The Sports Xchange: Mickelson one behind Kang, Iwata at Pebble Beach

By Art Spander
The Sports Xchange

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — It's not exactly Augusta National. Or the neighbor around the bend, Pebble Beach. Rather, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, one of the three courses used for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, is just exactly what the name implies, a club course, but it's an appealing one that curls around the edge of Monterey Bay and wists through shore-side dunes.

There are great views of water and mountains, and holes that mid-to-high handicappers are able to enjoy. Holes that the pros, when they're on their games as Sung Kang and Phil Mickelson definitely were Friday in the second round, take apart.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2016 The Sports Xchange

Newsday (N.Y.): Farmers Insurance Open loses juice with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson gone

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

SAN DIEGO — The first few minutes of the CBS telecast Saturday from the Farmers Insurance Open were videos of swings by Tiger Woods. Which might be all you need to know about the current state of PGA Tour golf.

Woods hasn't been here since Thursday, when he withdrew because of back spasms.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday (N.Y.): Balky putter causes Phil Mickelson to miss the cut

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

SAN DIEGO — The Farmers Insurance Open lost its second star in two days when hometown guy Phil Mickelson, putting "beyond pathetic," missed the cut Friday. Tiger Woods withdrew from the PGA Tour event Thursday because of a bad back.

Mickelson, who grew up playing Torrey Pines, shot a par 72 on the easier North Course after a 2-over 74 Thursday on the South, the one on which Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Bleacher Report: Afternoon Momentum Shift Puts Bewildered Team USA in Trouble at 2014 Ryder Cup

By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

GLENEAGLES, Scotland — It was golf’s version of a Hail Mary pass. Or a bottom of the ninth home run. Or really a kick in the head.

The United States grabbed control in the opening morning of Ryder Cup 2014 and then, stunningly, painfully, lost control in the afternoon.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2014 Bleacher Report, Inc.

Bleacher Report: Star-Studded Battle Brings Unforgettable Drama in 2014 PGA Championship's Finale

By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The slogan couldn’t live up to the event.

“This is major,” they advertised. The 2014 PGA Championship, with a leaderboard of unprecedented quality, a race against darkness to reach conclusion and a champion already threatening to become the best ever, was so much more.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2014 Bleacher Report, Inc.