Sand save for $10million dollars…WHOA

Sand save for $10million dollars…WHOA
How good is your bunker game….better yet when was the last time you dropped 10 balls in the bunker and started practicing some bunker shots? Mr. Jim Furyk was on the final whole of the FedEx Cup playoffs and what stood between him and a $10million dollar pay out, really almost $11million with the winnings of $1million from the Tour Championship tournament, was a sand save. Oh yeah it was raining and it was chilly but the pro that he is, he was able to make the sand save and get the big checks. I am extremely happy for Mr. Furyk because if you remember back to the first Playoff event at The Barclay's he was disqualified for over sleeping and not making his ProAM tee time. At the time we were still talking about Dustin Johnson and the bunker incident and Julie Inkster and the weighted club incident. Lots of talk around reviewing the ancient rules in the rule book to make them more player friendly. Why I am so happy for Jim Furyk is because he did not squawk or complain and he did not even mention it going into week 2 at Deutsche Bank. He just put the tee in the ground and played. A lot to be said for his actions and taking the high road. In taking the high road the golf gods lined him up to make a sand save for $10million dollars. Congrats to the man who goes about his business his way, his swing, his bald head, and his hat on backwards on the final hole of the 2010 PGA TOUR Playoffs.

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - I am not sure were I want to go with this selection because so many players have disappointed me going into Atlanta. Dustin Johnson just need a big week to make up for the downs of 2010 and did not take advantage. Matt Kuchar was the darling of the final weeks of the regular season and going into the playoffs and all he did was smile and blow a chance at $10million. Paul Casey was also in prime position to take the FedEx Cup overseas and I am noticing a trend with him and he seems to not play well on Sundays under the pressure.

Move on Young Man....

Golf is the one sport were a person can learn from past experiences and immediately start the process of becoming a better person. So much has been made about the faulters in Dustin Johnson's 2010 season. The media is so crazy with statements that he has missed opportunities, he might not recover, etc. What Dustin Johnson has shown is something that most non athletes no nothing about poise. Poise to embrace the present, let the past go and look forward to a bright future. The thing I observed this Sunday after his Big win in a Playoff event was his demeanor after the win. Seemed to be the same guy who lost a 2 Majors. Very Poised!!! Congratulations to Dustin Johnson and I hope in my heart that he wins in Atlanta and wins the FedEx Cup.

FRAUD OF WEEK - This person had on white framed sun glasses and came into Sunday with a 3 shot lead and all the momentum in the world. And somehow someway found a way to lose the tournament. This person was suppose to be the next HUGE star in golf and has not fulfilled the expectations at all. This person is still one of my favorites and has an awesome twitter account. Ms Michelle Wie…LOL Go get em girl and hopefully you will get another win soon:):)

His back was up against ATWAL…

When asked if he new he lost his PGA Tour status on Thursday he was shocked to know he did not have current status. Did not much matter to him because he Monday Qualified anyway. When asked if he had a lot of pressure to regain his status, he stated he had nothing to lose and could play loose and to win this event. These are the answers of a man who was comfortable being himself... Arjun Atwal. An Indian golfer who loves to do what….play golf. Does not matter to him if it is PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, Euro Tour or a local muni to get some work in. He just enjoys the challenge of trying to live out his child hood dream…Winning a PGA Tour event. Mission accomplished Sunday at the Wyndham Championship.

For me this win felt better than seeing some of the other players win on tour. I met Mr. Atwal while volunteering at a Nationwide Tour event a year ago. I had the pleasure of working with the live online scoring and the walking scorers so they were long days. Each day I was there super early and many players would come and go by and not say a word to us but Mr. Atwal made it a point every morning to see how we were holding up with the long days and always asked if it was anything he could do for us. Ok Ok here is a guy trying to win an event and focus on his golf game but has the thoughtfulness to ask if he can help us, the volunteers out. WOW.. On the Saturday after his round and being several shots off the lead he comes by the volunteer area and just plops down and has lunch with us and talks with us while the scores come from the leaders. This has stuck with me and I always thought if anyone deserves a sponsor exemption or PGA Tour status it is Mr. Arjun Atwal. A TRUE CLASS ACT.

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - PGA Rule book. I have thought long and hard about how players keep getting penalized for penalties that are questionable. First let me say that I am a sport purest. I like to maintain things as close to how they were intended. That being said I also know that things need to be reviewed periodically to see if they still make since in the current environment. Golf is taking longer to play, 5 hour rounds are closer than further to being the norm. Maybe the rule book could use a little trimming with the thought of improving the pace of play. Not slowing things down and forcing players to hesitate whenever there might be a ruling needed. Maybe the 2011 rule book could read like Tweets….LOL short and to the point

4 Majors complete and 3 Euro tour winners

4 Majors complete and 3 Euro tour winners
Congratulations to Mr. Martin Kaymer for his impressive PGA Championship win. He played well for the first 3 days and lights out on the toughest day SUNDAY. When many players do the opposite by playing lights on Thursday or Friday and then struggle on the weekend. Mr. Kaymer did the opposite. At one point during the 2nd round Friday evening/Saturday morning one of the announcers stated that their were so many Americans atop the leader board. This caught my attention and I looked at the names and burst out laughing because those names never close tournaments strong. As the day went on Saturday and those names slid a little, some Euro/Asian tour players names started to surface and my thought was "Here We go again". Then some how the pairings had 2 Americans in the final group and 2 Euro/Asian Tour in the next to last group. I know the PGA Tour did not want to mix up the pairings hoping the American could figure out how to win playing together, but NO. As usual the Americans choked on Sunday and the Euro/Asian tour players played their game and pulled out the victory. My major observation has nothing to do with Dustin Johnson and the bunker or Bubba Watson's huge drives. My major observation revolves around the American Players desire to shoot low scores or make incredible shots and not play their game versus the course. Americans never take what they are given, they want more and this tends to cost them when the pressure is on. Euro players tend to appreciate "OLD MAN PAR" and take what the course gives them. Sometime this does not sit well with announcers and viewers because they too always want more. Case in point on the 3rd playoff hole Bubba tries to hit a career shot and then loses the tournament instead of playing for par and understanding "OLD MAN PAR". You do not always need a birdie to win Americans. Earlier this season Rickie Fowler laid up and lost a tournament but he was content with his decision. He caught a lot of grief in the US for this decision but around the world he decision was respected because he was playing his game versus "OLD MAN PAR." Kaymer did the same on 3rd hole of playoff and won. He was just as content with his decision as Fowler and it showed in both of their post tournament interviews. Gracious and respectful of the tournament and the course. They did not make silly statements like Bubba Watson after the lost and his bad decision "I just wanted to make the Ryder Cup Team". WHAT did he say, excuse me Bubba are you kidding me……

FRAUD OF THE WEEK -
I know many will say this should be Dustin Johnson for the bunker situation and maybe it should be. Hit a fairway PLEASE Dustin Johnson and this would not have happened. You flew the green anyway…LOL The FRAUD was the wide eyed….hold on I'm still scrolling down the leader board to get his name… Nick Watney. This guy was +9 on Sunday of a major tournament in the final group. What a disaster. I know they do the pairings for the final round based on Saturdays results but this guy should be banded from being in the final group of Major Championships...bottom line…+9 WHATEVER…He should also be refused a spot on any future Ryder Cup teams for life!!!!!

Tiger What are we going to do with you...

We all know the talk going on right now about TW. Worst 4 round tournament as a pro, no swing coach, blah blah blah. Can he turn it around? That's the major question and many of us sure hope so. But let me through one name out there and this guy was also #1 in the world before a crash unlike anything we have ever seen. DAVID DUVAL. I am not saying TW will fall off like him but it can happen and hopefully it will not.

My steps to getting TW back on track.
(1) Get back into the nice classic clothing you used to wear. No prints, not designs. JUST CLASSICS.
(2) No more talking to fans and smiling. Get back to domination both physically and mentally.
(3) Play every round like match play. CRUSH the dudes you are playing with.
(4) Get out of the Maybach and back into the Buick.
(5) No sunglasses. You never wore sunglasses what's that about.
(6) Shoot at every flag, every time, every round.
That should get you started and call/text the Urban Legend for phase 2 later, offline.

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - Only one man stuck out this week. Friday evening everything was teed up for him to become #1 in the world. TW was playing bad and he was tied for second. Then something funny happened…. He slept on the idea of being #1 in the world and choked for 2 days to ensure it would not happen. He smiled and said all the things most people accept but not me. FRAUDSTER you do not want it and just admit it. Being #1 in the world scares you Mr. Phil Mickelson. I would not be surprised if he missed the cut this week in a major championship. FRAUD!!!!! Button down polos..whatever dude….

59 59 59....

So much talk around the score of 59. Why are the players of today so consumed with shooting a 59 in a tournament. There have been 2 59's shot recently. One by Paul Goydos…yeah the guy with the ugly Long Beach hat and Stuart Appleby…his score is to be respected a little more. Appleby's score was shot on a Sunday and it was needed to pull out a win by 1 stroke. Since Appleby's 59 there has been talk about why players are shooting low. Is it the equipment? Driving the ball longer, more receptive golf balls..etc. Have the courses been set up easier than in the past? Have the greens improved? Yes in my opinion these guys play on plush gucci greens every week and if they are not perfect they complain like babies!!! Are the players better? Has fitness of the golfers improved? Has the mindset of the young guns rubbed of on the seasoned pro's? So many things to consider but the one thing I know is 59 is not that big of deal. Here is why I say that. There are 18 holes on a golf course and lets say the course is a par 71. Lets keep in mind that these are professional golf surgeons:):) If a player were to birdie every hole that would be a score of 18 under par and a score of 53. In my mind the "Ultimate Score" is 53 not 59!!!!!

OOOOO he has on two gloves...LOL

Another major Championship in the books and another European tour winner. Louis Oosthuizen wins the Open Championship by 7 shots. As I watched him finish up on Saturday and the media started to interview this guy I watched closely to see if I saw any weakness in him and NO!!! For many fans who tend to only watch the PGA Tour, played primarily in pristine conditions, this was the first time they had ever hear of Sir Louis Oosthuizen. He was #53 in the world before the event and after this win he will be top 30 at least. He is a 20 something young gun but with a euro flair. That flair is being calm and playing/living in the moment, something 20 something American golfers struggle with. American golfers tend to always wonder WHAT's NEXT. Sir Oosthuizen was refreshing and to watch he and his caddie, who is also South African, work together and enjoy the rounds of golf on the sacred ground was a delight. He played his game for 4 days and it was more than enough. Congrats on the Claret Jug and I am sure we will see that name again in the Race to Dubai.

After the Open Championship was completed I decided to flip to the Nationwide Tour and see what was happening. What was happening was a man 2 gloves and dream...LOL Tommy "2 Gloves" Gainey was putting his final touches, the only way he knows how, on another Nationwide Tour WIN. For those who do not know - he was a contestant on the Golf Channels Big Break and he is taking full advantage of his BREAK.. 2 wins this year for the Man who wears 2 gloves the entire round of golf. That's right ...even when he putts:):) He is #1 on the Nationwide Tour Money list and I hope he ends #1 because he does things his way and it works...a true URBAN LEGEND!!!!

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - The American golfers who complained about the wind at St Andrews...LOL Get a life Americans and play golf. Golf is not suppose to be played in 90 degree, bright sunshine, tree lined, fluffy sand trapped - gucci courses. True golf is played in all conditions and a true golfer loves the challenge of the course and mother nature. So Fraudsters get out of your driver driven SUV's, take your sun glasses of the back of your hat and take of your synthetic polo and put on a cashmere sweater and get focused!!! Maybe you should make more trips to play on the European Tour so you will feel comfortable and not complain so much.

I also did not forget you Bob Heintz. I know you flew in last minute to play and I know its your biggest pay check too date but you have to make a 3 footer on the 72nd and last hole to force that playoff. That win could have gotten you a 2 year exemption on the PGA TOUR. My advice to you is take that big check and head over to the European TOUR....LOL

"On This Day" July 13

1930 First World Cup
France defeats Mexico 4-1
United States defeats Belgium 3-0

1960 John F Kennedy
won Democratic nomination for President,
one of the youngest nominees ever

1985 Live Aid concert is held. 125 million raised
to help relieve hunger in Africa

2010 First few chapters of Yootopea Golf's
"Love Story" are released.
The 13th marks the beggining of
Timeless Apparel & Accessories

www.yootopeagolf.com

PRACTICE what are we talking about PRACTICE

The Pink Panther has finally won the major championship she has worked so hard to get. Over the years she has prepared and in many cases over prepared only to come up short. Then she injuries her thumb and she was sidelined from physical preparation for this major championship but she found something else. MENTAL preparation. Visualizing the shots and the end result of winning the LPGA US OPEN on one of golfs toughest courses – Oakmont. There were times watching her hit shots out of that thick rough when I thought she might injure that thumb but she survived and hit tons of great approach shots on Sunday. Congratulations to Paula Creamer and getting that monkey off her back.. it probably was a pink monkey…LOL

FRAUD of the Week – Is a tough one this week and I have to head to Loch Lohman to get this one. This guy looked great Thursday – Saturday not just playing but his clothing choices were classic. Then on Sunday everything came crashing down…Darren Clarke. He shot a 5 over in the final round and finished 2^nd and then I realized 2nd was enough for him to get into this weeks Open Championship. Then I realized the winner Edoardo Molinari needed the win to get in the Open Championship and that was the only way he was getting in. Now the question I have is – Did Clarke really shoot a 5 over or did he do the gentlemanly thing and open the door for a fellow Euro to make the field of the Open Championship? LOL

Just IN..... get it Justin

What a difference a week makes. One week you blow a lead going into the final round by shooting over par and the next week you shoot even par and it is enough. You have to make the field come and get you and not fall back to the field. Lesson learned JUST IN time...LOL Justin Rose...LOL

390 yd Drive.....WHOA

Okay Okay I know he had cart path love, for those who do not know what that is, its when a golfer gets help from a bounce on the cart path. Any way a drive of 390 yards is out of control and seems completely unreal. Also it was on the 18th hole of an event he had a chance to win on Sunday...WHOA.. The player and the winner was Bubba Watson. Bubba got his 1st win on any tour, PGA - Nationwide - or any mini tour. Some say as long as he is he has to be a contender more frequently but what I know is long does not always mean success on the golf course. Sunday Bubba's wedge play won him this event because he was dead on coming down the stretch and in the playoff. His short game was the key and speaking of short. WHAT IN THE WORLD was Corey Pavin thinking in the playoff. Hitting a 3 wood of the tee. WHAT THE WHAT!!! He was 109 yds behind Bubba after tee shots on the 1st playoff hole. No chance Corey with that kind of decision making...LOL Scott Verplank was also in the playoff but we all knew he would not get it done and the only thing I remember about him was his Brooks Brother polo shirt. My thoughts immediately went from can he win to why does he not dress better with Brooks Brothers behind him...LOL

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - Another FRAUD that I hate to say because he is an Euro golfer and I somewhat like his style. Justin Rose. Had the lead headed into Sunday and was playing lights out just, had to play a solid round of golf and bring home the W but no. Sleeping on that lead is tough for the 20 something players. The 20 somethings are ready to kick him out anyway with his 30th birthday coming up. His performance Sunday was certainly that of a 30+ golfer....LOL

The runner up for FRAUD OF THE WEEK is Ai Miyazato she was suppose to be #1 in the world on LPGA tour and she did nothing in a major championship. She has entourage (chef, personal photographer, her own media coverage, etc) and had an opportunity to build on some serious momentum but a choke sandwich in a Major Championship. Thanks Ai for letting Cristie Kerr be the new #1 player in the world. Cristie played well but Ai played awful....

US OPEN 2010 - Euros Euros Euros.....

Just need to get a few things off my mind right away before we go into detail.

1) Why do the American based PGA Tour players complain so much about conditions. The Weather, The Greens, The rough is too high, its not fair, blah blah blah.

2) Why is it the European Tour based players dress so much better than the US PGA Tour players? Modern and classic looks versus over sized polos and khakis.

3) Why do we not get to hear the analysis from the European tour perspective? There is so much coverage, 5+ hours, that maybe for an hour or two they should switch up the individuals in the booth.

4) NBC enough already. Can you please let golf fans enjoy the golf!!!! NO and I mean NO NFL commercials in June or July. Let NFL fans miss the sport some and then build the excitement in August. Nothing ruins golf more than seeing Chris Collinsworth...LOL just hearing his voice makes me a little uneasy. FYI he is horrible.

OKAY

Congrats to Graeme McDowell. Super solid play for 4 days. Steady is the word for this Irishman. He just played steady for the entire tournament. Personally I enjoyed Saturdays round. He was paired with Dustin Johnson and Dustin was bombing the drives 30 yards past him but Mr McDowell (Coming to America...LOL ) kept within himself and played his game. In my mind this was the tournament in a nutshell. Mr McDowell played his game versus the course and OLD MAN PAR. Sometimes shooting even Par is enough and in this case it was PARfect...LOL

Congrats Again Mr Graeme McDowell!!!!!

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - Dustin Johnson and his calm demeanor. Maybe he should have a little more fire in that belly. I love this guy and it hurt me to watch him fall apart on Sunday. I hope he learned a lot from the experience and he works to get in the position to win a Major Championship again. Won't be the next one though, Open Championship does not fit his game.

I know I know you are thinking what about something on TW, Phil and Ernie. Nothing because they did nothing in the clutch. Nothing at all and TV coverage is crazy because they kept showing them thinking any moment they would get something going and they never did.

Euro State of Mind

Well Well Well. Lee Westwood cleans up on the 72 hole thinking he had a solid tournament and it was time to start preparing for the US Open. He was 3 shots off the lead and the leader only had 1 hole left to play. During his interview he was more concerned about the health of David Feherty who ran up to the scoring both to interview him and let him know that the leader just hit in the water. Westwood was relaxed and said calmly "golf is a crazy game and anything can happen" and it did.

Garrigus continues to butcher the final hole and triple that's right I said triple bogey the final hole. Garrigus is 32 and does not have that 20 something mind set...LOL He thought he would lay up and play it safe and that mind set basically lost him the tournament. He was able to get into a 3 way playoff but he was done before the playoff started because all day he had been sweating his butt, literally. FYI you need a new clothing sponsor Garrigus that was a mess to see on National TV. Also please never wear a ribbon on your hat, that's not hott at all.

In case you are not aware Lee Westwood is #3 in the world. I know he is good but he is not the #3 player in the world I live in!!!! Lets see what he does in the US Open this up coming week.

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - This is an obvious one Robert Garrigus. 3 shot lead standing on the 18th and final hole of the tournament and you do not get it done. It was all wrong in many ways. He even stated he thought he only had a 2 shot lead. Whatever dude, someone should let you know but I guess that is why you are 350+ in the world. In a way I am glad you did not get the win and I always, I mean always, root for the underdog but I do not want to see you and gear at the Masters in 2011...LOL I will be watching you in the weeks to come and I hope you change my mind but I doubt it.

Young Guns getting it done......

For several weeks all the talk has been about the 20 something, even teen, golfers getting it done on the PGA TOUR. Yes they are really playing well but the 35+ golfers should be ticked off. These older golfers have played these courses several times and should be performing at a higher level than a young 20 something golfer but they have not been. What's the reason these young 20 somethings get it done? I can think of few.

1) TW factor. Prepare to be the best at all cost. No Vijay thoughts (FYI VJ thoughts are - lets just make the top ten and earn some solid money)

2) No FEAR!!! - TW is not playing so I am the best player out here. These old dudes can't beat me.

3) Peer Pressure - I know you all remember peer pressure but in this case it is a good thing. They see other 20 somethings ballin and they say I have to step it up as well.

4) Improved junior golf programs and competition - The best athletes in middle and high school play golf as well as their team sport. Lets call this the Tony Romo/Michael Jordan factor.

Keep your eye on the 20 somethings and their SWAG.

FRAUD OF THE WEEK - LOL Happens to be a guy who was battling a 20 something. He was in prime position and blew it because he did not have #2 on the list. He showed FEAR or should I say FRAUD tendencies. 1 shot back on the 18th hole of the final round. He blocks it right into the trees, disaster but okay the leader lays up of the tee with an iron. The leader then hits his approach in the water. Okay prime opportunity to get the "W" or at least make it a playoff. Just need to punch it out of the trees and then knock it close for par. Then all of sudden FRAUD tendencies take over his body and he hits it threw the fairway and into the water also...Major disaster.... FRAUD deluxe Blake Adams

The Players Championship....your hurt...whatever

I usually reserve my FRAUD of the week until the golf week is over but today is a different day. A different set of circumstances when I receive a text message from ESPN giving me news, that I thought I would never read. TW withdrawals from event due to injury. A few thoughts go through my mind immediately.

1.What am I going to watch this afternoon?

2.This guy is pulling out of the "PLAYERS Championship"!!! The championship the PLAYERS call their own!!!

3.He is pulling out of a tournament on Mothers Day!!! This is the one thought I find most interesting because the last thing he needs is speculation about really being injured but now my thought is why Mothers Day??? Does he have other mothers out there on his mind.....

Either way TW has certainly hit the FRAUD radar with his actions of today because this is certainly considered a FRAUDULENT action.