So as I might have mentioned, I'm covering this week's PGA Championship at Southern Hills here in Tulsa. The first day of practice rounds went down today. Here are my reflections:
* Tiger Woods is magnetic. He teed off around 6:20 a.m. with a crowd of four watching. By hole No. 4, that number skyrocketed. And by 18, there were hundreds cheering as he drilled a 30-foot putt. I watched him for a couple holes, and, well, he's good. If you saw him play in Akron, you saw a remarkable performance that led to an 8-stroke win and what should have been 7 or 8 birdies through the first 10 holes. He's the most dominant athlete in the world (but that's another post). He showed his awesomeness on a couple sweet shots and long tee drives.
Here's the other thing about Tiger: He's so charming, you can't hate him. About a dozen local media members camped out to talk to Tiger when he came off 18. This was our one time to get him before the national media comes....just us and the greatest golfer in the world. Instead, he walked off, saying, "Tomorrow, guys." We could have been mad because we waited around for a long time in the hot sun...but we didn't. We said, "Thanks, Tiger," and that was that. And then he smiled. His smile looks 1,000 times better in person than on TV. And yes, I'm still straight.
* This year's Masters winner, Zach Johnson, is no one-hit wonder. He kicked some tail today, including nailing a 100-yard shot on 15 within two feet of the cup, plus two of three chip shots from the bunker on 16 within one foot. Plus, he's a nice guy: he signed autographs for the 50 or so fans following him on every hole at the end of the day.
* My Northwestern homedawg, Luke Donald, is a nice guy. I talked to him for a minute or two after 18. He's my darkhorse pick to win this sucker.
* But Fred Funk was the most fun of the day. He juggled a ball with his driver, but then quipped to fans that the real trick shot is a 300-yard drive - something he said he has yet to master. He then tried to chip a ball into the tractor that picks up golf balls on the driving range. To top it off, I talked to him afterwards about his favorite 18th hole. He said he doesn't have one - but he has plenty of favorite 19th holes...
* It's freakin' hot out, dude. Today was in the upper 90s, and it's supposed to be 99 tomorrow. I'm going to melt.
* Gameplan for tomorrow includes getting there at 7 a.m. to stalk...err, follow...Tiger Woods for a few holes, talk to Angel Cabrera and round up some random quotes - hopefully from Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and company. Now I will collapse.
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