Short Iron Joins Par From Course

Golf Betting Lines

Avenel was a huge success as soon as it opened, well at least for Arnold Palmer. The "King" made back-to-back aces on the par-three third hole prior to the start of the 1986 Chrysler Cup. During a practice round on Tuesday, Palmer, the captain of the U.S. team, made a hole-in-one with a five-iron on the then 182-yard hole. The next day was the pro-amateur event and Palmer, again using a five-iron, made a one -- the first time that back-to-back aces were recorded on any professional tour. Just an FYI: Palmer missed the green during the opening round of the event as he tried for three straight.

 

Beginning in 1987, the PGA Tour began its run at Avenel with the Kemper Open, where former U.S. Open champion Tom Kite was a runaway winner by seven over Chris Perry and Howard Twitty. The following year, Kite lost in a playoff to Morris Hatalsky, as Mo-Cat sank a five-foot par putt for the win. The 1980s were completed with a Tom Byrum five-shot win over three players for his first and only PGA Tour title.

 

Two shots behind Bobby Wadkins with one round to play, Mark Brooks carded his fourth straight round in the 60s to clip Wadkins and D.A. Weibring by three shots in 1994. Lee Janzen defeated Corey Pavin with a 12-foot birdie on the first extra hole to capture the 1995 tournament. Janzen, who shot four rounds in the 60s, won the last playoff in the event's storied history.

 

One shot off the pace with one round remaining, Steve Stricker carded his fourth straight round in the 60s to post a three-shot victory over four players in 1996 with his wife Nicki on the bag. Justin Leonard won for the second time in his career when he captured the 1997 Kemper Open. Leonard, who opened with three straight 69s, closed with 67 to defeat Mark Wiebe by one. Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Greg Norman finished three behind.

 

Tied for the lead after three rounds with Bob Burns, Bob Estes carded a Sunday 71 to edge 1999 champion Rich Beem by one shot for his fourth career title in 2002. Burns, who aced the 11th hole during the final round, finished tied for third after a one-over 72. Estes carded 17 pars and one birdie, but trailed by one with three holes remaining. Burns, who held the lead, would relinquish the advantage with a costly double-bogey on 16 while Estes parred the final two holes for victory. Beem carded four rounds in the 60s, including back-to-back 69s over the weekend.

 

Another sponsor change: The 2004 tournament became the Booz Allen Classic. Adam Scott set records en route to victory, as he tied the tournament mark of 21-under-par 263 for a four-shot win over Charles Howell III. At the tender age of 23 years, 11 months and 11 days, Scott became the second-youngest winner of this event behind Fred Couples, the 1983 champion. Scott set a new 36-hole mark of 128 and tied the 54-hole record of 195. Howell opened the event with a course-record of 61 and led Scott by five shots, however Scott shot 62 during the second round and was never headed.

 

The 2006 event returned to Avenel and Ben Curtis, three years removed from his British Open title, endured six days of inclement weather to capture his second career title. Curtis' total of 264 was one shy of the tournament record and he won by five shots over four players. Rain and lightning plagued the event from start to finish, as this event was the first Tuesday climax since the 1980 Tucson Open. Curtis, who hit 83.3 percent of the fairways for the week and led from start to finish, had a chance to break the tournament mark, but a bogey-bogey finish ended his chances.

 

No. 2 is the longest hole on the course, a whopping 622 yards from the gold tees. This par five bends to the right and plays downhill towards the green. A massive strike off the tee down the right side can cut the corner of the dogleg, but be wary of the thick rough, sand and tall trees that guard the bend. The proper second shot is to lay back around 100 yards for your third to leave a simple pitch to a very long, boomerang-shaped green. A back-left flag could be quite difficult, since a deep bunker looms large.

 

Arnold Palmer put the third hole and the course on the map with his back-to- back aces in 1986. This monster of a par-three now plays to the tune of 239 yards. The putting surface is long and wide and features a shaved chipping area around the green. Slightly downhill, the real danger is short-right, as a creek and trees come into play. Shoot for bogey and maybe, just maybe, you might sink a short putt for par.

comments

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•    @andytoots I jest, of course. Been in France with only a dog for a few days. She's unappreciative of my brilliant gags.

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•    @badprocess bâclé, en retard, avec des évolutions débarquées par l'integrateur himself ? C'est déjà le cas chez nous. Mais c'est politique…

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•    @LindaAnarkulova tu dziivee neesi redzēējusi. bet es nez :D ;(((( mok tumšākus par šo kastaņbrīno vajag. taka tev kkā

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•    @mmitchelldaviss oh and you would pic the one day I'm never at Ceasar's Creek to go there. #Fail

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•    RT @kyletuckerVP: #Hokies O, meanwhile, No. 7 nationally in plays of 20-plus yards (44) and 60-plus yards (5). Also have 20 plays of 30-plus, 10 of 40-plus.

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•    Akirah earned the achievement Iron Dwarf, Medium Rare (10 player) for 10 points. #wow

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•    the thoughts going through my head right now...*smirks*

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•    Sadaap RT @mario_ballstar: Da best medium shooter in town a.k.a Mr perimeter a.k.a Iron man,also ma mates in yogya@BallStar_Ind @dewanta_aji

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•    School... Its a love hate relationship. Wishing I was at a resort in Cozumel right about now :( had to much fun this weekend with my family

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