{"id":20101,"date":"2014-10-27T22:00:59","date_gmt":"2014-10-28T02:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesandtrap.com\/b\/?p=20101"},"modified":"2014-10-27T22:47:13","modified_gmt":"2014-10-28T02:47:13","slug":"volume_four_hundred_nine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesandtrap.com\/b\/hittin_the_links\/volume_four_hundred_nine","title":{"rendered":"Volume Four Hundred Nine"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hittin'Is 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?<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

And they are actually playing<\/em> 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.
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\nHole #1: Poulter v. Bishop<\/strong>
\nWhen Ian Poulter criticized Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson and commentator Nick Faldo, PGA of America president Ted Bishop reacted… badly. [Link<\/a>]<\/p>\n

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PGA of America president Ted Bishop defends Nick Faldo, calls Ian Poulter a \u201clil girl.\u201d http:\/\/t.co\/ikkXeFcKWz<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6JAd2z8gtZ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Golf World (@GolfWorld) October 24, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Did the PGA dude Bishop call Poults a girly man or did he actually murder someone.Whats the big deal?Poults is wearing the belt. Case closed<\/p>\n

— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) October 24, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And then the PGA reacted… Sorry Ted. [Link<\/a>]<\/p>\n

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Just pleased it's not me for a change waking up this morning and having to delete tweets & posts. @chubby6665<\/a> will be relieved.<\/p>\n

— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) October 24, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Fake news: Task force now being used to search for PR firm for Ted Bishop<\/p>\n

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) October 24, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And with two PGA TOUR wins to his credit, it’s clearly about time for Ian’s autobiography. <\/p>\n

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Can't believe NO LIMITS is out tomorrow. It's filled with a mixed bag of memories http:\/\/t.co\/m8BbZKZgjj<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tN1ebCFXmv<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 22, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #2: The Tours<\/strong>
\nRobert 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<\/a>] And on the Champions Tour, Michael Allen won the AT&T Championship and Bernard Langer wrapped up the Charles Schwab Cup title. [Link<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Hole #3: Too Many Grads? <\/strong><\/p>\n

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A single blind spot has become crystal clear. Tour gives http:\/\/t.co\/33ZCleb26x<\/a> grads more playing opportunities. http:\/\/t.co\/Mti2b9OYDa<\/a><\/p>\n

— Craig Perks (@cajunkiwi) October 23, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #4: A Little Something for the 19th hole<\/strong>
\nSeveral golfers lend their names to wine labels, but now there’s a beer for golfers, by golfers.<\/p>\n

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Golf Beer?! 3 Pro Golfers, 3 Beers. 'Approachable beer for the 19th hole', or so we are informed. @Graeme_McDowell<\/a> http:\/\/t.co\/2OJNgw2LBK<\/a><\/p>\n

— The Other Brew (@The_Other_Brew) October 21, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #5: A Good Problem to Have<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Meet the 81-year-old grandfather who can't stop making aces. My column: http:\/\/t.co\/hg2oUAgG42<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGC) October 21, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #6: Timing <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cRory McIlroy\u2019s court case could put Masters bid in rough.\u201d http:\/\/t.co\/FnOycTVomQ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PmHjWKlTEk<\/a><\/p>\n

— Golf World (@GolfWorld) October 22, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #7: Lewis Black on “the Worst Kinds of Golfers”<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Comedian @TheLewisBlack<\/a> hilariously rants on @PinehurstResort<\/a> No. 2: http:\/\/t.co\/faPCU9RW6y<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/B9rWK1QnjO<\/a><\/p>\n

— PGA.COM (@PGA_com) October 23, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #8: The Lingering Ryder Cup Hangover<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Tom Watson has resurfaced from Ryder Cup exile at the #WorldSeries<\/a>: http:\/\/t.co\/RysH5LUIp1<\/a> (via @GeoffShac<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/XoOv2y5gb1<\/a><\/p>\n

— Golf World (@GolfWorld) October 23, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hole #9: The Long Way Home<\/strong>
\nI hate short putts, too.
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