By now, I'm going to assume that everybody has heard or read the disgraceful post-round interview by Kelly Tilghman with Matt Every, who had just had his best round as a PGA Tour member. A round that set him up as the overnight leader going into the weekend of the Sony. (If not - here is a YouTube link to it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWnqIDI9Y9s )

This was a short 3-minute interview - not a long form sit down. There was not going to be enough time for in-depth discussion (Tilghman should know better - Strike 1) - and as it came off, Tilghman didn't even take time to get the story right. Every was not suspended for an illegal substance, he was suspended for conduct unbecoming. (Strike 2 on Tilghman) Here's where you might see a wasted pitch, but the overly aggressive Tilghman couldn't help herself and forced the issue. After Every plainly said he was done with the issue, Tilghman went right back at Every with another question on the subject. Strike 3, you're out.....left up to me, Tilghman would be on the next single oar outrigger to Orlando. (no such luck)

Post round interviews are basically round recaps, how did it go, are you ready for tomorrow, etc etc etc. They are generally where sound bites come from.


You can bet that the PGA Tour had a few words with xxx Golf Channel people about this ambush. The Tour is very protective of its players. Xxx Golf Channel has pretty much tried to sweep the interview under the rug, trying to deflect all attention onto Every. The interview is not posted on their web site, only an edited (read "sensored") media center session that eliminated 10 questions asked about the Tilghman interview. (PGATour.com did the same thing).

Here are the 10 questions and answers:

Q. You brought up the incident at Deere. Not as much talk about what happened but how it has affected you over the remainder of that year, and obviously you only had‑‑ did you have like Disney was all you had to try and keep your card?
MATT EVERY: Yeah.

Q. And then how you focused on that or what you did to kind of get that behind you.
MATT EVERY: Those three months that I was off, I did practice a lot for Disney, but I mean, how much can you really expect having a three‑month layoff trying to‑‑ I think I had to finish probably top 5 or top 10 to have any kind of status for the next year.
As far as putting it behind me, though, I have other stuff that is important to me. I didn't really‑‑ I was pissed for sure, like for probably a good month, but then after that, it was kind of like‑‑ I didn't write off Disney and say, I already know I'm not going to get my status. But I kind of in the back of my mind was like, okay, we're going to have to go to Q‑school this year and try and get it, but I didn't. So then I was on the Nationwide, and once I got my card through the Nationwide last year, I kind of feel like it's completely behind me now.
I felt like my penalty for getting in trouble was not only the three months but being on the Nationwide Tour last year.

Q. Why were you upset?
MATT EVERY: A lot of reasons, man. I was upset at myself. I was upset at‑‑ there's some stuff I can't talk about, but I was pissed at the way it was handled. I don't know. I'm not a‑‑ I don't do drugs. It was a crappy deal, man. Wrong place, wrong time, perfect storm, and you know, I got three months out of it. It's over with. I'm not mad at the TOUR. They did what they had to do. I totally understand it. But it's over with.

Q. Did you have to make a lifestyle change at all because of that?
MATT EVERY: No, man, I'm married, I've got a kid on the way. I'm not like this party animal.

Q. I'm not suggesting that, but maybe the guys you might have hung with or something like that?
MATT EVERY: No, I still hang out with the same people. I have great friends, man. If one of my friends likes to smoke marijuana every now and then, I'm not going to say, well, you can't be my friend anymore. Honestly, man, I know more people who smoke marijuana than who don't smoke marijuana. I know that's probably not the politically correct thing to say, but it's the truth. It's not a big deal to me. Like I don't frown upon people doing that stuff. I don't do it, but I don't frown upon it.

Q. You lost for me a second when you said you were upset about the way it was handled. It got me thinking that you didn't like the way the TOUR handled it, but then you said you're not upset with the TOUR at all. What part of the handling things did I miss there?
MATT EVERY: Well, the‑‑ I don't think the police handled it very well. But whatever. And the TOUR, too, man, if they would have thrown a month at me instead of three, that would have been nice.

Q. Did you think the punishment fit the crime?
MATT EVERY: Probably, but there's nothing I can do about it now. We're all under the TOUR. I'm not bigger than the TOUR, never will be. It's their call, and I did it, and it's over with.

Q. Is it a stretch to say that once you got back to‑‑ once you paid your penalty of Nationwide essentially, which I think is correct, that you look at this as a second start at all, this season?
MATT EVERY: Yeah, I honestly kind of feel like a rookie out here this year, because I was doing just fine until I got to Hilton Head. I broke my finger, six weeks there, then I get back and I was out for like two weeks, then get in trouble, there's three months. My rookie year was cut‑‑ I still almost kept my status and played half the tournaments that everybody else played. I feel like it was a pretty good year for me. I just didn't get to play much.

Q. Is there any question in your mind if you hadn't been off for those three months that you would have kept your card?
MATT EVERY: Oh, man, I would have been‑‑ well, if I didn't break my finger I think I would have kept my card, even if I got those three months, because I was playing really well. But I can't‑‑ I mean, that's not fair for me to say. Everyone can say, oh, if I would have done this.

Q. But you felt like you were playing well enough could have kept it?
MATT EVERY: Yeah. I mean, yeah. There was plenty of tournaments left. And the tournaments I missed were New Orleans, huge purse; Charlotte; TPC; Byron Nelson; Colonial. I was in all of those. And then I got four starts last year. No offense to these tournaments, they're great, and I'm going to play them this year, but I get Puerto Rico, Mexico. That's not really that fair, but whatever.

(http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=76811)

Tilghman has been a part of xxx Golf Channel since day one - she SHOULD know better than to try to get away with things like this - but at this point, I don't think she cares. I believe that she, like way too many other members of our power-happy media prefer the mantra "it's better to ask forgiveness than permission" than to doing things the right way. I think she beileves that the golf channel watching public doesn't care enough to remember reprehensible ambushes like this, much less react to them in a significant manner. I think she probbaly believes, as do many media and marketing people, that there is no bad publicity. As long as people are talking about what you did, it's good. (nonsense in my book)

Geoff Shackleford was pretty turned off by the interview as well. His article about it is worth reading, as are the comments. There are some pretty funny things to read there. (http://www.geoffshackelford.com/)

Matt Every is a good guy who put himself in a dumb situation. Kelly Tilghman is typical media - always ready and willing to embarrass a player...a player not named Tiger, of course.

I don't know how many of you have favorite songs, or even a playlist you take along to the range to help with rhythm and tempo, but I came across a new song that has been great for my putting and short game shots.

It's a song called "Welcome to America" by Kevin Rowe. (Kevin is an up and comer who has been in the Atlanta area for about a year from England...and is a golfer) Even better, you can download it for free at http://kevinrowe.com/fr_home

What are some of your favorite tunes to help get you into a good rhythm while hitting balls ?

Spent a couple of hours at the local PGA Tour Superstore and it turned out to be my lucky day. The Wilson and Exotics reps were there with their new lines.

The new Wilson Ci-11 irons are sweet ! Black finish with a high tech looking cavity. Looks like it's between a traditional sized head and a midsize, very nice top line. The ball really took off in the simulator. If you've hit the Taylormade 2.0 irons, they felt similar. Didn't get to hit the new superlight driver. Someone else had been in earlier, demo'd it, and talked the rep into selling it to him at full retail on the spot. A demo. They won't be out in most markets until March or April, but it looks like a strong seller.

The Exotics rep had the new XCG5 line. Like their earlier lines, the woods and hybrids are cannons. The new driver has a 40 gram shaft, and it seems easier to get up in the air than earlier models. For you fans of strong 3-woods - how about a 10.5* 3-wood ? The new hybrids are defiinitely players clubs. They flattened the face, so you really have to work hard to hook the ball. For low ball flight guys like me, it's not an ideal club, but if you're a high ball hitter wanting to bring it down a bit, or don't want anything on the left side of the fairway, this could be for you.

If you're in the loop for new clubs, you might want to hold off a few months so you can try these...maybe ask for a gift certificate in the stocking instead of a box of clubs under the tree.

They're just 18 holes into The Emerates Australian Open, but I was fairly impressed with Tiger's play on Thursday....that's Australia's Thursday, of course.

He ddin't overreach or play unneccesary shots with the driver.  He controlled his trajectory well in the wind.  His distance control was solid with just a couple of noteable misses - especially the tee shot at #9.  He didn't try to fight the wind to pull off a hero shot.

On and around the greens, he chipped well and his putting showed definite improvement.  In his last few starts, we saw Woods miss the hole by several inches on some relatively short putts.  In the first round, his misses were lip outs instead of complete misses. 

Since I noted the tee shot at the par 3 9th that flew the green - the recovery was spectacular to keep his roll of bogey free holes going.  And how about that lag putt on #10 with all those twists and turns and hills ? 

A few times you could tell he was disappointed with his play when he slumped his shoulders or gave some other negative body language.  He hasn't made a bogey, and that's bound to happen on a course where the weather is going to affect his score somewhere along the way.

All in all, I'm pretty impressed with Tiger's progress since his last start at the Frys.  I'm sure Chip would have a more professional and technical breakdown of Woods' play, but I am encouraged to this point....and I'm sure Captain Fred is as well.

xxx Golf Channel is having their on course people give some "Bold Predictions" for 2012 on the PGA Tour broadcast today.

Billy Ray Brown's list included Tiger and Butch getting back together, and Kenny Perry winning the Champions Tour Player of the Year.  Kelly Tilghman seems to think Butch said that would never happen, though I can't recall him being quoted as saying that.  And why not Kenny Perry for PoY ?

The one that drew the best reaction was "Patrick Cantlay will win The Masters".

The reaction ?  Peter Oosterhuis said, "I think he's just trying to annoy us."

I almost fell out of my chair laughing.  CLASSIC, Oosti !

Sort of.

Hot Dog Guy's name is Brandon Kelly, and he claims that he was trying to do something "courageous and epic" to inspire Tiger Woods.  He says that his inspiration was watching the movie "Drive". (just out a few weeks ago and pretty close to being gone from theaters in my area already)  I haven't seen it, so I don't understand how a guy who drives getaway cars is an inspiration to throw a hot dog at a golf tournament.

This genius also thought he could run onto a green occupied by Tiger Woods, armed with a hot dog (no word yet if he had a carry permit...hey..it's California....people think hot dogs are dangerous carcinogens out there), with TV cameras and dozens of still photographers, other media types, and who knows how many other phones with video cameras....and nobody would notice...including the marshals and armed security people....and remain anonymous.

Luckily for Kelly, he was only given a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace and released before the crime was fully investigated.  Turns out he had posted a picture on his Facebook page of a hot dog in his hand while driving to CordeValle Sunday morning. 

Yes - it's true - this was a premeditated weinering.

True - none of this makes sense - and it doesn't seem like Kelly wants to give a full explanation. About all I can see that this does is to reinforce the old joke about California being "the land of fruits and nuts".

Here's a link to the story posted on the PressDemocrat.com :

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111011/ARTICLES/111019911?p=1&tc=pg&tc=ar

I didn't know there was such an organization - not sure that I'll gain any sleep now that I do know - but they responded publically to the attempted assault with a frankfurter on Tiger Woods yesterday, calling it a "reprehensible" use of a hot dog.

I dare you to try to read this with a straight face:

"The use of an iconic food in an act of violence against an iconic golfer like Tiger Woods is reprehensible -- and a violation of hot dog etiquette. Some might call the thrower a 'wiener,' but we'd say that's too high a compliment," said Council President Janet Riley. "Hot dogs are meant to be enjoyed -- not weaponized."

Told you it couldn't be done.

For more information about proper hot dog etiquette, visit www.hot-dog.org.

Don't know if any of you are fans of "The Big Bang Theory", but each episode ends with what is called a "vanity card", written by series creator and writer, Chuck Lorre.  This week's episode had this card that, humorously, sums up why we can't look away at things like Tiger Woods' life crumbling around him....or not...I just thought it was funny...

Chuck Lorre Productions, #353

 

“I have long believed that we as human beings are genetically inclined to elevate and worship those of us we deem to be very beautiful or very talented.  We do this because we are somehow comforted by our adoration.  It makes us feel good.  As children we sleep beneath the images of movie, TV, music, and sports stars and dream about the mystery and grandeur of their lives.  As adults, the posters come off the wall, only to be replaced by a steady, noxious stream of tabloid culture.  But perhaps most enjoyable of all is watching the fall from grace.  Nothing beats a good ol’ public crucifixion.  Especially when it’s self-inflicted. My theory for why this is considered entertainment is, again, a genetic one.  DNA, even if it’s mediocre, wants to ensure its own survival.  The existence of superior DNA is viewed as a threat.  When beautiful and talented people screw up, we can’t help but feel that this somehow improves the chances for our mediocre descendants to eat meat.  In other words, evolution my ass.”

I had really hoped this would be avoided after such an exciting finish in Ireland.  What was I thinking ?  I didn't get to bed before hearing the question on xxx Golf Channel and ESPN. 

"Who's to blame for the American loss in the Solheim Cup ?"

And when I heard the actual discussion, it went pretty much where I expected it to go - straight to Rosie Jones.  Why ?  Because there was nobody else to blame and they had to check that box off from the list of cliche team sports topics.

Can't blame Michelle Wie - she's cute and had a big emotional response to making a putt. (Nevermind that she missed the green at 18 with a lob wedge, and gave Cristie Kerr a sore back the first day)

They tried to blame Cristie Kerr, but she's injured and you can't get mad at the girl who's crying.  Rich Lerner gave it his best shot when he interviewed Kerr.  He had already talked with Rosie Jones and the interview with Kerr sounded more like a prosecuting attorney cross examining a key witness.  "Rosie said.....  Is that the way it actually went ?"  Eventually, he crossed the Firestone Line and got her to cry, which may have been the entire idea of the interview.

Should she have told Captain Rosie that the wrist was hurt worse than she was letting on ?  Perhaps.   The media will always say yes, but they're not champion athletes, and champion athletes always want to be in the game.  Rosie Jones can't be in all places at the same time.  She didn't see Kerr shaking her wrist when she had to play shots from the rough.  She knew the wrist was sore - it was taped and she was icing and taking anti inflammatories.

I watched Kerr shaking and rubbing her wrist and my first thought was that Jones would pull her from day 2, or at least from the four balls so she would only have to play half the shots.  Rosie knew the wrist was sore, but she coudn't have known how hurt it was, and it might not have been as bad on Saturday night as it was when she woke up on Sunday.

Couldn't possibly be that the Europeans just flat out WON the cup ?  Sure looked that way to me.  Shots get made and shots get missed.  Pressure gets to some and inspires others.  That's the way sports works - someone wins and someone loses.  Pointing fingers is a ridiculous waste of time...especially in this case.

Do you suppose anybody from Puma is watching the Oklahoma State v Arizona State game tonight ?  Any chance they are thinking "Oklahoma State DOESN'T dress in solid orange ?  Maybe we can get Rickie Skittles ....errr. ...Fowler something other than that day-glo orange for Sundays."

I know - probably not very likely, but it sure would be nice to see him dressed up as a golfer instead of a cream-sickle.

Oh well - it's a long season.  There's always hope.

If you're watching the TNT broadcast, I'm sure you've noticed that Ernie Johnson Jr is not sitting in his usual chair.  Friday evening, his father, Ernie Johnson Sr, passed away.  His passing is very sad to the Atlanta area and much of the southeast for all the years we listened to Ernie Johnson Sr calling Braves games.  Ernie was a pitcher in the major leagues and brought his experience and love of the game to a couple of generations of Braves fans. 

RIP Ernie and condolences to his family.  He was a terrific broadcaster and a true gentleman.

There is no way for me to describe how angry I am with Alex Miceli this afternoon.

While the entire golfing community has been in shared sadness and hope at the news that Seve Ballesteros took a turn for the worst this morning - the idiot Miceli was allowed to roam freely and unchaperoned at Quail Hollow in his ridiculous bow tie - which, unfortunately, gave him access to players.

Since the report this morning of Seve's downturn, there have been no updates, and certainly no announcements of his death.  That, however, didn't stop the intrepid Miceli, who caught up with Justin Rose after his round today.  The idiot Miceli launched into questions about...you guessed it...the death of Seve Ballesteros.  Rose, who mistakenly trusted Miceli's credentials for someone who knew what he was talking about and gave his reactions as if the questions were accurate.

After the interview, Rose tweeted his condolences - which started an avalanche of people either questioning the report, or just going along with the rumor and tweeting their own condolences and remembrances.

Apparently, actually having the facts straight isn't a part of Miceli's fantasy contract.  He misinformed a player, who then misinformed millions of others on the internet. 

Rose felt horrible, as you would expect.  Miceli, on the other hand, proceeded to try to excuse himself and rationalize his incompetence.

I, for one, hope that xxx Golf Channel shows a slight bit of human dignity and corporate responsibility and punsihes Miceli.  He has made a career out of ridiculing, berating, and generally trashing players performances and characters.  It's time karma came back around and ripped him a new one.  To say that he should be ashamed of himself is an understatement.  For xxx Golf Channel to allow him to continue in his position without any sort of punishment is unthinkable.  If they had the cojones to dump Jim Gray, Miceli deserves an extended unpaid vacation for this.

Sadly, I doubt xxx Golf Channel or any other media outlet Miceli works for will do anything.  The media fraternity will sweep it under the rug.

Here are Justin Rose's tweets:

On Friday 6th May 2011, @JustinRose99 said:

Just stepped off the course to hear about the death of Seve. One of my idols. What dignity and courage he showed thru what must be the hardest of times. That's when the true character of a man comes out. I saw how strong my dad was in his last days and I have no doubt Seve was the same. Sad day for golf.

 On Friday 6th May 2011, @JustinRose99 said:

As I stepped off I answered Q's on his death. From golf reporters! I feel terrible if I have jumped the gun. Was on course for 5 hrs... Thought that something like that should've been factual! Felt compelled to say something about the great man. #confused #thrownunderthebus

On Friday 6th May 2011, @JustinRose99 said:

Guys, feel sick to my stomach about the mistake I made there. Please understand the circumstances in which I made my comment. Right off the course, circled by media, asking on my thoughts and memories of Seve. I am relieved to be wrong and I know this info has saddened a lot of people. I felt compelled to share my respect for him immediately. I never would have thought to confirm such a fact. #sorry. Apologies to the Ballesteros family.

    And Miceli's horrible attempts at rationalizing what he had done:    alexmiceli Alex Miceli @JustinRose99 I asked Justin about Seve's death. We got bad information and Justin got bad information from me. I apologize for that.   alexmiceli Alex Miceli Clearly our world has changed, always trying to get the story immediately, but I should've known better.   alexmiceli Alex Miceli It's clearly a mistake at this point and I apolgize to Justin and all those that read the tweet.   alexmiceli Alex Miceli Justin Rose tweeted that Seve has died becuase of questions I asked him after his round.

 

 

I remember players in several sports being prepared for this occassion while they had to play - but I've never seen it actually happen.

Brandt Snedeker pulled out of the Honda Classic earlier today when his wife went into labor to deliver their first child.  The call came in and he was out the gate.

So on a day when scores are going through the roof thanks to winds blowing 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40, there will be a celebration pretty soon.

Congratulations to the Snedekers !

(and to the rest of you guys - sorry - it's not supposed to be any better tomorrow, so keep it low !)

It took a while, but the semi's are finally set.  Bubba Watson played the back 9 against JB Holmes 5-under and came back from being 4-down on the front to close out Holmes on the 18th hole.  Tee shots were all over the place and traditional match play strategy went out the door.  Even when the first player got in trouble off the tee, #2 just wouldn't put the driver back in the bag.

The Holmes v Watson quarterfinal took so long to finish, the first semi between Kuchar and Donald was already on the 5th hole.  Donald is 2 up to this point thanks to a very fast start. 

It's looking like they will be at least on the 7th hole before Watson and Kaymer get underway at 3:10 eastern.  The weather is going to make play very dicey later in the afternoon with predictions of 40 mph gusts.

If you haven't noticed Matt Kuchar's putter this week, it's pretty interesting.  He has extended the shaft a good six inches so it goes halfway up his left arm.  He keeps the grip firmly against his left forearm, making a nice solid angle, allowing him to take the hands completely out of the stroke.

Got something for you guys to check into.  If you're like me, you've wanted a pair of nice looking pants to wear when it's cold and/or rainy out so you didn't have to drag along extra layers to put over top of slacks or shorts.

Enter Galway Bay Apparel and some stylish slacks with a fleece lining and water resistent fabric.  No zippers up the ankles and no elastic around the waist.  Even better, they can be tailored to fit, not just whatever size you get at the store.

Right now, pants are all they have produced, figuring everybody has jackets, but they are coming down the line along with a very cool long sleeve rain shirt with lined sleeves and a cotton body section. (definitely checking out on their web site)

So far, most of the PGA Tour officials are wearing them (a godsend in Phoenix), Rocco Mediate, Marty Hackel (fashion editor for Golf Digest), Dottie Pepper, and even Rich Lerner.

Check them out at www.GBAGolf.com

If you missed the playoff in the Champions Tour Skins game on Sunday, you missed an absolute classic line from Fuzzy Zoeller.  He had been wild off the tee all day long, putting his partner, Ben Crenshaw, into the rough time and again.

When Fuzzy stepped up to the tee on the second playoff hole, he asked Crenshaw "Ok Ben, what part of the rough you wanna be in here ?"

The gallery broke out laughing, and Crenshaw said, "Boy, I've bailed some hay today."

That is too much a classic one-liner to not be in the main blog. --CB

Last Friday, Lexi Thompson sat down with Brian Katrek (Teed Off - XM 146 and PGATour.com) at the PGA Merchandise Show for a few minutes.  This is one impressive 15 year old...turning 16 in just a couple of weeks.  She was in very good spirits talking about her sponsors, Puma and Cobra, though the expanse of the Merchandise Show was a bit overwhelming.

Katrek asked if she was concerned about missing the usual high school excitement.  Thompson's reply was that she's not missing anything since playing professional golf has been her dream since she was little.

Lexi was asked about her upcoming plans beyond her six sponsor's invites.  Turns out that she was on her way to Australia for two weeks to play in the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open and the ANZ RACV Women's Masters on the LET, followed by Monday qualifying for the Kia Classic in late March.

Throughout the interview, there were no "ummm" or "like y'know" or anything of the sort. 

And past her ability to speak the language, there is no fear in her game.  Lexi talked about playing with her brothers Nicholas and Curtis. (Curtis is playing golf at LSU).  The boys play the tips, naturally, and Lexi plays just one set of tees up.  Strokes ?  Not a chance.

It's not often that I encourage people to tune into xxx Golf Channel programming, but I have to toss this one out.

Brian Katrek, host of local radio and TV in Atlanta, host of an XM radio show ("Teed Off") during the week, long time host and announcer for PGA Tour Radio coverage of the PGA Tour, and now world famous for his interview with LaMont Mann - will be joining Gary Williams and Erik Kuselias on xxx Golf Channel Tuesday morning around 7:30 eastern on "Morning Drive", the network's new fake "simulcast" radio show.

Not sure how things will go for the show after they have a talented media guest on - but maybe they will finally wake up and get Brian on the channel. :-)