Tournament Preview
Is This Tournament Tiger’s To Lose?
By Dave Weissman

On the eve of the 2005 Memorial Tournament, the pros got in one last day of practice before the start of the first round. Tomorrow it all begins and here is the overview of the contenders for the 30th Memorial.

Tiger Woods is obviously the favorite heading into the tournament. His streak of 142 consecutive cuts made was broken a few weeks ago at the Byron Nelson Classic in Dallas. Like the old saying goes, don’t make a tiger mad. He has this tournament three consecutive years (1999-2001) and loves this course. He feels that the changes in his swing are going to pay off. ““I feel more excited now because I’ve had some really positive things happen since Augusta, even though it didn’t show at the Nelson,” Woods said. “The things I was working on post-Augusta are really starting to come together.”

Ernie Els, last year’s champion would be a favorite coming in. Last year he finished four strokes ahead of Fred Couples and six ahead of Tiger Woods in winning his first Memorial. However, Els has made a few changes in his game, life and management in the last few weeks that may hamper him in the short term. Additionally, he is sporting a new cold thanks to the long ride over from Europe.

On the game side, he just changed his shaft on his club that most likely will take some time to get used to. “I decided to go to a little softer shaft, a little lighter shaft, still a precision shaft, but I feel it’s got a bit more kick,” he said.   He recently sold his jet, one of the few golfers to have their own plane, and is purchasing a new one next year. “I got a good deal,” he smiled after admitting he made a profit.   Lastly, he just decided to make a change in his management company. “I felt like I needed a change,” he said. “I had a good time with IMG, but I felt like changing.”

Kenny Perry could duplicate what he did two years ago in winning the Bank of America Colonial and two weeks later came in to win the 2003 Memorial by two shots over Lee Janzen. He won the Colonial again two weeks ago. He also won the Bay Hill Invitational in March to give him two victories this year, joining Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard (3 each) and as multiple winners this year. He leads the Tour in greens in regulation and ranks sixth in overall distance. This plays well on Jack’s course which measure a whopping 7,300 yards.

Home grown Ben Curtis tied for eighth place last year (282), but like Els, Curtis played in last weeks European Tour finishing a disappointing 56th (71-72-75-75). Traveling and the time change surely will have an effect on his game. Prior to earning $13,600 last weekend at the Wachovia Championship, Big Ben has not made a cut since February.

Others to consider watching and rooting for are Lancaster native Joe Ogilvie, former champion Jim Furyk, up and coming Stephen Ames and always steady David Love III. Ogilvie was given a sponsors exemption to play in last year’s tournament, but this year has earned the right to play. He has a 2nd place finish in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and four weeks ago tied for sixth place at the Houston Shell Open.

Davis Love III took a hiatus from the Memorial for a few years (2000-2003) , retuning here last year to post a 16th place, yet had a final round 69. He finished a strong fourth place in last week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis.

Either way, whomever wins will need to post a strong game because each day will be different from the other. The weather is always a factor in Dublin, Ohio and will once again be this year. Forecast calls for a good Thursday and Friday, rain possible Saturday and for sure on Sunday. Bring your raingear.