Category: ProFiles

The media’s neurotic obsession with golf’s new bionic woman got shelved last weekend and a little amateur stole the show. Tadd Fujikawa was the youngest player in fifty years to make the cut at a PGA Tour event. My new favorite amateur golfer showed us what is sorely needed on the PGA Tour. Just as Wie, with her injured wrist, was thrashing around the Sony Open to another disappointing missed cut (+14) this five-foot-one firecracker steals the show. It was the best golf story since Tiger won the British Open.

Wie has more than her fair share of talent. She plays exceptionally well considering her age. She nearly made the cut at the Sony Open in 2006 and finished T3, T5, T3, and T26 in the women’s majors last year. That’s a good year for most of the LPGA field and she’s only now 17. But her propensity to accept every PGA Tour sponsor’s exemption is annoying.

Continue reading “Tadd Fujikawa is the New Wie”

The 2007 Masters is just a twinkle in the collective eye of golf fans. The highs and lows of 2006 are fading into the past, the leftover turkey is gone, “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” plays in the background, and the decorations are up. Not exactly Masters weather.

Never-the-less, looking at the masters of The Masters is worth it because, before you know it, the on-air pontification over potential winners and contenders is going to start. You want to have a little history in your back pocket to impress your friends.

One rule: Those who make “Masters of the First Major” qualified by winning at least three.

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It was another successful year for the Australians in golf. With a history of producing successful golfers Australia is teaching their students the right thing. Foremost among Australian golf is Greg Norman, and while he’s hung up his spikes for the most part, the legacy he created and left for his country seems to be paying dividends.

Aussies were responsible for eight PGA and five LPGA victories in 2006. Out of a relatively small group of professionals has come a lot of success. Look for Aussie golf to continue to garner plenty of attention in coming years as a few of these players are really young and already successful. Join me for nine…

Continue reading “Nine Holes With The Aussies”

Nothing gets your blood boiling more than a showdown between two stodgy golf executives. And because I love to give people what they want, you get a front-row seat to our second celebrity deathmatch. This time LPGA Tour Commissioner Carolyn Bivens and PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem square off in the battle of the golf execs.

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The 2006 season had plenty of drama. At the end of it all there some who were hot and some who were not. Phil Mickelson finished fourth on the money list, won a Masters, choked away a U.S. Open, and is looking forward to returning to the winner’s circle after coming away from his extended vacation.

Tiger was Tiger and there were a few names who emerged from this season with some shine. Let’s take a look at who was hot and who was not in 2006.

Continue reading “2006’s Hot and Not”

While there was little doubt, Lorena Ochoa has proven she belongs on the LPGA Tour this year. She has distanced herself from promising young stars like Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis, and Morgan Pressel and is threatening to knock off the Queen Bee of women’s golf: one Annika Sorenstam.

While a major championship eluded Ochoa this year, it appears that it won’t be long before Mexico’s favorite golfer starts collecting a mantle full of major trophies.

Lace up your golf shoes, grab your clubs, and join me for nine holes with one of the LPGA’s very best.

Continue reading “Nine Holes With Lorena Ochoa”

You might be surprised to see who is above 100 on the PGA Tour money list. 2006 has been a memorable one on Tour with another career defining year for Mr. Woods, a career most-embarrasing-moment for Phil, and a slew of first-time winners.

Every year there are those who struggle to perform at a level we expect them to. Lets take a cursory look at the above-100 crowd and see what we find…

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Those who knew Byron Nelson recognize that his records and trophies all take second place to his tremendous depth of character. Anyone who witnessed Nelson at the tournament that bore his name, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, knew how respected he was by every participant. The Byron Nelson award ceremony was always a tender moment as Nelson greeted and congratulated the victor.

Nelson’s achievements are pinnacles of excellence that rival that of any athlete in any sport. His high level of play over a relatively short time-span amassed an impressive number of victories, set a new standard for the golf swing, and left us with the memories and example of what every sportsman should be: a gentleman.

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This is it. All the predictions are in. All any fan on either side of the pond can do is sit back and enjoy the competition. Europe has fielded a very good team once again and it is incumbent upon the Americans to validate their potential.

Lehman and Woosnam have made their crucial pics. With the top three players in the world on the United States team there is good reason to expect good things. But Europe has made a habit of foiling U.S. plans.

What impact will this year’s rookies have. Read on to find out…

Continue reading “2006 Ryder Cup Rookies”