New hole at Memorial; overlooked rookie in Dallas

May 31, 2011

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP)—Jack Nicklaus is always looking for ways to improveMuirfield Village, and this year brings the biggest alterations in the last fiveyears.

The par-3 16th now features a large pond located short and left of thegreen. The green has been repositioned, too, tilting at an angle to allow moreshots to hold the green.

If nothing else, it’s a more intimidating hole with the water.

“With the prevailing wind, you have the ability to feed the ball back intothe green so you don’t have to worry about having to stop the ball as easily ifyou play a smart shot,” Nicklaus said. “And if the wind turns the other way,then stopping the ball on the green is not an issue. I think that works out verywell.”

David David Toms posses with the tro… AP – May 23, 11:59 am EDT Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

As for the water?

“I think there’s going to be a lot more 2s, there’s going to be a lot moreexcitement,” Nicklaus said. “I think you’ll find a lot of fairly conservative3s. And I think you’ll also find a few double bogeys that will come in there. Anerrant will not be rewarded and a good shot will be rewarded, which is what agood hole should be, anyway.”

Justin Rose made his final birdie on the 16th last year on his way towinning. Now he’s a bit more leery.

“I think 5 is more of an optional now than it ever has been,” Rose said.

SHORTER FIELD: Two changes in criteria have wound up costing Justin Leonarda spot in two big tournaments this year.

The U.S. Open used to take the top 15 players and ties from the previousyear. That was reduced to the top 10 for this year, which was bad news forLeonard, who tied for 14th at Pebble Beach.

Then there’s the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.

The World Golf Championship began in 1999 for only members of the mostrecent Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. It was expanded to include the top 50in the world, along with winners of top-rated golf tournaments around the world.

A change to reduce that field takes effect this year—only members of theprevious year’s team (Ryder or Presidents Cup) are exempt into Firestone. Forthis year, only the Ryder Cup team members are exempt. Leonard was part of thelast Presidents Cup team in 2009.

OVERLOOKED: PGA Tour officials hosted a midseason dinner last week at theByron Nelson Championship for the 2011 rookie class. They asked the players toR.S.V.P., for the night included a video montage that featured only the rookieswho were playing in the tournament, plus a pair of rookie winners in JhonattanVegas and Brendan Steele.

Alas, one of the rookies forgot to R.S.V.P., so he wasn’t included in thevideo. He wound up watching a video that included highlights of everyone at thedinner except him.

The rookie didn’t feel slighted. Besides, he wound up making his ownhighlight reel by the end of the week.

It was Keegan Bradley.

COUPLES’ SCARE: Fred Couples does not wear a glove, making it impossible tomiss 13 scabs on the top of his hands.

Couples was treated three weeks ago for skin cancer.

At the request of his girlfriend, Couples went to a dermatologist for acheckup. A few spots on his back turned out to be nothing. But right whenCouples thought he was in the clear, he said the dermatologist glanced at hishands and looked concerned.

Moments later, she froze them off, leaving 13 red marks on his hands.

Couples, whose back was so bad that he chose not to play the Senior PGAChampionship last week, is in the field for the Memorial. After this week, he isnot sure where he will play next.

DAY’S NEW HOME: Jason Day is moving to central Ohio, and he already has beenextended playing privileges at Muirfield Village.

But he’s not at the Memorial.

Tournament host Jack Nicklaus was surprised—first that Day had beenoffered playing privileges, then that the Australian was not playing in thetournament. Nicklaus was told that Day withdrew to take a break before the U.S.Open. He was not informed that Day’s wife had uterine surgery earlier this monthand has a follow-up appointment in Houston this week.

“We did?” Nicklaus replied when told that the club had given Day amembership.

His son, Jack Nicklaus II, told him that Day has playing privileges atMuirfield Village.

“He does and he’s not here?” Nicklaus said. As the room filled withlaughter, Nicklaus added, “We’ll take that away. I did not know that. DoesJason live around here?”

The Australian reporter said that Day’s wife was from Ohio, and askedNicklaus for a comment on Day’s performance this year. Day was runner-up at theMasters after closing with a 68.

“He’s a good player, and if he’s got a gal from … has he married a galfrom Ohio?” he said. “He should be here.”

SQUEEZING TALENT: Paul Goydos is amused when he hears people say he gets themost of his game.

“I’m not sure exactly what that means, quite frankly,” Goydos said. “Theguy asked me, ‘Who gets the most out of his game?’ I go, ‘Tiger Woods.’ The guywon 71 tournaments, 14 majors. If he’s not getting a lot out of his game … myGod.”

Goydos was not blessed with the same physical skills as Woods or PhilMickelson or Ernie Els. He says the secret is not getting more out of less, butsimply understanding limitations.

“You know your strengths and weaknesses, and try to stay where you arecomfortable playing,” Goydos said. “And I’ve been able to do that.Understanding what you do well, what you don’t do well, what you need to work on… it’s an individual sport. You really need to get the most out of what youcan do, and the first thing you have to do is an honest evaluation of who youare and what you’re capable of doing.”

DIVOTS: Steve Hulka filled in as Ryuji Imada’s caddie for the final round ofthe Byron Nelson Championship, and it raised an interesting question: If Imadahad won, would Hulka get the Cadillac that goes to the winning caddie. It didn’tcome to that, but Hulka had it figured out ahead of time. “All I wanted wasfour tires for my truck,” he said. … For the first time since 1974, the topthree players in Europe’s PGA Championship at Wentworth were from England. …Padraig Harrington has slipped to No. 50 in the world ranking. The last time hewas out of the top 50 was March 23, 2000. … Tom Watson has won more than $24million in his career, with $13.1 million of that on the Champions Tour. …Former USGA chief business officer Pete Bevacqua has joined CAA Sports to workin its golf division.

STAT OF THE WEEK: Four PGA Tour winners in 2011 were on the Nationwide Tourlast year.

FINAL WORD: “It’s not just a European winner. I can see a European beatinga European to win, like it was last year.”—Colin Montgomerie on hisprediction for the U.S. Open.

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Tour Report: Nicklaus thinks Woods will play Open (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Tiger Woods wanted to play in the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance this week. He really did.

After all, Woods is a four-time champion of the event hosted by the man whose records he so doggedly has pursued. Finally, though, Woods knew he had to make the call — literally as well as figuratively.

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Woods

The damage to his left knee and Achilles tendon — which caused Woods to withdraw after nine holes of THE PLAYERS Championship — still wasn’t healed. So Woods picked up the phone on Friday and called Jack Nicklaus.

"He said, ‘I tried up until today to see if I’m going to be able to come and play, but I can’t,’" Nicklaus recalled. "He said, I’m still hobbling, and he said, I don’t know whether I’m going to make the U.S. Open or not."

Nicklaus said he doesn’t know the extent of Woods’ injuries. But his gut tells him that Woods will play in the U.S. Open at Congressional in two weeks as he tries to get within three of Nicklaus’ record of 18 professional majors.

"I told Tiger when I was on the phone with him, which is the same thing I’ve said to him a thousand times, Tiger, nobody ever wants records to be broken," Nicklaus said. "That’s obvious. I mean, I don’t care who it is.

"But I certainly don’t want you not to be healthy and not have the opportunity to play to break records. I want you to get yourself healthy, do what you have to do to go play, get your golf game back in shape, and I wish you well, wish you good luck, which I would say that to any athlete and anybody, because I think that’s the way it should be."

New 16th should be a challenge

How/Getty ImagesThe 16th hole at Murifield Village will have a different feel than it did a year ago when Justin Rose birdied the par-3 en route to victory.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus had thought about it for five years. And with the Presidents Cup slated for his beloved Muirfield Village in 2013, he finally decided to go ahead and act.

The 16th hole, what was once an innocuous par 3, has now been made more dramatic with the addition of a pond to guard the re-positioned green to the left. Nicklaus made the change to strengthen the hole, which now plays about 14 yards shorter at 200, with the biennial matches in mind.

"I think that one of the things that really sort of pushed 16 was probably The Presidents Cup to some degree," Nicklaus said. "The reason for that is that when you go to match play, many matches finish around the 16th, 17th hole, and that area right there is obviously where things come together, and I didn’t like to see those matches finish on a weakish hole."

Nicklaus thinks the new 16th — which will be featured, along with the par-5 11th on PGATOUR.COM’s LIVE@ the Memorial coverage this week — could produce a lot more birdies, as well as a few double bogeys. In short, "there’s going to be a lot more excitement," he said with a sense of satisfaction.

"It’s a kind of hole that I think will probably play easier with a good shot under the prevailing wind," Nicklaus explained. "The prevailing wind is a westerly wind, southwesterly wind, that usually when we hit the ball before the green was sitting sort of this way, and I think a lot of shots hit in there went through the green very easily or into the back bunker, and I never really cared for the way the ball went into that green.

"So what I did is I took the green and put it more this way, which sort of lines up with the prevailing wind. And with the prevailing wind you have the ability to feed the ball back into the green so you don’t have to worry about having to stop the ball as easily if you play a smart shot.

"And if the wind turns the other way, if there’s no wind, then stopping the ball on the green is not an issue."

Justin Rose, who closed with a 66 to make up a four-stroke deficit, made the final birdie in his victory march last year at the 16th hole. He remembers hearing cheers for someone in the last group — Rickie Fowler and Ricky Barnes — and knew he needed to make something happen.

"When I made my birdie I figured I was maybe one ahead, so 16 was a pivotal hole for me and it could be even more so this year," Rose said. "It could be for other reasons. I think 5 is more of an option now than it ever has been in the past with that hole.

"It’s going to be tricky. That’s the one green being new, it’s a little firmer than the rest, despite the rain, and there’s going to be a little bit to think about on that tee, for sure."

Make your picks: the Memorial

DUBLIN, Ohio — PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance are now available. You can check out how the draft went this week by clicking here.

Now it’s your turn. Go to the comments form below and tell us who you’re picking this week and why. Justin Rose is back in Ohio to defend his title. Challenging him will be the top four in the FedExCup standings: Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, Mark Wilson and Nick Watney.

Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson are threats every week when they step on the golf course, and many of the contenders from a year ago (like Rickie Fowler, Ricky Barnes, Bo Van Pelt, Ryan Moore and Matt Kuchar) return to Murifield Village to make another run at a title.

Check out the field to see who’s playing and then let us know who you’re picking in our comments section below.

Muirfield Village drying out

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — You needed a boat, not a golf cart, to play Muirfield Village Golf Club last Thursday after nearly an inch of rain pummeled the prized property.

"We were actually saying it was Lake Muirfield," said Jack Nicklaus, the famed founder and architect of this signature layout.

Rose

Thursday’s deluge was on top of the more than 12 inches that had fallen in the greater Columbus area since the beginning of April. In comparison, that’s twice the total for the same two months last year.

With sunshine and 90-degree temperatures in the five days since the latest onslaught, though, Muirfield Village has recovered well. And the weather forecast appears to be cooperating for this week’s Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance.

"I went back out on Friday, and I was amazed," Nicklaus said. "I played the golf course, I thought the golf course was really pretty good Friday, then it just started getting better each week or each day. The golf course is terrific."

Defending champion Justin Rose played nine holes on Tuesday, then headed into the air-conditioning for his pre-tournament interview session. He agreed with Nicklaus’ assessment.

"(I) heard how much rain they’ve had, and no doubt the rough in some areas is a little squidgy, but the golf course is every bit as you expect it to be this time of year," Rose said. "Greens are looking fantastic, fairways are relatively firm considering it’s rained something like 28 out of 31 days or something crazy.

"Course is in perfect shape."

Nicklaus saddened by OSU situation

How/Getty ImagesJack Nicklaus, who played golf at Ohio State and dotted the i in script Ohio prior to a 2006 football game weighted in on the OSU football team’s situation Tuesday..

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus thought he’d get at least one question before the subject was raised.

Only on Tuesday during his annual press conference at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, “the” subject wasn’t Tiger Woods and his continuing pursuit of Nicklaus’ record of 18 professional majors.

No, the question on everyone’s mind here in central Ohio was Jim Tressel and his stunning fall from grace as the Ohio State football coach.

Tressel resigned under pressure on Monday as the fallout from an NCAA and university investigation intensified. The controversy dates back to December when six Buckeyes players were suspended by the NCAA for selling or trading uniforms and memorabilia to a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner.

Tressel at first had said he didn’t know anything about the players’ activities. Later, though, a Columbus lawyer, who was a former walk-on football player at OSU, produced e-mails that showed Tressel actually was aware of the situation as much as eight months earlier.

The resignation was front-page news in Ohio, as well as in USA Today. Tressel was a coach known for graduating players and running a competitive, clean program. So the fabric of half-truths and lies that unraveled over the last six months has taken on a life of its own in these parts.

Nicklaus grew up and still lives in Columbus and he played collegiately at Ohio State, which is about 20 minutes from Muirfield Village. So his opinions in this area are highly-regarded — heck, the Ohio State marching band was even at the course on Tuesday to help kick off the Memorial Tournament.

“My take on it is that it was no different than a father trying to protect his son, and if I had one of my kids that did what I thought was a fairly insignificant thing, I’d probably say, you know, Hey, we’re not going to worry too much about that. We’re going to try to just forget that,” Nicklaus said.

“Well, obviously the cover up was far worse than the act. And once you got the cover up, it became a situation where Jim had to say some things that turned out to be that weren’t exactly truthful. And so that’s where he got himself in trouble. … I feel very bad for Jim. He’s a nice man.”

Nicklaus played golf at Ohio State when the legendary Woody Hayes was the football coach. He acknowledged that the media scrutiny the athletic program was under has changed dramatically in the last 50 years.

“What would Woody have thought?” Nicklaus said, repeating the question. “I think Woody would have probably ended up doing exactly the same thing, but I think that maybe he wouldn’t have had a news media that no matter what happens gets on the news.

“I mean, when I was playing when Woody was coaching, we were not under a microscope. A little thing happened that passed. Today a little thing happens and it’s all over the world. I mean, it’s not an indictment of anybody, it’s just what it is.

“I think Woody would have protected his kids. He probably did protect his kids. Woody was a good man. I think Tressel is a good man.”

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Woods’ race to catch Jack depends on wounded knee

May 31, 2011

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP)—Jack Nicklaus doesn’t want Tiger Woods to break hisrecord of 18 major championships.

But he wants him to be healthy enough to try.

Nicklaus told him as much last Friday when Woods called to say that for thesecond time in four years, he wouldn’t be able to play in the MemorialTournament because of an injury to his left leg. Woods missed in 2008 whilerecovering from minor surgery to clean out cartilage damage in his left knee.This time the culprit is a combination of a minor knee sprain and his Achilles,which was bad enough to cause him to leave The Players Championship after onlynine holes.

Woods hopes to play the U.S. Open. Trying to win majors starts with playingin them.

“I don’t know the extent of his injuries,” Nicklaus said Tuesday. “I toldTiger when I was on the phone with him—which is the same thing I’ve said tohim a thousand times—‘Tiger, nobody ever wants their records to be broken …but I certainly don’t want you not to be healthy and not have the opportunity toplay to break records. I want you to get yourself healthy, do what you have todo to go play, get your golf game back in shape, and I wish you well.’

“I would say that to any athlete and anybody, because I think that’s theway it should be,” Nicklaus said. “But what his situation is, I don’t know anymore than what I read.”

It wasn’t long ago when Woods appeared to be a lock to not only catchNicklaus, but to break the most recognized record in golf.

He won his 14th major in the 2008 U.S. Open at age 32—Nicklaus was 35 whenhe won his 14th major—and even after reconstructive surgery on his left knee,Woods went into the weekend of the 2009 PGA Championship with a four-shot lead.He was two rounds away from winning No. 15, with Pebble Beach and St. Andrews onthe rotation the following year.

It all changed so quickly.

He lost the lead—and the PGA Championship—to Y.E. Yang. Then cameThanksgiving night and revelations of serial adultery, which led to divorce. Hehired a new swing coach. He is in the middle of a slump that once seemedunfathomable. He has fallen out of the top 10 in the world ranking for the firsttime in 14 years.

And now there’s another injury that makes Woods seem a lot older than 35.

For all that has gone wrong with Woods during the last 18 months, his healthmight be the most troubling—at least as it relates to his golf, and especiallyin context with Nicklaus.

Nicklaus won 70 times in 19 years on the PGA Tour before the first sign ofan injury.

“Physically, I was pretty darned good,” he said.

Two weeks after he won the 1980 PGA Championship at Oak Hill for his 17thmajor, he had to withdraw from the final round of the World Series of Golf atFirestone with a bad back. About two years later, his back flared up again atthe 1983 Masters and he had to withdraw early in the second round.

The first time he had surgery was in 1984, when he hurt his left knee whileplaying tennis.

“I went and had it operated on and I won the Skins Game 17 days later,”Nicklaus said. “So obviously, it wasn’t a very major operation.”

Woods already has had four surgeries on his left knee.

“I’m sure down the road it may be more difficult,” he said. “Buthopefully, I’ll be in a cart by then on the Senior Tour. But between now andthen, I should be pretty good.”

It’s that area between now and then that has become such a mystery.

Woods says the state of his left leg is not the “doomsday” he keepsreading and hearing about in the media. And don’t forget, it was only two monthsago that he shot 31 on the front nine of the Masters to tie for the lead untilhis putter failed him on the back nine and he wound up in a tie for fourth.

Asked to handicap Woods’ chances of catching him now, Nicklaus could onlyoffer, “I would have no clue.”

What amuses Nicklaus is talk that the chase is over, even if Woods doesn’tmake it to Congressional in two weeks for the U.S. Open, or plays in the othertwo majors that follow this year.

“That’s ridiculous,” Nicklaus said. “You guys control that. By the timeyou get through writing somebody off, they may as well go sell their clubs.Tiger is hurt. He hasn’t been able to play. By the time you get done with him… there’s 400 golfers in front of him. You know what I’m saying. It getspushed too far.”

Even if Woods were to go winless this year, he would still have the samenumber of majors that Nicklaus won at age 35. Nicklaus believes that a player inhis era was “old” in his late 30s. These days, he thinks “old” is over theage of 45.

If that’s the case, Woods has some 40 majors still to play. But that dependson his health.

“That 18 is our benchmark in our sport,” Woods said last week. “No onehas played the major championships better than Jack has. It took Jack over 24years to do what he did. I still have plenty of time, and I feel that goingforward, I’m excited about playing major championships and playing golf again.

“I just want to be healthy and solid,” he said. “And I feel like I cangive it a go.”

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Tour Report: New 16th should be a challenge (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

How/Getty ImagesThe 16th hole at Murifield Village will have a different feel than it did a year ago when Justin Rose birdied the par-3 en route to victory.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus had thought about it for five years. And with the Presidents Cup slated for his beloved Muirfield Village in 2013, he finally decided to go ahead and act.

"And if the wind turns the other way, if there’s no wind, then stopping the ball on the green is not an issue."

"It’s going to be tricky. That’s the one green being new, it’s a little firmer than the rest, despite the rain, and there’s going to be a little bit to think about on that tee, for sure."

Make your picks: the Memorial

DUBLIN, Ohio — PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance are now available. You can check out how the draft went this week by clicking here.

Check out the field to see who’s playing and then let us know who you’re picking in our comments section below.

Muirfield Village drying out

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — You needed a boat, not a golf cart, to play Muirfield Village Golf Club last Thursday after nearly an inch of rain pummeled the prized property.

"We were actually saying it was Lake Muirfield," said Jack Nicklaus, the famed founder and architect of this signature layout.

Rose

Defending champion Justin Rose played nine holes on Tuesday, then headed into the air-conditioning for his pre-tournament interview session. He agreed with Nicklaus’ assessment.

"Course is in perfect shape."

Nicklaus saddened by OSU situation

How/Getty ImagesJack Nicklaus, who played golf at Ohio State and dotted the i in script Ohio prior to a 2006 football game weighted in on the OSU football team’s situation Tuesday..

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus thought he’d get at least one question before the subject was raised.

No, the question on everyone’s mind here in central Ohio was Jim Tressel and his stunning fall from grace as the Ohio State football coach.

“I think Woody would have protected his kids. He probably did protect his kids. Woody was a good man. I think Tressel is a good man.”

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Tour Report: Make your picks: the Memorial (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

DUBLIN, Ohio — PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance are now available. You can check out how the draft went this week by clicking here.

Check out the field to see who’s playing and then let us know who you’re picking in our comments section below.

New 16th should be a challenge

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus had thought about it for five years. And with the Presidents Cup slated for his beloved Muirfield Village in 2013, he finally decided to go ahead and act.

"And if the wind turns the other way, if there’s no wind, then stopping the ball on the green is not an issue."

"It’s going to be tricky. That’s the one green being new, it’s a little firmer than the rest, despite the rain, and there’s going to be a little bit to think about on that tee, for sure."

Muirfield Village drying out

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — You needed a boat, not a golf cart, to play Muirfield Village Golf Club last Thursday after nearly an inch of rain pummeled the prized property.

"We were actually saying it was Lake Muirfield," said Jack Nicklaus, the famed founder and architect of this signature layout.

Rose

Defending champion Justin Rose played nine holes on Tuesday, then headed into the air-conditioning for his pre-tournament interview session. He agreed with Nicklaus’ assessment.

"Course is in perfect shape."

Nicklaus saddened by OSU situation

How/Getty ImagesJack Nicklaus, who played golf at Ohio State and dotted the i in script Ohio prior to a 2006 football game weighted in on the OSU football team’s situation Tuesday..

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus thought he’d get at least one question before the subject was raised.

No, the question on everyone’s mind here in central Ohio was Jim Tressel and his stunning fall from grace as the Ohio State football coach.

“I think Woody would have protected his kids. He probably did protect his kids. Woody was a good man. I think Tressel is a good man.”

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First-round tee times for Principal Charity Classic (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

First-round times. All times are local.

Principal Charity Classic Tee #1TimePlayers 8:10 amRobert ThompsonLee RinkerJeff Hart 8:20 amDavid PeoplesFrankie MinozaBobby Clampett 8:30 amTom PurtzerJoey SindelarGary Koch 8:40 amChien Soon LuRonnie BlackMark Brooks 8:50 amScott SimpsonMike McCulloughSteve Lowery 9:00 amVicente FernandezTom WargoHal Sutton 9:10 amCraig StadlerJohn MorseBlaine McCallister 9:20 amRod SpittleMike ReidKeith Fergus 9:30 amDavid EgerPhil BlackmarTom Kite 9:40 amMichael AllenMark McNultyBobby Wadkins 9:50 amTom Pernice, Jr.Lonnie NielsenLarry Nelson10:00 amJerry PateBrad BryantTed Schulz10:10 amHale IrwinFred FunkBen Crenshaw10:20 amNick PriceDan ForsmanLarry Mize10:30 amDavid FrostLoren RobertsGil Morgan10:40 amGary HallbergJeff SlumanMike Goodes10:50 amMark O’MearaJay HaasD.A. Weibring11:00 amJohn CookTom LehmanMark Calcavecchia11:10 amSteve PateJim Gallagher, Jr.John Huston11:20 amPeter JacobsenChip BeckPeter Senior11:30 amJim ThorpeMorris HatalskyWillie Wood11:40 amWayne LeviJay Don BlakeGraham Marsh11:50 amJoe OzakiTommy Armour IIIJ.L. Lewis12:00 pmBob GilderBruce FleisherTim Simpson12:10 pmFuzzy ZoellerBill GlassonKeith Clearwater12:20 pmTom JenkinsDana QuigleyOlin Browne12:30 pmRoger ChapmanJoe DaleyDamon Green

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Tour Report: Muirfield Village drying out (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — You needed a boat, not a golf cart, to play Muirfield Village Golf Club last Thursday after nearly an inch of rain pummeled the prized property.

"We were actually saying it was Lake Muirfield," said Jack Nicklaus, the famed founder and architect of this signature layout.

Rose

Defending champion Justin Rose played nine holes on Tuesday, then headed into the air-conditioning for his pre-tournament interview session. He agreed with Nicklaus’ assessment.

"Course is in perfect shape."

Nicklaus saddened by OSU situation

How/Getty ImagesJack Nicklaus, who played golf at Ohio State and dotted the i in script Ohio prior to a 2006 football game weighted in on the OSU football team’s situation Tuesday..

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus thought he’d get at least one question before the subject was raised.

No, the question on everyone’s mind here in central Ohio was Jim Tressel and his stunning fall from grace as the Ohio State football coach.

“I think Woody would have protected his kids. He probably did protect his kids. Woody was a good man. I think Tressel is a good man.”

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Fantasy Insider: the Memorial Tournament (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

If you thought that winning at Augusta National in a debut was difficult—it’s happened only three times at the Masters—try the Memorial on for size. Not since Roger Maltbie defeated Hale Irwin on the fourth playoff hole in the inaugural edition in 1976 has a winner broken through in his first visit, and that accomplishment was, of course, an automatic for no matter who won. Furthermore, Justin Rose became only the fourth winner in the 35-year history of the event to make the Memorial his first PGA TOUR victory. Keith Fergus (1981), Kenny Perry (1991) and Tom Lehman (1994) preceded him. And a PGA TOUR rookie has never emerged victorious at Muirfield Village.

So, what does this mean for fantasy gamers? It’s simple. Temper your expectations on guys like Byron Nelson champ Keegan Bradley, Gary Woodland, Jhonattan Vegas, Brendan Steele, Tommy Gainey, Kyle Stanley, Chris Kirk, Bobby Gates and others that will haven’t logged a single competitive round at Muirfield Village, despite how they might match up with the course profile. Even tournament host and course designed, Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus, didn’t win his first of two Memorials until his second appearance in 1977.

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Power Rankings Plus

11. Bubba Watson … Probably better suited for more wide-open tracks, but there’s enough elbow room tee to green for his benders. Plus, in the four (of five) cuts he’s made here, he’s finished from T23 to T34 in all. But bottom line, he’s a superb fit for par-72 Muirfield Village, ranking eighth in total driving (including second in distance), eighth in greens and first in par-5 scoring average.

12. Rickie Fowler … Came as close as possible here last year to becoming the first rookie ever to win the Memorial, and first since inaugural champ, Roger Maltbie, to hoist the trophy in his first appearance. Gunning for a wire-to-wire win, Fowler took a three-stroke lead into the final round, but ultimately settled for runner-up honors by the same margin to Justin Rose, who shot 66 to Fowler’s 73. During his close call, Fowler went bogey-free 17-under during a 53-hole stretch.

13. Aaron Baddeley … This will all depend on how well he drives the ball. He’s 134th in accuracy off the tee, but inside the top 30 in greens hit and stroke gained-putting. That approach has led to seven consecutive cuts made worldwide, including top 10s in his last two. Just one top 10 here in nine starts, but he’s never hit his irons as well as he is right now.

14. Steve Stricker … No top 10s in 11 career appearances here, but he’s performed exceptionally well on his new reduced schedule, with top 20s in each of his last five starts. Ranks 24th on TOUR in greens in regulation and fifth in strokes gained-putting.

15. Jim Furyk … The 2002 Memorial champ has posted top 10s here the last two years, but has now gone five straight weeks without a top 20. Group A is loaded this week, so you don’t need to take the plunge, but he still deserves this slot.

Power Rankings Distribution for Yahoo! (rank)

Group A … Matt Kuchar (1); Luke Donald (2); Nick Watney (3); Phil Mickelson (8); Dustin Johnson (10); Jim Furyk (15)

Group B … Hunter Mahan (4); Bill Haas (6); Jeff Overton (9); Bubba Watson (11); Rickie Fowler (12); Steve Stricker (14)

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Group C … Stewart Cink (5); J.B. Holmes (7); Aaron Baddeley (13)

Dark Horse (Yahoo! Group)

Bo Van Pelt (B) … The trendy pick of the week. He shared third place here last year (his second career T3 at the Memorial), when he carded a mere three bogeys all week, and arrives on the heels of a solo third in his last start at Colonial, where he finished T11 in greens in regulation, second in putting and T2 in birdies. Currently 13th on TOUR in total driving and 36th in GIR.

Rory McIlroy (C) … The missed cut in defense of his title at Quail Hollow was his first MC anywhere since last year’s U.S. Open. He placed T24 at Wentworth last week, and has had only two finishes outside the top 25 in his last 15 starts worldwide. Finished tied for 10th in his Memorial debut last year.

Webb Simpson (B) … Ranks 20th in total driving, 13th in greens hit and second in the all-around. Hasn’t teed it up since THE PLAYERS, so he’s rested.

Martin Laird (A) … Shared 60th in his first appearance here last year. Six top 10s in 2011, including a T10 in his last start at Colonial. Currently 24th on TOUR in total driving, 48th in greens and 43rd in strokes gained-putting. A sneaky option in Yahoo!’s Group A if you’re saving starts elsewhere.

Steve Marino (A) … Easily overlooked in such a deep field. Seventeen of the top 20 in FedExCup points are scheduled to compete, and Marino is one of them (17th). Three consecutive top 25s upon arrival. Also has top 25s in his last two appearances here. Ranks 20th on TOUR in total driving, 27th in greens hit and 20th in the all-around.

Brandt Jobe (C) … Returning to Muirfield Village for the first time since sharing fourth place in 2006. He’s an excellent fit given that he’s seventh in total driving and 23rd in greens in regulation. His T20 at last week’s Bryon Nelson was his fifth top 20 in his last 10 starts.

Kenny Perry (B) … The three-time Memorial champion has made the cut here in 17 consecutive starts. He’s placed inside the top 25 in five of his last six, including last year’s T17. His best finish in eight starts on the PGA TOUR this year is a T39 at THE PLAYERS, but if he qualified for the statistical rankings, he’d be 19th in total driving and 13th in greens hit. Still long enough off the tee to contend, too. A nice flier in deeper formats.

Yahoo! lineup STARTERS Group A: Matt Kuchar Group B: Rickie Fowler, Jeff Overton Group C: Stewart Cink BENCH Group A: Luke Donald Group B: Bill Haas; Hunter Mahan Group C: J.B. Holmes Yahoo! Stats SEASON: 3,024 points (10,802nd) … SPRING: 1,128 points (49,329th) ONE-AND-DONE: Matt Kuchar 2011 earnings: $1,990,448.17 DUFFER: Colt Knost 2011 earnings: $765,555.00

Robert Karlsson (C) … First appearance here since 1998. Took a week off after his T5 at Colonial, where he carded four rounds in the 60s, closed with a bogey-free 67 and suffered just five holes over par all week. Ranks 27th on TOUR in distance off the tee, so he’s still moving it.

Danger (Yahoo! Group)

Justin Rose (B) … It’s always difficult fading the defending champion anywhere unless there is a venue change, and he has three top-four finishes in six starts at Muirfield Village, but the Englishman has failed to post a top 25 in his last three events. He’s close, but his putting has prevented an appearance on the leaderboard since a backdoor T11 at the Masters.

Keegan Bradley (C) … The skeptic in me would like to see how he fares playing on the lead. The rookie was in the sixth-to-last group on Sunday and benefited from a series of shortfalls to backdoor his way into the playoff. It was a fantasy coup for those on board, but he’s a first-timer this week. Despite that he’s a pretty good fit at Muirfield Village (10th in total driving, 64th in greens), given the emotion following his breakthrough, simply making the cut this week would be a bonus.

Ryan Palmer (C) … Not saying it can’t happen or that he’s never been hot for a stretch, but the next time he follows a top 10 with another will be the first. Shot 5-over 73-72 on the weekend at the Bryon Nelson before losing in the playoff on the first hole. He hit 24 greens and still needed 64 putts in his last 36 holes. Also, his best finish in four tries at the Memorial is a T39 in 2006.

Gary Woodland (C) … Certainly one of the guys on the short list of first-timers that could sit atop the leaderboard on Sunday—he’s 19th in total driving and 16th in greens in regulation—but give him one appearance before revisiting in 2012. Also coming off a stinging 81 on Sunday at the Byron Nelson that shoved him outside the top five into a share of 49th.

Ryan Moore (C) … A tough call given that he’s posted three top 10s in five starts here, including a T5 last year, but I’m hedging conservatively based on his recent indifference. Hasn’t competed since THE PLAYERS, where he finished T33 for his third consecutive result outside the top 30. He also entered last year’s Memorial with a poor, three-event stretch, but I always prefer him at the more classic tracks on TOUR. And plenty remain on the schedule.

Medic! (Yahoo! Group)

Alex Cejka (C) … Withdrew after one round at last week’s Byron Nelson. It was his third WD of the year. But before duffer leaguers hop aboard, consider that he made the cut in both starts following his previous two withdrawals. Also owns a 4-for-5 record at the Memorial.

Graham DeLaet (B) … Making his 2011 debut on the Nationwide Tour this week. Depending on how it goes, he just might tee it up at next week’s St. Jude Classic. The Canadian has been sidelined since having back surgery on Jan. 3. He’s fully exempt via last year’s top 125 on the money list.

Joe Affrunti (C) … In the field at the Nationwide Tour’s Melwood Prince George’s County Open. Would be his first start anywhere since the Valero Texas Open in mid-April due to rotator cuff tendinitis in his left shoulder.

Bernhard Langer (n/a) … In the field at the Champions Tour’s Principal Charity Classic. Hasn’t competed anywhere since mid-March due to surgery on his left thumb.

Notable WDs (Yahoo! Group)

Brian Gay (A) … Withdrew on Tuesday. Hasn’t played the event since 2001 and not a great fit at Muirfield Village anyway.

Andres Romero (B) … Ended a five-week stretch with missed cuts in both events in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Tom Lehman (C) … Teeing it up at the Principal Charity Classic on the Champions Tour instead.

Jose Maria Olazabal (B) … Also withdrew from last week’s BMW PGA Championship after seven holes. He was 5-over at the time.

Rob Bolton is the freelance fantasy columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.

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Tour Report: Nicklaus saddened by OSU situation (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

How/Getty ImagesJack Nicklaus, who played golf at Ohio State and dotted the i in script Ohio prior to a 2006 football game weighted in on the OSU football team’s situation Tuesday..

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus thought he’d get at least one question before the subject was raised.

No, the question on everyone’s mind here in central Ohio was Jim Tressel and his stunning fall from grace as the Ohio State football coach.

“I think Woody would have protected his kids. He probably did protect his kids. Woody was a good man. I think Tressel is a good man.”

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 11

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Establishment (Jim Furyk) vs. Youth (Bubba Watson) (PGATOUR.com)

May 31, 2011

One of the themes for the 2011 PGA TOUR season is the competition involving the younger players and the established ones. How will the veteran players—those with significant TOUR experience and long-standing championship pedigree—fare against the hungry up-and-comers who are looking to nudge their way into the TOUR’s elite?

Each week, PGATOUR.COM will select two players and analyze their chances heading into the tournament. We’ll then track which player has the better score for his team, and keep a running team tally throughout the year.

This week for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance we’ve selected Jim Furyk, who won the FedExCup last year, and Bubba Watson, who currently leads the standings in the hunt for the $10 million bonus.

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ESTABLISHMENTAGE: 41 YEARS ON TOUR: This is his 18th year on the PGA TOUR. He has won 16 PGA TOUR events, including three last year when he won the FedExCup. OVERVIEW: Furyk has been one of the PGA TOUR’s steadiest players since turning pro in 1994. He won for the first time in his 62nd start at the Las Vegas Invitational—the finale to the 1995 season. Furyk needed just six more starts to win again at the United Airlines Hawaiian Open, and the man with perhaps the TOUR’s most unconventional swing has been a consistent winner ever since. Prior to last year’s FedExCup championship, Furyk’s best season was 2003 when he won the U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, tying the 72-hole record, and followed with a win at the Buick Open. He also won twice during the 2006 season before ending a three-year victory drought in a big way with a PGA TOUR Player of the Year campaign in 2010. Furyk edged K.J. Choi by one stroke at the Transitions Championship, then parred the first playoff hole to beat Brian Davis at the Verizon Heritage. His win at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola secured the FedExCup and its $10 million bonus for Furyk, who started the event ranked 11th in the standings.HISTORY IN THIS EVENT: Furyk won the 2002 Memorial Tournament, closing with a 65 that included a chip-in birdie at the 12th hole and an eagle from the front bunker on the par-5 15th. His two-stroke victory over John Cook and David Peoples is one of six top-10s at Muirfield Village, two of which were runners-up.OUTLOOK THIS WEEK: Given his record at the Memorial, Furyk always has a shot. He’s had a solid, if unspectacular season, to date, though, with two ties for ninth his only top-10s. Furyk’s got the same fairways-and-greens game, though—ranking 13th and 34th, respectively, in those categories—so he could be a threat. YOUTHAGE: 32 YEARS ON TOUR: This is Watson’s sixth full season on the PGA TOUR and he leads the FedExCup standings. He has won three times, all of which have come in the last 11 months.OVERVIEW: The affable Watson is one of the PGA TOUR’s free spirits. He was one of the first to engage his fans on Twitter and he delights in making off-the-wall videos like the one that earned him a guest appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Don’t be fooled, though. He’s also a talented player who is known for his length but underappreciated for his ball-striking ability. Consider this: Watson currently ranks second on TOUR in driving distance and first in greens in regulation. Watson’s first victory was an emotional one last year at the Travelers Championship where he made up a six-stroke deficit with a final-round 66 and beat Scott Verplank and Corey Pavin in a playoff. He tearfully dedicated the win to his father, Gerry, who was dying of cancer, and his wife Angie, who had been misdiagnosed with a brain tumor. Watson later lost to Martin Kaymer in a playoff at the PGA Championship and played on his first Ryder Cup team. The 2011 season has been just as exciting with Watson making birdie on the 72nd hole to beat Phil Mickelson at the Farmers Insurance Open in his third start of the year and beating Webb Simpson on the second hole of sudden death at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.HISTORY IN THIS EVENT: Watson has played in the Memorial Tournament five times but has never posted a top-10 finish. That said, he has only missed one cut and twice has tied for 23rd.OUTLOOK THIS WEEK: Watson has been one of the TOUR’s hottest golfers this season—joining Mark Wilson as the only two-time winners. His combination of length and accuracy with his irons should be a good fit for Muirfield Village, as long as his putter (he ranks 130th in strokes gained-putting) cooperates. Tee timesTee Times for Furyk, Watson Jim Furyk is playing his first two rounds with Mark Wilson and Jonathan Byrd at Muirfield Village. They tee off from the first tee at 12:43 p.m. on Thursday and the 10th tee at 7:53 a.m. on Friday. Bubba Watson is paired with Keegan Bradley and Justin Rose. They tee off from the 10th tee at 7:53 a.m. ET on Thursday and the first tee at 12:43 p.m Friday. For all tee times, please click here Here are the results of the previous matchups this year Score/Finish Tournament Score/Finish Steve Stricker 20 under (T-4th) Hyundai TOC Dustin Johnson 14 under (T-9th) Ernie Els 4 under (T-42nd) Sony Open Jason Day 8 under (T-20th) Stewart Cink 5 under (MC) Bob Hope Classic Bubba Watson 7 under (MC) Davis Love III 5 over (MC) Farmers Insurance Open Rickie Fowler 5 under (T20) Angel Cabrera 7 under (T-49th) Waste Management Phoenix Jhonattan Vegas 2 under (MC) Padraig Harrington 2 over (T63) AT&T Pebble Beach National Dustin Johnson Even (T55) Jim Furyk 1 under (T35) Northern Trust Open Louis Oosthuizen 3 over (T62) Vijay Singh 9 over (MC) The Honda Classic Anthony Kim 7 over (MC) Luke Donald 11 under (T6) WGC-Cadillac Championship Jhonattan Vegas 2 under (T31) Sergio Garcia 7 under (T15) Transitions Championship Matteo Manassero 6 under (T20) Phil Mickelson 1 under (T24) Arnold Palmer Invitational Graeme McDowell 9 over (MC) Fred Couples Even (T60) Shell Houston Open Gary Woodland 10 under (T13) Tiger Woods 10 under (T4) The Masters Martin Kaymer 6 over (MC) Justin Leonard 2 under (T30) Valero Texas Open Anthony Kim 7 over (MC) Jim Furyk 5 under (T21) The Heritage Jason Day 7 under (T9) David Toms 7 under (T18) Zurich Classic of New Orleans Brandt Snedeker 2 over (MC) Phil Mickelson 10 under (T9) Wells Fargo Championship Bubba Watson 3 under (T48) Tiger Woods Withdrew THE PLAYERS Championship Charl Schwartzel 6 under (T26) Paul Goydos 5 under (T10) Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Jason Day 3 under (T31) Vijay Singh 5 over (T27) HP Byron Nelson Championship Nick Watney 1 over (T8)