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The event will be played on the course that hosted the Mitchell Co. Tournament of Champions since 1999. From Golf Week-
The LPGA announced Thursday the creation of the Bell Micro LPGA Classic, to be played Sept. 8-14 on the Crossings Course at Magnolia Plantation on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Mobile, Ala. The full-field event is also scheduled to be played in 2009 and 2010.
“Mobile has hosted the Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions on Mobile’s Magnolia Grove courses for the past eight years,†said Mobile mayor Samuel Jones. “We look forward to adding the new tournament in Mobile and are confident it also will be a tremendous success.â€
The TOC is discontinued whereas the new event is a full field. It also comes in a the second of three southern based LPGA stops. The scheduling and new format look sensible to me.
The speculation about Sparano being the Dolphins’ next head football coach began even before the Dallas Cowboys loss to the Giants was final. From the Palm Beach Post-
IRVING, TEXAS — Tony Sparano wasn’t ready to contemplate his future yet.
Those interviews to become head coach of the Dolphins or the Atlanta Falcons or the Baltimore Ravens meant nothing to him Sunday night.
Sparano was hurting too much as a Dallas Cowboy.
The Cowboys’ assistant head coach, minutes after their 21-17 playoff loss to the underdog New York Giants at Texas Stadium, cut a brisk path across the locker room and headed for the door.
“I can’t speak on anything right now” Sparano said, bristling at attempts to learn more about his career plans. “I’m part of the Dallas Cowboys. That’s what I am.
“I mean, I suffered this loss just like they did. I’m not speaking about any of those things.”
Several NFL insiders insist Sparano, who coaches the offensive line and serves as running game coordinator, will become the next Dolphins head coach because of his thick ties with the remodeled front office.
He joined the Cowboys in 2003 as an assistant under Bill Parcells, now the Dolphins football operations chief. Sparano also worked with new Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland, who was the Cowboys’ director of college and pro scouting the past three drafts.
The Dolphins interviewed Sparano on Jan. 5. Despite a report from his hometown paper, the New Haven Register, which cited an anonymous source that claimed Sparano had been offered the job, NFL rules prevented the Dolphins from officially offering him the job until the Cowboys completed their season.
I blogged a week ago about the Register article. Saying at the time-
The job is Sparano’s if he wants it. Miami is just going through the motions in order to fufill the Rooney rule.
I still hold to this view. Parcells and Ireland have indicated all along they want a coach they are familar with. The only coach interviewed so far who meets that criteria is Sparano.
During yesterday’s game, one of the Fox announcers predicted Miami would name Sparano head coach by Tuesday if Dallas lost. My prediction- Friday afternoon 1300 hours. Anyone else care to join in a when Sparano is named Dolphin coach pool?
The South Korean’s victory coming one week after he finished dead last in the Tournament of Champions.
HONOLULU – K.J. Choi had to work harder than he imagined to become the Sony Open champion everyone expected.
Equipped with a four-shot lead, Choi struggled in blustery conditions Sunday at Waialae Country Club and held off a late charge by Rory Sabbatini to close with a 1-over 71, the first Sony Open champion in 41 years with a final round over par.
That was more a testament to the wind that caused palm trees to sway and made birdies scarce. Sabbatini managed six of them in a spirited run at Choi, but he three-putted the final hole for par from 65 feet for a 68, leaving him three shots behind.
Choi won for the seventh time on the PGA Tour, and for the fourth consecutive season. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh are the only other players with active streaks that long.
*****
The last Sony Open champion to close with a round over par was Dudley Wysong, who beat Billy Casper in a playoff in 1967. Conditions had been mostly calm all week, but the wind gusted across Waialae all day, and only eight players broke par.
KJ despite his ‘struggles’ never saw his lead fall to less than two shots yesterday. So much if not all of the final round drama was created by The Golf Channel who broadcast the event. At no time did KJ look like he was going to lose it.
TGC also spent much of the broadcast hyping KJ’s accomplishments. Yesterday’s Hawaiian Open was his 7th tour triumph and third in less than a year. I like KJ, but he isn’t the male Korean coming of Se Ri Pak. Korean men, both because of required military service and family pressure to have a steady career, aren’t likely to begin pursuing pro golf careers. Korean women, who don’t face the pressures men do in the ROK, have an easier or more supportive climate when it comes to playing pro golf. The impact Korean golf queen Se Ri Pak has had on her country, has been almost entirely centered on women not men. KJ is unlikely to have a similar effect. Though he could have a poor man’s Vijay Singh like career at his current age(37, 38 in May).
BTW I believe a strong argument can be made for Se Ri Pak having the biggest impact on pro golf of any active player today. She was a pioneer in bringing over 40 South Korean ladies to the LPGA tour and starting a golf craze among young women of Koreans descent in both the ROK and the US. Close to home in addition to Michelle Wie, you have Kimberly Kim(Aka K2) former US amateur champ, Sukjin Lee-Wuesthoff former US girls champ, and more on their way up. The Pak effect will seen on women’s professional golf for at least a generation. Tiger has great popularity and has brought more money and exposure to the PGA Tour, but there are few golfers(minority or otherwise) in their teens or 20′s in the US who impress at this moment.
Heatley was the Senators’ second leadin scorer at the time of his injury. From AP-
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators’ Dany Heatley will be sidelined up to six weeks because of a separated right shoulder. He’ll miss Sunday’s game against the New York Islanders, ending a streak of 205 straight games with the Senators.
Heatley crashed into the end boards with Detroit forward Dallas Drake in the second period of Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the Red Wings. He was slouched over when he left the ice, favoring his right shoulder.
It’s a significant loss for the Senators (29-10-4), who hold a seven-point lead atop the Eastern Conference. The 26-year-old has 56 points (25 goals, 31 assists) in 43 games this season, good for seventh place in the NHL scoring race. Heatley is also second in the league with a plus/minus rating of plus-31.
Heatley joined he Senators in a trade with Atlanta in August 2005, and has recorded 264 points (125 goals, 139 assists) with the team
Even with Heatley injured, I predict Ottawa to lead the Eastern conference at the end of the regular season. As long as the left winger returns to the lineup, I stick to my prediction that the Senators win the Stanley Cup next spring.
He was the winning pitcher in game 7 of the 1955 World Series. That was the year the Bums finally won it all after 5 postseason losses to the Yankees in the previous 14 years. Afterwards Podres stayed around MLB for almost another 14 years as a player, and more as a pitching coach. RIP.
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Johnny Podres, who pitched the Brooklyn Dodgers to their only World Series title in 1955, died Sunday at the age of 75.
A spokesman for Glens Falls Hospital confirmed Podres’ death but said he didn’t know any details.
The left-hander was picked for four All-Star games and was the first Most Valuable Player in World Series history. He became a hero to every baseball fan in Brooklyn when the Dodgers ended decades of frustration by beating the Yankees to win the World Series.
It was the first time a team had won a best-of-seven World Series after losing the first two games, and it was Brooklyn’s only World Series victory. The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.
The Dodgers lost the first two games of at Yankee Stadium, then the Dodgers won the third 8-3 at Ebbets Field. Podres, going the distance on his 23rd birthday, scattered seven hits.
In the climactic seventh game, at Yankee Stadium, Podres shut out New York 2-0 on eight hits, relying on his fastball and a deceptive changeup.
As the story goes, Podres told his teammates to get him just one run and the Dodgers would win Game 7. They got him two, and the franchise celebrated its first and only championship while playing in Brooklyn.
Years later, Podres was uncertain he made such a brash statement.
“I don’t know if I said it or not. That’s what they said I said,” a grinning Podres recalled in 2005. “Probably young and dumb — something like that would haunt you your whole life. … You put on a big league uniform, you’ve got to think you’re pretty good.”
Tommy Byrne, the losing pitcher in that game, died Dec. 20.
Podres’ career spanned 15 years with the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres. He retired in 1969 at age 36 with a lifetime record of 148-116.
The Giants became the first team since 1990 to knock off the #1 NFC seed in the Divisional round. After losing the first two meetings of the season, the G-Men pulled out a 21-17 victory in Dallas.
- I was sure Corey Webster’s dropped pick was going to be a killer. You can’t giftwrap an interception any more than the one he dropped. Dallas scored a TD a few plays later, so in essense his drop cost the Jints at least seven points. Despite that, Webster played another good game. He allowed a TD to TO, but it was a perfect throw and a perfect catch. He held TO to four catches for 49 yards.
- Aaron Ross made a few great tackles, especially on Marion Barber in his running lanes that prevented long gains. He’s a damn good tackler for a CB.
- Tony Romo is a goddamn escape artist. The Giants sacked him just twice today but it could’ve easily been six or more times.
- is Ahmad Bradshaw not better than Reggie Bush? He had a couple runs today (the cutback run to the left and the sweep that he took to the 1-yard line) that’s been as good or better than anything I’ve seen in Bush’s NFL career to date. Does anyone doubt that Bradshaw should be the starter, not Jacobs? Maybe I’m overlooking the possibility that Jacobs has already softened up the D when Bradshaw gets his big runs, but so often I see a Bradshaw carry and think: ‘He got twice as many yards as BJ would’ve gotten there.’
- Big mistake by Eli taking a sack on 1st and 10 when given great field position. The pressure was coming down on him and unlike the textbook, he stepped backwards. The nine yard loss killed the drive. A little QB advice: ‘Eli, you’re supposed to step forward when you feel pressure, not back!’ And the screen on the next play went to Jacobs instead of Bradshaw – what?
- Crayton’s dropped pass in the third quarter was huge. It would’ve gone for at least 50 yards.
- Has Eli really turned into a great QB, or is this a mere 3-4 game aberration? Still can’t call it either way, seeing as the two playoffs games have been in ideal weather. If he has another great game in Lambeau (at the predicted temperature of about 4 degrees), then we may truly have something.
But most importantly, a win’s a win.
Sunday in Lambeau, 6:30 p.m.
Traditionally PGA tournaments are cut to the low 70 and ties after 36 holes. Last November a new rule was instituted and this weekend’s Sony Open saw it first take affect.
The government pays farmers not to grow crops and, now, the PGA Tour has begun to pay its players not to play?
Welcome to the start of the 2008 golf season where the first full-field event of the year, the Sony Open in Hawai’i, already has people shaking their heads and some golfers with smoke coming out of theirs.
Eighty-seven players made the 36-hole cut of even-par 140 after yesterday’s second round, but you’ll only see 69 of them when the third round unfolds today at Waialae Country Club.
So, if you are cheered to see John Daly, Angel Cabrera or John Huston made the cut, then rejoice. Just don’t expect to see them anywhere but the practice range today. It also probably wouldn’t be a good idea to ask them why unless you want an earful.
They were among the 18 players who all hit the cut on the nose at 140 but won’t be lifting a club in competition today. In the curious world of golf ’08, they made the cut, but they don’t get to play.
For this they can thank — though that is probably not the prevailing sentiment at the moment — the PGA Tour Policy Board for the change.
“I don’t understand the rule. I think it’s crazy,” Daly fumed to The Golf Channel after it was explained to him yesterday. “It’s a stupid rule, I’m sorry.”
Note- last weekend’s Tournament of Champions had no cut.
I agree with Daly, the rule is stupid. How many tournaments a year really see fields of 80 players or more. If a player makes the cut, they should play, if they don’t they shouldn’t get a dime. Then why didn’t the tour make it low 60′s and ties or low 65?
The main reason given for the change was to speed up play. Large weekend fields often result in five-hour or more rounds and or both the 1st and 10th tees needing to be used.
As to Daly and the other complaining players, they are to blame for not knowing the new rule. They were notified but didn’t pay attention.
At least one player took notice before yesterday.
But he(John Daly) probably doesn’t know Parker McLachlin, who read the memo in November and talked to policy board member Joe Ogilvie about it during the offseason. He knew exactly what was at stake when he made birdie on his final hole to finish at 1 under.
A player like Daly, who finished 10 shots behind 2nd round leader KJ Choi, would seem to have little chance of winning. True but such a two-round turnaround happened three times in the last 10-20 years. The most recent less than three years ago.
Indeed, history tells us there have been players like Brad Faxon at the 2005 Buick Open, who have made the cut by the skin of their teeth on Friday but who ended being handed winner’s paychecks on fairly tale Sundays. Not a lot of them, but enough to show that it is possible. Enough so that you have to mourn the opportunity that such drama has been yanked from them and lost to the fans here.
Expedience it is. Progress this isn’t.
The new rule makes tournament play more efficient, but at the loss of taking some of the excitement away. I think the later out weighs the former.
From the AP -
Highlights include:
Hughes says he’s feels good physically, and wants to throw 4-5 bullpen sessions before he reports to ST in mid-February.
Humberto Sanchez expects to throw off a mound by late February and could return to minor league action in May.
Andrew Brackman has already begun throwing sessions, and will begin long-tossing (from 90 ft) next week.
- Mike Cameron signed a one-year deal with Milwaukee. Wheew… disaster avoided.
First time I ever recall the finale of a sports event having to be re-done since than the famous Pine tar game. From AP-
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat must replay the final 51.9 seconds of their game last month because the NBA said the official scorer ruled incorrectly that Shaquille O’Neal fouled out. This will be the first time since 1982 the league has sent teams back on the court for a replay.
The Hawks won 117-111 at home in overtime Dec. 19. The NBA said Friday the replay will be held before the teams’ next scheduled game — March 8 in Atlanta. Play will start from the time after O’Neal’s disputed sixth foul.
The Hawks also were fined $50,000, with commissioner David Stern ruling the team was “grossly negligent” in failing to address the mistake.
The protest is the first granted by the NBA since December 1982, when then-NBA commissioner Larry O’Brien upheld a request for a replay by the San Antonio Spurs after their 137-132 double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers the previous month.
The Spurs and Lakers finished the game in April 1983, with San Antonio winning 117-114.
The Hawks were leading 112-111 in overtime when O’Neal was called for a foul. The scoring table personnel, who are provided by the home team, ruled it was the Miami center’s sixth foul, when actually it was only his fifth.
According to the league, the mistake stemmed from a foul with 3:24 remaining in the fourth quarter that was called on Udonis Haslem but was mistakenly credited to O’Neal at the scoring table.
*****
Al Horford hit two free throws after O’Neal’s foul to give the Hawks a 114-111 lead. Anthony Johnson added a running jumper with 14 seconds left to put the game away.
I think the NBA made the right call. O’Neill’s removal from the game certainly could have changed the outcome. Considering how poor the Heat have played this year, I wouldn’t place any bets on their winning the do-over.
Note- I do see where the article says a NBA game in 1982 had to be replayed. Till tonight I hadn’t heard of that happening.
It is Hockey’s first 9 digit contract.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alexander the Great has a contract worthy of his nickname — the first $100 million deal in NHL history.
Alex Ovechkin signed a $124 million, 13-year contract extension Thursday with the Washington Capitals, a handsome reward for the charismatic Russian who has been a nonstop goal-scorer since coming to the NHL in 2005.
*****
It’s not the longest deal in NHL history — Rick DiPietro signed for 15 years with the New York Islanders — and it doesn’t set the record for largest average salary, but it is the league’s first contract to guarantee nine digits of income.
Long-term contracts like this if guaranteed are highly risky. One injury and a team can be paying through the nose for someone unable to play again. Ovechkin is a great player, but if I was a GM, I wouldn’t like the gamble.
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