Zzzz: Tiger reads selected fans questions

I’m a little hesitant to admit I actually watched what some media members have dubbed as “Tiger’s hostage video” (which is published here ) more than once without dozing off — and this is coming from a person who can barely see straight after driving through the night from New Orleans to Charlotte (yes, play those tiny violins, please!). It was a tough fight and touch-and-go at times, but I made it.

I only got through because I wanted to spare you from spending those precious 14 minutes and 18 seconds of your time in more interesting ways, like reading this post and sharing your insights/opinions. (continue reading…)

Tiger: Kiss my @$$...

Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods will respond to questions from fans in a video scheduled to be published on his personal website on Monday afternoon.

Ostensibly designed to offer fans a means by which they can secure “more direct interaction” with the 14-time major winner, the clip will depict Woods answering a selection of questions posted by his followers on social media networks Facebook and Twitter. (continue reading…)

Sweet, sweet victory

Jason Dufner beat Ernie Els on the second playoff hole with a birdie on No. 18 to finally capture that elusive first win at the Zurich Classic. Dufner was previously 0-for-163 on the PGA Tour and perhaps best known for his “waggles” in his pre-shot routine, along with squandering a five-shot lead with four to play at the 2011 PGA Championship and eventually losing to Keegan Bradley in a three-hole playoff.

When I saw his name climb up the leaderboard on Friday at TPC Louisiana, I was probably thinking the same thing as you: Oh man, Dufner with another 36-hole lead — can he see this one through?! This was the 6th of his career and third of the season (held at least a share of the 36-hole lead at the Transitions Championship and the Masters, where he eventually placed T10 and T24, respectively). (continue reading…)

Rickie finds a spark

Rickie Fowler switched up his putting grip, switching to left-hand low — or cross-handed — which appears to have sparked momentum for him on the greens. He shot a seven-under 65, his lowest score of the year, at TPC Louisiana in the second round of the Zurich Classic to post eight-under at the halfway mark. (continue reading…)

Yesterday, I received several messages from people expressing their dismay with the above YouTube video of 17-year-old Lexi Thompson — wearing a hat with the Red Bull logo — soliciting a high school prom date.

While good intentions were likely the case, it sounded a little creepy. Well, I finally got around to watching it. Then, I spent the next two hours picking my jaw up off the ground and trying to process the whole concept. I still haven’t figured out how this stunt was approved through the ranks and multiple parties (which doesn’t include Lexi because she’s a minor and a nice girl — to be clear, my reaction to the video isn’t an attack on her).  (continue reading…)

Par-3 No. 17 at Bandon Trails

As I wrote earlier this week, TaylorMade invited about a dozen media members to the “TaylorMade Short Game Experience” at Bandon Dunes for the launch of its ATV wedges and Manta putters. We were lucky enough to preview the new 13-hole par-3 course, Bandon Preserve, which opens to the public on May 1st. I could play that track all day long. It’s challenging, scenic and just downright amazing.

On Tuesday we played Bandon Trails, one of the four famed courses at proprietor Mike Keiser’s golfing mecca. Trails takes you through massive sand dunes, rolling meadows and a coastal forest. Basically, you get a little bit of everything and it’s a beast (the yardage is deceiving) and it’s the only track at Bandon that’s not links-style (and that’s according to Keiser). (continue reading…)

Hello from Bandon, Oregon! I arrived here Sunday afternoon for my first pilgrimage to the famed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Now, I can finally attest that all the rave reviews you’ve heard from your buddies about this golfing mecca is 100% true (or even better), thanks to the kind folks at TaylorMade. (continue reading…)

Putter throw!

Tiger Woods’ current and former swing coaches, Sean Foley and Butch Harmon, respectively, both weighed in with opinions on the 14-time major champ earlier this week. Foley thinks the fish-bowl critiquing of Tiger has gotten out of control. (Hasn’t he always been under more scrutiny than everyone else? It’s part of the gig.) Speaking on the XM Sirius show “Fairways of Life” hosted by Matt Adams, Foley says, back off, my man! (continue reading…)

The Question Mark making a run

What’s perhaps the most compelling story to come out of the Valero Texas snooze-fest Open has gone widely unnoticed, but thanks to Shoshana for bringing it to my attention. John Huh, the Q-school grad who captured the Mayakoba Golf Classic, shot a dreadful eight-over 44 in his opening nine holes on Thursday, but 45 holes later, he’s in contention. (continue reading…)

"This isn't like a plug, but uh..."

Thanks to my buddy Loper for urging me to find Matt Every’s post-round interview on Thursday after he fired a course record nine-under 63 to take the early lead. Now, of course Every has gained notoriety most recently for his epic, pretty awkward sit-down with Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman at the Sony Open in January. (In case anyone needs a refresher, go here.) (continue reading…)