Doug Carey

Drug testing for the PGA Tour? Let's start with commissioner Tim Finchem

We really didn’t need a blog to tell us that Tim Finchem will do anything Tiger tells him to. That much was known long ago.

What’s ludicrous about Finchem’s latest mess is that we’re even having this discussion. As ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd said today, “Testing PGA players for steroids is like looking for Paris Hilton’s mensa score. There’s nothing there.”

I won’t go that far; it’s entirely possible some players have taken a few supplements. But is it something that’s threatening the core of the game? Aren’t there any bigger issues out there? Maybe it’s just me, but when I see a group shot of Phil Mickelson, Jason Gore and Colin Montgomerie, I’m thinking six-dollar burgers, not steroids.

In case Tiger fails to provide any other bright ideas to Finchem, I thought I’d jot a few down. Perhaps we could spend a little more effort on making golf affordable for everyone? What about upgrading the marketing budget so the average fan learns there’s more to the Tour than Phil, Tiger and Daly? And have we really resolved all the equipment issues?

Must be nice, having to look for things to worry about. We should all have Finchem’s problems.

Phil Mickelson needs time to mope after Winged Foot

Dear Phil:

Just read where you’re withdrawing from the annual ING Par-3 Shootout at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich. Probably a good idea. Why bring your family to an event you always enjoy and start moving forward with things? Instead, stay home and mope for a few weeks. Watch the Open’s final hole 200 times and review all the articles written about your meltdown (be sure to catch what Watson and Nicklaus had to say), and I’m sure you’ll feel much better by the next major.

There’s no doubt you’re making the right call, Phil. Don’t go to the Shootout, where you’ll be surrounded by longtime fans in a comfortable, low-key atmosphere. By playing at Treetops, you could show everyone that you’re not going to let one horrendous hole ruin you. But don’t do that. Wait a few weeks so your mind can really play games with you, and then return at a larger event where there’s a ton of press hanging on your every word.

Whatever you do, don’t listen to anyone who suggests playing at Treetops would be the best thing you could do. Now is the time for self-loathing. Savor this time. Sure, other athletes might choose to immediately start rehabilitating their careers. But why rush to regain your sense of perspective? You blew the U.S. Open, man. This is no time for an enjoyable, cathartic few days with the family at Treetops.

Thanks for listening. I’ll let you get back to your moping. All the best…Doug

Hurricane Tim Finchem and PGA Tour get it right in New Orleans

Quite a weekend for the good people of New Orleans. From Jazzfest to Reggie Bush and the Zurich Classic, the Big Easy is back. Maybe not entirely, sure, but the signs are good.

With all the excitement surrounding Bush, it’ll be easy to minimize the PGA Tour’s role in this pivotal weekend. But after Katrina, commish Tim Finchem could’ve easily followed the government’s lead and simply ignored New Orleans. Katrina left the TPC of Louisiana battered and bruised (it’s still months away from reopening), giving Finchem a clear opening to move the event. To his credit, Finchem remained committed to New Orleans, and the Tour was a major presence in the city last week, starting with an economic summit and culminating with a surprise winner at English Turn.

I don’t make a habit of praising Finchem, but he got it right this time. (In the end, though, players such as David Toms, Ben Crane and Phil Mickelson really made the greatest impact.) In fact, it was a good week for commissioners all around. LPGA boss Carolyn Bivens could have blocked Dakoda Dowd’s dramatic story in Florida, hiding behind some obscure bylaw. Instead, she helped make it happen, giving Dowd’s family a reason to smile through the pain. Something the city of New Orleans can certainly relate to this morning.

Blame Mercedes Championships yawner on PGA Tour boss Tim Finchem

For all the criticism Bud Selig receives – and deservedly so – he’s no longer the worst commissioner in sports. Just days into the new year, PGA Tour boss Tim Finchem has successfully wrested away the title.

In no other major sport does opening day receive as little attention as the Tour’s Mercedes Championships, which ranks right below the Meineke Bowl on your average fan’s winter radar. Tim McDonald and Chris Baldwin have already bashed the Mercedes, but they haven’t assessed enough blame. Why don’t Mickelson, Tiger and others even care about their season opener? Because nobody calls them on it. Can you imagine the uproar if Alex Rodriguez decided to skip the Yankees’ season opener? I’m guessing Steinbrenner wouldn’t push it aside by saying, “Well, it’s one of those things…”

Yet that’s exactly what Finchem told USA Today this week when asked about Tiger’s absence. Talk about the differences between golf and baseball all you want, but it just looks bad when your two marquee players don’t show up for your season opener. And then what happens? Your opening tournament is banished to page six on sports pages across the country, and you’ve missed a golden opportunity to start the season off with a bang. For whatever reason, the Tour puts about as much promotional muscle behind the Mercedes as it does for the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Granted, the Mercedes would’ve been in tough against the NFL playoffs this week, even with Tiger. All the more reason we should be blaming Finchem, who should maybe consider the entire sports calendar before scheduling his season opener. Guaranteed, the LPGA season opener in February gets more press than the Mercedes does this weekend. Credit Ty Votaw for that.

Of course, Finchem is quick to remind us next year will be better. Forget that this season has plenty of good storylines. He’d much rather talk about next year’s schedule or the FedEx Cup points competition, even though he doesn’t really have any details on any of it yet. In that same USA Today interview, Finchem went so far as to call this season “a lame-duck year” for the Tour, which certainly explains Tiger’s absence this week, but does nothing to excite the occasional golf fan about this year’s Tour season.

Seve Ballesteros wasn't really missed

Some comebacks are just unnecessary. After this week’s Madrid Open, we can add Seve Ballesteros to the list.

Absent from competition for the past two years due to injuries, Seve talked a good game heading into Madrid. “Winning is very possible,” he told the AP.

Apparently the meds Seve took for his arthritic back have made him delusional. Forget about winning; making the cut wasn’t even very possible. Seve’s 77-73 left him at 8-over, and he missed the cut by 14 strokes, finishing next-to-last out of 119 golfers.

He’ll always be revered by his fellow Spaniards, but we’ve never been huge Seve fans in this space. Many fans like to mention Sergio Garcia and Ballesteros in the same breath, but that’s disparaging to Garcia, who handles himself with more class than Seve ever has. Garcia’s enthusiasm for the game is something to be admired, while Seve’s antics through the years sadly turned him into a sideshow.

As much as I’d like to be wrong, Seve strikes me as a self-promoter milking his fame as he approaches 50. Instead of being a positive representative of the game long after he’s played his best golf (see: Gary Player), Seve will always be most concerned about Seve. And those kind of comebacks we can do without.

Does Australia hold the key to affordable golf?

Want to make golf more accessible for American kids? Look toward Australia, mate.

As Stuart Appleby told the San Francisco Chronicle, “Golf is way more affordable in Australia than it is here (in the U.S.). It’s not as elitist a sport over there. You can join an exclusive club and pay only $2,000 to $3,000 per year. It’s just less segregated socially.”

Affordable golf? Hard to believe, but true. In that same story, Robert Allenby tells how kids can play a round of golf in Australia “for $7 or $8 in U.S. dollars.”

Wow. Here in California, eight bucks gets your kid a bucket of range balls. Maybe.

Clearly Australia is doing something right. I’m not exactly sure how they’re doing it, but they’ve got my attention. Here’s hoping the USGA and anyone serious about improving youth golf in America also takes a closer look.

Sergio keeps it real, gets fined

News item: PGA European Tour Fines Sergio Garcia.

For what, you ask? A profanity-laced press conference? Punching a belligerent fan? Showing up drunk?

Nothing that bad, fortunately. Instead, Garcia was fined for kicking an advertising board during last week’s Omega European Masters. Yes, you read that right. Garcia…kicked…a…sign.

Oh, the horror! Can you believe he wasn’t suspended? How dare he show some real emotion on the course. Doesn’t Garcia understand pro golfers are supposed to be mere robots, programmed so every move supports their sponsors? What he should’ve done after three-putting the 17th for a bogey was simply pick up the ball and wave insincerely toward the crowd. Showing a little anger? Well, we can’t have that.

Whatever. I’m sure the fine (the dollar amount was undisclosed) will send the appropriate message. Just as it did during Garcia’s previous three “infractions.”

Bottom line: Here’s one of golf’s few real charismatic characters, and he’s being penalized for it. Once he hurts someone, then talk to me. Until then, let’s direct the fines somewhere else…starting with slow play.

Phil Mickelson: How to lead a balanced life

It’s a good thing golf is an individual sport, because Phil Mickelson would be a lousy teammate. Ryder Cup fans already know this, of course, but just imagine Lefty suiting up for Bill Belichick this week.

Mickelson: I’m going to have to miss week six, coach. Amy could have the baby that week.
Belichick: Another baby!? Is that really necessary?
Mickelson: Oh, and then I’ll have to miss a few games late in the year. I’ve got some charity commitments, some paid appearances, and then I thought I’d try out for the Toledo Mud Hens again.
Belichick: Why don’t you just tell me when you will be here?

It’s fitting that Mickelson’s such a huge NFL fan since following his career is about as frustrating as rooting for the Cincinnati Bengals. Seemingly every breakthrough moment is accompanied by two head-scratching moves. Just when you think Mickelson has turned the corner (see Masters, 2004), he reverts to his old ways, shining brightest at the most meaningless times.

Then just when you’re finally ready to write him off, he does something genuine like funding last Saturday’s shopping spree for 1,000 needy children in San Diego. Thanks to the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation, each child was able to grab $200 worth of clothes and shoes, plus a backpack filled with school supplies. What made it special isn’t the donation (about $200,000), but that Phil and Amy actually participated.

It’s easy to write a check, especially when you’ve just made an easy money-grab up in Rancho Santa Fe. It’s quite another thing when you see the Mickelsons greeting dozens of buses at the Wal-Mart front door.

("PGA Tour pro visits Wal-Mart.” There’s a headline you’ll never see again.)

Mickelson has consistently talked about leading a balanced life, and he’s always acted accordingly. Perhaps it’s just time to accept that Mickelson is never going to be Vijay, hitting balls on the range 24/7, 364 days of the year (we assume even Vijay takes one day off). He’s never going to put Player of the Year honors above being a good father. And he’s never going to win as many majors as we all think he should. It’s taken a few years, but I’m okay with it now. Sports already has enough narrow-minded, career-obsessed athletes; what we need is a few more with Mickelson’s perspective.

Killing me slowly: Crane's win sets golf back

Reading Tim McDonald’s recap of Ben Crane’s agonizingly slow win at the US Bank Championship reminded me of my favorite John Wooden quote: “Be quick, but never hurry.”

If we’re lucky, Crane’s win won’t inspire a new wave of golfers to spend more time hovering over every shot. There are already enough slow golfers, and I’m convinced most of them have visited my local muni at some point.

I’m not suggesting everyone needs to race through their next round, but I’m sure there’s a way to enjoy golf without overanalyzing every single bleeping shot. Like the Wizard of Westwood said, you can be efficient without rushing through things. It’s as true in golf as it is in basketball.

Bottom line? Slow play is killing golf. The USGA and everyone else who cares thinks it’s the rising green fees. Yes, it’s a factor. However, I’m convinced slow play keeps more golfers away. Instead, the PGA Tour - and most everyone, for that matter - just pays the issue lip service, giving it the same level of attention John Daly gives his diet.

Don’t know how it is at your course, but the course marshal here always seems much more concerned about the beer stashed at the bottom of my bag than getting people off the course before dark. Priorities, people!

And really, if you want to increase play, you need to target the real decision-maker in the house: The wife. Just a hunch, but I’m thinking the wife would be much more agreeable to your weekly round with the guys if you could promise to be home in four hours instead of five or six.

Annika Rocks

Quote of the week comes from LPGA commish Ty Votaw, commenting on the tour’s new $1 million year-end playoff: “We didn’t talk to any of the other golf tours because we thought it was such a good idea, they would want to take it.”

Yeah…that’s the ticket. Because a year-end playoff is just so unprecedented. I’ve never heard of such a thing. (Well, except for maybe in some minor sports like, say, baseball.) Pity Tim Finchem for not thinking of it first.

Whether or not it’s actually a good idea for the LPGA is still a huge question. Even the players on tour are unsure about the concept, with some (read: Juli Inkster) flat-out criticizing the proposal. And it doesn’t help when the only player who really matters offers only a lukewarm endorsement.

Speaking of Annika, maybe it’s time the LPGA rethinks the new slogan it introduced last week: These Girls Rock.

Instead, let’s be accurate and go with this:

Annika Rocks…And The Rest of ‘Em are Still Better Than You.

Why isn't Annika Sorenstam a cover girl?

After watching Annika Sorenstam steamroll the competition at last week’s Chick-fil-A, SI.com’s Seth Davis asked his employers to cancel the magazine’s Sportsman of the Year search. So what if it’s mid-May? Davis wants to give Sorenstam the honor right now.

Guess what? He’s absolutely right. At this point, Sorenstam’s lead is larger than her 10-stroke win last Sunday. As Davis correctly points out, Sorenstam should’ve won the award in 2003. This time, you’d think she’d be a shoo-in. You’d be wrong.

Curious to see how many times Sorenstam has been an SI cover girl, I accessed the magazine’s online archives. The search turned up two covers, but on both Sorenstam isn’t the main image; instead, she’s stuck in a small corner, easily overshadowed by the featured picture.

So this week you’d think Sorenstam would finally get her own cover, right? Hardly. Not when week 14 of the 30-week NBA playoff season is in full grind. As a result, we get Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, who would’ve been a fine choice except for the fact that (a) the Suns’ Amare Stoudemire was on the cover just four weeks ago, and (b) the NBA finals don’t start until mid-June, at the earliest.

Before engraving Sorenstam’s name on this year’s SI award, Davis should first try to get a regular cover devoted to her. Sorenstam may not sell as many magazines as Nash, but her story is just as compelling.

In search of the perfect airport

Because I’m a bit of an airport geek, I just spent the past 30 minutes reviewing the new report from Skytrax that lists the world’s Top 10 Airports for 2005.

(Okay, so maybe I’m a huge airport geek. Sue me. Surely I’m not the only one who actually looks forward to an extended layover so I can see if the airport might have a casino, porn shop, or an outdoor beer garden. As it turns out, Germany’s Frankfurt Airport has all three.)

According to Skytrax - and its 5,584,365 survey respondents - five of the top 10 airports are in Asia, with HongKong International Airport grabbing the top spot.

Scroll down quite a bit and you’ll find the first U.S. airport - Minneapolis-St. Paul International, which ranked 20th overall. Ouch. Somewhere along the way, the U.S. forgot how to build superior airports. Now they don’t even try. (And please don’t write about Denver International, which 10 years later still seems to need some serious tinkering.)

The worst part about the survey is that I wasn’t all that surprised to see the U.S. shutout of the top 10. I can’t remember the last time I was blown away by an airport’s layout/amenities/services. But maybe I just don’t fly enough. Is there a U.S. airport you think deserved a high ranking? Let me know.

Memo to Michelle Wie: Just say no

Like fellow blogger Jennifer Mario, I don’t have a problem with women receiving PGA Tour sponsor exemptions. For as much as these companies are paying, they should be allowed as many exemptions as they want.

And, yes, it certainly won’t hurt the ratings when Michelle Wie plays in the John Deere Classic. And if she does well, she just might earn a spot in the British Open. To some, it’s blasphemy. I won’t go that far, but it all seems like way too much, too soon.

What I’d really like to see is Wie put together a solid run on the LPGA Tour before she receives her next PGA Tour invite. Then I’d like to see her publicly decline the invitation and pass it onto Annika Sorenstam, the only woman deserving of the honor. (Seeing how Annika is busy rewriting the entire LPGA record book, she’d likely decline the offer.)

If Wie is serious about her long-term future, she’ll stop accepting every invitation that comes her way. I realize most 15-year-olds aren’t known for their incredible focus, but it’s not too much to ask for Wie to settle on just one goal this year (besides finishing her sophomore year): Winning an LPGA Tour event.

Masters leftovers

Phil Mickelson was sure the popular choice before the Masters, but that bandwagon is pretty light today. Tiger finally wins again and the Lefty naysayers come storming back in full voice.

Fair enough. Having picked Mickelson to repeat, I’ll be the first to give Tiger all the respect in the world. But the Tour season didn’t end last Sunday. Before we start engraving Tiger’s player of the year trophy, let’s go ahead and play the other three majors, shall we? My hunch is Mickelson - unlike past years - isn’t going to be content this year w/wins at the FBR Open, Pebble Beach, and the BellSouth.

Lastly…can we stop already w/the countless columns from the Masters listing the week’s “winners and losers"? Enough. There was only one winner on Sunday, and it wasn’t Chris DiMarco. Go ahead and praise him all day long - and deservedly so - but let’s stop calling the second-place finisher a “winner.”

New and improved Mickelson primed to repeat

One year after correctly picking Phil Mickelson to win the Masters, I’m ready to do it again. And this year I feel even better about the choice.

While Chris Baldwin waxes poetic - “Mickelson will forever be the romantic pick and seldom the realistic one” - it’s clear our favorite blogger is stuck in 2003. Back then, I would’ve agreed with Baldwin’s argument. Mickelson wasn’t mature enough to take that next step. But after a disastrous 2003 season (for Mickelson, at least), he changed his entire approach to the game. Thanks to his work with Dave Pelz and Rick Smith - plus an intelligent change in equipment - he seems more focused than ever.

And for what it’s worth, I love the fact that Mickelson stuck around to win the BellSouth yesterday. How can this possibly be a bad thing? ("Oh, the horror. Lefty missed a day of practice at Augusta.” Please.) If anything, winning in wet conditions should serve him well this week at Augusta, where the forecast calls for rain starting Thursday.