A word from the pro

The WGC Match Play is taking place in Austin, Texas, as we speak and is one of the highlights of the PGA Tour season. 64 of the best players in the world battle it out 1-on-1 in one of the purest formats in the game.

Some of the greatest moments in golfing history have happened in match play and the form book goes out of the window. The one that sticks in my mind is the heroic performance from Phillip Price in 2002 against the then world number two Phil Mickelson. Price, who was ranked 114th in the world wasn’t really given a chance going in to the match but pure grit and determination prevailed as he won the match 3&2.

I recall playing a match back in 2006 against a guy called Dave Mackman, who was a very good three handicapper at the time.

The first three holes where quiet drab but this changed on the short fourth hole at Sutton Park. It is a 150-yard par 3 with a very steep, upturned saucer green (similar to our 7th). I hit my approach to around 6 feet, Dave hit the green but was at least 35 feet away. He holed his putt and I missed (sums up match play).

The next hole is a 360-yard par four. We both hit good drives down the centre of the fairway. I was to play first. I hit one of the best SW’s I can remember, landing the ball three foot short of the hole and releasing to find the bottom of the cup. EAGLE TWO. GET IN.

Most people would have been resigned to the fact that they have lost the hole. Not Dave Mackman. He hit an almost identical shot to me, landing the ball just before the hole, releasing towards the flag and……lipping out. You wouldn’t get that kind of thrill in a stroke play event.

You are probably wondering who won the match. The excitement of getting an eagle two obviously got the better of me as I was awful for the remainder of the round. Never mind. You win some, you lose some.