Tag: PGA

Tiger and Vijay Leave Funai Classic Early

Nick Momrik1 Comment

The top two golfers in the world, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, failed to make the cut this weekend in the Funai Classic at Disney. During his ten seasons on the PGA Tour Tiger has only missed a total of three cuts, but two of those have been this year. Since Singh also missed the cut it means Tiger locked up the money title, but he didn’t seem to care.

If money titles meant anything, I’d play more tournaments. The only thing that means a lot to me is winning. If I have more wins than anybody else and win more majors than anybody else in the same year, then it’s been a good year.

Tiger Woods

Even though Woods has missed two cuts this year it’s been a season about him finding his golf swing again. He’s had 6 victories with two of them being major championships and won nearly $10 million. I’d say it’s been a pretty successful year for Tiger.

Tiger Dominates

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Tiger Woods has won 20 of the 50 highest-rated tournaments (according to the Official World Golf Ranking) over the past seven years. He’s won three Masters, two PGA Championships, two U.S. Opens and two British Opens, as well as the 2001 PLAYERS Championship. He’s also won 10 World Golf Championships — four American Express Championships, four NEC Invitationals and two Accenture Match Play Championships in that span.

Second best on the list is the quartet of Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen. Each of them has won twice.

PGA Tour Weekly

Think about that for a minute…

Tiger was supposed to be going through a slump over the previous year or two. He still managed to win 40% of the toughest golf tournaments played around the world in the last seven years.

$25 Million to Renovate TPC-Sawgrass

Nick Momrik2 Comments

According to ESPN.com the TCP at Sawgrass will undergo renovations costing an estimated $25 million. Plans involve changes to the stands on the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes, a new water drainage system, and new technology around the course. Technology improvements would include video screens around the course as well as a radio system for fans to listen to the action (maybe XM since they broadcast the PGA Tour).

Hopefully, it translates to a tournament that all of our tournaments can look at as a model, and that’s where the bar is set in terms of fan experience, player experience and sponsor experience.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem

For full details visit ESPN.

Tiger Woods Wins American Express Championship

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American Express Championship TrophyWith a first prize of $1.3 million on the line, the greatest players in the game of golf teed off this weekend in the American Express Championship of the World Golf Championships. The world’s #1 golfer, Tiger Woods, hoisted the trophy when John Daly missed his par put on the 2nd playoff hole.

Even though the end of the tournament was a letdown, golf fans everywhere got to watch two of the most exciting players in the game battle down the stretch. John Daly and Tiger Woods are two of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour, but both also have great short game skills. Tiger Woods is my favorite athlete in any sport and maybe the most recognized athlete on the planet. John Daly is a golfer most of us weekend hackers can relate to, so he is also very popular among spectators. Watching these two go head-to-head was as exciting golf as I’ve ever watched on TV. The team of Nick Faldo, Paul Azinger, and Mike Tirico do an excellent job with their commentary and analysis because they get just as excited as some of the fans.

The 4th Green

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Green Jacket. Every golfer wants one, but few ever get one. Today Tiger Woods won his 4th by winning the 2005 Masters at Augusta National.

Tiger started Sunday at the Masters down by 4 strokes with 27 holes left to play. Woods birdied the first 4 holes of the morning to make it 7 in a row going back to Saturday and found himself with a 2 stroke lead over Chris DiMarco. The #1 golfer in the world turned a 4 shot deficit into a 2 stroke advantage in just 4 holes. Yes, with the win, he also took over the #1 ranking as the world’s top golfer. Maybe winning his 9th major championship will silence the critics and prove that his swing changes have been worth it.

I watched all five hours of television coverage today and it was the greatest golf tournament I’ve ever watched. DiMarco and Woods went back and forth for 18 holes and both ended up at -12. When Tiger chipped in for birdie on 16 I jumped out of my chair and went nuts. It looked as if he was going to bogey the hole with DiMarco in good position for birdie and a possible chance at taking the lead, but instead Tiger pushed his lead to two. Woods nearly gave the tournament away by shooting bogey on the final two holes, but came through with a birdie on the first playoff hole for a win.

It was a great competition to watch and seeing Phil Mickelson slip that green jacket onto Tiger’s shoulders during the traditional ceremony in the Butler Cabin was sweet. Phil was wearing his traditional fake smile and I can only imagine what was running through Tiger’s mind at the moment. After all, it’s no secret the two aren’t the best of friends.

John Daly Deserves The Ryder Cup

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Simply put, the guy is fun to watch. The normal hacker can really relate to the guy, because he’s down to earth. He doesn’t care what people think of him and nothing scares him either. He’s one of the few golfers that you’ll see smoking a cigarette (or several) on TV during a round. He doesn’t lift weights or workout to improve his game, but he’s still one of the longest and most accurate drivers on tour.

Daly is playing the best golf of his life over the last few months. Every time I turn around, he’s on TV. Not only can he drive the ball further than most everyone else, but he is also one of the greatest long putters in the game. Don’t forget his short game either, which has improved over the years. His all-around game ranks among the best.

To get an automatic selection to the USA Ryder Cup team, an American golfer must be ranked in the top 10 in the Ryder Cup Team USA Standings. Currently Daly is 20th and this is the last weekend to qualify. Team captain Hal Sutton does get to invite 2 additional players to round out a team of 12. If Daly doesn’t move up into the top 10, I hope he’s the first guy Sutton thinks about.

Not only is Daly one of the best golfers on the PGA Tour this year, but he’s also the most intimidating. How could someone not be intimidated by a smoking fat guy, wearing logos every where, hitting the ball over 300 yards right down the middle of the fairway? I know I would!

I have tickets (which should arrive today) for the Wednesday and Thursday practice days, so I’d love to be able to see John Daly in person. Maybe even sneak in a few photos.

Twice in the past Daly has won one of the majors and was not invited to the Ryder Cup. This should be his year. Other players have played well and also deserve a spot, but no one else brings as much to the table.

Sutton…invite John!