The Crown Plaza Invitational is the longest running non major PGA Tour Event.  What that really means is it is the longest running non major PGA Tour Tournament that has been held at the same course, the name has changed but the location has remained the same.  The Par 70 Country Club currently playing 7204 yards is bordered by the Trinity River (which I just saw on River Monsters for giant alligator gar fish) and has been home to the US Open in 41, and the Tournament Players Championship in 75.  Colonial CC has been a staple for the PGA Tour, and has been the setting for several victories by golf’s elite.  The most noteworthy winner of the tournament is the late Ben Hogan; the Fort Worth resident won five times, which earned the course the nickname “Hogan’s Alley.”

Who is atop the leader board this week… Ill give you three guesses… was one of your guesses Jason Dufner.  Well it should have been, no one has had a hotter start since Tiger Woods in 2009 with the most leads/co-leads in the first three rounds of play.  But besides the current 2012 MVP, we have Zach Johnson (who is leading the tournament right now at -6 under par) with Dufner and four others at -5 under, Chris DiMarco and Tommy 2Gloves Gainy, along with Sergio rounding out the top headliners currently in the top 6.  All within 2 shots of the current leader.

Colonial Country Club is one of those stops on the PGA Tour that you get to watch on TV and remember which holes are coming up, what the green looks like or the clubhouse.  Even though I have never been to Fort Worth (and really only been to Texas one time) I still feel like I have walked the course at Colonial.  I believe the PGA Tour should spread the love when it comes to where they play, but sometimes it is nice to throw in a regular course that we all know and love.  Makes for better TV that way.

Hogan’s Alley

The Duffman comes through with a 25 foot birdie putt on the last hole to win the 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship.  With roughly five holes left in regulation for the last group, there was a 5 way tie for first. J.J. Henry, who had an early hole-in-one, was in the lead at 11 under after consecutive birdies at Nos. 15 and 16, overcoming a bad tee shot on the first and a greenside bunker on the second to take the sole lead with two to go in regulation. But Henry, in the final group with Dufner, hit his tee shot at the par-3 17th over the green into the collection area.  After his chip rolled to the front of the green. The former TCU star lost the lead with a double bogey after missing his  a 4-foot putt for bogey slid just outside the cup.

Dicky Pride made a great birdie putt (after watching JJ’s meltdown) on 17 to get himself into a tie for the lead with Dufner at -10 under.  Fast forward to 18, and a 25 foot par putt to be the first in the clubhouse at ten under (which he makes).  The only hicup in Dickey’s plan, is Dufner hitting a 300+ yeard drive on 18, and a solid but safe approach shot, and then draining the putt.  No one can now say that Dufner is not a great putter, or able to finish on the weekend (the Chicgo Golf Guy included).  Jason is apperantly our second two time winner this year on the PGA Tour.  I had it in my head that no one had one two events this year, but Hunter Mahan has.  Although one was a World Golf event, so technically I am right??? Either way congradulations to Jason.

Jason Dufner lets his emotions show on the 72nd hole after draining a 25 footer for birdie to win the tournament.  Did anyone see Jason’s fist pump and huge smile after his birdie putt went in.  I know for most guys, a grinning fist pump is the norm when winning a tournament, but the stoic Dufner is not the normal PGA Tour player when it comes to his emotions.  He is normally very calm cool and collected (almost boring some might say).  But he definitely let a little come out after sinking that putt on the 72nd to win the tournament.  It makes this golfer like the Dufster even more now, not to mention he has played the best on the PGA Tour so far this season. Hands Down.

The last Four weeks for Dufner included Two PGA Tour Victories and getting Married, not too bad.

Jason Dufner is still our leader after 54 holes. Being the 54 hole leader has been more of a curse than anything on the PGA Tour this year.  I believe that almost every (if not every) tournament has been a come from behind victory.  With 14 players within 4 shots of Dufner, this weeks winner can come from almost any of those spots.  The golf course has been running well, but a really low Sunday number is possible.

Vijay Singh is a man to watch on Sunday.  At age 48, Singh’s opportunities to win another PGA Tour event would seem to be closing. After battling some injuries, Singh had five top-10 finishes last year but he has failed to produce a top-10 result this season.  Singh will be going into Sunday a solo 5th, and bar a crazy Sunday finish he will get that top 10 this year at a minimum.  I would put Vijay as one of the guys to beat come the back nine tomorrow.

Jason Day is only one shot back, and another player that could easily win come tomorrow afternoon.  Jason has always had a little bit of trouble with the flat stick, but he has had no problems so far this week.  With a great putting round Jason is going to be hard to beat. Throw in a Kucher (who is currently still ridding his Players Championship high), last years winner Keegan Bradley, a hungry veteran Dickie Pride, and countless others who are within range tomorrow…should make for a great Sunday afternoon of golf on tv.  Too bad I have to work!

Jason Dufner is our 36 hole leader at the HP Byron Nelson.  What do you know Mr. Dufner is our 36 hole leader, again.  The man has lead more tournaments this year (after 36 holes) than any other player.  With that being said, the last time he held the 36 hole lead…he won.  “I feel good about my game,” Dufner said. “Usually when you’re feeling good, you’re going to go into the weekend leading or close to the lead, and I’ve been fortunate to be in that position.” So I wouldn’t look for Jason to falter on the weekend.  If anything I would venture to guess that Jason is a good pick for our first multiple winner on tour this year.

Even though I like the the Duff man for the weekend, there are six players within one shot of the lead. With the log jam that exists at the top of the leader board, it reminds me of the fact that the PGA Tour is not won or lost on any given day.  More often than not a player can card a mediocre round (-1, Even +1 or 2) and still be in contention to win the event.  Now don’t get me wrong, a player cannot win a PGA Tour event and have one mediocre round, with out one really great round (62-65).  My point here is that anyone within the 10 shots of the leader (which is where the cut line is, Top 72 and ties or within 10 shots of the 36 hole leader).  I use to think that was a unrealistic rule, now I am beginning to rethink that.

Check out Phil’s birdie, from under the trees.  I love playing in a scotch game, and making the unbelievable birdie from under the trees or as I like to call it No Mans Land.  You get pressed after your tee shot goes in the trees, then you hit em back with a repress (because we know we can make a birdie from there).  Next thing you know your ball rolls up onto the green as if from no where, you make a birdie from under the trees (Phil style), and earn you and your partner an easy 6 for 12 for 24 for 48 points.  Thats what I like to call a sweet birdie.

In the opening round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship, Ryan Palmer shot a 6-under 64 to take the early lead.  Ryan is one of my favorite touring pros because of his outlook on golf and being a professional golfer.  Ryan has forgone some sponsorships because he thought that with the extra money from sponsors he would practice less.  He needed to regain that early motivation of I do not get paid unless I play well as an early touring professional.  After today’s bogey free round of 64, I would say that may have worked, we will just have to see how the rest of the week plays out.

Don’t think that winning the Tour Championship will keep Matt Kuchar happy: after a “major” victory at the Players Matt follows up his first round with a solid 66 (even with a bogey on the first hole).  Not a bad way to follow up a very solid winner.  Last years champion Keegan Bradley, PGA Tour’s 2011 Rookie of the year, and the only man to currently be batting 500 in the major championships when it comes to winners, had a wild first round with 5 birdies, one eagle, and four bogey’s to card a first round 67.  Keegan did finish four under in the last five holes, not bad for a guy who was one over with six to play.  Wish I could come down the stretch and make two birdies and an eagle…