Golf FanHouse

Romo's 'Informal Workouts' Seem to Include a Lot of Range Balls

Shane Bacon — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:21:00 EST

On Monday, the FanHouse had a story about Tony Romo leaving a golf tournament on the final round after just nine holes because he had to take his girlfriend, Jessica Simpson, to the airport.

The eyebrows were raised on this because Romo was playing with his father, entered the final round with a chance to actually contend for the title and the fact that he, you know, quit. Reports were brought up that Romo actually left for informal workouts with the Cowboys in Dallas, but it must have been some short lived practice, because Tony is back on the links today.

Romo is one of 17 quarterbacks in a field of more than 75 sports stars and celebrities competing in the 19th annual American Century Championship Golf Tournament.

Now I know what you're thinking, he had three days to be in Dallas practicing with his teammates, but no respectable golfer is going to play in a tournament, especially a competitive tournament like this one amongst athletes, without playing at least one practice round. With this quote, you know he isn't showing up on the first tee cold turkey.

"Anything I do, I do competitively," says Romo, who finished 11th last year. "Things like this allow you to feel what it's like to put yourself in a position where there is pressure on you. The more times you can put yourself in that position, the better you'll become at it."

Sure, it isn't Watergate, but it seems a little absurd for a guy to be in Wisconsin, fly to Dallas for a night, knock out some extremely entertaining informal workouts only to hop on a plane and set the cruise towards Lake Tahoe.

Also, it doesn't paint leadership if you fly in for a day of tossing the ball to your receivers only to scream adios with your golf clubs in tow. It's worth noting that the name Tom Brady seems to be missing from the list of players teeing it up this morning.

Romo's 'Informal Workouts' Seem to Include a Lot of Range Balls originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiger Woods, Subjecting Himself to Blogger?

Shane Bacon — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

Tiger Woods has dominated at Augusta National, St. Andrews Golf Links, and now his mother's basement?

Featured on PGATour.com, Tiger has started a blog and in his first installment discusses everything from the Anthony Kim win at his event and his one-legged U.S. Open victory to what he's going to miss from being a spectator the rest of the season.

The thing I'll miss most about sitting out the rest of the season is not being in the fight. Everybody knows how much I love to compete. I was really looking forward to playing in the British Open at Royal Birkdale, where I finished third in 1998, and trying to defend my title in the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills.

The best from the blog is his detailed explanation of the pain during those final days at Torrey Pines. Never one to divulge information, Tiger is fairly open about the struggle he endured that U.S. Open week.

When I walked, my knee throbbed, but it wasn't a shooting pain. Most of the pain came when I swung the club. Certain shots I couldn't lean forward -- that was the frustrating part.

I didn't really have a go-to shot because I wasn't sure where the pain was coming from. I hit a 40-yard pitch shot and felt I was going to fall over. Saturday was pretty bad, but Sunday was worse.

You also have to love how much he wants to be involved in the AT&T National even when he can't be there to host the event.

As for me, it was tough watching the AT&T National on television. It's my tournament and I felt disappointed I couldn't be there. I'm sure I drove our staff crazy with all my calls and text messages, but I wanted to stay as involved as possible.

I'd go out on a limb and say Tiger's one of those guys that can text message really fast.

Anyway, Tiger says he's going to be "checking in when he can" so hopefully this will be a regular thing. Thanks Mr. Woods, because of you every blogger in the world just moved up a karate belt color on the coolness scale.

Tiger Woods, Subjecting Himself to Blogger? originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Van de Velde Qualifes for 2008 British Open, Maybe This Is the Year He Finally Wins It

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:17:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

I've often wondered if Jean Van de Velde would've been remembered as anything more than the first Frenchman to win the British Open in 92 years had he not imploded on Carnoustie's 72nd hole in 1999. The eventual winner, Englishman Paul Lawrie, faded into obscurity shortly after his improbable victory, so it's not like winning one tournament -- even a major -- guarantees anything more than fleeting glory (Todd Hamilton agrees).

But unlike Lawrie, who most casual golf fans would struggle recognize if he walked up and kicked them in the groin, Van de Velde will forever have a place in Open Championship history. Sure, it's not Tiger at Torrey Pines-type memories, but, hey, we can't all be the best player in the world.

Van de Velde qualified for Royal Birkdale, so maybe this is the year he finally wins the thing. Okay, there's a better chance Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia are declared dual champions, but among the three, I'm pulling for Jean. I'm sentimental like that.

Van de Velde Qualifes for 2008 British Open, Maybe This Is the Year He Finally Wins It originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Making A Hole-In-One Is as Easy as 1, 2, 23

Shane Bacon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

If you're ever going to dunk a golf shot in for a one, you might as well do it when a free car is on the line.

Allan Errington of Aberdeen, Scotland made a hole-in-one during a round of golf that can best be described in the headline of the story, rubbish.

Mr Errington, originally from Peterlee, County Durham, said: "It's quite embarrassing. I have only played golf about 15 times, my clubs are pretty basic - and I had to borrow a putter."

I'm pretty sure I can speak from all the uno-less golfers around the world when I say, sigh. This guy has played maybe 15 rounds of golf in his life and he makes a hole-in-one after making 7 on his first six holes? Are you kidding me?

Normal golfers stand on the tee thinking about wind direction, the slope of the tee, distance, pin position, the smart place to miss, previous experiences, a full swing or soft, and all the other crazy things that make golf an insane sport.

Errington's thought process was this.

"I had hit seven on each hole until the 7th, then a six and an eight, so was still averaging seven.

"I got to the 9th and said I may as well use my seven iron as everything else was seven."

Yep, his "seven iron because of all the 7s" theory was an exact science, and the ace landed him a Volkswagen Golf for his effort, which he said he was giving to his father.

The best part of the entire story is Errington lost all 23 other golf balls he had in his bag that day. He's that precise.

Deadspin

Making A Hole-In-One Is as Easy as 1, 2, 23 originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheyenne Woods, Tiger's Niece, Gets Golf Scholarship to Wake Forest

Michael David Smith — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

Recruiting in NCAA women's golf hasn't quite reached the point where it drives the kind of frenzied message board speculation that football and basketball recruiting produce. But the women's golf team at Wake Forest has landed a big-name recruit who will have lots of golf fans talking.

The recruit is Cheyenne Woods, the daughter of Tiger Woods' half brother Earl Woods Jr. She's a two-time Arizona state high school champion, and she picked up golf from the same person who taught Tiger to play: The late Earl Woods Sr., Tiger's dad and Cheyenne's grandfather.

Cheyenne doesn't spend a lot of time with Tiger, but he has given her tips, and she says she knows that as her own golf career progresses, she'll be asked about him more often.
The Charlotte Observer reports:

"When I first started playing, my relationship was no big deal because everyone around home knew about it," she said. "But when I started going to national tournaments, I was answering a lot of questions. ...

"Golf is at the center of my world," she said. "But I don't want it to be my entire world."

Via SBB.

Did You See That?

SAN DIEGO - July 17: Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods, tees off the 10th hole during the 2nd Round of the Junior World Golf Championships on July 17, 2002 at the Lawrence Welk Resort in San Diego, California. (Photo by Dolanld Miralle/Getty Images)

Dolanld Miralle, Getty Images

Fans watch as a ball that popped loose out of New York Yankees' Johnny Damon's glove rests momentarily on the fence before dropping to the ground during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball action Friday, July 4, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Damon made a leaping attempt on a hit by Red Sox's Kevin Youkilis. Two runs scored on the play. Damon left the game after the play. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Julie Jacobson, AP

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Jockey Craig Durden rolls after falling from Toulouse Lautrec the first time around in the Cleanevent Grand National Steeplechase during the Cleanevent Grand National Steeple Day meeting at Flemington Racecourse on July 5, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Mark Dadswell, Getty Images

Chaunte Howard clears the bar during the women's high jump final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., Friday, July 4, 2008. Howard finished in first place to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic team. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel, AP

Seattle Mariners center fielder Jeremy Reed dives to catch a fly ball from Detroit Tigers' Gary Sheffield in the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 3, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Elaine Thompson, AP

In this photo provided by Six Flags St. Louis, Robbie Knievel jumps 25 Dodge cars at Six Flags St. Louis, traveling at approximately 85 mph off of a 25-foot ramp and flying some 25-feet into the air on Thursday, July 3, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. Robbie dedicated the jump to his Dad, Evel Knievel. (AP Photo/Six Flags St. Louis, James Visser)

James Visser, Six Flags St. Louis / AP

San Diego Padres' Michael Barrett, center, is helped by an unidentified trainer, left, and manager Bud Black after Barrett was hit in the bridge of the nose by a foul tip in the third inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. (David Zalubowski, AP)

David Zalubowski, AP

Serena Williams of the US., reacts after winning her Women's Singles semifinal match against China's Zheng Jie on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Thursday, July 3 , 2008. (Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP)

Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP

BHP Billiton China President Clinton Dines holds a Beijing Olympic Games gold medal before an official handing over ceremony in Beijing July 3, 2008. The Beijing organisers took possession of the 3,000 medals for next month's Olympics in a ceremony near Tiananmen Square on Thursday, 36 days before the start of the Games. (David Gray, Reuters)

David Gray, Reuters

OMAHA, NE - JULY 02: Brendan Hansen competes in the preliminary heats of the 200 meter breaststroke during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials on July 2, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. (Donald Miralle, Getty Images)

Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Cheyenne Woods, Tiger's Niece, Gets Golf Scholarship to Wake Forest originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiger Woods Will NOT Be at This Ryder Cup, Please Stop Asking

Shane Bacon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

It has to be hard for a guy as competitive as Tiger Woods to miss out on things like the Ryder Cup.

As much as he hates to lose, the Americans have been getting trounced lately, and were one lucky Justin Leonard putt away from dropping the last six cups in an event they used to dominate in (they've still lost five of six).

It turns out, if Woods isn't competing as a teammate in the event, he'd rather steer clear of the event, even after being offered an assistant coaching position.

"I wouldn't do it for a couple reasons," Woods said in a written statement to fans. "No. 1: I'm not on the team. No. 2: The event should be about the competitors and the competition. The guys will have plenty on their minds and I wish them the best. I'll be cheering loudly."

FanHouse golf coach, Ryan Wilson, already touched on a few of the arguments for Woods being around for the event, but the bottom line is the guy is so competitive, watching the action from a golf cart would probably be too much to take.

Also, it might be worth holding back for a bit, especially if the match is somewhat close on Saturday night and the team needs a boost. Imagine Woods flying up, crutching it into the team room and giving them a speech to end all sports motivational speeches. Hey, I might not work for Disney, but this stuff would sell.

Tiger Woods Will NOT Be at This Ryder Cup, Please Stop Asking originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiger's Tournament Could Be Leaving D.C.

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

Tiger Woods saved professional golf in the Washington, DC area with the AT&T National, but he might take his tournament and going home after 2009. The inaugural AT&T was last July, and after next year's event, it'll need a new venue because Congressional, the current host, will use 2010 to renovate all 18 greens in preparation for the the 2011 U.S. Open.

So now what? For starters, Congressional members will soon vote on whether to keep the tournament from 2012-2017, but in the meantime, AT&T National director Greg McLaughlin has been mulling the options:

McLaughlin said yesterday that there had been some thought to playing the event in 2010 at the nearby TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, now undergoing a $25 million course and clubhouse renovation. But PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem said last week he did not think that course would be ready for a professional event by 2010, and McLaughlin said he will turn his attention elsewhere, most likely outside of the Washington area.

It sounds like courses from Philadelphia to Oregon are under consideration, but, according to the Washington Post's Leonard Shapiro, Baltimore, St. Louis and Minneapolis probably would make the most sense.

Ultimately, I expect Tiger Woods to do what Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus did for their tournaments, Bay Hill and the Memorial: build a course and give it a permanent home.

Tiger's Tournament Could Be Leaving D.C. originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sergio Figures Out Putter Just in Time

Shane Bacon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

If this year's Players Championship was the high point for Sergio Garcia, last year's British Open had to be the cellar.

Sergio opened with a 65, followed by rounds of 71-68 at arguably the toughest course in the world, Carnoustie, but faltered on Sunday, making bogeys on 15 and 18 to land in a playoff with eventual champion Padraig Harrington.

No matter the situation, Garcia's putter will always be to blame. He hits the ball like Zeus on the links, but handles the putter like an elephant giving acupuncture. It's always been his nemesis, but after last week's second place finish in the European Open, Sergio is singing a whole different jingle.

"I managed to putt really well," Garcia said. "Now I know what Tiger (Woods) feels 98 percent of the time when he gets on the greens, so it's a great feeling."

This new confidence comes from a final round 66 where he needed only 21 putts, which conveniently equates to just 1.17 strokes per green.

"It was definitely the best putting round I've ever had," he said.

It wasn't just a fluke round either, Garcia ended the week at the London Golf Club second in putts per green and 11th in putts per round.

With the British steamrolling our way in just nine days, and Woods obviously out of the field, Garcia might just be making his way to the top of the favorites list. In 1998, the last time the tournament was held at Royal Birkdale, Sergio finished in a t-29 as an amateur.

He will always be one of the best ball-strikers at any given tournament, so if that he can figure out Mr. Three Wiggle, Spain might have another champion to celebrate.

Sergio Figures Out Putter Just in Time originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mark O'Meara Thinks Anthony Kim Can Be the World's Second-Best Golfer

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

Okay, it's been less than 48 hours since Anthony Kim fired a final-round 65 and won the AT & T National, and I'm already sick of the "hey, the next Tiger Woods is here!" talk. Granted, I played my part, virtually high-fiving Kim for his performance, but good lord, Tiger didn't die, he's just out of action for a few months.

So can we temper the "changing of the guards talk" talk, already? I mean, let's all take a page from Mark O'Meara's book of sage-like wisdom. The two-time major champion and Tiger's BFF offered Kim some realistic advice last December. Instead of pumping Kim full of false hope, he was more measured in his words, but still encouraging:

"I just conveyed to Anthony, 'You've got as much talent or more than any other player I've ever seen besides Tiger.' And I believe that," O'Meara said earlier this year. "I'm not trying to put pressure on him, and I told him that. I laid it out for him. 'Unless you don't like money and you don't want to win tournaments, then maybe you continue down that other road.'

"He could win multiple tournaments a year, easily, and win major championships. That's how talented he is."

And by "down that road," O'Meara was referring to Kim's temper getting in the way playing well. Overall, though, I think O'Meara's right -- in terms of physical ability, Kim's as good as anybody (except, you know, Eldrick), but you can say that about a lot of guys on tour. The difference, for most of them, is the above the shoulders stuff. And for Kim, he seems pretty mentally tough. Of course, he's 23 -- it's way too early to start crowning asses around this place.

Mark O'Meara Thinks Anthony Kim Can Be the World's Second-Best Golfer originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiger's Apple Getting the Ecko Treatment Plus Possible DNA Testing

Will Brinson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:30:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, San Diego, PGA, US Open

Darren Rovell has been all over the Tiger-Apple-Ebay scene lately, and he didn't skip a beat on the newest development: fantasy sports site RotoHog has purchased the "Monday Apple" eaten by Tiger during the U.S. Open playoff and is holding a vote to determine what they should do with the rotten scrap of fruit.

"We were looking for something that would be a good Golden Palace play," said Shane Igoe, the site's director of content and viral marketing, referring to the online casino that has generated publicity by buying weird auction items.

A la Marc Ecko, who put the Barry Bonds' No. 756 home run ball up for a public vote, the folks at Rotohog are asking the masses what they should do with the apple.

It's a pretty good move on the part of RotoHog -- our nation's collective fascination with food, celebrity and the webbie-tubes are a solid combination to market off of. Of course, unlike Ecko, RotoHog guarantees to actually follow through with whatever the public decides (and is mocking the designer/baseball-history-ruiner on the site, +1). Anyway, head over to the Tiger Apple site and get your vote on.

To keep you prepared before you do, the choices are ...

A. Plant it. Petition San Diego County and Torrey Pines to use the seeds of the apple to plant a tree on the 16th hole of the South course to commemorate Tiger and even Rocco - as we would also donate a rock to sit next to Tiger's apple tree.

B. Plane it. Send the apple--and a lucky person to the PGA--to serve as Tiger's representative since he is currently on the mend.

C. Pound it. Tee it up at Torrey Pines and have a celebrity hitter blast the apple core.

D. Prove it. Send the apple to a leading scientific facility to conduct a DNA test to prove once and for all if it is indeed Tiger's and to gauge any cloning potential.

"C" sounds like the most fun, ala John Daly + Kid Rock + Bronson. But, like Rovell, I think "D" is the most intriguing. We always see these cockamamie shenanigans on the EBays and it would be nice to know for once whether or not something like this was actually real.

Tiger's Apple Getting the Ecko Treatment Plus Possible DNA Testing originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When a Golf Cart Just Won't Do, There's the Segway X2 Personal Transporter

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:53:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

(Ed. note: Stephanie Stradley posted about this in the spring -- and she even provides moving pictures -- but like most things, I'm about three months behind everybody else. But you already knew that.)

Here's something for the discerning golf fan who's too lazy to actually walk the course, but ambitious enough to do something other than ride in a cart: the Segway x2 Golf personal transporter. Because its time has come. Obviously.

The product has been a hit at Santa Teresa [San Jose, CA] and at nearby San Jose Municipal Golf Course. Both facilities purchased 20 Segways last year - by far the largest fleets found at any track in the country. Course officials say the Segways have been used by more than 1,500 golfers on a consistent basis. "Totally fun, totally easy and very novel," Santa Teresa general manager Jim McGrath says of the Segway.

Surprisingly, fewer than a dozen courses around the country are using the Segway. Although I have no proof, I suspect it has something to do with the fact that the chances of a horrific accident go up something like 10 million percent, and that's after you spend a half-hour learning how to operate the thing.

Look, I'm sure it's a swell experience, but I have enough trouble not falling out of the golf cart. I can't imagine my game would actually improve by using my already-limited mental capacity trying to keep the Segway from running into a tree.

I'm for technology as much as the next guy, but when it comes to golf, I'll walk, thank you very much.

When a Golf Cart Just Won't Do, There's the Segway X2 Personal Transporter originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jessica Ruins Another Sport for Romo

Shane Bacon — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:52:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, Golf

Remember that time Tiger Woods was in contention at the British Open, stumbled a little on the front nine and decided to walk off the golf course because Elin wanted to grab lunch?

Oh, you don't? That's probably because Tony Romo is the only famous athlete with a whip wrapped around his, well, you know.

Tony Romo, a native of Burlington, Wis., was home visiting family and decided to join his father, Ramiro, in the Ray Fischer 72-hole Amateur Championship at Riverside Golf Course in Janesville, an event run by the Wisconsin Public Links Association.
The Dallas Cowboys' quarterback, a two handicapper, started well, shooting 69 and 70, five under par, and was tied for third (in a 172-man field) after Saturday's second round. He shot a 74 in the third round on Sunday morning and was fading on the front side of the final 18 when he withdrew and left in a hurry. The reason? He had to get girlfriend Jessica Simpson to the airport.

So you're playing golf with your dad, who is probably so happy he's staring down at those poor souls on cloud nine, and you just jet on him to pick up your girlfriend, when the relationship has always been a bit stubbly, to take her to the airport? Not to get all SNL on you, but really? You're the Dallas Cowboy quarterback and she's made such blockbuster hits as "Blonde Ambition" and you can't afford a rental service?

I have a few rules with sports and relationships, and a big one is if you've committed to an event, whether it's a softball tournament, round of golf or even a keg stand competition, you never leave your buddies while they're holding your feet in the air.

Update: Believe what you want, but according to the DMN Cowboys blog, the reason Romo left is because of "informal workouts." Umm, OK.

Hottest Sports Couples

Yankees star Alex Rodriguez and his wife Cynthia
Relationship Status: Reportedly have separated after a five-year marriage

Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker and tennis star Andy Roddick
Relationship Status: Recently engaged

Getty Images (2)

Racing boss Flavio Briatore and Italian model Elisabetta Gregoraci
Relationship Status: Just Married

Sean Gallup, Getty Images

NBA star Marko Jaric and Victoria's Secret supermodel Adriana Lima
Relationship Status: Recently engaged

Will Ragozzino, Getty Images

Soccer player Roque Santa Cruz and his wife Giselle
Relationship Status: Married since 2004, with two children

Friedemann Vogel, AP

MLB pitcher Kris Benson and magazine model Anna Benson
Relationship Status: Married since 1999, with two children

Brad Barket, Getty Images

NFL star Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen
Relationship Status: Dating since late 2006

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images

Top goalkeeper Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon and model Alena Seredova
Relationship Status: Married since 2007, with one son

Franco Origlia, Getty Images

Red Sox star Jonathan Papelbon and his wife Ashley
Relationship Status: Married since 2005

Amy Sussman, Getty Images

Former tennis star Anna Kournikova and singer Enrique Iglesias
Relationship Status: In a long-term relationship, but Kournikova has reportedly turned down Iglesias' appeals to wed

Randy Belice, NBAE/Getty Images

Jessica Ruins Another Sport for Romo originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Goydos Explains Why British Open, PGA Winners Won't Have Asterisks by Their Names

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

Paul Goydos is funny. He's also giving -- he's the dude who let Sergio Garcia win this year's Players Championship. Anyway, during last week's AT & T National, Goydos was asked if the winners of this year's British Open and PGA Championship should have an asterisk by their names since Eldrick's laid up in Florida.

Mr. Goydos, if you please: "Then we need to put an asterisk next to all 18 of Jack's majors, because Tiger didn't play in any of those."

Golf.com's John Garrity agrees with Godyos, but has a slightly different take:

I say there should be no asterisk because whoever wins the next two majors will have beaten the same field that Tiger outclassed to win his 14 major championships -- i.e., everybody but Tiger. It would actually devalue Tiger's accomplishments to say that another golfer isn't worthy of respect when he beats the very same players under major-championship conditions.

Frankly, it might be going a bit too far to start passing out asterisks since Tiger is currently disabled. I mean, it's not like he was winning every tournament he entered. A better use of the asterisk might be for those rare instances when John Daly makes a cut, or Phil Mickelson only carries five wedges or more than two drivers. You know, the truly important stuff.

Paul Goydos Explains Why British Open, PGA Winners Won't Have Asterisks by Their Names originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tiger Woods Talks Injury

Shane Bacon — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:19:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

When most of the world views Tiger Woods as nothing less than a superhero, it's a bit strange to actually see him at his home, talking about the bum knee that will keep him off the course until 2009.

After the AT&T Classic concluded yesterday, with 23-year-old Anthony Kim taking his second victory of the season, Woods spoke to CBS about all things injury.

Tiger was asked about his rehabilitation and after hearing what he's dealing with, I've decided knee surgery isn't much fun.

As of right now, I just hope I can get up out of bed and go to the bathroom. Little things like that are a challenge, but for me to think about playing golf, that's so far away, I'm just looking forward to walking again and putting weight on this leg for the first time.

He did say he's excited to have the extra time with his daughter Sam, but that he isn't the best at sitting around doing nothing.

Everyone knows I'm pretty fired up, I like to move and keep it going, and sitting still is not easy to do but I don't have a choice. I'm on the good side now (after surgery), I get to sleep more than an hour at a time, I'm starting to get more rest which is good.

It might not be 60 Minutes, but it is a look at a slightly vulnerable Tiger. He never gives an inch on how he feels, so to hear him speak openly about the injury is slightly refreshing. "Hey, guess what, he's human!"

Bulletin to golf fans, the Kim Bandwagon is gassed up and ready to roll. Feel free to join yours truly as the season continues on.

Tiger Woods Talks Injury originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Historically Important: Nadal v. Federer or Tiger v. Rocco

Will Brinson — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, Tennis, PGA, US Open

The Golf Blog asks the big question today that I'm a little embarrassed not to have posited first: was Rafael Nadal - Roger Federer at Wimbledon better than Tiger Woods - Rocco Mediate at the U.S. Open?

Although, in fairness, I probably didn't think about asking it because to me (in a totally personal manner) the enjoyment of watching decent golf outweighs the enjoyment of watching good --> pretty good tennis. But it's still a very viable question, particularly when you shape it in a historical manner.

How will history rank Nadal-Federer Wimbledon 2008 against Tiger Woods-Rocco Mediate at the U.S. Open 2008? Which "major" victory will be considered as the greater victory in their respective sports? It's true Tiger was playing with a torn ACL, but it's hard to overlook the fact that Nadal v. Federer involved No.2 versus No.1 in the finals, plus the already storied rivalry Nadal and Federer have built up.

In that context, the answer is simple: Nadal's win was better. He toppled the world's number one ranked player and he finally overcame the non-clay Federer demons that have plagued him for his career. (All while wearing a nifty Euro-lady-whipper!)

All Tiger Woods did was barely beat a guy he was supposed to demolish ... while playing on one ACL. And I'm not sarcastically trying to take away from Woods' win; if you read FanHouse you know I was just as much in awe as everyone else across the world at what he was doing.

But in terms of importance to sport, well, we've had tons of great golf matchups and incredible golfing moments over the last few years. Tennis? Uh, notsomuch. Andre Agassi's failed comeback and some James Blake semi-heroic moments aside, it's been Federer whipping everyone up and down the court, and it's been boring.

That's why this match -- because it was great, competitive tennis that we haven't seen in almost a decade -- is more important in the historic context of the sport. It might not have been a "better" Sunday afternoon shootout, if you're into comparing apples and oranges, but unless (punching my wooden desk here) that was Tiger's last tournament, I don't see how Nadal v. Federer doesn't go down as more historically important.

More Historically Important: Nadal v. Federer or Tiger v. Rocco originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anthony Kim Happily Assumes Responsibility of Stepping Up, Making a Statement

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

Last month, Shane Bacon put out a call for somebody -- anybody -- among the young golfer set to grow a pair and challenge Tiger Woods. Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh have had some success, but all are at least 36 years old. Sergio Garcia's shining moment came in 1999 at the PGA Championship as a 19-year-old phenom, but his star has flickered ever since.

But yesterday, we got a glimpse at the future: Anthony Kim, 23, fired a final-round 65 and won the AT & T National. It's probably just coincidence that Kim earned his second PGA victory of the season at Tiger's event, but either way, he seems up to the task set forth by Mr. Bacon. In fact, Kim recognizes that somebody needs to step up:

"I think any time there's a younger guy that plays good, there's always a little bit of a buzz that's created and people are looking and hoping to find the guy that's going to challenge Tiger," Kim said. "Right now, he's injured . . . but it's time for the young guys to step up and make a statement. . . . I'm sure he wants people contending and that lights a fire under his belly -- to be in the hunt and have people step up and see what he's made of."

Tiger called to congratulate Kim after the victory and told him "to just keep working hard and keep it up and the sky's the limit and there's no reason to stop now. That means the world to me. I get chills down my back when I think about it."

Maybe we've found our challenger to the throne.

Anthony Kim Happily Assumes Responsibility of Stepping Up, Making a Statement originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anthony Kim Is Becoming Big Time

Shane Bacon — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

Rafael Nadal wasn't the only young phenom making a name for himself this Sunday.

At the AT&T National, Anthony Kim fired a season-low 65 and is quickly becoming the young stud we've all been waiting for.

Kim made a birdie on his final hole Saturday to get within earshot of the lead, and a bogey free final round had him with his second trophy in his last five starts. The AT&T, hosted by Tiger Woods, was lacking with Woods sidelined by injury and not able to even travel to Congressional Country Club. Like you have to expect, Tiger's name came up after the round.

"I would watch everything he did, every move he made, when I was growing up," Kim said. "So to win his tournament is a true honor. I'm very excited."

Kim, 23, is the first golfer under 25 to win two tournaments in one year since Woods did it, getting a ton of help from some of the other players occupying the leaderboard.

Tom Pernice Jr., taking time away from his bellyaching about everything PGA-y, headed into the final round with the lead, but a two-over 72 that included two double-bogeys in his first ten holes Sunday. Steve Stricker, trying to find the form he had most of last season, was in second place through three rounds by a three-over 73 on a easy scoring day landed him in a tie for 18th. Even Jeff Overton, seeking his first career tour win, played the weekend one-over after opening 66-65.

Kim is now fifth on the FedEx Cup list and has made over $3 million so far in just 14 starts.

After the round, Woods gave him a call on his cell phone and Kim answered it, "Hey Bro." I guess Woods needs to realize he isn't the young kiddo on the block anymore.

Anthony Kim Is Becoming Big Time originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Enlarging the Golf Hole to Six Inches Isn't Such a Bad Idea

Ryan Wilson — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:16:00 EST

Filed under: Golf

I'm pretty sure Golf.com's Kevin Cook is kidding when he writes that the USGA, the R&A and whoever else makes decisions about such things, should seriously consider making the hole bigger. That said, it's not a completely insane idea, is it?

Um, yeah, of course it is. But it doesn't mean we can discuss it like adults, right? Cook, presumably with tongue in cheek, argues:

The hole is too small. Other than that, golf's a helluva good time, but its microscopic target has perverted the game since the R&A set the hole's diameter at 4 1/4 inches in 1891. Why 4 1/4 inches? Because that happened to be the width of a hole-cutter used in Musselburgh, Scotland, back when lawn-mowers sounded like this: Baaaaah.

That rusty hole-cutter, still on display at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, was said to owe its size to the width of drainpipes, which were used as hole-liners in those days. Thus did the Victorian-era drain industry set the course of golf history.

He then gets to the crux of the matter when he writes, "The 4 1/4-inch hole puts a huge premium on putting, the most boring stroke, at the expense of shotmaking, the essence of the game. So while a 95-percent-perfect 5-iron is a great shot, a 95-percent-perfect putt is just another miss. How fair is that?"

I get that, but if holes were enlarged to, say, six inches across, the light-hitting, flatstick-wielding magicians like Brad Faxon would become obsolete. And then what? We'd be left with guys hitting golf balls off beer cans, and threatening to kick Steve Elkington's ass for "walking too loudly." And, really, who wants to see that? (Okay, a lot of people, especially Bubba v. Elk, but what about the honor of the game? Nothing? Moving on...)

If nothing else, Cook's proposal would solve one huge problem: "... the plumb-bobbers in the group ahead of me might finally get off the green, and I might drain my first 10-footer since 1999."

Why Enlarging the Golf Hole to Six Inches Isn't Such a Bad Idea originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D.C. Sports Bog Catches Up With Condoleeza Rice at AT & T National

Ryan Wilson — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, PGA

Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg is covering the AT & T National this week and the Washington Post "nominated" (his word, not mine) him to interview Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who was at the tournament Saturday.

After easing into the Q & A (Do you have a policy about mulligans at all?), Steinberg asked some tough questions. Namely, Rice's take on the PGA Tour's news drug-testing program ("... I don't have time to follow such things, but I do think it's important that these sports find a way to be clean..."), her thoughts on Augusta National being a male-only club ("I'm not going to comment on that. It's a private club. I'm not going to comment on it..."), and the President's promise to not play golf as long as the United States is at war, and if Cabinet secretaries have their own policies (Paraphrasing Rice, "to each their own").

But perhaps the most revealing part of the interview was Rice's answer to the question, "Do you have a favorite golfer?"

Well, everybody loves Tiger Woods, and I know him a little bit from Stanford, so he's terrific. But I've got a lot of golfers that I really love watching. Phil Mickelson I love watching, and Fred Funk, who's out here. And a couple years ago I met Stewart Cink. I've met now a number of golfers. Brad Faxon is somebody I love to watch putt.

Forget Tiger or Phil -- that's pretty much everybody's answer to such questions, I just want to point out that Brad Faxon has a fan (which certainly explains this). I'm kidding -- and if anything, it shows Rice knows a little something about golf. Faxon is known for one reason: the flatstick. He's never been particularly consistent with any of the other 13 clubs in his bag, and although he has eight PGA Tour victories, his last was in 2005 (and before that, 2001).

If anything, though, it just goes to show how far a good putter will take you. Faxon annually ranks near the bottom of the tour in driving distance, but he's always one of the best once he's on the green. Mr. Faxon, I salute you, sir.

D.C. Sports Bog Catches Up With Condoleeza Rice at AT & T National originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lorena Ochoa Would Be Willing to Play Against Men (Presumably Including Vijay)

Ryan Wilson — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Golf, Women's Sports, PGA

Lorena Ochoa, the best women's golfer on the planet, wouldn't mind following in the footsteps of the LPGA's previous No. 1 player, Annika Sorenstam.

When a reporter asked Ochoa if she would play against a man, the Mexican said "I am not going to say no." "Perhaps we'll change direction," she added. "I am flexible. We are willing to look at something fun, and it could be fun to play a man."

In 2003, Sorenstam was given a sponsor's exemption to tee it up at the Colonial. She fired an opening round 1-over 71, but would miss the cut after a second round 4-over. Still, Sorenstam played well, particularly since she admitted to being "nervous all day" Thursday.

Her appearance wasn't without controversy, however. Vijay Singh was so excited about a woman competing on the PGA Tour that he got all "pre 19th amendment" about the whole thing:

"It's just different for ladies to play on the men's tour," Singh said. "It's like getting the Williams sisters to play (tennis) against a man, and they're far better athletes than she (Sorenstam) is."

Oh, and at the time, Singh said he would withdraw if he was paired with Sorenstam. Classy. To his credit, he later apologized, so there's that.

As for Ochoa, I'm all for her competing against whomever. Unlike, say, Michelle Wie, who has yet to be competitive on the LPGA, Ochoa has dominated the women's tour. I have very little trouble believing she'd be competitive against men, and that included Vijay. Especially if she catches him when he's yipping his way around the green.

Lorena Ochoa Would Be Willing to Play Against Men (Presumably Including Vijay) originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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