Mickelson looks for hat-trick at Greater Hartford Open
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2003 Greater Hartford Open | Preview | 23 Jul 2003
The hype and hoopla that would have been associated with this event had it been played two months ago, has now all but disappeared. Suzy Whaley’s appearance in the event may provide her with fifteen minutes of fame and perhaps a lot of fans, but if she had not had her thunder stolen by Annika’s effort at the Colonial in May, then the focus would well and truly have been on her. That lack of attention may perhaps work in her favour, but given that she has struggled to make the cut in her few starts on the LPGA Tour this season, then it is hardly likely that she will better the fine effort of Sorenstam.
Whaley gained her start in this event in controversial circumstances, winning a regional PGA sectional qualifier late last year, when playing from forward tees. Her husband Bill manages the TPC of River Highlands course so it will be a big week for the Whaley family.
Now that the limelight has been somewhat taken away from her appearance, much of the interest will be on whether Phil Mickelson can win the event for the third consecutive year.
The Greater Hartford Open has become somewhat of a Mickelson benefit (if indeed he needed one) in recent years. When he played it in 2001 it was the first time he had played the event since 1994, but he has certainly made up for lost time with two consecutive wins. He arrives back from yet another disappointing British Open having finished 59th there, but a disappointing British Open has become par for the course for Mickelson and do not be surprised to see him bounce back quickly this week.
The course, The TPC at River Highlands, was originally built in 1928 when the great Donald Ross’ cousin Robert, laid out the course. A minor redesign was done in 1951 by Orrin Smith, but in 1984 Pete Dye introduced his dramatic spectator mounding in order that the course could stage an event of this magnitude, but retained much of the course’s original character. Then in 1991, Bobby Weed, who had worked with Dye originally, built eleven new holes and enlisted the advice of tour players Roger Maltbie and Howard Twitty. It is a great tournament venue from a spectator’s standpoint.
Cool season bents predominate here as you would expect so far north.
British Open champion Ben Curtis has made a late withdrawal from the Greater Hartford Open, which would have been his first appearance since winning the British Open last week. Curtis was scheduled to tee off this week at the TPC at River Highlands, but pulled out yesterday, saying that he wanted to spend time celebrating his victory with family and friends.
Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, Mark Calcavecchia, Brad Faxon, Tim Herron and Jonathan Kaye are arguably the leading players in the field.
Australasians Rod Pampling, Aaron Baddeley, Steve Allan, Grant Waite, Greg Chalmers, Mattie Goggin, John Senden, Paul Gow, Scott Laycock, Anthony Painter, Paul Gow, James McLean, Gavin Coles and David Smail are currently in the field.
