TeeOff Post » Opinion

Tiger Woods causes panic on the PGA TOUR

TeeOff — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:45:38 +0000

It seems with Tiger Woods out, the PGA TOUR is in panic mode. Every week there is a different story about when, where, why and how come Woods will make his return – the who and what are a given. It is almost like there has not been golf played this season.

Wake up!

The PGA TOUR has had tremendous tournaments and people are paying attention. Some terrific players have raised trophies so far this season. In the last three weeks alone we saw Ian Poulter, Hunter Mahan and Camilo Villegas outplay the field for their first wins in more than a year. Geoff Ogilvy got things started at the SBS Championship. Then, a couple of surprise winners in Ryan Palmer, Bill Haas and Ben Crane. Steve Stricker became the #2 ranked golfer in the world with a win at the Northern Trust Open and Dustin Johnson took over the FedEx Cup lead winning at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods is not the only story in golf. Yes, he picked up the clubs last week. But, that’s his job. It was inevitable that Hank Haney was going to Florida to work with Woods. Again, it’s his job. Unlike many people, Woods has the wealth to take a few months or a year off from his job and probably not miss a beat. Golf is what he does so, why are we surprised that he started going to the range when he returned home?

Do you think, maybe, with the PGA TOUR at another World Golf Championship event this week, that Woods called Haney in to create a stir? Yes, Woods will return to golf at some time. It always seemed if he were to come back, that the Masters was going to be the perfect stage. Augusta National gives Woods comfort, plus, it is the world’s best field at the greatest venue. It is the type of event Woods thrives on.

So, will he come back? Only Woods knows.

For now, we have to embrace what the PGA TOUR is offering and that is great, competitive golf from the best players in the world.

Can Steve Stricker catch Tiger Woods?

TeeOff — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:44:07 +0000

It may be a strange question, and one that would never had entered your mind at the beginning of the 2010 PGA TOUR season but…

Steve Stricker is now the second best golfer in the world, according to the Official World Golf Rankings. He took over second place from Phil Mickelson after winning the Northern Trust Open last week. The top five are as follows:

Tiger Woods : 523.81 points
Steve Stricker : 356.01 points
Phil Mickelson : 328.10 points
Lee Westwood : 364.51 points
Jim Furyk : 254.03 points

It is a long way to catch Woods but, the longer he stays out, the closer Stricker will get. Stricker, in my mind, could pose a bigger threat to Woods than Mickelson. Stricker is more consistent and isn’t afraid of the top spot. Mickelson has always looked comfortable as the number two guy and never really put forth that “it’s mine for the taking” attitude when Woods missed the beginning of last season and again this year. Instead, Mickelson is focusing on the PGA’s new groove rule rather than winning.

In three events this year, Stricker has finished in the top 10 in all. He tied for 10th at the SBS Championship, finished third at the Sony Open and won last week. Mickelson took 19th at the Farmers Insurance Open and tied for 45th at the Northern Trust Open, where he was the defending champion.

Last year, Stricker won three times and totaled 11 top 10 finishes on the season. Mickelson was solid late last year and missed a lot of the summer when his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer. In total, Mickelson won three times with seven top 10s. Two of those wins came at the end of the season – THE TOUR Championship and WGC-HSBC Champions – which gave Mickelson a lot of momentum heading into the season.

When Woods announced his indefinite leave from the PGA TOUR after his Thanksgiving Day accident, it looked like Mickelson would carry that momentum from last year into the 2010 season. It set the stage for what could have been a summer of dueling between golf’s two top personalities. Good versus evil, if you will. But, after two events, Mickelson has let fans down with non-contending showings.

The PGA TOUR should, for the time being, hop off the Mickelson bandwagon and hitch its trailer to Sticker and other top players – young and old – while Woods is gone. It will not only be better for the game but, would let fans know of the many true talents on TOUR.

1		Tiger Woods, USA		13.10		523.81		40		-62.87		0.00
	2		Steve Stricker, USA		7.91		356.08		45		-27.84		83.75
	3		Phil Mickelson, USA		7.63		328.10		43		-39.97		4.87

Fowler creates stir on PGA TOUR

TeeOff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:08:58 +0000

There are always those that look for the next great player in all sports. For golf, every pre-25-year-old player that garners worldwide attention is the next Tiger Woods. Unfair, yes. But, with the quick success of the newly minted pro Rickie Fowler, golf fans around the world should be excited as there is a crop of young players that seem to be destined to take the sport to a new age.

Fowler, who has played in two PGA TOUR events since turning pro in September, is the latest American phenom to grace the links. He joins Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan as part of an American revolution ready to take on the world’s next great crop, including Rory McIlroy and Ryo Ishikawa.

Next up for Fowler, getting his TOUR card to set up what could be a great 2010 season.

A look to PGA 2010 season: Woods, Mickelson rivalry

TeeOff — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:22:22 +0000

The PGA TOUR finished the season on a high note with its two biggest names raising trophy’s in the final event. Phil Mickelson shot 65 in the final round to win THE TOUR Championship by three shots over Tiger Woods. But, not to be outdone by his rival, Woods’ second place finish at THE TOUR Championship put him on top of the FedEx Cup points standings and the $10 million prize. It is Woods’ second FedEx Cup win in the three year history of the PGA TOUR Playoffs.

The win at THE TOUR Championship puts Mickelson back as the second ranked golfer in the world, according to the Official World Golf Rankings. With Woods retaining the top spot, the pair are poised to reignite their rivalry next season. But, it was a different year for golf’s two biggest stars. Both had multiple win seasons and enjoyed success in the playoffs but not in major championships.

Mickelson, who won three times in 2009, missed most of the summer after learning that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Then, his mother received the same diagnosis about a month later. He didn’t play in the British Open so that he could be home to support his family. His win at THE TOUR Championship was not only emotional but, for fans, it was nice to see Lefty walking down the 18th fairway with his trademark smile.

Woods came into the 2009 season with a lot of questions after missing most of the 2008 season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. Woods answered with six wins and three second place finishes in 16 events. Woods finished outside the top 10 only twice – at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the Deutsche Bank Championship. For Woods, season are graded on major championships. He did not win one this season and missed his only cut of the year at the British Open.

With the PGA heading into the offseason, fans will have the winter to dream and debate about what could be for the 2010 season. Woods, having played a full season on his new knee, will be determined to get major win number 14 and inch closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles. Mickleson, who has not won a major since 2006, will try to end the curse of Winged Foot, where he collapsed down the stretch to lost the U. S. Open.

Great end to FedEx Cup, PGA TOUR Playoffs

TeeOff — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:12:29 +0000

Tiger Woods was outstanding in the PGA TOUR Playoffs and deservedly took home the FedEx Cup and $10 million prize, his second in the playoffs three year history. Phil Mickelson capped off a difficult 2009 season with an incredible victory at THE TOUR Championship to move into second place in the final FedEx Cup point standings.

Could the final round Woods-Mickelson duel be a prelude into the 2010 season?

The PGA TOUR Playoffs worked this year. The changes made did bring excitement to the final events and, more importantly, THE TOUR Championship. Mickelson gave fans a little extra incentive to tune in as he came from behind to beat Woods and possibly re-energizing their rivalry.

Now, the focus move to the Fall Series as players try to stay above the 125 line and keep their full playing privledges for the 2010 season. Notably fighting to stay out of Q-school, the PGA TOUR’s qualifying tournament for playing status, are veterans Corey Pavin, Chris DiMarco and Rocco Mediate. The Fall Series is five events starting with this week’s Turning Stone Resort Championship on Atunyote Golf Club in Verona, New York.

Final push for FedEx Cup

TeeOff — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:03:04 +0000

Tiger Woods blew away the field at the BMW Championship but now the points are reset heading into the final PGA TOUR Playoff event – The TOUR Championship.

The PGA set out to make the final event, and the FedEx Cup series, more exciting for fans. The big change was not resetting the points until this week, where in previous years the season points were reset at the start of the playoffs. That move rewarded both the season’s top performers and the playoff stars. What it also did was erase the repeat of Vijay Singh’s cake walk at last year’s TOUR Championship – not that Singh didn’t deserve it after winning the first two events.

The change gives the top five players the best chance at hoisting the FedEx Cup, and the $10 million check. With a win at The TOUR Championship, Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Heath Slocum would be crowned FedEx Cup champion. From there, seeds 6-10 have a great chance of taking home the biggest prize money in golf.

But, as with any tournament, you have to show up. Here are the players that made the biggest moves in the playoffs to earn a spot at The TOUR Championship:

Heath Slocum – started the playoffs in 124th and, thanks to a win at The Barclays, has moved up to fifth
Padraig Harrington – hit his stride late in the season and moved from 66th to sixth
Marc Leishman – squeezed into the top 70 after the Deutsche Bank Championship and finished second at the BMW Championship to gett o 16th place
Scott Verplank – was in 61st place and has moved to eighth
Ernie Els – played great at The Barclays (t2) and put himself at 22nd from 47th
Jason Dufner – a tie for second at Deutsche Bank Championship moved him to 10th from 42nd

Picks: PGA Championship at Hazeltine

TeeOff — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:53:57 +0000

This is the last chance to be a major winner in 2009. The PGA TOUR is in Minnesota at Hazeltine National Golf Club for the 91st PGA Championship. Tiger Woods is coming into the final major without a victory in the previous three but has won the last two TOUR events. The momentum is in his favor but guys like Hunter Mahan are looking to grab their piece of a major trophy. Will Tiger get one step closer to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors? Will we see Stewart Cink, Angel Cabrera or Lucas Glover win their second of the season? Will Phil Mickelson break his major slump in what would be a heart-felt win? Here are the picks:

Top 3

Tiger Woods
Hunter Mahan
Lee Westwood

Watch List

Phil Mickelson
Anthony Kim
Geoff Ogilvy
Rory McIlroy
Stewart Cink

Recap: Open Championship

TeeOff — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:17:48 +0000

The Open Championship at Turnberry will always be remembered as the Open that 59-year-old Tom Watson almost shocked the world. It should also be remembered as one of the greatest majors of this decade. Stewart Cink won by playing consistent all week and saving his best for last. A two-under par round on Sunday, with a birdie on the final hole, put Cink where he needed to be to win. As all the other contenders – Watson, Lee Westwood and Chris Wood – finished with bogeys, Cink charged and continued that charge through the four-hole playoff. Cink raises the Claret Jug as a true champion.

It was also a week where England almost crowned one of its own as champion. Westwood, Wood and Luke Donald all finished in the top five and, despite late bogeys, Westwood and Wood had real chances at becoming the first Englishmen to win the Open Championship in 16 years…maybe next year.

Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Justin Leonard also finished in the top 10. After a 76 in the third round, Miguel Angel Jimenez closed with a 69 to move into a tie for 13th place with Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley and Henrik Stenson. Also finishing in 13th were Englishmen Justin Rose and Ross Fisher, who may have had a chance to win but made a quadruple-bogey on the fifth hole.

Masters champion Angel Cabrera finished in 24th place. Mark Calcavecchia tied for 27th with Nick Watney, John Daly and Davis Love III. Martin Kaymer, who had won two straight European Tour events coming in, finished tied for 34th place with Jim Furyk. Sergio Garcia tied for 38th at six-over par with Vijay Singh and Steve Marino.

Paul Casey finished tied for 47th with Zach Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Paul Lawrie. Darren Clarke and Kenny Perry tied for 52nd place. And, defending champion Padraig Harrington finished tied for 65th place with Stuart Appleby and Sean O’Hair.

Moving Day: Open Championship

TeeOff — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:31:09 +0000

The leaders tell two different stories. Tom Watson has won five major championships, including one here at Turnberry. Steve Marino got into the Open Championship as an alternate and carded a great second round in tough conditions. With rain in the forecast for the weekend in Scotland, the Open Championship is primed for a classic weekend.

So who could take on the leaders. It is tough to predict as anything can happen in this major championship. I would like to see Watson take the headlines through Monday but there are many behind him that want to make their own storyline.

Mark Calcavecchia is another who has found the fountain of youth. He is in third place, one shot behind Watson and Marino. And, first round leader Miguel Angel Jimenez is only two shots back as is Vijay Singh. Young players looking to raise the Claret Jug are J. B. Holmes, tied for ninth, and Martin Kaymer, who is in 14th place at one-under par. Don’t forget about Sergio Garcia and Camilo Villegas, who are also tied for 14th place.

The dark horse…John Daly. Who would have thought Daly, the 1995 Open champion, would make the cut and Tiger Woods not? Daly is at even-par through two rounds and may ride the confidence up the leaderboard.

Picks: The Open Championship at Turnberry

TeeOff — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:16:56 +0000

The third major on the PGA TOUR schedule is here and the drama is set as Padraig Harrington looks to win his third straight Open Championship as Tiger Woods wants to raise his fourth Claret Jug. Will either top the leaderboard on Sunday or will young stars like Anthony Kim, Martin Kaymer or Rory McIlroy take the prize. And what about Sergio Garcia, is it his time? We will have to see as they get set to tee it up in Scotland.

Top 3

Tiger Woods
Kenny Perry
Padraig Harrington

Watch List

Paul Casey
Sergio Garcia
Martin Kaymer
Vijay Singh
Anthony Kim

Picks: Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic

TeeOff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:11:58 +0000

The LPGA is in Ohio for the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club. Paula Creamer is the defending champion but has struggled with injuries this season, most recently last week. Creamer withdrew from the Wegmans LPGA with a thumb injury and is set to go this week after consulting with her doctors. She will have to face the world’s best in Lorena Ochoa and a field packed with nineteen of the top 20 golfers in the world, thanks in part to it being the lead into next week’s U. S. Open.

Top 3

Lorena Ochoa
Michelle Wie
Cristie Kerr

Watch List

Paula Creamer
Yani Tseng
Morgan Pressel
Natalie Gulbis
Se Ri Pak

Picks: AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods

TeeOff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:15:24 +0000

The PGA TOUR is in Maryland for the AT&T National, hosted by Tiger Woods. Woods missed his event last year because of knee surgery but he is in the field this week as he tries to unseat Anthony Kim. Kim is coming off his two best consecutive starts and could be poised for a repeat this week at the Congressional Country Club.

Top 3

Tiger Woods
Hunter Mahan
Sean O’Hair

Watch List

Vijay Singh
Anthony Kim
Paul Casey
Nick Watney
Jim Furyk

Round up: Wegmans LPGA

TeeOff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:26 +0000

Jiyai Shin made it look easy in Pittsford, New York as she won the Wegmans LPGA by seven shots. Shin was not seriously challenged in the final round as her closest competitors faltered down the stretch.

Yani Tseng and Kristy McPherson shot 66s to move into a tie for second place. Rookies Mika Miyazato and Stacy Lewis tied with Haeji Kang for fourth place. Cristie Kerr notched another top 10 finish, tying for seventh place with Meaghan Francella and Sun Young Yoo. Michelle Wie rebounded from her third round 75 with a final round 69 to finish tied for 10th place with Brittany Lincicome, In-Kyung Kim, Sandra Gal and Mindy Kim.

Morgan Pressel had a rough back nine, including a triple-bogey, to fall into a tie for 15th place with Lindsey Wright, Brittany Lang, Ai Miyazato, Sarah Kemp, Anna Grzebien and Ji Young Oh. Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb tied for 24th place with Karen Stupples, Na Yeon Choi, Wendy Ward, Stacy Prammanasudh and Amy Yang.

Helen Alfredsson finished in 31st place. McDonald’s LPGA Championship winner Anna Nordqvist finished tied for 36th place. Rookie Vicky Hurst finished in 39th and Natalie Gulbis tied for 61st place.

Paula Creamer withdrew after Friday’s round due to an injury to her thumb.

Round up: Travelers Championship

TeeOff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:25 +0000

Kenny Perry soared to the top of the FedEx Cup standings with his second victory of the 2009 PGA TOUR season at the Travelers Championship. His final round 63 put Perry three shots better than David Toms and Paul Goydos.

Ryan Moore and Hunter Mahan finished with 64s to tie Ben Curtis for fourth place. Rounding out the top 10 were Tag Ridings, Casey Wittenberg, Scott Verplank and Bo Van Pelt. U. S. Open champion Lucas Glover finished with a round of 65 to move into a tie for 11th place with Anthony Kim and John Merrick. Bubba Watson, Boo Weekley, D. J. Trahan and Michael Allen tied for 14th place, as Zach Johnson finished in 18th.

Rookie Webb Simpson tied for 26th place with Brian Gay, Nick O’Hern and four others. Justin Leonard tied for 34th place. Sergio Garcia scored his best round on Sunday with a 66 but finished tied for 43rd. Colt Knost fell on Sunday with a final round 73 to tie for 47th. Vijay Singh tied for 51st place and Chad Campbell finished in 59th place. Defending champion Stewart Cink failed to make the cut shooting two rounds of 71.

Picks: Wegmans LPGA

TeeOff — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:00:57 +0000

The LPGA is back on the course for the Wegmans LPGA in Pittsford, New York. Hosted by Locust Hill Country Club, the Wegmans LPGA provided a little drama last year as Eun-Hee Ji came from behind to beat Suzann Pettersen over the final nine holes. Oh will try and repeat but will have to outlast Paula Creamer, Yani Tseng and Jiyai Shin to raise that trophy again. Also, top rookies Anna Nordqvist, Michelle Wie, Mika Miyazato, Stacy Lewis and Vicky Hurst are in the field this week looking to add to their impressive seasons.

Top 3

Jiyai Shin
Michelle Wie
Paula Creamer

Watch List

Yani Tseng
In-Kyung Kim
Cristie Kerr
Vicky Hurst
Eun-Hee Ji

Top 3

Jiyai Shin
Lorena Ochoa
Michelle Wie

Watch List

Suzann Pettersen
Yani Tseng
Paula Creamer
In-Kyung Kim
Vicky Hurst

Picks: Travelers Championship

TeeOff — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:15 +0000

The Travelers Championship is the perfect tournament to follow the U. S. Open. The TPC River Highlands is a terrific course and the players love coming to Connecticut for this five-star event. Stewart Cink is looking to defend his 2008 title but will have to face a solid field on a course primed for scoring after last week’s rain. Looking to capitalize on a solid Open at Bethpage are Sergio Garcia and Hunter Mahan, who won here two years ago.

Top 3

Hunter Mahan
Sean O’Hair
Kenny Perry

Watch List

Stewart Cink
Sergio Garcia
Vijay Singh
Anthony Kim
Woody Austin

Bethpage Black is set to host a very highly anticipated U. S. Open this weekend. Tiger Woods is one year removed from the greatest Open in PGA history and faces a longer, tougher Black Course on Long Island. The usual suspects are all considered contenders – Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington – but it is the likes of Paul Casey, Geoff Ogilvy and Sean O’Hair that have played well this season and should be at the top of the leaderboard this week. Rocco Mediate was the surprise contender last year and look for others like Brian Gay, Nick Watney or Dustin Johnson to try and capture some of that magic.Top 3

Tiger Woods
Paul Casey
Phil Mickelson

Watch List

Geoff Ogilvy
Sergio Garcia
Kenny Perry
Sean O’Hair
Ian Poulter

Picks: U. S. Open at Bethpage Black

TeeOff — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:38:46 +0000

Top 3

Tiger Woods
Paul Casey
Phil Mickelson

Watch List

Geoff Ogilvy
Sergio Garcia
Kenny Perry
Sean O’Hair
Ian Poulter

Round up: McDonald’s LPGA Championship

TeeOff — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:31:50 +0000

Anna Nordqvist is the second rookie in as many years to win the McDonald’s LPGA Championship with her four shot victory over Lindsey Wright at the Bulle Rock Golf Course.

Wright continued to play well in big events with her second place finish. Rookie Jiyai Shin finished in third place, five shots back. Kyeong Bae took fourth place with Angela Stanford, Nicole Castrale and Kristy McPherson tied for fifth place. Na Yeon Choi finished in eighth place while rookie Stacy Lewis, Jin Young Pak, Song-Hee Kim and Amy Yang tied for ninth place.

Paula Creamer and Katherine Hull tie for 16th place with In-Kyung Kim, Sophie Gustafson and Shi Hyun Ahn. Natalie Gulbis was a shot behind them with Hee-Won Han. Lorena Ochoa finished off a rough weekend, with consecutive rounds of 73, to finish tied for 23rd place. With Ochoa was defending champion Yani Tseng, Michelle Wie and Maria Hjorth.

Cristie Kerr tied for 31st place with Young Kim, Beth Bader and Soo-Yun Kang. Tied for 39th at one-over par was Britany Lang, Mika Miyazato and Ji Young Oh. Juli Inkster finished in 44th place with Karrie Webb one shot behind her in 49th.

Round up: St. Jude Classic

TeeOff — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:56 +0000

The PGA TOUR heads into the U. S. Open after an exciting weekend at TPC Southwind for the St. Jude Classic. Brian Gay finished off the wire-to-wire victory with a final round 66 for a five shot edge over David Toms and Bryce Molder.

Robert Allenby continued his strong play at the Southwind course, finishing tied for fourth place with Paul Goydos and John Senden. Graeme McDowell shot 63 in the final round to tie Jason Dufner for seventh place as Woody Austin, Jeff Overton and Heath Slocum rounded out the top 10.

Kevin Stadler and Brendon Todd tied for 12th place at eight-under par. Rich Beem tied for 14th with Nathan Green, Harrison Frazar, Ben Crane and Aron Price. Lee Janzen shot 67 in the final round to move up to 19th from 37th place. Jason Day tied for 23rd place.

Retief Goosen and Tim Clark tied for 29th at four-under par. Camilo Villegas rebounded from a third round 74 to close with a 66 in the final round, finishing tied for 29th. Phil Mickelson finished with a final round 75 to fall into a tie for 59th place. In his first tournament of the PGA season, John Daly tied for 59th with weekend round of 71 and 70.

Moving Day: McDonald’s LPGA Championship

TeeOff — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:45:34 +0000

Can a rookie win the McDonald’s LPGA Championship for the second straight year? Anna Nordqvist is trying to accomplish that feat as she heads into the weekend with a one shot lead over Nicole Castrale at the Bulle Rock Golf Course.

Some of the starts moved up the leaderboard in round two as Katherine Hull and Lindsey Wright are tied for third place. Rookie Stacy Lewis is four back tied for eighth. They all should be in the mix on Sunday.

Lorena Ochoa shot 69 to get into contention heading into the weekend. She is five shots back, tied with Jiyai Shin, Angela Stanford and Aree Song. Karrie Webb is another player to watch.

Yani Tseng is tied for 32nd place but, as we have seen, cannot be counted out. With Tseng at even-par are Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Juli Inkster and Brittany Lang.

The dark horse…Michelle Wie. We havn’t seen Wie put together two solid rounds in a row in a while but, she can do it.

Moving Day: St. Jude Classic

TeeOff — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:00:46 +0000

Thunder storms halted the St. Jude Classic, delaying the second round until Saturday morning. Brian Gay kept his spot at the top of the leaderboard with a 66 in the second round. Can he keep the edge heading towards the final round?

I like Woody Austin…he has played well the last few weeks and is in contention once again. It would be nice to see Camilo Villegas contend this week. He is currently tied for seventh…a win would be a nice lead into the U. S. Open. Also keep an eye on Jason Day at five-under par.

Phil Mickelson is in decent position at four-under par and could be a factor on Sunday. Tim Clark is in with a 67 in round two…could the extra rest get Clark within striking distance on Sunday?

The dark horse…John Daly. Making his 2009 PGA season debut, Daly is even-par with rounds of 72 and 68. You never know w what could happen with Daly…

Picks: McDonald’s LPGA Championship

TeeOff — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:30:03 +0000

The LPGA starts the second major of the season with the McDonald’s LPGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola. Yani Tseng returns to defend her title, which made her the second youngest major tournament champion in LPGA history. She will have to fend off Lorena Ochoa and the other top golfers, including Suzann Pettersen, Paula Creamer and Jiyai Shin. Can Kraft Nabisco winner Brittany Lincicome make it two in a row? Or, will rookies Michelle Wie, Vicky Hurst or Stacy Lewis follow in Tseng’s footsteps and claim their first major in their rookie season?

Top 3

Jiyai Shin
Lorena Ochoa
Michelle Wie

Watch List

Suzann Pettersen
Yani Tseng
Paula Creamer
In-Kyung Kim
Vicky Hurst

Picks: St. Jude Classic

TeeOff — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:55 +0000

This weeks St. Jude Classic should provide a nice look into how the some of the PGA TOUR’s top golfers will do in the upcoming U. S. Open. Phil Mickelson is in the field this week to prepare for Bethpage Black. Other top golfers playing this week are Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Camilo Villegas. Justin Leonard won at TPC Southwind last year in a four-hole playoff and is back to try and repeat.

Top 3

Tim Clark
Phil Mickelson
Charles Howell III

Watch List

Justin Leonard
Robert Allenby
Camilo Villegas
Retief Goosen
John Daly

Moving Day: LPGA State Farm Classic

TeeOff — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:00:38 +0000

Suzann Pettersen is in the hunt again, looking for that elusive victory in 2009. She is tied with Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak, who has held a share of the lead after both rounds. The pair will have to battle through the weekend as 32 plyaers are within five shots of their 10-under score.

Helen Alfredsson made her move with a second round 63…does she have another to overtake the lead? Kristy McPherson finds herself at the top of the leaderboard again, as does Angela Stanford. Jiyai Shin looks to add to her rookie totals. Also, watch In-Kyung Kim who, like Pettersen, has come close a couple of times in 2009.

Michelle Wie is tied for 16th place at six-under par. She is looking for a little redemption from last year’s disqualification when she failed to sign her scorecard. Also, Cristie Kerr, Katherine Hull and Morgan Pressel are tied with Wie at six-under par and primed for a run up the leaderboard. At four-under par, Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis are only six-shots back.

The dark horse…Yani Tseng. The world’s number two is tied for 47th place at three-under par. She made a run on Moving Day last week and almost won…why not again?

Moving Day: The Memorial Tournament

TeeOff — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:30:50 +0000

It is shaping up to be a good weekend in Ohio at The Memorial Tournament. Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village played tough in the afternoon sun. Jim Furyk and Jonathan Byrd are tied for the lead at seven-under but there are more than 30 players, including the game’s best – Tiger Woods, within six shots. With two rounds to play…

It is easy to say watch out for Tiger Woods. At one-under par, Woods is in prime moving day position and should reboud from the second round 74.

I like Ernie Els, who crept into the top 10 with opening rounds of 70. Also, Steve Marino kept the momentum from last week’s playoff loss to be three shots out of the lead.

Luke Donald fell after a 76 in the second round and, hopefully, should rebound to contend. Keep an eye on Dustin Johnson at three-under, as he looks to win his second event of the season. Paul Casey and Charley Hoffman are two others to keep an eye on over the weekend.

The dark horse…Kenny Perry. The defending champion is one-over par after opening with a 72 and 73 but, he knows his way around this course noted by his three wins at Muirfield Village.