golf

Even though Golf and Rugby or major international sports that are regularly seen on ESPN they have not been part of the Olympics for a while. But that all changed when the Olympic board approved both of the sports to return to competition for the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

The board approved golf with a vote of 63-27, and Rugby by huge 81-8 margin. In order to get the sports approved many of the top players in each sport spoke to the panel about how adding their sport would benefit both the Olympics and people worldwide. Even Tiger Woods sent in a recorded video to the panel saying he would love to compete if golf was approved.

With the go ahead approval golf will have 60 men and women competing in a 72 hole competition with the winner take the gold. Rugby will change its format a little from 15 a side to just 7, and will have 12 men and woman teams competing.

Tiger Woods lofted a 180 yard eight iron to within a foot on the 16th hole while the leader, Padraig Harrington, suffered a complete meltdown with a triple bogey putting an end to the anticipated drama between these two golf heavyweights,  to win the World Golf Championship at the Bridgestone International on Sunday on NBC on Satellite TV.   

The tournament, however, did not conclude without some drama, or rather, controversy.

Earlier in the final round, one of the PGA officials had advised both Woods and Harrington that they were 'on the clock', meaning that they would need to speed up their play. Even though they were the last group on the course, they are still required to maintain a certain speed, but they had fallen behind by about 17 minutes just before reaching the 16th tee. Then, on the 16th hole, disaster struck. Perhaps, this caused Harrington to rush his shots because an offical could invoke a $5000. fine, small change for these players, or worse, a one stroke penalty for continued slow play after a warning. Now, that would be costly!

Both golfers hit their tee shots into the rough on the right side of the fairway on the hole named 'The Monster', by Arnold Palmer. Woods punched a shot onto the faiway where he then knocked the now famous eight iron over the water to within inches of the hole for an easy birdie, but Harrington pulled his second shot short of the trap, and then skied a shot over the green into thick rough. Now, possibly trying to hurry his shots, he hit a flyer for his fourth than ran past the cup and into the lake at the front of the green. Now, taking a drop back down the fairway, he lofted another approach shot over the green, chipped on, and one-putted for a triple bogey eight. This ended his hopes for the championship with only two holes to play, against Tiger Woods who was now 3-up. 

Woods was perturbed that he and Harrington were both put on the clock at the pivotal 16th hole, and suggested publicly that Harrington was rushed into three poor shots that led to the triple bogey. Up until that point, they were neck and neck, and everyone expected a compelling duel to the end, but it actually resulted in another inevitable Woods victory.

On one hand, Tiger really stepped out of character in blaming the rules official for the anticlimactic finish. At first, there was some talk of the PGA Tour even fining Woods for making comments to the new media that "unreasonable attack or disparage tournaments, sponsors, fellow members, players, or the PGA Tour." This report was said to be erroneous.

Tour officials defended the decision to put them on the clock as simply enforcing a policy that all players are expected to follow. 

There were arguments on both sides. Rules are rules, and strangely, even Harrington himself out that it would be unfair for the final two players, no matter what was at stake or whatever the conditions, to be treated differently than all the groups ahead of them. "I'll probably be a better player because of this," said Harrington. "So, that's a good thing. You learn from these things." 

It was another moment for Tiger Woods that will be shown over and over on ESPN, or even the Golf Channel. With the lead going into the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational Padraig Harrington was paired with Tiger Woods who just shot a 65 the night before to get within 3 stokes off the lead going into the final day. For most golfers going into the final round with the lead is good as long as you keep your composer. But going to final round paired up with Tiger Woods is asking for failure.

Harrington played as well as anyone until the pressure got to him at the 16th hole. Going into the 16th Harrington had a one shot lead on Woods. Both golfers fell into trouble after their first shot and that’s when the momentum shifted. Tiger used an 8 iron to put his ball 1 ft away from the hole to give him a birdie and a chance at the lead. Harrington on the other hand hit the ball well to place him about 26ft away from the hole, but an awkward shot after landed him in the water and he began his fall from grace.

Woods finished with the victory and has won 7 of the 10 times he’s played at the course. The win gives woods his 70th victory overall and puts him one step closer to being the greatest of all time. While what Tiger did would seem amazing, but he does it so many times its kind of expected from him. Many of golfers know going into the final round with the lead you’re not safe. It does not matter how far back Tiger is he still has a chance of catching you, and being paired with him is nightmare if you have the lead.

If you look at the numbers for tournaments and winnings what Tiger does is amazing. He is on top of the money list for total earnings at $5,478,163.00 he has played in twelve tournaments made the cut ten times, placed in the top ten nine times, and has four wins. So if you ever wonder why Tiger is always predicted to win its because of all active golfers tiger wins more than 28% of the tournaments he has played in. The only person close to him is Phil Mickelson at 9%.

I love this sport because its competitors are taught honesty and respect at an early age.

I love this sport because I can be outside and enjoy the smell of cut grass without having to mow the lawn.

I love this sport because even after a day of horrible play, one good shot will always bring you back for more.

I love this sport because the girls can beat the boys. You go girl.

I love this sport because the next shot that you hit might be the best shot of your life.

I love this sport because two 40-somethings can play with a 12 year-old and a 77 year-old…and get beat by both.

I love this sport because a girl can still dress like a girl while bombing a 300-yard drive.

I love this sport because watching Golf in HD is almost as good as, well, let's not go there.

I love this sport because a 59 year-old golfing legend can come within one-stroke of winning a Major Championship and making history while beating the young guns. Good for you Tom Watson.

I love this sport because Tiger Woods has provided more “hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-is-standing-up” moments than I could ever count. His chip-in on the 16th hole at the 2005 Masters is the most exciting golf shot I’ve ever seen (if not the most exciting play in sports, period). It still gives me chills every time I see it. If you haven’t seen it, watch it here.  I can’t wait for the next one; and there will be a next one.

I love this sport because...

When the Royal & Ancient first decided to lower the age limit to 60 for winners of golf's oldest chamionship, they couldn't have forseen the performance that a 59 year old, 5 time former winner, Tom Watson, could put on to be in a position to lead the tournament in the final days and come within an 8 foot putt of winning.

Prior to the British Open, more people should have noticed how reverently Watson had spoken about his affection for Turnberry where he had won 32 years earlier in the 'Duel in the Sun' against Jack Nicklaus. He explained why he is able to compete on links courses that require shots to be struck pure, and not necessarily with tremendous power.

Watson ended up beating everybody but one guy in the field.  All of this played out as we watched the open on Direct Tv's TNT channel# 245 for the first two days and on NBC for the final two days.

Other, younger, former champions didn't fare as well, either. Tiger Woods didn't even make the cut on Friday, and the defending champion, Padraig Harrington, never really challanged the leaders, finishing 14 shots off the pace.  Stuart Cink was too young to remember Watson's victory at Turnberry in '77, although he played a practice round with him at this year's Masters, and was impressed by how cleanly Watson hit the ball. Playing against him when it counted was even more impressive.

The sign on the yellow scoreboard still hadn't come down as of yesterday, a somber reminder of who didn't win the British Open, as it read, "Well played Stewart. See you at St. Andrews in 2010."  Maybe, Tom Watson will go to St. Andrews next year for a farewell party. Or maybe, he'll go there and put on another spectacular show for the ages.  For a Nationwide directory of Golf Courses and Golfing Resoures in the US, please visit USA Golf Courses.

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Stuart Cink won the 138th British Open, in his 12th attempt, when he forced a four hole playoff with 5 time winner Tom Watson on the 18th hole of regulation. Cink sank a 12 foot birdie putt on the 18th hole where minutes later Watson missed an 8 foot par attempt which would have won the tournament for him. 

Cink then proceded to take advantage of Watson's mistakes and overwhelmed him in the playoff to win by 6 strokes. 

The whole show was watched for the first two days on TNT channel #245 on Satellite TV. while the final two days were on NBC.

"Tom Watson is the same guy who won here at Turnberry in '77, and the same guy who showed up this week, and he just about did it. He beat the course and everybody, but one guy. And it was special, " said Cink. 

Cink, who was born only two years before Watson had won his first claret jug at Carnoustie in 1975, moved to No. 9 in the world ranking. 'It's been a surreal experience for me, playing one of favorite courses and a wonderful tournament, but having to play against Tom Watson", said Cink. 

The loudest cheers along the 18th hole, both times, in regulation and playoff, were for the guy who finished second as the fans showed their adoration for Watson's historic efforts during this tournament and his 5 previous victories over 34 years.

Stuart Cink had to settle for his name engraved on golf's oldest trophy, but even his first major title was bittersweet. It was hard to root against Watson, even for those who were trying to beat him.   

For a Nationwide directory of Golf Courses and Golfing Resoures, please visit USA Golf Courses.

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 We are watching Tom Watson on Satellite TV, still going strong at age 59 as he made it around Turnberry earlier today on  without a single bogey. His playing partners were the 29 year old Sergio Garcia and a 16 year old amateur, Matteo Manassero. So the Open has one of the  oldest and most successful players in the last 34 years playing in a group with a rising star in Garcia, but also with likely the youngest player in the tournament, in Manassero. 

We can only wonder what any conversations between them must be like.

 The 138th British Open is underway today at the Ailsa Course, Turnberry, Scotland, and the first two rounds can be seen on TNT, channel 245 on Satellite TV. With temperatures in the low to mid 60's and with little if any wind , for today anyway, everyone is watching to see if Padraig Harrington can 3-peat as the Open's champion. Early results have Tom Watson, the 5-time Open champ in '75, '77, '80, '82, and '83,  in the clubhouse with a 5-under 65 with four others, Stewart Cink, Matthew Goggin, John Sender, and Steve Stricker right behind him at 4-under 66.

With no Scots ranked in the top 100 golfers in the world, watch as the large number of young, powerfull golfers from across the pond charge into Turnberry to win the Claret Jug in the tounament with the oldest and richest tradition dating  back to 1860. Even the old pro, Tom Watson, who hasn't won here in 26 years, may just win it one more time.

It takes allot of hard work and patience to become a professional golfer. It would be nice if you could just wake up one morning and tee off like Tiger woods. However ESPN sports reprters say the odds of that happening is not likely. If there is any course that shows a golfer weakness its Turnberry in Scotland.

Turnberry is the golf course for The British open which takes place July 16-19. The course is built for shot makers. With heavy down pours of rain, 50 mph wind gust that changes directions at least 3 times daily. It's enough distraction to make even the best players second guess every shot.The final three holes have been extended and the tee on the 18th hole has been moved to make a tough right to left dogleg to give the final hole an exciting finish.

While the odds on favorite to win is Tiger woods. He will be grouped together with Ryo Ishikawa Japans teenage sensation, and Lee Westwood one of Britains best Players.