Hockey coach backs youngsters to push for places
One tournament you are winning the green jacket, the very next you are making a hole- in- one on one of the game’s most iconic par threes. For Sergio Garcia, the celebrations just will not stop.
All of the partying since breaking his curse at the Masters four weeks ago seemed to have taken its toll as the Spaniard yesterday went through the first six holes at the Players in four- over, including a four- putt on the fifth.
But with a three- under back nine, Garcia played himself back into the tournament and added another magic moment for his 2017 showreel in the process.
Garcia, 37, had birdied the 16th when arriving on the tee of the 17th, the infamous 123- yarder with the i sland green. He had previously experienced his fair share of both ecstasy and agony on the hole; the former when winning a play- off against Paul Goydos there in 2008, the latter when hitting two into the water in defeat against Tiger Woods in 2013.
And in 2015, he complained of being heckled on the 17th in another play- off, this one won by Rickie Fowler.
Two years on, it was very much a case of joy and cheers. Garcia’s ball took hops before dropping and there was Sergio, once more, with his arms raised in celebration. Is this really the same figure who believed himself to be the enemy of the golfing gods? Granted, when Garcia signed for his 73 he was six behind the early American pacesetter Will McGirt, but the smile persists.
Rory McIlroy is on the same mark, but two double- bogeys in five holes ensured that his first competitive round as a married man was anything but comfortable. He reached the turn in level par, but from there his day unravelled. McIlroy had his own four- putt on the 10th and hit the ball in the water on the 14th.
There were birdies on the 12th, 17th and 18th which limited the damage to one- over. McIlroy’s challenge was put into starker perspective by the By Mark Hager’s estimation, there are half a dozen places on offer for New Zealand players at the World League semifinal in Brussels in June.
That’s up from the three the Black Sticks’ women’s coach would have suggested if asked earlier this year. Put that down to Hager being impressed by the depth, rather than the dearth, of talent, he’s seen.
The last opportunity for players to put their hands up for the trip to Brussels starts tomorrow with the first of a five- game series against India, the games split between Pukekohe and Hamilton.
Hager is taking an open mind into the series. At least 25 players will get game time in the series and it’s unlikely what he considers his first choice team will play any as a unit before at least the last two games in Hamilton. All players will play at least three games.
“We’re exposing players in this series and it’s giving everyone an opportunity to stake a claim,” Hager said.
Add in a game for New Zealand A — recovery of his playing partner, Dustin Johnson. The world No 1 eagled the 16th to turn a mediocre display into an eye- catching 71.
Neither Lee Westwood nor Ian Poulter expected to be here a few weeks ago. Westwood thought he would miss out at No 53 in the world, but, bizarrely, he rose the requisite three places despite not playing. The veteran made the most of it with a bogeyless 70.
Poulter was rather more profligate. A firstround 72 was far from disastrous but after eight holes of near perfect golf, his round promised so much.
There was a day when three bogeys in the last four holes would have sent Poulter into a rage. Older and wiser, he knows that patience is now key as he seeks to resurrect his career. The younger Poulter would probably also have been apoplectic at the error of the PGA Tour HQ which had him and the world believing that he had lost his card three weeks ago and would not be in this field.
Playing on a medical exemption, Poulter thought he had just come up short in gaining enough points, but thanks to the diligence of Brian Gay, the US pro who was in the same boat, he was granted a lifeline.
The Tour admitted it had erred in his complex calculations and reinstated the pair’s status. Although Poulter expressed his delight at the turn of events, he did wonder how a billion- dollar corporation could ever make such a howler when livelihoods are at stake.
“It was a nice surprise, but obviously the question does come into your mind ‘ how can that happen?’,” he said. “But the Tour apologised. I’ve been out here too long to be holding grudges.”
Despite a satisfactory two- under 70, Jason Day was another berating three bogeys in his final four holes. The Australian i s aiming to be the first player ever to defend successfully his Players title and at five- under through 11 his candidature was beginning to look irresistible.
Like Poulter, Day believes his luck is about to change. “It's close. I'm excited about where the state of the game is.” likely to be a mix of senior and development players — against the Indians at Lloyd Elsmore Park this afternoon and it’s a solid block of work ahead for the women.
“Some of the younger players have stepped up in the last four months, not only within the Black Sticks, but also just outside.
“We’re giving people like Tarryn Davey, who i s in our development squad, an opportunity.”
New Zealand are without six leading players — goalkeeper Georgia Barnett, attackers Gemma McCaw, Anita Punt, Sophie Cocks, Charlotte Harrison and Petrea Webster — this season, all taking time out. But Hager Pukekohe, 3pm Pukekohe, 7pm Pukekohe, 7pm Hamilton, 2pm Hamilton, 2pm is liking what he’s seeing from players coming through.
“I think maybe we’re even in a better space and yes, we’ve lost some quality players, but also picked up some quality talent [ which] we didn’t know how good they could be,” Hager said.
He expects India, ranked No 12, seven spots lower than New Zealand, to be tough opponents.
“They’ve got a new coach so there’ll be new ideas and, from what I’ve seen in World League 2 [ which India won in Vancouver in April], they are experienced and have talented players who can hurt you on any given day.”
Hager wants to see if his players can step up against India. That will go some way to sorting out his final selection for the World League semifinal, which begins on June 21.