Discuss Golf on TV here. I don't have much to say at the moment but I'm sure you guys and gals do. I'm watching the PGA Championship on TNT right now, and they do a great job on Golf, as they do on all thier sports. Ernie Johnson's a natural when it comes to covering sports.

Good luck to Mickelson! Let's see if he can actually make a birdie putt today!

Golf is best when David Faherty is commentating!

Yeah, Feherty's great.

And Phil actually has a share of the lead? Amazing.

I've never actually watched a golf match in person, but should I ever I'm sure as @*&# not gonna stand under an oak tree!!!

Nice topic. I'd have added it a long time ago but feared I'd be talking to myself. Then again, there is a busy tennis thread.

Feherty is good (and according to a recent SI article his affable personality earns him a hefty yearly salary via appearance fees) but I CANNOT STAND his sidekick Gary McCord. His cutesy commentary just takes over broadcasts - e.g. last week's International event, where because of weather delays earlier in the week they showed four hours of front nine coverage on Sunday and because nobody was assigned to those holes he did most of the coverage and it was insufferable. He tried too hard to be the show. Dude, we don't tune in to listen to you. At least I don't.

You can bet your ass CBS let out a yooge sigh of relief when Tiger ducked in under the cut line. First off, there are apparently a lot of viewers who only tune because he is on, and secondly because of his early start tomorrow they'll be able to fill a lot of the pre-leader coverage with his round. That's a great lead-in to the players who actually have a chance to win (Phil, Vijay, et al).

I started watching golf because of Tiger. He's hawt and kewl. I'm so glad he's returned to being Tiger Woods again and not Eldrick.

I find watching tournaments on CBS a trial because so many of their announcers to be such pills: Jim Nanz, the usual unctious, honey-voiced host; Lanny Wadkins is boring and astonishingly un-insightful; Gary McCord needs to be gagged; David Feherty thinks he is a lot more interesting and funny than he is, which is quite interesting and funny; Bobby Clampett is soporific in delivery and only rarely truly illuminating.

Shafts of light in the darkness: the delightful, avuncular Vern Lundquist; and Peter ... oh, I'm blanking on his last name. The guy who did the swing analyses. He really sounds like he knows what he's talking about and can articulate it.

Oh, I hope Mickelson doesn't win. The smirk is so off-putting.

And today is such a good example of why people complain about Tiger not having the competition Nicklaus did. I sometimes forget because people rightly bring up that Els, Goosen and Singh will likely have four to six or seven majors before they're done (especially Els and Goosen, since they're much younger), and will be looking a lot better than now, and that the fields as a whole are so much stronger, yada, yada.

Well, people keep saying Tiger has no competition because the other top players never seem to do what he and the other champions do when they have a chance to win a big tournament: play well when they have that chance. I would be so interested to know how many times Mickelson, Love, Goosen and even Singh have, like today, basically gone backwards when they had a really good chance to take a major with positive play.

Oosterhuis (sp?). Yeah he's good.

The thing most impressive about Lundquist is that he's the only hole reporter who doesn't have a golf background; you also hear him call NCAA basketball and other sports, I'm sure. He's also been the commentator for two of the greatest moments in Masters history: the Tiger chip-in on 16 this year, and the Jack Nicklaus putt on 17 in 1986 that gave him the lead.

I like most of the CBS crew but consider the NBC group superior (the peerless Johnny Miller, Gary Koch, Mark Rolfing, Roger Maltbie, and Dottie Pepper, ROY). But they have gone into hibernation; I have to assume they are calling the President's Cup, but don't know for sure.

Who was the guy who kept saying that golfers had been "betrayed by" their driver or putter? I kept getting an image of a golf club sneaking up on a player from behind.

Oh, right, Oosterhuis. I forgot about him. He is good. The de rigeur Brit. But the Peter I was thinking of is the American who did those analyses with the swing planes. And I still can't think of his last name!
He's just wonderful, period. And his calls of "Yes, sir" (before my time, but I've heard it since I've been a Tiger fan) and of course "When have you ever seen anything ... " (and I'm blanking on the rest), were so unaffected, but just right for the moment, and surely will stand the test of time.
With the deletion of the odious Curtis Strange and the addition of Azinger and Faldo, (who are quite attractive and hawt respectively, and they're golfers!, go figure) I think the ABC crew might have the advantage because I'm a big Judy Rankin fan. I forget if Billy Krazert (sp?) is with them or not. He's good. And I think Steve Melnick is good too. I think Mike Turico is the best of the hosts. He forgoes that awful gooey quality and is a more straightforward sports guy.

Well, I always liked Curtis, but Azinger and Faldo are great. They've been a terrific addition to the already very good ABC broacast.

And kudos to CBS for broadcasting their majors in Hi-Def. Why the other networks can't figure out how great the game is in that format is beyond me.

*raises hand*

Funny, and I'm a long-time golf fan who is likely to switch the channel when Tiger is on.

Kostis. Sorry, he totally does those Konica Minolta Swing Vision ™ pieces, I whiffed on that one. He is excellent all-around.

I guess the reason that most of the golf commentators are excellent is that as a "gentelman's sport" there isn't much ridiculous grandstanding (Gary McCord excepted). I like most of the commentary on all three networks, but did hear recently that ABC may abandon their stake in the PGA, which would be pretty sad because I do like Rankin and the others, and also agree with your assessment of Tirico's ability. Among the three network hosts, Tirico, Nantz, and Dan Hicks, that's not even a contest. But I still kinda have a hard time getting past his epic ESPN debauchery for some reason...it just skeeves me out.

The pro/anti Tiger group seems to define itself by how deeply one is into the game. When he battled with Bob May five years ago I was at the turn and in a pro shop, and not a soul gathered around that TV wanted Tiger to win. I don't think anyone has anything against the guy, but there is a certain resentment towards the networks' relentless pandering towards him, ostensibly for the sake of ratings, and the sentiment in the golf community is "hey, there's plenty of other good golfers who ALSO don't walk on water, why not show them too?" My default setting is to root against him, but you have to respect the guy's ability to grind at all times. The level of competitiveness that implies is to be deeply respected.

I think Mickelson's the one that the networks pander to more than anyone, at least in comparison of how much he actually wins (a little to write that after Monday, I'll admit). Still, I will admit that he does provide some nice theatre (that shot on 18 being a prime example), and so does Tiger.

I like ABC's crew the most of the broadcast teams. I think golf is the one sport that Tirico does a pretty good job at it and Faldo and Azinger are a wonderful combination. I don't mind CBS's group, but I have to say I'm not really much of a fan of NBC's group.

27 PGA Tour victories, 1 Masters, 1 PGA Championship, 1 U.S. Amateur, 3 NCAA individual championships.

That's about as much as Vijay and more than everyone else but Tiger.

I think the networks pander to golfers with personality. It's just a bonus for them that Tiger and Phil are among the best players in the world. If Vijay, Ernie, and DLIII weren't dull as dirt, we'd certainly be hearing more about them.

(yes, Corporate!Tiger is usually dull in his interviews but can be awfully colorful on the course)

I like when Tiger leaves a putt short, he'll do his Judge Smails on the tap-in, that always cracks me up. I guess I prefer CBS' coverage the most. Maybe it's because they have the Masters. I really like David Feherty, I don't know if it's his accent or what, but I think he's great. And Verne Lundquist has a knack for calling huge moments in big games/events. From Jack on 17 in '86 to Duke-Kentucky, this guy has announced some huge moments. However, there's something I have to confess - it has to do with Bobby Clampett's voice. It has this strange Mary Hart-like effect on me. I don't know what it is, but whenever I hear him, I just get drowsy, like I'm on a morphine drip, and I end up napping for practically the whole back nine.

There are not many things anymore in sports that surprise me, but finding out this just floored me. I wonder how CBS would have covered that if it had actually come into play on Monday?

Feherty's from Northern Ireland. He was on Craig Ferguson last week..ahh..the accents...he said he's been sober for a few years but did tell a funny story about going on a bender after winning a tournament...he woke up a few days later (I think he said on the golf course?) and still does not remember what happened to the trophy.

Faldo....yeah, he's hawt..and looks good withOUT the hat on, unlike most golfers...

All I can say is that I would have loved to see Monday's PGA finale without of Tiger Woods! As much as I like his game, leaving early (especially for a major) was total bullshit.

Well, it looks as if Michelle Wie has shook off her opening day nerves and let Annika Sorenstam know that she means business!

Man, get out of there Grace Park! So close to a Mega-Watt Annika/Michelle final day pairing! Too bad, NBC.

The funny thing is, Grace Park is only there playing because Annika didn't play in enough tournaments to qualify for the Vare Trophy. Ironic, isn't it?

edited to add:Wow, I don't think Michelle will be granting any exclusive interviews to Sports Illustrated anytime soon . . .

Sounds to me like he wanted to be the story...I am surprised though that the caddy didn't realize either?

I know! He would have never done that to Tiger, who would have froze out SI's ass.

I think Fred Funk should wear a skirt more often!

Come on people, Masters starts in a few days. No love?

Well the final at the Kraft Nabisco today was fantastic. I am very excited for Karrie. I hope this breaks her slump. The LPGA has got to love Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis being in the final group today. I used to rank women's golf up there with curling but the last couple of years its become pretty entertaining.

I'm afraid too much of the Masters coverage is going to revolve around reporting on the health of Earl Woods.

I know a lot of people really like him, but Mickelson just comes off as such a phony that he really ticks me off. Ticks me off to the point that I actually turned off the final round half way through. But, again, that's my issue and he's certainly one helluva golfer.

Oh, and Jim Nantz (speaking of phony) should never be allowed near a golf tournament ever again. He's become excruciating to listen to.

One thing I always wonder about the Masters' coverage: what's with the music CBS uses? It's so soothing and Muzak-like, compared to the more fast-paced, driving theme music for, say, the Final Four...and it even plays over the commentary, making the whole proceedings seem kind of like a commercial for Ensure. What gives?

I was hoping that Tiger would win (as always), but I was glad that Phil won and that Fred Couples was in contention. Maybe Tiger will win next year.

It's not just you. GQ listed the most hated people in sports and, among the players, Phil ranked number 8--out of ALL professional sportsmen. Lead paragraph: And it gets worse.

It's so anticlimatic when anyone but Tiger has a lead. I am happy for Phil, but I wish Fred, Vijay, Tiger, Retief, somebody could have made some putts and put a little drama in it.

Wow, I had no idea people didn't like Phil. It seemed like he was chatting away with everyone he played with this week; maybe they were just being polite.

I believe the Masters music was written by Dave Loggins.

Yeah, I had no idea, either. My girlfriend just raves and raves about how nice Phil is and how he's just a great guy to the point that it's kind of sickening and she essentially thinks that Tiger is the devil incarnate and that he's an asshole.

Mickelson is not popular among the Tour players because he thinks he's an intellectual, and initiates conversations about scientific and other similar subjects that no one cares about. Also, Mickelson is a degenerate gambler, and will propose bets for huge amounts that others can't handle.

For having gone to good colleges, and being well-spoken compared to many other athletes, golfers are rather simple people and care about little else. (Many of us know how golf can take over your life, and we're part-time amateurs.) Their main recreations are fishing and hunting, and many are rather thrifty, because income is not guaranteed. (For second-level players, their endorsements usually require that their standings improve to keep the same money.) Mickelson lives in California, instead of Texas or Florida, and is suspect for paying all those state income taxes, and living in a liberal state. (As wealthy, self-employed professionals, most golf pros are country-club Republicans.) So, they have nothing in common with Mickelson, and among them, he acts above it all, and "better" than the other pros.

I like Mickelson because he plays to win, gives good honest interviews, and I've never heard that he cheats on his wife, or is a mean drunk.


Frank Chircanian got together with the Augusta National leadership (Mr. Clifford Roberts) to create a unique production, different from the other tournaments, and reflective of the "class" self-image of the Augusta National Golf Club.

The gambling part rings entirely true to me about Phil. Stories of his sports betting are pretty well known. And I'm sure he gambles big money on his side games as well.

Phil has always struck me as a nice guy, the gambling notwithstanding. He seems to like to be friendly to everybody. Always trying to talk to his playing partner. I don't think that's fake at all. I think he's a rather sociable guy who enjoys conversation. I don't think he could fake that.

Now I do think he's a bit of a camera whore. No scratch that he's a complete camera whore. Remember at Doral a year ago when he waited until they had played 5 holes to shake Tiger's hand? Conviently he did so at the same moment the tv coverage started.

So basically he's always come off as a perfectly nice phony to me. Hey someone can be fake and cool at the sametime right? I think so.

But he's a tradition unlike any other! Oh wait...

Nantz came to my campus last year to introduce Mike Krzyzewski at a speech he was giving. Nantz sounded like a phony then too. It was a good introduction, but it was all in that fakey-announcerish voice.

I used to like Phil a lot, but lately he's beginning to bug me. The happy family pictures are starting to look phony. His smile is starting to look more like a smirk (think George W.). And would someone please learn how to dress him! Those pants that don't fit have got to go! I always root for Tiger and when he was out of it yesterday I would have liked to have seen Freddie won.

Phil isn't popular with his fellow Tour pros for the same reason Tiger isn't: Jealousy. If he were as bad a guy as that GQ article would have us believe, wouldn't there be some annecdotal evidence of him treating people poorly or cheating or something? But I guess the fact that he smiles for the TV cameras is supposed to make us hate him? And who reads GQ for their sports coverage, anyway? Is Golf Digest ranking man purses now?

On Topic: I'm sure glad I have the TV around to inform me that Tiger would have won by 15 strokes if his dad wasn't sick. Otherwise, I might have made the mistake of thinking Phil actually won by playing some damn good golf.

I can't believe that the serious golf reporters are OK with the all-Tiger, all-the-time coverage. Every stroke of his gets covered, whether he's in contention or not. I guess there are now people who don't watch golf on TV, they watch Tiger on TV.

Here's a different take on Mickelson's popularity. I don't know why people rag on his family life. Almost every successful athlete has an attractive blond wife, which leads to attractive blond children. Some golfers, wives, and children travel the Tour a lot (every tournament is required to have a childcare center on-property, so wives can go on the course without children when they wish) and some "leave Daddy alone while he's working so hard". Phil's family is not unique. Maybe people just envy the apparent perfection of his life. They were happier when he was collapsing on Sunday afternoon.

But there is anectodal evidence, like when Vijay ratted him out on his spikes last year. Or the author of A Good Walk Unspoiled, who calls him "Eddie Haskell". And that's just the first couple Google hits.

I'm sure he's not in the same league as Barry Bonds, T.O., and Latrell Spreewell, but there have been stories about him for a long time.

Well the title of the book has Spoiled in it not Unspoiled.

All Feinstein said was Phil has more edge than he lets on to the public. Then he goes on to say it's a compliment.

I hardly see how Feinstein was in anyway ragging on Phil. Plus one of the things I like about Feinstein is he always seems to like everybody he writes about. That's why he's a great writer he understands that everybody has a story to tell. I hardly think a writer as prolific as Feinstein would in anyway say anything truely negative about a player as well-known as Phil. Just wouldn't do him any good.

And Vijay? Well......he bitches about everything. It's kind of laughable. He famously talked about "not wanting to lose to a women." When they let Annika play in that one event a couple of years ago.

Mickelson played great, and it was exciting to watch him win. Watching him putting on the green jacket, with Tiger just behind him... his head is YOOGE. It's like almost twice as big as Tiger's head! When did he get so, uh, portly? He's always sported the man boobs but they looked even more prominent than they have in the past. The horrible greasy looking hair, the clothes that don't fit, the ever increasing jowls.

I guess when you make millions maybe you don't care to maintain? He's a great player, but he needs a stylist.

That's only evidence of Vijay being a whiner. A rules official checked Phil's spikes on the spot, and found nothing wrong with them.

I've heard Feinstein call Phil 'Eddie Haskell' several times, but as bk102087 wrote, he's just referring to Phil's tendency to be a bit disengenuous with the press. I've read a couple of Feinstein's golf books and heard him interviewed countless times, and he typically has nice things to say about Phil. And John Feinstein almost never has nice things to say about anyone.

When has Feinstein not had nice things to say about people?

I mean he's certainly willing to critcize. He basically wrote a 80 page book lambasting Tiger's dad and going nuts on the way Tiger's people were handling his career.

But I don't think I've ever read anything by Feinstein where he didn't say nice things about alot of people.

"Open" was practically a loveletter to the USGA.

Let's remember that Vijay was the one who had a disciplinary episode on the Australasian Tour, I believe, when he was starting out. And yes, Phil's spikes were conforming. (It would be hard to make non-conforming golf spikes. The tooling cost would be huge.)

Most of us look greasy after playing and walking 34 holes in one day, particularly with ~$1,000,000.oo on the line (plus a side bet to make it interesting) {Freddy probably lost either 10 large or 1% of Ashworth.}. Yes, if it weren't for Tim Herron, Lefty would be "Lumpy". Of course, you could look at some old pictures of Nicklaus like this, when Arnie's fans called him "Fat Boy". You want to see some man-boobs; wait until the middle of the summer when Phil plays in a white golf shirt with no undershirt! Tiger's golf slacks are tailored, cost $X00 each, and have cuffs to make them hang better.

Well, I was being a little hyperbolic there. But if you want to listen to Tony Kornheiser's radio show (www.sportstalk980.com, M-F 9-11 EST), Feinstein is usually on Wednesday mornings. And he typically uses his time to rail against whoever he's pissed at that day - including Tony, often. Unfortunately, Tony's show will only be on a couple more weeks.

Also, there's a reason why Feinstein and Bob Knight don't speak and a reason why he's only recently been welcomed back to ESPN's airwaves. He was very critical of the network for a while and pissed them off enough that he got the Keith Olberman treatment for several years.

I like Feinstein's work, generally. My only point was that he knows Phil better than most folks in the media do, and he's at least as willing to be critical of him as the others are. But he's generally complimentary to Phil.

Heh. After that comment, eveytime Vijay would lose a tournament (esp. after starting out well) my Mom would attribute it to a "voodoo hex" put on him by female golf fans!

I agree about Mickelson. He strikes me as a tremendous phony. I suspect he's got his good qualities too, but the phoniness is really palpable. I've read a number of anecdotes on the Google golf board about him being widely disliked and a phony.

The most disturbing thing about him, however, is how unbelievably popular he is with golf fans. WTF? It's comparable to how much people are inclined to like Bush, and it freaks me out that so many people are taken in by such obvious phoniness.

That said, I'd prefer that someone with his skills fulfill his promise. I don't want to watch it, but I hate to see great talent wasted.