Keegan: Yes! I won't be referred to as "Pat Bradley's nephew" anymore!

As the year ends (only a few hours left!), we’re taking a look at the winners and losers of 2011. First, we reviewed the best shots. Then, we cringed through the greatest meltdowns. Now, we — with most of the credit going to Intern Shoshana — check out some players that exceeded the expectations set for them at the start of the season. Before you dig in, consider some of the guys you think distinguished themselves in 2011. (continue reading…)

Let's give a big round of applause to Mike Whan

The 2012 LPGA schedule hasn’t been officially released to the media or public, but somehow it managed to magically appear in my inbox. A belated Christmas present! — no, really. Once I opened the email and perused the schedule, I realized there was quite a bit of good news. Which makes me super-stoked for the LPGA and the players.

First of all, Commissioner Mike Whan deserves a standing ovation/slow clap. Whan has delivered on his promise of a more robust schedule in 2012. At first glance it looks much more cohesive than the 2011 season. Instead of the stop-and-go tour the ladies have endured in recent years, 2012 seems like it will bring continuity (no month-plus long breaks). The 2012 schedule boasts 28 (**Update: sounds like it might drop to 27 soon and then probably 26) official tournaments, compared to the 23 in 2011. (continue reading…)

@#$%^&*%

As the year ends (which is happening way too quickly), we’re taking a look at the highlights and lowlights of 2011. First, we checked out the best shots. Next, we — with most of the credit going to Intern Shoshana – review the greatest meltdowns, where the pros remind us they’re human, and the most epic choke jobs (to to use Johnny Miller’s favorite word) of 2011, another category that needs no introduction. (continue reading…)

Thank you, thank you -- no presents, please!

Tiger Woods blows out 36 candles today — Friday, December 30th — so we’re sending him our best wishes and hope he has a wonderful day celebrating in top form.

Thirty-six. That’s actually quite young in golfer years, but Tiger’s an old 36.  Well, depends on how you see it, but naturally, the hot topic of discussion is whether or not he has time to beat Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record. (continue reading…)

The shot that turned out to be worth $11 million

With only a few days left in 2011, we’ll take a look at the highlights and lowlights of the year. Let’s start with Best Shots (or Most Memorable), a category that needs no introduction. Before digging in, please consider the shots that jump out to you this past season. If I missed one of your favorites, my bad — drop your thoughts in the comments section. Now, let’s review and reflect on some of the most mindblowing moments in 2011 before we move on to 2012. (continue reading…)

We got hops

Thanks to the multiple readers who emailed inquiring about Fantasy Golf — you guys reminded me to get those started again. I don’t think I’ve quite processed that the 2012 season is right around the corner, but the best part is I’m about to board my flight to Kapalua for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I mean, it’s already been a year? Not that I’m complaining because it means I get to kick off the year in paradise (it all goes downhill from there!).

It actually feels a bit like Groundhog Day. I just looked up the post re: Fantasy from a year ago and I was also about to hop on the plane to Hawaii. I could actually almost copy and paste the text and just fill in the blanks with this year’s appropriate info and latest news. Which isn’t a terrible idea, so here we go. (continue reading…)

The Moores: Aim to level the playing course

When Ryan Moore isn’t playing golf on tour, he enjoys pondering business ventures — he became a minority owner in Scratch Golf in late 2009 (but relinquished his equity interest a year later and then signed with Adams) and then invested in TRUE Linkswear, a shoe apparel company, in spring 2010.

His latest project aims not only to make good golf more available to the public, but also to help jump-start the struggling golf course industry in the Tacoma area, where he grew up and still calls home.

Moore, along with 13 partners consisting of primarily friends and family, created RMG Golf Course Management LLC, or RMG Club, according to The News Tribune’s Todd Milles. (continue reading…)

Rory looking to add to his trophy case in '12

Thanks to Shoshana for passing along one of the various end-of-the-year articles on 22-year-old Rory McIlroy. This one, penned by the Irish Independent’s Dermot Gilleece, reveals an interesting quote from the U.S. Open champ about his playing career: (continue reading…)

Anyone have any golf-related Christmas Day traditions? If so, please share!

Here’s hoping you all have a lovely holiday with your friends and family! Thanks for another incredible (slightly surreal) year and your continued support.

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Els and Goosen: Dude, who do you gotta %^*# these days for a Masters invite???

Three-time major champion Ernie Els and two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen are two of the notables that have yet to qualify for the Masters.

After the final official week of tournaments around the world, the bulk of the 2012 field has been set, while obviously there are still a number of ways to earn the elusive invite. One of the ways for a ticket to Augusta is to finish in the top 50 in the world rankings at the year end. (continue reading…)