While my esteemed colleague (from what I’m told) Brandon Tucker, made a gleeful, awe-inspired, frivolous and pandering call that Tiger Woods will win the Grand Slam in 2008, I laughed directly into the face of his little bio photo at the top of his blog, such was my disdain. That’s not pandering hyperbole. Here’s pandering hyperbole: Tiger Woods will go undefeated in 2008. Eat that, BTuck. I’m all up in your grill now. And, ok, at first glance, this prediction appears, well, stupid. He can’t win them all. But maybe, just maybe, Tiger Woods can give the golf world its own version ...

Hey everyone, it’s time to play “Caption this Image” the long-running blog game show that has swept the nation! Ok, this is the first time I’ve done it, but it can be a popular blog technique, or so I’ve read. So, courtesy of Golf Blogger and Conan O’Brien about eight years a go, is the Image - click here if you want to buy one - with sample caption: After dying her hair red and finding a new full-time swing coach, Michelle Wie won eight times on the LPGA Tour in 2008. She was still sort of vapid, however. Now you. –WKW

From time to time this blog edges into other subjects, often with an either substantial, or occasionally totally inconsequential connection to golf. It’s not a completely uncommon occurrence in the world of golf blogging. Take into account Paris Hilton. She has as much connection to the game of golf as, say, Paris Hilton, yet she still managed to get into golf blogs aplenty, and even in some golf-themed political fundraising. So while I understand that there is a small coterie of readers out there who want golf and golf only, the general consensus here is that golfers are well-rounded individuals that ...

During the 2004 Presidential Election, Chris Baldwin endorsed George W. Bush in a BadGolfer.com column. Baldwin’s main reasoning (if you could call it that) was that Bush played golf and John Kerry windsurfed. With the BadGolfer.com endorsement in hand, Bush went on to narrowly defeat his dullard rival. Looking back at that column, however, you get a pretty good insight of Bush, the man. You see, Bush enjoys playing “speed golf.” As Baldwin wrote: “Bush hits a shot and goes, speeding off to follow his ball and quickly hit it again. Thinking? Who needs thinking!” Amazingly, Baldwin has captured Bush perfectly just with ...

George Mitchell has unveiled his report on illegal steroids in baseball, and it names names: Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada, Barry Bonds, Mo Vaughn, Lenny Dykstra, Paul Lo Duca, Eric Gagne, and David Justice, among others. Still Mitchell said he had every reason to believe that there were many more that have used the illegal performance-enhancing substances. The PGA Tour needs to pay attention to this report. Like baseball players, the world’s top golfers make ungodly amounts of money. Is it really that ridiculous to imagine a golfer taking illegal performance-enhancing drugs to improve their chances to get to the ...

Chris Baldwin has a new post up, requesting Tiger Woods get involved with the 2008 Presidential Election, in at least some way (“It’s time for Tiger Woods to follow Oprah into Presidential politics”). But the simple fact is, Tiger is not going to go anywhere near politics. Neither will any other prominent professional athlete. If you’re famous, being involved in the American political scene means that you will be taking the chance of upsetting people. Mainly, advertisers. Tiger Woods is the Golden Goose, he’s not about to do anything to harm his eggs. Maybe when he’s older and not in the limelight ...

It can’t be easy being Tiger Woods. All the golf, the business deals, the endorsements, the beautiful wife and child … Ok, never mind, it probably rocks to be Tiger Woods. But it’s not all perfect. He has to deal with the golf press on a consistent basis, and that can’t be easy. In fact, at his recent press conference discussing the upcoming Target World Challenge, Woods was faced with a different type of question. When the press conference started, a woman asked if he believed that ” … my boyfriend is gay because he screams out your name during sex?” Woods handled ...

With professional golf knee-deep in its own silly season, the winter months are a time for sports fans to enjoy the NFL, NBA, and, of course, the court system. Michael Vick, the former NFL superstar who proved that Virginia Tech is unable to teach people that conducting dog fights and murdering pit bulls is considered anti-social behavior, got his just due today, as a judge sentenced him to 23 months in prison. Still on the docket for sports fans is Barry Bonds, who will see if he has as much pull as Scooter Libby in his upcoming trial for perjury and obstruction ...

Floyd Mayweather Jr. took charge of his dream matchup with Ricky Hatton and turned what many viewed as a competitive match into a one-sided beatdown, as Pretty Boy annihilated Hatton, finishing off the Englishman in the 10th round. There was a star-studded crowd to see the fight, including Tiger Woods (bam, it’s a golf blog). But the night belonged to Mayweather, as he showed - like Woods - he truly dominates his sport. After his masterful counterpunching and defensive exhibition against a very tough and previously undefeated foe in Hatton, Mayweather stands head and shoulders above the rest of the boxing ...

We awoke early for our trek into Germany. We left Strasboug at first light, prepared for a long, arduous journey. Fifteen minutes later, we had crossed the border. We were in Germany. I had returned to Germany, nearly 80 years after my great-grandfather took his family to the U.S. During our 30-minute stay in Germany, everything seemed more like home. The ground felt better. The wild-haired bartender who served us coffee seemed like a brother. The German Shepherd that walked by seemed more authentic. The German Playboy that I bought seemed more nasty. Oh Germany, this Wolfrum has returned to your soil. Oh, ...

Now is the time of year it’s great working for a golf travel publication. Aside from the just-finished Q-School tournaments, there’s little going on in the world of professional golf. Unless, of course, you consider the Skins Game worthy of acknowledgment. If that’s the case, than please send me a private e-mail so I may mock you mercilessly. Why this season is great, however, is because now more than ever, WorldGolf.com and TravelGolf.com writers are on the road, doing their thing. Chris Baldwin is in Hawaii, wishing he had more islands to hop to. Tim McDonald is in the backwoods of ...

While it still amazes me to no end that so many Americans have been seduced by celebrities dancing, it was no surprise to me that Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves won the title on Dancing with the Stars. You see, the victory had been foretold at a Laughlin bingo parlor two days prior. My wife, a Brasileira of the highest quality, was a winner during the 7:30 p.m. bingo game at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino, thus setting the stage for Castroneves. And while her victory of $50 may have seemed unimportant, she celebrated much like the popular Brazilian driver. ...

Having spent the majority of November on the road, I’ve come across a few random thoughts and tips that could possibly make life a little easier for a Thanksgiving traveler. Ok, they likely won’t, but I can say with 78 percent confidence that they won’t make a travelers life any worse. Random travel thoughts Stepping out of Ontario International Airport in Southern California, you’ll think think a bull crap bomb exploded. When the wind is just right, the smell will literally take your breath away. And while Ontario International is nice overall, it’s one of those airports that makes ...

In a look at immigration on The Daily Show, correspondent John Hodgeman decides to make things easier for people to identify peoples’ ethnicity in the U.S. via a simple method - using paint samples, something the modern ethnographer should never be without. For example, host Jon Stewart’s tone works out to be: Fresh Butter. For Tiger Woods, his African-American, Chinese, Native American, Thai and Dutch Chinese ancestry is captured with a Copper Mountain Russet, with just a hint of Sienna Clay. “I don’t name them, I just pick them up at the hardware store,” said Hodgeman. Of course, eventually, all of humanity will be ...

As wildfires still rage uncontrollably throughout Southern California, the news that Phil Mickelson’s family was one of hundreds of thousands forced to evacuate due to the rampaging blaze helped to put a face on the tragedy. As of this writing, nearly one million people have been forced to evacuate their homes, at least one person has died, scores injured, and countless homes destroyed. It is simply a hellish disaster. Having grown up in Southern California, I’m aware of the horror that these fires can bring. In October of 2003, while living in San Bernardino, the Old and Grand Prix fires took ...

Always dreamed of playing a round at legendary St. Andrews but have never been able to afford it? Well, now is your chance to actually own part of it. Yes, soon you can buy hunks of sod from St. Andrews on eBay. Of course, it’s St. Andrews Golf Course in Saint Charles, Missouri, but why get all distracted by specifics. It seems St. Andrews Golf Course, which had been cut down to six holes, is now in the process of disappearing entirely to be replaced by a soccer complex. And any of the sod they can’t use for other area courses will be ...

Coming off her best season as a pro which saw her take home her first career LPGA Tour victory, Natalie Gulbis promises to blow the minds of all golf fans with her upcoming 2008 calendar. Here’s a look at one of the shots from the calendar, via Golf.com and NAG Sports: Yes, that’s right, at first glance it appears this calendar will showcase the LPGA’s poster girl … wearing clothes. Shocking, to say the least. You’ll also get plum inside info on Gulbis, such as her love for her ipod: “I always have an iPod on. When I’m on a ...

For a girl who just celebrated her 18th birthday, Michelle Wie’s career now reads like a long-running saga. And that saga sagged even further as Wie shot a first-round 79 at the Samsung World Championship, leaving her dead last in the field of 20. While many expressed dismay that Wie refused to pull out of the event - which is supposed to highlight the 20 best female golfers on the LPGA Tour - Wie and her family management pushed through to play anyway, and a balky driver and balkier putter left her 12 shots back of co leaders Angela Park and ...

An interesting development from South Africa. It seems Nelson Mandela has withdrawn an invitation to Gary Player to host a charity fundraising tournament in Mandela’s name due to Player’s business ties in Myanmar. According to The Guardian, Mandela has responded to Bishop Desmond Tutu’s call to cut ties with Player. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund said it was “not fully aware of the extent and nature” of Mr Player’s involvement in Burma when it made the invitation, “nor of the political impact of this involvement". It took note of the “international campaign in support of greater freedom in that country.” For any ...

Looking back, I now realize a simple truth: I was overly critical of the FedEx Cup playoffs. I must say, I regret making statements like: “Wow, the FedEx Cup sure is contrived nonsense.” Or: “If you like contrived nonsense, you’ll love the FedEx Cup.” And, of course: “The FedEx Cup isn’t a millionth as newsworthy as one Britney Spears fart.” Yeah, looking back, I was a little too hard on Tim Finchem’s grand scheme. Was it contrived? Sure. But it was something. And now that the FedEx Cup and Presidents Cup are gone, I realize how important it is to golf writers to have something to ...

For a while, there were high hopes around here for the U.S. team in the upcoming Presidents Cup. Mainly due to momentum. You see, in recent years, U.S. teams have lost every event in every sport, played anywhere against anyone, under any rules. Maybe that’s an over exaggeration, but not by much. After literally decades of wiping the floor with the world in all manner of sport, the last several years have been a time of depressing comeuppance, as U.S. teams have lost in golf, basketball, baseball, boxing, rugby, jai lai, etc., etc. Recently, however, it seems times have changed. In ...

New Jersey is known as the Garden State, which is much better than it’s other nickname, the Fifth Circle of Hell. Basically, New Jersey is like the anti-New York, except with more humidity and pollution. And sure, I’m willing to accept that many will take umbrage with painting New jersey as the place where Satan hangs out, and that’s completely understandable. In fact, I’m sure there are positively wonderful people who live there, and it really is a fine place and all. But when I see two guys from N.J. score back-to-back hole in ones, it only enhances my belief that Satan ...

At the end of Tour Championship, as Tiger Woods was awarded the trophy for his dominant victory, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem jumped in to give him the FedEx Cup trophy, while talking about how wildly fabulous Tiger was. As Finchem handed Tiger the trophy, he eagerly said: “This trophy has never been kissed.” Tiger didn’t kiss the trophy. And Finchem was immediately transformed into the 15-year-old boy at the school dance that the girls keep turning down. It was just a little bit sad. –WKW

Golf courses throughout the land are preparing for a stellar fall and winter season, as O.J. Simpson will soon likely be playing golf throughout the nation, in search of the person(s) that have sullied his good name and possibly committed theft at a Las Vegas Hotel-Casino. “Police: Simpson questioned in alleged theft” (CNN) – Former college and NFL star running back O.J. Simpson has been questioned as a possible suspect in an alleged theft at a hotel-casino, a Las Vegas, Nevada, police spokesman said Friday. But Simpson told The Associated Press that he was conducting “a sting operation” to collect sports memorabilia that ...

With both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson preparing to play in the Tour Championship, some are pointing to this as a definitive success for Tim Finchem’s grand FedEx Cup playoffs plan. And by all means, it will make for an interesting Tour Championship, especially with both Tiger and Lefty playing at a seriously high level. It should be a stellar finish. Of course, if this is considered a success for the FedEx Cup, then what does it mean that Woods won’t be playing in the Grand Slam of Golf? “Woods withdraws from Grand Slam of Golf” World No 1 Tiger Woods has pulled out ...

In the U.S., playing a round of golf without a golf cart is like ordering the triple cheeseburger without a side order of super-sized bacon-cheese fries. It just doesn’t happen. Still, there are those fighting for their right to walk. Recently, in fact, the Associated Press ran a story about how many golfers are getting ticked off over the fact that at more and more golf courses, walking just isn’t an option any longer. There’s even a book out titled “A Civil Right: The Freedom to Walk a Public Golf Course,” by one Dan Zurla, a retiree who has gone so ...

Reading through the Associated Press coverage of Phil Mickelson’s stirring victory over Tiger Woods and the field over this Labor Day weekend, one truly comes to a simple realization - the AP is not going in for any of this FedEx Cup stuff whatsoever. In the AP coverage of the Deutsche Bank Championship, the words “FedEx Cup” came up exactly once - and that was in a quote from Mickelson. If not for that, you would never know that PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem’s master playoff plan even existed. Mickelson’s victory over Woods wasn’t stirring because of how it affected the FedEx ...

It feels like it’s been forever since Phil Mickelson was laying waste to a course on the PGA Tour, but that’s exactly what’s happening at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Three birdies in five holes has Lefty tied a shot up on Arron Oberholser with last week’s winner Steve Stricker just two shots behind. And three shots off the pace is Tiger Woods. Yes, playing in the same group, Mickelson and Tiger may battle it all the way down to the end at TPC Boston. Could a magic finish be the impetus for making the FedEx Cup a grand success? Of course ...

Dana Perino has a big job ahead of her, as she takes over as White House Press Secretary for the outgoing Tony Snow. We wish Snow nothing but the best in his battle with cancer, but we also wonder if Perino is up to the job. One way to see if she’s ready? Have her take over as spokesperson for the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup. Then she could slowly explain to everyone how and why Steve Stricker could very well end up as Player of the Year, or FedEx Cup champion, or whatever award it is that he’d win if he ...

Think Rory Sabbatini learned not to call out Tiger Woods? Think again. When talking about all the hell he caught after calling out Tiger earlier this year, Sabbatini had this to say today: “Apparently he’s a celestial being that you can’t touch. That’s the way I see it.” Rock on, Rory. Let’s be perfectly clear: If you’re someone who thinks Rory Sabbatini is a blight on the world of golf, then you have a problem with competition and emotion. Because let’s face it, one of the biggest problems with golf is the boredom factor. Look at The Barclays. While Chris Baldwin was salivating after ...

In October, the LPGA will unleash the Samsung World Championship. Just 20 elite players are allowed into this event, which prides itself as the LPGA’s “fifth major.” “Just to get in means you’ve had a great year,” said Laura Davies. “It brings the best of the best together and anytime you beat the best players, it’s a feather in your cap.” Thus far, five players are set - major winners Lorena Ochoa, Morgan Pressel, Suzann Pettersen and Cristie Kerr are four of them. The other is Michelle Wie. Wie - who has missed the cut her last three times out, and counts four missed ...

When George W. Bush stood in front a group of veterans and told them that the main problem with the Vietnam War was that it wasn’t long enough, he did so with the confidence of knowing full well that his approval ratings were light years better than the FedEx Cup. Yes, the FedEx Cup, currently doing its best impression of Bill Murray by careening drunkenly through Rye, New York, has done something many thought impossible - it has brought all sports fans together in agreement. Together America’s sports fans stand, one word emerging from their collective lips: “Huh?” The negative press the ...

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about certain golf Web sites, it’s this - they’ll accept any type of content whatsoever. Really, anything. Take BadGolfer.com. Now, while it’s a site that will offer you great, exclusive interviews with guys like Charles Barkley and Rush Limbaugh, they’ll also take just about anything written in English. Like the Golfer Supremacy Rankings. Yes, the GSRs, who used to have their home right here at this humble blog, are now a weekly feature at BadGolfer.com. So head over there and take a look and find out why the Golfer Supremacy Rankings team learned a couple important ...

Not long ago, you could get a home loan as a prize inside a box of Raisin Bran. It was a great time for home buyers, as credit scores were tossed out the window and everyone was able to get whatever home they wanted, regardless of whether they could afford it or not. And companies like Countrywide Financial Corp thrived. Sadly, the bubble has burst. The extra-super-special loans that many homeowners signed have now become monstrosities, and foreclosures are becoming a grim reality for many. Of course, individuals signed the contracts, so screw them. The question here is: What becomes of companies ...

Over at ASAP Sports - a great place to wade through interview transcripts of major sporting events - they had an interesting typo in the introduction to Stephen Ames at his PGA Championship post-third-round interview: “Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen Ames in second place after three rounds of the 89th PGA Championship, second consecutive 1-under par in the third round, and he’s at minus 4206. Three shots behind the leader, Tiger Woods.” Perhaps that’s just how good Tiger Woods has seemed at Southern Hills Country Club. Because, really, you’d think once you get a couple thousand under par, you’d be safe. In all seriousness, ...

Let’s be blunt: What in the hell is wrong with Sports Illustrated’s Golf.com? You see, Golf.com thought it would be a brilliant idea to get a “PGA Tour player” and have him write his thoughts - on the condition of anonymity. You see, that way, the player can be a snarky jerk, and no one will know its him. Some of this player’s gems: “The Canadian Open desperately needed some star power. (Apparently I didn’t fill the bill.) Davis Love III took a big paycheck to tweak the Angus Glen course and make it more palatable, then didn’t even show up to ...

The biggest record in all of U.S. pro sports was broken last night, and aside from ESPN, few really cared. Barry Bonds hit career home run No. 756, to pass Henry Aaron as baseball’s all-time home run king. Aaron’s record was cherished for years, as he broke through racial barriers, and used an amazing consistency for a power hitter to pile up home runs. Bonds had that same consistency - up until he gained 30 pounds of muscle one summer and started hitting ridiculous amounts of home runs. And his record-setting home run drew stories as much about the likelihood that he ...

Golf’s final major is getting ready to start, and the players are sweating it. As the PGA Championship - the Cotton Bowl of the majors - prepares to get under way, the heat is soaring at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. But for one player, the heat truly is on. Because Tiger Woods knows he can’t go through this year without winning a major. Other years are understandable, but not this one. Otherwise, he’ll have several months of having to listen to geniuses like myself postulate on whether or not fatherhood sapped his will to win. Would that be ...

In early May, when interviewing Christopher Vitiello and Jonathan Ochoa about their documentary on Ochoa’s cousin - Lorena Ochoa - the pair admitted that after so long following the world’s No. 1 female golfer, they’d finish up shooting at the British Open, with dreams of the Mexican star walking down Hole No. 18 to collect the Women’s British Open at the legendary St. Andrews. And now they’re just 18 holes away from seeing that perfect happy ending come to life and the experience has been dazzling to the duo. “I don’t know how to describe it except to say things are ...

The PGA of America and USGA are teaming up on Sept. 1 for “Patriot Golf Day” and they’re asking for the assistance of all golfers to help the families of U.S. troops that were disabled or killed in combat. Spearheaded by veteran Dan Rooney, an F-16 pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and a member of The PGA of America, Patriot Golf Day is an easy way for golfers to give something back to families that have made real sacrifices for their country. Here’s a look at what the PGA had to say about Patriot Golf ...

While the golf world remains abuzz at the fact that they can now shamelessly swim in the waters of Natalie Gulbis bikini photos - hell, Golf.com officially has become FHM for the week - there is one other interesting issue that came from Ms. Gulbis’ victory at the Evian Masters. It was - and remains - my contention that the influx of South Korean golfers on the LPGA Tour has actually helped the game. My thinking is thus: While players like Jeong Jang are not crowd favorites in the U.S., the South Koreans in the LPGA have, and continue to up ...

Natalie Gulbis has finally put herself in the winner’s circle, beating Jang Jeong in a one-hole playoff at the Evian Masters in Evian-les-Bains, France. For Gulbis, a satisfying victory for a golfer who was being called the “Anna Kournikova of golf” for her great looks and lack of wins. But Gulbis, who has been knocking on the door seemingly all year long, finally kicked it in in France for her first career LPGA victory. Sadly, it’s entirely possible Gulbis will be arrested the moment she returns to the U.S. for desecrating the U.S. flag (see photo below). Now while this may seem ...

Historians will look back to July 2007 and reach a startling conclusion - golf is the greatest sport in the world. It reached that lofty height by default, of course, but there can no longer be any doubt - golf is king of all professional athletic endeavors. Cycling, which has officially ceased being a sport and is now a pharmacy on wheels, took another hit as Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen was tossed from his team and the race after violating Rabobank team rules. Rasmussen grows the growing list of cyclists who have at least been accused of using performance-enhancing ...

Padraig Harrington became the first golfer from Ireland to win the British Open in six decades as he held off Sergio Garcia in a tension-filled four-hole playoff at Carnoustie. Keep an eye on WorldGolf.com and TravelGolf.com for analysis of the thrilling tournament, as well as the you-know-it’s-coming “Sergio Garcia will never win a major” post by TravelGolf.com’s Chris Baldwin. In the end, however, any slings and arrows coming Garcia’s way will be deserved, as the Spaniard truly let one of golf’s biggest prizes slip away. Regardless, a great win by Harrington, who now cements his place as Europe’s best golfer. –WKW

Sergio Garcia missed a 10-foot putt on the final hole in an amazing final round of the British Open that saw Padraig Harrington twice go into the water on the final hole to fall out of the lead, only to see Garcia bogey the 18th to force extra holes. The two will play a four-hole playoff to decide the winner and give Europe its first major champion in nearly a decade. The finish brought back shades of 1999, also played at Carnoustie, when Jean Van de Velde also collapsed on the final hole. Needing par on the final hole after Harrington’s ...

Sergio Garcia is one round away from putting himself in the history books, as he was again on his game at Carnoustie and headed into the clubhouse with a three-shot lead at the British Open. Steve Stricker was the other big story of the day, as the American fired a remarkable 64 to put himself at 6-under. After Stricker, is a group of golfers six shots off Garcia’s 9-under pace at 3-under Will the young Spaniard do it? Or will Chris Baldwin - who spends almost as much time insulting Garcia as he does Michelle Wie and old people - be ...

Here’s something Jesper Parnevik had to say in regards to Gary Player’s recent comments on steroids in golf: “I thought it was stupid,” Parnevik said. “I personally don’t know one person who used them.” Parnevik said steroids wouldn’t help a golfer play better anyway. “It wouldn’t advantage you at all,” Parnevik said. “Nobody would play better golf. You probably would do a lot worse – your touch would disappear.” There’s really not much to say to this aside from pointing out Parnevik’s incredible ignorance and outright stupidity when it comes to the fact that performance-enhancing drugs would benefit golfers. While it’s very possible that Parnevik ...

When you combine Michigan, home of Bigfoot hunters, Brandon Tucker and Michael Moore, with avid golfers, things are bound to get a touch wonky. Which could perhaps explain why graveyards in Michigan have become the hot new place to practice one’s golf game. From NPR: Some golfers have taken an interest in a cemetery in Washington Township, Mich. The graveyard is apparently not a bad place to practice. And a woman named Erin Robb has proof. She found about 700 golf balls amid the graves. She has complained, since her brother was recently buried there. Town officials say they’ll try to stop the ...

As someone who spends a great deal of time in Brazil, the crash of the TAM flight in Sao Paulo hit me hard, as it so obviously did to so many others, even those with no connection to Brazil. Nearly 200 lives were extinguished in the hellish accident that sent this South American nation into mourning. For Brazil, the accident, but 10 months following the previous “worst air disaster in Brazilian history,” is hurtful in numerous ways. Looking solely at the tourism industry, the crash of TAM Airbus 320 will likely cost this South American giant billions in revenue. This was ...

Senate Republicans, who’ve taken to filibustering and obstructing nearly every bill that comes their way in a stubborn refusal to vote, were forced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to back up their threats this time, and spent last night debating the Levin-Reed Amendment. As the GOP has shown consistently this last year, they are huge fans of the filibuster (no, Diane Sawyer, Reid wasn’t the one filibustering), it’s quite possible Republicans will be forcing Congress to spend many a long night in Washington, in a desperate attempt to avoid voting on anything. So, being that golf tends to far outweigh work ...

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we look under every rock and between every nook and cranny to find the world’s best golfers. You’d think that would be enough, but not for us. That’s because we’re willing to scour the entire universe to find great golfers. Luckily for us, recently a group of European astronomers announced they discovered the first potentially habitable Earth-like planet outside our solar system. Conditions on this newly discovered planet are such that oceans, and with it life, may be possible. Like all things in astronomy, the new planet has a sexy name - Gliese 581c. It was ...

Today was the big day for U.S. soccer fans as David Beckham officially became part of Major League Soccer, joining the Los Angeles Galaxy. Ironically, as one of the biggest stars in the UK settles in the UK, one of the biggest golf stars has settled nicely in Scotland, as Phil Mickelson is in good position after two rounds to take home the Scottish Open, as he prepares for the upcoming British Open. I say a trade is in order. The U.S. gives the UK one golfer capable of winning a major, and the UK gives us one soccer player capable of ...

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, having long ago accepted her utter meaninglessness in the bomb-and-bomb-some-more neocon world of foreign bombing, has at very least used her position for some gain - as a golfer. Seems Rice, who has played in the past with the likes of Michelle Wie, has a serious golf bug according to U.S. News’ Washington Whispers. Seems she caught that bug about three years ago when Stanford pal Stephen Krasner, her former policy adviser, urged Condi to hit the greens. It started with a few lessons in Washington, blossoming into a love affair. Now we didn’t know ...

As part of its promotion for last month’s U.S. Open, Lexus - official sponsor of the USGA - did a survey of golfers to find out just how into the game they really are. The results: Golfers are completely demented. The part of the survey that got noticed was that 43 percent of golfers would give up sex for a month in exchange for the perfect golf swing. Now I don’t see that as being a big deal. We’ve all gone a month without sex. Who amongst us has had a perfect golf swing? Honestly, I find the 43 percent figure to be ...

When Paris Hilton walked out of county jail, she promised she’d be a new woman. Then she hit the party circuit and never looked back. Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Sturla (D) saw this all take place and thought: “Wow, I can make this all work for me!” and he invited Hilton to take part in his fundraising golf tournament at Bent Creek Country Club, in Lititz, Pa. The invitation that went out for the event said: “So put on some panties and let’s golf!” “Hey, if I said ‘take off your panties,’ but I said ‘put them on,’ ” Sturla later told John Baer ...

Major League Baseball laid down its bats and surrendered today, as it made the stunning admission that it had chosen joke-free comedian Dane Cook as the “face” of it’s postseason schedule. Cook, known best for being the person who most perfectly represents all that’s wrong with humanity, could not be reached for comment. For its part, Major League Baseball has essentially admitted that they could just care less anymore. Let this be a note to Tim Finchem. Tim, you seem like the kind of guy who’d get impressed when his 14-year-old niece told him how utterly hilarious Dane Cook is. Don’t believe her ...

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we’re proud to say we’re sponsored by Tiger Woods. He doesn’t actually sponsor us, mind you, but it gives us pride to say he does. Such was the world of golf last week, at the Tiger Woods-hosted AT&T National. It was a glorious time to get “Tiger Woods” into every story about the event, being that he was the “host,” whatever that entails. And, heck, even though he was mired in the middle of the pack, that didn’t keep ESPN from breathlessly shouting that “Tiger’s lurking” near the lead (he was seven shots back heading ...

Looking not-quite ready for prime time, Phil Mickelson went out at the AT&T National and fired a 4-over 74 for his opening round. Tiger Woods is 2-over after his first two holes at the Congressional. Currently the lead at the AT&T National is held by the delightfully eclectic quartet of Fred Funk, Jeff Quinney, Corey Pavin and Greg Owen. I’m not actively rooting for such an outcome, however, having Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods both miss the cut in the nation’s capital would be somewhat mind-blowing, to say the least. And while having them both in the booth on Sunday is a delightful ...

If there is one thing Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie could agree on, it’s that this Independence Day is the perfect time to give to the troops. And I truly believe that Natalie Gulbis and even Paris Hilton would gladly engage in bikini fights in order to make sure U.S. Troops have a little something extra to help them get through the job they’ve volunteered to do. All name-dropping aside, as mentioned before Give 2 the Troops is looking for golf donations to send to U.S. Troops stationed overseas. Be it balls, tees, clubs, nets, etc., if it’s in decent condition, ...

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings we name the greatest golfers in the world week after week after week (unless we take a week off, of course). And after this weekend, what week could be better to name names? The USGA seems to have gotten one right at the U.S. Women’s Open, which featured few under par and the best battling for the big prize, while another new winner made his way onto the scene on the PGA Tour. For the GSRs, it was our kind of week. So let’s play the name game. Golfer Supremacy Rankings 1. Cristie Kerr Comments: At just 29, ...

Golfers, it’s time we put our money, and golf gear, where our mouths are. I’ve previously written about a couple of organizations that have done just that –the Evansville (Ind.) City Council and Kyle Taylor of USAGolf in Lawrence, Kansas. They, and others like them have donated golf balls and golf gear to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and around the globe. Recently, I was contacted by Jim Best of The Best Balls. Having read the posts, Jim generously offered 10,000 golf balls to be shipped overseas. With the help of the North Carolina Branch of Give 2 the troops, we’ll get ...

Having seen it mentioned by a few WorldGolf.com readers, I checked in with Brandon Tucker, who is writing and reporting from the U.S. Women’s Open, whether the now-infamous “88 Rule” is in effect at the tourney. The rule, for those golf fans hiding under a rock, states that if a player shoots an 88 or more, they are not allowed to play in LPGA events the remainder of the year. Luckily for Wie and others, though, the U.S. Women’s Open is a USGA event, and the rule doesn’t apply. So young Ms. Wie has no worries if her score climbs from yesterday’s ...

Once again, WorldGolf.com will have a presence at one of golf’s biggest events, as Brandon Tucker will be reporting and blogging from Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., giving readers the inside scoop from the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open. Obviously, this is a positive situation in many ways, as readers will benefit from Brandon’s unique perspective. Also, it means fans of women’s golf won’t have to depend on the USGA’s Web site, which looks snazzy now, but is likely scheduled for a complete implosion moments after the first tee shot is taken. Of course, there is a downside. ...

If you weren’t sure if Tiger Woods truly transcended golf, you now know for sure. Head over to Golf Digest to see the first pictures of Tiger and wife Elin’s first child, Sam Alexis, as well as some photos of the whole family, labradoodle included. So eat your heart out Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, et al. Golf has it’s own superstar baby and family. Update: Tiger’s showcasing the new apple of his eye at his Web site, as well. –WKW

It takes a lot to get our attention here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, where our days are spent living the high life off the innumerable bribes sent in on nearly a daily basis by golfers who want to be No. 1. Of course, we here at the GSR’s don’t play that way. Sure, we take the money, what, you think we’re idiots? But just because we cash the checks, don’t think for a second that means we’ll allow anyone to influence important decisions. No, we have unbreakable ethics here, and would never allow anyone to buy off the beliefs we ...

To: All media outlets, U.S. Congress, President George W. Bush, U.S. Supreme Court, Independent and unaffiliated Office of the Vice President. Dear Sirs, We at the American Golf Liberties Union (AGLU), as a protector of all that is right in golf and golf terminology, have had it brought to our attention that there are currently hate crimes being perpetrated against the most important and beloved item of our game - the golf ball. We have been alerted to the hateful usage of the golf ball as a description of the size of hail by Golf Gear News blogger/podcaster Bruce Stasch. The use of golf ...

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has finally come out and said - with the authority of a wet dishrag - that perhaps the PGA Tour needs to test its golfers for performance-enhancing drugs. Maybe. But he wants the other pro golf organizations to hold his hand as he dips his toe in the fray. Finchem says golf’s tours, pro organizations should join together Saying drug testing in sports has become a reality, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said golf organizations around the world should work closely to develop rules that ultimately could lead to testing. “It’s unfortunate that these realities are with us, ...

When greatness passes on its DNA, it’s worthy of note. Nonetheless, there appears to be no truth to the wildly spreading rumor that B.J. Wie, Michelle’s dad, has contacted Elin and Tiger Woods, offering his service as coach and mentor to their new daughter. And reportedly it will be Elin’s job to keep the Nike executives away from their child. At least until her third birthday. And in all seriousness, congratulations to Elin and Tiger on the birth of a healthy daughter - Sam Alexis - and the adventure of parenting they are entering. And while some will obviously look at Tiger’s fatherhood ...

Was there ever a better example of the disparate types that make their career golfing than Angel Cabrera and Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open? Cabrera, chain-smoking, husky, nervous as could be, against Woods, whose abs you can clean clothes on and who seemed calmer than ever before. And the husky, chain-smoking nervous wreck beats the chill, body-beautiful golf genius. The guy with no PGA Tour wins tops the guy who has 57 of them. Such is our game. One interesting fact: Since 1999, Argentinians have won more golf majors than Europeans. It’s true. Look it up. –WKW

A quick check at the U.S. Open scores from Oakmont thus far this morning: Phil Mickelson: +6 Henrik Stenson: +6 Sean O’Hair: +9 Trevor Immelman: +10 Stewart Cink: +10 Davis Love III: +10 Adam Scott: +12 Paul Casey: -4 Stop everything. Let’s see that again: Paul Casey: -4 With five birdies versus just a single bogey today, I think we have ourselves a winner. I say we let Tiger Woods play his second round, and if he can’t beat a 66, we just call the whole thing off, hand the trophy to Casey and all go fishing this weekend. He may not be in the lead, but that was just one hell ...

Looking to stay updated on the latest scores at the U.S. Open? Well, so would the USGA, it appears. Their live leaderboard - co-hosted by ESPN.com – is currently down, and has worked sporadically thus far. And other leaderboards haven’t been doing too well, either. “Wow, the others were even worse. GolfChannel had Ogilvy through 8 holes when he had played 11, and PGA.com had him through 3 at the same point,” wrote Geoff Shackleford. Of course, if you want up-to-date, breaking info on the U.S. Open, you can head over to the USGA blog. Except that’s not working, either. BTW, head over ...

Over at Sports Illustrated, they love nothing better than accumulating a bunch of photos, giving it all a topic, and then presenting it as a colorful photo gallery. Today’s photo gallery is of the “Most Fun Athletes to Watch.” Generally these photo galleries don’t teach us much, but do showcase some nice photographs. This particular photo gallery teaches us something, however - SI doesn’t find Tiger Woods very fun to watch. SI features 32 “fun-to-watch” athletes, and even with the U.S. Open about to tee off, not one of them is named Tiger. There are a couple golfers on the list: Camilo ...

TravelGolf.com readers were given an interesting bonus recently, as Chris Baldwin reported live from the LPGA Championship. Throughout each round, Baldwin was able to give exclusive updates from the tournament, giving readers a unique look at the event. Brandon Tucker is scheduled to do the same at the U.S. Open for WorldGolf.com. Without a doubt, the Internet and blogging has changed how sports fans can get their news. This is the information age, and we’re all getting to experience events in entirely new ways. It’s a grand experiment we’re all getting to live through, and everyone’s on board. Well, except maybe ...

First of all, let me just say this: If we could take John Daly and Paris Hilton, and meld them into some type of super-person, they would take over the world as we know it, because everyone would be too busy watching their exploits to do anything else. That being said, we wish Daly luck in his quest to become the first PGA Tour golfer to make the cut at an event immediately after getting into a knife fight with his wife. Daly tells police wife attacked him with steak knife MEMPHIS, Tenn. – John Daly told authorities his wife tried to stab ...

With Conservatives agog at the possibility of ushering in a new fictional President in the form of former lobbyist Fred Thompson, another pretend politician is laying down his own brand of carnage - on the golf course. Fictional Deputy White House Communications Director Rob Lowe, participating in a charity golf match in Iowa, was horrified when one of his golf balls killed a goldfinch - Iowa’s state bird. “It’s unbelievable. Only I could come here and kill the state bird,” reportedly said Lowe. Lowe, who can not be considered a political candidate until his jowls make contact with his abdomen, ala Thompson, just ...

Going to school in Alaska, I got to know author and now-politician Mike Doogan, the popular former columnist with the Anchorage Daily News. He once relayed a story about attending a seminar with Russian journalists just following the Cold War. “Everything that’s happened in the last 50 years is news to you,” Doogan told the Russians. Which, of course, was a harsh truth. During the communist reign, Russian journalists - and citizens - knew what the State decided they should know. In 2007, with the glorious information tool known as the Internet available, the ability for literally billions of people to acquire knowledge ...

LeBron James shares the same birthday as Tiger Woods. And now, like Woods, James is looking to add “champion” to his resume. But this week, with Michelle Wie, another well-promoted youngster in Michelle Wie, failing, James has taught us all something valuable. It all has nothing to do with the hype. Now that James, 22, has helped carry his Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals, and possibly the first world title in Cleveland in more than 40 years, one can truly say the young man was much more than his press clippings. Because regardless how much Michelle Wie has been hyped, LeBron has ...

According to Slam Sports in Canada, Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson played friend Max Lizondo in a match at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club recently, with Alfredsson putting up three tickets for the Stanley Cup Finals against Lizondo’s $100. Lizondo won, taking home the tickets that Alfredsson said he’d have given him anyway. This story is interesting on several levels. Mostly for the fact that, wow, the Stanley Cup Finals are starting. How about that. I wasn’t completely sure they still held that event. Bully for them. Anyway, good luck to Anaheim Ducks in the finals against Alfredsson’s Senators. I’m originally from ...

When Zach Johnson looks back at his breakthrough 2007 campaign on the PGA Tour, he’ll sigh contently as he remembers being the No. 1 golfer on the Golfer Supremacy Rankings. Because Zach knows what really matters. We here at the GSR’s know what really matters, as well, and we’re wondering where Jesus was this weekend. Maybe he was in Japan, where a miraculous victory took place. Golfer Supremacy Rankings 1. Zach Johnson Comments: First of all, let us just say we think it’s faux outrageous that Jesus hasn’t been getting more credit for Johnson’s AT&T Classic. Following Johnson’s Masters triumph, his thanking of Jesus ...

I went to high school with former Major League Baseball player Al Martin. After graduating, I knew he had gone to the minors and I kept an eye on his progress, until he made it to the roster of my favorite team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Martin never achieved as much as it appeared he might in the big leagues, but he had a very good career and has nothing at all to be ashamed of in his efforts. For me, however, who grew up playing baseball, there was an unsettling twinge of jealousy I felt when Martin’s career took off. I ...

We here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings are looking for a good rankings coach. Because we’ve got the basics of ranking golfers down cold, see, but some times small errors creep into our routine. Like the time we accidentally ranked Pol Pot as the world’s No. 1 golfer. That was embarrassing. The guy couldn’t break 80 if several million of his countrymans’ lives depended on it. So if any of you have any tips, feel free to guide them our way. Those we do feel pretty comfortable with this week’s rankings, which cover the gamut from player, coach and terrorist. Golfer ...

First of all, let me just say that I hold PGA.com writer Grant Boone in the highest regard. That being said, he’s a hack. Boone’s column “Poetic Justice,” apparently gave the editors over at the PGA the vapors, as they gushed: “It would appear to be a difficult – if not impossible – task to get Tiger Woods and Paris Hilton into the same column. But never underestimate the talents of our Grant Boone.” And don’t get me wrong. I’d never underestimate Boone. It can’t be easy to be the only son of Bob Boone not to make the Major Leagues (Editor’s ...

When all is said and done with the boxing career of Oscar De La Hoya, there will be plenty of good things to say. He was one of the top fighters in multiple weight divisions, he attracted non-boxing fans to the sport, and he fought the best of his era. Unfortunately for the Golden Boy, however, every time he faced the best competition, he lost. With the exception of De La Hoya’s embarassing loss to Bernard Hopkins, four of the five losses Oscar suffered were of the close decision variety. Close decisions De La Hoya could have won had he just ...

Golf blogger Bill Wolfrum, flush of his rousing success of picking Floyd Mayweather Jr. over Oscar De La Hoya, has immediately jumped back on the prognostication horse. “After being so wildly successful in taking Pretty Boy over the Golden Boy, a pick which made all those who disagreed with me look foolish and weak, I have decided to make my next pick while the iron is hot,” said Wolfrum, bathing in a favored sparkling wine. “The powers that I have tell me that there is no way Tiger Woods will fail to win the U.S. Open.” Some skeptics have questioned Wolfrum’s picking ...

Christopher Vitiello and Jonathan Ochoa have been around. From Guadalajara to Los Angeles to Augusta and many a stop in between, the longtime friends have been spending a lot of time on the road, watching golf. Actually, watching a golfer. The pair, both 24, have spent the last year following Ochoa’s famous cousin - reigning LPGA Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa - and putting together a documentary based on the young Mexican sensation. And a sensation she is, especially in Mexico, say the pair, where they’ve seen her develop into a full-fledged superstar in her home nation. “To put it into perspective, ...

At the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we believe in truth, justice and the American way. That’s not saying that much, however, as collectively, we also believe in just about everything from bigfoots and Easter bunnies to the concept that Iraqi insurgents will jump in row boats and follow U.S. troops back home should the U.S. ever get around to leaving Iraq. So when Scott Verplank credited the ghost of Byron Nelson for helping him win the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, we wholeheartedly believed. Because in the end, pure greatness transcends death. And in the case of Verplank, apparently helped him pocket a ...

As many WorldGolf.com readers will be spending some of their weekend on golf courses throughout the U.S. and globally, it seems a quick question is in order: How does emotion affect your golf game? The question is asked knowing that there are many around these parts who will golf two, three or even more times per week. And while the golf course is a great getaway, it’s just plain humanity that sometimes you’ll have other issues on your mind. How do you deal with it? Here’s my take: It depends who I’m playing with. If I’m playing with friends and family, it’s much ...

In previous blogs, we’ve looked at the City of Evansville, Ind., and Kyle Taylor, owner of USA Golf in Lawrence, Kansas, and their remarkable efforts at getting golf equipment sent to U.S. troops throughout the Middle East. The golf gear is sent to troops, and is used as both a way to alleviate boredom for them, as well as helping them feel closer to home and remember that there are those in the U.S. thinking of them. Bill Levine, a Vietnam veteran living in Clermont, Fla., decided it sounded like a good idea. Levine told the Rockford Register Star that he ...

When we were just precocious children, we here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings did what any children in our position would do - we ranked golfers. That’s because we’ve had a dream since Day One - to be part of the most important golf rankings system in the known universe. And because we’re Americans, we were able to make that happen. And with 2007 seeing Americans at the top of golf, it’s apparent that the golf dreams of Yanks from Justin Timberlake to Nick Watney to Mancil Davis can be achieved. Golfer Supremacy Rankings 1. Justin Timberlake Comments: Timberlake - who once left TravelGolf.com’s ...

As Michelle Wie continues her recuperation, she’s getting some time to step back and reassess things, as well as spend some quality time away from the media spotlight. It seems highly likely that this is the best thing that could have happened to her at this stage of her career. But it’s also given the majority of the world a chance to reassess their views on her. And following a brutal four days at Augusta, you can say one thing with no degree of uncertainty - Michelle Wie’s childhood goal of winning the Masters is an impossibility. Here is what I ...

Sometimes the world of pro golf can be terribly unfair, and we here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings are proud to be a part of the unfairness of it all. Nonetheless, we are a “winning-comes-first” rankings system, and we don’t care who folded to get a player that win. You may complain that players like Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome are winners just because others failed, but we just consider them winners. Golfer Supremacy Rankings 1. Brittany Lincicome Comments: The winner of the 2006 Women’s World Match Play officially showed it was no fluke by hanging tough to win the Ginn Open. While the ...

The World Series of Golf, an amateur prize tournament to be held next month at Primm Valley Golf Club near Las Vegas, appears to be the first golf tournament to fall to poker’s mighty sway. Terry Leiweke, World Series of Golf CEO, lays it all on the line - golf would be way better is there was more poker action involved: “We have a patent-pending method of play, where we have incorporated Texas hold’em poker into a golf format. The inaugural event, which is played in Las Vegas from May 13th through the 16th, is a buy-in event. Once you buy in, ...

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we do things for the joy of the game. Whether a player is 20-under or 20-over, we’re willing to cheefully rank them. So sure, we’re a little amazed at the level of discomfort displayed by golfers, writers and bloggers at the tough conditions at Augusta for the Masters. Sure, the scores were high and just securing pars was a battle, but get over yourselves. In fact, we just did some research on the National Football League. In the NFL, it seems, huge men spend all their off time looking to get more huge, stronger and faster. ...

After going through several choices, at this point, I think I’m going to have to predict that Zach Johnson will win the 2007 Masters. You can trust me on this one. Or maybe Retief Goosen. No, no, I’ll stick to my guns. Go with that Johnson kid. I think he’s got the right stuff. –WKW

The Brazilian Portuguese word for “boring” is chato ("Shaht-o") and it’s used quite liberally, for everything from a rebuke of an unruly child to an opinion of a dull film. And it’s the reason why nobody really wanted to pick Tiger Woods to win this Masters. At the Waggle Room, Mulligan Stu ran a poll of bloggers that saw only six of 19 pick Tiger to win. Five of 11 golf writers picked Woods. That’s 11 of 30 overall, if you’re counting. WorldGolf.com and TravelGolf.com bloggers seemingly went out of their way not to pick Tiger. Hell, I picked Sergio Garcia. ...

Sure, a lot of people are going to come after me for picking Sergio Garcia to win the 2007 Masters. And I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not looking good for the young Spaniard. He’s 10 shots over par and his game just fell apart when he needed it the most. And, yeah, I admit the road to his victory will be extremely difficult for a multitude of reasons, one being that he didn’t actually make the cut. But I’m no surrender monkey. I stick by my guns no matter how depleted of bullets they are. I will not back ...

The first major of the year is upon us, and when it’s all over, we’ll find the Masters isn’t worth a spit. Because come Sunday, El Niño will have a green jacket placed on him by Phil Mickelson. Sergio Garcia will win the 2007 Masters. I understand your doubts. After all, this is Sergio Garcia we’re talking about, the infante terrible of golf. But that tends to obscure the fact that he’s also one of the most terribly gifted golfers active today. At just 27, Garcia is approaching the time when his physical gifts will meld with a more solid mental game. ...

We here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings are more than willing to do whatever it takes to make a buck. We are capitalists, through and through. So when Halliburton asked us to rank their employees based on overall whorishness, greediness, and fashion, we eagerly agreed. Because we are a golf ranking system for the people. Unless someone forks over enough money. Then screw you guys. But we’re back and stronger than ever, ready to rank after a week of golf that saw a little bit of everything, and proved that in the LPGA, the threats were real and youth - in ...

After seeing a few mixed-martial arts fans around the Internets spend some of their valuable time trying to invent new and exciting ways to call me different varieties of feminine hygiene products, I figured I should give at least one response before moving on. First of all, in regard to UFC buying out Pride, I agree with reader Casey Trowbridge when he wrote: “If you were going to attack the Fertitta quote as being full of hyperbole you would’ve done better to attack the part where he said that this could make MMA as popular as soccer.” Keep in mind, however, that ...

With Tiger Woods in the mix, golf writers have plenty of openings for hyperbole. This writer has gone as far as to proclaim Woods the best athlete of his era, and awaits any solid arguments against that claim. Nonetheless, occasionally situations get out of hand. Take the indicted Tom DeLay, comparing himself to six million Jews, Poland, et al, by proclaiming in his nearly completely un-read book that “Liberals have joined scoundrels like Hitler,” for bringing up the fact that DeLay treated campaign finance laws like stop signs in a gated community. Not quite up to the level of that narcissistic claim, ...

As Tiger Woods and a select few others fight their fatigue over the ridiculously long PGA Tour schedule by teeing it up at the Tavistock Cup while laughing it up to the uproarious humor of David Feherty, many wonder what the Tavistock Cup actually is, and why it’s PGA sanctioned. Of course, that’s not for you to wonder, as you weren’t invited so just keep your thoughts to yourself, all right? And besides, they do it for charity: The event not only benefits players and spectators, it also benefits local and international charities. In 2006, the Tavistock Cup raised more than $500,000 ...

Back when I was a member of the Norwegian supergroup “a-ha” (I was “ha"), I learned quite a bit about wasting time. Seriously, it doesn’t take that much concentration and practice to successfully sing the line “Take on me!” over and over and over again. So I understand that many golf writers get stuck and bored in their own loop of “Tiger Woods wins” over and over again. So when Woods shows some weakness, they jumped on it. It’s to be expected. Of course, now that he left the field in shambles at the WGC-CA Championship, a few of the stories ...

My fellow magicians will likely be upset that I’m unveiling one of the secrets of the trade, but, hey, I’m a rebel so here goes: Being a sportswriter is as cushy a job as you can find. Not only do you get to watch sporting events for a living, you generally get to watch them from great seats. You have your own parking area. Organizers of whatever event will have a separate area set up just for sportswriters where they can file stories. They feed you. And there’s always an event PR guy running around making sure you have every last available ...

Here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, we go through steroids like a diabetic goes through insulin, and we have testicles the size of a proton to prove it. We do it gladly, however, because we want to be the most powerful golf rankings system in the known universe. We also do it because we know you, the sports-loving public, could really care less that we’re jacked up, so long as we produce the goods. Basically, we are following the NFL’s ultra-successful model of “wink, wink, nudge, nudge, let’s occasionally give someone a four-game suspension then invite them to the Pro Bowl.” Because ...

While everyone spent the last few years glorifying the young guns of the LPGA - and are currently checking their watches to see if any of them are actually going to have a real accomplishment in the pro game - Nancy Lopez was working to get back in the game. Now, while Morgan Pressel, Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis look at Paula Creamer’s five career victories as some type of otherworldly standard, a woman with 52 career wins and three major titles is ready to play a few rounds at the age of 50. Lopez said she plans to play five ...

While most sports fans in the U.S. are in the grips of college basketball’s March Madness (and weren’t we all wondering how Duke-hater Chris Baldwin will rework a golf blog to get his gloating in over the Krzyzewski Kids falling to Virginia Commonwealth), there is another madness going on in the world of sports - golfers, pundits and others fretting about scores in relation to par. “Arnie can’t like this, players are shredding this course,” said Rocco Mediate, as a record 42 players broke 70. And while I admire the PGA Punter (a distant cousin of Winston Churchill, by the way), I ...

Head for the hills, kids, the Ides of March are upon us! Ok, actually the “Ides of March” just means the middle of March, which is, in fact, today. Any negative connotation of the phrase is just because Julius Caesar got whacked on March 15, some 2,051 years ago, 44 years prior to the great B.C. - A.D. changeover. The only thing getting whacked today will be golf balls, as the Arnold Palmer Invitational kicks off. Yesterday, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Arnold Palmer spoke to the press. With Woods’ new D.C. tournament garnering some controversy by adding another invitational to the ...

It’s all Arnold Palmer this week, as the Arnold Palmer Invitational takes place this week at Bay Hill in the beautiful city of Arnold Palmer in the state of Arnold Palmer. But while Arnold Palmer is all the Arnold Palmer these days, the PGA Tour will be focusing more and more on individuals this year as Tiger Woods joins the fray come Independence Day, as the Tiger Woods Foundation will host the To-Be-Named-At-A-Future-Date Tournament, sponsored by To Be Determined. We do know it will be in Washington D.C., and we know that Tiger Woods himself likely won’t even be there, but his ...

A while ago, I gave my thoughts on Phil Mickelson lending a hand to former NFL star Conrad Dobler and his family, who were suffering from financial woes due to medical expenses for Dobler’s wife Joy, as well as a lifetime of medical expenses for Dobler, himself, whose body was brutalized from a stellar NFL career. Over the last few weeks, we’ve noticed that certain Google searches keep popping up, mainly based around this rumor: That Mickelson’s charity to Dobler was a hoax or an urban legend. So hopefully, those that a) are curious to find out about the Mickelson-Dobler connection, and ...

As Michelle Wie’s convalescence drags out a little longer, the young phenomenon is learning some cold hard facts about the public - out of sight, out of mind. So as Wie awaits to heal her “backwards running” injury, someone like Tadd Fujikawa jumps in and dazzles all with his short stature and huge game. Of course, the teens aren’t the only ones grabbing headlines. Fred Funk recently became just the second player to win on the PGA Tour after winning on the Champions Tour, bringing a tear to the eye of many an old timer. But Funk has nothing on Bombi Aznar. ...

About six weeks ago, a blog ran here detailing the work of the City of Evansville, Ind., in sending used golf balls over to Iraq. It seems smacking around golf balls has been a great way for U.S. troops to get some entertainment and feel closer to home while serving their country in the Middle East. The idea has been happily copied by a few others, including Kyle Taylor, owner of USA Golf in Lawrence, Kansas. As of yesterday, Taylor had collected about 2,500 golf clubs and 12,000 to 15,000 golf balls. “We’re just kind of overwhelmed right now. There’s ...

It goes without saying that the United States is terrorized from all angles. There are the IslamoFascistNazis hiding behind every third tree, waiting patiently to slice everyone’s throats. There’s Mexico, bundling up its criminals and sending them to the U.S. in value packs. North Korea and it’s tiny, freakin’ adorable little leader Kim Jong-Il have nukes. Russia is rattling its sabers. Cuba is a filled with angry commies. Venezuela, too. Iran is led by a nuke-hugging madman. Face it, if you’re American, you have to deal with the never-ending horror of knowing that every non-American human on the planet wants to ...

Former U.S. Representative Bob Ney has moved to his new home - a jail cell in Morgantown, W.V. Ney drunkenly careened through the House for many a year, patriotically renaming French fries and accepting damn near anything in the way of bribes for his vote. Basically, he did what everyone else was doing, he just got caught. Because of golf. Yes, while Ney sits in the same clink as original Survivor star and fellow criminal Richard Hatch, he can replay the wonderful memories of golf excursions in Scotland. Golf excursions paid for by Jack Abramoff, and Ney’s own soul. Ney was sentenced to ...

Not long ago, Tiger Woods, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, gave this response to a reporter who asked him if Tiger would push his future son into playing soccer. “No, not soccer,” Woods said. “Hopefully something more physical.” TravelGolf.com blogger Chris Baldwin found this slightly too amusing. “Now, that’s funny. Because it’s true,” wrote Baldwin, taking some time off of writing about his favorite Hollywood stars. While Tiger has a physicality somewhat unique to golfers, there is one thing he won’t have to worry about - getting booted in the head, knocked out, then swallowing his tongue. Courtesy of our friends at Throughball.com, here’s ...

We here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings have come to the conclusion that 2008 Presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo must despise professional golf these days. Tancredo, hoping to be elected on the “Hispanics, Hey, Let’s Round Them Up and Kill Them” platform, has been seeing his worst nightmares become reality recently. First, Mexicana Lorena Ochoa has become a dominant force in the LPGA, taking home 2006 Player of the Year honors. And now, the PGA is actually going out of its way to host tournaments in Mexico. Tancredo, who represents Colorado in the House of Representatives, also is likely not overly thrilled ...

A lot of people in charge spend a great deal of time wondering why we, the Golfer Supremacy Rankings, need a staff of over 400, 14 vehicles, and unfettered access to Air Force One. But there’s a reason for this extravagance. You see, we’ve been preparing to unveil this, our new master plan that will change how golf historians view the game - Golfer Supremacy-ipidia. Yes, some day, with the help of readers, we believe Golf Supremacy-ipidia will have all the pertinent information on every golfer in the history of the known universe. It’s a truly thrilling project that we’ve approached with ...

Not along ago, I would have never spent any of my valuable time critiquing a blog from the USGA. It would just seem wrong. Once they got all corporated up, however, signing deals with American Express and Lexus, it became open season. So it was with some interest I perused Ken Klavon’s Feb. 20 post, looking intently to see if we could detect a new corporate bias from the USGA in their new “official” blog. I was not disappointed. USGA Blog: Communicating 101 Happy Tuesday. Coming back after a holiday always seems tough at first, but I often realize how refreshed I feel. Such ...

Welcome everyone to the latest installment of “Knee-Jerk Theatre,” the blog where we take a recent sporting event, and look at how other bloggers completely freaked out over it. Today we’ll be looking at how bloggers reacted to Phil Mickelson’s second-place finish at the Nissan Open, as he lost in a playoff to Charles Howell III in his effort to win consecutive PGA Tour events. Knee-Jerk Theatre Here’s what some bloggers (picked at random) had to say about Mickelson’s loss, which saw him bogey Hole No. 18, and then three-putt on the third playoff hole to open the door for Howell, ...

More often than not when I leave the house, some paparazzi type will approach me and start asking questions about TravelGolf.com blogger Ron Mon. In such instances I’m normally left with no recourse other than to beat said paparazzi type within one inch of his life. Because life is measured in inches, feet and yards, and don’t you forget it. Because Ron Mon transcends the game. While us mere mortals peck away at the keyboard, hoping some bored reporter in Pawtucket will use one of our quotes and link to us, Ron Mon is creating long, one-paragraph masterpieces with nary a ...

There’s a funny video floating through the tubes of Internets right about now showing Joe Rogan verbally demolishing fellow comedian Carlos Mencia for stealing material. It seems Mencia (real name: Ned Holness) has a serious reputation for stealing material, something that Rogan feels strongly about, as does golf funnyman apprentice George Lopez, who allegedly roughed up Mencia one night in a parking lot for using his material in an HBO special. It’s one of those great videos where you see the rug completely pulled out from under the guy. An ugly truth is trumpeted in front of Mencia, who has a ...

We do things a little differently here at the Golfer Supremacy Rankings. We open our eyes wide and see the big picture. We are big-eyed, wide-picture watchers. If there’s a picture, and it’s big, you can count on us being there watching. If you see us wide-eyed … well, you get the picture. So while so many pundits and ranking systems are spinning out of control because of Phil Mickelson’s victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. It was a lovely win and all, but the fact that Lefty is now tied with Charley Hoffman for wins in 2007 means ...

We all have our dirty little Internet secrets. For some, it’s enjoying the blogs at Worldgolf.com and Travelgolf.com. For others, it’s racier fare, like say, taking a look at the latest offering from CaddyChick.com. There’s even some that enjoy the truly nasty and disturbing areas of the Internet, like Chris Baldwin’s blog, for example. But seriously, we all have our secrets. Unless, of course, Texas lawmaker Lamar Smith gets his way. Because if Smith’s “Internet Stopping Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY) of 2007″ gets through, you’ll never have any privacy on the Internet again. The bill would require ...

If there is one profession that is over rated to the point of hysteria, it’s “Movie Star.” Face it, it’s by far the easiest job in the world, especially when you factor in the obscenely large paychecks. For goodness sake, even a Scientologist can be a movie star. Being a movie star is kind of like being a pampered dog. Everyone worships you, feeds your ego, and no matter how often you crap on the sofa, people tell you that you’re a “good dog.” The job consists of getting as many chances as you need to “emote” and then, even if ...