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Epic.

Tiger Woods, billed as the first player to win the "Grand Slam," recovered from a devastating loss at Augusta National and a knee surgery to find himself in a playoff for the title. Rocco Mediate (left) has quite a different story.

Mediate, who has won five events on the PGA Tour during career, has no major championships. He qualified to play in this event a day short of two weeks when he steps onto the tee box tomorrow. The last time he had a chance at winning the major, he was leading the 2006 Masters. However, Mediate found himself falling off the leaderboard after a sextuple bogey on the 12th at Augusta. Mediate then removed himself from competitive golf in 2007 while performing the duties of on-course commentator for the Golf Channel.

Despite being two completely different players (most notably, Tiger's World Ranking at 1, Rocco's World Ranking at 158), they are almost character foils. Woods, the exciting, young, star almost groomed to be in this position by men like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. On the other hand, Rocco would become the oldest player in U.S. Open history to claim the title at age 45 if he were to beat Tiger tomorrow.

The last time Woods and Rocco have played together competitively was at the Phoenix Open in 1999. Mediate led the tournament by six strokes, but ultimately won with three strokes to spare over Tiger.

Regardless, this playoff will most certainly be a show.

Posted by Golf Champ at 10:06 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, US Open, USGA

By now, you have probably seen the leaderboard for the 2008 Masters. Trevor Immelman distanced himself from the field, walking into the clubhouse after a stellar birdie on the 18th at 11 under par for 54 holes.

Posted by Golf Champ at 12:31 AM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Here are the pairings and tee times for Saturday's third round of The Masters. All times listed are Eastern:

Posted by Golf Champ at 10:00 AM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters

As Tiger Woods and Jerry Kelly prepare to tee off, several scores have been posted.

Posted by Golf Champ at 1:10 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tee times for the second round of the 2008 Masters Tournament.

All times are Eastern.

8:00 a.m. -- Todd Hamilton, Brian Bateman
8:11 a.m. -- Craig Stadler, Johnson Wagner, Steve Flesch
8:22 a.m. -- Ian Woosnam, Richard Green, Stephen Ames
8:33 a.m. -- Boo Weekley, Trevor Immelman, Sean O'Hair
8:44 a.m. -- Sandy Lyle, John Rollins, J.B. Holmes
8:55 a.m. -- Soren Hansen, Daniel Chopra, Richard Sterne
9:06 a.m. -- Tom Watson, Brandt Snedeker, John Senden
9:17 a.m. -- Tim Clark, David Toms, Niclas Fasth
9:28 a.m. -- Raymond Floyd, a-Drew Weaver, Jonathan Boyd
9:39 a.m. -- Bernhard Langer, Prayad Marksaeng, Woody Austin
9:50 a.m. -- Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Mark Calcavecchia
10:12 a.m. -- Adam Scott, Paul Casey, Retief Goosen
10:23 a.m. -- Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink
10:34 a.m. -- Phil Mickelson, Andres Romero, K.J. Choi
10:45 a.m. -- Ernie Els, Shingo Katayama, Jim Furyk
10:56 a.m. -- Aaron Baddeley, Camilo Villegas, Lee Westwood
11:07 a.m. -- Ben Curtis, Shaun Micheel
11:18 a.m. -- Fuzzy Zoeller, Brett Wetterich, Heath Slocum
11:29 a.m. -- Mark O'Meara, a-Trip Kuehne, Ian Poulter
11:40 a.m. -- Larry Mize, Peter Lonard, Hunter Mahan
11:51 a.m. -- Gary Player, Miguel Angel Jimenez, D.J. Trahan
12:02 p.m. -- Justin Leonard, Charles Howell III, Nick Watney
12:24 p.m. -- Scott Verplank, Robert Allenby, Michael Campbell
12:35 p.m. -- Ben Crenshaw, a-Michael Thompson, Nick O'Hern
12:46 p.m. -- Steve Lowery, Robert Karlsson, Nick Dougherty
12:57 p.m. -- Fred Couples, Jerry Kelly, Anders Hansen
1:08 p.m. -- Vaughn Taylor, Martin Kaymer, Arron Oberholser
1:19 p.m. -- Jose Maria Olazabal, Liang Wen-chong, Rory Sabbatini
1:30 p.m. -- Zach Johnson, Luke Donald, Geoff Ogilvy
1:41 p.m. -- Mike Weir, Padraig Harrington, Jeev Milkha Singh
1:52 p.m. -- Tiger Woods, Angel Cabrera, Stuart Appleby
2:03 p.m. -- Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Toru Taniguchi

Posted by Golf Champ at 10:53 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters

After the first day of play at Augusta National, which began with an opening shot by legend Arnold Palmer (Right), the leaderboard has been left crowded. Despite difficult weather conditions in the morning (which led to a fog delay), two international players have found themselves tied for the lead at four under par: South African Trevor Immelman and Englishman Justin Rose (Left).

Surprsingly, many of the PGA Tour's heavy hitters are looking up at a group of less successful, but extremely talented young leaders. In addition to the four under lead of Rose and Immelman, Brian Bateman, Brandt Snedeker, and Lee Westwood trail by one with rounds of 69.

Defending champion Zach Johnson is within striking distance after the first day of play following a two under 70 to place Johnson in a tie for sixth place. Fellow American Jim Furyk is also tied at two under as he seeks his first green jacket.

Tiger Woods finished a "sluggish" round of 70, which, of course, places Tiger four behind the leaders. However, as Tiger has done in the past, an early deficit often does not continue into the weekend.

Also worth noting, the field's top amateur after the Thursday is American Michael Thomson, who is currently in a tie for 33rd place and in position to play on the weekend at one over par. Fellow amateur Drew Weaver is also on the bubble after a four over par first round, which has placed him in a tie for 65th.

Posted by Golf Champ at 9:59 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, PGA Tour 2008, the Masters

After a heavy fog delay on Thursday at the 2008 Masters, Tiger Woods opened with a slightly slow start.

The four time Masters champions shot even par, 72, which put him four behind the tournament leaders on the opening day of play.

Posted by Golf Champ at 6:04 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters, Tiger Woods

South African Rory Sabbatini claimed the 2008 Masters Par 3 Championship (the first time the event has been televised). Sabbatini, who played the course in 5 under par, will now face the challenge of becoming the first Par 3 Champion to win the actual tournament.

Of course, players enjoyed this event while allowing their children or friends to loop during the day.

Also a highlight of Wednesday's play, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player were together in a dream threesome for Augusta National's Patrons.

Posted by Golf Champ at 5:54 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters

While the Masters has long been a media focus within and outside of the realm of golf, ESPN has made an attempt to capture the magic of an untapped event: the Masters' annual Par 3 competition. On Wednesday, ESPN will provide footage of the event beginning at 3:00 PM (EST).

Posted by Golf Champ at 9:50 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, PGA Tour 2008, the Masters, Tiger Woods

After a long break from the blogosphere, I am ready to begin actively writing for ZealousGolfer.com, once again. Of course, as one of the greatest events in sport is set to be contested this week, I saw no better time to begin writing on golf again.

Welcome back.

---

The first round pairing has been published for the 2008 Masters:

First Round Tee Times - 04/08/200
By Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tee times for the opening round of the 2008 Masters Tournament.
All times are Eastern.

8:00 a.m. -- Ben Curtis, Shaun Micheel
8:11 a.m. -- Fuzzy Zoeller, Brett Wetterich, Heath Slocum
8:22 a.m. -- Mark O'Meara, a-Trip Kuehne, Ian Poulter
8:33 a.m. -- Larry Mize, Peter Lonard, Hunter Mahan
8:44 a.m. -- Gary Player, Miguel Angel Jimenez, D.J. Trahan
8:55 a.m. -- Justin Leonard, Charles Howell III, Nick Watney
9:06 a.m. -- Scott Verplank, Robert Allenby, Michael Campbell
9:17 a.m. -- Ben Crenshaw, a-Michael Thompson, Nick O'Hern
9:28 a.m. -- Steve Lowery, Robert Karlsson, Nick Dougherty
9:39 a.m. -- Fred Couples, Jerry Kelly, Anders Hansen
9:50 a.m. -- Vaughn Taylor, Martin Kaymer, Arron Oberholser
10:12 a.m. -- Jose Maria Olazabal, Liang Wen-chong, Rory Sabbatini
10:23 a.m. -- Zach Johnson, Luke Donald, Geoff Ogilvy
10:34 a.m. -- Mike Weir, Padraig Harrington, Jeev Milkha Singh
10:45 a.m. -- Tiger Woods, Angel Cabrera, Stuart Appleby
10:56 a.m. -- Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Toru Taniguchi
11:07 a.m. -- Todd Hamilton, Brian Bateman
11:18 a.m. -- Craig Stadler, Johnson Wagner, Steve Flesch
11:29 a.m. -- Ian Woosnam, Richard Green, Stephen Ames
11:40 a.m. -- Boo Weekley, Trevor Immelman, Sean O'Hair
11:51 a.m. -- Sandy Lyle, John Rollins, J.B. Holmes
12:02 p.m. -- Soren Hansen, Daniel Chopra, Richard Sterne
12:24 p.m. -- Tom Watson, Brandt Snedeker, John Senden
12:35 p.m. -- Tim Clark, David Toms, Niclas Fasth
12:46 p.m. -- Raymond Floyd, a-Drew Weaver, Jonathan Boyd
12:57 p.m. -- Bernhard Langer, Prayad Marksaeng, Woody Austin
1:08 p.m. -- Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Mark Calcavecchia
1:19 p.m. -- Adam Scott, Paul Casey, Retief Goosen
1:30 p.m. -- Vijay Singh, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink
1:41 p.m. -- Phil Mickelson, Andres Romero, K.J. Choi
1:52 p.m. -- Ernie Els, Shingo Katayama, Jim Furyk
2:03 p.m. -- Aaron Baddeley, Camilo Villegas, Lee Westwood

Posted by Golf Champ at 9:43 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, the Masters

While the sports of golf and football seem to have little in common outside of wide fan bases and their athletes' deep pockets, there could be some similarity. Last night, the New England Patriots, of course, fell to the New York Giants on arguably sport's grandest stage: the Super Bowl.

Posted by Golf Champ at 9:23 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, PGA Tour 2008, Tiger Woods

The only thing hotter than the 102 degree temperature at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the 89th PGA Championship was Tiger Woods. Despite it being the hottest day of play, Tiger kept his cool and stayed focus on the win. Woods pocketed $1,260,000 for his stellar play. It was his fourth Wanamaker trophy. He also won the event in 1999, 2000 and 2006.

Celebrating with Tiger was his wife, Elin, and the world's first television look at his daughter, Sam (dressed in Tiger's traditional Sunday Red). The victory was the 13th Major Championship in Woods' career. He is, of course, hoping to beat Jack Nicklaus' 18 Major titles in his career. Nicklaus won the PGA Championship five times.

Woods had a little trouble on the 13th hole, which is regarded as the easiest hole on the course. His shot landed in the bunker. However, in true Woods fashion, he pulled a par out of his bag. He then went on to three putt the 14th hole which cut his lead to only one. The 15th hole Tiger found his way again with a birdie and an extremely confident step as he made his way to 16. He parred the remaining holes --including the 18th. He won the event by two strokes with a final round of 69.

As Tiger smelled the win -- he honestly looked like a predator ready for the kill.

Woods had a total of 18 birdies and 9 bogeys over the course of the tournament.

Woody Austin gave Woods a little bit of worry on the final round. He had a birdie on 3, 11, 12, 13 .. Austin never had had a top ten finish in a Major before this event. In June, he won the Stanford St. Jude Championship. He also placed second at the Buick Open. The remainder of the year has found him usually finishing somewhere between 40th and 55th place. By finishing second, he took home $756,000. The second place finish also puts him on the 2007 Presidents Cup Team (bumping out Lucas Glover).

Ernie Els had 20 birdies over the course of the week which was the most of any player at the tournament. He shot a 66 in the final round and had 6 birdies (holes 3, 5, 8, 10, 13 and 14) which was his best round of the Championship. The 11 bogeys and 2 double-bogeys over the course of the week kept him from the win. Els pocketed $476,000 for his third place finish. Els was sweating so much it looked like he had wet his pants.

Posted by Golf Champ at 5:17 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Famous Golfers, Major Championships, PGA Championship, PGA Tour Fall Finish 2006, Tiger Woods

Posted by Golf Champ at 8:07 AM | 0 comments    

Labels: Famous Golfers, Major Championships, PGA Championship, Tiger Woods

Irish star Padraig Harrington (left) beat Ryder Cup teammate Sergio Garcia in a playoff on the fourth day of the 2007 British Open. Harrington entered the 18th hole with a one stroke lead over the leader of the first three rounds, Garcia. However, Harrington limped out of the hole with an unfortunate double bogey. At least, Harrington was able to one putt the hole and give himself some hope of a playoff if Garcia was to falter.

So it was. Garcia entered the final hole needing only a par to capture the Claret Jug. Despite the tremendous pressure, Garcia was able to smash a long iron to the center of the fairway. His approach shot was not quite Van de Velde-esque, but still poor. However, Garcia left himself a great lie in the bunker with a good shot out. The bunker shot was adequate for a decent chance to win, but Garcia was unable to convert with an unlucky lip out.

Thus, Garcia and Harrington were tied at 7 under par. The two Europeans entered a four hole playoff, which came down only to the first when Harrington started strong with a birdie while Garcia bogeyed. After all was said and done, Garcia trailed Harrington by two giving Paddy his first major championship victory.

While Garcia was always the first to come up in discussions of the "best player never to win a major", Harrington could hardly be left out of the conversation. Having captured numerous prestigious European Tour titles, Harrington has been poised to take the big one for some time.

Garcia's (right) final round could scar him for the rest of his career. Sure, he has destroyed numerous high-pressure rounds in the past, but today's failure is a whole new level. Garcia had the opportunity for a dominant wire-to-wire victory, set up with a three stroke lead entering the final round. On a day relatively easy for scoring, a two over par 73 simply doesn't cut it. Who knows if Garcia will be able to overcome this effort in the future?

Regardless, Europe now holds a major championship trophy for the first time in nine years.

Posted by Golf Champ at 8:48 PM | 2 comments    

Labels: British Open, Major Championships, Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia continues to dominate the Open Championship by shooting a 3-under 68 to maintain his lead. If he wins tomorrow, Garcia would finally shed his long-term "Best Player Never to Win a Major Championship" title.

However, the big news of the day was Wisconsin's Steve Stricker (left). Stricker moved up 18 spots to sit alone in the #2 spot by shooting a 7-under 64. He set a course record for the Open and was only one stroke off the tournament mark. Stricker had nearly given up on his golf career only a short time ago. In 2005, he had lost his tour card. However, he has won three times on the PGA Tour during his long career. In 2006, he was voted PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year following arguably his first spectacular season.

Posted by Golf Champ at 1:31 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: British Open, Famous Golfers, Major Championships, Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods announced on his website www.tigerwoods.com that his next scheduled event will be the British Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club in Scotland.

With the birth of his daughter, Sam Alexis, on June 18th, there was some speculation if Woods would be willing to cross the pond. The lure of defending the title and winning $1.5 million must be a strong magnet.

Posted by Golf Champ at 9:53 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Golf Courses, Major Championships, Tiger Woods

Posted by Golf Champ at 9:09 AM | 0 comments    

Labels: British Open, Famous Golfers, Major Championships, Oakmont, Tiger Woods, US Open

"Best contact you've made this year Duval" remarked Frank the headcover for Tiger Woods in a memorable Nike Golf commercial. Unfortunately, the former British Open Champion's career is not looking much better. David Duval withdrew from the Open Championship while citing "personal reasons" for his failure to attend.

Duval has a single year left on the PGA Tour using exemptions from past success (he still may use his top 50 lifetime earnings exemption). However, the future looks dim for the former star. He will, of course, still retain his exemption into the Open Championship for many years to come as a result of his past victory. Though, Duval could continue to fade away from the golfing world and quit using that exemption.

Posted by Golf Champ at 3:43 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: British Open, Famous Golfers, Major Championships

The next event on the players tour card is the highly anticipated US Open, one of only four major championships played each year.

Tiger Woods wrote in his website blog (www.tigerwoods.com) that after taking in a practice round Monday at Oakmont Country Club, he knows it is the most difficult course he has ever played.

He's quoted as saying the fairways are only 26 yards wide and rough is often brutal.

Posted by Golf Champ at 8:23 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Major Championships, Tiger Woods, US Open

The 2007 U.S. Open, to be played at Oakmont Country Club, is now approximately 31 days away. Oakmont C.C. is one of the hardest tests in golf, if not the hardest. For that reason, Tiger has already made his visits in preparation for an event which is sure to slaughter the field, possibly more so than the course at Winged Foot which devoured part of Phil Mickelson's career.

The most famous Oakmont feature is the "Church Pews", which are a series of bunkers lined up at the side of the fairway with small grass dividers topped by fescue. While still an extreme challenge to escape, the bunkers were even more difficult when Oakmont implemented the old furrowing rakes (similar model used at last year's Memorial). In fact, as you may have read in Golf Digest, the USGA was considering using the same rakes as Nicklaus chose for his Memorial tournament. However, the USGA felt that using the rakes would be too cruel, and that's something for a USGA layout.

Posted by Golf Champ at 1:08 PM | 0 comments    

Labels: Golf Courses, Major Championships, Oakmont, US Open