by Jeff Skinner
1. The PGA of America has floated the idea of taking the PGA Championship on the road and Royal Port Rush sounds like it is getting some consideration. But I hope they consider making the move down under to Australia. The Aussies deserve a shot at a major.
2. Speaking of Aussies…was there anything better than watching Jarrod Lyle making his return to professional golf? We all put way too much importance on where that little white ball lands. Seeing a man fight the fight that Lyle has and come out on top is…well, it just doesn’t get any better than that. How he could even hold a club, no less hit the ball on that first tee is beyond me.
3. Staying down under…Watching Adam Scott continue his streak of magnificent play is a joy. He’s a man in full bloom and realizes what he means to his countrymen. He’s not afraid to share a piece of himself with his public.
4. The LPGA’s stop and start season comes to an end this week at the CME Group Titleholders. It’s their version of the Tour Championship and brings a power packed field. It’s been a wild season for the women with Inbee Park dominating early with three majors, Stacy Lewis and Suzann Petersen challenging her and then Lexi Thompson winning twice at season’s end.
5. The women’s professional ranks welcomes a new member this week when 16 year old Lydia Ko makes her debut at the Titleholders. With two LPGA Tour wins and two international wins to her credit Ko has decided it’s time to start cashing checks. She’s a phenomenal talent but there’s more to professional golf than breaking par. So far she’s shown maturity beyond her years and now she’ll need every bit of it.
6. This week we all got to see and hear a bit from Phil Mickelson as he spent an hour with the team at The Morning Drive. Phil was his usual entertaining self and the subjects ranged from golf to travel to education and plenty more. Phil is serious about his charity work and education in math and science is one of his favored causes. You can hear it in his voice and that’s also what we love about Philly Mick…he lets us in, let’s us share his life and gives us a piece of himself. He’s Arnold Palmer in a KPMG hat.
7. The debacle that Glen Nager brought upon the USGA will be felt for quite awhile. And I for one find it unbelievable that they let themselves be taken in by a manipulating carpetbagger. He only had been with the USGA for six years when he was made president. In USGA years he was still a rookie. Maybe the bluecoats were looking for someone to bring them into the “modern age” where profits outweigh purpose. Be careful what you wish for because what they got was a disaster. Nager seems like he would have been a better fit in for the Nixon White House and not the USGA.
8. Stories of redemption abound recently. Of course the tear-jerking Jarrod Lyle comeback from leukemia tops the list. But Henrik Stenson’s spell of great golf continues and for a man that had lost his swing his run in simply astonishing. Is there a man that is hitting it better that Stenson right now? He’s not using clubs…he’s got a laser now. Adam Scott’s Season of Redemption started at Augusta and has continued all season. His Australian Homecoming gets better each week and he’s trying to win four straight down under. How wild is that!
9. Like many golf fans I am addicted to the Golf Channel’s Big Break. It is fun to watch and this season’s NFL Big Break was a bit of marketing genius. But not everything goes as planned when club meets ball. Just take a look as Chi Chi Rodriquez takes one to his own chi-chi’s.
10. There is still some great golf this week with the LPGA CME Title holders taking the top spot. They even get some LIVE television time on The Golf Channel. Adam Scott and Jason Day are looking to bring The World Cup of Golf home to Australia and continue Scott’s winning streak. We can watch it on The Golf Channel. And the European Tour doesn’t miss a beat. Days after ending the 2013 season the 2014 season tees off at the South African Open Championship. And there’s coverage on The Golf Channel. God Bless The Golf Channel.
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