PGA Championship Live Blog

(08/06/2008)

1:02

Shane B.:

Hello all! It's the PGA Championship, get pumped.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:02 Shane B.

1:03	Who will win this thing? Phil Mickelson ( 0% ) Ernie Els ( 13% ) Vijay SIngh ( 0% ) Sergio Garcia ( 13% ) Ryan Wilson ( 13% ) Other ( 63% ) Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:03

1:03

ryan:

Yay, it's the last Tiger-less major of the year!

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:03 ryan

1:03

ryan:

What, Shaun Micheel isn't worthy of a place on the poll? Scandalous.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:03 ryan

1:04

Shane B.:

I have a hard time remember how to spell his name, so I try to avoid him at all costs.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:04 Shane B.

1:04

ryan:

Oh, by the way, I'm just now realizing that FireFox 3.0 and CoverItLive hate each other. It's sorta like Prince Fielder and Manny Parra but with less food. So I fully expect my computer to asplode in 3... 2... 1...

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:04 ryan

1:05

Shane B.:

7,446 yards, fairly intense. I'm thinking no short hitters have a chance?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:05 Shane B.

1:06

Shane B.:

The Sports illustrated insider said nobody really loves Oakland Hills, even though it's always ranked high.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:06 Shane B.

1:07

ryan:

So, Shane, who you got this weekend. Philber seems like the way-too-obvious choice, and he could just as easily win it as miss the cut. I'm going with Jimbo Furyk and Mike Weir. Because if I don't pull for the short hitters who will?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:07 ryan

1:08

Shane B.:

I like where your heads at with those. People are all over Furyk but I'm doing something wacky. I'm going A-Kim.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:08 Shane B.

1:08

ryan:

Ah, right, you are to A-Kim what I am to Tiger. We're both way too easy.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:08 ryan

1:08

Shane B.:

Anyone that hits it deep has a chance. Also don't mind Stewart Cink.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:08 Shane B.

1:08

Shane B.:

He's due to win SOMETHING of importance.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:08 Shane B.

1:09

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

Hey guys.... any off-the-radar players to watch out for?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:09 Sahalee

1:09

Shane B.:

Well, it's the PGA Championship so I think that's always a possibility. I would love to see Hunter "Ryder Cup=Slaves" Mahan make a run, and he's obviously solid enough to do so.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:09 Shane B.

1:11

Shane B.:

Also, Ian Poutler's pants will be coming in as confident as ever.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:11 Shane B.

1:11

ryan:

I don't know, Rich Beem and Shaun Micheel have won the thing since 2002, but before that, only Mark Brooks was a sorta no-name pulling out the victory ('96). I think it's going to be a pretty mainstream guy. Probably should include Adam Scott's name in the mix just because everybody else is doing it.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:11 ryan

1:11

Shane B.:

But dark horse ? I'm going Steve Marino.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:11 Shane B.

1:12

ryan:

I'll take Bart Bryant. Or John Daly.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:12 ryan

1:13

Shane B.:

John Daly winning would make all those "golf isn't a sport" enthusiasts a ton of material. Tiger winning the Open being hurt, Padraig taking the British when he almost didn't play and then Daly practically swinging with one hand? Not exactly Jordan's flu game if you ask me.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:13 Shane B.

1:14

ryan:

So, who's excited about the Thurs-Fri TNT coverage? I'm hoping it's all IBF all the time (when not showing commercials, of course). Seriously, I'm guessing the coverage will be 40% advertisements, 10% actual golf, 30% IBT and 20% "I wonder what Tiger Woods is doing right now?" Should be AWESOME.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:14 ryan

1:14

Shane B.:

But it would make the tournament probably the most interesting in years. What would be better than seeing a guy just chugging Miller Lites out of the Wannamaker?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:14 Shane B.

1:14

[Comment From ant kim fanant kim fan: ]

ant kim is going to break through!!

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:14 ant kim fan

1:15

Shane B.:

I heard TNT actually has a Tiger cam, that just shows him on the couch, eating dorritos, catching up on "The Wire."

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:15 Shane B.

1:15

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

Euros liked this course in 2004. How about Lee Westwood to win? Tiger cam will get better ratings.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:15 Sahalee

1:16

Shane B.:

I heard this morning on The Golf Channel XM radio station that Westwood isn't playing.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:16 Shane B.

1:16

Shane B.:

Said he was hurt, but haven't found anything online about it.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:16 Shane B.

1:16

ryan:

You know, Westwood has been playing well, and if not for Rocco at Torrey Pines, he might've been the guy to lose to Tiger in OT.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:16 ryan

1:17

Shane B.:

(oh, and yes, anyone that wants to dog me for actually listening to golf on XM radio has all the justification in the world...i'm a loser, i know, thanks)

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:17 Shane B.

1:17

ryan:

Well, then, scratch that. By the way, how awesome is it to listen to golf on the radio?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:17 ryan

1:17

Shane B.:

I hope Zach Johnson plays well. He's a good one to have on the Ryder Cup team I think for the US team.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:17 Shane B.

1:18

Shane B.:

Which, might be off topic, but I think the Americans win the Ryder Cup this year.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:18 Shane B.

1:18

Shane B.:

Going on record.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:18 Shane B.

1:18

ryan:

Anbd there's also Paddy Harrington and, ahem, Sergio Garcia. I'm going to wager Sergio fires a 88-60 and misses the cut, but Paddy could be there on Sunday afternoon.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:18 ryan

1:19

Shane B.:

Does he cry after the 88?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 Shane B.

1:19

ryan:

And, yeah, I'm a Zach Johnson fan. Not sure why, but he seems harmless enough and anybody who doesn't melt down when facing Tiger is alright with me. (Hi, Philbert!)

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 ryan

1:19

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

Rocco Mediate...he;s got the game to play this course

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 Eric s

1:19

[Comment From ant kim fanant kim fan: ]

anyone here think ant kim has a chance?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 ant kim fan

1:19

ryan:

Sergio does cry after the 88. He also blames everybody else after the 60.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 ryan

1:19

Shane B.:

I think Kim is on a short list of people that could win here.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 Shane B.

1:19

ryan:

Kim's belt buckle thinks Kim has a chance. And Shane.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:19 ryan

1:20

Shane B.:

And anyone picking against him is a moron.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 Shane B.

1:20

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

Sergio is a choker

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 Eric s

1:20

ryan:

Kim is on the short list. He is also short. Karma?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 ryan

1:20

[Comment From the manthe man: ]

you guys suck

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 the man

1:20

ryan:

the man = Sergio.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 ryan

1:20

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

shane, you've been listening to too much radio golf. america to win ryder cup?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 Sahalee

1:20

ryan:

Good point, Sahalee, not even Azinger believes that.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:20 ryan

1:21

Shane B.:

I think so. Maybe I read the wrong article the other day that got me on board, but I like the team.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 Shane B.

1:21

ryan:

On paper, the team always looks good. In practice, not so much.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 ryan

1:21

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

he's a little boy still..Sergio

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 Eric s

1:21

[Comment From the manthe man: ]

they suck

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 the man

1:21

Shane B.:

anything in the world, according to the man? sucks.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 Shane B.

1:21

ryan:

Apparently.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 ryan

1:21

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

Go Europe

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:21 Eric s

1:22

[Comment From the manthe man: ]

right

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:22 the man

1:22

Shane B.:

thanks!

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:22 Shane B.

1:22

[Comment From jkjk: ]

how did daly get in? do you have lifetime exemption for winning pga championship?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:22 jk

1:22

ryan:

Hooters special exemption, I think. (Shane will explain shortly)

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:22 ryan

1:23

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

Daly...bought drinks for everybody last year

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:23 Eric s

1:23

ryan:

jk, I had the same question about the British, which, apparently, let's past champs tee it up until their 60. Or until they eat themselves to death.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:23 ryan

1:24

Shane B.:

Oh, and JK, yes, you get in for life.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 Shane B.

1:24

Shane B.:

Or if you can pound 18 drinks in an hour. That also gets you in.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 Shane B.

1:24

ryan:

How many PGA professionals will score better than Daly in the first two rounds? I'm going with however many are in the field.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 ryan

1:24

Shane B.:

So he's in on both accords.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 Shane B.

1:24

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

LOL Shane

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 Eric s

1:24

[Comment From jkjk: ]

????? i can pound AT LEAST 18 drinks in an hour

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 jk

1:24

ryan:

You in.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:24 ryan

1:25

ryan:

Um, "You're" in.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 ryan

1:25

Shane B.:

You gotta get your entry in buddy. You still have time!

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 Shane B.

1:25

Shane B.:

You in = Ryan already started attempting the drink trick.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 Shane B.

1:25

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

Is Kenny Perry playing or is he playing the muni this week hoping to earn more Ryder Cup points?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 Sahalee

1:25

[Comment From Eric sEric s: ]

Daly ...said his new nickname will be called...Kegger Belly!

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 Eric s

1:25

ryan:

By the way, how do I only have 17% of the vote for winning this thing? Good lord, you people are IDIOTS!

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 ryan

1:25

Shane B.:

Kenny actually is playing in the North Arkansas Pro-Am.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 Shane B.

1:25

[Comment From jkjk: ]

rats, i did not know I was in, i missed the ProAm so cant play

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 jk

1:25

ryan:

Oh, right, Perry is teeing it up this week. Weird since the tourney isn't in Kentucky.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:25 ryan

1:26

Shane B.:

Well you can only blame yourself JK.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:26 Shane B.

1:26

ryan:

Thing is, I think Perry will be a solid Ryder Cupper, and I don't have a problem with his strategy to make the team.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:26 ryan

1:26

Shane B.:

And Kenny P is in, but struggled last week in his first tournament with a relevant field in months. I guess we can only assume he'll bounce back, right?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:26 Shane B.

1:27

Shane B.:

Also, "Glory's last shot" has to be the worst sports nickname, in a close race with the new Oklahoma City Winds.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:27 Shane B.

1:28

ryan:

It sounds like a porno. And not the good kind.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:28 ryan

1:28

Shane B.:

I don't know, how cute is Glory?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:28 Shane B.

1:29

ryan:

I've probably said enough. Moving on...

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:29 ryan

1:29

Shane B.:

Also dark horse-y, Sean O'Hair.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:29 Shane B.

1:30

Shane B.:

Also, he has to have the best walk in golf.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:30 Shane B.

1:30

ryan:

I'd like to see him win just as long as there was a live shot of his dad throwing the television through the window after Sean holed out on 18 on Sunday.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:30 ryan

1:32

ryan:

In thinking about the PGA, Sergio's defining moment came in '99 before we all knew we should hate him. Is there any chance he'll ever win a major? I know he's capable, but you think it actually happens?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:32 ryan

1:32	What dark horse has the best chance this week? Sean O'Hair ( 38% ) Hunter Mahan ( 13% ) John Daly ( 13% ) Ryan Moore ( 0% ) Rocco Mediate ( 25% ) Other ( 13% ) Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:32

1:33

ryan:

I'm going with no.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:33 ryan

1:33

Shane B.:

Well, to win a major you have to actually "not choke." So, considering his resume, not anytime soon.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:33 Shane B.

1:33

Shane B.:

Also, putting helps. That's why I think Vijay has no chance this week.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:33 Shane B.

1:34

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

If it's not Sergio or Phil on Sunday, this will be another ho-hum major. Hey, whose gonna be this week's Norman? any old guys have a shot?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:34 Sahalee

1:34

ryan:

Well, not unless Vijay's in the final group with Phil, anyway.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:34 ryan

1:34

ryan:

I'm going with Hale Irwin.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:34 ryan

1:34

Shane B.:

Davis Love III played really well here the last time they had a major.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:34 Shane B.

1:34

ryan:

Seriously, Hale Irwin has a better shot than DLIII.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:34 ryan

1:35

Shane B.:

So he might have a shot of doing something. The only problem with that pick is that stupid "putting" part of the game.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:35 Shane B.

1:37

Shane B.:

And does anyone think Phil Mickelson has a real chance at this?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:37 Shane B.

1:37

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

off topic, but what did you think about Phil's comments on golf in the Olympics?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:37 Sahalee

1:38

ryan:

I saw that Furyk supported them too. One sec, let me get the link...

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:38 ryan

1:38

ryan:

Okey doke, here ya go:

"Having golf an Olympic sport is exponentially more important to the game of golf than the majors," Mickelson said Tuesday from the site of the season's final major, the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills. "The reason for that is it would bring in 168 different countries and their Olympic foundation and all those revenues and that would be going towards the growth of the game."

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:38 ryan

1:39

ryan:

As much as I like to poke fun at Philbert, he is interested in growing the game, and there's something to be said for that. So, yeah, I'm all for it, and although I don't particularly have much interest in the Olympics, in general, I'd probably watch golf.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:39 ryan

1:41

ryan:

That said, I'm not convinced making golf an Olympic sport is more important to the game than the majors. The FedEx Cup, um, most definitely, but I'm not so sure about Augusta, for example.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:41 ryan

1:41

ryan:

And I'm pretty sure Tiger and Jack would agree.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:41 ryan

1:42	Is making golf an Olympic sport more important than the majors when it comes to growing the sport? Yep ( 50% ) No way. Duh. ( 50% ) Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:42

1:43

ryan:

As long as we're talking about Eldrick (don't need much of an excuse, apparently), his knee injury has affected all phases of his life:

"It's a frustrating process for any athlete who's ever gone through it, to be at the top of the game, moving around, and all of a sudden, going to the bathroom is one of the hardest things to do," he said. "It's been a struggle. It's also been a great learning experience."

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:43 ryan

1:43

ryan:

So just be thankful you can pee pain-free. It could be worse, you could be Tiger Woods.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:43 ryan

1:45

ryan:

Also, it looks like drinking Gatorade cures everything but plumbing problems. Interesting.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:45 ryan

1:48

ryan:

So if, say, Paddy wins this week, does that make him the PGA Player of the Year, or does it have to go to Tiger because, you know, he's Tiger?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:48 ryan

1:48

ryan:

I'm leaning towards the former because, well, winning two majors is a little more impressive than winning one, even with one leg.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:48 ryan

1:50

ryan:

That said, if Daly wins, I think he should be named Player of the Century.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:50 ryan

1:51

Shane B.:

golf should cease to exist

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:51 Shane B.

1:51

ryan:

And that might be the only way to save this tourney from some abysmally low ratings. Daly playing his final nines holes on Friday topless would help too.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:51 ryan

1:51

Shane B.:

if that occurs

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:51 Shane B.

1:52

Shane B.:

Ok Ryan, who are you picking?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:52 Shane B.

1:52

Shane B.:

You get one pick.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:52 Shane B.

1:53

ryan:

Eh, I'm going with Furyk. He'll end up monkeying around early, make a late run, and lose by two strokes, but he's my guy. What about you?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:53 ryan

1:54

Shane B.:

I'll be a homer and take Anthony Kim. I really want a young guy to take this final major and pray on high that nobody like Padraig runs away with it.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:54 Shane B.

1:54

[Comment From SahaleeSahalee: ]

I'm rooting for Phil, Daly, Sergio in that order. But my pick is Cink to win.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:54 Sahalee

1:55

Shane B.:

Really, Sergio? You think?

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:55 Shane B.

1:55

Shane B.:

I think Sergio winning would be great for the Ryder Cup.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:55 Shane B.

1:55

Shane B.:

Because i think people will be down on that as well without Mr. Woods around.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:55 Shane B.

1:56

ryan:

Sergio winning might mean he won't care about the Ryder Cup, which would be good for the U.S. Unfortunately, Sergio ain't winning this week. If the was the only guy in the field he'd find a way to get DQ'd.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:56 ryan

1:57

Shane B.:

Exactly. He'd do something smart to get tossed out, like spit on the Wannakmaker or something.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:57 Shane B.

1:57

ryan:

Or let Boo Weekley add up his score for him.

Wednesday August 6, 2008 1:57 ryan

1:57

Shane B.:

Speaking of golf, when is the next time Wie attempts to play on the PGATour?