RealClearSports: Reacquainting with Tiger, the Golfer

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- The sense of determination was heavy. Tiger Woods allowed that, yes, golf is supposed to be fun. "It's a game,'' he reminded. But a game with a purpose. To be a winner.

He sat there Tuesday, fielding questions two days before this 110th U.S. Open as he does before every major, smiling occasionally, snapping once. Whatever has gone on the last several months, and it's been a great deal, we are about to become reacquainted with Tiger the Golfer.

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© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: 10 years later, it's a different Tiger at Pebble

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

PEBBLE BEACH — The man has changed. At least to our way of thinking. It’s a different Tiger Woods.

The course has changed. The Pebble Beach that Woods and the rest of the field will challenge starting Thursday in the U.S. Open is not the Pebble on which Woods won the Open 10 years ago.

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Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Pebble's 18th a tough beast to tame

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — It’s the beast that’s the best; water on the left, out-of-bounds on the right and possibly success dead ahead. It’s the 18th hole at Pebble Beach, a last stop on the road to glory or to oblivion.

Someone will come parading up 18 Sunday, the scheduled last round of this 110th U.S Open, surf crackling, crowd cheering, headed for America’s golfing championship.

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Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: One way or another, Tiger will be talk of U.S. Open

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

PEBBLE BEACH — The tournament was supposed to be the story, the 110th U.S. Open. The tournament, and the course, that great venue stretched upon the bluffs above Carmel Bay.

In golf these days, however, the story inevitably is Tiger Woods.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Mickelson Makes Tiger's Masters His Own

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The week that seemed to belong to Tiger Woods, to the comeback that swamped all other sports news like a flood, instead finished in the possession of the man who could be called Tiger's only real rival, Phil Mickelson.

What an ending Sunday to a Masters that was poignant, dramatic and most of all tearful. What a close to a golfing show of spectacular shots and remarkable tension.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010