Wednesday evening sky

After the thunderstorms finally passed on Wednesday afternoon at Kiawah Island, players scrambled to practice — it’s been difficult because of the multiple weather delays Monday-Wednesday.

I walked the back nine with K.J. Choi, Charlie Wi and Aaron Baddeley (appreciate it, guys!)the best way to get to know a course. I took pictures of all the holes from the tees. I’ve done my best to upload as many as I can in the gallery below, but I’ll put the rest on Flickr and/or Facebook.

I also took a few videos, too. Here’s one of Aaron Baddeley showing Charlie Wi how to hit a wedge out of the deep rough…watch and learn, folks.

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The WM Phoenix Open organizers, the Thunderbirds, a charity secret society group, are known for having a great sense of humor (and throwing wild parties). They’ve also had some fun with the parking signs, like in 2010. (continue reading…)

Tiger: Thanks for believing in me, Freddie (This is seriously adorable).

USA, USA! Well, the Internationals certainly made an admirable effort, rallying early in the singles to create a much more intriguing final day. But they needed nothing short of a miracle to come back and win nine of the 12 matches to clinch the Presidents Cup for only the second time in history — the only time the Americans have lost was when the event was last held at Royal Melbourne in ’98.

I was wrong about Sunday singles being a snooze fest, so thanks to the International players for forcing the Americans to dig deep to retain the Cup. I was indeed on the edge of my seat the entire flight from Orlando to Newark. It’s late, but a few quick notes/observations (which may or may not make sense at this hour): (continue reading…)

The International Team is stacked with five Aussies, giving them a clear advantage Royal Melbourne

Fred Couples possesses an outstanding golfing resume, but he’s in denial if he believes local knowledge is not just an advantage, but a necessity at Royal Melbourne. (continue reading…)

Frustration... and some awful trouser-shoe coordination.

Tiger Woods made five bogeys and a measly two birdies during a turbulent third round at The Lakes.

Frustrated by the disappearance of the elegance and control that defined his performance over the first two days, the man formerly known as the greatest athlete on the planet cut an animated figure in post-round interview. (continue reading…)

Mahan: Eyeing $10 million

Here’s hoping for at least one playoff. The Tour Championship and FedExCup finale have a tough act to follow after the thrilling finish to the Solheim Cup! (And competing with football and baseball games this afternoon.)

54-hole co-leaders Aaron Baddeley and Hunter Mahan parred the first five holes to remain at nine-under, but both dropped a shot on the par-3 No. 6. Baddeley dumped his tee shot into the water. Mahan knocked a tough chip to seven feet, but pulled the putt. They matched bogeys and now there’s a three-way tie at the top between Baddeley, Mahan and K.J. Choi, who birdied No. 5. (continue reading…)

Mahan is projected No. 1 in FEC points through 54 holes

After a disappointing finish at the BMW Championship, Hunter Mahan entered the playoff finale ranked No. 21 in FedExCup points. Now he’s tied for the lead with Aaron Baddeley at nine-under going into Sunday at the Tour Championship.

Mahan rolled in a birdie on the tough par-3 18 to shoot a solid four-under 66 on a day where the leaders struggled, including the top five in FEC points. He’s currently projected to win the FedExCup. When he found out, he said he was “shocked.”  He had no idea until NBC’s Jimmy Roberts told him. (continue reading…)

Though Justin Rose’s two-shot victory at the BMW Championship was perhaps career-defining, there were a fair number of storylines that may have overshadowed it a bit. As I’ve mentioned, there was a lot more riding on the results of the third leg of the FedExCup playoffs than a paycheck — entry into the Tour Championship, which basically sets players up for the following year, and the Presidents Cup. (continue reading…)

MJ will assist Freddie at the Presidents Cup for the second straight time

Some players gained and lost more than others at the BMW Championship — there was more on the line than a paycheck and finishing in the top 30 in FedExCup points to advance to the Tour Championship, not to mention for many players, the advantage of planning their schedule since they earn berths in the WGC-Cadillac Championship, the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and all the Tour’s Invitationals (i.e,. Bay Hill, Memorial, etc.).

With the BMW as the last event for players to qualify for this November’s Presidents Cup, the U.S. team is set, except for the final captain’s pick since Captain Fred Couples prematurely announced Tiger Woods as his first. (continue reading…)

G-Mac celebrates: fingers crossed for a Ryder Cup repeat

After the weather-related shenanigans of the last twenty-four hours, we finally have a 54-hole leaderboard, and who should sit atop the pile, but gritty Northerner Graeme McDowell. His third round 68 leaves him on twelve-under par, enough for a one-shot advantage over K.J. Choi and David Toms, who are in turn two shots clear of a group of six players. (continue reading…)