The field of the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship had players from all over the world in Charlotte to compete at the Quail Hollow Club and yet after 72 holes, two teammates and great friends from Clemson University were left to battle for the Championship. Lucas Glover’s par on the 73rd hole gave him the victory over close friend Jonathan Byrd and his first victory since the 2009 US Open at Bethpage Black. Glover also became the first player to ever finish with all four rounds in the sixties in the nine years of the tournament and the win was worth a $1,170,000 check. Jonathan Byrd shot a 72 on Sunday and second place was worth $702,000. Glover said both he and Byrd attended a fund raiser for Clemson athletics on Friday evening and I am sure that both gentlemen may be receiving a congratulatory call and request for a donation to the IPTAY club.
NOTES FROM THE WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP
Glover said he learned something small late Tuesday afternoon and it worked well in his pro-am round Wednesday. Glover tilts his head at address and said squaring his club face at address was the key to figuring out his swing.
Glover also talked about how his wedges and putter won the tournament for him. Glover said that he was less than comfortable with his driving but that his short game was able to keep him in contention. Glover was third in total putts this week and first in Strokes gained-putting. The saying, “You Drive for Show, and putt for the dough,” was very fitting this week. Glover was 25th in driving distance and T49 in driving accuracy.
Glover called Byrd’s birdie on eighteen on National Television before Byrd hit his tee shot. They had talked Saturday on the range and wanted to have a 2 PM meeting on Sunday but things quite didn’t work out as planned.
Byrd was going for his 3rd victory in his last twelve starts.
Byrd said Glover had beaten him coming up thru the ranks of junior golf and college golf and credited Glover for Byrd becoming a better ball striker. “I knew I had to (become a better ball striker) if I wanted to compete with Lucas at this level.”
Sitting in both players’ press conferences, it was very clear that these guys are very close. Both mentioned how if they could not win, they wanted the other to. They discussed how they used to be joined at the hip for practice rounds as they were coming up thru the ranks.
Phil Mickelson finished with another Top 10 finish (T-9) here in Charlotte. He now has six Top Ten finishes at Quail Hollow, the most of anyone. Vijay Singh has five Top Ten finishes after his finish (T-9) this week.
Speaking of Mickelson, he put five balls in the water this week. How much do you think he would like to have those shots back?
Padraig Harrington avoided his second disqualification this year after someone claimed he hit his tee shot on the par three thirteenth from in front of the markers. Mickelson and Harrington along with several rules officials went back to the thirteenth tee box to try and find Harrington’s divot. The evidence was inconclusive and Harrington was allowed to keep his (T-9) finish.
Rory Sabbatini shot a 65 Sunday and got to -14. Sabbatini is potentially facing a suspension from the Tour for his actions this year. The PGA Tour had to be a little bit nervous and uncomfortable about the potential of Sabbatini winning this week and being suspended in the near future. Sabbatini was brought into the media center after his round on Sunday, but the press was told only questions about the round would be answered and any about anything else would lead to the immediate conclusion of his press conference.
My prediction, Webb Simpson, finished in a T-21.