Seve a champion for those who refuse to give up
Very few of us can fully understand the hell that Seve Ballesteros is enduring right now as he attempts to conquer a brain tumour, a fight the legend solemnly refers to as “the most important shot of my life.”
We try to understand, oh how we try, but to most of us, we just can’t relate. We keep our fingers crossed as we read the updates of his progress and pray for the best but for the overwhelming majority of us, the words “cancer” and “brain tumour” are fears reserved for our nightmares.
His battle has become public, as much as Ballesteros himself wishes it were private. The five-time major winner updated the world on his progress Tuesday in the midst of his fourth round of chemotherapy.
“I’m not called Seve Ballesteros, I’m called Seve Mulligan because I’ve had the luck to be given a mulligan, which in golf is a second chance,” he said. “I’ve been given the mulligan of my life. The proof is that I’m alive, that I can do things, that I speak, I’m perfectly able to reason.”
He’s frail, he looks tired and run down, but he’s fighting, as champions always do, and right now that is all that matters.
There’s something about Ballesteros’ plight that has touched us. He is not the first to fight for his life, nor will he be the last.
No, we cannot relate to what Seve is going through. But we can relate to Seve, a man who, in his darkest hour, has become a champion for those who continue to fight when the odds stack against them. Somewhere, there is a youngster in a hospital bed, a grownup in chemo, fighting that much harder, because they see Seve doing the same.
He is one of them. Like he is one of us.
Most of us will never have to learn what it is like to endure chemotherapy, what it does to your body, to your energy, not knowing if you’ll wake up in the morning.
Others aren’t nearly as lucky.
“I’m fighting to win my sixth major,” Ballesteros said Tuesday.
And the one he, like us, will remember most.
Tim Finchem needs to play hardball with players
Fewer babies, it seems, have been kissed, fewer autographs signed and, despite Commissioner Tim Finchem getting down on bended knee to plead with his stars to add an extra weaker-field event to their 2009 schedule, players – at least those in the upper echelon of the world ranking – have, for the most part, turned a blind eye.
Now is the time for Finchem and company to drop the hammer.
Being, in essence, independent businessmen, PGA Tour players have the luxury of picking their spots where they want to make ridiculously obscene amounts of money. Got it. But, through Finchem’s eyes, shouldn’t there be an obligation -not a choice - to make an appearance at less-popular events and help out those who are footing the bill?
Of course there is and now it is time to play hardball, no matter whose feathers you may ruffle along the way.
Common logic, a little inconvenience be damned, suggests players can take one for the team, rub shoulders with a few sponsors that go out of their way to pad their bank accounts while helping ensure that said sponsor re-ups come renewal time. When you make millions playing golf, there isn’t a whole lot to whine about.
Paul Goydos can’t hide his sarcasm when it is suggested players clear some room in their schedule books for an event or two that, quite frankly, could use a little star appeal.
“Oh, no, we have to play another $6 million event. Poor us,” says Goydos.
It would seem somewhat easy to point the finger at golden boy Tiger Woods and perhaps even suggest that Woods, the premier drawing card in the sport, show up for an event or two that could use his help. But Woods has done his fair share of keeping tournaments afloat and that, combined with his endless charity work, recent recovery from surgery and the fact he is now the father of two, means the odds of adding to his annual schedule is a longshot at best.
Cross out Woods and Vijay Singh, if you will, since both are bound to have lingering effects from their respective surgeries and will have to ease their way back into game shape. Prior to Bay Hill, of the remaining 28 from the top 30 on the 2008 PGA Tour money list, 12 had played in fewer events than one year ago while another seven had played in the exact same number as 2008.
So, even at this somewhat early stage in the season, 19 of those 28 have ignored the request. Take that, Mr. Finchem.
Maybe the time has come for Finchem and Co. to red-flag a handful of tournaments that traditionally draw weaker fields. Say, for the sake of argument, ten events. A rule is then implemented that states a player must play in a minimum of three flagged events per season and –here’s the catch – the player cannot use any of those again the following year to meet his quota.
If a player selects tournaments A, B and C this year, he has to choose three between D and J a year from now.
Fail to live up to your end of the bargain results in a fine or, worse, your official earnings not counting on the money list.
Tough love, baby.
Should players continue to whine about wanting the week off before a major, make the decision for them. There are no tournaments, for anyone, the week prior to any of the Big Four. Everyone, or no one, gets the week off. Problem solved.
It’s time the tour ruled with an iron first with its players.
Maybe, for the most part, PGA Tour “superstars” don’t get it. But, with 18 tournaments up for renewal after next season, they may get it soon enough. They may be getting many more weeks off than they bargained for.
There are far too many sponsors getting gun-shy from seeing the world’s best take a pass on their tournament.
It’s time Finchem fired a warning shot of his own.
Anna Rawson and GoDaddy.com? You go, girl
Filed under the department of “if you’ve got a great smile and killer looks it doesn’t matter how many cuts you miss” comes news that Aussie looker Anna Rawson has been selected as the next GoDaddy.com girl.
And, let me guess, you are wondering what exactly is GoDaddy.com? Well, go ask your son.
For those uneducated in the land of domain name registrars – or, more likely, simply don’t care - GoDaddy.com is rolling around naked in millions while getting the fur up of pretty much every women’s rights advocacy group on the planet. Undeterred, GoDaddy.com continues to practice the “sex sells” logic by signing megababes, often wearing little clothing, as, er, company spokeswomen.
First it was Candice Michelle –kids, hide your eyes; gentlemen, hide your wives – racing cutie pie Danica Patrick and, most recently, poker babe Vanessa Rousso.
Next up is Rawson, who is extremely good at looking hot but not nearly as adept at making putts. She happens to be a runway model who is a decent golfer.
Let’s try to be subtle about Anna’s golf accomplishments: OK, hands up those of you that have won an LPGA event. Congratulations. That’s one more than Anna.
Said GoDaddy.com founder and CEO Bob Parsons of his newest recruit, “Anna is edgy, she’s hot, she’s outspoken.” Right you are, Bob. Remember, this is a gal who probably won’t be on the guest list for any future LPGA alumni functions after she blurted “they still think we’re at 25 years ago when the tour was full of, you know, a lot of dykes and unattractive females nobody wanted to watch.”
Oops.
One has to think that Natalie Gulbis would have been the first choice for GoDaddy.com, but she seems too busy trying to win golf tournaments to get caught up in this kind of thing. Well, between tapings of Celebrity Apprentice, anyway.
Chances are the next choice was Anna Rawson.
And that is probably the first time ever “next choice” and “Anna Rawson” have been used in the same sentence.
GoDaddy.com proved their point. No one cares how many championships you have when you are plugging a product in skimpy clothing.
Which is why most of us will be watching.
Ten to watch at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
There’s a lot to be said about the law of averages, isn’t there?
Here we are, a few weeks before Augusta and Tiger Woods is making his third start since having his wonky knee reconstructed. So far, underwhelming would be a pretty adequate word to describe Tiger’s return, at least by Tiger’s standards.
Next up on the Tiger Tour is the Arnold Palmer Invitational where, incidentally, he is the defending champion, one year after knocking down a 25-footer on the final hole to avoid a playoff with Bart Bryant, of all people. It was the fifth time in nine years that Woods finished atop the leaderboard here.
So is the outcome a foregone conclusion? It’s Tiger vs. everyone else?
Not exactly.
Common sense suggests Woods is going to hit his stride and probably sooner rather than later, but this is no pushover field. If Woods is on his game, he would have to be considered the favourite here, for obvious reasons. But he’ll have to work for it, not only against a pretty impressive starting grid, but also a course that won’t be yielding too many birdies.
Bay Hill is a layout that likes to bite back, and you need no further proof than last year’s winning score of 10-under. The three finishing holes are among the toughest on the golf course, meaning this is a tournament that is probably not going to be decided until the final moments.
Here are ten players we feel could be in the mix come late Sunday:
1. TIGER WOODS
Hey, mama didn’t raise a fool. Say what you want about Tiger being off his game, about rust, about anything, but he is still the one to beat here. And there is nothing wrong with his length or his ball striking, two musts at Bay Hill. Defending champion and five wins here since 2000. It’s not all that wise to bet against those types of numbers.
2. NICK WATNEY
Seven for seven in cuts made with a win, runner-up and four additional top 25 showings so far in 2009. To date, 15 of his 28 rounds have been in the 60s. He is also sixth in driving distance, which should serve him well this week. Watney is on a roll, and we’re on board that bandwagon.
3. RETIEF GOOSEN
Finally broke a four-year winless skid last weekend at the Transitions. Has four top25 finishes in nine starts at Bay Hill and seems to be coming around this season. Can the Goose once again make a push towards rejoining golf’s elite? A strong showing here could see the whispers grow a little louder.
4. SEAN O’HAIR
Probably has a bit of a chip on his shoulder after arriving at Innisbrook as defending champion and leaving early after missing his first cut of 2009. Prior to last week, his 2009 ledger looked like this: 4th, T12, T25, T10, T5, T13. Those numbers aren’t by accident. O’Hair will have something to prove this week, and coming off a third here a year ago, he should be right in the mix again.
5. KENNY PERRY
Consistency has once again been a Perry trademark in 2009: zero missed cuts, a win with three top tens on the side. Oh, and did we mention he won here four years ago?
6. VIJAY SINGH
Coming off surgery of his own, Vijay’s return has been overshadowed by that of some other guy. Singh has been very un-Vijay-esque, and yes, we made that word up, so far in 2009. Had to pull out last week because of his knee, which probably isn’t the best of signs. But Singh has played here 16 straight seasons and won at Bay Hill in 2007. Eventually, he is going to return to form. Remember what we said above about the law of averages? That’s all you need to know.
7. PADRAIG HARRINGTON
Paddy isn’t exactly tearing it up in 2009, having played on the weekend in three of five starts without yet cracking the top 20. Why would we even consider going with him, you ask? Well, we know Paddy’s recent history in majors and this week should feel somewhat like a major. With The Masters looming, Harrington should start revving it up anytime now.
8. HUNTER MAHAN
Mahan has made the cut in all five stroke-play events, finishing in the top 17 twice. Solid, albeit unspectacular, season so far, but we can’t ignore the fact Mahan was sixth at Bay Hill in 2008. Should he find his touch, Mahan could vault himself into the top ten at Bay Hill.
9. MIKE WEIR
He may not hit the ball a long way, a definite disadvantage at Bay Hill, but will take what the course gives him, which won’t be much. Posted a second and a third so far this year, so Weir seems to be riding momentum in 2009. If he can get his irons working for him, it may make up for his lack of length off the tee. Hasn’t won since late 2007, so an argument can be made he is overdue.
10. BART BRYANT
Huh? This must be a typo, right? Uh, no. Bryant was second here a year ago, one shot shy of taking Woods to a playoff. Patience is everything at Bay Hill, and Bryant has enough of it to be considered a darkhorse this week.
Now you too can help Sergio Garcia dress himself
Tailor-made, if you’ll pardon the pun, for those with far too much time on their hands comes a promotion where fans giggling teenage girls will actually get to dress Sergio Garcia.
OK, so you don’t get to “dress” him in the literal sense, as in helping him pull up his drawers and making sure the shirt is ironed. You simply get to vote on an outfit for him to wear.
Really. For round two of THE PLAYERS Championship. Three outfits, and fans get the privilege of voting on which one Sergio will don. Marketing genius, I say.
And they call it a “first of its kind promotion.”
Yes, it’s a “first of its kind” because, well, it’s not all that creative, hence why no one has thought of it before.
Not surprisingly, a green jacket is not one of the choices. Seems there is no reason to punctuate Sergio’s inability to close out a major of any kind.
“This is a really fun promotion, and I’m excited that it’s part of THE PLAYERS Championship week when I’m defending my title” said Garcia in a press release. “I trust my fans to pick out a great outfit that will provide good luck for me during the second round. I can’t wait to see which outfit wins.”
Gag. Sure you can’t. Red adidas shirt, orange adidas shirt or blue adidas shirt. Exciting stuff. It’ll be tough, but try to get some sleep the night before, OK, Sergio?
Forget the attire. Why not try a promo a little more up his alley. You know, something like How To Blow A Major, where fans can vote on just how Sergio will choke away another Sunday lead. Ball in the water? Three putt? Snap-hook a drive into the trees on 18? Miss his tee time? Marketing 101, people. Expand that target audience.
And, get this, they are going to announce the winner in the media centre after the opening round of THE PLAYERS. Now, in case you have never been in a media centre at a sporting event of any kind, let me try to put this as subtly as possible: it’s probably not the place to hold the, uh, crowning moment is some hokey promo. No one in there really cares. Honest.
Dress Sergio? No thanks.
Let me know when they have a Dress Natalie Gulbis contest. Then we’re talking.
USGA bureaucracy bad news for pregnant Catriona Matthew
It seems the USGA needs a little more of a woman presence.
Apparently, there isn’t enough of the fairer sex inside the boardrooms of the U.S. of A’s governing body of golf.
Exhibit A: meet Scotland’s Catriona Matthew. You may have heard of her. She’s had a pretty impressive career and, oh yeah, she made quite a splash in January, winning the LPGA stop in Brazil while five months pregnant.
Apparently, the stuffed shirts at the USGA figure whoop-de-doo.
Now, Matthew has an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open but seeing how the tournament is being staged about five weeks after she is set to give birth, she stands more of a chance of becoming Octomom II than playing in that championship. So Matthew requested that, given her condition – or, in other words, the bun in the ol’ oven – she be allowed to extend her exemption a year to the 2010 Open.
Sounds logical, right? But at times, logic is the USGA’s kryptonite.
“They turned me down, saying it would set a precedent they don’t want to set,” Matthew told John Huggan of The Scotsman. “Their thinking was that, if they gave it to me, they would have to give the same thing to men whose wives were having babies.”
Just when you thought you’d heard everything when it comes to the USGA comes news that, no, they don’t know the difference between men and women.
A precedent? What, are they expecting Phil Mickelson to go into labor? Is a lesson in the birds and the bees in order for the most powerful organization in North American golf?
There is a slight difference between a new mother being able to physically resume work after the birth of a child, not to mention the profound dependency the child has for mom. Daddy can spark up a stogie, shake a few hands, kiss mommy and baby and be on the first tee a few hours later.
So until men are able to breast feed, go under the knife for a c-section or have a baby the – ouch – natural way, precedent is just a fancy word. Nothing else.
Truth be told, the denial of Matthew’s request could be less about, um, precedent and more about who she is, no offense intended.
Not to suggest that the USGA, ahem, plays favourites, but imagine, if you will, the newly-pregnant Annika Sorenstam owning a one-off exemption into the U.S. Women’s Open and making the same request? Somehow, I think there would be a little more of a debate.
Catriona Matthew wowed the golf world a few months back, winning a golf tournament while five months pregnant.
It appears you can colour the USGA unimpressed.
Furyk slump perplexing, Wie makes right decision and Tiger going Down Under…for a fee
If the PGA Tour played every event in Canada, Jim Furyk wouldn’t have to worry about droughts, money lists or world rankings.
Heck, he wouldn’t have to worry about much.
But seeing how the tour only travels north of the 49th once annually, Furyk is out of luck and is instead caught in a drought that is one of the more perplexing in all of golf.
For a player who usually has his irons dialed in with the precision of a radar gun, you would think he would be making, at the very least, a couple of victory speeches a year.
Don’t look now, but in four months it will be two years since Furyk won an official event on tour, taming Angus Glen for his second of back to back Canadian Open crowns.
With no Tiger, no Vijay, no Phil, no Paddy to put a damper on things this week, you’ve got to like Furyk’s chances at Innisbrook, but haven’t we heard that before?
Coming off a third last week at Doral, Furyk kept it going Thursday, posting 65.
So far, so good, but one day does not a tournament make.
One thing is for sure: Furyk is long overdue to close one of these things out.
***
Can anyone really blame Michelle Wie for signing with sports marketing goliath IMG? Wasn’t it really just a matter of time?
When Wie signed with the William Morris Agency before her 16th birthday, many assumed one of the deciding factors was the rumoured low cut the agency took on endorsement deals.
IMG will presumably take a much heftier piece of the pie, but there is little doubt she is in the right hands now.
Truth is, part of an agent’s responsibility is guidance, and helping with career decisions that act in the best interests of the client, in this case Wie. One could make the valid argument that her previous handlers, with more than a little help from B.J. Wie, set Wie’s career back a few years.
Now that she has a full-time gig on the LPGA Tour, she has put herself in position to cash in both on and off the course and, for once, live up to that potential bestowed on her.
Her jump to IMG couldn’t have been scripted any better, and the timing wasn’t at all an accident.
***
Apparently the economic pinch isn’t being felt Down Under.
Seems the Victorian government is going to pay Tiger Woods $3 million – half of it courtesy of the taxpayers – to play in the Australian Masters this November. Stuart Appleby says it is a “no-brainer”, but you may have a tough time convincing many Aussies of that.
Tiger is the biggest selling point in golf, sure, but doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to rob Peter to pay Paul, does it? Yeah, we know, the Aussie economy will get a significant boost with Tiger in the field, but how practical is it to give Woods an appearance fee that will be more than ten times the number scrawled on the winner’s cheque?
This will be the first time Woods will play Down Under since 1998. The question is would he show if not for a $3 million carrot being dangled in front of him? Probably not.
And that appearance fee, rest assured, will be the catalyst for plenty of hand-wringing and finger-pointing in Australia over the next several months.
Ten to watch at the Transitions Championship
Goodbye PODS, hello Transitions Championship.
New name, but unfortunately for the field in Tampa Bay this week it’s the same unrelenting course, Innisbrook Resort’s intimidating Copperhead layout, which ranked the eighth toughest in terms of scoring average relative to par a year ago. Only nine players finished with a red number in 2008.
The track will test, and sternly, every aspect of a player’s game. If a player can’t do everything right, he’s not winning here. It’s that simple.
With many of the world’s best taking the week off, this would have to be considered a B-field at best but, as always, there is plenty of talent competing for a healthy $5.4 million purse. Defending champion Sean O’Hair (pictured) is back to put his crown on the line while two-time winner K.J. Choi will be gunning to knock O’Hair off the perch this week.
Here are ten players we figure are worth keeping an eye on in Tampa:
1.SEAN O’HAIR
Defending champion, and a guy on a serious roll? Why wouldn’t we go with him at Innisbrook? Has finished inside the top 25 in all six starts in 2009, with three top tens. Tough to ignore numbers like that, especially with the reigning champ. We like O’Hair to be right in the mix come Sunday.
2. K.J. CHOI
Already a two-time winner of this tournament, Choi has to be considered one of the favourites this week. Has but a single top ten this year (T3 Northern Trust Open), but has not missed playing on the weekend in five stroke-play events. With a somewhat watered-down field, Choi could take centre stage.
3. JIM FURYK
Hasn’t stepped into the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour since the summer of ’07 – and Canadian fans should know where that was – which in itself is a bit of a mystery. Recorded top ten showings at both recent WGC events, which may be a sign that he is starting to come around after a rather mundane start. Furyk is able to grind his way around Innisbrook better than most, so don’t be surprised if he snaps his skid this week.
4. KENNY PERRY
Still waiting for Kenny Perry to slow down, aren’t you? You could be waiting a while. Has a taken home a cheque in every event this year, including a win at the FBR Open. In six stroke play starts, has four top tens. We’re betting he makes it number five this week.
5. ADAM SCOTT
Maybe he is just spending too much time with Kate Hudson, which would throw anyone off their golf game. Apart from a T2, Scott has been very ordinary this year but we figure it is only a matter of time.
6. ZACH JOHNSON
Went off on a tear to start the year with finishes of T6-1-T12 but has cooled off a little since. Still, can’t overlook him at Innisbrook and, with the Masters getting closer, Johnson is out to prove once and for all his green jacket in 2007 was no fluke.
7. STEVE STRICKER
If Stricker can get it rolling on the greens here, as he often does, he will be a factor once the weekend rolls around. Has been in the top 23 in five of six starts, with a second and third for good measure. We can’t ignore numbers like that.
8. JOHN SENDEN
T17, T50, MC, T27. Those are Senden’s results in his past four starts, so why are we going with him this week? Well, he’s placed second here in each of the past two years, that’s why. Innisbrook seems to bring out the best in Senden, and that’s enough to sell us.
9. TROY MATTESON
A rather vanilla season for Matteson so far but, like Senden, took a share of second here last year. Expecting a win at Innisbrook might be a stretch, but don’t be surprised is Matteson more than holds his own again.
10. RETIEF GOOSEN
Came out of the blocks quickly last week with a share of the opening round lead at Doral before free-falling to 66th. He’s still got the touch, but he may want to try to keep it for four days instead of one. It’s still the Goose, though. If he gets it rolling, look out.
Steve Williams? Phil here…how are things?
Hey Stevie, my boy,
Whasssup, my favourite laborer? It’s Phil here, or as you may be more inclined to call me, the p—k. You may want to refer to me as the-p—k-with-two-more-wins-than-my-guy-this-year.
LOLZ! I have no idea what that means, but it sounds funny and you know better than most, I’m a funny guy.
Now, I’ve got to be honest, I’m surprised you’re still employed after your very public snafu a few months back, but hey, that Tiger’s a swell guy, huh? I know he was a little disturbed by your diatribe, but don’t sweat it. You’ve still got a job. Me, I would have made sure you were dressing up as Chuck E. Cheese at kids’ birthday parties, but different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Anyway, just wondering if you had a chance to watch any golf Sunday? Specifically moi? I figure you caught some of the final round in the clubhouse, seeing how you guys had an early day. That is the beauty of the weekend in our sport. If you play crummy enough for the first couple of days, you are done by early afternoon on the weekend. Sometimes you don’t even have to work Saturdays and Sundays. Great gig we have, huh? Pay’s not as good, though. Life sometimes sucks, I guess.
You should have noticed me at Doral, even if you had to grit your teeth and cuss while doing it. I was pretty easy to recognize. I was that guy holding the big fat cheque at day’s end. Just for good measure, I was treated for heat exhaustion and hit a shot right-handed. In case you aren’t aware, I’m a southpaw in golf.
Even you have to admit, that’s impressive. No?
Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m the #2 player in the world right now, beer gut and all. Tell Tiger not to bother looking in the rearview mirror anymore. Check the side window.
Won’t keep you long, Stevie. Just wanted to let you know how sweet life is right now. And to remind you you’re an idiot. Until you start hitting shots for keeps, you are a non-factor. The guy that signs your cheques, you know, the best player in the world, he’s a factor. He doesn’t need you running your mouth off. So for his sake, do what caddies are supposed to do: show up, keep up and shut up.
Tell Tiger looking forward to seeing him soon, if he can get a tee time late enough on the weekend.
See you at Augusta. Was hoping to have Tiger put that green jacket over my shoulders again, but I forgot. He doesn’t get that gig this year.
Love,
Lefty
Sergio missing a major, Stenson missing his clothes
Given Sergio Garcia’s impressive dossier of the past year or so, there is little debate he ranks among the best players in the world.
But when it comes to an heir apparent to Tiger’s throne, however brief that reign may be, it seems to me they’ve got the wrong guy.
Yep, much to the glee of teenage girls everywhere, not to mention card-carrying members of the Anti-Anthony Kim Fan Club, there is a chance, as remote as it seems, that Garcia could be the world’s number one ranked player come Sunday afternoon.
That in itself exposes just how flawed the Official World Golf Ranking is.
Not to take anything away from Garcia’s sterling run, but something is amiss when Garcia is ranked ahead of Padraig Harrington. Garcia may have won the PLAYERS Championship last spring, finished second in three of his final five PGA Tour starts in 2008 and won the European Tour’s HSBC Champions, but without a major, there should be plenty of alarm bells going off should Garcia take over top spot in the near future.
The simple fact is major championships carry an awful lot of weight when it comes to the rankings. Considering Harrington has won three of the past seven and Garcia is 0-for-majors in his career, seeing the Spaniard ranked ahead of the Irishman is a little perplexing.
Now that isn’t to say that Trevor Immelman or Zach Johnson warrants consideration for number one, but when it comes to majors, it’s all about quantity, baby. And Harrington has that covered.
Garcia had the good fortune of hitting stride during the FedEx Cup prior to his win at the HSBC, while Harrington gets it done in majors. I ask, which is more important?
Of course, Harrington’s albatross is, outside of the four flagship events in golf, he hasn’t done a heck of a lot more.
But he’s still done enough to be ranked ahead of Garcia.
***
One of the stranger sights you’ll ever see in this wacky sport came Thursday when Henrik Stenson stripped down to his skivvies to avoid getting the duds caked in mud during the opening round of the CA Championship.
There he was, standing in all his glory – almost – playing the third hole at Doral. Two things come to mind: either Stenson had a shower while waiting on the third tee, or it was an unseasonably chilly day in Florida.
No word yet if anyone tried to cram a five-spot in his boxers. Or if Stenson used a, uh, wedge.
Fairways Web Editor Marty Henwood spent more than six years as the Media Relations Director with the Canadian Tour and has been involved in sports journalism for more than a decade, including stints in newspaper, radio, new media and media relations. He will offer his unique take on the world of golf, with nothing and no one off limits.