A tough call on a Monday finish and five Canadians head to Pebble.
Bob Weeks
MMO: Cheeseheads, grips and Canucks in the field
Mondy Morning Observations
* Thanks to some cold weather last week, we get to see the finish of the Waste Management Open this morning. But wouldn't it have made more sense to a) drop the tournament to 54 holes or, at the very least, b) cut play short last night so it didn't overlap with the Super Bowl? I know players want to finish and get done, but according to reports, there were more people on the course playing than watching. Even with free admission today, the Thunderbirds – the remarkable charitable organization that runs the tournament – said as little as 1,000 people might show up for the finale today.
* I love the fact that there are a couple of unusual swings in the hunt in Phoenix. First is Tommy Gainey who has the funkiest grip on the PGA Tour, and then there's Chris Couch, a guy who chips backhanded. Oh and I love Couch's shirts – I just wonder if they come in his size. You can't make this stuff up folks, but both buys are great stories and fun to watch.
* Mark Wilson wearing the Cheesehead while near the lead. Good move or not?
* Out of the blue, Thomas Bjorn wins in Qatar. Here's a guy who was so frustrated with his game that he wanted to quit but couldn't because he needed to make a living. My favourite story of Bjorn was at a U.S. Open several years ago where I saw the great Dane wait out a delay on tee by eating not one, not two but three ice cream bars. To hell with fitness.
* Nice to see Matt Hill get a sponsor exemption into this week's AT+T. He's been playing some decent golf on the Hooters Tour so it will be interesting to see what he can put together. In addition to Hill, Chris Baryla, David Hearn, Matt McQuillan and Mike Weir are teeing it up.
* The European Tour is going to fine both Henrick Stenson and Miguel Angel Jiminez for throwing clubs. The PGA Tour reportedly fines players but never releases that information. I like the Euro Tour method better; makes me feel like something is actually being done.
* Just checking over the scores from the Women's Australian Open and noticed two Canadians missed the cut – Lorie Kane and Nancy Harvey. Nancy Harvey? Wow. . . she last teed it up on the LPGA Tour in 2007 and only played two events that year. And I thought Bjorn came out of the blue.
* Wanna see Jennifer Aniston drive a golf cart into a lake? Go here.
* I hate that you can't see the U.S. Super Bowl ads here in the Canada. Somehow the Harold the Jewellery Buyer commercials leave me a little short.
Tags: Chris Baryla, David Hearn, Golf News, matt hill, Matt McQuillan, mike weir, Tournaments, waste management phoenix open