Archive for the ‘Golf sports news’ Category
October 23, 2011
Sergio Garcia shot a 7-under 64 Saturday to extend his lead to a commanding eight shots after the third round of the Castello Masters.
He overcame a shaky start by making a 5-foot birdie putt at the seventh hole before an eagle at the eighth. The 2008 champion made five birdies on a flawless back nine for a 19-under 194 total.
“Its well set up, but its not over. Anybody can shoot a round like I did the last couple of days,” Garcia said after completing his best back-to-back rounds after a 63 Friday.
Castello Masters Leaderboard
Thongchai Jaidee shot a 66 and was his closest challenger, with first-round leader Ross McGowan (69) another stroke behind.
Defending champion Matteo Manassero of Italy shot a 71 to trail Garcia by 14 strokes.
The 31-year-old Garcia hopes his familiarity with his childhood course can help him protect his lead and end an almost three-year title drought. It would be his ninth European tour win.
“Its just a special feeling. The only other time I get this is in the U.K. when I play the Ryder Cup or the British Open,” he said. “The energy of the crowd is just amazing.”
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October 22, 2011
Hometown favorite Sergio Garcia shot an 8-under 63 on Friday to take a two-shot lead at the Castello Masters.
Castello Masters Leaderboard
Playing on a course where he was club champion at the age of 12, Garcia eagled the par-5 No. 8 and holed seven other birdies to move to 12 under for the tournament.
The Spaniard, who hasnt won on the European Tour in almost three with a fine bunker shot on No. 17 to save par.
“Because Im home, Ive hit that shot so many times. I hit it perfectly,” he said.
Once ranked No. 2, Garcia has struggled and dropped outside the top 75 after near-misses at the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie and 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills.
The 31-year-old has improved this season and is back up to No. 49 in the rankings with top-12 finishes in the last three majors.
“Its getti sometimes I have a little bit of a hard time hitting a draw, but when my little fade works out, I can keep it in play.”
Alexander Noren of Sweden also finished with a 63 after an opening 69 and is two shots off the lead. Scotlands Gary Orr, Englands Ross McGowan and Australias Marcus Fraser are two shots further back.
“It didnt feel that good on the range,” Noren said. “But I found my swing and holed a lot of putts. I played probably the best Ive ever played on the front nine.”
Defending champion Matteo Manassero of Italy is 5 under after a cautious round of 68 that featured four birdies and a bogey.
Tom Lewis, last weeks winner at the Portugal Masters, was due to tee off with Garcia and Manassero but was forced to pull out earlier in the day because of an illness.
American two-time major winner John Daly is likely to miss the cut after shooting 73-70 in the first two rounds to leave him at 1 over.
Another American, Anthony Kang, should be playing through the weekend after a pair of 70s put him at 2 under.
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October 22, 2011
U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy split from agent Chubby Chandler on Friday to join Ryder Cup partner Graeme McDowell at a Dublin management company.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman had been represented by Chandlers International Sports Management since turning professional in 2007. McIlroy will now be affiliated with Horizon.
“I am now keen to move onto the next stage of my career and I feel this will be facilitated by a fresh view and a new structure around me,” McIlroy said in a statement.
ISM said it took “great pride … in guiding him successfully through his formative years as a professional golfer.”
McIlroy, ranked No. 3, thanked Chandler for his “guidance, representation and management.”
“Chubby and his team have played a very important role in my success to date,” he said. “I have made great progress under their management and for that I will always be grateful.”
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October 21, 2011
Top-ranked Yani Tseng opened her home event with a 4-under 68 on Thursday in front of a large gallery to join Japans Ai Miyazato atop the leaderboard in the LPGA Taiwan Championship.
The 22-year-old Tseng overcame early nerves to finish strongly and match Miyazato.
“I saw so many fans on the first hole and I was nervous. I asked my caddie, What should I do?” Tseng said. “I told myself to relax. … I am enjoying it. Every shot you have a big crowd, every putt if I dont make it they always say, `Its OK, you can do it, the next hole you will be fine. You always have so many supporters no matter how good or bad you play.”
Taiwan Championship Leaderboard
Tseng won the season-opening LPGA Thailand in February at Siam Country Club for the first of her tour-high six victories. She has nine worldwide victories this year, including major victories in the LPGA Championship and Womens British Open, and leads the money list with $2,563,629.
The seventh-ranked Miyato birdied the par-5 18th at Sunrise Golf and Country Club to rally from a bogey-4 at the 16th as gusting wind forced cautious play and low tee shots.
“I grew up in a windy place so I really like to play in this wind,” Miyazato said. “Today it wasnt too bad with the wind, but still just to make sure Im trying to hit the fairways, hit the greens, trying to play really simple out there.”
Americans Jennifer Song and Morgan Pressel and Swedens Anna Nordqvist of Sweden opened with 69s.
“It was very windy on the front nine,” Song said. “Its really tough on us because mentally it wears you out. I dont know I somehow managed to play well here.”
Cristie Kerr topped a group at 70, and Suzann Pettersen had a 71.
On Tuesday, Tseng was honored as the Rolex Player of the Year for the second straight year.
“It feels really good and thank you to LPGA for announcing it in Taiwan so I can share this honor to all the fans here,” Tseng said.
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October 21, 2011
Luke Donald figured he might have to win at Disney to have his best shot at capturing the PGA Tour money title. He took a good step Thursday in the Childrens Miracle Network Classic with a 6-under 66 for a seven-way share of the lead.
Donald is playing the opening two rounds with Webb Simpson, whose runner-up finish last week at Sea Island gave him a $363,029 lead in the money list. Simpson also played bogey-free on the easier Palm course for a 68.
“Would have loved to have made a couple more at the end,” Donald said of his six birdies. “I didnt hit the ball great the last few holes. I think you want to capitalize on the slightly easier course, and six birdies and no bogeys was a great start. It wasnt that easy out there. The wind was strong enough to make club selection a little tricky.”
CMN Hospital Classic Leaderboard
The wind began blowing in the morning as a front came through, giving Disney surprisingly cool conditions.
Donald, who just returned from Europe, immediately put his name in the mix to stay near the top of the leaderboard throughout the morning. Simpson made a late surge and also was satisfied with his start.
“Its a good start,” Simpson said. “Thats all you can ask for on day one. Looking forward to trying to improve tomorrow, just keep trying to climb the leaderboard.”
Its a crowded leaderboard, typical of this season-ending tournament.
Luke Donald shoots six birdies to put himself in a seven-way tie atop the board. (Getty Images) With so much attention at the top, its even more critical at the bottom as players try to finish in the top 125 on the money list to keep full status for next year. James Driscoll is at No. 125, and he was among those who opened with a 66 to tie for the lead.
The others were Arjun Atwal, Nathan Green, Scott Stallings, Derek Lamely and Gary Woodland, who won in Tampa earlier this year and is getting ready for a trip to China for the World Cup.
William McGirt, who knows a thing or two about playing his best when he has to, was in the large group at 67. McGirt narrowly got into the FedEx Cup playoffs, then advanced to the second stage. He now is No. 138 on the money list, and could challenge to get into the top 125 if he can stay in the top 10.
Donald is trying to become the first player to win the PGA Tour and European Tour money titles in the same year. He also is trying to become the first player since Tom Lehman in 1996 to win the PGA Tour money title in the final tournament.
The format is for two pros to play with two amateurs, and with Nos. 1 and 2 on the money list at Disney, it was natural for the tour to put Donald and Simpson in the same group. They had a few light-hearted moments.
“He asked when I was having my offseason,” Donald said. “I said, `Well, it was going to be this week. Thanks for playing the last two weeks. But yeah, just some light-hearted banter out there.”
Donald went ahead on the money list with a final birdie at the Tour Championship last month, but then Simpson lost in a playoff at the McGladrey Classic a week ago in his bid to win the money list, which comes with a five-year exemption.
Donald wasnt planning to play Disney until then. The Englishman is missing out on a 10-year reunion at Northwestern, where he was an NCAA champion and loved the Chicago area so much that he now lives there for most of the year.
Northwestern plays Penn State at homecoming, and Donald said he was to be the honorary captain.
His duties?
“Motivational speech, you know, that kind of stuff. Work out with em every day,” Donald said sarcastically. “I think I get to be in the locker room and see what they do.”
Instead, hes working at Disney, and trying to make it pay off in a big way.
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October 20, 2011
Tiger Woods is outside the top 50 in the world for the first time since his 1996 rookie season Greg Norman doesnt think much of the way Tiger Woods plays golf these days, saying he would not have picked him to play in the Presidents Cup.
Norman, who in a recent magazine interview said he didnt think Woods will win another major, told the that PGA champion Keegan Bradley would have been a more logical choice for U.S. captain Fred Couples.
Norman is the International team captain for the Presidents Cup, to be played Nov. 17-20 at Royal Melbourne.
“I can understand the name of a Tiger Woods and his history of what hes done on the golf course,” Norman said. “But I pick the guys who I think are ready to get in there and play and have performed to the highest levels leading up to it.”
Couples said a month before announcing his picks that one of them would be Woods, saying he was the “best player forever.” Woods has not won in the past two years and has fallen out of the top 50 for the first time since he was a 20-year-old rookie in 1996. Couples also picked FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas.
He said Bradley would be added to the team if Steve Strickers neck injury prevents him from playing.
Norman made his comments Saturday while promoting his Shark Shootout tournament at Tiburon Golf Club. Bradley is part of the 24-man field in the Shark Shootout, and Norman said he felt bad that the 25-year-old rookie was not part of the U.S. team.
“If I was in his shoes, I would feel like I got gut-checked a little bit,” Norman said. “Hes a young guy. He likes the Presidents Cup. He loves the idea of playing for his country, and hes not. So I feel for him.”
Woods played for the first time in nearly two months at the Frys.com Open last week and tied for 30th.
“I just dont think hes swinging the golf club the way he used to when he won all those major championships,” Norman said. “Hes a different player out there nowadays. He even looks tied up. He looks more confined. I know what it takes to have freedom in a golf swing and I just dont think hes technically in the right position to do what he used to do.”
His comments are sure to add some spice to the Presidents in 1998 at Royal Melbourne. That year, Woods played Norman in singles and won on the 18th hole.
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October 20, 2011
Keegan Bradley held off a final-round charge from Charl Schwartzel to win the PGA Grand Slam on Wednesday.
Bradleys par 71 left him 4 under for the tournament and a shot ahead of Schwartzel, who finished with a course-record tying 65 to improve from 3 over to 3 under.
Overnight leader Rory McIlroy struggled with tee shots at Nos. 7 and 15, which led to bogeys. He finished with a 75 for the round.
Darren Clarke shot a 74 to finish 9 over in the two-day event in Bermuda.
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October 17, 2011
Tiger Woods is outside the top 50 in the world for the first time since his 1996 rookie season Greg Norman doesnt think much of the way Tiger Woods plays golf these days, saying he would not have picked him to play in the Presidents Cup.
Norman, who in a recent magazine interview said he didnt think Woods will win another major, told the that PGA champion Keegan Bradley would have been a more logical choice for U.S. captain Fred Couples.
Norman is the International team captain for the Presidents Cup, to be played Nov. 17-20 at Royal Melbourne.
“I can understand the name of a Tiger Woods and his history of what hes done on the golf course,” Norman said. “But I pick the guys who I think are ready to get in there and play and have performed to the highest levels leading up to it.”
Couples said a month before announcing his picks that one of them would be Woods, saying he was the “best player forever.” Woods has not won in the past two years and has fallen out of the top 50 for the first time since he was a 20-year-old rookie in 1996. Couples also picked FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas.
He said Bradley would be added to the team if Steve Strickers neck injury prevents him from playing.
Norman made his comments Saturday while promoting his Shark Shootout tournament at Tiburon Golf Club. Bradley is part of the 24-man field in the Shark Shootout, and Norman said he felt bad that the 25-year-old rookie was not part of the U.S. team.
“If I was in his shoes, I would feel like I got gut-checked a little bit,” Norman said. “Hes a young guy. He likes the Presidents Cup. He loves the idea of playing for his country, and hes not. So I feel for him.”
Woods played for the first time in nearly two months at the Frys.com Open last week and tied for 30th.
“I just dont think hes swinging the golf club the way he used to when he won all those major championships,” Norman said. “Hes a different player out there nowadays. He even looks tied up. He looks more confined. I know what it takes to have freedom in a golf swing and I just dont think hes technically in the right position to do what he used to do.”
His comments are sure to add some spice to the Presidents in 1998 at Royal Melbourne. That year, Woods played Norman in singles and won on the 18th hole.
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October 17, 2011
Webb Simpson and caddie Paul Tesori get a lay of the land Sunday at Sea Island. (Getty Images) Ben Crane wasnt sure why he was even playing the McGladrey Classic. The real mystery came Sunday afternoon, when he sat down next to a shiny silver trophy.
“What the heck am I doing here?” Crane said.
His wife is expecting their third child, though a Caesarian section is scheduled for Monday in Dallas. Crane thought about withdrawing five minutes before his tee time Thursday because of a sore hip that was getting worse.
And with 11 holes left in the tournament, he was seven shots out of the lead.
More on McGladrey Classic Analysis Steve Elling
The U.S. money title, Player of the Year races are creating real buzz heading into the season finale. Read >> Related links Immelman ties Seaside Course record Is Fall Series better end than FedEx Cup? Leaderboard Steve Ellings Blog | Follow on Twitter
Crane ran off four straight birdies around the turn, then another batch of four straight birdies for a 7-under 63. He wound up winning in a playoff when Webb Simpson missed a short par putt on the second e a lot of shock,” Crane said. “I dont know how those guys played, but I know I played just about as good as I can play.”
Michael Thompson, a 25-year-old tour rookie who had a one-shot lead going into the final round, stretched the margin to three shots on the front nine until he stalled. He hit his tee shot into a hazard on the 18th hole, made bogey and shot 69 to finish one shot out of the playoff.
Billy Horschel, also playing in the last group, imploded early and late and shot 75.
Simpson closed with a 66, despite not makin the looked as though it might go longer when Crane made a 5-foot comebacker for par on the 17th. Simpson only had to knock in a putt just over 3 feet for par, but it caught the right edge and spun away.
“As soon as I hit it, I looked up expecting it to be going in, and saw it catching the right lip,” Simpson said. “It was unfortunate to end that way.”
Despite missing a chance to become the PGA Tours only three-time winner this year, Simpsons runner-up finish gave him a commanding lead over Luke Donald in his late bid to win the tours money title.
Crane, who earned $720,000 for his first win this year, and Simpson finished at 15-under 265 at Sea Island.
Starting the day five shots out of the lead, Crane thought a 63 or 62 might be enough. He really didnt pay much attention, not realizing until he saw a leaderboard on the 16th hole that he was still in the game.
His 7-iron on the 14th stopped a foot from going in. His 3-wood on the par-5 15th set up a two-putt birdie from long range. Once he knew the score, Crane was at his best with the putter, holing birdie putts of about 20 feet on the 16th and 17th.
“I thought, Well, I need to make two birdies in three holes. Do you guys have any idea how many times we say that to ourselves? And how many times does it actually happen?”
It did on Sunday, giving Crane is fourth career win.
With his runner-up finish, Simpson moved to the top of the money list by $363,029 over Donald. Both have entered the season-ending tournament next week in Disney, though Donalds task became a lot more difficult.
At the very least, Donald would have to finish no worse than a two-way for second to have any chance to move past Simpson and resume his bid to become the first player to win money titles on the PGA Tour and European Tour. Donald already has a comfortable lead in Europe.
“Finishing second is going to make it a lot harder for Luke,” Simpson said. “But Im sure hes going to play well. Hes played well most every week this year. I still wouldnt be surprised if I have a little work to do next week.”
Crane was playing his last official PGA Tour event of the year. His wife, Heather, is home in the Dallas area and they arrange a he might go to Malaysia to defend his title in the unofficial Asia Pacific Classic.
Thompson missed a 5-foot birdie putt on the 15th that would have given him the outright lead, and then his nerves started to show with errant tee shots. He got away with one on the 16th, but not on the final hole, when his tee shot went into the hazard and cost him a penalty drop.
“All I think about on those tee shots is just hit in the middle of club face,” Thompson said. “And for one reason, that one tee shot I didnt. And It got me.”
The small consolation was a third-place finish that assures him keeping his card for next year.
Also locking up his card was Bud Cauley, the 21-year-old who left Alabama after his junior season to turn pro. Cauley shot 67 and tied for 15th to earn $64,000, and now is the equivalent of No. 112 on the money list.
He is only the sixth player to go from college and earn his tour card without having to through Q-school, and Cauley joins Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson as the only players to accomplish that feat in eight starts or fewer.
“Its very exciting for me,” Cauley said. “I cant wait to come out here and play all year out here.”
A pair of major champions had their best finish of the year. Louis Oosthuizen, who won at St. Andrews last summer, was one shot out of the lead until a bogey on the 18th. He closed with a 66 to finish fourth. Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman, slowed the last two years by a wrist injury that eventually required surgery, had a 69 and finished finish.
It was Immelmans first top 10 since 2008.
Notes
Scott McCarron shot a 68 to tie for sixth, earning a spot in the field next week at Disney. He also moved to No. 145 on the money list, which would at least give him conditional status next year if he stays there. … Going into the final tournament, James Driscoll is at No. 125 on the money list by $6,287 over Bill Lunde, who already is exempt next year. Billy Mayfair, who won Q-school last year, is at No. 127 by $12,367.
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October 13, 2011
They long ago dubbed it the “Fall Series,” but more than just leaves from massive oak trees were wafting through the air.
Birdies, bogeys, hot dogs, Nike drivers and F-bombs were flying at the Frys.com Open outside San Jose, Calif., where Tiger Woods was returning to PGA Tour play for the first time in two months.
Hey, maybe its got potential as a new PGA Tour marketing mantra: “Something for nearly everybody. Especially vulgarians, but maybe not vegetarians.”
he squeaked into his own tournament on Tuesday and is winless this season. (Getty Images) Woods finished an undistinguished T30 against one of the weakest fields of the year, but was full of happy pronouncements afterward, and didnt seem fazed in the slightest that a man was hauled off by cops after heaving a UFO at him in the final round.
Unidentified frankfurter object.
As ever with Woods, there were so many questions left unanswered, and only a few related to whether it was a kielbasa, bratwurst, sausage or chorizo that came flying his way.
Golfom senior writer Steve Elling was at the tournament venue, where the hot dogs cost $5 a pop, and logs in with his views on the Woodsian week, while European Tour counterpart John Huggan adds his own critical condiments from Scotland.
For a season thats supposed to be winding down, flying meat products certainly helped add some panache, huh?
Elling: Lets start with the fun fare before moving on to the Tiger trail and travails. Webb Simpson is playing this week at the McGladrey event in an attempt to catch Luke Donald in the top spot on the PGA Tour money list. The tour Player of the Year race could be decided by who wins the cash dash. Should Luke add the finale at Disney?
Elling: Donald has played eight of the past 10 weeks and is attending the wedding of his caddie this weekend in London. His wife is in Chicago and due to deliver the couples second child next month and he deserves some time off. But the comp hell have to commit to Disney by late Friday afternoon. Which, of course, is two days before Simpsons results will be finalized this week. Webb needs to earn about $70,000 to pass him in earnings, and solo 15th pays $72K. Donald will basically have one day to watch Simpsons results before deciding whether to play the U.S. season-ender.
Huggan: I have no doubt that Luke will add Disney if he feel without giving it a go at being the first man to top both the U.S. and European money lists in the same season. Officially that is. Whisper it, but Tiger has been leading money winner over here about half-dozen times, but as a non-European Tour member, he hasnt been eligible. One year, if memory and won twice as much money. Al of which is just as well for dear old Monty. His eight Order of Merit wins would become maybe three if Tiger had bothered to play another couple of events.
Elling: Yessir, Donald plays both tours and meets the tournament-membership minimums on each. So topping both financial orders of merit has never been done by a card-carrying member of both tours. And yes, Luke knows all about it.
Elling: Simpson and Donald have been mentioned as fro which is decided by a vote of players. The five-year exemption that comes along with winning the money race aint a bad deal, either, even for a top player. Its a nice insurance policy against injuries and the like.
Huggan: Boy, does this Player of the Year thing get you guys in the States revved up. Its obviously Donald, no matter who tops the money list. The guy has been way more consistent over the course of the year than anyone else. At which point Im sure that you point out that you are talking about the PGA Tour Player of the Year. Well, since when in the land where you have a Series of baseball, have labels mattered? Donald is clearly the top player of 2011.
Huggan: Which is not to say that I think he will win. I have a nasty feeling that a potent mix of xenophobia and insularit will combine to give it to someone like Watney or Simpson. Give me a break.
Elling: You are putting me in a difficult position here. I am not going to dispute his credentials or disagree in principle. But he has one victory in the States, and nobody has ever been named Player of the Year here with just one win. So topping the money list would clearly help his cause.
Huggan: So what of the one-victory stuff? This is about a level of performance over the course of a whole season, not an award for hitting home runs and whiffing the rest of the time.
Elling: No, its about his level of performance on the PGA Tour. Its a three-horse race. Donald is the best player, but won one event here. Simpson closed hard down the stretch and won twice in the fall, and lost another event in a playoff. Then you have Keegan Bradley, who won twice, including a major. We used to emphasize majors in the States, back when Yanks won the darned things. I think Bradley would get my vote, if it was due today … if I was allowed to vote.
Elling: Selfishly, since I live in Orlando and cover the Disney event every year anyway, it would be cool to have a race for the top spot on the money list to correspond with the race at the bottom at No. 125, where the bubble boys will be in a season-finale throwdown to keep their cards for 2012. I think fans might enjoy the crazy paradox of those two races. Think the Golf Channel would not milk that cow, just a little? If I was Disney, Id be on the horn trying to give Luke all the theme-park passes his kids could ever want for the next decade.
Elling: Then theres the whole possibility of incentives. If Donalds handlers are smart, and they are, hes got some endorsement bonuses on the line if he tops the money lists. What if they both play Disney? Bet your bottom buck that the network would want them paired. Any drama is welcome at this time of year.
Huggan: Besides, havent we kinda passed the time when money lists meant anything? These days its all about making the top-50 in the world and staying there. Money has always been the weakest measure of a golfers ability. Even more so these days when purses are so nonsensical.
Hug and saw that someone called Briny Baird has $12 million in career prize money. And he has never won! Still, I am willing to bet he is the best golfer ever named Briny. </ over time. But in the same season? Its a good yardstick. Luke tops the U.S. list despite playing fewer events than the other big boys, too. Impressive work. But hes likely gonna have to hustle to win that Arnold Palmer Award, which goes to the top wage earner.
Huggan: And who has the best stroke average on the PGA Tour? Oh, yes, that would also be Donald. He is, by any measure other than victories achieved in the U.S., c won two of the four biggest events on the European tour this year. I rest my case.
Elling: And he will get some votes no matter how this plays out. His body of work is impressive. However….
Huggan: Yeah, I know. He isnt an American.
Luke Donald, NU alum and current world No.1, beat the scoring record formerly held by Woods when he won the NCAA title in 1999. (Getty Images) Elling: No, its because he went to Northwestern. Seriously, its because he w and decided by guys who dont necessarily pay close attention to nuance. He wants to nail it down; the money list would surely help.
Moving from the reigning world No. 1 to a former top dog … Amid much anticipation and scrutiny, Tiger Woods made his final appearance in a PGA Tour event this season, in suburban San Jose last weekend, finishing a forgettable T30. In your opinion, how did he look?
Elling: Thats a two-part question, really. Theres how he looked and how he behaved, and in neither fashion was it particularly memorable. Yeah, I know he hadn a lot more, especially given that there were only three players from the world top 50 in the field.
Huggan: He was better than the last time we saw him, but not by much. This looked like baby-steps up the ladder, to me. Of course, there is no point in listening to anything Tiger says, because what he says invariably has no relation to either reality or the truth.
Elling: Wow, well said. Ironic, no, that hotdogs are 50 percent filler and Tigers comments are roughly the same percentage of complete crap? Yet Id generally agree with Woods own assessment that he improved as the days rolled on. Of course, after an opening 73, thats not hard to accomplish. Also, and please straighten me out here, John. In Tiger talk, theres now a difference between “reps” and “competitive reps?” Because he had two months to prep for this tournament, and still looked wildly inconsistent.
Huggan: As for his game, he at least seemed to be missing most of his shots one-way, which makes it a lot easier to play, as you kn as was the case for Tig you cant play at all, barring getting up and down from everywhere. So his bad shots were better, which means his overall game was better. As was his putting, despite his moans and groans to the contrary.
Elling: At one point during the final round, he ranked 70th out of the 71 players who made the cut in driving accuracy. So maybe he is back! On the plus side, youre right, the putting improved tremendously from the first to second days, thanks to a posture and alignment tweak made by Sean Foley. That, to me, remains the biggest question of all. Because he isnt going to beat anybody, at least regularly, without reverting to his previous putting form, he just doesnt practice it enough. He added lead tape to his putter fo he has lost some of his touch on the greens. He never had these issues before.
Huggan: One more thing: he doesnt look that fit to me. Was it my imagination or was he struggling to walk properly all four days? Maybe thats why he doesnt play, say, four in a row to get in those famous “reps” … he is physically incapable of doing so. And Im not buying the “family obligations” thing, either. He could take his kids to the Disney, for example, show them a great time and play four rounds.
Elling: He was asked if he hurt his leg. He said he was fine. Beyond that, only Tiger and his doctor know for sure. Yeah, he played the family obligations card again. Hes the only divorced father in the history of the PGA Tour. Hard to grasp how a guy who has played about 10 times all year has the continual conflicts.
Huggan: Im betting his knee is the problem, and that it is going to be a problem for the rest of his life. As I said, it is difficult to believe anything he says on any subject other than the color of the sky or the direction in which the sun sets. Even then, Id have to check for myself.
Elling: The second part of the equation has to be mentioned. A couple of years ago, he stood before a phalanx of TV cameras and promised hed try to clean up his behavior on the golf course. Well, it remains downright appalling. When he was driving the ball wildly during his second round, he took his driver and did a violent, flying, two-handed, tomahawk throwdown spike of the clubhead into the turf on the first tee, with the driver clanging down the tee box. There had to be a thousand people who saw it. Some actually gasped and looked away, embarrassed. When will the PGA Tour modify his behavior? Oh, right, never. The on-course language, as ever, needs some Clorox, too.
Elling: Synopsis: Tiger hurled F-bombs, fans hurled Frankfurter bombs. Ah, symmetry.
Huggan: Im more troubled by the language than the club-throwing, bad as that is. Then again, I was there in Australia two years ago when he bounced his driver into the crowd, narrowly missing the heads of the spectators. Ive just had my first look at the hot-dog incident video, if one can call it that. I understand the implications of such things, but really, the guy didnt get within 50 feet of Tiger. He didnt even try to evade the security/police- no weaving or anything. It was a pathetic performance all around.
Elling: What can the tour do given Tim Finchems hands-off edict on such things? They wont fine him enough to change his antics. And they cannot really suspend a guy who plays 10 times a year. They dont announce fines, so embarrassing him is out. I guess its up to the media to modify his classless behavior. Nice job, Ponte Vedra.
Huggan: They could suspend him and announce the suspension to the world. Then again, nothing seems to embarrass Tiger.
Elling: Im not sure what to make of the hot dog incident. The video is borderline hilarious. The clown yells his name twice, runs onto the green, and a hot dog and bun go flying. A marshal picks up the tube steak and carries it off with a thumb and forefinger like its going to be dusted for prints. Coming up next on CBS, its the season debut of CSI San Jose. The weiner jokes were flying furiously, most of which cannot be repeated here, sadly.
Huggan: My own favorite tweet was, ahem, my own: was it thrown with relish?
Elling: I heard Tiger picked it up and threw it back at the guy, but like he had all week, missed by 30 yards to the left.
The week got off to a solid start for Woods, who signed a contract with Rolex, his first endorsement deal of note since the scandal broke and companies began dumping him and severing ties. Does this mean he has begun to rehab his image in the marketplace?
Huggan: Well, it has to be a good sign. But Id like to see the wording and the numbers on the contract. I suspect the former is tougher and the latter smaller than before.
Elling: You nailed it. No question the signing helps, but its crucial to note that the terms of the deal were not disclosed. For all we know, its incentive-laden contract that additionally requires him to make a slew of corporate appearances annually, or play in select tournaments. From a marketing standpoint, Tiger needed Rolex worse than the company needs him, for sure. The company should have had all the leverage. He needed a deal with a major firm to show there are still companies out there willing to bet on his upside. But for all anybody knows, he isnt getting a dollar and the move is all about positioning him for the next deal.
H sponsors would be silly not to look at Ti even you is evidence enough that he is still the biggest show in town. The length of the deal is significant too. It may be just a short-term thing.
Elling: True, but for how long can he remain The Man? How a guy who finishes 30th and flings his driver around like a sword helps an upscale, image-conscious firm like Rolex sell watches, I have no idea. Maybe they are courting mega-rich hotheads in their latest marketing campaign.
Elling: As for his next deal, by the way, the back-channel buzz in San Jose is that the three brothers who run Frys are so warm to sign him, its been characterized as a “man crush.” The buzz is, its a matter of when, not if, he gets an endorsement deal of some sort from the company, and that he will be playing in the companys Fall Series event for years to come. For the Frys website, it might actually make sense. They dont have a presence on the East Coast. Even with a controversial pitchman like Woods, he would help spread the brand, so to speak, although a certain segment of the marketplace will avoid anything associated with Woods like its downright toxic. The company wants to upgrade the event and move it to a nearby venue owned by the Frys family, too. The Frys boys believe Woods will help elevate the whole enterprise. Hey, its their money.
Elling: Maybe Frys.com, which hawks electronics, they can use Tiger in a cell phone ad. I hear he sends a pretty mean text message.
Huggan: Yes, saying t and an indication of how far Tiger has fallen. In his former life he never finished 30th. Not ever. Third was a bad week for him at the top of his game. For him to express even the slightest satisfaction in being beaten by 29 guys is still shocking to me. As, Im sure, it is to him. Which brings me back to not believing anything he says.
Huggan: Talking of “man crushes,” it has been amusing me to note which of our fellow scribes are keen to jump back on the Tiger bandwagon and which are not. I suspect we may but only with those willing to write the “right” stuff.
Elling: Beaten by 29 mostly pedestrian guys, to boot. By the way, Bryce Molder is the 30th first-time winner since the Tiger scandal broke. More guys gaining confidence as Tigers results continue to look wobbly at best. He dropped to 52nd in the world on Monday, a skid of 50 spots this year.
Elling: To your point, Mark Steinberg has plenty of time to talk. What with Tiger being the lone client he has with a tour card.
In a place far, far away, Rickie Fowler finally logged his first professional win in an offshore event in South Korea. That has to be a positive for the game, no?
Elling: Its a much bigger positive for Fowler on a personal level, since he had repeatedly failed to seal the deal in the States when in position to win on past Sundays, including the British Open earlier this summer.
Huggan: Yes, it is. Ive been high on young Fowler ever since he played so well at the Ryder Cup last year, then again at the Open this summer. He has obvious appeal to the younger generation in the way he dresses and behaves. And old farts like me can enjoy his game. He displayed a nice range o a rare th and made Rory McIlroys comments rewind and weather seem immature and silly. So, yes, it was good to see him win.
Elling: I have said it before, but I believe that Fowler has more followers than any player on the U.S. tour not named Tiger or Phil. You notice more kids with those jarring, orange Puma hats than you do wearing Nike lids, thats for sure. Im not crazy about the flat-billed cap look, but Im not exactly the demographic they are pitching their wares to. When Fowler plays, it looks like there are hundreds of teenage traffic cones walking down the ropes.
Huggan: Of course, now well have to listen to those who love to point out he has not yet won on the PGA Tour. Like that matters (see Briny).
Elling: Gotta get you one of those flat-bill lids, so you can cultivate your Original Scottish Gangster look.
Huggan: I look good in anything. Or was it nothing? I forget.
Huggan: His Sunday garb does look like it should have Dade County Correctional Facility stenciled on the back.
Elling: No doubt, Fowlers win was popular with his peers. In fact, while I was shadowing the final group on Sunday, Paul Casey walked over and mentioned the victory without any prompting and said, “Good for him, hes a great kid.” Thats a fairly universal sentiment. Fowler truly “gets it,” as we like to say. He signs autographs, has a good rapport with the scribes and fans, and is a unique, homegrown player who doesnt use a swing coach. Everybody likes him, especially the young fans. Puma struck gold with him and LPGA teen Lexi Thompson. Now theres some resume substance to go along with the style.
Huggan: Indeed, Puma should be congratulated for their prescience. But he hasnt won yet on the PGA Tour! Oh, sorry.
Elling: Casey also added, “Its good to win anywhere.” Paul ought to know, having won a smaller event in Korea exactly seven days earlier. Maybe Fowler gets some mojo going. It was the longest drought between wins at any level since he was a pre-teen, I bet. Of course, he was a pre-teen about 15 minutes ago.
Elling: Speaking of puppies, rookie pro Bud Cauley effectively nailed down his 2012 tour card Sunday, and will become the eighth player since 1980 to secure membership while using sponsor exemptions and via skipping Q-school. He is 21 and looks about 15. The youngsters are taking over. I bet Tiger and Ernie have noticed.
Huggan: Ernies suffering too much on the greens to notice. But it was good to see him on the edge of contention last week. When I saw him at the Dunhill Links at St. Andrews the week before, he was strangely subdued. Bad putting eventually takes a toll on even the best.
Elling: Total PGA Tour wins by world top-five fixtures Tiger, Phil, Ernie and Furyk this year: One.
Huggan: Ah well, at least I was there to see it. Good old Lefty won at Houston.
Elling: Houston: A Rees Jones venue. Thats funnier than flying meat products.
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