Our man in Tucson, Arizona, brings you all the latest action from behind the scenes at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.
National confusion
Much has been made out here of the burgeoning strength of English golf, with four players making it through to the last 16 – a feat matched only by the United States. First Luke Donald and Paul Casey wrapped up their matches comfortably before Oliver Wilson overcame Rory McIlroy and then Ian Poulter joined him in the third round. With Ross McGowan also defeating World Number Two Steve Stricker, it’s been quite a week for the English so far. The issue has arisen in several press conferences so far, with Lee Westwood making the point that perhaps the achievements of English golfers don’t quite get the media coverage that other sports, such as tennis, for example do. As a follow up, one journalist asked Ian Poulter if English golfers got the coverage they deserved compared to tennis where ‘we’ve got one man in the top 100’. Nice to see Andy Murray is English now then! It has been a superb week so far for The European Tour membership. Ten of the last 16 are Tour members and five of those are eligible for Colin Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup Team. A fine performance guys.
Watch out for the jumping cactus
Before I came out to Tucson I was warned by a colleague who came last year to be careful of the jumping cactus out on the course. If you brush by these little fellas they can embed themselves in you and cause quite a painful episode for the recipient and some difficulty in removing them. Don’t believe me, just go to YouTube and see for yourself! It was with great trepidation therefore that I set out on the course to watch the final few holes of the Ernie Els and Retief Goosen match. Thankfully no cacti did jump, however!
Friendly banter
Paul Casey has been in stunning form this week, winning each of his first three matches 5 and 4, and the Englishman is revelling in being back in the desert. Paul went to Arizona State University so this week is a homecoming of sort for the reigning BMW PGA Champion. Such is the college sport rivalry in the States, Paul has been getting support and stick out here in equal measure. The Sun Devils – supporters of Arizona state – have been out en masse to cheer him on while there have also been some friendly growls out on the course from the Wildcats, students and alumni from rival college University of Arizona. Given the way he’s playing this week, it would not be a surprise if Paul has the last laugh come Sunday night.
