Pelz's Picks for Pinehurst
Posted: Wednesday June 09, 1999 03:46 PM
 Dave Pelz, author of the recently released Dave Pelz's Short
Game Bible, says the players most likely to succeed around
Pinehurst's greens are those who can visualize what kind of chip
or pitch is necessary and those with the ability to execute a
wide variety of shots. Here, in order of expertise, are the
players Pelz thinks have the short games to win the Open.
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The Gospel According to Pelz |
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1 Lee Janzen | Has it all for Pinehurst: imagination, variety, skill and, especially, resiliency
|
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2 José María Olazábal | Best possible course for him to win an
Open. Genius chipper |
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3 David Duval | Only weakness is the high lob shot,
which he won't need at Pinehurst |
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4 Payne Stewart | Has the ability to caress the short
shots. Especially good on low,
bump-and-spin wedge shot |
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5 Justin Leonard | His ground game is just right for
Pinehurst and gets better when he's
in contention |
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6 Paul Azinger | One of the best chippers for more than
a decade. Won the Tour Championship
here in 1992 |
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7 Phil Mickelson | Has more shots than anyone but must
choose the wisest one more often |
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8 Bob Estes | Good touch and astute judgment.
Excels at leaving himself the easiest
possible shot |
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9 Greg Norman | Grew up running the ball in Australia,
which is why he has played so well
in Augusta |
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10 Corey Pavin | In Mickelson and Olazabal's class for
skill, but can he convert the six-footers? |
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11 Colin Montgomerie | Has a very good short game but
struggles to acclimate himself to the
speed of U.S. greens |
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Issue date: June 14, 1999
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