FEATURE STORY

The PGA Word - Random
Notes from Around Tour

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

June 14, 1999

Random News and Other Admissible News Items from Around the PGA Tour

PINEHURST OUTLOOK: I AM TIGER, HEAR ME ROAR

There is a John Daly's drive worth of excitement surrounding the playing of the 100th U.S. Open at Pinehurst this week. What many consider the most prestigious major of them all is finally making an appearance at what many consider to be the birthplace of public golf in the States.

The Word says have fun with all the pre Open hype - the Duval/Woods potential matchup, the hunt for a darkhorse, what have you - because this one is over. Has anyone noticed that Tiger Woods has regained his seat as the best player in golf?

He took the Memorial with his incredible short game, won the European TPC in Germany, (or Austria, or wherever the hell it was) with his driving, and has only a few strokes from nabbing a Texas title which would have put him at 3-0 since the Masters.

Pinehurst No. 2 does not possess many of the goofy golf type holes that the Olympic Club does, and in fact, if anything it plays more like Augusta than a traditional U.S. Open Course. Translation: Eldrick will be branding the big dog and the loft wedge and taking care of business.

Moreover, Double D will be grimacing in pain with each grip of the club as the blisters from his second degree tea pot burns burst like John Daly at a press conference.

IS THAT REALLY JUSTIN LEONARD?

Maybe you've noticed the latest magazine advertisement for Master Card, with Justin "the Lizard" (ice in his veins) Leonard as an eight year old getting ready to let loose on some par-3 in what looks like Colorado or Alaska or some state with pines, elk, bison, you get the point. The Word, being a big Lizard fan, knows that Justin played almost all his golf in the greater Dallas area growing up, namely at his Dad's country club.

Nothing slips past the Word. Could it be that was Leonard on vacation somewhere up north? Escaping the Dallas heat one summer? Or could it actually be fake? And what is that thing on his arm? Was that the precursor to the copper bracelet? And last but not least, how cares?

THE "QUERQUE" GETS ITS DUE

Admittedly, the Word was stoked to find out that not only did Albuquerque finally get a tour stop - albeit a Nike Tour stop. But that said stop would be the Santa Ana Golf Club was even more refreshing news. The "Querque" is a fantastic golf community, what with most daily fee courses in the Duke City featuring at least 27 holes that can be played for the price of muni's elsewhere.

The Word was recently on assignment for GOLF Magazine in the Querque on an infamous "Golf Orgy", and playing 36 holes a day at Santa Ana was the highlight of the trip. One tip for visiting tour members and fans - green chiles are hotter than red ones and Pepto is not optional. Even breakfast in Albuquerque can send you to the stalls.

A GREAT WEEK TO USE YOUR SICK DAYS

This time last year, the Word was smiling all the way to the bank, as enough sick days had been compiled at the Ole 9 to 5 to earn two solid weekdays of sitting at home, in the dark, watching the U.S. Open from 1st hole to 19th hole.

There is much debate as to whether the Masters or the Open is the most important U.S. major, but there can be no debate about TV coverage - at least in quantity. The Open laps the Masters in the amount of TV coverage. And while it is hard to top Jim Nance in front of a fire place at Butler's Cabin, the Word will take dusk to dawn coverage in Pinehurst by just a nose.

So study the TV schedule carefully, fill out that leave card, and make sure the batteries are good in the remote. The first couple of days may be the most exciting, as Word feels that Eldrick may be running away by Saturday afternoon.