Michelob Championship at Kingsmill

03 Oct 2002 - 06 Oct 2002
Kingsmill Golf Club, Williamsburg, VA

It has been almost two weeks since we have competed last, so Mike and I are looking forward to getting back at it. After a strong showing at the World Golf Championship Mike is feeling good and ready to compete at a tournament he has had much past success in. The Michelob Championship at Kingsmill is hosted at the Kingsmill Golf Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is great to come back here to play, and advantageous for Mike as he has competed on this course for four years now. Last year he finished T-12, and in 1999 and 2000 Mike finished 3rd, and 2nd respectively. In 2000, Mike lost the title in a playoff to David Toms after closely missing a ten-foot putt.

The course this year is different from years past, playing much softer and slower. It is going to play a lot longer but much easier into the greens. Premium on driving ball in fairway as the rough is so long going to be difficult to advance to the green from the rough. Mike will be able to fire at a lot of pins and make a lot of birdies if playing well. Greens are really soft and quite bumpy, not the best greens we have seen. There are many holes that present good opportunities for birdies, which is what Mike will need to capitalize on by sinking his putts. The hardest holes on the course are by far hole 8 and hole 16.

Hole 8 is a par 4, 413 yard course and the most difficult on the course. With a pond guarding the left side of the fairway, it will be important to get an accurate shot off the tee. The approach shot is demanding, playing into an elevated, narrow, two-tiered green that is guarded by sand bunkers. Hole 16 is another challenging hole, and the best hole on the course, in my opinion. At 427 yards, this par 4 is a dog-leg right into prevailing winds, requiring both accuracy and a long drive. The green is wide and guarded by many bunkers and deep rough.

Kingsmill has the best 4 finishing holes that I have seen on the PGA Tour. Hole 15, a 506 yard, reachable par 5, is one that you need to capitilize on by making birdie. Hole 17 is a straight par 3 that should give up some birdies with an accurate mid iron tee shot. And the last hole, number 18, a 435 yard par 4, is a great finishing hole. With water lining the fairway down the left, it is a must to get in the fairway. The elevated green and difficult pin positions will make it important to get the ball close to the hole.

I am really looking forward to this week, the way Mike is playing I can see him giving it a good run this week.

My prediction for the winning score this week is 16-under.