Chipping In - Hull breaks through, Donald showing positive signs

Chipping In is a weekly column written by Golfing journalist Nick Bonfield

PGA Tour:

Superb Senden

It was great to see John Senden triumph in difficult conditions at the Valspar Championship. His constitution and mental strength have been called into question in the past, and his meager PGA Tour victory record arguably helps validate such concerns (his only previous PGA Tour title came at the 2006 John Deere Classic). Without wishing to disparage his record – and winning on the PGA Tour is an impressive feat in itself – his immense ball-striking should have yielded more victories.

So why has he notched so few wins? His putting and short game have been perpetual issues through the course of his career, so his manner of victory was encouraging. His chipping – which culminated in a holed second from off the green at the par-3 17th – was excellent and his short putting was as good as I can remember it being. It’s pleasing to see Senden rectify his areas of weakness and, given his ability from tee to green, a Steve Stricker-esque 40-something victory surge isn’t out of the question.

Donald showing positive signs

Luke Donald endured a lackluster 2013, and he started the Valspar Championship, where he won his last professional title two years ago, outside the world’s 25 – a significant decline for someone who spent 55 weeks as number one in the rankings between 2011 and 2012. Despite his success, he felt he needed to modify his swing to preserve his ability to contend consistently at the top level. Regardless of whether you think that was the right or wrong decision, he seems to be coming back into form at just the right time.

Slow play surfaces again

The Valspar Championship was an exciting tournament on an excellent golf course with a superb closing stretch, so it’s galling to see a most of the post-event coverage focus on the slow play. Granted, Kevin Na is somewhat lethargic (despite his commendable efforts to speed up) but, relatively, he’s not that much slower than some of his peers. As Roger Maltbie pointed out, being a slow player isn’t a crime against humanity. No one likes slow play, and it can detract from a viewer’s enjoyment, but who is really to blame here? With so much on the line with every shot – especially for someone like Kevin Na – I can understand why he takes his time.

The PGA Tour’s authorities are hugely guilty in this area, not least for overcomplicating things. As Peter Jacobson was discussing the criteria that needed to be met before a group is put on the clock, it struck me how farcical the situation is. Yes, some players have a pre-disposition to playing slowly, but PGA Tour policy - which makes it virtually impossible for a player to be penalised a shot (it’s important to note here that John Parrimore, the European Tour’s Chief Rules Official, imposed the penalty on 14-year-old Guan Tian Lang at the Masters, not a PGA Tour official) – also helps facilitate a problem that commands far more attention that it should.

Florida swing – ideal Masters preparation?

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Florida swing, and the final event, the Bay Hill Invitational, is my favourite tournament of the lot. This stretch of championships is an example of shrewd scheduling from the PGA Tour, with the world’s top players not only competing because of the prestige of the events, but because of the test they provide in the lead up to the first major of the year. Simply put, if you compete in these four events, you know your game is in good enough shape to contend at the Masters. Doral, PGA National, Innisbrook and Bay Hill are all fantastic golf courses with some outstanding holes, and if I was a top or mid-range European, there’s no way I’d be missing out to play the Tshwane Open or Trophee Hassan II.

Daly shoots worst PGA Tour round

During the second round of the Valspar Championship John Daly shot a 90, which included a 12 on a par 4. I read an interesting article on the Golf Channel website asking why he still gets so many sponsors' invitations, when his last PGA Tour win came in 2004 and his last major triumph was 19 year ago. I can understand why they feel young, talented players should be favoured over an aging, washed-up golfer who will surely never win again on tour, but the fact is he is still one of golf’s biggest draws. It might seem unfair, but his enigmatic nature and ‘grip it and rip it’ philosophy strike a chord with many golfers, and his swashbuckling style of play and colourful character undoubtedly help the outward perception of the sport. Daly attracts viewers in his own right, which is more than can be said for the vast majority of professional golfers.

Ladies European Tour:

Hull breaks through

Charley Hull capped her meteoric rise through the professional ranks with a maiden victory at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco, one week before her 18th birthday. The Englishwomen – who fired a closing 62 and defeated LET Stalwart Gwladys Nocera in the subsequent play-off – can’t legally order a drink, but she’s already won on tour, been named LET Rookie of the Year and become the youngest ever player to compete in the Solheim Cup, where she demonstrated incredible maturity and unbelievable skill to help Europe claim its first victory on American soil. She’s an amazing talent, refreshingly aloof and astonishingly unfazed by the big occasion. There’s no doubt in my mind she’s a future world number one in the making.

European Tour:

Canizares strolls home in Morocco

Alejandro Canizares has been threatening a win for some time, and his play since the Omega European Masters has been impressively consistent. He shot a brilliant 62 in the first round of the Trophee Hassan II and coasted to victory, holding the field at bay with uncompromising consistency from tee to green and putting prowess to match. It was also encouraging to see Andy Sullivan – who shot a nine-under-par 63 in the final round – record his best finish on the European Tour. Bright futures lie in store for both players, I’m sure.

Next week, the European Tour takes a break, while Tiger Woods joins a world-class field at the Bay Hill Invitational.

Image credit - PGA Tour / Ladies European Tour Facebook 

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