Tip of the Month

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

August 08: WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

The 2008 PGA Championship was hosted by Oakland Hills Country Club, Detroit, Michigan. The golf course, designed in 1917 by Donald Ross, is internationally known for severely undulating greens, deep bunkers, and uphill 490 yard par 4’s. Many major championships have taken place here throughout the years. Giving the course its reputation and moniker, “The Monster”, was the Open of 1951. Only 2 sub par rounds were shot the entire 72 holes. Ben Hogan, with a final round of 67 and a total 287, won. Hogan is quoted as saying “I’m glad I brought this monster to its knees”. Hence, “the Monster” nick name.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington wasn’t about to be scared nor bullied in the 90th PGA Championship. With an incredible 8-under par final 36 holes, thanks to matching 4-under par final 66’s, Harrington posted a 3-under, 277 total, for a two shot win over Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis. This was the Irishman’s second major win in three weeks and his third of the last six. Harrington joins Tiger Woods, Nick Price, and Walter Hagen as the only players to win the British Open and PGA Championship in the same season. He is the first European to win the Wanamaker Trophy since Scotland’s Tommy Armour in 1930.

With three holes to go it was anyone’s tournament.Padraig rolled home a tricky right to left breaker for par on the 16th to tie Garcia and Curtis at 2 under. On 17, a difficult par 3, he proceeded to carve a 210 yard 5 iron to 10 feet, he calmly rolled in his birdie to take a one shot lead. Sergio hit an even better shot on the par 3 to 5 feet, but he lipped out the birdie. This gave Paddy the outright lead. Both players missed the fairway with their drives on 18, but Harrington showed his moxie by hitting a 7 iron from the rough to 16 feet. With the pressure on, Harrington rolled in the putt for par, igniting a roar across Oakland Hills as he gritted his teeth and pumped his right fist in jubilation.

Over the last six majors played, Harrington has proven there is probably only one player in the world better than he is down the stretch at a major. That one is, of course, World No. 1 Tiger Woods, who has missed the last two majors to nurse a knee injury. But Harrington lives for that stretch. “I know I love the idea of the back nine of a major on a Sunday” said Harrington. “I love it so much that I’m actually disappointed I’m seven months away from the next major, and I don’t know what I’m going to do”. Harrington added further “I love the feeling of knowing that it’s going to come down to the back nine, its going to come down to who can do it under pressure in the last nine holes”.

You will love this month’s Tip. Paddy’s two swing keys are connection, which we talked about in last month’s Tip and rotation. Paddy calls his downswing a squat and turn so let’s call this month’s Tip “Paddy’s Irish Jig” drill. Paddy describes the role of rotation in his swing “My down swing thought is a feeling of rotation in my hips rather than any lateral slide”.

To practice Paddy’s Irish Jig, take your connected backswing maintaining the flex in your right knee. As you complete your upper body turn, pick up your left foot. Now step into it and hit the ball. Picture A-Rod hitting a homer. You will feel your lower body squat as you rotate to your finish. Hit a few shots doing Paddy’s Irish Jig. You’ll feel the powerful downswing move that has made him a major champion. Practice this drill regularly and in time you will come to know the luck of the Irish every time you tee it up.