It was supposed to be a fairly quiet week in golf, but two scandal-sheet stories broke involving two of golf’s biggest names, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. What effect the stories will have on the players and their reputations remains to be seen. But honestly, Tiger’s rep really can’t get hurt all that much since he’s already seen as a bad guy by many.
Speaking of Tiger, don’t look now, but his game is starting to show signs of life. His bogey-free final round at the Greenbrier Classic was his first since 2013 and even the driver finally started finding fairways instead of OB, woods, and water hazards.
All in all, the place to be in the world of golf this week was the 18th hole at the Greenbrier Classic. If you don’t know why already, read on. Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Lee Wins in Playoff
I remember seeing New Zealander Danny Lee in a practice round for the Masters in 2009 following his U.S. Amateur title as the youngest ever champion, breaking Tiger Woods’ mark. But I don’t recall seeing much from him since. But on Sunday, he won a four-man playoff to claim his first PGA TOUR victory at the Greenbrier Classic. [Link]
Hole #2: Say It Ain’t so Phil
Remember when the FBI questioned Phil Mickelson at the Memorial, well, they’re back… This time, Phil has been linked with illegal sports betting. I’m shocked, shocked to find that there’s gambling going on in here. [Link]
Hole #3: The Courage of Peter Oosterhuis
Former player and commentator Peter Oosterhuis has early onset Alzheimer’s, but he’s not letting it rule his life. [Link]
Hole #4: Wiesberger Rolls
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger won the European Tour’s French Open by three strokes thanks in part to a final round 65. [Link]
Hole #5: Mr. 57
Three aces, two of them on par fours… Patrick Wills had one incredible round of golf on June 22. Still he has nothing on Kim Jong il. [Link]
Hole #6: Aces Mean Cash
At the Greenbrier Classic, when a pro makes an ace on the par 3 18th the fans are handed cash, some times by the resort owner Jim Justice. The first by George McNeill was worth $100 for each fan and $25,000 for McNeill’s favorite charity. The second courtesy of Justin Thomas earned fans $500 and Thomas’ charity of choice $50,000. A third would have been worth $1,000 for fans and a substantial chunk of change for the player’s charity. I don’t know about you, but if I was there I’d have been hanging around 18 all weekend. [Link]
Hole #7: Don’t Give That Guy the Remote
Ironically, just as all these spoofs started popping up, Keegan Bradley appeared this week to have streamlined his pre-shot routing. Never the less, here’s one take on his former pre-shot routine. [Link]
Hole #8: Tiger and Amanda Sitting in a Tree
The National Enquirer broke the news that the woman behind the Tiger Woods-Lindsey Vonn breakup was Amanda Boyd, ex-wife of Jason Dufner. Insert gasp here. Tiger’s camp naturally denied the story. Possibly? Sure, but did I mention that this same fine news organization regularly features Elvis sightings and alien autopsies? [Link]
Hole #9: Sorry Folks, France is closed.
Le Moose out front should have told you. Players trying to get to Paris for the French Open ran into a bit more than your usual travel hassles. [Link]