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Eye on Golf site news!

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:40:37 EDT

By Shane Bacon

So good news, and no, it has nothing to do with an improvement on your short game. All of the CBS blogs have been given a sharp facelift.

The new site is out, and it is right here, which is awesome, but that means a few things.

First, this link (the one you might possibly be subscribed to) is dead. No more content right here. But, to continue to follow our incredible golf content, just add this link to your RSS feeds and voila, life is back to normal. The new site is going to be sharper in both looks and content, and we’re really excited about it. So that is that.

Video: Dustin Johnson nearly hits camera crane

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:48:17 EST

By Shane Bacon

Dustin Johnson is known for a lot of things, but his length is number one. He can absolutely mash a golf ball off the tee, and the above video might be the best example of that ever.

Granted, he wasn’t exactly trying to hit his drive near the camera crane on the par-4 18th at Doral on Thursday, but he did, and it turned out to be a pretty sweet view of a errant drive passing by.

This isn't the first time Dustin has had issues with crazy drives at Doral. Just one year ago, Johnson hit a drive that struck his own grandfather on the fly, and talked about it after his round in 2011.

Sergio Garcia has roller-coaster of a round

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:44:23 EST

Sergio Garcia's scorecard for the first round of the Cadillac Championship. (CBS.com)

By Shane Bacon

Oh, Sergio. Sergio, Sergio, Sergio. He is one of the most famous golfers in the world, some because of his early success as a teenage sensation, and some because he always seems to be the guy that does the wrong thing at the wrong time.

But as he’s grown older, the luster has gone, and Sergio Garcia has become another pro golfer that has a ton of fans, an incredible golf swing, and a putting stroke that, when on, gets him into contention. He could still win a major or two, and when Thursday kicked off at Doral, looked like he had found the form that had won him two late European Tour events in 2011.

Diagnosis: McIlroy has Honda hangover

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:08:55 EST

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- Tiger and Rory, Rory and Tiger.

For obvious reasons, after last weekend's scintillating Sunday at the Honda Classic, those names were thrown around in close proximity abut a bazillion times this week heading into the Cadillac Championship.

"After what happened last Sunday, Tiger shoots 62, I end up winning to go to world No. 1, obviously people are going to talk," Rory McIlroy said Thursday. "Everyone has to remember, there's 80 other players in this field or whatever it is, and it's not just about a couple of guys."

Doral putting surfaces called greens for a reason

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:05:19 EST

Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on Thursday. The grounds crew at the Doral Golf Resort painted the greens to make them look better on TV. (Getty) By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- As the day began, the thrust of the conversation centered on how much green new owner Donald Trump would be spreading around Doral to spruce it up and make it look better.

Turns out, that general notion was discussed the night before, too.

In an attempt to make the resort's splotchy putting surfaces look better on television in the first round of the Cadillac Championship, the maintenance staff threw green paint on several greens, catching players off guard when they showed up for the first round on Thursday and found the course different than what they had seen in practice.

Video: Tiger Woods eagles first hole at Doral

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:01:57 EST

By Shane Bacon

There are a few interesting things about the above video showing Tiger Woods making eagle on his first hole of the Cadillac Championship. Not only was it a great start, but look at some of the other fun facts about it.

-- With his birdie-eagle finish last week at the Honda Classic and his eagle here, it means that Tiger had a three hole stretch where he was 5-under.

LPGA player busted for DUI with NFL star in car

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:31:14 EDT

Rachel Connor (left) with Eddie George on Tuesday night. (Twitter) By Shane Bacon

This sure is a story you don’t see everyday. A little know LPGA and Futures Tour player named Rachel Connor was pulled over on Wednesday morning and arrested because of drunken driving in Florida.

According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the 21-year-old golfer was stopped at 2 a.m. and blew a .133 and .137, and while that is somewhat news because of her status as a pro golfer, maybe the most interesting thing about the story was who was in the passenger seat.

Former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was riding shotgun next to the England national team member. George was not detained.

What would a win mean for each of these players?

Sat, 05 May 2012 5:41:49 EDT

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood pose in China. (Getty Images)

By Shane Bacon

The WGC-Cadillac Championship kicks off this Thursday, and all top-50 players are in the field for the stacked event. And while all of the guys in the field have a chance, we decided to give you an idea of what a win would mean for some of the bigger names in the field.

Rory McIlroy (World Ranking: 1) -- A win would really cement all those “next Tiger” stories, and show that while he’s happy to win events like Honda Classic, he isn’t exactly content with one win early in his season. Rory probably has the most pressure this week because he has to back up a big performance at the Honda, and if he can pull a victory out at Doral, it would really show his internal fortitude.

Trump: Doral will sparkle like never before

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:53:37 EST

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- A consummate showman, billionaire real-estate mogul Donald Trump has a lot of P.T. Barnum in him, and he certainly knows how to feed the media beast.

But when the guy talks about golf, you know it's not just blather and bluster intended purely for hype. The guy plays the game, is a single-digit handicapper, pays attention to the professional tours, and reads stories about the state of the sport.

As Trump was introduced on Thursday as the new owner of the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, which will undergo a $200 million makeover over the next three years, he promised he'd be a responsible steward and the end result would rock.

Yes, really: Tiger, Lefty in a Masters friendly?

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:50:56 EST

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson planned to play a round at Augusta earlier this week but Woods backed out at the last moment. Mickelson joked that Woods was intimidated. (Getty)

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- Guess they'll have to settle for their battle three weeks ago at Pebble Beach.

Though it sounds hard to believe, when Phil Mickelson made his annual trip up to Augusta National earlier this week for some Masters recon, he spent his practice time solely with new running mates Dustin Johnson and Keegan Bradley.

Woods leads Tavistock roster picks at Lake Nona

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:35:21 EST

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- It's intended by design to be a boutique event, yet has been derided for being closed to the general public and characterized as a glorified cash grab for players, among other insults.

Nonetheless, it's back for iteration No. 9.

The Tavistock Cup matches this year will be held at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, with four six-man teams competing for an array of cash and assorted prizes.

Hanse wins Olympics nod, wants golden ending

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:43:38 EST

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- The sports of golf is filled with various niches, including equipment, the professional, college and amateur ranks, not to mention the design business.

In the sport's admittedly insular world, the selection of the designer for the 2016 Olympics course in Rio de Janiero has been a talking point for months.

After a bidding process and a few delays, rising architect Gil Hanse was selected from a group of eight finalists Wednesday and was introduced at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, where he has been retained by new owner Donald Trump to re-do the Blue Monster.

Casey shoulders slow start in Ryder year

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:51:50 EST

Paul Casey dislocated his shoulder on Christmas Eve which delayed the start of his 2012 season.

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- Paul Casey knew the photo would induce oohs and ahs.

On the sideline since Christmas Eve with a dislocated shoulder, the first photograph the former world No. 3 revealed on his cellphone showed a large, red blob in the middle of the picture, prompting at least one cringe among the scribes within viewing distance.

Rory McIlroy, and the Oakley Experience

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:12:12 EST

Rory McIlroy celebrates both his Honda Classic victory and becoming No. 1 in the world. (Getty Images)

By Shane Bacon

Two weeks ago, I got an e-mail from someone with Oakley asking if I’d be interested in heading out to the Honda Classic to check out their new line of apparel, spend some time with a few of their athletes, and, well, hang out “Oakley style.”

Little did I know that their new line of gear is incredible, the athletes included soon-to-be world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and “Oakley style” basically means “become one of the family,” so I accepted begrudgingly because I’d just spent three weeks traveling outside of the country, and frankly, I was tired.

Turns out, McIlroy's wired for prime time

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:03:00 EST

Rory McIlroy tees off during his practice round on Tuesday in Miami, Fla. (Getty)

By Steve Elling

DORAL, Fla. -- Lee Westwood ran across Luke Donald on the practice green on Tuesday, and given what they've recently had in common, the pair began a comical exchange about the state of affairs at the top of the game.

Westwood, never one to miss a chance at a good joke, turned to Donald, a fellow Englishman and said. "Good morning, No. 2."

More info comes out about Tiger and the SEALS

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 8:32:22 EST

Tiger Woods spends time at Fort Bragg in 2004. (Getty Images)

By Shane Bacon

Just when we thought the Navy SEALS story about Tiger Woods was dead, GolfDigest.com revealed even more from the upcoming Hank Haney book and it’s even more intense than you think.

"The Big Miss" is the upcoming Haney account of his time with Tiger, and while the book hasn’t hit the stores yet, pieces keep leaking and it just gets juicier and juicer.

Rory McIlroy plays tennis with Maria Sharapova

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:07:00 EST

By Shane Bacon

We know that Rory McIlroy has the chops to win on the links. His victory last week not only came over Tiger Woods, but it made him the No. 1 golfer in the world. And his girlfriend? A former No. 1 tennis player in the world, and she was taking place in the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden.

Caroline Wozniacki asked for a volunteer to play a point against Maria Sharapova, and she just so happened to pick her boyfriend, Rory.

Watch McIlroy win a point against Sharapova and celebrate more than when he won on Sunday.

Rory and Tiger a smash hit for tour TV ratings

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:07:25 EST

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Once again, the public appetite for Tiger Woods, even 30 months after his last PGA Tour victory, never seems to wane.

Rising star Rory McIlroy did his fair share, too.

With the two leading men trading shots down the stretch on Sunday, the Honda Classic pulled its best overnight rating in a decade, grabbing a 3.2 rating for the final round, where McIlroy held off the charging Woods by two strokes.

Woods heading back to familiar haunts -- Bay Hill

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:10:13 EDT

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- With these two in the field, it won’t matter much that many of the top internationals aren't heading to Orlando in two weeks.

Tiger Woods announced Monday that he will play at the Arnold Palmer Invitational later this month, joining another popular past champion, Phil Mickelson, in the event hosted by the legendary golfer and tournament namesake.

Woods has titles at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009. He was T24 last year and won the first of his three consecutive U.S. Junior titles there.

MMSC: Rory, Tiger, and the art of closing

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:39:00 EST

Rory McIlroy reacts after his final putt drops at the Honda Classic. (Getty Images)

By Shane Bacon

Golf is probably the hardest sport in the world to play, and play well, so it makes total sense that everyone is a critic, and that’s what we’re going to do here at Monday Morning Swing Coach. Cover just the PGA Tour? Nope. We're going to try to expand this Monday feature to anything and everything that happened the past weekend.

Rory and Tiger most impressive at closing

Video: Tiger Woods' entire round of 62

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:50:34 EST

By Shane Bacon

It was his best final round ever and maybe the best round Tiger Woods has ever played when he actually needed to go low, so why not enjoy it once more with the brilliance of Internet TV?

The video below is all the good shots Tiger hit on Sunday on his charge up the leaderboard in hopes of taking down Rory McIlroy. Enjoy the fist-pumps!

Honda cherry on top of great start to '12 season

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:21:00 EST

Tiger Woods reacts to his eagle on the 18th green at the Honda Classic. (Getty Images)

By Shane Bacon

The 2012 PGA Tour season has been absolutely nutty good, and we haven’t even had the first major yet. But how good? Check out some of the finishes we’ve had in just 10 events.

Farmers Insurance Open: Maybe not exactly the way you’d want to win, but the Kyle Stanley collapse at Torrey Pines is definitely a moment you won’t soon forget, and gave us our first “Is this really happening” moment of 2012. Brandt Snedeker’s reaction and eventual win will be forgotten here much like Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie, but is paved the way for collapses early in the season.

Woods throws scare into McIlroy, rest of golf

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:41:06 EST

Tiger Woods tips his hat to the crowd after a final round 62. (AP)

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- After a 30-month run of news and blues that was notable almost exclusively for the career worsts that were piling up, Tiger Woods summoned the greatest final round of his career on Sunday.

He might have been the only one who saw it coming.

Rory McIlroy's world ranking by the numbers

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:54:12 EST

Rory McIlroy walking into the history books at the Honda Classic. (Getty Images)

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- In the United Kingdom, they call it a CV, which is shorthand for curriculum vitae.

In the United States, we'd more commonly call it a resume.

Tiger Woods reminds us he's still here

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:04:52 EST

Tiger Woods swings in the final round of the Honda Classic. (Getty Images)

By Shane Bacon

There is golf, and then there is golf that involves Tiger Woods. On Sunday at the Honda Classic, it seemed we’d get the first one, a big golf tournament with a super talented field and the guy trying to take away what is Tiger’s and run with it. People were excited. The week had been great. It was Rory McIlroy’s chance to shine.

But a funny thing happened internally for Tiger Woods. He decided to be competitive again. And no, I’m not suggesting that Tiger hasn’t wanted to win or hasn’t wanted to get better and hasn’t wanted to be the golfer he once was. His closing finish on Friday showed us that he is still a fiery guy who hates losing and wants to pull off every shot possible, no matter the circumstances.

McIlroy, Honda stalled by thunderstorms

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:10:06 EST

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The golf deities seem to be smiling down on Rory McIlroy, who is poised to take over the No. 1 ranking Sunday if he can hang on to the lead and win the Honda Classic.

The weather gods, not so much.

Even with tee times moved up 3½ hours Sunday because of a bad weather forecast, play was delayed for close to two hours because of thunderstorms caused by a fast-moving cold front.

Past major winners making noise at the Honda

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:25:38 EST

By Shane Bacon

Leave it to one of the harder golf courses on tour to bring out some of the best from some of the best. Not only is Rory McIlroy attempting to become number one in the world with a win this week, but some of the guys we hoped would have great seasons are making this a statement week.

You’d first have to look at Keegan Bradley, who seems to really pump his game up when the field is impressive. Keegan, who lives in the area, has been magnificant this week, and year, and has shown that 2011 isn’t going to be some fluke.

But the two names you have to be impressed with are past major winners in Charl Schwartzel and Graeme McDowell. Schwartzel was a double-bogey on No. 11 away from posting a tournament-shifting round on Saturday, but still managed a 3-under 67 to get himself in the mix come Sunday.

No rallies as Woods in neutral at Honda

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:35:19 EST

Tiger Woods during his third round at the Honda Classic. (Getty Images)

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Tiger Woods got a welcome surprise as he walked toward the fourth tee at PGA National on Saturday and spotted a familiar face, peeking up at him from under a pink golf cap.

Stationed along the ropes was his eldest child, Sam, who turns five in June.

One back, Rory still dressed to kill at Honda

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 13:55:00 EST

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- They might have carried it a shade too far.

A couple of 20-something fans donned wigs with faux brown, curly hair on Friday and headed to the Honda Classic to back their favorite player, Rory McIlroy.

I asked one a question about when McIlroy was set to start his second round at PGA National, and one guy responded, "I tee off at 12:20."

Fans downright neighborly to Woods at Honda

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:07:22 EST

Tiger Woods tees off at the Honda Classic on Friday. (Getty)

By Steve Elling

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Tiger Woods took some time to meet his new neighbors on Friday morning.

Maybe a few too many at once.