The PGA Tour & its Commissioner Tim Finchem have no conscience and should be ashamed of themselves. Never will they be able to justify what they have done to the loyal golf fans living in and around Washington, DC. Let’s start with a little history. After 11 years in Charlotte, NC the Kemper (insurance) Open was brought to the Washington area in 1980, primarily by then-Commissioner Deane Beman who knew that big-time golf would flourish in his hometown. And flourish, it did as the crowds were enormous. The first seven Kempers were contested on one of America’s great venues, Congressional CC ... full post »

The finish of the 2006 US Open was unbelievably painful to watch, showing that choking comes in many forms. Perhaps that is the ultimate reason that this bubbling cauldron of nerves has so much appeal. Jim Furyk has finally gone over the edge with that putting routine. At first it was just annoying when he would appear to be ready to putt, then back off and do it all over again. What we saw Sunday under intense pressure was him doing that 3, 4 or 5 times on a single putt. (It reminded me of Sergio Garcia’s re-gripping problem 2 years ... full post »

What in the name of the 1986 Masters is going on here? Since when does it make any sense at all that golfers on the downside of their careers can turn the clock back and become awesome again - en masse? First, it’s Karrie Webb, dunking a wedge shot on the 72nd hole of the Kraft Nabisco - an LPGA major championship no less - to get into a playoff, win and play like her old self hence, this after spending the previous few years in a funk. Next, it’s Se Ri Pak looking like the young(er) Se Ri, winning the LPGA ... full post »

Unguarded moments often tell the truth that we refuse to see. Despite what you may have read in the press and despite what you think you may have seen on television, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods don’t really hate each other. Oh yeah, they want to beat each other – bad. But that is on the golf course only. Here is all you need to know regarding their feelings for one another. Their paths crossed just over a week ago on the driving range at Winged Foot when both golfers showed up separately to get in a practice round at the ... full post »

Okay, I’ve seen enough. No one on the LPGA Tour consistently strikes the ball better than Michelle Wie does. It is just a matter of time before she puts it all together with her short game and blows away the field in an LPGA event. As it happens, because of some short-sightedness involving LPGA membership rules, Wie will participate almost exclusively in LPGA Major Championship events. And the course set-ups are the most difficult in these LPGA Majors. Therefore, I believe her first win will come in a Major Championship. And yes, it will likely happen this year. I was fortunate ... full post »

Ok, for all the Michelle Wie fans who aren’t getting enough from tv coverage on ESPN and The Golf Channel, here are few internet addresses to track her progress hole-by-hole: The Golf Channel or Sports Illustrated For what it’s worth, I’d put her odds at gaining entry in the US Open at about 5 to 1. We shall see. full post »