Number ONE, what's next?

Thoroughly enjoyed watching Rory McIlroy take over the number one spot in the world rankings after winning the Honda Open Sunday in sunny Florida.
The Northern Irishman, in his early 20's, has already announced his intention to win trophies on the professional tour after a stellar 2011 season.
To ascend to the front of the rankings this early into the PGA tour season sends a clear message to McIlroy's rivals.
Having won the U.S. Open last year, he is aware of the pressure cooker environment at the majors and has showed he can handle all distractions. But the number one ranking does put a target on the back and anyone, as a fella named Shwartzl reminded us, can win a major with the right combination of factors coming together over a four-day stretch.
I thought it was interesting that Tiger Woods (who obviosuly read my last post and decided to play one of his best final rounds in ages) made a late surge that included an eagle on 18. Tiger ran out of holes to play and was in the clubhouse, fingers crossed, hoping McIlroy would shoot a few bogies. It didn't happen. Rory held his composure and the playoff that everyone in the world wanted to see didn't materialize.
Tiger's final round, coupled with a stellar round on Friday, reminded us the multiple major winner just could be rounding back into form and may have something to say in Augusta or Pebble Beach.
Anywhere, really, there is a golf tournament to win.
I still need to see more from Tiger but he's getting back to that level.
So Rory gets the spoils of a solid victory and the number one ranking to go with it. A great weekend for the young man and Northern Ireland.
We can hardly wait for the majors to begin.

Finally a stunning finish from Tiger...alas, two rounds too early

We have all heard this one before.
Tiger Woods hits back-to-back birdies to finish out a round and bring about a roar from the crowd packed in like sardines to watch the golf legend.
Problem is, this two-hole mastery at the Honda Classic came on a Friday and Woods needed the strong finish not to win the tournament, but to make the cut. A day after taking 30-plus putts in the opening round, Tiger did what he could to play on through the weekend in Florida. It's a far cry from the Tiger of yesterday, the golfer who had the golfing world hinging on his every stroke, ready to wear red on Sundays and pump their fists like their hero.
The fall from grace is long and well documented and media today focus intently on the Woods' comeback, which has included but one tournament win.
There were signs of the focus and tunnel vision today that has put Woods in the photograph of all-time greats, but any golfer knows that consistency leads to the lowest scorecard on Sundays, not a good round here and there.
Woods was coming off an awkward press conference. He was pressed for comment on Hank Haney's tell-all book and when a reporter wouldn't take 'no comment' for an answer, Woods fired the death stare of all death stares at the scribe. All this because he allegedly wanted to be a Navy Seal?
Woods hate-in with the media continues to grow. Only the scribes with enough parts to ask tough questions get shot down. The fluffy, after the round television love-ins with side-course reporters don't count. I am interested to see how Tiger fairs this season in the Majors. He is playing better golf and no-one can turn on the tunnel vision better when need be.
The Americans commanded 11 of the top 13 places at the Honda Classic when I sat down to write this blog, just Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose carrying the hopes for Northern Ireland and England, respectively.

So what I amuse you?

I had a laugh watching Joe Pesci learn the game of golf from Cristie Kerr today on the Golf Channel's excellent 'playing lessons from the pros'.
The Italian-American is best known as a tough-guy in most of his watchable movies (Home Alone not among them), possessing a fiery temper and a penchant for stabbing some scmuck in the neck with a pencil a few dozen times.
I also recall Pesci playing in some pro-ams on the men's pro tour and hitting the ball admirabley accurate - even with his token, three quarters-smoked Cohiba hanging out his grill.
I love the concept of this show and enjoyed watching Kerr try to instruct Pesci, who stated often to the LPGA star that he has a couple of different ways of hitting the golf ball. Even when he putts.
It sounded like an excuse from a macho-actor to a tournament-winning female golfer, but Kerr handled it well. Pesci, to his credit, listened to his instructor and his shots, after instruction, were pretty good.
The on-course instructional show features other celebs this season including NBA'er Chauncy Billups, World Series winner Johnny Damon and actor Anthony Anderson (Law and Order franchise).
David Toms pairs up with another actor known for on-occasion volatility - Samuel L. Jackson. Good show and a nice break for fans of the network, who may get a little tired of the bratts' excuses for losing on Big Break Ireland.

(Northern) Irish Eyes are smiling

Canada produces its fair share of fantatsic athletes in any number sports - hockey at the top, of course, but we have talented professional athletes in the NBA and soccer leagues throughout the world.
Our winter Olympians owned the podium at the Vancouver Games and there are enough Major Leaguers to form a dangerous baseball squad in red and white.
Mike Weir won the Masters a few years back, but the Canadian contingent on the PGA tour has not come close to the incredible results of another tiny (population wise) nation - Northern Ireland.
Rory McIlroy followed up a dreadful final round at the Masters with a convincing, emphatic, eight-shot win at the U.S. Open.
Media jumped all over it and dubbed the Northern Irishman the "next big thing" in golf and the heir apparent to the struggling Tiger Woods.
McIlroy was in contention again last weekend at the British Open, but it was countryman Darren Clarke who stole the show.
Clarke rode a strong wave of support to become the oldest winner of the Claret Jug. A laid-back, every-day-type of bloke, it's hard not to warm to Clarke, who suggested most in his nation would be up late downing pints after the win.
Clarke mentioned he may go on a weight watchers diet and hates the gym, a far cry from the sculpted and moulded-in-every-which way typical pro's.
McIlroy, just 22, made it back-to-back U.S. Open wins for the Northern Irish after Graeme McDowell mastered Pebble Beach in 2010.
The trio have put Northern Ireland in a favourable light.
A country recognized, too often, for the "troubles" has shown it isn't all about the past. Three brilliant golfers have displayed class, skill and professionalism and battered the best the sport has to offer.
In the process, they have lifted a nation with a population of less than two million into rarified air. It's was a joy to watch McDowell win at Pebble Beach and Clarke tame the weather in Sandwich.
The future may be brightest for McIlroy.
All of Northern Ireland are proud and the golf world is taking note.

Rolling down the River

Rarely do I rent a cart for a round of golf but when one faces the hills of
River Valley Golf and Country Club, well, believe me you won't hesitate to throw the sticks on the back of the cart and save your calves the burn.
In the winter, families flock to the 'valley for tube sliding, but when the sun shines and golfers tee it up, they face some pretty imposing hills at the course about 25 minutes from Stratford.
Plus, its about $28 bucks each to drive around and play 18, as I did this week with my friends Tim and Mike. Steep inclines, including a hole that has to be at least 60 degrees straight up, offer some challenges.
If your short game needs work, the valley offers, if memory serves, nine par 3's, including a straight descent from the tee that is harder than it looks. The course wraps up with a par-five and, again, you won't see the flag stick until you clear a nice sized hill off your drive.
There is scenery everywhere. It's a nice-to-look-at course and in good shape. Take it easy on the gas pedal on the cart paths.
There are some big drops and sudden turns.
All adds to the fun.
I finally got to play with my new Tommy Armour driver and my gigantic tees, which Tim didn't hesitate to poke fun at. We lost a few balls in the woods and Mike found a bunch, and I played five holes with a "fuzzball" some golfer left in a pile of weeds. Mike had a bunch of pars sandwiched between some sevens and a pair of nines (ouch, sorry for mentioning that Mike). Tim had a few pars as well and hit a nice 25 footer for an up and down.
I played mostly bogey golf, a few double bogeys and at least one memorable up and down. As usual, a good shot was followed by a terrible one but the swings felt good for the most part. Before a sandwich and a beer at the turn, I chipped in from atop a hill from about 30 feet away. To be honest with you that came after I duffed the previous attempt. "No one saw the first one," Tim said. Isn't that just golf? The clubhouse features retro pictures of former NHLer Walt Tkaczuk, who was the first German-born player to strap up the skates in the NHL. He played 14 seasons with the New York Rangers. Walt dedicates his time these days to River Valley.
So the driver was a challenge I have to say. I am just not used to teeing a ball up that high. I compensated with the tees of course, but just couldn't seem to hit the ball straight. I had plenty of power - more distance than any driver I have ever hit - but the ball sliced pretty badly. I think a few days on the driving range will alleviate that. My second shots are worthy of mention. I always seem to calm down and put a nice, smooth swing together after a tee shot. Putting was tough. The greens at RV are deceptively difficult.
The three of us were in agreement about that fact.
Some of my putts looked destined for the bottom of the hole, only to sway wildly left or right a few inches away. It was as if a stiff breeze whisked the ball off course. Again, that's golf. Familiarity with the course would help, as would three blokes with better skills.
She's a short course so you have plenty of time for a few pints after.
Good time at the 'valley. Will play it again soon.

Big Club Will Have to Wait...

Had to cancel a round with my buddy Andy and his wife Kasey last weekend due to lingering shyte weather, which in turn forced a delay in trying out my new driver.
I won't brand-drop but my new number one is the biggest club ever to grace my Mike Weir golf bag (shout out to the Canuck golfer lol) and I had to buy tees that resemble pencils to match the cc's.
A trip to the driving range is in the foreseeable future and I can't tell you how happy I was to throw my old driver into the shed for the time being.
Said driver took a beating during a round with my groomsmen on the morning of my wedding. The spring, or lack there-of was a wet one in Stratford and we were up to our ankles in water and mud at the Stratford muni.
Still, I have to say it was a great stress reliever to swing the sticks ahead of Alisha and I's wedding.
We played the front nine at a nice pace but time was a factor on the back, so we hopped over to 15 and played on from there.
I had a decent game that morning despite the forthcoming events with a mix of good shots and not-so-good ones. The drop-ball rule came into effect early and often with dozens of puddles increasing the challenge.
I managed to cake myself in mud, to boot, a free exfoliation for the boys before a good shower and cleanup for the wedding.
The ceremony was held at the Stratford Country Club, a course my best man Sanjay tried to book for us for the morning of. A men's tournament squashed that idea but saved the wedding party a few bucks, as we took advantage of two-for-one muni golf on an already affordable layout.
As always is the case, I hit the ball better towards the end of the round, save for a slice that decided to rear its ugly head on the final two holes.
By that point, I had started thinking about speeches and vows and all that good stuff.
My approach shots were particularily noteworthy on a handful of holes, but my putting let me down on greens that offered no movement, it seemed.
I would highly reccommend a morning on the greens for any couple walking down the aisle (Alisha and her girls were way to busy, though).
So Andy, Kasey and I missed playing at Mitchell Golf Club but a tee-time, we agreed, will come sooner rather than later and the new number one will get a chance to whack some golf balls.

Use The Schwartz

Nothing like the best final round ever at the Masters to get golfers jumping out of their seats and chomping at the bit to hit the links.
I watched with awe at the start of the week as a dozen plus professionals had eyes on the Green Jacket, and an incredibly difficult course was humbled on the home stretch by a confident South African.
It was interesting to watch the coverage of Tiger Woods.
He vaulted to the front with an incredible front nine, but couldn't match the Adam Scott and Charl Schwartzel's of the world on the back.
Tiger has famously plummetted from the top of the golf rankings following indiscretions in his personal life, and Augusta marked his first serious challenge for a win on tour since admitting to a remarkable inability to stay faithful to his wife. What bugs me, and it used to be worse, is cameras paying too much attention to Woods. Do we need to see him walk up to the ball and take a practice swing and then show the current leader's shot "from a moment ago". I know he is a golf icon but lets balance it out a bit here CBS. I will give the network credit for keeping tabs on the myriad of golfers who had a chance at the Green Jacket, including Schwartzel, who was flying under the radar for most of the final round.
Really broke my heart to see the Irishman Rory McIlroy fall apart, lose the lead, and end up well back at the end. We will see more from the
curly haired, good-natured young golfer.
Charls was grateful and generous when interviewed after, in stark contrast to Tiger who looked annoyed at his interviewer for trying to offer a few million viewers a thought or two on the round from Woods.
Tiger, for all his talent, is still a jerk.
I remember watching him at the pro-am at the 2000 Bell Canadian, and he went right to the club house after the round. Guys like Mark O'Meara stuck around for a good hour to sign caps and balls and pose for snap shots. That is by no means an indication of a person's good will to other men, but I think the world knows Mr. Woods possesses a giant ego.
His game, right now, isn't matching it.