Take that, Phil (and Bill)!

First of all, be sure to check out this week’s PGA Tour Confidential over at Golf.com, along with the first-round pairings for the Match Play — which starts on Wednesday. If anyone wants to organize a pool or some type of bracket contest, let me know. Meanwhile, everyone keeps asking me, “Mexico or Match Play?” Neither! — I’m going home. (Woot!) I know I’ve mentioned it twice now, but hey, it’s been a while. Don’t worry, though, I’ll be back at it in time for the Honda Classic the following week. (continue reading…)

BOOM! Bill the Thrill!

First, Phil Mickelson drained a curling 25-footer for birdie on No. 18 in regulation to get himself in a playoff with Bill Haas, who was keeping loose at the range after signing for a two-under 69, seven-under total.

You could hear the roars all the way down Sunset Blvd to Hollywood. Jerry “Mr. Clutch” West threw both arms up in celebration. The CEO of Northern Trust, Rick Waddell, was screaming and jumping like a little kid. (Meanwhile, I’m not sure why some of us looked so shocked — it’s Phil the Thrill, after all.) (continue reading…)

Haas hoisting $11.44 million worth of hardware

After Bill Haas rolled in a four-footer on the 18th, the third hole in sudden death, beating Hunter Mahan to capture the Tour Championship, Haas was whisked through the tunnel, up the stairs — but not before Bubba Watson rushed after him to give him a congratulatory hug — and onto the veranda in the grandstands for the made-for-TV portion of the trophy presentation.

When Haas saw the Tour Championship trophy and FedExCup trophy both sitting on the table and didn’t see another player, he looked at his wife Julie and quietly asked her, “Did I win the FedExCup?”

She beamed as she recounted the anecdote, saying she laughed, nodded and told him in an equally hushed voice, “Yes!” (continue reading…)