Tiger Woods y’all

What a hell of a tournament! — whether it was Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods throwing handbags at each other or dunking balls in water hazards at crucial points on Sunday or someone missing and making a game-changing putt, there was no shortage of drama at TPC Sawgrass.

In the end, Woods captured his 78th PGA Tour victory, only four shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record of 82, and his second Players Championship title, not to mention his fourth win of the year, marking the earliest he’s achieved that feat in any season.  (continue reading…)

After Deadspin posted this legendary picture of Jason Dufner hanging out with kids at a charity event in Irving, Texas, #Dufnering has become a trending meme on the internets. Here are some of the best from the pros, along with others around the Twittersphere…

Instant classic!

This week we’re giving you a By the Numbers smorgasbord, with a look at not only Tiger Woods’ latest win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but also the previous week’s victorious performances by Stacy Lewis — who ascended to world no. 1 (you go girl!) — at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup and Kevin Streelman at the Tampa Bay Championship. (continue reading…)

The Course Whisperer

Early in the final round of the Tampa Bay Championship, there was at one point a six-way tie at the top. Best guess was one of those guys would emerge with the trophy. And that’s not counting defending champion and the highest ranked player in the field, world no. 3, Luke Donald, who was lurking just behind the pack, which included Boo Weekley, Justin Leonard, Greg Chalmers, George Coetzee and Kevin Streelman.

As it happened, Streelman — whose previous most notable title heading into the week was something called the Kodak Challenge — emerged from the bunch and separated himself when he hit “probably the best shot of my life in that situation,” knocking a five-iron to six feet on No. 13. He rolled in the putt for birdie and never looked back and clinched it on the penultimate hole.

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Keegan Bradley with his dad Mark Bradley looping for him on the 18th

At the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, Kevin Streelman came up with an idea to share a special moment with his dad Dennis on Father’s Day. A player can change caddies at any time and Kevin confirmed it with the walking official.

Four years ago, heading into the 72nd hole on Sunday, Kevin teed off well ahead of the leaders, allowing him the opportunity to surprise his dad when he told him to switch places with his caddie Mike Christensen. (continue reading…)

18th green at Scioto CC with the clubhouse in the back drop

It really was the “longest day in golf” — it was so long that the U.S. Open sectional qualifying spilled over into Tuesday in Memphis. Play was postponed to the following day due to storms. Dennis Miller and Casey Martin’s stories held up as the best Cinderella stories.

Meanwhile, where did I leave off in Columbus? (continue reading…)

I walked away from my first trip to New Orleans and covering the Zurich Classic, thinking, uh, why wasn’t I here last year? It’s got it all — awesome city, great tournament with field, friendly people, scrumptious food, eclectic sweet-sounding tunes (especially at Jazz Fest — for the record, seeing Tom Petty live was a massive highlight, along with walking home from the Fair Grounds through Treme, aka a neighborhood some wouldn’t recommend trekking through, back to the French Quarter), and vibrant culture and atmosphere. (continue reading…)

Padraig Harrington: has St. Patrick's Day come early?

Play is underway in the first round of the Transitions Championship and, with the exception of a certain three-time major winner, players are struggling to make significant inroads against par. (continue reading…)

Phil couldn't close...

Hours before the last players walked off the course, Phil Mickelson and Kevin Streelman staged an unofficial, friendly match of their own. Paired together in the final round of the Memorial Tournament, they had a little competition within the bigger competition, fueling the clinic both players put on at Muirfield Village (well, aside from the disaster on 18 for Phil). (continue reading…)

Quiet please! Say what?

There’s nothing in golf that compares to the legendary 16th hole at the Phoenix Open. With the hole entirely enclosed by grandstands, it feels like you’re in a real stadium rather than a golf tournament. No. 16 is the only hole all year where heckling and loud cheering are not only acceptable, it’s expected. The atmosphere makes it seem like you’re at a football or baseball game — all the uptight, conservative customs synonymous to golf are thrown out the door. What’s most impressive is that the drunken yahoos in the stands actually do extensive research for material to use for their taunts at the players (and sometimes even their caddies).

Earlier this week, I caught up with several players for their thoughts on No. 16. The response? They love it. In fact, they’d like to see more of it in golf.

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