Sports Illustrated journalist Michael Bamberger had a twinge of conscience the day after Michelle Wie took a drop after declaring an unplayable lie. Bamberger felt that Wie had dropped the ball closer to the hole than her original position. Further inspection and discussion with rules officials seemed to confirm that she had taken a drop approximately one foot past the original lie. Had Bamberger brought up the infraction immediately Wie would have brought home a paycheck instead of a goose-egg.
There are two relevant issues here. The first thing to consider is that Bamberger clearly should have brought up the discrepancy immediately. If he felt that she had taken an illegal drop he should have gone to a rules official on the spot and cleared his aching conscience then. Withholding this information for a day cost Wie a paycheck and caused her unnecessary embarrassment. Correcting her mistake was impossible as she had already signed her card. Had the issue been brought to light at the moment, she could have corrected her mistake.
The Bag Drop was on location for the inaugural playing of The Newport Cup matches in North Carolina last weekend. A hearty congratulations to the Blue Team on their victory, and to the Red Team on its punctuality and fashion sense.
I had a great time with my fellow Sand Trappers this weekend at the Newport Cup. We had perfect weather, great courses, enjoyable company, and plenty of swings. It was a really enjoyable weekend and I think the Newport Cup could be something huge eventually.
I’m a huge fan of milled putters. I’ve had one (but used many) in my bag since high school and rarely play a putter that isn’t milled. I’ve played Scotty Cameron’s and Tad Moore’s, among others, but recently I found out about 
The past couple weeks of The Numbers Game has focused on how to rate tour players in four main categories: Power, Accuracy, Short Game and Putting. Last week some formulas were developed that, in my opinion, were well suited to tell us who are the top in these categories.
The 2005 PGA Tour season is winding down in a hurry. There are only three more events before the season-ending Tour Championship, so golfers will be trying to finish strong in hopes of qualifying. The top 30 on the PGA Tour money list will get the opportunity to play in the Tour Championship, and there are a lot of golfers on the “bubble.”
Both Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer may have to wave big flags or knock down photographers just to get some of the attention that will be showered upon Michelle Wie as she competes in her first tournament since turning professional this past week.