Austrian Olympic curler Claudia Toth. 28. Once turned down offer from the German Playboy to pose nude but then did so on a calendar to promote the sport. Now that's a good sport.

Jaime Diaz has written better pieces on Woods than most. Here's his latest on Tiger's Masters adventure.

Sunday, Woods was more definitive. He got off to the worst final-round start of any event in which he has been in contention. His opening drive was a horrific pull hook into the ninth fairway. The next four holes included a popped-up tee shot, a fluffed bunker shot, a bladed 50-yard pitch, a fat 4-iron and a smother-hooked drive. When he barely squeezed in a six-footer for a bogey on the fifth, he was three over for the day and seven behind the leaders.

But that's when Woods somehow summoned attack mode. After hitting his first green in regulation on the sixth, he holed a cut 8-iron for an eagle-2 on the seventh and birdied Nos. 8 and 9. A pushed drive on the 11th and a carelessly missed tap-in on the 14th undermined two more birdies and another eagle, but he managed to play the final 12 holes in six under par.

At the Masters, Woods occasionally hit a few long tee shots, but for the week ranked only 20th in driving distance with an average of 283 yards, some 14 yards behind Mickelson. It appears the 34-year-old Woods, who was a career-low 21st in driving distance on the PGA Tour in 2009, has either voluntarily or by force given up the distance advantage he held on his peers in his early years, and has become a more precision-oriented player whose tee-to-green strength has shifted to his irons.

He's also 90th in Tour winnings, his lowest April total ever...
Continue Reading "The Daily Tiger"

Not too many miss-hits with this oldie...a TaylorMade 200 Steel circa 2001.
 

Champions Tour player Mike (Radar) Reid is old school with his sticks too.

"I've been playing with those since the early 90s," said Reid, who has made all five cuts on tour this year, including a T-5 finish at the Allianz Championship. "I've got seven copies of the head at home. I've tried other clubs and found some that were similar, but none that are better."

Rick Arnett

 

Sportsbybrooks.com posts a Palm Beach Post article that Ernie Els did a nice thing for some disabled vets. This was after he didn't faire too well at Augusta. Nice...
 

“We’re walking through this outdoors bar (the Grouper) to catch the van to the hotel and this man (one of the dudes sitting with Els) comes up to us and says Ernie Els would like to say ‘hi,’” Schichtl told Page2Live. “Now, I’m a big golfing fan and I saw him on TV at The Masters, so I never expected anything like that. You know, I’m from Arkansas.

“So we went to the bar, and sure enough, there was Ernie Els. It was amazing. He asked each of us about our experiences in Iraq and shared his experience in the South African army. We ended up sitting down and shooting the breeze with him for more than an hour. He kept buying rounds of beer. We had a great talk. He made us feel good.”

Rick Arnett

There is an auction going on by the local golf course superintendents that will benefit turf research, and there are some great courses you can bid on. For example:

Dallas National – round for 3
Lantana
Miramont (great course in College Station)
Barton Creek

And more. Some great opportunities to play some courses that I am sure are on your bucket list. Hurry, as the auction closes in a week.

You can find it here:

http://www.proxibid.com/asp/catalog.asp?aid=26570

Craig

Zoe Saldana. 33-26-34. Dominican descent. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Avatar and to play officer Uhura in the new Star Trek sequel.

I tend to be very picky, so I look for the perfect man! So if Spock and Kirk can mix, they'd become my perfect man. That's the kind of guy I'd go for. I don't only go for muscles, I don't only go for brains. You just need to have a little bit of a bad boy and a geek and then you've got the perfect guy.

Dan Jenkins tweets some engaging old observations. But he received some backlash for one particular tweet.



Stephanie Wei comments and posts some surly Twitter replies. And, Golf Digest's editor offers up an apology.

Dan Jenkins' Masters tweet about Y.E. Yang generated several letters of protest. Jenkins’ reference was intended to play off the PGA champion Y.E. Yang's name and the P.F. Chang's restaurant chain. We removed it from our archive and apologize for any offense. Certainly none was intended.

Not sure why Jenkins didn't write one (or at least address it) himself. You write it, you own it. So own up.

More fallout from the contrasting perceptions of Mickelson and Woods.

Mickelson's stock is decidedly up; Woods' stock is down.

Mickelson has everything right now; Woods has nothing but his money.

Mickelson is the most embraced figure in the sport; Woods has become toxic.

Mickelson has won two Masters since 2006; Woods has not won one since 2005.

Mickelson is revered; Woods is ridiculed.

Mickelson is wanted as a guest on all the late-night talk shows; Woods is the most popular butt of the jokes being told on the late-night talk shows.

Mickelson comes off as a real human being who cares as he looks people in the eyes, signs autographs and interacts with them; Woods comes off as unapproachable and enigmatic with a constant force-field of handlers surrounding him and keeping everyone at bay.

Mickelson is a big tipper, appreciative and generous with the millions of dollars he makes; Woods, the first billionaire in sports, is notoriously cheap.

So it seems cruel that Mickelson, who seemingly has everything in life, has been forced to struggle with cancer in his family.

Woods, on the other hand, would appear to have everything yet right now he seems to have nothing.

CBSsports.com offers up a telling tale of the two players.

In case you missed it, there was a telling incident -- actually, two of them -- on the same hole during the crucial moments of the final round that underscored all anybody needs to know about the mental wiring of the game's two greatest active players. Standing on

Continue Reading "Phil Vs. Tiger"

Geoff Shackelford writes an excellent golf blog and reviewed the Masters broadcast for Golf Digest.

ESPN's mysterious decision to put Curtis Strange in the Butler Cabin with Mike Tirico paid no dividends even though Strange delivers his vacuous comments with a sense of urgency. His eagerness to sound authoritative fell flat when he said Woods could stay in contention on the weekend if "he doesn't make any stupid mistakes."

And there was an awkward Fred Couples interview when Strange asked, "What are you up to?" (Um, Curtis, have you checked the Champions Tour money list lately?) It will probably never happen, but Strange's opinionated colleague at last year's British Open, Tom Weiskopf, would be a much better fit here.

Ex-49er Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice is chasing the dreams of former athletes Michael Jordan, Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench, etc, who thought they could hang with golf pros. Being a scratch player at the local club is light-years away from tour players. Rice will find that out soon enough. He's hosting/playing a Nationwide Tour event this week.

Smart money says he doesn't break his playing number 80.

Rick Arnett

Christina Cole. 34-23-34. English actress. Casino Royale, Human Target. Popular model for a bridal collection. Graduated from Oxford.

Tour pro Paul Goydos believes Mickelson can catch Jack's 6 green jackets.

A lefty has a natural advantage at Augusta because the contours of the course and many greens favor a lefthander's mis-hits more than a righthander's. Take no. 12 on Sunday. With the pin cut right, Phil was probably trying to draw his 9-iron to the fat of the green. On 12, if a lefthander trying to draw his ball to the center accidentally pulls it—and I think Phil hit a pull—then his miss will be long and closer to the pin. Phil smoked it to 20 feet and made a big birdie. Now, a right-hander who tries to hit a draw but, say, accidentally fades it—he brings the water into play. Look at Freddie, who found the water and made a double-bogey. It helps being lefthanded at Augusta.

Now that Phil has his third Masters, I think there's a 50-50 chance he'll win more Masters than Tiger, who has four, and go on to catch Nicklaus, who won six green jackets. That's right—I think Phil can double his three green jackets before he's done. Why? He's such a great fit at Augusta, for so many reasons. The course demands power, touch and imagination. Phil has all three. He's comfortable there like nowhere else. And, like I mentioned above, Augusta favors lefties. And he has time to catch Jack. Phil's 39. Freddie's 50 and is still capable of winning the Masters, so I can see Lefty passing Tiger and catching Jack's six green jackets. I see Phil winning eight or nine majors and 50 Tour events. To do that in the Tiger Woods Era is nothing short of

Continue Reading "Goydos Thinks Phil Can Catch Jack"

Callaway quickly (and with some panic) mended Phil's beloved cracked driver before Augusta.

Phil cracked the crown of his Callaway FT Tour driver while playing in the Shell Houston Open the week before the Masters. It's not typical for crowns to crack like that, but with all the practicing Phil does, plus tournament play, plus the force he brings to the ball -- well, physics did its thing.

At Palomar Airport, the small-jet terminal on the plateau above Callaway headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., Dr. Alan Hocknell waited anxiously. It was Easter Sunday. The damaged driver arrived, and Hocknell, Callaway's senior design and engineering VP, who is known around Callaway and the TOUR as Doc Hock, got down to the business of diagnosis.

Then his phone chimed.

"How bad is it, Doc? Is she gonna make it?"

It was a text from the driver's nervous owner.

Monday morning of Masters week, Hocknell and his research & development staff got to work. If the gamer was to be saved, they would have to try something bold.

"We decided to remove the carbon composite body from the face, and we've never done that before, so everyone was a bit nervous," Hocknell said. "But through a lot of teamwork, we had a new body and weights installed by 1:30 p.m. on Monday."

Glue had to dry, and Callaway's Volume Bonding team checked carefully that the titanium cup face and the skid plate on the sole were just right. But by 3:30 Monday, the driver was heading back to the east coast. And Tuesday morning, Callaway tour rep Barry Lyda was

Continue Reading "How Callaway Saved Mickelson--And Paid Off 15,000 Customers"

I recently wrote that the public wants to believe but will tire of frauds. Woods promised countless times that he'd change his ways, be more respectful, blah, blah, blah. But F-bombs, GD-bombs, "Tiger you suck!" and curt interviews hardly swayed public opinion. It's time for Woods to look hard at his limitations. If he's all about golf so be it. Play well. Win. Forget sponsors or lying to fans. But don't snow us with empty proclamations. The wheels-off John Daly is still popular 'cause he owns up to his demons. However, Woods can't hide behind Buddhism and meditation and then act the way he did. Even the most ardent Tiger fan had to be disappointed. Just. Do. It. Honestly.

Even the normally placid Jim Nantz had harsh words for Tiger.

If I would have said what he said on the air, I would be fired," said Nantz, while appearing on WFAN's Mike Francesa Show.

Nantz took umbrage at Woods for saying "You suck" to himself, as well as uttering a one-word phrase generally considered to be sacrilegious.

Guess what? Phil Mickelson had a camera in his face all weekend," said Nantz. "Did you ever hear him come close to approaching that? He didn't hit every shot exactly the way he wanted. Have you ever heard Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus use that kind of language?"

I can't say anything I want when I'm on a live broadcast," said Nantz. "Tiger's not the only guy who's got a camera in his face all day long. But he is the only one in the field who said he wasn't going to do that any

Continue Reading "The Daily Tiger"

Several more thoughts swirl in my head as I dwell on the events at Augusta. It was a great tournament delivering drama, fraudulent behavior, incredible shots (both good and deplorable) and finally a popular champion and a misty-eyed ending.

Surprised the ratings weren't better. Figured with all the intrigue it would be the best ever. They were good (and the best in 9 years)--but only 3rd best good. Didn't beat the '97 or '01 years when Tiger won. Barry Horn reports Dallas was near the bottom of the major markets. Dallas. Great golf region. But on Sunday it ranked only 52nd of the 56 measured markets. Sad. Maybe it was the excellent weather. Nevertheless, it still shocked me.

ESPN's Bill Simmons writes a good piece on the weekend, Tiger, Jim Nantz and Billy Payne.

Ten minutes after the tournament ended, Masters chairman Billy Payne hopped off his high horse, stood in front of the fireplace at Butler Cabin and greeted the CBS audience. I always find myself ignoring whatever he's saying and staring instead at the cabin, which looks like it was hastily put together by "Saturday Night Live" set designers between commercials after the final putt. Over the fireplace (which never has a fire going), sandwiched between bouquets of red azaleas, there's a color portrait of a golfer from the 1930s or 1940s (I think it's Bobby Jones) finishing a swing while wearing a hot yellow sweater. You can also kind of see a plant. And there's a beige door over Payne's left shoulder. It's one of the least interesting cabins ever.

And yet, the cabin always turns Nantz to

Continue Reading "More Masters Aftershocks"

Milka Duno. 34-25-33. Latin race car driver. Has FOUR Masters degees in engineering. Played Kelly Gearbox in Speed Racer. The complete package.

Did anyone really know what to expect? Woods missing the cut. Not contending. Contending. Winning? He provided some Tiger-esque stuff (holing out from the fairway, 4 eagles) but also 3-jacked from 6-feet, skied some drives or yanked 'em onto another fairway, chunked a bunker blast, signing autographs, and was more gracious while still delivering F-bombs. He earns his 5th-straight top-5 at Augusta but now hasn't won since 2005. And, he didn't offer any clue when he'd return.

Yahoo offers a tale of two Tigers.

“I had an absolute blast. I had a great week.”

“I felt so bad over every shot … I had a terrible warm-up. … It was God awful. … It was an unsuccessful week.”

“Tiger Woods, you suck … dammit!”

“People are making way too much of a big deal about this. … I don’t know how people think I should be feeling happy … I hadn’t hit a good shot yet, so I’m not going to be walking around with a pep in my step.”

The NY Times puts Woods' 4th place finish in perspective.

In many respects, Woods is fortunate. Many of us never have to stop and face the demons on our trail. We are able to outsmart, outmaneuver, outrun or simply ignore them. Woods was caught, blindsided by fate and knocked cold. He was forced, in a public and humiliating way, to confront his dark side. And who knows what the real count of those he hurt is — besides his wife, his children, his extended family?

By comparison, a fourth-place finish at Augusta

Continue Reading "The Daily Tiger"

That was one hell of a Masters toonament. Big names, big thrills and the typical spills. The Sunday back-nine did not disappoint (finally--Augusta officials have recovered their sanity on course set-up), roll-the-dice Lefty broke the bank, Tiger looked great and crappy and Lee Westwood gets his 3rd straight top-3 major finish. Anthony Kim looks ready to break out anytime now.

How 'bout that piece of debris falling into Mick's puttin' line on #2 as his putt was rolling to the cup? Crazy. That approach on #13 between trees off pine needles was a jaw-dropper. Tiger three-putting from 6-feet, popping up drives, leaving one in the bunker, holing out from the fairway and earning 4 eagles during the week. Couples contending again. Perfect weekend weather. The ratings will be HUGE.

It was just what golf needed. Question is...now what?

The NY Times says Phil Mickelson doesn't do dull.

He does not do routine, and he does not do safe. This hammer-down, all-or-nothing approach may have cost him a major championship or two in the past. But on a perfect Sunday at Augusta National, with his wife, Amy, and their three children among the huge gallery at the 18th hole, it won him the Masters for the third time.

Phil's caddie Bones recounts their conversation before the shot on 13.

"I tried to talk him into laying it up and he said, "no,' " Mackay said. "Then we found out that Choi made 6 and I went at it again with him. I tried it again, and he said, "definitely no.' And all he

Continue Reading "Masters Rewind"

While watching the Masters this weekend, we'd certainly appreciate you checking our pledge site to assist Jonathan's Place. We're gonna try to play 72 holes in one day (walking and carrying our bags) to raise money to help these abandoned, neglected and abused children.

Here's what this worthy center provides...

Jonathan’s Place provides this care through two programs – a “home-style” emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children and a Foster & Adoptive Family Program. The emergency shelter provides specialized services and 24-hour residential care to children age newborn to 17 years and is the only emergency shelter in Dallas County that provides residential services for children in crisis under the age of 10.

Congrats to Rudy Delbosque from Rockwall, Texas as the latest to win the CG-15 wedge.

All who register on our site are qualified for the weekly drawing.

Tomorrow Craig and I talk all things Masters including who would you root for if Fred Couples, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods are all in contention on the back nine Sunday? Join us at Classic BMW on Spring Creek Pkwy and the Tollway from 8-10 am. Come by and chat pimento cheese while checking out the great line of Beemers.


Rick Arnett

Happy 45th to Paulina Porizkova. 34-23-35. Czech hot. Parents fled to Sweden, leaving her with the grandmother. Took a couple of tries for Paulina to escape aided by a Swedish politician. Supermodel gracing numerous SI swimsuit issues. Longtime face of Estee Lauder and married Cars lead singer Ric Ocasek (still together after 20-years).

Maybe that Buddhist bracelet really does work...
 

Wow. I mean WOW!. Say what you want about Tiger Woods, he is a man of immense theatre as you can never predict what he'll do...when he'd return, how he'd be received, and how he'd play. He simply shoots a career-low Masters first round and best ever opening nine (33). First time ever to get two eagles in a round there. Couple of putts that rimmed out and who knows. Certainly helped to get some lucky bounces off wayward drives in the trees.

That roundhouse hook approach to the 9th green was incredible to then follow with converting the birdie putt.

Thought the opening booming tee shot on #1 set up the entire round. The gallery offered up a nice ovation but not everyone was cheering. Thought many were also standing with arms crossed. Didn't matter. Fans want to be entertained. Thursday, Woods was a reformed rock star/actor who could do no wrong. He engaged with the fans. Tipped his cap. Smiled. But also showed welcome emotion when blowing an approach. I don't want him to turn bland, vanilla golfer. Show some fire. Its better that way.

Rick Reilly pens a good summary of Tiger Thursday.

Twice, an airplane circled the course streaming banners for the world to see. The first one said, "Tiger Did You Mean Bootyism?" The second said, "Sex Addict? Yeah, Sure, Me Too!"

I didn't even realize Elin had her pilot's license.

That 68 is preposterous and historic and unthinkable when you put yourself in his shoes for one minute. Imagine the emotional bloodshed he has gone through, albeit self-inflicted. He

Continue Reading "The Daily Tiger"

Yesterday's round at Augusta was better than anyone expected. With the tees up some 300 yards and charitable pin placements, the pros aimed and fired to some darn low scores. The leaderboard is the most compelling in years. Kudos to Augusta officials who are working to bring back the roars of old by offering better risk/reward options. My posts many worthy links.

Fred Couples shot his career low at Augusta (over 90 rounds) with a 66 to lead by one. Whatever Ecco shoes pays him, it's so worth it. Only Freddie can wear Top-Siders and no socks and shoot lights out. The perfect spokesman.

Tom Watson continues his improbable major run. He admitted the shorter tees definitely helped the 60-year old.

Phil Mickelson makes yet another putting adjustment to finish 1-back. He's truly the present-day Arnie as both tinker like no other.

Y.E Yang, the only one to ever stare Tiger down in a major final grouping validated it with another 67.

Tiger Woods surprised everyone--including himself with 2 eagles and a best-ever first round 68. First time he's broken 70 in the opening round.

Lee Westwood, Zach Johnson, Anthony Kim, Adam Scott, Ian Poulter and Trevor Immelman added to an amazing leaderboard.

However, even with the inviting setup, Jim Furyk and Henrik Stenson couldn't break 80. Chad Campbell blew to a 79,

Finally, its always worthy to catch the ancient Twitterer Dan Jenkins' tweets.

My pre-round picks of Angel Cabera (+1), Dustin Johnson (-1) and Martin Kaymer (+4) didn't fare so well--but its awfully early. I'm thinking today Augusta will dial back the charity and bring the scores up some. Will be interesting if the olds can keep

Continue Reading "Simply Masterful"

I know times are somewhat tough. But most have it much better than neglected, abused and abandoned children. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing kids suffering from the unjust cards dealt to them. They are our true little angels and deserve a better chance in life.

I along with Craig, Robert and long-drive guru Art Sellinger will attempt to walk, carry our bag and play 72 holes in one long day at Royal Oaks CC on May 17 to help Jonathan's Place raise money to care for these precious little treasures.

You can help by pledging whatever you wish at this site. Any amount is appreciated. Paying it forward will work wonders for them...and you.

Thank you very much in advance.

Rick Arnett

Izabel Goulart. 34-24-35. Brazilian supermodel. Discovered by modeling agent while shopping at age 14. Victoria Secret Angel. Lost her top during first runway modeling job.

Oh my God, oh my God, help me,' and when I completely got in front of the photographers it fell. I was just frozen and I saw everyone around me standing up clapping and laughing.”

Nike airs a compelling ad with father Earl Woods's voice admonishing Tiger for the mess he's made. Kudos to the ad agency for keeping Nike in the public eye without celebrating a thoroughly damaged icon. Genius.

Many believe Woods has lost his once-vaunted fear factor over the field.

Banged up and busted, Woods' steely aura has suffered in the eyes of many professional peers. The $1 billion question given the public humiliation he continues to endure, especially on the heels of his surprising loss to underdog Y.E. Yang at the PGA Championship last summer, is whether Woods can ever reclaim the most indomitable air in golf history.

"I think all of his advantages are probably gone," NBC analyst Johnny Miller said.

More allegations come forward including a Tiger tryst with a young neighbor.

"I felt used and violated, like I meant nothing to him but a night of casual sex," Raychel Coudriet said, a source told the tab. "I just wanted to dig a big hole, crawl in and die."

Today and tomorrow's rounds will be a fascinating watch. By the way, Woods has never scored lower than 70 in the round. Can't imagine him breaking that streak today.

Rick Arnett
 

Augusta Chairman Billy Payne took Woods to the woodshed during his press conference yesterday. Kinda surprising but also refreshing he did so.

“We are not unaware of the significance of this week to a very special player, Tiger Woods.  A man who in a brief 13 years clearly and emphatically proclaimed and proved his game to be worthy of the likes of Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.  As he ascended in our rankings of the world’s great golfers, he became an example to our kids that success is directly attributable to hard work and effort.

“But as he now says himself, he forgot in the process to remember that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility. It is not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here; it is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.

“Is there a way forward? I hope yes. I think yes. But certainly his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par; but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change. I hope he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile.

“I hope he can come to understand that life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people. We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive,

Continue Reading "Billy Payne Puts Tiger Over His Knee"

The Masters commences today--if you didn't know. You can pretend to work while peeking at Masters.org. They'll start broadcasting with the Featured Group and add Amen Corner etc before ESPN takes over at 3p. Tiger tees off at 12:42 CDT. I didn't watch much of March Madness but will be glued the next four days. So many story lines.

Again, I have no clue how Woods will perform. Could miss the cut. Could slap it around and not contend. Could finish in the top-5 (as he's done the last 5 years). Could win. Best guestimate is finishing top-25?

Can't wait.

Rick Arnett

Anya Monzikova. 34-23-34. Russian hottie. Deal or No Deal case #10. Expert martial artist.

“I just stayed home watching TV and learning English by watching Sesame Street!”