Golf News May 28th, 2008
Woods has singular focus on winning 14th major at U.S. Open
Tiger Woods strode into the interview room at Congressional Country Club on Tuesday, swiftly hopped up two steps and took a seat on the dais to promote next month's AT&T National. We can safely report that he owned no discernible paunch from a two-month layoff, hasn't returned to that god-awful patchwork blond hairdo of a few years back and, most importantly, walked without favoring the left knee that required arthroscopic surgery on April 15.
In fact, the Tiger Woods who sat behind a podium answering questions for some 45 minutes looked very much like the same Tiger Woods who was last seen in a public forum at Augusta National, exiting the final green as a runner-up to eventual Masters champion Trevor Immelman. Any questions about his form at that point revolved around a lackluster putting performance, while knowledge of the knee injury was kept under wraps until he went under the knife two days later. Now it's the first thing on everybody's mind, because Woods will have played no tournament rounds between that evening in Augusta and the U.S. Open, taking place in two weeks.
Choi focuses on positives for Memorial defence
South Korean KJ Choi was in optimistic mood for his title defence at this week's Memorial tournament despite missing the cut in his last two PGA Tour starts.
Nine years ago on his Tour debut Choi tied for 24th at the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus and he has enjoyed Muirfield Village ever since.
Twelve months ago he produced one of the most satisfying victories of his career when he charged from five strokes behind to triumph by a shot from American Ryan Moore.
"I always love coming back to Muirfield," world number eight Choi told reporters on Tuesday through an interpreter. "There's a special place in my heart for this tournament.
PGA donates food to Open Door Mission after Senior PGA Championship
The 69th Senior PGA Championship will continue to give back to the Rochester community even after the event, with a significant donation of food to Rochester's Open Door Mission. The Open Door Mission, a not-for-profit ministry that relies entirely upon private donations from the community, provides people with emergency food and shelter.
Representatives from the Open Door Mission picked up food, Tuesday, May 27, in the Media Center at Oak Hill Country Club.
"As with The PGA of America's Community Relations Program, which supports a wide variety of local charities, we are always very mindful of giving back to the community that supports us," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "We hope the Open Door Mission will be able to make good use of the food and applaud them for the outstanding work they do every day."
A good first step for golf in Olympics
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem can't think of a better scenario when the International Olympic Committee meets a year from October. Golf is added to the summer program. Chicago is announced as host city for 2016. And Tiger Woods is going strong and eager to add a gold medal to his trophy collection.
That's still a long way off, but Finchem said Tuesday that golf made a strong first impression in an informal meeting last week with IOC president Jacques Rogge.
Finchem was joined by European Tour chief George O'Grady, LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens, USGA executive director David Fay and Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson. They were told the steps leading to the IOC decision next October and what golf executives have to do to make their case.
"It was important that the IOC saw the game was united, which I think they were impressed with," Finchem said. "That got accomplished. It's a long way, and we have other sports competing for the same spots. We like to think we're what they want because we're a sport that's universal."
Annika highlights field
The 11th annual Sorenson Champions Challenge golf tournament won't include an entertainer such as Bill Murray or Vince Gill this year, but director Johnny Miller says the field is as intriguing as ever because of the return of LPGA Tour star Annika Sorenstam, who just announced her plans to step away from competitive golf at the end of the season.
Also, there will be a new face amidst the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Craig Stadler, Hale Irwin and Dave Stockton, assistant captain for the 2008 Ryder Cup team.
Charley Hoffman, a rising PGA Tour star from UNLV will play in the event for the first time, Miller said. Hoffman will team with former BYU star Dean Wilson because Wilson's regular partner, Mike Weir, is unavailable this year due to the Canadian Skins Game.
