Big Play

WHO: Arron Oberholser
WHAT: 108-yard sand wedge to eight feet to set up a birdie
WHERE: 397-yard par-4 15th hole at Pebble Beach
WHEN: Final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am

WHY
Oberholser proved that you don't have to be a monster blaster to dominate. Despite a piddling 259.9-yard driving average (64th best), he won by five strokes because he played within himself. During a shaky final nine he maintained his rhythm and preshot routine, which helped him overcome a poor drive at 15 with a gorgeous wedge. Oberholser's cool mien is ideal for U.S Opens: He tied for ninth last year and will contend at Winged Foot in June.

STEVE'S TIP
Put Feet Together For Better Balance

Maintaining good balance from start to finish is essential for a smooth swing like Oberholser's. To improve balance, stand with your feet together and, with a mid-iron and teed-up balls, hit full shots. Be sure to hold your finish until the ball hits the ground, and check that your feet are still together. If you fall off balance, you're probably muscling the ball.

Steve Bosdosh, a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, works at the Members Club at Four Streams in Beallsville, Md.

... AND ANOTHER THING

"Tour players are selfish and don't respect tournament sponsors. Milwaukee and John Deere gave Tiger Woods two of his first exemptions as a pro, but he has never returned to those events."

The Pepper Mill

BACK AND BETTER This season has the potential to be the LPGA's most exciting ever. Annika Sorenstam, 35, (left) continues her assault on the record books (66 wins in 12 seasons). Young guns Paula Creamer, Christina Kim and Lorena Ochoa have figured out that winning is very cool. Veterans such as Cristie Kerr and Juli Inkster aren't ready to concede. And the rookies, including Morgan Pressel, Ai Miyazato and Julieta Granada are good-looking, fearless, hungry and may be the best class ever.

This could also be a breakout year for Natalie Gulbis. She got a taste of victory at the Solheim Cup, has a new management team and has put her reality series behind her. Putting has been an issue, but if she's merely decent on the greens, she'll win. And I look for Creamer to take a major. The Kraft Nabisco (March 30--April 2) offers her the best chance because she drives the ball very well and won't be fighting the fatigue of those later-season corporate responsibilities.