Kevin Na is playing for someone else other than himself on Sunday at the Northern Trust Open. His father Yong Na, who taught him to play golf, was diagnosed with leukemia at the end of last year and decided to stay in South Korea for treatment. “I’d really like to send that trophy over to him,” said Na on Saturday after posting four-under 67 to tie Fred Couples for second going into the final round.
Riviera in the rain
Practically right on cue, here comes the rain! The forecast called for rain starting at 3pm local time. Ryan Moore, who fired a three-under 68 to shoot his way into contention, expressed relief that he was safely in the clubhouse. Meanwhile, Corey Pavin, who shot an even-par 71, walked off the course with a big smile on his face early this afternoon for a good reason — he too finished before the weather blew in (and he ranks near last in driving distance). Now, it’s cold, windy and pouring, which doesn’t bode well for the players still on the course, especially the shorter hitters.
Remember when Fred Couples made the Champions Tour cool by winning three straight tournaments at the start of the year? Looked like he was going to win everything left on his schedule.
Well, Couples finally picked up his fourth win, 10 tournaments and a W/D after his third. And he did it in his usual, cool style, blowing past Corey Pavin with a back-nine 29 for a seven-shot victory at the Administaff Small Business Classic. (Yeah, Presidents Cup!) Couples shot a final-round 63, picking up two eagles — which used to be impressive until Rocco Mediate and Jonathan Byrd came along.
Corey Pavin looking miserable on the final day of the Ryder Cup
Ever graceful and humanized in defeat, America’s losingest of losers were redeemed by something — whether it was their leadership, attitude, on-course efforts or post-match press conference emotions — from the week. Well, almost.
If Colin Montgomerie was the modern-day Churchill (as some have touted), then Corey Pavin was a cross between Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon.
From the start, Captain Dud was defensive, uninspiring and awkward. Whenever a mic was within earshot of him, I cringed in anticipation of the uncomfortable moment (not to mention hoped it wouldn’t trigger an impromptu siesta). At the opening ceremony, he forgot to introduce Stewart Cink. The team forced laughs while the crowd laughed at Pavin.
A poll on USA Today’s website gives four choices for the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain: Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Paul Azinger and Johnny Miller. It’s fun to let yourself think about Miller for a minute. I’m not sure where the names came from, but Love has been a popular rumor. On Wednesday, Love spoke about his desire to captain the team in 2012 during a press conference at the Fall Series’ inaugural Sea Island stop, a tournament he is hosting.
“If you asked me two months ago, I’d have said no, I don’t want to take any chance on screwing up playing,” said Love, who has a 9-12-5 record as a player. “But now I look at it, I don’t want to take any chances on not getting to be the Ryder Cup captain.”
In a statement posted on Sun Mountain’s Facebook page, owner Rick Reimers honorably took the hit for the humiliating wardrobe malfunction that prompted quite the debacle during last Friday’s monsoon at Celtic Manor:
Goodbye, Captain Corey’s Twitter embargo! The Americans are back on US soil, so they’re allowed to tweet again. First, we have Stewart Cink, who delivered the most expressive and inspiring words from the American side at the post-match presser:
Captain Corey Pavin's waterlogged rain jacket
When Tiger Woods showed up on the first tee not wearing a supposedly snazzy team rain jacket, it was announced in ESPN’s coverage that several American players had been complaining about their rain suits being too heavy and not 100% waterproof. It was so bad that officials from the PGA of America rushed to the merchandise tent to snap up as many new ones as possible.
Captain Corey Pavin called in the military to inspire Team America
Corey Pavin invited Major Dan Rooney, the F-16 pilot and PGA golf instructor who started Patriot Golf Day in the US, to speak to his team on Tuesday night. Considering the notoriety Pavin gained in the ’91 Ryder Cup match at Kiawah Island, dubbed “War by the Shore,” when he wore a camouflage hat during the Persian Gulf War, it might be wise to keep military references at bay.
Now, don’t get me wrong, as an American, I support our troops, but it’s the likening of a golf match to war that’s bothersome.
Cheekier by the dozen McIlroys
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