What our Jason fantasizes about nightly.


Our lone resident LPGA stalker Jason Wesch has touted (lusted after?) Paula Creamer for years. Now, he'll probably be slapped with a restraining order following her first major win yesterday at Oakmont CC. Glad to see his obsession has finally paid off.


Rick Arnett

SI.com boys review the Pink Panther's first major win and look forward to the Open this week at St. Andrews. Its always a good Monday read.

Van Sickle: Secret is she (Creamer) learned to quit playing aggressively on an Open setup. Part of that was her smart caddie, Colin Kann, and part of that was playing with a bad thumb that forced her to play more conservatively, anyway. She couldn't win an Open when she was 100% healthy, but she won her first when she was 60%.

Dusek: I think she’ll be winning majors for years to come now that she’s broken through. But this wasn’t only a huge win for her; it was a huge win for the LPGA, too. Now they can really market around her. She’s cute, has a lot of personality, is a fan favorite, a Twitter-aholic ... and now a major winner.

Van Sickle: Second that. Creamer should be the new face of the LPGA. Kerr doesn't have the same kind of following with the public and certainly not with the media. But Alexis Thompson may well be the future face of the LPGA. She's 15, she's played four Opens already, and her average drive was 40 yards longer than Creamer's. Lexi is like a young Michelle Wie who is mentally tough and has learned to win. Look out for her.

Morfit: Goydos' score looks great on a card, but the sub-60 accomplishment had already been devalued. It's been done a handful of times by professionals on various tours — Doug Dunakey, Notah Begay, Chip Beck. The most impressive sub-60 performances were by David

Continue Reading "The Weekend That Was"

Congrats to Ed Coulton of Dallas for winning the new CG-15 zip groove wedge.

All who register on our site are qualified for the weekly drawing. You should do it...people really do win.

Paul Stankowski's Tweet tipped me off to a big injustice on ESPN. A lacrosse goal was the #1 highlight yesterday over Goydos' 59. Our resident lacrosse expert Craig Rosengarden has to explain this to me...


Rick Arnett

As the World Cup winds down on Sunday, we offer a gallery of the eye candy following the games (via SI.com). We say more of this and less yellow cards.

Amidst Tiger's divorce settlement with Elin, Forbes Sports Monthly attempts to calculate how much Woods is worth.

Last year he became the first athlete to earn a cumulative $1 billion through his income from prize money, appearance fees, endorsements and his golf course design business. Nike has been his biggest benefactor paying the world's top golfer in the neighborhood of $250 million since 1996.

Yet those earnings are before the tax man and his agents at IMG took their cut. And if you think Tiger made a killing in the stock market, think again. The S&P 500 is at the same level it was at 12 years ago.

But Woods was an early, pre-IPO investor in Google, according to this April 25, 2004, article in The New York Times.

Tiger Woods has his small stake. So do Shaquille O'Neal, Henry A. Kissinger and Arnold Schwarzenegger. All can be counted among that small club of people lucky enough to own a sliver of Google, one of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley and what could be the hottest deal on Wall Street this year.

According to The Times, Woods and other famous names invested in Google through a venture fund called Angel Investors. The venture fund made two separate investments in Google, in 1998 and 1999. If Woods was an "Angel 1" investor in Google, he could have bought in at 50 cents a share. Since Google today trades at around $439 a share, a $200,000 investment -- assuming a 1:1 conversion -- would have netted Woods $175.6 million today.

Continue Reading "So, What is Tiger Really Worth?"

The U.S. Women's Open first round was a humbling experience for many. Only 4 players were in red with Brittany Lang (-2) leading by one at Oakmont. Michelle Wie shot an 82 with 3 doubles in 4 holes on the back nine.


Rick Arnett

The popular and sardonic Paul Goydos blistered the John Deere Classic layout with a historical 59, joining Al Geiberger, Chip Beck and David Duval to do it in an official Tour event. He's the oldest player to accomplish it and the first to do it in the first round.

He birdied the last three holes to do it including a 7-foot birdie putt on 18 and birdied 8 of 9 holes on the back side. His longest putt made was 39 feet.

"Standing over that last putt, I was probably as nervous as I've ever been over a putt in my life," he said. "The putt would have gone in thimble."

Asked what it meant, Goydos replied, "Well, 12-under isn't going to win this event."

Maybe more amazing is Steve Stricker nearly covered Goydos' score going 30-30.


Rick Arnett

Matthew Every is charged with possession of pot -- two days before teeing it up at the John Deere Classic yesterday (shot -1). He's made 13 starts this year with a T8 at the Waste Management Open in Phoenix.

At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents were called to the hallway outside a room in the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf’s north tower because of a strong odor of marijuana, the affidavit states.

Authorities knocked on the door, and the marijuana odor intensified when an occupant opened the door.

One person admitted providing the marijuana and three of the four room occupants admitted to smoking it, the affidavit states.

Every was arrested and booked into the Scott County Jail. He was released Tuesday evening after posting bond.

Possession of marijuana and other illegal drugs violates the program’s policy, the manual states. Sanctions may include disqualification, forfeiture of prize money and points, ineligibility in other PGA Tour competitions and fines of up to $500,000, according to the manual.

The manual does not address what happens if a participant is arrested on drug possession charges.

Something tells me the manual won't be updated either. The Tour doesn't like to admit one of their own isn't pristine.


Rick Arnett

Miranda Kerr. 34-24-34. Scottish, English and French mix. First ever Australian born Victoria Secret model. Maintains her physique through daily yoga, light jogging, and a diet of steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, and fish. Reportedly going to marry actor Orlando Bloom. Hmm. What's he got besides fame, money and looks?

One stat last week that is both eye-opening--and maybe not--was Woods not breaking par in any of the four rounds at the AT&T. It was the first time he failed to so in a regular PGA Tour event since...1999.

Right now, his game is in no man's land. While he'll probably contend in St. Andrews next week (two top-5 finishes in the last two majors), merely contending is not what the golf world is screaming for these days.

Still, he's favored to win the Open. Ladbrokes.com lists Tiger at 7/2. Mickelson is 14/1, Westwood, Els and Harrington are 16/1. U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell is 25/1. Remember, that's not who the sportsbook believes will win. That's who the fans are betting on. Betting with your heart is always dicey.


Rick Arnett

Don't think we'll be seeing this photo op anytime soon.


'Ol Tom Watson has no problem tapping Tiger's troubles for his bully pulpit. Maybe its old man syndrome. Or, he really likes tipping Woods' teetering ship. Anyway, Dr. Watson tells everyone the obvious on what Tiger is facing these days.

“His life is a lot more complicated now. He doesn’t hear that absolute silence when he’s playing, and he mentioned when he’s playing his best he hears nothing.”

“I’m sure there are things going on in his mind that make it very difficult for him.” Really?

“That kid was so much better than the rest when he came out and he evolved into a golf swing that really worked for him. He has some difficulties with the golf swing now.”


Rick Arnett

Guess Elin isn't making the huge rake reported before I left. But TMZ says $100,000,000 plus child support should tide her over for a bit.


Rick Arnett

Congrats to Dan Ulmer of Frisco, Texas as our latest winner of the new CG-15 wedge.

All who register on our site are qualified for the weekly drawing. You should do it...people really do win.

 

Chan Marshall. 34-24-34. Acclaimed blues musician. Started group Cat Power as an excuse to party. Don't they all?

Got back late last night from the annual tropical vacation. St. Croix this time. Lots of good and iffy experiences...from what I read this morning, Tiger probably wished he was with me instead of flogging it on the course.

Good.

--U.S. property. But you do drive on the left. Doesn't take long to acclimate to it.

--Warm, clear ocean water.

--Excellent diving. Saw a 8' nurse shark (swam about 15' from me!) , played in schools of harmless jellyfish, saw turtles "doing it", two big barracudas a little too close for comfort, saw a group of squids, an enormous school of tangs, and had a pet pelican swim next to me for about half an hour. If you get to St. Croix be sure to take the snorkling trip to Buck Island. It has an incredible protected underwater reserve. So worth it.

--Very friendly folk on the island. A nice family wanted us to sample their butterflied pig roasting on the spit. Unfortunately, had to scoot though...sigh. Smelled like heaven.

--ATV riding in the rainforest. Good times except the front tire went flat. Luckily, the guide had a spare.

--Pretty good country station to listen to while driving around the island.

--Awesome looking golf course at the Carambola resort. Didn't have time to play it unfortunately. The ocean called far too frequently.

--Food was both very good and not. But nothing put us in the ER.

Bad.

--Incredible amount of mosquito bites.

--Stung by a bee. Killed about 20 in our house.

--Threw my back out while contorting my body trying to miss a pregnant woman (I did) on a boat as

Continue Reading "Sounds Like I Had a Better Time Than Tiger Last Week"

Amber Lancaster. 34B-25-34 The hottie cheerleader on MTV's newest comedy The Hard Times of RJ Berger. A former Miss Washington Teen USA and Seattle Seahawks cheerleader. Also was a model for The Price Is Right.

Katy Perry. 32C-26-33. Pop singer whose hits include I Kissed a Girl, Hot & Cold and her latest, California Gurls. Grew up going to church a bunch and listening to gospel music. Of course, that led her to becoming a pop tart. Looks amazing in a bikini and in colorful dresses. Is engaged to unfunny comic Russell Brand.

OK, next to Rick, I'm the resident horn-dog at our place of business. Thus, I will be handling Better Than Caffeine until he returns from vacation.

Salma Hayek Pinault. 36C-25-37. She is my No. 1 draft pick. I would go over the cap and luxury tax to sign her to a max contract. Unfortunately, she married a wealthy Frenchman and had a daughter with him. You can see the lovely Hayek (I'm still not calling her by her married name) in Grown Ups, where she plays Adam Sandler's wife. She also bares all in Frida (excuse her unibrow) and gets kinky with a snake in From Dusk til Dawn and has a hot romantic scene in Desperado.

Best of all, she knows and loves working me ... actually, that would be the director Robert Rodriguez. Sigh...

Robert Rodriguez

Jamie Chung. 34-25-35. Korean-American actress. Grown Ups.

The Caffeinator is off for a week. Hope the staff can pitch in during the absence to satisfy your morning fix.

 

TheBigLead.com posts how much Elin Nordegren is picking Tiger's pocket. Like $750,000,000 picked. Okay, Woods did cheat on her. A lot. But taking 3/4 of his net worth? What happened to half? She deserves to get her pound of flesh but certainly not a ton of it.

The rest of the settlement says that Tiger won’t be able to introduce the kids to any of his lady friends “unless he is married to said person.” Elin also won’t be allowed to write a book. I wonder how she’ll manage without that two million dollar book deal.

This woman is no longer a sympathetic figure. This is a travesty. And yeah, she gets the new $80 million Florida mansion. That would have been more than enough. At least then she’d have a big house to clean and raise the kids in. Since, you know, that’s her only skill in life see as how she was a freaking nanny. Seven-hundred-fifty million dollars and a mansion. Good grief.

Good grief indeed.


Rick Arnett

The SI.com golf guys tackle Bubba's chances to make the Ryder Cup team, Faldo and Monty's feud, and the weak field at Tiger's event this week.

Evans: Corey got a good look at Bubba this week. He could be a great weapon for the American team. He is comfortable in that Lee Trevino kind of way with almost anybody he would be teamed with. He gets nervous, which is a good thing, and he's emotional, which is always good at the Ryder Cup.

Walker: Including the host Woods, only three of the Top 20 players in the world are competing at the AT&T National. (Jim Furyk and Robert Allenby are the other two.) Certainly this speaks to the success of European players and the inconvenient, pre-British Open date of Woods's event. But should we read any more into most of the world's top players — including No. 2 Phil Mickelson — not playing Woods's event?

Dusek: There's no reason for the Euros to play two weeks before St. Andrews. And since there are so many Euros in the top 20 these days, take away Mickelson and the field is bound to look weak.

Herre: Maybe the weak field will be a reality check for TW. Everyone else who hosts a tournament has to work hard recruiting players. Or, maybe because he was dropped by AT&T, yet the tournament continues to benefit the TW foundation, Woods will simply take the money and do nothing else.


Rick Arnett

Always fun to revisit this image.


Cristie Kerr destroys the LPGA Championship field by 12 strokes. Kerr broke the tournament record for victory margin of 11, set by Betsy King in 1992, and matched the second-biggest victory in a major. Americans have won only four of the past 14 majors, with Kerr winning two of them. Americans also have won only six of the past 34 LPGA Tour events, with Kerr winning three times. She also becomes the first American player to be #1 in the World Rankings.


Rick Arnett

Ya gotta love Bubba Watson. Big swing. Big game. Big fun-lovin guy. Yesterday, he earned his first Tour win after 122 starts by beating Scott Verplank and Corey Pavin in a playoff at the Travelers Championship. He rallies from 6 back to overtake Justin Rose. Quick note; the last five 54-hole leaders have failed to get a Tour win.


Rick Arnett

Nice layout by Tom Fazio


Huge thanks to everyone attending our AG tournament yesterday at Stonebriar CC Fazio. Lots of good and bad shots, funny moments and tons of prizes. Thanks to Tim Koressel's staff (awesome job), our Laura Webster for coordinating it all, the TGJT folks excellent goody bags and Grand Marnier providing the welcome libations. Boardwalk Audi and Allen Samuels Hyundai provided the nice auto eye candy.

Next one is slated in August. Stay tuned.


Rick Arnett

Congrats to Timothy Doty of Plano as the latest winner of the new CG-15 wedge.

All who register on our site are qualified for the weekly drawing. You should do it...people really do win.
 

Bianca Kajlich. 34-24-35. Actress. Rules of Engagement. Slovakian and Italian mix. U.S. World Cup hero Landon Donovan's ex--or is she? Supposedly separated/divorced last year. But after scoring the winning goal vs. Algeria, he blew a kiss into the camera saying "Hi Bianca." Hmmm.

Tomorrow morning, the Teebox broadcasts at Crest Cars in Plano from 8-10am. We delve into the U.S. Open catastrophies, Tiger throwing caddie Steve under the bus and what Hank Haney honestly thought about his "dysfunctional" relationship with his famous student. Tune in won't ya?


Rick Arnett

Thanks to Robert Rodriguez for this sad story. Ronald Wayne says he's a gambler...or is he? An original partner in Apple with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Wayne helped mediate issues during the early years. He received 10% of Apple stock as payment but cashed out for...$800.

"He seemed to know all the things we didn't," Wozniak wrote. "Ron ended up play a huge role in those very early days at Apple."

But Wayne had early misgivings. He had been unsuccessful in starting a slot-machine manufacturing business. He racked up thousands of dollars in debt.

With Apple, he was concerned history would repeat itself.

"I could see myself getting into this situation again, and I was really getting too old for that kind of thing," Wayne said, noting that his partners at Apple were 20 years younger than he was.

"The way these guys were going, they were going to bulldoze through anything to make this company succeed. But it was going to be very rough ride, and if I wasn't careful, I was going to be the richest man in the cemetery."

That original 10% stake is now worth $22 BILLION!

Yikes...


Rick Arnett

Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin backs off his original statement of saying Tiger has to earn his way onto the team.

“I think he’s going to make the team on points and I know he wants to,” Pavin said. “I want him to be on the team. He’s the best player in the world.”

Duh.


Rick Arnett