Pga Tour Confidential

Bamberger: If Gary is right that the best golfer in the game wins at St. Andrews, Phil should win. He is the best golfer in the game right now.

Shipnuck: I agree. Except we said that about him at Pebble Beach too.

The New Big Mac

Van Sickle: Thoughts on U.S. Open champ Graeme McDowell? Is he going to win more majors or be a one-hit wonder?

Shipnuck: He has more experience winning internationally than a Shaun Micheel or a Lucas Glover. McDowell has gone low a few times at the Old Course, in fact. He shot 62 at the '04 Dunhill Cup.

Van Sickle: McDowell was in contention at the '05 Open until he made an 8 at the Road Hole in the third round but bounced back with a final-round 65 and finished 11th.

Hack: I called him a rabbit in the early going at Pebble. He shut me up.

Bamberger: I'm worried that McDowell could go the way of another supremely talented quote machine, '06 Open winner Geoff Ogilvy. He swings it beautifully, has a great game, he's great in the tent, but what's he done for us lately except provide us with great quotes? I hope we see Geoff again, but it was so refreshing to hear McDowell speak with candor about Rory McIlroy and playing the Open and the Frenchman, Gregory Havret. McDowell was a breath of fresh air.

Shipnuck: He's legit. McDowell's a fun-loving character too. My babysitter is 22. She was in Carmel on Sunday at some Irish pub around midnight, and McDowell was there posing for pictures, signing autographs and enjoying adult beverages. He's going to get a huge boost from the crowd at St. Andrews. I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a run at the Open.

Van Sickle: I agree with Alan. And we all agree that we'd like to hear more about this 22-year-old babysitter.