Big Play

WHO
Retief Goosen

WHAT
Five-foot par putt

WHERE
445-yard, par-4 18th hole at the Innisbrook Resort Copperhead course

WHEN
Final round of the Transitions Championship

WHY
Playing a tough course that had fast, baked-out greens and four-inch rough, Goosen relied on his putter. For the week he was a perfect 55 for 55 on putts inside five feet and 62 for 64 on those shorter than 10 feet. On the 72nd hole Goosen had to two-putt to lock up his seventh PGA Tour win. His first putt, a fast, downhill 25-footer, slid five feet past the hole. But as he had all week, Goosen coolly drained the comebacker for a one-shot victory.

JIM'S TIP
Through the Gate to Make More Putts

Find a straight five-foot putt and stick two tees three inches apart in front of the hole (inset). Putt through the tees and into the hole. When you can do it consistently, move the tees closer together. (You can place them as close as two inches apart.) The gate formed by the tees is narrower than the hole, so when you leave the practice green, the hole will look as big as a garbage can.

Jim Murphy teaches at Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land, Texas.

Changing Course

Why hasn't Tiger Woods competed in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am since 2002? Bad weather, bumpy greens, slow play and all those pesky amateurs might have something to do with it, but some experts blame his absence on the unworthiness of Poppy Hills Golf Course. In an attempt to solve the Poppy problem, and lure Tiger back, the Tour has been checking out possible replacement venues. Here are the three courses not far from Pebble that are said to be in the running.