PaperHogan goes to the FBR Open...

As a spectator. Ha, admit it, you thought for a second "How did that chop get into the FBR Open?" It's ok, I don't hate you. I'll make you eat your words someday, but I don't hate you.

So we walk in and walk down 18 from the green back to the tee as the company I work for has a tent on 17, so we have to go get some free food and check in, rub elbows, etc. So Jason Day and two other guys are finishing up their practice round. All 3 of them are 160 - 175 yards out. Jason Day hits it to 6 feet, next guy hits it short right in the fringe, third guy hits it to 4 feet. Just effortless too. We make our way around the tee and a single is coming through, don't know who it was. He busts a driver right down the pipe, frozen rope, leaving about 150 yards. Again, just effortless. We later saw Paul Azinger, JB Holmes, Kenny Perry and some "other guy" hit tee shots off 18. Paul, JB (frickin BOMBED it) and Kenny all hit stellar, effortless tee shots. The "other guy" hit 3 wood, literally in the heel, a low little cutter, maybe 250 yards. Hell yeah, I can do that too. I should be playing this week!

We finally find our tent, settle in with some food and watch a few groups go through 17. Nobody hit it on the green, not even JB Holmes. Got to see lots of pitch shots from 40 yards though, to the back right and left pin positions too. A couple of guys hit it not so good, a couple of guys just stoney. One skinny little European fellow hit it in from 40 yards on his 3rd ball, that was kind of cool to see, especially since his first 2 were no more than 4 feet away as well. About that time we decide to head to the practice facility, where I spent the rest of the day. Not a lot of action when we first got there, say 2PM. But by 4PM it was hopping.

Let's just establish this, these guys all hit it differently. Some guys (Stuart Appleby) hit it almost thin it seems, I mean it really sounds like garbage coming off his irons. Other guys (Joe Durant, yes THAT Joe Durant) hit it so pure, it almost makes you wet your pants just hearing it. As Tom Coyne said in his book Paper Tiger "These guys are good. How good? You have no fucking idea." Joe Durant = the best ballstriker I've ever seen in person, it was absolutely amazing watching him. Wedges, mid irons, long irons, 3 wood, literally all landing within feet of each other. Not 3 or 4 balls, more like 10-15 balls in a row, all the same line, different trajectories, like he was just playing around. And as good as Jason Day hit it on 18, the sound of the ball off the face of his irons on the range, and his body motion, really made it look like he wasn't striking it well. By then the sun was almost straight into us, so I couldn't see ball flight, just judging body language.

Made our way to the short game area, here's where it gets really interesting. Trevor Immelman hitting 5 footers in between telling jokes and laughing with a few guys, barely paying attention. Out of 20 putts, I think he missed two. Robert Allenby in the bunker, just sick. High, low, runners, spinners, just insane control over the ball. Hit the stick and made countless others. Joe Ogilvie, don't ever get into a chipping contest with this guy. Just for kicks, he made 3 in a row, lipped out the 4th. Turns around with the same club and hits a low skipper to a pin about 20 yards away without any time sizing it up, left it about 3 inches short. Remember Joe Durant, when he first got there, I could have taken lots of money from him on bunker shots, literally nearly thinned one into his caddies head as he was clearing balls off the green. Then, the clouds parted, Angels sang down from the heavens and what I believe to be none other than Stan Utley appeared in the bunker with Joe (Stan works with Joe, natural conclusion). Talked to Joe for about 30 seconds on his approach to bunker shots of swinging "narrow" (if you don't know what that means, do yourself a favor and buy Stan Utley's "The Art of the Short Game" book). One swing to ingrain it, and Joe Durant is now hitting it great out of the bunker. Unreal, 30 seconds? Stan Utley is good (I know of one person who will hate to hear me say that!).

To top it all off, I got to see my main man Steve Stricker. He walked about 5 feet in front of us, that guy got big over the last few years. It's been 4-5 years since I've been to the FBR, so I hadn't seen him in a while. Joe Durant said hi to Steve and congratulated him "on everything". It's official, Joe Durant is now an honorary member of the PaperHogan Fan Club, along with Steve Stricker and Stan Utley. An honor I'm sure they all cherish very much. It's my pleasure guys, no need to shower me with thanks.