by Tom Patri
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Photo: SkySports.com

I actually was fooled into believing that going into Sunday at Akron that Sergio was ready to give the young Irishman a bit of his own medicine. WRONG…. Rory jumps out with 3 quick birdies in a row and Sergio for all intents and purposes rolls over and plays dead.

​Now on to the topic or non topic however you view it. The last time I wrote about Mr. Woods and said he was coming back way too soon from a major back surgery I got several harsh emails from a few of you out there. “So Patri, now you think you’re a doctor too!” A few of those emails were a bit harsher than that. Anyone who really knows me, knows I love the banter. Keep it coming. ​PS  – no I’m not a doctor, however when you stand on a lesson tee for 30 plus years with players of all skill levels and you simply observe both back pain and then more severe back trauma you learn just how fragile the back is.

​I remember my friend Fred Couples when his back first exploded early in his career. I remember how as his journey on tour moved along that there were times he was perfectly fine and times he could not physically roll out of bed! I remember one year he stayed with us during The Shark Shootout and he limped around the house before going to the course and proclaimed, “Nah this isn’t that bad today, it will loosen up!” Not exactly an ideal way to compete.

​Keep this in mind as well Tiger has now had multiple body parts fail him. More than once. This however, the back is by far more likely to if not limit his golf (this season is effectively finished) possibly finish is journey. To have been operated on, have the operation deemed a success and then 3 events into a “comeback” go down for the count, well – not good! Stayed tuned golf fans, it’s gonna get interesting in the Woods camp.

​The PGA Championship well I guess we know who the favorite is. If Rory is the man and I think it’s clear he is, who are the most likely chasers this week? I personally like Fowler. Great young man and playing great golf, lurking weekly in the shadows. Can Sergio get the major monkey off his back? Scott a likely choice. Rose in great form. Kuchar played well at Firestone as did Snedeker. It should be a great championship with so many young talents able to make a run at any given moment.

Watch one other great story develop. Kenny Perry comes off a win at The 3M Championship to return to his home state via special exemption to play in what will likely be his last regular major. Keep in mind he just won. He still has both length and putting skills and loves playing at home. Remember he had a couple of very near misses in majors in his late 40’s. Wouldn’t that be a cool story?

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