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All eyes were on the Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain over the weekend and we got quite a bit more than we expected on Sunday.
Here's a recap of the best and worst in the golf week that was.
Top three stories
1. That final! -- The longest 18-hole final ever at the Match Play Championship and it wasn't a bogey-bogey festival. Victor Dubuisson and Jason Day gave the fans and viewers a wild ending to what was a great week. And I don't think Dubuisson hit any of his last six greens.
2. Rickie Fowler put a week together -- Fowler stole the first few days of the tournament as he took down Ian Poulter, Jimmy Walker, Sergio Garcia, and Jim Furyk consecutively. I don't know if he's "back" or where he went but his form is top-notch right now.
3. Dove Mountain done? -- It looks like this might have been the last time the Match Play Championship was contested at Dove Mountain. Where will it be held next year? Nobody is for certain but there are changes coming.
Best shot (I)
Victor Dubuisson, I mean, come on man.
Best shot (II)
And this one might have been even better:
Best Houdini act
Graeme McDowell played 58 holes in the first three days and never led until the final stroke of the match each time. He was almost embarrassed at the magic he made.
Worst lie
Take your pick on a week in the desert but this one for Rickie Fowler wasn't ideal.
Quote(s) of the week
"I thought maybe he had a sandwich." -Fowler on Sergio's 17-foot putt concession
"I was a mental midget out there." -Jordan Spieth after some on-course antics in his match with Ernie Els
"I've just robbed three players." -Graeme McDowell on his magical first three days
Worst shot
I'm talking about the actual club-to-ball shot from Rory McIlroy but I could also be talking about the beating this fan took:
This week in OWGR
Jason Day moves from No. 11 to No. 4, the highest he's ever been.
Jordan Spieth is still creeping towards the top 10. He goes from No. 13 to No. 12. Ended 2013 at No. 22
Graeme McDowell goes from No. 17 to No. 15.
Victor Dubuisson goes from No. 30 to No. 22, ahead of Luke Donald, Keegan Bradley, and Ernie Els.
Rickie Fowler got a bump from No. 56 to No. 38.
Vine of the week
Les Miserables!
Winner gets
Jason Day took home $1.53 million for his efforts.
Dubuisson took $906,000 for getting second.
Rickie Fowler won a cool $630,000 for third.
Ernie Els got just $510,000 for fourth.
Stat of the week
Ernie Els' total tally in six rounds played was 2 under. And he finished fourth. Gary Woodland was 5 under in 19 holes and he lost in the first round. Match play, baby!
Best photo(s)
If Dove Mountain is indeed going out, she sure went out in style.
I also loved this shot of the final on Sunday:
Strangest story
This Sergio Garcia-Rickie Fowler exchange is going to provide fodder for the entire year. You'll still be hearing jokes about it at the Tour Championship. Sergio can't win for winning.
Best of Twitter
Not sure I can recall anything like this in 60 years as a pro. Great for Match Play. Good for golf. Too close to call & I love both of them.
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) February 24, 2014
Blah ha... Outta the catcus. Long hair don't care.. Who cares about this TV wire. Up and down for par.
— Jason Dufner (@JasonDufner) February 23, 2014
Nice to see @JDayGolf applying some of the match play tricks I taught him last fall. Go get this thing partner!
— Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDeLaet) February 23, 2014
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