MATCH PLAY-The greatest game in golf
I have been fortunate to have refereed 94 USGA Championship matches but there are two that stick out in my mind. To the casual fan , both were probably considered potential blow outs on paper BUT this is MATCH PLAY, where anything can happen.
The first was the semifinal at THE US Amateur at Newport in '95. Tiger VS. a beer salesman from Maine named Mark Plummer. I've known Mark fo 30 years and there is no tougher competitor. It was supposed to be a mercy killing but Mark made a couple of putts on the back side he had no business making and took the "Great One " to the final hole. Mr. Woods had a few beads of sweat on his forehead.
The second match took place at Kearney Hills in '97 at the APL. One player was tall, athletic, dressed right out of GQ and was confident and intimidating.He was Captain of the USC golf team. The other player walked on the tee with tennis sox, dirty shoes, cargo shorts , an untucked white polo shirt with no logo and a bucket hat. Oh, and he was about 5-7 and 140 pounds. Never heard of him. I figured I was in for an early lunch. Mr. bucket hat hit every fairway and green on the front side and did not have a birdie putt on the front more than 10 feet. He shot 30 on the front and won the match going away. It was an absolute clinic. Winner of the match was Rjuji Imada, the guy beaten silly was Roger Tambellini. You might recognize these two gentleman.