Mandatory golf equipment

This is something that I will be trying to pick up. Beers just do not stay cold in the golf bag, but now our problems are solved! I can hear C9 calling in the order now. Great production quality here too:

2011 Masters Preview

For as long as I've been a fan of the game of golf, I think I've held The Masters as my favorite sporting event of the year. The purity, magnitude and tradition, along with the confirmation that Spring has arrived, make The Masters the greatest golf tournament in the world. The 75th playing of The Masters (and 26th year of Jim Nantz covering it) will undoubtedly be compelling as the green jacket and the #1 world golf ranking are both up for grabs. And while Spring could bring the rebirth of Tiger's winning ways, there are young careers that could blossom right before our eyes with a Masters win. Without further embarrassing myself with shitty puns, I'll give you my 2011 Masters contenders:

Favorites:

Phil Mickelson: Not a whole lot to say here. Clearly likes the course as evident by his 3 jackets. Hits the long and high drives, putts well and has perfected the "I appear carefree but am totally locked in and kind of a dickhead," look

Lee Westwood: "Westy" as his mates call him, has played very well in recent majors and has had success in Augusta with a runner up finish last year. Laser focus and a big game make him one of the favorites. Looks like Kevin Youkilis.

Nick Watney: This may come as a surprise to a few people but I truly think Watney can win his first major here. 5 top 10's this year along with two rounds in the 60's last year makes me feel good about his chances. Much better at his job than his cousin hers.

In the Hunt:

Matt Kuchar: Former Masters low amateur, Georgia native and overall chill dude, Kuchar has a great shot to be wearing Sunday green. I thought he was the best player on tour last year and he has 6 top 10s this year. One of my favorite players on tour, I'd love for Kuch to get loose out there.

Bubba Watson: Another one of the good guys, Watson absolutely blasts drives, has a nice putting touch and is confident to hit any type of shot. The lefty reminds me a lot of Phil, except Bubba seems like a genuinely nice guy.

Graeme McDowell: I'm not sure if G-Mac was player of the year last year but I hope to hell he was. Was truly impressive winning the US Open and made a crucial putt to win the 2010 Ryder Cup for the Europeans. An avid tweeter and pint swiller, G-Mac will be good for a few good twitpics regardless of the outcome.

Tiger Woods: Always a threat to win the tournament. No personality. His balls tend to stray in to hazards.

Sleepers

Freddie Couples: More of a legit contender, Freddie can easily shoot a round or two in the 60s. The major question: his back. The not-major question: his level of chillness. Best looking swing in the tournament.

Ryan Moore: Another dude from the Pac. Northwest, Moore has two top 15's in 3 starts at Augusta, a storied amateur career and sartorially pays tribute to Master's past. You can tell that he holds this event on a pedestal and would look great rocking a madras tie with his green jacket.

There you have it, friends. As always, feel free to share your take on the tournament. Enjoy the weekend whether you'll be watching or not.

Photo from masters.org

Skip to my ace

I see your Lefty between-the-trees Master's shot, and raise you Vijay's across the water.



And, no, I can't explain what happens on the first dude's attempt. Does it hit a rock? Have some ridiculous English on it? The last dude makes the right move by not even trying.

Lefty

With The Masters right around the corner, I thought I'd post on Mickelson's 2010 victory. Lefty has owned Augusta as of late; we all remember his first win in 2004 (and the scene at J.R. Maxwells), but his win last year was something else. He shot a 67 on Sunday to give him -16 over the tournament, and pulled off one of the best shots in Masters history from the pine needles on 13.

Ryder Cup style - check out the Khaki Crusader

For those of you with a healthy appetite for golf style, check out Snipes's hometown amigo's Golf Fashion Blog, The Khaki Crusader (blogs helping blogs, people helping people). As we enter into Ryder Cup weekend, this fan is excited for Ms. Corey Pavin's classic designs for the battle. I find Saturday's six button purple cardigans "risque, yet classically fun".

The Khaki Crusader

Lots of golf this weekend

The Ryder Cup will get plenty of live TV coverage starting in the wee hours of the morning on Friday and finishing up on Sunday afternoon. I know that many TCD staffers and readers will be watching. I think that for the U.S. to make some noise, they are going to need some sort of contribution from TW; I just think that the U.S. does not match up as well this time around as they did at Valhalla and they are going to need every edge they can get.

2010 Ryder Cup TV Schedule - Tours & News - Golf.com

Pro Golfers Are So Good

Check out this video of Paul McGinley, Rhys Davies, Marcel Siem and David Howell trying to hit a gong from 200 yards across a lake. I can't even skip a rock the number of times they're able to skip the ball.

Tiger Back to Swearing

This is how he reacts when he can't get one in the hole. Cold streak? Listen closely around 0:15.

Weekend Inspiration

*Photo Courtesy of AP

Poulter's Twitter Feed Continues to Provide TCD with Material

Sometimes I just feel lazy. This is pretty funny. It's a video of a bunch of caddies teeing off at the infamous par 3, island green, 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. One of the guy's totally shanks it on to the other island way off to the right where they sometimes keep a TV camera. Picture below for reference (the one with the tree)
It is tough to see the tee box in the lower left but easy to see that you really have to shank it to end up on the other island (which one of my brothers actually did). Video below. I think it is the second caddy that does it. Also, listen closely after the dudes stop cheering - one guy hilariously says, "I'll follow that one." Great British wit. The rest of the video is just a bunch of British guys chumming it up and hitting wedges, which I find very enjoyable.

Ben and Tiger

Trump to buy Golf Channel

Psych!

Ha. Got you good! Probably not, though. Would anyone even care if The Donald got his hands on the GC?

Trump. When I first heard about the show Donald Trump's Fabulous World of Golf, I said, "you have got to be (expletive) kidding me!" (Big Papi voice). But then I saw the preview. Listen, I don't watch reality TV so this could be just like The Apprentice for all I know and care and maybe I don't know what I am talking about...but this strikes me as MTV Cribs meets Bob Villa's This Old House meets Celebrity Caddyshack. Add a little LT and you've got yourself a winner. Personally, I am looking forward to the LT and Jerry Rice episode. You know that whole round Lawrence was giving Jerry the business end of LT's version of the 1990 NFC Championship Game, where the GMEN avenged an early season loss to the two time defending Super Bowl champion 49ers on their way to their own Super Bowl glory. Suck it Rice. GMEN!

A tradition unlike any other

Unless Augusta, GA gets pounded by snow in an uncharacteristic winter. Check out these pics taken within the last 3 weeks, there are some great shots of Amen Corner and Sarazen Bridge:

Being John Daly

As I was watching some golf this weekend, The Golf Channel kept hyping their new reality program "Being John Daly." It chronicles Daly's rededication to his golf game and his lifestyle makeover. For those who don't follow golf, John Daly has won two majors, the 1991 PGA and 1995 British Open, hits bombs off the tee, but also has some booze/chic issues. I still contend that he has one of the prettiest golf swings ever, right up there with Freddie Couples. Totally talented but can get "distracted." Seems like a good guy though. I'll give this show a whirl, if not just to hear him go into further detail about his drunkest night ever (at least according to his book) which began in my hometown prior to a tournament at The Woodlands - a place where I have enjoyed many a nacho and poolside babe scoping session. The series premieres Tuesday night at 9pm on The Golf Channel.

Nantz Tees it up with 41, 42 and 12

Great fora.tv clip of Jim Nantz talking about playing golf with George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Tom Brady. Damn cool foursome. Check out the rest of the talk, too - lots of hanging out with Presidents and sweet Maine stories. Well done, Jimmy.