Anthony Kim - Is he the next Tiger

Image via WikipediaAfter a long layoff I'm back in blogging mode. The Ryder Cup got my juices flowing.
That may have been the best play I've ever seen at a Ryder Cup. Ian Poulter, Anthony Kim, Boo Weekley Kenny Perry, Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell all played extremely well and it certainly makes me look forward to the 2010 matches at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Anthony Kim was very impressive as he dusted an ailing Sergio Garcia in the singles. With a couple of Tour wins under his belt and the early lead at the Tour Championship, he might be the player to watch next season when Tiger finally returns from surgery.

Edel Putters

Greg and Michelle

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeGreg Norman is poised on the brink of an historic victory at the British Open and at the opposite end of the golf spectrum Michelle Wie was disqualified for not signing her scorecard. What do these things have in common? Neither one of them is supposed to happen.

Greg's appearance at the Open Championship was intended to be a warm up for next week's Senior British Open. A casual stroll around the links attended by his new wife Chris Evert. I'm sure that Greg would not have been too disappointed to miss the cut. Instead he finds himself on top of the leaderboard with a 2 shot lead over KJ Choi and the defending champion, Padraig Harrington.

Whatever happens tomorrow and I sincerely hope that Greg wins, this has been an amazing tournament. Greg is the oldest man to have the 54 hole lead and the way that he is playing, one would have to be foolish to bet against him.

At the other extreme is Michelle Wie. I have often been critical of her performance and behavior but I was genuinely happy to see her in contention after two rounds and a third round 66 put her one shot behind teenage phenom Yani Tseng until the news broke that she had been disqualified for failing to sign her second round scorecard. Michelle said that she'll use this as a learning experience which might be believable had she not used the same excuse when she forgot to sign her card in her LPGA debut. Apparently she didn't learn from it.

To see such a talent going to waste is anathema. Michelle is obviously book smart - they don't let dummies into Stanford - but she's not exhibiting much good common sense. Women's golf needs good role models but right now Michelle Wie is about as good a role model as John Daly.

Cut Kenny Some Slack

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeWhat's the deal with all of the criticism of Kenny Perry? He decided to skip the British Open because he is the defending champion at next week's Tour event.
Apparently loyalty is not prized very much by some people and in any case, who's business is it where Kenny plays?
Kenny Perry is one of golf's gentlemen and it's a recognized tradition that the defending champion does not skip out on a title defense unless there are extenuating circumstances.
What next? Will we hear criticism of Tiger for not defending at the PGA Championship? He won the US Open on one leg, can't he defend the PGA on crutches, or better yet from a wheelchair? What kind of wimp is he anyway?
So give Kenny Perry a break, he's showing some integrity and doing the right thing and you know you'll be rooting for him in the Ryder Cup later this year.

Goodbye Michelle

Image by mharrsch via FlickrSo Michelle Wie missed the cut at the Women's Open, thanks to a 9 on a par 4. Her third place finish in 2006 is her best showing so far but we haven't seen the last of her in USGA events.
The big question is "When will she grow up and stop using past injuries as her excuse?"
I am so tired of reading the reports of yet another missed cut or sub-standard performance. Does she actually think up the stuff she says or is it spoon fed to her by her handlers. All she actually needs to say is "I didn't play well and I'll be working on my game until I get to the next event." Admittedly that would be the same interview over and over and over again, but it would be better than listening to the inane drivel that she spouts now.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big believer of Michelle's potential to bring new interest to the LPGA Tour but she comes across as such an air head, which as a Stanford student she clearly isn't.
I picked the wax museum picture on purpose because that's how she appears to be - a wax dummy with a pre-recorded voice. Hopefully she will start to listen to her sound bites and get some maturity in her communications skills.
I'm still expecting great things from Michelle Wie but she needs to stop whining and start winning.

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US Women's Open

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeThe US Women's Open starts tomorrow and Annika Sorenstam is the emotional favorite as she bids to become only the third woman to win four titles.
As this will be her final year on Tour, she would love to go out with a Major title.
Lorena Ochoa is is the process of recording the best year ever for a woman professional. She may go over the $4 Million mark if she continues her early form.
Michelle Wie is an outsider's pick. Her lack or tournament experience this year probably will prevent her from winning but she's in good form and will probably post a top ten finish.
A crowd favorite will be Paula Creamer, probably the best US golfer at the moment and it is only a matter of time till she wins her first major.
Hoping ti make the cut this week for the first time is my student, Joanne Lee. This wiil be her third consecutive Open and she's looking for a strong performance against the strongest field in Women's golf. Go Joanne!!!

Finally, It's not about Tiger !!

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeI know, I've been writing regularly about Tiger for the past 10 days - but really, he deserved it.
Time for a new topic though.
Nice to see Stuart Cink win one this weekend. It's hard to believe that it's been 4 years since his last victory, plus he's one of the good guys.
Nike is having a great year, the first two majors plus numerous other wins. They are getting serious about being the number one company in golf. Titleist, Taylor Made and Callaway will need to sharpen their design and marketing pencils if they want to stay ahead of the Nike surge.
I've been playing the Nike One ball for about a year and prefer it over the Pro V.
I use the Nike driver, fairway wood and hybrids and would play the irons if not for my allegiance to Henry-Griffitts.
Nike are also rumored to be interested in acquiring a putter company, their putter offerings are currently the weak link in the line up but watch out if they buy Yes or another similar high end putter line.