Now that's what I call a reaction

First of all, apologies for making anyone worry about my absence the last few days. I had to deal with some more health issues and I’m still not 100%, but it’s nothing too serious and I’ll be fine. Thanks for the emails and tweets and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend the final round of The Barclays at Bethpage Black (one of my favorite venues bar none).

Well, I heard the Tour watered the greens on Saturday, so the course was “playable,” yet the Black is still one hell of a test. Congrats to Nick Watney on his victory at The Barclays, the first leg of the FedExCup playoffs. Watney, who previously had somewhat of a forgettable season for a player of his caliber, shot a two-under 69 to overcome a two-stroke deficit going into the final round and win by a three-shot margin over Brandt Snedeker.

(continue reading…)

That, folks, is what it looks like when you try to play golf with serious lower back pain

Tiger Woods walked with a limp and grimaced in pain (as seen above), but he managed to play through it — and very well — and shot an excellent two-under 69 on Friday afternoon at Bethpage Black. The golf course showed its real face in the second round of The Barclays and conditions were firm and fast (almost major-like with shades of the ’09 U.S. Open).

Coincidentally enough, while Tiger’s back was ailing him, I wasn’t at Bethpage because I spent the day at the doctor’s office getting treatment for my crappy back condition, so that — no joke — I could walk without a limp. I feel your pain, Tiger! I really do. I recommend muscle trigger therapy. I can refer you to my doc in the city.

Well, just let me know, Tig! (continue reading…)

The new BFFs

Since this was meant to be published yesterday, I’ll keep this concise and try to add to what you’ve already read and know. I was posting a bunch of my real-time opinions and analysis on Twitter. You know, like Tiger stepping out of the Port O’ Potty and not receiving a standing ovation like he did in 2002 for the same movement — the important details.

“I got a few claps, though,” Woods quipped after posting a scrappy three-under 68. (continue reading…)

Tiger and Rory, sitting in a tree...

Rory and Tiger. Tiger and Rory. The past and the future are playing together in the first two rounds of The Barclays, at Bethpage Black, no less.

Sit back, kick your feet up and get ready to watch some fun — and hopefully great — golf. And no, it won’t be awkward.

Sorry, folks, but the dynamic between Tiger and Rory is more like a bromance than a rivalry.

(continue reading…)

Bethpage Black hosted the US Open in 2002 and 2009

The PGA Tour announced on Wednesday that Barclays has signed a four-year extension as title sponsor of The Barclays, the first leg in the Tour’s “playoffs” for the FedEx Cup. Here’s the course rotation via the press release: (continue reading…)