The Golf Watch

Nobilo: Howell should listen to nobody

Jerry Kelly, one of the nicest guys on Tour, won the Zurich Classic. But arguably the biggest story on Sunday was Charles Howell’s inability to close out the tournament. Ever since his arrival on Tour at the turn of the century, there were high expectations.

He hasn’t blossomed as many would have hoped. And Frank Nobilo had this advice:

If I were Charles Howell right now, I would turn off every radio, every tv set, I would just simply go out and play golf. I wouldn’t read a newspaper. I think it’s really in his head right now. Everyone is telling him how to play golf. The guy has tons of talent…

Charles is ready believe me. He is just so ramped up, he’s like a spring that’s going to explode. I would say listen to nobody. Just play golf. We always critique him—in the print and visual media. We say ‘Charles should do this, Charles should do that.’ Don’t listen to anybody.

Kelly plays at Carnoustie instead of Milwaukee

Wisconsin native Jerry Kelly will not be playing in this week’s US Bank Championship in Milwaukee for only the second time since 1991.  Due to a schedule change in 2007, this year’s tournament is being played the same week as the British Open at Carnoustie, where Kelly will be playing.  "The British Open is one of my favorite tournaments in the world," said Kelly on Inside the PGA Tour on The Golf Channel. "I cannot miss a chance to change my life by winning a major golf tournament.  It’s very difficult for me the way that the fans have supported me so strongly.  But those are the fans who will want me to go to the British Open and win that golf tournament."  Kelly is a 2-time time PGA Tour winner who has finished in the top-15 at the US Bank for the past four years. 

Kelly playing well at majors in '07

Bruce Berlet of the Hartford Courant writes, "In his first 27 majors, Jerry Kelly never finished better than a tie for 20th.  But in the first two this year, he has a tie for fifth in the Masters and a tie for seventh in the U.S. Open."  Kelly credits swing coach Jim Schuman for his strong play this year.  The 2-time PGA Tour champion has not won on tour since 2002, but has six top-10 finishes this year, including a T-3 at the Byron Nelson.