It takes a Villegas to break through FedEx drearinessCome on, that wasn't boring. While the FedEx Cup drama ended a few weeks ago -- thanks, Vijay Singh -- we can thank Camilo Villegas for providing a few fireworks by winning the Tour Championship, Steve Elling says.
Plunking spectators disconcerting -- and growing -- part of the gameThe shot went left, screaming toward the gallery. Then it stopped suddenly -- when it struck fan David Whitfield in the head. Anthony Kim's wayward tee shot during the third round of the Tour Championship highlighted how close to danger fans are, Steve Elling says.
Fuzzy math, real hardware: Kim, Garcia, Lefty chase stroke trophiesWith Vijay Singh plodding along in the middle of the pack at the Tour Championship on his way to the FedEx Cup and $10 million, Steve Elling finds suspense: Anthony Kim, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson are 1-2-3 in Atlanta and also in the race for a pair of prestigious awards.
Media assaults on Faldo unrelenting in wake of Ryder lossThe losing captain in the Ryder Cup will always be criticized. 'It's part of the job,' Jim Furyk says. But Steve Elling says European media assaults on Nick Faldo, at least partially the product of a longstanding prickly relationship, have been unprecedented in their nastiness.
Tour Championship an uneventful end to seasonWith the hangover known as the Tour Championship arriving soon after the United State's win at the Ryder Cup, there isn't much interest. With Vijay Singh basically only having to show up for all four rounds to secure the large cash prize, the season-ending tournament is full of shortcomings, Steve Elling says.
Shock and awe: U.S. captain Azinger pulls off giant Ryder featThis couldn't have gone better. Captain Paul Azinger's ideas for the American Ryder-ites were different, but effective. From platooning his team to tending Valhalla for an advantage, it seems his leadership is why the U.S. is hoisting the Cup.
No blues in Kentucky: Native sons help U.S. reclaim Ryder CupWith native Kentuckians Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes among the winners, the U.S. routs Europe in singles Sunday to reclaim the Ryder Cup. Steve Elling says it's a complete effort, but the homeboys add something special to the victory.
Saturday's fevered pitch sets stage for Sunday's mad scrambleThe U.S. enters the final day with a Ryder Cup lead, 9-7 -- but the Euros,
having seized momentum, see this as dead even. Please pass the antacids,
Steve Elling says.
Euros hope for early statement from Sergio -- and last word from PaddyThe middle men will certainly play a role, but this is what jumps out at you: Sergio Garcia in the leadoff position and Padraig Harrington as the anchor, Steve Elling says of the pairings for the final day at the Ryder Cup.
Lightly regarded pair start European rallying cryDown three points and playing without its two best golfers, the European team still climbed back Saturday in the Ryder Cup. And thanks should go to rookie Oliver Wilson and Henrik Stenson, Steve Elling says.
Americans enjoy different tune in Ryder Cup rompWell this is music to the Americans' ears. The U.S. wins both sessions during the first day of the Ryder Cup to take a 5 1/2-to-2 1/2 lead. Steve Elling says this is exactly what the U.S team needs.
Cink-Campbell comeback big part of near perfect start for U.S.The U.S. team needed to get off to a good start at the Ryder Cup, and boy did it ever, taking a 3-1 lead after the morning foursome matches. Steve Elling says no point was bigger than the comeback of Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell from 3 down.
Azinger passes on Kentucky pairing, leads off with Lefty-KimAfter a visit by Muhammad Ali stirs both teams up, Ryder Cup captains Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo bring competition into sight beyond the hype with Friday's morning pairings. Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim will lead off for the U.S., with Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk -- not J.B. Holmes -- in the anchor spot.
Ryder rookies: Opportunity or 'uh-oh'? U.S. to find out six waysFew disagree that having been there before helps in the Ryder Cup. But Steve Elling says six first-time players on this year's team -- their experience level doesn't really fit the term 'rookies' -- could be just what the U.S. needs to finally stop Europe's dominance.
Perry-Holmes pairing a natural in their old Kentucky homeThere are risks, to be sure, but the upside is immense. Steve Elling says pairing Kentuckians Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes in the first match of the Ryder Cup on Friday could get the U.S. team off to a roaring start.
How Americans can claim the Cup: Seven must-haves for U.S.The rookie-heavy U.S. team is a big underdog in another Ryder Cup. But Steve Elling says the 2008 competition doesn't have to end in a predictable thud by the Americans if they take care of business seven different ways.
Love him or hate him, Sergio plays his best at Ryder CupSergio Garcia isn't afraid to do snow angels on a fairway (2002) or rip an American counterpart for celebrating too much (2004) at the Ryder Cup. Players always look to beat Sergio which ends up equaling good golf, Steve Elling says.
U.S. embracing crowd in hopes of securing home-course advantageNothing like handing out limited-edition pins and firing T-shirts into the crowd to get the fans on your side. Taking a piece from the European team's 2004 strategy, the U.S. squad is treating the crowd like 'the 13th man' in hopes of getting a leg up, Steve Elling says.
Waning U.S. success in Ryder Cup might mean waning interestOne victory in six events. That's not much of a track record for the Americans in the Ryder Cup. And unless things change (can't they at least make the matches competitive?), U.S. fans might tune it out, Steve Elling says.
FedEx ticket into Masters, Open a delivery that shouldn't be madeThe PGA Tour talked Augusta and the USGA into including the 30 players from the Tour Championship in the Masters and U.S. Open. But Steve Elling says a subsequently tweaked points system means that list now includes six who don't merit automatic invites and that the deal should be off.
Finale looms, but we haven't heard final word on FedEx formatRain washes out the first round in St. Louis, giving the players, commish and
Steve Elling time to debate the FedEx Cup playoffs format. Volatility is a, well,
volatile topic, but it does have one surprise supporter: Padraig Harrington, who
might not advance to the finale.
Threat of Gustav brings back ugly memories to Gateway CitySeven years ago, the WGC in St. Louis was canceled due to the Sept. 11 attacks. With Gustav now threatening the BMW, it may be another blow to Bellerive, which is already carrying more than its share of black clouds, Steve Elling says.
Azinger's picks show investment in youth over experienceOf the four picks made by American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger -- Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan, Chad Campbell and J.B. Holmes -- only the Texan Campbell has Ryder experience. As Steve Elling says, these wild-card picks could become mild-card selections on the course.
Singh proving to be a master of (spoiling) suspenseThe idea was to make things so volatile that deciding the FedEx Cup would come down to the final stroke. And Steve Elling says it might happen: Vijay Singh might have wrapped it up when he tapped in his last putt Monday -- unfortunately for the PGA Tour, with two tournaments left to play.
Mum's the word from captain Azinger before picksPaul Azinger is never quiet -- until now. The American captain is keeping his thoughts on his four Ryder Cup captain's picks so close to the vest, not even the players know what's going to happen Tuesday, Steve Elling says.
Villegas looking at chance to justify all the buzzAfter a 63 Sunday at TPC Boston, Camilo Villegas is one shot behind Mike Weir heading into the final round at the Deutsche Bank. Steve Elling says it represents a great chance for Villegas to win his first PGA Tour title and add some substance to the much-hyped style.
Azinger likely to dig the long ball for his Ryder picksWith Valhalla a course that local Kenny Perry calls a 'bomber's paradise,' Paul Azinger might give distance off the tee extra weight when he makes his four Ryder Cup captain's picks, Steve Elling says.
Poulter: No wins in '08; Clarke: Two; so Ryder pick is ... Poulter?Nick Faldo made his two captain's picks for the European Ryder Cup team Sunday, and while Paul Casey was an easily defendable selection, forgive Steve Elling if he wonders what in the name of Darren Clarke is Ian Poulter doing there.
If he could do it again, Poulter would ignore B.S.Ian Poulter misses the cut by five shots at the Deutsche Bank but that wasn't nearly as stressful as his week spent defending his comments regarding the Ryder Cup. As Steve Elling says, if European captain Nick Faldo calls, Poulter will join up.
U.S. can't go wrong by selecting solid StreelmanCan you name a more scorching American player than Kevin Streelman? Steve Elling doesn't think so and says U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger would be wise in selecting Streelman for the squad.
Williamson's single-minded focus: Playing at homeThe PGA Tour rarely makes a stop in St. Louis, and when one is finally scheduled, native son Jay Williamson might miss the event? Not after his incredible climb from the minors into the FedEx Cup spotlight, Steve Elling says.
Nothing hairy about Weir's putting in spectacular 61A few weeks ago, Mike Weir was so perturbed with his putting that he bent the flat stick in frustration at the PGA. Steve Elling says he was a little more satisfied Friday with an unreal day rolling the ball and a career-low 61 at the Deutsche Bank.
Take a break? Red-hot Singh would just as soon take a passIn the midst of what passes as a grueling stretch on the PGA Tour, Vijay Singh soon will get two weeks off. But Steve Elling says for the workaholic on a hot streak -- including two titles and a contending 64 Friday at TPC Boston -- it's not a break he'll really welcome.
In case of miniaturized par-4s, downsizing not a negativeOfficials setting up courses for the PGA Tour have mostly responded to advancing technology with one strategy: Go long. But Steve Elling says less can be more, and the proof is a growing number of drivable par-4s -- including No. 4 this week at TPC Boston.
Agitated Poulter lets loose, denies Ryder Cup promiseEuropean players and the British press have speculated that Ian Poulter chose to play in Boston this weekend instead of Scotland because he has already been promised a Ryder Cup spot by captain Nick Faldo. Steve Elling gets an earful of Poulter's vehement denial.
Writer Cup: How to fill out Azinger's squadYou think you know who Paul Azinger should select for the Ryder Cup? Take a look at the varied responses from Steve Elling and beat writers everywhere then make your picks.
Changes take FedEx Cup the other way ... way too unstableWhen they tweaked the format for the PGA Tour's version of the playoffs, the FedEx Cup, the idea was to make them more, um, interesting. Steve Elling says they got what they wanted -- and marginalized the rest of the season in the process.
Streelman's feeling the family tie at RidgewoodWhat's better than a homecoming? How about two? For Kevin Streelman, who went back to his college days last week, gets to bask in his family's stomping grounds in New Jersey at The Barclays, Steve Elling says. Better yet, the rookie leads by one heading into Sunday.
