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Doral and Franklin Langham

© Bill Howard

Other than the four major championships, the Doral - Ryder Open is my favorite tour event of the year. This is the result of my having worked at Doral for over a decade in the 1980's and 90's. The tournament holds a unique fascination for me because I've hit shots from everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, on the Blue Course. I've tried to hit all the shots you see played on television. I've failed miserably on many, and succeeded on a few. It's safe to say that I know the Blue. Even at its most docile, the Blue is a fair golf course. Someone I used to work with at Doral was fond of saying that "you'll shoot what you deserve". He was absolutely right.

The PGA Tour landed in South Florida during one the rarest of all things; a windless week in March. The best players in the world shot what they deserved. Scores were obscenely low. Jim Furyk was a deserving winner. I'd like to talk about the runner - up, Franklin Langham.

It would be easy, and very wrong, to dismiss Mr. Langham's back nine on Sunday as a "choke". Arriving at a couple of shots over par on the back side happens quickly and painlessly. It doesn't take big mistakes. He was just plain unlucky that Mr. Furyk chose this particular point in time to make everything and cruise around the back nine in 30 shots.

The really interesting stuff happened on 18. Furyk chose the safer line off the tee and hit a good drive into the right center portion of the fairway. With a one shot lead, he looked to be a good bet for par from there. Langham desperately needed a birdie to tie. He stepped to the tee and courageously hit a big drive up the left side. Choosing to do this brought the water into play but offered a better angle to the traditional final round pin placement. It also cut 15 yards off of his second shot. I was impressed by this because two of his last three drives had been missed to the left. If this fate befell him again, his failure would be complete. You're kidding yourself if you think this didn't enter his mind.

Langham showed considerable intestinal fortitude in choosing to do this. He showed admirable command of his golf swing by pulling it off under the most extreme circumstances. But he wasn't done yet.