Tiger Issues Apology on Twitter for Spitting on Green

“The Euro Tour is right – it was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better. Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry.” – Tiger Woods, apologizing via his Twitter Account on Monday for his rude spitting episode on the 12th green at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday

It was obviously a frustrating finish to what could have been an incredible week for Tiger Woods in Dubai last week, as on Sunday the former number 1 golfer in the world would stumble yet again. Except much more than a rusty golf game would be hashed about afterward, as Woods was once again singled out for his behavior inside the ropes. On the 12th green on Sunday in the final round, a dejected Tiger Woods allowed his frustrations to boil over, as he HOCKED UP A LOOGIE and carelessly spit the slimy mucus onto the putting surface only several feet away from the putting hole. The British television announcers working for the European Tour wasted little time taking Woods to task, most notably Ewen Murray – who coaches several European golfers on tour and works part-time in the booth to help cover some of the European Tour events. “You look at his work ethics and he is a credit to the game and an inspiration to all of those who are trying to become professional golfers. But there are some parts of him that are just arrogant and petulant. Somebody now has to come behind him and maybe putt over his spit. It does not get much lower than that.” The episode seemed to provoke another isolated thought from Murray about Tiger’s distant attitude towards the fans that come out to watch him play. “If you are getting paid 3million US dollars I don’t think it’s too much to ask to spend 15 to 20 minutes with some of the youngsters.”

It has been alleged that last week while in Dubai, Woods directed a group of fans wanting autographs to a certain area of the course where he would later come over, only to make a quick escape and leave the golf course while leaving the fans empty handed. Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time that Woods has used the old bait-and-switch, but it is worth noting that unlike years past – these episodes of questionable behavior are being brought to light by the television announcers and other various media.

As for the spitting incident itself, the European Tour looked into it and concluded in their statement that Woods’ behavior wouldn’t go unpunished. They issued the following statement on Monday: “Tournament director Mike Stewart has reviewed the incident and feels there has been a breach of the Tour code of conduct and consequently Tiger Woods will be fined.”

For more on this story, click HERE and HERE

 

3-Peat Unlikely for Ogilvy?

Caught this orb of breaking news via twitter several moments ago.

The Golf Channel’s Steve Sands is reporting that Geoff Ogilvy fell on the beach on Tuesday, cutting his right index finger badly enough to need several stitches. No official word yet on his status, other than the rumors floating around that it is questionable that he will play, outside of striking an opening tee shot and then immediately withdrawing so he can earn the last-place prize money.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blogging…..

Edit – UPDATED ARTICLE

This Week’s PGA Tour News Items

It’s been a slow golf news week, folks. Doing my best here to make something out of nothing…

So how exactly does one “Tweet” his way back on tour?

Some people have absolutely no shame…. as if a $100 million lawsuit that included a children’s charity wasn’t a clue? Apparently a John Daly fan has opened an account on Twitter in an attempt to start a “Grass Roots” movement to impress upon the the tournament sponsors next season of the need to have Daly in the field.  STORY

I’ve got two responses to that: (1) Grass Roots of the Cannabis type, maybe. (2) When a player has come to rely on the social media to maintain his career, he is no longer a player. He’s an opportunist.

Live rodeo coverage would be better…

So much for The Golf Channel being serious about sprucing up their coverage. TGC just announced that beginning January 3rd, they will be airing a new morning segment called “Morning Drive” that will not only focus on golf, but weather reports and other non-golf news items happening across the nation as well. Erik Kuselias and Gary Williams will be hosting the show for the 20 or so viewers who can’t find the remote to change the channel.  ARTICLE

When they ask you to captain it, that usually means you’re no longer good enough to play in it…

Rumors earlier in the year about Davis Love III being the US Ryder Cup Captain in 2012 might soon be a rumor no longer. The Golf Channel is reporting that a source close to the situation has confirmed that DL3 will be the guy leading the American charge to reclaim the Cup in the next event. The media in the UK also reported on Thursday that Jose Maria Olazabal will likely be the Captain on the European side.  ARTICLE

From the “I’ve got another one in the oven” files…

Apparently Annika Sorenstam isn’t spending EVERY ounce of her time in her golf course design business. News broke earlier this week that Sorenstam and her husband are expecting their second child early next summer. Congrats to them both!  STORY

Weir’s caddie resigns, will loop for Sean O’Hair in 2011

“I know that (Little) has to look after his family, and my situation, while I remain confident, is certainly not all that stable at the moment. He’ll be great with Sean and I predict big things for them next year.”  – Mike Weir commenting on his caddy’s decision to work with Sean O’Hair next season.

Mike Weir has always been on my “likable player” radar, and here’s just one more example of why. I’m guessing that he wasn’t expecting his caddie of 12 seasons to end their partnership and move on, but he understands the situation and holds no grudges. I hope Mike fully recovers from his injury and regains the form to be one of the top players on tour again. Best wishes in 2011, Mike.     STORY

Els, Goosen not impressed with course conditions at SA Open

Ernie, Retief…. here, let me throw you both some cheese.

I don’t doubt that the course conditions there vary greatly this week from the typical perfectly-manicured surfaces you guys play most weeks elsewhere. But if you have a complaint, do the respectful thing and keep it in-house. It’s not like you guys had to shell out $100 to play on aerated greens. I don’t blame you for being disappointed, I just don’t see the comments being made openly serving much of a purpose. ARTICLE

Camilo Villegas’ caddie heading to Nationwide Tour

You might recall earlier last month when I posted a blog about Camilo’s caddie (Brett Waldman) giving Q-school a shot. He ended up doing better than just giving it a shot…. he made it all the way to the final stage. Waldman didn’t play quite well enough to earn his PGA Tour card, but he did earn a spot on the Nationwide Tour. And that’s where he will be next season, as Camilo finds himself looking for another looper. ARTICLE

Monty: Don’t Worry, the British Are Not Coming.

Ha! Even more PGA Tour snubbage!

Several weeks ago Lee Westwood declined an invite to be a PGA Tour member. A few weeks later Martin Kaymer followed suit. Two weeks ago, Rory McIlroy put the finishing touches on the European trifecta by not only declining to re-up for another season on the PGA Tour, he also admitted that he’s not all that thrilled about Pete Dye layouts and might bail on the Player’s Championship next season.

Leave it to Colin Montgomerie to chime in with a voice of reason on the matter. “This is the greatest time we’ve ever had so why the need to go to America the way it was five years ago? The need is not the same. If you’re talking world ranking points that these guys are after, the need doesn’t arise to go to America. There are more points available in Europe.” Monty went on to add, “I think it’s super that a number of them haven’t taken membership of the PGA Tour. It’s a very positive note for us all here in Europe.”

Okay, fair enough. It’s painfully evident that 6 of the world’s top 10 players are European. Indeed, the competitive cycle is clearly favoring the European Tour at the moment. I actually agree with him – outside of the major championships, what need really exists for the top European players to hop on a plane and spend several weeks away from their families, or their home tour? I followed a tweet on Twitter from Ian Poulter two days ago, and he tweeted that he was enjoying seeing his two children for the first time in 5 weeks. Imagine that – FIVE WEEKS… and he lives here in Florida!

I don’t blame these guys for wanting to stay home. They make more than enough money to justify their decisions to support their home tour.

And I might add that it’s difficult to look across the green at a player in a Ryder Cup match, a player that you’ve spent as much time with as your own family, and associate him as an “enemy” of sorts in a highly contested patriotic battle. Who knows – this European fervor might bring back some of the much-need drama and excitement that made the Ryder Cup the can’t-miss event of the year. We can only hope… But Medinah can’t come soon enough!

MONTY SPEAKS

 

 

 

Monty and Pavin Issue Tweeting Ban During Ryder Cup

The things that former Ryder Cup captains like Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin never had to put up with… back then, phones still had cords on them and a majority of mail still required postage stamps. Of course, compared to today, those were primitive times.

We’ve come a long way since then. Two decades ago, a shopper looking for an iPad would’ve most likely begun their search in the feminine hygiene aisle. And Blackberries were near the bananas in the produce department. But along came a fellow by the name of Bill Gates, and the world as we knew it would change seemingly overnight….

Two of professional golf’s more esteemed tweeting stalwarts, Stewart Cink and Ian Poulter, will certainly be impacted by the rule. Cink recently tweeted on his twitter account, “We’re finally off to Wales!! Won’t be tweeting until we get back. I guess I’ll have to pass the down time actually reading or something.” Poulter hasn’t said anything about the issue on his Twitter account, which leads me to believe that either (a)he’s not acknowledging it, or (b)he’s putting on his game face and will completely comply with the request from Captain Monty. As someone who follows both of these guys on Twitter myself, I can attest that they’re easily the two most active tweeters in pro golf, and it will be unusual to log in and see no comments from either of them over the weekend.

The esteemed 2008 Ryder Cup captain and noted Twitter newbie, Paul Azinger, tweeted Sunday on the decision to ban social networking sites from the players starting Friday as well. “U.S team will be better off without distraction and comments on twitter. If forced, bad idea. If it’s a consensus, good idea. Press will ask.” But, of course, Azinger will fill the tweeting void while they’re offline, as he has made it a point to say that he will be tweeting his perspective of things throughout the event. As someone who follows Zinger as well on Twitter, I can’t wait to get his tweets on things this weekend.

We live in a different time and place, it seems, and I’ve certainly become a party to it….

NO TWEETS ALLOWED