posted Jul 3, 2009

On the subject of MAJ and his 500th start, I doff my cap also to the European Tour on their choice of gifts to commemorate this occasion - an ice bucket made of sterling silver

I can't help but think that this is a gift that will put to good use as he sits outside with a nice bottle chilling, whilst puffing away on a big, fat cigar

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posted Jul 3, 2009

Tuned in to the pgatour coverage for while last night and it wasn't long until Kelly T stepped up to the plate and pretty much knocked a homer in your little word game kwini. Honestly! Tiger was getting ready to putt on the 12th or 13th and she pretty much rattled them all off and in the right order! Another great article by the way!

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posted Jul 3, 2009

chilli I think he is a rioja fan so maybe they got him the wrong gift.

Good stuff from Kim, I wonder if a challange with Tiger appeals to him? Is he really up for that sort of fight?

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posted Jul 3, 2009

you could be right mclaren, although with his career earnings i'm sure he can be catholic in his tastes.

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posted Jul 3, 2009

'Morning Fairway,
I can never understand why American broadcasters use the phrase "Nation's Capital" instead of Washington, except for the obvious reason that they forget the place's name.

Hope Kelly T mentioned Percy Thrower as well.

Seriously, isn't she lovely in every facet of her being except as a sports commentator?

Guys,
Maybe the Tour is trying to change M-A J's tastes?

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posted Jul 3, 2009

Unseasonably mild and pleasant at Congressional this week, perhaps all the better to enjoy a Kim/Woods shoot-out.

Perehaps this will get AK motivated as nothing else has so far this year.

Surprise to see Daniel Chopra leading the European challenge, and that should last so long as he keeps hitting some fairways. Nice starts for Rose, Davis and The Laird also.

Bryce Molder is in a rich vein of form after six years in the wilderness and Michael Allen is waving the flag for the over-50 crowd.

Plus 2 looks like being the cut line, the greens are soft, and the USGA are thinking Congressional will play a whole lot different in 2011. No 62's for you Anthony . . . .

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posted Jul 3, 2009

Good to see 3 Brits up there, hopefully Davis getting back on track after a wee blip (a well understandable blip), and hopefully the start of better things for Rose and Laird (clutching at straws perhaps but lets start at 'hopefully' and go from there). Less impressive, sadly, by Owen and Casey.

Personally I was surprised to see Laird had gone around in par, not because I doubt him but because i'd checked the BBC leaderboard this morning;

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD: (USA unless stated)
-8 A Kim -6 T Woods, DA Points, B Molde -5 S Elkington
Selected others: -3 J Rose (Eng) E B Davis (Eng)

(also seems that Elkington is now a Yank?)

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posted Jul 3, 2009

Yes Kelly certainly has a lot going for her! Think she maybe tries too hard in commentary. It was funny listening yesterday having read your article earlier in the day. It was like she had a check-list of phrases to get in and ticked them all in the space of 30seconds. She was able to tie it all together with Tiger 'playing host' and Earl Woods' military background - seamless .

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posted Jul 3, 2009

chilli,
It was this time of year in 2008 that The Laird started to play better - a few made cuts in the coming month would go a long way for him.

As for Brian Davis, he's still 29th in the FedEx, a chance to pick up some serious loot and hopefully kick on and win some tournaments.

And let's hope Justin Rose can put a dismal season behind him and at least find some consistency - he'll plummet in the rankings if not.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

Who's that leading in driving accuracy for the tournament?

Not only that but The Laird is also hitting it 300 yards + consistently.

Impressive stuff, pity about the missed birdie putt on 18 though.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

Tano,
Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that yesterday. Yup, pity about the missed putt on his 18th, but a nice comeback on #8 after bogeys had put him (and Davis) on the precipice. Important weekend for The Laird.

Warm, pleasant today, cooler with a chance of thunderstorms Sunday.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

Solid par four for Brian Davis as he kicks off Round 3 at the AT&T.

There's a mini-qualifier this week for The Open Championship, in fact two mini-qualies.

*The leading top 5 player not otherwise exempt.
*The leading two money-winners of a mini moneylist that started with The Players. Among those still in realistic contention for this are:
Goydos
Molder
Ryan Moore
Pampling
Points
Danny Lee

No doubt the John Deere winner next week will also qualify. Not sure I like all these contrivances, much preferred to see more spots available for Local Qualifying. How many chances do these pros need?

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posted Jul 4, 2009

I find it remarkable that despite the fact that our sport has been lucky enough to be blessed with a sportsman such as Tiger Woods some people still find a way to complain. We are given one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and people complain that we see too much of him or that they don't like his personality, etc. Its almost beyond belief and its hard to know where to start when answering such "fans".
I heard someone mention that Tiger isnt a gratious loser. Just so you know he phoned Lucas hours after his win to congratulate him. Stories like this rarely get told by the media.
In my opinion there is just nothing like it in golf, and maybe even in sport, than Tiger on a Sunday wearing that red shirt and doing what he does best.
There is little doubt in my mind that he is the best ever and I certainly intend to appreciate him as much as I can because he will not last for ever. We are all very lucky to be able to see Tiger.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

No point in being long and accurate off the tee if you don't have a short game which The Laird proved today he, at this moment in time anyway, doesn't.

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posted Jul 4, 2009

Tano,
Davis and Laird both awry with their short game; The Laird not making much of that accuracy, only hitting nine greens and close to last in putting. Davis at least two 3-putts, likely more. Dismal considering he is 38th in total putts this year.

Rose off to a ropey start also.

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posted Jul 5, 2009

What is it this week with Kaymer and Kim opening up with 62's and then everyone stalling at -10?

Disappointing day in Washington for European interests, but a good round for Justin Rose will earn him his first Tour finish inside the top 20 for 11 months, while Martin Laird needs every dollar his play can earn. This week and for the foreseeable future.

Furyk playing excellent golf this week without much to show for it - so far.

Weather should be mild (75F - 80F) at Congressional with just a chance of showers.

Sorry to see Immelman and Karlsson have withdrawn from The Scottish Open.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Predictable win for Woods, and Hunter Mahan shoots 62 in the summer; that's what he does! Just incredible he only has one win. Maybe Turnberry will make it two?

Open Championship places for Goydos, Molder (amazing story as he is becoming the pro his amateur career suggested nearly a decade ago) and Snedeker (fit again after rib and swing problems).

Better for Justin Rose (and Stuart Appleby), but disappointing weekend's work from Chopra, Davis and The Laird.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Kwini

I did not see the coverage, just wondering what you thought of Tigers play. How was each part of his game doing?

Just trying to guage if he is back to his best or not?

As you say a few improvements for some Europeans but I would have to say that an american will probably triumph at Turnberry.

What do you think?

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posted Jul 6, 2009

'Morning mclaren,
Thought Woods played well within himself, except hole #11 which gave him fits all week (+5).
Holed a couple of long putts to keep his round going and didn't miss any tiddlers. Very solid, but he clearly had a gameplan which wasn't tested. I don't think he's at his best yet, interesting that each '09 victory has been by one shot only.

As for US chances in The Open, dunno really. Much will depend on the weather - I won't be picking Woods and am hoping one of the Europeans might step up. My faves among the US contingent are Curtis, Mahan and, possibly, Furyk, but will be interested to see how Duval and DLIII play too.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Sorry to jump in but my 2p's worth - Tigers putter was red hot yesterday. They ran through his highlights from the day and there must have been nearly half a dozen that he rolled in from 12feet+. Off the tee I saw a couple of wayward ones - not as bad as post Masters. He did nail his last drive however...

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Would you consider Steve Stricker a contender kwini. Back 2 Back top tens and arguably in the form og his life.

Ultimately though it doesn't matter because if Pádraig wins the Irish PGA this week then he's certain to defend the Open - at least that's what some optimists in the Irish media are trying to tell us.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Hi kwin!

Would you read much in to the fact that all three of Woods victories this year have taken place 2 weeks prior to a major? 3rd time lucky?

What about AK's putting?! Wasn't really just down to Tiger's presence - was it? I think the commentators always over do it with the "Tiger effect".

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Did it ever look likely that Tiger would not match mahan's score?

Tano it is more than optimistic that padraig will even make the cut. Where is the Irish PGA being held?

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posted Jul 6, 2009

mclaren, will he even make the cut at a tournament full of club pros?

It's being held at the European Club.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

Hi bignumber,

Woods made a couple of decent putts but didn't think it was totally out of the ordinary - for him anyway. But well over 100 feet's worth so that's good my most mortal's standards.

Thought AK looked out of sync once he started to wobble. Not yet fully convinced he's ready for prime-time yet.

Hi Tano,
Stricker? He's one of those I look to play well in Majors but not to win them, certainly not at Turnberry (though quite fancy him for Hazeltine). Same as Furyk though Furyk's playing very well right now. Just don't feel as if either has an extra gear, like Tiger so obviously does.

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posted Jul 6, 2009

badds is a muppet he misses out on the british open due to another bad perfomance

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