Some quick thoughts on the Players

Here are some quick thoughts on the Players. Obviously, our blog is in the beginning stages, but we hope to have commentary about the Tour every week.

--Great win for Phil-bert. It's hard to argue with his results this year, especially recently with the three top-3's in a row--and his performances on at very high-quality events. But he never really had a chance to win at the last two, and in this one he actually faced a series of competitors charging from behind and ample opportunities to get wet ahead. Good performance all around, and hopefully will boost him to Oakmont.

But, as always with Phil, and despite his stellar record, questions remain:
1. Whither Tiger--yes Phil actually won an event with Tiger in the field for the first time in seven tries. But Tiger was never in the mix. Phil still needs that one-on-one showdown with Tiger on Sunday to silence his critics.

2. Is the Harmon relationship really paying dividends, or is this just a temporary breath of fresh air? Phil didn't seem much more accurate on Sunday, and he still had to depend on his short game to bail him out in the tough moments (as he always has and will). Butch does seem to have Phil playing a little less aggressively...for now... and there was a lovefest after the 72nd hole (wonder if Phil signed any flags for Rick Smith?).

But what about when there's a rough stretch. Will Phil throw Butch out of the inner circle? Will Phil revert back to his gambling ways? Remember, old gambling Phil was supposed to have died once before--when he won Augusta for the first time... Good to monitor going forward...