Golf Claps & Silent Treatment: WGC-Bridgestone
Written by Each Monday we’ll recap the weekend’s PGA Tour action, and occasionally big events from other tours, with the Golf Clap/Silent Treatment segment – our version of cheers and jeers, if you will.
It’s simple: Those we deem winners receive a Golf Clap – our oh-so-polite acknowledgment of a job well done. Losers get the Silent Treatment – golf’s version of the Bronx cheer.
Hey, it’s a genteel game, and we’re all about respecting tradition.
Here’s our take on the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational:
Golf Claps
- Adam Scott: The talented Aussie is coming into his own. Scott’s glorious swing was in fine form at Firestone CC, where he dusted a star-studded field with a 17-under-par performance and four-shot victory. Scott’s opening 62 was impressive as was his closing 65 – especially Scott’s pedal-to-the-medal, back-nine 31 to separate from the pack. Good on ya, mate.
- Ryo Ishikawa: The Japanese sensation, all of age 19, showed his stuff with a fourth-place finish. Paired with Scott in the Sunday’s final group, he held his own with a 69. Best of all, Ishikawa’s entire check ($332,500) goes to help victims of Japan’s devastating March tsunami – along with every other dime he earns playing golf this year.
- Jason Day: Another Australian who appears destined for greatness, Day charged to a fourth-place tie in Akron. He’s already finished second at the Masters and U.S. Open this year. Is this week’s PGA Championship the charm?
- Tiger Woods: A grudging clap, to be sure, but at least he’s back playing. Woods finished with birdies on three of his last four holes Sunday to provide a glimmer of hope for his PGA chances.
Silent Treatment
- Steve Williams: Too bad we couldn’t administer the silent treatment before Stevie opened his mouth. But there was Tiger’s former caddie – now looping for Scott – soaking up Sunday’s glory as though he’d been the one swinging the sticks. There’s really no good guy in the Tiger-Stevie feud, but any more egotistical blather from Williams will put us squarely in Tiger’s corner.
- The long putter: Yeah, it’s worked wonders for Scott. We still think it’s an abomination.
- Darren Clarke: Let’s get one thing straight: We love Darren Clarke. Love the guy. And we don’t begrudge him a single sip of the gallons of Guinness he’s imbibed since winning the Open Championship. But come on, Clarkey, at least make an effort. Paired with Woods for the first two rounds, the big man opened 77-74 before redeeming himself on the weekend with 69-72. Have another pint, Darren. Just hit the practice tee first.
