Tag Archives: PGA

The Worst and Best of Times

It was the worst of times…then 7 days later, the best.

Last week, Kyle Stanley from Gig Harbor suffered a legendary meltdown. Stanley, a 24 year old PGA pro had a 5-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round. In fact, he still had a 3-stroke lead standing on the 18th tee. A waterlogged triple-bogey later, he found himself in a tie with Brent Snedeker, who won in a playoff.

Those meltdowns can have long-lasting effects on any player, much less a young guy looking for confidence.

Stanley showed what he was made of only a week later. On Super Bowl Sunday, Stanley was 8 strokes down. Stanley made five brilliant birdies in the last 6 holes to win his first PGA Tour event. Certainly, most of the sporting world was watching the Super Bowl. Regardless, of the lack of attention, Stanley made a huge statement that may define his future success.

It takes a lot of courage to be a professional athlete. Courage most of us who never have had the opportunity can even comprehend. What Stanley did in his “bounce back” showed a tremendous amount of courage and intestinal fortitude. Maybe it’s easier to do when you’re 24 years old, than if you’re 34 or 44. Doesn’t matter. He could have let that memory linger on for years or decades. He let it last less than week.

It definitely was, for Kyle Stanley, the best of times…

© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

FORE!

My favorite major golf championship is the Masters. There’s something magical about Augusta, azaleas, and Amen Corner. It seems every year, something special happens.

Strange that you may find it difficult to name the last 3 Masters champs. No Tiger, Phil, or Ernie (who has never won by the way). Steve Stricker is #2 in the world and hasn’t worn the green jacket. No Vijay, Boom Boom (Fred Couples) or Kenny Perry.

Nope. The last three winners are Zach Johnson, Trevor Immelman, and Angel Cabrera.  The Masters has become the major of choice for first time major winners.  Could that be the same again?

My early favorites out of the non-major winners are Ian Poulter, Stricker, and Anthony Kim. Kim, who won last week, played at Gold Mountain several years ago and came in second at the PNGA event. Kim is certainly an up-and-comer and a fun personality. Stricker has been nails on the tour the past three years, but hasn’t been able to crack the big one.

How about Tiger? Well, the odds are his game isn’t in shape yet to win. That being said, whenever he is counted out (not many by the way), he seems to do something special. Woods hasn’t won at Augusta since 2005. Something tells me his name will be on the first page of the leaderboard the last day.Personally, I’d like to see Tiger and Kim play in the final group. That would make for great drama.

OK…prediction time. I’m 1-1 on picks this year (and a bank shot away from 2-0). I’m going to go with Anthony Kim to win the green jacket ahead of Steve Stricker and Ian Poulter. Woods will play well in his return, but finish 5th. You heard it here first.

What do you think?

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Tiger’s Tale Continues…

I just watched the replay of Tiger Woods’ apology.  A few thoughts…

1 – It seemed sincere.  I felt like it was Arthur Fonzirelli trying to spit out, “I’m sooooorry…” all over again.  However, it appears genuine.

2 – We are still playing by Tiger’s rules. No questions, no questions in the future, he calls the shots.  That won’t change.

3 – Finally, we see his face.  It’s a good step.  Now he needs to get his life in order and get back to work.

4 – I really don’t care about his personal life. I do hope he and his wife work it out. I wouldn’t wish what they are going through on anyone.  I’m rooting for him to make it work.

5 – The PGA needs him desperately. No sport has ever needed an athlete more…not even Jordan and the NBA. He’d better hurry.

What are your thoughts?

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

The Tiger Soap Opera Continues…

ESPN has reported that Tiger Woods is at a sexual addiction clinic in Mississippi – Read the story

What do you think about this?  I think it’s part of the weird soap opera that is becoming the Tiger Woods story.  Whether this is a last ditch effort to try and save his marriage and/or his reputation, I don’t buy that he’s a sex addict.OK, I’m sure there are folks out there who are, but this is part of Tiger’s PR push.  If you thought Mark McGwire was phony (which I didn’t), what do you think of Tiger?

History is filled with celebrities and athletes that just basically think they are above the law and morals.  The bigger they get, the higher above the law.  Michal Vick, Plaxico Burress, Roger Clemens are all recent and prime examples.  Tiger’s no different.  Regardless of the fact he has a Swedish model for a wife, he believes that because he is Tiger Woods, he can do what he wants.  This isn’t about sex. It’s about power.

Babe Ruth was the iconic figure of his generation.  The Bambino was legendary for his escapades with women (he was married), booze, and the night life.  Tiger probably wishes the times haven’t changed. Babe Ruth would be all over the front page of ESPN today.

I believe this is a cover up to win good graces.  I think Tiger will be back by The Masters in April.  I agree with Geoff Ogilvy that he should talk before he walks the course.  I don’t think he will.  The Masters is an easy return.  The gallery police are pretty strict at Augusta.  Waits until he hits the U.S. and British Opens.

Dan

Extra Points:  It is reported that the Oakland Raiders are interested in Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh.  I have one piece of advice for him.  RUN. Don’t turn around. Run straight back to Palo Alto.  Even though I’m a Dwag fan, I’d never wish that on anyone.

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

The Daily Dan 12 Days of Christmas

(with apologies to the fine 16th century songwriters who penned this classic)

On the first day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me…Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the second day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me…Cliff Lee is now a Mariner and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the third day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the fourth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the fifth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the sixth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the seventh day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the eighth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the ninth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the tenth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, No Tiger on the Tour, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, the Seahawks need a GM, No Tiger on the Tour, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner, and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Daily Dan told me, Husky hoops to the Big Dance, the Seahawks need a GM, No Tiger on the Tour, one more year for Griffey, Jim Mora needs more “dirt bags,” Zduriencik is a genius, Emerald Downs is fun, Sark’s the new Dawgfather, Man I miss the Sonics, the Seahawks need an O-line, Cliff Lee is a Mariner,

and Jake Locker for the Heisman Trophy!

Merry Christmas!