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Now, some down time
Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle will answer your questions every Thursday during the golf season. Click here to send him a question.
Thanks in part to Tiger Woods, the Olympics and the scintillating presidential election, I don't think I've ever seen a so-called major event draw less attention than the Solheim Cup has this year. Of course, it might have helped if the world's best female player, Karrie Webb, was playing. (Hey, LPGA, it's time for a third Solheim Cup team, an International team featuring everyone who's not an American or European.) Then again, it probably wouldn't have made a difference. It's too bad because the Solheim Cup, like the Ryder Cup, is a terrific event. Match play, especially team matches that tend to be very close, are inevitably exciting and dramatic. Ever notice how the first normal stroke-play event the week after the Ryder Cup seems like such a yawner? Match play is fun. Those of us who golf for recreation should play a little more of it and do a lot less score-posting. Mail call:
Why does the PGA allow players to smoke during tournaments? In my opinion,
there's nothing that tarnishes the sport more than seeing a player take a drag
on a cigarette after hitting a shot. If professional golfers ever expect to be
perceived as legitimate athletes, this sort of thing just has to
stop.
Yeah, Franz. Why can't they just show some class and pop a chaw in their mouths like those baseball players?
You mentioned that if Tiger Woods had a 15-year exemption from his three majors,
"he should give Casey Martin one." What has Casey Martin done to
deserve it? If Martin chooses to compete on this stage, he doesn't need your
politically-correct sympathy. What he needs is to post some good numbers to help
his case. Fact is, the kid is coming up a little short. He might even lose his
card.
Sorry, Michael, but you misquoted me. I wrote "could," not "should." Big difference. Obviously, Martin can play. He's got game. The fact that he made it to the PGA Tour proves that. Most rookies wash out. The odds are stacked against them. In addition to not knowing the courses, not getting in some of the biggest money events and getting the worst tee times every Thursday and Friday he does play, Martin has the Tour its own self going to the Supreme Court to get him gone. Plus he has toiled under a hotter media spotlight than the one that wilted Fred Couples, Nick Price and others. You think that's helping his game? Martin has more guts than 90 percent of the pampered players on tour. Yes, he may lose his card. He can go to Q-school or, if that fails, back to the Buy.com tour next year to try to get it back. Forget that politically correct crap. Unless the Supreme Court rules otherwise, Casey's cart is mandated by law. Two courts have said so.
At the beginning of the year, Sergio Garcia wasn't fulfilling expectations.
Now we're seeing the Sergio of old. Do you think he will ever break through with
a
win?
Absolutely. Remember, he's only 20. Tiger Woods has made this whole turning pro thing look ridiculously easy. Most top college players don't even get to the Tour until they're 27 or 28. Sergio is way ahead of schedule and he's won a couple of European events. Unlike the NBC Olympics, his career will unfold slowly and live.
Would the U.S. win the Ryder Cup without
Tiger?
If you recall, the U.S. didn't win it with him in '97 and barely won it last time only after the Euros committed one of the worst choke jobs in the annals of sport in Sunday's singles. Justin Leonard made a great rally, but take a look at how Jose Maria Olazabal played the last nine holes. He wasn't looking like a two-time Masters champion. Charles, in that team match play format, one player can't make that big of a difference.
In reference to your article about John Daly and the upcoming Dunhill Cup, I
cannot argue with your analysis. However, as an ardent fan of his I do want to
point out that he is 8-1 in Dunhill Cup match play. With his knowledge of the
course combined with his power on a wide open course, I would not be surprised
if he rises to the
occasion .
Good point, Paul. I wouldn't be surprised, either. The course is made for his power game. But the Dunhill Cup team is a reward, akin to making an all-star team. It's an honor that shouldn't be bestowed on a player who has had a terrible year and who has conducted himself in questionable fashion in major championships. As likable as Daly is, he hasn't earned this and I bet he'd be the first to admit it. Click here to send your golf question to Gary Van Sickle.
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