5 Things You Didn't Know ... FBR Open
GOLF.com goes inside the numbers to reveal interesting facts about the key players at the 2008 FBR Open.
Holmes Loves Phoenix
If you watched the television broadcast of the FBR Open, you surely heard commentators talk about the "Valley effect." Simply put, many seemingly straight putts on Scottsdale courses tend to break away from Pinnacle Peak (the area's highest point) and down the valley toward the city of Phoenix. J.B. Holmes seems to be very aware of this phenomenon; his putting average at 2008 FBR Open was 1.608 per green (tying him for second best for the week). In 2006, when Holmes won the event, his putting average was 1.66. During his winless 2007 season, his putting average was 1.796 (121st on the Tour).
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Measuring the Odds on Mickelson's Gamble
In a post-round interview, Phil Mickelson said his caddie, Jim Mackay, advised him to lay up with his second shot on the par-5 15th hole Sunday. Instead, Mickelson hit a 3-wood to the back of the green and made a two-putt birdie. The shot was risky, but the odds were in his favor. In 2007, Mickelson scored a birdie or better 65.93% of the time when he tried to reach a par 5 in two shots, ranking third in the category. So far in 2008, he's made birdie or better 80% of the time.
Warren Was Wonderful Off the Tee
While Holmes's power off the tee got all the attention, Charles Warren's drives were more impressive. In fact, he ranked second in average driving distance for the week (311.6 yards) and tied for sixth in driving accuracy (76.79%). That combination gave him the top spot in the total driving category at TPC Scottsdale.
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Consistently Low, but Not Winners
Only five players scored in the 60s in all four rounds of the 2008 FBR Open—Mickelson (68-68-67-67), Kevin Na (left; 69-67-67-69), Boo Weekley (68-69-69-67), Mark Wilson (68-69-68-68) and Bill Haas (67-68-69-69).
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