Tiger Woods is back on top of the golf world — officially, that is.

Woods claimed the title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Monday morning in a rain delayed final round. Woods shot a 2-under 70 in his final 18, bogeying the last hole. But he had built a three-stroke lead on second-place finisher Justin Rose by that point. He finished the tournament at 13-under par.

But more so than the $1,116,000 he took for the top spot, the win closed his ascension to the No. 1 spot atop the world golf rankings. He last held that spot in October 2010, a year after news broke of his infidelity with multiple women from across the country. His marriage ended in divorce and he fell as low as No. 58 in the world rankings. He also dealt with multiple leg injuries and surgery on his left knee.

He stole the top spot from Rory McIlroy, who claimed it last August after winning the PGA Championship. McIlroy did not play at Bay Hill and hasn’t competed since the Accenture World Golf Championships on March 10, where he finished in a tie for eighth place.

Woods has three wins on the season, before the first major has even taken place. The Masters, the first major of the PGA season, begins on April 11.

New flame Lindsey Vonn already cryptically congratulated Woods on his accomplishment via Twitter.

Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) March 25, 2013

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President Barack Obama saw firsthand how golf is played at the highest level on Sunday, teeing off with Tiger Woods, the world’s No. 2 golfer who is rebuilding a once-squeaky clean image tarnished by a messy 2010 divorce.

Obama, an avid weekend golfer, and Woods, who won his 75th title last month, played together for the first time at the exclusive Floridian Yacht and Golf Club, which was surrounded by a cordon of security.

“It’s good to see you play well again,” Obama told Woods, according to GolfDigest.com.

Less than a month after starting his second term, Obama is on a three-day golf getaway in Florida, while his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, are skiing in Colorado. On Saturday he received instructional tips from Woods’ former swing coach, Butch Harmon.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama and Woods were joined on the course by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Jim Crane, the resort owner who also owns the Houston Astros baseball team.

Tim Rosaforte, a Golf Channel analyst and Golf Digest writer, broke the news, tweeting that Woods holed out from a greenside sand bunker on the first hole.

“Historic day in golf. Their first round,” Rosaforte said.

There was no word on how Obama played.

Harmon, according to GolfDigest.com, said he saw the interaction between Woods and Obama on the range before teeing off. Obama congratulated Woods on winning the Farmers Insurance Open last month.

“The president said to Tiger, ‘The last tournament you played was fun to watch. It’s good to see you play well again,’” Harmon said.

The White House resisted appeals from reporters to allow the traveling press pool onto the grounds of the resort in order to record some part of the Woods-Obama round. Previous presidents have allowed some press access of presidential golf rounds.

The White House refusal prompted a protest from the White House Correspondents Association.

“Speaking on behalf of the White House Correspondents Association, I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the president of the United States this entire weekend,” said WHCA President Ed Henry, a Fox News correspondent. “There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency.”

The White House said in response that the press access granted was “entirely consistent with the press access offered for previous presidential golf outings” and consistent with the access promised prior to Obama’s arrival in Florida on Friday.

Woods, who usually steers clear of politics, is the top-ranked American golfer and second in the world. He lives about an hour’s drive south of the Floridian club in Jupiter, Florida.

Woods’ image was tarnished after his extramarital affairs with other women came to light in 2009. He and his then-wife Elin Nordegren divorced the following year.

Like many of his predecessors, Obama has escaped the pressures of the Oval Office by taking to the golf course. He has played more than 100 rounds of golf as president and typically tees it up with a group of close-knit friends.

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Tait, whose Quagmire Golf brand is one of the most trendy in the industry, was hand-selected by Palmer’s people to recreate the style that made Arnie a timeless classic, both on and off the course. Palmer was recently ranked one of “The 25 Coolest Athletes of All Time” by GQ, which previously named him one of the “50 Most Stylish Men of the Past 50 Years.”

Geoff, in 100 words or less, how does a guy from Canada go from working on a cruise ship to designing/reinventing golf icon Arnold Palmer’s clothing brand?

It’s all about following your passion and realizing that life is short. No one is going to hand you anything. You have to work your butt off and create your own opportunities. I’ve always wanted to do something great in the golf industry. After teaching the game on a cruise ship, I saw a market need for an alternatively styled golf apparel line and created Quagmire Golf with my business partner, Bob Pasternak. Doing things our own unique way for five years is what led to the relationship with Mr. Palmer and his team. It’s a dream come true.
 
Knowing our readers are interested in building their own business, what’s one tip you’d offer someone at a crossroad, deciding whether to take that plunge?

You’re only on this planet for a brief speck in time. If you have a dream, your window to make it come true is relatively narrow. Yes, going out and chasing it is scary. Yes, you’re definitely going to have to make sacrifices. But if you believe 100% in your vision and put everything you have into making it a reality, you’re skewing the odds in your favor.

If there’s a single most important break that went your way, what was it?

The e-mail from IMG and Arnold Palmer Enterprises asking if we would be interested in partnering with Arnold Palmer!!! I thought it was a joke but didn’t waste any time in doing some initial design sketches and having a few samples made. We met with their teams, made a presentation and the rest is history.

Was there a moment you said, “no way this will work?” If so, what did you do about it?

I haven’t ever doubted that we could pull this off, because I believe 100% in our determination and drive to make things happen. It’s obviously been a roller coaster ride, but doubt never enters the equation. There are enough pessimists, the world needs more believers!

What’s most important: The idea, the person or having the breaks go your way?

Great ideas and amazing breaks certainly play a role in entrepreneurial success, but ultimately it’s the person that’s most important. You have to control your own destiny and be willing to put your chips on the table, or you’ll be left talking about what could have been. I learned that the hard way a decade ago after I passed on opening a crab shack where cruise ships roll in on the island of Roatan in Honduras. The place is absolutely hopping today and I’d be sitting on a pile of loot, sipping island cocktails right now.  But missing that chance is what led me to seize future opportunities and go after them with all I’ve got.

You’ve launched the Arnie line during a time when everyone’s selling “bargains.” How have you successfully convinced consumers that your goods are worth shelling out more for?
 
The bargain brands actually do a lot of the convincing for us! The negative experience consumers often have leads to folks looking for better quality and brands to which they can relate. Fortunately, there aren’t many bigger brand names than Arnold Palmer. At 82, he’s still the King and very relevant in the clothing market, and a lot of other industries, too. In terms of our product, we’ve made certain to use high-end fabrics that feel amazing, are made to last and appropriately positioned. This combination provides real value that keeps people coming back. That’s a lot more sustainable strategy than competing on price.

Describe the day your phone rang and someone from Arnold Palmer’s team was reaching out to work with you.

I’ll never forget the day we were first contacted by Jim Neish at IMG. He said he’d been watching what we’d done with our Quagmire Golf line and wanted to know if we’d be interested in meeting to discuss a partnership with Arnold Palmer. My jaw literally hit the floor and I jumped at the chance. We really hit it off at the first meeting, and that’s been the case with all the great people at Arnold Palmer enterprises, including Cori Britt, the Vice President, and Mr. Palmer’s daughter, Amy Saunders. They’ve been closely involved in the re-branding from Day 1.

What was your “I get it moment” and did you know it right away? What are some ways our readers will identify their own?

My biggest “I get it” moment was early on in the development of the Arnie line when I visited the USGA offices in Far Hills, NJ, with Tom Williams from Buffalo Communications. The librarian, Nancy Stulack, was incredibly gracious and helpful in locating some amazing articles and archival pictures of Mr. Palmer. That’s where I came up with the concept of the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s collections coinciding with Mr. Palmer’s peak of coolness. It was super clear that he wasn’t only dominating on the course. He was having a massive impact on popular culture well beyond the sport.

For our golf blog readers, what’s it been like working with Arnold Palmer? What’s he like as a guy, as a businessman? What’s his entourage like? Friendly? Intense? Protective?

Working with Mr. Palmer has been an absolute pleasure. When this opportunity first arose, my business partner Bob Pasternak and I were definitely nervous that the fun-loving Quagmire Golf culture would recede. This definitely has not been the case. In fact, we’re having more fun than ever and a big part of that is the relationship we’ve developed with Mr. Palmer and his team. He loves telling jokes and stories and is incredibly approachable. On the day-to-day, his daughter Amy Saunders and right-hand man Cori Britt have become our very close friends. It’s rare in business to cross paths with so many wonderful and supportive people, but we’re fortunate to be surrounded by quite a few. No one is territorial and, surprisingly, we deal with very few layers of bureaucracy.
 
How much input did Palmer have on the product? What has been his reaction and feedback?

I think it would be more appropriate to say Mr. Palmer had an impact rather than input on the product. That’s because the line was directly inspired by the clothes he wore over the course of his most dominant decades in the game. At one point early on, he even opened up to us his closets at home in Latrobe, PA. This allowed us to really get a feel for the designs, fabrics, and overall looks. He’s saved almost everything and it was awesome to be able to go through The King’s closets. His reaction to the designs has been tremendous. One of the coolest experiences of my life was being at a party at Bay Hill recently when Mr. Palmer walked in wearing one of our sweaters. That showed me how much he loves what we’re doing!

Funny, it’s been known that Palmer has a thing for the people around him being clean shaven. Yet his two new fashion guys – you and PGA Tour play Ryan Moore – are known for the scruff. Is he softening up, or open to new style? Were you tempted to shave before meeting him the first time?

That’s a great questions and funny, because I knew that going in to my first meeting with Mr. Palmer. I even asked his daughter, Amy Saunders, if I should shave. Amy told me to be myself and that he would respect that. I shaved quite close that day, but he still commented that we forgot our razors! When it came to Ryan Moore, he’s such a great player and so widely recognized for his on-course style, that scruff or not he was the #1 guy on our list when it came to us signing a PGA Tour ambassador. Mr. Palmer is his idol, so it made sense for everyone involved.

Fashion on the golf course has really stepped out in the past few years. In your eyes, what made golf prime for the overhaul from pleated khakis and cotton shirts to tailored fits and new materials? Is there something about today’s golfer vs. the players in the 80s? Does it simply reflect style and fashion changes as a whole?

Golf has traditionally been a few steps behind mainstream fashion, but always seems to follow suit eventually. There are even some people in Mr. Palmer’s office that like a classic look and occasionally still wear pleated pants, but now that the new Arnie collection is available they’re starting to make the change. The new materials, fits and youthful attitudes are really making an impact. I remember hating the outfit I had to wear when working at St. Thomas Golf and Country Club where I grew up in Canada. The pants were pleated and way too baggy and the shirts were oversized and ugly.  That played a big role in the Quagmire brand idea – Let’s make something people actually want to wear and feel comfortable in.
 
What do you say to a guy who plays on the weekends, has 30 extra pounds around the waist and couldn’t fit into a “designer” shirt unless it was XXXXL? Are the white belt looks only for 19 year old, stick thin tour pros? How do you design in a way to fit the masses, but also stand apart from the Dockers look?

It’s really easy to lose your design focus if you try and create clothing for everyone, but it’s definitely possible to create pieces that work for most people. That’s especially true when your templates are the truly timeless pieces Mr. Palmer has always selected. We have a few solids, along with some more fashion-forward looks so you can make a selection based on your age, body type and personal comfort level. As for white belts and euro fits, they look good on some people, but even being fairly young and fit, I stick with black belts. You can make your fashion statement in other ways, even without putting on a pair of garish orange pants!

What’s next for Quagmire, Arnie and Geoff Tait?
 
I’m super excited about what lies ahead for both the Arnie and Quagmire Golf lines. We’re constantly expanding and looking for new opportunities, like pushing our distribution channels globally and growing our presence in the college golf market. We’re also expanding our custom apparel business – which has included partnerships with Coors and a bunch of other major brands – and driving even more sales for our red-hot Quagmire Kids apparel line.

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Right off the bat is Atlantic City’s convenience, but if the golf stinks, then what’s the point? There’s no problem there, as AC offers more than a dozen golf courses within a 20-minute drive in all ranges of cost and quality, offering the perfect mix for a completely customized itinerary.

The highlight of the AC region is the top-rated public golf course in New Jersey, Atlantic City Country Club, a true destination course. Built in the 1800s, a round on this seaside gem brings to mind Boardwalk Empire and the early days of Atlantic City as a vacation hot spot.

Midseason rates of $225 are at the top of the charts for New Jersey, but it’s during the shoulder season that bargains abound (midweek rounds well below $100 is one of the great deals in golf). Doubling the benefit, golf courses in the Northeast are always in better shape in October and November than they are in July and August.

A charming Old World locker room adds to the experience, as does authentic Atlantic City history.
The 18th hole is named for the bell once used to warn golfers that the final trolly was headed back to town (about a 15-minute drive from the casinos today).

Options aplenty

Need a more relaxed round after a day at ACCC? Try Harbor Pines, which rates on the “player friendly” end of the design spectrum. In pristine condition on a recent visit, just like ACCC, Harbor Pines is very playable. Ask most course architects what they strive for and they’ll say, “I want it to be challenging for the good golfer, but fun for the casual golfer.” At Harbor Pines, Stephen Kay accomplishes this. Wide, welcoming fairways and five sets of tees help keep the round enjoyable for all. Greens with all sorts of humps and hollows guarantee a challenge, no matter how far you can hit it off the tee, providing a nice defense for the course and keeping golfers on their toes all day long.

If you’re looking to break away from the casinos, Seaview Resort might be the ticket. A full service hotel complex, this sprawling property features 36 holes and hosts an LPGA event. With more than just golf, Seaview would be ideal for a family, or a group with more than a singular interest in golf.

Fun facts

• ACCC was once private before being converted into a playground for the highest of high rollers. It’s now fully open to the public.

• Golf legend Arnold Palmer recently celebrated his birthday at ACCC.

• The term “birdie” was coined at ACCC.

Also read:

Follow Ron Varrial on Twitter @ronvarrial

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He sure didn’t look like one yesterday.

Bradley maintained ice-cold composure to top Jason Dufner in a three-hole playoff to win the 93rd PGA Championship outside Atlanta yesterday.

Bradley had trailed Dufner by five strokes in regulation. But the two went in very opposite directions down the stretch.

Bradly’s victory in his debut major ended an unprecedented run of six majors without an American champion. It was his second title on the PGA Tour this season.

Bradley holed a four-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole, the par-4 16th, to hold an early advantage over Dufner who missed his attempt there from six feet.

Though Bradley could only par the tricky 160-yard 17th, where a large pond guards the front of the green, he found himself two strokes ahead after Dufner ran up a three-putt bogey.
metro/reuters

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The Delamar Greenwich Hotel features gorgeously appointed rooms and many include a nice balcony overlooking the water. Its L’escale restaurant offers a seaside dining experience with fresh seafood and ambiance that blends upscale and casual without a whiff of pretense.

Thanks to a partnership between the two properties, guests at Delamar Greenwich Harbor enjoy extensive concierge services with Pound Ridge Golf Club including complimentary golf club and shoe rentals, preferred golf rates, tee time booking via hotel staff and transportation options (from shuttles to rental cars and limousines).

For more information:

poundridgegolf.com
delamargreenwich.com

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Woods shot a 2-under-68 in the opening round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. Tiger has won Bridgestone six times in the past.

It was Woods’ first appearance on the PGA Tour since withdrawing from the Players Championship on May 12 with Achilles and knee injuries he first suffered at the Masters.

When asked what he learned about himself after competing for the first time in nearly four months, Woods replied, “The amount of progress I made in my golf swing. I was hitting proper shots out there, and the distances I was hitting the golf ball, I hadn’t hit the ball like this. This was fun. It was pretty nice.”

Woods is tied for 18th after one day at Firestone Country Club, six strokes behind Adam Scott, who coincidentally is using caddie Steve Williams, Woods’ longtime caddie whom he recently fired. Above all, Tiger just seemed happy to be back out there again.

“I hadn’t really gone at it until today,” he said. “Today was just, let’s go play and put everything else aside.”

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“I don’t feel a thing. [My left leg] feels solid, it feels stable, no pain,” Woods told reporters yesterday.
Woods will return to golf this week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, his first event in three months. Woods said he felt good during nine practice holes.

“I still haven’t been in a competitive environment yet, so that’s a totally different atmosphere,” he said.
Woods fired longtime caddie Steve Williams last week. For this week’s tournament, he is using childhood friend Bryon Bell. Woods has no timetable for naming a permanent replacement.

“I’m trying to play this week with [Bryon], and hopefully next week as well, and maybe get myself in the [FedEx Cup] playoffs,” Woods said.

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Then, McIlroy came out and won the US Open … nearly as spectacularly as he failed at Augusta. He was instantly hailed as the “Next Tiger Woods,” except more humble.

You know that Biggie song, ‘Mo Money, Mo Problems?’ McIlroy’s success led to some issues with his longtime girlfriend, and the two were on-and-off prior to last week’s British Open. Guess what McIlroy did Sunday after his final round?

Reportedly, he took a train to go and meet his rumored new girlfriend, the No. 1 tennis player in the world, Caroline Wozniacki.

An intrepid blogger snapped two grainy photos of McIlroy and Wozniacki at a bar and then in the street, but neither’s camp has confirmed or denied the budding romance.

After Greg Norman and Chris Evert, McIlroy and Wozniacki would have to be the second most famous golf-tennis coupling of all time, right?

Britt-ney Spears?
Kenny Britt, the Tennessee Titans wide receiver who leads the NFL in arrests during the lockout with three, attended a Britney Spears concert Monday in Nashville. For whatever reason, he ended up on stage (Britt and Britney, get it? Ha!), and in an ironic twist, was handcuffed to a pole. Britney Spears wrapped a pink boa around Kenny Britt’s shoulders.

If Britt’s looking to rehab his image for whenever his suspension is lifted (and one is coming), why would he go this route? Certainly the concert will be showed when a Titans game is televised this fall.

Big Ben, boozy reception
Ben Roethlisberger is getting married this weekend in Pittsburgh. Yes, the same Pittsburgh Steelers QB who spent the last two summers fending off sexual assault allegations. His new wife will be Ashley Harlan, a
26-year-old who works at a hospital in Pittsburgh.

With the NFL lockout set to end, I imagine the party at the reception will get pretty rowdy. Will James Harrison attend, and if so, will he pack heat? Hey Hines Ward, just remember to call a cab.

– Jason Raj McIntye covers athletes off the field and runs the popular blog, The Big Lead.

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Woods announced via his website that he and Williams would be parting ways effective immediately — beginning when Woods returns to action from an injured left leg.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it’s time for a change,” Woods said. “Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments. I wish him great success in the future.”

Williams has been caddying for Woods since 1999, when he took over for Mike “Fluff” Cowan. Woods met Williams through his then-swing coach Butch Harmon.

Williams released his own statement on his website:

“Following the completion of the AT&T National I am no longer
caddying for Tiger after he informed me that he needed to make a change.
After 13 years of loyal service needless to say this came as a shock.
Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger’s
scandal, a new coach and with it a major swing change and Tiger battling
through injuries I am very disappointed to end our very successful
partnership at this time. I have had the opportunity to work of late for
Australian Adam Scott and will now caddy for him on a permanent basis.
Having started my caddying career with Australian great Peter Thompson
and working for Greg Norman in the 80′s I am excited about the future
working for another Australian.”

Williams caddied for Adam Scott at last month’s U.S. Open. When asked if he would still be Woods’ caddy when the injured golfer returned, Williams responded “Why would you ask a question like that?” He gave no further comment, but the Associated Press reports Woods actually met with Williams at the AT&T National two weeks ago and told Williams they would no longer work together.

Williams was the caddy for Woods in 63 of his 71 PGA tournament victories, beginning with the 1999 Memorial up to his last victory at the 2009 BMW Championship. He was also on his bag for all but his first (1997 Masters) of 14 major victories.

Woods has not named a replacement.

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With all apologies to recent Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, that’s the way it is. Just ask 15-year PGA Tour veteran Stewart Cink.

“Guys like Tiger Woods come around, well, once,” Cink told Metro. “I saw [Jack] Nicklaus. I saw [Nick] Faldo. Nothing comes close to the way Tiger Woods played at his peak. To be honest, he’s probably the most electrifying player to ever play the game.”

Woods hasn’t played a competitive round since May, and many doubt he’ll ever regain his form. In Woods’ absence, the game has grown boring. There have been only four repeat winners in 2011, and none of those included a major.

So, what is wrong with golf these days?

“Tiger is definitely a huge piece of the puzzle,” Cink said. “It doesn’t matter if Rory McIlory or Phil Mickelson turn it up a notch. The game probably needs him because it’s exciting when Tiger Woods is playing great.”

American golf has also come to a screeching halt recently. The last three major winners have all been foreigners.

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“I’m a bit of a normal bloke, aren’t I?” Clarke said. “I like to have a pint, I like to go the pub and have a pint, jump on Easy Jet, fly home, buy everybody a drink. I’m just a normal guy playing golf, having a bit of fun.”

Clarke said he prepared for the final round by enjoying a good meal and some “very nice” red wine. Known for his love of expensive cigars and a few pints of Ireland’s most famous liquid export, the 42-year-old said his three-stroke win over Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson might interfere with a planned weight-loss program.

“I’ll probably get bored with it in a week and give up,” Clarke said. “I think this could probably be a bad week for me to try and start.”

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Tom Lewis is a 20-year-old amateur who earned his ticket to Royal St. George’s by winning a qualifier.

But as Thursday ended at the Sandwich, England, course, there they were, atop the leaderboard with twin 5-under 65s.

“I promised myself today I would go out and focus on every single shot ahead of me and go after every single shot, and I did that,” said Bjorn, who’s tied for second twice at the Open.

“Rolled in a few putts here and there, and it turned out to be a day of just feeling really solid with everything I did.”

Miguel Angel Jimenez, Lucas Glover and Webb Simpson finished Thursday tied for second-best, with 4-under 66.

Lewis played his round with five-time champion Tom Watson — the source of his first name.
“Tom Watson was [my father’s] hero, and I was the first son, so I was Tom,” Lewis said Thursday.
 metro

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Hip, knee, Achilles. You name it, he had problems with it during the front nine of The Players Championship on Thursday.

Those injuries forced Tiger Woods to withdraw for the second straight year at TPC Sawgrass after shooting a disastrous 6-over 42. The world’s former No. 1 clocked a triple-bogey 7 on the fourth hole and limped to the clubhouse before the turn. It ended yet another disappointing tournament and may force the world’s current No. 8 to sit out the entire summer.

“The knee acted up and then the Achilles followed after that and then the calf started cramping up,” Woods said. “Everything started getting tight, so it’s just a whole chain reaction.”

And a whole big mess. Even bigger than the one that clogged Tiger’s mental state all of last year. At least then, there was the hope that once he settled his personal life, his professional game would rise back up and Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record would slide right down. Now with a myriad of injuries, there’s an uncertainty Woods will ever regain his full dominance.

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Ballesteros burst on to the golf scene as a teenager in the late ’70s and quickly captivated spectators with his dazzling style of play. Over the course of his career Ballesteros won three British Opens and two Masters, and was instrumental in opening up the Ryder Cup to players from Continental Europe.

Ballesteros retired from golf in 2007 after struggling with back pain. He was diagnosed with brain cancer the next year after fainting in the Madrid airport.

Some clips of Ballesteros doing what he did best:

At the 1984 British Open:

At the 1983 Masters:

At the 1985 Ryder Cup:

In the 1997 French Open:

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Charl Schwartzel won the 75th Masters tournament, but the week was about the man who was tied with him atop the leaderboard through nine holes yesterday. Tiger Woods charged in the final round at Augusta like we haven’t seen since before his life imploded after a car wreck in November 2009.

“I hit it good all day,”?said Woods, who finish tied for fourth after posting a final-round 67. “This entire weekend I hit it good. So that was a nice feeling.”

It was a familiar feeling for the field when Woods erased a seven-shot deficit by the time he made the turn. He was both fluid and consistent with his new swing, as he led the field hitting 16 of 18 greens yesterday. He took advantage of par-fives like old times, draining an 8-foot eagle on the daunted eighth hole. And he even gave a patented fist pump that stirred up the gallery and startled his opponents.

“Oh, yeah. … You can just tell what’s going on out there. It’s quite unique,”?said Adam Scott. “[It was] a hell of a run from him.”

All Woods needs now is a faithful flat stick. Despite striping his irons, he played the back nine even, missing a 3-foot par putt on 12 and pulling a 6-footer for eagle on 15.

“I should have shot an easy 3- or 4-under on the back nine,” Woods said. “Just didn’t putt well.”    

Schwartzel rises to the top

South African Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes to clinch his first major title with a two-stroke victory. Schwartzel, who began the final round at Augusta National four strokes off the pace, rolled in a 20-footer on the 18th green to complete a 6-under, 66, the day’s lowest score.

The leaderboard fluctuated repeatedly and eight different players held at least a share of the lead.

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The 21-year-old was in a similar position at last year’s British Open, shooting an opening-round record-low 63. He then vanished from the leaderboard with a second-round 80. But this time, he’s striping his iron shots. And the weather’s looking perfect.

2 Will we see Tiger in contention?

The former world No. 1 is mired in the longest winless streak of his career. But he’s hardly panicking.

“I’m very pleased,”?Woods said after shooting a 1-under 71. “I’m right there in the ballgame.”

Woods is just six back and will play in prime conditions with a late tee time Friday. He hit 12 of 18 greens in the opening round but missed a handful of makeable putts. His swing keeps improving and is good enough right now to make a serious run at a fifth green jacket.

That flat stick is the problem.

Woods stroked 30 putts but did gain confidence with a par-saver at 12 and consecutive birdies at 13 and 14.

3 Who are the players to watch on Sunday?

Phil Mickelson was the favorite and is sitting pretty after an ugly day off the tee, even though he left his driver in the clubhouse. Lefty hit just four of 14 fairways and put major strain on his back, which has been massaged nightly the past week.

Alvaro Quiros and Dustin Johnson are two others to watch. Like McIlroy, both ranked in the top 10 in driving distance and Johnson has last year’s U.S. Open meltdown to draw from.

Then there’s Geoff Ogilvy, who is finally healthy and comfortable in his new swing, hitting 15 of 18 greens.

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Who will win the 2011 Masters?
Phil Mickelson at 14-under. I swore I was done picking Lefty, but it’s hard to deny his game is built for Augusta National. Hits it a mile, plays towering shots into greens and has all the creativity needed around the putting surfaces. Plus, he won last week in Houston.

Name one shocking contender and one flop
Ricky Barnes (ranked 77th) is healthy enough to pull off another solid major performance. As for a disappointing top dog, I’ll say it’s Steve Stricker. He’s been marginal at Augusta, and I’d expect the scores to go low this week, leaving him in the dust.

Augusta is on Tiger Woods 12. Does that cheapen this event?
I do think it robs the course of some mystique, maybe not for die-hards, who already revere those grounds, but for kids who will never know that Augusta was once way too exclusive to be available to anyone with a video game unit.

How much would you pay to play Augusta National?
I’d say $5,000, knowing that I’d give up golf and guy trips for as long as I needed to in order to recoup the cost. Everyone’s got a bucket list of golf courses and Augusta is atop mine — by about a mile.

Justin Pucheu
Bag Drop columnist: TheSandTrap.com

Who will win the 2011 Masters?
Hunter Mahan has been playing very good, consistent golf, as has Nick Watney. Tiger, though, seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough. He’ll win his first Green Jacket since 2005 at 17-under.

Name one shocking contender and one flop
Hard to believe Barnes won’t be there, the guy always seems to be somewhere near the top in recent majors, including last year’s Masters, where he finished 10th. Rory McIlroy, a top-10 player, will miss the cut.

Augusta is on Tiger Woods 12. Does that cheapen this event?
That game is the closest probably 99 percent of us will ever get to stepping foot on Amen Corner, there’s nothing wrong with it.

How much would you pay to play Augusta National?
Until last year, I said there’s no way I’d ever pay $500 to play anywhere, but after visiting Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open, my stance has changed. Augusta is a whole different level and I’d totally shell out at least that.

Jamieson Weiss
Trap Five columnist: TheSandTrap.com

Who will win the 2011 Masters?

Matt Kuchar at 11-under. Last year, he was the money leader and the Vardon Trophy winner. He already has six top 10s in eight events this season.

Name one shocking contender and one flop

Vijay Singh is No. 52, but he’s quietly had a good year. My missed cut is going to sound harsh, but world No. 1 Martin Kaymer has never played well here.

Augusta is on Tiger Woods 12. Does that cheapen this event?

If anything it might expose more people to the course.

How much would you pay to play Augusta National?

A couple thousand. Though, if I want to play it that badly I’ll spend $50 on TW 12 for Wii.

The post Masters Roundtable appeared first on Metro.us.

Yes, he has four green jackets in his closet (assuming Elin didn’t get any in the divorce). And yes, he’s shown flashes of his old self this season.

But Woods isn’t going to win this one.

Regardless, he’s still been the talk of Augusta National going into today’s first-round play.

No other current golfer — and perhaps no other golfer ever — has been able to inspire the kind of interest Woods has during the kind of losing streak in which he’s mired.

Will he win? Will he choke? Is he poised for a comeback? Is he finished?

All things considered, it seems, there’s a fear of counting him out. Despite his on- and off-course struggles, he’s still an 8-1 second choice in the Vegas lines this weekend — lower odds than anyone not named “Mickelson.”

“[His chances are] always good any tournament he plays,” said Martin Kaymer (odds: 20-1).
That Woods’ namesake video game includes Augusta this year has only increased the chatter.

Even given Woods’ difficulties, the club isn’t having second thoughts about that.

“We continue to believe Tiger is one of the greatest golfers of all time, and we hoped and prayed that his comeback would go forward in a very positive way,” club chairman Billy Payne said. 

The post Masters: He won’t win, but Tiger’s the story appeared first on Metro.us.

Danish footwear maker Ecco is bringing comfort and performance to the game with its new Biom Golf. The new shoe was designed using decades of research into the human foot and from ultra lightweight construction to climate control, the Biom Golf gets points for both performance and style.
Ecco Biom Golf shoes, $225, www.golfsmith.com

Smart socks

Kentwool’s CEO was standing on the 18th hole, worrying more about his bleeding, blistered feet than his eagle putt. That’s when he decided his textile expertise should be used to create the world’s best golf socks. A blend of merino wool and high-tech fibers give Kentwool golf socks moisture management, odor control and oh-so-comfortable socks.
Kentwool socks, $20-$25, www.kentwool.com

Walk tall

There’s nothing like walking the golf course without lugging your bag, but the pushcart can sometimes be a hassle. Sun Mountain’s Micro Cart addresses that with a model that folds down 25 percent smaller and at 13 pounds, weighs 20 percent less than other options. This four-wheel cart is nothing like that trolley your grandma dragged around the muni, thanks to storage compartments, variable handle height and a design for better stability on hills.
Since there will be times you want to carry and times you have to ride, Sun Mountain’s Superlight 3.5 stand bag (pictured) blends the best features for both. The entire line has been  redesigned in 2011 to include a cart-friendly bottom, lockable legs and a “tunnel” for the cart strap to maintain access to all pockets.
Sun Mountain Micro Cart $239; Superlight 3.5 $179, www.sunmountain.com

Find the fairway

Long known for offering some of the best players irons, Mizuno’s metal wood offerings can get unfairly overshadowed. This year they have unveiled the JPX-800 series of clubs designed to use “both the horizontal and vertical moment of inertia, allowing explosive distance from anywhere on the face.” The driver features a low, deep center of gravity, ideal for players seeking forgiveness. Similarly, the JPX-800 fairway woods and hybrids focus on maintaining ball speed, even when you miss the sweet spot.
Mizuno JPX-800 woods, Driver $299; Fairways $199; Hybrid $169, www.mizunogolf.com

Follow Ron Varrial on Twitter at @RonVarrial.

The post Golf: Comfort, walking rules ’11 lineup appeared first on Metro.us.

The American former world No. 1, a three-time champion at the event, came from 2-down after five holes to go 1-up after 12 before losing to the 65th-ranked Dane on the 19th green.

Trailing by one playing the par-4 18th, Woods coolly sank an eight-foot birdie putt there to keep the match alive after Bjorn failed to hole out from a greenside bunker.

Woods pushed his drive at the extra hole wide and needed two shots to get back to the fairway. 

The post Woods falls at WGC Match Play appeared first on Metro.us.

Woods made international headlines after video tape revealed him spitting on the course, a disrespectful act in a sport where propriety and manners are still very much part of the game. The video showed Woods launching a loogie as he lined up a putt during his final-round 75 at the Dubai Desert Classic. He later apologized via Twitter but was still fined an undisclosed amount by the European Tour.

“It’s unfortunate, I’ve been through it, I know how it feels,” Garcia said yesterday at a TaylorMade event at the Golfsmith on Lexington Avenue in New York City. “You wish he hadn’t done it but he did. He’ll be fine.”

It was of course nearly four years ago when Garcia spat into an open cup after finishing the 13th hole of the third round of the CA Championship, creating a backlash of negative publicity. Like Woods now, Garcia’s game then was in a slump and childish acts on the course sullied his once cover-boy image.

“It’s not great what he’s going through right now. I got my fair share of it back then when I did that. Now he’ll go through it too like I had too and make his amends,” said Garcia, who was paired with Woods on Sunday. “It’s too bad he did that.”

________________________________________________________________________

Also at the Golfsmith event, which served as a fundraiser to support the “Game On!” program that provides injured military veterans with golf clubs, was last year’s PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer.

Unlike Garcia who was partnered with Woods at Dubai, the squeaky clean 26-year-old European star had just learned about the spit Monday morning.

“I think he regrets it, it is just too bad that it happened and that it has turned into this. It’s just unfortunate, really, that it happened at all,” Kaymer told Metro. “I think people need to forgive him, in general the public needs to move one. This game needs Tiger Woods and we should want him back playing.”

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“It was inconsiderate to spit like that and I know better. Just wasn’t thinking and want to say I’m sorry,” Woods wrote on his Twitter account.

The European Tour fined Woods after reviewing TV footage.

The post Tiger sorry for spitting at tourney appeared first on Metro.us.

The former No. 1 golfer in the world came into yesterday just one stroke off the lead. But Woods left tied for 20th at 4-under 284, after shooting a 75 in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods hasn’t won a golf tournament since the Australian Masters in November 2009.

“It was a very frustrating day,” Woods said. “There were quite a few positives this week, but a couple of glaring examples of what I need to work on.”

Instead, the trophy went to Alvaro Quiros, who shot a 68 and finished at 11-under 277, one stroke ahead of Anders Hansen and James Kingston. The 27-year-old Quiros hit a dramatic hole-in-one — his fourth ace on the European Tour — on the 11th hole.

“I played a three-quarter wedge shot and it was the perfect shot, but that happens just once a year,” Quiros said.

The post Very frustrating day for Tiger appeared first on Metro.us.

The disgraced one-time world No. 1 shot a 3-over 75 yesterday to wrap up an embarrassing weekend at one of his favorite courses.

Woods came in at 3-under 69 in the first two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, but a 74 on Saturday and yesterday’s 75 dropped him well out of contention.

Woods bogied two of his first seven holes yesterday, before pulling back to 1-over on the par-3 eighth.

He drew even with a birdie on the par-4 10th, but posted bogeys on three of the next seven holes to seal his fate.

The mediocre performance was not typical of Woods. He usually dominates at Torrey Pines, with five straight wins in San Diego. Instead, he limps into the Dubai Desert Classic on a down note.

Watson’s the winner

Where Tiger Woods faltered, Bubba Watson shined.

The fan favorite birdied the 72nd hole of the tournament on his way to a 5-under 67 in the final round and a win at the Farmers Insurance Open.?Phil Mickelson was second.

The post Woods’ 2011 debut out with a whimper appeared first on Metro.us.

No. 1, 515-yd Par 5
2008: Birdie
2011: Par
This was actually his 10th hole on Thursday and it was another missed fairway with an average approach shot.

No. 2, 329-yd Par 4
2008: Birdie
2011: Birdie
Just in case you forgot how strong he is, Tiger drills an iron from the deep rough to within two feet of the hole.

No. 4, 434-yd Par 4
2008: Birdie
2011: Par
Another accurate swing off the tee but his mid-range putting definitely needs work. His 16-footer never had a chance.

No. 6, 212-yd Par 3
2008: Par
2011: Birdie
Hits another green but actually barrels in the 20-footer. If he starts knocking these down regularly, watch out.

No. 9, 547-yd Par 5
2008: Birdie
2011: Par
Short game negates a sick rip out of the rough on his second shot. Leaves chip short, misses another midrange putt.

No. 10, 417-yd Par 4
2008: Par
2011: Par
Pulled out the 3-wood and hit the fairway with his first drive of the day. A nice chip set up a tap-in to save par.

No. 12, 214-yd Par 3
2008: Par
2011: Birdie
The biggest roar of the day after he hits an iron within three feet. Sean Foley’s work really showed on the par-3s.

No. 13, 471-yd Par 4
2008: Birdie
2011: Par
Controlled emotions. There’s no serious frustration like 2010 with a miss off the tee, which was hardly punishing.

No. 14, 526-yd Par 5
2008: Par
2011: Par
Crushes his drive but goes left. Searching for lethal blend of power and accuracy, but you sense it’s not that far off.

No. 16, 392-yd Par 4
2008: Birdie
2011: Par
Beautiful tee shots but can’t take advantage of a 70-yard approach, leaves it way too far out. Seems content with a two-putt.

No. 18, 516-yd Par 5
2008: Birdie
2011: Par
Another huge swing from the rough, but unlike his clutch putt at the ’08 Open, his 8-footer is too far left.

This weekend

Worst-case scenario: The South Course, which Woods will play Friday and then over the weekend if he makes the cut, is much more challenging than the North. If he sprays his drives like he did Thursday, he could have a string of consecutive bogeys, falling out of contention in the last two rounds.

Best-case scenario: Tiger stays somewhat accurate off the tee and starts stroking putts like he did in 2008, when he won this tournament by eight strokes.

Prediction: He has never finished outside the top 10 in 14 season-opening tournaments. That streak’s in serious jeopardy. Tiger’s swing will produce some feel-good moments, but it won’t produce a win.

The post The Tiger Show appeared first on Metro.us.

Woods, making his first start of the season, opened with a 3-under 69 on the North Course at Torrey Pines on Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open.  Healthy for the first time in three years, Woods’ offseason work with new swing coach Sean Foley showed in spots. The world’s No. 3 hit just four of 15 fairways but did hit 15 of 18 greens.

“It feels good,” Woods said. “Obviously we need more work, but it’s progressing, which is good. … [We did] a lot of talking about the swing and the mechanics and the feel and where I need to go and where I’ve been.”

Woods has been dominant at Torrey Pines, winning seven career tournaments there, including the 2008 U.S. Open. Heading into Friday, though, he is five strokes behind the leader, rookie Sung-hoon Kang of South Korea.

“I’m happy with the way I played, absolutely,” said Woods, he played bogey-free. “It could have been a lot better if I took care of the par 5s a little bit more.”

The post Woods content with opening-round 69 appeared first on Metro.us.

“Healthy … for once,”?Woods said yesterday on the eve of the Farmers Insurance Open.

Woods has been hampered both physically and mentally each of the last three years, but he enters this season with a clear head and a new swing coach in Sean Foley.

Although we haven’t seen him in a tournament in two months, we’ll predict Tiger’s 2011 with some prop bets:

Will?Tiger win the Farmers Insurance Open?

No. The guy hasn’t closed in forever — remember how he blew a four stroke lead last time out?

Will Tiger finish in the top 10?

Yes. Foley likes the consistency of his swing, plus Woods has never finished outside the top 10 in his first tourney of the year.

Will?Tiger win more than four tournaments in 2011?

Yes, and you can mark down two majors, too. The man is motivated like never before.

Will Tiger be No. 1 at the end of the year?

Yes. Just look at his competition. Do Martin Kaymer or Dustin Johnson really scare you?

The post Predicting Tiger’s season appeared first on Metro.us.

PGA National tackles the transit headache thanks to piece of cake flights from the Northeast to West Palm Beach, Fla., and a series of four first tees just downstairs from your hotel room.

Without spending time on the logistics of moving your group from spot to spot, you can fully enjoy PGA National’s bevy of golf options.

Thanks to wildly different designs, and with slightly different turf on the greens of each course, playing all your rounds on site won’t turn your trip into a monotonous grind. A poll of our group revealed just about everyone had a different favorite 18.

The Champion is the big-name course, thanks to its place on the PGA Tour as host of the Honda Classic and history hosting major championships and a Ryder Cup. Redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, the highlight comes down the stretch as golfers square off with the Golden Bear’s “Bear Trap,” a series of three intimidating holes.

The Squire provides a tranquil tour through beautiful nature preserves. It makes for a peaceful round with ever-present wildlife and a layout featuring lots of fun holes. It’s the shortest course and offers many risk-reward options that keep the round exciting.

The Palmer is considered the top contender to The Champion for PGA National’s top billing. A demanding track that might not hit you over the head as brutally hard, but just may have you wondering what happened when it’s time to add up the scorecard.

A nice change of pace can be found on The Haig. It’s a stellar complement to some of the more demanding options you’ll face, designed with no forced carries over water.

The Estates is a favorite of members and locals. With water on 17 of 18 holes, don’t expect a pushover just because it’s off property.

Want to explore West Palm Beach?

If you’re thinking snowbirds and grandparents when picturing West Palm Beach, think again. A vibrant downtown is lined with dozens of bars and restaurants and a scene that exudes energy. With everything from posh martini bars to a roof-deck club to margarita-fueled sports bars, there’s an option (or many) for everyone.

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