A fun match just concluded between Infinito3010 and BartMania.
Early on at Congressional, both players didnt have very good rhythm. A few drives in the rough and bunker shots made this very evident, for both. The match ultimately hinged on a few putts. The first one came on hole 8, with the match AS and both players in the 40-50 rough, Bartmania hits his approach well long to about 17 feet, while Stinger hits his to within 6 feet in proper position. With tons of right to left break and severe downhill slope, it certainly appeared that Bartmania would be going 1 down here. But a snake found the hole, and the match remained AS after 8 holes. Matching birds on 9 made the match AS at the turn.
Hole 10 saw Bartmania drain a downhill birdie from 10 feet to take a 1up lead, as Stinger couldnt negotiate the break on the putt from pinhigh, left of the hole. Hole 11 was halved with pars. Hole 12 brought another birdie from Bartmania from 7 feet with lots of break while Infinito again misjudged the massive break, just barely. That put Bartmania is command with a 2up lead after 12. On hole 13, Bartmania hits his drive to within 3 feet of the cup.....and Stinger answers with a dart of his own.....halved with great birdies. Hole 14 was playing dead downwind and both players approaches slammed into the hill. When neither one could negotiate the treacherous uphill swinger, that left the match 2up for Bartmania with just 4 holes to go.
Hole 15 was halved with pars.....and then hole 16 presented an interesting opportunity to go for the green in 2. The wind was squarely at our backs on the teebox, so both players were eyeballing a great opportunity. Both golfers nailed impressive drives and left themselves about 270 to the green. Infinito hit first and must have clicked slightly early, as his ball found the front left bunker. Bartmania dings his 2nd and gets a good bounce to where it comes to rest about 25 feet to the short-right of the hole. Stinger got buried in the bunker in a 40-50 lie but navagated it out and had himself squarely in line to make birdie. Bartmania was trying to just play safely (playing massive amounts of break). Much to his surprise, the eagle drops (first one ever on that hole for me), and the match ends as Bartmania wins in improbably fashion.
My hat goes off to Stinger. He's a great competitor and I had a blast playing with him. I certainly hope we can play again soon.
Match result: BartMania defeats Infinito3010: 3&2