All about golfing

Phil Mickelson shoots -2 at St. Jude

2009-06-23T11:09:00.023-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Win McMurry recaps Brian Gay's win at Memphis St. Jude classic

2009-06-23T11:09:00.021-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Monday TV coverage of the 2009 US OPEN

2009-06-23T11:09:00.019-07:00

9:00am-11:30am ET: ESPN
11:30am ET-End Of Play: NBC

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

First round photos from the U.S. Open

2009-06-23T11:09:00.017-07:00

First round photos from the U.S. Open

Shared via AddThis

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

USGA explains how U.S. Open will be played after rain delay

2009-06-23T11:09:00.015-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Looking For More Distance?

2009-06-23T11:09:00.013-07:00

Looking to get some extra distance off the tee? Then this could be one way to generate those extra yards

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[Source: Golf Blog]

Anna Rawson eating In-and-Out burger

2009-06-23T11:09:00.011-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Phil Mickelson chokes back tears thinking of wife Amy's cancer

2009-06-23T11:09:00.009-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods shoots 4 over 74 first round, 9 shots behind Ricky Barnes

2009-06-23T11:09:00.007-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Lauren Shehadi previews U.S. Open at Bethpage Black

2009-06-23T11:09:00.005-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Win McMurry previews Memphis St. Jude classic

2009-06-23T11:09:00.003-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Is Bethpage Black playing too easy? Roethlisberger, Jordan, Timberlake break 90

2009-06-23T11:09:00.001-07:00

Wow. This is a shocker. Ben Roethlisberger shot 81, Michael Jordan shot 86 (after going triple, double to open the round), and Justin Timberlake shot 88. The lucky fan who won the chance to play with the celebrities, Larry Giebelhausen, shot 101.
(More)

These are very respectable numbers for the U.S. Open course this year. It does suggest that Bethpage Black may be playing slightly easier than the last time it hosted the U.S. Open, when scores were high.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Win McMurry recaps Tiger Woods's victory at Memorial

2009-06-23T11:08:00.023-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Welcome Back, David Duval

2009-06-23T11:08:00.021-07:00

LUCAS GLOVER WON THE TROPHY, Phil Mickelson won the hearts, and David Duval won newfound respect.

I disagree with those who may want to place an asterisk by Glover�s name for winning the bizarre, waterlogged U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Lucas�s long game was solid most of the week, he only had one three-putt green, and he handled the pressure better than more-experienced players have in the past.

I�ll leave Phil for others, but his family vacation would be much more enjoyable if he had not bogeyed two of the last three holes. It was Lefty�s fifth second-place finish at the U.S. Open.

(Image: Newton/Flickr)

But I�d much rather discuss Mr. 882 in the world, one David Duval (at left). As I watched Duval coax in a birdie putt on the 16th hole to close to within one stroke of the lead, it occurred to me that he might pull off one of golf�s greatest comebacks. A birdie and a par and the man who fell into golf�s black hole eight years ago could actually hoist the Open�s silver cup. It would be, dare I say, �unbelievable.�

Duval�s final round was a parallel of sorts for his desolate years in golf. Things went terribly wrong on the opening three holes, which included a bogey and triple bogey. It looked hopeless, but David refused to give up. He kept battling to the end, hitting solid shot after solid shot and holing pressure putts that reminded us why he was once the best golfer in the world.

Duval is a soft-spoken determined man with a healthy ego. Of course, I don�t mean ego in the usual puffed-up sense. He has been completely humbled by this cruel game. Yet he still believes in himself and his ability. I�m not a quitter, he has said. That�s a healthy place to be.

As Duval also said just the other day, there�s not anything that can happen on the golf course or in a golf tournament that�s likely to fluster him. He has experienced both the highs and the lows - the lowest of the lows - and he�s still out there swinging and believing.

Today that belief almost won David Duval his first U.S. Open. It certainly won him the golf world�s respect.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Lucas Glover survives 3-over front nine to win 1st U.S. Open, after Phil Mickelson and David Duval make late charge to finish -2

2009-06-23T11:08:00.019-07:00

Final round turned into the 1st real day of U.S. Open conditions at Bethpage Black. The young guns Rickey Barnes and Lucas Glover made a complete mess of the front nine shooting 40 and 38. Phil Mickelson tied for the lead at one point at -4, but bogeys on 15 and 17 derailed him. David Duval had a triple bogey on the second hole after his ball plugged in the lip in the bunker. But Duval rebounded on the back nine to share the lead at -3, only to bogey 17 with a lip out.

That left the stage for Lucas Glover who birdied 16 to take a 2 stroke lead.

Ricky Barnes (who had a colossal unraveling shooting 76) had 1 last putt to go -3 but barely missed on 18. Lucas made his putt anyway to finish -4. Only five guys under par. U.S. Open scores finally appear.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

US Open Day 1: rained out

2009-06-23T11:08:00.017-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Rancho Park's Arnold Palmer Tribute?

2009-06-23T11:08:00.015-07:00

A couple years ago, I moved about 20 miles west to the beach town of Santa Monica, CA. As a result, my home course went from the Rose Bowl parking lot to Rancho Park, former home of the L.A. Open. On the par-5 18th tee, there's an interesting plaque to commemorate Arnold Palmer's achievement at the 35th L.A. Open in 1961.

Here's the engraving:

The first day of the 35th L.A. Open, Arnold Palmer, voted Golfer of the year, took a 12 on this hole.

As an inspiration to all Golfers The L.A. Jr. Chamber of Commerce dedicate this monument.

Palmer hit a fine drive. He sliced his next 2 shots into the driving range, then hooked two more onto Patricia Ave. Hit the green with his sixth shot, and two putted. Eight strokes plus four penalities add up to 12.

Here's the detailed story according to Golf For Dummies:

Palmer needed a par 5 on the 18th for a 69 in the second round. After a good drive, instead of laying up with an iron for the tight second shot, he went for a birdie and pushed a 3-wood out-of-bounds onto the adjacent driving range. He paused briefly to regroup and then hit another 3-wood. This time, he hooked it onto Patricia Avenue. Stubborn if not downright foolhardy, Palmer hit the 3-wood yet again, and again hooked it out-of-bounds. On the fifth try, after four straight penalties, he finally put his 3-wood on the green and went on to make a 12. A long, sad story. Arnie's description was more succinct. Asked by a reported how he managed to make a 12, he replied, "I missed my putt for an 11."

The plaque and story are great comic reliefs to any golfer having a bad day on the golf course. But did anyone bother to check the grammar before it was engraved in stone!?

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[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods using a 10.5 degree driver

2009-06-23T11:08:00.013-07:00

Wow. This is a shocker. Tiger Woods is using a driver with 10.5 degree loft. That probably explains some of the distance loss, but better control.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

U.S. Open at Bethpage Black - follow on the Internet

2009-06-23T11:08:00.011-07:00

Day 1 is postponed because of rain.

Below is Phil Mickelson practicing yesterday:

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Natalie Gulbis and Michelle Wie fail to qualify for U.S. Women's Open

2009-06-23T11:08:00.009-07:00

Only the top 10 leaders on the LPGA money list apparently get an automatic exemption to the U.S. Women's Open. The others have to qualify, which is why Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis won't be playing this year. They didn't shoot well enough in the qualifiers. Wie missed by 1 stroke, Natalie by 2. Ouch.

This is a bad joke for the LPGA (although the USGA runs the tournament). Wie and Gulbis are two of the biggest names in the LPGA, even if they haven't won this year. For a league that is losing sponsors left and right, the LPGA needs Wie and Gulbis at every big tournament. I would change the qualifying rules or give these two exemptions, immediately. The future of the LPGA may be numbered if the "big names" are left on the sidelines while the sponsors head to the exits.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Highlights of TIger Woods at the Memorial

2009-06-23T11:08:00.007-07:00

Tiger Woods is a human highlight reel.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Watch Final Round of US Open live on Internet

2009-06-23T11:08:00.005-07:00

Click here for video

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods signs US Open shirts from 2008 for Upper Deck

2009-06-23T11:08:00.003-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

US OPEN meltdown in progress

2009-06-23T11:08:00.001-07:00

I feel the need to paste a quote in here which I posted on Jay Flemma’s facebook yesterday regarding the US OPEN. The comment is regarding the leader Ricky Barnes:
He’s got a complicated swing with a lot of moving parts. If it breaks down, he could drop quicker than the pants off of a [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

US OPEN TV Times

2009-06-23T11:07:00.013-07:00

U.S. Open

Thursday 6/18
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
ESPN

Thursday 6/18
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
NBC

Thursday 6/18
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET
ESPN

Friday 6/19
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
ESPN

Friday 6/19
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
NBC

Friday 6/19
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET
ESPN

Saturday 6/20
2:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
NBC

Sunday 6/21
1:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET
NBC

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Live Video of US Open -- watch here

2009-06-23T11:07:00.011-07:00

Click here

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Video of Tiger Woods practicing at Bethpage Black Monday June 8

2009-06-23T11:07:00.009-07:00

OK, do you think Tiger Woods is focused on winning the U.S. Open yet?

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Round 1 highlights @ St. Jude

2009-06-23T11:07:00.007-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Bethpage Black 2009 is a complete bust

2009-06-23T11:07:00.005-07:00

Follow us on Twitter to see why Flukey leaderboard brings out Rickey Barnes, David Duval, and Todd Hamilton. Rain caused dramatically different conditions for rain soaked players on Thursday and dry players on Friday. The luck of the draw. But it has turned Bethpage Black into only an above average course. Bethpage 2002 was a classic. Bethpage 2009 is a farce, so far.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Luck of the afternoon draw: US Open pairings on Day 1 favored the Top 10 finishers

2009-06-23T11:07:00.003-07:00

Wow. The stats don't lie. It turns out that 7 of the Top 8, and 13 of the Top 15 finishers at the U.S. Open got the favorable afternoon draw on Day 1, which was rain postponed. Only Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson played in the unfavorable weather.

Lucas Glover and Rickey Barnes were able to "pad" a lead by playing in the favorable draw on Day 2. If you check out the scores on Day 2, they were the lowest.

Eventually, over a career, the luck of the draw hopefully evens out.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

The USGA should be ashamed for not giving fans a rain check

2009-06-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

Tickets to the U.S. Open cost over $100. It's a trek to get to Bethpage Black. Yesterday's rain out left fans with very little golf to watch, not even half the play was finished.

Yet the USGA has decided no refunds or rain checks for those fans who bought tickets to Thursday's round. That is pretty shameful. That is one of the reasons why golf has a major problem with sponsors pulling out and negative reaction in Congress. The perception is that golf is an elitist sport that doesn't care about the average Joe or Jill. If I spent my pay check on going to the U.S. Open on Thursday, I would be livid.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Fantasy Golf 2009 - SPRING LEG COMPLETED! - Week 12 winner

2009-04-07T07:59:00.037-07:00

FANTASY GOLF WEEK 12 NOTES

The SPRING leg of 2009 fantasy golf has come to an end. Grouchy Golf wins the Spring leg, eeking me out by only 46 points.
Congrats Grouchy, you’ve won a pair of VEDALOHD sunglasses!
Week 12 winner: Catbashers
Winners contact me to claim prizes!

PRIMARY SPONSORS
(click now and thank ‘em!)

Weekly Sponsors:

[...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Happy blogday GolfBlogger

2009-04-07T07:59:00.035-07:00

My golf blogging pal GolfBlogger has celebrated his SIXTH birthday! Six years of golf blogging is like me lasting 30 seconds in the Playboy Mansion (more to come on that one soon).
GolfBlogger has written over 4000 golf blogs, as compared to my measly 2000. On my behalf though, my posts are typically longer. [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Rory Sabbatini signs with TaylorMade, but you might not be able to find it on TaylorMade�s web site

2009-04-07T07:59:00.033-07:00

TaylorMade has been busy. They signed Greg Norman earlier this week and now Rory “MoMoney” Sabbatini. Rory will play TaylorMade equipment and sport their head wear.
TaylorMade’s web site is nauseating
I just realized why I stopped going to TaylorMade’s web site. I thought I’d stop by there this morning to see if I [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Pres. Obama names Tiger Woods as U.S. ambassador

2009-04-07T07:59:00.031-07:00

President Barack Obama just named Tiger Woods as U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill. A similar position was held by ice skater Michelle Kwan in the Bush Administration. In his new role as U.S. diplomat, Tiger will have responsibility of improving U.S. standing around the world. He also will help out with efforts to get the Olympics to Obama's hometown of Chicago.

Of the appointment, Tiger said, "I am deeply honored to serve as U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill and for the President of the United States. From an early age, I learned that my country is more important than golf." Tiger declined to comment on how his position might affect, if at all, his schedule of golf tournaments.

OK, this should come as no surprise. Tiger spoke at Obama's inauguration. He praised Obama, "He represents America. He's multiracial. I was hoping it would happen in my lifetime. My father was hoping it would happen in his lifetime, but he didn't get to see it. I'm lucky enough to have seen a person of color in the White House." The two even plan on playing golf in the near future. We do wonder a little, though, whether this appointment will take away time from Tiger's golf game and pursuit of the record of 18 majors this year. No disresect to serving one's country, but it would be foolish if Tiger somehow gets distracted now after he appears ready to win majors this year. (More on Tiger's website)

Video statements from Obama and Tiger below:

UPDATE: We just received word this may be an April Fool's joke.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

It must be �that time of the month� for me

2009-04-07T07:59:00.029-07:00

Perhaps I’m a bit grouchy because I’m on the rag. Perhaps I’m grouchy because it has been snowing hard, for about two weeks straight and the only golf I’ve played I froze my ass off. Whatever the reason, my posts right now have a bit of an edge to them. I kind [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Arnold Palmer Invitational @ Bay Hill

2009-04-07T07:59:00.027-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Shots of the week: Arnold Palmer Invitational

2009-04-07T07:59:00.025-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Sally Jenkins' Premature Prognostication

2009-04-07T07:59:00.023-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine emailed me an article written by Sally Jenkins about Tiger Woods' post injury return to golf.

What shocked me most about this article was the writer's prematurely drawn conclusions about Tiger's golf game. Just read this passage:

But so far, Woods's comeback has been a relatively humdrum event...After an eight-month layoff to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Woods missed dozens of putts and seemed frustrated by the slow pace of the whole affair. All of which was a reminder that the injury is a clear demarcation in his competitive life: He's now 33 years old and in the last third of his career, and while he surely has a lot of greatness left, the game may no longer come so easily.

At the time that the article was published, Tiger had been out of competitive golf for almost 9 months and had logged fewer than 6 competitive rounds, 2 of which were match-play shortened and didn't require putting out. That's right, the writer believes that this sample size is sufficient to derive meaningful conclusions. Anyone who plays golf regularly at any level knows about the fickleness of golf and how maddeningly long it can take to recover one's form after a sustained layoff. Just because Tiger is a little rusty, it certainly doesn't mean that he's lost his game. To make that kind of jump is just regoddamndiculous!

Yet the writer has seen enough to proclaim, "For the first time in a decade, Woods will enter the Masters at Augusta National as something less than the clear-cut favorite." Oh brother!

But it doesn't stop there. The writer later suggests that Tiger may never recover his putting touch:

Oddly, the thing that seems most affected by the long layoff is not his swing...but his putting...But his trouble was perhaps a glimpse of what to expect when he gets older: Other greats who were nervy, aggressive putters, such as Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, saw their touch desert them in their mid-30s, and struggled to ever make short putts again.

All golfers know that putting is one of those things that is highly variable over the short term. The fact that Tiger's putting game was off for 6 rounds is hardly surprising. The writer seems to have forgotten that Mickelson's putting blew all year until he won at Riviera. Tiger is arguably the greatest clutch putter of all-time and I'm sure that he'll regain his putting sooner rather than later. Oh, and don't believe the writer. Tiger is the clear-cut favorite at Augusta.

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[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

MaybeGolfSometimePossiblyIfWeGetAroundToIt.com a.k.a. GolfNow.com Update

2009-04-07T07:59:00.021-07:00

I first mentioned a situation with GolfNow.com, or what I prefer to call them, “MaybeGolfSometimePossiblyIfWeGetAroundToIt.com,” back on March 4th.
My friend Dave had told me how he was happy with his commissions he was making as a result of having one of their ads on his golf blog. I thought I’d give it a [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

My 5 favorite things about Bay Hill + Arnold Palmer Invitational

2009-04-07T07:59:00.019-07:00

So I was lucky enough to make it down to Orlando to see the Arnold Palmer Invitational. First time there. It was a total blast. Here are 5 things I liked:

1. The organization was first rate. It was so easy to make it to and back from the tourney. No hassles. Parking was free, the shuttle buses came nonstop, and there was hardly any traffic. Took maybe 15 minutes to make it to the course from downtown Orlando.

2. Seeing Arnold Palmer in person for the first time. Met Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino before, so getting a chance to see Mr. Palmer was great.

3. $1 water, drinks, and food sold by rich homeowners on the course! Sure beats the $3 water and $5 plus food sold by the PGA. Thanks, rich homeowners!

4. Bay Hill. Course is beautiful. Water makes the course very interesting, especially down the stretch. Sean O'Hair will attest.

5. Mastercard grandstand tent. It had everything. A/C, HDTV, cash bar, putting green, virtual golf range, free popcorn, and free photos of you on a Golf Digest cover. I could have watched the entire tournament from there if they had seats!

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Anna Rawson is the new GoDaddy girl

2009-04-07T07:59:00.017-07:00

Australian model/golfer Anna Rawson is the new GoDaddy girl. OK, so we @ The Golf Blog thought it would be Natalie Gulbis after receiving an email from GoDaddy's PR team last week. Not a bad mistake to make!

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Shell Houston Open recap: Paul Casey wins

2009-04-07T07:59:00.015-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods @ Arnold Palmer

2009-04-07T07:59:00.013-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Q&A: Walker Inman Jr., First Augusta Native to Play in Masters

2009-04-07T07:59:00.011-07:00

In 1956 Walker Inman Jr. made a memorable trip down
Magnolia Lane. (Pocketwiley/Flickr)

�He put his hand on my head, and he said, �Walker, are you going to be a golfer like your Daddy?� I said, �No sir, Mr. Jones. I want to be a golfer like you.��
-Walker Inman Jr.

Walker Inman Jr. was a 1950s PGA Tour pro and longtime club professional. This is an excerpt from my 2007 interview with Walker and a part of my free 44-page 2009 Masters Tournament Guide (available at above right).

ARMCHAIR GOLF: I think I read that your father met Bobby Jones.

WALKER INMAN JR.: They were fraternity brothers at Georgia Tech together. When I was 7 or 8 years old, he took me over to the Masters and in those days that was the only place Jones played. They started the Masters in �34 and he invited a bunch of his friends to come play a tournament, and that�s how the Masters got started. It was an invitational tournament. Of course, all the best players in the world were his friends, so he invited them all to come play. That�s the only time Bob Jones played in front of the public � he retired in 1930 � in the Masters.

So my Daddy wanted me to go over there and watch him play. I�ve got movies of my Dad playing with him when he would come to town and play at the country club before Augusta National was even built. So my Dad takes me over there, and we watch him playing the 8th hole. I know exactly where he was standing when I first saw him. He said to my Dad, �Is this your son, Walker?� My Dad introduced me and he said say hello to Mr. Jones, and I did. He put his hand on my head, and he said, �Walker, are you going to be a golfer like your Daddy?� I said, �No sir, Mr. Jones. I want to be a golfer like you.� I can remember that just like it was today. He was swinging his fairway wood hitting pine cones. He said to my Dad if he could hit the golf ball as good as he can hit these pine cones, he could still win.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: How old did you say you were � 7?

WALKER INMAN JR.: I was 7 or 8. I was born in �29, so that was about 1938. I guess I was about 9 years old.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Was your dad a pretty good player?

WALKER INMAN JR.: He was about a 3 handicap player. He played with Jones when they were in college together and that kind of thing. That�s where his friendship and golf came from that.

When I qualified for the Masters, he [Jones] welcomed me there and was very excited about having me play. I teed off the first hole - I was as nervous as a cat on a tin roof - finally hit the ball up the fairway, managed to hit a 6-iron in the middle of the green and holed about a 30-footer. And I thought, shoot, there�s nothing to this. I said, �This is easy. I thought this was going to be hard.�

Walk over to the second tee, and as I�m going through the ropes, there�s Mr. Roberts and Mr. Jones sitting on a golf cart on the side of the tee. Mr. Roberts comes over to me and says, �Walker, Mr. Jones and I are very happy to have an Augusta boy playing in our tournament for the first time, and Mr. Jones is a good friend of your Dad�s, and Mr. Jones would like to watch you play a few holes. Do you mind?�

Now all of a sudden my nervousness comes back and I got to perform for the best player that�s ever walked around. That was quite an experience. They drove the cart around nine holes and watched me play. I wish I had a picture of that, but no cameras on the golf course so I don�t have a picture.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: From what I read, you had a pretty good day that day, and then it sounded like in that last round, they had weather like this year.

WALKER INMAN JR.: The wind was blowing between 45-50 mph gusts.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: That must have been brutal.

WALKER INMAN JR.: You couldn�t stand up to putt.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: And on those greens � I can�t even imagine how you could play those greens.

WALKER INMAN JR.: Well, you couldn�t. And the greens in those days weren�t as fast as they are today because they didn�t have Bentgrass on them. But they still were fast because of the undulations. You couldn�t stand still the wind was blowing so hard. It made putting more difficult than hitting a full shot.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Well, I�m sure at that point in your career you thought you�d�

WALKER INMAN JR.: I thought I�d be there many more times, and of course it never happened any more.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: It�s a good thing you did get to play in the Masters, though.

WALKER INMAN JR.: That was kind of a goal of mine when I first turned pro. Get in the Masters and play in front of my hometown friends and I did it, so that�s a memory I�ll always have.

-The Armchair Golfer

Get Your FREE 2009 Masters Tournament Guide!
I recently published a 44-page 2009 Masters Tournament Guide filled with need-to-know information, stories, interviews, humor and more. I�d like you to have one. Just sign up for your free guide at above right (under the brown box) and I�ll rush it to your email inbox.

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Masters Week: interview with Zach Johnson

2009-04-07T07:59:00.009-07:00

Question: With The Masters approaching, how is your preparation for a major different than a weekly tour stop?

Zach Johnson: Playing in majors takes a lot more out of you. There is the added pressure and hype, and overall the week can be a grind. I try to make sure that I don�t overdo it the week of the tournament so that I am fresh come Thursday when the tournament begins. Because of this, I have found that it is best, if I take off the preceding week and focus and practicing and getting some hard work done. With the Masters, this week I am home at Sea Island really concentrating on my wedges and putting which both need to be sharp to play well at Augusta National.

Question: Many people would consider Amen Corner one of the most, if not the most difficult three holes of Augusta National. Would you agree with that or is there another part of the course you feel is most difficult?

Zach Johnson: Well, over the years with the changes to the golf course, I consider the entire 18 holes to be pretty tough. No doubt, Amen Corner is a hard stretch of holes, with 11 in particular being extremely difficult. Number four from the back tees is quite challenging as well.

Question: As a past champion of The Masters, does that put more pressure on you or being that it is a major makes it pressure- packed regardless?

Zach Johnson: No, I don�t think so. If anything, I think being a past champion helps because I know that I have had success here and am capable of playing well and winning. Having those great experiences to fall back on helps with my mental preparation. To me pressure is a privilege, and typically if you are feeling pressure you are doing good things and in the hunt.

Question: Outside of winning The Masters, do you have another favorite Masters moment?

Zach Johnson: I�ve have had so many great Masters� moments in my short career that I feel truly blessed. If I had to pick one I guess it would be the first year I had my Dad caddie for me in the Par Three Tournament. That was a lot of fun and really special.

Question: How do you think Augusta National sets up for your game?

Zach Johnson: I think Augusta National sets up well for my game, especially if it is playing firm and fast. If I drive it well and am sharp with my wedges and putting, I feel like I have a good chance to compete and do well. I love the golf course and really enjoy the challenge it brings.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

In Pat Perez's bag

2009-04-07T07:59:00.007-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

2009 Masters Field

2009-04-07T07:59:00.005-07:00

Robert Allenby (Australia) (14, 16, 17, 18)
Stephen Ames (Canada) (14, 17, 18)
Stuart Appleby (Australia) (10, 14, 16, 17)
Aaron Baddeley (Australia) (17)
Briny Baird (16)
Angel Cabrera (Argentina) (2, 17)
Chad Campbell (14, 16)
Michael Campbell (New Zealand) (2)
Paul Casey (England) (10, 17, 18)
K.J. Choi (Korea) (14, 16, 17, 18)
Stewart Cink (10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Tim Clark (South Africa) [...]

Read More...

[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Still the same old Tiger Woods

2009-04-07T07:59:00.003-07:00

I just saw on The Golf Channel a breakdown of Tiger Woods's preshot routine this year on the final putt @ Bay Hill and last year.

Can you believe they were exactly the same not only in terms of practice putts, foot steps, and motion, but also in terms of total seconds? Exactly 16-17 seconds for Tiger to execute his putt once he addressed the ball. Uncanny. Same result.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods comes back from 5-strokes down to dismantle another foe at Bay Hill

2009-04-07T07:59:00.001-07:00

If the Arnold Palmer Invitational were a UFC fight, the match could have been called after the second hole on Sunday. After just two holes on Sunday, Tiger Woods erased Sean O'Hair's 5-shot lead to a 2-shot lead. By then, Tiger had his foot on O'Hair's throat and never let up. By then, we predicted on Twitter that the match was over -- even though there was 4 hours and 16 holes left to play. The look on O'Hair's shaken, tense face said it all: he was another dead man golfing against Tiger Woods, with 16 holes left to play. Inevitable.

But we all knew the ending (and if you didn't, you don't know Tiger Woods). It's the same ending we've seen Tiger pull against Phil, Ernie, Vijay, Weir, Goosen, Dimarco, Rocco, Sergio, Love III, Bob May, Monty, Olazabal, Duval, Norman, Appleby, and just about everyone final round opponent Tiger has faced (except Hal Sutton "be the right club"). It was the same ending Tiger pulled off as an amateur in 1996 at Pumpkin Ridge, coming back from 5-holes down to beat Steve Scott.

But no matter how much we've witnessed Tiger Woods beat his opponents, it never gets old. Sunday's match-winning putt at Bay Hill (a repeat from last year) was just another virtuoso performance by a golf genius. We are lucky to behold Tiger's mastery.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Win McMurry recaps Round 1 of Transitions: Jim Furyk

2009-03-24T13:13:00.013-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Retief Goosen wins Transitions, 1st time since 2005

2009-03-24T13:13:00.011-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

If Garcia wins the Masters I�ll play golf naked, and Golfsmith will give you a TaylorMade driver

2009-03-24T13:13:00.009-07:00

Wow the folks at Golfsmith are big risk takers. Read a portion of their press release below, but it basically says that that if you buy one of three TaylorMade drivers from Golfsmith between now and April 11th, you’ll be refunded your money if Sergio Garcia wins the Masters.
It is no secret that I’m [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Golf On TV This Week

2009-03-24T13:13:00.007-07:00

Arnold Palmer Invitational

Thursday 3/26
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
GOLF

Thursday 3/26
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM ET
GOLF

Friday 3/27
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
GOLF

Friday 3/27
8:30 PM - 11:30 PM ET
GOLF

Saturday 3/28
2:30 PM - 6:00 PM ET
NBC

Sunday 3/29
2:30 PM - 6:00 PM ET
NBC

J Golf Phoenix LPGA International

Thursday 3/26
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET
GOLF

Friday 3/27
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET
GOLF

Saturday [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Transitions Championship TV Times

2009-03-24T13:13:00.005-07:00

Transitions Championship Television TImes

Thursday 3/19
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
GOLF

Friday 3/20
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
GOLF

Saturday 3/21
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
NBC

Sunday 3/22
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
NBC

Read More...

[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Next Tiger Woods appearance at Bay Hill next week

2009-03-24T13:13:00.003-07:00

Let me take you back to February 15, 2009. Tiger hadn’t played on tour in roughly eight months. I predicted his upcoming schedule exactly:
Accenture Match Play is a good candidate for Tiger�s return…
Doral on March 12 is a strong candidate for Tiger to play, and the Arnold Palmer Inivitational March 26th is a very [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

What Not to Say While Caddying for Erica Blasberg

2009-03-24T13:13:00.001-07:00

LOOK WHO�S CADDYING for LPGA Tour player Erica Blasberg.

�Yep, it's true,� writes Shane Bacon at Dogs That Chase Cars.

�This week I will be at the J Golf Phoenix LPGA International Presented by Mirassou Winery at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix, Arizona, caddying for a real, live LPGA girl in a real, live LPGA tournament. What you got to say about that, Rick Reilly?�

Shane is a golf blogging pal, and I told him I have complete confidence in his abilities. I mean that. But just in case he gets a case of the nerves, I�ve compiled a short list of things he might want to avoid saying to Erica this week.

�I think the red tees are up there.�

�Don�t go right.�
(If there�s trouble right.)

�What yardage book?�

�Don�t go left.�
(If there�s trouble left.)

�I don�t know why there are 15. I counted 14 when we left the range.�

�Eventually.�
(If Erica asks, �Do you think I can get there with a 5-iron?�)

�How about breaking par?�
(If an angry Erica says, like Fulton Allem once said, �I feel like breaking something.�)

�Wow! Check out her swing!�

�Hit it, Alice.�

-The Armchair Golfer

(Photo: LPGA Tour)

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Win McMurry previews CA Championship @ Doral

2009-03-19T10:05:00.041-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

NBC will show Tiger Woods on weekend if he's out of Accenture by then

2009-03-19T10:05:00.039-07:00

Wow. How's this for covering Tiger Woods? NBC says it will show a lot of Tiger on the weekend -- even if he's out of the tournament.

Maybe the PGA Tour should give Tiger Woods a bye to the semifinal round, in order to ensure media coverage and ratings? What say you, dear Readers?

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods talks about beating Brendan Jones @ Accenture

2009-03-19T10:05:00.037-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Geoff Ogilvy beats Paul Casey @ Accenture

2009-03-19T10:05:00.035-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Wells Fargo bank to hide its name from PGA sponsorship

2009-03-19T10:05:00.033-07:00

Wells Fargo bank acquired Wachovia, which hosted the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte. Wells Fargo has received $25 billion in bailout money from the U.S. government.

Now, Wells Fargo wants to drop its name from the tournament and stop all entertainment events, given the negative publicity Northern Trust bank received from receiving bailout money and hosting a golf tournament. The tourney will be called the Quail Hollow Championship for the golf course where it is played. (More)

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Should bailout banks receiving billions of U.S. taxpayer money be allowed to sponsor PGA tournaments?

2009-03-19T10:05:00.031-07:00

Rep. Barney Frank and PGA commissioner Tim Finchem have debated the issue. According to WSJ, "Mr. Finchem acknowledged that this controversy already has negatively affected tournament sponsorships. Both Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo & Co., which are sponsoring tournaments this spring, have said that they will scale back or curtail the entertaining of clients at those events."

This is complex issue. If the banks are under contract to sponsor a PGA tournament, not sure they can just bail on their contractual obligation without monetary consequences. We'd have to look at the terms of the contract. On the other hand, let's say that a golf sponsorship costs $20 million or more, but ends up being a loss for the banks or sponsors. It would be hard to justify letting a bank receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer money draining more money on PGA golf tournament.

What say you, dear Readers? Should banks receiving US taxpayer money be allowed to sponsor PGA events?

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Natalie Gulbis wins the Celebrity Apprentice (we hope!)

2009-03-19T10:05:00.029-07:00

Natalie Gulbis talks about her fellow competitors on the Celebrity Apprentice. Click here for her comments in USAToday If you can read in between the lines (wink, wink), it looks like Natalie won the competition or at least stayed on the show for a while.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger to play in Australian Masters, for a $3M appearance fee

2009-03-19T10:05:00.027-07:00

Tiger Woods is playing in the Australian Masters this November. Unlike the PGA Tour, other tours can pay appearance fees so Tiger is getting his, a paltry $3,000,000. Tiger’s appearance fee for one non PGA Tour event is more than many PGA Tour players make in a year.
I get an appearance fee too
I’m [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Hank Haney fixing Charles Barkley's swing becomes big hit for The Golf Channel

2009-03-19T10:05:00.025-07:00

Last week's reality show featuring Tiger Woods's swing coach Hank Haney, trying to fix Charles Barkley's golf swing drew 800,000 viewers. That was the best ratings for The Golf Channel in 2009 outside of Golf Central and tourney coverage.

I watched the show and absolutely loved it. It's especially nice to see the world behind Hank Haney, Tiger's coach. Haney revealed the "Tiger workout" schedule, starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. It was almost unbelievable.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Lee Trevino favors rule requiring Tiger Woods to play every tournament once every 3 years

2009-03-19T10:05:00.023-07:00

Lee Trevino supports a rule change that would require every player -- read Tiger Woods -- to play every PGA event at least once every 3 years. Or else go to the European Tour. (More) There's been much talk about this kind of requirement for a while. In this depressed economy, where sponsors for tourneys may be falling by the wayside, I think we'll see a renewed push for this requirement.

The problem with this proposal, though, is that it doesn't make sense under the current PGA season, which stretches from January to October, if not November. No professional athlete should be required to play a season that long, playing nearly all events, and risking long term injury. Tiger Woods is the most marketable asset of the PGA. He should not be required to risk greater wear and tear on the knee by playing more events than he wants to. However, I might be in favor of such a requirement of mandating every player to play every tournament (every 3 years) IF the PGA shortens the season to March to end of August.

What say you, dear readers: should the PGA require Tiger Woods to play every tournament, once every 3 years, even if the season stretches from January to October?

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

SwingVision - Tiger Woods Driver

2009-03-19T10:05:00.021-07:00

To commemorate Tiger Woods' return to the tour this week at the Accenture World Match Play Championship, I dug up a SwingVision video from a couple of years ago showing him hitting driver off the tee. As you can see, Tiger tees the ball low for greater control. If he teed it higher, like Vijay, he'd be able to raise his angle of attack with the driver and drive it much further. But if there's one thing Tiger doesn't lack, it's distance! Boy, I sure do miss those SwingVision close ups of ball impact, don't you?

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[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

Anthony Kim: what's in my bag?

2009-03-19T10:05:00.019-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Natalie Gulbis looks hot in black dress

2009-03-19T10:05:00.017-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods beats Brendan Jones

2009-03-19T10:05:00.015-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods is losing match to Tim Clark @ Accenture

2009-03-19T10:05:00.013-07:00

We are live Twittering the event. Follow us here on Twitter.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Is Sergio Garcia the new World No. 1 in golf?

2009-03-19T10:05:00.011-07:00

Apparently, World No. 2 Sergio Garcia is within striking distance of overtaking Tiger Woods for the No. 1 spot. A victory next week for Garcia, plus a second or third the week after, and a poor showing by Woods, would catapult Garcia close to the No. 1 spot. More.

Figuring out the World Rankings in golf is like figuring out how the TARP money will be spent on failing banks. That Tiger Woods could have been gone from golf for 8 months and still retain his No. 1 status does raise some questions about the meaning of the rankings. Could Tiger be the No. 1 player in the world, for example, if he took an entire year off? I am in favor of making the rankings reflect more the current standings.

That Sergio Garcia is No. 2, when Paddy Harrington had a better year than he did in 2008, also raises questions about the rankings. Something seems not right here.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods press conference @ Accenture

2009-03-19T10:05:00.009-07:00

Click here for the entire interview of Tiger.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Natalie Gulbis @ Thailand

2009-03-19T10:05:00.007-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Perspective

2009-03-19T10:05:00.005-07:00

After the round at Doral yesterday my boy and I were looking at Tiger’s scores for his four rounds: 71, 70, 68, 68. Tiger wasn’t too thrilled with the results but commented that his ball striking was good.
My boy turned to me and asked, “What’s your best round ever? 68?”
I answered, “Yes, [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Accenture Match Play suffers devastating blow after Tiger Woods and all No. 1 seeds lose

2009-03-19T10:05:00.003-07:00

I'm staring at the brackets. It does not look good. No Tiger. No Sergio. No Vijay. No Paddy. No Anthony Kim.

The only way that the weekend can be salvaged, in terms of TV ratings, is if Phil Mickelson faces Ernie Els on Saturday. Rory McIlroy against Camillo Villegas would be fun, but not sure these young guns are well known to be a draw. Justin Leonard against Jim Furyk would be a good match-up, but these guys are not that exciting. Of course, there's no guarantee any of these matches will occur; it all depends on what happens Friday.

The bigger problem, though, is the Sunday finals. I don't see a really exciting matchup for TV. The Gary Player and Sam Snead side of the draw has no one exciting left from a TV audience perspective. At least the other side could produce Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, or Camillo Villegas.

Don't get me wrong, the players remaining are all good. But the TV audience drops like a rock in water if there's no Tiger. Unfortunately, the Accenture Match Play is not like March Madness where viewers watch for the upsets and underdogs.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Phil Mickelson wins Doral CA Championship

2009-03-19T10:05:00.001-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Golf on TV this week

2009-03-19T10:04:00.025-07:00

WGC - CA Championship

Thursday 3/12
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
GOLF

Friday 3/13
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
GOLF

Saturday 3/14
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
NBC

Sunday 3/15
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET
NBC

Puerto Rico Open

Thursday 3/12
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET
GOLF

Friday 3/13
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM ET
GOLF

Saturday 3/14
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM ET
GOLF

Sunday 3/15
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM ET
GOLF

AT&T Champions [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Henrik Stenson, Golf's First Male Underwear Model?

2009-03-19T10:04:00.023-07:00

There were a couple of important things we learned from the 2009 CA Championship at Doral Golf Resort & Spa:

Mickelson's game is in top form heading into the Masters
Tiger Woods' swing is the best it has looked since perhaps 2000
Henrik Stenson wears tighty whities

Most people don't know about #3 because it didn't make the television broadcast. But luckily for us, an alert shutterbug was able to capture the moment in pictures!

Apparently, Stenson stripped to his skivvies to avoid soiling his clothes from hitting out of the water hazard. But c'mon, doesn't he get those stylish threads for free anyway? Surely he could have borrowed Fanny's caddy bib. Maybe Stenson signed with a new underwear sponsor that demanded more exposure. On second thought, I think he was simply looking for a good excuse to show off that professional athlete bod of his. Golf is a sport, right?

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[Source: Grouchy Golf Blog]

Ratchet Belt Review

2009-03-19T10:04:00.021-07:00

Over the course of a year a few things in my golf world change. My handicap goes up in the spring and proceeds downward until the winter snow shuts the game down for the year. One thing which seems to follow a similar seasonal change is my waistline. I seem to have [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

YE Yang wins Honda Classic

2009-03-19T10:04:00.019-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods to play Doral next week

2009-03-19T10:04:00.017-07:00

Tiger's back. Will he win?

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

The Economic hazard: why Tim Finchem and PGA Tour are in big trouble

2009-03-19T10:04:00.015-07:00

Now that all the hoopla about Tiger Woods's return has died down, it's time for the golf world to take a reality check. The PGA Tour is in trouble, big trouble.

Here's why: Sponsorships for nearly half (20) of the PGA tournaments are expiring in 2010. U.S. Bank and FBR have both announced they will stop sponsoring. Another bank, Northern Trust, received flak from Congress for hosting a golf tournament while receiving bailout money. By my count, at least 8 other tournaments are sponsored by entities from the banking, financial, or insurance sectors--areas hit really hard by the economic downturn. 5 are sponsored by car manufacturers (including 2 by Buick), another sector in dire economic straits. Mercedes has already announced that it may stop its sponsorship of the season's first tournament.

According to USAToday, "Tour officials are pursuing new sponsorship deals with companies in the energy, retail and environmental industries to try to make up for a potential exodus of sponsors." Even Tiger Woods is worried, saying: "The Tour is obviously feeling it, just like any other part of the business world. I think it is very important for all of us to understand how important the sponsors are to our sport. ... We may be losing a few tournaments, and a lot of tournaments are coming up on their contract years. This is a very important year."

Meanwhile, PGA Commissioner reportedly gets paid between $4 to 5 million per year. Yet it was his lame-brained idea for the failed FedEx Cup playoff system that has leveraged golf with $10 million escrow payouts each to Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. It was also under Finchem's tenure that the PGA Tour expanded beyond reason to run from January to October and even November. That expansion, however, was not appealing to Tiger Woods, who has, quite sensibly, skipped events in order to spend time with his family and to otherwise stay fresh. For those unlucky tournaments that Tiger skips (or misses due to injury), the TV ratings are usually down 40-50%, and attendance goes down as well.

In other words, the PGA Tour is a one-trick pony (or tiger). Its fortunes ride on the shoulders of Tiger Woods. Yet the expansion of the golf season, creation of the gimmicky FedEx Cup playoff system, and bloated salary of the Commissioner and other excesses of the PGA Tour have all been poor choices. They have left the PGA Tour in a precarious financial position right now. The prudent thing for Tim Finchem and the PGA Tour to do would be to contract the season: concentrate on fewer tournaments with fewer sponsors, but nearly all of which feature Tiger Woods. (The NFL does a great job for football, in a short season that culminates in the Super Bowl, one of the most watched events of the year.) The shortened golf tournament schedule should start in March, not January. The lame-brained FedEx Cup playoff should be scrapped, while more money should be thrown into the 4 majors. The PGA Commissioner should take a pay cut. The price of admission (and bottled water) at PGA events should be lowered. And then the PGA Tour should hope and pray that Tiger Woods keeps winning for the next 5 to 10 years.

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Win McMurry recaps Accenture

2009-03-19T10:04:00.013-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Fantasy Golf 2009 - Week 10 Results

2009-03-19T10:04:00.011-07:00

FANTASY GOLF WEEK 10 NOTES

Two more weeks until the 1st 3rd of the season is in the books and someone wins a pair of VedaloHD sunglasses!
I’m happy to announce that my good friend and fellow golf blogger Rich (EatGolf) won week 10!
Week 10 winner: “EATGOLF“
Winners contact me to claim prizes!

PRIMARY SPONSORS
(click now and thank ‘em!)

Weekly [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Phil silences the Sergio #1 talk, and plays right handed

2009-03-19T10:04:00.009-07:00

Lefties hitting right-handed, righties hitting left-handed…
Did anyone see Phil Mickelson’s right-handed shot out of the bushes with his club turned upside down? I rolled that back a few times on my DVR. While I don’t agree that the shot choice he made was a wise decision, it was impressive. The result wasn’t [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

2009 Transitions Championship TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2009-03-19T10:04:00.007-07:00

THE 2009 TRANSITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP is underway at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Purse: $5.4 million
Winner�s share: $972,000
Defending champion: Sean O�Hair

Inside the field
Inside the course

2009 Transitions Championship Leaderboard

TV SCHEDULE

Twelve hours of TV coverage are on tap for the 2009 Transitions Championship.

Thu, 3/19:
GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Fri, 3/20:
GOLF 3p - 6p ET

Sat, 3/21:
NBC 3p - 6p ET

Sun, 3/22:
NBC 3p - 6p ET

PGA Tour radio coverage

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Win McMurry recap: Phil Mickelson leads

2009-03-19T10:04:00.005-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods loses to Tim Clark, 3 and 2

2009-03-19T10:04:00.003-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Tiger Woods talks about Lebron James or Kobe Bryant as MVP

2009-03-19T10:04:00.001-07:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Perhaps GolfNow.com should change their name to MaybeGolfSometimePossiblyIfWeGetAroundToIt.com

2009-03-04T09:36:00.015-08:00

A blogger friend of mine was telling me back in January that he was having some decent revenue results as a result of joining the GolfNow.com program. He suggested I sign up. Since this site takes a pretty penny out of my personal pocket to keep it running I thought I’d give their [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Geoff Ogilvy beats Paul Casey @ Accenture

2009-03-04T09:36:00.013-08:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Win McMurry recaps Accenture

2009-03-04T09:36:00.011-08:00

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[Source: The Golf Blog]

Q&A: Bob Smiley, Author of �FOLLOW THE ROAR�

2009-03-04T09:36:00.009-08:00

BOB SMILEY IS A FUNNY GUY. FOLLOW THE ROAR, Bob�s book on tailing Tiger Woods during the 2008 season, is filled with wit and the right touch of silliness. Some of the characters and anecdotes reminded me of a Bill Bryson tale.

But here�s another thing about this TV writer: He is a smart observer of this crazy game. If you read this book, I�m pretty certain you�ll make some new discoveries about Tiger (and pro golf), just as Bob did on his 604-hole trek. And you�ll have plenty of laughs along the way.

Bob answered my questions yesterday.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: First of all, for all of us guys, how in the world did you talk your wife into this adventure?

BOB SMILEY: Easy. After being more or less unemployed for two years, my wife�s definition of �legitimate job� had grown a little fuzzy. Then, at the end of January, right as I was leaving for the Buick Invitational, HarperCollins signed on to the idea. It also helped that I was going to follow a golfer who only played 15 times a year. She never would have given me a green light to follow Vijay Singh for the year. Then again, neither would HarperCollins.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Can you take on any of us guys like, you know, as a coach?

BOB SMILEY: Sure. And in this economy, I don�t even care what kind of coach you�re talking about. I�ll pretend to be an expert.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: I noticed you kept a very precise timeline in the book. What was your timepiece of choice?

BOB SMILEY: Most of the days, just a normal wristwatch. But occasionally I�d wear one of those giant clocks around my neck like Flavor Fav.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Starting on your next answer, could you add a timeline to the rest of this Q&A, like in the book? I think that would be kind of cool.

BOB SMILEY: 10:26 a.m.* No thanks.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Can you share one of your �aha�s� about Tiger, something you would not have learned about him without following him the way you did?

BOB SMILEY: Tiger is much more personable and likeable than the Ivan Drago-type persona he usually displays during his round. On plenty of occasions, usually when he was waiting for a ruling or sitting on a backed-up tee box, he would drop the facade and joke with his fellow players, caddies, even fans. But the second it was time to play, the shield went up and it was back to business.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Do you think golf spectators ever �choke�?

BOB SMILEY: Oh sure. Usually this comes in the form of indecision. �Should we wait here next to the tee or go to the green? Or should we grab some hot dogs? Hey, is that Joe Durant?� By the time you decide what you want to do, you�re half a hole behind Tiger and his mob.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: What were some of the strangest things you saw on your side of the ropes during those 604 holes?

BOB SMILEY: I met a guy named Kenny at Bay Hill who got caught in a rainstorm, didn�t bring a jacket, and didn�t have money to buy one. So he slithered into a green trash bag that he stole from a janitor and shuffled down the cart path, his feet only able to move a few inches at a time.

At the U.S. Open, I saw people having panic attacks or passing out from the crush of fans. A golf course isn�t normally the place you�d expect to see people suffering from claustrophobia.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: You recently traveled to the Accenture Match Play in Arizona to witness Tiger�s return to golf. What happened to you in the desert?

BOB SMILEY: I wanted to be there for Tiger�s return, to experience the madness of following Tiger one last time. After watching Tiger knock off Brendan Jones, I walked into a cactus, accidentally drank a curdled beverage that had been cooking in my car for 24 hours and took it as a sign to go home. I�d learned all there was to learn from Tiger based on what he did in 2008. Turns out by leaving early I saved myself from having to watch Tiger lose.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: Since you left the tournament after the first round, do you think you bear any responsibility for Tiger�s loss, or is it all on him?

BOB SMILEY: I�m not comfortable blaming Tiger or me for his loss. Let�s just blame the USGA for allowing Tim Clark to use that belly putter.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: What were you driving last year when you were following Tiger?

BOB SMILEY: My 2000 Ford Explorer.

ARMCHAIR GOLF: And now that you�re a hotshot golf author, what do you drive?

BOB SMILEY: My 2000 Ford Explorer.

You can also follow Bob at his blog, FORE RIGHT.

FREE Drawing for Autographed Copy of FOLLOW THE ROAR!
Enter the free drawing (at above right) for an autographed hardcover edition of FOLLOW THE ROAR: Tailing Tiger for All 604 Holes of His Most Spectacular Season by Bob Smiley.

-The Armchair Golfer

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[Source: ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG]

Playing golf with Luke today

2009-03-04T09:36:00.007-08:00

Today the temp is supposed to reach 60 degrees. It has been very windy, but hopefully it will die down by 3PM. I’m excited to play golf with my pal Luke Swilor again, and to be starting the first day of the 2009 men’s club.
My game is so off right now due to [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

The Golf Space hits 4000 member milestone

2009-03-04T09:36:00.005-08:00

It has been a while since I did an update on HOG’s sister site, The Golf Space. The Golf Space is a social networking site built specifically for golfers and golf related business.

The Golf Space is golf’s version of Facebook and MySpace all wrapped up into one, minus all the spam. [...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Is Sergio Garcia the new World No. 1 in golf?

2009-03-04T09:36:00.003-08:00

Fantasy Golf 2009 - Weeks 7-8 Results And Standings

2009-03-04T09:36:00.001-08:00

FANTASY GOLF WEEK 5 NOTES

It isn’t too late to join in to our fantasy league and have a shot at weekly prizes!
WEEK 7 WINNER:
"Wall Banger"

WEEK 8 WINNER: "nothreeputtsever"
Winners contact me to claim prizes!
Note: All current prizes have SHIPPED!

PRIMARY SPONSORS
(click now and thank ‘em!)

Weekly Sponsors:

[...]

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[Source: Hooked On Golf Blog]

Wells Fargo bank to hide its name from PGA sponsorship

2009-03-04T09:35:00.001-08:00