The Lighter Side of Golf

Sweet Redemption for Stanley

Kyle Stanley came from behind in stunning fashion to win his first career PGA Tour tournament.

        One week ago, Kyle Stanley was at rock bottom. He had a seven shot lead in the final round at Torrey Pines and looked primed for his first career PGA Tour victory. After a sluggish first eight holes on the back nine, Stanley stood on the eighteenth and final tee with a three shot lead. He could have made a double bogey and still came out on top. However, Stanley did the unthinkable, spinning his approach shot into the water and making a triple bogey eight. The 24 year old went on to lose to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff, resulting in one of the most colossal heartbreaks in golf history. Some would have even compared it to Jean Van de Velde's collapse at the 1999 Open Championship or any of Greg Norman's notorious final round fails. Obviously, Kyle Stanley was heartbroken after the events at Torrey Pines and many wondered if he would ever recover from it. Well, he definitely proved his naysayers wrong this past weekend.

        The Clemson graduate came back in stunning fashion, firing a final round six under 65 to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Heading into the day, it appeared that Spencer Levin had total reins of the tournament. The free-swinger had a six shot lead going into the round and a birdie on his first hole extended his lead to seven. However, his round only went downhill from there. The University of New Mexico alumni shot a one over 36 on the front nine and but still had a lead. On the back nine, the wheels really fell off for the 27 year old. He made two bogeys and double bogeyed the par five 15^th to end his chances for his first career PGA Tour victory.

        Levin's struggles opened the door for Stanley, who played remarkably consistent golf on Sunday. The 24 year old didn't make a single bogey during the fourth round and was third in greens in regulation for the week. Stanley really showed signs of maturity with the way he played in Phoenix, as he was able to shake the demons off from his collapse from the previous weekend to excel back to the top of the leaderboard. Standing at 5'11 and 165 pounds, Stanley uses all of his frame to crush the ball extraordinary distances. During the broadcast, CBS analyst Ian Baker-Finch noted that he thinks Stanley could skyrocket to the top 20 in the world by the end of the year and be in the top 10 in 2013.

        Over the last two weeks, the golfing world has definitely learned something. For years, many have claimed that a two shot lead is the scariest lead in golf. However, the way the last two tournaments have concluded, a six shot lead is now the most dangerous advantage in golf.

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