Shot 68, 70, 64, 68. -10 for the tournament. Justin Rose second at -7. Was a little worried early when Brandt doubled the par-3 sixth, and Steve Sands of NBC/Golf Channel was reporting that if Rory finished third and Brandt finished second, Rory would win the Cup. Just such a rich, compelling story for Brandt. Will tell you about it in a minute. Brandt was second in driving accuracy for the tournament, he averaged 294 off the tee (18th) and led the tournament in strokes gained putting. Second in putts per round. Had 25 today. Driving and putting name of the game. Chipping pretty important as well. Brandt chipped in for birdie on 17 to take a four shot lead. That was highly clutch. Looked like a Tom Watson moment when before he chipped on the 17th at Pebble in I believe it was the ’82 United States Open, he told his caddie, “I’m not going to get it close, I’m going to make it.” Sure enough, Tom did and won the U.S. Open. Brandt showed the same clutchness. Brandt chips so well. He’s really improved in that part of his game. Must have put a lot of hard work into it. Wow that was awesome..
The story behind this is that Brandt’s good friend, Tucker Anderson, a freshman in college at West Florida who plays on the the West Florida golf team, was in a car wreck Sept.7 in Pensacola and sustained a serious brain trauma injury. He has full movement of his limbs luckily though.. Tucker’s dad, Todd, is Brandt’s long time swing coach. Tood teaches at Sea Island (Ga.)Golf Club. Tucker and Brandt are very tight. Tucker was not communicating verbally and is in the Shepard Center in Atlanta recovering from his injuries where Brandt visited him this morning. Tucker was happy to see him and Tucker responded to Brandt’s question, “Do you think I can beat Rory McIlroy?” with a wink. Great stuff. I know Brandt is hopeful and prayerful for Tucker’s speedy recovery. This had to be exciting for Tucker as well. Surely had to have been uplifing. Brandt consider Tucker like a little brother. Another compelling part of this tremendous victory for Brandt was his father, Larry, who had a liver transplant last year after having liver cancer, was there to see Brand win the Cup. Also, Brandt’s wife, Mandy, is expecting their second child in October. He will be a boy joining Lily, who will be 18 months in October.
Great stuff for the whole family and Tucker. Just can’t tell you how proud I am for B. That was special. Now onto Medinah. Man, is this going to be a blast next weekend. Should be a powerfully compelling competition with so much national and personal pride at stake. Will be thrilling and pressure filled for both teams. More on the Cup later in the week.Will have full preview on regular blog. Will send out a link.
Bears won 23-6 today over Rams. Major Wright with an int for a TD. It was a beautiful play by Tim Jennings to knock it away and Major to make the pick and take it back 45 yards for the clinching score. Jay 17-of-31 for 183 yards and no TDs with one int. Earl caught one pass for 11 yards. D.J. Moore had an excellent game. D.J. was very active and had some outstanding tackles. Chris Williams played a little bit. O line did a decent job. Getting better. Next Monday Night at Dallas in Jerry World. Our defense was terrific today.
Rays defeat Blue Jays, 3-0. Even Longoria (Longo) with a two-run double in the bottom of the 8th to clinch it. Fernando Rodney picked up his 44th save in 46 chances. Yankees lost to the A’s, so A’s still 3 1/2 up on Rays in wild card. Dave goes Tuesday Night at Boston, our next game. A’s play at Texas for four beginning tomorrow night. Rangers have a lot to play for so they’ll be focused. A’s only four back of them in the AL West and home field advantage in playoffs is at stake.Two up on Yanks now. Angels ahead of the Rays by a game in wild card, too, so Rays need to win out pretty much; can’t afford more than one loss. Angels another hurdle. Angels host Seattle for three Tues-Thurs, then play at Texas over the weekend. Rays play Bosox Tuesday and Wed, then go to White Sox for four beginning Thursday Night. Finish off next Monday-Wed with the Orioles at home. Could be a very important series if things work out well for the Rays. Braves won again, 2-1. Not over till it’s over, but looking good right now. Six up on second place Cards and eight ahead of third place Milwaukee.I know Braves want to win wild card outright. That would give them home field for the one game play-in wild card game. Only four and a half back of Nationals now also. Braves host Miami Tues-Thurs, then Mets come to town for the weekend.Then Braves go to Bucs next week. Nats at Philly Tues-Thurs of this week, then at St. Louis for the weekend, then finish off the season at home vs. Phils. Bucs won today. Pretty much out of it, but still playing for pride.