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Tigerless Majors

Is it just me, or are other people finding the “Tigerless” Major Championships quite entertaining?

For one thing, you have no idea who the favorite is at the start of the tournament.

Second, a lead at the end of the third round of the tournament means nothing.

The biggest problem is that the only ones who seem to have the “stones” to take advantage of Tiger’s disabled status are the Europeans.

OK, so Ben Curtis made a nice run at his second out-of-the-blue Major Championship at this week’s PGA Championship. But that was more like lightning striking in the same place twice, than a serious run at a title.

Padraig Harrington established himself as the premier player to take advantage of an opportunity. And Sergio Garcia came close to shedding the dreaded title of Best Player Never to Have Won a Major.

And now we have a Tigerless Fedex Cup run to keep us occupied for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately, that also means a Tigerless Ryder Cup at Valhalla in September. Ooops, forgot. Even with Tiger the United States contingent has made a habit of getting their butts whipped by the Europeans.

But wouldn’t it be amazing if the Tigerless Yanks pulled off the upset of the year in golf at the Ryder Cup.

Will an American Ever Win Again at the British Open?

Will an American ever win again at the British Open? That chilling thought keeps passing through my consciousness, as the best golfers in the world (except Tiger Woods, Luke Donald and Kenny Perry) do battle at Royal Birkdale this week.

Last year’s champion, Padraig Harrington, injured his wrist hitting an impact ball last week and should not be a factor. But that leaves the rest of the world to stand in the way of an American victory. That, and the fact that no Americans seem primed to claim the Claret Jug.

Tiger Woods, winner of three British Opens since 2000, is back in Florida recovering from knee surgery.

Former British Open champions Ben Curtis (2003) and Todd Hamilton (2004) have retreated back into mediocrity. David Duval (2001) has apparently fallen prey to the mental demons that always lurk in the recesses of a golfer’s mind.

And the hottest golfer in the planet, Kenny Perry, has decided to pass up the British Open in order to play in the Hooters Golf and Fishing Club Member-Guest Tournament. Or some other non-descript event. It’s tough to keep them all straight.

So, what chance does an American have at Royal Birkdale? Slim to none. In recent major championships other than the made-for-Americans Masters, American players, other than those named Tiger, have been dismal failures. Since 2004, Tiger Woods has won six major championships. Of the remaining U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championships, non-Americans have won six out of eight since 2004.

It would be great if an American jumped up and grabbed the Claret Jug this year, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen.

U.S. Open Ruined?

The golf world has been buzzing all through, and in the hours after this year's exciting U.S. Open Championship. It's a shame that, in the wake of such a great championship, one major negative stands out.

I was getting ready to write about it, when a faithful GolfStyles Philadelphia reader sent the following e-mail. He made his point so well, I decided to run it verbatim:

"Only the stiffs who run the USGA could have ruined a great sporting event like the U.S. Open. It's Sunday night and Tiger Woods makes a dramatic putt. Great gallery, great television audience, great drama.

Unfortunately, great disappointment. Sorry folks, you'll have to take off from work Monday to see who wins!

Of course the "blue bloods" who run the USGA won't change their playoff system.

Can you imagine someone kicking a field goal with no time left on the clock to tie the Super Bowl and then the commissioner for the NFL makes a decision to play one more quarter Monday ? There would be an uproar.

But in golf, the snobs at the USGA don't care about the regular guy."

- John Bonano, Easton, Pa.

Lorena Ochoa - Impact on Golf and World

While watching the LPGA Tour and marveling at the proficiency of Lorena Ochoa, consider one other point. Her impact on golf, on the world, goes far beyond her status on the leaderboard.

In a recent Time Magazine cover story, Ochoa was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Right next to the likes of the Dali Lama, Vladimir Putin, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and George Bush.

We’re not talking about the most influential athlete, or the most influential woman. We’re talking about the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

That’s a pretty weighty title for someone who is only 26 years old and could have her most important accomplishments ahead of her. But her influence on people is already astounding.

She funds a school in her hometown in Mexico. She is a national hero. She is inspirational.

Just how much influence does she have? A quick look at the recent Golfweek All-American selections should provide a clue. Of the 10 women selected as the best collegiate golfers in the country, four are Hispanic.

The leaderboards on the LPGA Tour have been dominated in recent years by Korean and other Asian names. The trend could be changing quickly. One of the most influential people in the world has started a movement.

Now that is real change … not just oratorical rhetoric.

Top 10 Golf Resorts in the World

Last week, GolfTalk Live’s own expert – Jim Phillips, The Traveling Golfer – bravely submitted his list of the 10 Best Private Courses in the immediate Philadelphia area. As expected, the list drew some comments.

This week, he is branching out a bit farther – putting forth his list of the 10 Best Golf Resorts in the World. The fact that he has spent time at all of them just underscores that fact that he deserves the title, The Traveling Golfer.

Here are Jim’s selections:

Top 10 Golf Resorts in the World

1. Casa de Campo – La Romana, Dominican Republic


2. PGA West – Palm Springs, California


3. Pebble Beach – Carmel, California


4. Four Seasons Resort Hawaii – Lanai at Manele Bay, Hawaii


5. The Homestead – Hot Springs, Virginia


6. Pinehurst Resort – Pinehurst, North Carolina


7. Reynolds Plantation – Lake Oconee, Georgia


8. McKenna Resort – Maui, Hawaii


9. Sea Pines Plantation – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina


10. Innisbrook Resort -- Tarpon Springs, Florida

As always, your comments are welcome. Let us know, what is your favorite golf resort.

Top 10 Private Courses in Philadelphia

The recent issue of Philadelphia Magazine came out with its list of the Top 10 Courses in the Philadelphia area. Every list can be argued to death, they are someone’s opinion, but the Philadelphia Magazine list was a mockery. Avid golfers in grill rooms throughout the area scoffed at the list that had Glen Mills listed No. 3 among all private and public clubs, but did not have nationally acclaimed courses such as Huntingdon Valley, Whitemarsh Valley or Galloway National on the list.

As a result, GolfTalk Live’s Traveling Golfer, Jim Phillips, has come up with his own list. He bravely discloses it on the Saturday, May 10 show. His Top 10 list of the Best Private Courses in the immediate Philadelphia area (adjoining counties in Pa. and South Jersey) follows:

1. Pine Valley


2. Merion


3. Whitemarsh Valley


4. Huntingdon Valley


5. Aronimink


6. Galloway National


7. Philadelphia Country Club


8. Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course)


9. Moselem Springs


10. ACE Club