The Official 'Double P' Blog

Following "Double P" around Arnie's Playground

"Once again I had the unique opportunity of following Pat Perez around on his Friday and Saturday rounds at Bay Hill and once again the kid never ceases to amaze me.

I've gotten to know PP over the years through mutual friends and living in South Florida, I always make a point to get out to the Doral and Honda, but with the Doral now a World Golf event, I made the trek to Orlando to check him out with my Miami contingent.

Even though he found himself in some trouble spots on Friday, it was the shots that got him out of trouble that left me scratching my head wondering how this kid doesn't have a couple majors under his belt yet, much less his first win.

As the round progressed, there were about five putts attempted that were within an inch of falling. There's your difference difference between a 2 over round or 3 under, which would have put him near the top of the leader board at -6.

The questions then swirling in my head were answered. The margin of error these guys have to contend with every week is razor thin. Ask Boo Weekley about that 3'3" putt for what would've been his first Tour win at the Honda Classic. These guys are beyond good. It's a game of millimeters.

In answering my own question as to why PP doesn't have that first win, I began to appreciate his skills - and the competition - that much more.

On one shot in particular, he was on the upslope inside a fairway bunker, tucked almost under the lip. From my vantage point and all those around me, it looked as if he was going to have to punch it out into the fairway for a safe approach to the green, which was over a severe water hazard.

True to form, PP selected his club, stepped up, and wasted no time planting his ball right on the green. Left with about a 30-footer for birdie, he dropped that sucker like a bad habit and moved on to the next tee as if the feat were completely effortless.

A mere golf mortal would have chalked up no better than bogey facing similar circumstances and pin placement.

These are the shots that are burned into my memory and the ones that leave me asking those "how" or "why" type questions. I was taught to remember that cream rises to the top. The breaks can't go against you all the time. Eventually the golf gods will smile down on a given week.

There will be a time when everything is working and when that time comes, the rest of the field will not be able keep up. I truly feel that time is coming soon. As a friend and fan of Double P, this guy is serious about his game. His competitive drive and determination will let nothing stand in the way of his first win.

My crew and I thank PP once again for hooking up the tickets and hanging with us during the Florida swing. I look forward to making it up the PGA Championship in May. TPC Sawgrass is only a car ride away. Last year our boy t-3rd and hopefully I'll be present for that elusive first victory should it come there this year. Of course we're all hoping it comes before that...

That first Tour win will be the one which opens Pandora's Box and shoots this guy to the top of the golfing world where he belongs."