Category Archives: Golf

Made for TV pairing does no favors for Bubba Watson at U.S. Open

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The U.S. Open is hard enough without having to be part of a circus.

So regardless of what he says, Bubba Watson can’t be pleased with a made-for-TV pairing that has him playing with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson during the first two rounds of the U.S. Open.

Did I say circus? It’s going to be an absolute zoo. You can be sure Woods and Mickelson also aren’t thrilled with this threesome, but at least they’ve had plenty of experience with massive galleries and people scurrying all over the place.

It’s a different story for Watson, who has struggled ever since winning the Masters. He’s only played twice and missed the cut at the Memorial a couple of weeks ago. Yes, the sudden spotlight can be overwhelming.

Clearly, the United States Golf Association wants to create more of a buzz for the Open with this pairing. But why? Isn’t the tournament big enough?

During a conference call today, I asked NBC producer Tommy Roy if the USGA consults with the network on the pairings. He said:

We talk about it, more about the timing that they go off so that it fits within certain windows.  But the fact of the matter is that the pairings are up to them.  But they have a good sense of what makes for good television, as well.  They play consult a little but it’s their pairings.

Obviously, NBC and ESPN will focus the majority of their coverage on that one pairing. Steve Stricker is 6-under through 13? Great, save it later for the Golf Channel. 

It’s going to be all-Tiger-Phil-Bubba, all-the-time when they’re out on the course. I asked Johnny Miller about the pairing. He said:

I’ve played in similar type of threesomes with Trevino and Nicklaus, and not so much in the U.S. Open, because they would never do that in the mid 70s, have the three biggest draws together.

But golf is a new world.  It’s a big sport now.  It will be very interesting to see how that pairing pans out or whether they all play poorly or they all play well or just one plays well.  With that many people and that much pressure, to be honest with you, at the Open, knowing this pairing is historical, the three biggest draws in the tournament being together, it will be fun to watch.  I can’t wait to watch it.  I hope they do great.

It’s just sort of unique.  So, is this a precursor of something of the future we are going to see a lot more of, where you put the best players together, or if it’s just a one‑time thing.

Is it fair? Frank Nobilo said:

(Watson’s) stated goal, he stated recently, is to be the best player in the world.  So I think he would embrace that opportunity to take them on.  You have got to beat them, whether it Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday; but for him, it’s something I think he would relish.

And just to add, you have three different types of fans that are going to come out, which I don’t think golf has really had.  Phil and Tiger ‑‑ but Bubba brings a different element to golf which we haven’t seen in many a year and that’s something that has to be said, as well.

Miller said as only he could:

Let’s put it this way:  I would much rather play with two guys that are shooting 67, than two guys that are shooting 79 going to every toilet, you know.

I’m not sure about the toilet part, but I’m betting Watson’s scores will be closer to 79 than 67.

 

 

 

CBS feels full power of Tiger Effect; ratings up 138 percent Sunday

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This is why Jim Nantz, Nick Faldo, TV executives and the PGA Tour got all excited Sunday.

The Tiger Effect was in overdrive. Tiger Woods’ victory saw CBS pull in a 3.8 rating for the final round of the Memorial Sunday. That’s up a whopping 138 percent from last year’s tournament, won by Steve Stricker. Yes, 138 percent.

The telecast peaked with a 5.7 rating. That simply is huge for a non-major golf tournament.

People watch because Woods showed he still is capable of delivering moments for the ages. As Gary McCord said, that chip on 16 was “sick.”

Nantz gushed:  “This is the one moment people have been waiting for for three years.”

Later, he said: “Is Tiger back? He certainly looked like it big-time today.”

I’m not so sure that Woods is completely back to who he was. He needs some strong showings in the majors to put the official stamp on that statement.

But it sure was fun to see a glimmer of the old Tiger Sunday. And look for NBC to hype him to death for next week’s U.S. Open.

 

 

 

 

 

Verdi on covering Nicklaus: He just gets it

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It is a big week for my old Chicago Tribune colleague Bob Verdi. He is receiving the 2012 Memorial Golf Journalism Award at Jack Nicklaus’ tournament.

Verdi has received many honors through the years, but this one is special because of his relationship with Nicklaus.

Unlike Tiger Woods, who doesn’t get it in regards to the media, Nicklaus continues to be the all-time greatest golfer in the pressroom too. There’s a reason why Nicklaus, at age 72, resonates more than just about anybody associated with the game.

During an interview on my golf radio show on WSCR-AM 670 in Chicago, Verdi talked about covering the Golden Bear for the Tribune, Golf World and Golf Digest:

Jack realized early on, probably from (Arnold Palmer), whether he shot 65 or 75, he was news. He never brushed off the media. He just gets it. It’s part of the reason why he is what he is. It’s not only the way he played, but also the way he conducted himself.

Verdi then couldn’t resist sharing his favorite Nicklaus story:

My only problem with Jack is that he designed a course on the Cayman Islands. The property wasn’t big enough so he invented the Cayman Ball. It couldn’t go more than 125 yards.

He said, “I’m going to patent it.”

I said to Jack, “How can you patent it? I’ve been using that ball for 25 years.”

 

 

 

 

Tiger Woods discusses ‘volatility’ of new media; relates it to LeBron

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Monday, the assembled reporters at media day for the AT&T National tournament in Washington received a special guest lecture in journalism from Professor Tiger Woods.

As many of you know, Mr. Woods didn’t learn about the craft in a classroom. Let’s just say the professor gained his knowledge from being out in the field, so to speak.

When asked about being judged on every swing, every shot, every tournament, Woods said:

Well, I think that’s the nature of the new media business.  The reason why I say that is obviously with the new 24‑hour news cycle and all of the different medias that that are now, there’s so many different ways for people to get information. And I think that we have talked about it a number of times on TOUR with myself with other players is that there is so many different ways that we can‑‑ so many different ways in which news is reported.

You’ve got to be able to stand out somehow to get eyes going to your site or to your media, and I think that’s one of the reasons why there’s the criticism that there is. I was looking at it the other day, if LeBron didn’t have a good game, then the Heat are done and he should retire.  I’m like, geez, guys, he just won MVP.  But I think that’s just the nature of the volatility of the new media in which we are involved in now.

Next week: A special guest lecture in journalism from Professor LeBron James.

 

Q/A with Feherty on his unconventional interview with Clinton; Norman helped arrange

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David Feherty laughed at the notion.

Monday morning, I asked him: “When you were growing up in Northern Ireland during all the troubles, did you ever imagine you would interview a former U.S. President who helped negotiate a peace deal?”

“I never thought about it,” Feherty said. “It just shows the six degrees of separation, right?”

It also shows how far Feherty has come not only as a broadcast personality, but as a person. Monday night, the former assistant pro from Northern Ireland has a very personal interview with Bill Clinton on the latest episode of Feherty (10 p.m. ET, the Golf Channel). Don’t worry if you miss it, because the program will re-air about a million times.

Feherty hardly does his Wolf Blitzer impression in probing the former president. As you would expect, the approach is uniquely Feherty right from the opening question.

“What the hell possessed you to do this interview?” Feherty said.

Clinton replied that he likes Feherty and the show. And he isn’t just giving lip service about the show. During the interview, Clinton references a Feherty episode on Sergio Garcia.

Typically, the interview veers into golf and gets loose at times. Noting Clinton’s gray hair, Feherty wonders if there is a “Grecian Formula 5000 for former presidents.”

The interview, though, does have some serious moments. He talks to Clinton about Northern Ireland, a subject close to Feherty’s heart. And there’s a poignant moment in which Clinton discusses making decisions on sending soldiers into battle. He said he always asked his advisors, “Can I kill them (the enemy) tomorrow?” Clinton hoped one more day of talk would result in a peaceful settlement.

Here’s my Q/A with Feherty about the interview and what it meant to him:

How did the interview come about?

Feherty: We both have a mutual friend by the name of Norman. Greg made a call for me, and the next thing I knew I heard from his people. It took a while, but it was Greg who helped get it done.

Were you nervous prior to the interview?

Feherty: I’m nervous, not because of the subject, but because of the concept. I don’t want to do something that’s been beaten to death. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t want to interview Tiger Woods at the moment. That would make me nervous. I don’t want to get the same, predictable answers.

I might take some flak for not (asking Clinton) about Lewinsky. My view at the time was, ‘Do I really need some self-righteous, conservative Christian attorney spending $42 million of taxpayer money to answer a question that has no bearing on the running of this country?’

Haven’t we heard enough about it? It would be like me asking Tiger Woods one more question about the fire hydrant. If anybody’s upset that I didn’t ask Clinton (about Lewinsky), that’s the sort of person I’m trying to upset.

What was it like to interview Clinton?

Feherty: He’s the kind of person who makes you feel like you’re the only person in his world. You’ve got 100 percent of his attention at that moment. It’s a tremendous talent and a nice character trait.

There was a personal moment when you asked him about Northern Ireland. What was that like for you?

Feherty: I was an assistant in Northern Ireland in the war zone. The sheer idiocy of it all. I watched troops on the street fight an enemy that didn’t wear uniforms who hid behind women and children.

Here was Clinton, who had enough problems of his own, getting interested in brokering an agreement between two warring factions thousands of miles away. It showed a great generosity of spirit.

How did you view his response to your questions about golf?

Feherty: I think he has that roguish ‘one of the boys’ sense of fun. He doesn’t take the game too seriously. It’s a diversion. The witch hunters criticized him because he would drop a ball or take a ‘Billigan.’ But he wasn’t playing for the club championship. The guys he was playing with would do the same thing. But there weren’t photographers taking pictures of them. He plays the way I play, if I still played.

How do you think people will view this interview?

Feherty: My objective for this show is not for people to go, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that.’ That’s always nice, but I want people to come away knowing more about the person and why they are the way they are.

With Clinton, so many people have an embedded dislike and self-righteous sort of anger toward him. I wanted to show more of the human side of him. He is incredibly generous, and he might be the smartest man I ever met.

Outside of Gary McCord, right?

Feherty: Of course.

What did it mean to you to land an interview with a former president?

Feherty: One of the reasons why I was sitting in front of a former president is that 5 1/2 years ago when I decided to become (an American citizen), I thought I did not want to be another fucked up American (Feherty confronted his alcoholism). We have a quota of those, and many of them appear to be running for office.

It makes me feel good that somebody I genuinely admire wanted to come on our show and he watches our show. That’s one more episode than I’ve watched. It can’t watch it. It’s too creepy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan looks forward to Ryder Cup; Rolfing show focuses on Chicago

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Michael Jordan doesn’t do much in the way of sit down interviews these days. Especially if the questions are about the Charlotte Bobcats.

However, there are two reasons why Mark Rolfing got a chat with him; he is good friends with the basketball legend and the subject was the Ryder Cup.

An interview with Jordan will be featured on the latest edition of Rolfing’s Global Golf Adventure, which airs Saturday on NBC at 1 p.m. ET. The show focuses on the Ryder Cup coming to Chicago in September.

The Ryder Cup is Jordan’s favorite sporting event. He never misses it. And with the Ryder Cup in Chicago, where he remains a sporting God, and at Medinah Country Club, where he is a member, you can bet he will receive plenty of love from NBC’s cameras.

Said Jordan during the interview with Rolfing:

“I think it’’s a great, great sports town for all sports, not just basketball.  For football, the Bears have been strong for years, you have the competition, the rivalry between the Cubs and the White Sox, and you know obviously the Bulls have made its impact, even the hockey team has been just as strong. The fans are so passionate there in Chicago and I think they’’re truly going to enjoy the Ryder Cup. If they have never been, they are going to see an unbelievable event. And for me, it’’s truly a highlight.

The show also features interviews with “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks, and Dustin Johnson.

Miracle: I parred the 17th at TPC; NBC bulks up for Players

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The Players Championship always was one of my favorite tournaments to cover during my 12 years as golf reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Some of it had to do with one of the all-time greatest lunch buffets in sports. Yes, sportswriters think with their stomachs.

But most of it is about the TPC at Sawgrass course.

The bulk of the focus will be on the final three holes, including the infamous island green on 17. Let it be noted, I actually avoided the water and made a par 3 during the only time I played the hole. As Apollo Creed would say, don’t want no rematch.

However, there’s much more to Pete Dye’s creation. Like Augusta National and the U.S. Open course, the TPC is the star this week.

Brandel Chamblee said it best:

I think this golf course in general, the players really can’t escape the anxiety, and I think that’s pretty compelling.  It’s great TV to see the guys on so many of the holes, but 16, 17 and 18 in particular, and add it all up together and it’s a great week.

Of course, it usually comes down to the last three holes. Producer Tommy Roy said 12 of the 49 cameras will be stationed at 17.

The hole is one of the great scenes in golf. The stadium effect has upwards of 10,000 fans watching the players squirm at the tee.

Roy said:

From a television standpoint, having the energy of the crowd is crucial for it to translate to the people at home.  When you think about watching, say, a Nationwide event on television, and there’s not a lot of fans out there and someone hits a great shot and you hear some quiet clapping, versus The Ryder Cup where you have four groups on the course and 10,000 people around every hole that they are playing, that’s why there’s so much energy and a good feeling about the event and it’s so fun to watch.

 

 

I think this golf course in general, the players really can’t escape the anxiety, and I think that’s pretty compelling.

It is, when you play a Pete Dye golf course, just an awkward four or five hours.  You stand up on the tee ‑‑ but once you find your line, once you realize where your lines are, you have to take a risk off the tee almost every shot.  He doesn’t give the player a breather.

Tommy Roy..12 cameras on 17

Chamblee: Woods needs to fire Foley, hire Harmon; Tiger responds

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Update: Just saw Tiger Woods responded to Chamblee’s comments. Check below.

It’s not easy to steal a conference call with Johnny Miller and Nick Faldo also on the line, but Brandel Chamblee did it.

Chamblee may not be as unpredictable as Miller, but he is every bit as blunt. The fearless Golf Channel analyst didn’t hold back in his assessment of Tiger Woods in advance of the Players Championship, which begins Thursday.

Chamblee called Woods’ situation “sad.” The former No. 1 comes into the Players after a poor showing in the Masters and a missed cut last week in Charlotte.

Now sad is a relative term since Woods did win at Bay Hill in March. However, he still doesn’t look close to resembling his old self.

Chamblee thinks there’s only one solution to the problem: Fire swing coach Sean Foley, and re-hire Butch Harmon.

Chamblee said.

Simply, he needs to fire Sean, call Butch.  I think that would get it done right there.  Fire Sean, call Butch.  And I know he’ll never do that, because he’s letting his ego get in the way of common sense.  He wants to prove to people he’s right.  He would rather prove to people he’s right than be right.

He’s going to ride this thing as long as he can, and it’s just sad to see.  I think Butch ‑‑ golf is all about rhythm.  Any athletic endeavor is about rhythm, and he’s out of rhythm.  I think Butch would make him stand up tall.  He is a tall guy.  He would start to swing like a tall guy.

Earlier, on the subject of being tall, Chamblee said:

Tiger Woods is 6’2″, 6’3″, and by the time he gets over the ball, he’s probably 5’9″, 5’10”, he’s bent over so much.  With his driver, he’s standing about a foot further away from it; when he was playing his best golf, he’s standing about a foot further away from it now, than when he hits his iron shots now.

He’s got just very complicated swing thoughts going on, and he’s been at it for the better part of two years trying to incorporate these, supposedly one of the best athletes, trying to incorporate these swing thoughts over two years.  It’s just sad.

Woods was asked about Chamblee’s comments Tuesday. Hard to think of anything Woods hates more than somebody questioning his swing. Looks like no Christmas card for Brandel from Tiger.

Outwardly, Woods said:

I can understand that everyone has an opinion, and he’s entitled to his. But he’s no longer playing anymore, so, so be it.

Here’s what Woods really wanted to say:

F-you, Brandel.

Naturally, Faldo and Miller also weighed in on Woods. Here is Sir Nick’s assessment:

He won at Bay Hill, and including myself, thought, basically, wow, he’s back.  And all of a sudden, the Masters, he hit nerves a lot.  His nerves just went off the red line and he basically succumbed to the pressure of the Masters and I think that really affected him.  I think that was a shock to him that he went from the top of his game to just like, what the heck is going on, and it really made him very human.  And that was very difficult for him psychologically I think.  The Masters really hurt him, especially after you saw what he did at Bay Hill.

Sir Johnny had this to say:

He’s trying to go with the perfect shot he’s working on, and instead of going with, you know, like Trevino said, if you’re choking, just hit it low and you don’t have time to get off line.

He needs to learn to have these couple, three or four shots that just are infallible so to speak; they are sort of ugly, but that’s what I would work with him a lot on, especially with the driver.