Straight-shooter Stricker on Tiger

 
DUBLIN, Ohio – They are bosom buddies. In today’s world, that means they exchange text messages and their mobile phone numbers are on speed dial. Fast, efficient.

That’s Steve Stricker’s golf game, too. After a long, sad downturn in his career, Stricker took it upon himself to sort out his game. He relied on himself – nobody else – to find out what was wrong and find a way to fix it. It didn’t take as long as people might think.

Now his pal, Tiger Woods, is looking for solutions. Woods said at the Memorial Tournament that he’ll do without a swing guru now that Hank Haney no longer is on the Team Tiger roster. Woods will use the available video technology to study his swing and, like Stricker, find a way to dig it out.
Continue Reading…

Quote of the Day: March 3

“I’ve never played with Drew. I’m looking forward to that. Brees has had a great year, even if he was a Purdue guy, but he was a Big Ten guy, so that’s good. We’ll have fun with that.” – Jack Nicklaus on Honda Classic Pro-Am playing partner Drew Brees, Super Bowl-winning QB.

- ASAPSports

For Cabrera, Masters Makes It Twice as Nice

For Angel Cabrera, winning the Masters Tournament was a validation. There are many golfers with one major title on their resume, much fewer with two.

When Cabrera, the long-hitting Argentine, won the U.S. Open in 2007 at Oakmont Country Club in suburban Pittsburgh, it had historic and global implications. When he won a Green Jacket last year at Augusta National Golf Club, it elevated his status immeasurably. Nobody can call him a one-hit wonder now.

“It’s very important for me,” Cabrera said Tuesday during the annual pre-Masters champion’s press conference. “It signifies a lot of importance that I can win majors. It wasn’t just by luck that I won the U.S. Open. It tells me that I can get those big tournaments. It gives me a lot of merit, and it especially helps me that I can win more tournaments.” Continue Reading…

Rosie Jones to Captain U.S. Solheim team

Rosie Jones, a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour who represented the United States on seven Solheim Cup teams, has been selected captain of the 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.

“I am honored and absolutely ecstatic to be chosen as the 2011 Solheim Cup captain,” said Jones, who made the clinching putt in 2002. “The Solheim Cup has been a huge part of my career, and now it will be even more exciting as I prepare for what promises to be another great Solheim Cup in Ireland.”

The 2011 Solheim Cup will be played at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland, Sept. 23-25. Continue Reading…

Quote of the Day: February 15

“They’re all pretty great. I probably like 8 … 8 is probably my favorite hole.” – J.B. Holmes, on Pebble Beach Golf Links where he nearly won Sunday thanks to an eagle 2 on the spectacular eighth hole during the tournament.

Duval Flourishes When It Gets Hard

David Duval embraces difficult tasks. It’s how he explains his outstanding performance last year in the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, where he finished T2 behind Lucas Glover.

This week at the AT&T National Pro-Am follows the same pattern. On Thursday, Duval carved out a solid 67 at Spyglass Hill, the first time he’s ever broken 70 on that track. He backed it up with 70 Friday at Pebble Beach Golf Links and is among the leaders.

The U.S. Open, Duval said, “just pretty much felt right.

“Just comfortable and good,” he said. “You know, those weeks, to me, ironically, they’re a little bit easier to pay attention to what you’re doing because the golf courses are so difficult and the situations are so difficult that it’s real easy for me to focus on those weeks. Continue Reading…

Quote of the Day: February 13

“I don’t know what to say. I’m hitting the ball mostly pretty good. Had to shake a few putts in on these greens, and not got much trouble, so kind of the recipe you need to have out here.” – David Duval, after a second-round 68 at Pebble Beach keeps him in contention  at AT&T National Pro-Am. 

- ASAPSports

David Duval: Will He Win Again?

The name keeps popping up on leaderboards. Three rounds of 68 or better in Las Vegas in October. A 65 and a 69 at the Bob Hope Desert Classic a couple of weeks ago.

And Thursday, an opening 68 at Spyglass Hill in the AT&T National Pro-Am.

David Duval is taking the baby steps. Is there a giant step back into the winner’s circle looming for the former World No. 1?

Duval, best he can remember, had never before broken 70 at Spyglass. Given a grumpy back, he didn’t think this would be the first time. Duval wasn’t sure he could even tee it up after Monday’s practice round was cut short by the uncooperative back.

Duval starts Friday’s second round 3 shots behind Dustin Johnson. Double-D is in a big group at 5-under. The question is: Will he stay among the leaders? Or fade? Let me know what you think at golfstix@vartangolflive.com.

Quote of the Day: February 11

“You guys were good. You guys were pretty fair on me last year, I think, which was nice.” – Adam Scott, on how the media treated him during his off year in 2009. 

- ASAPSports

Quote of the Day: February 10

“Fred is one of the biggest draws in the game. I would turn on the TV to watch him play golf. There aren’t a lot of players you could say that about but he’s one of them.” – Paul Azinger, who will make his Champions Tour debut this week at The ACE Group Classic, on fellow Champions Tour rookie Fred Couples.