Turning Stone provides turning point
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 Turning Stone Resort Championship | Preview | 04 Aug 2010
There is little doubt where the focus of attention in the world of golf will be this week but for those players in the field for the PGA Tour’ supporting event to the WGC Bridgestone Championship, they will think about little else.
Many in this week’s field at the Turning Stone Championship are struggling for survival on the PGA Tour and a good week this week while the game’s leading players are in Akron, Ohio might just change their fortunes this season and in the game generally.
The event is into it fourth year, the Tom Fazio designed Ayunyote Golf Club at Turning Stone Resort in Vernon New York playing host on each occasion. The differences this year are that that the event is being played two months earlier than it has been in previous years and that it is now in the category of a support event rather than a stand-alone PGA Tour Fall Series tournament.
Matt Kuchar won last year’s event after a playoff with Vaughn Taylor on Monday morning but he will not be in the field to defend his victory in this event, his success last year and since earning him the right to play at the Firestone Country Club instead this week.
Last year’s runner up Taylor however will be in this week’s field and having put together several good tournaments in recent weeks he could go one better this year. Taylor has also recorded top twenty finishes in his two other appearances at Ayunyote Golf Club.
Charles Howell gave an indication last week when 9th at the Greenbrier that he is heading back to the sort of form he was in earlier in the year. He finished third in this event in 2008 behind Dustin Johnson and was 18th last year.
Jimmy Walker was a star of the Nationwide Tour a few years ago but, due in the main to injury, has struggled to reach those same heights on the PGA Tour. He finished 4th last week at the Greenbrier Classic however and earlier in the season was 3rd in San Antonio. Importantly for his chances of a PGA Tour breakthrough this week is that he finished 5th in the event last year.
John Senden has played this event well and in 2010 needs a good tournament or two to protect his playing rights on the PGA Tour. He finished with a final round of 65 at the Greenbrier Classic last Sunday and with a 3rd and 5th placing over layout in two of his three starts he has form on the course.
Other Australians include Michael Sim, Steve Elkington, James Nitties, Jarrod Lyle, Aron Price, Nathan Green, Mathew Goggin, Cameron Percy, Greg Chalmers, Mark Hensby, John Senden and Rod Pampling and David Lutterus.
