Is there a better course in L.A. than Hogan's Alley? I've never actually managed to find someone who's willing to invite me to play Riviera, but
I have played L.A. Country Club North, the only place
Golf Digest ranks above it, but to me it's no contest. And so it's always a pleasure when the Tour arrives and I know I can drive just 10 minutes west of the terrifying 405 freeway and find myself walking a true gem.
Besides, I've been spending a lot of time lately following Mr. Woods, so it was was a nice change of pace to go to an event and not have an agenda. Here's the highlights of my day...
6:35AM -- With Nissan out as the title sponsor and Northern Trust in, the old entryway tents that used to be lined with cars are now lined with... nothing. Just a long wooden reception area that feels like the a hotel lobby but instead of giving out rooms, they're selling tickets. Is it a problem that I spent 6 hours at the Northern Trust Open and still have no idea what Northern Trust is or what they sell?
6:45 -- I head to the 10th hole, the most interesting on the course. At just 315 yards, the par 4 is too tempting for most players to
not go for it. But the green is so narrow and well-protected, not to mention fast, that really whether you're 50 yards out or just 5, any number from 2 to 6 are in play here.
6:55 -- I meet four of the marshals on the hole, all part of the same men's club half an hour away in Alhambra. Their club has supplied the marshals to the famed 10th for the last 30 YEARS and they're not giving it up. When Kevin Na from the first group of the day yanks his drive left near the cart path, marshal Gordon Johnson, who's been here for 15 straight, sees one of his friends at work and nods, "they're pulling up poles already..."
With most players hitting driver into this tight green, Gordon and company may be the busiest guys on the course this week.
7:02 -- True to form, all 3 guys in the opening group are within 50 yards of the hole and no one can make a birdie.
7:10 -- The 2nd group comes through which includes Bubba Watson, who hits it hole high just 15 yards from the hole. Birdie looks to be a given. He makes a 5.
7:37 -- When the group of Phil Mickelson, Rory Sabbatini and Hunter Mahan come through, I've found my group for the day. Believe it or not, I've never really followed Mickelson and am curious how it compares to Tiger's throng. Plus are there two personalities on Tour more different than Rory and Phil?
8:30 -- As Phil studies a par putt on the 13th green, a couple in their 40's are busy making out. Yes, I'm serious. If it wasn't Valentine's Day, I would have asked them, for the love of God, please stop.
8:42 -- Phil approaches the 14th green, a par 3, where his shot has missed wide right. He nods to the gallery as if we're all applauding his arrival. No one is. It's awkward.
9:40 -- On the 18th tee (their ninth hole for the day), Rory hits a terrible drive. He calls it a "block, sweep, floater" as he angrily gives the driver back to his caddy. The ball hits a tree on the right side of the long uphill par 4 and ends up just halfway up the steep hill that every other player so far has blown. It's the worst shot I'll see all day. Easily.
9:44 -- Rory has arrived at his ball and is... disgruntled. Rather than hack it back into the fairway, Rory decides to hit it up and over the remaining trees on the right, hoping to end up somewhere near the tee box on the 3rd hole. A cameraman is in his line and Rory's caddy nicely asks the guy to move. As he starts moving, his caddy says, "keep going, keep going..." Rory cuts to the chase and, unfortunately, says what he's thinking: "Just go away."
10:35 -- How are Rory and Phil's approach to a round different? Not only has Phil chatted up every player in his group, he has also had long conversations with every caddy in the group. By the time they get to their 12th hole of the day, Phil has no qualms about throwing his ball to RORY'S CADDY so he can wash it for him. See what a little kindness gets you? Rory on the other hand hasn't said a word to anyone other than his caddy for an hour.
11:41 -- Two deer run down the ditch that splits the 8th fairway. It's majestic for a moment, but there's one problem -- Phil and his caddy Bones are currently standing in the middle of the ditch. As the deer come prancing through, Phil smiles, then realizes he's in their path and starts to slink behind his bag and behind Bones. The deer must be Phil fans, they run out of the ditch and keep going down the left side of the fairway.
12:06 -- Phil and Rory (and Mahan) have arrived at their last hole, the 9th. It's a long par 4 and the pin is back left. And unfortunately for Rory, he's on the green but front and right. The only way to get close to the pin is by using a wedge. As Rory takes practice swings with it, the guy next to me says, "They've got to feel bad about taking a divot..." I turn to him and say, "Rory doesn't feel bad about anything." Rory swings and takes a huge chunk out of the green, hitting it to a couple feet for a great par but a bad +1 round of 72.
And to his credit, he replaces his divot.
Before the PGA season started, Vegas had the odds of Tiger to win the Grand Slam at 25-1. Amazingly low considering it hasn't been done in 78 years. And when Bobby Jones did it by winning the two Opens and Amateurs in 1930, Augusta National hadn't even been built yet.
