Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Boo Weekley is on the way back
Boo Weekley is on the way back.
He's at Harbour Town this week, playing in the RBC Heritage which he won in both 2007 and 2008, his only two PGA Tour victories. And if he's not exactly Davis Love III at Harbour Town (Love has five tartan jackets), he's the next best thing.
And Boo is back on good terms with golf.
He spent last year dealing with a shoulder issue that ultimately required surgery. He made just 11 of 25 cuts and though Boo led the PGA Tour in greens in regulation, he fell out of the top 125 money winners.
But with a tie for third at the Puerto Rico Open earlier this year and a tie for 14th at the Shell Houston Open, Weekley's game is coming back.
"So far, it's been a great year. I'm ready to play some golf," Weekley said.
He's changed to TaylorMade equipment this year, made a couple of other tweaks and feels fresh. When he hits shots now, there's no fear.
"Last year I didn't feel confident in with what I had and what I was doing in my swing and where I was trying to get the ball to go," Weekley said.
"I was afraid to dig it up. I drive into the ground and there were weeks out there I'd have to go get cortisone shots because I so afraid to dig it out. I don't like playing golf like that. I was playing scared. I was scared to fire it at a pin. I was scared of getting (the club) stuck and the next thing you know, you're tearing it up."
It's all good now.
"It feels good again," Weekley said.
He's at Harbour Town this week, playing in the RBC Heritage which he won in both 2007 and 2008, his only two PGA Tour victories. And if he's not exactly Davis Love III at Harbour Town (Love has five tartan jackets), he's the next best thing.
And Boo is back on good terms with golf.
He spent last year dealing with a shoulder issue that ultimately required surgery. He made just 11 of 25 cuts and though Boo led the PGA Tour in greens in regulation, he fell out of the top 125 money winners.
But with a tie for third at the Puerto Rico Open earlier this year and a tie for 14th at the Shell Houston Open, Weekley's game is coming back.
"So far, it's been a great year. I'm ready to play some golf," Weekley said.
He's changed to TaylorMade equipment this year, made a couple of other tweaks and feels fresh. When he hits shots now, there's no fear.
"Last year I didn't feel confident in with what I had and what I was doing in my swing and where I was trying to get the ball to go," Weekley said.
"I was afraid to dig it up. I drive into the ground and there were weeks out there I'd have to go get cortisone shots because I so afraid to dig it out. I don't like playing golf like that. I was playing scared. I was scared to fire it at a pin. I was scared of getting (the club) stuck and the next thing you know, you're tearing it up."
It's all good now.
"It feels good again," Weekley said.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Clemson's Stanley ready to roll again
Kyle Stanley is trying to de-clutter.
Since his emotional two-week career-changing turn in February -- when he lost a big lead and the Farmers Insurance Classic one weekend only to rally from behind to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open a week later -- Stanley has been coping with changes on and off the course.
He became a star, a player in demand, and it's required an adjustment.
In his last four starts, Stanley has missed two cuts and not finished inside the top 50 in the other two events. He's hoping the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town will be a renewal of sorts for him.
"I've had a lot going on off the golf course, a lot of clutter...it's been hard for me to focus on what I'm doing," Stanley, a former Clemson All-American, said. "We're making some changes, some adjustments. We're in a pretty good spot right now."
Stanley lives just off the island at Hilton Head, having developed a fondness for the area while in college. He also vacationed in the area as a kid, making the trip with his family from Gig Harbor, Wash.
Stanley won the Junior Heritage several years ago and likes the vibe of being back at Hilton Head. He's struggled with his short game in recent weeks but is intent on fixing that.
"I just haven't been very comfortable on the greens," Stanley said. "I'm probably thinking a little bit too much, overanalyzing some things. I just need to get back to my instincts a bit."
Since his emotional two-week career-changing turn in February -- when he lost a big lead and the Farmers Insurance Classic one weekend only to rally from behind to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open a week later -- Stanley has been coping with changes on and off the course.
He became a star, a player in demand, and it's required an adjustment.
In his last four starts, Stanley has missed two cuts and not finished inside the top 50 in the other two events. He's hoping the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town will be a renewal of sorts for him.
"I've had a lot going on off the golf course, a lot of clutter...it's been hard for me to focus on what I'm doing," Stanley, a former Clemson All-American, said. "We're making some changes, some adjustments. We're in a pretty good spot right now."
Stanley lives just off the island at Hilton Head, having developed a fondness for the area while in college. He also vacationed in the area as a kid, making the trip with his family from Gig Harbor, Wash.
Stanley won the Junior Heritage several years ago and likes the vibe of being back at Hilton Head. He's struggled with his short game in recent weeks but is intent on fixing that.
"I just haven't been very comfortable on the greens," Stanley said. "I'm probably thinking a little bit too much, overanalyzing some things. I just need to get back to my instincts a bit."
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
10 reasons the RBC Heritage is cool
Ten things that make the RBC Heritage cool:
1. Men walk around in tartan kilts.
Okay, not a lot of them but some do and, even if they're paid to do it, you don't see that every day.
2. Boo Weekley won this event -- twice.
Find another PGA Tour event that can say that.
3. It's fun to say Calibogue.
Try it -- Cal-ah-bogey. See, you can do it.
4. They have a putting contest for kids on the practice green on Tuesday afternoon.
A few of the pros hang around for it, too.
5. There aren't any cars in ponds at Harbour Town.
There are, however, some really impressive boats in the marina.
6. It has a lighthouse.
You usually have to play miniature golf to have a lighthouse. Not here, though it is a small course by PGA Tour standards.
7. Bubba Watson isn't playing but people are still talking about him.
8. Champagne is sold at some concession stands around the course.
Funnel cakes, however, are unavailable.
9. It's hard to tell there was a recession when you're at Harbour Town.
10. It has real live alligators.
Just don't get too close -- but you probably knew that.
1. Men walk around in tartan kilts.
Okay, not a lot of them but some do and, even if they're paid to do it, you don't see that every day.
2. Boo Weekley won this event -- twice.
Find another PGA Tour event that can say that.
3. It's fun to say Calibogue.
Try it -- Cal-ah-bogey. See, you can do it.
4. They have a putting contest for kids on the practice green on Tuesday afternoon.
A few of the pros hang around for it, too.
5. There aren't any cars in ponds at Harbour Town.
There are, however, some really impressive boats in the marina.
6. It has a lighthouse.
You usually have to play miniature golf to have a lighthouse. Not here, though it is a small course by PGA Tour standards.
7. Bubba Watson isn't playing but people are still talking about him.
8. Champagne is sold at some concession stands around the course.
Funnel cakes, however, are unavailable.
9. It's hard to tell there was a recession when you're at Harbour Town.
10. It has real live alligators.
Just don't get too close -- but you probably knew that.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Bubba golf, it's a blast
Add this to the list of things you never thought you'd hear:
A guy named Bubba, who could use a haircut, explaining that he plays "Bubba golf" while wearing his new green jacket.
The Masters, which finds a way to get the story right more often than Disney studios, did it again Sunday when Bubba Watson made four straight back-nine birdies and then made an Alcatraz-quality escape from a pine-forest jail to beat Louis Oosthuizen to win the Masters.
Who says golf can't be fun?
Watch Bubba play.
Watch Bubba fidget.
Watch Bubba hit it, as the cliche goes, farther than most people go on vacation.
Phil Mickelson used to own the title as golf's most imaginative player. Now, his game looks like a black-and-white Polaroid snapshot when you put it beside Bubba golf.
This is grip it and rip it, juiced by Red Bull.
Until Sunday, no one was quite sure whether Bubba Watson could win a major championship. He had a chance at the 2010 PGA but lost to Martin Kaymer in a playoff. In his three previous PGA Tour wins, he'd done it despite nerves that looked jumpier than a teenager approaching their first kiss.
On an Augusta Sunday, Watson answered all the questions.
And it was a blast to watch.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Where else would you want to be?
Late Saturday afternoon, with the chance his boss, Phil Mickelson could win a fourth Masters Sunday afternoon, caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay said what many of us believe.
"It's the greatest event in sports in my opinion. Where else would you want to be?" Mackay said.
The sun was setting and the sound was dying across Augusta National after a Saturday afternoon that included Mickelson rattling the old place with an eagle at No. 13 and a 6-under par 30 on the back nine that sent him rocketing up the big white leader boards around the course.
The only player better was Sweden's Peter Hanson, who third-round 65 staked him to a one-stroke lead over Mickelson entering the final round while Louis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson and others not named Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy lurked in the periphery.
Mickelson and the Masters delivered again Saturday afternoon. That's what the great ones -- whether players or events -- find a way to do over and over.
The day started slowly, Birdies were as hard to find as tournament badges on the open market but around mid-afternoon, someone flipped the electricity switch.
It turned into another great Saturday and left us with one question:
How good might Sunday be?
"It's the greatest event in sports in my opinion. Where else would you want to be?" Mackay said.
The sun was setting and the sound was dying across Augusta National after a Saturday afternoon that included Mickelson rattling the old place with an eagle at No. 13 and a 6-under par 30 on the back nine that sent him rocketing up the big white leader boards around the course.
The only player better was Sweden's Peter Hanson, who third-round 65 staked him to a one-stroke lead over Mickelson entering the final round while Louis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson and others not named Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy lurked in the periphery.
Mickelson and the Masters delivered again Saturday afternoon. That's what the great ones -- whether players or events -- find a way to do over and over.
The day started slowly, Birdies were as hard to find as tournament badges on the open market but around mid-afternoon, someone flipped the electricity switch.
It turned into another great Saturday and left us with one question:
How good might Sunday be?
Friday, April 6, 2012
Can Fred Couples win the Masters?
Can Fred Couples win this Masters?
Of course he can.
And he just might.
Were I in Las Vegas, I'd probably put my money on Rory McIlroy halfway through this Masters. He's spotting Couples and Jason Dufner one stroke and that's nothing. Winning the Masters is often about creating magic and no one near the top of the leader board can create more supernatural stuff than Rors.
But being 52 years old with a cranky back and having a share of the Masters lead -- again -- is magic in itself.
Put it to a vote right now and Freddie wins the Masters popularity contest by a mile and that's with McIlroy and Phil Mickelson, two of the most magnetic figures in the game, lurking. Like McIlroy said, he's just cool.
I don't think Couples consciously tries to be cool. It just comes naturally to him. It can't be bought or sold or faked.
He's a guy who likes to talk sports, doesn't like to get in a hurry and isn't a big fan of crowds, though he draws them like Elvis in soft spikes. Right now, many more people hope Couples can win than think he can win.
He thinks he can win.
That's what matters.
And how cool would that be?
Friday at Augusta: Something big is brewing
It started like a morning in Dublin, Ireland, gray, cool and breezy. It stayed that way until shortly after noon when the names of Rory McIlroy, Fred Couples and Sergio Garcia joined a leader board topped by Lee Westwood and Peter Hanson.
Where it goes from here, nobody knows.
The good news is the sun is expected to remain, the winds should diminish tonight and the weekend looks almost as perfect as Augusta National's greens.
McIlroy's name somehow looks bigger on the boards than any of the others, Westwood's included. When he closed with two birdies in Thursday afternoon damp, gathering darkness, it seemed a hint of things to come. Marching steadily around Augusta National today, McIlroy is right where he needs to be.
Phil Mickelson is still sputtering, Webb Simpson is flirting with the cut line and there's no magic to Bubba Watson's game today.
The afternoon belongs to Tiger Woods. If he hits it like he did Thursday, the weekend will belong to someone else.
The sun has arrived -- and so has the feeling that something big is brewing.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Masters Day One: What we learned
The best thing that happened at Augusta National Thursday besides Lee Westwood's opening-round 67?
The way the late-afternoon line of thunderstorms somehow sidestepped an already wet golf course, allowing the first round to be completed and, barring a heavy overnight downpour, giving the course a chance to firm up a little more by the weekend.
What are the takeaways from the first round?
Lee Westwood will be hard to beat. He still has to prove he can win a major obviously, but his start is a huge boost. He doesn't have to play from behind now, at least not seriously behind.
If he can keep avoiding mistakes and collect a few birdies along the way, Westwood will have a great chance to finally win that elusive first major.
Yes, it's just one day in a typically turbulent tournament but amid all the early expectations, Westwood delivered.
Don't discount Louis Oosthuizen and Peter Hanson.
When Oosthuizen gets going, he's renowned for going deep. He inexplicably shot 41 on the front nine of the final round of the Shell Houston Open last Sunday to kick away a tournament he was poised to win but apparently the disappointment didn't linger.
And keep an eye on Hanson. He has top-five finishes in both World Golf Championships this year. He's about to become famous here.
None of that precludes Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson from storming back to the top. It's a golf course that can allow low scores but it can go the other way in a hurry.
The Masters is just getting started.
Arnie, Jack and Gary, together again
First, Arnold Palmer's, then Gary Player's and, finally, Jack Nicklaus's, each landing in the middle of the first fairway, dotting the hillside and serving as the ceremonial start to another Masters.
There were cheers and smiles before breakfast. Palmer walks slower now, bent a few degrees forward at the hips now and Nicklaus's swing has surrendered its power to the years. And then there was Player, eternally energetic, winning the long-drive contest in his first time as a ceremonial starter.
It's not about how they play now. It's about how they played for all those years and how they pulled us along with them. The numbers are staggering. Among them, they played 147 Masters, winning 13 of them. In one seven-year stretch in the '60s, they won every Masters played.
No wonder they were called the Big Three.
And no wonder Phil Mickelson was on the first tee this morning to watch them together again.
When someone asked if they remembered the first time they saw ceremonial starters at Augusta, Player mentioned seeing Jock Hutchinson and Nicklaus joked that he remembers seeing Arnie as the starter before that.
Palmer, now 82, told of hearing both Nicklaus and Player tell him they planned to retire at age 35. Palmer's response at the time -- and again this morning -- was, well, something you might find on the ground at a cattle ranch.
His recent blood pressure scare resolved, Palmer said his health is good and "I'd still be (playing the Masters) if I could."
When asked if they might play nine holes rather than just hit an opening tee shot as honorary starters used to do, Nicklaus said that's not the deal anymore.
"Look at our tee shots," he said. "We'd all have to hit 3-wood (second shots) and we'd still have a little left (to the green) after that. You see why we aren't (playing nine)."
No one cares how they play now. It's how they played before and what they've meant across the ages.
They made a pretty morning beautiful.
Photo: Jeff Siner, The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
A woman at Augusta; to be continued...
Long before Augusta National chairman Billy Payne took a seat in the media room Wednesday for his annual question-and-answer session with the assembled scribes and commentators, he knew the question was coming.
When will Augusta National accept its first female member?
The question blooms annually, like the azaleas whose blossoms have come and gone already, and the answer is just as reliable. Club matters remain the private business of the club.
Podcast: Masters preview with Ron Green Jr. and Ron Green Sr.
The question, almost dormant since Martha Burk's crusade a decade ago, has resurfaced now that the new IBM CEO is a woman, Virginia Rometty. Previous CEOs of Big Blue have been invited to join Augusta National but Rometty is different because she's female.
For all we know, she may be on her way to becoming the first female member or, perhaps, part of the first group of female members. When the day comes that there are female members at Augusta National, it will likely come with virtually no fanfare, just a trickle of information having been doled out, acknowledging what will feel like a monumental change at the club.
Payne offered no hints about Rometty's status or that of any other female Wednesday. No matter how the question was phrased, he volleyed it back with the same answer, saying it's a private club business. When the media pushing continued, Payne stuck to the club line.
When he was asked what he would tell his granddaughters about the club's policy, he defended that conversation on the grounds of personal privacy. But the question put the topic on a personal level.
It was an awkward session but it's an awkward topic. On one hand, Payne and Augusta National have taken an aggressive approach to growing golf around the world. They are proactive and progressive, whether it's adding its weight behind the Asian Amateur championship, contributing heavily to The First Tee initiative or the club's involvement in a variety of other programs.
Then there's the membership issue.
It's the club's right to establish its own membership criteria. Augusta National gets the attention but there are plenty of other private organizations with exclusionary criteria.
Burk tried to use social blackmail and it backfired. In the case of Rometty's promotion, does it move from a gender issue to a business decision? Does that make a difference?
Women are welcome at Augusta National, playing literally hundreds of rounds of golf there each year. To this point, though, none has been asked to join the club, at least not to anyone's knowledge.
That day may be close. Or, maybe it's not close. Maybe the plan is to extend an invitation to Rometty on the club's schedule, not forcing it because of media scrutiny.
It's no surprise that the question was asked again -- and again -- on Wednesday. Maybe one day soon, it won't have to be asked again.
When will Augusta National accept its first female member?
The question blooms annually, like the azaleas whose blossoms have come and gone already, and the answer is just as reliable. Club matters remain the private business of the club.
Podcast: Masters preview with Ron Green Jr. and Ron Green Sr.
The question, almost dormant since Martha Burk's crusade a decade ago, has resurfaced now that the new IBM CEO is a woman, Virginia Rometty. Previous CEOs of Big Blue have been invited to join Augusta National but Rometty is different because she's female.
For all we know, she may be on her way to becoming the first female member or, perhaps, part of the first group of female members. When the day comes that there are female members at Augusta National, it will likely come with virtually no fanfare, just a trickle of information having been doled out, acknowledging what will feel like a monumental change at the club.
Payne offered no hints about Rometty's status or that of any other female Wednesday. No matter how the question was phrased, he volleyed it back with the same answer, saying it's a private club business. When the media pushing continued, Payne stuck to the club line.
When he was asked what he would tell his granddaughters about the club's policy, he defended that conversation on the grounds of personal privacy. But the question put the topic on a personal level.
It was an awkward session but it's an awkward topic. On one hand, Payne and Augusta National have taken an aggressive approach to growing golf around the world. They are proactive and progressive, whether it's adding its weight behind the Asian Amateur championship, contributing heavily to The First Tee initiative or the club's involvement in a variety of other programs.
Then there's the membership issue.
It's the club's right to establish its own membership criteria. Augusta National gets the attention but there are plenty of other private organizations with exclusionary criteria.
Burk tried to use social blackmail and it backfired. In the case of Rometty's promotion, does it move from a gender issue to a business decision? Does that make a difference?
Women are welcome at Augusta National, playing literally hundreds of rounds of golf there each year. To this point, though, none has been asked to join the club, at least not to anyone's knowledge.
That day may be close. Or, maybe it's not close. Maybe the plan is to extend an invitation to Rometty on the club's schedule, not forcing it because of media scrutiny.
It's no surprise that the question was asked again -- and again -- on Wednesday. Maybe one day soon, it won't have to be asked again.
Storm damages Augusta; Payne mum on membership
An overnight storm dumped 1.4 inches of rain on Augusta National, forcing a significant clean-up project on the final practice day prior to Thursday's start of the Masters.
Chairman Billy Payne said several trees were brought down by the storm though none that would impact the competition. He also said Rae's Creek, which runs in front of the par-3 12th green, briefly overran its banks but there was no significant damage.
A large tree fell on the million-dollar restroom facility near the 16th tee, doing major damage. Payne said the structure should "be rebuilt and up and running by the end of the day."
In his annual question and answer session with the media, Payne addressed several topics, including the decision not to offer a special exemption to Ernie Els, whose streak of 18 consecutive Masters appearances ended, and the issue of female membership in the all-male club.
On Els, Payne said he expects Els to "be back with us often" but the decision was made not to offer him a special invitation this year.
The issue of female members has been heightened with the promotion of Jenny Rommety to president of IBM in January. Previous IBM presidents -- all men -- have been members of the exclusive club.
Payne reiterated the club's long-standing position that all membership matters will remain private.
"All issues of membership are now and have been historically subject to the private deliberations of the members," Payne said.
Payne was pressed on the matter, even asked what he would tell his granddaughters about their not being allowed membership at Augusta National, and he offered the same answer, citing the club's privacy in regard to membership.
Chairman Billy Payne said several trees were brought down by the storm though none that would impact the competition. He also said Rae's Creek, which runs in front of the par-3 12th green, briefly overran its banks but there was no significant damage.
A large tree fell on the million-dollar restroom facility near the 16th tee, doing major damage. Payne said the structure should "be rebuilt and up and running by the end of the day."
In his annual question and answer session with the media, Payne addressed several topics, including the decision not to offer a special exemption to Ernie Els, whose streak of 18 consecutive Masters appearances ended, and the issue of female membership in the all-male club.
On Els, Payne said he expects Els to "be back with us often" but the decision was made not to offer him a special invitation this year.
The issue of female members has been heightened with the promotion of Jenny Rommety to president of IBM in January. Previous IBM presidents -- all men -- have been members of the exclusive club.
Payne reiterated the club's long-standing position that all membership matters will remain private.
"All issues of membership are now and have been historically subject to the private deliberations of the members," Payne said.
Payne was pressed on the matter, even asked what he would tell his granddaughters about their not being allowed membership at Augusta National, and he offered the same answer, citing the club's privacy in regard to membership.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tiger Woods plans to play at Quail Hollow Club
It looks like the Wells Fargo Championship is collecting stars again.
Sources close to Tiger Woods confirmed Tuesday that the 14-time major champion plans to play in the Wells Fargo Championship next month at Quail Hollow Club.
Woods has not officially committed to the event but is expected to make his participation official sometime after the Masters. Woods won the event in 2007 but missed the event last year because of an Achilles injury he suffered while playing in the Masters.
Players have until the Friday before an event to officially commit.
Also, 2010 Wells Fargo Championship winner Rory McIlroy confirmed he will play at Quail Hollow Club May 3-6. McIlroy had listed the Charlotte stop on his newly-launched website this week.
"Sure, of course," McIlroy said when asked Tuesday if will play at Quail Hollow.
Like Woods, McIlroy has not yet officially committed.
Phil Mickelson has indicated he plans to play at Quail Hollow as will Lee Westwood. World No. 1 Luke Donald does not plan to play in Charlotte, having bypassed the event in recent years.
Sources close to Tiger Woods confirmed Tuesday that the 14-time major champion plans to play in the Wells Fargo Championship next month at Quail Hollow Club.
Woods has not officially committed to the event but is expected to make his participation official sometime after the Masters. Woods won the event in 2007 but missed the event last year because of an Achilles injury he suffered while playing in the Masters.
Players have until the Friday before an event to officially commit.
Also, 2010 Wells Fargo Championship winner Rory McIlroy confirmed he will play at Quail Hollow Club May 3-6. McIlroy had listed the Charlotte stop on his newly-launched website this week.
"Sure, of course," McIlroy said when asked Tuesday if will play at Quail Hollow.
Like Woods, McIlroy has not yet officially committed.
Phil Mickelson has indicated he plans to play at Quail Hollow as will Lee Westwood. World No. 1 Luke Donald does not plan to play in Charlotte, having bypassed the event in recent years.
Masters first-round pairings
Tiger Woods will play the first two rounds of the Masters with Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Korean's Sang Moon-Bae, the tournament announced today with the release of tee times for the Thursday and Friday.
Woods will start at 10:35 a.m. on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy will get a late start Thursday, teeing off in the second to last group at 1:42 p.m. with Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Bubba Watson. Phil Mickelson will follow at 1:53 p.m. with Hunter Mahan and Sweden's Peter Hanson.
Charlotte's Webb Simpson will play at 12:47 p.m., with Mike Weir and Brandt Snedeker while Johnson Wagner goes with Tom Watson and Hideki Matsuyama at 9:40 a.m.
Robert Karlsson plays at 8:35 a.m. Thursday with Ben Crenshaw and amateur Bryden Macpherson. Martin Laird plays at 11:08 a.m. with Mark O'Meara and Chez Reavie.
Tee times for Thursday's first round of the Masters:
7:40 a.m.: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player (honorary)
7:50: Craig Stadler, Brendan Steele, Tim Clark
8:01: Jose Maria Olazabal, Robert Garrigus, Randal Lewis (a)
8:12: Larry Mize, Paul Lawrie, Anders Hansen
8:23: Ross Fisher, Ryan Palmer, Harrison Frazar
8:34: Ben Crenshaw, Robert Karlsson, Bryden Macpherson (a)
8:45: Adam Scott, Bo Van Pelt, Martin Kaymer
8:56: Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Stewart Cink
9:07: Aaron Baddeley, Kyung-Tae Kim, Lucas Glover
9:18: Kyle Stanley, Jason Day, Bill Haas
9:29: Trevor Immelman, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose
9:40: Tom Watson, Johnson Wagner, Hideki Matsuyama (a)
10:02: Matt Kuchar, Geoff Ogilvy, Yong-Eun Yang
10:13: Gary Woodland, Henrik Stenson, Alvaro Quiros
10:24: Charl Schwartzel, Keegan Bradley, Kelly Kraft (a)
10:35: Tiger Woods, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Sang-Moon Bae
10:46: Luke Donald, Francesco Molinari, Nick Watney
10:57: Scott Verplank Sean O'Hair, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano
11:08: mark O'Meara, Chez Reavie, Martin Laird
11:19: Sandy Lyle, Simon Dyson, Corbin Mills (a)
11:30: Ian Woosnam, Edoardo Molinari, Kevin Chappell
11:41: Louis Oosthuizen, Mark Wilson, Graeme McDowell
11:52: Zach Johnson, ian Poulter, Patrick Cantlay (a)
12: 14: Kevin Na, Fredrick Jacobson, Ben Crane
12:25: John Senden, Jonathan Byrd, Paul Casey
12:36: Bernhard Langer, Jason Dufner, Charles Howell III
12:47: Mike Weir, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson
12:58: Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, Jim Furyk
1:09: Thomas Bjorn, Scott Stallings, Rory Sabbatini
1:20: Fred Couples, Darren Clarke, Ryo Ishikawa
1:31: David Toms, K.J. Choi, Sergio Garcia
1:42: Angel Cabrera, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson
1:53: Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Peter Hanson
Woods will start at 10:35 a.m. on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy will get a late start Thursday, teeing off in the second to last group at 1:42 p.m. with Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Bubba Watson. Phil Mickelson will follow at 1:53 p.m. with Hunter Mahan and Sweden's Peter Hanson.
Charlotte's Webb Simpson will play at 12:47 p.m., with Mike Weir and Brandt Snedeker while Johnson Wagner goes with Tom Watson and Hideki Matsuyama at 9:40 a.m.
Robert Karlsson plays at 8:35 a.m. Thursday with Ben Crenshaw and amateur Bryden Macpherson. Martin Laird plays at 11:08 a.m. with Mark O'Meara and Chez Reavie.
Tee times for Thursday's first round of the Masters:
7:40 a.m.: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player (honorary)
7:50: Craig Stadler, Brendan Steele, Tim Clark
8:01: Jose Maria Olazabal, Robert Garrigus, Randal Lewis (a)
8:12: Larry Mize, Paul Lawrie, Anders Hansen
8:23: Ross Fisher, Ryan Palmer, Harrison Frazar
8:34: Ben Crenshaw, Robert Karlsson, Bryden Macpherson (a)
8:45: Adam Scott, Bo Van Pelt, Martin Kaymer
8:56: Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Stewart Cink
9:07: Aaron Baddeley, Kyung-Tae Kim, Lucas Glover
9:18: Kyle Stanley, Jason Day, Bill Haas
9:29: Trevor Immelman, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose
9:40: Tom Watson, Johnson Wagner, Hideki Matsuyama (a)
10:02: Matt Kuchar, Geoff Ogilvy, Yong-Eun Yang
10:13: Gary Woodland, Henrik Stenson, Alvaro Quiros
10:24: Charl Schwartzel, Keegan Bradley, Kelly Kraft (a)
10:35: Tiger Woods, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Sang-Moon Bae
10:46: Luke Donald, Francesco Molinari, Nick Watney
10:57: Scott Verplank Sean O'Hair, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano
11:08: mark O'Meara, Chez Reavie, Martin Laird
11:19: Sandy Lyle, Simon Dyson, Corbin Mills (a)
11:30: Ian Woosnam, Edoardo Molinari, Kevin Chappell
11:41: Louis Oosthuizen, Mark Wilson, Graeme McDowell
11:52: Zach Johnson, ian Poulter, Patrick Cantlay (a)
12: 14: Kevin Na, Fredrick Jacobson, Ben Crane
12:25: John Senden, Jonathan Byrd, Paul Casey
12:36: Bernhard Langer, Jason Dufner, Charles Howell III
12:47: Mike Weir, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson
12:58: Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, Jim Furyk
1:09: Thomas Bjorn, Scott Stallings, Rory Sabbatini
1:20: Fred Couples, Darren Clarke, Ryo Ishikawa
1:31: David Toms, K.J. Choi, Sergio Garcia
1:42: Angel Cabrera, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson
1:53: Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Peter Hanson
Rory McIlroy: 'Obviously there's memories'
He was charming, insightful, funny, self-deprecating, honest and more, talking about all that happened to him on Sunday last April when his golf world went kaboom. It could have been a testy session, one in which McIlroy waved off questions about what happened last year and tried to focus the conversation on this week.
Instead, he answered everything head on.
He joked about how close the white cabins to the left of the 10th tee now seem to be. He blushed when the phone in his pocket rang during the interview. "No phones at Augusta," he apologized. He talked about crying when he talked to his mother a day later.
He said he watched a replay of that Sunday and saw a guy looking at the ground with his shoulders hunched, the opposite of how he usually walks. He tried to be perfect and mean and it's not who he is.
Of course, he won the U.S. Open two months later and now he's here, one of the co-favorites along with Tiger Woods in this Masters.
"Every time you come back to this place, you just get excited," McIlroy said. "Obviously there's memories that come back and memories that you probably don't want... It's fine. I got that all out of the way and (I'm) just looking forward to this week."
McIlroy also confrmed he'll play in the Wells Fargo Championship next month. "Sure, of course," he said when asked if it's on his schedule.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Rory has Quail on his schedule
Checking in from the Masters, where it looks as magnificent as ever, even if the azalea blooms are largely gone:
-- Rory McIlroy says on his official website that that his next event after the Masters will be the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in early May. McIlroy still has to put his name on the PGA Tour's official commitment list but that's essentially a formality. McIlroy, of course, won the 2010 event at Quail Hollow;
-- Webb Simpson is going to be a father for the second time. Simpson said Monday his wife, Dowd, is due with their second child in early August. Their first child, James, is 13 months olds.
-- Johnson Wagner says he's hitting the ball as well as he has at any time in his PGA Tour career and he feels he's ironed out a few unwanted wrinkles in his putting. Wagner said he got too focused on certain mechanics in his stroke and is working on decluttering his pre-shot process on the greens.
-- Rory McIlroy says on his official website that that his next event after the Masters will be the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in early May. McIlroy still has to put his name on the PGA Tour's official commitment list but that's essentially a formality. McIlroy, of course, won the 2010 event at Quail Hollow;
-- Webb Simpson is going to be a father for the second time. Simpson said Monday his wife, Dowd, is due with their second child in early August. Their first child, James, is 13 months olds.
-- Johnson Wagner says he's hitting the ball as well as he has at any time in his PGA Tour career and he feels he's ironed out a few unwanted wrinkles in his putting. Wagner said he got too focused on certain mechanics in his stroke and is working on decluttering his pre-shot process on the greens.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Simpson on Masters: 'I'm hoping to win'
Simpson first played Augusta National as a 12-year old in 1998 -- you can read about his pre-teen visit there in my Sunday story about it in the Observer -- and he's been back a handful of times since. It's different, though, when it's Masters week. Tesori, who has caddied in 10 Masters, is a perfect partner for Simpson, focusing on what they need to do on each shot rather than letting their minds wander.
The first challenge next week, Tesori said, is understanding the nerves that will be dancing. "He's going to be more nervous than he has been," Tesori said this week. "It's Augusta and we've all been watching it since we were five." Tesori related a story from when he caddied for Sean O'Hair in the 2010 Masters and they played a practice round with Phil Mickelson.
In explaining his approach to playing Augusta National, Mickelson told O'Hair to fight the urge to try to be perfect. Just play. Know where not to miss it but don't get upset if you miss a shot. It's going to happen.
"I have to fight trying to be too perfect," Simpson said.
With three top-10 finishes already this year, Simpson has kept his momentum from 2011 going. He had a disappointing 78 in the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational last Sunday, but a recent swing tweak has solved some inconsistency that had crept into his driver.
Simpson said he'll go into the Masters expecting good things. "I'm definitely showing up hoping to win," Simpson said.
(We'll have full coverage from Ron Green Sr., Tom Sorensen, Taylor Zarzour and myself starting on Monday).
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Bradley latest to commit to Wells Fargo event
PGA champion Keegan Bradley is the latest player ranked among the top 20 in the world to add his name to a list of players officially committed to play in the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club. The list also includes Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Bill Haas, Bubba Watson, Nick Watney and Johnson Wagner, among many others.
Official commitments will increase in the coming weeks and tournament officials are optimistic that Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood will be among those who play in the 10th annual event April 30-May 6. None of those four has officially committed yet.
Asked specifically about Woods Thursday, tournament executive director Kym Hougham said, "We've had good indications but we had good indications last year (when Woods missed the event due to injury). We're sure hoping he comes. Until his name is on the commitment list, we don't take anything for granted."
TICKET UPGRADE: Ticket sales are ahead of last year's pace (the event was a sellout in 2011) executive director Kym Hougham said Thursday and there's a new twist on tickets sales at Southpark Mall.
Patrons who purchase their tickets at the mall will be eligible for a drawing on April 16 that will award upgrades to clubhouse and lawn access.
Official commitments will increase in the coming weeks and tournament officials are optimistic that Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood will be among those who play in the 10th annual event April 30-May 6. None of those four has officially committed yet.
Asked specifically about Woods Thursday, tournament executive director Kym Hougham said, "We've had good indications but we had good indications last year (when Woods missed the event due to injury). We're sure hoping he comes. Until his name is on the commitment list, we don't take anything for granted."
TICKET UPGRADE: Ticket sales are ahead of last year's pace (the event was a sellout in 2011) executive director Kym Hougham said Thursday and there's a new twist on tickets sales at Southpark Mall.
Patrons who purchase their tickets at the mall will be eligible for a drawing on April 16 that will award upgrades to clubhouse and lawn access.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Wells Fargo tickets available at SouthPark
You can tell the Wells Fargo Championship is getting close when the ticket kiosk opens in SouthPark mall.
The SouthPark option begins Wednesday, offering golf fans the opportunity to purchase tickets for the PGA Tour event at the Quail Hollow Club April 30-May 6. All ticket packages, from single-day tickets to premium tickets with hospitality are available at SouthPark.
The SouthPark kiosk allows patrons to save a $10 shipping and handling fee and have their tournament tickets in hand. The kiosk will be open 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Weekly ticket books cost $140 apiece and does not require the same individual to use the ticket each day. Practice packages, good Monday through Wednesday when patrons are allowed to bring cameras, can be purchased for $25. Individual day tickets for each of the four tournament days are also available.
Children under 12 are admitted free in the company of a paying adult.
Among the players are committed to the Wells Fargo Championship are defending champion Lucas Glover, Webb Simpson, Johnson Wagner, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Hunter Mahan and Bill Haas.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tiger sets Masters stage perfectly
Woods' victory Sunday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational was as impressive as it was overdue. Having gone 924 days between PGA Tour victories, Woods nailed down No. 72 at Bay Hill with a performance that thundered in its impact and execution.
Healthy, in control of his game and in command of the tournament, it felt like five years ago. After a 2 1/2-year interlude, we now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
For months, Woods has been saying he's close, if he could just stay healthy long enough to pull all the pieces together. Words turned his words into a trophy Sunday.
"Pure joy," is how Woods described it.
Nice words because you wonder how much of that he's had the past couple of years.
When it all starts for real next Thursday at Augusta National, after Jack and Arnie and Gary have slapped the ceremonial tee shots into the hill in the first fairway, Tiger goes after his fifth green jacket and and 15th major championship. It's been a long, long time since Torrey Pines in 2008.
Woods hasn't won at Augusta since 2005 but he'll arrive as co-favorite with Rory McIlroy, who exited there a year ago with a final-round 80 that collapsed his chances. Since then, McIlroy has been brilliant and now, it seems, Woods is in a good place again.
The Masters won't be just about McIlroy and Woods. Phil Mickelson inhales inspiration driving down Magnolia Lane. No. 1 Luke Donald is relentless. Lee Westwood still wants a major.
It's a week away. Bring it on.
Friday, March 23, 2012
The PGA Tour, like it's never been before
If the PGA Tour's adoption of the interesting but hard to calculate FedEx Cup playoffs a few years ago seemed borderline revolutionary, the tour's next step may be more dramatic.
Q-school? Going away, at least as we've known it.
Starting in January? Too late. Think October.
Surrendering the fall to football? Not anymore.
Good ideas?
Yes and no.
It's tough to summarize in a couple of sentences what the PGA Tour intends to do starting next year but here goes:
Under a new model, the PGA Tour season will still end with the Tour Championship at the end of the FedEx Cup playoffs in late September, points having been accumulated as they have in recent years. Somebody will still pocket $10 million for winning the playoffs plus their Tour Championship booty.
That will end the 2013 PGA Tour season. Players who finish 126 to 200 on the tour money list will move into a three-event 'mini playoff' with the top 75 players from the 2013 Nationwide Tour. They will play for 50 PGA Tour cards over those three events.
That will be decided concurrently with the FedEx Cup playoffs. When the Tour Championship is over, the 2014 season will begin although it will still be October, 2012.
See what I mean about complicated?
What are now the fall series events will stay in the same basic spots on the calendar but be the start of a new tour season, awarding FedEx Cup points (but perhaps only half as many as other regular events). The idea is to keep sponsors of fall events happy. You'll sense a theme here.
Qualifying school will be turned into a path to the Nationwide Tour. Forget someone like John Huh showing up at Q-school, earning his card then winning a PGA Tour event in February. It won't work like that anymore.
Why is this happening?
One reason is Nationwide's tour sponsorship ends after this year and commissioner Tim Finchem and his associates are desperately seeking a new name for their second-tier tour. The new model is intended, among other things, to raise the profile of what is now the Nationwide Tour.
"I like it," said Johnson Wagner, who played his way onto the PGA Tour via the Nationwide Tour. "I don't think six rounds at Q-school is the best test.
"It's unfortunate for the select few who would make it all the way to the tour without having any Nationwide status but it's good for the guys who have played the tour for a while and maybe a had a down period. A three-tournament set is better."
There are, as you might expect, many details to be finalized.
What to do with a guy who wins two Nationwide events and finishes first on the money list? Does he go into the mini playoffs with no advantage over a guy who finished 70th on the Nationwide Tour? How will players be seeded?
What about the guy who is 126th on the PGA Tour? Does he have any advantage for coming, perhaps literally within one stroke of keeping his tour card?
What about the admission when the FedEx Cup playoffs were created that golf can't compete with football in the fall? Now it wants to start its season in the middle of football season?
Again, why all of this?
"Any time you make a change, human nature is , why are we changing?" Finchem said in his announcement Tuesday. "You know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. There's another way to look at things that when things are going pretty well, that's the time to get better. That's the philosophy we have embraced."
As we know, change isn't always easy nor pretty.
In this case, it didn't seem necessary. But here it comes.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Bruce Springsteen: He's still alive out there
Thirty-one years later -- Monday night -- I saw Bruce and the band again in the Greensboro Coliseum and, to borrow a Springsteen-like sentiment, my faith has again been rewarded. I didn't want it to end.
If it had to end, having him close the show with 'Thunder Road,' 'Land of Hope and Dreams' (a new Springsteen anthem), 'Born To Run,' 'Dancing In The Dark,' 'Rosalita' and 'Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out' was the way to send us out the door after nearly two hours and 45 minutes of new music, old favorites and a coming to grips with the reality that Clarence Clemons isn't coming back but the magic of the E Street Band isn't going away.
Springsteen is 62 years old but seems at least 20 years younger. He doesn't play the marathon shows he did in his youth and he only slid across the front of the stage one time Monday night, splashing water on his jeans to make sure he made it last. But the magic of Bruce and the band is in the feeling as much as the music and that remains.
He's touring in support of a new CD, 'Wrecking Ball,' a collection of songs about the recession-induced problems that have wobbled our country. The new songs are strong and angry and pointed, an odd mixture of rock, folk, Irish and gospel sounds that somehow works together. Played live, the new music -- particularly 'Jack Of All Trades' and 'Rocky Ground' -- soars in spots.
The thing about a Springsteen show is the joy it brings, not just to the audience but to Bruce and the band. The Coliseum was full and most of the audience was like me, well into mid-life with mortgages, soft bellies and gray creeping in. A Springsteen show is a gathering, one where I saw friends was Washington, Charlotte and Columbia before the lights went down.
Springsteen's concert joy is contagious. He said in an interview a few years ago that he'd come to realize that being on stage with his band is what he's meant to do. When you think he can't give you more, he always does. It's why I have friends who've seen him more than 100 times and why, having seen him close to 15 times myself, I'm hoping he'll add a Charlotte show this fall when he and the band return from a summer in Europe.
This tour is different because the Big Man is gone, his role on the sax replaced brilliantly by his nephew Jake Clemons, the band's new star. During 'My City of Ruins,' Springsteen alluded to the loss of Clemson and Danny Federici a few years earlier. "If you're here...and we're here...they're here," Springsteen said as chill bumps filled the big arena. I know there were chill bumps on my arms, anyway.
When he closed the show with 'Tenth Avenue,' his song about meeting Clarence, the band went quiet when Springsteen said, "This is the important part" and sang the line about a change being made uptown when the Big Man joined the band.
For more than a minute, the music stopped as Springsteen held the microphone in the air and listened to the cheers. They were for Clarence but they were also for another night like Monday night.
Photo: Bruce Springsteen performs with the E Street Band during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas on Thursday, March 15, 2012.(AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Furman Bisher, a master himself
The news Sunday evening that Furman Bisher had died came as a shock, which is a bit surprising given Bisher was 93 years old when his heart stopped.
But Furman -- it seems impersonal to call him Bisher -- seemed as if he might go on forever.
He had plans to cover his 63rd Masters next month, where he's been as much as part of the place as Amen Corner and pimento cheese sandwiches. He wasn't there at the start but he came along soon after, bringing his own style, voice and presence.
In our business of writing about the games people play, Furman was a giant. He could be gruff but he had earned that right over 70 years in the writing business. More often, though, he was a softie, Southern to the soul. To sit with him, in a press box or at lunch during a golf tournament, was often the best part of a day.
From Ty Cobb to Tiger Woods, Bisher saw the greats and shared what he saw with his readers. He had a way of pulling readers in and keeping them close.
He was born in Denton, not far from Lexington and attended North Carolina. While a student there, Bisher covered his first golf tournament, the 1938 Greater Greensboro Open. Writing about Byron Nelson, Bisher referred to him as 'Lord Byron,' a nickname that came to define one of the game's most elegant men.
Bisher worked at the long-departed Charlotte News for several years before heading to Atlanta where he wrote for 59 years for the Journal-Constitution. In the fall of 2009, Bisher pounded out another column on his Royal typewriter, handed it in and announced he had retired. Sudden and simple and on his 91-year old terms.
He kept coming back to the Masters, where he was honored with a parking place that chairman Billy Payne said was closer to the clubhouse than his own. It was a gesture that spoke to who Furman was and what he meant, at Augusta and beyond.
Furman had planned to watch golf on television Sunday afternoon but fate had other plans.
I'd love to hear what he had to say to St. Peter.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A season starts -- with a birdie
Having covered my last college basketball game for the season, my last NASCAR race until May and having endured all the winter we didn't have during my three-day stay in Portland, Ore., last week, golf season has arrived.
At least my personal golf season.
I understand there are few things more nap-inducing than hearing someone go on about what they did or didn't do on the golf course but one of the original rules of the game commands that 'A player may only offer personal commentary on his (or her) round of golf if said player is willing to listen in equal measure to another player's story.'
That's why beer and dry roasted peanuts were invented.
It's not as if Saturday was the first time I'd played golf this year but it had been a while and it was the first time in a while that it hadn't required layered clothing. To acquire a golfer's tan, one must be in the sunshine which explains why my legs were the color of out of bounds stakes, a condition I hope soon passes.
Warm enough to send a trickle of sweat down your cheek, it was a beautiful early spring day. The bermuda grass fairways were already turning green even before the first full weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament was complete, another suggestion the global warming believers are on to something. Pretty soon, they'll have mowers on them again, tractors having gone dormant with the bermuda for months.
One of the cruel realities of springtime golf here is that just when everyone wants to enjoy the game and the weather again, they aerate the greens. That means for a couple of weeks-- or longer if they're slow to heal -- we're forced to putt on nature's shag carpet, pock-marked by a million little holes and frosted by a coating of sand. Like a teenager at the beach.
There is a good side to putting on aerated greens. It takes the pressure off. It can't be your fault you missed again from four feet. Look what you were putting through. It's like putting through a potato field.
And still, I hit my opening tee past the three teenagers in my group, each of whom has college golf in their future. Then I floated my wedge shot inside their three approach shots.
After they had missed their birdie putts, I knocked in my four-footer for three. Not a bad way to start.
I'd go on but that would require beer and peanuts -- and listening to how you played. We'll get to that later.
At least my personal golf season.
I understand there are few things more nap-inducing than hearing someone go on about what they did or didn't do on the golf course but one of the original rules of the game commands that 'A player may only offer personal commentary on his (or her) round of golf if said player is willing to listen in equal measure to another player's story.'
That's why beer and dry roasted peanuts were invented.
It's not as if Saturday was the first time I'd played golf this year but it had been a while and it was the first time in a while that it hadn't required layered clothing. To acquire a golfer's tan, one must be in the sunshine which explains why my legs were the color of out of bounds stakes, a condition I hope soon passes.
Warm enough to send a trickle of sweat down your cheek, it was a beautiful early spring day. The bermuda grass fairways were already turning green even before the first full weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament was complete, another suggestion the global warming believers are on to something. Pretty soon, they'll have mowers on them again, tractors having gone dormant with the bermuda for months.
One of the cruel realities of springtime golf here is that just when everyone wants to enjoy the game and the weather again, they aerate the greens. That means for a couple of weeks-- or longer if they're slow to heal -- we're forced to putt on nature's shag carpet, pock-marked by a million little holes and frosted by a coating of sand. Like a teenager at the beach.
There is a good side to putting on aerated greens. It takes the pressure off. It can't be your fault you missed again from four feet. Look what you were putting through. It's like putting through a potato field.
And still, I hit my opening tee past the three teenagers in my group, each of whom has college golf in their future. Then I floated my wedge shot inside their three approach shots.
After they had missed their birdie putts, I knocked in my four-footer for three. Not a bad way to start.
I'd go on but that would require beer and peanuts -- and listening to how you played. We'll get to that later.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Clemson's Glover finally ready to go
After a couple of false starts, Lucas Glover is ready to get his 2012 season underway this week at the Transitions Championship in Tampa. Glover hasn't played on tour this year after spraining his knee windboarding in Hawaii prior to the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions. He planned to play in Puerto Rico last week but wasn't certain he could handle five or six days of walking so he opted for one more week of rehab. Now, Glover is ready to go. "One hundred percent with the knee," Glover said Monday on his way to Tampa. "I'm in good gym shape. I've just got to see what kind of golf shape I'm in now. "I've been practicing the last five or six weeks as much as I could, but the walking thing was the only thing that held me back...I feel like the knee is 100 percent but I've got to put my body through the week." Glover will be in Charlotte to defend his Wells Fargo Championship title in early May, by which time he hopes to have a handful of tournaments behind him. After the Transitions, he plans to play the Shell Houston Open, the Masters and the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. "I haven't had to make a putt that matters for anything since the first week of November so I'll be anxious and interested to see how I handle it," Glover said. "I haven't forgotten how to play or forgotten how to compete but it's just one of those things where it might take some time to get in the right frame of mind." Glover is among the early commitments to the Wells Fargo Championship, joining a list that includes Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Bill Haas, Johnson Wagner and Nick Watney among others. Tickets are available at www.wellsfargochampionship.com
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Rory McIlroy gets what he deserves
When McIlroy ended Luke Donald's impressive 40-week run as the official No. 1, it was the culmination of a relentless climb by the former Wells Fargo Championship winner. Like a sunrise over the ocean, you could see it coming for a while.
The question is how long might McIlroy remain the man?
He's going to be there a while.
But Tiger Woods will have something to say about it.
When Woods shot a closing 62 to finish second to McIlroy at the Honda Classic, his best final round on the PGA Tour, it was the strongest evidence yet that his talk about "being close" is genuine. Pebble Beach suddenly seemed a long time ago.
It's McIlroy, though, who has assumed the place Woods occupied for more than a decade.
There's a purity to McIlroy, both in how he plays and how he carries himself. There's still a hint of boyishness about McIlroy and a grace that seems to come naturally. Watching him hit shots, it appears effortless. He doesn't fight the game the way so many players seem to do.
McIlroy's spectacular 62 at Quail Hollow almost two years ago was a thing of beauty. It was also a welcome to the future moment.
Even when McIlroy failed on Sunday at the Masters last year, shooting a final-round 80 that made him seem momentarily both young and fragile, he responded with his record-setting victory at the U.S. Open two months later.
If there were questions about either his talent or his toughness, they were answered in 72 holes at Congressional.
Not unlike Woods in his prime, McIlroy changes the expectation level.
Remember how much fun that was?
We got a reminder on Sunday and, if we're lucky, a hint of things to come from both of them.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Monkees, Jimi Hendrix and Charlotte
I wish I remembered more about July 11, 1967 in the original Charlotte Coliseum than I do but I remember enough.
I remember going to see The Monkees in concert that night, the first concert of my nearly 11 year old life, and I remember the thrill of seeing Michael, Peter, Mickey and Davy -- live and in person as the signs used to say -- and hearing the screaming noise of the kids amazed by what and who they were seeing and occasionally, hearing..
Most of us didn't realize we were witnessing a small piece of rock and roll history, catching one of the seven Monkees shows in which Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Purple Haze himself, was the opening act. Had I known then what I know now (how many times have we all said that) I would have appreciated the opening act more than I did but, to be honest, I wasn't there to hear Hendrix.
I, of course, think of his after hearing of Davy Jones' death Wednesday. I liked the Monkees and I still do. They were playing a reunion show outside Washington, D.C., when I was at the U.S. Open last summer and I considered going. I didn't and now I wish I had.
Two things I remember about Hendrix that night:
The first is walking around the Coliseum (it's now Bojangles Arena) where the stage doors are located as my mom told me that the Monkees would probably look a little different in person than on television. It was at that moment -- maybe 20 feet away -- Jimi Hendrix stepped out of a limousine.
Not realizing at the time that Hendrix was part of the show, I momentarily wondered if Mickey Dolenz really did look that different.
The other memory is the sound of Hendrix' guitar when he threw it to the ground and stomped off stage, obviously irritated that a bunch of kids weren't interested in hearing him play (though he'd been invited by Dolenz to join the tour). We were all waiting to 'Take The Last Train To Clarksville.'
That's what the Monkees played when they took the stage. I'm guessing they didn't play more than 30 or 45 minutes. Their catalog wasn't particularly deep at the time but for a kid who loved watching them on television, seeing them in person was a thrill.
I still listen to The Monkees once in a while.When 'Daydream Believer' or 'Valeri' comes on the 60s station on my satellite radio, I quietly sing along.
I have 'Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow' and 'Pleasant Valley Sunday' on a couple of playlists for when I'm exercising.
(Just so you know, I've moved on to a degree. I'm heading to see another Springsteen show in Greensboro in a couple of weeks).
My friend Ron Smith still has his ticket stub from that July night in 1967 and he posted it on his Facebook page this week. I wish I'd been smart enough to keep my ticket.
It's gone and now, so is Davy Jones and Jimi Hendrix, too. But the memories live on, happily.
I remember going to see The Monkees in concert that night, the first concert of my nearly 11 year old life, and I remember the thrill of seeing Michael, Peter, Mickey and Davy -- live and in person as the signs used to say -- and hearing the screaming noise of the kids amazed by what and who they were seeing and occasionally, hearing..
Most of us didn't realize we were witnessing a small piece of rock and roll history, catching one of the seven Monkees shows in which Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Purple Haze himself, was the opening act. Had I known then what I know now (how many times have we all said that) I would have appreciated the opening act more than I did but, to be honest, I wasn't there to hear Hendrix.
I, of course, think of his after hearing of Davy Jones' death Wednesday. I liked the Monkees and I still do. They were playing a reunion show outside Washington, D.C., when I was at the U.S. Open last summer and I considered going. I didn't and now I wish I had.
Two things I remember about Hendrix that night:
The first is walking around the Coliseum (it's now Bojangles Arena) where the stage doors are located as my mom told me that the Monkees would probably look a little different in person than on television. It was at that moment -- maybe 20 feet away -- Jimi Hendrix stepped out of a limousine.
Not realizing at the time that Hendrix was part of the show, I momentarily wondered if Mickey Dolenz really did look that different.
The other memory is the sound of Hendrix' guitar when he threw it to the ground and stomped off stage, obviously irritated that a bunch of kids weren't interested in hearing him play (though he'd been invited by Dolenz to join the tour). We were all waiting to 'Take The Last Train To Clarksville.'
That's what the Monkees played when they took the stage. I'm guessing they didn't play more than 30 or 45 minutes. Their catalog wasn't particularly deep at the time but for a kid who loved watching them on television, seeing them in person was a thrill.
I still listen to The Monkees once in a while.When 'Daydream Believer' or 'Valeri' comes on the 60s station on my satellite radio, I quietly sing along.
I have 'Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow' and 'Pleasant Valley Sunday' on a couple of playlists for when I'm exercising.
(Just so you know, I've moved on to a degree. I'm heading to see another Springsteen show in Greensboro in a couple of weeks).
My friend Ron Smith still has his ticket stub from that July night in 1967 and he posted it on his Facebook page this week. I wish I'd been smart enough to keep my ticket.
It's gone and now, so is Davy Jones and Jimi Hendrix, too. But the memories live on, happily.
Monday, February 27, 2012
A garage sale, First Tee style
Looking to pick up some golf equipment and make a contribution to The First Tee of Charlotte?
You can do both Saturday at a garage sale being held at the First Tee facility adjacent to the Charles Sifford Golf Course at Revolution Park. The sale runs from 8:30 a.m. until noon and all sales must be made in cash.
There will be sets of clubs, individual clubs and other golf equipment.
You can do both Saturday at a garage sale being held at the First Tee facility adjacent to the Charles Sifford Golf Course at Revolution Park. The sale runs from 8:30 a.m. until noon and all sales must be made in cash.
There will be sets of clubs, individual clubs and other golf equipment.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Haney: "Maybe (Tiger) will learn something"
The Golf Channel premieres new seasons of 'The Haney Project' and 'Feherty' starting at 9 p.m., Monday, stacking Hank Haney and David Feherty back to back on a weekly basis.
Haney will work with four celebrities this time -- chef Mario Batali, actress/model Angie Everhart, singer Adam Levine and retired boxer Sugar Ray Leonard -- while Feherty's interview-based show expands to one hour with Michelle Wie and Sergio Garcia among the early guests.
On a conference call, Haney said he expects former client Tiger Woods might learn something if he reads Haney's upcoming book, 'The Big Miss,' about his time with the former world No. 1.
"(Tiger) said he wasn't going to read it but he reads everything," Haney said on the call. "So if he does read it, maybe he'll learn something...
"I think it would be insightful. Hopefully it is. I know that it's fair and honest...There's going to be quite a few things that I think people look and say, wow, I didn't know that or that's surprising or interesting."
Feherty said he's hopeful Woods will sit for an interview on his show.
"I would not rule out Tiger Woods," Feherty said. "He hasn't said no."
What would Feherty ask Woods?
"I'm tired of the whole TMZ notion that people are entitled to private details of people in the public vew of their lives," Feherty said. "It just doesn't interest me.
"I'm more interested, to be honest with you, does he feel like a human being in that at any time has he been so anxious about whether or not he's going to regain any kind of form...Is it possible for him to reach that level again? Not just him, anybody else for that matter. Have we seen the 500-year flood?"
Haney will work with four celebrities this time -- chef Mario Batali, actress/model Angie Everhart, singer Adam Levine and retired boxer Sugar Ray Leonard -- while Feherty's interview-based show expands to one hour with Michelle Wie and Sergio Garcia among the early guests.
On a conference call, Haney said he expects former client Tiger Woods might learn something if he reads Haney's upcoming book, 'The Big Miss,' about his time with the former world No. 1.
"(Tiger) said he wasn't going to read it but he reads everything," Haney said on the call. "So if he does read it, maybe he'll learn something...
"I think it would be insightful. Hopefully it is. I know that it's fair and honest...There's going to be quite a few things that I think people look and say, wow, I didn't know that or that's surprising or interesting."
Feherty said he's hopeful Woods will sit for an interview on his show.
"I would not rule out Tiger Woods," Feherty said. "He hasn't said no."
What would Feherty ask Woods?
"I'm tired of the whole TMZ notion that people are entitled to private details of people in the public vew of their lives," Feherty said. "It just doesn't interest me.
"I'm more interested, to be honest with you, does he feel like a human being in that at any time has he been so anxious about whether or not he's going to regain any kind of form...Is it possible for him to reach that level again? Not just him, anybody else for that matter. Have we seen the 500-year flood?"
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
FedEx Cup Playoffs extended through 2017
The FedEx Cup playoffs aren't going anywhere.
The PGA Tour announced today that it has reached an agreement with FedEx to extend the season-ending series of events for five years, taking it through 2017. The initial agreement was scheduled to end after this year but there had been indications that FedEx and the tour were making progress on an extension.
FedEx will continue to sponsor the $35-million 'playoffs' with the winner taking home a $10-million bonus. Since its inception five years ago, the four-event season-ending playoffs have given the PGA Tour a higher profile conclusion to its season as playing fields gradually diminish until 30 players are left for the Tour Championship.
The FedEx Cup champions have been Tiger Woods (twice), Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and Bill Haas.
The PGA Tour announced today that it has reached an agreement with FedEx to extend the season-ending series of events for five years, taking it through 2017. The initial agreement was scheduled to end after this year but there had been indications that FedEx and the tour were making progress on an extension.
FedEx will continue to sponsor the $35-million 'playoffs' with the winner taking home a $10-million bonus. Since its inception five years ago, the four-event season-ending playoffs have given the PGA Tour a higher profile conclusion to its season as playing fields gradually diminish until 30 players are left for the Tour Championship.
The FedEx Cup champions have been Tiger Woods (twice), Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and Bill Haas.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Want to caddie for Natalie Gulbis?
Now that you've seen Natalie Gulbis on the golf course and as a body paint model in the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition -- it's okay to admit you checked her out online if you're not a magazine subscriber -- here's your chance to caddie for her.
Yep, caddie one round for Natalie Gulbis in an LPGA tour event this year.
It's a silent auction item up for bid Saturday night as part of fund-raising dinner being put on by the Palisades Episcopal School. Talk about good timing.
"It's been really fun for us," said Karin Hughes, head of the five-year old school.
Thanks for a sports marketing connection, Hughes and the school got the go-ahead from Gulbis to auction off one round as her caddie. It didn't hurt that the school announced the auction item at the same time Gulbis was making her Swimsuit Edition debut.
If you'd rather caddie for Davis Love III, that's available at the auction, too. It's still golf but, well, different.
Not willing to take your chances on winning the silent auction?
Hughes said the Gulbis item can be bought in advance by anyone willing to pay $8,000 up front. If you're interested in the details, visit www.pescharlotte.org.
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| Photos: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images (top) and Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images (bottom). |
