Brennan Pars His Way to Japan Glory (While the Rest of Us Pray for Bogey)
Michael Brennan just won in Japan the way most of us only dream about: by refusing to do anything stupid for six straight holes.
The 24-year-old took the Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club on October 11th, closing with a 3-under 68 to finish 16-under and one shot clear of Jacob Bridgeman and Keith Mitchell. It is his second win of the season (Wyndham Championship in August) and his third Tour title in 33 starts. Not bad for a guy who admitted he was "very nervous" coming down the stretch.
The winning stretch was gloriously boring. Bogey on 10, bounce-back birdies on 11 and 12, then six pars to the house. The shot of the day? A long bunker splash on the par-3 16th to a foot. One down, one out, handshakes all around.
Meanwhile, Bridgeman will be replaying the par-4 17th all flight home: a 5-foot birdie putt to tie slid by. Defending champ Xander Schauffele drove it into the trees on 18 and doubled to fall out of it. Golf is cruel like that. (AP recap)
Tip of the Week: make par your birdie
Brennan called it "defensive mode," and weekend hackers should steal it wholesale. When the wheels wobble mid-round, stop chasing pins. Aim for the fat part of the green, take your two putts, and jog to the next tee. Pars keep the card alive; hero shots kill it.
Practice this week: ten bunker splashes with one goal — out and on the green, no skulls. Then ten lag putts from 30 feet, trying to leave every one inside a three-foot circle. That is exactly how Brennan closed out a Tour event, and it is exactly how the rest of us turn an 8 into a 5.
Look like a pro. Swing like a hack. Putt like you mean it. See you at the 19th hole.
Enjoying the 19th Hole? Grab the free Course Review Field Kit and rate your own home track like a Tour stop — with worse hot dogs.
