Looking for some players to watch?

By John Rohde

Published: May 21, 2006

Here's a list that includes names like Watson, Trevino and Player

Ten players I plan to watch at this week's Senior PGA Championship at Oak Tree Golf Club. Feel free to do the same:

10. Gary Player
Please forgive the 70-year-old Player for being in better shape than 97 percent of all Americans. The Black Knight shot better than his age (68) last season at the Bank of America Championship near Boston. Good luck counting all his victories. My calculator claims his career total is 119 -- 53 worldwide events; 24 PGA Tour victories; 19 on Champions Tour; 12 other senior events; 11 Grand Champions events.

9. Craig Stadler
I dig "The Walrus," goo goo g'joob. We're similar in many ways -- our attire, our on-course demeanor, our constant dissatisfaction with our golf games (albeit at totally different levels). Stadler smiles more often in disgust than he does out of pleasure. You'll wonder, "Man, does this guy ever have fun?" But underneath that gruff exterior is a sweetheart of a guy. OK, maybe we're not so much alike.

8. Loren Roberts
Every putt is a threat to go in the hole. You'll either love watching the "Boss of the Moss" work his magic on the greens, or you'll be absolutely disgusted he makes it look so easy. Then go watch the high-toe putting stylings of Isao Aoki, who gets the job done much differently. There could be some mossy warfare because Oak Tree Golf Club's new putting surfaces won't surrender without a fight.

7. Jay Haas
It's been an interesting career voyage for Haas, who won all nine of his PGA Tour titles between 1978 and 1993. But he has won five times in his last 12 starts on the Champions Tour, if you include the 3-Tour Challenge. Haas has been so impressive since turning half-a-hundred, he was a captain's pick for the 2004 Ryder Cup team -- the third time he made the team (1983, 1995).

6. Fuzzy Zoeller
Still uses the whistle-while-you-work approach. He is the anti-Walrus, goo goo g'joob. Not having a great season so far this year, but he's still whistling. Won the Senior PGA Championship his rookie season in 2002, making his first title as a senior a major. Won the 1979 Masters while making his first appearance at Augusta National. Also won the 1984 U.S. Open in a playoff over Greg Norman at Winged Foot, site of this year's Open.

5. Lee Trevino
Shut up and listen. You don't want to miss what might come out of the Merry Mex's mouth. Played just seven events last season, returning after revolutionary back surgery performed in Germany one year ago this month. Still trying to find the magic that helped him win 10 majors in his career, including two Senior PGAs.

4. Hale Irwin
This one is personal. He was my childhood hero while growing up in Boulder. He was a two-sport stud at Colorado -- a two-time All-Big Eight defensive back and the 1967 NCAA medalist in golf. Pulled for him hard during his three U.S. Open victories, especially when he won at age 45 at Medinah in 1990. One last little thing: He's the greatest senior golfer in history and still a threat to win at age 60.

3. Peter Jacobsen
The guy can impersonate anyone's swing -- including yours. But why on earth would he want to do that? The only swing he'll need this week is his own. Outstanding player when his troublesome knees cooperate. Seems to be enjoy the over-50 circuit, even though he more than held his own at last year's U.S. Open with an ace and a tie for 15th. Won last year's Ford Senior Players Championship, a major.

2. Tom Watson
At times, his putting stroke leaves him. But that velvet swing and perfect balance are still there. Watson rarely plays on tour, so this will be a treat. Is he a threat to win? Absolutely. Given all his success overseas, you'd think Watson would speak with a British accent. A victory this week would be Watson's 13th major title -- five British Opens, two Senior British Opens, two Masters, one U.S. Open, one Tradition and two Senior PGA Championships.

1. Oak Tree Gang
Usually, I'd advise staying away from gang members, but not this group. Five locals who have represented Oak Tree in the past or present are in this week's field -- Gil Morgan, Doug Tewell, David Edwards, Danny Edwards and Mark Hayes. Feel free to wish them well, but remember this is their office. Save the chit-chat for later. Party at Tewell's house!!! (Just kidding.)

John Rohde:475-3314, jrohde@oklahoman.com; John Rohde can be heard Monday-Friday from 6-7 p.m. on WWLS-FM 104.9 and WWLS-AM 640, and on KYAL-AM 1550 in Tulsa.