Saturday, February 20, 2010

Tiger Apologizes


So Tiger Woods finally appeared and public and apologized for his behavior that may cost him his marriage and caused several sponsors to rethink their use of him as pitchman for his products. "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated," Woods said in a carefully controlled appearance at the PGA Tour’s clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.. PGA Tour Commission Tim Finchem was in the audience along with several dozen friends and supporters. Elin Nordegren, Tiger’s wife, was not at the event. "What I did was not acceptable." Woods said he plans to return to golf. "I just don't know when that day will be,” he said. “I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game." Woods allowed only a handful of reporters to attend and did not take questions. Kudos to my brethren in the Golf Writers Association of America for boycotting the non-news news conference. They understood that their presence would be to serve as props for Woods. He reportedly returned to an unnamed clinic where he is being treated for an addiction to sex. Forget about the sex and the bimbos. The real test to see if Tiger has learned anything and changed as a result of all this will be how he behaves when he does return to golf. Will he be humbled? Will he be kinder to the fans? Will the swearing and club throwing stop? Will he rein in his renegade caddie Stevie Williams? That’s the change I will be looking for.


Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Tommy Tolles.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Goydos Gags at Pebble Beach


Tour pros hate the word “choke” because it conveys weakness. But if the word fits, use it. I’m talking about Paul Goydos who threw away a chance to win the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday. (Perhaps it's time to undo the top button on your golf shirt, Paul.) Goydos had a one shot lead over eventual winner Dustin Johnson as they stood in the 14th fairway and watched Bryce Molder make a quadruple bogey nine up on the green. Goydos told Johnson that Molder had put his third shot in the worst place to be on the hole, short and left of the green. Guess where Goydos his ball? Bingo. His fourth shot wedge rolled off the back of the green. Just like Molder before him, his next shot failed to make it on and rolled back to his feet. He hit the next one and three-putted for his nine. He finished with a 78, four shots behind Johnson and a T-5 finish. Just last week, Ryder Cup captain Cory Pavin selected Goydos to one of his assistants for the matches this fall. Wonder if he will be giving mental advice.


Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Wayne Levi.


Daly Unretires


John Daly's retirement lasted about as long as one of Mickey Rooney's marriages. But after posting rounds of 69-73-72 for a totalof 214 to miss the cut by three shots at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, perhaps Daly should retire again. He is quickly becoming the Brett Favre of professional golf.


Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Carlos Franco.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Stricker New No. 2


Congrats to fellow cheesehead Steve Stricker on his victory at the Northern Trust Open. It was nice redemption from last year when he had the tournament in his grasp down the stretch but couldn’t close the deal. The win propels him to No. 2 in the World Golf Rankings and he remains the No. 1 PGA Tour Nice Guy. He’s off to another great season.


Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Tom Scherrer.