Kill the Dinosaur

The '08 US Open was easily the most compelling golf tournament I have ever watched (until you pull out the VHS tape and go back to Tiger's showdown with Bob May, Payne Steward and Phil battling down the stretch at Pinehurst, or a myriad of other magical moments in the great game).

Tiger vs. Rocco was stunningly dramatic, oddly moving, and flat out terrific for the game.

But it doesn't negate the reality that for all parties involved, the USGA needs to give up the ridiculous 18-hole playoff format and adopt a resolution more sensible. I'm not the first to make this suggestion, and certainly won't be the last. But just imagine if the playoff had been between Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson - the 3rd and 4th place finishers last year. Would you have paid even the least bit of attention to a 2-man Monday playoff? NBC would rather air a highlight reel of Keith Olbermann foaming at the mouth in an inane tirade (as seen each evening on MSNBC, but I digress).

As a huge proponent of golf's great traditions, I love the bizarreness of Augusta's rules, the esteem held by all for the Claret Jug, ABC's horrible camera work at the British each year (are they having an earthquake?), and other indelible iconic elements in golf.

But the 18-hole playoff needs to go. Rocco and Tiger simply gave the concept a 1-year reprieve. Wait till the gripping showdown this year between DJ Trahan and Stewart Cink. You'll be begging for a 4-hole Sunday playoff.

Barnum & Bailey Golf Fashion Must Go

Ask most golfer to list the top golf apparel choices they usually consider and the roster will typically include: Ashworth, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Cutter & Buck. The styles being put out by these companies usually fit into a somewhat traditional mode, even with the recent burst of brighter colors arriving on the scene.

I also understand that our Euro friends have a different fashion flair that has been on display since way back when Jesper starting eating volcano dust. Skin tight, neon bright, goofy looking duds have been the norm for Euros for quite some time.

Having said that, what on earth can explain the fashion choices of today's Tour winner, Brian Gay? Bringing back slacks from circa '78 is a real head shaker to me.

I'll readily admit to being far out of the fashion loop. If it wasn't for the kind folks at Ashworth dressing me for the past several years, the only fashion statement I'd be making is "I dress in the dark." But thanks to the wise folks in Carlsbad, I'd like to think that the clothes we wear on TV/Radio appearances would have some appeal to the audience. (Make no mistake, I am NOT suggesting the wearer of the clothes flatters them in any way; just that the clothes are quite sharp.)

And then there's John Daly. I'm all for JD generating revenue in whatever legal ways he can find. His clubs haven't been paying the bills for quite some time and there is a long line of ex's with their collective hands out to take any penny he earns. But to sign the clothing deal with Barnum & Bailey and to schlep around in clown pants is demeaning even for golf's leading sideshow.

Yes, I understand the need to attract attention and be remembered. But I also thought the point was to help sell the product you are wearing.

Are YOU ready to shop where JD and Brian Gay shop?
Are YOU ready for the Watson/Nicklaus slacks from 1980?
Are YOU going to chuck your favorite shorts or slacks to end up in the skin tight neons?

Not this boy! I'll stick with Fred Couples and let my game provide the embarrassment, not my fashion.

JD Turning It Around?

You have to search long and hard to find any true golf fan who doesn't fear for the future of John Daly. Most of the people I talk to are bracing themselves for the day we all see the "breaking news" ticker at the bottom of the screen bearing confirmation of those fears in some sort of Belushi/Farley-like ending for JD.

None of us wants to see it happen but it's sort of like April 15th - whether you want the day to come or not is really not in our hands. Unless something drastic happens, the day WILL come.

That's why I find it so encouraging to see JD returning to the PGA Tour and making the cut in Memphis. Just being able to stick around for the weekend after being banished to the Island of Misfits is huge for the big fella, and whether you appreciate John's lifestyle choices or not, everyone has to be glad he will taste even a moderate amount of success and affirmation as he looks to turn things around.

Here's what I know - JD is a good hearted bloke who has made a long string of poor decisions about himself, relationships, behavior, etc. The list is known to all and not well concealed. But he also possesses an unusually attractive quality for the "everyman" golfer and we want to see JD do well.

So, good work, John. Congrats on sticking around for the weekend. Let this serve as a starting point and not as a conclusion to the recovery process that has years still to come.

Oh, and one more thing - Barnum and Bailey called. They'd like the clown pants returned.

Amazing

I know that rooting for Tiger Woods is sort of like pulling for the Patriots to beat the Lions - the win is going to happen regardless of my rooting and enthusiasm. That said, what Tiger did Sunday afternoon at the Memorial was simply amazing.

14 for 14 in fairways hit.
Only missed 7 fairways ALL WEEK!
Putted flawlessly on greens that ran 14+ on the stimp (faster than Augusta).

I'm not trying to gush here or lose my credibility as a crusty member of the media elite (the print guys who never ever leave the press center and actually set foot on the golf course they call home for the week), but we truly are watching history unfold when Tiger plays and wins. No player in my lifetime (or yours) has been as feared, as dominant, and as reliable in clutch situations. His recent final round collapse a few weeks ago made headlines because it just never happens.

So if you don't mind someone pulling for the favorite, rooting for Goliath, pulling for the titan to conquer yet again...I kinda like watching a legend grow while I'm around. It beats reading about it decades after the fact and wondering what it would have been like to see him play.