Day 232: Looks Like Tiger's Got Some Competition

Remember Tiger Woods in 1999? He had been on the PGA Tour just three years and at the ripe old age of 24, he had already won two (of his 14) majors—the Masters and the PGA Championship. He had yet to meet or marry Elin Nordegren and yet to meet that fateful fire hydrant in the wee hours of Black Friday in 2009. And yet to admit his infidelity with the skank patrol. Tiger was young and new and fresh and he brought to golf a whole new pack of fans.

In 1999, Tiger performed a now famous juggling act with a wedge and a golf ball for a Nike commercial. Remember? If not, here you go... it's just as impressive now, as it was 14 years ago.

Well, looks like Tiger has got some competition in the world of golf ball on golf club juggling. His niece Cheyenne Woods, a 23-year-old two-time All-American at Wake Forest, has recreated his famous routine in a video of her own. She's updated the music bed, but other than that change, it appears that golf ball on golf club juggling runs in the family. Cheyenne is Tiger's half brother's daughter and a budding golf professional.

If you missed it, check it out on Instagram here. She pretty much nails it.

Day 112: Golf Ninja, Phil Mickelson, Wins First British Open.

I was sort of obsessed with the British Open this weekend. There was something about getting up and lounging around on the couch all morning watching this thing live that was very appealing. Probably because it was too hot to move on Saturday... and it was too cool this morning not to!

When any golf tournament is close, especially a major, it's so riveting because (like most sporting events) anything can happen. Just one missed fairway into the deep fescue, just one deep pot bunker, just one putt struck too firmly or just one gust of wind can knock a player down in an instant. Ask Tiger Woods or Lee Westwood or Hunter Mahan or Adam Scott—all of whom where in the hunt when the round started today.

They all had something to prove today. Tiger hasn't won a major since 2008 and he won The Open last in 2006. Adam Scott was desperate to quell the demons of 2012 when he blew a four shot lead with four holes to play, relinquishing the title to Ernie Els. Lee Westwood and Hunter Mahan were both still in search of their first major win.

But Muirfield Golf Links in East Lothian, Scotland had other ideas. The course was nothing short of brutal over the four days. Warm, sunny weather dried out the fairways and greens making drives, and unfortunately putts, never-ending. Some golfers seemed to handle it well, others did not. Heading in to the final round, Lee Westwood enjoyed a two-shot lead at three under, but both Tiger Woods and Hunter Mahan lurked two just shots back at -1. Phil Mickelson was tied for ninth at +2.

Who knew that the top of the leader board would become infected with a case of the yips today? By the ninth hole, Westwood had not hit one fairway off the tee and ended up with a +4 round for the day. And Tiger seemed to forget how to putt and settled for a +3 round... although he did remember how to swear, which the microphones picked up often. Phil Mickelson must have been wearing a hazmat suit because yips were nowhere to be found in his game today.

Mickelson started the day five shots off the lead. By the ninth hole, he had cut that deficit to three shots, birdying both par fives on the front. After bogeying the 10th hole, he put the pedal to the metal and quietly took full advantage of the problems the players behind him were having. He birdied four of the last six holes, including 17 and 18 to put the Championship out of reach and post a 66—the low score of the day. They were engraving his name on the Claret Jug before the final pairing had even finished.

Personally, I would've been happier with a multi-player sudden death, but that's mostly because I love sudden death in major golf championships, and also because I'm not the biggest Phil fan. Regardless, Congratulations Phil Mickelson on winning your first British Open!

Day 75: Friday Free For All - Weekly Roundup

I think Friday is the perfect time for a roundup of what's been happening this week. It's been a busy one in the sports world! The Red Sox are still plugging along, the Bruins have officially started their quest for the Stanley Cup, the Patriots signed Tim Tebow and the US Open is under way. WHAT?

If you read Balls through your email, you may have missed the new addition to the blog. Before I get into all the sports stuff... take a look at my new banner. Pretty sweet, right? That's what 12 weeks of an online Photoshop class will get you. That thing took me hours and hours and lots of referring back to those lessons that gave me fits, but I did it.  I've been patting myself on the back all week!

I'll admit, I haven't been too on top of what's been going on this week with the Red Sox, but they did manage to take two of three from the Rays earlier this week. And they continue to hang onto a slim lead in the AL East—2.5 games over the Orioles. So needless to say, this week's series with the O's is pretty damn important to the standings.

The Patriots have been rather quiet the past few months as they start to preparing for pre season activities. It's not really too surprising considering this Belichick-led team tries not to be too dramatic. But holy crap! They shocked Patriots nation with the announcement that they signed the former Bronco and Jet, Tim Tebow. Way to stay out of the spotlight, Bill.

We don't really need to relive that heartbreaking game one loss the Bruins suffered on Wednesday night —I'm still suffering from sleep deprivation from staying up until 1am to witness the triple overtime doozy. But tomorrow's another day and the B's have a chance to bounce back and even the series up before heading back to Boston.

And lastly, the US Open started this week in rainy PA at the Merion Golf Club. At 6,996 yards, Merion is considered short. But it's not playing short so far this week, mostly due to the wet weather. After the second round, only two players sit under par—including Phil Mickleson, who has never won the US Open, but has finished in second five times. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Should be a big weekend! Will the Sox win the series against the O's and hold on to first place? Can the B's rebound and take game two from Chicago? Could this be the year, Phil makes it to the altar? We shall see...

Day 53: Fried Chicken, Sergio? Them's Fightin' Words!

Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods don't like each other. I don't blame Tiger one bit. I think Sergio is a whiny little douche who is just pissed off because he can't keep up with the big guy. And I guess he's also angry because he blames Tiger for his spectacular collapse in the Players Championship a couple weeks ago. Really? So you sucked and refuse to take responsibility for it? Well then, it must be Tiger's fault.

Photo from here.

I know a lot of people don't like Tiger—mostly golf purists who feel he monopolizes the airwaves and hogs the spotlight. (I'm looking at you, Dad.) Yeah... it's true, even if he's not even in the hunt, he's still on TV. But Tiger is a ratings bonanza for the networks that air the PGA tournaments and ratings mean mo' money. I like him. I like watching him play and I like what he's done for the popularity of golf. Sue me.

There has been tension between Garcia and Woods for well over a decade—since Sergio won a made-for-TV match between the two called the Battle at Bighorn back in 2000. Tiger didn't appreciate Sergio's victory celebration and according to golf commentator, Dan Hicks, it was then that Woods "added the young Spaniard to his list of Things I Will Crush 80 Times Before I Die." (OMG! I have a list like that too!) And it's been bad blood ever since.

And then it happened. Sergio just couldn't keep his stupid to himself and elevated the feud to DEFCON 1. Dude, why must you poke the bear?

Garcia, plagued by Fuzzy Zoeller syndrome this week, made fried chicken comments towards Woods that many deemed racist and prompted not one but two apologies. Fuzzy's poultry comments after Tiger won his first Master's in 1997 got him in some serious hot water, so you would think most golfers know that type of fowl language is forbidden.

Here's what happened according to Yahoo Sports:

Attending an awards dinner for the European Tour, Sergio Garcia was asked if he was planning on having Tiger Woods over for dinner during the U.S. Open considering the way the two had gone at each other since the Players Championship, and his response went from war of words to downright ignorant. 

Garcia, channelling his inner Fuzzy, said, "We will have him round every night. We will serve fried chicken."

Oh Sergio, if you've learned anything in your 33 years, it should've been to keep your fat pie hole shut.

Day 14: Is There Anything Better Than Sudden Death at the Masters?

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride... and finally, the Aussies make it to the altar. Adam Scott becomes the first Australian to don the Green Jacket after beating former Masters champion, Argentinian Angel Cabrera, in a sudden death playoff.

I'm a big fan of close golf tournaments. Nothing ups the yawn factor faster than a player running away from the pack. My whole family was riveted to the TV screen, pulling for the kid from Down Under to put it away. We groaned and cheered and cringed and then erupted when Adam sunk his final winning putt.

Tiger Woods, the favorite going into Augusta National, made a late surge on Sunday to get to -5, but it was a classic case of too little, too late and he finished tied for 4th. Woods never quite got back on track after he was given a two-stroke penalty after Friday's round for a bad spot.

In case you missed it:

Congratulations, Adam!

Day 11: The Race for the Green Jacket Begins!

The 2013 Masters Golf Tournament starts today. Come on, even you golf haters can't resist the pomp and circumstance and the pretty flowers of Augusta National. It won't take long for me to become obsessed with the leaderboard this morning, even before everyone has teed off.

This year promises to be exciting with the resurgence of Tiger Woods and his recent reclamation of the #1 spot in the standings. Even if you hate him, you have to admit he makes the field that much more exciting. And if he's in the final pairing on Sunday afternoon, anything can happen.

Tiger has been stuck on 14 major wins since 2008 and hasn't donned the Green Jacket since 2005. I'm guessing he means business this year. At one time, most thought Tiger would shatter Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major wins but he's been shutout for the last six years. Now, their records are even. At 37, Woods has 14 wins in 60 majors. At the same age, Nicklaus had 14 wins in 60 majors.

So who will it be? Click here for the pairings and tee times for Round 1 and make your picks!