Tiger's Toast

I watched a riveting round of golf. Wait, did I say that correctly? Yes, as oxymoronish that it may sound to some sports fans and the average person that hates watching golf, today's final round of the Barclays tournament in New York was nothing short of captivating and intriguing.

The Barclays was the first of 4 events that compose the Fed Ex Cup, which basically determines the best golfer of that particular calendar year. For those of you who only know about Tiger Woods, he was in the hunt, trailing by 5 strokes coming into the final round, which only is half of the reason for the riveting golf, and the other reason? Oh yeah, everyone ahead of him in the field had never won a PGA tour event with Tiger in the field.

All signs pointed to a Tiger triumph.

Why did you have to spoil all the fun Heath Slocum?

Believe it or not, Heath Slocum showed all of his nerves on the 18th hole needing a par to win and avoid a playoff with Tiger, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, and Steve Stricker if he also bogeyed. Daunting right? Apparently not for Heath Slocum, but a little extra drama always helps. Both Stricker and Slocum found the bunkers on opposite sides of the fairway. They blasted their bunker shots out short of the green. Stricker put his 3rd shot to about 10' from the pin while Slocum's sat atop a ridge about 20' away. At this point you are thinking Stricker has it in the bag and Slocum has no chance. After all Stricker is an extraordinary putter.

Unfortunately, I already spoiled the ending and Slocum poured in his putt, while Stricker's barely missed. So sorry, Tiger. Did I mention he missed a putt from about 7' on the 18th green to get to -9. Missed opportunities have really been killing him lately....

I was hoping to cover my U.S. Open predictions of the tennis variety, which begins tomorrow in Flushing Meadows, New York. Apparently my verbosity got the best of me tonight.

Also, I'm curious if the Chinese Taipei manager read my blog last night. He ordered his pitchers to issue 2 intentional bases on balls in the championship game. That's Albert Pujols-esque treatment. Unfortunately it didn't help their team as the kids from Chula Vista captured the LLWS with a 6-3 win.

Ok, I promise, tennis tomorrow. After all the Fed Ex as in Roger Federer is still in business since it's not Labor Day. That's next Monday.

Until tomorrow...Adios Amigos.