The Golf Watch

Oberholser loses his cool at AT&T

At the AT&T National earlier today, I was out following the group of Arron Oberholser, Stuart Appleby, and Brandt Snedeker.  All three of the players struggled, but it was the startling behavior of Oberholser that stuck with many of the fans after Friday's action.

It all started on the 12th hole when Oberholser had a putt from less than 5-feet for par. He asked a woman to stop moving behind the hole, and subsequently missed the putt.  He walked toward the 13th tee, slamming his putter against the bag twice. 

Then, on the 13th tee box, Oberholser said:

The next person who moves is getting putted upside the freakin' head.

Later, after missing a makeable birdie putt on 15, Oberholser threw his putter a good 25-30 ft. toward his bag in frustration. 

Oberholser has been afflicted with two majors injuries the past year--one involving his left hand, and the other involving his right shoulder.  It's been a long, frustrating year for Oberholser, but that's no excuse. 

Oberholser to have MRI on right shoulder

Arron Oberholser left Pebble Beach early last week because of a right shoulder injury.  Tim Rosaforte reported on Sunday's edition of Golf Central that Oberholser flew down to Phoenix to have an MRI on the shoulder today.  This is the second major injury Oberholser has dealt with in the past year, including a hand injury that was first aggravated at the Byron Nelson last spring.  Oberholser, who is ranked 33th in the world, hopes to compete in the Accenture Match Play next week. 

Oberholser hand surgery a success

Mark Soltau of Golf Digest reports that Arron Oberholser's hand surgery last Tuesday was a success.  Oberholser hurt his left hand in April at the Byron Nelson Classic and continued to play in spite of the pain for most of the year.  On Tuesday, he had surgery to have a bone chip removed from his left hand. "Everything went well," Oberholser said.  "I think I'll be swinging full-speed by the first week of December.  I hope to play a couple days in Tiger's pro-am (Target World Challenge, Dec. 13-16) and will work hard through the holidays to get ready for Hawaii."  Arron Oberholser is currently ranked 26th in the world golf ranking. 

Oberholser will miss World Cup

Arron Oberholser announced on Monday that he will not be playing in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in November due to hand surgery next Tuesday.  Oberholser selected his friend and fellow PGA Tour player Sean O'Hair to play with him and represent the United States at the World Cup last month.  There is still no word as to who will be replacing Oberholser at the event. 

Oberholser's goal is to win career grand slam

Earlier today, during The Golf Channel's broadcast of the Fry's Electronics Open, Arron Oberholser said in a pre-recorded interview that his goal is to win the career grand slam.  "The biggest goal that I’ve had and still have and I think for me is still attainable, is the career grand slam.  That's always been a goal of mine since I was in high school," said Oberholser, who is currently ranked 25th in the world.  "I’ve always thought that the grand slam all in one year was maybe a bit unrealistic for a guy like myself…but the career grand slam I think that that can be achieved."  Oberholser's first and only PGA Tour win came at the 2006 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.  Rich Lerner of The Golf Channel said to Frank Nobilo after the interview aired, "Frank, that may raise some eyebrows for some people."

Oberholser withdraws from BMW after eight holes

Arron Oberholser withdrew earlier today from the BMW Championship citing hand and wrist injuries.  Oberholser, who played eight holes before calling it quits, had climbed into the top-30 in the FedEx Cup standings after tying for second place last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship.  He said that even if he is inside the top-30 after the BMW, he still won't be able to play in the Tour Championship due to the injury.  Oberholser hopes to play in the Fry's Electronics Open in mid-October. 

Wetterich leads by one over Oberholser, both seek second win on tour

Brett Wetterich fired a 5-under 66 on Sunday to take the third round lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship.  Wetterich is one of the longest hitters on tour and was able to take advantage of the classic layout at the TPC of Boston.  "It was nice to go out and play well," said Wetterich at his press conference. Arron Oberholser trails Wetterich by one stroke.  After his round, Oberholser told Jimmy Roberts of NBC Sports, "My putting has been saving me this week.  But I think if I’m going to win tomorrow, I’m going to have to strike the ball a little bit better than I have been."  Both Wetterich and Oberholser will be seeking their second win on the PGA Tour.