After a sterling golf career at Wake Forest, Cheyenne Woods has signed on with her famous uncle's famous agent, Mark Steinberg. The Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Shain has more.

The Wake Forest graduate signed Monday with Excel Sports Management, where Tiger Woods is the headliner of the agency's golf division under Mark Steinberg.

"We are excited about the opportunity to represent Cheyenne," Steinberg said in a statement. "She had an outstanding career at Wake Forest and has the chance to be a major star on the women's golf scene."

Steinberg has managed Tiger Woods since 1999, including a jump to Excel last summer after IMG cut Steinberg loose.

Cheyenne Woods completed her college career as Wake Forest's all-time top scorer, averaging 73.31 over her four years with the Demon Deacons. She also set the school's lowest single-season average (73.47) as a sophomore and won the 2011 ACC Tournament individual title by seven strokes.

Brian Wacker at pgatour.com has more on Woods, who was a two-time all-American at Wake Forest.

R&A testing a shorter golf ball in Sweden
With so many classic tracks becoming obsolete due to the insane distances Tour pros now hit the ball, it's no wonder that the ongoing conversation about dialing back equipment won't die. Of course, telling equipment manufacturers that they have to try and sell clubs and golf balls to the public with the selling point being, "now 10 yards shorter," is not likely to happen any time soon.

But Geoff Shackleford dug up a story from a Swedish golf site about a tournament in Sweden where the R&A will test a new, shorter golf ball. Here are some interesting tidbits from an interview (as translated by Google) with Anders Jonsson, an equipment expert and member of the Swedish Golf Federation: 

Want to test the future of golf ball? In early June, played two tournaments on Österåker and Åkersberga where everyone plays on the R & A's prototype that can put a new ball standard. - It has developed a ball that is about eight percent less, said Anders Jonsson, equipment expert in SGF's regulatory committee.

For several years the R & A has worked on developing a framework for a ball to go shorter. Many believe that even the modern courses in the near future be played for short. Work on a new standard ball is in the experimental stage but the ball should have the same flight characteristics, the only difference being that it goes a little shorter.

Test competitions have already been implemented in the UK but now the R & A have a broader investigative material in order to make such a good decision as possible in the future. Therefore, they have been inquiring about Swedish interest.

Work on prototype is relatively secret and few actually know what the type of ball. But according to information, it will be modern and only differ pure length wise. I know nothing about the ball more than it is developed together with a renowned manufacturer, said Jonsson.

The Swedish test competitions will be played on Österåker June 2 and Åkersberga June 3. Nikon sponsors the event and representatives from the R & A will be in place. It is open to all to take this opportunity to become a test pilot.

Top English pros demand more events in England
Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood have set up a "task force," with the mission of bringing more top-notch tournaments to England, according to James Corrigan of The Telegraph. Considering that this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is the only European Tour event of the season held in England, it's sort of hard to disagree with them, particularly when there are so many English players near the top of the world rankings (Donald, Westwood, Casey, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Robert Rock, etc.). 

This wasn't always the case. In 2000, there were six Tour events in England, but the recession has forced many formerly prominent tournaments like the English Open and the British Masters to seek sponsors, and locations, in other parts of the globe. But the English trio of Donald, Casey, and Westwood are determined to see that change. 

“We want to know what we can do as players to help make it happen; as we plainly need to do more than talk about it,” said Casey. “Maybe what could help is if we write a collective letter to the right people, to prospective sponsors, guaranteeing that we would all be there and would all help promote the tournament. If we started another event in England, featuring Lee, Luke, Ian, Justin, etc, wouldn’t that have great appeal?”

Luke Donald, who's been trading the No. 1 spot in the world rankings with Rory McIlroy throughout 2012, agrees with Casey. 

“This is a great opportunity when you look at the world rankings at the moment,” said the world No 2. “This is the time to cultivate more interest. We’ve got great golfing ambassadors and need another event in England that can inspire the younger generation. We’re about to lose TV viewers whose parents don’t have Sky, with the BBC dropping out from golf, so we need more events in England full stop. I’d be happy to lend my name and time and help promote golf more in England.”

Here's a quick video from last year's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Seems like the conditions are actually pretty tough for the players in England:

Tweet of the Day

Sorted Ferrari is back in action... Job done. Off to Wentworth. #TwitPict twitpic.com/9nzrr3

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) May 22, 2012

The last time the U.S. Open visited the Olympic Club in San Francisco it was 1998 and Casey Martin rode in his golf cart all the way to a T23 finish. Now, in between coaching at the University of Oregon, he is on the cusp of making his grand return fourteen years later, reports Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Martin, who suffers from a birth defect known as Klippel Trenaunay Weber syndrome in his right leg, created buzz as he filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour in 1997 that would allow him to use a cart in competition. 

As the appeals process began its three-year odyssey - the tour argued that walking is a fundamental part of the game and that no player should be permitted to use a cart - media attention engulfed Martin. It crested at the Olympic Club, from his Monday practice round with Woods to his first two rounds alongside 1994 Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal.

In 2001, Martin successfully won his Supreme Court decision against the PGA Tour and is now only 36 holes away from bringing his golf cart back to Olympic.

It remains a wild longshot, but he could create one of the coolest stories of this 112th U.S. Open. Martin hadn't even entered Open qualifying in five years, because his coaching duties leave him little time to practice or play, but he couldn't resist the nostalgic lure of Olympic.

He went out and shot 2-under-par 70 in local qualifying May 7 in Vancouver, Wash., good enough to advance to the next stage. Martin will take his crack at sectional qualifying - a grueling, 36-hole test - June 4 in Creswell, Ore.

"It's going to have to be an act of God," he said before advancing through locals. "I'm doing this to see if you can catch lightning in a bottle."

Just imagine the circus Martin will generate if he really does qualify for next month's Open. His story would come full circle - from one U.S. Open at the Olympic Club to the next, from aspiring tour pro and legal crusader to content college coach and improbable Open qualifier.

While the pressure is now fully on Martin, he did get a bit of a reprieve from the USGA while filling out his entry form for the U.S. Open and the elaborate application requesting a cart for competition.

Given his history - more than a bit well-documented - Martin asked some folks at the USGA if he really needed to complete all the paperwork. They told him to skip it.

OSU misses the cut

For the first time in school history, Oklahoma State University's men's golf team has failed to advance to the NCAA Championship, reports Golf Channel.

The Cowboys failed to qualify for the finals at Riviera C.C. when they finished eighth out of 13 teams in the Ann Arbor (Mich.) regional tournament on Saturday. The five-man team finished at 11 over par in the 54-hole event. The team was 14 shots shy of the fifth-place cutoff to advance to the finals, to be played May 29-June 3.

Oklahoma State had advanced to the NCAA championship in each year of the program's existence, dating back to 1947.

During the last 60 seasons, OSU's golf program has notched 10 national championships, 8 individual national championships and 49 conference championships while claiming alumni such as Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Charles Howell III, Bob Tway and Trip Kuehne.

Two-time defending champs Augusta State also missed out on the opportunity to claim a third consecutive title, finishing four shots out of qualifying through the Athens, Ga. regional.

Deron Williams hits Chelsea Piers

Because the New Jersey Nets are absolutely terrible, Deron Williams has a lot of time on his hands these days before he is inevitably traded to either the Mavericks or the Heat. So, like any golf aficionado in New York City with some time to kill, Williams made his way to Chelsea Piers. 

Color me impressed. Hank Haney, on the other hand? 

Not bad, hit it like u mean it, too slowRT @DeronWilliams: Working on my swing last night at Chelsea Pier's twitvid.com/XUF9M

— Hank Haney (@HankDHaney) May 21, 2012

Looks like D.A. Points is reaching for a dinner date, though.

Nice action. Be in Soho on Thurs. RT @DeronWilliams: Working on my swing last night at Chelsea Pier's. twitvid.com/XUF9M

— D.A. Points (@DAPoints) May 21, 2012

On-course rivals

Though the exact details are uncertain, a reader sent in this photo to Deadspin of two newlyweds posing in their Miami Dolphins garb with New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan while he enjoyed a round of golf.

It's unclear whether or not the couple were married while wearing their Miami Dolphin jerseys or just had them on hand because that's the sort of thing Miami fans do. Either way, good on Ryan to take the time to pose with his fierce rivals. What was not documented, however, was Sal Alosi tripping the bride as she made her way down the aisle. 

Tweet of the Day

Bubba Watson is set to make his return at the Memorial Tournament, but that's only if he doesn't get a better offer in the meantime.

I want to work with Nick Cannon on the "America's Got Talent" show. I could wear my overalls & sweep off the bad talents!! #AGT

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) May 21, 2012

Tiger Woods may not be pulling in as much dough as he did a few years ago, but he's still the top athlete on Forbes's annual list of the most powerful celebs. According to Forbes, Woods pocketed $58 million last year, down from $75 million in 2011, but the list also factors in "media visibility" -- TV/radio, web and print -- and social media.

Woods ranked ahead of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Roger Federer, David Beckham and Manny Pacquiao.

Among all celebs, Woods came in at No. 12, down from No. 6 in 2011. Phil Mickelson ($48 million) landed at No. 48, ahead of Toby Keith and Lionel Messi.

Jennifer Lopez topped the list, followed by Oprah, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg.

Strange but true
Golf Channel's Jason Sobel has the bizarre tale of Joey Snyder III, who's technically been on the PGA Tour for the last six years, but he's hardly played any golf. Due to an injury and several doctors who misdiagnosed his problem, Snyder has been sitting at home, but he's been able to keep his PGA Tour status.

Four months of that. Three months with another doctor. There were even procedures done to potentially alleviate the pain. In late-2009, Snyder underwent surgery for a sports hernia, and then was told immediately afterward that he needed to have surgery on his right hip, as well. Neither solved the problem. He still couldn’t swing the golf club.

All during this time, he heard the whispers from fellow PGA Tour members. When a player with full status is injured, he not only receives a medical extension which allows him to resume playing privileges once healthy, but also a monthly stipend during that absence.

And this could be the craziest part of the story. During the six years he's been off the Tour, he and his wife had two children, and they've never seen him go to work.

“I’ve been at home every single day of their lives. It’s been great. It’s been the only thing that’s kept me sane,” he explains. “They said, ‘Daddy, why do you have to go?’ I told them, ‘This is what Daddy does for a living. I know you haven’t seen it, but hopefully you’ll get to see what Daddy does.’”

Quacking up
Golfweek's Sean Martin tweeted this video of the Oregon Ducks men's golf team, and it's a doozy. Apparently taking a cue from Oregon alum Ben Crane, the boys in Eugene did a whopping 15 minute video on what it's like to be a part of the golf team. I got a few laughs from the first two minutes, but they lost me at about the five-minute mark.

Tweet of the Day

Among those who made it through local qualifying for the US Open: Arnold's grandson, Jack's son and Mickelson's brother.

— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) May 17, 2012

The USGA has identified the objects stolen from its Far Hills, N.J., museum early Wednesday morning. The missing artifacts are the U.S. Amateur Trophy (top right) and a replica of Ben Hogan’s 1953 Hickok Belt, which was awarded to the top professional athlete in the U.S. for 27 years, from 1950-1976. (Turns out the award is being revived this year.)

Here is the official statement from the USGA:

The United States Golf Association today issued the following statement regarding an overnight burglary at the USGA Museum, in which two historical artifacts were stolen. The artifacts include the U.S. Amateur Trophy, which was created in 1926 and retired in 1992, and a replica of Ben Hogan’s 1953 Hickok Belt award, which the USGA acquired from the Hogan estate in 1998 and has displayed in the Museum since 1999.

“This is a deplorable incident, but we are thankful for the safety of our staff. These historical artifacts are an important part of our collection and their loss is a great disappointment. We are working closely with the Bernards Township Police Department to aid in their recovery.”

The burglary was first reported by Beth Ann Baldry of Golfweek.

Hank Haney says Tiger has 'holes in his game'

Tiger Woods's former coach and unwelcome biographer Hank Haney talked with Michigan Live's Kyle Austin about the state of Woods's game following his missed cut at Quail Hollow and his T40 at the Players Championship, and identified Woods's putting and wedge play as problems.

“Tiger’s kind of held to a different standard, a standard he helped create himself, and obviously his game is not where it was. But by the same token, where it was was someplace we might never see again. Tiger’s going to win plenty of golf tournaments. He certainly hasn’t forgot how to play, but there’s also some holes in his game.

“His putting isn’t as good as it used to be, and it’s been that way for a while now.

“His driving instincts are better, but he’s shying away from the driver a lot, he’s not hitting a lot of drivers. He has a miss that goes both ways. When I helped him, most of his misses went to the right, now they’re going right and left, it’s about 50/50. It was about 75 or 80 percent to the right when I helped.

“He’s not as good with wedges. From 50 to 125 yards, he’s I think ranked 150 on the tour or somewhere in that range. So that’s not as good as it used to be."

Westwood hires temp while his caddie recovers from injury

Lee Westwood's caddie Billy Foster is out six months with a knee injury, so Westwood picked up Michael Campbell's caddie Mike Waite as a temporary replacement, according to The Independent (UK).

With Foster out for up to six months, England's world No 3 used American Cayce Kerr over the last two weeks but will start working with Waite in next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Waite is best known for his long partnership with New Zealander Michael Campbell, which included his US Open triumph in 2005.

That U.S. Open experience might be helpful at Olympic next month, where Westwood will try again for that elusive first major. Also, the Australian Waite has the ultimate caddie badge of honor: a cool nickname. They call him "the Sponge."

Arnold Palmer gets honorary degree from Allegheny College

Allegheny College's Class of 2012 had a special honorary member this past weekend: Arnold Palmer. The college awarded Palmer an honorary doctorate, according to The Downswing golf blog:

Allegheny College on became the eighth institution to present Palmer with an honorary doctorate, bestowing the honor upon the 82-year-old icon during Saturday’s commencement ceremonies in Meadville, Pa.

Adding to the distinction was the presence of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, a close friend who also was bestowed an honorary doctorate.

“They are Pennsylvanians who have achieved the highest levels of national and international greatness while always remaining true to their Pennsylvania roots,” said college president James H. Mullen Jr.

Palmer was an outstanding college golfer at Wake Forest, but he never actually graduated.

Palmer left Wake Forest midway through his senior year, shaken by the death of close friend Bud Worsham in an auto accident. Wake Forest later bestowed upon him an honorary Doctorate of Laws. Other honorary degrees have come from St. Vincent College (in his hometown of Latrobe, Pa.,), Florida Southern and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Tweet of the Day

Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle often caddies for his son, aspiring tour pro Mike Van Sickle, but today their roles are reversed.

Caddying for Papa GVS today in us open local qualifying. Clean clubs + perfect reads = Qualifier #NoExcuses #LetsGo

— Mike Van Sickle (@MVS_Golf) May 16, 2012

The issue of slow play has become even more prominent following the Players Championship and the circus sideshow that was Kevin Na. Following his round on Sunday, Tiger Woods spoke out against the slow pace of play bogging down PGA Tour events, reports Ryan Ballengee.

Asked Sunday to assess the pace of play on the PGA Tour compared to four years ago, Woods simply said, "Worse."

"Last week, we were playing 4:40 (on Thursday and Friday at Quail Hollow) and there's no wind. That's hard to believe."

It was worse than Woods thought. He took 4 hours, 52 minutes to play on Friday before missing the cut at the Wells Fargo Championship.

According to Tiger, many of the young players on Tour are picking up bad habits while playing college golf that slow down the game which has led to slow play infiltrating the professional ranks more prominently than ever.

"College has gotten just incredibly slow," he said. "It's so bad that now they are giving the guys the ability to use lasers to try to speed up play. And they're still playing in 5:45, six hours plus."

While the PGA Tour threatens players with penalty strokes for falling out of position relative to the field and continuing to play slowly, a player must falter twice while on the clock before they are penalized. For Woods, eliminating that initial warning is a sure-fire way to speed things up out there.

"I think it's very simple," he said. "If you get a warning, you get a penalty. I think that would speed it up."

With the difference between first and second place this week costing $684,000, Woods rejects the Tour's existing system of fining players between $5,000 and $20,000 for consistent pace of play violations.

"Strokes is money," he said. "I would take the five grand (fine) over the 800K. That's one shot. That's the difference. That's what people don't realize – that one shot is so valuable out here."

Charles Barkley sympathetic to Na

While Tiger Woods may not be overly sympathetic to Kevin Na's "demons," Charles Barkley is, according to Mike McAllister.

Charles Barkley, possessor of arguably the most agonizing-looking swing by any golf-playing athlete, sent a text to Roger Maltbie late Saturday night: "Kevin Na is my hero. Welcome to my world."

Johnny Miller was also sympathetic, stating, "I feel bad for him. I mean really, it is embarrassing to him."

Brandel Chamblee, on the other hand, was a little less PC:

"We hear guys talking about needing swing coaches, sports psychologists, fitness instructors or changing managers. He needs an exorcist. I half expect winged bulls to fly out of his head when he is standing over a shot. I'm not sure if Sigmund Freud were alive he could figure this one out."

What's your take on Kevin Na and the state of his mental game? Should he be pitied or punished? Leave your comments below.

Harris English's errant tee drive

By now you've probably seen the video of a man getting nailed on the head by Harris English's drive at the Players Championship. That man was Denny Meredith, a volunteer at the Players for the past 11 years. And though he is ok now, it was a scary scene on No. 1 following the incident, reports Jessica Clarke and Erich Spivey of First Coast News.

According to Meredith, he watched the tee shot through his binoculars head left towards the crowd, but must have become distracted as the ball came closer. As the ball ricocheted off his head, Meredith recalled hearing a "loud thump." What followed was a lot of blood as nurses in the crowd rushed to his aid.

"This is as serious as I've seen," said longtime golf writer Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union, a newsgathering partner of First Coast News. "You just don't see that amount of blood for a golf ball hit and this case, it was pretty bad."

Smits snapped this photo moments after the accident:

Meredith was taken to the hospital and received six stitches, but was allowed to return home that night and is now doing okay.

"Well, after getting hit I feel fine and I think it was more of a glancing blow and not quite a direct hit," Meredith said. "So, a lot of blood but not a lot of pain."

Both English and playing partner (and eventual champion) Matt Kuchar left Meredith with signed golf gloves following the incident which may not eliminate the pain, but should certainly sweeten it.

Tweets of the Day

@bubbawatson I Davis Love that place man

— Webb Simpson (@webbsimpson1) May 12, 2012

@webbsimpson1 Kevin NA u don't

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) May 12, 2012

Oh, Bubba, how we've missed you. Have you missed us?

@NotoriousWhips not missing golf at all

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) May 10, 2012

A Georgia judge yesterday heard the case of the Ohio man busted for scooping some sand out of an Augusta National bunker during this year’s Masters. The result? Case dismissed. The offender, Clayton Price Baker, had been nabbed by Augusta security and sheriff’s deputies after a short foot race; he was facing charges of disorderly conduct, acoording to Steve Crawford at the Augusta Chronicle:

Solicitor Harry B. James said he didn’t object [to dismissing the charges] so long as Baker forfeited the $285 in bond he posted to be released from jail.

“In my estimation of the amount of money this has cost him, the embarrassment, the fact he lost his badges to the Masters, the fact that he spent a considerable amount of time in jail—I believe that it is more than enough punishment in this matter,” James said.

[Judge] Jennings granted the request with a parting admonition.

“You tell him I said, ‘Dictum sapienti sat est,’ ” the judge said, using a Latin phrase that means, “A word to the wise is enough.”

Red Sox’ Beckett shelled after controversial golf outing
After giving up seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings last night at Fenway Park, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett was booed off the mound. As Ian Browne and Austin Laymance of MLB.com put it, “he might have wished he was back on a golf course.”

Beckett made his start just one day after the talk-show circuit was outraged by reports he was playing golf during a team off-day last week. The reason it became news is because on May 2, it was announced Beckett was scratched from his Saturday start against the Orioles with a minor ailment to his right lat, yet played golf the next day.

After the game, Beckett was asked if he could understand how how the fans might be upset. Alas, he could not.

"I spend my off-days the way I want to spend them. My off-day is my off-day," Beckett said.

You’ll find video of Beckett’s press conference here. He fields the golf-related questions at the 1:13 mark. 

World's No. 1 golfer doesn't know how he got there 
Rory McIlroy this week offered his take on the confounding calculus that is the Official World Golf Ranking: "I still don't understand it, but I don't think many other people do, either." If the guy on top of that ranking doesn’t know how he got there, surely fans can’t be expected to figure it out either, right? The solution? Many have been suggested. Here’s the latest, from Gene Wojciechowski at ESPN.com:

Let's make it easy: wins, majors finishes, top-3 finishes, top-10 finishes, finishes in the five other big tournaments (The Players, WGC-Cadillac, Bridgestone, Northern Trust and Wells Fargo) and the Eye Test. And no more two-year rolling timetable.

If we used the Eye Test, Phil Mickelson would have been ranked No. 1 during 2010. He was clearly the best player in the world, but the OWGR had other ideas.

...McIlroy passes the Eye Test. And his results back him up. He's been playing tag with [Luke] Donald for No. 1, but I don't think it's that close. I don't think Donald thinks it's that close.

"Again, I haven't really studied it that much," said Donald. "I'm not sure I could name the top 10 exactly."

The Eye Test, eh? At least one golf web site has been employing that for a couple years now…

Tweet of the day

Observation from caddie this morning: "When a player fires you, it's business. When you fire a player, it's personal."

— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) May 11, 2012

This week, stray shots aren't the only objects flying through the air at TPC Sawgrass.

Two small remote-controlled helicopters are also buzzing around the course. The mini-copters, created by Ben McClung and Jose Buezas, will take footage for the NBC and Golf Channel television broadcasts, reports Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union.

It's cheaper than renting a real helicopter, and much more practical. Fans and players noticed O.B. 1 flying over the 18th hole Tuesday but it created only a slight buzzing noise as it flew back and forth from tee-to-green and landed on top of the hill overlooking the 18th tee.

Buezas explained that the TV networks wanted shots with fans and players on the hole. He and McClung had already filmed all 18 holes of the Stadium Course since last June, and have edited two hours of video to 20 minutes of flyover shots.

"We're getting a little attention today," McClung said. "But it's a lot more practical than a real helicopter, and you couldn't land one of those on this hill."

J.J. Henry's New Caddie
In an effort to kick start a disappointing 2012 season, J.J. Henry has a special guest caddying for him this week at TPC Sawgrass: 1996 PGA Champion Mark Brooks. Both pros live in the Fort Worth area, and Brooks has teed it up in 21 Players Championships as a competitor, which Henry hopes will help him this week, reports Brian Wacker at PGATour.com.

“I’ve always looked up to his work ethic and how he’s approached course management,” Henry said. “This course isn’t about how far to it, it’s about where to hit it. There’s probably nobody in the last 20 years who’s been so creative and articulate around these holes than him. For as good a career as he had, he never overpowered golf courses. He always worked his way around them, so to see that perspective is only going to help me.”

Ballybunion Fooled By McIlroy Hoax
Ireland's Ballybunion Golf Club received an unexpected phone call last weekend when Mark O'Meara's agent phoned to set up a tee time for his client and Rory McIlroy. Naturally, this created a lot of buzz at the course. There was just one problem...

Saturday rolled around and everything was in place for O'Meara and McIlroy's arrival. But there was just one problem: The entire phone conversation was part of an elaborate hoax that left course officials feeling silly, and young fans let down.

Well used to VIP visitors, Ballybunion saw nothing amiss and swept into action with their preparations. Extra catering arrangements were made, caddies took precise measurements to ensure their yardages were spot on, and the Old Course was in pristine condition for Rory and his entourage.

Except they never showed -- much to the disappointment of up to 100 young fans, club members and local media who had gathered from 7.30am. Most waited patiently until 11.30 when it became clear that McIlroy was a non-runner.

Tweet of the Day

Tiger shoots 2-over-74. Currently T109, nine shots back of his pal Ian Poulter. That was a joke - Tiger and Ian as pals, not the 74.

— Damon Hack (@si_damonhack) May 10, 2012

Tiger Woods knows how it works. When he plays well, the television commentators gush. When he struggles -- like he did missing the cut last week at Quail Hollow -- they dig. Woods says he understands that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but he made it clear at his press conference Tuesday that he doesn't have to agree.

Q. ...there's a lot of people that scrutinize your psyche, as well, for example, Nick Faldo was on that conference call that was referred to earlier today, and he's said it on the air a few times recently, that it feels like you've lost your self belief. I was wondering, do you have to fight that? And kind of where is your confidence when things go sideways like it's gone the last couple tournaments and you're trying to fight the swing issues?

TIGER WOODS: I always find it interesting since they're not in my head. They must have some kind of superpower I don't know about.

Q. Just as a follow up on that

TIGER WOODS: About the superpowers? (Laughter.)

Tiger's not taking suggestions from Golf Channel commentator and frequent Tiger critic Brandel Chamblee either.

Q. Today on a conference call, Brandel Chamblee suggested that you should go back to Butch; that that would be the way to best get to where you want to be. Do you take offense at a suggestion like that, or do you simply chalk it up to media analysts just searching for a theory as to why you're not at the form that you want to be?

TIGER WOODS: Well, 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.

Rickie-Rory = Larry-Magic? 

At his Players press conference on Tuesday, Fowler talked about his budding rivalry with Rory McIlroy -- which has more history than you think. And yes, someone brought up Larry and Magic. 

Q. One thing going back to '07 Walker Cup and kind of the first time you met Rory and sort of what your impressions or takeaway was from the first time you guys met or played against each other. Secondly, how closely have you kind of followed his career, whether it's week to week or since then and that sort of thing?

RICKIE FOWLER: '07, the first time I met him, I hadn't really heard a whole lot about him prior to that. I knew he was one of the top players, and once I got over there, I knew he was kind of their stud on the team. Their team as well as ours was fairly loaded. I didn't play any individual matches against him, I played alternate shot against him; Billy Horschel and I versus him and Johnny Caldwell, which we came out on top, which was nice. We had some good times there. Unfortunately he had to take off right after. I wasn't able to kind of stay for the celebration the last night. A few of the guys took off for Q‑school right from there; so fairly brief. But caught back up I think at the U.S. Open and kind of continued from there. I've definitely watched him, stayed up with his career, and in a way, seeing other young guys like him play well motivates me to play well just because‑‑ same thing, like through college, same against some good players on the team, in a way you don't want to be outdone. So it kind of motivates you to push yourself and do better. I feel like if some of the guys like Rory and the guys like Keegan, a lot of us keep playing well; I feel like it'll just push all of us to be the best that we can be.

Q. Do you guys feel like when each other are playing, you sort of check results, when you're off maybe and Rory is playing or vice versa, keep up that way? Go back to basketball that way, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were notorious for that.

RICKIE FOWLER: Yeah, I keep up. I wouldn't say I'm looking every week just to see exactly where certain guys are at. You know, like on the PGA TOUR App, there's definitely guys I have as favorites and buddies and guys I like to follow and just check up with. And obviously guys that win or some of my buddies that play well, I'll send them a text or give them a call and say, hey, good playing. Rory is a guy that I like to follow, and obviously I like watching him play. Like I said earlier, I respect his game, and he's where he's at for a reason. He's one of the best players, and he's been playing‑‑ one of the best between him and Luke as of late. He's fun to watch, and I definitely respect the way he plays, and I look forward to playing against him for a long time.

Mickelson to host military charity event at TPC Sawgrass

Gary Smits of the Florida Times-Union reports that Phil Mickelson will host a pro-am at TPC Sawgrass to benefit military charities Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Mickelson and his wife Amy, plus Jim and Cathy Justice, owners of the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, are presenting the Military Appreciation Gala and Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament, with Mickelson and 11 other members of the World Golf Hall of Fame scheduled to participate. The tournament will be 36 holes, one round each on the Players Stadium Course and Dye’s Valley.

Mickelson has lined up Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin, Nancy Lopez, Sandy Lyle, Vijay Singh and Curtis Strange from the Hall of Fame, along with other professionals such as past Players Championship winners David Duval, Fred Funk and Mark McCumber; and major champions Mark Calcavecchia, Larry Mize, Andy North, Mark O’Meara, Fuzzy Zoeller and Corey Pavin.

Tweet of the Day

Tiger says it takes millions of balls to grove a "pattern"? The average balls a pro hits in a yr is aprox 60,000 so it would take 30 yrs?

— Hank Haney (@HankDHaney) May 9, 2012

Having sat in on a few Phil Mickelson press conferences, I've noticed the really good quotes sometimes come before the cameras are rolling. Mickelson normally jokes around with the media before and after his pressers, and Wednesday at Quail Hollow was no exception, according to Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard.

Phil Mickelson is not one to ever miss the subtly of the moment, so when he entered the Quail Hollow press room Wednesday afternoon he deadpanned, “Didn’t you guys see my video?”

It was classic Lefty and a not-so-subtle jab at Tiger Woods, who skipped this week’s pre-tournament news conference at the Wells Fargo Championship and instead posted a video on his website answering questions he’d received from fans via social media.

Hunter Mahan also gave Woods the needle.

"I was going to announce that I'm only doing webcasts from now on."

Westwood's Caddie Injured
Lee Westwood's caddie, Billy Foster, is out for several weeks after injuring his knee during a soccer game. According to Reuters, Casey Kerr, who was recently working for Fred Couples, is taking Westwood's bag for the next few events.

"Case is a good caddie," said Westwood, a 21-time winner on the European Tour. "He's proved that. He caddied for Fred and a lot of other good players. Fred was up there at the Masters (last month), so he's been in big arenas in contention."

Snake Meets Golf Club
Kenny Ngo was walking into his kitchen when he was attacked by an intruder -- a baby rattlesnake. Fortunately for Ngo, he had a golf club nearby, abcnews.com reports.

Kenny Ngo, 40, said he reached for a golf club and killed the baby rattler with two swings.

He then called 9-1-1 as the venom began to do its work.

"The numbness ... I felt like my body was swelling up and I couldn't communicate," he told ABC affiliate KGTV in San Diego. "I was slurring on the phone, trying to get the address and they couldn't comprehend me."

The dispatcher was able to track his address and lead paramedics to his door. By the time Ngo was placed on a stretcher, his entire body was stiff, he said.

After being treated with anti-venom, Ngo was released Tuesday from the hospital, 24 hours after his standoff with the snake.

Tweet of the Day

Thot we saw unusual par from Duval on 7th. Chip 30 ft from flag, then two-putts from 85 feet. Didn't realize he'd pumped 2 in water. #quad

— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) May 3, 2012

Dustin Johnson said via Twitter that he plans to play at next week's Players Championships if his doctors approve.

The back rehab is REALLY good and hoping for next week pending medical clearance! "@BlakeGrahamPGA how's the back?? When you playing next?"

— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) May 2, 2012

Johnson missed the Masters due to a back injury he aggravated while lifting a jet ski (we hate it when we do that). He has three top 10 finishes this season and is currently ranked 17th in the world.

Johnson also weighed in on Tiger Woods's controversial no-press press conference where Woods bypassed the traditional media tent interrogation to take questions directly from fans.

People love or hate Mr. @TigerWoods - I like that he's taking to the internet to reach his fans!! Not every time, but its OK!! #ItsTheFuture

— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) May 2, 2012

Report: Trump's New Jersey course to host 2017 U.S. Women's Open
Donald Trump's Bedminster N.J. course will host the 2017, according to Mike Buteau of Bloomberg News.

Donald Trump's Bedminster, NJ (old) course to host 2017 U.S. Women's Open, person familiar with decision confirms#Golf

— Mike Buteau (@MikeButeau) May 2, 2012

The official USGA announcement is scheduled for Thursday, but Trump actually let the news slip to Sports Illustrated's Gary Van Sickle in an interview last month.

I covered the LPGA event that was there several times. During the PGA at Baltusrol, I played your course in Bedminster.

We just got the Women's U.S. Open at that one, which is phenomenal.

Trump has never been shy about his desire to host a men's U.S. Open at his Bedminster course, which is near USGA headquarters in rural New Jersey, and an agreement with the USGA to host a women's Open is a step in the right direction.

Seeking endorsement, Biden plays golf with Bloomberg
Both President Obama and likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney want New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's endorsement and, according to Politico, Biden took the old-fashioned route toward asking for a favor: he played golf with Bloomberg.

Mike Bloomberg, who was wooed earlier today by Mitt Romney for an endorsement, also got in a round of golf last Friday with Vice President Joe Biden, sources told POLITICO.

The pair was played at a course somewhere in the Washington area, the sources said.

Bloomberg played golf with President Obama in 2010 and recently had lunch with him at the White House.

Calvin Peete says he has no problem not being in Hall of Fame
Calvin Peete, the trail-blazing African-American golfer who won 12 times on the PGA Tour, said he understands why he's not in the World Golf Hall of Fame because he never won a major, according to Seth Soffian of the [Fort Myers] News-Press.

Peete, 68, spoke at a Fort Myers golf course last week to support mental-health services for veterans.

“Deane Beman wrote that I was the best ball-striker of all time,” Peete said of the former U.S. Amateur champion and long-time PGA Tour commissioner. “Coming from him I thought that was probably the best compliment I could get.”

Peete, who turned professional in 1975 and won for the first time in 1979, had four victories in 1982, played on the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1981 and ’83, won the PGA Tour’s Vardon Trophy in 1984 for the lowest scoring average and punctuated his career in 1985 with his win in the Players Championship, golf’s unofficial “fifth major.”

Despite so strong a decade, though, he has no qualms with not being in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

“They don’t really want to accept anybody in there unless he’s won a major,” said Peete, noting his inclusion in the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in West Palm Beach. “I don’t want them to just give me something just because I’m black. I want to feel when that happens that I earned it.”

Tweet of the Day

Watch out for the Boston #celtics. P Pierce is the most underrated player the NBA. #stud. Maybe the knicks will come back!! #not @Sevegolf1

— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) May 2, 2012