While Kaymer and Speith and Segio fight out the Players Championship today, we want to highlight our Christian Tour Players who might have an outside chance of taking the trophy this afternoon.

Stewart Cink and Bubba stand at -5 after Stewart shot his third straight 70 and Bubba stands in the best position on the final day that he has ever had before at the TPC.  These fellas have the best chance to move up the leaderboard and take the title, but, it will take a herculean effort as they are seven shots behind the leaders.

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Open Doors for the Open, June 2014

The Players Championship; some call it a 5th Major and it sure seems that way.

We see it as another precursor to the U.S., Open @ Pinehurst in June because that happens to be our main focus, but, PGA Tour golf, as we're sure it does for you, keeps the blood warm when the best players in the world (minus 1) are in the hunt in a "major".

The story lines are great, Martin Kaymer, the German superstar, ala Bernhard Langer, holds a slim lead on the young phenom, Jordan Spieth who gave Bubba a run for his money at the Masters before the back nine where "Super-Bubba" emerged and "killed it" comin' down the stretch for his second green jacket. 

Russel Henley, the somewhat older youngster is in third, 4 shots back of Kaymer and a bevy of major winners and incredible players are in the hunt, including Furyk and Westwood at -6, six shots back, Justin Rose and Garcia in the same position with Bill Haas, former FEDEX Champion at -5.

Our focus is always on the regulars to the Tour Bible Study, so, Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink are at -4, Justin Leonard at -3 (after an incredible "slam dunk" eagle (see the video) and 2-time Masters Champion, Bubba Watson at -3 as well, Matt Kuchar at -2 and Ricky Fowler at -1.

Notables that missed the cut include Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley and one of our other favorites, Kevin Streelman who went from a 3 under 69 on Thursday to a 7 over par 79 on Friday (yuck).

Again, the 5th Major is well on it's way.  It may not have the drama of the Masters or the Open, but, those of us who have a passion for the game will be riveted to our TV's if the wife allows it and we'll be cheering for our favorites as the sun sets on The Players on Sunday afternoon.

Just four+ weeks before the Open and Open Doors for the Open.  We still have lodging and daily tickets and YOU can register for free lodging and tickets above.....

We can't get enough of Bubba Watson!!

As we focus on the story lines headed into the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, we keep coming back to the wonderful story of Bubba's second win at the Masters this year and the testimony it proclaims about his new life as a Christ Follower, his new character and attitude as well as his new heart that reaches out to so  many and turns their hearts to him.

In this wonderful article written shortly after Bubba's win this April, the writer captures alot of the emotion, but, more importantly, an clearer inside look at the new, real Bubba Watson.  You can read the entire article here..... 

"Turning emotional, he added, “No, you’ve got to think about where I’ve come from, my mom having two jobs to pay for my golf, my dad working in construction. And when you think about that and where I am in my career and where I am in my family, my young family; you’re thinking about how great this was. Besides the Lord, marrying my wife and having our child, it’s right there, it’s fourth or fifth on the list.

“So when you think about that, it’s an accomplishment for a guy named Bubba, with my mom, my upbringing. My year, my career was complete after that win.

“So yeah, obviously I was going to hang over. Never been drunk before (he is a teetotaller), but (it was) a hangover from the green jacket.… You know, I do everything my way. I learned the game my way. I figured it out my way.”

On 2012 and 2013, he admitted sponsor days and signing tens of thousands of pin flags too affected him. “I flew to (golf equipment maker) Ping; I did a Ping day. I talked to every worker there, signed 5,000, 10,000 flags.”

And the final stanza—on his tears. Again he was candid: “The day that I got my Tour card, it was the Nationwide Tour back then. And I cried, I could never do an interview. I was the last man to get the Tour card, and I couldn’t get a word out because, I mean, what a blessing.

“So for me, it’s a dream to be on the PGA Tour. It’s a dream to win, and winning any tournament is a big deal. Winning the green jacket is a little bit bigger deal. So, yeah, I’m going to cry, because why me? Why Bubba Watson from Bagdad, Florida? Why is he winning? So I just always ask the question why, why me.

“That’s why I’m always going to cry, you know. I’ll probably cry again tonight sometime, just thinking about it,” said Watson, who now lives in a mansion, previously owned by Tiger Woods, in Isleworth in Windermere, Florida. Talk of ironies!"

Like I said, we can't get enough of Bubba.  We pray we'll see more of him as he receives this years' U.S. Open trophy.

Join us at the U.S. Open 

V. Krishnaswamy is the author of Sachin—A Hundred Hundreds Now.

The Stacy Lewis vs Lydia Ko matchup is exactly the type of story Open Doors for the Open was hoping to be able to highlight as the time gets closer to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in June.

The drama that has been played out the last few weeks on the LPGA Tour with great story lines and dramatic come-from-behind finishes as well as the recent firestorm created by the Sports Illustrated golf article about women in golf featuring a model engaged to a PGA Tour player versus successful competitive professional women golfers who should be the focus of media attention.  Now, it's being played out on the golf course as it well should be.

The perspective of Open Doors is focused upon Stacy Lewis who we have been following, praying to get to know and feature during our Open Doors for the Open and desiring a faith-based story line heading into the Open.

As we've featured before, Stacey Lewis is not just a wonderful player and ranked 3rd best in the world right now, current British Open Champion and short-lived #1 player at the end of last season, no, Stacey Lewis is a model woman and Believer in Jesus Christ exemplifying true faith in action on the LPGA Tour and world stage as a golf celebrity.

We are happy to highlight the great golf and the drama that is being played out on the Tour leading up to this historic event coming up in June in Pinehurst, but, we desire the opportunity to highlight the lives of the women and men of faith in Christ as they trek toward the event.  We hope we will continue to see the Christian character of these players on the world stage similar to what we saw in an obviously mature performance and demeanor exhibited by, now, two-time Masters Champion, Bubba Watson earlier this month.

The final round of the Swinging Skirts Classic in Lake Merced will make the LPGA Tour happy to see such drama playing out before a world-wide TV audience, but we will be happy to see the continued professional excellence of these ladies and the opportunity for Christ to be honored by the next champion regardless of who wins.

For more on Stacey Lewis' life please click here.  To find out more about the Open Doors for the Open opportunity and join us at Pinehurst, please click here....

Thanks so much...

In Him

The 2014 Masters is over and Bubba Watson is victorious once again.

It was a marvelous Masters that was all about over after Jordan Spieth slipped up on #8 and #9 while Bubba birdied both and played magnificently over the back nine where the Masters is normally won.  Bubba didn't disappoint.  

So what did we really see during this Masters over the past 4 days? We saw a man, Bubba Watson, former winner of the Masters 2 years ago who was able to call upon the experiences of his victory in the past and be able to apply those lessons to his craft as he worked within himself and his environment in order to gain his second green jacket. 

I marveled as I watched the demeanor of Bubba and the way in which he shook off the difficulties and challenges (James 1) encountered as well as the way in which he competed against a young, energetic and extremely talented Jordan Spieth. Weren't we all aware of Bubba's former propensity to express his frustration with mistakes and "bad-bounces" and how it would effect his performances in the past. (My comment; this is an expression of spiritual maturity; I believe this is very true!  Praise Him!!)

It was a wonderful thing to see as Bubba dropped birdie putts on top of Jordan's, or, even, when Jordan had "stuffed" an approach on #6 and Bubba, putting first, nailed the treacherous putt to avoid the loss of momentum.  Or when Jordan blasted out of the bunker on #4 and "canned it" with one of the most memorable shots in Masters history, how Bubba, calmly and collectively drained his own putt on top of that shot.  In fact, the tee shot itself by Bubba on #4 was also memorable.  Amazing golf to watch.  The confidence with which Bubba slammed the drive on #13, some 330+ yards over the trees to set up a short iron to the par 5.  Jordan was quoted as saying something like; that was the most incredible drive I've ever seen.  I was amazed at the length and the confidence that he had in his swing. Can you imagine how difficult it is to square the clubface with that driver on a consistent basis and hit it where he wants to with such ferocity and as Frank Nobilo said; "All elbows and arms".  The suppleness to his swing is amazing and under pressure to boot!!

This, indeed, is another wonderful performance by Bubba Watson and a testament to the maturity of a man who has his priorities in order and is leading his fellow Tour Players not only on the course, but, in life as well.

We are quite proud of Bubba for his Masters win, indeed, but, even more so for how he is succeeding in real life.

Can't wait to see him at the U.S. Open in Pinehurst 8 1/2 weeks!!!

If you would like to attend the Men's and/or Women's U.S. Open in Pinehurst for FREE, text OPENDOORS to 41411 and follow the prompts.

Blessings to you all!