Jason Day may have won the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play last week, but it just cannot be denied that Victor Dubuisson was the real hero.
The young Frenchman, who shot into limelight last year when he defeated his childhood idol Tiger Woods among others to win the Turkish Open, is enjoying a sensational run of form, and his shotmaking skill and good looks have caught the fancy of the American fans.
Day was definitely more solid, but Dubuisson played such magical recovery shots from such hopeless positions during the final that stretched to five extra holes, it was no wonder that everyone was comparing him to the legendary Seve.
The two shots he played for the cacti was just top notch. The match should have ended there. All Day could do was shake his head in disbelief and the millions watch across the globe could only marvel at Dubuisson’s brilliance.
If you haven’t watched it still, you’ve got to see his par save on the 17th hole to stay in the match and the two up-and-downs after that. The second save in the extra holes, I’d reckon you’d be lucky to get par five times if you hit a thousand shots from there.
I have seen Victor blossom on the European Tour these last few years and what has particularly impressed me is that he has a fearless approach on the golf course. He drives the ball a long way, but he has an incredible short game as well. His chipping is just outstanding.
The Frenchman did not play in the Desert Swing this year, which raised a few eyebrows, especially this being a Ryder Cup year. Instead, he decided to take his chances on the PGA Tour through the limited number of sponsors’ exemption he could avail being a non-member. And now that he has earned enough FedEx Cup points to get a special temporary membership, his move has paid off.
European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has said Victor is 99.9 per cent sure of a place in the squad, and on the basis of his performances over the last few months, I’d say it would be foolish if that .1 per cent possibility happens. Obviously, you can never say how his form would be come September, or about his fitness, but right now, he’d be a huge asset to the team.
As for Day, the good-natured Australian proved once again that he is a real deal. He has now finished in the top-five in so many Majors and big events, there have been a few murmurs about his ability to close, but his recent wins at the World Cup and now in the Match Play should shut up all his critics for good.
- Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour
