Survivor PGA West

Hello. Let the final stage of the PGA Q-School begin! This is the ultimate survival test. While it is a little easier than in the past (all the field ends up on either the PGA or Nationwide Tour), the pressure is unbelievable. The difference between Nationwide and PGA Tours is huge, like the difference between fast food and fine dining.
And look at the field! Lee Janzen, Carlos Franco, Duffy Waldorf...all past PGA Tour multiple tournament winners. Janzen has won 2 US Opens! It's amazing someone with that pedigree can fall to the point of having to requalify. How is the ego of these players? Going from not having exempt status when people are saying top 125 is too many must be difficult.
Then there are the young guns itching for their chance. How will they feel knowing they have to battle the Janzens, Francos and Waldorfs, guys they've seen achieve success where they want to be? Will it be a surreal experience? Will "reality set in", as my brother used to say when someone was off to a particularly good start? Or will they be able to focus on the task at hand?
When faced with a 108-hole tournament, patience is the key. While you can't win your exempt status in the first round, you can certainly lose it, especially if you let a bad start get to you. The guys with the most patience will probably be on top at the end.
I'm going to be following The Golf Channel's telecasts on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to see how things go. Here's hoping the players win their spots with great play, and no one blows it.

Regards,
Steve

SI Sportsman of the Year Candidates?

Hello. Every year Sports Illustrated selects its Sportsman of the Year from all sports. With this year being a Winter Olympics year, there are even more candidates than usual. However, two of SI's writers have decided to nominate golfers.
Michael Bamberger has chosen Phil Mickelson because of what he did after he lost the US Open. While Jim Furyk and Colin Montgomerie did not go to the awards ceremony to accept their runner-up medals, Mickelson did. He was friendly to the media afterwards, and signed autographs. Bamberger concludes these actions show Mickelson is a true sportsman. Mickelson thinks of the fans, which is what a sportsman should do. Apparently the other tour players don't like Phil, because, according to Bamberger, they aren't fan focused.
Alan Shipnuck has a different view. He picks Lorena Ochoa not only for her breakthrough year on the course, but also because of her position of support for Mexican workers. Apparently at every LPGA event Ochoa seeks out Mexican workers to talk to them, and speaks whenever she can about their situation.
I also read Bill Syken's article about Vince Young, then quarterback of the University of Texas, who went into the Rose Bowl to play for the NCAA football championship against USC, and had arguably the greatest game ever by a college player in arguably the biggest game ever. Syken says a performance like that, even if only for one game, merits the Sportsman of the Year.
My take? These awards (SI Sportsman of the Year, NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB Most Valuable Player, etc) need better definitions. Bamberger, Syken and Shipnuck all selected a candidate based on their own criteria. I'd use something more objective, like how their season records stack up against the rest of their peers. If Mickelson would've won the US Open, he'd have had 3 majors in a row, and would've been pusing Tiger Woods. There was no question Tiger had a better 2006. Ochoa just beat Karrie Webb, and had no majors. Vince Young didn't win the Heisman, and most of his college season was in 2005. He has now led the Tennessee Titans to an improbable win against the NY Giants, so he may have great things in his future.
The point is, if an award definition somehow ignores the seasons Woods, Roger Federer and Steve Nash had, then it's flawed. Fix the definitions, and the selection will be easier.

Regards,
Steve

Skins Game Irrelevant?

Hello. FYI I read two articles on the web regarding why the Skins Game is no longer the event it used to be. Main reasons used were the field (Ames, Couples, Daly and Funk doesn't have the drawing power of Garcia, Mickelson, Sorenstam and Woods) and the purse is no longer large compared to a PGA event.
I do agree with both thoughts. Originally the purse was relatively enormous. The group was playing for money that would've been about the same size as their career earnings. Now, unless they were playing for $1M/hole, no one would be sweating too much. In fact, since all the guys playing are millionaires (except Daly, who goes through wives and money very quickly), it doesn't raise any eyebrows.
As for star power, the original group was Player, Nicklaus, Watson and Palmer. The equivalent today would be the "Big 5" (Woods, Mickelson, Singh, Els and Goosen). Today's guys don't have the personalities, and miking players isn't new anymore, so that part of it won't be anything special.
Maybe that's the problem. This event is nothing new anymore. It has not changed much in 20+ years. It could be time to break and fix it, or else put it to pasture.
What would I do? Up the purse and/or have the guys play for their own money. If they had a $200,000 each on the line of their own, I'm sure they'd battle more. Changing the course annually may work too.
Give some thought to change, Skins Game. This format needs some work.

Regards,
Steve

My Favourite Tournament III

Hello. More proof the Grand Slam of Golf is my favourite tournament. I started watching the tape delay of it on TSN at midnight Eastern time. I'd never do this for any other non-Olympic event. I still am totally captivated by this event, because of the memories it brings back of when my wife and I played it on our honeymoon.
To say I was impressed by Tiger Woods shooting 66 at this course in the windy conditions they had (Mike Weir was almost blown over on the 7th green while putting) is an understatement. He has to be one of the best ever in coming back after a so-so round with a great score. To beat these guys by 5 (Jim Furyk) and 8 (Weir and Geoff Ogilvy) shots in one round is truly amazing. Anyone want to bet against him in the next 10+ years?
What I like about Poipu Bay is you can score there if you get on a roll. The last 4 holes are usually downwind, meaning they play much shorter than their yardage. Greg Norman drove the 400+ yard 15th hole one year. Of course, you can also meet with disaster, as Mike Weir did on the 7th hole, taking a triple bogey.
This tournament pointed out to me Weir is a long way from getting back to the elite level. In fact, Weir's best golf is probably behind him. Then again, it's tough to get back to #3 in the world and win a major. Especially since he will always be remembered as Canada's best male pro golfer (with apologies to George Knudson). I'll still give Sandra Post the nod as best Canadian pro ever.
Congrats Tiger!

Regards,
Steve

My Favourite Tournament II

Hello. I'm going to miss the 2nd round of the Grand Slam of Golf, unfortunately. My curling team plays shortly.
Furyk is going to be hard to beat, unless Tiger or Geoff Ogilvy goes real low. If Furyk plays like Tuesday, it will take a 63 to beat him.
Mike Weir looks so out of place in this group. His long game is embarassing compared to Ogilvy and Woods. He's not as consistent as Furyk. And his short game is now only fair. He misses too many putts that are in the 6-8 foot range, which is ironic considering he made a "career changing putt" of that length on the 72nd hole of the 2003 Masters to force a playoff he eventually won.
I've found Weir seems to looked tired at the end of his rounds. His scores seem to support it. His bogeys tend to come late, and his Sunday scores are very high. I wonder if he could be training too much. Maybe he should gear back during tournament days.
Will we see these 3 battling each other in 2007? I think so. Furyk and Woods are so consistent, and Ogilvy has to feel confident since he won the US Open. I hope there are a "Big 3" this coming season, because it would make things very interesting.
Enjoy Hawaii! Aloha!

Regards,
Steve

My Favourite Tournament

Hello. Just watching the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, my favourite tournament. It's held at Poipu Bay Resort, a course my wife and I played twice on our honeymoon almost 10 years ago. In fact we played it the day after Tiger Woods won his first Masters. Everyone there was excited because he qualified for his first Grand Slam.
The TV pictures, as nice as they are, don't do it justice. What a lovely part of the world it is. We'll definitely have to go back.
Woods is back trying to win his 7th Grand Slam title. Jim Furyk and Mike Weir are both back for the 2nd time on exemptions. Geoff Ogilvy is playing for the first time.
Phil Mickelson, where are you? How can you pass up this tourney, where you shot a 59? You play two rounds, stay at a fabulous resort (we could only afford dinner one night), and make at worst $150,000 even if you finish last? My kind of tourney!
It just shows how greatWoods is, that he can come to this event all these years. After having a so-so first round look for him to come out hot Wednesday.
However, keep an eye out for Furyk. He has a home in Hawaii, has won many tournaments in the islands, and is at -5. He won his only other time here, and missed quite a few putts. He could be due.
Good luck guys! I wish I was there with you.

Regards,
Steve

Granada, LPGA Big Winners At ADT Championship

Hello. Well, THAT was a season-ending tournament! What drama and excitement the ADT Championship produced. My only regret is I missed the first two days of coverage.
The LPGA has to be thrilled with how the tournament played out. Enough big names made the final 8 on Sunday, including the top 2 players this season, Lorena Ochoa and Karrie Webb. The fact Ochoa had to go into a 6-way playoff to make the Friday cut only increased the drama.
Then on Saturday, to see Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis make clutch shots just to avoid their own playoff was special. They really had to battle, with so much on the line. Move on to Sunday with a 1 in 8 chance to win $1M, or go home. It was compelling TV.
And then on Sunday, to see Webb and Ochoa in the last group trying to catch little-known (but now young rich and famous) Julieta Granada as she fired a flawless 68 a group ahead. Seeing Webb throw away her chance for the money title on the 17th with a pulled iron into the creek. Watching Ochoa push her ball into the hazard. Then seeing both of them get up and down for bogeys, allowing Webb to still tie Ochoa, and Ochoa try for an unlikely eagle to tie Granada. Every shot had my complete interest Sunday.
What can you say about how Granada played? She looked like 20 year veteran instead of a 20-year-old. She was an unlikely but very deserving champion. I don't know how she and her mom caddying for her stayed so composed. I would've been physically ill if I'd been caddying for my daughter in that event.
Some people (including Roger Maltbie) said the $1M first prize was too high for the ladies, considering the next highest is $560,000 for wining the US Women's Open. All I can say is the same thing was said when the PGA Tour Championship first came on the scene. If it produces the Sunday results we saw, and helps increase other LPGA purses, it's a good thing.
Well done everyone!

Regards,
Steve

Annika's Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Hello. In another George White article, he mentions how some think Annika Sorenstam is on the way down because she "only" won 3 tournaments this year, including the US Women's Open. I have two words to describe my thoughts - spare me!
Sure these totals are low by Annika's standards. But how many players don't match these totals for a career? And if she won the ADT Championships this week, she'd maybe finish on top of the LPGA Money List. Again, would most players point to that as a career achievement?
Remember too that Annika has just gone through a divorce. She had mentioned a couple of years ago she was thinking of starting a family. These are major life-changing events. Anyone would be thrown for a loop if their future suddenly took a 180 degree turn. Now marriage and children may not be in her future at all, let alone her immediate future. And with the biological clock ticking, who knows what kind of feelings she's been dealing with?
Annika's in a position that Tiger is also in. She could leave now and be regarded by many as the best player of all time. She's certainly been the best player whose entire career I've seen (I'm a little too young to remember Wright and Whitworth in their prime). What really is left for her to prove?
Having Tiger and Annika on the scene for the last 10 years has maybe made us forget what golf was like before. There was no one dominating the game prior to their arrivals. If someone would've said anyone could dominate like these two have, they'd have been laughed at.
Let's see how Annika comes back in 2007 before writing her off. After all, wasn't Karrie Webb written off before this season?

Regards,
Steve

Big Trouble in China for Goosen

Hello. While it was only one tournament, it continued a disturbing trend for Retief Goosen. Goosen was in contention on Sunday in China, then shot a 73 to finish 3rd.
It has become almost a certainty Retief Goosen will not come through on Sunday. He seems to still be feeling the effects of the 2005 US Open, where he had a 3 shot lead going into Sunday, then did not break 80.
If so, I really feel for him, even more than I do for Phil Mickelson, who is probably suffering the same way. Goosen is a pro's pro. He plays and acts the way you'd want a relative to play andact if they were on the PGA Tour. He's all business, with no ego. From what I've heard too, he's great in pro-ams, always taking an interest in his partners. Of course, he did miss a pro-am in Los Angeles, which got him in trouble.
If Goosen is no longer able to challenge the golfing elite, it will be a true loss. No one wins 2 US Opens and piles up the record Goosen has on both sides of the Atlantic by accident. He's a world class player in every sense.
Will Goosen be able to find his winning ways? Who knows. The ego is such a fragile thing. If he can keep putting himself in contention, I think Goosen will come away with a top victory. Otherwise, it will be sad to see if he becomes the next David Duval.

Regards,
Steve

Great Masters Sundays

Hello. George White wrote a nice column on thegolfchannel.com re Nick Faldo and Greg Norman being paired together in the Shark Shootout 10 years after their Masters pairing when Faldo went in 6 shots behind and ended up winning by 5. Mr. White says that Masters Sunday was "quite possibly the most remembered Sunday in Masters history".
Sorry George, but I don't rank it in my Top 10. These others come ahead of it:

1. 1997 - Tiger Woods sets the 72 hole record becoming the youngest ever Masters champ, and the first African-American to win a major. Some have compared it to Jackie Robinson breaking the MLB colour barrier. I watched it in Hawaii on my honeymoon.
2. 1986 - Jack Nicklaus wins his 6th (and last) Masters by shooting 30 on the last 9 holes to pass the best players of the day.
3. 2003 - Mike Weir becomes the first Canadian to win on the 1st playoff hole
4. 1987 - Larry Mize chips in on the 2nd playoff hole to beat Norman.
5. 1998 - Mark O'Meara sinks a long one on the 72nd hole to beat David Duval and Jim Furyk and Fred Couples
6. 2004 - Phil Mickelson goes 5 under on the last 7 holes to beat Ernie Els
7. 1975 - Nicklaus wins over Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller
8. 1979 - Fuzzy Zoeller beats Ed Sneed and Tom Watson on the first playoff hole
9. 1989 - Scott Hoch misses a putt reportedly <>
10. 2005 - Tiger Woods chips in on the 16th hole to eventually beat Chris DiMarco

Where does the Norman/Faldo duel rank? Well, it should be required study for all competitive golfers on what not to do when you have a big lead, and what to do when you are trailing by a lot. Faldo was in the ideal mindset, and Norman clearly was not.

I asked Stu Hamilton, Ontario champion and world-class amateur, the day after the Norman/Flado duel what he would've done if he'd been Norman. Without hesitation, he said his game plan that Sunday would've been to beat Faldo on Sunday's 18 holes. Forget you had a 6 shot lead, and go for a low score. I agree.

If that lesson makes it "the most remembered Sunday in Masters history", then so be it.

Regards,

Steve

Ochoa Comes Up Big

Hello. Congrats to Lorena Ochoa for her 6th win of the year and locking up LPGA Player of the Year honours. It's well deserved.
Just to put this in perspective, Ochoa becomes the first player not named Webb or Sorenstam to win this award since 1996. That means great players like Se Ri Pak haven't done it. Webb and Sorenstam gave it a try to the end, but were bested by the most deserving winner.
Ochoa is only 24, and the future looks bright. The only thing she didn't accomplish this year was win a major. Since she has yet to win one in her career, I'm sure it will be her #1 priority in 2007. I'm thinking she could win the Kraft Nabisco, as she lost in a playoff to Webb this year.
Ironically, with 6 wins, Ochoa may not win the money title. That's because the first ever LPGA windup event pays $1M+ to the winner, a huge prize in ladies' golf. There are only about 4 players who can catch Ochoa with a win and an Ochoa meltdown, but it is possible. It hopefully will be interesting to see.
Can Ochoa continue at this level? I've always been very impressed with her during her interviews. She talks and acts like a champion. And she's delivered in the toughest of situations.
Congrats Lorena and all the best! It was a terrific 2006!

Regards,
Steve

Champions Tour On The Way Out?

Hello. Well, it could be the beginning of the end for the Champions Tour. According to George White of thegolfchannel.com, there appears to be a void now that colourful names like Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are not playing regularly anymore. Current players like Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Ben Crenshaw, Lanny Wadkins, Greg Norman and Tom Kite are not playing and/or winning as much as PGA marketing people would like. Which leaves the Charles Schwab title up for grabs between Jay Haas and Loren Roberts. While these guys were making headlines on the PGA Tour recently, they haven't got the same charisma as the gentlemen mentioned earlier.
I've never been a big Champions Tour fan because the guys aren't playing for their livelihoods in most cases. Many of the players have already earned a comfortable living before getting on this tour. For the Greg Normans, it's really a no-win situation. Everyone expects you to win, so if you don't, your reputation takes a hit. Norman in particular is running a business empire. Why does he need the hassle for prize money that doesn't do anything for him?
Besides, it's sad to see the "glory players of yesterday" losing to the Allen Doyles and Dana Quigleys of the world. Although golf is supposedly immune to the athletic decay of other sports, it can still happen. When it does, it's painful to watch.
Should the whole tour be scrapped? Maybe it's time to go back to the future, and restart the same way the Champions Tour started - exhibitions with only stars playing team match play or another format where you don't have to count all your shots. Maybe there's more interest in that. For me, it doesn't matter because I won't be tuning in anyway.
Good luck to the Champions Tour. I hope there are brighter days ahead.

Regards,
Steve

Tiger Bashing Continues

Hello. Well, the Tiger bashing continues. Tiger Woods is in Shanghai this week to play on the European Tour. He will then play in Japan before going to Hawaii for the Grand Slam of Golf. A lot of travel in a very short time.
Of course now people are wondering why he's supporting the European Tour and not supporting the Disney or Tour Championships in the good old USA. What's happening?
How about this - Tiger has an Asian background too, as his mother is from Thailand. He and Michelle Wie are enormous draws in Asia for this reason. Tiger's appearance is growing the game in leaps and bounds in China. It's got to be the top sports story in that hemisphere. Over here, the Tour Championship is overshadowed by NFL and college football, among other things, which is why the Fedex Cup next year will be in September.
Here's another reason - would you play in a tournament in Atlanta, then fly to Shanghai late Sunday night or early Monday morning for a Thursday start? That flight on conventional aircraft is 20 hours long, with 12 time zone changes. Yuch! I personally would want to go earlier.
Reason #3 - appearance fees. If people are griping that Tiger goes to China because he gets appearance money, then try to change it so he gets appearance money here. If I had the chance I would go around the world for $1 million+ too. And let's not counter by saying Tiger doesn't need the money. He can give it to the Tiger Woods Foundation, which if it's like every other charity in the world can never have too much money. Any smart business person would make that trip. That's why they are smart business people.
What do people want from Tiger anyway? He could play in any continent in the world year round if he wanted (although Antartica could be tough). He's decided to be a global golfer by playing overseas mostly during the PGA Tour's offseason. Do people want him to not go? Or to go during the PGA Tour's schedule? Or to shutdown completely like Phil Mickelson?
Give the guy who has done more for golf in the last decade than everyone else combined a break. He's earned it.

Regards,
Steve

Zinger Given Every Opportunity For Ryder Cup Success

Hello. Congrats to Paul Azinger for being selected US Ryder Cup captain for 2008. There are a few guys on the US teams over the years that symbolize Ryder Cup. Azinger is one of them. Here's hoping he'll do well.
Azinger seemed to be in a position of strength, as the PGA of America seemed desperate to get someone who could turn the US downward tide in this event. As a result, Azinger was able to get some much needed selection changes to be implemented.
The big one to me is only counting 2007 majors titles for points. In this way, a player's selection would be determined more by 2008 results, which favours the hot player. If someone does well in a 2007 major, the effect usually lasts until 2008. For some it can change their careers.
Having points tied to money is another good one. It then separates the top tourneys from the second tier ones. I think everyone was amazed John Rollins got more Ryder Cup points for winning last year's BC Open than Chris DiMarco got for being 2nd in the British Open. Since both were played at the same time, the BC Open field was clearly inferior. By giving 1 point per $1,000 in a major, and 1 point for $2,000 in a non-major, this issue will never occur again.
Finally, giving Azinger 4 captain's picks, all of which can be deferred until the Monday before the Ryder Cup, gives him the best chance to get players he feels are up to the task. It also helps players who missed multiple tourneys due to injury, etc.
Will these changes help? After the last two Ryder Cups, they can't hurt. If nothing else, they will get rid of the excuses.

Regards,
Steve

Scott Finishes With a Bang at Tour Championship

Hello. What a difference a win makes.
Adam Scott has had a very good season this year. This past week he turned it into a great season with a win at the Tour Championship. Scott was the only player in the field to shoot in the 60s every day at a tough East Lake course in Atlanta.
With this win, Scott moves to #3 on the PGA money list behind some guys named Woods and Furyk (who should also be commended for finishing 2nd in the Tour Championship, and 2nd overall on the money list). As a twentysomething, Scott seems yet again to be Tiger's main rival for 2007.
Will it happen? Well, I thought it would after his win in the Player's Championship a few years ago. Since then his record in tournaments in general and majors in particular cannot compare to Tiger's on any level. In short, Adam Scott is not a very good putter most weeks. He does well in spite of his putting, although it was in fine form at East Lake.
Can Scott make himself a good putter, like Tiger did? I'm not sure. This win may now motivate him to greatness. Hopefully it gets rid of the attitude he had after Tiger won the WGC American Express Championship, when he said he's going to play in tournaments Tiger doesn't play in so he can win. If that comment was not tongue in cheek, then he has to increase his self-confidence when facing Tiger head-to-head.
Maybe Tiger and fellow Aussie Geoff Ogilvy can motivate Scott to improve his performance in majors. If so, 2007 could be a very good rivalry year.

Regards,
Steve

Weir Wondering If New Swing Coach Will Work

Hello. A couple of days ago in this blog I was wondering what was wrong with Mike Weir. Turns out I've found out since then a lot is wrong. Weir apparently injured himself in the quarterfinals of the World Match Play vs Paul Casey so bad he missed the following week's WGC American Express Championship. Now it was announced on tsn.ca Weir is parting ways with his swing coach of 10 years, Mike Wilson.
Weir's explanation was he needs to make changes now so he's ready for 2007. He wanted to get a fresh perspective from a new coach.
I read the headings of some of the comments following the tsn.ca article. It seems like no matter what the subject, by about the 20th comment everyone's calling everyone else a moron. Now I don't mind if you reply to this and say I'm a moron, but don't call fellow readers morons.
Anyway, some of the comments were interesting. Some agreed with my theory that Sunday rounds are causing Weir the most grief. Others blamed the short game. Still others think Mike is no longer hungry.
The question is, what is the root cause? Are swing problems causing Weir to put too much pressure on himself Sunday? Are they affecting his short game? Or are they causing his hunger to make him too frustrated? Only Weir knows.
Will a swing coach change work? Well, it seems to have helped a guy with the initials TW.
All the best Mike! Say hello to the Poipu Bay resort in Kauai, Hawaii for me during the Grand Slam of Golf!

Regards,
Steve

PGA Tour Gets A Taste of Its Own Medicine

Hello. Well, what a role reversal. Everyone seems to have an opinion of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson skipping the Tour Championship this week. Some seem to justify Woods and Mickelson's decision. Geoof Ogilvy summed it up best by saying these two guys are the main reason the players are playing for the money they are now.
The majority seem to fall into the "I can't believe the guys aren't there" category. An event where just showing up gets you $100,000 seems like one you should be attending. I certainly would. A player like Ernie Els, who qualified on his last putt, is happy to be there. Yet Tiger and Phil aren't going to come.
This is of course nothing new for Phil. He's skipped the Tour Championship and the Mercedes Championship before. He wants to be with his family, which is understandable to this father. I wouldn't mind playing Kapalua again however.
Tiger is in new territory, however, as he's been to the previous Tour Championships. Then again, the guys has just finished winning 8 out of 15 events this year. He maybe knows what he's doing. He's got the money title and Player of the Year wrapped up. Why bother going? As I wrote earlier this year, Tiger is probably going to be a part-time player from now on, playing the minimum number of PGA events he can play.
Do I feel sorry for Coca-Cola and Mercedes? No more so than sponsors at other tourneys. If you want to get the qualified players to show up, maybe write it into your contract that you'll disappear if they don't come. That could get someone's attention.
Obviously next year the Fedex Cup will have significantly more money than the Tour Championship this year, so it may get the big guys to come. May. While they say they are, I can't believe they'll play that many events in such a short period.
Well PGA Tour, I guess you know how the Canadian Open and others feel now. Not very good, huh? It's time to review your schedules and events, before no-shows are even more commonplace.

Regards,
Steve