The Golf Watch

Trevor Immelman just can't get healthy

2007 was a rough year for Trevor Immelman.  He had a severe stomach bug which caused him to lose more than 20 pounds and underwent surgery months later to remove a benign calcified fibrosis tumor from his diaphragm.

Now, it's his wrist.  Immelman wrote on his Facebook page:

In addition to the tendinitis in the wrist, they also discovered that I had a couple of small tears and some damage to the bone. I knew it had to be more than just the tendinitis, because I've played through that before.

Immelman didn't play in the US Open, and depending on how his wrist rehab goes, we might not see him for several more months. 

Trevor Immelman can play not only the flop shot, but a flam too

That’s right--Trevor Immelman is apparently a pretty good drummer.  In a PGA Tour promo video--which aired during the Arnold Palmer Invitational--Immelman shows off his drumming ability. 

He uses a lot of arm, but he gets around the set pretty well.  I use Pearl drums myself and approve of Immelman’s decision (nod to Pearl for providing a solid kit).

So now that we have a drummer, who would fill out the rest of the PGA Tour band (other than JD on acoustic)?

"We can safely say that if I do it this year, I will retire."

It's funny, two months ago at the Masters, all of the talk was centered around a potential grand slam.  Now, everyone knows it's out of the question.  Even Trevor Immelman joked about it with the press earlier today:

I would be the happiest guy on earth if I did it over the span of a career. We can safely say that if I do it this year, I will retire. I mean there’s no chance of that.  I haven’t even, not even for one second thought about that.

Immelman withdraws from Players

I just read on the wire that Trevor Immelman withdrew a few hours ago from The Players Championship because of a stomach bug.  Immelman's agent said the reigning Masters champ woke up vomiting and had an upset stomach.  Dustin Johnson took Immelman's spot.

Immelman on Late Show with David Letterman

Trevor Immelman made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday night, and read the "Top 10 Ways Trevor Immelman's Life Has Changed Since Winning The Masters." 

10. I've been elevated from "unknown" to "obscure"

9. Thanks to the prize money, I no longer have to buy generic root beer

8. Suddenly I don't look so foolish for trademarking "Immelmania"

7. I'm BFFs with Lauren and Heidi from "The Hills"

6. President Bush called to congratulate me on winning Wimbledon

5. When my caddy recommends a club I can say, "Excuse me, how many Masters have you won?"

4. Invited to Masters Winners Week on "Jeopardy"

3. I get a lifetime supply of them little pencils

2. Guess who's playing 36 holes with the Pope this weekend?

1. Get to put my arm around Tiger Woods and say, "Maybe next year"

Immelman will also make it on to Live with Regis and Kelly tomorrow morning, along with expected appearances on CNN and Fox News.

Carminita Immelman generates more interest than Trevor

After Trevor Immelman won the Masters, millions of people rushed to their computers to learn more not only about the South African, but about his wife, Carminita.  According to golfweek.com's Sunday at the Masters, Carminita Immelman was No. 1 on Google Trends at 9 p.m. EST.  For the entire day, she ranked second, with her husband at No. 7.  Clearly, some people watching CBS' final round telecast weren't thinking only about the golf.

Immelman wins first major championship at Augusta

Less than four months after having a benign tumor removed, Trevor Immelman won his first major championship at Augusta National.  Immelman stayed away from trouble most of the day, and finished at 8-under-par (3-over 75), three strokes ahead of Tiger Woods.  Gary Player, pictured with Immelman below, left the soon to be Masters champ a voicemail last night saying, "There will be bad breaks, and I know you are going to win."

Does Immelman have what it takes?

For the first time in his nine years as a professional, Trevor Immelman has the lead heading into the final round of a major championship.  Don't be fooled by the mainstream media--Immelman has plenty of experience--with six worldwide wins, including a win at the Western Open two years ago.  But does he have what it takes to win at Augusta tomorrow?  Let's examine the possibilities...

Trevor Immelman: One of the smoothest swings in the game, with a very relaxed personality.  He will be hearing a lot of roars in front of him, with Tiger Woods on the prowl.

Brandt Snedeker: You might call him one of the streakiest players on tour.  He has some of the most up-and-down rounds imaginable, with a mixture of birdies and bogeys all over his scorecard.  Expect his first major to be at a PGA Championship, not at Augusta.

Steve Flesch:  Lefties have fared well at the Masters of late, with three out of the last five winners swinging from the other side of the tee.  Flesch has been working on shaping his shot from right to left in preparation for this week, and it shows.  He will have that come from behind mentality.

Paul Casey:  The ASU grad wants to prove that he is Ryder Cup worthy, and one of the top Englishmen in the game again.  Justin Rose and Ian Poulter have been grabbing the spotlight of late.  He has had opportunities in major championships in the past, but hasn't pulled through.

Tiger Woods: Six strokes is a lot of ground to make up, but if anyone can do it, it's Tiger.  He will need some help ahead of him though.  A 6-under 66 is a lot to ask for.  If 11-under-par is the winning score, the green jacket might be going his way.

Prediction: With all of the attention on the groups ahead of him and behind him, Steve Flesch comes through for his first major championship win.

Immelman returns to tour after successful surgery

Trevor Immelman struggled with health problems all of last year.  In April, Immelman had a severe stomach bug which caused him to lose more than 20 pounds.  Then, after winning the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa in December, Immelman underwent surgery to remove a benign calcified fibrosis tumor from his diaphragm.  The surgery in December was a success, and Immelman will return to action for the first time this week at the FBR Open.  Considering it was such a difficult season health-wise, Immelman's play was impressive.  He won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa in early December, and had four top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a T-6 at the PGA Championship.  Immelman is ranked 20th in the world.

Immelman might be out of action up to two months

Trevor Immelman underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a benign calcified fibrosis tumor from his diaphragm.  The surgery was a success, but it means that Immelman will be sidelined for four to eight weeks in order to recover.  Immelman withdrew from last week's South African Airways Open because he was having breathing problems.  This has been a difficult year for Immelman health-wise.  Shortly after this year's Masters, he contracted a stomach bug that caused him to lose more than 20 pounds.  Immelman won the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa earlier in the month.