Greg Norman hopes Adam Scott gives Tiger Woods a Presidents Cup thrashing

A face-off between Tiger Woods and Adam Scott at the Presidents Cup tourney in Royal Melbourne GC would certainly make great "must see TV" but is Greg Norman using the Aussie to unload his own sour grapes?

The Aussies (?...ha) are "sick and tired of losing," said Norman, whose International team hasn't won the Cup since 1998. Furthermore, Greg Norman was "dethroned" by Tiger Woods in the 1990's to become top-golfer in the world. This isn't just a case of "my yacht is bigger than your yacht," this is personal.

"Tiger and Greg don't speak," said a source who knows both men. "There's a lot of animosity between them."

Greg Norman has turned The Presidents Cup into a battle between Australia (not necessarily the "International Team") and the USA. Doing so, however, has had it's ramifications, with Couples now comparing Aussie golfers to Woods.

After Tiger Woods was slammed by Norman, Couples retorted with a comparative dig at Melbourne golfer Robert Allenby.

"Robert Allenby is his (captain's) pick, and Aaron Baddeley, and they're Australians and I think they're great picks,"claimed Couples. "But I think I can sit here and say Robert Allenby hasn't won a tournament in ten years.''

Other Aussies have jumped on the "trash-talking Tiger" bandwagon but members of Team Norman such as Geoff Ogilvy seem spurred on by Greg Norman's personal vengeance against the former world's number-one golfer.

Geoff Ogilvy, for example, does not agree with Team USA Captain Fred Couples' pick, "I'm not going to stand up and say Tiger is a horrible pick, but I'm going to say it's very disappointing that Keegan Bradley doesn't get to play."

Placing Adam Scott against Tiger Woods is also a personal slam against the former world's number one as Scott's caddie, Steve Williams, has said a few bitter words recently about his former boss.

That being said, an Adam Scott - Tiger Woods match would make for sensational end-of-season golf TV and both teams know it, as the Presidents Cup has never been as monumental as the Ryder Cup.

When Norman asked Scott if he had a problem going up against the former world's number one, Adam said, "Not at all. I'll play him and win a point for you."

Presidents Cup action begins Wednesday November 16th. Check your listings and voice your opinions about Tiger Woods on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on Facebook.

 

 

 

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous

Tiger Woods-Joe LaCava: Golf's new power couple?

Tiger Woods has officially united with Dustin Johnson's (and Fred Couples') former caddie, Joe La Cava and water coolers around the country as well as the Twitterverse have something to say about the new match made in heaven.

Words ranging from "replacement" for Steve Williams to how Woods "stole" LaCava have been circulating as quickly as the Twitter stream will load.  Tiger, on the other hand, maintains that he has known Joe for many years.

"Mark [Steinberg] and I were approached by a lot of people, including Joe, who expressed an interest in becoming my caddie," Tiger Woods maintained. "This was an important decision, and I wanted to think about it carefully. Also, out of deference for the FedExCup Playoffs, I decided to wait until they were concluding to have substantive talks. We then spoke to Joe and came to an agreement."

Back in the Twitter sphere, Yahoo! Sports claimed Tiger "hijacked DJ's caddie and Tim Rosaforte said, "After Barclays win, Joe LaCava would have been crazy to leave Dustin Johnson for Tiger Woods. 10 less weeks on road was determining factor."

According to Woods, LaCava contacted Tiger...no highjacking or arm-twisting needed.

Although @Kathleennewsie had an interesting take that she was "hoping to see Snooki on the bag", it was Butch Harmon (Johnson's swing coach) who officially broke the news on Sky Sports after speaking with Johnson, adding that he was "shocked" by the move.

"I'm a little disappointed with the way Tiger handled it. But I'm not surprised," added Harmon, believing Woods should have asked DJ before beginning negotiations with LaCava and possibly showing that he knows Woods' character better than most (Tiger gets what Tiger wants?)

Who reached out first? According to Lawrence Donegan of The Guardian UK, LaCava was "telling friends ...he (LaCava) had quickly become disillusioned with life in the fairways with Johnson." Could Couples have also had something to do with the pairing as he put together the current President's Cup team......?

With history possibly in the making, does it really matter at this point?

More importantly, is this good or bad for the new team of Tiger Woods and Joey LaCava?


"It's a "win-win," tweeted Paul Azinger. "TW trying to pass Jack. Joe can be a part of history … no brainer for Joey! It's not like he won't still get paid."

"And he's Tiger Woods," added Zinger.

Enough said.
 
Watch for the new dynamic duo October 6-9th performing live at the Frys.com Open.


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Former Tiger Woods caddie Steve Williams more popular than Adam Scott?

The "unwritten rule" of not talking to golf media was broken yesterday by former Tiger Woods caddie Steve Williams after yesterday's exciting win by his new boss, Adam Scott, at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Steve Williams was approached by David Feherty after the final round of the golf tournament and could have said something joyful about Adam Scott's win but instead commented on his own emotional high with an almost laughable countenance condemning his own dismissal by Tiger Woods.

Williams declared, "I've caddied for thirty-three years and one hundred forty-five wins and that's the best win I've ever had."

Steve must have forgotten the seven previous wins at this event carrying the bag for Tiger Woods, or did he? Was Tiger Woods a good boss or is Williams just spewing sour grapes?

"It's the greatest week of my life caddying and I sincerely mean that," Steve Williams concluded.

The gaffe was not taken lightly by former Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger and other professional golfers. Zinger tweeted, "most (caddies) don't, a few do at times when appropriate." He added the hashtag #notapopularguy.

English golfer Chris Wood commented, "Steve Williams taken all the attention off Adam Scott's fantastic win! Played great and nobody is talking about him this morning!!!"

Tennis star Andy Roddick said, "Am I missing something? Was Steve the one actually playing?"

Williams speaks what is on his mind; he doesn't mince words. If the public didn't want to hear what he had to say, then Feherty should not have approached him. On the flip side, Steve probably should have politely turned his interview into praise for Adam Scott for giving him the opportunity.

Since Steve Williams received more shout-outs than Adam Scott heading onto the 18th green, shouldn't he at least been given the right to speak?

Adam Scott said it best, "He's a popular guy around here...It was fun to get support, whether it's for me or him, I don't care, it's the right team."

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Read more about Tiger Woods on Golf for Beginners

photo credit: BusinessInsider.com

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Another divorce for Tiger Woods, a chapter in Stevie's book?

In what appeared to be more like a tabloid divorce than a dismissal in a working relationship, Tiger Woods fired long-time caddie and friend Steve Williams... the question is, why?

Shock and disappointment appeared to come from Williams at the "matter-of-fact" way in which the Woods handled the split but both knew the end was near.

Shock and a nine-iron came from Elin's ire when she got the news but she rebounded and so will Steve.

"It's time for a change," bemoaned Tiger Woods, with Steve rebutting, "after thirteen years of loyal service...through Tiger’s scandal, a new coach...a major swing change and Tiger battling through injuries...I am very disappointed to end our very successful partnership at this time."

Why is Woods getting rid of everyone who has ever stood beside him?

A temporary(?) switch with Woods' blessing to carry the bag for fellow Aussie Adam Scott at the U.S. Open was an indication of trouble in paradise for the long-term pair. Tiger Woods was injured and Stevie needed the work so it appeared to be in "good faith" but, behind the scenes, Williams had lost respect for the former number-one world golfer after word of Tiger's adulterous nature came to light. 

When Steve didn't let Tiger in on his decision to carry the bag for Adam Scott at the AT&T he was called "disloyal" by Woods...ouch! Caddie mistrust...

As celebrity break-ups go, a book is probably now in the works. Steve Williams has let slip that Tiger Woods would be mentioned, "You know, when I write my book, it'll be the time I decide what I write," Williams said. "It'll just be one of those interesting chapters in the book."

As an aside, I was asked yesterday on Twitter to what percent do I think Steve Williams helped Tiger Woods throughout his reign? I said 25 percent. What is your opinion?

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photo credit: GolfMagic.com

Is unemployment taking its toll on the Tiger Woods team? John Daly flashed by spectator; eyes still burning. Callaway Big Bertha Irons Review

Click here to listen.

If you have ever taken an extended leave from your job, you also factor into it that there will be a mess to clean up when you return. Such is the case with Tiger Woods as his "brand" is taking a hit.

Woods' Gillette commercial was a flop so said the British, Buick (GM) decided to end his contract, an outburst from his caddy, Steve Williams, required damage control and today, Padraig Harrington took the coveted GWAA Player of the Year Award. Team Tiger is showing cracks in the armor. What will it take to right the ship? The only solution is for Tiger Woods to get back to work, and soon, otherwise his next scenario could be that he loses his number-one spot on the PGA Tour.

In other news, the camera smashed by John Daly has been placed on eBay in the hopes that the alleged 'space invader' will earn enough to purchase another camera. Should Daly have offered retribution after destroying the spectator's property? So far neither Daly nor tournament officials have offered assistance but that doesn't matter as the current bid is at $500 with interested parties lining up to "own a piece of this very controversial incident".

Golf for Beginners also reviews Callaway Golf Big Bertha Irons made exclusively for women. Forgiveness is key as i-brids are used in place of longer irons. Fat shots are no longer an option as the wider sole glides effortlessly on the turf. The set features distinct Callaway technology which translates into a lower center of gravity creating a higher launch angle and better trajectory to get the ball airborne. I think both male and female golfers can relate to this strategy. I played golf with a foursome that included three left-handed golfers. One player asked me to try the Big Berthas and effortlessly picked a ball clean with a five-iron off the turf with his first shot.



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