Keegs sent Twitter and TV viewers spitting mad on Sunday

Cripes, I can’t believe I’m actually taking the time out of my supposed week off and addressing this issue, but obviously a lot of people took issue with Keegan Bradley’s frequent spitting on Sunday at Riviera (though if we’re going to gripe about a habit, I’d go with his deliberate pre-shot routine). I mean, really, guys, spitting?

I guess I’ve almost grown immune to it because I’m out there every week and I see just about every player gob saliva from his mouth on the reg. Look, every time before I sit down or kneel on the grass out there, I wonder, is this somewhere someone has hawked a loogey? Oh well. (continue reading…)

Take that, Phil (and Bill)!

First of all, be sure to check out this week’s PGA Tour Confidential over at Golf.com, along with the first-round pairings for the Match Play — which starts on Wednesday. If anyone wants to organize a pool or some type of bracket contest, let me know. Meanwhile, everyone keeps asking me, “Mexico or Match Play?” Neither! — I’m going home. (Woot!) I know I’ve mentioned it twice now, but hey, it’s been a while. Don’t worry, though, I’ll be back at it in time for the Honda Classic the following week. (continue reading…)

BOOM! Bill the Thrill!

First, Phil Mickelson drained a curling 25-footer for birdie on No. 18 in regulation to get himself in a playoff with Bill Haas, who was keeping loose at the range after signing for a two-under 69, seven-under total.

You could hear the roars all the way down Sunset Blvd to Hollywood. Jerry “Mr. Clutch” West threw both arms up in celebration. The CEO of Northern Trust, Rick Waddell, was screaming and jumping like a little kid. (Meanwhile, I’m not sure why some of us looked so shocked — it’s Phil the Thrill, after all.) (continue reading…)

PC

If you’ve paid any attention to the telecast of the Northern Trust Open, you may have noticed Keegan Bradley (along with a number of other players including Rickie Fowler and Chris Kirk) Sharpie’d a “PC” on his hat. It’s a tribute to Peter Curran — the father of Bradley’s roommate Jon Curran — who lost his battle to cancer earlier this week. (continue reading…)

Gore already liked Twitter, but now he really loves it

Don’t ever underestimate the power of social media — you know, I try to explain that to skeptics, who don’t understand, because you have to join and experience Twitter (and at least follow people, you don’t have to actually tweet) to grasp the concept and its awesomeness. Here now, we have a perfect example of a success story, facilitated by social media.

On Thursday the Northern Trust Open, which is held at Riviera Country Club, February 14-19, announced it had granted Jason Gore a sponsor’s exemption for the event, thanks largely to the Twitter campaign launched by Eric Magidson, a fan who struck up conversation with Gore at the Nationwide Tour’s Boise Open last year. (continue reading…)