Before the start of the year, I predicted five wins and at least two majors for Tiger Woods in 2011. It's still early and I am going to stick with my prediction for now. But let's pose the question.. IF Tiger Woods goes winless in 2011, how fast will Sean Foley be kicked out of the Tigers' "circle of trust"? What if I take it one notch further, and Tiger Woods gets through the four majors at the end of August and has no wins. Will Sean Foley be kicked out before the year is even … [Read more...]
Tiger Woods is Now the Player Shooting Final Round 75’s
I am sitting here watching the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic, although I already know who won. It wasn't Tiger Woods. In fact, Tiger had a horrible Sunday. He shot a 3-over 75 in his quest to win for the first time in over a year. Tiger Woods is no longer intimidating on Sundays. It used to amazingly simple for Tiger to go into the final round of a tournament behind by one stroke and come out with a victory. The players ahead of him used to see his name near the top and choke it … [Read more...]
How Much Would It Cost Me to Add Front9Back9 Golf Blog to Tiger Woods’ Golf Bag?
Tiger Woods is one of the most, if not THE most, recognized athlete in the world. Along with that notoriety of being the #1 athlete in the world, comes major wealth. So what would you be willing to pay Tiger Woods to promote a product for you? Nike pays him a reported $25 million yearly to wear a swoosh on every piece of clothing he owns. Gatorade, AT&T, Tag Heuer, and Accenture have all paid him millions each year to say their product is the best. But none of these numbers compare … [Read more...]
Front9Back9’s Golf Picks & Predictions: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
I'm stuck with a dilemma right now with my golf predictions for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. On one hand, Dustin Johnson is a two-time champion here at Pebble Beach and then played the U.S. Open pretty well right up until the weekend. On the other hand, how can I look past Phil Mickelson this week who is practically smirking at me daring me to pick him. I also said a couple days ago I was benching Phil for a bit. So what is one to do? With my "A" team pick this week, I am … [Read more...]
Mark Wilson Won in Phoenix, Did You See It? I Didn’t..
During my "real" job today, Mark Wilson won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in the second playoff hole over Jason Dufner, notching his second victory of the year in only three events. The play ended today because of the long frost delays Thursday-Sunday, which forced a Monday finish. Mark Wilson took a big lead in the Fed Ex Cup points race, but it's still early in the year. Two Gloves Gainey? If you wondering what happened to him over the weekend? Well he triple bogeyed the 17th hole … [Read more...]
Front9Back9’s Golf Picks & Predictions: Waste Management Phoenix Open
Alright, here we go, week five of Front9Back9's Golf Picks & Predictions. Last week I sucked, so now it's time to redeem myself. My promise to you: At least one week this year, I am going to pick the winner with my golf picks. And this is the week. Phil Mickelson- Great start to the PGA Tour season at Torrey Pines. Phil played great. It wasn't enough to overtake Bubba Watson, but I think Phil can redeem himself at TPC Scottsdale. Yes, Phil Mickelson is the easy pick, but I need to … [Read more...]
Bubba Watson Wins Big in San Diego
Tiger Woods is further off than anyone thought and Phil Mickelson made a damn good effort, but in the end it was Bubba Watson who birdied the 18th hole on Sunday to give himself a two shot cushion, which ended up being enough to get his second PGA Tour win. Mickelson hit his tee shot in the rough on the 18th hole and was forced to lay up. From the CBS camera angle behind Phil, it seemed he may have had a shot to go for the green, but in the end had to lay up, and then was forced to try and … [Read more...]
Waste Management Phoenix Open: Hot Sorority Chicks, Beer and Golf
Next week is the start of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. So let's be honest, why is this tournament one of the most attended events on the PGA Tour? It probably has mostly to do with the hot sorority chicks and cold beer rather than the golf that is being played. Let's not forget that Arizona State University is consistently ranked among the best party schools in America. Ask any of the sorority chicks what a "driver" is and they will tell you they need one to get them home safely. … [Read more...]
Phil Mickelson Poised to Start the Year Off in Style
I wrote yesterday that Phil Mickelson really seems to be feeding off the vibe of his wife Amy being in the gallery this week at Torrey Pines, and on Saturday it seems this to still be true. Phil shot a 4-under 68 yesterday in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open to take a tie for the lead with Bill Haas. Tiger Woods on the other hand, ended his under par streak yesterday at Torrey Pines by firing a 2-over 74. This was just the second over par round in 47 attempts, which is a pretty … [Read more...]
Tiger Woods and the Gang Have Farmers Title in Their Sights
At times yesterday, Tiger Woods looked like he's back. At other times, Tiger Woods looked like the hacks at the local muni on the weekends. On the front 9, Tiger Woods managed to hit it close and sink some putts, good for a 32. On the back 9, he made a mockery of at least three bunker shots and made me feel much better about my bunker game. He finished with three bogeys on the back, along with two birdies to finish, and ended his round at 3-under for the day and 6-under overall. Phil … [Read more...]
Front9Back9’s Golf Picks & Predictions: Farmers Insurance Open
Guess what?!?! Tiger Woods is playing this week. Well to be honest, if you didn’t know he was playing this week in the Farmers Insurance Open, you must have been under a rock since last week. Yes, Tiger Woods is back, playing at the same place he won his last major championship. Since that U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines in 2009, let’s just say Tiger Woods life has changed a bit. So do you have a pair big enough to take Tiger Woods as the favorite in this tournament? I don’t know if I … [Read more...]
Davis Love III vs. Jose Maria Olazabal: Who You Got?
Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal, two of the games most respected players have been named the 2012 Ryder Cup captains. Medinah Country Club outside of Chicago will be the setting for what is sure to be an epic event. The captain selections were really no surprise to anybody, ever since the rumors started swirling back in December that these two had already been notified they were selected. Davis Love III, the self proclaimed "players captain" vows to stay out of the way of the 12 … [Read more...]
The Resurrection of Tiger Woods: First Up, Torrey Pines
The headlines seemed to be dominated around mid-day today with word that Tiger Woods committed to the Farmers Insurance Open. While not such a big surprise, this will be his first tournament at Torrey Pines since he won that dramatic U.S. Open in 2009 on a broken leg. Woods has dominated Torrey Pines, winning the Farmers six times over his career, along with the 2009 U.S. Open. To be honest, I am pretty stoked about it. But which Tiger do you think we are going to see? In his last event … [Read more...]
Front9Back9’s Golf Picks & Predictions: Bob Hope Classic
The five round Bob Hope Classic starts today in La Quinta, and it’s time for a good week of picks. I have moved up a few spots in Devil Ball’s fantasy league, and need another good move this week. These players should get the job done for me this week: Charley Hoffman- This is the first tournament of 2011 for Hoffman, and I am looking for Hoffman to have a breakout type year. A win at the Hope will go a long way to start the year off right. Chad Campbell- In his first tournament of … [Read more...]
Mark Wilson Wins in Honolulu
Mark Wilson made a great par save on the 17th hole in the final round of the Sony Open to stay one shot up. Then after a few adjustments in the earlier holes, he hit driver in the fairway on the 18th and then 3-wood in the fairway again to leave a simple chip up and one part birdie to earn the victory. His 3-under round today was good enough for his third PGA Tour victory. Tim Clark had a great final round and finished in a tie for 2nd place with Steve Marino. Matt Kuchar also had another … [Read more...]
Maybe Dustin Johnson Is NOT My Idol After All
In the third round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions last week in Maui, Natalie Gulbis was seen following Dustin Johnson on the back nine on Saturday. When asked if her and Johnson were an item, she laughed it off and said "I will let Dustin handle our PR." Reports have been leaking out over the last few days that Dustin had to withdrawl from the Sony Open and fly back home to South Carolina to fix things with his actual girlfriend after the Natalie Gulbis reports started surfacing. … [Read more...]
27 Rookies Made the Start at the Sony Open, How Many Made the Cut?
Each year a fresh new set of rookies earn the chance of a lifetime to play along side the best golfers in the world on the PGA Tour. The path for most involve getting through all three rounds of PGA Tour Q-School. This week is the first full field event, and 27 rookies made their way to Honolulu for the Sony Open. The first round was washed out on Thursday due to rain and was pushed back until Friday. The second round was played yesterday and 36 holes will be played today to complete the … [Read more...]
Caddy For A Cure a Pretty Cool Auction
I was bumping around on PGATour.com and came across this article about the Caddy For A Cure program. Charley Hoffman has agreed to start off the program this year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open this year at TPC Scottsdale. The program works by fans going online and bidding for a chance to walk inside the ropes and caddy for a PGA Tour player during a round of golf. The program benefits numerous PGA Tour charities, including Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Birdies for the Brave, PGA Tour … [Read more...]
Front9Back9’s Golf Picks & Predictions
Week one of the 2011 PGA Tour season is in the books, and the players have now made the short hop over to Honolulu for the Sony Open this week. I am continuing to play Yahoo Fantasy Golf with Devil Ball Golf Blog and I started the year with 136 points overall, which is good for 54th points. This week I am going with the defending champion and and three other players who all played last week in Maui. Matt Kuchar- With a tie for fifth last week, Matt looks like he is mid season form. 2010 … [Read more...]
The Golf Channel’s Big Night of Premiers
The Golf Channel had it's big night of premiers, and I think I am going to enjoy both of these shows: The Haney Project with Rush Limbaugh and Pipe Dream. In typical Rush Limbaugh fashion, it looks like Hank had to go to West Palm Beach, FL to do the show. If I am not mistaken, I believe Ray Romano got on a plane and went to Dallas for the first show. The funniest part so far, during the commercial after the first segment, Rush started off warming up. He proceeded to hit one fat, and say … [Read more...]