2009 IBC Wrap Up

by Farfel Miller III

Mountain View, California - The two legends of the AGA tour stood squarely facing the 18th fairway, and the situation was just as predicted, with a tie between the two favorites. But no one could have predicted the way the round unfolded, to bring this major tournament to a fitting and thrilling conclusion. Epic leads gained and lost, and stellar crunch time play by both players left a story fit for a hollywood movie.

It was really a tale of two nines. Thom entered the day with a one stroke advantage, and his steady play, combined with Chris' apocalyptic breakdown, left Thom a nine stroke lead with 9 holes to play. Some pundits were calling the tournament over, the engraver began work on the trophy, and the television viewship dropped off notably. But lost in the noise was the fact that Chris would not back down, and Thom's play was closer to the edge of the abyss than appeared.

Two pars on number 10 left it a nine stroke lead with 8 to play, which is when Chris started his long awaited charge. The strokes fell away, hole by hole. 8 down with 7 to play, 5 down with 6 to play, 6 down with 5 to play, 5 down with 4 to play. Even at this point, standing on 15 tee, it still seemed a long shot. A buzz was floating around the gallery at the hope of witnessing the largest comeback in AGA tour history. Chris proceeded to birdie the next two holes, and in the process got the lead to only 2 with 2 to play. At this point there were few people around the country who could turn away from their television sets, eager to witness history. After Thom left his approach shot on the par 3 17th hole short in the hazard, the possibility could not be denied. This could happen. He managed to pitch out of the trouble, but then three-putted for a double bogey. Chris had a nifty up and down from just off the green to tie the tournament headed into the 18th hole. It had been accomplished, 9 strokes made up in 7 holes. Epic. But the job was not completed.

Breaths were held anxiously as Chris's teeshot flew between the out-of-bounds markers on each side and down the middle . . . only to hook sharply to the left and out-of-bounds. All that remained was for Thom to hit the fairway and the tournament could basically be called over. Thom striped a drive, stuck a wedge to 8 feet, and sank the putt for a final-hole, major-tournament-winning birdie, reminiscent of the 2008 ILCRICC finish. Now it was over. Thom the victor, but not without an epic comeback by Chris, and drama enough for many major tournaments. All standard fare for the AGA tour. Tour of drama and legend. This is what golf was intended to thrill like.