Official carries the wiener off the 7th green…
I don’t do a lot of Tiger Woods posts. There are billions of other sites regurgitating every bit of news they can find about Tiger, even covering his empty parking spots or his entry into the porta potty. My favorite is when he blows a big snot out of his nose and they show it in super slo-mo on the Konica Minolta Tiger Booger Vision Camera. With the Ryder Cup coming up I feel Tiger is worthy of some commentary here.
Tiger Woods has withdrawn from consideration as a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup. Here’s his post regarding his withdrawal:
I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now. I was fortunate that my recent back injury was not related to my surgery and was muscular only.
I have already spoken to Tom [Watson] about the Ryder Cup, and while I greatly appreciate his thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I took myself out of consideration. The U.S. team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I’ll be cheering for the U.S. team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.
I plan to return to competition at my World Challenge tournament at Isleworth in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 1-7. It’s an event that’s important to me and my foundation, and it will be exciting to be playing again.
Thankfully this announcement puts an end to the nauseating over-posting of the “should Tom Watson pick Tiger for the Ryder Cup team?” questions. Glad that’s over. Seems like every article and every social network feed had about as many of those posts as the “dump ice on your head” ones. By sheer numbers alone, one might conclude that the Ryder Cup team is better of without Tiger Woods, even when he’s healthy. His record in the event is quite poor. Based on recent play I don’t understand how anyone would remotely consider him for the team. They’re just Tiger homers.
I can’t help wondering if Woods should not have played in the Bridgestone and the PGA this past month or so. He was obviously not at his best yet told the media he was 100% and there to win. Is that denial, stubbornness, rust, or was he really 100% only to become injured again during the course of the Bridgestone? I’d have to question his doctors about that, or Woods himself for perhaps ignoring their advice and playing anyway? We will never know.
Now that Woods has bowed out of any competition until at least the first week of December are we going to be subjected to more posts about how Tiger not being around is killing the golf economy? Probably but I sure hope not. Personally I don’t buy gear or book tee times based on whether Tiger Woods is playing and I don’t know anyone else that does either. The Tiger effect hurts the media, but they took too many trips through the Tiger buffett anyway. Sooner or later the Tiger media bubble was going to burst.
I have now watched TV for a third time this year, during the PGA Championship. The first two times were the Masters and the Open Championship. I live a sheltered, golf blogger life I suppose.
I’ve considered the PGA Championship to be the red-headed stepchild of the major tournaments, but the finish this year was more exciting than the other three majors. All that despite a hoaky golf course in Valhalla which seemed to strictly dictate playing strategy on many holes, leaving no room for creativity by the players.
Choo Choo! Hop on the McIlory bandwagon!
Hop aboard the Rory McIlory bandwagon with me! I’m a fan! The McIlroy era has begun. Watch the golf media go all ape gaga over Rory now as Tiger fades. They’ll latch onto him like a baby monkey latches onto its mother. Soon we will be reading all the “will Rory break Jack’s major record?” drivel from the scribes. Quote me on it. Book it. So predictable.
The 2014 PGA Championship was a great major win for Rory because he found himself behind by two shots midway through the round. He found a way to come back and win by two shots. A different win than his previous front-running style wins.
Hard not to like this kid. He is still a kid, but growing up fast. There’s something authentic about Rory. He’s not a mercenary robot like Tiger Woods was. He has a human quality to him and an open, perhaps slightly naive quality to him. This makes him much more likable than Tiger ever was. Time will tell if the endless stupid media questions and taking what he says out of context will sour that likable human aspect. I hope not.
Rickie Fowler
I’ve poked fun at Rickie Fowler for quite some time now. For a few years now, this kid has been more well known for his apparel style than his golf game. That has changed as has my opinion. In EVERY major this year Fowler has been right there, even had a chance to win. I respect that. He’ll get one.
Phil Mickelson
Phil has had a very lackluster season so far. I was pleased to see Phil bring it this past weekend and he produced some great drama, even tying for the lead for a bit. Ironically it was his short game failing him on the 16th hole Sunday, which led to a bogey which put him one back of McIlory.
Henrik Stenson
Henrik Stenson had a share of the lead for a bit. When he three putted I ducked, and I’m 2,000 miles from Valhalla. Stenson is a ticking time bomb and I wonder what he destroyed after yesterday’s round. Still, he’s an amazing player. Just ask his accountant.
Lee Westwood
I like Lee Westwood. He had the lead after the first round. But I’m not sure he can get over the hump and win a major championship. Maybe he hung around too much with Colin Montgomerie?
Bubba Watson
I missed much of this. Apparently Bubba Watson had some not-so worthy f-bombs which fell in earshot of not only the TV microphones, but small children. His behavior was enough to warrant many articles and commentary, and an apology on Twitter.
Dustin Johnson
DJ took a leave of absence before the PGA to work out personal issues. Many rumors and articles cited a suspension for drug use but the PGA Tour denied DJ was suspended. Sounds like a self-imposed suspension.
You are a reflection of who you hang out with. ‘Nuff said.
Will Tiger Break Jack’s record? I might break your jaw if you ask that question one more time…
Tiger Woods
Last but not least Tiger Woods. After withdrawing from the WGC Bridgestone the previous week and almost crawling to his courtesy car, Tiger was back at the PGA and was there to “win.” He did not win. He did not make the cut after shooting consecutive rounds of 74.
Many pundits are theorizing that he came back from back surgery too soon. Tiger insisted he was 100% healthy. Sounds to me like he’s floating down the river of de-Nile.
I’m not sure what to make of Tiger these days. Part of me thinks he should retire now, or at least take the rest of 2014 off and get healthy.
Final Thoughts
The PGA Championship marks a little bit of a sad day. It is symbolic of the golf season winding down. Summer is more than half over and soon here in northern Utah the snow will be flying and the golf clubs will be shelved for months.
I’ve been thinking of quitting golf lately, but if I’m going to I’d like to do it on my own terms, when I’m pissed off at it!
Right now I’m suffering from a bad case of golfer’s elbow. That injury may bench me before the snow flies.
DVR Alert!
Below is the PGA Championship TV schedule, along with information about bonus coverage and channels for DirecTV subscribers. For 24/7 coverage of Tiger Woods’s parking spot tune into Golf Channel.
2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Television Schedule
| Thu,Aug 07 |
TNT |
1:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET |
| Fri,Aug 08 |
TNT |
1:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET |
| Sat,Aug 09 |
TNT |
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET |
| Sat,Aug 09 |
CBS |
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET |
| Sun,Aug 10 |
TNT |
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET |
| Sun,Aug 10 |
CBS |
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET |
Press Release From DirecTV
DIRECTV’s bonus coverage of major golf events concludes this year with the PGA Championship Experience, featuring professional golf’s last major, unfolding at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. Aug. 7-10.
Teaming up with TNT and CBS, DIRECTV will offer golf action on its exclusive four-screen Mix Channel, and alongside, access to an interactive menu of apps for an instant view of player stats, bios, scorecards and tee times.
The PGA Championship Experience Mix Channel (701) includes: the main TNT/CBS broadcast (702); Featured Group One (703); Featured Group Two (704) and Featured Hole(705). Any four channels on the Mix can be tuned to full-screen. The live coverage schedule is: 1 p.m. to 7p.m. EDT Thursday and Friday on TNT; On Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT on TNT and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on CBS; and on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT on TNT, and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Viewers who want more in-depth information on players and pairings can select the red button on their remote to bring up the following list of interactive features alongside the broadcast video: Player Scorecard offers key bioinfo, player headshots, scores and stats; Player Bio provides player biographies and their scorecards, and fans can add a player to their favorites list; Pairings and Tee Times displays all groups and tee times for the current round.
DIRECTV’s Mix Channel, interactive coverage includes all four of professional golf’s major tournaments along with select PGA tournaments this year. For more information visit: http://www.directv.com/sports/golf
There is no doubt who the #1 golfer in the world is right now, Rory McIlory. Below is the most recent official world golf ranking top 100 list. Most notably Rory McIlory moved to #1 after this past weekend’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational victory. Adam Scott dropped to #2 while surging Sergio Garcia moved up to #3.
Puzzlingly, Tiger Woods stayed at #10 after the WD at the Bridgestone. Woods is not playing top 10 or even top 100 golf right now. Also interesting to note that Tiger Woods is tied for the lowest number of competitive rounds counted for this ranking (40). What does that mean? That meaning is up for debate. For reference, McIlory’s ranking is computed based on 50 events.
| This Week |
Last week |
Name |
Avg Points |
Total Points |
Points Lost |
Points Gained |
| 1 |
2 |
Rory McIlroy |
9.4077 |
470.38 |
-211.48 |
363.42 |
| 2 |
1 |
Adam Scott |
9.2368 |
378.71 |
-188.00 |
173.28 |
| 3 |
5 |
Sergio Garcia |
7.7803 |
381.23 |
-135.79 |
251.73 |
| 4 |
3 |
Henrik Stenson |
7.6685 |
398.76 |
-190.20 |
111.47 |
| 5 |
4 |
Justin Rose |
7.4602 |
380.47 |
-192.00 |
199.97 |
| 6 |
6 |
Matt Kuchar |
6.7706 |
352.07 |
-165.55 |
197.77 |
| 7 |
7 |
Bubba Watson |
6.6678 |
313.38 |
-115.32 |
266.39 |
| 8 |
8 |
Jim Furyk |
6.4772 |
297.95 |
-117.67 |
197.43 |
| 9 |
9 |
Jason Day |
6.1919 |
247.68 |
-109.84 |
124.86 |
| 10 |
10 |
Tiger Woods |
5.9077 |
236.31 |
-249.75 |
6.57 |
| 11 |
11 |
Jordan Spieth |
5.6858 |
272.92 |
-77.69 |
184.55 |
| 12 |
12 |
Martin Kaymer |
5.3785 |
279.68 |
-72.14 |
210.93 |
| 13 |
13 |
Phil Mickelson |
5.1451 |
246.96 |
-174.27 |
75.31 |
| 14 |
14 |
Zach Johnson |
5.0157 |
260.82 |
-144.13 |
121.73 |
| 15 |
17 |
Graeme McDowell |
4.9048 |
240.33 |
-140.36 |
120.38 |
| 16 |
15 |
Hideki Matsuyama |
4.8810 |
209.88 |
-67.47 |
122.32 |
| 17 |
16 |
Dustin Johnson |
4.8328 |
241.64 |
-126.15 |
137.25 |
| 18 |
18 |
Rickie Fowler |
4.7877 |
248.96 |
-77.88 |
193.71 |
| 19 |
22 |
Charl Schwartzel |
4.1714 |
216.92 |
-123.14 |
89.85 |
| 20 |
19 |
Jimmy Walker |
4.1548 |
216.05 |
-78.03 |
164.97 |
| 21 |
23 |
Keegan Bradley |
4.1462 |
215.60 |
-131.05 |
120.25 |
| 22 |
21 |
Victor Dubuisson |
3.8801 |
170.72 |
-57.23 |
95.75 |
| 23 |
20 |
Steve Stricker |
3.8790 |
155.16 |
-116.35 |
42.57 |
| 24 |
26 |
Thomas Bjorn |
3.8414 |
195.91 |
-77.32 |
81.29 |
| 25 |
29 |
Patrick Reed |
3.7627 |
191.90 |
-48.12 |
164.63 |
| 26 |
25 |
Luke Donald |
3.7408 |
190.78 |
-137.85 |
95.15 |
| 27 |
24 |
Jason Dufner |
3.7255 |
193.73 |
-141.39 |
76.29 |
| 28 |
27 |
Miguel A Jimenez |
3.4786 |
160.02 |
-61.94 |
91.00 |
| 29 |
28 |
Ian Poulter |
3.4601 |
169.54 |
-127.76 |
40.63 |
| 30 |
30 |
Webb Simpson |
3.4043 |
177.02 |
-117.92 |
75.84 |
| 31 |
31 |
Stephen Gallacher |
3.3499 |
174.19 |
-60.99 |
136.07 |
| 32 |
32 |
Jamie Donaldson |
3.3319 |
173.26 |
-88.96 |
82.89 |
| 33 |
33 |
Thongchai Jaidee |
3.2370 |
168.32 |
-68.07 |
104.19 |
| 34 |
34 |
Lee Westwood |
3.1970 |
166.25 |
-112.35 |
87.01 |
| 35 |
36 |
Brandt Snedeker |
3.1779 |
165.25 |
-149.98 |
61.34 |
| 36 |
38 |
Kevin Na |
3.1517 |
126.07 |
-29.78 |
123.21 |
| 37 |
39 |
Ryan Moore |
3.0938 |
154.69 |
-81.37 |
75.10 |
| 38 |
37 |
Bill Haas |
3.0850 |
160.42 |
-90.71 |
77.21 |
| 39 |
51 |
Marc Leishman |
3.0598 |
159.11 |
-57.61 |
122.10 |
| 40 |
35 |
Graham Delaet |
3.0415 |
155.12 |
-72.28 |
78.76 |
| 41 |
40 |
Brendon Todd |
2.9901 |
146.51 |
-22.95 |
121.03 |
| 42 |
41 |
Kevin Streelman |
2.9174 |
151.71 |
-66.31 |
83.32 |
| 43 |
42 |
Francesco Molinari |
2.8516 |
148.28 |
-81.24 |
84.19 |
| 44 |
43 |
Chris Kirk |
2.7513 |
143.07 |
-58.13 |
93.82 |
| 45 |
44 |
Hunter Mahan |
2.7322 |
142.07 |
-94.97 |
68.51 |
| 46 |
45 |
Jonas Blixt |
2.6236 |
136.43 |
-68.42 |
72.32 |
| 47 |
46 |
Joost Luiten |
2.5943 |
132.31 |
-56.66 |
68.88 |
| 48 |
47 |
Gary Woodland |
2.5741 |
133.85 |
-47.92 |
68.51 |
| 49 |
49 |
Harris English |
2.5669 |
133.48 |
-58.06 |
73.31 |
| 50 |
48 |
Matt Every |
2.5567 |
132.95 |
-43.26 |
109.05 |
| 51 |
53 |
Matt Jones |
2.5047 |
130.25 |
-37.86 |
88.97 |
| 52 |
54 |
Kevin Stadler |
2.5042 |
130.22 |
-49.21 |
105.98 |
| 53 |
52 |
Angel Cabrera |
2.4718 |
121.12 |
-44.04 |
70.42 |
| 54 |
50 |
Mikko Ilonen |
2.4295 |
111.76 |
-40.64 |
78.30 |
| 55 |
57 |
John Senden |
2.3938 |
124.48 |
-50.93 |
97.26 |
| 56 |
54 |
Louis Oosthuizen |
2.3696 |
120.85 |
-116.89 |
83.67 |
| 57 |
56 |
Billy Horschel |
2.3340 |
121.37 |
-65.69 |
50.40 |
| 58 |
58 |
Shane Lowry |
2.2586 |
112.93 |
-48.83 |
72.11 |
| 59 |
59 |
Russell Henley |
2.2441 |
116.69 |
-54.12 |
88.77 |
| 60 |
62 |
Ernie Els |
2.2034 |
114.58 |
-115.69 |
46.31 |
| 61 |
65 |
J.B. Holmes |
2.1722 |
86.89 |
-14.69 |
88.41 |
| 62 |
60 |
Koumei Oda |
2.1691 |
108.46 |
-41.37 |
51.39 |
| 63 |
61 |
Ryan Palmer |
2.1583 |
103.60 |
-45.94 |
84.64 |
| 64 |
63 |
Pablo Larrazabal |
2.1294 |
110.73 |
-50.05 |
82.39 |
| 65 |
64 |
Gonzalo Fdez-Castano |
2.1065 |
109.54 |
-73.49 |
32.76 |
| 66 |
66 |
Brian Harman |
2.0450 |
106.34 |
-32.85 |
86.34 |
| 67 |
67 |
Matteo Manassero |
2.0306 |
105.59 |
-74.78 |
45.21 |
| 68 |
68 |
Charley Hoffman |
2.0212 |
101.06 |
-43.45 |
65.92 |
| 69 |
69 |
George Coetzee |
1.9876 |
99.38 |
-54.23 |
75.51 |
| 70 |
71 |
Bernd Wiesberger |
1.9622 |
102.03 |
-61.71 |
44.87 |
| 71 |
70 |
Richard Sterne |
1.9446 |
85.56 |
-58.98 |
27.59 |
| 72 |
72 |
K.J. Choi |
1.9082 |
97.32 |
-40.81 |
72.14 |
| 73 |
73 |
Rafael Cabrera Bello |
1.8619 |
96.82 |
-44.80 |
74.03 |
| 74 |
74 |
Erik Compton |
1.8336 |
95.35 |
-16.03 |
86.24 |
| 75 |
77 |
Brooks Koepka |
1.8194 |
87.33 |
-31.78 |
54.42 |
| 76 |
75 |
Tim Clark |
1.8164 |
89.00 |
-48.17 |
52.67 |
| 77 |
76 |
Ben Martin |
1.7965 |
93.42 |
-24.95 |
62.96 |
| 78 |
80 |
Nick Watney |
1.7909 |
93.13 |
-100.53 |
25.16 |
| 79 |
83 |
Fredrik Jacobson |
1.7677 |
77.78 |
-36.61 |
50.43 |
| 80 |
78 |
Charles Howell-III |
1.7617 |
91.61 |
-48.65 |
48.77 |
| 81 |
79 |
Ryo Ishikawa |
1.7516 |
91.08 |
-47.88 |
50.33 |
| 82 |
82 |
George McNeill |
1.7396 |
81.76 |
-20.43 |
70.11 |
| 83 |
85 |
Brendon de Jonge |
1.7348 |
90.21 |
-57.46 |
43.71 |
| 84 |
81 |
Chris Stroud |
1.7311 |
90.02 |
-39.27 |
39.55 |
| 85 |
84 |
Paul Casey |
1.7059 |
88.71 |
-37.07 |
45.74 |
| 86 |
86 |
Boo Weekley |
1.6746 |
87.08 |
-53.93 |
23.65 |
| 87 |
87 |
Anirban Lahiri |
1.6587 |
69.67 |
-27.48 |
34.76 |
| 88 |
88 |
Chesson Hadley |
1.6488 |
79.14 |
-26.49 |
45.27 |
| 89 |
89 |
Scott Stallings |
1.6446 |
85.52 |
-50.97 |
60.19 |
| 90 |
90 |
Chris Wood |
1.5639 |
75.07 |
-49.47 |
34.43 |
| 91 |
98 |
Branden Grace |
1.5589 |
81.06 |
-76.57 |
39.38 |
| 92 |
91 |
Kim Hyung-sung |
1.5395 |
80.05 |
-48.95 |
24.54 |
| 93 |
100 |
Fabrizio Zanotti |
1.5377 |
78.42 |
-11.50 |
75.12 |
| 94 |
93 |
David Hearn |
1.5246 |
79.28 |
-33.49 |
47.91 |
| 95 |
92 |
Tommy Fleetwood |
1.5230 |
79.20 |
-32.54 |
40.18 |
| 96 |
94 |
Ross Fisher |
1.5110 |
78.57 |
-47.16 |
30.99 |
| 97 |
96 |
Edoardo Molinari |
1.5070 |
61.79 |
-15.44 |
52.24 |
| 98 |
95 |
Thorbjorn Olesen |
1.5016 |
78.08 |
-67.59 |
41.35 |
| 99 |
102 |
Danny Willett |
1.4990 |
70.45 |
-41.22 |
43.87 |
| 100 |
97 |
Daniel Summerhays |
1.4967 |
77.83 |
-34.96 |
47.05 |
PGA Tour
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Dates: January 30 – February 2
Venue: Stadium Course, TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Tournament Airtimes On Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday 3-7 p.m. (Live) / 7:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday 3-7 p.m. (Live) / 7:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)
Sunday 1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 10:30 p.m.-3 a.m. (Replay)
Notables in the field: Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Gary Woodland, Rickie Fowler, Ian Poulter, Nick Watney and Bill Haas.
European Tour
Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Dates: January 30 – February 2
Venue: Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tournament Airtimes On Golf Channel (Eastern):
Wednesday 10:30 p.m-Midnight (Live)
Thursday Midnight-4 a.m. / 5:30-8:30 a.m. (Live) / 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday 1-8:30 a.m. (Live) / 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday 4-8 a.m. (Live) / 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Replay) / 6:30-10:30 p.m. (Replay)
Sunday 4-8 a.m. (Live) / 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Replay) / 6:30-10:30 p.m. (Replay)
Notables in the field: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, John Daly, Matteo Manassero, Thomas Bjorn, Stephen Gallacher and Mark O’Meara.
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HOGWire – Golf Industry News
