News And Notes

Masters Pairs Made in Heaven

Uptight Augusta National lets down its hair only once during Masters week—at the par-3 contest, when frivolity is the major theme. Players swing with their eyes closed; they try to skip balls across the ponds. Sometimes, spectators are called out of the crowd to hit shots. Last week there were signs of a nascent trend at the par-3: celebrity caddies.

That wasn't Mutt and Jeff yukking it up out on the par-3 course last Wednesday, it was the Admiral, 7'1" David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, a caddying for his friend, the Bulldog, 5'9" Corey Pavin. Meanwhile, Brad Faxon was getting peaceful, easy feelings from his looper, Glenn Frey, a former member of the Eagles. Neither caddie brought his player much luck in the contest, however. Pavin didn't post a score, and Faxon was five strokes behind the winner, Sandy Lyle, who had a six-under-par 21.

All this made us wonder: What would some celebrities have to offer certain players if asked to caddie for them?

Dennis Rodman for Tiger Woods. Wouldn't it be fun to see a dog collar among the dogwoods? If the Worm couldn't teach Woods—who has been known to tell a racy joke or two and used a cuss word last Thursday during a press conference—to curb his tongue, maybe he could talk him into piercing it.

Kerri Strug for José María Olazábal. The Spaniard, coming off a 19-month layoff due to foot problems, could draw inspiration from the plucky Strug, who helped her team win an Olympic gold medal despite an ankle injury. So what if Olazábal's bag outweighs her?

Elton John for Nick Faldo. Does it warm your heart to learn that Faldo, the Robogolfer, is partial to the warblings of John, who sometimes invites his fellow Englishman backstage? As he took a 9 on the par-5 13th hole last Thursday on his way to missing the cut, Faldo could be heard humming, "Don't let the sun go down on me."

Bill Clinton for Greg Norman. After a career of Masters heart-break, the Shark could use someone as empathetic as the First Looper to feel his pain. Besides, it would be a gas to hear Norman say, "Lob wedge, Bubba."

Pavin to Kite: Choose Someone Else for Team

Ryder Cup veterans low on the points list always receive scrutiny, and while most of the attention lately has been focused on Europeans, some prominent U.S. players are also languishing. The most prominent is Corey Pavin, who is 30th on the list and has had one top 10 this year, a tie for eighth at the Mercedes Championships. At the Masters, Pavin shot 75-74-78-74-301 and finished 43rd, his worst showing at Augusta since 1989.