Woods Tied to Drug Doctor

The news keeps getting worse for Tiger Woods. Just a hours after he announced that his taking an indefinite leave from playing golf to work on his marriage, the New York Times reported that a Canadian doctor who treated Woods after his knee injury last year is suspected of providing performance enhancing drugs to professional athletes. Dr. Anthony Galea, who was arrested in October in Toronto, had human growth hormone and another drug in his possession at the U.S.-Canadian border in September. The FBI is investigating Galea after medical records found on his computer included the names of several athletes, Woods among them. Galea reportedly developed a blood-spinning technique called “platelet-rich plasma therapy” used to help athletes recover from surgery. Galea reportedly visited Woods in Florida four times last year to give him the therapy when he was recovering from his June 2008 knee surgery. The PGA Tour implemented a drug testing program earlier this year and has already suspended journeyman Doug Barron.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Billy Maxwell.

Hayes Leads Q-School

The golf gods are smiling on J.P. Hayes. The 44-year-old Wisconsin native who has won two tournaments and more than $7 million on the PGA Tour, is tied for the lead at the halfway point of the annual Q-School. You may recall that last year’s Q-School, Hayes DQ’d himself when he realized that he had used a ball not on the USGA approved list. The mistake cost him full playing privileges but earned him plaudits for his honesty. He got into 15 tournaments and won $300,000 but not enough to earn exempt status. After shooting a 63 in the third round Friday, Hayes is in excellent position to regain his tour card if he finishes n the top 25 in the event which ends Monday. Here’s hoping he not only makes it but wins the event.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Bob Burns.

Woods Admits Affair

WOW! Tiger Woods posted this statement on his web site today essentially admitting his infidelity, which may help explain the events of last week. The photo is of Jaimee Grubbs, the Los Angeles cocktail waitress and VH1 “Tool Academy” reality star, who claimed she had a 31-month affair with Woods. Here is Tiger’s statement:

“I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

“Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

“But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.
“Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

“I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.”

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to D.A. Points.

Happy Birthday Lee Trevino

The Merry Mex turns 70 today!

Tiger WDs Own Tournament

Tiger Woods, citing injuries he sustained in his traffic accident early Friday morning, announced that he will not play in his own golf tournament later this week. Woods said that headaches and soreness will prevent him from traveling to southern California for the Chevron World Challenge, a limited field event that raises money for his foundation. Of course, he also will miss a previously schedule news conference and will avoid all those pesky reporters who want to know what really happened when his Cadillac Escalade hit a fire hydrant and a tree at 2:30 a.m. But skipping the tournament will only delay the inevitable. Sooner or later, he will play in a tournament and will appear in a press room and reporters will be asking him questions. Spectators who purchased tickets to the event will be entitled to refunds and those who choose to attend anyway will receive a 20 percent discount on the purchase of tickets for next year’s tournament. Meanwhile, Nike, Gillette and Gatorade issued statements in support of Woods.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Brandt Jobe.

Tiger Explains, Sort Of

Tiger Woods explained that he alone caused the one-car accident he was involved in early Fridayt morning and said he wants the incident to remain private. "This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me," Woods said in a statement posted on his web site. "I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again."
Woods said it was a private matter, and he wanted to keep it that way. "Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible," he said. “The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false."

Expect Woods to face much more scrutiny from the media and the tabloids in the months ahead and it will be interesting to see how he deals with it.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Mike Springer.

Tiger Rumors Abound

The internet is ripe with rumors about an alleged affair between Tiger Woods and a 34-year-old New York woman whose financee died in the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center. The rumors have led to unfounded speculation that his one-car accident at 2:30 a.m. on Friday was the result of a domestic dispute and that his injuries were actually caused when his wife, Elin, hit him in the face with a golf club. My friend JY said she used a mashie. Stay tuned.

Hitting range balls while wondering whatever happened to Peter Lonard.