and leading the tour in money earned.

LET Rookie of the Year – Anna Nordqvist – After a stellar amateur career in both Europe and the on the American collegiate circuit Nordqvist made a massive impression on the world of golf in 2009, winning the LPGA Championship, a major, in just her fifth start on tour. She would cap off the year by winning the Tour Championship and representing Europe in the Solheim Cup. It was a resume that would have put Nordqvist in contention for the POTY award most other seasons, but behind Ochoa’s consistency and Shin’s year-long hot streak, she had to settle for third-best on the LPGA Tour. The LET ROTY award was her consolation for a strong first-year campaign.

They call it the toughest week in all of golf, which is actually an understatement – It actually runs about a week and a half end to end.

After two preliminary stages, six final stage rounds and a total of 252 holes, 25 players earned their PGA Tour playing rights for 2010 on Monday at Bear’s Best golf course in Orlando, Fl.  As always there are some big losers and big winners before the final putt had dropped.

The big winner turned out to be former Boise St. University standout and current Nationwide Tour player Troy Merritt. Merritt, who has never played a PGA Tour event in his professional career, made a double bogey on his final hole of the tournament to finish at -22, good for a one shot victory over PGA Tour vet Jeff Maggert and the $50,000 first place check.

But even more important than the check is the opportunity Merritt and his fellow graduates have earned through the seemingly endless grind that is the Qualifying School.

“The trophy is to get to play with the big boys next year,” Merritt insisted after the win.

Among the 25 graduates were several young guns and a number of seasoned veterans, of whom the most well known was Maggert. A three-time winner on tour, Maggert has twice came close to winning the U.S Open in his career.  Maggert has amassed over $16 million in his career, despite only making $651, 348 last season. But thanks to his 2nd place finish at final stage he will be able to add to that total in 2010 as a full member.

While Maggert was probably the most well known player to earn (back) his tour card at final stage, the player that came in with the most amount of hype surrounding him also did not disappoint.

In only three tournaments at the tail end of the 2009 season former Oklahoma St. All-American Rickie Fowler made over $500,000 and went within a playoff win from entering a select group of players to have earned their PGA Tour cards without entering Q School. As it turned out, Fowler had an up and down week, flirting with a 59 and the tournament lead during the third round, then falling behind the qualifying number late in the fifth round before closing with a two under par 70 to finish T15 and earn his rookie card on the PGA Tour.

Several other promising young stars graduated to the Big Show on Monday.  Recent college grads Billy Horschel and Cameron Tringale both earned their cards while mini tour standouts Chris Wilson and Martin Flores also made the cut comfortably.

Well-known tour stalwarts Chris Riley, Joe Ogilvy, Jay Williamson, J.P Hayes, Omar Uresti earned back their playing privilages for 2010 while former major winners David Duval, Shaun Macheel and Todd Hamilton all missed out.

Sticking to the dramatic script there were a couple of charges made during the final round, the lowest of which came from Aussie David Lutterus who fired a clutch 64 to climb all the way to -15 and into a T8 to earn back the PGA Tour card that he held in 2008. While Lutterus’ effort was outstanding, the biggest move in the final round came from PGA and Nationwide Tour vet Shane Bertsch. Bertsch shot a final round 65 to shoot from 50th to 15th at -11.

“It’s not a real comfortable week,” Bertsch said following his final round. “But I just kept plugging.”

On the flip side there were some tragic mishaps that are more than typical of a final round at Q School. The most notable of these came from James Hahn, a player who less than a year ago was considering quitting the game. He came into the final round T50th, but five birdies and no blemishes later and Hahn was in position to grab one of the final PGA Tour cards. After a solid drive an indifferent second shot into the 18th hole from 165 yards left Hahn with a two-putt from 60 feet to move to the promised land. For the first time all day Hahn flinched, leaving his first putt ten feet short. He missed the par save and with it went his PGA Tour dream. To rub salt into the very recent wound he missed the comeback, finishing with a double bogey to eventually miss his card by two shots. For a player who was selling shoes last year between tournaments, a full Nationwide Tour card was his consolation. He was remarkably composed coming off the 18th hole.

“I’m not going to beat myself over the head about it,” Hahn said. “That’s golf.”

One player seen to be emotionally standing by the giant scoreboard at the end of day’s play was Brian Stuard. A year ago Stuard was hovering around the PGA Tour number on the final day of Q School before a couple of late bogeys meant he would miss his card by one shot. After a solid year on the Nationwide Tour, Stuard was again achingly close to earning a trip to the PGA Tour at the Nationwide Tour championship. When he missed an eight-foot putt on the 72 hole there he wound up in 26th place on the final money list, again missing his card by one shot. In 12 months of golf one shot had separated Stuard from playing on the PGA Tour-twice.

Halfway through the final round at Bear Lakes it looked like Stuard was going to be the man on the outside yet again. But this time Stuard took destiny in his own hands. Standing one shot out from the number he stumped his second shot into the 17th hole and the ensuing tap-in birdie moved him to the Tour cut line. Ten minutes later Stuard stood in the middle of the 18th fairway with all the pressure in the world on him yet again.  All he did from there was rifle a 6 iron to four-feet, brush the birdie putt in and grab is card with both hands.

“I’ve been close a couple times, so it was nice to finally finish strong.” Stuard said following the final round.

Rarely have understatements sounded so sweet.

Both players in contention for victory at the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club wore red during the final round. And while that look was made famous by Tiger Woods, the tournament host was nowhere in sight when it came to presenting a red-and-black clad Jim Furyk with the winner’s trophy Sunday.

It took a final hole birdie for Furyk to clinch his first victory on tour in almost two years over an in-form Lee Westwood. Furyk, who closed with a five-under par 67 to finish at 13-under for the tournament, spoke after the victory about what it meant to him to notch up his 14th PGA Tour win in style.

“It’s bothered me,” Furyk said of his win-less stretch. “I’d be lying if I said otherwise. That’s your goal every year to go out and win, and I haven’t been able to do it. Hopefully, this will be a stepping stone.”

While Furyk hasn’t won as many times as one might expect for a player who has been at the top of the world game for over a decade, the 2003 U.S Open champion has proven himself as one of, if not the most consistent player in the game. The Chevron only cemented that reputation.

After taking his first lead of the tournament with a birdie on the 10th Furyk played aggressively down the stretch. But Sherwood rarely fails to provide plenty of drama down the stretch.

After two-putting for birdie the par 5 16th to get to -12 Furyk promptly dumped his tee shot on the par 3 17th into a plugged lie in the front bunker. After splashing out to 35 feet Furyk dropped the bomb for par to keep his momentum going and maintain a one shot cushion over Westwood who birdied 17 right behind Furyk.

Any questions about Furyk’s closing ability after a six week break were answered again a hole later as he threw a nine-iron to five feet and calmly drained the birdie to take the lead outright. Westwood, the winner of the 2008/09 Race to Dubai and the current world No. 4, could not answer on the 18th, instead making bogey to fall into a tie for 2nd with Irishman Graham McDowell at -11.

McDowell was as  last-minute addition to the field after the host pulled out due to a car accident earlier in the week. At the time McDowell was sitting close to the top 50 in the world and the cut line for an early Masters invitation. His tie for 2nd pushed him to 38th, all but guaranteeing him a ticket to Augusta.

“Timing is everything,” McDowell said. “To get the call-up was good, although I wish it had been different circumstances. Sometimes this game gives you something back when you least expect it.”

Although not present at Sherwood, Woods was never far from the minds of the players in the field, especially those like Furyk, who have formed a strong bond with the world No. 1 through Ryder and Presidents’ Cups.

Furyk said he had send Woods a text last week to check on his condition after the accident. He anticipated a reply following the win, going on to say he would “reply and wish him the best.”

“Tough times,” Furyk said with regards to the Woods‘ drama. “So they need the support of their friends right now, and I know that people are thinking about them.”

Furyk’s is not scheduled to return to the tour until the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles in February. Wood’s return remains uncertain.

Okay — so you want to be a scratch golfer. I for one believe you can reach that goal — if of course, you have the requisite time and talent. And if you have access to the correct information through instruction or books/DVDs. And if…and this is a big IF…you learn that great play, which to me is the definition of scratch golf, is not…about fabulous shots. Nor is it about terrible shots. It’s about all the shots in between. Or…in my opinion — the most important 48 shots in golf — good misses. Let me explain…

I once read that Bobby Jones hit about six perfect shots a round. I also read that he hit about six awful shots a round. His words – not mine. I found it curious that I also read the same thing about Walter Hagen. When he would hit a poor shot – he would brush it off as just one of the six he knew he’d hit each day. This number six stuck with me through the years as I continued to read more and more about great players. Jack Nicklaus said the same thing. He too would only hit about six perfect shots a round, as well as six awful shots. Tiger Woods said the same thing. What was up with this number? I wondered if they all came up with this number six on their own — or were they all reading each other’s words and just going a long. Either way, I decided to investigate with some of my professional students. And believe it or not — I found the same thing. They all hit about six perfect and six poor shots per round.

Now, what constitutes perfect and horrible for players of this magnitude?

Well, a perfect shot is just that — perfect. For example, they have 148 yards to a right pin and decide to hit a little cut 8-iron just slightly left of the flag. Their result is perfect. The shot goes 148 yards. It ends up right at pin high and leaves the 10-foot birdie putt they wanted. It was dead solid and came off exactly how they saw it in their mind. This would be a perfect shot. This could also be a drive that goes 300+ yards right on their intended line. Or a 25-foot breaking putt that curled into the hole just like they envisioned. These too are examples of perfect shots. Granted, some days the top players have exceptional feel and can hit many more than six perfect shots per round. But I’m talking about on average. We tend to remember the 63′s and 65′s — but these players also shoot a lot of 70′s and 72′s. And at times – even higher.

On the other hand, a horrible shot is something that looks nothing like they intended. They were aiming down the left side of the fairway, trying to hit a little cut, only to double-cross it into the left trees. Or, they have a simple 7-iron shot…which they pull left of the green into a bunker. Or worst yet, they yip an easy straight in 4-footer. These would be great examples of horrible shots. And if you were to follow the PGA or LPGA Tours around — you would see many of the top players in the world hitting tons of horrible shots. Of course, as we only get to see the guys and girls on TV (which means they are playing great that week), we can sometimes get a false impression of just how “perfect” these golfers can be. What about all the players not making the TV cut that week?

Remember, this is an average. I’m talking about the majority of the time — not the 5-10 times out of 100 that a pro can shoot over 75-76. Or for that matter, the 5-10 times out of 100 that a pro can shoot under 65-66. I’m talking about the 80-90 times out of 100 when the pro shoots scores that when combined fit right into their average — between 70-72. I know there are a handful of players out there that average less than that — but I am talking about the majority. And for you — as someone trying to get to scratch (basically a 72 average) — this is even more pertinent.

Ok — so what about the title? Based on the information I just gave you — how did I come up with the most important 48 shots in Golf? And what are they? Well, basically the most important 48 shots in golf are just good misses. As a scratch golfer…or someone who averages 72…you will hit roughly six perfect and six awful shots per round. Lets subtract those 12 shots off 72, which would leave us with 60 more strokes left to play. Now, from that remaining 60 — we have to take off tap-in putts. And scratch golfers average roughly 12 tap-ins per round. This would be anything after a missed first putt — to a tap-in after a good chip. Basically, anything that you SHOULD make. So, if we then take those 12 tap-in strokes off 60, it leaves us with 48 remaining strokes. So what are these remaining strokes if not great, awful or tap-ins? They are simply good misses. And that my friend is exactly what great golf is all about — good misses.

It’s not the quality of your great shots — or for that matter — the quality of your horrible shots (As long as horrible doesn’t consistently mean penalty shots for you) — that determine your score. It’s the quality of your misses, as they will make up the majority of your strokes, that will determine just how good you get at this game. Because if the greatest players in the world can only expect to hit six perfect shots per round — how can we expect to hit any more? But the funny thing is — that attitude is usually what keeps players from reaching their full potential. They think about the one perfect 7-iron that flew 155 yards, as opposed to the other 90% that flew 145 yards. Or the one bombed drive that flew over that fairway bunker positioned 235 yards from the tee, as opposed to the other 20+ that flew directly into that same bunker. Bob Rotella calls it “a conservative strategy with a cocky swing.” I think that’s great advice. Take a club and/or line that takes stress away — instead of one that increases mental anguish.

Let me give you an example of a good miss. You have 155 yards to the pin with 10 yards past the flag before you run out of green. So, basically 165 yards to the back. And to top it off, there is no trouble on the back of the green. And you’re a great chipper of the ball. In front of the pin is a deep bunker that is almost impossible to get the ball close from. You have 146 yards to carry the bunker. Now, you can hit a 7-iron 155 yards. You’ve done so in the past. But realistically, you only carry it about 145-148 yards. So, instead of selecting a club you would have to hit perfectly, take a 6-iron, which you carry easily 155-158 yards, and swing confidently. If you miss it slightly, great – you are right at pin high. If you hit it normally, you’re more to the back of the green. If you absolutely flush it — you are slightly over the green with an easy chip — your strength. So, in this example, no matter what happens — you will probably make a par or birdie. But if you hit 7-iron, you could be either in the bunker or perfect. Those are your only two choices. And if you play those percentages throughout the round — the golf course will eventually get you. But if you play the 6-iron type percentage — you will always be in control and…even when you miss it — you’ll be in position to score. And this is how great players work themselves around the golf course.

Alright, her are some tips to help you get better at the most important 48 shots in golf.

1. Develop a sound course strategy based on your strengths and weaknesses
2. Understand your strengths and weaknesses
3. Develop a sound pre-shot routine that gets you into a consistent mind-set and set-up
4. Develop quality practice habits that focus on set-up fundamentals, which are key to missing it well
5. Become a great putter inside 5 feet
6. Know how far your clubs go on average in the air — not just your best. And then, based on what’s in front of you, plan accordingly
7. Play from the hole backward when you devise your strategy. Imagine yourself on the green before you hit your tee shot and then ask yourself — “where would be the best place to miss this for an easy chip or putt?”
8. Develop a “go-to” shot that can get you around the course when you’re feeling off

If you work on these things and more importantly — make a choice to say “Hey, I’m not going to try and be perfect in an imperfect game” — you will start making progress on that goal of scratch golf. Embrace your misses because no matter how great you get at this game — you will always have more misses than perfect shots.

Good luck and play well…and smart.

In 1990, Ken Green was the star attraction at the Hong Kong Open golf tournament, which I covered as a reporter for the South China Morning Post newspaper.

From a strictly media-to-player point of view, I found Green slightly cocky and arrogant. He could afford to be. After all, he was the main drawcard, having won five times on the PGA Tour.

And, he went on to win the tournament in Hong Kong. As I said, I comment on his personality from the superficial perspective of a journalist, not all of whom endear themselves to high-profile athletes.

If, however, there is a hint of accuracy in my observations, then these qualities are just what he needs to overcome the biggest challenge of his life – returning to pro golf after losing those closest to him, and one of his legs.

On June 8, Green was in a car with his girlfriend, brother Billy, who was driving, and his dog Nip, travelling on the Interstate 20 in Mississippi. A tyre blew, the vehicle went off the road and it hit a tree.

Green was the sole survivor. Although he has no recollection of the accident, soon after regaining consciousness, he was already planning his golfing comeback to the Champions Tour.

The doctors told him that they would be able to save his leg but he would never regain the same functionality. Green told them to cut it off. He’d rather have no leg than a leg that would prevent him from playing golf.

Green told journalists this week that he has targeted a return to pro golf by, the latest, summer next season. AP quoted him as saying:

“July might be better. But I don’t know, I’ve never done this before. The question is, can I get back to the highest level? Our level and just golf are two different worlds.”

This is not the first trial Green has had to face. He has previously overcome depression, financial woes and back problems, though nothing compares to the tragic losses of life and limb he experienced in June.

His sister, Shelley, has been helping him in his recovery and professional golfers such as Fred Funk, Curtis Strange, Mark Calcavecchia and Phil Blackmar played in a charity event to help him pay for medical bills and expenses.

When he turned 50 last year, Green, who had not made any money as a pro the previous three years, was eligible for the Champions Tour. Before the accident, he was 54th on the money list and earned more than $120,000.

He is confident he can overcome the loss of his leg and play at the level needed to be competitive on the Champions Tour.

“When I was fighting through my depression, that, I believe was harder, because I didn’t know I was in it. Whereas this one, you know what you have to tackle. You have to get your leg, then you have to go change your swing, and then you have to go start playing like a pro again.

“Obviously, I lost three of my best friends and I think I’d be doing them a dishonour if I didn’t come back from this. Just because I lost a leg, you have to say, ‘OK, we’ll work around that’.”

Should Green succeed in his comeback, he will make history. And whatever anyone thinks of his personality, he will always be a champion, just like he was in Hong Kong 19 years ago.

The biggest stars of the PGA Tour were its biggest winners over the weekend.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson shared the honours after The Tour Championship in East Lake – Woods winning the FedEx Cup and Mickelson coming up trumps in the tournament itself.

Woods finished second to Mickelson in the tournament – three shots behind – but finished on top of the FedEx Cup standings to snare the $10 million prize that comes with it.

It was a reverse situation in the tournament with Mickelson shooting a five-under-par 65 in the final round for a total of nine-under 271. Woods was second on 274 after his closing 70, having led at the half-way stage.

Mickelson collected $1.35 million for winning the tournament in addition to £3 million for finishing second in the four-tournament FedEx Cup series.

The left-handed golfer, who had a difficult year personally when his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer during the spring, joked about earning less money than Woods despite winning. He said:

“Let me see if I get this straight, I shot 65 and he shot 70, and he gets a check for $10 million … no, I’m just kidding. I didn’t play well in the first three events to give myself a chance.”

For Woods, the tournament was always more important than the overall series title. He figured the FedEx Cup would take care of itself if you put the numbers up. Said Woods:

“Phil played well. He did the things he needed to do this week. Unfortunately, I didn’t putt well, and consequently, I didn’t push him. Phil ran off and got away from us.”

In third place was Sean O’Hair, who finished with a 69 for 275 with two-time British Open champion Padraig Harrington and Kenny Perry sharing fourth place on 276.

Harrington, who has shown fine form in the latter half of the season, made 69 in his final round while Perry, who at one point appeared headed for both tournament and FedEx Cup win, settled for 74.

One-time series leader Steve Stricker was sixth on 277 while Jim Furyk and Steve Marino tied for seventh on 278. South African Ernie Els was ninth on 279.

Mickelson’s victory was reminiscent of his 2000 Tour Championship triumph when he also fought back in the final round to beat Woods.

After birdies on the third and fourth, he took a share of the lead on the eight with a tap-in birdie. A bogey-free round meant he was primed for victory. Woods’ only one-putt birdie was a 35-footer on the 16th.

Meanwhile, Great Britain and Ireland continued their domination of The Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros as they beat Continental Europe for their fifth straight victory in the Ryder Cup-style team event in Paris.

The British Isles won 16 ½ to 11 ½ — the third year in a row it finished with this score – with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy completing the victory when he beat world number five Henrik Stenson on the final green.

The Europeans, however, won the singles tussle 6-4 but it was not enough to prevent GB & Ireland from victory following their impressive performances over the first two days.

GB & Ireland were captained by Paul McGinley while Thomas Bjorn was in charge of the Continental Europeans.

The tournament is named after Spanish great Ballesteros, who is still recovering from multiple surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumour.

However, he did send a message to the players and congratulated the winners. He said on the European Tour’s website:

“I wish I could have been there today, at Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, but I don’t have enough strength at the moment as my radiotherapy treatment finished last week, and I am suffering its consequences. I have followed the matches on TV and I was very happy to see competitive golf and great champions trying their best.

“I want to thank The European Tour, and all the French fans that went to watch the competition. Finally I want to thank all the people that are supporting me and sending me many messages of support, these really help me to keep going.”

The global economic woes continue to bear down on golf but the sport appears to be riding out the storm better than most industries.

Certainly, golf has not been immune to the credit crunch with major automaker General Motors pulling out its key brand Buick from two big events. The company also ended an endorsement deal with world number one Tiger Woods, reported to be worth $8 million annually.

However, US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the sport was in reasonably good health, although he expects more sponsors to pull out next season. He was quoted in a Reuters article as saying:

“It’s possible we could lose a couple of events; it’s probable that we’re going to lose some sponsors. We will have a good solid schedule for 2010, we know that. But I think it’s also important to recognise that marketing budgets are still down … it’s certainly going to take a while to improve.”

The case of the Buick Open loss had a happy ending with the Greenbrier Classic replacing it as part of a six-year agreement.

In addition, Finchem reported that many sponsors had actually extended their contracts with various tournaments on the Tour, which is the richest and most prestigious professional circuit in the world.

With the United States showing an inkling of an economic recovery, he is confident that beyond next season, sponsors will start queuing up again.

The fact that golf still has money is reflected in the on-going FedEx Cup play-offs, which concludes this week.

The four-tournament series culminates with a payment of $10 million to the winner, with Woods the big favourite to nab the bonanza.

The European Tour also has a big-money, season-ending event – the Dubai World Championship, which initially offered a $20 million prize pool.

However, recent reports indicated that the sum was cut because of the recession.

He may not have won a major this season but Tiger Woods is still determined to go after the next best thing – victory at the Tour Championship and wrapping up the FedEx Cup series play-offs.

World number one Woods heads the FedEx Cup rankings ahead of the final tournament of the play-offs in Atlanta, where a 30-strong elite field will be vying for the US$10 million bonus bonanza.

Woods, having returned to the PGA Tour at the start of the year after an eight-month injury lay-off, has won six times this season though none of them at a major.

But, as reported in AP, Woods loves nothing more than beating a strong field on a tough course with plenty at stake. The East Lake course will provide that challenge, as he said:

“If you look at years past before we had this format, it was basically the hottest players for the year. This is a little bit different, though, because you actually get some of the hotter players later in the year. It adds for a little bit more excitement.

“You always have the same approach and same attitude that you try and win every tournament you enter. Whether it’s a regular tour event, a play-off event, World Golf Championship, Players, whatever it may be, it’s the same intensity.”

The format of the series means that any of the top five seeds going into the tournament will head the FedEx Cup standings if they win the event – Woods, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Heath Slocum.

Even Australian outsider Marc Leishman, who tied with Woods for second in Chicago recently, has a chance to win the series should Woods finish 10th or below and the next four seeds end up no better than fifth.

Another unlikely scenario for a Series winner is Padraig Harrington, who would need a major collapse by the leading players.

Unusually, there could even be two play-offs – one for the tournament and one of the series. Furthermore, the same two players could be involved.

But emerging from all the convoluted possibilities is the fact that Woods, once again, is the favourite.

Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello produced one of the most sizzling final rounds in European Tour history to win the Austrian Open near Vienna.

Cabrera Bello, eight shots behind the leaders after the third round, fired an 11-under-par 60 to storm up the leaderboard and edge England’s Benn Barham by a single stroke.

The first-time Tour winner ended up with a total of 20-under-par 264 while Denmark’s Soren Hansen was third on 267.

The 25-year-old could even afford to miss a 30-foot eagle attempt as he became the third player on the Tour to score 60 on the final day. He said on the European Tour website:

“It’s just amazing. I played the best golf of my life and I can’t believe it. I was so far back I wasn’t thinking about winning. I just tried to play a shot at a time and today it worked out really, really good.”

Bahram was three shots in the lead overnight but Cabrera Bello started chipping away from the third hole onwards, picking up three birdies and four more from the eighth to 11th.

The Spaniard collected further shots on the 13th, 14th and 16th at the Fontana Golf Club.

On the LPGA Tour, Choi Na-yeon, of South Korea, achieved her breakthrough title when she won the Samsung World Chmapionship at Torrey Pines.

After losing a seven-stroke lead, Choi held her nerve to birdie the final hole and hold off the strong challenge of Japanese ace Ai Miyazato, who found water on the last.

She finished with a total of 16-under-par 272 after carding one-under 71 while Miyazato settled for 273 after her 69, the lowest round of the day.

In third place was South Korean Shin Jiyai on 277.

Meanwhile, there was no tournament on the PGA Tour as players prepare for this week’s final event of the FedEx Series, the Tour Championship.

U.S President’s Cup captain, the affable Fred Couples, made two predictable selections as his captains’ picks for the up coming teams event to be held at San Francisco’s Harding Park Golf Course Oct 8-11. Couples went with reigning U.S Open Champion Lucas Glover and Ryder Cup hero Hunter Mahan. Both players barely missed out on the team based on the points qualifying system- Glover was No. 11 and Mahan No. 13.  Both have shown solid form over the summer and were justifiably picked for the side.

Although Couples did create some controversy with his naming of former NBA superstar and gambling hound Michael Jordan as one of his assistant captains, it was nothing compared with the response directed toward his counterpart, Greg Norman. Norman, with his selections, went with 17 year-old Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa and fellow Aussie Adam Scott.

Norman was struck smitten with Ishikawa earlier in the year at a meet and greet for potential Presidents Cup players. The “shy prince” cast cliches aside and handled the room like a seasoned pro.

“He was engaged, he walked around the entire room, introduced himself to everybody, made sure everybody understood that he wanted to be on the team,” Norman said.

“There are so many great players on both teams, and I’m humbled by my selection to be with them,” Ishikawa said. “Although I’ll be a bit nervous surrounded by a such a great captain and so many great players in the world, I will do my best during the week and hopefully contribute to the victory over the American team.”

Ishikawa first came to the attention of the golfing world when, as a 15 year-old amateur, he captured an event on the Japanese Tour. Since then he has gone on to win four more times in Japan, including three times in the past 10 months, punctuated by a five shot victory in the last event before the selection process ended. For many, the future superstar was an obvious pick. Scott, on the other hand, was not.

It’s no secret the former world No. 3 has fallen on hard times of late. Since July 2008 Scott has fallen from that lofty perch in the world rankings to No. 53. He has earned a career-low $754, 810 this year on the PGA Tour and despite one 2nd place finish in Januaryat the Sony, 2009 has been nothing short of a nightmare for Scott. He has not made a cut since March where his last paycheck came when he was eliminated in the first round of the WGC-Accenture matchplay. The slide in form meant that Scott even scheduled surgery on his knee when he figured he wouldn’t be playing on Norman’s side at Harding Park next month.

“At the end of the day, he’s got the playing skills … what he can bring to the locker room, the support he gives to other players, the connection and the experience that he’s had playing on the Presidents Cup team,” Norman said in support of Scott. “He was really a logical choice.”

Norman bumped Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milka Singh, Shingo Katayama and Stephen Ames among others for his former protege Scott.

“Maybe, somewhat unexpected,” Scott said in response to his selection. “It’s been a tough year. I really feel like it will be great for my game and I feel like I can contribute points and contribute in the team room, as well.”

His captain coupldn’t agree more.

“What he can bring to the locker room, the support he gives to the other players, the connection and the experience that he’s had playing on the Presidents Cup team. He was really a logical choice,” Norman said. “It’s a tough decision, but at the end of the day, we’ve got a commitment out of a player. He has rededicated himself to a higher degree, so he’s going to be ready come four weeks from now.”

While there were few obvious picks for Norman to consider, his counterpart Couples was flooded of choices, several of which would have made as much sense as Glover and Mahan.

Brain Gay, No. 12 on the points list, has had a breakout season in 2009, winning twice, both times by large margins against quality fields. Possessing one of the best short games on Tour, Gay also, unfortunately, is one of the shortest hitters at the top of the game. The fact that Harding Park is expected to be set up extremely long meant that Gay was eventually overlooked by Couples.

Dustin Johnson also threw his name into consideration with a strong season. The long-hitting Johnson did not finish worse than 22nd in the four events leading up to the final day of selections, and posted a 4th place at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Presidents and Ryder Cup vets David Toms and Scott Verplank were also on Couples’ radar, as was young gun Nick Watney.

“The hardest thing?… Dustin Johnson and Brian Gay,” Couples said. “Brian Gay has won twice. He’s taking it pretty hard, which he should. I was overlooked one time, but I got picked a few times. For Hunter Mahan and Lucas, I think it’s a no-brainer, I really do.”

The U.S team consists of Glover and Mahan as well as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Kenny Perry, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Sean O’Hair, Anthony Kim and Junstin Leonard.

The Internationals are Geoff Ogilvy, Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Angel Cabrera, Mike Wier, Robert Allenby, Y.E Yang and Tim Clark as well as Ishikawa and Scott.

His best may have come too late for the season’s majors but there is always next year.

Tiger Woods declared boldly that he his back to his best after a storming victory at the BMW Championship that returned him to the top of the FedEx Cup standings.

Woods, who left the PGA Tour last year for eight months to recover from knee surgery, dominated the field to win by eight strokes and capture his 71st tour title.

The world number one failed to add to his collection of 14 major titles in 2009 as he chases Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.

However, with his sixth victory of the season, Woods reckons he is now on top of his game and has solved the putting problems that blighted his chances at the four majors. He said in a CNN article:

“It’s one of my best years, there’s no doubt about that – I haven’t won as many times as I did in 2000 and didn’t win any majors this year, but certainly I’ve never had a year where I’ve been this consistent either, this many high finishes and the number of events I’ve played.”

Woods, who shot a course record 62 at Cog Hill in the third round, closed with a 68 for a total of 19-under-par 265 and his fifth victory in the event. That was eight strokes better than Jim Furyk and Australian Marc Leishman.

He agreed that putting was the key to his victory.

“It’s just been a matter of making a couple putts here and there and I would have won the tournaments. That’s all the difference was. And lo and behold, boom, I hit the ball just as well, just as consistent this week, and I made a few putts, and that’s how it happens.”

Furyk is third on the FedEx Cup standings behind Steve Stricker with Zach Johnson fourth and Heath Slocum fifth.

Woods and company now head for the season-ending Tour Championship that could seal his victory in the FedEx Cup.

On the European Tour, 43-year-old South African James Kingston beat Denmark’s Anders Hansen in a play-off to win the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne.

Kingston closed with three-under 69 and Hansen fired 67 as both players finished on 13-under 275 for the tournament.

The veteran then sank a four-foot putt on the first sudden-death play-off hole as Hansen missed a six-footer.

Kingston is now the oldest Tour winner this season and jumps into the top 50 of the Race to Dubai contest. It was also his second career win on the circuit after his South African Open triumph in 2008.

England’s Simon Dyson, Denmark’s Soren Hansen and Peter Hanson, of Sweden, were tied for third on 276.

Almost 50 years ago, Arnold Palmer undertook a journey that would change the face of professional golf.

He blazed a trail that would open up untold opportunities for professional golfers to make the kind of millions that they earn in modern times.

In doing so, he became golf’s first megastar. This week, Palmer celebrated his 80th birthday and tributes poured in from all around the world.

It all started when he met college buddy Mark McCormack for the first time.

McCormack, a legend in his own right, became golf’s first true agent and he helped Palmer exploit his huge name through endorsements and sponsorships.

In his first year, Palmer’s endorsement earnings went from $6,000 to $500,000. And all because of a handshake deal with McCormack, the founder of IMG – International Management Group that now serves thousands of professional golfers, other athletes and entertainment stars around the world, including Tiger Woods.

IMG also had golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player – two giants of the game. Woods, Nicklaus and Player were among those who gave their best wishes to the man known as “The King” who has ruled the roost on all four major tournaments in his total collection of seven titles.

World number one Woods led the way, as Reuters quoted him as saying:

“With his charisma, with his personality in conjunction with TV, it was just the perfect symbiotic growth. You finally have someone who has this charisma and they’re capturing it on TV for the very first time. Everyone got hooked to the game of golf via TV because of Arnold.”

Nicklaus eventually became one of Palmer’s main rivals on the PGA Tour, going on to win a record 18 majors. Writing on his website, he said:

“Arnold became a friend to me when I first came on tour. We became very close and our wives became very close. We played a lot of team championships together and we had a lot of fun. Through those years, yes, we had a rivalry but we never had a rivalry when we were off the golf course.”

South African Player, who is 74 and won nine major tournaments said one of Palmer’s best legacies was the positive impression he left on younger players and fans, for whom he would always sign autographs. He said:

“He’s been a wonderful role model to young people and to everybody for that matter, not only in the United States but in the entire world. He’s been a great ambassador.”

In recognition of his achievements, the US Senate agreed to award Palmer with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his service to America through golf.

According to reports, in true Palmer style, he celebrated his birthday on September 10 playing a round with friends.

Steve Stricker’s victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship means he is now the leading challenger to Tiger Woods’ number one world ranking.

Stricker moved past Phil Mickelson to occupy number two in the world and, though he is still some way off Woods, he at least can boast of FedEx Cup bragging rights … at least for now.

With two more play-off events remaining, Stricker leads the FedEx standings with 5,605 points with Woods on 4,696 points.

There is now talk that Stricker could even be in line for Player of the Year honours if he keep Woods at bay and wins the FedEx Cup.

Though Woods has failed to win any majors this season, he leads the money list by more than $2 million after five tournament victories and is also a favourite for the Player title.

However, Stricker wants to first concentrate on the FedEx Cup and this week’s BMW Championship. He said in an AP article:

“Whoever is going to win this, whether it be him (Woods) or me or anybody else, you’re going to have to play some pretty good golf for two more events. And it’s going to lead to a lot of excitement.”

Woods knows that the final events of the season are crucial to Player of the Year chances because those are still fresh in the minds of those who vote – the pros themselves. He said:

“Playing well at the end of the year in the big events … it can swing votes, because usually guys remember what you’ve done later in the year. There have been guys that have won three or four tournaments, but they were all at the beginning of the year. Somebody does it all late in the year, then people remember those.”

Should Woods be voted 2009 Player of the Year, it would be his second award during a season in which he has not won a major. The last one was in 2003.

Other non-major winners are Wayne Levi, in 1990, Greg Norman, who topped the votes in 1995.