Reno Tahoe Open offers hope
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 Reno-Tahoe Open | Preview | 13 Jul 2010
The Reno Tahoe Open is the next home event on the USPGA Tour schedule and while it will struggle to gain a lot of exposure, given that it is played opposite the Open Championship thousands of miles away, it holds an important place for those in the field.
Events such as the Reno Tahoe Open have often been the making or breaking of careers. It is often played opposite another significant event although this is the first occasion it will compete with the Open Championship for the attention of golfing fans.
In recent years the tournament has been played a month later and opposite the World Golf Championship event at Firestone. Irrespective of when it is played it has often provided a lifeline for those without the credentials to play in the competing events to advance their cause on the PGA Tour.
The event will again be played at its home since first played in 1999; the Jack Nicklaus designed Montreaux Golf and country Club in Reno, Nevada.
Defending champion in 2010 will be John Rollins who gained revenge on a near miss the previous year when he defeated Jeff Quinney and Martin Laird by three shots. Despite Rollin’s success on the golf course his current issue is his recent form having missed the cut in five of his last six starts. He will need to rely on his comfort zone at this venue if he is to have a chance.
Vaughn Taylor probably deserves to be the favourite. He has played very well in recent weeks including a 6th place at last week’s John Deere Classic and with wins at this venue in 2004 and 2005 there is a lot to like about his chances.
John Merrick might not have done anything too spectacular in 2010 but he has made a lot of cuts and against this weaker field he might continue what has been a good record in this event. He has been 8th and 4th in his only two starts at the Montreaux Golf and Country Club
Steve Flesch has not played this tournament often but when he has he has done very well. He won in 2007 and has recorded three other top tens in a total of six starts. He has missed his last four cuts this season but played well in Texas in May and could improve on a layout that fits the lefty’s eye.
Joe Ogilvie has been steadily improving in recent weeks and has enjoyed some very good weeks at this tournament. He was 4th last year and 3rd in 2006 and with significant improvement in his last two weeks there is every reason to believe he might just contend.
The Australians line-up includes Rod Pampling, Nathan Green, David Lutterus, Jarrod Lyle, James Nitties, Aron Price, Mark Hensby, Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington.
The tournament carries prize-money of US$3.5 million which by most international standards is significant but which is at the lower end of the PGA Tour scale.
