Volume Four Hundred Nine

The tweet-spat that rocked golf.

Hittin' the LinksIs it just me, or is Ian Poulter becoming the Colin Montgomerie of the twenty-teens? Unlike Monty, Poults plays the PGA TOUR more at this part of his career than he does the European Tour, but his two PGA TOUR wins pale compared with his 13 in Europe. Like Monty, he seems to be a lightning rod for American (at least) ire. While not entirely his fault, he does manage to fan the flames from time to time: “…I know I haven’t played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger.” Suffice it to say, controversy seems to swirl around his heavily-producted hair. His latest is a spat with the president of the PGA. Be nice to Ian? Nah. What fun would that be?

Poulter’s annoying nature aside. Ted Bishop should know better than to try to demean another man by calling him a “little girl.” Call him childish, sure, no harm. But as soon as Bishop used the opposite sex as a put down, he dishonored women everywhere. The PGA of America quickly lopped the last two months off his term as president. Now we Americans can just blame Bishop for the Ryder Cup and feel better about ourselves.

And they are actually playing golf this week, too. Three weeks into the PGA TOUR season, Robert Streb leads the FedEx Cup standings just ahead of Ben Martin and Sang-Moon Bae. How did that happen, you ask. Let’s hit the links.

Hole #1: Poulter v. Bishop
When Ian Poulter criticized Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson and commentator Nick Faldo, PGA of America president Ted Bishop reacted… badly. [Link]

And then the PGA reacted… Sorry Ted. [Link]

And with two PGA TOUR wins to his credit, it’s clearly about time for Ian’s autobiography.

Hole #2: The Tours
Robert Streb gets his first PGA TOUR win in a playoff. Lee-Ann Pace is on pace to win in China, but she’ll have to make her 4-stroke lead payoff on Monday because the Blue Bay LPGA event was suspended due to darkness. In Australia, Thorbjorn Olesen won the Perth Invitational. [Link] And on the Champions Tour, Michael Allen won the AT&T Championship and Bernard Langer wrapped up the Charles Schwab Cup title. [Link]

Hole #3: Too Many Grads?

Hole #4: A Little Something for the 19th hole
Several golfers lend their names to wine labels, but now there’s a beer for golfers, by golfers.

Hole #5: A Good Problem to Have

Hole #6: Timing

Hole #7: Lewis Black on “the Worst Kinds of Golfers”

Hole #8: The Lingering Ryder Cup Hangover

Hole #9: The Long Way Home
I hate short putts, too.

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