John Daly’s ‘boring’ life will become reality show
July 29, 2009
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP)—Really, John Daly insists he’s not a beer-swilling,trouble-making guy anymore.
Daly said Wednesday an upcoming reality show on the Golf Channel, featuringhim, will provide a glimpse of his new-and-improved boring life.
“I’m more laid back,” he said in an interview with The Associated Pressbetween puffs of a cigarette in the parking lot of Warwick Hills, the site ofthis week’s Buick Open. “It won’t have the hustle and bustle as the lastshow.”
The Golf Channel had a 13-part series “The Daly Planet” in 2006,showcasing his wild life.
The first of at least eight episodes of the yet-to-be-named reality showwill air in early 2010.
“I think ‘Out of the Rough’ is the perfect title,” Daly said.
The popular player said he’s focusing on his golf career, which has beenmarked by the highs of winning the British Open and PGA Championship and lowscreated by problems outside the ropes.
Daly returned to the PGA Tour earlier this year after a six-monthsuspension, the second time the tour has suspended him for unbecoming conduct.Two other times, he agreed to sit out to get his life in order.
John Daly waits on the 9th hol… AP – Jul 29, 1:11 pm EDT
He has been to alcohol rehab twice, has been married three times and wrotean autobiography that was as much about drinking, sex and gambling as it wasabout his golf.
“I haven’t had a drink in a while,” Daly said.
Golf Channel senior producer Al Pollock, who has known Daly since 1994 andhas been with him during filming of the upcoming show, said he hasn’t seen Dalyhave a sip of alcohol in a long time.
“He’s a different person,” Pollock said. “This show will not be as crazyas the last show. But it’s going to show a different side—the real side—ofJohn Daly. He’s lived through a lot of peaks and valleys. Now, he’s got hisstuff together.
“He’s more serious, especially about golf. He’s lost a lot of weight.”
Daly said he has lost 81 pounds since February, when he ballooned to 286pounds.
His next goal is to shave strokes off his game so that he can add to histotal of five PGA Tour victories.
“I’m practicing a lot and I’m working hard, but it’s not paying off yet,”he said. “I’m real frustrated with my putting.”
The day before competing in the first round of the Buick Open, a crewplanned to follow him as he recorded a song he wrote at Kid Rock’s studio andperformed mundane tasks such as ironing the colorful pants he would sport atWarwick Hills.
“I’m still having fun, but I’m more serious,” Daly said. “I’m finally theguy so many people have wanted me to be for so many years.”
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Rocker Bob Seger joins Tiger in pro-am
July 29, 2009
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP)—Bob Seger stood over his ball at the veryouter arc of the green, sweat soaking through his blue golf shirt. The Michiganrock ‘n roll legend narrowed his eyes, wiggled his hips and apprehensively eyeda long birdie putt on the fourth hole of the Buick Open Pro-Am tournament.
When the ball hit the bottom of the cup, the crowd at Warwick Hills burstinto cheers and Seger fired off a fist-punch celebration made famous by the manstanding on the other side of the green. Tiger Woods could only smile.
Seger and Woods headlined the pro-am program, and their fivesome finished8-under par. At least one member of the group paid more than $100,000 for theopportunity to play with Woods and Seger, who were greeted after every hole bythrongs of cheering fans.
In many ways, Seger was the main attraction. For a state in deep economictrouble and a tournament that seems likely to lose General Motors Co. as itsprincipal sponsor, Seger’s presence was a powerful boost.
Seger, 64, graduated from Ann Arbor High School and now makes his home inthe suburban Detroit neighborhood of Orchard Lake, winding down a bit from theheight of his popularity in the 1970s and ’80s. At the 16th hole, a home alongthe course had Seger’s 1978 hit “Old Time Rock ‘n Roll” playing loud and clearon a stereo system.
After playing a few holes with Seger on the course a year ago, homeownerJeff Powell said he wanted to thank Seger for signing his son’s guitar.
“We had to make him feel at home,” said Powell. “Every person who came bysaid, ‘Turn it up.”’
While noise on the golf course is usually taboo, even Woods was in goodspirits about the rock serenade.
“If I would have hit off the fairway with a bad drive, I would have blamedit on him. So I hit a good one, so he got the credit,” Woods said.
The course appeared to give Seger a slight home turf advantage. On 13, Segerfired an approach wide into a tree—only to see the ball rebound onto thefairway. On 18, Seger’s ball looked like it was heading for the water beforeinexplicably bouncing within a chip shot of the pin.
“He played great. I was surprised how well he played and how well heputted,” Woods said.
While he finished strong on 18, Seger faded noticeably down the stretch,struggling to hit strong drives on longer holes.
“I haven’t walked a golf course in 30 years,” Seger said afterward. “I’ma cart guy. I’ve never done that, ever. So I’m very tired. I feel every 64years.”
That didn’t bother Sue Babcock, 50, who got Seger to sign a red tournamenthat after calling him over by yelling, “I’m an old rocker!” Having worked atthe tournament for several years, Babcock has seen Woods before.
The autograph she really wanted was Seger’s, she said: “Bob Seger is biggerthan Tiger.”
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Romero helps golf grow in Argentina
July 29, 2009
CARMEL, Ind. (AP)—It’s been 20 years since Eduardo Romero’s first EuropeanTour victory, and he’s had a lot of success since then.
The 55-year-old from Argentina rates his win at last year’s U.S. Senior Openas his most significant because it gave him a confidence boost.
“It’s my favorite tournament,” he said. “It’s the more importanttournament in my life.”
Romero said his win was important for golf in his country, his hometown ofCordoba and Latin America as a whole. He can’t help but get excited whenreminded of his victory.
“I feel very good, just like a movie in my head,” he said. “When I startto play golf, I’m thinking of my town and my family and everything.”
He said golf is increasingly popular in Argentina and rivals soccer as thenation’s favorite sport. He said there are 125 courses in the capital city,Buenos Aires.
“Probably a couple years ago, the first game in Argentina, it was soccer,and now it’s golf,” he said. “Golf is going up and up.”
WATSON FEELING BETTER: Tom Watson clearly was a favorite of the fans, whocrowded together for his autograph as he walked between holes with his foursomeduring his only practice round.
“How you doing today, Tom?” one fan yelled to him. Another offered acompliment: “You’re looking good!”
Watson did not practice Tuesday because he was ill, apparently after eatingChinese food shortly before he left Britain on the tail end of two majors heplayed there—the British Open two weeks ago and the Senior British Open lastweek.
Now, with jet lag added to his illness, he is playing his third major inthree weeks.
Watson said he was feeling somewhat better as he walked the 16th fairway.
One well-wisher shouted a piece of advice along that fairway: “No moreChinese food, Tom, until after the tournament!”
Watson just smiled.
RESPECT YOUR ELDERS: Greg Norman said he hopes the players in their 20s are“sitting up and taking stock” that they still can have another 30 years ofcompetitive golf ahead of them.
Norman was 53 last year when he led the British Open after three roundsbefore finishing tied for third. Tom Watson stunned the golf world in the sametournament this year at age 59, leading after three rounds before losing toStewart Cink in a playoff.
“I think the last couple years, the British Open has shown the fact that ifyou keep yourself in good physical shape, the best physical shape you can forthe age you are in, and then make sure your game is halfway decent, you cancontend with these (younger) guys,” Norman said after Wednesday’s practiceround before the U.S. Senior Open.
He said that while older players can’t compete with the younger playersevery time, they can use their experience to their advantage on some courses.
Tom Lehman agreed, saying some courses benefit players who have “anold-style game.”
“I think you will find that there are some courses that guys in their 50shave very little chance on,” Lehman said. “But there are some courses wherethey do have a chance if they’ve kept their game short.”
Norman’s advice to the young guys: “Be patient and keep on your game plan,and keep working at it. The game of golf will take it away from you but alsogive it back to you over a long period of time.”
FUZZY’S NEW DRINK: Arnold Palmer might have a unique birthday gift headinghis way.
Fuzzy Zoeller’s new Fuzzy’s Vodka debuted June 1. When asked about Palmer’supcoming 80th birthday, Zoeller came up with an idea.
“I think what I’ll do, I’ll send him 80 bottles of Fuzzy Vodka,” the57-year-old Zoeller said, noting that Palmer has made a great deal of money inhis lifetime, so it won’t be a typical present come Sept. 10.
“Oh, there will be a small charge,” Zoeller joked. “It won’t be free.”
Zoeller said he tried to get Palmer to try his new spirit by hookingPalmer’s wife, Kit. Palmer plans to stick with his favorite.
“I got Kit on it,” Zoeller said of Fuzzy’s Vodka. “I thought the easiestway to get to the man is get to the wife. Kit really liked it. Arnold is a KetelOne guy.”
Associated Press Writer Keith Robinson contributed to this report.
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Mickelson to play in PGA Championship
July 29, 2009
CHASKA, Minn. (AP)—Phil Mickelson is coming back for the PGA Championship.
Event organizers confirmed that Mickelson will play in the season’s fourthand final major, which starts Aug. 13 at Hazeltine in this community southwestof Minneapolis. Mickelson is expected to return to the tour next week at theBridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Mickelson, who did not speak with reporters during Wednesday’s practiceround here, left the tour two months ago to be with his wife, Amy, who wasdiagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery July 1. At about that time,Mickelson learned his mother has breast cancer as well.
Before missing the British Open this month, Mickelson had the longest activestreak of majors played, at 61.
His presence at the PGA will add to a strong field that includes TigerWoods.
“Well, if he’s playing, things are going better at home,” Woods said atthe Buick Open in Michigan. “If things were not going well, then I don’t thinkhe’d play. So it’s a positive sign to see him out here playing.”
Jim Furyk said he was happy to have Mickelson back.
“Hopefully his wife is doing well, and I think the fact he’s coming out isa good sign that she is,” Furyk said after Wednesday’s practice round at theBuick.
In a statement on his Web site, Mickelson said he will also play in theBarclays Golf Tournament two weeks after the PGA Championship, “and if thingscontinue to go well I’ll be able to play more.”
Mickelson has struggled at Hazeltine as a pro, finishing in a tie for 34that the 2002 PGA Championship. When the course hosted the 1991 U.S. Open,Mickelson—then an amateur—tied for 55th.
On Wednesday, Mickelson looked relaxed as he walked the course with twoplaying partners and a small group of bystanders. He hit a long drive off the15th tee. After another strong drive on the par-4 16th, Mickelson’s approach tothe green landed 6 feet from the hole.
While waiting for the other players to catch up, Mickelson held a putter infront of him and bounced a golf ball. The putter betrayed him a few momentslater when his birdie putt lipped out, and he settled for par.
All the other holes were closed to media. Mickelson did not take questions.
Mickelson has played in 12 tournaments this year and won two, the NorthernTrust Open and the World Golf Championships-CA Championship. His last event wasa second-place finish at the U.S. Open in June.
AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report from Grand BlancTownship, Mich.
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Kerr seeks redemption at Women’s British Open
July 29, 2009
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP)—Cristie Kerr heads into the Women’s BritishOpen this week looking for redemption after a final-round collapse cost her theU.S. Women’s Open title last month.
The American took a two-shot lead into the final day at Saucon Valley butfaded with a succession of bogeys in a round of 75 and finished in a tie forthird. Eun-Hee Ji, of South Korea, took advantage of Kerr’s stumble to take thetitle.
“Yes, I should have won it,” Kerr said Wednesday. “But I didn’t play wellenough on Sunday to win. Yes, it was difficult. But you move on and you get overit.”
In 2007, Kerr won the U.S. Women’s Open. This year, the third-ranked playerwon the Michelob Ultra Open along with four other top-five finishes. She alsoleads the LPGA money list.
“Yes, I’ve had a great year so far,” said Kerr, who tied for second whenthis event was last played over the Royal Lytham and St. Annes course in 2006.
“I like links golf very much. This is one of my favorite layouts. I haveplayed here three or four times before,” she said.
Fellow American Paula Creamer’s push up the rankings has stalled this yearafter a sour stomach and thumb injury knocked her out of two events.
South Korea's Eun Hee Ji p… AP – Jul 29, 8:19 am EDT
She returned for the U.S. Open and finished sixth, then finished tied forfifth in last week’s Evian Masters in France.
“I’m starting to play really well now. I’m hitting the ball great and Ihave a lot of confidence with my putter,” she said.
The fifth-ranked player said her goal is to move up in the rankings.
“I have to be able to play some good golf to move up,” she said, addingthat the injuries have taken their toll.
“It has been very hard emotionally and physically. I want to play and be incontention every week and it’s very hard to withdraw. But I had to do it for mycareer in the long run.”
Michelle Wie’s career has had its ups and downs, most recently because of awrist injury sustained in 2007.
Wie says she has fully recovered, but has yet to win on the LPGA Tour in herfirst full season. This will be her last chance to stake a claim for a place onthe U.S. Solheim Cup team, which faces Europe from Aug. 21-23 in Sugar Grove,Ill.
“I think a win would make my life a lot better. I would love to play. Itwould be the greatest honor,” she said.
The role of favorite probably falls on defending champion Jiyai Shin, theSouth Korean who has also won four times since.
Second-ranked Yani Tseng of Taiwan is another player likely to contend,along with Ai Miyazato of Japan, winner of the Evian Masters.
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Mickelson confirmed for ’09 PGA
July 29, 2009
CHASKA, Minn. (AP)—Phil Mickelson will play at next month’s PGA Championship.
Organizers say Mickelson is confirmed as an entrant for the event atHazeltine in Minnesota. It’s the fourth and final major of the season.
Mickelson has been away from the tour for nearly two months as his wife,Amy, copes with breast cancer. He’s scheduled to play his first event back onthe tour next week at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Mickelson played a practice round Wednesday at Hazeltine, looking relaxed ashe hit a long drive on the par-5 15th and chatted with his playing partners.
Mickelson had played in 61 consecutive major tournaments before skipping theBritish Open. The PGA Championship starts Aug. 13.
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BRIEF-Golf-Women’s Open heading for Carnoustie and St Andrews (Reuters)
July 29, 2009
LYTHAM ST ANNES, England, July 29 (Reuters) – The women’sBritish Open Championship will be held at Carnoustie in 2011 andthe Old Course at St Andrews in 2013, organisers said.
“This is great news, though I think Carnoustie will be quitedaunting,” American world number five Paula Creamer said onWednesday. “But I’m already looking forward to the challenge.”
The 2010 Championship is scheduled for Royal Birkdale whilethe 2012 venue has yet to be decided.
Technology company Ricoh, who first backed the championshipat St Andrews in 2007, announced they have extended theirsponsorship of the final women’s major of the year until 2013.
(Reporting by Elspeth Burnside; Editing by Ken FerrisTo query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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The TOUR Insider: Why Tiger is teeing it up this week (PGATOUR.com)
July 29, 2009
GRAND BLANC, Mich.—Tiger Woods surprised a lot of people with his decision to play this week's Buick Open but, clearly, he knows what he's doing.
Woods needs to work on his game—and especially his driving—if he's to break through and win a major this year. After all, he's down to his last shot, in two weeks, at the PGA Championship. And there's no better course to test driving skills than Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, the home of the Buick Open.
Warwick Hills is a tree-lined course that puts an emphasis on getting the ball into the fairway. It's perfectly appropriate to have a tournament that carries the Buick nameplate challenge a golfer's driving skills, right?
Flying objects —- birdies and eagles —- are plentiful around Warwick Hills, so you can't blame Woods for taking a flying lap at what has become the game's most accommodating bird sanctuary.
Here, then, are 10 reasons why it's a good thing that Woods is playing this week:
1. One tournament's disappointment is another tournament's joy. When Woods missed the cut at the British Open at Turnberry two weeks ago, it changed the dynamic of his preparations for the upcoming slate of very big events.
Woods didn't play well at Turnberry. His game was lacking in too many areas and suddenly he found himself needing more tournament rounds. That was a big break for the Buick Open where, Woods acknowledges, the goal is to "get back on track."
2. Bob Seger. The iconic Detroit rocker was Woods' partner in Wednesday's Pro-Am. What better way to be inspired than Seger's rock 'n' roll hits. Woods can take his pick. Here are a few of the choices: "Shinin' Brightly." "Good For Me." "Turn The Page." "Clutch." "I Been Workin'." "Back in 72" (Holes?). "Still The Same."
There are more. Many more. But you get the idea.
3. The Eagle's Nest. Augusta National has Amen Corner. The Old Course at St. Andrews has the Valley of Sin. Warwick Hills has the Eagle's Nest.
The Nest is a three-hole stretch early on the back nine that allows golfers to go low. Really low. The 12th and 14th holes are reachable par 4s of 340 yards and 322 yards, respectively. The 13th is a 544-yard par 5 usually reached in two with an iron. Did somebody say 2-3-2? Eagle. Eagle. Eagle.
4. The Numbers. Low numbers. Every round at the Buick Open features low scoring. Some of it is ridiculously low. That's good for the soul and the confidence. Woods can look back at the history of Warwick Hills and take comfort that this is the time and place to "Turn The Page" on Turnberry.
In 1987, Robert Wrenn won the Buick Open with a 26-under-par 262 total. In the last 13 years, the winning score has been at least 20-under on seven occasions.
In 2001, Billy Mayfair, the 1998 Buick Open winner, shot 27 on the back nine—and didn't win. Kenny Perry, with back-to-back 64s, took the title. Need we say more?
5. Woods shares the Buick Open scoring record of 61 with Mayfair. Woods shot it in 2005—and he didn't win. Vijay Singh did. But Woods knows he can go low at Warwick Hills, where he has won twice (2002, 2006) and no doubt will have excellent vibes regardless of what happened in Turnberry.
6. Loyalty is a good thing. Woods and the folks at Buick had an excellent relationship for nine years before parting ways earlier this season because of the financial woes at General Motors. Buick has been a terrific supporter of the PGA TOUR in many ways for a lot of years. It's nice that Woods has come to give something back at a time and place that really needs the help.
7. More reasons for Woods to feel good about the Buick Open: He is the tournament's all-time leading money winner (averaging more than $320,000 each time he tees it up), has never finished lower than a tie for 11th and in his other seven starts at Warwick Hills has those two victories, two runner-ups and ties for third, fourth and eighth.
8. Emerald greens. Warwick Hills is in that top tier of courses that offer the most pristine scoring conditions. The greens are known throughout golf. They are unblemished and anybody who steps foot on them gets a warm, fuzzy feeling. The Warwick Hills greens promote outstanding putting and there's no better way to prepare for a major championship. For most of its existence, the Buick Open as been a stage-setter for the PGA Championship.
9. Milestones. Woods' victory at the Buick Open in 2006 was the 50th of his PGA TOUR career. Woods shot four straight rounds of 66.
10. Finally, Woods has played 32 rounds at Warwick Hills and has never shot above par. In the first round he played in 1997, his first full year on the PGA TOUR, he shot even-par 72. Every round since then has been 71 or lower.
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Golf-Wie mindful of Open hazards (Reuters)
July 29, 2009
By Elspeth Burnside
LYTHAM ST ANNES, England, July 29 (Reuters) – Michelle Wieis well aware of the hazards facing the field in this week’sBritish Women’s Open as she attempts to earn her firstprofessional win and seal a place in the U.S. Solheim Cup team.
The last time Wie competed in the Open at Lytham in 2006,the American fell foul of the rule book when she mistakenlytouched a loose impediment in a bunker. She was penalised acouple of shots and ended up in 26th place.
“This time I’m going to try and stay out of all thebunkers,” the 19-year-old told reporters with a broad smile.“They are definitely real hazards on this course. But I’mpleased to be back here and really excited about the week.
“There has been quite a lot of rain and the course is muchgreener than last time. It’s in perfect condition, but I thinkpar will be a really good score, especially if the wind blows.”
The Hawaiian has been an attraction on the LPGA circuitsince she first qualified for an event aged 12 but this is thefirst season Wie has been a full member of the Tour having comethrough the qualifying school last December.
It means she is eligible to be selected for the U.S. team totake on Europe in the Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms inIllinois next month.
“I would love to play Solheim, it is the greatest honour inwomen’s golf. A win this week would solve everything,” said Wie,who is 16th in the U.S rankings for the event.
This is the final week of qualifying. The top 10 areautomatically selected for the U.S. team and the final twoplaces will be picked by captain Beth Daniel.
(Editing by Alison Wildey
To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Tigers Woods to start busy stretch at Buick Open
July 29, 2009
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP)—Tiger Woods says he always planned to play inthree straight tournaments, starting with this week’s Buick Open.
Woods insisted Wednesday that missing the cut at the British Open andknowing he might not be able to make his regular appearance at Warwick Hillswere not factors.
He expects to be in the field next week at the Bridgestone Invitationalbefore taking his last shot to win a major this year at the PGA Championship inMinnesota.
General Motors Co. will end its half-century run as sponsor of the BuickOpen, a person briefed on the decision told The Associated Press this week. Theperson spoke only on the condition of anonymity because the announcement willnot be made until the tournament ends.
AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.
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