Vincent Publishing - Index

Vincent Publishing - 2008 Northern Trust Open - Index

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Following the Wachovia Championship was THE PLAYERS, in
its new timeslot shuffled by the TOUR in an effort to place
arguably the toughest field in professional golf a month after the
Masters and a month before the U.S. Open.
The new date worked, the course changes at the TPC Sawgrass
were well accepted and the new clubhouse, which is 40% bigger
than the White House, was unveiled to rave reviews.
But that wasn’t the only thing that was new in Ponte Vedra, the
headquarters of the TOUR, that week in May.
Phil Mickelson was in his third week with new coach Butch
Harmon and suddenly, he looked as good as ever.
Mickelson added his 31st career TOUR victory to his collection
on that Sunday by winning THE PLAYERS with a
control that had been lacking the last three months. He
closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory that
returned him to No. 2 in the world and pointed him in the
right direction with the approaching U.S. Open. It was his
first victory at THE PLAYERS in 14 attempts.
It was Mickelson’s second victory of the year. He won the
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in his first outing of the season,
just like Woods.
Even with Woods’ worst showing of the season, a T37 after
opening with a 75 at THE PLAYERS, it was more than just probable
that a Woods/Mickelson showdown would happen. And
where better than at the U.S. Open in the hills of Western
Pennsylvania?
56
Above: Angel Cabrera with the U.S. Open Championship trophy.
Right: Padraig Harrington with the coveted Claret Jug after his playoff
victory over Sergio Garcia to win the 2007 Open Championship.
2008 OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT MAGAZINE
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
YEAR IN REVIEW
That might have been the case, except Mickelson missed
the cut.
Second and third major, second and third
surprise
In order to keep some mystique in the majors this year, it
seemed only fitting that an unlikely champion would hold
off Tiger.
The result was becoming familiar.
Angel Cabrera hit all the right shots to hold off Woods and
Furyk by a stroke on a Sunday of survival at the U.S. Open,
shooting a 1-under-par 69 at the brutal Oakmont Country
Club and giving Argentina its first major championship in
40 years.
For the second straight major, Woods played in the final
group and couldn’t deliver in the clutch.
Woods squandered birdie chances with his wedge and his
putter, and Furyk paid for a risky choice of driver on the 306yard
17th hole and fell out of the lead with a bogey.
That left Cabrera as the winner, and yes, he signed a correct
scorecard.