Big Life, Big Stage, Big Ten, Big Break…Big 2011?

As the off season is in full effect for most of the golf world, many of the non-established hopefuls were wide eyed and ready to earn their place at Q-School. I want to give Congratulations to former Big Breaker (Sandals Resorts & Dominican Republic) Sara ‘No H’ Brown for earning a spot on the LPGA Tour with a T20 at ladies Q-School. Sara was one of the more popular and personable girls on each of her seasons, and is highly respected as a fierce competitor on the golf course.

The former Michigan State standout finished 3rd on BB Sandals falling short to eventual winner and fellow Big Tener Ohio State’s Carling Coffing. On BB Dominican she was knocked off the show by the hotheaded Brian, miraculously saved by her team at the 11th hour and then exacted her revenge by defeating Brian in the finale. She still fell short of MVP status as that was clinched by the lovely Blair O’Neal.

Brown will join Kristy McPherson as ex-Big Breakers playing regularly on the LPGA in 2011. I’m sure Miss Brown hopes she can duplicate McPherson’s success on the Tour. Although she has yet to win a tournament, McPherson has numerous top ten finishes including three in majors in 2009. Her success has shown worldwide as she has risen to 32nd in the official Rolex World Rankings.

If Brown wants to move up the ladies Big Break success ladder she has a ways to go. Obviously McPherson’s success is the bar to reach toward, but others have made their mark recently. Sandals winner Carling Coffing is coming off of a top 25 finish at the 2010 LET Dubai Masters and has a cash at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. Blair O’Neal will get her chance this season too with an exemption in the Kia Classic. But right now Sara Brown is in the best position to gain ground on McPherson with a successful 2011 season as a card-carrying member of the LPGA.

2011 PGA Tour Preview

If I learned anything from 2010, it is that when it comes to golf I should expect the unexpected. I expected the legend Tiger Woods to dominate 2010; instead he trudged through a difficult season winless. This proves that even the most mentally tough guys can’t always block everything out. I’ve discussed this Tiger thing to no end, and now that he is a so-called changed man and that now that 2011 is on the horizon, I think it’s time to turn the page and focus on his golf and not the scandal.

Speaking of his golf…he starts the season in a position he hasn’t been in for almost 6 years! As the #2 ranked player in the world. As the 2011 season kicks into gear Englishman Lee Westwood sits atop the World Golf Rankings. As mentioned Tiger is #2, ahead of #3 Martin Kaymer, #4 Phil Mickelson and #5 Jim Furyk who is coming off one of his best seasons as the reigning Fedex Cup owner.

If there was a second thing I have learned from 2010, is that there has never been more high-powered parity on the Tour. From the Tour Vets (see Furyk), the Long-Ballers (see Bubba Watson), the Young Guns (see Fowler / McIlroy / Ishikawa), the Stars (see Tiger), to the Euro-Invasion (see Poulter / Fisher / McDowell / Quiros / Kaymer) there are so many players that can win any tournament, at any place, at any time. And for me, that beats the days of Tiger domination. But I’m not your casual viewer!

Here are my champion picks for the main tournaments of 2011:

Accenture Match Play – Graeme McDowell. The reigning US Open champion will kick start his season in style defeating a field of 64 in the desert. The cardigan clad Northern Irishman just came off a huge comeback playoff victory over Tiger at the Chevron, and that’s enough for me. If you can beat the big guy in a playoff, you can win the match play.
Runner up: Francesco Molonari

CA Championship – Charl Schwartzel. I’m not really sure why I’m picking the long hitting South African, but I guess they just fall into order: Els, Goosen, Immelman, Clark, Oosthuizen and now Schwartzel. Why not right? He had a very good showing at Doral last year and he’s primed to do it again.
Runner up: Matt Kuchar

The Masters – Tiger Woods. Can you really ever bet against this guy at Augusta? 2010 was a nightmare for him and he still found a way to muster a T4 finish after taking a near 6-month leave of absence from competitive golf. This guy knows the echoes amongst the magnolias and lob lollys as well as anyone and will harness that for his 5th Green Jacket and a welcome back (but won’t be his first win of 2011).
Runner up: Phil Mickelson

The Players – Zach Johnson. This guy has been one of the most consistent players over the past 5 years and it’s about time to add another big time title to his 2007 Green Jacket. With recent winners like Tim Clark, Fred Funk, Stephen Ames and Hal Sutton; Sawgrass isn’t just for the long ballers. Johnson’s accurate game and early season success leads to a win in the season’s deepest field.
Runner up: Martin Kaymer

US Open – Hunter Mahan. He was one of my 2010 up and comers and he did not disappoint. He had two victories (Scottsdale and Akron), the second of which was a WGC event where he dominated. I like him at Congressional because of what he did there at the ’08 AT&T National. He fired a third round 64 en-route to a top five finish and he’s even better now as a two time Ryder Cupper.
Runner up: Dustin Johnson

The Open Championship – Martin Laird. As the world’s oldest tournament moves to the South shores of England at Royal St. Georges it will usher in another…Scottish champion? Yes with all of the talented and heralded Englishmen in the field it will be a Scot who rises to the top. Forget Westwood, Poulter, Casey, Fisher, Donald and Rose; the Open will produce another unlikely hero.
Runner up: Rhys Davies and Tiger Woods

Bridgestone Invitational – Justin Rose. Rosey will finish the career sweep in Ohio by tackling the tight fairways of Firsestone after his ’10 victory at Jack’s place. You can never go wrong with Tiger in Akron, but last year’s performance has left him shaken at the place he had once dominated. The once upstart and now veteran Rose will cash in with his biggest career win.
Runner up: Tiger Woods

PGA Championship – Rory McIlroy or Rickie Fowler or Ryo Ishikawa. The Shootout in Atlanta as I will call it. Picture a 4-hole playoff between three of the golf world’s young guns. One with long curly locks hanging out the back of his cap another dressed head to toe in neon orange Puma gear, and the third with spiked up hair a visor and tight white trousers. Imagine the birdiefest that would ensue from there. It blows my mind so much right now that I can’t pick a winner…but I guess I’ll say Ishikawa.
Runner up: Rory McIlroy & Rickie Fowler…4th Nick Watney.

Tour Championship – Phil Mickelson. I can’t have an entire season without ‘Lefty’ winning a fairly significant tournament, I figured I’d hedge my bet with one of the season’s smallest fields and pencil him in at the final Fedex Cup event edging Tiger by a stroke. I have no explanation why aside from what I said above, and feel I don’t need one as this is my blog and I do what I want!
Runner up: Tiger Woods

Fedex Cup – Tiger Woods. ‘The Striped One’ will clinch his 2nd Fedex Cup with his runner-up finish in Atlanta at the Tour Championship. He will take command of the standings after the Masters and will ride it out throughout the summer until the Standings are reset. A win in Chicagoland at Cog Hill and a 2nd place in the season’s final tournament and he will lock up the coveted Fedex Cup.
Runner up: Zach Johnson

President’s Cup – USA. The Stars and Stripes will make the trip out to Melbourne Australia and dominate like they should. Europe may have their number right now, but I’ll take my chances with the US against a not so cohesive rest of the world bunch. It won’t be as decisive as Harding Park in ’09, but it will be enough to retain. Stars and Stripes by 2.5 points.

Individual Awards:

Player of the Year – Tiger Woods. By season’s end Eldrick will be back where he is supposed to be. He may not be as dominant as his earlier years, but he will find a way to win relatively consistent, and it will be enough to surpass Westy to reclaim his rightful spot at the top of the World Rankings. He will inch closer to the Golden Bear with yet another Green Jacket, but still will have a ways to go. The Fedex Cup will be a great cherry on top of a bounce back season.

Q-School Rookie of the Year – Gary Woodland. The 2010 graduate class of PGA Q-School is chock full of PGA veterans. From semi-successful journeyman like Billy Mayfair, Brandt Jobe, Paul Stankowski, and Kent Jones; to younger established players like James Driscoll, Richard S. Johnson, and Jarrod Lyle. It was very difficult for me to come up with a youngster rookie worthy of the ROY. I picked Woodland as he had been semi-exempt in the past and is coming off of a season ravaged with injury. If he can stay healthy look for a big season from him. Others to watch: Ben Martin (US Am runner up), Kyle Stanley, William McGirt and Korean Bi-o Kim.

Comeback Player – Tiger Woods. If he is successful as I think he will be, it’s going to be tough to not name Tiger. In a year of personal turmoil and professional ineptitude (for his standards) he will rise to the top with a Tiger-esque season. Others to watch: Anthony Kim coming off of a injury riddled 2010, Sergio Garcia who needs to get the focus back, and Rory Sabbatini who has dipped significantly in the World Rankings.

Falling Star – Stewart Cink. 2010 wasn’t great for the Twitter star Stewart Cink, and I don’t think 2011 will be any better. If Vijay Singh was the apparent loser of 2010 Cink will be in the running this season. He has yet to crack the winner circle since his Claret Jug winning performance at Turnberry, and will have a second straight dreadful season at the majors. Others to watch: Angel Cabrera has sneaky made it halfway to the career slam, but won’t get any closer in 2011. Look for the long in the tooth ‘El Poto’ to take a dive in the World Rankings. ***Please note: I selected Furyk as one to watch fall in 2010 and he won the Fedex Cup, so it’s not exactly the kiss of death.

The Next Big Step – Ryo Ishikawa. This Japanese teenager sensation has taken the golf world by storm with his long hitting and incredibly seasoned game. His predicted win at the PGA Championship will give him his first major and obviously jump him into the next category of upper echelon of professional golfers. Others to watch: My predicted winner in Sandwich UK Martin Laird, the combination of the two flamboyant youngsters Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, and although he will not make a big impact on the PGA Tour look for Welshman Rhys Davies to take a huge step in the European Order of Merit.

2011 should be a great year in the world of golf…and I can’t wait ‘til Kapalua.

'Lei'ing Back to Back Beatdowns

And the 2010 season is underway…and it has an awfully familiar feeling.

Geoff Ogilvy continued his West Coast assult on the PGA Tour with a one shot victory at the SBS Championship at Kapalua Plantation Course in Maui, Hawaii. Ogilvy was the defending champion of the event, and shot an impressive 22 under par to hold off a hard charging Rory Sabbatini.

Early season success has been nothing new to Ogilvy who has secured an early lead in the Fedex Cup race over the last few years with red hot West Coast play. As I said before he was the defending champion of the season opener and has embraced the tours early season. Six of his seven tour victories have fallen on the calender before the season’s first major. In fact, five of his wins have come on the Tour’s “West Coast Swing.”

The SBS Championship invites only the previous season’s event winners, and although there were only 28 players in the field, this was the who’s who of tour fields...sort of (no Tiger, Phil, or most of the European stars). But reigning US Open Chamipion Lucas Glover really took control of this tournament early as he was 15 under par at the halfway mark. But he faded on Sunday with only two under weekend. Sabbatini was the big threat. He fired a ten under 63 enroute to a runner-up finish, but it just wasn’t enough to catch the smooth swinging Ogilvy.

Kapalua has become a place notorious for multiple winners. Thru the mid-2000’s it was owned by Stuart Applby who won there 3 straight years. So it would be a good bet that Ogilvy may be able to cash in on the hat trick in 2011. As for the Masters, well, Geoff is a shoe in regardless with his World Golf Ranking. He will fall into the top 10-15 favorites to bring home the Green Jacket, so no need to congratulate him on getting into the field. But once again, he takes another early step toward a potential Fedex Cup with his forte, the Accenture World Match Play just a month away

Can't Read, Can't Write, Kent State Still in the Masters

Congrats Mr. Ben Curtis. With the moratorium expired for a Masters invite from your 2003 Open Championship, you sacked up in 2009 just enough. With the final World Golf Rankings coming out this week; Curtis finished 50th, right on the line by just hundreths of a point better then Fidel capped Ryan Moore. Although I grew up just down the road from the home of the Golden Flashes I have no affiliation and actually no love for Kent State University. But it's good to see that Curtis is not just a one hit wonder and can continue his success even after exemptions begin to expire.

2010 PGA Tour Preview

This offeseason has gone from just regular yearning for Hawaii to full out anticipation to see what is going to transpire moving forward. Although the talk about Tiger will continue to dominate the early season, I’m interested to see what will happen with the actual play. The early season has never been a real active time for Tiger, so we won’t see much of a change on the West Coast swing. He usually makes his debut at Torrey Pines, which I know will not happen this year. In fact, I don’t think he will participate at all out west, including even the Accenture Match Play. If I had to guess I think Tiger will return at either the CA Championship, but probably more likely at Bay Hill.

As for the season itself, I’m telling you it’s going to be the year of…The Tiger! Again. Woods will bounce back stronger than ever and will be in contention to win the Grand Slam. Look at the courses we’re playing at and tell me you don’t agree: Augusta, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and Whistling Straits. Tiger has dominated a Major field in the past at 3 out of the 4 venues. So I’m telling you, if it’s possible, this could be the year for redemption.

Here are my champion picks for the main 2010 tournaments:

Accenture Match Play – Rory McIlroy. This up and coming, in my opinion within five years, world number two will make his first big splash in the States in 2010. He plays with no fear and has the game that suits match play. I love his chances to conquer the 64 man Tigerless field.

CA Championship – Sean O’Hair. He seems like the perfect candidate to tame the Blue Monster. He has had success in the past in the State of Florida. And If my anticipation is right that Tiger will sit this one out, he has the skills to win a big time tournament.

The Masters – Tiger Woods. In his first big appearance on the main stage Tiger will do what Tiger does, namely win championships. He loves Augusta almost as much as I do, and I know redemption will taste sweet when ‘El Pato’ helps him into his 5th green jacket.

The Players Championship – Camilo Villegas. Probably one of the most recognizable young players on the Tour. He has a way about him that makes him easy to like. He has won the Tour Championship in 08, and if he can win at Sawgrass, it will no doubt eclipse that victory.

U.S. Open – Paul Casey. This guy finally got a win in the States in 09 in Houston, and will build on that stong with a major in 2010. He’s got the game to win and I know a lot of people, including his coach Peter Kostis, are waiting for him to put it together. I think this will be the year he gets it.

The Open Championship – Tiger Woods. A second major for Tiger and the contraversy will begin to slow down. You can basically count The Old Course at St. Andrews in the mix as one of his bitches. If there is one major championship combination that is almost a lock, it is Tiger at St. Andrews.

Bridgestone Invitational – Phil Mickelson. I know I know this tournament is Tiger’s to lose, and he will this year. It’s tough to go a whole season without a big win from ‘Lefty’ so I dreamed up a tournament that most wouldn’t pick him to win and…voila there’s your Firestone champion.

PGA Championship – Henrik Stensen. This docile Swede has the game, length, mentality and caddie to win the big one. This defending champion of the 5th major will cap a great year for foreign born players with his first major win. He’s due and Whistling Straits is a great track for his game.

Tour Championship – Stewart Cink. My prediction is that Cink will Twitter his way thru most of the season with high finishes and multiple wins. In the year’s final event he seems like a solid candidate to take home the crown. I see another very solid year for Stewie.

Fedex Cup – Tiger Woods. Two majors and at least 4 other victories will be enough for Woods to take home the Fedex Cup. I’m predicting other wins at Bay Hill, Memorial, Deutsche Bank and BMW. The last two wins will all but lock up the season long race for Tiger.

Ryder Cup – Europe. It pains me to say as the competition moves to Celtic Manor in South Wales, so will the Cup. Westwood Stensen, Garcia, Casey, Fisher, Kaymer, McIlroy, Poulter, Harrington, Karlsson, The Hansen clan and so on. The Euros love the format and layout of British golf and this year will recapture the Cup.

Individual Awards:

Player of the Year: Tiger Woods – See Masters, Open Championship and Fedex Cup. Others to contend: Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy and Anthony Kim.

Rookie of the Year: Blake Adams – 3rd in money on the 2009 Nationwide Tour he is the eldest of the 2010 Tour rookie class. Although he didn’t capture a win a year ago I like his consistancy throughout the season last year. Three others to watch: Cameron Tringale, Derek Lamely and Ricky Fowler.

Comeback Player – Adam Scott. Something tells me this previous world top 5 will be back in the mix in some capacity in 2010. I think he has at least one win in his back pocket and who knows maybe more than that. Look for his recent hard work to pay off. Others to watch: Chris Dimarco, Scott McCarron, or Luke Donald.

Falling Star – I think age will finally start to catch up with Kenny Perry in 2010. I have no real reasoning for this accusation, but I just think it’s that time in his career to pump the brakes. I predict no wins and a fall out of the Top 30 in earnings for this top player. Others to watch: Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, or Padraig Harrington.

The Next Big Step – Hunter Mahan. Although I did not pick Mahan to win a major this season he is more than capable. I think he has the game, attitude and mentality to make some serious noise in 2010. I predict him as a multiple winner and top 5 in Fedex Cup points. Others to watch: Anthony Kim, Nick Watney and Ryan Moore.

At Least Somebody is Back Out of Hiatus

Laziness. That’s about the only thing I can say about why I haven’t blogged anything for quite sometime. I missed basically the last third of the PGA season, and although I kept myself aprized of what was happening amongst The Tour, I have not written a word since The Open Championship. Let me first congratulate YE Yang as a major champion and also the US for it’s domination at the Presidents Cup. Other than than that there hasn’t been much happening in the world of golf…

Well I guess there’s that whole Tiger Woods cheating on his wife with whores thing. I have neglected to write anything because although what he has allegedly done is absolutely unconscionable, Tiger is the straw that stirs the drink that is The Tour and it’s hard for me to get too negative. But this saga is getting crazier and crazier by the day. As of now the skank-o-meter is sitting in the mid-teens, chock full of hostesess, escorts and pornstars. And Tiger remains silent. No words. No admittance. No apologies.

People say, “Why would he cheat on Elin, she is so hot?” Well you’re not in his shoes. She is the mother of his children; she is his rock; she is not a skank. Although I am in no way defending anything Tiger is accused of, but when you’re a multi-multi-multi millionaire and you’re on the road and want sex, you’re gonna find sex with the sleeziest chick you can find. His problem, he got too attached to some of them. He should screw and pay, like every other self-respecting millionaire.

His other real problem, he’s a ‘blerd’ and there is no way he even saw a titty let alone get down to the nasty before he made a first few million. Nothing against Tiger, he’s now a cool dude, but that’s what money and fame can do for you. But growing up all he did was practice golf, play in tournaments around the country and hang out with his parents. Not exactly what normal high-schoolers are doing. And then he went to Stanford to play golf. College is college but Stanford isn’t exactly Faber College when it comes to sex and partying. But as I said, after you make the cash, the sluts will find you.

Things to come soon: I will be previewing the 2010 PGA season soon as we are just a couple of weeks from teeing it up in Hawaii. Although Mr. Woods is taking an indefinite break it will not affect The Tour’s early season as Tiger rarely plays until Torrey Pines anyway. Also be on the lookout for other sports and pop culture blogs in the near future, including current events and even one on the culturally explosive MTV show Jersey Shore, and I will do my best to keep up. But if the sluts come a calling, I may go into hiding too!

‘Open’ Arms

32 years after the famed ‘Duel in the Sun’ Tom Watson teed it up again at the famed Ailsa Course at Turnberry, on the western coast of Scotland. It was the 138th edition of ‘The Open Championship.’ By the way sometime in my lifetime the British Open became The Open Championship; I don’t know when or why this occurred but it just did. But anyway, at age 59 this was supposed to be Watson’s swansong eve leading up to 2010 and St. Andrews, as his 60 birthday would mark the end of his Open playing days. Instead it became almost a brand new beginning.

Although it all started on Thursday with a Watson 65, the whole story really came together on Friday when the world #1 Tiger Wood inexplicably missed the cut for only the 2nd time in a major as a pro. His +5 thru two rounds ‘opened’ up the tournament for everyone who made it to the weekend. Without the threat of Tiger prowling, Watson teed it up tied for the lead on Saturday afternoon. Although it was a cute story that Rick Reilly could cover in sap and eat up, most onlookers pretty much expected Watson to fall by the wayside on the weekend, but the stubborn old codger had other ideas.

When he rolled in a 35ft bomb on the 16th and followed it up with a two putt birdie on the easy 17th, Watson once again slept on an overnight lead in search of his record tying 6th Claret Jug. And like the old lighthouse that sits aside the start of the inward nine, Watson was a beacon of light that ushered in the Tiger generation toward the glory days of golfing past. But could he hold on? Could he fulfill the impossible by becoming the oldest man to ever win a major? Even Greg Norman at a youthful 53, could not hold keep his grip on the very same championship a year earlier at Royal Birkdale. But on Sunday, as the back nine approached, it seemed like destiny was caddying for Watson.

As others stepped-up to take the lead on Tommy, fate would smack them down. Ross Fisher got it to five under and a two shot lead, but a snowman attack ruined his party. Lee Westwood was there all day, but 3 costly bogies coming in spoiled his week in Scotland. Youngster Chris Wood charged from behind, but a nuked 9-iron over the green on 18 that led to a bogey and a 67, not quite enough. Despite a pretty awesome looking beard, Matthew Goggin blew up on the middle of his back nine, right before Watson’s eyes. And tour veteran Stewart Cink missed a bevy of shorter putts coming in, but was able to drill a 15 footer on the 18th to post a clubhouse low two under 278. He was one back of Tommy as Watson bashed a drive right down the gut on the 18th.

That’s all the story I will tell, because I just can’t finish it. Just know that around an hour later and four playoff holes, Cink stood on the 18th green with his wife and two boys (who crazy enough all have the same haircut – I’m sure the boys see their future when they look at their balding Pop) hoisting the historic Claret Jug. And as the special week at Turnberry concluded and the new Cink Suite in the large imposing hotel was named, it was a very gratifying day for one of the tour’s ‘good guys’ who had been so close in major’s past. But it was also, I’m sure, a very difficult one.

As the sun set over western Scotland and the Firth of Clyde and the mighty Irish Sea on Sunday, there was a sense of disappointment amongst the local gatherers. You could stare out in amazement at Ailsa Craig, and still not be able to comprehend what almost happened, and at the same time not comprehend how it didn’t happen. A major legend almost did the unthinkable, over a quarter of a century after he did it last. And as we close another chapter at the world’s oldest golf event, we should all reflect back and not think what could have happened or what might have been; and instead just appreciate what we all witnessed. And when Tommy tees it up next year at The Old Course at St. Andrews and makes that memorable walk across the Swilken Burn Bridge; please stand up, applaud, and welcome him into grand exile with ‘open’ arms – with nothing to hide, believe what I say…wait that's Steve Perry.

Anyway, congrats to Stewart Cink for doing what you had to do. It wasn’t easy and it’s been a long time coming from the 18th green at Southern Hills, but the pressure's off…you’re a major champion, and there's a spot saved for you on Magnolia Lane next spring.

***On a side note, also a congrats to Bo Van Pelt on a win in Milwaukee…it may be a second rate event, and you may be a second rate Van Pelt in the eyes of casual fans (Scotty!!!), but you took it to ‘em!

‘Deere’ Steve

We know our tounament is not one of the most prestigious events on the tour schedule, but we’ve been around for quite sometime and we deserve a high caliber champion and not one of those ‘stars’ that play every week ala Vijay Singh or Kenny Perry. We know our place, we’ll never be better then the travel week before ‘The Open Championship’; but we are a humble group, as unassuming as our beginnings when we were known only as the Quad Cities Open. Even when the late Ed McMahon (RIP, guy) was the host and namesake of the event, we all still stick to our Midwestern values and morals that make our event comfortatble and unique.

Speaking of the Midwest and unassuming values, isn’t that you? If memory serves me correct, you are a Wisconsinite growing up in the heart of Big 10 Country. You are a Fighting Illini alum and carry the heart of Illinois with you everywhere you go. And c’mon, our venue is located in the State in which your received your higher education – and its located in the non-Chicagoland hustle, between the two small metros that make up half of the ‘Quad Cities’, the beautiful Moline and Rock Island.

Zach Johnson may tell you that we said the same thing to him about the towns of Davenport and Bettendorf, but that’s just Iowa and we don’t care about them nearly as much! Seriously we don’t! We ain’t Maytag. Anyway, we know you are not a major champion, even though you have had your chances; but we feel you are a perfect world top ten candidate for our event, compared to the others. And let us tell you why:

1. Tiger Woods – he would never play in our event, and we have accepted that.
2. Phil Mickelson – he’s got way to much on his plate, he’s not even play in the Open.
3. Paul Casey – he’s way to Euro…enough said.
4. Kenny Perry – he’s the kind of guy who makse a killing off of events like ours; we need a change.
5. Sergio Garcia – he’s even more Euro…enough said again!
6. Geoff Ogilvy – He ‘comes from a land down under; where women glow and men plunder.’
7. Henrik Stensen – are you serious with all these Euros???
8. Steve Stricker – he’s not brash, he doesn’t wear neon pants, he’s a midwest guy, he’s just right!
9. Jim Furyk – he was an interesting candidate, but we, like everyone else hate Steeler fans.
10. Vijay Singh – does this guy ever take a break? C’mon, take a vacation bro!

Anyway, please take us up on our invitation. Not to sound desperate, but we need some good publicity from a top rated player. And since you commited to play in the tourny, why would you not want to win it? We know its almost better to miss the cut and catch an earlier flight across the pond for the Open, but we’re not chopped liver, and there is quite a bit of money to be made. We know, we know, you’re already in the field at Augusta based on you win at Hogan’s Alley, but how about moving up a couple of slots in the Fedex Cup standings? Just think about it, we’ll make it worth you while.

Eternally grateful,



The John Deere Classic Tournament Committee

Tiger’s World, Delivered

How can anyone hate the World’s #1? Sure he dominates almost every tournament he enters; he is one of the wealthiest athletes of all time; he chases history everytime he tees it up; and he has a Swedish blonde bombshell of a wife. Wow, I guess I can hate him! Okay, hate is a strong word; but I can definatly be envious of Eldrick. And after capturing his 68th PGA Tour victory at his own event, the AT&T National at Congressional, everyone was envious.

The AT&T National was dreamt up by Team Tiger 3 years ago, as he conjured up a way to personify himself with a single event. Just like all the greats: Jack (Memorial), Arnie (Bay Hill), Hogan (Colonial), Nelson (HP Nelson) – Tiger has put himself himself the same shoes as these legends as a tournament host. But the AT&T National is not all about “the striped one” (kudos to Jim Rome); it’s very special because it is held in the burbs outside our nation’s capital, and honors the men and women service people that protect our country both at home and abroad. And it all happens on the weekend of our nation’s birthday!

Along with all of the pressures and time that come with playing in a PGA tournament, Tiger had the additional time constraints of coordinating, glad-handing and keeping a smile for the media. To me it sounds down right miserable! But not only was Tiger up to the challenge, but exceeded it as only he can do. He consistantly performed throughout the week with his only real obsticles being Anthony Kim’s first round course record, a red hot Sunday Hunter Mahan, and the par four 11th hole at Congressional’s Blue Course.

Let me start with my boy AK. Damn, this kid can play. He fired a course record 62 on Thursday, but could not continue his hot play the rest of the week, finishing only one under in his last 54 holes. And then there was fellow Ryder Cupper Hunter Mahan. He matched AK’s 62 except he did it at money-time; the final round. Teeing off almost two hours before the final pairing of Woods and Kim, Mahan desimated the Blue Course, igniting cheers throughout the rolling hills of Maryland.

And then there’s the lilly-padded 11th hole. I never saw anything take Tiger to his knees quite like this 489 yard hole converted to a par four from a member’s par five. In four rounds he compiled a massive pile of strokes, which left him at six-over on this hole alone! Tiger better be careful at the 2011 US Open, as the 11th will sneak up and bite him again! But I should know that we’re talking about Tiger here, I’m almost positive he’ll be singing his redemption song, entitled #11, in the Open. I’m willing to bet on that!

Despite all the host distractions and roadblocks in his way, Woods was still able to leave his own event victorious. And it was really to no one’s surprise, he is the world’s number and arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport. Here's a quick 09 wrap-up for Tiger so far in only 9 events: 3 wins, 8 top 10’s, 9 top 25’s, 1st in money, and 1st in the Fedex Cup race. Umm, not too bad, but I’m sure he’s not totally pleased as there are no majors mixed in there.

Either way, congrats to Tiger on another victory, once again his 68th. And as for his game and event hosting, in the words of the title sponsor, he ‘delivered’!

A ‘Perr’ of 09 Wins

In the event following the US Open there is usually not a tremendously strong field, that might be why Kenny Perry was able to capture another win! I know I know it seems like an underhanded blast at one of the tours nicest players (and something I am not really know for), but I swear every time I seem to tune into a tournament my roommate has never heard of, Perry seems to be at the top of the leaderboard. Nonetheless, this victory was Perry’s 2nd of the season and 5th in just over a year!

Earlier this year on Super Bowl Sunday amongst the beer drinking party animals at the FBR Open, Perry was able to outlast the flowing mullet of one Charley Hoffman in three playoff holes. Couple that win with the 2008 John Deere Classic (another one my roommate never heard of) and the Buick Open (and because it’s played near Detroit my roommate won’t recognize) he hasn’t exactly won amongst the who’s who of PGA touring pros. But I will of course tip the cap for his outstanding effort at Jack’s place (Muirfield Village) in 2008 as he brought home the Memorial crown, albeit without Tiger in the field.

But let’s give credit where credit is due. Perry isn’t exactly a child out there. At 48 years of age he has come on very strong at the end of his career to not only stay with the kids, but beat up on the kids. He and Vijay are the old timers out there and look at the resumes between the two in 2008: 6 wins, 1 Fedex Cup and 1 Ryder Cup. Not to bad for the geriatric ward right? But that’s just not enough to convince my roommate that either one are worth a damn.

I really think the thing that really did Perry in with my roommates opinion was his choice to skip two majors (US Open and Open Championship) along with not being in the field at Augusta, in order to help his chances at making the Ryder Cup team in his home state of Kentucky. I don’t know what my roommate hated more his lack of guts or the fact he’s from Kentucky (the reason why he hates JB Holmes); either way it was not seen as good in his eyes. But what does he know right? He lives with me for one, and for the other, Perry was able to secure his slot at Valhalla. Hmm, maybe not so dumb.

The one thing I usually do in these little write-ups is congratulate the winner of said tournament for his entry into the 2010 Masters. Well, just like in many other cases, I don’t have to do that here either. Perry has already punched his ticket to the ‘Tradition Unlike Any Other’ with his T2 performance in the 2009 Masters. T2 is good right? Well of course it is, especially when you lose in a playoff right? Well try telling a very emotional Kenny Perry that following his two-hole playoff with champ Angel Cabrera and Texan Chad Campbell.

Although many times a winner on tour, Perry has yet to win a coveted major. Never really too close in his career he stood on the 71st tee two shots up before faltering with bogies on the two finishing holes! With major chance getting fewer and fewer (especially when you sit them out), I’m sure it was a crippling feeling to a veteran of his caliber. I will say to his credit he has kept his head up and is ready to throw his hat into the ring again…by this I mean defending at the John Deere in two weeks! Anyway, congrats on another win in 2009 Kenny, the Champions are calling you soon.