Category Archives: News

Aaron Rai Wins in Hong Kong (but made 207 10 foot putts in a row when he was 15)

https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/tour-news/aaron-rai-wins-honma-hong-kong-open-169578

Aaron Rai won the Honma Hong Kong Open by a shot over Matthew Fitzpatrick, but it was something said during the broadcast that really got my attention.

After Rai made about a 8 footer for par on one hole the commentator said something about how the putt would be no big deal for him because when Rai was 15 he set a world record in a putting challenge by making over 200 consecutive putts of 10 feet.

I had to go look this up, and sure enough I found it (World Puttmaster Record Smashed). Rai made 207 putts in a row, beating the old record of 136.

In case you’re really interested, this is the Lee Westwood Putt Master but it doesn’t appear to be for sale any longer:

Mickelson Beats Tiger in 22 Holes at “The Match”

It took 22 holes, but Phil Mickelson won “The Match” against Tiger Woods, and the $9 million prize.

Here are some highlights:

MIckelson failed to birdie the first hole, so lost the $200,000 side-bet to Tiger (which goes to a charity of Tiger’s choice). However, he did manage to win 3 out of 4 closest-to-the-pins, worth $100,000 each.

I did not watch it live, and the highlights were a little underwhelming. Both players shot 3-under 69s, with Tiger having 6 birdies and 3 bogeys, and Phil having 3 birdies and no bogeys.

In the post-match press conference, Phil says (somewhat jokingly) this gives him “bragging rights” over Tiger from now on.

I’m sure next American Thanksgiving there will be another “The Match”.