Usually a bad round by a PGA TOUR pro is one that I would like to shoot. But 82? I’m not a great golfer, but I don’t get very excited about any score that starts with an eight. Yet, Tiger Woods, who still might be the best ever, shot an 82 Friday on his way to missing the cut by a lot.
Chip yips sounds like a tasty snack, but I don’t think they agree with Tiger. When the short game of the former undisputed top golfer looks like a 20-capper at the local muni, it’s painful to watch.
And I failed to note last week that the Most Interesting Golfer in the World notched another win on the senior circuit at the Champions Tour’s season opener in Hawaii. That gives Miguel Angel Jimenez two wins in three starts with the old guys.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Eagle Propels Koepka to First Win
We had a bunched leaderboard for much of the afternoon at the Waste Management Phoenix Open but Brooks Koepka got his first win in large part due to a long putt from off the green at 15 that fell for eagle. [Link]
Hole #2: McIlroy Takes Dubai Desert Classic
Looking like he might just might go for long run at #1 this time around, Rory McIlroy dominated in Dubai. His record tying 22-under score bested the rest of the field by three. Reminder: Rory will be going for the career slam in April at Augusta. [Link]
Hole #3: Woods Makes the Cut, Ko #1
Cheyenne Woods made the cut at the LPGA’s season opening Coates Championship, which means she’ll get a check for her play this week (unlike her uncle). Na Yeon Choi won the event. But the big news was Lydia Ko’s T2 finish that elevated her to #1 in the world, the youngest ever to achieve the rank. [Link]
Hole #3: Best Souvenir from Phoenix?
@RyanPalmerPGA @WMPhoenixOpen Great idea for staying grounded and connected with the fans!
— Joe Ortiz (@joeStros) January 31, 2015
Hole #4: The Continuing Saga of Allenby’s Evening Out
http://t.co/Xj2nrrhoSN Robert Allenby has 'no memory in his brain' of $3,400 strip club tab #SportsTap pic.twitter.com/v976rm1NX6
— Sports Tap (@SportsTapApp) January 27, 2015
I wonder if Robert Allenby remembers how he flew to Florida and replaced Tiger's front tooth.
— Dan Jenkins (@danjenkinsgd) January 27, 2015
Hole #6: A Putt to Remember
Your inspirational moment of the week… a woman with ALS drains a 78-foot putt live on TV. Great stuff. [Link]
Hole #7: How Much Fun Is #16?
Raining beer on the 16th after Molinari's ace. https://t.co/akhzKwyvaN
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) January 31, 2015
Hole #8: Back 9 Network Trims Staff
“The golf lifestyle network” is scaling back its own lifestyle a bit though the company remains on its growth strategy according to a company official. The layoffs amount to 40% of the company’s workforce. [Link]
Hole #9: Toothgate, Chip Yips, and that 82
Twitter was buzzing as Tiger’s round went south on Friday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The story behind the curious case of Tiger's formerly missing tooth: http://t.co/uCLZHawu0v
— Stephanie Wei (@StephanieWei) January 27, 2015
Found some trouble at #13. Any volunteers to help move this loose impediment? @WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/5SKjWSGXJa
— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) January 28, 2015
Two putts from 30 feet and that's a double bogey. Back to +5 and I am officially ready to sell my weekend hotel room to the highest bidder.
— GC Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) January 30, 2015
RT @pgatour_brianw: Last time Tiger missed a cut: His last start, at the PGA Championship in August. Last time he missed 2 in a row: Never.
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) January 30, 2015
Here's an extremely rare picture. pic.twitter.com/Huv2Ktexjw
— Pedro Gomez (@pedrogomezESPN) January 30, 2015
So, at what point can I ask Tiger for his Super Bowl tickets?
— Stephanie Wei (@StephanieWei) January 30, 2015
TW shoots 82 and cracks marshawn lynch joke to open presser: "I'm only doing this so I don't get fined." Big smile. Strange times.
— Damon Hack (@damonhackGC) January 30, 2015
On the bright side, this score will get thrown out next time Tiger's handicap index is tallied up.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGC) January 30, 2015