Rory Sabbatini

[Birdiemachine22]

What do you think of Rory Sabbatini having his wife wear the Keep Up Shirt?
I can understand him having a beef with slow play, but he doesn't have to be a complete a-hole about it. Its just something you have to deal with. I liked Nick Faldo's response, "'I think it's very embarrassing for them to bring their sexual problems to the golf course. Poor fellow. I thought he had enough problems as it is without her announcing them to the world".

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/golf/sto...739796,00.html

[muskegman]

He has failed to realize that he's not the only player on the PGA Tour. Slow play will always be a problem to one degree or another, its the nature of the game to some degree. I think the Tour should do everything they can to deal with slow play by penalizing unreasonably slow players but Sabbatini should do what every concerned player should do: take it to officials.

Sabbatini has a way of getting under my skin for some reason. Faldo's remarks were funny.

[mnel]

At the risk of getting flamed, I'm going to defend him. Last week, I was in the same "Rory's an a-hole" camp. Then I went out and bought our local Golf Digest magazine, here in South Africa, containing a full article on him. In it, Rory states that he realized the full extent of his attitude problem, and expressed serious regret after the slow-play incident, so well publicized already. He states that he places a high demand on his game, and that he can be his own worst enemy. He also realized that, in order for him to become a better player, he needs to Calm Down. What was not well-publicised, was that he called Ben Crane an hour after play finished, and apologized to him.

Already, Rory had a great start to his season (his best start ever), I would believe it to be a result of a "moderation" of his attitude. However, people are not letting go of the slow-play incident. I see the "Keep Up" shirt as kind of tongue-in-cheek referral, after reading the article, although I know many people would not agree with me. What I do however believe, is that Rory can become an extremely good player if he keeps to his good intentions.

Ok, flame away...

[iacas]

At the risk of getting flamed, I'm going to defend him. Last week, I was in the same "Rory's an a-hole" camp. Then I went out and bought our local Golf Digest magazine, here in South Africa, containing a full article on him. In it, Rory states that he realized the full extent of his attitude problem, and expressed serious regret after the slow-play incident, so well publicized already. He states that he places a high demand on his game, and that he can be his own worst enemy. He also realized that, in order for him to become a better player, he needs to Calm Down. What was not well-publicised, was that he called Ben Crane an hour after play finished, and apologized to him.

This isn't a flame, but a simple point in response to your post: he says he needs to calm down, then he (or really, his somewhat trashy wife) pulls this stunt.

It's just stupid. It's like someone saying they're going to stop beating their kids, and then three seconds later whapping one of 'em across the face for saying a swear word or something.

[cmarkmyers]

So he says he needs to calm down.

He admits to having an attitude problem.

And then his wife wears that shirt. Yeah, I can see how you could defend the shirt based on that...

Bottom line is he was a prick, he is being a prick, and he will always be a prick.

[Thrash13]

Maybe he just plays too fast. I wonder if he has ever thought of that. Maybe he is the oddball out here.

Honestly, Faldo handled it very well. And those were some funny comments.

I hate Sabbatini, and this storyline crap he is pulling will only hurt his game more. Golf is tough enough as it is without the gimmicks on the side. Sabbatini needs to be focused on the round at hand instead of slow play. I wouldn't be surprised if he missed over half his cuts the rest of 2006. It wouldn't hurt my feelings either.

[iacas]

Keep up!

[gripitandripit]

I agree that he has handled the entire slow play issue badly, but I can sympathize with him. Every round of golf he plays, he has to play at the slowest players pace. I like to play pretty fast and I hate it when I play with someone slooooooooooow. It harder to stay in sync and its harder to keep focus. I'm not defending his actions, but I can understand where he's coming from.

[nurseduffer]

I have not read this thread before...I love Faldo, he is a crack up!!! That is so funny!!!! What a great comment!!
I have thought Sabbatini was an ass ever since I saw this thing about him on some golf show. A few other tour palyers were interviewed and basically you kind of got the impression that he is a mouthy little punk all the time.
Way to go Faldo!

[NCGolfer]

A few other tour palyers were interviewed and basically you kind of got the impression that he is a mouthy little punk all the time.

I had heard that he is trying to work on his attitude...but you don't do that by letting your wife wear that shirt. I can't give him the benefit of the doubt...

[Wood]

Like grandma used to say..."You can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh#%!"

He is, and probably always will be an obnoxious punk. He is one heck of a golfer though...

[satch_ip]

I used to like Sabatini. At the Texas Valero Open a couple of years ago I met his wife and inlaws and we followed them around for the whole day. They were nice people and from Texas, especially her dad.

Then last year at the Shell Houston Open, I was at the autograph row where the players come out of the scoring tent. Many golfers took the time to sign multiple autographs, some staying until every thing thrust at them was signed. Sabatini, however, just brushed by ignoring everyone (he was not alone, Todd Hamilton could barely be bothered either.)

As for the shirt, it was funny. As for Faldo, he was funnier.

[Chambo]

Can't stand the W^anker, never have, never will! There is just something about him that pisses me off all the time lol!

Faldo, surely has to be sledge of the year!!!

[Maverick]

..not much to add but he was just clearly asking for it with his wife wearing that shirt..