I think the point of it though was moreso that commercial with Earl Woods popping up so much in between play and how at the end it seemed like it was going to be a "jinx" (if you even believe in that stuff). Its relevant because in this particular US Open, Tiger had to rely on his mental toughness to overcome more than he has ever had to in winning a slam. He had no recent match play coming in and according reports was in a lot more pain than anyone else knew. Granted, the upsets happen less than the favorites to win but the point of it nonetheless was very true because of the way he won this particular one.

Tiger is indeed done for the year:

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?pa...mp;select=26291

His leg is basically falling apart. Should be interesting to see how his swing will change in response. We always knew that he'd have to retool eventually, but now it will probably happen a few years earlier than expected.

I think this is good news for the Ryder Cup. Get some guys on the team who actually want to be there.

Well thank goodness he's having the situation taken care of. The rest of the year just won't be the same without Tiger Woods for me but I'm sure the rest of the tour isn't crying. I think it will be interesting to see who steps up in his absence, and now he won't have to do Ryder Cup just to satisfy other people's expectations. Get well Tiger and come back 100%!!!

I guess Retief Goosen (AND OTHERS) will think twice about questioning the validity of Tiger's injury in the future so he doesn't end up looking like a total ASS!!!

One Mr. Chris Evert is turning back the clock and is the only player not over par at Birkdale.

I haven't been watching but I have been checking the scores online and the shark has definitely played a good first couple of rounds. But I've got my eye on Villegas who shot a best so far 65 with birdies on the last 5 holes. He is one back. The weekend I hear is supposed to be even windier than it is now so it should be interesting. Mickelson is playing a hot mess I see and Sergio is 5 off I believe.

Random thoughts...

The Old Guys. It's amazing what poor weather and links golf will do to a leaderboard. I would be shocked if Norman is still leading by the end of the day tomorrow, though. Something's gotta give. He's making bombs from everywhere and that will surely dry up. Tom Watson has been hitting the ball well enough to contend but putted even worse than at Whistling Straits a while back. You have to feel bad for him. Further proof that the guy is a links master--any smart American golfer should try to set up a dinner or eight to pick his brain.

The guys look stupid out there in their "performance gear." It's utilitarian but not overwhelmingly so.

I like K.J. Choi's chances. I'm rooting for David Duval.

I would love to see Rocco Mediate take this Open after what happened at the US Open. After that, it would be great to see david Duval win it or Greg Norman.

Van de Velde's sitting at +4. I wouldn't mind seeing him stay in contention

I actually like them LESS now that he's leading. Who knows though. Still my pick.

Well if Norman, Duval, and Van de Velde can be near the top, then we shouldn't be too surprised to see Ben Curtis charging ... an eagle at 3, bird at 5 and Curtis is at +4

The Shark kept a steady hand today

Sunday's last 4 groups

Anthony Kim, Alexander Noren

Ben Curtis, Ross Fisher

K.J. Choi, Simon Wakefield

Paddy Harrington, Greg Norman

You could knock me over with a feather with this Greg Norman thing. It's not just a cute story any more--he could actually win a third British Open. The whole point is to get to Sunday with a chance to win, and he has done that. Then again, he's 53 (though he doesn't swing like it), out of practice (doesn't look like it) and is one of the most celebrated chokers in golf history (indubitably). So I would put money elsewhere.

It's probably Harrington's to lose, but depending on the weather, the group at +9 or even +10 will be in the mix tomorrow. Can't wait!!

Am watching the final round of the Canadian Open and can't help but be impressed by Anthony Kim. Presently tied for 3rd through 6 holes, 23 year old Asian-American is wearing a red Nike golf shirt, remniscent of Tiger (who is, of course, half Asian-American; his mother is Thai).

He's coming off a 7th place finish in the British Open and a win at the AT&T. He's presently 5th on the PGA money list.

==========

Update: Anthony Kim flops in the final round. Victory goes to Chez Reavie, who was 128th in FedEx Cup points and gets his first tour victory at Glen Abbey, west of Toronto.

I was just reading an article about Quagmire Golf, a small golf wear company that fortuitiously sponsored Chez Reavie, who was looking good in a Quagmire golf shirt in winning the Canadian Open.

Did he use the words "giggity giggity goo" after winning

re: Kim, he could've vaulted into the Top 10 world ranking with a win in Canada.

No surprise, but Michelle Wie fails to make the cut on yet another men's PGA tour event, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. Why does this girl keep entering men's events when she hasn't even won on the LPGA? She's either dumb or getting bad advice.

In order to play in in the Reno-Tahoe Open, a minor tour event, she skipped a women's major--the British Open. Womens stars like Annika Sorenstam question Wie's decision-making.

Either she's taking bad advice or she's ignoring good advice. Either way, she's a laughingstock. How can any golf fan take her seriously when she clearly doesn't take her career seriously? At this point I wonder if the people who run these men's events will stop giving her exemptions. I can't imagine a lot of tickets will be sold to see her in the future. I wonder if she's even a draw now. She's no Tiger Woods.

I honestly think that she has the game to make cuts on Tour and maybe keep her card. We need to remember that she was one shot away from making the cut in Hawaii in 2004--at 14 years old. The problem is that you could say the same (re: talent, not Hawaii) about a few hundred people who will never make it as a Tour pro. Her mental game just isn't there.

The most immediate problem is that she has only one LPGA event remaining in the season, at which she needs to finish in the top 3 or so to secure playing privileges for next year. That's what was so crippling about the DQ a couple weeks ago. With that in mind, I didn't have a huge problem with her playing with the men this week. The real villains are the tournament organizers who gave up a spot for some other promising young player for the so-called circus tent attraction.

But even if Wie makes the cut on a men's tour event, so what? Isn't it more important for her to win even ONE event on the women's tour than making the cut on a men's? Isn't that a bigger accomplishment?

Wie seemed like a prodigy some years ago, but now she's reduced to stunts and catastrophes (the DQ for not signing her card).

She really needs to prove her worth on the course, because she's taking away coverage from more worthy women (and men).

They're halfway through with the PGA doubleheader, with Ben Curtis possibly 18 holes away from being able to call himself a two time major winner.

Curtis is at -2

JB Holmes and Henrik Stenson are at -1 Sergio, Charlie (Nintendo) Wi and Padraig Harrington are in 4th at +1. If Harrington can come out on top, he'd be halfway to the Paddy Slam, or a Paddy Cake, or a Paddy Melt