NORTON, MA – (September 4, 2009) -As expected, another good ole fashion shootout is underway after round 1 of the 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship at 7,202-yard, par-71, at plush TPC Boston. Under ideal scoring conditions, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk, fired bogey-free rounds of 8-under 63, to share the lead. And Scott Verplank, Angel Cabrera, Justin Leonard, Matt Kuchar and Retief Goosen all checked in with sparkling rounds of 6-under, 65.
The unexpected news of the day was an 18-hole posting of 1-under, 70, by the world’s No. 1 player, Tiger Woods. In an uncharacteristic display of anger, Woods, slammed his driver to the ground on the par-4, fifth, where an errant tee shot resulted in a penalty. A disgruntled Woods, was all over the TPC landscape off the tee and needed 30 putts. When the ball does not drop, these public fits of anger by Woods are becoming more common, and in fact, are creepy. It’s time for some anger management courses for Woods since his pouting, shouting and jousting are over the limit. The PGA Tour is spineless and won’t fine him for anything he says or does. Recently, he criticized a rules official, this week he criticized Ernie Els players and who is next? The PGA TOUR ignores his abhorrent, childish behavior. They should issue him a warning or fine, since it’s not in the best interests of the game, even though he is the Tour’s meat ticket.
“How about every hole?” a testy Woods responded to questions about the frustration factor. “I really didn’t do much of anything today. I didn’t feel good over any shot today and didn’t drive it very good, hit my irons worse and didn’t make any putts. Other than that, it was a good day.”
Woods added, “I felt terrible over any tee shot, didn’t matter what club it was, whether it was an iron on a par-3 or a driver on any hole. I didn’t feel great over any shot. It was one of those days.”
There was no frustration in the scores posted by Jim Furyk or Steve Stricker. Furyk was flawless, hitting every green in regulation, while canning eight birdies. This marks the seventh time in his career Furyk has been 100 percent in greens in regulation, while he hit 13 or 14 fairways.
“I felt comfortable out there today and hit the ball very solid,” said an upbeat Furyk after signing his card for 63. “I hit a bunch of fairways, a bunch of greens and more importantly not only hit the green quite often but set myself up with a lot of good opportunities and uphill putts. I gave myself a lot of opportunities and took advantage of eight of them.’
Meanwhile Steve Stricker is the hottest player in the game at the moment, since coming off a second place finish last week at The Barclay’s. In his post round interview he make it clear he wants to win this week. He likes to play in the playoffs even though he’s not sure of the point system and likes to play for this big purse prize money.
“This course suits my game,” said Stricker, who will tee off Saturday at 1:10 pm in the prime time threesome with Heath Slocum and Tiger Woods. “This something about this time of year. I guess we’re winding down on the season and there’s a lot at stake. Maybe I’m reaching another level of focus or whatever, but I feel comfortable with my game the last three years since the playoffs have started. I’m sure that has a lot to do with it”
The $10 million first prize for winning the Fed Ex Cup is motivating the world’s best players. The top 70 and ties advance to Sunday and Monday’s final round. The Fed Ex Cup field will be reduced to the top 70 for next week’s tournament at Cog Hill, near Chicago.
The group of players are 5-under, 66, include Jerry Kelly, Sean O’Hair, Geoff Ogilvy and Troy Matteson. Nine players are at 67, including Padraig Harrington and David Toms. On this picture perfect day, and with weather predictions of clear, sunny skies, only 25 of the 99 players are currently over par.
The golf course will not get any kinder or gentler over the next three days, but Vijay Singh’s prediction that 22-under will win (which is what he won with last year) could be right on the money. And that first place money is a sweet $1,350,000!
For more information on the tournament go to: www.dbankchampionship.com
