In case we haven't noticed, golf is a hard, aggravating game at times, and in the US Open in the final round it is even more so, however we seem to think that hitting a bad shot or not winning means "choking."

That's why we asked the question: did he choke or did he just hit a bad shot. My recollection is that we agreed he didn't choke - it was just a bad swing. It's a valid question.

Christian Reinheimer said on June 23, 2007:

Phil Mickelson's comments, were blown way out of proportion. I don't believe he was taking a cheap shot at the USGA, he was just dissappointed on his play.

People are still talking about it, and you don't say "career-ending injury" and "course setup [can] injure you" if you're just disappointed in your play.

Christian Reinheimer said on June 23, 2007:

If he was taking a shot at the USGA, who cares? I believe they deserve some shots, especially after the US Open at Shinnecock in 2004.

So it's not okay to discuss whether someone choked, but taking shots at an organization for something which happened three years ago - something from which they've clearly learned - is okay?

Christian Reinheimer said on June 23, 2007:

Concerning Angel Cabrera's smoking, why is this such a story?

As Jack said, nicotine is a performance enhancing drug. You can say it's not a drug, but it is. Tylenol is also legal, and also a drug.

So that's one reason. Another reason is that smoking is not healthy or cool - and I'd prefer that golf and golfers - are seen as healthy and cool, not unhealthy and uncool. I don't like that some Champions Tour players smoke cigars either, but how often do we discuss the Champions Tour?

Phil Mickelson's comments, were blown way out of proportion. I don't believe he was taking a cheap shot at the USGA, he was just dissappointed on his play. He was upset that he was injured and had to worry about that more than his game. If he was taking a shot at the USGA, who cares? I believe they deserve some shots, especially after the US Open at Shinnecock in 2004.

Concerning Angel Cabrera's smoking, why is this such a story? Many golfer's smoke, and we don't say anything when we see guys chomping on cigars, in fact we think it adds to the cache of the sport. I wish people could just congratulate the guy and quit acting like he was doing some sort of "drug." Last time I checked cigarettes were legal. It least Angel is not one of these factory-produced boring PGA Tour players that we see winning most of the time. He was born poor in Argentina, and now look at him, atop the golfing world! Isn't that what the American dream is about.