RealClearSports: A Game of Quirky Rules and Personal Honor

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

So the cry has been raised: Let's rewrite the rules of golf. And then what, baseball? Football? If it's unfair a player can't ground his club in a bunker, it's also unfair that three strikes are out or that a fumble belongs to the last man who had possession.

Indeed, golf has a lot of quirky regulations. It also has a code of honor, which is why a golfer doesn't have to be watched by a referee or an umpire, not that anyone could follow the progress or regress of 150 people on a course.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Thomson will live forever in Giants lore

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — The hero passes, the moment lives. In photos on the club level of AT&T Park. In recordings played a thousand times.

“The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!”

One swing of the bat, and ecstasy. And agony.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

Newsday (N.Y.): Tiger a likely captain's pick for Ryder Cup, but he's not a lock

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

MILWAUKEE -- Corey Pavin didn't directly say he would make Tiger Woods one of his four captain's picks for the Ryder Cup team, but he certainly implied as much.

Pavin was asked yesterday morning -- a day after the eight top points leaders through Sunday's PGA Championshipautomatically qualified - the pros and cons of selecting Woods, 12th in the standings.

"Well, he's the No. 1 player in the world," Pavin said of Tiger. "That's a pretty good pro . . . he's high on my list . . . he'll be a big consideration.

"He's playing better. I think we have all seen that, and he wants to play, wants to be a part of the team. But it's going to be my judgment whether I pick him or not. I don't think there's any cons."

Woods has not won a tournament since returning to golf at the Masters in April after his absence because of marital infidelities and rehabilitation.

He had his worst finish as a pro in the WGC-Bridgestone that ended Aug. 8, tying for 78th in a field of 80. But he was much improved at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, 60 miles north of here, tying for 28th at 2-under-par 286.

"I think a couple of things have happened the last couple of weeks, '' said Pavin, who will announce his picks Sept. 7. "Obviously he played better last week. He's working on some things that seem to be improving his game. So I was obviously pleased to see that happen last week.''

The eight who qualified are led by Phil Mickelson and include Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Matt Kuchar.

The biennial match, between Europe and the United States is scheduled for Oct. 1-3 at Celtic Manor, near Cardiff,Wales. The United States has not won in Europe since 1993.

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Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Global Golf Post: Crazy Week, Wild Finish, Solid Winner

By Art Spander
For GlobalGolfPost.com

SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN — The PGA Championship, for reasons logical or not, used to be called the major that's a minor. Oh how that has changed. And we're not Whistling Straits, uh, whistling Dixie.

There wasn't much more anybody could wish for from this year's tournament, whether it was the buildup surrounding Tiger and Phil, the fog delays, which turned the opening rounds into Unfinished Symphonies, the swapping of denials over Ryder Cup selections between Corey Pavin and Jim Gray, the course record by the guy from China whose only English may be "You're away," and a stretch run that included almost everyone except Palmer and Nicklaus — or Tiger and Phil.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 Global Golf Post

Newsday (N.Y.): Phil up, Tiger down after average performances

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Phil Mickelson feels nothing is wrong now. Tiger Woods probably feels little is right.

Mickelson shot a 5-under-par 67 Sunday, low round for the day, in the 92nd PGA Championship. And while his 72-hole total of 6-under 282 was considerably higher than the leaders, he was feeling good, literally and figuratively.

"I feel nothing's wrong now,'' said Mickelson, who was recently diagnosed with a muscle disorder called psoriatic arthritis. "I feel normal. It's gone. I don't want to say it's gone away, but all the symptoms have gone away and I feel great.''

Woods shot a 1-over 73 Sunday, his only over-par round of the tournament. He was not so upbeat after a four-round total of 2-under 286.

"I hit my irons really good today,'' Woods said. "I drove it terrible. I just couldn't get a feel with the driver.''

A week ago, at the WGC-Bridgestone, Woods had his worst finish as a pro, tied for 78th in a field of 80. He was in the top 30 this time, but that's not what one expects of Tiger, who went winless in majors this year and last.

"Disappointed?'' Woods said. "Certainly. In order for it to be a great year you have to win a major championship.''

Mickelson did that, taking his third Masters. He and Tiger did tie for fourth in the U.S. Open, but Mickelson, stricken with a disease he now says is under control, has had a tough time of it since then.

"It was good just to get a solid round,'' Mickelson said. "I wish I had put together all four rounds here, though.''

19th hole

Rob Labritz of Glen Arbor GC in Bedford Hills, Westchester County, was the only club pro of the 20 entered to make the cut. Labritz, who had a 5-over 77 Sunday for a 7-over 295 total, won the 2008 New York State Open at Bethpage Black.

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/phil-up-tiger-down-after-average-performances-1.2212829
Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.