Michelle Wie's Fall Semester Will Include Q-School

Read the post at SPORTSbyBROOKS

LPGA To It's Players: Speak English Or Get Out

Read the post at SPORTSbyBROOKS

Tiger Woods Is Good At Golf

As I'm sure you're all aware of by now, Tiger Woods won his 14th major title on Monday afternoon when he beat Rocco Mediate after a 19-hole playoff at Torrey Pines. Now, as anybody who reads here regularly has noticed, I don't care about golf all that much unless it's a major and Tiger Woods is involved.

The U.S. Open, of course, involved both. I didn't get to see the 4th round on Sunday when Tiger drained the long put on 18 to tie Mediate and force the playoff (Mother Nature delivered an apocalyptic storm early Sunday morning that knocked out power all over Chicago, though I slept right through it because I'm dedicated to sleeping), but I got a chance to see the playoff, and I'm happy I did.

It was one of the most compelling few hours of sports, not just golf, that I've ever seen. After the first few holes Tiger had built up a three-stroke lead, and I figured that he was going to run away with it. Then Mediate took over the next few holes and pulled into a tie with Tiger. Then Mediate capitalized on some of Tiger's mistakes, and took a two stroke lead on him going into the last few holes.

Then, much like he did on Sunday, Tiger drained a birdie putt on 18 while Mediate could only manage a par to tie it up and send the playoff into sudden death.

It was at that point where Mediate just couldn't keep up with the greatest golfer of all time anymore. Mediate's shot off the tee at the 7th hole (which served as the first hole in the sudden death playoff) landed in a bunker, and from there he hit one into the gallery. Meanwhile, Tiger was on the green in two, and shortly after that he was celebrating the 14th major of his career.

All in all, it was great television. Still, I was annoyed by a few things.

• I know Rocco Mediate isn't the greatest golfer in the world, and that nobody expected him to be where he was, but everybody was making it sound like he was just some dude who came off the street and qualified on Monday before the tournament. The man has won five tournaments on the PGA Tour, and was in contention to win the Masters on the final day back in 2006 before blowing up on the par-3 12th hole. Had it not been for back problems earlier in his career, he'd probably have a lot more wins by now.
  
• The way Tiger's knee was covered drove me insane. I know he was wincing after some shots, and that this was his first tournament since having arthroscopic knee surgery eight weeks ago, but come on people. Football players have arthroscopic knee surgery on a Tuesday and then they're playing football on Sunday. It's not as if Tiger had torn ligaments repaired or anything. Was he in discomfort? I don't doubt it for a second, but was it a crippling pain that only a superman such as Tiger could play through? No.

Other than that, though, no complaints. Can't wait for the British Open next month.

Who's Up For Some Topless Golf?

Not exactly what you were hoping for after reading the headline, was it?

Sorry for the deception, but nobody would have watched this video if I'd titled the post "John Daly's Jigglies." And frankly, if you would have, please stop reading this blog. Thanks.

In Brief: Some Guy Not Named Tiger Woods Wins The Masters

I'm not knowledgeable enough about golf to write an entire post about it, but I do feel compelled to let you all know that some guy named Trevor Immelman won The Masters yesterday (And though I don't know golf that well, I know Immelman's swing is a thing of absolute beauty). I'd never heard of Immelman before this weekend, but I think we all know who he is now.

A lot of the focus will of course be on the fact that Tiger Woods didn't win the tournament, and now has no chance of completing the Grand Slam, and it's not really fair. Sure, Immelman's competition didn't exactly make it too tough on him as they all choked down the stretch, but that doesn't mean Immelman's play was any less worthy. In fact, it was the opposite.

As Brandt Snedeker, Steve Flesch, and even the great Tiger Woods choked away chance after chance to catch him, Immelman kept his calm and played solid golf throughout Sunday to earn he green jacket.

Also, just because Tiger didn't win doesn't mean that this was a bad day for the PGA. They may have finally found a new player to compete with Woods, as they finally have a major champion still in his 20's in Immelman.

The Blackhawks At Wrigley Field?

The Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 last night at the United Center, giving the team their first shutout of the season, and Nikolai Khabibulin the 37th shutout of his career. They've now won five of their last seven games, but their improved play over the last few weeks isn't the big story with the Blackhawks right now.

No, that would be the team's current plans to play a game outdoors within the next year or two. As for where they'd play the game, team president John McDonough was on 670 The Score this morning, and he says he'd like the game to be played at the site of his last job: Wrigley Field.

Blackhawks president John McDonough is considering hosting an outdoor game at Wrigley Field.

‘‘We had a meeting with the commissioner four weeks ago, and that was one topic we wanted to discuss,'' McDonough said on WSCR-AM (670). ‘‘It would be a huge event for the city of Chicago and for the NHL.

‘‘In the event we should be so fortunate to get the game, all venues would be in play. We've heard from most of them already, so we'll see where we would go. There's been a lot of talk about Wrigley, and I think Wrigley would be a terrific place for it.''

If the game were to happen, and I'm hoping it does, other options would be at Soldier Field and US Cellular Field. Personally, I think Soldier Field would make more sense.

Soldier Field can not only hold more people, and I'm guessing demand for tickets will be high, but it also provides better sight lines than Wrigley Field can. The problem is I'm not sure that's going to matter to anybody making the decision.

If NBC is going to broadcast the game, they're going to want some say in where it should be played, and they may be looking for something new after having Buffalo and Pittsburgh play earlier this season in Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo.

Wrigley Field would provide an entirely different atmosphere, as NBC could use the novelty of people in the stadium's bleachers, or across the street on the rooftops watching a hockey game.

So in the end, I think this game will end up getting played at Wrigley Field whether it makes sense for the actual game and fans or not. Of course, it's not like if the game is played at Wrigley, I'm going to boycott it or anything. I'm just excited by the fact that this whole thing could possibly happen.

It's just we'll all have a better chance of seeing it for ourselves if they play the game at Soldier Field.

Foul Balls

Bears Continue To Rebuild Offensive Line - Unlike last offseason, every move the Bears have made so far this offseason has pleased me. Most especially, the decision to cut Fred Miller on Monday.

Well, I'm happy to report that the Bears are aware that Fred wasn't the only problem on the offensive line, as they've also cut guard Ruben Brown.

The Bears will cut ties with veteran offensive guard Ruben Brown, coach Lovie Smith said Thursday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

The team is clearly rebuilding the offensive line after also releasing veteran tackle Fred Miller earlier this week.

Brown didn't finish the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He had expressed optimism that he would be back with the Bears.

Brown was no where near as useless as Fred Miller last season, but after getting another year older, and having to undergo the shoulder surgery, it's best that both parties go their seperate ways.

As for who Brown's replacement will be, and keeping with my "think big" logic that led to wanting Randy Moss, I'm hoping the Bears will look at Steelers guard Alan Faneca who's a free agent this season.

Brian Carlwell Leaves Illinois - When the Illini first recruited Brian Carlwell out of my high school's arch-rival Proviso East, they did so hoping that he'd grow to become one of the more dominant big men in the Big Ten.

Unfortunately for Brian and the Illini, the only thing Carlwell became known for in Champaign was for being the guy teammate Jamar Smith left for dead after getting into a car accident last season.

Now, after hardly getting any playing time this season thanks to the severe concussion he suffered in that accident, and a knee injury he suffered during one of the few games he did play in, Carlwell has decided it's time to move on.

"Anybody who has injuries like that is set back," Carlwell, wearing a Shaun Pruitt jersey, said before watching his former teammates play Wisconsin. "It might have even set the program back, I'm not sure. I really felt like this year would be my year to contribute, then I had a knee injury and that set me back.

"It was time for a fresh start for me and for the program," Carlwell said. "I hate to have to do it, but … I'm not doing anybody any good with all the injuries.

"I'm going to have to work 20 times harder to get back."

Well, good luck, Brian. Just don't let Jamar give you a ride back home to Maywood.

Wrigley Field's New Field - Getting back to the topic of Wrigley Field, let's not forget that the Cubs tore up the old field and put a new one down this offseason. How would playing a hockey game affect the new sod? I mean, if a Jimmy Buffet concert can tear center field to shit, who knows what a Zamboni could do.

Anyway, the guys over at Home Run Derby dug up (Get it? Dug up. I'm hilarious.) a video that shows the entire process of tearing up the old field and laying down the new one. It's kind of cool to watch, but don't take my word for it, judge for yourself.



Tiger Woods Is Still Awesome - Rare is the occasion in which I talk about golf here at Foul Balls, but after seeing what Tiger Woods did yesterday, I'll make an exception.

Tiger is currently at the Accenture Match Play Championships, and in his first round matchup he found himself going against the legendary J.B. Holmes (Who? Exactly.) Somehow Tiger found himself down three holes after only playing five, and then he was still down 3 holes after the duo completed the 13th hole.

So Tiger had five holes left to make up a 3-hole deficit. What do you think he did?

HGH Keeps Me Under Par

Not too many people are talking about it this morning, but there was a pretty big story yesterday. Where as we get all up in arms anytime there's a mention of steroids in baseball or football, nobody seemed to notice what Gary Player said yesterday.

"Whether it's HGH, whether it's Creatine or whether it's steroids, I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it," he said.

Asked how he knew for certain, he said one golfer told him.

"I took an oath prior to him telling me -- I won't tell you where -- but he told me what he did, and I could see this massive change in him," Player said. "And somebody else told me something, that I also promised I wouldn't tell, that verified others had done it."

I wouldn't be surprised if golfers are abusing steroids. I'm not accusing Tiger Woods of anything, but after that shirt he wore at the US Open, I thought I was watching a pro wrestler golf.

It will be interesting to watch and see how this story develops as the PGA focuses on the British Open this weekend. Will they start testing for steroids in golf? Will there be a public outcry to start it?

I don't know. It sounds cold, but the truth is that the majority of Americans don't care about golf as much as they do football and baseball. It's not "our" sport.

Golfers Don't Like Sex (With Their Wives, Anyway)

According to a recent survey, four out of ten U.S. golfers would give up sex for a month to have the perfect golf swing, while one in five would sacrifice their hair and 21 percent would give up their next raise.

Seems like the 21 percent who'd take less money at work are sincere. But those "no sex for a month" guys? Not so much.

I say we redo the survey and go back to those forty percent: "Would your answer stay the same if you had a chance to tee off with this?"


Take your time. Think. We'll play through.

HT to fark.com

I Thought They Were Lesbians?

Um....uh......well......that's an interesting picture, isn't it?

That's Christie Kerr kissing the trophy she won for winning whatever LPGA event they were finishing yesterday.

It was one of the lasting images left to us by MJD over at Deadspin on his final day being Weekend Daddy. Man, now thinking about his departure has me getting all misty-eyed again.

Between MJD, Mark Buehrle, and the recent Cubs winning streak, I'm an emotional wreck right now. I feel like Panger watching a Meerkat Manor marathon after she's had three wine coolers.

Tiger Has His Cub

Well, actually, Tiger's wife had the cub. A day after Father's Day when Tiger finished second in the U.S. Open, he became a father for the first time.

Less than 24 hours after Tiger Woods finished second at the U.S. Open on Father's Day, his wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter. He announced Monday night on his Web site that Sam Alexis Woods was born early Monday morning.

"Both Elin and Sam are doing well and resting peacefully," Woods wrote. "We want to thank our doctors and the hospital staff for all their dedicated and hard work. This is truly a special time in our lives and we look forward to introducing Sam to our family and friends over the next few weeks. We thank everyone for their well wishes and continued respect of our privacy."

It remains uncertain how this newest addition to the Woods clan will affect Tiger's golf schedule, but I don't think Tiger really cares about that right now.

"I'm pacing myself already just because of the fact that I have a baby coming up," Woods said about two weeks ago. "I don't know how much I'm going to play after that or how much I'm going to play before that. A lot of that is depending on what happens and the health of Elin and our child."

I just can't wait to see his reaction when Sam tries leaving the house with a shirt on as tight as the one Tiger wore on Sunday. I'm also guessing that Sam is better equipped for the PGA Tour than Michelle Wie is at this point.

John Daly Scratches Himself

Panger reported this weekend about golfer John Daly being attacked by his knife-yielding wife, and then showing up at the golf course afterwards. Well, now Daly's wife has had a chance to tell her side of the story, and it doesn't exactly match John's version.

John Daly assaulted his wife and then covered up the incident by scratching his own face and claiming she attacked him, Sherrie Daly alleges in court papers filed Monday and obtained by The Commercial Appeal.

John Daly told authorities on Friday that his wife tried to stab him with a steak knife, and the golfer had red marks on his cheeks when he showed up to play in the Stanford St. Jude Championship.

When deputies arrived at the Daly home, located on the TPC Southwind golf course where the tournament was being held, Sherrie Daly and the couple’s children were not there. Deputies also could not find the knife he claimed she used.

So whom do we believe? It's just another fun case of "He Said, She Said."

On one hand we have John Daly, who's best known for the fact he likes to drink and do drugs more than as a golfer. On the other hand, we have John Daly's wife. She's not exactly a little angel herself, and after all, she did marry John Daly. That right there says enough about her.

So I've no idea who's telling the truth in this story, and I don't really care who is. As far as I'm concerned there's only one real way to settle this dispute.

That's right. Knife fight.

Whoever dies was telling the truth, because they would have fought harder if they had to protect their lie. It's science!

Well, That's One Way To Die

I'd like to take this moment to issue a public service announcement to you, the readers of Foul Balls.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR GOLF CART OVER A CLIFF. YOU'LL PROBABLY DIE.

Phew, I'm glad I got that out there on time. What? Oh, son of a....

A 65-year-old golfer died Tuesday after his golf cart plunged 75 feet off a cliff and crashed into a road below, authorities said.

The man teed off with three friends on the second hole of the Pala Mesa Resort Golf Course in northern San Diego County at around 10 a.m. and then got into his cart.

The vehicle veered off the concrete pathway, traveled down a 25-foot embankment and went over the edge of a cliff, California Highway Patrol spokesman Tom Kerns said.

I blame myself for this.

(via The Debriefing)

John Daly Drinks Beer!?

I had no idea!

Anyway, Daly recently shot a commercial for Maxfli balls. Actually, I don't think they shot a commercial as much as some dude followed Daly around and filmed him. I'm pretty sure Daly sings in bars and drinks while driving a golf cart all the time, whether he's on camera or not.

CBS doesn't care. They're refusing to show the commercial because of the drinking.

"It did not meet the standards of the CBS network," spokeswoman LeslieAnn Wade said Tuesday. "Any implied or direct reference to excessive consumption of alcohol would not meet network guidelines."

You know who won't refuse to show the commercial? Me. Foul Balls has no standards, and we make direct references to excessive consumption of alcohol all the damn time. Hell, I'm drunk right now!