Redding Rankings - November 15, 2010

If you missed my post from last Monday, I've decided that...well, the World Golf Rankings are silly. There is a much better golf ranking system out there. It's called the Redding Rankings. The Redding Rankings are based on...you guessed it, my observations, thoughts, and opinions.

This past weekend, Australian Adam Scott, he of so much potential, posted a win at the Barclays Singapore Open, over a field that included defending champ Ian Poulter and three out of four of the 2010 Major winners (McDowell, Kaymer, and Mickelson). So with a solid win over a stellar field, Scott is the only new addition to this week's rankings. Read on to see who he bumped out.

1. Lee Westwood
2. Martin Kaymer
3. Graeme McDowell
4. Francesco Molinari
5. Jim Furyk
6. Dustin Johnson
7. Luke Donald
8. Adam Scott
9. Matt Kuchar
10. Bubba Watson

Englishman Ross Fisher falls out of this week's Top 10. Maybe this win by Scott will help propel him into the 2011 season. A winning Scott is a good thing for pro golf.

Redding Rankings - November 8, 2010

As mentioned in my last post, the World Golf Rankings are a tough nut to crack. Until recently, Tiger Woods was ranked first (for the past 282 weeks), yet hadn't won a single tournament in 2010.

Think about it like this: what if Michigan's football team was ranked first the last two seasons, didn't win a game for the first two months of this season, and was still ranked #1? You would think the voters and/or computer system were full of it. And you'd be right.

So each Monday I'll post the Redding Rankings. These are based on my observations, some research (sometimes), and the ocean tides. Once it's shown how accurate they are, I'm sure they'll be adopted by the PGA and the R&A as the official rankings.

World Golf Rankings out.
Redding Rankings in.

My rankings will be based on: results in last four majors; current trend including most recent tournament; last two months of play; and injuries.

So without further ado, here they are:

1. Lee Westwood
2. Martin Kaymer
3. Graeme McDowell
4. Francesco Molinari
5. Jim Furyk
6. Dustin Johnson
7. Luke Donald
8. Ross Fisher
9. Matt Kuchar
10. Bubba Watson

Obviously I've left out some huge names. So if you disagree, please leave a comment and tell me why.

Westwood Overtakes Tiger as World No. 1

Imagine being ranked number one in the world in your profession. Now imagine being ranked number one for 281 consecutive weeks. Let me say it again - 281 consecutive weeks.

No one can catch you. Not wiley veterans nor young guns. It's like the top spot was meant for you. A few come close, but they can't quite catch you.

Honestly, I can't even imagine being the top rated golf blogger for a week. I'm usually happy if I can piece together a halfway coherent paragraph.

But Tiger Woods was the number one player in the world for over five years, until Lee Westwood put together a string of wins to overtake Woods. Wait, that's not right. Westwood won the St. Jude Classic back in June, but that's his only win this season.

Come to think of it, Tiger Woods doesn't even have one win this season and he was ranked #1.

What gives?

Well, rankings are based on a formula that takes into account a player's results over a two year "rolling" period. I was going to try and explain the way it works here, but I don't have that kind of patience, so if you're really a glutton for punishment, you can read the rest of the formula at the World Golf Rankings official website.

Like the BCS in college football, no one really seems to understand the rankings. Up until last November no one really questioned them either. But it was painfully obvious this season that Tiger Woods was not the #1 player in the world. There weren't many times he was the #1 player in his tournament pairing for the week.

On Sunday, Lee Westwood took over the number one spot from Woods, not because he beat Woods in a tournament; not even because he won a tournament. He did so because he finally caught him in points.

That's not to say Westwood isn't deserving of the top spot. Quite the contrary, I think he is the best player in golf right now. He's had four top-5 Major finishes over the last two years and it's only a matter of time before he actually wins one. It's hard to find a weakness in his game.

Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer are both deserving of a mention too. U.S. Open champion McDowell has two wins on the European Tour this season and a remarkable Ryder Cup performance in Wales. Kaymer's been a steady winner on the Euro tour over the past two years and is reigning PGA Champion.

Westwood's ranking might last a few weeks or it might last a year. It all depends on how many points he earns and how the formula spits out the ranking. I'll stick with the old time tested method of my own observation. Westwood's number one...for now.

Friday Fourball Pairings - Pavin Takes Big Chance

Friday's fourball match ups have been announced and there are certainly some interesting picks by the captains.

Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will lead the way for the U.S. against England's Lee Westwood and Germany's Martin Kaymer. This is in essence a Masters rematch from April when Mickelson and Westwood played the final pairing, and Mickelson made his magic to capture the green jacket. The other interesting aspect? A "what could have been" match up of PGA winner Kaymer and PGA sob story Johnson.

Both pairings have a top 5 vet and a rookie. I like the steady play of Westwood and Kaymer in this one, especially with soggy conditions at Celtic Manor.

Next out for Team USA is two of the nicest, aww shucks guys in professional golf - Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar. They'll take on the Northern Irish contingent of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. This means fans will have to wait to see the much sought after Woods/McIlroy match up.

Another good one, but I like McIlroy/McDowell on "home" turf. McDowell knows the course well after having won the Celtic Manor Wales Open in June. His local knowledge should pay off well.

No surprise here as Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker join forces to take on the English chaps Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter. If Woods is on and Stricker putts like he can, this is a mismatch. But those are big "ifs," and anything can happen in Ryder Cup play.

All four players are excellent putters, and this match will come down to a putt to either win or halve the match.

In perhaps the most...odd?...pairing, Corey Pavin sends out Ryder Cup rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton. They'll take on Ryder Cup vets Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.

Momentum is important in championships, and I think it's perplexing that Pavin would end morning play with two rooks vs two vets. Donald and Harrington are both excellent scramblers and putters, so the rooks better get the jitters out early or this one could be a blowout.

Pavin left out three of his strongest players: Furyk, Mahan, and Zach Johnson. Interesting strategy. No wonder he's been so mum about it all week.

The Ryder Cup is about taking chances, but if Pavin's chance doesn't pay off early, it could be long, hard weekend for the Americans.

Could Irish Eyes Be Smiling Once More at the Ryder Cup?

For the second time in three years, the European Ryder Cup captain's picks are controversial. Two years ago Nick Faldo chose Ian Poulter over other players many critics felt were more deserving.

Now, two yeas later Colin Montgomerie has chosen Padraig Harrington, Luke Donald, and Edoardo Molinari, leaving out Paul Casey, a great Ryder Cup and Match Play player, and Justin Rose who won two big tournaments here in the States this season.

The Donald pick seemed solid, but the Harrington pick left many scratching their heads. Why chose Harrington, who hasn't won since the PGA Championship in 2008 and who missed 3 out of 4 cuts at the Majors this year?

All I can say is that sometimes you get a feeling about someone. Sometimes a guy is due for a big moment. Sometimes you need an upbeat, happy go lucky Irishman to bring a team composed of players from seven different countries together.

Even more important, sometimes you need a guy who has something to prove. Harrington knows he's seen as a controversial pick and will use that to help fuel his competitive spirit.

Harrington is coming off a solid week at the Vivendi Open outside Paris finishing in 8th place and a shot off of 3rd at -13. After Tuesday's practice session at Celtic Manor it was clear Harrington is playing some of his best golf of the season. He'll certainly need it if he is to be any kind of factor this week.

The 2010 course at Celtic Manor is long, narrow, and demanding. Thick rough just off the fairways makes accuracy a must. And as usual, it will all come down to who can make a putt. With slow greens rolling even slower due to wet and heavy weather in Wales, Europeans who are used to playing on these slower greens could have a real advantage over U.S. players, used to 12 and 13 on the stimpmeter.

So don't be surprised on Sunday, with the Ryder Cup on the line, Harrington stands over a crucial putt and with Irish ice water in his veins, rattles it home. I know at least one man who won't be surprised - Colin Montgomerie.

Insider's Perspective from an Amateur Tournament: A Q&A with Michael Nofs

Growing up in Calhoun County, Michigan, my golfing dreams and goals were pretty minimal. Conventional thinking was that most business deals were actually made on the golf course, not in some fancy board room or office, so my mom and I thought it would be a good idea to learn the game. As a sophomore, I joined my high school golf team, although I only practiced and never actually played in a match. Otherwise, my golf experiences were with buddies on the local courses.

I never took it serious and briefly quit the game because I wasn't any good, not to mention the expense involved. But a few years ago my wife decided she needed to learn how to golf so she could play in a tournament at work. Teaching her to play coupled with attending my first professional golf tournament and suddenly I was hooked...big time.

I began watching golf every weekend, not just the big tournaments. I started practicing my swing in Target while my wife shopped for shampoo and scented candles. I noticed the way people dressed and whether they looked like golfers or not.

I even began writing about golf! Yes, I was hooked.

But there was one thing I couldn't do, something all of us amateur hacks wish were possible. I couldn't make my millions traveling the world playing in golf tournaments. Sure I could play in a league at the local golf club, but that's just not the same.

Then last summer my good friend, Michael Nofs, told me he was thinking of playing in the Calhoun County Amateur. I didn't even know our county had an amateur tournament, or that weekend warriors like us could actually play. After some encouragement, he decided to play and followed that up with another appearance this past August 21-22.

The two day event was played at scenic Binder Park G.C. in Battle Creek, MI. Afterward, I had a chance to talk with Michael about his experiences playing in the tournament.


Ryan: So Michael, when did you first hear about the Calhoun County Amateur tournament?

Michael: I first heard about the CCA in the summer of 2008. At the time, I thought there is no way I could play in a tournament. I didn't think my game was to the level it needed to be...whatever that means!


Ryan: And when did you decide you were going to try playing?

Michael: The following year some friends from my league were talking about it and asked if I wanted to play as well. After thinking about it, I thought why not. (It) can't be that bad. Even if I shoot a high 90, so what. Golf is a game against the course not against other contestants.

(You) have to have some background here. I was coming off doing five or so 5K runs where I had tempered myself that running wasn't against the person in the race with me but against my own personal time. So I thought the same here. I would just go play the tournament like it was a regular round and see what score I could get. Then hopefully the following year play better and so forth.


Ryan: Did your goals change from playing in your first tournament last year to this year, having experienced it once and with a better understanding of what to expect?

Michael: My personal goal this year was to beat my score from last year. My first year goal was just to have fun. Last year I shot a 90 on opening day and a 95 on the second day. The first day you get to choose your foursome so I played with three buddies. The second day you are flighted based on your first day score. So the second day I played with three guys I didn't know. So I attributed a 95 to playing "average" and didn't feel comfortable cause I wasn't with anyone I knew. This year I shot a 95 first day and a 96 on the second day. I got to play with my league partner and two other guys I didn't know the first day, and the second day I got to do the same.


Ryan: Did you have a totally different feeling playing in this type of tourney as opposed to your normal league or a normal outing with friends?

Michael: Completely different feeling than when you play with league buddies or out for a recreation round. Not because things are different, but just because I put pressure on myself.

Very first day of year one I played it as I was out with buddies and just having fun. Shot a 90 with a lipped putt on the last hole. Ah oh well. On to tomorrow. The next day I was with three people I didn't know and thought I had to put pressure on myself and boy did that backfire.

I shot a 95 with a bunch of scramble bogeys. Where the day before I would just lay up and hit a nice pitch into the green and get a par or bogey, the second day I was trying to hit greens from all over the place, anywhere from 150 to 190 yards. Not really unattainable goals, but as I would have a mistake or a failure to reach the green in 2 I would get more upset and pretty soon I had a number of double bogeys that were hurting my game.

So I backed off at the end of the round and just played like I normally do and the scores turned around.

This year was completely different. All year I have had issues with driver. Really all my life I have had issues. Some rounds it is on and I "feel" right with the driver. Other days I just don't know how to swing it. When I am not feeling it I should just learn to put it away and hit my hybrid club...my favorite club by the way.

Of course I didn’t (hit it) and I had a number of lost balls with these rounds. I probably accounted for at least 6 strokes this year on both days where I lost a tee shot and had to hit a provisional.

I really should have hit in the eighties this year, but couldn't get away from the driver. Lesson learned I guess.


Ryan: What level do you feel you were on compared to the other players in the tournament?

Michael: I was easily in the bottom quarter. More than half the flights were under 82 scores. The other half were mid to high 80s with about 20 of us in the 90s and then about five or 10 in the 100s. (I was) easily over matched, but again, the score is against yourself not the person you are playing with.


Ryan: Now Binder Park is your home course and where your league plays weekly. How different was the course set up and the way the course played from when you normally play it during league compared to the tournament?

Michael: The course was much tougher than normal. The greens are notoriously slow for this course and both years the greens have been quite speedy. So that takes getting used to. Also, for tournament play every flag is in the front part of the green, so you have to spin the ball to stop it and keep it close to the hole. Of course that is something I can't do at the moment, so I found myself just trying to get on the green and then 2-putting from there.

Really I was pretty happy with my putting this year, but like I have detailed before, the problem was getting on the green and I should have just opted to lay-up, pitch it close and hope for a 1-putt to get par, not try to land the green and get a 2-putt for par.


Ryan: So how do these first two experiences help you going into the 2011 CCA?

Michael: Next years goals are to play without pressure, try to have fun and play smart. I hate to put a number as a goal because I know that backfires on me more times than not, so I just want to have a good time and see if my ball striking is better. Maybe see if I can have a 30 putt round.

The only real part of my game that I am confident in is putting and I consistently two-putt almost every hole. If my chipping is going well, I have a few one-putts on my card as well.


Michael's experience shows us that no matter what your age, your skill level, or your goals, golf gives us new challenges, new obstacles, and new successes each time we play, and that is why it is a game to be cherished.

"Captain" Redding's Ryder Cup Picks

The Ryder Cup is a month away and Corey Pavin will make his captain's picks in less than a week. Much ado has been made about whether Pavin will choose Tiger Woods for the team, despite the lack of success Tiger's had since his return this year.

Europe's team looks like the prohibitive favorite on paper with highly ranked players like Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, and Luke Donald, and 2010 major champions Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell. But predicting success based on paper can be a big mistake.

That's why, despite Europe having the hottest players in the game, home course advantage, and the desire to take back the Ryder Cup from the U.S., I'm going out on a limb and predicting . . .

. . . ah, who am I kidding? Europe is going to win this thing in a landslide.

Not that that's what Corey Pavin is thinking. Let's all hope he's not. But it is why deciding on his captain's picks should be both easy and difficult all at once. Difficult because, besides guys who qualified for the team like Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson, no one from the U.S. is having a really standout season. Play has been inconsistent at best. Sean O'Hair, Nick Watney, and Hunter Mahan, all young and up and coming players, have been up and down like a teeter totter this season. Tiger Woods looks like....well, Tiger Woods one day, and Elmer Fudd the next. And despite Mickelson's assurances that he's feeling OK health wise, the stresses and rigors of a PGA season along with his and Amy's health issues have clearly taken a toll on the #2 ranked player in the world.

So who would I chose as my four captain's picks?

• Rickie Fowler - Fowler is young, brash, and confident. You have nothing to lose with him. Throw him out there and let him get his feet wet on European soil. If he plays poorly, you can chalk it up to lack of experience and all will be forgiven; but if he plays well, wins a match perhaps, he could be just the spark that ignites the U.S. team and gives them that fire to keep the Ryder Cup.
• Zach Johnson - With five rookies on the team including long hitters Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson is precisely the type of guy this team needs. Level headed, cool under pressure, great short game, and brilliant putter, plus a great locker room guy, which again, with five rookies and playing in Europe, is never a bad thing.
• Nick Watney - Well, guess we'll make that six rookies. Another young, confident player, Watney is hungry and ready to prove that his final round collapse at the roller coaster PGA in August was an aberration. With the right combination of rookies and veterans, this team could certainly find a way to bond and come together at just the right time.
• Tiger (Tiger) Woods - Why not? I believe Tiger indeed wants to be on this team. He wants to earn back the respect he feels he's lost and might be losing with every poor performance. We've seen flashes of brilliance this season, including the first round at the Barclays, and if he can continue to put together golf rounds like that and play with a chip on his shoulder, he could provide the ultimate spark for Team U.S., igniting one of the greatest upsets in Ryder Cup history.

Top 10 Better Excuses For Jim Furyk to Miss His Pro-Am Tee Time

Entering the first week of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the Barclays, Jim Furyk had to be feeling pretty good about his chances. He was positioned 3rd in the standings and was coming off a respectable showing at the PGA (T-24).

Practice went well Monday and Tuesday at Ridgewood C.C. across the river from New York. But when Wednesday rolled around, Jim Furyk found himself relegated back to junior high school and telling the teacher, "but the dog ate my homework."

Actually, Furyk said his cell phone lost power overnight and the alarm didn't go off, but you get the picture.

Picture also Furyk scurrying to the golf course sans belt and socks and with his shoes untied. I'm guessing he forgot to brush his teeth too.

Thanks to a 2004 change in PGA Tour policy, players are obligated to show up, and show up on time, for their Wednesday pro-am tee times. Before then there became quite the problem of "dog ate my homework" excuses as to why players couldn't play the pro-am. But with big bucks forked over by amateurs for those coveted playing spots on Wednesday, the tour was forced to find a way to ensure pros showed up.

The penalty for tardiness? Disqualification. That's right, Jim Furyk, #3 in the FedEx Cup Standings going into the playoffs, was DQ'd for being five minutes late to the 7:35 A.M. shotgun start.

Too severe of a penalty you say? Well maybe if he would have used one of these excuses, the tour would have let him slide.

The Top 10 better excuses Jim Furyk should have used for missing his Wednesday morning Pro-Am tee time*:

1. I contracted the H1N1 virus overnight...but I'll be better by Thursday.
   
   


2. Stayed up too late last night watching Murder, She Wrote re-runs. That Jessica Fletcher is some kind of sleuth!
   
   


3. Lost all my belongings in a Skip-Bo tournament to Steve Stricker.
   
   


4. Ian Poulter dropped by, declared my attire a fashion disaster, and stole all of my clothes!
   
   


5. C'mon, my pro-am partners suck!




6. Sorry, but I couldn't pass up breakfast at the Waffle House.
   


7. I was too busy reading the local rules posted on the mirrors inside the locker room. Kind of important stuff, don't ya think?




8. I thought "tea time" was traditionally in the afternoon?




9. I was helping Tiger find a date.




10. Didn't realize New York style coney dogs would have that effect on my intestinal system.

* with contributions from Rhiannon Redding.

Another Ship Sinks Near the Shores of Lake Michigan

Finally, a major that had an abundance of what the last two lacked - Drama! Three-hole aggregate playoff between the confident, young German, Martin Kaymer, and the wild, bomber Bubba Watson, who just last week at Firestone was happy to have made a cut that didn't actually exist.

Then there was the controversial sand trap penalty which cost long-hitting Dustin Johnson two strokes and a shot at the Wanamaker Trophy. While Kaymer and Watson sat patiently in the clubhouse waiting to see if three's company, Johnson could only listen in disbelief as he was informed of his infraction.

Few would have blamed Johnson if he had put his fist through a locker room wall, but by all accounts, the South Carolinian was the perfect gentleman. Those who know him well would have expected nothing less.

Ultimately, Johnson's mistake was his own. Painful to watch for the fans, and twice as painful for Johnson himself, he or his caddie should have taken more time sizing up the shot and the situation. Chalk it up to youth. Chalk it up to the pressure of the 72nd hole of a major championship. But know this. Had that been Phil Mickelson, or Tiger Woods, or Padraig Harrington, or Jim Furyk in that "bunker," they would have taken every precaution before deciding on what situation they were in and what was required. They would have called a rules official over for a clarification. They would have waited until Pete Dye himself came out to give a ruling.

Yes, there is certainly enough blame to go around. But ultimately, the blame rests with Johnson, and once the moment has passed and the reality of what happened settles in, I'm sure he'll be the first to shoulder that blame, learn from it, and be ready for his next shot at major glory in April.

PGA Picks - Will Questions Be Answered?

Rarely have we gone into the season's final major with so much uncertainty and so many questions looming.

• What's wrong with Tiger, and is this the beginning of the end?
• Can Phil Mickelson finally take over the World No. 1 ranking, or will Wisconsin native Steve Stricker claim the top spot in his home state?
• Is Tiger a lock for the Ryder Cup team? If not, will Captain Cory Pavin use one of his four picks on a player desperately trying to find his game?
• Remember Sergio Garcia? Just two years ago, the 30 year old Spaniard was contending for the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills and would have won a FedEx Cup Playoff event if Vijay Singh hadn't drained a 40 ft putt to force extra holes. Now he's planning on taking two months off after this week. Isn't it a waste of time to even play this major?
• And most importantly, as we prepare for the 92nd PGA Championship, are there really over 1200 bunkers at Whistling Straits? And if so...why?

The answer to that last question is perhaps the easiest. Yes there are. Because the course was built over an abandoned air field on the shores of Lake Michigan. The place was already pretty sandy. And mainly, because course architect Pete Dye thought it would help present a stunning visual display. From what the players have said all week, it appears he was right.

The other questions are a bit more perplexing. Yes Tiger is struggling and finally admitted at his Tuesday press conference that he's at a low point. But this is still a guy who has been in contention at some point in every major this year. It seems silly to call Tiger a long shot to win any golf tournament, but coming off last week's abysmal performance at the Bridgestone, I don't hear too many experts picking him to win, or even contend for that matter. But if his putter somehow gets hot, the winds begin to swirl over the shores of Lake Michigan, and Tiger can manage to pull together his focus for these next four days, he might pull the shocker of the year.

But with Tiger looking more like me out there than the Tiger we're used to, and Mickelson looking like anything but the guy who won the Masters in April, will we see the trend continue of first time major winners this year like McDowell at the U.S. Open and Louis (Louis) Oosthuizen at the Open? I think we just might.

Here are my PGA Championship picks:

• 1st Round Fizzle -- KJ Choi - That's right, "Polar" Choi has a habit of showing up in big time events, only to fizzle away on the weekend. He'll lead after round 1, but slowly move back to the middle of the pack.
• Darkhorse -- Darren Clarke - Clarke has been playing well in Europe this season and is hungry for a major. He'd also desperately love to win this tournament AND play himself on to Europe's Ryder Cup team. Look for some good golf out of DC.
• Contender -- It seems Rory McIlroy is the poster child for this category at every Major he plays in from now until he wins one. He loves playing links-style courses and could shoot a low score like he did in the first round of the Open at St. Andrews. If conditions get tough and scores stay around par, fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington could be a threat come Sunday, especially with his scrambling skills and hot putter as of late.
• Winner -- A man who's been in contention for almost every major the past two seasons, and a recent winner of the 3 Irish Open, Ross Fisher will continue the trend of first time major winners and hoist the Wanamaker Trophy Sunday evening by the the shores of Lake Michigan. If his driving and putting are on like they were at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club two weeks ago, Fisher should be able to strategically plod his way around the dunes and fescue of Whistling Straits and become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1996 to win a major and the first ever to win the PGA Championship.

Now, tell me your picks...

The 2010 PGA Championship from Whistling Straits

The first major championship I went to was the PGA at Oakland Hills two years ago. I remember that week like it just happened. I was lucky enough to get tickets to the Wednesday practice round as well as Thursday's round and Sunday's round.

This was the last major of the season and 2008 had already given us the Tiger vs. Rocco duel at Torrey Pines and the Royal Birkdale British Open where Padraig Harrington clinched back-to-back Open championships with a 5w on the 17th that many called the shot of the year.

Having been to the Buick Open just the month before, I thought I knew what to expect. But this was completely different. The world's greatest players were there: Harrington, Mickelson, Villegas, Kim, Sergio, Poulter, Stricker. The atmosphere, even at Wednesday's practice round, was electric. The PGA Championship is the last major of the year. Glory's final shot. Players have to wait eight, long months to have another go at a major.

Oakland Hills, the "monster" as Ben Hogan dubbed it after the 1951 U.S. Open, lived up to its name and reputation as Padraig Harrington won his second major in a row. The course played extremely tough, like a U.S. Open course, and par was a great score on any hole as birdie opportunities were few and far between. This year's PGA at Whistling Straits (WI) on the shores of Lake Michigan holds the same promise of the world's top players trying to tame a very difficult, windswept course.

Normally, Tiger Woods goes into every tournament he plays as the odds on favorite to win. But this is Tiger Woods A.E. (after Elin) and times they have a changed. Phil Mickelson, despite his disaster of a closing round at Firestone, appears to be the favorite in most circles. Rory McIlroy also looks to be a favorite, especially playing on a links style course like those he grew up playing in Northern Ireland. Lee Westwood, so close to breaking through the door for his first major victory recently, is sidelined with a calf injury and will not compete.

Perhaps one of the young guns like Bridgestone winner Hunter Mahan or Open Champ Louis Oosthuizen will surprise everyone.

Whether it be a superstar like Mickelson or Harrington, a World Top 10 looking for his breakthrough like Poulter or Casey, or a young gun like Mahan or McIlroy looking to take advantage of a tamed Tiger, the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits promises to be full of drama on one of golf's grandest stages.

Tap-Ins - WGC Bridgestone Invitational

After round 1 of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, a guy named Bubba (Watson) was the leader at 6 under par. Leading a prestigious golf tournament like the Bridgestone is a great achievement, but ol' Bubba had other goals coming in besides winning.

"I'm just trying to make the cut," admitted Bubba while being interviewed by a Golf Channel reporter after his round.

That would seem a realistic goal for a major championship type tournament on a tough course like Firestone. But there's just one problem Bubba. There is no cut at this tournament.

"Well, perfect then. I made it."

Yes Bubba, you made it. And here's another newsflash - you're winning.

For a seven time winner of this tournament, Tiger Woods played as though he had never even played a practice round on the course. A four over first round of 74 left Tiger with not much to smile or joke about. Scowls, spitting, and self-chastisement were common scenes Thursday.

But he did manage to find some humor in the day after a rare birdie at the 17th.

http://www.pgatour.com/video/?/video/?/video/video/pga-tour/highlights/2010/08/05/mine_10bridgestone_rnd1_17_2nd_brd_woods.pgatour

If only Tiger could find more joy and amusement in his rounds, perhaps his play would follow.

Anthony Kim-inator - "i will be back...."

Good news golf fans - Anthony Kim is back. Kim will make his first start in three months at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational August 5-8 in Akron, OH. "i will be back next week at the wgc. looking forward to (being) back," he said via his Facebook page. Back in May, Kim had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, an injury that was both painful and that cost him distance off the tee.

Why is Kim's return good news for the casual golf fan? Because he is one of those polarizing sports figures - young, brash, cocky, and really, really good. You love him or hate him, much like T.O. and Manny Ramirez. But love him or hate him, he's exciting. He's got a big personality in that little frame of his to go along with a big game. And that's exactly what golf needs right now.

The stretch run of the 2010 PGA Tour season is upon us and there's plenty of excitement and drama waiting to unfold. Next week's WGC event will have the world's best players and a major feel to it. Then it's glory's last shot, the final major of the season, the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, followed by the FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup.

Kim is currently ranked 4th in Ryder Cup points and 9th in FedEx Cup points. If he can get himself back into form quickly, this is a very good thing. We need Kim on the Ryder Cup. We need his fist pumping, all-out, reckless abandon style. Tell me an Ian Poulter, Anthony Kim singles match wouldn't be great drama. How bout Kim and Rory McIlroy in a head to head battle of young guns.

Let's hope Anthony Kim can get his game together in time for these big events. And let's just see if we don't notice a little more excitement in the air this fall.

What's In Your Bag?

Good Monday to you all. I hope everyone had a great weekend. Congratulations to last week's winners on the PGA and European tours, Swedes Carl Pettersson and Richard S. Johnson, respectively. Carl seems to hit his stride this time of year and usually either wins or contends in a tournament between the Open and the PGA Championship. I thought it was Dean Wilson's week, but strong, consistent play by Carl earned him another win. And I know Richard S. Johnson couldn't be more thrilled to win his home open, the Nordea Scandinavian Masters. The Swede played excellent throughout the weekend in tough conditions.

Today I'd like to introduce a new weekly feature for At Home On the Links, one that will help get you involved. Every Monday I'll post a Question of the Week. This might be something serious, something funny, something personal, something way out there. But I thought a great question to start off with is one that most golfers never seem to get tired of talking about - Equipment.

Specifically, what's in YOUR bag?

Share what clubs make up your 14....or 10....or 5, or whatever it may be. Old, new, dusty, antique, broken, we want to hear about them. Which one is your favorite, your "go-to" club? Which one scares the molasses out of you?

So share, complain, brag away on your set, and most importantly, have fun.

As the fearless leader of this blog and it's army of ______ strong followers, I'll lead the way. . .

Driver - 08 TaylorMade Burner (and I call him Old Tom Morris)
5w - Wilson Staff FYBrid 18 degree
3h - TaylorMade Burner
4h - Wilson Staff FYBrid
5-9, PW, SW, LW - Ping Zings from, oh, about 1991. OUCH! Think technology might help improve my game in this area???
Putter - Odessey Sabertooth (nice putter, it's my putting grip that's confusing the heck out of me right now)

My main focus right now is on becoming really, really close buddies with my new best friend, Old Tom Morris. Right now, we seem to have different ideas of where that tiny, white ball should go; and Old Tom is stubborn and strong and he's getting his bloody way at the moment. But I've got a little bit of stubbornness in me too (helps being Polish) and I will make nice with the Old guy and we will become old chums.

Now, what's in your bag?

Louis Oosthuizen - Champion Golfer of the Year

When did the song become lodged in your head, playing over and over, never knowing what the actual lyrics are? Was it sometime Friday morning when he took over the lead for the first time? Or was it Saturday morning as he waited to hit his tee shot on the famous first tee at St. Andrews? Or was it on about the 12th hole Sunday morning when the fat lady started her rendition....."Louis Louis....oh no....said we got go.....yeah yeah yeah yeah....." OK, so those aren't exactly the correct lyrics, but that's how it sounds in my head, and this is a PG rated blog.

Louis Oosthuizen, whose name was pronounced this weekend more ways than there are Baskin Robbins flavors, hoisted the Claret Jug after winning his first major championship. But Louis (it's much easier if you just call him Louis, kind of like Madonna or Prince) didn't just win, he won going away and he won in style. Tom Watson and Paul Azinger ranked his driving performance among the best they had ever seen in major championship history. It was almost as if he was out for a nice, relaxed practice round Monday morning with a couple of old buddies.

He laughed and joked around with Paul Casey, his playing partner in the final group, like they were old college chums enjoying a little male bonding time away from family. Azinger mentioned this on the first hole and said that Casey has a knack for lulling his playing partner into a false sense of security and then pouncing on him like a hungry lion. But Louis never flinched. He never faltered. He played as steady and relaxed a final round as anyone I can remember.

Ooshuizen's failure to succumb to the pressure and let Casey or Westwood have an inch ultimately made for a somewhat, dare I say, boring championship. Yes, there was no push from Phil or Tiger or Westwood, or anyone for that matter. But for true golf fans, the performance of little Louis Oosthuizen, or Shrek as he is sometimes affectionately referred to, should be remembered for the clinical and strategic way he attacked the course, and his unwavering grit in the face of a golfing world just waiting for him to fail.

Well played Louis. See you in 2011 at Royal St. Georges.

139th Open Championship Picks

Perhaps never has there been a year when The Open was more . . . wide open. If the events of November 2009 had never happened, Tiger Woods would be the overwhelming favorite. As it stands, he is just the favorite at 6-1 odds. He won at The Old Course in 2000 and 2005. He claims it as his "favorite course." But this isn't 2000 or 2005 and odds are just odds.

This year's field is strong. Europeans dominate the World Top 15 and with Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell's U.S. Open win in June, the Europeans are feeling more confident than ever. Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood have come close to winning majors recently. Rory McIlroy, despite just turning 21, seems on the cusp of a major win and breaking out of the stratosphere into world super stardom. Padraig Harrington has won two of the past three Opens and is always dangerous on a links course having grown up playing his father's course outside Dublin. Ian Poulter is known for his flashy clothes, but the Englishman's game has substance, as proven by a near miss at the 2008 Open and a win at this year's WGC-Matchplay Championship. And let's not forget arguably the hottest of the Europeans, Justin Rose. Rose has finally broken through with wins in two of his last three tournaments, the Memorial and the AT&T, and what could have been another win at the Travelers if not for a bad hole.

With Tiger the favorite and Phil with a chance to take over the #1 ranking in the world with a win at St. Andrews, I still think it will be a European who takes home the Claret Jug on Sunday. Most of these players have grown up playing The Old Course at St. Andrews and that is so critical when it comes to playing a course like this, where course strategy is so crucial. They are also more experienced and adept at playing in the cool, wet, windy seaside elements.

So, let's get to the picks.

Favorite: Tiger Woods. Hey, he's a 6-1 favorite; he's won the last two Opens played at St. Andrews; and he's the #1 ranked golfer in the world. On paper, he's the favorite.

Dark horse: Steve Stricker. It's difficult to call a player ranked 4th in the world a dark horse, but Stricker hasn't won a major championship. He is coming off a solid performance at the John Deere Classic, albeit on a track not even remotely similar to the type of golf being played this week. But he also is one of the best putters on tour, year in and year out. And he's a great lag putter. The winner this week will need to lag more than his fair share of putts close.

Sleeper: Sergio Garcia. If ever there was a sleeper, Sergio is it. As a matter of fact, has he been pulling a Rip Van Winkle outside of Madrid since the fall '08 season? He is under the radar this week.....way way under the radar. But he's played well in Opens and if the weather doesn't get too nasty, Sergio could be near the top come Sunday.

Contender: Rory McIlroy. Rory's one of those players who has grown up playing links style golf and has played St. Andrews often during his amateur days. Can he be as strategic all week as he needs to be to pull off the inevitable? He could be the leader going into Sunday. Will he be able to navigate the final three holes and take another giant step toward the #1 ranking?

Winner: Padraig Harrington. Harrington thrives in links golf. He also thrives on navigating courses, thinking his way from hole to hole. He's a grinder. He's used to big, undulating greens and should be able to lag his way to a bunch of two putts. Look for it to come down to the ol' Irishman and the young lad McIlroy as they navigate their way through the road hole and up 18. And look for the winner of the gold medal and champion golfer of the year to be....Padraig Harrington.

The 139th Open Championship from the Old Course at St. Andrews

Open Championship week begins today and judging by the tweets of players like Ian Poulter and Stewart Cink, the 150th anniversary edition is shaping up to be a classic. Following Poulter and Cink via their Twitter accounts, it is easy to see they are already having a blast in the land of kilts and bagpipes.

St. Andrews, “The Home of Golf,” plays host to a championship that was first played before the Civil War had even began. The Open was first played on October 17, 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland. Back then players used persimmon woods and gutta percha golf balls. Eight Scottish professionals vied for the title with Willie Park Sr. defeating Old Tom Morris by two strokes. Now the field is made up of 156 players from countries all over the globe including Japan, Argentina, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, and the United States. Persimmon woods and gutta percha balls only make appearances at museums or old time hickory stick competitions.

As this year’s players pack up their graphite shafted, 460cc titanium drivers and 3 piece golf balls and catch their charter flights to the UK, I eagerly await what is not only my favorite golf major, but my favorite golf tournament. What makes, as we Americans generally call it, the British Open so special to me? Pinpointing one particular aspect is difficult.

As a history buff, I cannot help but be attracted to a championship that started in the 19th century. But it’s more than that. It is links style golf. We don’t often get to see that style of golf played, especially here in the States. Links golf is about shot making and creativity and not just smashing the golf ball as far as you can. It’s about taking the bad with the good. The course isn’t always fair, but that goes for everyone. How you recover from the bad breaks has a lot to do with how you fair in the tournament.

Bad breaks come from the course itself. A yard to the right and you’re in the fairway. A yard to the left and you’re in fescue up to your waist. But bad breaks also come about due to the weather. Scottish weather. English weather. Seaside, coastal weather. Summer in Scotland can be cool and rainy, and often is the week of the Open. There’s nothing like baking in the hot, pounding summer sun here in America and envying those fans dressed in raingear and holding on to each other for dear life so they don’t blow away. The forecast for this week shows highs in the upper 50s and low 60s with a 50-60% chance of rain each day. I’ve promised my wife that when I watch this week, I won’t turn the air conditioner down to 58 and bundle up with a fleece while sipping hot tea. But I’ve thought about it.

The Open Championship is all of these things. It’s hearing Scottish fiddle music played as the TV network goes to break. It’s hearing Ivor Robson, the official starter of the Open, introduce the players at the first tee in his unique style. It’s having tournaments at places called Royal St. George’s, Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s, Carnoustie, and Royal Birkdale. It’s seeing fans eating their fish & chips and devouring massive amounts of ice cream while strolling the windswept links. It’s getting up at 5 a.m. here in Virginia to watch the opening round from Scotland live.

The Open Championship is all of these things and much more. So enjoy this week of golf as Stewart Cink gets set to defend his Open title and Ian Poulter stalks the Claret Jug like a lion. Enjoy this week for it is special – the 139th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

John Deere Classic Picks

While most of the big dogs are preparing for the British Open this week by playing links style golf at Loch Lomond in Scotland or trying to maintain a low profile in Windermere, FL, the rest of the PGA Tour is gearing up for the John Deere Classic in Silvis, IL.

With thoughts of St. Andrews and a long charter flight to Scotland on the minds of Open participants, look for someone not in next week's Open field to step up and grab the title Sunday.

A birdiefest is always possible at the TPC Deere Run course which ranked 43rd out of 54 in difficulty in 2009. At 20-under par last year, Steve Stricker looks to defend his title against a field that includes up and coming star Rickie Fowler, steady Eddy Zach Johnson, and Players Champion Tim Clark. But it could be someone farther down the World Golf rankings who steps up this week, someone without thoughts of kilts, old Nessie, and the Road Hole.

Favorite - Steve Stricker
Dark horse - John Merrick
Sleeper - Kenny Perry
Contender - Zach Johnson
Winner - Marc Leishman
Surprise Not to Make the Cut - Bubba Watson

Watching the U.S. Open at Work

As Padraig Harrington gets ready to hit his tee shot at the famous par 3 7th at Pebble Beach, I'm a bit more nervous than I would normally be watching a professional golfer on TV. After all, it's only the first round of the tournament. I turn my head to the right, eyes darting back and forth, finger on the mouse, heart rate up. Eyes back on the screen. Back to the right. Now left. C'mon, hit it already. Finally, he lofts a soft sand wedge high in the air and the ball lands on the green, takes a hard bounce and stops just before rolling off the back edge. I click the mouse and start coding another document, secure in knowing I haven't been caught this time.

Ah, the life of a golf junkie who can't quite control himself from streaming live golf at work, especially when that golf happens to be the United States Open Championship. How many of you did the same thing last week? I didn't go in to work Thursday knowing for sure I was going to watch on the Internet. With ESPN and NBC broadcasting 9 full hours on TV and me DVRing every minute of it, I was pretty sure I could wait until I got home to take care of my golf fix.

Sure, I thought I might take a peek every now and then at the leaderboard, but that was it, and I would only do that until 1 when TV coverage started. So I went to the U.S. Open website for a quick look - seriously, that was all it was supposed to be. But what's this? Live Play Tracker? Hmm, sounds interesting. Must be like the Gametracker I sometimes use to watch football games that aren't on TV in my area. Guess it wouldn't hurt to just see what it's like......just for a sec......then back to work and checking my email (OK, mainly checking my email).

Wow! This shows each group on each hole; it shows whether a hole is playing over, under, or even par for the day; it shows who's set to tee off next. Wipe the smile off your face Ryan before your co-workers and bosses start to get suspicious. Coding documents is an exciting job and all, but maybe not that exciting.

OK, that was fun for a couple minutes. I should really get back to work. Wait, what's that? Follow the "feature group?" Live? Oh boy, is this a good idea? Could be risky. Mmm.....maybe just for a quick look. So I did, and of course a quick look turned into the rest of the afternoon. Work can be stressful enough without worrying about getting caught watching golf, but I just couldn't help myself. I really couldn't.

Hey, this was the U.S. Open. America's tournament. It was my patriotic duty to watch. Maybe I should have been shooting dirty looks at the rest of those unpatriotic workers busily coding document after document.

So now, with that tournament finished and a new work week upon me, I think I'll get back to actually working.....at least until the British Open.