Tour Finally Puts Quail Hollow Fazio Tee To Rest

Players have long hated a back tee added by the course renovator-to-the-stars and like so many of his modifications to tournament courses over the last decade, the back tee on Quail Hollow's par-3 17th will be retired to the delight of players.

Steve Elling reports.

"I think it's a great decision just because of the way the green is designed," said Phil Mickelson, who was one of those who pushed for the modification.

"It's designed to receive the shot from over there," he added. "When the green gets firm like it will be this week it's a much better hole from over there. There is more decision-making and more risk-reward as opposed to 100 percent defense. I think it's a great hole from over there."

Update on 2012-05-03 14:37 by Geoff

**Ron Green Jr. has the full story behind the tee change including a priceless quote from Tiger and some insight into the thinking of architect Fazio and Johnny Harris, Mr. Quail Hollow.

First, Tiger on seeing the left tees in use.

Pleased with what he saw, Woods told a hole marshal, “We used to play this as a short par-4.”

And...

“Clearly Tom Fazio and I didn’t get the message like everyone else did,” Quail Hollow president Johnny Harris said.

“We finally decided to listen to the pros. We can make the course unplayable if we wanted to but that’s not our intention. We have nine years of data from the right side. Now we can get it from the left side.”

Johnny: In California Phil's Won More Than "Even Me"

Previewing the U.S. Open at Olympic where he played as an amateur and will manage to work himself into the conversation at least 4391 times during the telecasts this year, Johnny Miller tells Golf Magazine he likes Phil Mickelson's chances this year.

Of course, it's because of a tip Johnny gave Phil.

PHIL MICKELSON: This might be Phil's last chance to win a U.S. Open. He's won more in California than maybe anyone, even me. He wants that first U.S. Open so much, and you know he'll be prepared. And who knows -- after I gave him my tip about the "reverse-bank" theory, maybe that'll put him over the top!

"It was excruciating to say the least"

Phil Attinger on 75-year-old Albert Miller getting attacked by a 9-foot gator at Lake Ashton Golf and CC last Wednesday while retrieving balls in a clear pond.

"He lifted me up three feet and slammed me down," Miller said.

Price ran over and grabbed Miller under his shoulders while the animal was thrashing and pulling.

The other two golfers in the foursome ran over to help.

Miller said the animal took one look at him and clamped down harder.

"It was excruciating to say the least," Miller said.

As the animal started dragging Miller into the water, Miller prayed for a miracle.
He got one.

"He let me go," Miller said. "I was three feet from my life. He had me submerged up to my belt buckle. That was my miracle of the month."