I don't blog often about golf, maybe in great part because I only play often enough (rarely) to maintain my status as near awful; but I do watch it some and pretty much always take in the majors plus the Players Championship.
I've always been a Phil Mickelson fan because the guy is all class, always has his priorities in order, plays left handed like I do and is never, ever a boring watch in a major. Us Phil fans have long suffered -- initially waiting for him to finally win any major (he now has four -- three Masters and a PGA) and then watching him come in 2nd an unbelievable six times at the US Open, most recently this year and quite often being his own worst enemy. We've never suffered much watching Lefty play at The Open (the British) because he has rarely played well there -- I want to say 1 top 5 and 2 top 10s. As I am writing this he is sitting in the clubhouse with a three-shot lead without anyone having a chance to take it away from him. Whodathunkit?!
He started the day two over par, five behind leader Lee Westwood but only three behind 2nd and 3rd place players. Phil went out and mostly collected pars (yes, the same Phil) while everyone else stayed a little ahead of him and some fell away like Tiger. Phil does pick up a birdie in a couple places, has one bogey and with four holes to play is within one shot, I think, with a score of par for the tourney; but then he proceeds to birdie three of the last four holes, while Westwood and Scott and anyone else with a chance faded back. So when it looked like Phil could get into a playoff when he had a couple holes left to play, he ends up sitting in the clubhouse with a comfortable lead watching the last four or five pairs gain no ground.
So Phil is going to now own three of the four majors and, as he said, if six seconds (second place finishes) counted as a win, he'd own all four. It should be remembered that he won this tourney when all of the real contenders going into the final round were all legitimate contenders -- at least four guys who'd won majors and a half dozen of the very best in the sport who'd never quite won one, like Westwood, Poulter, Garcia, Stenson and Mahan. If Phil hadn't won, which I wasn't expecting, I was going to be content with just about any of these other guys winning it; but congrats to someone who deserves it more than anyone.
It should also be mentioned that the young Japanese amateur, Hideki Matsuyama, has finished in the top 10 in the last two majors. Wow.
Showing posts with label golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label golf. Show all posts
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Friday, July 20, 2012
5 Things That I Am Sick Of
Decided to change things up this week and instead of the 5 Things That I Am looking forward to, I am listing the 5 things that I am sick and tired of hearing about. Tim Tebow didn't make the list, but he was #6.
5. NFL players attacking Roger Goodell. Let me put this in simple terms so that even those people that have post-concussion syndrome that are suing the league can understand. Goodell is trying to change the game so that it stays relevant in the future. Attendance hit it's peak in 2007. You have sponsors that are weary about young deaths that are attributed to football injuries. More studies are showing that playing football causes years to be lopped off the end years of life. Finally, there are some fans out there that are becoming turned off by the unnecessary violence and machismo that is exhibited during games. So Goodell is trying to get the game to change to keep it viable in the long run. And you have players that keep on criticizing him. Look at what comes out of Pittsburgh. The players there are convinced that the commish has it out for them, but then on the other hand, they are one of the dirtiest teams out there. Polamalu lies about having a concussion to continue playing. James Harrison has basically said that Goodell is the devil and must be stopped. The players on the Saints ran a bounty system and yet they attack the commissioner because he says that isn't appropriate. And over 30 players, many high profile, have been arrested during the off-season. Maybe the players need to look in the mirror and start yelling at themselves for making the commish the man in the NFL that does everything for the good of the game instead of being bloodsucking leeches like the players.
4. College Football Playoffs. It is a sham. All that the supposed playoff system does is extends the BCS championship by a round. In a true playoff system, you would have conference winners advance into the playoffs. Here, you have a selection committee that will have it's own biases and try to select the 4 best teams. And about the time you get 3 SEC teams into this playoff system because of the bias towards that conference, the public might become vaguely aware of how flawed this concept is.
3. Tiger Woods. There is a bloody Tiger Tracker on golfweek.com for the Open Championship. Each shot is recorded and commented on. All I have to ask is where is the Keegan Bradley shot tracker? Because each of these players, Tiger and Bradley have the same number of major titles over the past couple of years. Zero. I am tired of hearing that Tiger is the end all for anything golf. The sport was around before Woods came and it will be here after Woods leaves. I don't even think that he his the best ever in the game. I wouldn't even put him in the Top 5. People need to stop proclaiming him the sport of golf.
2. Anything Boston Red Sox. Oh my word. I believe that my head will explode if I have to continue to hear and read about the Boston Red Sox. The team is currently tied for 3rd in the AL East and 5th in the wildcard standings. But yet, the publicity that they get is like the 1927 Yankees. Let's see here, we have Bobby V. who causes havoc wherever he goes. You have Carl Crawford saying that he was racially heckled during a rehab assignment. You have the Kevin Youkalis debacle starting with Valentine dissing him. You have a purported rift between the GM and Valentine. You have coaches not talking to other coaches. The players are not following what the coaches want them to do. You have Dustin Pedroia not coming into a meeting on the mound. Daniel Bard's shift into the rotation looked like a 3-year old made the decision. Look at all the things listed. Only one actually has to do with performance out on the field. That is why I don't want to hear about anything Red Sox. It doesn't have to do with on field performance for the most part.
1. Dwight Howard. This has been a year and a half waste of time. He wants out, then decides to come back. Tell upper management that he wants his coach fired. Coach says something about it and Howard denies it. Howard says he wants to come back and signs his option to go back to Orlando. Says that he has worked things out with the coach. Then says that coach stabbed him in the back. Magic fire coach and GM. Magic say they will build around Howard. Howard says that the Magic extorted him into signing the option. Now says that he only wants to go to Brooklyn. Deal cannot be reached with Nets. Now is open to Los Angeles and still wants out of Orlando. Somebody needs to grab this kid, smack him upside the head and tell him to shut up go underground for a couple of months, popping up just long enough to say that he enjoyed his time in Orlando and is happy that he is joining his new team if in fact he is traded.
5. NFL players attacking Roger Goodell. Let me put this in simple terms so that even those people that have post-concussion syndrome that are suing the league can understand. Goodell is trying to change the game so that it stays relevant in the future. Attendance hit it's peak in 2007. You have sponsors that are weary about young deaths that are attributed to football injuries. More studies are showing that playing football causes years to be lopped off the end years of life. Finally, there are some fans out there that are becoming turned off by the unnecessary violence and machismo that is exhibited during games. So Goodell is trying to get the game to change to keep it viable in the long run. And you have players that keep on criticizing him. Look at what comes out of Pittsburgh. The players there are convinced that the commish has it out for them, but then on the other hand, they are one of the dirtiest teams out there. Polamalu lies about having a concussion to continue playing. James Harrison has basically said that Goodell is the devil and must be stopped. The players on the Saints ran a bounty system and yet they attack the commissioner because he says that isn't appropriate. And over 30 players, many high profile, have been arrested during the off-season. Maybe the players need to look in the mirror and start yelling at themselves for making the commish the man in the NFL that does everything for the good of the game instead of being bloodsucking leeches like the players.
4. College Football Playoffs. It is a sham. All that the supposed playoff system does is extends the BCS championship by a round. In a true playoff system, you would have conference winners advance into the playoffs. Here, you have a selection committee that will have it's own biases and try to select the 4 best teams. And about the time you get 3 SEC teams into this playoff system because of the bias towards that conference, the public might become vaguely aware of how flawed this concept is.
3. Tiger Woods. There is a bloody Tiger Tracker on golfweek.com for the Open Championship. Each shot is recorded and commented on. All I have to ask is where is the Keegan Bradley shot tracker? Because each of these players, Tiger and Bradley have the same number of major titles over the past couple of years. Zero. I am tired of hearing that Tiger is the end all for anything golf. The sport was around before Woods came and it will be here after Woods leaves. I don't even think that he his the best ever in the game. I wouldn't even put him in the Top 5. People need to stop proclaiming him the sport of golf.
2. Anything Boston Red Sox. Oh my word. I believe that my head will explode if I have to continue to hear and read about the Boston Red Sox. The team is currently tied for 3rd in the AL East and 5th in the wildcard standings. But yet, the publicity that they get is like the 1927 Yankees. Let's see here, we have Bobby V. who causes havoc wherever he goes. You have Carl Crawford saying that he was racially heckled during a rehab assignment. You have the Kevin Youkalis debacle starting with Valentine dissing him. You have a purported rift between the GM and Valentine. You have coaches not talking to other coaches. The players are not following what the coaches want them to do. You have Dustin Pedroia not coming into a meeting on the mound. Daniel Bard's shift into the rotation looked like a 3-year old made the decision. Look at all the things listed. Only one actually has to do with performance out on the field. That is why I don't want to hear about anything Red Sox. It doesn't have to do with on field performance for the most part.
1. Dwight Howard. This has been a year and a half waste of time. He wants out, then decides to come back. Tell upper management that he wants his coach fired. Coach says something about it and Howard denies it. Howard says he wants to come back and signs his option to go back to Orlando. Says that he has worked things out with the coach. Then says that coach stabbed him in the back. Magic fire coach and GM. Magic say they will build around Howard. Howard says that the Magic extorted him into signing the option. Now says that he only wants to go to Brooklyn. Deal cannot be reached with Nets. Now is open to Los Angeles and still wants out of Orlando. Somebody needs to grab this kid, smack him upside the head and tell him to shut up go underground for a couple of months, popping up just long enough to say that he enjoyed his time in Orlando and is happy that he is joining his new team if in fact he is traded.
Friday, July 06, 2012
5 Things That I Am Following This Week
1. The debate about slavery that has popped up this past week. Sprinter Michael Johnson says that descendants of slaves have a superior athletic gene that lets them be great athletes. Chris Rock saying that the 4th of July is basically a white man's holiday because when the Declaration of Independence was signed, it didn't affect the black man and his fortunes. And this is a conversation that is worth having. Racism is still alive in America and it is alive in sports. This conversation is needed in the entire context of America and why our history is sometimes glossed over in sports. However, I am troubled about the way race is portrayed sometimes in the sports world.
2. Wimbledon 2012. In the Women's finals, you have a resurgent Serena Williams playing a Polish player in Agnieszka Radwanska who has a severe respiratory illness that has made it nearly impossible for her to speak. Radwanska is the 1st Polish player since 1939 to make a Grand Slam Final. Over in the Men's draw, it looks like Andy Murray might make the finals. He plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in one semifinal while Federer-Djokovic match in the other semifinal is being looked at as the true title match. There is lots of drama here and it comes to a head this weekend.
3. The Doping Case Against Lance Armstrong. Armstrong is using the vendetta defense against the U.S. Anti-Doping agency. He is alleging that the anti-doping agency has caught others doping and is giving them leniency in exchange for false testimony against Lance to catch the big white whale in cycling. Reports have 5 former teammates, 2 former team managers, and a fromer trainer willing to testify against Armstrong in exchange for 6 month suspensions for the people involved. Without their testimony, they could be banned from the sport of cycling or face at least a year long expulsion from the sport.
4. Formula One - Another week, more chaos. Bernie Ecclestone has proposed a London Grand Prix. The German banker convicted of bribery is appealing his conviction, he was involved with Ecclestone. Marussia F1 test driver Maria De Villota lost her right eye after the race car she was driving crashed into the team hauler. She was in surgery for approximately 18 hours according to reports. She underwent procedures from nuerologists and plastic surgeons during her time in surgery. Her head took much of the brunt from the accident. An investigation is taking place because apparently De Villota was slowing down at the end of her run when the car suddenly accelerated and hit the team hauler. All of that doesn't overshadow the British Grand Prix going on in Silverstone, England this weekend. Fernando Alonso leads the points by 20 and Sebastian Vettel, a favorite to win the championship at the beginning of the season, is trying to turn qualifying performances into race results after June failed to produce a podium finish despite 3 poles.
5. Golf and Tiger. Tiger Woods has won 3 tournaments this year, although none of them a major title. He isn't as consistant as he was when he was the undisputable #1 player in the world and has shown that he can crumble in a tightly contested tournament. However, the biggest thing for the PGA is that Tiger still has the ability to pull in eyeballs. Tiger is 8 wins behind Sam Snead for all time wins on the PGA tour. Snead won an amazing 82 PGA tournaments. Tiger is four major tiles behind Jack Nicklaus with 14 major titles. Jack won an outstanding 18. I think that he makes the Snead record, but narrowly misses the major tourney title. I am sure that is OK with the PGA though. What a storyline 4 times a year, with Tiger chasing Jack for the most major tournament titles. Even if tiger doesn't reach 18 major titles, golf's popularity will be increase. Why? Because America is a sucker for trying to see if history is achieved. And if Tiger is on the verge of making history, then it should be where America and it's eyeballs watch to see if Tiger can pull it off, especially if Tiger is in that final pairing on Sunday.
2. Wimbledon 2012. In the Women's finals, you have a resurgent Serena Williams playing a Polish player in Agnieszka Radwanska who has a severe respiratory illness that has made it nearly impossible for her to speak. Radwanska is the 1st Polish player since 1939 to make a Grand Slam Final. Over in the Men's draw, it looks like Andy Murray might make the finals. He plays Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in one semifinal while Federer-Djokovic match in the other semifinal is being looked at as the true title match. There is lots of drama here and it comes to a head this weekend.
3. The Doping Case Against Lance Armstrong. Armstrong is using the vendetta defense against the U.S. Anti-Doping agency. He is alleging that the anti-doping agency has caught others doping and is giving them leniency in exchange for false testimony against Lance to catch the big white whale in cycling. Reports have 5 former teammates, 2 former team managers, and a fromer trainer willing to testify against Armstrong in exchange for 6 month suspensions for the people involved. Without their testimony, they could be banned from the sport of cycling or face at least a year long expulsion from the sport.
4. Formula One - Another week, more chaos. Bernie Ecclestone has proposed a London Grand Prix. The German banker convicted of bribery is appealing his conviction, he was involved with Ecclestone. Marussia F1 test driver Maria De Villota lost her right eye after the race car she was driving crashed into the team hauler. She was in surgery for approximately 18 hours according to reports. She underwent procedures from nuerologists and plastic surgeons during her time in surgery. Her head took much of the brunt from the accident. An investigation is taking place because apparently De Villota was slowing down at the end of her run when the car suddenly accelerated and hit the team hauler. All of that doesn't overshadow the British Grand Prix going on in Silverstone, England this weekend. Fernando Alonso leads the points by 20 and Sebastian Vettel, a favorite to win the championship at the beginning of the season, is trying to turn qualifying performances into race results after June failed to produce a podium finish despite 3 poles.
5. Golf and Tiger. Tiger Woods has won 3 tournaments this year, although none of them a major title. He isn't as consistant as he was when he was the undisputable #1 player in the world and has shown that he can crumble in a tightly contested tournament. However, the biggest thing for the PGA is that Tiger still has the ability to pull in eyeballs. Tiger is 8 wins behind Sam Snead for all time wins on the PGA tour. Snead won an amazing 82 PGA tournaments. Tiger is four major tiles behind Jack Nicklaus with 14 major titles. Jack won an outstanding 18. I think that he makes the Snead record, but narrowly misses the major tourney title. I am sure that is OK with the PGA though. What a storyline 4 times a year, with Tiger chasing Jack for the most major tournament titles. Even if tiger doesn't reach 18 major titles, golf's popularity will be increase. Why? Because America is a sucker for trying to see if history is achieved. And if Tiger is on the verge of making history, then it should be where America and it's eyeballs watch to see if Tiger can pull it off, especially if Tiger is in that final pairing on Sunday.
Friday, June 15, 2012
5 Things That I Am Following This Week
1. The NBA Finals - The only reason that I am following this is that I hope that the Heat fail again to win the championship. Game 2 ended with a foul that wasn't called on LeBron James. But as with all the series this year, the officiating has been at best questionable. The flopping in the NBA is worse than in European Pro Soccer. The incident between David Stern and Jim Rome did nothing but put a microscope on the officiating and it appears that the patient has some disease that is terminal. Hopefully there is some consistency in the way the officials call the rest of this series, but my money is against it.
2. U.S. Open - Tiger is in the hunt after Round 1, so the golfing fans will be watching again during the weekend. For myself, I am hoping for a final flurry during the last 9 holes of Tiger and at least one other golfer tied and going for the title. That is the best that we can hope for. Hopefully, the fans will start to warm to other golfers besides Tiger in the next year.
3. UEFA 2012 - I am calling shenanigans. Advertizing on underwear shown after you score a goal? Brilliant! Brawling between Russian and Polish soccer fans? Not So Brilliant! The non-riot when England and France played was good. Maybe some blockheads over there are growing up. Right, just wait until the Semi-finals get played, you will have the hooligans liquered up and ready to brawl. So far, only the Netherlands and Ireland have been eliminated from advancing. And Italy could be prevented from advancing. We have drama and flair with this tournament, hopefully it will continue.
4. MLB No-No's. - This is getting ridiculous. 2 perfect games in the same season? 5 No Hitters? Where are the consummate hitters? Those people like Wade Boggs or Tony Gwynn that weren't worried about power stats, but more concerned about getting hits and helping their teams. The minor leagues need to teach players the basics. Ask Ben Revere of the Twins about bunting. He rarely can put down a good bunt and that is the only thing that is preventing him from being a real good big league outfielder. Things like that should be worked on in the minors, but due to cost cutting by owners and the win now mentality that most people have, the basics are glossed over.
5. NHL Labor Talk Positioning - The owners have said that they are ready to negotiate at any time the PA is. Donald Fehr has said that the NHL is unique because they have a sport that is world wide. And with the way he wielded the strike power with MLB, I believe that we are in for a major work stoppage yet again. And that could be a severe blow to the NHL. Imagine what the union is going to do when the NHL asks for the players to take 50% of revenues instead of the 57% that they currently get.
2. U.S. Open - Tiger is in the hunt after Round 1, so the golfing fans will be watching again during the weekend. For myself, I am hoping for a final flurry during the last 9 holes of Tiger and at least one other golfer tied and going for the title. That is the best that we can hope for. Hopefully, the fans will start to warm to other golfers besides Tiger in the next year.
3. UEFA 2012 - I am calling shenanigans. Advertizing on underwear shown after you score a goal? Brilliant! Brawling between Russian and Polish soccer fans? Not So Brilliant! The non-riot when England and France played was good. Maybe some blockheads over there are growing up. Right, just wait until the Semi-finals get played, you will have the hooligans liquered up and ready to brawl. So far, only the Netherlands and Ireland have been eliminated from advancing. And Italy could be prevented from advancing. We have drama and flair with this tournament, hopefully it will continue.
4. MLB No-No's. - This is getting ridiculous. 2 perfect games in the same season? 5 No Hitters? Where are the consummate hitters? Those people like Wade Boggs or Tony Gwynn that weren't worried about power stats, but more concerned about getting hits and helping their teams. The minor leagues need to teach players the basics. Ask Ben Revere of the Twins about bunting. He rarely can put down a good bunt and that is the only thing that is preventing him from being a real good big league outfielder. Things like that should be worked on in the minors, but due to cost cutting by owners and the win now mentality that most people have, the basics are glossed over.
5. NHL Labor Talk Positioning - The owners have said that they are ready to negotiate at any time the PA is. Donald Fehr has said that the NHL is unique because they have a sport that is world wide. And with the way he wielded the strike power with MLB, I believe that we are in for a major work stoppage yet again. And that could be a severe blow to the NHL. Imagine what the union is going to do when the NHL asks for the players to take 50% of revenues instead of the 57% that they currently get.
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Lefties Rule at The Masters
As I wrote about in a prior post, I love having my Sundays back; and this Sunday means getting to watch The Masters, one of my favorite Sunday pastimes, seeing the great golf play on this storied course and the spring in full bloom at Augusta National, a teaser for us in Northern New England.
As you may know, I'm a fan of Phil Mickelson or Lefty as he is known to his fans. As a lefthanded golfer, and I use that term very loosely, it's been great to have someone represent us on the biggest stages of the sport. I'll continue with Phil for a second to let you know that he finished in a tie for 3rd in this years Masters, 2 shots off the lead as a result of a triple bogey on a par 3 early in his round. This is Phil's 8th top 3 finish in this tournament and he's finished in the top 10 in 12 of his 14 entries to go along with his 3 wins.
Don't forget that Mike Weir, the lefty from Canada, won The Masters in '03, before Phil's 3 wins. Now add this year's winner and you have 5 out of the last 10 Masters being won by lefties.
This year's winner? None other than a Bubba Watson, the heir-apparent to Mickelson not only because he plays lefthanded but even more so because he plays just like Phil -- grip it and rip it, no shot is too hard or too risky. The hole that ultimately won the tourney for Bubba, the second playoff hole where he finds himself in the trees on the pine straw but with an opening to the green if he can bend it 40 years, is eerily reminiscent of Lefty at the Masters two years ago -- grip it and rip it with 12 feet of the hole. Not bad for a guy who's never taken a lesson nor watched video of his own swing. And if you saw the ceremony where he was awarded the Green Jacket in Butler Cabin, you've gotta love the guy -- just like a kid in a candy store with genuine emotion.
Bubba started the day 3 shots off the lead (teeing off in the penultimate pairing with Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner) of Peter Hanson and two shots behind Phil. He witnessed history on the second hole, where his playing partner Oosthuizen striped a shot from the fairway to the front of the green and we all watched it roll across the green and into the hole for only the 4th albatross in the history of The Masters. So Oosthuizen jumps from 2 shots off the lead to 2 shots ahead, as Hanson had bogeyed the first hole. When Louis calmly put in tough par puts on the 3rd and another hole later in the front nine, it looked like this was his tournament; but Bubba had stayed steady and put in a few birdies to stay close, then birdieing the 16th to pull even.
Thanks, The Masters, for giving me something enjoyable to watch so I didn't have to watch another Red Sox late inning collapse.
As you may know, I'm a fan of Phil Mickelson or Lefty as he is known to his fans. As a lefthanded golfer, and I use that term very loosely, it's been great to have someone represent us on the biggest stages of the sport. I'll continue with Phil for a second to let you know that he finished in a tie for 3rd in this years Masters, 2 shots off the lead as a result of a triple bogey on a par 3 early in his round. This is Phil's 8th top 3 finish in this tournament and he's finished in the top 10 in 12 of his 14 entries to go along with his 3 wins.
Don't forget that Mike Weir, the lefty from Canada, won The Masters in '03, before Phil's 3 wins. Now add this year's winner and you have 5 out of the last 10 Masters being won by lefties.
This year's winner? None other than a Bubba Watson, the heir-apparent to Mickelson not only because he plays lefthanded but even more so because he plays just like Phil -- grip it and rip it, no shot is too hard or too risky. The hole that ultimately won the tourney for Bubba, the second playoff hole where he finds himself in the trees on the pine straw but with an opening to the green if he can bend it 40 years, is eerily reminiscent of Lefty at the Masters two years ago -- grip it and rip it with 12 feet of the hole. Not bad for a guy who's never taken a lesson nor watched video of his own swing. And if you saw the ceremony where he was awarded the Green Jacket in Butler Cabin, you've gotta love the guy -- just like a kid in a candy store with genuine emotion.
Bubba started the day 3 shots off the lead (teeing off in the penultimate pairing with Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner) of Peter Hanson and two shots behind Phil. He witnessed history on the second hole, where his playing partner Oosthuizen striped a shot from the fairway to the front of the green and we all watched it roll across the green and into the hole for only the 4th albatross in the history of The Masters. So Oosthuizen jumps from 2 shots off the lead to 2 shots ahead, as Hanson had bogeyed the first hole. When Louis calmly put in tough par puts on the 3rd and another hole later in the front nine, it looked like this was his tournament; but Bubba had stayed steady and put in a few birdies to stay close, then birdieing the 16th to pull even.
Thanks, The Masters, for giving me something enjoyable to watch so I didn't have to watch another Red Sox late inning collapse.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
How did you spend your Sunday?
Watching sports, of course, especially since this is my last Sunday off for awhile. Oh, and the day was finished off by an awesome pork roast.
First, I "watched" Liverpool beat Brighton 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. I wasn't able to actually watch it because the match wasn't on TV here but I kept an eye on the live updates online. The big story here is that Brighton had THREE own goals, two of them by the same poor chap. Liverpool will face Stoke City in the next round in March.
Next, I watched pole qualifying for next weekend's Daytona 500. Carl Edwards won the pole, and the two Petty cars are starting in the top 15. Kasey Kahne will start around 25th. You can find where your favorite drivers will start on your own.
While I'm watching Daytona 500 qualifying, I'm also starting to watch the Bruins against the Wild (let me say how much I like the Wild's green home sweater. It's one of my favorites) and the final round of the PGA tournament from Riviera Country Club, where Lefty would be teeing off last with a share of the lead. I didn't watch a lot of the Bruins game because I could tell early on it was going to be another of those where they'd outplay and outshoot the other team but continue to be stonewalled by great goaltending. In this case I was right, as Niklas Backstrom stopped 48 Bruin shots on the way to a 2-0 shutout.
So I focused on the golf tournament to see whether Phil could win two in a row. Bill Haas holds the clubhouse lead at 7 under with Phil and Keegan Bradley one behind as they play the par 5 17th hole. So both Phil and Keegan need to birdie the 17th to tie, since there had only been 28 birdies on the 18th hole all week. Well, they both struggle on the 17th and par it, needing to birdie the 18th to tie and go to a playoff with Haas. Phil gets on in two at the back of the green and miraculously birdies his 26 footer from the fringe -- miraculous since he hadn't sunk a put all day. The crowd erupts, of course. You gotta love Phil's flare for the dramatic. Next comes Keegan, who calmly sinks a 15 footer. Unbelievable, they both get the necessary birdies and so we have a three-way sudden death playoff.
Back to 18 again, where all three players par the hole. Then it's on to the drivable par 4 10th hole -- where Phil ends up in the ruff on one side, Keegan in the bunker on the same side and Haas in the ruff on the other side...none of them have a chance at a birdie. Haas goes first and decides to shoot "sideways" to a wider part of the green, leaving about a 50 footer. Phil hits a very good flop shot that still wouldn't hold on and trickles into the bunker on the other side. Keegan's bunker shot holds on to the back fringe about 15 feet from the hole. So it looks like the outcome will be three pars and on to the next hole, EXCEPT that Haas sinks his 50 footer for a birdie and the win. Great golf tournament.
What I didn't have time for was watching the Celtics game tonight, though I did see an update that said KJ didn't start and Rondo was thrown out of the game against the Pistons, and the Celts were trailing.. Oh, and apparently Linsanity struck again today as well, as the Knicks snapped the Mavs winning streak.
The best part of the day though was spending it with someone I care for a lot and eating her wonderful pork roast.
First, I "watched" Liverpool beat Brighton 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. I wasn't able to actually watch it because the match wasn't on TV here but I kept an eye on the live updates online. The big story here is that Brighton had THREE own goals, two of them by the same poor chap. Liverpool will face Stoke City in the next round in March.
Next, I watched pole qualifying for next weekend's Daytona 500. Carl Edwards won the pole, and the two Petty cars are starting in the top 15. Kasey Kahne will start around 25th. You can find where your favorite drivers will start on your own.
While I'm watching Daytona 500 qualifying, I'm also starting to watch the Bruins against the Wild (let me say how much I like the Wild's green home sweater. It's one of my favorites) and the final round of the PGA tournament from Riviera Country Club, where Lefty would be teeing off last with a share of the lead. I didn't watch a lot of the Bruins game because I could tell early on it was going to be another of those where they'd outplay and outshoot the other team but continue to be stonewalled by great goaltending. In this case I was right, as Niklas Backstrom stopped 48 Bruin shots on the way to a 2-0 shutout.
So I focused on the golf tournament to see whether Phil could win two in a row. Bill Haas holds the clubhouse lead at 7 under with Phil and Keegan Bradley one behind as they play the par 5 17th hole. So both Phil and Keegan need to birdie the 17th to tie, since there had only been 28 birdies on the 18th hole all week. Well, they both struggle on the 17th and par it, needing to birdie the 18th to tie and go to a playoff with Haas. Phil gets on in two at the back of the green and miraculously birdies his 26 footer from the fringe -- miraculous since he hadn't sunk a put all day. The crowd erupts, of course. You gotta love Phil's flare for the dramatic. Next comes Keegan, who calmly sinks a 15 footer. Unbelievable, they both get the necessary birdies and so we have a three-way sudden death playoff.
Back to 18 again, where all three players par the hole. Then it's on to the drivable par 4 10th hole -- where Phil ends up in the ruff on one side, Keegan in the bunker on the same side and Haas in the ruff on the other side...none of them have a chance at a birdie. Haas goes first and decides to shoot "sideways" to a wider part of the green, leaving about a 50 footer. Phil hits a very good flop shot that still wouldn't hold on and trickles into the bunker on the other side. Keegan's bunker shot holds on to the back fringe about 15 feet from the hole. So it looks like the outcome will be three pars and on to the next hole, EXCEPT that Haas sinks his 50 footer for a birdie and the win. Great golf tournament.
What I didn't have time for was watching the Celtics game tonight, though I did see an update that said KJ didn't start and Rondo was thrown out of the game against the Pistons, and the Celts were trailing.. Oh, and apparently Linsanity struck again today as well, as the Knicks snapped the Mavs winning streak.
The best part of the day though was spending it with someone I care for a lot and eating her wonderful pork roast.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Win #40 for Lefty
Being that there was not much on TV this Sunday for a sports fan, I found the PGA Pebble Beach ProAm on and see my man Lefty has just taken the lead. Wouldn't you just love to play at Pebble Beach, and play reasonably well at that? (For me that would mean not being a complete embarrassment) It was always one of my favorite courses to play when playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
Getting caught up, I find out that Charlie Wi had a 3 stroke lead over Tiger Woods and 5 over Phil to start the day. Then Tiger has his struggles and Phil goes 5 under in the first 6 holes. Going to the back 9, Phil had a one shot lead over some nobody. He only had one birdy through the next six holes but poured in two 30-40 footers for par, one on the same hole that Tiger had just put one in from the bunker for a birdie.
So not only am I watching Phil play well at one of the most gorgeous and storied courses in the world, he's playing with Tiger; and you can see them both playing off each other and Phil getting the best of Tiger on this day. If they had been playing match-play, the match would've been over after 13 holes, Phil winning 7-5. Phil and Tiger have only been paired together 10 times, with Tiger winning three of those tourneys, Phil 2.
Oh, and our favorite Mayor of Carmel made a booth visit Another interesting side note: Bill Belichik played in this tournament with Ricky Barnes, whose father was a punter for Patriots back in the '70s.
So I'm heading back to work tomorrow and likely won't be blogging as much; and since I haven't blogged about golf in a long time, I thought I'd at least write a short one about Lefty's 40th career PGA Tour victory, his fourth at Pebble Beach. He fired a 64 to easily take home the trophy, becoming the 8th player ever with 40 plus victories.
One last anecdote: Coming off the green, his wife Amy gives him a hug and says "I'm so happy for you. What a round...are you kidding me?!"
Getting caught up, I find out that Charlie Wi had a 3 stroke lead over Tiger Woods and 5 over Phil to start the day. Then Tiger has his struggles and Phil goes 5 under in the first 6 holes. Going to the back 9, Phil had a one shot lead over some nobody. He only had one birdy through the next six holes but poured in two 30-40 footers for par, one on the same hole that Tiger had just put one in from the bunker for a birdie.
So not only am I watching Phil play well at one of the most gorgeous and storied courses in the world, he's playing with Tiger; and you can see them both playing off each other and Phil getting the best of Tiger on this day. If they had been playing match-play, the match would've been over after 13 holes, Phil winning 7-5. Phil and Tiger have only been paired together 10 times, with Tiger winning three of those tourneys, Phil 2.
Oh, and our favorite Mayor of Carmel made a booth visit Another interesting side note: Bill Belichik played in this tournament with Ricky Barnes, whose father was a punter for Patriots back in the '70s.
So I'm heading back to work tomorrow and likely won't be blogging as much; and since I haven't blogged about golf in a long time, I thought I'd at least write a short one about Lefty's 40th career PGA Tour victory, his fourth at Pebble Beach. He fired a 64 to easily take home the trophy, becoming the 8th player ever with 40 plus victories.
One last anecdote: Coming off the green, his wife Amy gives him a hug and says "I'm so happy for you. What a round...are you kidding me?!"
Monday, December 05, 2011
Around the sports world (open thread)
I'll touch on a few things briefly but don't be afraid to comment on something I didn't mention.
The Major League Baseball Winter Meetings have begun, though the Miami Marlins got a head start last night by signing Jose Reyes to a big, long-term deal. What do you think about this signing and how it affects the Marlins chances of winning a division that has the Phillies and Braves already loaded? Rumors have it that they're going to go after Albert Pujols. Do you have an opinion on who will go where or what you'd like to see your team do at the Winter Meetings?
Would you like to talk about the NFL games this weekend? There's plenty to talk about, from the Packers remaining undefeated to the Broncos and Tim Tebow winning again to Jason Garrett icing his own kicker in the Cowboys loss to the Cardinals or how the playoffs are shaping up or how your team is doing.
So feel free to talk about the NHL, the NBA, the EPL or the fact that even though this wasn't an official event, Tiger Woods won his first tournament in two years at the Chevron World Challenge.
UPDATE: Apparently Adam Vinatieri was booed in Foxboro on Sunday. What the hell is up with that? The greatest clutch kicker in NFL history, a guy who never whined, who got exempted twice and who only left after they didn't want to pay him, the guy who is the most responsible for them even getting to and winning that first Super Bowl. And this isn't even his first trip back to Foxboro, is it? This is a held, idiotic, wrong minded grudge lasting that long?
The Major League Baseball Winter Meetings have begun, though the Miami Marlins got a head start last night by signing Jose Reyes to a big, long-term deal. What do you think about this signing and how it affects the Marlins chances of winning a division that has the Phillies and Braves already loaded? Rumors have it that they're going to go after Albert Pujols. Do you have an opinion on who will go where or what you'd like to see your team do at the Winter Meetings?
Ron Santo was just voted in the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Do you have an opinion on his worthiness to be in the Hall? I'm on the fence myself but I will say this: It's too bad the Veterans Committee didn't do this a couple years ago when Santo was still alive.
Kurt Busch was just released from his contract with Penske Racing. How shocking is that, that a former Champion who's still very much in his prime, arguably one of the top 10 drivers in NASCAR, has been released without a ride for next season? There are no open rides either, although if there suddenly were an open sponsored ride, he'd have to be at the top of the list, wouldn't he? Where do you see him ending up? What kind of message does that send to his kid brother, who is more talented but without a championship and more of a hothead than Kurt? Who is Roger Penske going to put in that seat; one of the available guys like David Ragan (all of whom would be a step down from Busch) or Sam Hornish, who's already in the stable but has never performed in a stock car like he did in an Indy car? Or maybe lure someone away who already has a ride? I haven't seen this mentioned but it wouldn't surprise me. Then that would open up a ride for Kurt Busch. Kurt could possibly find a sponsor and shop that to a team in an effort to get them to add another car but that'll be a tough sell given what happened that lead to his release from Penske.
Would you like to talk about the NFL games this weekend? There's plenty to talk about, from the Packers remaining undefeated to the Broncos and Tim Tebow winning again to Jason Garrett icing his own kicker in the Cowboys loss to the Cardinals or how the playoffs are shaping up or how your team is doing.
So feel free to talk about the NHL, the NBA, the EPL or the fact that even though this wasn't an official event, Tiger Woods won his first tournament in two years at the Chevron World Challenge.
UPDATE: Apparently Adam Vinatieri was booed in Foxboro on Sunday. What the hell is up with that? The greatest clutch kicker in NFL history, a guy who never whined, who got exempted twice and who only left after they didn't want to pay him, the guy who is the most responsible for them even getting to and winning that first Super Bowl. And this isn't even his first trip back to Foxboro, is it? This is a held, idiotic, wrong minded grudge lasting that long?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Raise a pint to Darren Clarke
As the British Open unfolded, it became clear for me that my sentimental pick to win this major would be Darren Clarke, a man much more likely to buy a round of Guinness at the pub than to go to the gym, a throwback player who practiced very hard on his game but not so much on his body, a less flamboyant version of Miguel Angel Jimenez, he of the cigar and old school calisthenics.
I certainly wouldn't have minded seeing Dustin Johnson win it either, a young man with all the talent in the world but now after losing yesterday, a man with Phil Mickelson's perchance for epic disasters in majors. He's already given two major wins away and it could be argued that had he not hit that shot out of bounds yesterday, he could have put some pressure on Clarke. Darren Clarke has been oh so close before and lost. So you never know what pressure demons are possible.
But Clarke didn't face any real pressure from his competitors on Sunday. Phil Mickelson teed off several groups in front of Darren, five shots back, and proceeded to shoot five under par in the first seven or so holes to catch Clarke with an eagle on the 7th but then Clarke eagled the 7th as well and then Phil eventually came undone and finished two under for the day, several strokes behind the steady Clarke, who was the best all tournament from tee to green. Phil did get his best-ever finish at The Open Championship, tieing Johnson for second. Perhaps we have some reason to now be optimistic about Phil in this major going forward; BUT this is a man who only has now two top 10s at this tourney and how many second place finishes in majors? I think more than can fit on one hand. As is the tradition at this tourney, awards are given on the 18th green to the winner, the low amateur and the 2nd place finisher(s), which included Mickelson, whose wife has been dealing with breast cancer. There was a moment prior to the presentation on the green where Phil put his arm around Darren and whispered something to him for a couple of minutes. It appeared to be a moving moment and I'd love to know what was said.
But it was Clarke's day and Clarke's tourney; and for those who know his story of losing this tournament several years ago in bitter fashion and then losing his wife to breast cancer, all the while being tough and sensitive, it was hard not to be extremely happy for him, despite yours truly being a huge Phil Mickelson fan.
Of course, Rick Reilly says all of this much better than I can. That's why he makes the big bucks watching sports.
I certainly wouldn't have minded seeing Dustin Johnson win it either, a young man with all the talent in the world but now after losing yesterday, a man with Phil Mickelson's perchance for epic disasters in majors. He's already given two major wins away and it could be argued that had he not hit that shot out of bounds yesterday, he could have put some pressure on Clarke. Darren Clarke has been oh so close before and lost. So you never know what pressure demons are possible.
But Clarke didn't face any real pressure from his competitors on Sunday. Phil Mickelson teed off several groups in front of Darren, five shots back, and proceeded to shoot five under par in the first seven or so holes to catch Clarke with an eagle on the 7th but then Clarke eagled the 7th as well and then Phil eventually came undone and finished two under for the day, several strokes behind the steady Clarke, who was the best all tournament from tee to green. Phil did get his best-ever finish at The Open Championship, tieing Johnson for second. Perhaps we have some reason to now be optimistic about Phil in this major going forward; BUT this is a man who only has now two top 10s at this tourney and how many second place finishes in majors? I think more than can fit on one hand. As is the tradition at this tourney, awards are given on the 18th green to the winner, the low amateur and the 2nd place finisher(s), which included Mickelson, whose wife has been dealing with breast cancer. There was a moment prior to the presentation on the green where Phil put his arm around Darren and whispered something to him for a couple of minutes. It appeared to be a moving moment and I'd love to know what was said.
But it was Clarke's day and Clarke's tourney; and for those who know his story of losing this tournament several years ago in bitter fashion and then losing his wife to breast cancer, all the while being tough and sensitive, it was hard not to be extremely happy for him, despite yours truly being a huge Phil Mickelson fan.
Of course, Rick Reilly says all of this much better than I can. That's why he makes the big bucks watching sports.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Four years ago
Watching some U.S. Open golf and World Cup soccer the last couple of days had a sense of deja vu to it; and that coupled with blogging on BoSox Tavern about these events, had me looking for old blogs on similar topics. Well, if you read through these couple of blog posts from four years ago, you'll see there's even more than superficial similarities. It's four years ago exactly...Father's Day weekend, a U.S. Open with Phil Mickelson in contention, the only other time Tiger Woods was going through troubles, and a World Cup with the U.S. team underachieving early in games and coming back to save themselves.
One difference is that Nascar is at Sonoma instead of Michigan, as it was four years ago. Similarities are still there though -- Kasey Kahne won at Michigan four years ago and he finished 2nd last weekend at Michigan. He's starting from the pole tomorrow at Sonoma where he won last year.
So take a walk down memory lane with this post from Saturday four years ago and this second one is the weekend wrap-up once the results were in. Here's hoping that the similarities between Phil's first two rounds this year at Pebble Beach and four years ago at Winged Foot (you remember Winged Foot, don't you) end there.
Have a great Father's Day weekend.
(Cross posted at Inside Zebster)
One difference is that Nascar is at Sonoma instead of Michigan, as it was four years ago. Similarities are still there though -- Kasey Kahne won at Michigan four years ago and he finished 2nd last weekend at Michigan. He's starting from the pole tomorrow at Sonoma where he won last year.
So take a walk down memory lane with this post from Saturday four years ago and this second one is the weekend wrap-up once the results were in. Here's hoping that the similarities between Phil's first two rounds this year at Pebble Beach and four years ago at Winged Foot (you remember Winged Foot, don't you) end there.
Have a great Father's Day weekend.
(Cross posted at Inside Zebster)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Big sports day
You know that I'm a big sports fan and like nothing more than a regular season Red Sox game or a Sunday Nascar race for comfort food, but it's not often you get to watch three rare, important and special events all in one day. Not only has the U.S. Open golf tournament started today but it's the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where if I were given the opportunity to play just one course anywhere, it would be there...what beauty and what history. I followed Phil's round online today and he didn't have it but you can't count him out. He's won three times at this course, has five career runner-ups in the U.S. Open and is currently just five shots out. Tiger's about to tee off. It will be interesting to see what he has.
Then there's the previously mentioned World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world arguably, which only happens every four years. Tonight it's the USA vs. Slovenia. I'll have to peek in on that. Tonight's match for the U.S. is much different than it was against England. It was a steal to get a tie and a point in that game. Tonight anything less than a win and two points is a loss.
Then there's a game 7 in the NBA Finals, something that doesn't happen very often. In fact, it's been several years since the Finals went to a game 7. It just so happens that the two greatest franchises in league history are playing in this game, one of them being my favorite team. I'm sure I won't be able to watch it...you know what I mean. The Celtics got beat by 20 in game 6 after having won the previous two games. Which team shows up tonight?
Then there's the previously mentioned World Cup, the biggest sporting event in the world arguably, which only happens every four years. Tonight it's the USA vs. Slovenia. I'll have to peek in on that. Tonight's match for the U.S. is much different than it was against England. It was a steal to get a tie and a point in that game. Tonight anything less than a win and two points is a loss.
Then there's a game 7 in the NBA Finals, something that doesn't happen very often. In fact, it's been several years since the Finals went to a game 7. It just so happens that the two greatest franchises in league history are playing in this game, one of them being my favorite team. I'm sure I won't be able to watch it...you know what I mean. The Celtics got beat by 20 in game 6 after having won the previous two games. Which team shows up tonight?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sports Wrap
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| World Cup 2010: Into Africa - Two Teams, One Cup | ||||
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Did you know the Celtics are one win away from their 18th championship? They'll need to take one of the next two games from the Lakers in LA to secure it. They were down in this series 0-1 and 1-2 but have rallied to take control. I don't know how many more chances this current line-up will get to win another championship. So I'm hoping the older legs will hang in there and get it done in game 6. Will we see an encore of the Shrek and Donkey show? Don't care about that either?
Anyone going to watch any of the U.S. Open golf tournament next week? Can Phil Mickelson go 2 for 2 in majors so far this year? Will Tiger get back to his pre-drama form? No takers? I plan on watching. I enjoy very much watching the majors. Go Lefty!
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