Any PGA tournament really is a story compiled from four daily stories. Leaders come and go. Emotions rise and fall.
The Greater Milwaukee Open was no different this past weekend. Japan's Shigeki Maruyama won the tourney in a dramatic playoff. Let's look at the daily stories that, when combined, form the story of the 2001 GMO.
Thursday -- Jay Haas, who won the 1981 GMO, grabbed the first day lead with a 64. That would have made a nice story in itself, but the overwhelming human--interest story of the day was that of Mequon's Skip Kendall.
Called off the course during the Pro-Am Wednesday to be informed his father had died in Arizona, Kendall's first reaction naturally was to withdraw and return to his family. But, his mother told him that one of his dad's dying wishes was to have him still play in the GMO.
Kendall showed great courage and dedication to the local tourney while struggling to 73. He said hardly a moment went by that he did not think of his father, but he also knew his dad, who spent much of his life in Wisconsin, understood the importance of the GMO to the local golf scene.
"This tournament was real special to him. He wanted me to play today," Kendall said. "No question I would have withdrawn from any other tournament. I know he's looking down and smiling at me now."
On a happier note, Green Bay's Nick Gilliam, the NCAA champ, made his professional debut with an impressive 1-under 70.
Friday -- Madison's Steve Stricker surged onto the leader board with a 66 in the morning round. "I hung around and then all of a sudden got on a roll," Stricker said. "It would mean a lot to me to win this tournament. I'd love to win this as much as a major. It would be very special with my family and friends here. The fans out there are starved to see a Wisconsin winner."
By the end of the day, Kenny Perry, who is not from Wisconsin, had grabbed the lead. That too would change.
Saturday -- Veteran PGA tour pro Jeff Sluman fired a seven--under 64 to take the lead at 14-under 199. Perry slipped to one stroke back, tied with Maruyama and Harrison Frazar.
Stricker and two-time GMO champ Scott Hoch were still within striking distance at 203. Kendall made the Friday cut and would have done his dad proud on Saturday with a 65.
Sunday -- The final day of any tourney usually provides the most drama. It was no different on this day.
Sluman bogeyed an early hole, and others in the field immediately made a move for the lead. Appleton native J.P. Hayes, who had started the day at 7--under, and Maruyama started to pull away from the pack midway on the front 9.
Hayes, who was seven holes in front of Maruyama, finished with 8-under 63 for the day and 15-under overall, good enough for third place tie in the tourney. Maruyama just kept going, but suddenly had another challenger.
Charles Howell III, only in his second season on the tour, birdied the last four holes to finish at 18-under 266. Maruyama still could have won the tourney with a birdie on No. 18.
But, he hit his second shot into the stands to the right of the green. He ended up paring the hole for a tie at 266.
{INSERT_RELATED}The twosome went back to the 18th tee for a playoff hole. Howell badly hooked his tee shot while Maruyama kept his on the edge of the fairway.
"I could hardly see the ball," Howell said of his lie in the rough after the bad tee shot. "It was the worst lie I had all week."
Howell played an out to the middle of the fairway and had 113 yards to the green. A good shot would still give him a chance for a birdie. But, he left the wedge short.
"I thought I had hit a perfect sand wedge, but it ended up short," said Howell, who finished with a bogey.
Maruyama, meanwhile, flew his second shot over the green, but kept it out of the stands this time. He ended up making a five-foot putt for a birdie that earned him his first win on the tour and $558,000 in American dollars.
"I love Milwaukee," said Maruyama, who speaks very limited English. Through a translator he later added, "This is one of my biggest dreams since starting golf."
Maruyama becomes the first Japanese golfer to ever win on the U.S. mainland, a fact that made him "very, very proud."
Local Favorite
Hayes addressed the emphasis put on the four state golfers possibly winning the GMO. "It's an unbelievable tournament for one of the four of us to win," he said. "I think it's one of the best tournaments on the tour. Dan Croak (director of the GMO) does a great job.
"But, we play 30 tournaments. To put too much emphasis on one tournament is setting yourself up for a letdown. I will try just as hard next week, and at the Buick Open the week after that.
Big Dog's Bones
Bucks forward Glenn Robinson had successful minor outpatient surgery on Wed., July 11, to remove bone spurs impinging on the front of his left ankle.
Robinson's surgery was performed by Bucks team orthopedic physician, Dr. David Haskell, at Elmbrook Hospital.
"Glenn played at a very high level this season, despite some nagging soreness in his ankles," said GM Ernie Grunfeld. "This was simply a routine procedure to alleviate the soreness in his ankles so he can play pain-free next season."
Robinson is doing fine and will have a similar procedure performed on his right ankle in the near future. A few weeks following the completion of the procedure on his right ankle, Robinson will be able to resume his off-season basketball workouts.
In other Bucks' news, Michael Redd is strengthening his chances of making the team in summer league play. Redd scored a team-high 27 points in a win over Orlando over the weekend and is shooting the lights out.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The Milwaukee Sports Buzz column on Mondays. He also publishes The Brew Crew Review on OMC.
