Gay has his eye on the prize…

I probably shouldn’t admit what I’m about to say, but it’ll give you an idea of just how glamorous my life on tour is. On Saturday evening at dinner a few friends and I were chatting about golf (what else? /eyeroll) and we were guessing what 54-hole leader Scott Stallings had to shoot or the other guys that we thought had a shot at catching him.

See, thing is, a five-shot lead at the Palmer Private isn’t much of a lead. There were tons of guys who were in range to catch him– with some help from Stallings — because you have to assume at least one or two guys will shoot a 62 and/or 63. One friend said, “Four-under. Scott needs to shoot four-under to guarantee a victory.” I agreed.

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Wells Fargo, this week’s title sponsor at the Quail Hollow Club, has teamed up with First Book to stage a virtual book drive called “Reading Above Par,” a non-profit organization that is determined to see that all children, regardless of their economic conditions, can achieve more in school and in life through access to an ongoing supply of new books. As an extension of this annual initiative, the bank is encouraging fans to get involved — either on-site by stopping by the “Wells Fargo Banking Center” or online via its Facebook page.

Over the last few days I’ve gone around and asked probably about two dozen players about the program and their own reading interests. You may or may not be surprised by the most popular responses (and blank stares). (continue reading…)

Power of the 'stache!

Johnson Wagner showed up for the 2012 season at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with a new look — a mustache (also been called a “pornstache, “molestache,” etc.) that rivaled Magnum P.I. (which, by the way, Johnson considers a compliment) — along with a new sense of confidence, resulting from his hard work in the off-season.

Well, it looks like both are here to stay after firing a three-under 67, 13-under total to win the Sony Open by two over Carl Pettersson, Sean O’Hair, Harrison Frazar and Charles Howell III. (continue reading…)

Stay out of the bunkers!

Good evening from the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s! I can’t believe another major is already upon us. It feels like the US Open was just last week. Well, it was only three weeks ago. I know this is the way the schedule works every year, but it still creeps up on me (though this is only my second year covering the tourneys on-site). But much has changed in the time between the Opens: Rory-mania has engulfed Sandwich. The US Open champ can’t go anywhere without being bombarded by fans, fellow players, press, you name it. It’s Tiger-esque, except McIlroy is a lot more approachable, for better or worse. (continue reading…)

With calm conditions throughout the day, Bay Hill was still playing tough, but it was gettable on Friday. Playing in the morning wave, Spencer Levin didn’t think two-under was a great score and predicted guys coming in at five-, six-under in the afternoon. Charles Howell III (why, hello, Chuck!) had the low round of the morning with a 65. But in the media center, we were a little surprised when no one was going low…until KJ Choi and Martin Laird started rolling in birdies and eagles.

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Sergio smiling: we haven't seen much of this in recent years

Sergio Garcia returned to competitive golf at last week’s Castello Masters. Held at his home course outside Valencia, the tournament failed to produce the inspiring resurgence in competitive form the Spaniard had hoped for. Instead, he putted atrociously on his way to a missed cut. Two days of on-course apathy and post-round surliness, followed by a weekend of television coverage that couldn’t resist introducing the occasional shot of Casa Garcia’s draped windows as gloomy counterpoint to Manassero’s on-course activities, the week proved just another installment in golf’s grimmest psychodrama. (continue reading…)