THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Ian Poulter was on the practice range at Sherwood CC Tuesday morning demonstrating the freakish nature of the penalty that cost him a chance to win the Dubai World Championship Sunday.
The garrulous Englishman incurred a one-stroke penalty when in the course of replacing his ball on the putting green he inadvertently dropped it on his specially-made platinum ball marker -- his "lucky" coin -- causing it to move. That made his 40-foot birdie putt into a par putt, which he missed. Robert Karlsson sank a 4-footer for birdie that made the penalty moot, but it was yet another bizarre ending to a golf tournament in a year full of odd conclusions.
"I don't think I could do it again if I tried," Poulter said while taking a break from a practice session. To prove it, he did try, tossing a golf ball at the quarter-sized coin a dozen times before he finally managed to make it flip over as it did Sunday at the European Tour's season-ending event. "You can see how ridiculous it is that I could drop it just so and make it move. But it happened."
A jeweler in Phoenix made the coin for the No. 8 player in the world following his victory in the Accenture Match Play Championship in February. The platinum coin is thicker than a normal U.S. coin and features the diamond-encrusted names of his three children, Aimee, Libby and Luke.
Poulter said he hasn't lost any sleep over the incident. "I slept 11 hours last night," he volunteered. "Because of where it was and when it happened and what it meant it couldn't have happened at a worse time. It put a real focus on another ridiculous rule. But I'm fine with it. Now if the situation had been reversed and I'd have had the 4-footer to win, that could have been an ugly finish. I might still not be talking to anyone."
-- Dave Shedloski
Results for November 2010
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Volcano wreaking havoc on a golf course
Mount Merapi in Indonesia began erupting in late October, resulting in a pyroclastic flow (hot gas and rocks) that has overrun a substantial part of a golf course there, evident in this remarkable satellite photograph from DigitalGlobe.
(Photo by DigitalGlobe)
-- John Strege
Creamer seeking to make up for lost time
ORLANDO, Fla. - A good year? A great year? With a U.S. Women's Open victory at Oakmont, it's hard to say 2010 wasn't the latter for Paula Creamer. But as hard-earned and memorable as her maiden major-championship triumph was - coming as it did less than four months after surgery on her left thumb - it is her only win of the season.
That gives Creamer, who is No. 10 on the money list despite playing only 13 events because of her injury, all the more reason to finish 2010 with a victory at this week's LPGA Tour Championship where she is taking a bit of a backseat to the handful of players battling it out for player of the year and the top spot in the Rolex Rankings.
Not only is it a home game for the 24-year-old Creamer, who lives about 15 minutes from Grand Cypress GC, but the layout's fast and sloping greens aren't a bad thing to someone who conquered Oakmont's diabolical putting surfaces. "This course is all about the greens," Creamer said Tuesday. "You can't spend enough time [practicing] putting and chipping. I heard by Sunday they're going to be 12 ¿ on the Stimpmeter. They're not as fast as Oakmont. You lag so much there, even from 10 or 15 feet. Here you can be aggressive in some places even though you're playing three or four feet of break. The speed around the hole, it doesn't get away from you."
After winning the Open, Creamer didn't contend in the next half-dozen events but comes into this week with T-4s in her last two starts. The thumb, on which she had an operation March 30 to repair stretched ligaments and a hyperextension, is still a work in progress. "I still don't have much mobility, but my pain is a lot better and the swelling isn't as bad," she said. "Right after I used to play, my hand would just blow up - it's not doing that as much anymore. They said a year [to heal completely]. That'll be the end of March. Hopefully, after that, I won't have any pain."
-- Bill Fields
Tiger might not want to watch this 'Law and Order'
On the eve of Tiger Woods' tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, outside Los Angeles, NBC will air an episode of Law and Order Los Angeles that on its website is described this way:
"The investigation of a seemingly simple crime reveals a pro golfer's sordid web of sex, lies and blackmail."
Or as the Associated Press describes it: "The plot on Wednesday's show includes a philandering golf star and his club-wielding wife. When police arrive, the bleeding athlete says his spouse was merely attempting to rescue him -- in this case, from their swimming pool rather than a wrecked car."
The AP's version is confirmed in this trailer for the episode.-- John Strege
Would players play Johnny Miller's tourney?
The concept of Johnny Miller taking over as host of his own PGA Tour event (as broached in this week's Golf World Monday) is an intriguing one, for a number of reasons: Miller has already been canonized as one of the great players of his era, he remains an outsized personality, and with his new part ownership of Silverado Country Club in northern California, he could deliver a golf course that the tour is already familiar with, having hosted a tournament there from 1968-1980.
So that is the upside. The downside is that such an event could be rife with complications. As Miller told Jaime Diaz in the December issue of Golf Digest, he would aspire to preside over a tour event much in the way Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer do with the Memorial and Bay Hill, respectively.
(Photo by Dom Furore)
Both Nicklaus and Palmer have succeeded in producing an upper-tier tour event in large part because both are almost universally beloved or at least respected by today's players. In short, when Jack or Arnie asks you to play their event, you're rarely in a position to say no. But what if the person asking is a former player with whom few current players have a close relationship, and who has never been shy about pointing out their shortcomings?
While many players when asked about Miller will say they've learned to take his analysis in stride -- "Overall, Johnny is good for golf," Jim Furyk told Diaz -- it's hard to imagine them revamping their schedule for him. And that leads to another awkward dynamic: wouldn't Miller's analysis of players inevitably be influenced if they began snubbing him?
Sure, this is all premature, especially when considering an event at Silverado is little more than a brainstorm at this point. But it is something that might give the PGA Tour pause when it's time to consider going into business with Miller.
-- Sam Weinman
So that is the upside. The downside is that such an event could be rife with complications. As Miller told Jaime Diaz in the December issue of Golf Digest, he would aspire to preside over a tour event much in the way Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer do with the Memorial and Bay Hill, respectively.
(Photo by Dom Furore)Both Nicklaus and Palmer have succeeded in producing an upper-tier tour event in large part because both are almost universally beloved or at least respected by today's players. In short, when Jack or Arnie asks you to play their event, you're rarely in a position to say no. But what if the person asking is a former player with whom few current players have a close relationship, and who has never been shy about pointing out their shortcomings?
While many players when asked about Miller will say they've learned to take his analysis in stride -- "Overall, Johnny is good for golf," Jim Furyk told Diaz -- it's hard to imagine them revamping their schedule for him. And that leads to another awkward dynamic: wouldn't Miller's analysis of players inevitably be influenced if they began snubbing him?
Sure, this is all premature, especially when considering an event at Silverado is little more than a brainstorm at this point. But it is something that might give the PGA Tour pause when it's time to consider going into business with Miller.
-- Sam Weinman
LPGA needs 'another great American like Annika'
This amusing anecdote came at the end of a Q&A columnist Ken Willis of the Daytona Beach News-Journal conducted with LPGA commissioner Mike Whan, in response to Willis' question as to whether the success of the tour depends on having American stars:
"I took the job in January," Whan replied. "In February I get an email. Older guy, from Phoenix, and he writes, 'Commissioner Whan, your tour will never be great again until you get another great American like Annika Sorenstam at the top of the list.' I read it three or four times. There's no doubt, this guy thinks Annika is American. The point is, don't think Americans won't embrace stars that weren't born here."
Sorenstam, of course, is a native of Sweden.
-- John Strege
Tiger Woods Dubai: From oasis to mirage
The desert scrub that it was designed to replace is threatening to reclaim the dormant project known as Tiger Woods Dubai, Woods' first golf course design, as the Guardian's Lawrence Donegan reports today from Dubai.
"The Tiger Woods Dubai: a dust-bowl, an empty car park, an 'Arabian palace' as real as a Hollywood film set," Donegan writes. "Like so much else in post-boom Dubai, the palace is a facade, propped up by wooden beams. Behind it lies a collection of portable cabins that in the glory days of the economic boom served as a sales office. These days the salesmen have gone, to be replaced by a handful of cleaners and maintenance staff trying to keep alive what is left of the $1.1bn fantasy."
Only six holes were completed and the remaining 12 never got beyond the outline stage. Will it ever get done, Donegan asks? "Who knows? It could be great if it ever gets finished, but we don't know if it will ever get finished," says one member of the staff. "They better make a decision soon because we are struggling to keep the desert at bay."
The upshot: "A decision is expected before February, when Woods will arrive here to play in the Dubai Desert Classic," Donegan writes. "The smart money around town is on the return to nature. After all what use is a billionaires playground when there are no billionaires?"
-- John Strege
Westwood overtakes Woods on Twitter, too
A few days after Tiger Woods gleefully announced he was taking on Twitter ("Yep, it's me. I think I like this twitter thing"), Lee Westwood entered the fray and already has surpassed Woods, at least on the frequency and entertainment fronts.
Woods has more than a quarter-million followers, though what they're following is a mystery. He hasn't posted in nearly a week and has posted just twice since the aforementioned announcement on Nov. 17.
Westwood, conversely, began his Twitter career on Nov. 24 and has quickly embraced it, and has proved entertaining to boot, usually at the expense of his European Tour friends. A sampling:
-- "@McIlroyRory Thanks Rory. I'm just pleased I wasn't stood next to you when that flock of sea gulls flew over!"
Westwood is referring to McIlroy's new blond locks over which he has taken much grief.
-- "Out at 11.50 and hate to rub it in but it's about 85 and not a cloud in the sky! Poults is in the locker room doing his makeup!"
-- "Poults looking very bland in black and White ! More penguin than peacock!"
-- Earlier this month, of course, Westwood supplanted Woods as the No. 1 player in the World Ranking.
UPDATE: Woods just went up with his third post since Nov. 17: "Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. I just finished a pretty tough cardio session this morning because of all the apple and pumpkin pie."
-- John Strege
Oliver Wilson's foot fault
England's Oliver Wilson has temporarily abandoned traditional golf shoes at the Dubai World Championship, and has replaced them with Vibram Five Fingers, or, as this story calls them, "the strangest golf shoes ever seen."
"I've had them for the last three weeks after my trainer turned up wearing a pair," he told PA Sports. "I practice barefoot sometimes and swing it better, so I'd thought I'd give them a go. They look horrific and I've had lots of comments, but they're good for you and I think the positives certainly outweigh the negatives. "You walk better in them and there's less strain on the legs, but I'm not sure I'll be keeping them on."
Here's a photo of them, from Twitpic:
Vibram Five Fingers principally were designed for running. As more is learned about benefits of running barefoot, they help replicate the experience, without actually exposing the feet.
As golf shoes, well, summon the fashion police.
-- John Strege
Mr. Style chimes in on best-dressed golfer list
In this week's installment of "My Five," Jaime Diaz provides his list of the best-dressed male golfers. Naturally, no discussion of golf fashion is complete without hearing from Golf Digest's Mr. Style, Marty Hackel.
I love Bolt as first choice as he set a very high standard until the day he passed in 2008. Much more so than Doug Sanders, Bolt understood how to put together a look that had only one color (if only Regis Philbin could have talked to him).
(LEFT: Hackel contends Ben Hogan is a must on any list of best-dressed golfers.)
Weiskopf certainly had a presence and looked good, but in the top five? I think not.
Couples at two should have this ranking because of his impact and style. He more than anyone put the Ashworth line on the map when John Ashworth founded the company. While Freddy's clothing has never fit him correctly, I, for one, do not have as big a problem with this because of the way Freddy carries himself with confidence. Just look at the impact that he had with the Ecco Golf Street shoes (worn with no socks) from this past spring.
Faldo has the perfect build and his clothing has always looked very good. He is always better dressed off the course in Ermenegildo Zegna.
Adam Scott is now the marquee player for Aquascutum, a wonderful English brand. I couldn't agree more that Adam has a great look and that he wears the correct size all the time.
As for omissions, why not put Poulter on the list? He is creative and has developed his own label, which is very stylish. True, it cannot be worn by everyone, but give the guy credit: he has a unique look.
What happened to Hogan? Did he ever look bad? Can anyone produce one image to the contrary? People still talk about Hogan whenever they talk about style. Hogan was so particular about his wardrobe that he had George Cleverly in London design his golf shoes. What about Hogan always wearing cuffs on his trousers so they had the perfect drape.
And where is Jimmy Demaret on Mr Diaz's list? Now there was someone who dressed to his personality, full of life and great spirit. And come to think of it, did Bobby Jones ever look anything but stylish? He wore his clothing beautifully.
Finally, let's not forget Ryan Moore who not only marches to his own drummer but helped design and bring to market a great new golf shoe.
-- Marty Hackel
I love Bolt as first choice as he set a very high standard until the day he passed in 2008. Much more so than Doug Sanders, Bolt understood how to put together a look that had only one color (if only Regis Philbin could have talked to him).
(LEFT: Hackel contends Ben Hogan is a must on any list of best-dressed golfers.)Weiskopf certainly had a presence and looked good, but in the top five? I think not.
Couples at two should have this ranking because of his impact and style. He more than anyone put the Ashworth line on the map when John Ashworth founded the company. While Freddy's clothing has never fit him correctly, I, for one, do not have as big a problem with this because of the way Freddy carries himself with confidence. Just look at the impact that he had with the Ecco Golf Street shoes (worn with no socks) from this past spring.
Faldo has the perfect build and his clothing has always looked very good. He is always better dressed off the course in Ermenegildo Zegna.
Adam Scott is now the marquee player for Aquascutum, a wonderful English brand. I couldn't agree more that Adam has a great look and that he wears the correct size all the time.
As for omissions, why not put Poulter on the list? He is creative and has developed his own label, which is very stylish. True, it cannot be worn by everyone, but give the guy credit: he has a unique look.
What happened to Hogan? Did he ever look bad? Can anyone produce one image to the contrary? People still talk about Hogan whenever they talk about style. Hogan was so particular about his wardrobe that he had George Cleverly in London design his golf shoes. What about Hogan always wearing cuffs on his trousers so they had the perfect drape.
And where is Jimmy Demaret on Mr Diaz's list? Now there was someone who dressed to his personality, full of life and great spirit. And come to think of it, did Bobby Jones ever look anything but stylish? He wore his clothing beautifully.
Finally, let's not forget Ryan Moore who not only marches to his own drummer but helped design and bring to market a great new golf shoe.
-- Marty Hackel
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