A good friend from BuffaloGolfer.Com, The Mouth That Roars, posted his predictions for round two of the match play this morning. I said good, but not necessarily smart, friend. He and I agree on virtually nothing when it comes to day two. Here’s why: Clark defeats Woods…Clark putts lights out and Woods falters. McIlroy defeats Mahan…The wee lad doesn’t know that he should lose. Katayama defeats Ogilvy…different course, different year, bye-bye Geoff Jimenez defeats Villegas–The Mechanic takes down Sampson by cutting his hair with a cigar cutter. Donald defeats Singh–I normally don’t pick Donald for anything, but I have a bad feeling ... full post »

Here is a quote from an article about the Jones-Woods featured match on Wednesday at the WGC Match Play: Jones and Levin began learning the new course Monday, and there was much work to do. While Woods had not hit a shot in competition since last June, Jones, because of the vagaries of the Japan Tour’s schedule (it doesn’t start until mid-April), had not competed since early December. Let’s see…you’re ranked #64 in the world and you can’t get in a tournament from December to February? Are you for real for real? Don’t pretend that we the readers are ... full post »

In recent weeks we’ve seen the coronation of two tremendous teenaged golfers in the world golfing realm. No, we are not discussing Michelle Wie, who came fairly close to an inaugural professional win. Instead, we recognize Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, champion of the Dubai Classic and Danny Lee of New Zealand (by way of South Korea), winner of this week’s Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia. Of the two, Lee impresses me more. He charged to victory with a final-round 67, including a par-saving putt on 16 after rinsing a ball in the local lavadora. In contrast, McIlroy had ... full post »

1. A first-round loss at the Match Play would make the week an absolute bust; 2. A run all the way to the semi-finals would involve seven or eight potential rounds, one of which would be contested at 36 holes; 3. The grasses of Arizona would certainly differ from those in Florida and Georgia; 4. A trip west for one event, then a shuttle back east for his next appearance in Florida; Having been wrong yet again, I’ve looked at the schedule and determined the following: A. Tiger plays poorly at Riviera, so a return there was out of the ... full post »

I promise that the title question is one you will never hear asked at a PGA Tour event yet, mind-numbingly, the press covering the LPGA tour opener saw fit to ask it of Angela Stanford. Here you have the text, courtesy of ASAP Sports: Q. What would you say to console Michelle? ANGELA STANFORD: You know, she just – it’s just a learning process. And I hope that she uses what happened on 11 to her advantage. I hope when she gets in that position again, you know, she handles it differently. And I think she will. You know, it’s golf. I ... full post »

Old college chum Billy Andrade was -3 after 4, starting on the back nine at Poppy Hills. Imagine my surprise when I realized that we had lost him. I used PGATour.Com’s shot tracker option to see how he fared on hole 14 and found this listing: Play by Play for the Par 4, 415 yards 14th Hole Shot 1 from the tee box Shot 2 from the unknown Wow, what to do? Fortunately, about five minutes later, the following was posted: Play by Play for the Par 4, 415 yards 14th Hole Shot 1 from the tee box Shot 2 from the unknown Shot 3 from ... full post »

There is a word that writers are tempted to use at the drop of a hat, and speakers break it free of its restraints nearly twice as often, and that word is EPIC. Those in the know smile gently and quietly at its misuse, while those who carelessly toss it about do one day reach the stage where they recognize their linguisticly-youthful impertinence. Having spent the better part of two weeks’ worth of evenings and afternoons traversing the circular route of Tom Coyne’s footpath and golfing journey around the island of Ireland, I am tempted to describe his journey with ... full post »

In case you missed it, John Rollins lost his grip on the Buick this weekend at Torrey Pines. He found a way to bogey holes 16 and 18 and lose the tournament to the grateful Nick Watney. A continent away, in Georgia, young Morgan Hoffman did exactly the same thing at the Jones Cup, a top-notch amateur event on Sea Island, gift-wrapping a belated holiday present for Kyle Stanley. What Stanley and Watney showed us was the simple and time-honored rule of love, business and sport: opportunity knocks. Just hang around long enough and you’ll ... full post »

his name is Chuck Woods. full post »

No doubt my bosses will get mad at me for bumping you to another site, but I can’t ignore this series. The first golf book I ever reviewed was titled Forbidden Fairways and was written by Calvin Sinette. It details the history of black american golfers and is an impeccable volume. That mine is signed and dedicated by the author makes it that much more __________ (fill in your own adjective) to me. Driving around to nowhere in particular (a few miles from yonder), I heard a tease on PGA Tour network for Uneven Fairways, a Samuel L. ... full post »

I received the February e-newsletter today from Bandon Crossings Golf Club in Bandon, Oregon. Down two-point-five courses to its famous neighbor, Bandon Dunes, it is safe to say that the Crossings won’t eclipse it anytime soon. My guess is they don’t need to. When you have a world-renowned resort up a street or two, what the area needs is a fine track for the locals. Bandon Crossings, from every review, provides just that. The owner worked on the crew of the first Bandon Dunes course, so he knew a thing or two about building a ... full post »

Davis Love III, over-20 year golf professional and golf course architecture partner, had this to say about Torrey Pines golf courses and their greens: DAVIS LOVE III: Well, obviously a good start, tough wind and a little cooler than we’re used to. But I’m sure it’s tougher on the South Course. So it was a good start, and I putted well. They did something to the greens from Tuesday when I played a practice round. They were much smoother and you could make some putts today. They were more like the South Course. Listening to him on XM Radio’s PGA Tour station, ... full post »