Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Golf Betting Odds: The Deutsche Bank Championship


Round two of four begins on Friday as the race to 10 million bucks continues. The top 100 players in the Fed Ex Cup standings will look for a big win at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston.

Notable player betting odds are as follows:


Luke Donald: 12-1
Adam Scott: 16-1
Jason Day: 16-1
Steve Stricker: 16-1
Dustin Johnson: 18-1
Matt Kuchar: 20-1
Nick Watney: 20-1
Phil Mickelson: 25-1
Vijay Singh: 28-1
Keegan Bradley: 80-1

Friday, August 26, 2011

Reasons Tiger Woods should have been picked to the Presidents Cup team

1. He has won 14 majors.
2. He has 71 career PGA Tour victories.
3. He was 5-0 at the Presidents Cup in 2009.
4. His overall Presidents Cup record is 18-11-1.
5. If there should be one exception to the rule, it is Tiger Woods.
6. It is a captains pick, meaning the captain can choose whoever he wants.
7. If the captain had to pick the 11th and 12th ranked player, there would be no point in having captain's picks.
8. He makes a great team with Steve Stricker, the current number three player in the world.
9. He is a much more intimidating opponent than say, Brandt Snedeker.
10. No one would watch the event if he wasn't playing.
11. If he won the Australian Open the week prior, and was left off the team, Couples would look like an idiot.
12. The potential match of Woods vs. Scott in singles in Australia with Williams on the bag.
13. He is now healthy.
14. He still has 3 months to prepare.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Golf Betting Odds: The Barclays

Can Keegan Bradley become the first player to win a major and the Fed Ex Cup with a belly putter?
Tournament number one of the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs begins Thursday at the Barclays with 10 million on the line.

Notable players betting odds for the Barclays are as follows:

Luke Donald: 12-1
Adam Scott: 16-1
Steve Stricker: 16-1
Nick Watney: 22-1
Jason Day: 25-1
Phil Mickelson: 25-1
Rickie Fowler: 33-1
Jim Furyk: 40-1
Keegan Bradley: 40-1
Vijay Singh: 80-1

Friday, August 19, 2011

Golf Betting Odds: 2012 Masters


Yes, the 2012 Masters is still eight months away but early betting odds are already available.

Tiger Woods: 6-1
Rory Mcllroy: 7-1
Phil Mickelson: 10-1
Lee Westwood: 20-1
Luke Donald: 25-1
Martin Kaymer: 33-1
Adam Scott: 40-1
Anthony Kim: 40-1
Charl Schwartzel: 40-1
Jason Day: 40-1

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Two Gloves fires 63 at Wyndham Championship


Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey has proved an aesthetic golf swing is not necessary to shoot low scores. He shot 63 Thursday and is tied for the lead at the Wyndham Championship. I don't have a clue how he hits the ball but it works.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Golf Betting Odds: Wyndham Championship



Notable player betting odds for the Wyndham Championship are as follows:

David Toms: 12-1
Bill Haas: 20-1
Webb Simpson: 20-1
Jim Furyk: 28-1
Ian Poulter: 33-1
Lucas Glover: 33-1
Anthony Kim: 40-1
Jason Dufner: 40-1
Ernie Els: 50-1
Davis Love III: 50-1

It is possible to win big. This dude won 50k on Keegan Bradley last week.

Golf Tours announces top five bachelor party golf destinations


Golftours.com Announces Top 5 Bachelor Party Golf Destinations

New York, NY (August 16, 2011)----Golftours.com has released its first ever list of the top five destinations for Golf Travel themed bachelor parties. “This was a list we just had to do for all those guys taking the plunge. These destinations were chosen for the quality of golf, golf package deals, Golf Resorts and of course the quality of nightlife. We factored in some other unique things that make for a successful bachelor party and came up with our list.” Said Robert Tuchman, a partner with Golftours.com

1. Las Vegas
Yes, it might be a cliché, since Vegas has been popularized as the go-to destination for bachelor parties by films such as The Hangover. However, Vegas also makes for a great Golf Vacation, with courses such as Bali Hai and Desert Pines Golf Club providing a compliment to the other attractions of Las Vegas.

2. Miami
Beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, and beautiful golf: Miami has the trifecta that makes for a perfect golf trip. With golf terrain that is absolutely unique, and country clubs dotting the shore line, Miami makes for a truly unforgettable golf vacation.

3. Myrtle Beach
Similar in climate to Miami, Myrtle Beach may not have as many beaches as Miami, but it more than makes up for it in quality of golf. The Legends Golf Resort in particular more than lives up to its name. Any bachelor party golf trip made to Myrtle Beach certainly will not disappoint.

4. Ireland
The first international destination is also the first destination that is not warm year-round. However, Ireland is secretly one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the fact that it has often hosted the several majors speaks to the quality of golf to be found on the island. When traveling internationally in Europe a good suggestion might be to have an Ireland Golf Package arranged by a Golf Tour Provider so you can concentrate on playing golf and having fun on your Bachelor Party!

5. Scottsdale
One of the great combinations of nightlife and golf, Scottsdale, AZ is can’t beat destination for a weekend away with your buddies. Spend the mornings on tracks such like Grey Hawk and TPC Scottsdale then indulge in the very best nightlife that Scottsdale has to offer.

Tiger Woods vs. Brandel Chamblee


It appears that Golf Channel management has forced host Kelly Tilghman to ask Chamblee questions about Tiger Woods because they know he will spout off more nonsense and create controversy. Obviously, whether Woods is playing well or not, he still is the big ticket item for the Golf Channel and they love to include him in every conversation they can.

First of all, everyone already knows that Woods did not play well at the PGA Championship, his swing is not grooved, and he currently is not at full potential. What people need to understand is that he had only played 9 holes in four months prior to playing in the WGC-Bridgestone. From there, he attempted to play the PGA Championship on an extremely difficult venue that had many of the world's best players struggling. The guy has not played consistently in two years, has had multiple injuries, and is in the middle of a swing change.

Chamblee said Woods is really about the 300th ranked player in the world, that most Nationwide players would beat him, and that he was in no way, shape, or form prepared to play on the PGA Tour. Way to kick a man while he's down Chamblee. Congrats.

I guess he forgot the Woods almost won the Masters in April before being injured.

In the past, Chamblee has repeated over and over that Woods is working on all the wrong things. Apparently, Sean Foley is the worst swing coach in the world and Woods just has no clue what is best for his golf game. I guess a player that has dominated a every level and won 14 majors doesn't know much about golf.

I guess if Chamblee is such a genius he must of had an extraordinary amount of experience playing in big tournaments. Here are his best finishes in the majors.

Masters Record: T18 (1999)
U.S. Open: T41 (2001)
British Open: T66 (1987)
PGA Championship (Missed cut all three times)

So let's see here. A guy who missed the cut in all three attempts playing in the PGA Championship is absolutely grilling a guy who has won the PGA Championship four times already and only missed one cut in 14 attempts. Not to mention Woods still will play in the PGA Championship with a legitimate chance to win for the next 10 years.

It would seem Chamblee would understand how difficult golf can be at times, especially being a player with one PGA victory in comparison with the 71 PGA Tour victories that Tiger has.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Ratings down for PGA Championship

The ratings were down 14% from last year at the PGA Championship and a ridiculous 43% from 2009, the year Y.E. Yang defeated Tiger Woods.

Obviously, part of that is because there was no Tiger or other big names at the very top of the leaderboard. 

However, it does not help when CBS and the PGA decide to show about 30 minutes of commercials per hour. Whoever is in charge should be fired immediately.

They need to take after the Masters, which only has four minutes of commercials per hour. The Masters has stellar coverage. The PGA yesterday was horrendous.


Bradley's victory a perfect storm


Throughout the day Sunday at the PGA Championship, Keegan Bradley appeared to be the most fired up and intense golfer on the course. To me, it looked like he really wanted it more than anyone else.

Even after he chipped his ball into the water at 15 and made a triple-bogey, he didn't mail it in. He immediately came back with consecutive birdies at 16 and 17 to ramp up the pressure on Jason Dufner.

As the two players headed into the playoff, Bradley had all the momentum, played the three holes in 1-under par, and defeated Dufner by one stroke. It was a tough loss for Dufner, but Bradley seemed destined to win this one.

After the round, Bradley credited his famous sports psychologist Bob Rotella with really helping get his mind correct before the tournament began. It goes to show how the proper attitude and mental outlook can help a player win a tournament.

Bradley also mentioned that Phil Mickelson and Camillo Villegas had helped him throughout the week with advice. It can't hurt to have multiple winners providing their past experience.

As if that isn't enough, Bradley is also the son of a PGA teaching professional and nephew to Pat Bradley, a six-time major winner on the LPGA Tour.

It seems Keegan Bradley got help from many angles at the PGA Championship, and used everything he learned to create the perfect storm in winning his first major.

Keegan Bradley: By the Numbers


By winning the 93rd PGA Championship, Keegan Bradley earned his first major championship in his very first start in a major. The 25 year old took home $1,445,000.000, moved into fourth place in the Fed Ex Cup race, and bolted up to 29th in the world rankings.

He's now in a good position to win the $10 million dollar Fed Ex Cup Playoffs and can potentially either earn his way on or become a captain's choice for the Presidents Cup. 

With the win, he earns a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship, a 5-year exemption into the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open, as well as a 5-year exemption on the PGA Tour. 

He also gets to play against the year's three other major winners (Schwartzel, Mcllroy, Clarke), in the PGA Grand Slam tournament. 

In other words, his life just got a lot more awesome. 

Sunday, August 14, 2011

PGA Championship Final Round Photos










Quotes from TNT Coverage of PGA Championship

Provided by TNT:

Bradley on how he feels going into the final round: “As soon as you wake up you can feel it but it’s a good feeling to have.  I’m in the mix and it’s where I want to be.”

Bradley on how he could use his inexperience to his advantage: “Maybe it hasn’t hit me yet with what’s going on and maybe I’ll be able to go out there without thinking about anything.  I think that will help.”

Baker-Finch on Keegan Bradley: “(Bradley) is unbelievable…fresh face, great attitude, great demeanor, he’s happy to do interviews and he’s just a breath of fresh air.  He’s a good role model for all the rookies to look up to.”

Scott on how he feels heading into his final round: “I’m feeling good.  It’s been a tough week.  It’s a tough golf course, it’s been a grind and any mistake is punished.  We’ll see at the end of the day how tough it is to back up.”

Baker-Finch on Bubba Watson: “For someone that hits it so far, (Watson has) got a really good touch and understanding of how to hit those little chips.”

Baker-Finch on the relationship between golfers and caddies: “The help a caddy can give a player…can add confidence to the player’s ability to hit a shot.”

Toms on how he approaches the 18th hole: “You have to do whatever it takes to make a four (on the scorecard)…whatever that is.  The way the hole is set up now, you really have to have a great drive and then decide what you want to do with your second shot.”

Steele on dealing with the pressure of playing in the final round of a Major: “It’s hard to practice for this kind of pressure on this stage.  I’ve definitely thought about it a lot and this is what you work for.”

Verplank on how his experience could come into play: “If I play like I’m capable (of playing), then age doesn’t matter.  I should have a lot of experience.  Hopefully, I’ll draw on the good experience.”

Verplank on his approach heading into the final round: “One shot at a time…hit good shots and add it up when we’re done.”
  

PGA Championship Playoff Format

The treacherous 18th hole at Atlantic Athletic Club has been a nightmare this week for many players.
If players are tied at the end of regulation Sunday, the PGA Championship uses an aggregate score playoff system.

  • 3 holes of aggregate stroke play
  • low score after 3 holes wins
  • If two or more players remain tied following 3-hole playoff, they will continue in a sudden death format until a winner is decided 
Most likely the players will replay the difficult 16th, 17th, and 18th holes at Atlantic Athletic Club. It will be quite entertaining to see a playoff this year as the closing holes are so difficult. The 18th has been a bloodbath with so many balls in the sand and water creating many double bogeys.

This format was first used in 2000 when Tiger Woods defeated Bob May at Valhalla. Last year, Martin Kaymer defeated Bubba Watson at Whistling Straits. 

Each major championship uses a different playoff system. The Masters uses a sudden death playoff. The U.S. Open has an 18-hole playoff on Monday. The British Open has a 4-hole aggregate playoff.

PGA Championship Final Round Pairings and Tee Times

American Steve Stricker is three shots back and looking for his first major victory.

The final group of Brenden Steele and Jason Dufner will tee off at 2:40 Eastern Time Sunday. Notable players chasing them include Steve Stricker, Keegan Bradley, Scott Verplank, Charl Schwartzel, David Toms, and Adam Scott.  

Final Round Pairings and Tee Times

Friday, August 12, 2011

PGA Championship 3rd round tee times and pairings

Keegan Bradley
As a famous line from the movie MAJOR LEAGUE goes, "Who are these $*#@ing guys?"

The top of the leaderboard at the final major of the year includes Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, D.A. Points, Jon Senden, Brenden Steele, and Brandt Jobe. Most of these guys have been playing extremely well as of late, they just don't happen to be household names.

PGA Championship Round 3 tee times and pairings

More well know players in the hunt include Jim Furyk, Scott Verplank, Steve Stricker, Adam Scott, Jhonattan Vegas, and Lee Westwood, among others.

The tournament is still wide open with 38 players within six shots of the lead.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Rory McIlroy shoots even par 70 despite injury


Rory McIlroy toughed out an even par 70 Thursday at the PGA Championship while playing much of it with a wrist injury. He suffered the injury when he attempted to hit his ball as it lay just behind the large root of a tree at the 4th hole. 

It was quite obvious in looking at the ball that he would end up drilling the root with his club as the announcers were describing but McIlroy decided to risk it anyway. It didn't end well as he hit the ball, then the root, the club flew out of his hand, and he hurt himself, just as David Feherty predicted.

After icing the wrist and getting checked out by a trainer, he continued on and played extremely well, although he let go of the club on almost every follow through.

"It's a very important tournament, and I'm still even par," McIlroy said. "I'm still in the hunt. So we'll see what the results are tonight, and if I can strap it up and play again tomorrow, I will."

The U.S. Open champion is seven shots off the lead held by Steve Stricker, and as long as the wrist holds up, he should make a run beginning Friday morning.

Tiger Woods discusses first round debacle


Q. So what adjustments are you going to make from now to tomorrow?
TIGER WOODS: It's going to be a lot. It's a laundry list.

Tiger Woods briefly discussed his 77 Thursday and here is the transcript.

Ishikawa has brutal day with 85


Ryo Ishikawa nearly won the WGC-Bridgestone last week with stellar play. The 19 year old Japanese phenom has even shot 58 in the final round of a professional tournament to win.

Unfortunately, the tides turned today and he felt the other end of the spectrum with his golf game. He hit six balls into the water Thursday to card an 85, 22 strokes behind leader Steve Stricker.

At the diabolical closing stretch of holes 15-18, he made triple, bogey, double, and double. "I'm in the process of a swing change," Ishikawa said. "Last week it went well. This can still happen, though. It's not a surprise."

 Today was just one of the days for Ishikawa. He's still going to have an awesome career.

Stricker sticks it all day with record tying 63 at PGA


Steve Stricker, in search of his first major championship, got off to a great start by pouring in seven birdies to go with no bogeys on his way to an opening round 63.

He tied a major championship record with his score and nearly broke it with a 10 foot putt at the last. "I realized it was for 62 but didn't realize it was for history," Stricker said. "I hit a good putt. It just didn't go in. All in all, a good day."

There is still a long way to go and Atlantic Athletic Club is filled with a devastating array of water hazards to avoid for the next three days, but Stricker is in fantastic position after day one.

Tiger in the woods, water, and sand during opening round 77 at PGA


Tiger Woods, who started his day at the10th, came out strong with three birdies in his opening five holes, but then dumped his long iron into the drink at the 254 yard par-3 15th leading to double bogey. From there, he completely unraveled with misses both left and right, and was in multiple sand traps and water hazards throughout the day.

Long story short, he got on the bogey train, which included three doubles, and simply couldn't get off.

All in all, he ended with a 7-over par 77 which puts him 14 shots behind leader Steve Stricker, who opened with a 63.

"I was 3 under through five and figured I could start letting it go, play by instinct and feel," he said. "That screwed up my whole round."

Woods will have to play extremely well Friday in order to not only make the cut, but also to qualify for the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs. 

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Atlanta Athletic Club to feature difficult 260 yard par-3 15th


Atlanta Athletic Club is expected to play long and difficult this year for the PGA Championship. The course is 7,467 yards and features many difficult holes, including the par-3 15th, which is expected to play 260 yards on certain days.

The last time the PGA Championship was held at this venue, winner David Toms drained a hole in one at the 15th. At the time, the hole was 243 yards and he used a 5-wood. Toms was asked about his strategy this year as the hole as been lengthened.

"If it's into the wind, maybe driver, but you don't want to hit that club there because there is so much trouble around the greens," Toms said. "The course is much, much longer than in 2001, and because of that extra yardage, you'll be hitting longer clubs into the greens, and you won't be able to hold the greens on some shots."

Kikkor Shoes offering 35% Blowout Sale


This is a cool company and these shoes are pretty tight. I have a pair myself and have no complaints. They are definitely comfortable and they have a wide range of styles to choose from. Kikkor Golf is currently offering a 35% discount. Can't beat that.

Monday, August 8, 2011

PGA Championship Betting Odds


The PGA Championship begins Thursday at Atlanta Athletic Club with Adam Scott coming in off a big win last week at the WGC-Bridgestone and Martin Kaymer as the defending champion.

Notable player betting odds are as follows:
Rory Mcllroy: 10-1
Lee Westwood: 14-1
Luke Donald: 14-1
Adam Scott: 20-1
Phil Mickelson: 20-1
Tiger Woods: 20-1
Dustin Johnson: 25-1
Jason Day: 25-1
Rickie Fowler: 25-1
Martin Kaymer: 28-1
Charl Schwartzel: 40-1
Hunter Mahan: 50-1
Anthony Kim: 66-1

Marquee groups to highlight PGA television coverage

Marquee groups highlight TNT and PGA.com’s coverage of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Beginning on Thursday, Aug 11 a featured group including professional golf’s 2011 major champions to date: Rory McIlroy (U.S. Open), Darren Clarke (British Open) and Charl Schwartzel (Masters) tee off at 1:45 p.m. ET.  Former PGA Champions Martin Kaymer (2010), Y.E. Yang (2009) and Shaun Michel (2007) also will be a featured group as they begin play at 1:15 p.m. ET. TNT’s coverage on Friday, Aug. 12 (1-7 p.m. ET) will have four-time PGA Champion Tiger Woods, 1997 PGA Champion and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Davis Love III and 2008 PGA Champion Padraig Harrington teeing off at 1:45 p.m. ET on the second day of coverage. Friday also features a threesome of PGA Champions Phil Mickelson (2005), David Toms (2001) and Vijay Singh (1998) teeing off at 1:25 p.m. ET. Recent Bridgestone Invitational champion Adam Scott, along with Japanese phenom Ryo Ishikawa and Matteo Manassero also will tee off on Friday at 1:05 p.m. ET.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

PGA Championship Pairings


The PGA Championship site has a link to all pairings and tee times.

Notable groups:

Matteo Manassero, Ryo Ishikawa, Adam Scott

David Toms, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh

Alvaro Quiros, Luke Donald, Nick Watney

Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Padraig Harrington

Anthony Kim, Ernie Els, Jhonatton Vegas

Martin Kaymer, Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel

Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia

Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan

Charl Schwartzel, Rory Mcllroy, Darren Clarke

Matt Kuchar, Jason Day, Lee Westwood

PGA Championship Challenge

Enter the PGA Championship Challenge to win cool prizes.

My picks:
Rory McIlroy | Jason Day | David Toms | Bubba Watson | Davis Love III | Brandt Snedeker | Adam Scott | Ryo Ishikawa | Gary Woodland | Sean O'Hair

Stevie vs. Tiger: Williams 1, Woods 0


Steve Williams got a much deserved victory Sunday after getting fired by Tiger Woods after 12 seasons. In only his fourth overall tournament with Adam Scott, they got their first win together.

"I’ve been caddieing for 33 years, 145 wins, and that’s the best week of my life,” Williams told CBS afterward.

Off to a good start for Scott and Williams, although over the long run, Woods will most likely get many more wins.

And the drama continues....

Adam Scott: By the Numbers at the WGC-Bridgestone




Adam Scott played a flawless final round at Firestone to win the WGC-Bridgestone and hold off a star-studded leaderboard which included Ryo Ishikawa, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, and Luke Donald.

He posted a final round 65 which included five birdies and no bogeys to win his first World Golf Championship and now heads into the PGA Championship next week with great momentum.

A look at his numbers for the week:

Scores: 62,70,66,65 -17
Driving Accuracy: 64.3% (T15)
Driving Distance: 319.6 (6)
Greens in Regulation: 70.8% (9)
Sand Saves: 100% (1)
Putts per round: 26.5 (T4)
Birdies: 21 (3)
Fed Ex Cup Points: 550
Prize $: 1.4 million

Photos from WGC-Bridgestone








Saturday, August 6, 2011

New golf fashion


Master of Golf Art

The par-5 16th at Firestone
Graeme Baxter is the official artist for the British Open, the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the U.S. Open and the Masters, as well as the PGA Tour and European Tour.

"I'm essentially trying to create a record of golf history," he says of his prints and paintings, available at baxtergolf.

"Whereas other artists often try to present an image of a course, with almost airbrushed precision, I want to capture a more natural feel for the course. It's simple. I have a passion for golf, I have a passion for art - in my paintings, I combine the two. It did strike me that it wasn't a bad way to make a living!"

He definitely makes a decent living. His painting of the 2000 British Open sold for more than $450,000.

Ishikawa one shot back heading into final round at Firestone


Ryo Ishikawa fired a third round 64 and at 11-under is only one shot behind leader Adam Scott at the WGC-Bridgestone. Ishikawa, 19, and playing this season for Japan, will try to win his first PGA Tour event against a star filled leaderboard including Jason Day, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, and Rory McILroy.

"I think it’s a little too early to think about winning this whole thing as of now," he said. "But I do feel that I was able to play at a pretty good level, pretty high level today. Actually I am a little bit surprised of how I performed out there."

He will tee off with Adam Scott at 2pm Eastern time Sunday. 

Bubba blasts 415 yard drive


Bubba Watson hit a 415 yard drive Saturday at the 667 yard par-5 16th hole at Firestone. He went on to hit his approach shot from 243 yards to 13 feet and two-putted for birdie.

“Nice, as long as I outdrove Tiger, that’s all I care about, because he hit a good one too," said Watson, who played with Woods.

This is an insane drive, but only second place on the season to Derek Lamely, who hit a 419 yarder earlier this season.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Fowler among leaders heading into weekend at Firestone

Rickie Fowler hits a chip shot on the tenth hole during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational on the South Course at Firestone Country Club. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The WGC-Bridgestone is headed towards an exciting weekend with several big draw players still in contention. Rickie Fowler, after a second round 64, is tied at the top at 8-under with Adam Scott, Ryan Moore, and Keegan Bradley.

“A lot of good things came out of today,” said Fowler. “Building some confidence going into the weekend.”

Jason Day is one shot behind at 7-under with Nick Watney and Ryo Ishikawa at 5-under. U.S. Open champion Rory McILroy is lurking at 4-under with several other players including Steve Stricker and David Toms.

Tiger Woods had an up and down round of 71 and is currently at 1-under, seven shots off the pace. “Today was not very good,” Woods said.

Phil Mickelson, after a second round 73, is at even for the tournament.

Play will begin very early Saturday as rain is expected to hit in the afternoon. Players will go off in threesomes starting at 7am.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Tiger Woods: Round one by the numbers at WGC-Bridgestone


Tiger Woods returned with a solid 68 which included three birdies and one bogey. He missed a few manageable birdie attempts but also made several great par saves. His playing partner, Darren Clarke, showed what happens when you binge drink for three weeks and posted a 77 which included a hole out eagle on a par-4. Adam Scott, with the help of his new caddie Steve Williams, leads the way at 8-under after posting 62.

Woods round one statistics:
Score: 68 -2
Driving Accuracy: 35.7% (73)
Driving Distance: 315.5 (5)
Putts: 27 (T15)
Greens in Regulation: 66.7% (T24)
Sand Saves: 50% (T23)

Live Coverage of WGC-Bridgestone

Stuck in the office?

Live Coverage of WGC-Bridgestone

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Barkley puzzled by lack of communication from Woods

Charles Barkley talked about the decline of his relationship with Tiger Woods on the ESPN Mike Lupica radio show Wednesday. Barkley discussed how surprised he was by the Steve Williams firing, the perception that he and Michael Jordan had an influence in Wood's affairs, and the fact that he hasn't spoken with Woods in two years.

"I'm sitting back like everyone else and saying, what the hell is going on? I just feel sad, to be honest with you," Barkley said. "You're like, dude, who is around this guy, who has his back, who has his best interest, who doesn't want anything from him? I don't know why we haven't talked to him in a couple of years."

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

New Nike Prototype golf shoes


These shoes look pretty bad ass. They are the new Nike prototype golf shoes being worn this week by, you guessed it, Tiger Woods.

WGC-Bridgestone to feature many intriguing pairings


Like any professional sport or business, the PGA Tour is all about bringing in the money. One way to bring added attention and to get better ratings is to have a good selection of pairings during tournaments. It seems over the past few years, and especially 2011, the tour has put a focus on creating many viewer friendly pairings. This week at the WGC-Bridgestone is no different, and it's very obvious to tell they are handpicking the pairings.

Tiger Woods / Darren Clarke
Rickie Fowler / Matteo Manassero
Luke Donald / Charl Schwartzel
Graeme McDowell / Lee Westwood
Rory McILroy / Hunter Mahan
Phil Mickelson / Jason Day
Martin Kaymer / Bubba Watson
Nick Watney / Steve Stricker
Matt Kuchar / Ryo Ishikawa
Adam Scott / Dustin Johnson
Sergio Garcia / Retief Goosen

Tiger with Rory, Tiger with Phil, or Tiger with Adam Scott because of the caddie drama would have given them even bigger ratings, but either way, they made some good choices. It's almost a guarantee that this week will see the highest television ratings of the year besides the Majors, especially if Woods is in contention.