The Hunt

Final Project -- Tiger Woods Media Analysis

2009-05-11T13:23:00.003-05:00

It took eight months for the World’s No. 1 golfer, Tiger Woods, to heal his surgically repaired left knee and return to the Professional Golf Association’s Tour in 2009. It took the international sports media about eight hours in an Arizona desert to inform the earth that golf, played by millions by ruled by only one, was relevant again in late February.

The headlines, save no irrational metaphor for the man who has become the walking hyperbole of modern sport, read like taglines in a Hollywood script.

From the desert’s Arizona Daily Star — “Return of Superman means golf world will survive” — to the Los Angeles Times — “Tiger Woods’ comeback is bigger than the game” — not even the organization’s public relations department could save from spelling out Woods’ impact in bold language.

“Finally here, Tiger’s return is golf’s stimulus package,” read a headline on the Tour’s website February 19.

There was no uncertainty as to whether the world would be watching when Tiger teed it up for the first time in the new calendar year. The mainstream media, who plastered Woods’ toothy smile on the cover of Sports Illustrated and provided minute-by-minute coverage of his first public practice session two months ago, made the decision a one-sided affair.

The number of credentials issued was especially telling of the event’s mainstream magnitude. According to Sports Illustrated, “After attracting 128 media outlets and 379 journalists last year, when Woods defeated Stewart Cink 8 and 7 in the final, the tournament this year issued credentials for more than 175 outlets and 500 media members.”

The chosen PGA Tour event’s 10-syllable name alone — Accenture Match Play World Golf Championships — suggested a profound significance to Woods’ comeback.

Desperate for Woods to breath life back into the Tour, such coverage created an unprecedented saturation of Tiger-related stories in national media, but some argue that the importance of the event to the professional game commanded the attention.

“Is it over-coverage or coverage?” Golfweek columnist Jeff Babineau said. “I mean, [Woods] drives it. I saw a Champions Tour player over Christmas and he said ‘man, we miss Tiger.’ Tiger doesn’t play on the Champions Tour but he just talked about golf as a whole.

“We just saw everything suffer.”

In the longest absence of Woods’ career, the writers, reporters, authors, photographers, and bloggers of the 21st century journalistic world watched and portrayed golf as a silver screen with no superhero. Eight excruciating months later, Woods was back, complete with a bionic knee, a second child in newborn son, Charlie, and a resuming chase of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major championship victories.

“Eat your heart out, Michael Jordan,” Times columnist Bill Dwyre wrote February 20. “Your return was huge. His is gigantic.”

He later added, “… It is difficult to articulate how huge Woods is. The media doesn't just report. It drools.”

Few understand the dynamic of Woods’ mainstream coverage than Bob Smiley, a writer who followed every hole of Tiger’s 2008 PGA Tour season and authored a book about his journey, titled Follow the Roar. Asked about Dwyre’s assessment, Smiley said many writers avoid negative angles about Woods, fearing a backlash or future refusal for interviews from the Tour’s most powerful icon.

“Almost none of them will criticize [Woods],” Smiley said. “I think, to some degree, it’s because he’s the most powerful person in the sport. Arguably, his agent, Mark Steinberg, is the second most powerful person in golf.

“If you’re a reporter for the Phoenix newspaper and you trash Tiger, the problem with that is you’re pretty sure that you’re not going to get called on to ask a question for the rest of career. Tiger is very distrustful of the media and he has a handful of writers that he really trusts and enjoys.”

Babineau disagrees, contending that Woods’ is receptive to fair criticism and that many national publications, including Golfweek, have no reservations about treating coverage of Tiger as they would any other professional.

“If you’re accurate and you’re fair, I don’t think Tiger would ever hold that against you,” Babineau said. “… He’s a hard interview subject in that you only get so many spots to take your shots, interview him, and get a question in. It’s certainly challenging from an access point.

“I don’t think people fear negative stuff. As long as it’s fair, I think he’ll give you an honest answer.”

If the coverage of Woods’ initial week back was unparalleled — some, including ESPN.com reporter Jason Sobel, actually deceased coverage of the event after Woods lost in the second round — the fanfare was astronomical.

“In sports history, there is no recorded event at which 1,000 people awakened before dawn, drove to a remote location and paid $25, minimum, to watch Michael Jordan, or anyone, practice,” Star columnist Greg Hansen wrote on February 25 from Tucson, Arizona.

The picture paints a vivid explanation about Woods’ return to the Tour, in that news coverage deemed wildly unreasonable for the average professional golfer is wildly successful and not that uncommon with the man they call Tiger.

“He moves the needle,” Babineau said. “TV ratings show that and readership reflects that, as well.”

The ultimate missions of Woods’ return — “save golf from irrelevancy, win back corporate sponsors, restore the PGA Tour's television ratings and surpass golf's legends,” as summed by Cam Inman of the Contra Costa Times on February 25 — were almost universally understood in his initial week back from injury.

The Tour’s issues being overlooked in the wake of Woods’ first victory this year, a five-shot Sunday comeback the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 30, are not as crystal clear. While outlets like Sports Illustrated and Bloomberg have focused recent coverage predominantly on Woods’ pursuit of winning the Masters and perhaps even the Grand Slam, others have enlightened major concerns — including the racial disparity of professionals — that have maintained on Tour.

Woods’ career, after all, has been built on success in the most crucial moments of competition, including the 16-foot putt that gave him a one-shot victory on the 72nd hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Such drama, and Woods’ own sheer confidence, lends itself to the belief that winning the Grand Slam — accomplished only once, exactly 79 years ago by Bobby Jones — is entirely reasonable.

“The hazards are many, and the competition on the Tour may be the deepest Woods has ever faced,” SI senior reporter Damon Hack wrote in the magazine’s April 6 issue, assessing Woods’ chances at capturing all four major championships this year. “The math, however, is right.”

The math of the Tour’s current racial disparity, according to an April 1 article published by the Associated Press, is not. Lost in the majority coverage of Woods’ pursuit of the record books is that fact that 12 years after his first major win, at the 1997 Masters, he remains the only African-American professional on the PGA Tour.

“There were eight black players on tour in 1975, the year Lee Elder was the first black golfer in the Masters and the year Woods was born,” the report reads. “Now there is only Tiger.”

The surrounding context of Woods’ monumental return — especially in this, the first year an African American, Barack Obama, was sworn in as President of the United States — is also a significant factor in understanding Tiger’s latest media swarm. But while parallels can be drawn between Woods’ initial breakthrough on Tour and Obama’s election into office, neither Smiley nor Babineau believe the new President has impacted the way Tiger’s been covered initially this season.

“The parallel doesn’t totally work for me, but Obama will probably raise the race issue more than it has been in a few years,” Smiley said.

With all the concerns — economic, event sponsorship, and otherwise — that arose on Tour during Tiger’s extended absence, some wonder if the professional game is being set up for a nightmarish hangover when Woods finally decides to retire. Although his final event is likely years and perhaps, decades, down the road, the coverage surrounding his return reflects the Tour’s current dependence on the World’s No. 1 player.

“Certainly, if he left today, you’d feel all the air go out of the balloon,” Babineau said. “The tour has to build some other stars around him. I think it’s tried, but he’s just so far above everybody else. When we lost him for the eight months or so we lost him, it was felt.

“It was pretty sobering actually.”

Photo Credit /Robert Beck/ SI

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Here are the podcast versions of the interviews I conducted for this report --

Jeff Babineau - Charlie Kautz

Bob Smiley - Charlie Kautz

Mallinger, Johnson hold early lead at Players

2009-05-07T15:08:00.005-05:00

John Mallinger and Richard S. Johnson currently are co-leaders on Thursday the Players Championship, each carding solid opening-round scores of 66 and taking early command of the tournament.

Major winners Retief Goosen and David Toms lurk just one shot back at -5, while World's No. 1 Tiger Woods needed a birdie on No. 9 (His final hole) to finish just one under-par this afternoon.

You can find a live blog of the Players here. Here is a photo slideshow (from SI, taken left) of the opening round.

I''ll be back this weekend with more coverage from the Players and final thoughts for the blog project.

Sunday's highlights

2009-05-04T02:02:00.000-05:00

O'Hair edges Woods, wins at Quail Hollow

2009-05-04T01:46:00.005-05:00

Sean O'Hair won the Quail Hollow Championship on Sunday, carding a final-round 69 to dodge the world's premier, Tiger Woods, and avenge his loss at the Bay Hill Championship just five weeks ago.

In what amounted to one of the Tour's strongest fields of the season, O'Hair was one of few to break 70 on Sunday and avoided a second collapse under the pressure of Woods' chase in 2009.

The lede within the AP story is absolutely awesome and captured the waning moments of Sunday's final round with terrific detail. There are few ways to write about a Woods' Sunday run that haven't already been written, but I think the subject and opening sentence really make it appealing:

"Standing on the 18th tee, Sean O'Hair asked his caddie where he stood in the Quail Hollow Championship and got word that he had a one-shot lead.

``Over who?'' O'Hair replied.

It wasn't Tiger Woods. It might not have mattered."

O'Hair overcame the demons of blowing his five-shot lead at Bay Hill to Tiger earlier this season and ended up with his strongest fight from Lucas Glover, who finished just one back along with long-hitting Tour favorite, Bubba Watson. With Woods and O'Hair committed for this week's upcoming Players Championship, the drama building prior to Thursday will be some of the best the Tour's produced all year.

Defending champion Sergio Garcia is sure to be a topic of discussion this week, as well as Phil Mickelson, who remained in the hunt at Quail Hollow for the better part of the weekend in Charlotte. O'Hair, as I've mentioned previously on this blog, is a really genuine guy and I was admittedly happy to see him win Sunday.

Tiger summed his thoughts on Sunday's winner with the following, including the recognition of O'Hair's overcoming his shaky relationship with his father:

"He's got all the talent. We know that,'' Woods said. "We've seen how well he's played. He's been through a lot off the golf course, and it's just a matter of time before all that settles in.''

Looks like it's settling quite nicely for O'Hair, who looked sharp again Sunday.

Back this week with plenty leading up to the Players Championship.

Photo Credit/ SI

Woods leads Quail Hollow Championship

2009-04-30T16:16:00.003-05:00

In his first event since the Masters, Tiger Woods shot a bogey-free opening round 65 to finish -7 on Thursday and take the first round lead at the Quail Hollow Championship.

Woods' short game, including his inconsistent putting so far this season, was kind to the scorecard today and helped the World's No.1 charge up the leaderboard early on.

While Woods' struggled to get out of the gate at Augusta National, he was solid in nearly every facet of his game Friday, looking as sharp as ever during his still brief return from knee surgery in 2009.

Among those chasing Woods is Phil Mickelson (-5), who played in Tiger's group during the the dramatic final round at the Masters. Retief Goosen is another major contender who played well Thursday, finishing -4 with an opening-round 68.

With other big names like Padraig Harrington and Anthony Kim chasing, the Quail Hollow should anticipate another exciting weekend of action and plenty of drama on Sunday. Having watched Woods' round here and there this afternoon, I can say it was the cleanest I've seen him play this season -- very few mishits and successful play on the par-5's.

I apologize for my lack of coverage recently, as my MacBook crashed yesterday and I have been a bit out of sorts this week.

I will do my best over the weekend to maintain better coverage of the Tour.

Photo Credit/ Fred Vulch/ SI

Obama's week includes visit with Woods, golf

2009-04-26T17:32:00.008-05:00

The world's top professional golfer visited the White House and President Barack Obama earlier this week. It turns out it might've even given our 44th Commander in Chief a little inspiration on Sunday.

According to the Associated Press, Obama played his first round of golf since taking oath on Sunday in Washington. Deciding to take advantage of the pleasant weather conditions on the East coast, Obama's first tee time was scheduled on the course at the Andrews Air Force Base, and it wasn't exactly a dream foursome:

"Joining the president were Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and presidential aide Marvin Nicholson."

I can only imagine what topics of conversation would come up in such a star-studded cast of Washington elites. Trash-talking —

likely replaced by economic chatter and discussion on overseas warfare — surely was at a minimum.

Woods was in Washington on Monday for a press conference at the AT&T National, the tournament he hosts annually on the PGA Tour.

Updates to come if I am able to find an official scorecard from Obama's round Sunday.

Back with more early this week leading up to Quail Hollow's opening round.

Photo Credit/(Top) Link and (Bottom Right) Link

Kelly wins Zurich Classic

2009-04-26T17:15:00.004-05:00

Charles Howell III collapsed and Jerry Kelly slid past him on the leaderboard, capturing the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and his third career PGA Tour victory Sunday.

After a week that included just two bogeys before Sunday, Kelly overcame a pair of miscues this afternoon to outlast Howell — who sputtered out on the par-3 17th with a remarkably poor three-putt that cost him the shot at a playoff. Kelly's rally included two birdies on the back nine in what amounted to a final-round 71.

Kelly's -14 total of 274 proved one better than contenders Charlie Wi, Rory Sabbatini, and Howell, all of whom finished one shot back at -13.

Locally, fans soaked in the drama of Game 4 of the Bulls-Celtics series, but there was plenty of it to go around during Sunday's back nine down in the Bayou.

Sabbatini and Wi were among those waiting in the clubhouse just one stroke back as Howell and Kelly dueled out the entertaining final stretch on Sunday evening.

Kelly takes home more than $1.1 million for his victory on Sunday and will surely shoot skyward from his previous FedEx Cup points rankings of 97th. The win was his first in seven years on Tour.

What was supposed to be a down week leading into the Quail Hollow Championship — a field that includes Tiger Woods, the first such since the Masters — churned out what was a pretty awesome Sunday of golf.

Photo Credit/Link

New Gillette Commercial — Thoughts?

2009-04-23T17:14:00.000-05:00

Charlie Wi leads Zuruch Classic of 'Nawlins

2009-04-23T17:07:00.004-05:00

A quick check of the Thursday leaderboard at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans reveals Korean Charlie Wi leading at -6.

Oh, and what's this, a Kenny Perry sighting at -5 thru 14? Looks like his success at the Masters has translated to a hot start down South.

Should be interesting to see if Perry can overcome the major championship meltdown and snag a win his first event back on Tour.

I'll be back this weekend with a more meaningful look at what's been going on around Tour.

Photo Credit/Link

Brian Gay wins Verizon Heritage

2009-04-20T13:07:00.004-05:00

Brian Gay won the Verizon Heritage on Sunday with a record score of -20, beating the field by an astronomical 10 shots with his final-round 64.

Gay, 37, is playing his best golf after his first full decade on Tour and Sunday was a pretty awesome display of someone in complete control of a leaderboard.

For as much as we've seen greats Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and others waver in the final rounds on the PGA Tour this season, Gay's total dominance was refreshing to watch on Sunday. After the Masters, it was a clean, quick Sunday after a laborious, nail-biting major championship finish that included a dramatic two-hole playoff.

For a good read on all things PGA Tour today, click here. Or maybe even here.

We'll catch up later this week before the Zurich Classic of New Orleans starts Thursday.

Photo Credit/ Darren Carroll/ SI

Mickelson turns down Padres; Mcllroy shuns PGA

2009-04-19T12:55:00.002-05:00

Sadly, the rivalry between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will not further translate from the PGA Tour to the race out in the NL West.

Mickelson, a San Diego native, has reportedly turned down an offer to buy an ownership share of the Padres on the basis that he is uninterested in becoming part of any professional sports franchise.

The headline of the story "Mickelson turned down offer to buy San Diego Padres" is also a bit misleading here. Let's make this clear — a share of ownership in a professional baseball team is slightly different than full ownership of one, and this should really, really be clarified. Woods, on the other hand, is friends with Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt (pictured above at 2008 NLCS) and might actually have the cash to buy a major league squad. Or, say, a $20 million yacht.

In other news, it seems that Irish phenom Rory Mcllroy has turned down an offer to become a card-carrying member of the United States PGA Tour. According to SI, Mcllroy was approached with the offer of a "Special Temporary" membership, which is always awarded to players who earn a certain amount of money in a given season.

A small shame in my opinion, but the kid is only 19 years old, after all. There will be plenty of chances for Mcllroy to compete in the U.S. outside of just major championships during his predictably long, fertile career.

Lastly, Brian Gay is currently leading the Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, making a birdie on his first hole today to take a four-shot lead at -14.

Back with more Monday.

Photo Credit/Link

Golf in the Olympics?

2009-04-14T12:05:00.002-05:00

Think golf in the 2016 Olympics is far-fetched?

Think again.

In catching our breath from the Masters' Sunday excitement, it looks like the idea has the support of the World's top players, according to an article on ESPN.com this morning:

"Tiger Woods is one of 18 of the world's leading golfers to back the International Golf Federation's (IGF) bid to have the sport included in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Woods has written personally and sent a 32-page brochure outlining the bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, winner of two majors last year; Fiji's Vijay Singh; Europe 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie; and Spain's Sergio Garcia also have written to their respective Olympic committee representatives to try and restore golf to the Olympic lineup for the first time in more than 100 years."

I must say that it would be a fascinating trump card to the Ryder Cup, which many golf fans treasure and appreciate for the international competition. Would the Ryder Cup be opposed to such Olympic competition?

Hard to say, but nonetheless, a fascinating piece of news about an event that hasn't happened in the last century. Look forward to following this storyline in the years to come.

Sunday's highlights

2009-04-13T10:44:00.000-05:00

Masters reclaims magic on Sunday

2009-04-13T10:00:00.006-05:00

All week, television analysts and national writers wondered if the Masters had lost that Sunday magic. They asked if Augusta National was too Tiger-proofed, too long, too challenging for the World's best to created another memorable final round.

Four days of good weather and four hours of remarkable play from the field answered all the questions on Easter Sunday.

Perhaps the best way I saw it written on Monday is that the Masters has reclaimed its title as the globe's most important golf championship. A Sunday that rivaled the drama of Jack Nicklaus' victory in 1986 and few others proved it so.

There was, above all else on Sunday, the pairing of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, a heavyweight fight that stole the show until both tuckered out on the 17th green. Mickelson's record-tying 30 on the front nine and Woods' dramatic birdie at the 16th — his fourth and final of the afternoon — pushed the roars to new heights at Augusta National.

There was the aging Kenny Perry, a 48-year-old journeyman who hadn't played the Masters since 2005 but needed just one par on the final two holes to claim his first Green Jacket. Instead, he bogied both on the way in, fumbling away the lead and forcing a three-way playoff with Chad Campbell and Angel Cabrera.

Finally, there was Cabrera, who's second shot on the 73rd hole is already, in my opinion, one of the luckiest in Masters history. Yes, he won the Masters on the second playoff hole with Perry, needing only a tap-in par to win the major championship. But it was merely a foregone conclusion after the magical break he got on the first playoff hole.

With a wayward drive putting Cabrera in the right trees, he smacked a low-iron down through the trees, attempting only to get near the green in distance, not direction. Instead, his ball caromed off a tree and back into the middle of the fairway. His up-and-down to save par would keep him in the hunt for the first Green Jacket for his home country.

From there, it was a total scramble by Augusta. Unlike Perry and Campbell, Cabrera's family members were not shown repeatedly on TV, as there were not there to celebrate. His "translator," a man wearing a Masters shirt and tie in Butler Cabin, seemed to be a makeshift tournament employee who just happened to speak Spanish and could help Cabrera through the interview.

It was one of the only spoiling factors of a terrific weekend of golf, one that made America forget about Easter Sunday major league baseball and the North Carolina's NCAA Championship victory in one fell swoop. The roars were back, and for another day, the nation seemed just fine with that.

Having attended Saturday's third-round, I can say that my own personal highlights included walking all 18 holes in the morning to see the course in full and watching Phil's birdie putt on No. 15 just feet away from his swing coach, Butch Harmon, and Mickelson's father. I had a Pimento Cheese sandwich for $1.50 and a few beers, priced so low — $2.75 — that UI students would find them reasonable downtown Iowa City.

I watched Tiger grind our pars and curse under his breath and just struggle altogether to shoot -2 on Saturday. It is like nothing else to watch a man who has perfected a sport play so many shots he finds to be imperfect. I walked to the 16th green late in the morning and saw the nastiest pin — back and about six feet off the green's right edge — and wondered how anyone would get it close. Later, I watched Chad Campbell hit it in the greenside bunker off the tee before leaving his second shot in the sand. He made double-bogey. An amateur would've made at least a triple.

I walked through Amen Corner when Mickelson teed off on No. 12 and was reminded why the grandstand behind the tee box is one of the best sporting venues on the planet. Mickelson's double-bogey on 12 Sunday showed it can also be the most rewarding and most challenging.

I would say that anyone who enjoys golf — playing, watching, whatever — should go see Augusta National, if only for a practice round. I am absolutely fortunate and owe my father eternally for having been lucky enough to attend the Masters. It would be No. 1 on a logical list of "Sports' Seven Wonders of the World" and can be best appreciated up close.

Later this month, Augusta National will shut down… until October. The hiatus, the people at the Masters explain, "lets the course rest for a few months." I can only assume you will still be able to eat off the lawn when fall comes around, each blade of grass so perfectly kept that it really does look fake on television.

This year, the explanation makes perfect sense. After one of the most dramatic Sundays in Masters history, you can imagine Augusta National is a bit weary from it all.

Photo from Bob Martin/Sports Illustrated

Apology to Readers

2009-04-12T16:39:00.003-05:00

Readers, my sincere apologies for the lack of weekend coverage of the Masters.

Because I have to much to explain in one post and have watched Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson falter over the last two holes, I have decided to wait until Monday to write extensively about the Masters. I actually had the good and unexpected fortune to attend the Masters Saturday and can't gather the thoughts right now to write about everything that happened this weekend.

Appreciate the understanding and enjoy the last few holes. I like Kenny Perry to finish strong and get his first Green Jacket.

Tim Clark (-4) — The ultimate Masters oversight

2009-04-09T12:38:00.005-05:00

Tim Clark's par-3 victory at Augusta National on Wednesday is supposed to prevent his ultimate success on Sunday, but he is currently the leader in the clubhouse at the Masters as we approach 1 p.m. Central time of opening-round coverage.

Forget what happens on Sunday. I think the better part of all the Clark talk is what nobody is saying yet.

Clark is the only guy who's beaten Tiger Woods in 2009.

Remember the Accenture Match Play World Golf Championships in late February?

Yes. That Tim Clark, who undressed Tiger under the ultimate pressures of playing the World's No. 1 in just the second round of that event.

With so many people picking Tiger to win this week — including Vegas, who has Woods tabbed at 9-5 odds of getting another Green Jacket — there was extreme oversight of his toughest opponent this season.

We'll see how Clark fares the rest of the weekend. For now, enjoy the internet coverage of Amen Corner and holes No. 15 & 16. ESPN starts to carry the Masters at 3 p.m. Central and will prominently feature Woods, who plays in the second to last group this afternoon.

Lords of the Realm Column

2009-04-09T10:17:00.003-05:00

Major League Baseball discovered in 1994 that the only thing worse than having a bad commissioner is having no commissioner at all.

When the professional league needed guidance most, there was no control between owners and players. No love from the U.S. Congress, who's health care and fiscal initiatives prevented baseball's antitrust exemption bill from reaching the floor. No consensus among the commissioner search committee, who cared more about the labor contract than finding a replacement for the ousted Fay Vincent.

The end result -- the strike of '94 -- was simply inevitable. The heavyweight fight between baseball's greedy Lords and its unwavering labor union culminated the only way it could that season -- with black eyes, bruised egos, and no baseball.

No one seemed to care less about baseball's shutdown than the interim commissioner, Bud Selig, who was too busy basking in luxury boxes to look out at the chaos from the center of the baseball world. His transition from owner to temporary king of America's pastime went as smoothly as a call from Single-A ball to the big leagues.

Young players ignored the decades of work put in by former Union head Marvin Miller, arguably the most influential character the players ever had in dealing with the Lords. Time and time again, Miller rallied baseball's actors against the directing owners. In 1994, he might as well have been a dinosaur to the new generation of major league players -- practically extinct.

Most of all, the tension between the owners and players union was simply too great to overcome from the outset in 1994. Without Miller, the players lacked leadership and the necessary guidance to take on the Lords. Without Vincent, the owners squabbled over the salary cap, player contracts, and their interim commissioner's most declared desire -- to leave the position in someone else's hands long-term.

If the commissioner search committee couldn't even settle on Vincent's successor, how could it prevent the inevitable strike of 1994?

The truth is that the wrong people were running baseball at the right time.

Some argue the strike could have been prevented. The circumstances suggest otherwise.

The 1994 work stoppage was the ultimate result of seven deadly decades of sin -- especially greed -- from both sides. The players wanted more guaranteed money. The owners wanted cheaper contracts. They both wanted power over the fields in which they played.

It was especially hard to swallow for a game that had endured such tumultuous history. The players survived collusion. The owners, particularly George Steinbrenner, survived mega-contracts the likes of Reggie Jackson and Will Clark. The entire league had even survived the firing of Vincent, if only for a few months.

But the strike was inevitable. Without a new labor contract, there would be no guidance or urgency towards electing a new commissioner. Without the help of Congress, there would be no outside influence to push baseball's owners past the tipping point of dollars-and-cents. With everyone too busy worrying about money to listen, the fans cries to play the '94 season would fall faint.

The strike of 1994 was the classic case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

In this case, after decades of printing, the Denver Mint had finally collided with baseball's slowest, most selfish minds.

Baseball, as a result of an inevitable one-year collapse, has never been the same.

Only time will tell…

2009-04-09T00:21:00.003-05:00

ESPN.com had some wishful front page thinking on Thursday night.

Sweet dreams, Augusta. Good luck, America.

Could be in for one of the best ever.

Wednesday Goodness at Augusta National

2009-04-08T14:46:00.006-05:00

Sergio Garcia was one of few to enjoy the big boy course this morning at Augusta. But if you're like me, you're probably enjoying the annual Par-3 competition at Augusta National on ESPN right now.

Yes, it's unique. Yes, there are miniature caddies in white jumpsuits racing around and carrying their famous fathers' golf bags. Yes, Mike Tirico's voice is so soothing for golf that it could practically be an alarm clock setting like waves crashing on the ocean. Yes, Greg Norman's hole-in-one was awesome.

But let us not forget. The previews are almost over. The movie is starting soon. In about 16 or so hours, according to my calculations with Thursday's initial pairing.

With that in mind, I thought it would be useful to gather one final Wednesday round-up of links leading into the Masters opening round.

• Vijay Singh had a hole-in-one today on No. 16 during his practice round — by skipping it across the pond and into the hole. The annual Wednesday tradition for those who forego the Par-3 event is to try and skip the ball over the water and up onto the green. Singh apparently perfected it on Wednesday.

• Jason Sobel is live blogging today's action over at ESPN.com. Lots of interesting nuggets, including the following about Gary Player, who's playing the par-3 event with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer:

"Player will compete in his 52nd and final Masters this week. That's 52 weeks of his life at Augusta National. Yes, an entire year of playing the Masters."

• SI's Damon Hack is on pace for a half-dozen Pimento Cheese sandwiches this week. He also penned the best preview about Tiger's chances at Augusta in '09.

• Here are the PGATour.com Expert Picks for the week. The envelope is in and let's just say you won't be surprised about who they've tabbed as the favorite.

• Geoff Ogilvy is being overlooked this week and could rise to the Masters major championship occasion this week.

• We could finally get the Tiger-Phil showdown Augusta has been waiting for, writes Gary Van Sickle. The stars have seemingly aligned for this week.

• John Daly, in my opinion, is totally pathetic. I am sick of his act and so are his sponsors and the PGA Tour. That's why I'm not surprised he did this at Augusta this week.

• Padraig Harrington is getting no love this week as he tries for a third major championship victory in a row. His reaction? "I'm not too fussed about it," according to Hack's article. If he plays well Thursday, surely everyone will remember his pursuit of the Paddy Slam.

• Tiger played nine holes with Bubba Watson and Robert Karlsson on Wednesday morning in his final preparations for his first major since June 2008.

• This live report from the PGA Tour features tons of short stories and synopsis from Wednesday's action, including a splash about Ian Poulter's snazzy pants.

• Tiger is turning 15 at Augusta, writes Helen Ross. "Time flies when…" is a pretty accurate statement about the emotion of watching Tiger play.

That's all I've got for now. Enjoy the Par-3 contest and we'll be back tomorrow with Masters updates throughout the opening round. Hope you've enjoyed the bonus coverage this week.

Photo from PGATour.com

Johnson No. 8 on Sobel's annual rankings

2009-04-08T11:53:00.005-05:00

ESPN.com writer Jason Sobel released his annual Masters rankings on Wednesday, and 2007 champion Zach Johnson's position might surprise you.

Sobel, who has Tiger Woods topping his 96-man field chart, has let Johnson slip to No. 8 spot with the following explanation of the Cedar Rapids native's positioning.

"Laying up on all four par-5 holes at Augusta National? From here on in, such strategy should be called the Zach Attack. Traditionalists balk at players plotting -- and plodding -- their way around this course without going for any of these four holes in 2, but really it speaks more to the setup than the competitors themselves.

If a guy can play these holes in a combined 11-under-par by hitting a third-shot wedge into each one -- as Johnson did during his victory two years ago -- it's tough to blame 'em. As for the 2007 champ maneuvering away from the Zach Attack, don't count on it. He'll likely stick with the proven strategy."

It seems that Johnson, who won the Sony Open earlier this season, will forever be a "dark horse" to get a second Green Jacket until he plays really well in another major. I think Sobel and many other writers consider Johnson's win a bit of a "fluke" in 2007 and the majority opinion is that this week's leaderboard will be filled with the "big boys" — Tiger, Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy, Padraig Harrington.

We'll have to wait and see.

Photo from AP

Could this be the year?

2009-04-08T11:35:00.004-05:00

"It's hard for me to sit here and tell you that [the Grand Slam] can't be done, because I've done it before," said Woods in a press conference on Tuesday. "It's just a matter of winning the right four at the right time. So hopefully it will start this week for me."

And so it was said. And so I must ask…

Could this be the year?

Should Bobby Jones' be gripping the champagne tighter than ever in his grave?

Let's face it. It's be 79 years since the last Grand Slam. The "Tiger Slam" doesn't count in my book and it never will, no matter how dominant Woods was during his stretch of four consecutive major championships.

Yet Tiger is healthy again. He is confident. His putter was flawless at Bay Hill. He is probably pissed off that he hasn't won the Masters since 2005. He is probably pissed off that he hasn't won the Masters every year since 1997.

When he wins, Nike makes commercials about his ball rolling gorgeously through its final revolution and remarkably falling into the cup. When he loses, he says, it's usually because he either drives it well or putts it well and doesn't do both in the same week.

So I ask again. Could this be the year?

Because I will never have the expertise or access of Sports Illustrated's Damon Hack, I'll let you be the judge. Charles Howell III, Tiger's neighbor, says he's driving it better than ever. Rich Beem says Tiger would have to play great off the tee and avoid the nasty rough at Hazeltine during this year's PGA Championship.

I would say that if Tiger were to win the Masters, the toughest challenge at Bethpage Black and the U.S. Open would simply be the crowds. It might be the first event in golf history where the entire gallery followed one group the whole weekend.

Common sense says you can't win the Slam if you don't win the Masters. So first things first.

I was fortunate to attend both the 2001 U.S. Open at Bethpage and the 2005 Masters, the last times that Tiger won at both courses on this year's major championship schedule. I would say they were the two best tournaments I've ever seen in person — probably even sporting events in general. Bethpage, without question, was the best, despite insanely heavy rains in the early rounds that made walking the gallery a complete and total mess.

Tiger thinks the Grand Slam is possible? But plausible? Like the Mythbusters say, it certainly seems plausible this year.

But first things first. There's a reason it hasn't happened in almost eight decades.

Photo from Fred Vulch/SI

Tiger talks; parings released

2009-04-07T14:40:00.002-05:00

The pairings for the opening round at Augusta National have been released, and Tiger Woods will play with Stewart Cink and Jeev Milkha Singh on Thursday at 1:52 p.m. Eastern time.

The complete list of pairings can be found here. I am particularly intrigued by the group of youngsters playing together at 2:03 p.m. Eastern time, a pairing that includes both Anthony Kim and Irish teenager Rory Mcllroy.

The Masters Storylines

2009-04-07T13:35:00.005-05:00

With the par-3 Tournament looming tomorrow, let's get some of this week's key storylines out of the way this afternoon.

I'll start with PGA Tour correspondent Helen Ross, who addresses the chances of a Paddy Slam and the impacts of a Tiger-proofed Augusta in this notebook.

After all his tragic failures on the world's biggest stage, Greg Norman is taking this week quite seriously after a strong week at the Shell Houston Open, writes Melanie Hauser. His son, Gregory, has the bag duty for Norman at Augusta.

Youth, of all things, has been the talk of Augusta this week, from Irish phenom Rory Mcllroy to 29-year-old defending champion Trevor Immelman. It seems everyone is trying to understand which star youngster will rise to the occasion in 2009.

The PGA Tour has created a "one-stop" source to comprehend all aspects of Tiger Woods' 66 career victories, from photos to a brief synopsis of each individual triumph. Will they add the 67th this week at Augusta on Sunday? Almost everyone over at the Sand Trap thinks so, with only one bold prediction of Stewart Cink in comparison to Woods majority confidence.

Immelman's relative lack of press and attention this week can only happen in "Tiger World," writes Sports Illustrated's Gary Van Sickle. His lead today was honest and accurate:

"This can only happen in Tiger World. Only here, near the epicenter of Tigermania, can a man remain off the radar after winning the Masters, the game's most glorious event."

Colleague Damon Hack leads this PGA Tour Confidential by pondering the following: Phil Mickelson toast this week following a brutal outing at the Shell Houston Open?

"He was my Masters pick, but now I'm worried," writes Hack.

I don't necessarily agree that Lefty's week will be forgettable at best. He traditionally plays pretty solidly at Augusta and some extreme work with Butch Harmon over the weekend should help to clear his mind and build confidence leading into Thursday's opening round. SI wondered Monday whether Mickelson is, in fact, overcoached. Many of the Top 100 teaching professionals in the country had some great insight in response to the magazine's question.

Golfweek.com has a great video feature about how to spend $6 on concessions at Augusta National. A slew of writers picked former Masters champion Zach Johnson in the category of "Ace up my sleeve" for fantasy golf purposes this week. One writer, Jeff Babineau, highlighted Johnson's skill with the flatstick as a reason to like the Cedar Rapids native's chances this week.

Calling the Champion's Dinner the highlight of the week, Immelman's menu included "babotie, a mincemeat dish, with chicken skewers called sosaties, a spinach salad, milk tart for dessert and wines from vineyards near his Cape Town home," according to the Associated Press.

Lastly, a writer from Canada.com says the Masters have lost that Sunday magic, highlighting one of the many predominant thoughts from greats like Gary Player this week.

Enjoy the links and I'll be back with more coverage Wednesday.

Favorite Sports Moment

2009-04-07T13:18:00.007-05:00

While this is completely unrelated to the Masters coverage this week, our class today made me recall I column I wrote for The Daily Iowan before Father's Day weekend three years ago about my grandfather and an experience I shared with Earl Woods. I could not find a link on the paper's new archive system so I've simply pasted the text below.

It's hard to believe it was three years ago. It still seems quite vivid.

One Final Sunday

June 16, 2006

Just like any other summer Sunday, the rising sun glared fiercely down the dew-soaked fairway and onto the opening tee box. Three proud generations of my blood stood calmly together, having just watched my ritual pre-round drive soar into the waveless Mississippi. It was all the warm-up I needed for our weekly 7 a.m. start.

Off we went, two of us in a cart, my grandfather now a wise 82 and I a youthful 16.

Playing countless times on the peaceful course, I knew the speed of the greens and could aim with my eyes closed, just as I knew to avoid the daunting oak tree that guards the first pin. In position to make birdie with an easy wedge shot left onto the green, I hung my ball to the right and grimaced as the ruthless obstacle swallowed it up.

"That's just the way life is," he said.

A simple phrase that meant so much, it was always about more than golf with him. I knew him as Grandpa; friends called him Dicky. Lucky to break 100, he didn't care about where he hit it or what the scorecard read. Dicky cared about time spent with friends and absorbing the beauty of the game.

An occasional par would bring a chuckle and an unforgettable grin, as would an old naval war story or spirited political dispute. He spent Saturday evenings at church to spend Sunday mornings with us — Gabe, Fennelly, Skip, Herman, McGowan, Pete — sometimes even Delleman. I always loved that about him.

A slight breeze had picked up by the ninth, a gorgeous flower-laden tee overwhelmed in tranquility. I hit a pitching wedge onto the left side of the green, and there was no doubt in my mind what was coming next. Sure enough, out he trotted from the halfway house, a crisp red apple in his wrinkled palm.

"This is just delightful," he said to us.

I used to tell my dad I hated when Grandpa ate an apple, his thunderous bites and relentless chomping in my left ear. One quick nibble and it was over; that thing would last the entire back nine, if he wanted. As much as it annoyed me, it made me laugh, the old-timer crunching away in my backswing. It's something I'll always remember about those days.

*********

Two weeks after Tiger Woods turned pro, in 1996, he was a virtual lock to win his second PGA Tour event in what would be his last Quad Cities Open. Oakwood Country Club was swarmed with cameras and media personnel, all hoping to catch their first glimpse of future greatness.

That Sunday morning, my father and I rode in a limousine with Earl Woods, Tiger's late father, directly to the clubhouse to watch the final round unfold. Tellingly, the one stop we made along the way was to buy two packs of cigarettes for Earl, who later battled cancer and poor health caused by smoking.

On the back nine of his final 18, Tiger had a firm grasp on victory, needing only a few solid pars to win. I'll never forget the look in Earl's eyes as he watched Tiger collapse, making an unbelievable quadruple-bogey eight on a par 4 to take himself out of contention.

After the round, the two of them met in the clubhouse, Earl consoling and coaching Tiger about what had transpired. The thing is, I didn't see the Tiger who won 10 majors before he turned 30. I didn't see the dominating, fist-pumping Tiger that won the 1997 Masters by an astounding 12 shots. I didn't even see the untouchable superstar with the model wife that has it all.

I saw a father and a son, a coach and a player, two people who loved the game and what it gave them. His dad meant everything to Tiger, whether it was on or off the course.

Father's Day shares the spotlight with the U.S. Open this weekend, and I can't imagine what Tiger will go through in his first event since his father's death. Memories of being together on the golf course will come rushing back, and Tiger may be the only one mentally strong enough to take it. I will be rooting for Tiger, not just to win, but to pull through one of the toughest days of his life.

*********

As we came to the closing hole of our beautiful morning, I didn't know it would be the last Father's Day round I would ever play with my grandfather. He died last year, on June 14, 2005, the same week as my favorite holiday. I had played my final round with one of my best friends.

Needless to say, there was no Sunday round that week, only thoughts and memories of all the delightful times we shared. The stroke that took him happened at the one place he loved being most, on the golf course with his friends.

I only wish I had one more Father's Day and one more round with him.

Practice Round Slideshow

2009-04-07T12:34:00.004-05:00

Golf.com has posted a slideshow of today's practice round and driving range action at Augusta National.

Gotta love the traditional all-white jumpsuits and green lids for the caddies. Gotta love Masters week.

If you want more, visit this slideshow on PGATour.com to check out continuous updates throughout the afternoon.

Can you smell the Magnolias yet?

Awesome Masters Videos

2009-04-06T11:36:00.003-05:00

Here — get the chills again.

This was cool, too.

Who says the Masters are losing Sunday drama?

Lastly, Nicklaus' putt on No. 17 at the 1986 Masters.

Masters Week

2009-04-06T11:11:00.004-05:00

Does this photo even need a caption?

It's Masters week, and that means blowout coverage from The Hunt, including the history, the course knowledge, and the favorite to win on Wednesday.

For now, let's start with the history, brought to you by The New York Times, which details what things make Augusta so great.

My favorite nugget from the piece?

"1970S PRICES Holding down concession prices is an Augusta compulsion. At what other major sporting event can one pay for a sandwich and a soft drink with $5 and still have change for a beer? Here, a sandwich is $1.50, a soda is $1 and a beer is $2."

It's pretty unbelievable. The best part about the sandwiches, including the famous "Pimento Cheese," is that they are packaged in green Saran Wrap so that if a spectator were to dump the garbage on the ground, it would blend in with the grass on television. Simply awesome.

I have been fortunate enough to attend the Masters twice, and it is, without question, the single best sporting event I've ever seen in person. The best day I had there was Saturday of 2005, when Tiger clawed back up the leaderboard during a 36-hole day, as rained had postponed Friday's round.

He eventually caught and defeated Chris DiMarco and it still stands as Tiger's last win at Augusta. The roars, the scenery, and the history really do make the Masters what they are.

Want more? Here's Jason Sobel's Weekly 18 — so packed with Masters and PGA updates that I cannot emphasize enough that you should read it sometime this week.

Also, let's make a note that the defending champion is Trevor Immelman. You will be able to watch exclusive bonus coverage of the Tournament, from Amen Corner to the famed 15th and 16th holes, here. The unique, only-at-the-Masters par-3 contest will be aired on ESPN Wednesday, as well as the first two rounds of the tournament.

CBS, as always, will carry the weekend coverage. Oh, by the way, Padraig Harrington is going for his third major in a row.

Just WATCH this video

2009-04-02T12:01:00.002-05:00

That, my friends, is the most amazing golf hole that I have ever seen. As you'll notice, players must take a helicopter to the tee box, after which they hit down to the green. The ball flight, no lie, takes over 30 seconds. It's located at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort in South Africa and plays as the "19th" there. Get a hole-in-one and win a million bucks.

I might pay a million bucks to just play the hole.

Norman inks TaylorMade endorsement

2009-04-01T14:56:00.004-05:00

I would not normally post about a sponsorship signing, but when it comes to 54-year-old Greg Norman signing with TaylorMade Golf, I must admit it sparks a special memory trigger for me.

I was interning with the company last summer when Norman first played the TaylorMade Red LDP ball at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, and finished in third place.

When Norman made the switch, he wanted a lower trajectory and ball flight for the windy conditions at Royal Birkdale, so he decided to grab of bag of TaylorMade balls and give them a try at the practice facility. The results, he says in the article above, were staggering, so he switched to the ball permanently for the week.

A year later, he finally has a formal contract with the company, including playing TaylorMade's new R9 driver and wearing the company logo on his hat during play at this weekend's Shell Houston Open and the upcoming Masters.

I remember how energized it felt in the office to learn that Norman — whose charisma made him the No. 1 draw in his prime, comparable perhaps with only a handful of guys including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods — was playing the ball at Royal Birkdale.

It made Sunday's final round all the more compelling with Norman contending again in a major, even nostalgic at times. That Open will always hold an especially memorable place in major championship lore, and it was interesting to hear such news about Norman's relationship with the company Tuesday.

I'm more excited than ever about Masters week and hoping to plan blowout coverage for the blog next week — 2-3 posts a day — including the always-exciting Sunday finish.

Back with more later this week. Special courtesy thanks to flickr user leonharris, whose photos (including Norman) can now be found twice above the fold on The Hunt. Good stuff.

Tiger restores PGA magic in Palmer win

2009-03-29T20:18:00.004-05:00

There isn't really any way to describe what happened Sunday night. It would be rhetorical at this point. Like Joe Posnanski once wrote, I knew he would make that putt.

Back Monday with a coverage blowout from Woods' win.

Tiger practices — how to say this? — a lot

2009-03-29T15:48:00.004-05:00

I took this picture with my phone but thought it would be worth noting that this was shown during today's final round coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

In case you wondered how Tiger Woods rehabbed from his knee injury, he worked out — a lot.

I have no idea how many balls a professional would hit during three driving range trips. Maybe a thousand or so?

That's a lot of swings. His work is showing today, as he only trails Sean O'Hair by one stroke after making his third birdie of the front nine. O'Hair looks timid but still needs to focus on maintaining at worst, a share of the lead.

Tune in this afternoon if you want to hear Johnny Miller obsess over Tiger for the next two hours. I have to admit, the coverage has been favored — painfully, at times — to Woods. But what do you expect? He is the one playing well. He is the story today.

Might wanna keep the women and children away from the TV, however. Woods has displayed some of his, as Miller called it, military language. You didn't have to be a lip-reader to see Woods "You've got to be f*cking kidding me" reaction to a lip-out par putt earlier this afternoon.

Screen Capture/NBC Sports

Can Tiger find his first win?

2009-03-29T10:10:00.005-05:00

Tiger Woods. Sean O'Hair. Final round pairing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Sound familiar?

Sure does. Woods and O'Hair played in last season's final group, beginning as a part of a five-way tie for the top spot at Bay Hill. Woods won that battle in dramatic fashion, draining a lengthy putt and famously burying his Nike lid in the turf. (Video below)

Today? O'Hair starts with a five-shot lead, one that appears almost insurmountable for a field that has just a handful of players above the even-par line. There should be plenty of drama for fans locally, as Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson is -1 for the tournament and will get plenty of face time on Sunday afternoon.

Whether he, or Woods, for that matter, have an actual chance to win is a different story.

I love today's action for three reasons:

1. I met Sean O'Hair in Hawaii earlier this year and he is a great guy. Could not have been more pleasant in the few minutes we chatted the week of the Mercedes Championship.

2. The final round is a clear example of professional golf's marketing wars. Sean O'Hair is wearing adidas, playing TaylorMade's new r9 driver and will be plastered with the TMaG logos. Tiger, playing Nike's newest and best equipment and touting its apparel, will have to split face time all afternoon. If O'Hair wins — yes, even with a five-shot cushion — Woods loses and for another day on Tour, TaylorMade and adidas beat Nike in a four-hour time slot of continuous advertising on national television. There will be enough slow-motion replays of O'Hair smashing the shiny, new r9 driver and Tiger blasting his Nike blades to make CEOs drool.

3. I love golf. I love watching golf on TV. I love when Tiger is the "underdog" in a Sunday situation but the announcers talk like he is winning for 18 holes. Most of all, I hope to see a moment like this:

The PGA Tour — where "Tigering out" happens.

More Garcia-related giveaway goodness

2009-03-26T17:27:00.003-05:00

As if Sergio Garcia's PLAYERS Championship' promotion weren't enough, Golfsmith announced this week that the company will give away free TaylorMade Golf drivers if the Spaniard wins the Masters, according to Advertising Age.

Garcia, long regarded as the World's best player never to win a major, will play a role in the promotion that will refund the cost of thousands of consumer-purchased TaylorMade drivers including the r7, Burner, and r9 drivers. There are plenty of pessimists regarding the promotional move — Golfsmith did, however, take out an insurance policy — including a columnist at Golfweek. Per the story:

"It's a bit of a safe bet for the company. Of the four majors, Garcia has been least effective in The Masters," said Jim McCabe, columnist for GolfWeek magazine. "It would be nice if Golfsmith/TaylorMade would be a bit bolder and offer the free deal if Sergio wins any major in 2009. But I give them credit for a campaign that has some positives to it."

McCabe's lack of optimism is the golf world's consumer delight, giving a breed of casual fans reason to cheer for Garcia at Augusta National in a few weeks.

Tiger practices at Bay Hill

2009-03-25T12:27:00.004-05:00

Tiger Woods was out early for a practice round at Bay Hill, where he is a five-time champion. Check out this cool photo slideshow featured on Golf.com.

Just look at the determination in that man's eyes. And for only a practice round!

Dress Sergio at the PLAYERS

2009-03-24T12:25:00.006-05:00

Listen up, PGA Tour fans.

You can help decide what defending PLAYERS Championship winner Sergio Garcia wears during the second round of this season's event.

Thankfully, for the sake of those with HD televisions, you can't vote for round two of Garcia's infamous banana look (above) — yellow pants, yellow shirt, yellow hat — at the British Open a few years back.

Seemingly excited for this promotion, Garcia trusts you will not make the same choice he did. Per the Spaniard:

"I trust my fans to pick out a great outfit that will provide good luck for me during the second round. I can't wait to see which outfit wins."

Voting closes on May 6, and according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, fans have the chance to register for a number of sweepstakes prizes from TaylorMade-adidas, including a $3,000 grand prize or a new R9 driver. You can register and vote here.

Below is a screen capture from the PGA Tour's special website, and I must admit I am partial to the red shirt-black pants combination. What do you think?

Goosen back in winner's circle at Copperhead

2009-03-23T13:23:00.003-05:00

I have a special place in my golfing background for the Copperhead at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, as my family had long taken Spring Break trips to the resort for golf and warm weather.

I have been fortunate to play the course probably 30 times, and I always love watching the tournament on television to examine where the Professionals are playing in comparison to the shots an amateur like myself would play.

That's why it was especially exciting to watch Retief Goosen win the Transitions Championship on Sunday outside of Tampa, and as Bob Harig writes on ESPN.com, regain confidence with his putter.

The course, as it was described throughout the weekend, is much like a major championship layout with more than 7,000 yards to cover and some of the firmest, brownest, and fastest greens on Tour. With a new sponsor in place in 2009, the course again held its own, with Goosen claiming the winning total of eight under-par.

With narrow fairways and tight, sloping greens, the best ball strikers are usually the winners during the week in Palm Harbor, and that was very much the case on Sunday. With Tiger poised to return and defend his title at the Bay Hill Invitational, it's the more challengers, the merrier for the top players on Tour.

The Players Championship and Augusta are just over the horizon and Major Championship season will have some terrific intrigue with Goosen, Phil Mickelson, and other guys with good track records in the four majors playing so well. I am looking forward to following the Tour coverage this week.

Photo Credit/David Walberg/SI

Blog Challenge — Crazy Videos

2009-03-10T14:36:00.003-05:00

YouTube is an absolute sanctuary when it comes to recapturing the magic of athleticism. Here's some of my favorite highlights/crazy videos in the world of sports.

Leave your comments below and be sure to include video links of those you think are worthy enough to join this list.

1. Rick Ankiel's ridiculous cannon against the Rockies (Couldn't find embedded video)

2. Cody Ransom's 60-inch Vertical

3. Kevin Love's full-court shot

4. Tiger Woods' chip at 2006 Masters

5. Mickelson's backflip pitch over a bunker

6. Jordan's original free-throw line dunk

7. Roberto Carlos' insane free kick against France

8. Andy Roddick 155-mph serve

9. Sheldon Brown's hit on Reggie Bush

10. David Tyree's Helmet Catch

11. Kordell Stewart's 75-yard Hail Mary

12. Travis Pastrana Double Backflip at the X Games

(Update) Yang Wins Honda Classic

2009-03-08T17:27:00.001-05:00

Y.E. Yang used three birdies on the front nine to help capture his first PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic on Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens.

Congrats to Yang and back Monday.

Yang, Klauk, Overton in Hunt at Honda Classic

2009-03-08T12:32:00.003-05:00

In one of the more unknown final-round leaderboards you will ever see on the PGA Tour, Y.E. Yang tees off in about 15 minutes with a one-shot lead at the Honda Classic on Sunday.

Yang, paired with Jeff Klauk, leads his playing partner and Jeff Overton by one stroke after rounds of 68, 65, and 70 at the PGA National Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens.

I cannot say I am particularly intrigued with this week's final round, as the only real marquee name within shouting distance of the leaders is Rory Mcllroy, who is -2 today and -3 for the tournament, still four shots back after five holes.

With Tiger back at the CA Championship next weekend at Doral, I am, however, beaming with anticipation for the next Tour event which promises to be an awesome field and an exciting event.

Also, with the first major championship approaching rapidly — The Masters — there has never been a time like 2009 to get down to Augusta. Tickets are cheaper with the current state of the economy and even a practice round is worth attending, in my opinion.

Back tomorrow with thoughts from Sunday's final round and the upcoming week at the Blue Monster.

Photo Courtesy/Getty Images

Good read on Rory Mcllroy

2009-03-04T22:38:00.004-06:00

There is a pretty solid read on Golf.com today about 19-year-old Irish phenom Rory Mcllroy, who played his first event on the PGA Tour at last weekend's WGC Accenture Match Play Championships.

As arguably the finest young professional in the world, Mcllroy has captivated not only fans in his home country, but older European professionals like Sergio Garcia. Once a young, strapping, occasionally unique young player — i.e. Dave Schwartz's story about Garcia at the 1999 PGA Championship, as well as his ever-annoying re-gripping habits — Garcia sees a lot of charisma and even a little of himself in Mcllroy. Per the AP Story:

"He's what I was ten years ago," Garcia said.

Perhaps the best anecdote in the story is that Mcllroy kept Tiger Woods' 1997 scorecard from the Masters on his bedroom wall growing up as an amateur. Its been well-publicized that Woods kept the legendary Jack Nicklaus' records on his wall as a child and in that way, Mcllroy has been emulating the game's current greatest for years.

Mcllroy will likely never approach 14 or even Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships, for that matter, but he is clearly establishing himself as a tremendous young talent.

It will be fun to watch him emerge as a worldwide contender and climb the rankings over the course of this season and years to come.

Also, if you are looking for more good storywriting, check out Bob Harig's latest edition of birdies and bogeys in which he discusses Ernie Els' and his son's ongoing battle with autism.

Titleist, Callaway fight legal battles

2009-03-03T19:59:00.002-06:00

This is somewhat irrelevant to the PGA Tour's weekly goings-on at the Honda Classic, but SI is reporting today that corporate giants Acushnet (The maker of Titleist) and Callaway Golf have filed separate lawsuits over golf ball patents.

Via Golf.com:

Acushnet, the parent company of Titleist, announced on Tuesday that it is suing Callaway Golf for infringing on nine patents related to multi-piece, solid-core golf ball technologies. Callaway also announced a new patent-infringement lawsuit against Acushnet, claiming the new 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x use patented Callaway technology.

If either were convicted of improper use of the competitor's ball patents, the winner could expect an extremely large quantity of cash awarded and deliver a key research and development blow in a difficult economy for the sport of golf.

Ogilvy stamps title as World's best in Match Play

2009-03-01T17:06:00.002-06:00

Geoff Ogilvy won his second Accenture WGC Match Play Championship in four years Sunday, defeating Englishman Paul Casey 4&3 to earn the title as the World's best in golf's most unique format.

In a week where Tiger Woods made headlines by returning to the PGA Tour, Ogilvy proved not the main attraction, but instead the main man in the Arizona desert by clinching the 33-hole victory.

Summing his consistently dominant performance, Ogilvy led the final 62 holes he played in the event and didn't card a bogey in the final 57 he played. That, my friends, is winning golf.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I had the chance to meet Ogilvy earlier this year during the week of the Mercedes Championships, which he went on to win days later. He was leaving a restaurant in Maui as myself, my father, a family friend, and Adam Scott's caddie, Tony Navarro, were entering for dinner.

Recognizing Navarro, he stopped, introduced himself to us, and shared a brief hello with our group. Even with family, he made time to ask where we were from and just seemed like an extremely personable, genuine guy.

I told him I was from Iowa and he asked what college I went to. I told him the University of Iowa, and without hesitation, he asked me about the Drake-Iowa basketball game in which the Hawkeyes were clobbered in Des Moines this season.

Said he had a friend in Iowa (Hawk fan) who was completely wrecked after the game and I was basically baffled in a "such a small world"-type moment that obviously haven't forgotten.

A UI student in Maui talking to Geoff Ogilvy before the first PGA Tournament of the year and all he wants to talk about is Iowa-Drake basketball. For every self-absorbed Reggie Jackson in professional sports, there is an Ogilvy and I was happy when he got another win today.

Some guys (Tiger) are machine-like during tournament week, down to the numbered balls they play and what they eat for breakfast before the round. Truth is, they were all just regular people at one time or another and it was refreshing to just meet and shake hands with him.

Back with more later this week from an expectedly Tiger-free Tour at the Honda Classic.

Photo Courtesy/Robert Vulch/SI

Ogilvy, Casey to meet in WGC Finals?

2009-02-28T16:45:00.003-06:00

Here we are on Saturday night and it looks like Geoff Ogilvy and Paul Casey, two good friends, will meet on Sunday for the 36-hole final at the Accenture World Golf Championships Match Play event. Without Tiger Woods, there has still been plenty of drama in the semifinal matches also featuring Stewart Cink and Ross Fisher.

Ogilvy has been absoutely dominant around the greens in an event he's won once prior, making 69 of 73 consecutive putts at one point. That's pretty remarkable for the Aussie who captured the Mercedes Championship earlier this season.

Casey, meanwhile, currently leads Fisher 2 up thru 14 holes after halving the last with a double bogey.

Ogilvy and Casey are both members at Whisper Rock down the road in Arizona and actually visited the course about three weeks ago. Some good planning, if you ask me.

Be sure to check out the highlights later tonight, including a shot from Fisher on the 14th that sailed through a group of cactus bushes and soared over a television tower behind the green. The announcers have described the Englishman's last half hour on the course as "hacking and hoping," which seems pretty accuarte at the moment.

Ogilvy has been playing awesome golf all year and if I had to pick a favorite to win tomorrow, I'd give the nod to him over Casey if he can close out his match on top. Back Sunday with more after the final round of the event.

Photo Courtesy/ SI

Clark wins, Tiger ousted; Mickelson new favorite?

2009-02-26T20:57:00.002-06:00

Tiger Woods was shocked by Tim Clark on Thursday in the second round of the Accenture WGC Match Play event in Marana, Ariz., leaving the golfing world without the thrill and anticipation that could've come with his weekend play. View highlights from today's match above.

Phil Mickelson snuck out of another close match, this time against Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson, who fought his way back from 3 down to take Lefty to the 18th green before bowing out. With so many top seeds out of the tournament, including No. 1 seeds Vijay Singh, Woods, and Sergio Garcia, you'd have to say Mickelson is the favorite coming off a win at the Northern Trust Open.

Back with more later this weekend.

Clark 3 up thru 13; Tiger in danger

2009-02-26T16:01:00.004-06:00

Tiger Woods just went 3 down to Tim Clark after 13 holes in his second round match at the Accenture WGC.

He had about a 12-foot look at birdie, the putt he rarely misses under pressure, and it lipped out hard right to put Woods 3 down for the match.

Woods is almost always following Clark on the tee and it has been the lower-ranked player controlling the match for the last six holes.

Tiger is showing some severe rust and VERY inconsistent iron play this week so far. Stay tuned…

Photo Courtesy/ Robert Beck/ SI

Tiger 2 up thru 4; Mickelson in position at 18

2009-02-25T13:59:00.005-06:00

Tiger Woods first two holes went something like this:

Fairway. Four feet on green. Birdie.
Fairway. Three feet on green. Eagle.

Brendan Jones first two holes went something like this:

Missed Fairway. Nervous Chip Shot. Bogey.
Missed Fairway. More Nerves. 2-Down

Tiger is 2 up thru four holes at the Accenture Match Play Championships while Phil Mickelson is in the match of the day against Angel Cabrera, where the players were all square on the 18th fairway. Cabrera has made three straight birdies to even Mickelson, but just hit it in the front bunker, while Mickelson has left himself 70 feet for birdie on the green.

You do not want to be Jones right now in this match against Tiger. Going 2 down, in addition to your nerves, is obviously a terrible spot to be.

Also, Cedar Rapids native Zach Johnson has stuffed it to three feet at No. 17 and he's already leading 2 up in his match. Looks like it could be all over and a strong opening win for ZJ.

Photo Courtesy/Getty Images

Tiger returns, Tour coverage explodes

2009-02-24T12:18:00.019-06:00

Here is the blow-by-blow of Tiger's morning on Tuesday. Here is another one.
In case you haven't turned on ESPN or your computer in the last four hours, the world's No. 1 golfer has returned to the PGA Tour and with it has come an absolutely insane about of coverage about Tiger Woods… and just for his Tuesday practice round. While I normally reserve Wednesday to get major coverage of the PGA Tour with a gathering of links, I thought it a worthwhile endeavor to make The Hunt the ultimate syndication of Woods-related news items for the lunch hour today.

About an hour ago, ESPN and ESPN News aired Tiger's opening press conference at the World Golf Championships live in which he discussed many subjects, including that he expects to be nervous on the first tee tomorrow when he faces the lowest-ranked player in the field, Australian Brendan Jones.

"The day I'm not nervous is the day I quit," Woods said.

On the other hand, Jones says he would bet on Woods if he absolutely had to wager on tomorrow's match in this Bloomberg article. Some pretty candid stuff in this piece, including Jones' admission that his friends have joked that he should take out Tiger's knee if he is losing.

Here you'll find a gallery of photos from Tiger's Tuesday practice round, in which he wore a his trademark "TW" hat in white with Nike's new "Victory Red" logo on the panel. Woods wore a gray sweater vest during the round at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Marana, Ariz.

ESPN.com's Bob Harig caught all the action this morning, noting that Woods only missed one fairway on the front nine during his practice round/media extravaganza. (Side note: Harig's bracket has Woods losing to Irish phenom Rory McEllroy in the third round, which I find to be very bold and very stupid)

SI's Gary Van Sickle says Tigermania was back in full force this morning, and points out that Woods looked especially in control despite eight months away from the Tour. Van Sickle also writes it was a smart move for Tiger to return now, in late February.

SI senior writer Damon Hack wrote this morning that the weight of the golfing world seem to rest on Tiger's shoulders this week, as he returns to a Tour in desperate need of his presence to generate energy and sponsor confidence on the PGA.

Two days after winning his second-straight Northern Trust Open, Phil Mickelson beat Tiger to the range on Tuesday morning. If you take only one thing from the coverage, watch the video taken at the practice tee in Marana showing Mickelson hitting balls when Tiger first arrives. Neither player acknowledges the other, not even saying hello, and Mickelson doesn't even turn around to see if indeed Woods is on the range. He just stands and hits ball after ball, stoic, working with Woods' old swing coach Butch Harmon to prepare for the WGC.

ESPN.com's Jason Sobel will live blog Tiger's first match against Jones tomorrow. Unlike Harig, Sobel went the safe route in his bracket predictions, taking Tiger to beat Andres Romero in the final. Here is his Weekly 18 outlining Tiger's potential path to the WGC championship.

The group over at PGATour.com has made their expert picks for this week, and its no surprise that the No.1 selection is none other than Tiger.

ESPN analyst Andy North thinks Tiger will need to control his emotions in order to be successful this week in the Match Play format. Here is a link to a podcast he shared with Sobel this week.

A UK Times Columnist thinks Woods will never match Muhammad Ali's influence in the world of sports. I personally disagree with his argument, especially now, when boxing is completely an irrelevant sport in the mainstream. They have, by all accounts, participated in remarkably different eras and Woods obiviously has not been faced with the realities of the Vietnam War and enlistment and Ali's great hardships in the public eye. A decent read today, nonetheless.

Has Michael Jordan given Tiger a model for returning from a long layoff? The Golf Channel's Mercer Baggs answers that question and others in this notebook.

As if you wanted more, here is a complete viewable bracket for the Match Play field this week.

That's all for now and back Wednesday with more Tiger and first-round analysis.

Photo Courtesy/Getty Images

Final Round highlights, thoughts

2009-02-22T22:12:00.005-06:00

I was at the Iowa basketball game tonight so I really have no idea how Phil Mickelson nearly blew a four-shot lead on Sunday, but when I refreshed the scoreboard before tip-off I was even more shocked that he had won. From video and stories about Lefty's title defense at the Northern Trust Open, I gather that it was a pretty exciting finish that required him to get up-and-down for par on the 72nd hole to edge Steve Stricker.

For as many times as Lefty has melted down — they even created a top-10 show on the Golf Channel of his imaginative, occasionally costly playing style — he seems to have an improved understanding of what it takes to play a complete week and win. Fitting, was Mickelson's first win of 2009, coming just days before Tiger Woods' return at the World Golf Championships.

If, by some sort of cosmic miracle, they end up playing one another in Match Play this week, I cannot imagine the TV ratings/anticipation with Phil coming off a win. It would be insane.

Also, I cannot help but point out that I think Mickelson's shirt has been one size too small on purpose this week. If he was going to give a victory fist pump, why not show off the guns?

Back later this week to capture the madness of Tiger's return and other Tour topics.

Mickelson, Couples in final-round mix

2009-02-22T11:18:00.003-06:00

We are about an hour and half from the final tee time at Riviera for the Northern Trust Open, one featuring Phil Mickelson and the silky-swinging Fred Couples.

Mickelson (-16), who credits his third-round 62 to some serious swing help from Butch Harmon on the rage Saturday morning, leads the field by four and would potentially need to break every club in his bag to blow it this afternoon. After all, he is the defending champion at the event and Harmon is sticking around for good measure. From PGATour.com:

"Swing doctor Butch Harmon said he saw trouble with too much movement in Phil's lower body during Friday's 72, so when Phil called from the scorer's tent and the two met for a Saturday morning tutorial, Harmon knew exactly what to work on. But 10 shots better? Just to be safe, Butch is hanging around for today's final round."

Let us not forget Andres Romero, sitting at -12, who has played poorly early this season but has been the most consistent this week. He carded rounds of 65, 70, and 66 to put himself in position to contend for today's final round.

For non-Tiger fans, enjoy a relaxing Sunday in front of the television with plenty of Phil, Fred, and Andres. Come Wednesday, the golfing world will become Tiger's personal Truman Show all over again.

Photo Courtesy/AP

Update: Tiger's Friday teleconference

2009-02-19T17:56:00.007-06:00

I heard Phil Mickelson is playing well…

2009-02-19T13:29:00.012-06:00

Major news outlets (ESPN.com, PGATour.com, and Golf.com) are infatuated with Lefty's stellar first round at the Northern Trust Open.

And why wouldn't they be? Phil Mickelson is contending for the first time all season and soon arch nemesis, Tiger Woods, return will to the Tour. Check out these screenshots from early Thursday afternoon.

Special thanks to Jose Conseco's book, Juiced, for inspiring the Golf.com headline.

UPDATE: Mickelson is currently -8 after 16 holes. He leads Dean Wilson by two strokes.

Phil hunting, Tiger posing

2009-02-19T12:27:00.007-06:00

New pictures of Tiger Woods family surfaced today on the World No. 1's home page and have made their way across the blogosphere with some steadiness this morning.

In other news, Tiger has until 5 p.m. on Friday to declare whether he will participate in the 64-man Accenture Match Play World Golf Championships. Qualifying for the event closed this week and the seeds will be determined on Sunday.

I plan to have my bracket/predictions up sometime on Sunday night for next week's Match Play madness, with or without Tiger.

Over at the Northern Trust Open today, Phil Mickelson has "broken out of his '09 slump," according to the current home page at PGATour.com. Apparently, leading a four-round event after 10 holes qualifies for hyperbole evidence when you're a top-five player in the world. Sure, he's -5 and tied when Dean Wilson at the moment, but let's at least wait until the weekend to declare Lefty a slump-buster.

After all, Mickelson's year hasn't been a total disaster yet… at least not like this.

Photo Courtesy/tigerwoods.com

Tiger's last obstacle? Walking.

2009-02-18T13:52:00.009-06:00

Tiger Woods' son has been born. Now if he could just figure out that whole walking thing.

No, seriously. Per Tiger's caddie, Steve Williams, in the English Telegraph Wednesday:

"He's probably 95 per cent of the way there. He was waiting for the birth of his second child which just came last week so he's ready to go. He just needs a little bit more walking. He hasn't been able to walk too well."

Steve, no offense or anything, but Tiger won the U.S. Open walking like <------ THAT. You know, a major championship? Yeah, he played 91 holes with a knee grinding like sand paper.

Tiger's caddie had this to add:

"He's had to modify his swing a little bit to accommodate his knee, but the guy always finds a way. I'm a little nervous myself to see how he's going to come back."

I just hope Steve doesn't have to carry Tiger from shot to shot during the World Golf Championships Match Play if he returns. Maybe they will get him a cart until he remembers how to walk.

In all seriousness, Tiger is almost back. This, in all regards, is outstanding news for the PGA Tour.

Photo Courtesy/SI

Johnson wins; D.J. Trahan curses Zeus

2009-02-16T10:54:00.005-06:00

Dustin Johnson was declared the winner at the rain-shortened 2009 AT&T National on Monday, two days after the 24-year-old finished his third round at -15 and appeared he would be fighting to maintain a four-shot lead in the final round. But thanks to Zeus — sorry, D.J. — the weather gods continued their strike on one of the U.S. most famous golf landscapes Monday, replacing fairways with streams of rushing water and divots with well, lots of H2O.

Johnson's second career Tour victory came at the expense of leaderboard chasers Mike Weir and Retief Goosen, among others, and may have cost the aforementioned Trahan a spot in the World Golf Championships Match Play event later this month. Ranked No. 66 in the World, Trahan needed to move up one spot from his tie for sixth place after the third round to garner enough points to crack the 64-man field.

Much like the book, the final round was really a good walk spoiled at Pebble Beach, as groundskeeping crews are left to pick up the pieces over the upcoming weeks.

The Tour next heads to the Northern Trust Open on Thursday, where the world's beloved No. 5, Phil Mickelson, is the defending champion. That's it for now; more on Lefty, Tiger, and the PGA later this week.

Photo Courtesy/Getty Images

Bonus Golf (Kind of)!

2009-02-15T17:21:00.005-06:00

The final round of the PGA Tour's AT&T National Pro-Am has been postponed until Monday due to driving winds and a rain storm that gave Pebble Beach a makeover Sunday, even uprooting a rather large tree on the third hole.

TV towers also played victim to the storm's damaging path, and there is concern among the leaders that the forecast for Monday — rain, high winds, more ugliness from the sky — could mean a 54-hole championship for Dustin Johnson. Johnson, at -15 for the tournament, leads Mike Weir by four strokes heading into the final round and would play a threesome with he and Retief Goosen on Monday (-10) if the weather permits.

It would mark the first 54-hole finish for the event since the year 2000. One concern is that play could begin tomorrow for half the field before the weather strikes, leaving the Tour in a tough spot:

"Mark Russell, the PGA Tour tournament director at Pebble, said if half of the field completes the fourth round on Monday, the tour is required to complete all 72 holes no matter how long it takes."

Among those praying for clear skies will be Weir, whose last Tour victory came late in the 2007 season. Also, as a result of Sunday's disastrous weather, the amateurs final round has been waived in order to expedite the final round for the professionals.

Part of Johnson's success this week can be attributed to his driving average, 288 yards, which ranks first among all players for the event. He will need to keep booming it on Monday with the ground expected to only getting soggier in the next 24 hours.

Hitting the Links, Part III

2009-02-11T13:06:00.004-06:00

Let's get right to the links this week.

With the birth of Tiger's second child in the rear view, much of the uncertainty surrounding his immediate future is finally clearing up, writes the AP.

PGA Tour reporter Helen Ross complimented Nick Watney on his determination during his time at Fresno State with his uncle for a head coach. Watney says he has had to earn everything he's gotten on Tour, including last weekend's Buick Invitational win.

Special contributor Ron Kroichick writes a fascinating feature about Stanford golfer Joseph Bramlett, following somewhat in Tiger's footsteps, on ESPN.com today.

Bob Harig wrote about Tiger again Tuesday, noting that his swing coach, Hank Haney, believes that Woods will only be stronger when he returns.

In one of the crazier stories you'll see, the PGA Tour is considering cracking down on player appearance, which includes facial hair. You might remember Mike Weir's serious beard during the FedEx cup playoffs as inspired by friend Wayne Gretzky, no?

SI's Gary Van Sickle says two-time major winner Padraig Harrington has his focus firmly on capturing a third-straight at Augusta National in a couple months.

Fellow SI'er Damon Hack says to watch for Vijay Singh on Thursday at the Pebble Beach AT&T National Pro-Am.

David Toms, currently No. 66 in the world golf rankings, is trying to qualify for the World Golf Championships Match Play event in late February. He will try and leverage himself two spots in the rankings to qualify for the 64-man field by playing Pebble Beach this week.

Many players are treating this year as a contract season for corporate sponsorships, writes the Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard.

Jim Moriarty has a legitimate plan for top-notch players to complete in struggling lower-caliber Tour events.

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That's it for today and back later this week.

Photo Courtesy/Getty Images

Nick Watney wins. Tiger has son. World forgets Watney.

2009-02-09T22:51:00.004-06:00

In case you were too busy searching for pictures of Tiger Woods new son, Charlie — cool name, huh? — all afternoon, let me serve reminder to Nick Watney's second career Tour victory at the Buick Invitational Sunday.

Chasing John Rollins and Lucas Glover, Watney birdied two of his last three holes and took the Buick with a clutch three-footer on No. 18.

Needless to say, the putt didn't have the drama of Woods' victory at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, but it was significant, nonetheless.

Watney became the fifth different winner in five events on Tour this season and took home a $954,000 paycheck — maybe one of the big ones, like in Happy Gilmore — and also outran Camilo "The Painter" Villegas down the stretch.

He is also making his name as one of the top American players under the age of 30 early in 2009, which is always refreshing with so many international players dominating on the PGA Tour.

Along with Woods' baby news, one of the bigger byproducts of the weekend is the mainstream media's interest in Phil Mickelson's struggles.

ESPN.com's Bob Harig says Mickelson hasn't taken advantage of Tiger's absence enough, missing fairways and even cuts early this season on the West Coast. PGA Tour columnist T.J. Auclair says Mickelson's struggles are glaring, and agrees that Mickelson is failing to meet expectations as the best player in the world not named Tiger.

Back with Hitting the Links, Part III, on Wednesday and some predictions for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this weekend.

Buick Invitational — Final Round Observations

2009-02-08T16:05:00.004-06:00

I am watching the final round of the Buick Invitational and jotted down some random thoughts that may only interest me.

* Camilo Villegas' swing is hard to watch in high-definition. While it's obviously efficient and he is one of the top 30 players in the world, his position through impact and his finish appear terribly unorthodox. Also, his white spikes/white pants/white shirt/tan hat wardrobe makes him look very much like a painter.

*I think it is hilarious that Nike is using a marketing/product campaign — "Victory Red," as symbolized by the cool graphic V on their players headwear — that is entirely derived from something Tiger Woods does. Does Lucas Glover really enjoy wearing a symbol representative of Woods' trademark red shirts on Sunday? It is really amazing how they are able to make people think about Tiger when he hasn't played since the 2009 U.S. Open. People like me might even blog about it online and make people like you think of Tiger. The marketing is realy quite viral. If Glover wins, you can bet Nike won't release a commercial that starts "Victory Red… Play like Lucas Glover, win like Lucas Glover…"

*Rollins just followed a bogey on 12 with an eagle on No. 13, taking back a 3-shot lead. Earlier, Jim Nantz informs us that Rollins is attributing his strong play to a new set of shafts in his irons and the fact that he recently lost 30 pounds. That putt may have clinched the tournament with Glover and Villegas chasing…

*CBS showed Phil Mickelson, at 3-over-par for the tournament, nearly every shot on his back nine today. I realize that with Tiger out, Mickelson is the most polarizing figure on Tour, but I will never get over how the networks continue to show the top five players in the World no matter where they are on the leaderboard.

*My roommate just got home and informed me that the Pro Bowl is on today. He changes the channel. End around to Falcons receiver Roddy White… and raise your hand if you care. The Buick and Lakers-Cavaliers are on right now. Who is watching the Pro Bowl?

*Nantz follows the description of the PGA Tour's new "Kodak Challenge" by saying the scene at Torrey Pines is a bit of "Kodak Moment." Great stuff, Jim.

Back tomorrow with a reaction from Sunday's final round.

Photo Courtesy/Getty Images

Villegas fires 63; South Course awaits

2009-02-06T10:49:00.003-06:00

Camillo Villegas leads the Buick Invitational following an opening-round 63 complete with eight birdies, one eagle, and a really sweet argyle sweater (left) that even matched his belt.

In all seriousness, that is some scary-good golf and a stunning head start for Villegas, who tees off at 8:50 a.m. on the much tougher South Course at Torrey Pines today.

Aussie youngster Aaron Baddeley and Davis Love III each posted 66 on the North Course Thursday to fall three back and remain in the hunt for the Buick title.

Of the top 15 players on the leaderboard Friday morning, 14 will play the South Course today, meaning the Tour could be in for a pre-weekend shuffle with its traditional two-course, four-round event.

DL-Three has been playing as well as anyone in recent weeks and I think Villegas must be careful protecting a substantial lead before Saturday.

Htting The Links, Round 2

2009-02-04T14:24:00.006-06:00

Remember when that regular guy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa won the 2007 Masters ranked 162nd in driving distance on the PGA Tour?

The statistic is undoubtedly less memorable than Zach Johnson's astounding victory at Augusta National, but his winning formula of short, accurate driving and striking iron play is equating to a scorching start in 2009.

Now the No. 27 player in the world, Johnson leads the FedEx Cup points (647) through three events and has already accumulated more than $1.2 million on the money list.

Not bad for a guy who currently ranks 123rd in driving distance (286.3) heading into this weekend's Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines. That's over four yards shorter than the PGA Tour average (290.5) this season.

A closer look at the stats — Johnson ranks 30th in driving accuracy (%70.3) and 18th in greens in regulation (%75.9) — reveals that Johnson is relying more on his approach
game to move up the scoreboards. His unimpressive putts per round average (29.0, 108th on Tour) has been counteracted by four eagles in 216 holes, or more simply, an eagle every third round.

I was fortunate to watch his third round at the Mercedes Championship in person earlier this season, and it definitely seems like Johnson has regained whatever confidence was lost in 2008. When he's playing well, Johnson hits fairways, attacks pins, and rarely forfeits a bogey back to the course. As a short hitter, he became notorious during his Masters win for his conservative strategy on Augusta's longer Par-5s.

He made 14 birdies that week "playing safe," and the formula seems to be working just fine in 2009. Albeit a tad late, here is a article recapping his Sony Open victory and praising Johnson's grit.

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This week, the PGA Tour is back at Torrey Pines for the first time since Tiger Woods' remarkable 2008 U.S. Open victory. What a better way to kick off Round 2 of weekly links than with the latest on Mr. Woods, who said Wednesday morning that he's back to practicing full strength and speculated possible return dates. Also, mentioned in Tiger's blog entry for PGATour.com, Woods says he hopes to soon play golf with President Barack Obama.

In case you forgot how insane Tiger's last competitive week was, let's cue the video:

Using Brandt Snedeker as an example, PGA Tour correspondent Helen Ross' notebook today highlights the growing pains often experienced by rookies, many of whom who struggle with patience. Within the notebook, there is word that Phil Mickelson will be using a different, now-legalized Callaway FT-9 driver this week after missing the cut at the FBR Open. If you want a full transcript of Lefty's interview at the Buick Tuesday, click here.

For 13 years in a row, a major champion has won the Buick Invitational, the longest streak among all PGA Tour events. This week's field includes a dozen such players, most notably Mickelson and 2008 poster boy Padraig Harrington. In an exclusive interview posted on Golf.com today, Harrington spoke about his aspirations for 2009 and the possibility of a "Paddy Slam" coming off his British Open and PGA Championship victories in 2008.

The feeling around Tour is that Torrey Pines will feel quite different without the defending champion Woods — who has won the Buick six times including in 2008.

TaylorMade continues to headline the new equipment buzz early in 2009, and J.B. Holmes crazy eight-legged putter — the new Spider Balero, an off-shoot of the company's Monza Spider and Itsy Bitsy spider models from 2008 — appeared at the FBR Open.

Woods' close friend and Tour veteran Mark O'Meara said last week that Irish phenom Rory Mcllroy, who won the Dubai Desert Classic, is actually better at 19 years old than Tiger ever was. Quite a statement.

Lastly, sad news out of 18-year-old phenom Tadd Fujikawa's camp, as his father plead guilty to second-degree drug trafficking on Tuesday. Hopefully Tadd can overcome such a devastating situation and continue his blossoming young career.

Photos Courtesy/ Getty Images

E*TRADE Super Bowl Commercial

2009-02-02T23:51:00.009-06:00

I apologize for my lack of posting lately, as I was in Las Vegas for Super Bowl weekend. A few buddies scored $120 round-trip plane tickets last month and, judging from the scene at Caesar's Sportsbook Sunday, people will bet on just about anything related the game, economic crisis be damned. Upon returning tonight, I thought I'd share my favorite Super Bowl advertisement from E*TRADE, which features their signature baby talking about golf. Notice the subtle advertising by TaylorMade Golf, who managed to score a new visor complete with the "R9" logo on the side when the baby turns its head.

Back tomorrow with discussion on Zach Johnson, the current FedEx Cup points leader, and this week's PGA Tour stop, the Buick Invitational.

So Much For Favorites; Johnson hunting leaders

2009-01-30T16:42:00.003-06:00

Just when you think they've got it all figured out… Phil Mickelson misses the cut at the FBR Open and Dubai favorite Ernie Els (Even) will apparently take the scissors with a missed cut at the Dubai Desert Classic. The PGA Tour and its players are especially unpredictable early in the season and Mickelson had this to explain following his second-round 73:

"It just didn't come together," Mickelson said. "I didn't play well. The course is beautiful. It's in great shape, and it's an exciting time here with the Cardinals being in the Super Bowl. But I didn't get that momentum and play well.
"I'll go home and get some work done over the weekend and see if I can get things on track for San Diego next week."

Photo Courtesy/AP
Playing in Mickelson's group, Zach Johnson's second-round 66 in Scottsdale has put him right in the hunt, as his weekday total of -5 is just four off the pace set by Nick Watney, who torched TPC with a 63 Friday.

Hitting the Links

2009-01-28T10:44:00.008-06:00

It's Wednesday morning and that only means one thing. It's time to hit the links.

This week features some analysis from Tiger Woods' off-season coverage that continued with Bob Harig's story on ESPN.com yesterday relating Woods with PGA veterans Ernie Els, Brad Faxon and Len Mattiace — all whom suffered similar knee injuries in their careers. Harig's piece, while well-written and insightful, continued a trend of "what-ifs" about Tiger's future with very little input from Woods himself.

The man with 14 majors has spoken publicly less than the Pope in the last six months, and the result has been a constant flow of stories with angles like Harig's latest effort. The only problem is that even Faxon — a damn good putter, by the way — knows it is stupid to use his recovery as a case study for Woods.

"Tiger is superhuman, so he can come back probably faster than most," Faxon said. "But I also think he's very cautious, too. He'll make sure he does the right thing. It's his left side, which is so important in the golf swing. I know everybody is guessing about what he's trying to do."

Els again found time to discuss Tiger this week, telling reporters at the Dubai Desert Classic that he expects Woods to come back on Tour good as new. With Tiger out of the field, the Associated Press says Els is the hands-down favorite in Dubai.

CNN's Paul Armstrong thinks Tiger could have a tough time protecting his No. 1 World Golf Ranking from Spainaird Sergio Garcia, who has closed the gap to three points, down from 11 at the time Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open.

Telegraph reporter Mark Reason was spurned when Colin Montgomerie was named Cap tain for the 2010 European Ryder Cup team, but his piece Tuesday had some unique insight from Tiger's old swing coach, Butch Harmon.

"The Race to Dubai has created a whole new atmosphere in golf. It will be a world event. The FedEx Cup in the US hasn't taken off like they thought it would. It's very limited. The Race to Dubai allows everyone in the world to play in a European Tour event. You've seen that with the Americans. I think Phil will join next year, I really do, and I think you will see Tiger Woods join too. It will be spectacular."

With the high-stakes appearance fees that Woods, Mickelson, and others draw in Dubai, there is serious concern about the health of early-season tournaments like the Merecedes Championship. There is simply too much money waiting for players in the Middle East, many who find an 18-hour flight from Maui to Dubai unnecessary and overwhelming.

Also, it may only interest me that Harmon — now the most famous coach in the world — once worked as a head golf professional in Davenport, Iowa. He also believes Tiger will make a strong return in 2009.

Stephania Bell, an expert physical therapist, added her name to the list of Tigerologists as a guest writer for ESPN.com about a week ago…

One of the most fascinating pieces written about Tiger this off-season takes us back to the beginning, as Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnaski took on "The Meaning of Tiger" the week after his stunning U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines.

Let us not forget last month, when Tiger's longtime caddie Steve Williams ripped Phil Mickelson… Woods has since settled their differences.

Oh, by the way, Tiger also happens to be friends with President Obama, who asked Woods to speak at his pre-inauguration earlier this month. The transcript of his speech can be found here.

Don't ask author Bob Smiley who would be a tougher inteview — Woods or Obama — to land, even for an awesome book. Smiley, who wrote Follow the Roar, a first-person story detailing every hole of Tiger's remarkable 2008 season, couldn't even get five minutes with him during the off-season. FYI, a UI student worked on small research projects for the book directly with Smiley.

That's all for now and more to come this week on the FBR Open and Michelle Wie.

Perez wins Bob Hope; R9 gets Tour validation

2009-01-26T00:23:00.001-06:00

Photo Courtesy/ Getty Images

If Pat Perez can practice with TaylorMade's revolutionary new R9 driver for two days and win his first PGA Tour event, what will it do for a 10-handicapper? Perez's career perseverance proved rewarding Sunday at PGA West, as the 32-year-old canned an eagle on the final hole to capture his first Tour trophy — beautiful crystal, eh? — but the above picture tells more than one story.

Back on the mainland after two weeks in Hawaii, the PGA Tour and its ever brand-conscious viewership witnessed the introduction of TaylorMade's newest technology, the R9 driver, and Perez played it beautifully over five rounds to finish 33 under-par. And while 99 percent of the golfing world must be virtuous in awaiting the product's official launch date, set for March 20, Perez's win will undoubtedly drive curiousity in the coming weeks.

With Tiger Woods rumored to remain sidelined until at least the Accenture Match Play Championships in late February, Perez's win seems like a natural catalyst for attention and especially amongst corporate giants like TaylorMade, Nike, Titleist, and Callaway.

All that said, I would like to use this inaugural post to preface my blog for the spring semester and my interest for the PGA Tour. Aside from being a lifelong golfer, I have been fortunate to work twice within the golf industry over the last four years and consider myself somewhat knowledgeable.

Through my father and late grandfather's passion for the game, and undoubtedly some good fortune, I have shared countless memorable experiences through golf — watching, playing, and even covering a couple PGA Tour events as a journalist.

Thirteen years ago, I met Earl Woods, Tiger's late father, on a Sunday in the Quad-Cities. We shook hands. We stopped to buy cigarettes. We watched Tiger — You know… 14 majors… best ever, sans maybe Jack Nicklaus — make a quadruple-bogey on the back nine of just his third event as a professional. He lost by four strokes to someone named Ed Fiori.

Three weeks ago, I walked with Zach Johnson's group during the third round of the Merecedes Championships and he shot 64, including a six-under 30 on the front nine. He made a 50-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole in front of maybe a dozen spectators and hardly blinked. He was robotic off the tee. His iron play was crisp as clockwork, and a week later he won the Sony Open.

I share such memories because they are unique to my own experience with golf, but also hopefully somewhat interesting for those without the slightest interest in the world's so-called boringest spectator sport, especially when Tiger isn't playing. Through this forum, I hope to share more stories and stay current with the Tour on a weekly basis during the semester.

As a side note, my blog title "The Hunt" — a small play on sporting phrase i.e. "Perez is in the hunt for his first Tour win" — is also a chip off my middle name, Hunter.

Thanks for reading and look forward to checking out the other blogs this week.