The Golf Watch

D’oh! Clark and Funk lose in devastating fashion

It is becoming clearer with each runner-up finish (seven in total) that Tim Clark just can't get the job done on Sunday.  We saw Phil Mickelson struggle for years at the majors, and it's a shame that this guy can't break through on your average Tour stop.  Clark missed a 9-footer on the last hole and a 7-footer on the first playoff hole that would have clinched the tournament.  Looks like that label of best player never to have a won a Tour event will stick with him for the time being.  Here's the full story of Steve Stricker's triumph at Colonial. 

And for those of you who didn't catch it, Fred Funk's loss to Mark McNulty in a playoff at the Principal Charity Classic might have been just as cruel of a defeat.  Funk had two lipouts during the playoff, including one that pulled one of those nasty 360's.  Curt Byrum's call of "that was downright rude" summed it up pretty well.  Here's the full story.

Funk seals the deal at Jeld-Wen, Pettersson pleases home crowd

Sorry for the absence of posts the last couple of days, but there has been a lack of news, which is never a good thing in the thick of August.

Regardless, it was a big week on the Champions Tour as Fred Funk locked up his first major. Funk's army of fans must be pretty proud.

As for the PGA Tour, it was a pretty uneventful weekend as Carl Pettersson and Scott McCarron essentially had a match play event on Sunday.  Regardless, it was a win for the local guy.  Read the wire story here.

Funk plays five weeks in a row, on pace to make all five cuts

Fred Funk, at 51, has played five weeks in a row on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.  And barring a second round collapse at the FBR Open this week, Funk is on pace to play during the weekend in all five events (there was no cut at the Mercedes-Benz).  Funk has said that he will continue to split his time between both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, and why not?  The former University of Maryland Coach continues to drive the ball better than ever, and is competitive whenever he tees it up.  This has to be encouraging for the likes of Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia. 

Furyk and Funk struggle in second round

Jim Furyk and Fred Funk struggled on Friday after strong performances in the first round.  Furyk, who was tied for the lead after the opening round, shot a 4-over 74 on Friday, dropping him back to even-par-overall.  "I didn’t putt very well, I didn’t manage my game well, and I wasn’t really able to weather the storm," said Furyk in a press conference after his round.  Former University of Maryland golf coach Fred Funk was 7-over-par Friday, which dropped him back to 4-over-par overall.  Funk still made the cut, but struggled with his driving all day, which is unusual for one of the best driver's on the PGA Tour.  "...I really don’t understand why I’m hitting it so bad off the tee," said Funk after his round.  "I had frustration, but I’m okay."

Funk returns to D.C. for AT&T National, skips US Senior Open

Fred Funk, who is currently 51 and eligible to play on the Champions Tour, will be playing this week at the AT&T National, rather than the biggest major for those 50 and over, the US Senior Open.  Bob Harig writes on ESPN.com, "Instead of playing a tournament where he certainly would be among the favorites and might even walk off with some of the most coveted hardware in the sport, Funk will play a long, par-70 course against the best players in the world, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson."  Funk is the former golf coach of the University of Maryland in nearby College Park.  The 51-year-old won on tour earlier this year, and plans to continue to play on the PGA Tour until he is no longer competitive.   

Funk at 51, looking for second PGA Tour win in '07

Fred Funk is in fourth place and only three strokes behind Jay Williamson heading into the final round of the Travelers Championship.  Funk, who is 51, became the second player in history along with Craig Stadler to win on the PGA and Champions Tour in the same year.  Mark Pukalo of the Hartford Courant writes, "Jack Nicklaus told Fred Funk at the 2005 Presidents Cup that he would know when it was time to join the Champions Tour full time.  Funk, 51, is not there yet. Not close."  The former University of Maryland golf coach says, "I do really enjoy the Champions Tour, but right now my mind-set is to stay out here."

Berlet: Funk has had a roller coaster year

Bruce Berlet of the Hartford Courant writes, "The usually cheerful Fred Funk has had a roller coaster year."  Funk became the second player in history along with Craig Stadler to win on the PGA and Champions Tour in the same year.  During the PGA tournament that he won in Cancun, Funk experienced back problems for the first time in his career.  The problems persisted, but two weeks ago, the 51-year-old met Jerry James, who won the senior long-drive contest last year.  According to Berlet, James had Funk "do one hour of stretching exercises three times a day for three days one week.  Funk's hips and hamstrings became looser, freeing up his back."  The former Maryland golf coach felt great and played well at the US Open last week (T-30).  Funk hopes to play on this year President's Cup team for the second straight time.