Craig Parry's razor-sharp focus produced three straight birdies and led to a resounding victory at the NEC Invitational

Courtesy of CBS

By Dana Rader
One of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers

For the second week in a row, Tiger Woods got dusted on Sunday, but instead of harping on his shortcomings, I think we should celebrate the victor. As gutsy as Rich Beem's play was two weeks ago at the PGA Championship, Craig Parry's march to victory on Sunday at the NEC Invitational may have been more impressive. Parry won by five strokes thanks to a dazzling, bogey-free 65 that left Woods and 76 of the world's other best players breathing fumes.

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PARRY'S THRUST A fearless attitude and a focused preshot routine keyed Parry's first triumph in 13 years on the PGA Tour. Playing one of the tightest courses in golf, Sahalee Country Club, Parry began the final round tied for the lead with Robert Allenby, two shots ahead of Woods. Was Parry worried? "Not at all," said Parry, who reeled off three straight early birdies -- including a kick-in 3 after stiffing a nine-iron (above) at the 386-yard 4th hole -- to open a two-shot lead that he never relinquished. Parry's preshot routine was perfectly suited for Sahalee's claustrophobic fairways. Rather than aiming at a general area, Parry honed in on a specific target and focused on that target throughout the routine, which helped keep his mind off the dense woods and abundant water hazards.

BYE, BYE BUTCHIE A lack of teaching acumen isn't the likely reason that Butch Harmon is getting the cold shoulder from Tiger Woods, his star pupil since 1994, because Harmon is brilliant. The problem is that Harmon has breached one of the Tour's unwritten rules: Nobody working for a star player should become as famous as the player. Lately, Harmon has become ubiquitous, appearing on infomercials, writing books, making videos and doing interviews. He even does commentary for Sky TV.

SAVING FACE Nancy Lopez's solid debut as an analyst on last week's Golf Channel telecast of the Betsy King Classic could be a boon for the LPGA. Lopez hasn't won on tour since 1997, but she's still the LPGA's most famous and beloved personality. Having Lopez develop a strong presence in the TV booth (she hopes to work five to 10 events in 2003) could inspire sponsors, networks and fans to revive their sagging interest in the LPGA and help the tour achieve a more prominent position in golf.

Dana Rader is the director of golf at the Golf Club at Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte and one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 teachers.

Issue date: September 2, 2002