[ SONY OPEN ]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stuart Appleby comes into the Sony Open in Hawaii with the momentum of last weekend's victory in the Mercedes Championships at Kapalua, Maui. Appleby, who plays well in windy conditions, finished sixth in the Sony last year.
After winning the
Mercedes Championships,
Stuart Appleby looks to
sweep island PGA events
IT would seem one of the 23 golfers who played at last week's Mercedes Championships has all the advantages at the $4.8 million Sony Open in Hawaii that begins tomorrow at the Waialae Country Club.
Already tested for the windy weather that's sure to blow through the par-70 course, those who teed it up at the winners-only tourney on Maui should be more comfortable over the ball than the other 121 golfers joining in at this week's first full-field event on the PGA Tour.
Mercedes winner Stuart Appleby would like nothing better than to match the feat of defending Sony Open champion Ernie Els, who won both island stops in dramatic fashion last year. The Aussie is not only at ease in breezy conditions, but generally has done well at this tournament through the years.
PGA Tour golf
Tomorrow-Sunday; All times Hawaii timeWhere: 7,068-yard, par-70 Waialae Country Club
When: Tournament begins 7 a.m. tomorrow and Friday; 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: Daily passes $15 at gate
TV: Live, ESPN
In 2003, he closed with a blistering 63 to finish sixth. He was second to Paul Azinger in 2000 and has made the cut seven times in seven appearances at this golf course that first hosted a PGA Tour event in 1965.
Appleby is also carrying a magic wand. While he spoke of correcting technical problems in his swing at last week's opening tour location, it was the flat stick that served him best en route to pocketing a cool $1 million and change, along with a new Mercedes that may have problems fitting in his two-car garage.
Granted, everyone likes to talk about power shots off the tee. And there's no arguing men who can hit it 300 yards or more in the middle of the fairway have a distinct advantage over those who can't. But you still have to putt for dough.
"I drove the ball fantastic," Appleby said. "The best I've hit it. But it always comes down to putting. It's so tight at the top. Putting is the critical element."
Of the 270 shots Appleby needed to win the season-opening event, 110 of them occurred on the greens of the par-73 Plantation Course. This week, Waialae is decidedly shorter with two fewer par-5s and fairways that are about as generous as a broke man in Vegas.
But Appleby already has pointed out how wonderful the greens are at Waialae. And if he can read those tricky rascals on Maui, it would seem the flatter greens on this Oahu course are even more to his liking.
He called them fantastic last Sunday after winning his fifth title on tour, which means the Aussie plans to be around this Sunday looking for more American greenbacks. Who will emerge to challenge him?
Well, three of the four Grand Slam winners of 2003, including U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk, will be making the rounds this week. Furyk won here in 1996 and had his moments last week, before finishing 11th. John Huston is also in the field.
He set a PGA Tour record in relation to par at the 1998 Hawaiian Open, a mark Els shattered at last year's Mercedes Championships. Huston was one of only five golfers to finish over par last week, but can't be counted out, especially if he's near the top come the weekend.
"I've always enjoyed playing at Waialae," Huston said. "The fairways aren't nearly as wide open as they are at Plantation, but it rewards guys who are good ball strikers and good putters."
No. 2-ranked Vijay Singh has never won here in seven previous tries. In fact, he only has one top-10 finish at Waialae. And yet, he drove the ball very well last week and made some crucial putts on the back nine Sunday to come within one of sending the Mercedes to extra holes.
In his last nine tournaments dating back to last year, Singh has finished no lower than sixth. He said prior to the start of the Mercedes Championships that he has his eye on Tiger Woods' No. 1 ranking. A win here would move him even closer, especially with Woods sitting this one out.
"Waialae is pretty much as flat as a pancake," Singh said. "You figure your yardages out there and hit it. It's a tougher golf course because you need to drive the ball a lot straighter."
Els made a similar statement when asked what the differences are between the Plantation and Waialae courses. But if you're playing well, it doesn't matter what course you're on. It's all about hitting fairways and greens, then making putts.
"The courses are a lot different," Els said. "There's a lot of elevation over here (Maui), especially on the greens. At Waialae, it's pretty flat. But you can do well at both if you're on your game."
One golfer who didn't play last week who bares watching is Jerry Kelly. He finished first in 2002 and was tied for fourth last year. He has broken par in 15 of his last 16 rounds at Waialae, meaning he's someone else to watch this week.
