|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
A big blow Woods' withdrawal stings World Match Play
Posted: Friday July 07, 2000 02:21 PM
Tiger Woods' decision not to travel to Australia for the Andersen Consulting Match Play over the New Year's weekend has dealt a heavy blow to the World Golf Championship event. Woods' absence makes it that much easier for other players who have expressed reservations about entering -- including David Duval, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Jose Maria Olazabal -- to bow out as well. While the Match Play will remain an elite event, the developments prove that Australia is still not ready for prime time when it comes to championship golf. The journey is too far, the time of year too problematic, and the recovery time too difficult to fit into the modern tour pro's life.
James' Ryder Cup post in jeopardyIt doesn't look good for Mark James staying on as vice captain of the 2001 European Ryder Cup team. James was captain of the losing side at Brookline last year, and has just come out with a book that has angered players and wives on both sides. The issue could dominate a meeting of European Tour players next week. Nick Faldo and Jean Van de Velde are lobbying for James removal. More revealing is that current captain Sam Torrance, one of James' closest friends, is taking a neutral stance on the issue.
Success yet to find younger FloydRaymond Floyd and his son, Robert, are both playing at the Advil Western Open this week. The elder Floyd is coming off a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Senior Open, but Robert has struggled since turning pro two years ago. In 15 previous PGA Tour events, he has only made one cut. Says Raymond, "To be honest, I hope my son beats me badly here."
Irwin bests Inkster's Open recordHale Irwin's 17-under-par 267 at last week's U.S. Senior Open was the lowest four-round score posted in any U.S. Open championship. Juli Inkster held the previous record with a 16-under-par total of 272 at last year's U.S. Women's Open at Old Waverly in Mississippi.
Notah winning everywhere except statsNotah Begay has won two straight tournaments and $1.4 million this year, but so far the statistics don't match his success. In the 12 main PGA Tour statistical categories, Begay's best showing is 32nd in scoring. He is 75th or worse in driving distance, driving accuracy, total driving and putting. Of course, there is no statistic for heart.Sports Illustrated senior writer Jaime Diaz covers the golf beat for the magazine and appears each Saturday on CNN's "Sports Illustrated Golf Plus" show.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
