Besides the golf clubs, there's another benefit for Padraig Harrington being sponsored by Wilson -- free footballs. Harrington shared some pig skins with the fans at No. 16 Saturday by kicking a field goal and punting footballs into the stands. Is there still time to get him suited up for the 49ers or Ravens?
It's been a week of "almosts" for Phil Mickelson. He almost shot a 59 on Thursday. He almost broke the PGA Tour's 36-hole scoring record on Friday. And on Saturday, he almost scored an ace on the par-3 16th.
Just when you think it couldn't get any crazier at the par-3 16th at the Phoenix Open, it has. It's now become a tradition unlike any other -- caddie races. Yes, caddies now race each other from the tee box to the green at 16. Enjoy.
Bo Van Pelt shot a 59 in the Waste Management Phoenix Open pro-am on Wednesday. PGATour.com's Tour Report has the details:
Van Pelt, who had 10 birdies and one eagle in his round, played his last seven holes in 7 under. He hit the pin on the 17th hole, a 332-yard par 4, and nearly made an ace.
Since the score was shot during the pro-am and not in competition, though, it will not go down in the PGA TOUR record books. There have been five 59s in TOUR history, most recently in 2010 when Stuart Appleby fired one in the final round to win the Greenbrier Classic.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is so much fun that NBC Sports and Golf Channel are going to broadcast it twice.
The two networks are partners, both owned by corporate daddy Comcast, the cable giant. Golf Channel usually covers the early weekend golf before switching over to NBC Sports for the 3-6 p.m. Eastern time finish.
This weekend, however, Golf Channel will stay on the air from 3-5 p.m. Eastern to cover the action on TPC Scottsdale’s 15th, 16th and 17th holes while the regular NBC telecast with Johnny Miller [right] is on the air. The par-3 16th is one of the most famous par 3s in golf due to the wild and raucous crowds who cheer -- or boo -- every shot. Here's part of the press release:
While NBC is on the air live from 3-6 p.m. ET this weekend with traditional coverage, Golf Channel also will be on the air live with its Spotlight coverage, but focusing only on the challenging stretch that encompasses the 15th, 16th and 17th holes. The 15th hole is a par 5 that can be reached in two, making eagle chances well within the realm of possibility. The 16th hole is the famous par 3 – known as “The Coliseum” – which is completely surrounded by as many as 20,000 rowdy spectators and creating a raucous atmosphere akin to a football game. And, the par 4 17th hole can be reached from the tee, but several greenside hazards pose interesting choices for gambling pros. Golf Channel’s Spotlight coverage will conclude at 5 p.m. ET each day, when viewers will be directed to the final hour of NBC’s third- and final-round coverage.
Here’s a helpful schedule if you’ve got an itchy clicker-finger. And the Super Bowl starts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
Thursday 4-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live traditional coverage)
Friday 4-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live traditional coverage)
Saturday 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live lead-in coverage)
Saturday 3-6 p.m. ET (NBC live traditional coverage)
Saturday 3-5 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live Spotlight coverage)
Sunday 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live lead-in coverage)
Sunday 3-6 p.m. ET (NBC live traditional coverage)
Sunday 3-5 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live Spotlight coverage)
Add meteorology to the long list of things Charles Barkley does better than play golf.
The NBA Hall of Famer, TNT broadcaster and passionate hacker interrupted the TV weather report on ABC15-TV Phoenix to find out what the forecast will be for this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open pro-am and tournament at TPC Scottsdale. Look out, Al Roker!
During his live Super Bowl special, David Feherty sat down with Tim Tebow and pressed the young QB if leading the nation could be in his future after he finishes leading mediocre football teams to playoff berths. Feherty pleaded his case to Tebow, saying, “Would you ever think of running for office? Please? Because, here’s the thing, we’ve got Romney and Gingrich here at the minute and I don’t know what anybody else thinks, but they’ve got the sort of faces you never get tired of punching.”
Tebow didn’t completely knock the notion, though, responding, “For me, it could be something in my future. It’s something I’ll have to think about and pray about.”
Check out an excerpt of Feherty’s interview with Tebow in the video below, as well as extended clips from his Super Bowl special.
Golf Boys reunion
It may not be as big news as the Beach Boys's 50th anniversary reunion and tour, but for a brief moment, Ben Crane and Bubba Watson, one-half of golf’s favorite boy band, kept the party going on TPC Scottsdale’s 16th hole. Missing in action from the impromptu concert was Rickie Fowler, who was in a different playing group at the Phoenix Open, and Hunter Mahan, who was busy getting cut in Qatar.
I may be alone in this, but I never get sick of Ben Crane’s racing helmet and goggles. For more images of the Waste Management Open’s party hole, check out our gallery here.
Nager appointed as USGA’s 62nd president
During the USGA’s annual meeting in Houston, Glen Nager was announced as the 62nd president of North American golf’s governing body, reports Ryan Ballengee. Nager has been elected to serve a one-year term and hopes to keep the organization focused on challenges faced by predecessor Jim Hyler, including improving participation and environmental stewardship in the game.
“At a time when the game faces increasingly complex challenges, we must recommit ourselves to the USGA’s mission,” Nager said at the annual meeting. “To sustain the game, we must do more. We have to promote a more enjoyable, more affordable and more welcoming experience for golfers – without fundamentally changing the game itself.”
Nager, 53, resides in Washington, D.C. where he is a partner in the Jones Day law firm. He has an extensive background in constitutional law and has argued 13 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Nager is also a single-handicap golfer and was named the volunteer general counsel of the USGA in 2006. He most recently served as chairman of the USGA’s Rules of Golf, Commercial and Compensation committee.
Tweet of the Day
I need to get my sponsors' logos on my helmet. It's obviously good luck...and fashionable too. Golf's biggest headwear trend since the visor
