Another nine holes of random information and tid-bits, sure to catch your interest and maybe even provide a little entertainment. This week features a 13 year-old hopeful US Open qualifier, a Doggie Driver, and a unique view on John Daly.
Is there a better way to start a week than with the links you may have missed last week?! Enjoy.
Michelle Wie has made a cut in a men's event! Glory be to… whoever they worship in Korea. KJ Choi? Also, Daly a suspension-worthy liar? Vijay past his prime? Furyk in the top 5? Plus, Billy Payne replaces Hootie as Augusta Chairman and a whole lot more.
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For this week's Show Notes - links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information - just read on.
The distinctive black and grey color scheme of Never Compromise's putters make them a stand-out on the PGA Tour. It doesn't hurt that Cleveland Golf - Never Compromise's parent company - has two of the world's top eight golfers stroking putts with the black and grey putters. David Toms and Vijay Singh guarantee Never Compromise abundant airtime.
There's a story behind the color scheme (though it's not nearly as exciting as the tale about lightning striking a black putter and burning off the finish, leaving only a silver/grey strip in the middle) but at this point it's become more a marketing gimmick. After all, TV viewers may not be able to tell a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 from a Ping Anser, but they can pick a black-and-grey Never Compromise putter from anything else.
Unfortunately, marketing doesn't make putts. I had the opportunity to try the Gray Matter 2 - Half Mallet (or "GM2-HM" for short) the past few weeks, and I made my share of putts. Read on for more.
In 2005 Dr. Alister MacKenzie was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the lifetime achievement category. He became the first architect included in the hall. His induction is no mystery. Consider some of his courses: Cypress Point, Crystal Downs, Royal Melbourne, and Pasatiempo. His crowning work is Augusta National, one of his first designs in the States and a collaborative work with the great Bobby Jones.
I had the pleasure of going to the Wachovia Championship this past week. If you're wondering, I wasn't one of the dedicated few that stuck it out on Sunday even though a few of us had tickets. I love golf, but not enough to stand in hard, cold rain.
So while I was watching Jim Furyk pour (no pun intended) in his par putt on the first playoff hole, I thought I'd run down a few of the numbers that stood out to me. This week it's The Numbers Game, Wachovia Championship style.
Flash back to Sunday, May 15, 2005. I'm glued to the TV watching fellow Arizona native and good guy Ted Purdy come from two back and shoot a 5-under 65 to beat rookie Sean O'Hair by one and win his first PGA Tour title. Just two days before that (on Friday the 13th no less), Tiger Woods actually missed a cut for the first time since 1998. A streak that lasted with 142 events and beat the previous record of 113 held by Mr. Byron Nelson himself. Anyone for superstitions?
I want to start by congratulating Jim Furyk on his win this past weekend at the Wachovia Championship. It was nice to see Furyk put one away because he has been struggling in that department lately. Speaking of the Wachovia Championship, it has definitely turned into one of the best non-major events on the PGA Tour schedule. There was only one round in the 60s on Sunday, and that's what I love to see.
Now, on to this week's article. Last week's Thrash Talk focused on the current United States Ryder Cup team. There is still a lot of time left, but I believe the team isn't looking very strong right now. This week we'll look at their likely opposition on the European side. The rivals from across the pond will be looking for their third straight triumph in Ryder Cup competition.
In these days of marquee designers like Vokey, Cameron, Wishon, and Cleveland, it's interesting to watch as their creations evolve to incorporate new technologies and materials. But perhaps the most extreme example of design evolution over time is that of a club maker whose work has spanned the transformation from wood to steel to exotic composites in drivers and fairway clubs. I had a chance this week to talk with Jesse Ortiz, try his new clubs, and see for myself the passion he brings to his craft and his role as vice president and chief designer for Bobby Jones Golf.
This week, I've wrangled up a hodgepodge of links from topics ranging from John Daly's book to the passing of Earl Woods and grass that doesn't need to be cut. Although the topics seem random, they all share one thing in common: they're worth a look. So let's get started…
