There’s a little international event taking place this weekend in a town by the sea in Scotland. On the heels of Lorena Ochoa’s major-championship-coming-out-party in St. Andrew’s last Summer, the Curtis Cup matches ‘twixt sides from Great Britain/Ireland and the USA are contested Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The USA team, frankly, is loaded. Stacy Lewis, Amanda Blumenhurst and Tiffany Joh are three of the most important names in NCAA golf. Elder stateswoman, just-turned-30 Meghan Bolger and younger stateswomen Mina Hirigae (18) and Kimberly Kim (16) represent the two age-extremes of the American side. Representing the home team ... full post »

In honor of the unavoidable catastrophe to befall the European side at this year’s Ryder Cup, I honor the champion USA side with the following rip-off, dedicated to USA Captain Paul Azinger. It is appropriate that the matches be played at Valhalla, for these neo-Norse gods will forever be enshrined in the halls of our memories. Without further adieu, I give you… O CAPTAIN! my Captain! the Ryder Cup is done; The team has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won; The cup is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow hands the ... full post »

Remember the gently-debated status of Made Cut Did Not Finish, added quietly to the PGA Tour holsters in 2008? Believe it or not, it’s the key to eliminating slow play on tour. This week, six, count them, six players were classified as MDF…that would be two entire threesomes. If I were a CBS executive, I’d be worried about all that extra broadcast time on the back end of today’s three hours of coverage. Perhaps CBS might consider showing some footage of the six scratching their heads in bemusement. *** There’s a golfer on the Ladies European Tour named ... full post »

As a lad growing up in urban suburbia, I routinely tuned in on Saturday nights to Hee-Haw, a great television diversion from homework and chores. I recall the strands of a particular song that proclaimed “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all…” It’s a call to recognize that a little is better than none at all. This is relevant for me (and for you, since you are reading this post) for one reason: as a non-political blog, most major news carriers won’t pick up on the revelations found herein. Golf people will ... full post »

…or stay ahead of that freight train! Morgan Pressel, invisible since last year’s gift Nabisco championship (thank you, Santa Pettersen! appears bent on reclaiming her “I’m really better than Michelle” status. Four birdies and an eagle have vaulted the kid into second place, two strokes behind Ochoa. Stay tuned for updates or visit www.lpga.com yourself. Mon to the Ron full post »

Lorena Ochoa held up her end of the bargain, moving on moving day from T4 to 1st place via a 5-under 67. Counting 6 birdies against 1 bogey on the sabbath, to accompany 5 birdies and a bogey on Friday, the Guadalajaran zipped two shots ahead of Teresa Lu and Sophie Gustafson. Her fellow headliner, Miss Annika, did not fare so well. She came into the 18th at -1 for the day, -6 for the event. Birdie on the five par would have brought her within 2 of Ochoa, along perhaps with a coveted spot in ... full post »

…through three days, at least. Shingo the Great is currently outscoring bogies with birdies, 18-0…sounds like the Patriots. Any Giants on the first hole at Raysum Golf and Spa Resort? Krazy Kazuhiko Hosokawa is the only chap within 8 strokes of the lead. He’ll need 8 birdies of his own added to an unforeseen collapse on Sheikh Shingo’s part. I don’t think it will happen. The Southern Africa PGA had a quick, three-round event this week on its Sunshine Tour. In their favor, they have great and unfamiliar names for their events. Where the ... full post »

It seems that the folks at Sawgrass are not averse to low scores, unlike their neighbors to the (barely) north. Forget Augusta National; they had their 70 years as a major…there’s more drama on the final 3 at TPC, anyway. We all like the US and British Opens at majors, and the PGA is doing thing the right way (less rough, newer courses, yada yada), so let’s eliminate the Masters as a major and replace it with the Players Championship. I’ve been a Finchem foe for far too long…I’m not backing away, but he’s been out-finchemed by ... full post »

It’s turning out to be a pretty cool weekend for young golfers on the professional tours. 1. Wachovia Anthony Kim is currently 3 up on the field after three rounds. Heath Slocum, Boo Weekley’s better half, is tied for second with Jason Bohn. Ogilvy, Cink and Furyk are lurking if the kids get butterflies on Sunday. 2. SemGroup Paula Creamer bogied 16 and 18 on Friday and Saturday, so here’s hoping that she has a five-stroke lead heading to the final three holes on Sunday. Not the way you want to finish, ever. Juli Inkster carries ... full post »