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Battle at Bighorn boredom
Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle will answer your questions every Thursday during the golf season. Click here to send him a question. Well, we've established that Tiger Woods is beatable after all. At least he was less than 24 hours after he shot 21 under on one of the tour's hardest courses despite suffering from the flu; then, after giving a clinic the following morning, he jetted across the country to California and played on some night-light course a few hours later. The Woods- Sergio García match, the Battle of Big Cash, proved nothing. Anything can happen in match play, which we already knew. No doubt Tiger was extremely fired up at the prospect of winning more than $1 million. If he'd won that million, he would probably be set for life! I tried to watch the whole thing, I really did. But it was simply too slow-paced. Early on, ABC went to commercials between every shot. Later, the network went to its canned features and interview stuff, which was slightly more interesting. I think it would have been a better show if ABC aired an edited version, such as highlights of the first 12 holes packed into 30 minutes, then following the last six holes of the match live. Actually, the whole thing on tape delay wouldn't be bad, either, if it were edited into a two-hour package. And if ABC brought Al Michaels in, completely overcrowding the broadcast booth, Dennis Miller should've been there, too. I'm sure he could've come up with some good lines about Tiger and Sergio. But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. This week's mail:
Alan Shipnuck wrote that he doesn't think Tiger should be credited with the Grand Slam if he wins the Masters next year. What if Tiger wins the Masters in 2001, plus the U.S. and British Opens, then loses the PGA? He would have won six straight majors and seven of eight. I defy anybody to argue that winning all four majors in the same year is more impressive than winning six in a row over two years. You're right, John -- six in a row is more impressive. But winning the Grand Slam means winning all four in the same calendar year. If Ben Hogan had won the PGA in '54, after winning the first three and not being able to play in the PGA in 1953, would you count that? Tiger may win four in a row -- which I have been predicting he would do for some months now -- but a true Grand Slam means in the same year. Who's to say he won't win all four next year and make it seven in a row and make this debate moot? I wouldn't bet against him.
Tiger said he was tired and his body just broke down a couple days short after his Monday-night match with Sergio García. I thought he was the best-conditioned athlete in all of golf, as Jim Nantz never tires of pointing out. How can he be tired? He still plays less golf than any other tour player. Also, do you think Tiger's year was the best ever? How do you rate them all? I think Tiger meant he was tired because he had the flu. As for a great year, Tiger's 2000 doesn't surpass Byron Nelson's 18-victory season, Hogan winning three majors in 1953 just a few years after nearly dying in a car accident or Bobby Jones' Grand Slam season of 1930. Nelson didn't beat a field of stiffs each time, and 18 would be a lot of even Buy.com Tour events to win. Hogan's year was nothing short of heroic. Winning two match-play events out of four majors is pretty difficult. As Jones knew, anything could happen in an 18-hole match. Tiger has had a phenomenal year, but I can't say it's any better than the other three. It's as good as the others, but this is apples and oranges. I won't dismiss Nelson, Hogan and Jones so easily.
If all North Americans are now Americans, wouldn't Carlos Franco from Paraguay be on the American team? I mean, he's from South America. Sure, let's make it the Americas against the world. Apparently, some of you Canadians took my compliment last week of Mike Weir the wrong way. Since Canada is next door to the U.S., it seems like we're on the same side and Weir is a guy I'd like to have playing on my Presidents Cup team. To me, it makes sense for him to play for the U.S. But if you think Canada has more in common with South Africa, Japan, Fiji and Australia, then I bow to your wishes, having never visited Flin Flon, Medicine Hat or Moose Jaw. Besides, I wouldn't want to damage the long tradition and incredible significance and importance of the Presidents Cup, which is golf's ultimate event. Personally, I love the International team's catchy name and national anthem. I believe it's called Macarena.
Did you play Valhalla after the tourney? If so, what did you think?
Gee, Bob, I guess you didn't get your copy of Sports Illustrated with Golf Plus coverage of the PGA Championship. I wrote a story about how many players found Valhalla's miniature-golf-like greens to be more than a little over the top and how the course, while hosting an exciting finish, was lacking. If you subscribe to Sports Illustrated and don't get Golf Plus, a section that is added to your magazine, call customer service and ask for it. It's free. Also, you may want to write and ask magazine honchos to start putting all of our Golf Plus stories on this Web site instead of just selected items. If enough of you write in, they might just get the idea. And, no, I didn't play Valhalla after the PGA.
Have you ever played a very exclusive club and been caught by the club president relieving yourself in the woods? I get the feeling that is what Tiger Woods is doing to the PGA Tour. Your thoughts? No, Gordon, I've never been caught. I hear the rough at your club is getting pretty dry, though. Want me to come by?
What would happen if Tiger swung as hard as he could with my 10-degree, regular-flex driver? You would be cooled by a magnificent, wonderful breeze, like one of those flywheel exercise bikes. Of course, if you teed up a ball in front of him before he swung, Joe, that's another story completely.
Do you think Tiger thinking he could pick up a wasp without being stung is evidence of a developing God complex? Yes. And I really hate wasps who think they're God. Don't you?
Click here to send your golf question to Gary Van Sickle.
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