The AT&T National Golf Championship Preview
AT&T National
TV Coverage
Defending Champion: K.J. Choi Click here to watch video golf tips from the pros After all the previews I have written about this season it is odd to have a tournament history of only one winner. Most events started in the 1920’s, albeit under a different name. This event played its inaugural event last year. Although Congressional has been used for several different events, this will only be the second year for this event. KJ Choi was a deserving winner of Tiger Wood’s event. All the best players have their own event so it only makes sense that Tiger would have one too. In fact by the time his career is over he should probably be hosting a major. Unfortunately this year he will most likely be watching his own event from his home. The surgery he has had will not allow him to fly due to the swelling. Therefore, he is unlikely to make an appearance. But you know Tiger…he should not have won the US Open on one leg…but he did. 
A few players to watch in the field:
Congressional Country Club This is a 7255 yard par 70 layout that was originally built in 1922. It has seen a few changes like most courses, with the most recent done by the Open doctor Rees Jones. Last year this track ranked as the 7th hardest for scoring on the PGA Tour. 
This should be a pretty good contrast to last week where Kenny Perry won with 19 under par. Choi won last year with a total of 9 under par. It is likely that this years champion will all be in single digits below par. This golf course has hosted a US Open, a PGA Championship, and several other big time events. It should be a great test for the players this week. Keep an eye on the 11th hole which is a converted par 5. It plays as a 487 yard downhill par 4. There certainly is trouble to be found around the green so the players will have to be accurate with their approaches. The 14th hole is slightly shorter at 454 yard per 4 but it is even more demanding. Both length and accuracy are required to come away with a par. A big number could be had as out of bounds is left and deep rough awaits on the right. Down the stretch and the tournament on the line the players will face two good par 4s. They will need to control their distance on both the tee shots and the shots to the green. We know that can be a difficult task when the adrenaline is pumping with a title is within reach. I hope you enjoy the 2008 AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. Please remember to check back here for my Tour Tips of the leaders before the start of the third round. Return to the Watch the Pros Page from the AT&T National
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PGA Tour Winner Quick Lesson
Congratulations to Steve Stricker on his victory at the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
I believe the commentators said he has won 9 times in his 40s. That is amazing!I also agree with Sir Nick and Johnny Miller that his swing will be copied in the future. Technology has reduced the need for hand action in the golf swing to generate power. Watch the old videos of Bobby Jones to see how much action he created compared to that of Steve Stricker.
A great objective for any player is to eliminate any unnecessary movement. Stricker does a great job of that. His hands stay very quiet on the backswing. His wrists hardly hinge at the top of his backswing. You can see from the above video that his backswing is all shoulder turn.
His downswing starts from the hips and he simply turns everything through the golf ball at the same time. His hands and wrists release naturally without any effort. This is a great way to have a consistent rhythm through the golf ball on every shot. This swing delivers enough power to win on Tour.
European Tour Winner Quick Lesson
Congratulations to Louis Oosthuizen and his victory at the 2012 Africa Open.
Louis burst onto the scene with his dominating performance at the Open Championship. Many have predicted multiple wins for this player. His victory this past weekend is likely one of many to come.
In the video above pay really close attention to when the video ends. Take a look at his left foot. Notice how all his weight his on his left heel. This is a great sign that he has cleared his hips properly.
One of the key reasons for starting the downswing with your lower body is to clear your hips out of the way to create more room for your arms to swing through impact. It is a great indicator as to how well you cleared your hips, when almost all your weight is on your heel.
If your weight is leaning on you toes or even the middle of your foot then you have not rotated and cleared your hips enough through your downswing and past impact. You really want to feel the pressure of your weight on your heel like Oosthuizen.
Make sure you start your downswing with your lower body. At the top of your backswing; either pull your left knee or your left hip (right handed player) towards the target. Also make sure your hips keep rotating through impact and into your finish position with your weight on the heel.