The Golf Watch

Slocum wins with Woods, Harrington on his tail

You have a 20 ft. putt on the 18th green at Liberty National.  If you miss it, you join Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els at 8-under-par.  If you make it, you face a playoff with Steve Stricker.  Knowing full well that you will likely not survive a playoff against three of the best players in the game, you are going to make that putt.

That's what Health Slocum did; he drained a 20-footer for birdie on the 18th to win The Barclays.  Slocum one-ups his good friend Boo Weekley, claiming his third PGA Tour title.  The full recap is here. 

As for the US Amateur, Byeong-Hun An, at 17, became the youngest player to win the US Amateur. For the second straight year, another South Korea native has won.  Read the story here. 

U.S. can't pull off upset at World Cup, Scots win

Although Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum were underdogs when the week began, the U.S. duo led by one stroke after each of the first three rounds at the World Cup of Golf in China.  But Colin Montgomerie and Charles Warren of Scotland fired a 6-under 66 on Sunday and defeated Weekley and Slocum on the third playoff hole.  The Scots lost last year in a playoff, but redeemed themselves this year.  "It's been a long time for Scotland to win the World Cup, since 1953," said Montgomerie.  "There was pressure to come back after a playoff loss like we did last year..."  The Americans had their opportunities all day, including the first playoff hole where Slocum missed a 7-foot birdie putt that would have won the cup.  Nevertheless, Slocum said, " It was a wonderful experience.  This would have been icing on the cake to top it off with a victory."

Weekley, Slocum to represent US at World Cup

As of six days ago, Arron Oberholser and Sean O'Hair were going to represent the United States at the World Cup in China in late November.  But Oberholser pulled out of the tournament last Monday due to expected hand surgery this Tuesday.  Therefore, according to the Associated Press, Boo Weekley (left) and Heath Slocum (right) will be replacing Oberholser and O'Hair and represent the United States at the tournament.  "This is really a dream come true for me," said Weekley. "I am so excited to play with Heath and represent our country in this world event."  Interestingly, Weekley and Slocum played together in high school at Milton High in the Florida Panhandle.  As for O'Hair, even though he is fully healthy, he was not surprised about the decision.  "It’s not like I earned the spot,” he said. "I was picked (by Oberholser)."