Tiger returns for second Deutsche Bank Championship

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2004 Deutsche Bank Championship | Preview | 01 Sep 2004

With just one event left after this week’s Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston, prior to the Ryder Cup, this year’s field for the relative newcomer to the USPGA Tour, is one that any new sponsor would die for.

The Tournament Players Club of Boston, an Arnold Palmer designed course, opened in 2002 and is located in the suburb of Norton. The course measures 7488 yards with a par of 72. The layout winds it’s way through existing vegetation and natural wetlands giving the feeling that it has been around a lot longer than it has. The greens are sown in A4 Bentgrass and the fairways in Princeville Bentgrass.

The event will start on Friday as opposed to the Thursday for most events on the USPGA Tour and will finish on Monday September 6th, a public holiday (Labor Day) in the USA.

Defending his win last year will be Australian Adam Scott although he comes into this event with a very ordinary weekend at the NEC behind him. Mind you last year he had shot 80 on the Sunday at Firestone, the week before his win so go figure! Scott is a two time winner on the PGA Tour this year and last weekend aside, his close up form is very strong. He won’t be the favourite in a field of this quality, but he could go well on a golf course he clearly feels good about. His course record 62 here in round two last year set up his four shot win.

Tiger Woods was seventh here and although we can talk all we like about his indifferent form at present, he still seems to find a way to be in the mix on Sundays. His closing rounds of 67 and 67 last year indicate a comfort zone with the course and there will be many prepared to bet that this is the week that Tiger returns to the winner’s circle. Mind you he needs to, as his number one status in world golf is on the line.

Vijay Singh was fourth here last year and despite an ordinary week by his standards last week at the NEC, he will likely be going at it with Tiger on Sunday. It is hard to imagine him not challenging at some stage on Sunday. He had come off two consecutive wins the week prior to the NEC, including his remarkable win at the PGA. Adding further incentive for Singh, if indeed he needs it, is that he will gain the world number one spot if he ties or beats Woods.

Tim Herron so very nearly got us the chocolates last week that I am prepared to give him another go. He had a couple of ordinary weeks around the US Open time, the result of Lymes Disease, but apart from that his form in recent months has been great. He had four fine rounds here last year when 5th and I think he can go close here.

Jim Furyk continues on the road to recovery from his injury problems earlier in the year and closed with two 67’s last year to finish 13th. His form since his return at the US Open has been a little stop / start, but he must be getting close to something very good. He was 6th at the Western Open and 7th at the Buick and last week at the NEC was a reasonable 22nd.

Of the others Geoff Ogilvy did very well here last year when 5th and although yet to win a professional event anywhere, he has give enough signals this year to suggest he is not far from that first win. Mind you he would need to be as it has been six years in professional golf without that win. It must happen soon though as he is too good a player not to. He has been inside the top twenty five in more than half his twenty one starts this year so he is putting himself into a position to win often, but to date, not going on with it.

Zach Johnson was back to what he was capable of last week when third and a repeat would not surprise. He did not play here last year.

Bo Van Pelt is another who is playing beautifully this year. He is now into this third campaign on the PGA Tour and has finally found his feet. He has five top tens and US$1.4 million this year so he may be an outside chance here.

Of the other Australians Peter Lonard is perhaps the most credentialed, but his form this year and of late has been just ordinary. He has slipped outside the top fifty in the word rankings for the first time since mid 2002. He was 24th here last year which was solid but an ordinary missed cut last week is of concern.

Mark Hensby, John Senden, Steve Allan, Aaron Baddeley, late inclusion Greg Chalmers, Craig Perks, Grant Waite, Scott Hend, Phil Tataurangi and Andre Stolz also fly the flag for the “down under” boys.

The event is worth US$5 million.