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2013 Golf:10th Hole Big Winner At Norther Trust Open

By Les Bailey

Aug. 3, 2012; Akron, OH, USA; Sang-Moon Bae tees off the 9th hole during the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club-South Course. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Aug. 3, 2012; Akron, OH, USA; Sang-Moon Bae tees off the 9th hole during the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club-South Course. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Korean, Sang-Moon Bae, and Fredrik Jacobson from Sweden, shot matching -6 under par 65’s on Friday to take a one shot lead at -9 under par in the Northern Trust Open on Friday, but the big winner at Riveria is the drivable par four 10th hole. Called “one of the best 10th holes in championship play” by Jack Nicklaus, the 315 yard monster is the big winner. Almost everyone who is at, or near the top of the leaderboard was able to escape with par or better at number 10.

PGA: PGA Championship-First Round
Aug 9, 2012; Kiawah Island, SC, USA; Fredrik Jacobson (right) reads the green on the 17th hole during the first round of the 94th PGA Championship at the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Bae, who was playing in the early groupings, put on a putting clinic in the morning session, and posted nine birdies, including one at the tenth hole. He started on the back nine, and got out of the gate with a run of four in a row before making bogey at 15. He made birdie again at 18 to make the turn at 32.

Jacobson played in the afternoon, and had a wonderful round of golf, including birdie on 10. His -6 under round was a bit more stable, as he picked up only one bogey late in the afternoon at the 15th hole. The wind was expected to come up in the afternoon, but was a no show on the day. The only obstacles at Pacific Palisades on Friday were the kikuyu grass, and small greens.

Riveria Country Club is an old style golf course that requires accuracy off of the tee. You must have the correct angle to these small greens if you have any intentions of making par. A one foot error on the approach shot will net bogey or worse. Players that get too aggressive with there first putt can be looking at 4-5 foot comebacks for par.

Phil Mickelson got sideways on the 10th hole Friday and quickly put a double bogey on his card. Lefty, who has one of the best shot games on the tour, was having trouble off the tee on Friday, and the 10th hole bit him. It all started with a poor tee shot, and the wrong angle to the flag. His early eagle three at the first hole, along with a couple of birdies down the stretch saved his round. He carded a 67 on the day, and finished -4 under par in a tie for 13th place. He is five shots off the pace.

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