N.Y. hearts Mickelson: Several elements are in place that could make a win by Phil Mickelson one of those spine-tingling golf moments. Mickelson's wife, Amy, is about to begin treatment for breast cancer. Plus, the championship is in the New York area, where Mickelson enjoys enormous popularity, and where he has played several milestone majors -- from the 2002 U.S. Open at the same Bethpage Black course, where he became a Big Apple favorite while finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods, to Baltusrol, where he won the 2005 PGA Championship, and Winged Foot, where he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at the 2006 U.S. Open.
Woods isn't just the favorite, as he usually is in majors, he's the defending champion in two ways. He won last year's epic U.S. Open at Torrey Pines on practically one leg, and he won the 2002 Open at Bethpage. Woods' masterful performance in winning the Memorial in his last start -- when he hit all 14 fairways in the final round -- makes him the easy pick to win.
We know Woods is best player in the world, and Mickelson, ranked No. 2, gets a pass on this discussion. So we wonder who the next strongest challenger to Woods is. There are plenty of young guns who need a major to take the next step. We're talking about you, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson and Sean O'Hair.
A former All-America college player at Clemson University, Glover said he was slow to realise his potential because he was quick to get down on himself when things went wrong.
After claiming a two-shot victory over world number two Phil Mickelson, former world number one David Duval and US Tour rookie Ricky Barnes, Glover said taking time off at the end of last season made the difference.
"It was the best thing career wise I've ever done," the 29-year-old South Carolinian told reporters about shutting down his season in early September.
"I hung them up after St Louis. I knew I had my card for this year, knew I had a job.
"I was not playing well enough to keep playing and feel like I could be happy on the golf course. I was taking it home, and I wasn't myself."
Glover, whose lone Tour victory had come in the 2005 Disney Classic, said his appetite for the game slowly returned.
Terrace Downs is unique in its grandeur, exclusive in location, distinct in the facilities it offers & remarkably affordable.
Picture yourself in front of a roaring hot fire with a glass of firm red wine. Outside the night’s sky is alive, the full moon beams down on snow capped peaks and the clear sky illuminates thousands of tiny stars which look like salient polished diamonds.
The air out there is crisp and cold, and as the frost sets in there is no wind, no movement just the most awe-inspiring view you have had the pleasure of experiencing. Rated among the top Resorts in the world Terrace Downs is unique in its grandeur, exclusive in location, distinct in the facilities it offers and remarkably affordable.
Located within an hour’s drive of Christchurch , New Zealand ’s second largest city, Terrace Downs is perfectly situated to allow easy access to all guests. Arriving at the High Country Resort seems all too easy; it is as if you should have driven for hours just to deserve the peace, serenity and rural tranquility it offers. Originally focusing on golf, Terrace Downs successfully established itself as an 18 hole, par 72 championship course, which led the way for future developments under the new Kiwi ownership that have seen the Resort encompass every aspect of holiday, retreat and conferencing requirements.
Terrace Downs offers a full range of onsite activities including archery, claybird shooting and horse treks so you won’t need to worry about how to pass the time. Close by, is the Terrace Downs Discovery Jet, great for jet boat tours of the intricate Rakaia River or for day trips fishing for salmon or trout; there is a long list of beautiful native bush walks; mountain bike tracks and challenging short hikes. The access road to Canterbury ’s leading commercial ski area, Mt Hutt, is located only 20 minutes from the Resort or the slopes can be reached in just five minutes via a $75.00 heli-taxi transfer, back this season due to popular demand! Also close are the idyllic Canterbury club fields, Craigieburn, Broken River, Temple Basin and Mt Cheeseman to name a few, as well as Porters Ski Area which features the steepest off piste runs in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Resort boasts three exquisite restaurants including Avoca Fine Dining, Tilley’s Bar and Brassiere and the newly announced alfresco wood fired pizza restaurant, The Grill. With one, two and three bedroom Terrace Villa Suites to choose from and the luxurious Fairway Chalets available there is a variety of generous sized accommodation to suit all retreat requirements. The Spa at Terrace Downs is possibly the icing on the cake for the already incomparable destination, unique Asian inspired products and décor offer a truly relaxing experience, and the internationally sourced therapists have extensive training and knowledge in the art of massage and the healing properties it holds.
Terrace Downs is a breathtaking place that leaves guests feeling revived, relaxed and rejuvenated. With so many developments over the last six months and more changes planned for 2010, there is a very bright future ahead for this truly stunning Resort.