Who will be Tiger Woods new caddie?

In case you haven’t heard, Tiger Woods has fired long time caddy Steve Williams. Williams had been Tiger’s caddy since 1999. This is a bit of a surprise, as they have won together 72 times around the world, including 13 majors. There was also more than a player caddy relationship. Williams acted as a buffer and a body guard, and they were friends. They vacationed together, and were in each other’s wedding party. They will always be linked together as a great winning combination.

Williams was last seen caddying for Adam Scott at the British Open and it looks like that relationship will continue. He is only the second caddie that Woods has had on a regular basis. The other was Mike “Fluff” Cowan. Under Woods Fluff was becoming a celebrity in his own right, and he was let go when Woods felt that he was using him for self promotion.

So who will be Tiger’s new caddy? How about Michael Jordon? Both of them have the: win at all cost attitude, and they share sexular, I mean similar interests. The celebration party’s would be legendary. Another possible candidate would be Charles Barkley. He could certainly replace Williams as the body guard. There would have to at least one stipulation: Barkley would not be allowed to swing a golf club when Woods was around. How about Sean Foley, Woods’ swing coach? And my last candidate: Kristi Hommel, you may remember her as Steve Scott’s caddy. She has just about everything that Tiger looks for. Hmm?

Please post a comment and let us know who you feel will be Tiger’s new caddy.

Don’t forget to check out the Ropeit to help sharpen your own game.

Will Tiger Woods play in the next major at the 2011 PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club?

That is the big question right now in professional golf. According to his web site he has set no time table for his return. In an earlier post, I had mentioned that Tiger has committed to playing in a charity event. Speculation is still all we can go on as to whether or not he will be at the Atlanta Athletic Club come tee time.

I for one believe that he will be there. There are some signs already that he will show up for this years PGA. One is the mention above; that Tiger has said that he will play in his good friend Notah Begays charity tournament on August 31st. That is only a couple of weeks after the PGA. Of course, a charity event is not a major championship.

Another sign is that he is listed as 12-1 favorite to win the championship. So the bookies at least think he has a chance to play. Bookies don’t like to return bet money, so the fact that they have him listed bodes well for his return.

And, finally, my own personnel opinion is that he will be there. Why? Tiger lives for majors. He has already missed the last two, the US and British Opens. I just don’t see him missing another one. I for one am looking forward to his return and the ongoing soap opera that has become Tiger Woods.

Please post a comment and let us know your own feelings as to whether or not Tiger will be at the final major of the year.


Don’t forget to check out the Ropeit to help sharpen your own game.

What did Darren Clarke do to win the 2012 British Open at Royal St. George’s?

In an earlier post I had predicted that Lee Westwood would win this year’s British Open. It looks like I backed the wrong horse. Darren Clarke was nothing short of spectacular in the way he handled the pressure and the weather to be named Champion Golfer of the year. What did he do to win? Quite simply, he kept his ball in play, avoided the big number, and made clutch putts when he needed them.

In the same post I had selected 61 year old Tom Watson as the sentimental favorite. What did he do? Well he out scored a host of players to finish tied for 22nd place. The list of players he beat included Westwood who didn’t make the cut, and such notables as Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, and yes Rory McIlroy. Way to go Tom.

I would also like to offer my congratulations to Darren Clarke. He may be the best advertisement for Guinness that they have going. If they don’t have him signed up already, I would expect he’ll be signed up by tomorrow. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

To improve your own game, please check out the practice aid that allows you to hit full iron shot’s, with a real ball, in your own back yard. Click here to check out the Ropeit!

Who will win the 2011 British Open at Royal St. George’s?

OK. I had mentioned Tom Watson in a previous post as the sentimental favorite, and it would truly be a monumental win if he were to pull it off. But, who are the most likely candidates to win this year’s British Open?

I successfully predicted Rory McIlroy to win the US Open, and you have to like the kid’s chances. The bookmakers have him as the favorite at 8-1. He has had to deal with a lot of hype since his US Open win, and winning back to back majors is a very difficult feat for anyone not named Tiger. Tiger? He won’t be competing so Rory has that going for him.

The next two players the bookies like are Luke Donald at and Lee Westwood at 12-1. Two US players, neither named Phil come in at 35-1, Steve Stricker and Nick Watney. Phil? He is listed at 45-1 and is my favorite among US Players.

So I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict Lee Westwood to win. Is Lee Westwood going to be the heir apparent to Colin Montgomerie, to be the best player to never win a major? I don’t think so. Westwood has game, he has grit, and I don’t think he is going to let the kid beat him again. If he doesn’t pull it out, I feel it is only a matter of time before he is holding a major trophy. In his last seven majors he has been in the top three five times. He just has to close it out. Westwood has the experience should the weather act up, and his history, short of winning, at the British Open’s has been quite impressive. So, don’t be surprised if Lee is drinking from the Claret Jug when it is all said and done.

To improve your own game, please check out the practice aid that allows you to hit full iron shot’s, with a real ball, in your own back yard. Click here to check out the Ropeit!

Can Tom Watson win the British Open at Royal St. George?

The short answer is; if his titanium hip holds out, why not? It has been two years since he was 8 feet away from winning his 6th British Open. Watson will be appearing at his 34th Open championship, so he certainly has experience on his side. At age 61, he just beat the kids (the fifty something’s) to win the PGA Senior Championship at Valhalla.

Just that he is even considered is a credit to one of the greatest golfer’s of all time. When asked if he thought he had a chance, he replied, with that Tom Watson, grin/smile: “Too early to tell, ask me on the Wednesday night in Sandwich!” Please notice, he did not say no. So that leads me to think that at least he believes he has a chance.

His recent Senior PGA Major win shows that his game is still sharp. If the conditions are right, his putter gets red hot, and the Golf God’s are on his side, a bounce here, a chip in there, who knows? He may just be able to pull it off.

The last British Open played at Royal St. George was in 2003. Tom finished 7 strokes off of the pace, with a 77 in the second round, and a 69 in the final round. If that second round 77 had been a 69, he would have won the tournament. It could be argued that his game has not changed all that much since 2003. Of course, if does not count in golf.

Here is one fan that would love to see Tom win it. Good luck Tom. Here is a great article on Tom’s Major Championship wins.

Leave a comment and let us know if you feel that Tom Watson can win at Royal St. George.

If you are looking to improve your own game, please check out the practice aid that allows you to find time to practice: The Ropeit.

Rory McIlroy wins the US open. What can you learn?

Well, the kid did it. Wire to wire. He set or tied 12 US Open records. He won going away, by eight shots. No collapse this time. Congratulations Rory. Here is a great article on Rory's Records.

The kid’s swing is a thing of beauty. So, what can we learn from Rory’s win? I think that one of the most important lessons is that, what happened in the past (the Masters collapse) has nothing to do what will happen in the future. The ball has no memory. It does not remember the drive you blasted down the middle, the one you duck hooked into the woods, or the three foot putt you missed. Golf is a game of one shot at a time. Each new shot is a chance at redemption. So, enjoy each shot.

Is Rory the best player on the planet? He certainly was for four days. What’s in store for his future? Only time will tell, but I do not think we have heard the last of Rory McIlroy.

We did get an unconfirmed report that Rory said he owed it all to his practice sessions with the Ropeit. So, get yourself a Ropeit at: http://www.theropeit.com/ , and who knows, you could be shooting lights out for your next round.

As always, keep it in the short grass.

Will Tiger Woods break Jack Nicklaus’ major record?

What does Jack himself have to say about this? In an interview with ESPN in March, before the Masters, Jack said: “Tigers got such a great work ethic. He's so determined to what he wants to do. I'm very surprised that he has not popped back. I still think he'll break my record.” He then added; if Tiger goes another year without winning a major, it could change my mind.

Well, so far there is one down with three to go. With the next being the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, in Bethesda, MD

Nicklaus won 18 majors with his last coming at age 46. At 71 I feel it is safe to assume that he will not win any more. Now, Tom Watson may be another story. Stay tuned for more on that in an upcoming post.

Tiger currently stands at 14, but has gone 10 majors without a win, the longest drought in his career. At age 35, Tiger is still two majors ahead of Jack’s pace. But the big question is: Is Tiger still Tiger? His swing changes have not seemed to help, if anything they have hurt. He has lost his intimidation factor. The old guys have seen that he can be beaten down the stretch, and the new kids are not afraid of anyone. If you couple that with the sex scandal, and his streak of injuries, some might say that Tiger is done.

I personally feel that we have not heard the last from Tiger Woods. My reasoning is for just what Jack said. He is determined to do what he wants to do. If Tiger gets healthy, and puts his embarrassment behind him, he will be a major factor again. A couple of big if’s? Yes! All the King’s horses, and all the King’s men, should be able to put Tiger back together again. So that takes care of his body. His head is another matter. If he stays healthy, and get’s his head straightened out, he could be winning majors into his fifties.

Please let us know if you think Tiger will break Jack’s record and why.

As always, keep it in the short grass.

Will Tiger Woods win the 2011 US Open at Congressional?

The short answer is: NO. Tiger has withdrawn from this year’s 2011 US Open to be held June 16th-19th, at congressional country club in Bethesda Maryland. Tiger will not be at this year’s US Open due to lingering injuries. This will be the first time he has not played in the Open in 17 years.

Will Tiger be missed? Of course he will, but he was pretty much a side note at this years first major, The Masters, and it was arguably one of the most exciting Majors of all time. Even if Tiger had been in the field this years Open is, well, wide open.

Since Tiger’s fall from the perch, the top ranked player in the world keeps changing. If I remember correctly it has changed four times this year. Those who held the top spot have one Major between them.

I like Phil Mickelson, or Rory McIlroy. I like these two for completely different reasons. I like Phil because he is a seasoned veteran that has proven he knows how to win a major. He also has proven that he knows how to lose one. I like Rory because I personally believe that he is the best player on the planet right now. That being said, he also has proven that he knows how to lose a major.

If recent history is any indication, ANYONE, in the field could win. The last four majors were won by first time major winners. Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open), Louis Oosthuizen (British Open), Martin Kaymer (PGA Championship) and Charl Schwartzel (Masters) , not exactly household names.
Weigh in and let us know your favorite, and why. We would love to hear from you.

Thanks.