Dustin Johnson did exactly what he could not do by starting out incredibly bad on the easiest holes at Pebble Beach and never recovered. Is there a will to lose, a mental block, a jinx, or is it just that hard to relax and be in the moment? McDowell seemed perfectly comfortable in winning his first major. He made the right decision to lay up with his 9 iron on 18 Sunday and make his dream come true- 2 putts to win the Open! Even seasoned players did some stupid stuff. Mickelson attempted a ridiculous sweeping hook with his 3 wood and ended in the Pacific. Els went right and barely avoided a disasterous dive in the ocean. Woods ended up in some short sided spots that even the mighty Tiger could not extricate himself. Tiger also uncharacteristically left more than a few putts short. So, what’s up Rick? Why is it so hard some days for some folks and other golfers like Graeme McDowell seem to thrive under pressure. I suspect there is a psychological barrier that sometimes a man feels like he doesn’t deserve it. Maybe Tiger’s recent dallances have brought him to feel like a loser? Could it be? Was this self realization Ben Hogan’s secret? Can it be taught or must it like many life lessons be learned on the job?

Something tells me that Rick is continuing to improve not only as a teacher but as a player and at some point will jump back into competition. I also know that he has overcome health issues and keeps in great shape. The Seniors Tour is too far away for now but good money says Rick will definetely be ready. So for now watch out for the guys with the “lean and hungry look”! Good luck to you Rick.

I sometimes get teamed up with guys on the course and as a Scotsman tally the total investment of some of these duffers investment to “buy a game”. I saw them in the pro shop buying Pro-V1′s and promptly losing 1 or 2 off the first tee. Uncle Malcolm told me a long time ago, “Son, its not the arrow its the Indian!”. So sure Rick the technology today has made some of my clubs obsolete, but if I had the money I would rather buy some lessons and time on a launch monitor than some new clubs. Cory Pavin is a guy I can relate to because he comes to Colonial 26-27 years in a row because he can compete with the bombers and he is there to win baby. It is worth noting that Cory skipped the Seniors Championship to compete at Colonial. Cory lets his trusty Bulls-Eye do the talking. Zach Johnson is out of the same mold as Cory, not very long but dead-eye short game. Congrats out to him and also to Jason Day winner at the Nelson. I followed Jason 2 years ago at Colonial when he was on a sponsor’s exemption and saw him struggle to finish the first round. The levee on 14 got him and he hit three off the tee and pulled it way left almost punched out all the way across the fairway into the levee again! I think he went over the green and ended up 2 putting for an 8! Man can I relate! But he put it behind him a played in with a smile. That is the trait of a Champion- how he reacts to defeat and being humiliated by the golf gods. Jason Day showed he has the right stuff and we will be seeing a lot more of him now that he knows how to win. Just curious to see if another great champion can somehow overcome physical and emotional injury and get his game back to the level he once had. The Memorial could be a real “Tiger’s tale”.