Funk Motivates Shorter Hitters with Skins Game Victory

Fred Funk tames Tiger, Annika and the King of Skins Fred Couples at the Merrill Lynch skins game. Fitting it would seem that Fred Funk who after being out driven by Annika had to wear a skirt for one hole on Saturday. Funk showed true grit and that at age of 49 he is still a world class player. Funk who is a fan favorite because of his easy demeanor has legions of fans. Funk hit every fairway with precision, like an axe splitting a 2*4., right in the center. Out driven by 30, 40, 50 yards Funk patiently worked his way around the course in La Quinta. Not missing one fairway on Saturday or Sunday's play. Not only did he win, he won big, winning 15 of the holes up for grabs. A total purse of 925,000. Funk won two holes on Sunday. Sinking a twelve foot putt on the par 4, 12thhole for 100,000.The second was for a five hole carry over worth 550,000 on the par 5,18th. This is a skins game record for the most money on one hole.. Fred was the only player to reach the par 5 18th hole in two. Left with a 30 foot eagle putt he easily made birdie. Tiger Woods could have forced a playoff, but he missed the putt just sliding off at the end. This victory makes Fred funk the oldest player to win the Skins Game. The previous oldest winner was Gary Player at 48 who won the 1983 skins game. Some interesting Quotes from the tournament. After Tiger hit a remarkable shot out of the rough on the par 5-16th, he was left with an eagle putt to take the hole from Fred on Sunday. "Don't do that, don't," Woods said before covering his face, watching the putt just come up short. "Nice lag," Sorenstam said teasing Tiger. "I've got a pretty pink skirt for you," Funk said to Woods, referring to the skirt he had to wear on No. 3 on Saturday after Sorenstam out drove him. Said Woods: "I didn't hit the quality shots . He had a two-putt to force us to have to make birdie, and we didn't." "Wow," Funk said. "I played good, but still, it's the timing," said Funk, "There just weren't that many putts made." "I'm still in shock that I got asked to this thing "said Funk after his victory. >From Derrick Burton webmaster PlayInTheRa in.com Author of this article With golf course manufacturers scratching there heads to keep up with technology and longer drives. Striving to keep costs in line to build bigger courses and longer holes Funk proved this year at the PGA championship and The Merrill Lynch skins game that the short hitter still can win golf tournaments. I challenge golf course designers to start building golf courses with narrower fairways, more hazards, short par 4's.Holes that make the golfer think and challenge shot making.