Torrey Pines is a golf course on the California coast, on the northern edge of San Diego. Over the last four days it played host to a PGA tournament. Whilst some of golf's biggest names were battling it out in Abu Dhabi, the rest of the PGA pros were playing in the "Farmers Insurance Open". The man to watch was Kyle Stanley, a young American who had turned professional in 2010, and was looking for his first win since then.
Stanley raced out into the lead on day one, shooting a 62, and continued his good form for the next couple of days, ending up taking a six shot lead into the final round on Sunday.
One of the other players, Brandt Snedeker, had a good round on Sunday, and when he walked off the 18th green, he'd managed to close the gap to three shots, but it looked for all the world like Stanley would be taking the trophy home. Snedeker gave a relaxed interview to the press, saying how he was really pleased with the way he'd played on Sunday and how second place was a good result. Stanley stood on the 18th tee (a par 5), knowing that a 7 or better would be good enough, and confidently smashed his tee shot down the middle.
The 18th green is protected by a small water hazard, and after a long tee shot, the question facing all of the players was whether to play it safe and hit a short second shot in front of the water, or whether to be bold and go for the green. With so many shots in hand, Stanley did the sensible thing and laid up, leaving about 80 yards over the water to the pin, which was towards the front of the green.
So, 80 yards to go, and five or fewer shots from here would be fine. Stanley pitched over the water, and the ball landed past the pin and bounced forward.
And then it span.
And rolled back past the pin.
Off the front of the green.
Trundled down the slope.
Came to a halt.
Started rolling again.
And plopped into the water.
OK, no need to panic. Another pitch over the water, and a couple of putts, and Stanley would still be fine. He decided to move even closer to the hole, and take a drop nearer to the water, in the semi rough (to reduce the amount of spin on the ball), and he pitched (this time his fifth shot) over the water once again.
This time the shot was a little strong, and landed towards the back of the green, and of course this time didn't spin back towards the hole.
Now things were getting a bit tense. Two putts to win, and three to tie, and Stanley putted tentatively back down the slope and left the ball almost four feet from the hole. The second putt slipped past the left hand edge, and all of a sudden he'd taken an eight, given up a three shot lead on one hole, and rather than preparing himself for the presentation ceremony and lifting the trophy, he was preparing for a sudden death play-off.
In a cruel twist, the first play-off hole was the 18th once again, but amazingly having just taken a triple bogey, next time around Stanley went for the green with his second ending up in the fringe at the back, chipped back close to the hole, and made his birdie putt.
The only problem was that Snedeker made birdie as well.
So, another play-off hole required, and this time it was the par 3 16th. Stanley played safely onto the green, and then Snedeker hit his tee shot way too long, and it would probably have ended up in the ocean if it hadn't hit a TV camera tower behind the green.
As the rules permit, Snedeker was allowed a free drop shot away from the tower, and chipped onto the green, about five feet past the hole. Stanley putted, and again a little tentatively, leaving his ball a similar distance away.
After a measure, it was decided that Snedeker should putt first, and having lined it up, he clattered his ball into the cup to save his par, leaving Stanley with a five foot putt to stay in it.
And he missed.
Oh the heartbreak!
To quote from the article on the PGA tour website, referring to the post game press conference:
Someone asked Stanley how he'd deal with the kick in the gut he'd just taken as he squandered a three stroke lead on the final hole. Stanley's chin trembled as he tried to compose himself. He blinked several times and his index finger flicked away a tear from the corner of his right eye, the first of many to come. He took a deep breath before he spoke.
"I don't know right now", Stanley said quietly and deliberately. "It's tough. I mean, it's really tough to take."
Oh the heartbreak!
And why am I able to waffle on at inordinate length about a golf tournament taking place thousands of miles away?
Simple really, because we can all relax a bit now. Dad had his operation this morning. Mum and I have been to see him this afternoon and he's doing really well, and hopefully he'll be home tomorrow.
Magic!