Random Golf Notes and Thoughts

It was a good win for Phil Mickelson at Riviera. Down at the turn, he played very strong golf coming in. He’s looking very good in the early going. Can he detrail Tiger’s quest for a Grand Slam at the Masters? I hope so. I can’t bear the thought of listening to the media hype over a possible Tiger Grand Slam this summer.

I love the finishing hole at Riviera. The tree lined curve heading toward the clubhouse on the hill is absolutely beautiful.

Tiger Woods will face JB Holmes in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona. It’ll be a great way to start off the event, but the sponsors have to be a bit nervous. Holmes is one of those golfers who I think could give Tiger a run for his money. If Holmes eliminates Tiger in the first round, ratings are sure to fall for the rest of the weekend.

For me, match play is the best form of golf to watch—although with its unpredictable finishes, it’s terrible for television and the advertisers.

It was good to see Anika Sorenstam back in the winner’s circle this weekend. It was her 70th victory, but only her first since Sept. 2006. Sorenstam carries with her the same sort of greatness that Tiger does on the men’s Tour. We have all been fortunate over the last decade to be able to watch perhaps the two greatest golfers of all time.

It’s interesting that the New Zealand PGA this past weekend was also a Nationwide Tour Event. Michael Campbell, native New Zealander and the 2005 US Open Champion, finished in 98th place. O, how the mighty have fallen.

Donald Trump has fallen afoul of the law for failing to register a heraldic crest that he wants to use to promote his new Scottish Golf club. Who knew there even was such a regulation.

A British court convicted a man of aiding and abetting terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Among his schemes was a plot to ship golf rangefinders to terrorists to help snipers target western soldiers.