A Major Ends and Another Begins

Does anything say Major season like -10*C weather and a blanket of fresh snow? Usually not, but it was an easy winter here in Niagara Falls, Ontario and I guess "Ma" Nature had to give us a little reminder of what was supposed to be. What a strange beginning to the spring eh?! But like the saying goes "In like a lion, out like a lamb". Fortunately, some places aren't experiencing this weather and it makes us think of the finer things in life. Things like the colours "green and yellow", Pimento and Cheese Sandwiches, Azaleas and the roars of the patrons at Augusta National. For those on the planet that watch, play and consume golf... everybody and their "collective uncles" knows that it is now Masters week. Before the first ball is struck during the Ceremonial Tee Shot on Thursday morning we have to look a little bit at the happenings in the last 24 hours... or so.

Photo Credit: newsweek.com

As The Masters is getting set to tee off, this past weekend saw the first Major of the LPGA season. The ANA Inspiration was contested at Mission Hills Golf Club in  Rancho Mirage, California. Even though the LPGA Major Championships don't draw or seem to garner the attention that the men do, this tournament was every bit as entertaining and dramatic as any other Major played over the test of time. Starting with the first day it was Japan's Ai Miyazoto and Spain's Azahara Munoz that set the pace by firing respective 67's. More often than not however, we see those that set the pace with a blistering score come back to reality. Munoz would fire a 78 while Miyazoto would fire a 70 and the two ladies were slowly coming back to the field. Emerging from the pack like the Tour de France would be the likes of American Lexi Thompson, Britain's Charley Hull, Korea's stalwart Inbee Park, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and New Zealander  World #1 Lydia Ko. I had so much fun watching the girls play down the stretch from the comfort of my bed. But as much as Ko hung around all weekend it's tough not to look at the demise of Jutanugarn. I am certain that nerves entered into the equation as she would bogey the final three holes. Ultimately, it would be her low snap hook on the 18th  tee that summed up the prior two holes. As someone who has this affliction, tight arms and hands usually is the root cause of this miss... thus I figure it was nerves and tension. Lydia Ko on the other hand was silky smooth coming down the stretch. At times, it's extremely tough to look at the phenom as a teenager and not a savvy veteran of fifteen years. If there were detractors (and there are) of David Leadbetter's  "A Swing" changes that he made with her they can all stop now or at least they should. Her swing was as steady as they get and her approach into 18 was beautiful. Apparently, the swing changes that he made with Ko hold up under pressure. So Ko and her entourage took the traditional leap into Poppie's Pond.

Photo Credit: espn.go.com

Meanwhile, in Humble, Texas drama and destiny was being made. Sunday at the Shell Houston Open was magical. No there wasn't a dramatic hole out from an impossible position to win. No there wasn't a questionable ruling called in by a fan. What those of us were privy to by watching was the fulfillment of destiny and the end of a long journey (and consequently the beginning of a new journey). What could be said of journeyman Jim Herman? The 38 year-old American  has toiled on the Mini-Tours which contrary to popular is really no "bowl of cherries". Herman has played as a professional for 16 years and while playing a lot on the Web.com Tour the Ohio native had "cups of coffee" on the PGA Tour since 2011. But his tenacity and perseverance paid off. I said in an editorial written Saturday night that I was pulling for him to win. Because with a week of magic in store this week in Augusta it would have been nice to see a great story emerge leading into the week. Much to my delight and no doubt Herman himself, his family, caddie and friends a story right from Hollywood happened. The first thing that I thought watching yesterday afternoon was that it felt a little bit like "Tin Cup". Herman trailed the likes of Russell Henley and Henrik Stenson but Herman wouldn't go away. I was sitting here watching thinking to myself "Herman... that son of a gun IS going to win".Admittedly, there was a period of time that I wasn't watching because my dog needed to go for a walk. But I came back home from the walk, walked through the door and I looked at the television and there was his name atop the leaderboard. It's now the 18th Hole and I said to my son... "smart golf and par wins". So as we now know a green hit and two putts later Herman punched his ticket to Magnolia Lane. Was it coincidence that he happened to be wearing Mint Green? Overcome by tears of joy afterwards it was the realization for Jim Herman that a dream had come true. I cannot tell you how happy I was for him and there is a lesson here kids... hard work and never giving up pays (just like you taught me mom and dad). Magic... absolute magic. What a lead-in heading into The Masters.

Photo Credit: golfchannel.com

Until the next tee.