Woods’ race to catch Jack depends on wounded knee
May 31, 2011
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP)—Jack Nicklaus doesn’t want Tiger Woods to break his recordof 18 major championships.
But he does want him to be healthy enough to try.
Nicklaus told him as much last Friday when Woods called to say that for thesecond time in four years, he wouldn’t be able to play in this week’s MemorialTournament because of an injury to his left leg. Woods missed in 2008 whilerecovering from minor surgery to clean out cartilage damage in his left knee.
This time the culprit is a combination of a minor knee sprain and hisAchilles, which was bad enough to cause him to leave The Players Championshipafter only nine holes.
Jack Nicklaus, backed by a gal… AP – May 31, 2:24 pm EDT Golf Gallery
Woods hopes to play the U.S. Open. Trying to win majors starts with playingin them.
“I don’t know the extent of his injuries,” Nicklaus said Tuesday. “I toldTiger when I was on the phone with him—which is the same thing I’ve said tohim a thousand times—‘Tiger, nobody ever wants their records to be broken …but I certainly don’t want you not to be healthy and not have the opportunity toplay to break records. I want you to get yourself healthy, do what you have todo to go play, get your golf game back in shape, and I wish you well.’
“I would say that to any athlete and anybody, because I think that’s theway it should be,” Nicklaus said. “But what his situation is, I don’t know anymore than what I read.”
It wasn’t long ago when Woods appeared to be a lock to not only catchNicklaus, but to break the most recognized record in golf.
He won his 14th major in the 2008 U.S. Open at age 32—Nicklaus was 35 whenhe won his 14th major—and even after reconstructive surgery on his left knee,Woods went into the weekend of the 2009 PGA Championship with a four-shot lead.He was two rounds away from winning No. 15, with Pebble Beach and St. Andrews onthe rotation the following year.
It all changed so quickly.
He lost the lead—and the PGA Championship—to Y.E. Yang. Then cameThanksgiving night and revelations of serial adultery, which led to divorce. Hehired a new swing coach. He is in the middle of a slump that once seemedunfathomable. He has fallen out of the top 10 in the world ranking for the firsttime in 14 years.
And now there’s another injury that makes Woods seem a lot older than 35.
For all that has gone wrong with Woods during the last 18 months, his healthmight be the most troubling—at least as it relates to his golf, and especiallyin context with Nicklaus.
Nicklaus won 70 times in 19 years on the PGA Tour before the first sign ofan injury.
“Physically, I was pretty darned good,” he said.
Two weeks after he won the 1980 PGA Championship at Oak Hill for his 17thmajor, he had to withdraw from the final round of the World Series of Golf atFirestone with a bad back. About two years later, his back flared up again atthe 1983 Masters and he had to withdraw early in the second round.
The first time he had surgery was in 1984, when he hurt his left knee whileplaying tennis.
“I went and had it operated on and I won the Skins Game 17 days later,”Nicklaus said. “So obviously, it wasn’t a very major operation.”
Woods already has had four surgeries on his left knee.
“I’m sure down the road it may be more difficult,” he said. “Buthopefully, I’ll be in a cart by then on the Senior Tour. But between now andthen, I should be pretty good.”
It’s that area between now and then that has become such a mystery.
Woods says the state of his left leg is not the “doomsday” he keepsreading and hearing about in the media. And don’t forget, it was only two monthsago that he shot 31 on the front nine of the Masters to tie for the lead untilhis putter failed him on the back nine and he wound up in a tie for fourth.
Asked to handicap Woods’ chances of catching him now, Nicklaus could onlyoffer, “I would have no clue.”
What amuses Nicklaus is talk that the chase is over, even if Woods doesn’tmake it to Congressional in two weeks for the U.S. Open, or plays in the othertwo majors that follow this year.
“That’s ridiculous,” Nicklaus said. “You guys control that. By the timeyou get through writing somebody off, they may as well go sell their clubs.Tiger is hurt. He hasn’t been able to play. By the time you get done with him… there’s 400 golfers in front of him. You know what I’m saying. It getspushed too far.”
Even if Woods were to go winless this year, he would still have the samenumber of majors that Nicklaus won at age 35. Nicklaus believes that a player inhis era was “old” in his late 30s. These days, he thinks “old” is over theage of 45.
If that’s the case, Woods has some 40 majors still to play. But that dependson his health.
“That 18 is our benchmark in our sport,” Woods said last week. “No onehas played the major championships better than Jack has. It took Jack over 24years to do what he did. I still have plenty of time, and I feel that goingforward, I’m excited about playing major championships and playing golf again.
“I just want to be healthy and solid,” he said. “And I feel like I cangive it a go.”
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New hole at Memorial; overlooked rookie in Dallas
May 31, 2011
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP)—Jack Nicklaus is always looking for ways to improveMuirfield Village, and this year brings the biggest alterations in the last fiveyears.
The par-3 16th now features a large pond located short and left of thegreen. The green has been repositioned, too, tilting at an angle to allow moreshots to hold the green.
If nothing else, it’s a more intimidating hole with the water.
“With the prevailing wind, you have the ability to feed the ball back intothe green so you don’t have to worry about having to stop the ball as easily ifyou play a smart shot,” Nicklaus said. “And if the wind turns the other way,then stopping the ball on the green is not an issue. I think that works out verywell.”
David Toms posses with the tro… AP – May 23, 11:59 am EDT Golf Gallery
As for the water?
“I think there’s going to be a lot more 2s, there’s going to be a lot moreexcitement,” Nicklaus said. “I think you’ll find a lot of fairly conservative3s. And I think you’ll also find a few double bogeys that will come in there. Anerrant will not be rewarded and a good shot will be rewarded, which is what agood hole should be, anyway.”
Justin Rose made his final birdie on the 16th last year on his way towinning. Now he’s a bit more leery.
“I think 5 is more of an optional now than it ever has been,” Rose said.
SHORTER FIELD: Two changes in criteria have wound up costing Justin Leonarda spot in two big tournaments this year.
The U.S. Open used to take the top 15 players and ties from the previousyear. That was reduced to the top 10 for this year, which was bad news forLeonard, who tied for 14th at Pebble Beach.
Then there’s the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.
The World Golf Championship began in 1999 for only members of the mostrecent Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. It was expanded to include the top 50in the world, along with winners of top-rated golf tournaments around the world.
A change to reduce that field takes effect this year—only members of theprevious year’s team (Ryder or Presidents Cup) are exempt into Firestone. Forthis year, only the Ryder Cup team members are exempt. Leonard was part of thelast Presidents Cup team in 2009.
OVERLOOKED: PGA Tour officials hosted a midseason dinner last week at theByron Nelson Championship for the 2011 rookie class. They asked the players toR.S.V.P., for the night included a video montage that featured only the rookieswho were playing in the tournament, plus a pair of rookie winners in JhonattanVegas and Brendan Steele.
Alas, one of the rookies forgot to R.S.V.P., so he wasn’t included in thevideo. He wound up watching a video that included highlights of everyone at thedinner except him.
The rookie didn’t feel slighted. Besides, he wound up making his ownhighlight reel by the end of the week.
It was Keegan Bradley.
COUPLES’ SCARE: Fred Couples does not wear a glove, making it impossible tomiss 13 scabs on the top of his hands.
Couples was treated three weeks ago for skin cancer.
At the request of his girlfriend, Couples went to a dermatologist for acheckup. A few spots on his back turned out to be nothing. But right whenCouples thought he was in the clear, he said the dermatologist glanced at hishands and looked concerned.
Moments later, she froze them off, leaving 13 red marks on his hands.
Couples, whose back was so bad that he chose not to play the Senior PGAChampionship last week, is in the field for the Memorial. After this week, he isnot sure where he will play next.
DAY’S NEW HOME: Jason Day is moving to central Ohio, and he already has beenextended playing privileges at Muirfield Village.
But he’s not at the Memorial.
Tournament host Jack Nicklaus was surprised—first that Day had beenoffered playing privileges, then that the Australian was not playing in thetournament. Nicklaus was told that Day withdrew to take a break before the U.S.Open. He was not informed that Day’s wife had uterine surgery earlier this monthand has a follow-up appointment in Houston this week.
“We did?” Nicklaus replied when told that the club had given Day amembership.
His son, Jack Nicklaus II, told him that Day has playing privileges atMuirfield Village.
“He does and he’s not here?” Nicklaus said. As the room filled withlaughter, Nicklaus added, “We’ll take that away. I did not know that. DoesJason live around here?”
The Australian reporter said that Day’s wife was from Ohio, and askedNicklaus for a comment on Day’s performance this year. Day was runner-up at theMasters after closing with a 68.
“He’s a good player, and if he’s got a gal from … has he married a galfrom Ohio?” he said. “He should be here.”
SQUEEZING TALENT: Paul Goydos is amused when he hears people say he gets themost of his game.
“I’m not sure exactly what that means, quite frankly,” Goydos said. “Theguy asked me, ‘Who gets the most out of his game?’ I go, ‘Tiger Woods.’ The guywon 71 tournaments, 14 majors. If he’s not getting a lot out of his game … myGod.”
Goydos was not blessed with the same physical skills as Woods or PhilMickelson or Ernie Els. He says the secret is not getting more out of less, butsimply understanding limitations.
“You know your strengths and weaknesses, and try to stay where you arecomfortable playing,” Goydos said. “And I’ve been able to do that.Understanding what you do well, what you don’t do well, what you need to work on… it’s an individual sport. You really need to get the most out of what youcan do, and the first thing you have to do is an honest evaluation of who youare and what you’re capable of doing.”
DIVOTS: Steve Hulka filled in as Ryuji Imada’s caddie for the final round ofthe Byron Nelson Championship, and it raised an interesting question: If Imadahad won, would Hulka get the Cadillac that goes to the winning caddie. It didn’tcome to that, but Hulka had it figured out ahead of time. “All I wanted wasfour tires for my truck,” he said. … For the first time since 1974, the topthree players in Europe’s PGA Championship at Wentworth were from England. …Padraig Harrington has slipped to No. 50 in the world ranking. The last time hewas out of the top 50 was March 23, 2000. … Tom Watson has won more than $24million in his career, with $13.1 million of that on the Champions Tour. …Former USGA chief business officer Pete Bevacqua has joined CAA Sports to workin its golf division.
STAT OF THE WEEK: Four PGA Tour winners in 2011 were on the Nationwide Tourlast year.
FINAL WORD: “It’s not just a European winner. I can see a European beatinga European to win, like it was last year.”—Colin Montgomerie on hisprediction for the U.S. Open.
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Mike Brown: Lakers still Bryant’s team
May 31, 2011
EL SEGUNDO, California (AP)—Mike Brown has taken over as the new coach of theLos Angeles Lakers and says he’s ready to help the team construct on its pastsuccess.
During his introduction on Tuesday, Brown produced it clear that the Lakers arestill Kobe Bryant’s(notes) team. He says his initial meeting with the superstar “wentvery nicely.”
EL SEGUNDO, CA – Might 31: Mike&hellip Getty Images – Could 31, 6:38 pm EDT NBA Gallery
Bryant and some of the other players had publicly supported longtime Lakersassistant Brian Shaw in his bid to replace Phil Jackson, who retired. But Brownsays he respects everybody’s opinion and that winning will cure the mixed publicreaction that greeted the announcement of his hiring last week.
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BoSox activate Jenks for game vs. ChiSox
May 31, 2011
BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox have activated ideal-hander Bobby Jenks(notes)from the 15-day disabled list.
Jenks was in uniform and accessible for Tuesday night’s game against his oldteam, the Chicago White Sox.
BOSTON, MA – May possibly 01: Bobby Je&hellip Getty Images – May possibly 1, 4:06 pm EDT MLB Gallery
To make room for Jenks on the roster, the Red Sox optioned righty MichaelBowden(notes) to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Also Tuesday, the Red Sox stated injured shortstop Marco Scutaro(notes) has beencleared to resume baseball activities. Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) went for asecond opinion on his injured correct elbow.
Jenks has been on the disabled list given that May 2 with a correct biceps strain.He has pitched in 11 games in Boston this year, going 1-2 with a 9.35 ERA and 10strikeouts.
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Red Sox activate RHP Jenks from DL
May 31, 2011
BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox have activated proper-hander Bobby Jenks(notes)from the 15-day disabled list.
Jenks was in uniform and accessible for Tuesday night’s game against his oldteam, the Chicago White Sox.
BOSTON, MA – May 01: Bobby Je&hellip Getty Images – May possibly 1, 4:06 pm EDT MLB Gallery
To make room for Jenks on the roster, the Red Sox optioned righty MichaelBowden(notes) to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Also Tuesday, the Red Sox stated injured shortstop Marco Scutaro(notes) has beencleared to resume baseball activities. Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) went for asecond opinion on his injured correct elbow.
Jenks has been on the disabled list because May possibly 2 with a appropriate biceps strain.He has pitched in 11 games in Boston this year, going 1-2 with a 9.35 ERA and 10strikeouts.
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Pujols gets another start at 3B
May 31, 2011
ST. LOUIS (AP)—For the second time this month, Albert Pujols(notes) is startingfor the St. Louis Cardinals at third base. Anything to help manager Tony LaRussa get a different productive bat in there.
La Russa’s lineup on Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants leanedheavily to offense and got Jon Jay(notes), batting .390 his last 14 games and .343overall, back into the mix. Lance Berkman(notes) moved from proper field to first baseand Jay began in correct and batted second ahead of Pujols against Giantsright-hander Ryan Vogelsong(notes).
La Russa did much more juggling about a half-hour just before gametime, scratchingMatt Holliday(notes), who did not run well Monday in his first game back from aquadriceps injury that sidelined him for six starts. Allen Craig(notes) began in leftfield and Berkman moved to cleanup.
St. Louis Cardinals ' Albe&hellip AP – May 15, 4:34 pm EDT MLB Gallery
La Russa stated he anticipated Pujols would be back at 1st base Wednesdaywhen the Cardinals face Giants proper-hander Tim Lincecum(notes). He praised Pujols’willingness to move around but didn’t want him playing too significantly at third basebecause he considers him one of the greatest 1st basemen in the majors.
“This is an example of a accurate superstar who’ll walk in and say, ‘Wheneveryou want to do that,”’ La Russa stated. “We’re not able to take the lengthy viewhere. Points are changing all the time.
“I don’t believe it’s some thing we ought to ask him to do additional than just a fewtimes, but these days’s one of those times.”
Pujols created his initial begin at third base considering that 2002 on May 16 at homeagainst the Phillies and fielded five chances flawlessly. Pujols is a two-timeGold Glove winner at very first base, and La Russa said defense wouldn’t be a problemat third.
“What can’t he do?” La Russa said. “He showed it to you his rookie year,right? He makes all the plays, he’s got a powerful, accurate arm. In reality, he’sway above average.”
La Russa stated Kyle McClellan(notes) would miss a turn in the rotation with a hipinjury sustained in the initial inning on Monday. Pitching coach Dave Duncan saidMcClellan appeared to make two awkward landings, and the 1st-year starter gaveup seven runs in four innings.
La Russa stated earlier that Holliday had orders to take it easy. Hollidayhad a chance to beat out a grounder that third baseman Miguel Tejada(notes) bobbled inthe third inning Tuesday but wasn’t running full out.
“He’s been told when in doubt, take the out,” La Russa stated. “We don’twant him to yank it again if we can aid it.”
Third baseman David Freese(notes) took swings indoors for the 1st time sincebreaking his left hand on Could 1. La Russa said Freese, who had been expectedback in mid-July, was ahead of schedule.
“He’s one of our key guys,” La Russa said. “We’ve done a superior job ofcovering for him but the sooner he gets back, the deeper we get.”
La Russa said the Cardinals brought back second baseman Skip Schumaker(notes) toosoon from a right triceps injury mainly because the team required him. Schumaker, whostarted Tuesday and batted eighth, was 2 for 16 given that coming off the 15-daydisabled list on May well 23.
“He took 1 for the team,” La Russa stated. “We pushed him. We didn’t wantto but we had to.”
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Braves 2B Uggla gets unexpected day off
May 31, 2011
ATLANTA (AP)—Slumping Braves second baseman Dan Uggla(notes) has been given anunexpected day off.
Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez created the annoucement Tuesday just before Atlantaplayed the San Diego Padres.
Atlanta Braves second baseman &hellip AP – Might 30, five:13 pm EDT MLB Gallery
Uggla and Gonzalez had a conversation before the game. Uggla says he didn’tagree with the decision.
Uggla, who signed a five-year, $62 million contract after the Bravesacquired him in a winter trade with Florida, has just four hits in his last 47at-bats—dropping his season batting average to .178.
Gonzalez replaced Uggla with Brooks Conrad(notes), who will play second base andhit eighth.
Uggla is coming off a career season with the Marlins, batting .287 with 33homers and 105 RBIs.
For Atlanta, has seven homers, 16 RBIs, a .322 slugging percentage and a.246 on-base percentage.
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Dodgers owner McCourt makes payroll
May 31, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has paid hismajor league bills—for now.
Despite baseball officials who believed he didn’t have enough money to coverthe team’s end-of-the-month payroll, the embattled McCourt was able to coverDodgers-related expenses Tuesday, said a person familiar with the situation whorequested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
FILE – In this Jan. 29, 2004, … AP – May 27, 1:34 pm EDT MLB Gallery
If McCourt wasn’t able to meet payroll—a question that lingers for theremainder of the season—Major League Baseball would have taken control andpaid the team’s bills.
Based on an opening-day payroll of $103.8 million, the Dodgers’ payroll forits major league roster in the second half of May was about $8.25 million. Thefigure includes 16 days’ salary, but not any signing bonus payments that happento fall due.
The Los Angeles Times first reported that McCourt was able to make thepayroll.
The Times, citing anonymous sources, reported last week that McCourt neededroughly $9.8 million to meet Tuesday’s payroll. His financial woes will increasein June because the Dodgers owe Manny Ramirez(notes) more than $6 million in deferredcompensation, the paper said.
McCourt took a $30 million loan from Fox, the Dodgers’ television partner,prior to Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig’s decision to appoint amonitor, former Texas Rangers President Tom Schieffer, to oversee the team’sdaily operations and to examine its records.
The ability to make payroll gives McCourt more time to reach a settlementwith his ex-wife and former team CEO Jamie McCourt. The McCourts are embroiledin a nasty divorce where she recently asked Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon toorder the sale of the team.
Gordon has ruled that a postnuptial marital agreement signed by the formercouple, which gave Frank McCourt sole ownership of the Dodgers, was invalid andcleared the way for Jamie McCourt to seek half the team under California’scommunity property law.
Settlement talks are set to resume June 8.
McCourt has urged Selig to approve a 17-year contract with Fox that could beworth more than $3 billion, which would include a front-loaded payment of about$300 million.
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Tour Report: Nicklaus thinks Woods will play Open (PGATOUR.com)
May 31, 2011
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
DUBLIN, Ohio — Tiger Woods wanted to play in the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance this week. He really did.
Right after all, Woods is a four-time champion of the event hosted by the man whose records he so doggedly has pursued. Finally, though, Woods knew he had to make the call — literally as nicely as figuratively.
Jack Nicklaus, backed by a gal&hellip AP – Could 31, 2:24 pm EDT Golf Gallery
Woods
The damage to his left knee and Achilles tendon — which caused Woods to withdraw soon after nine holes of THE PLAYERS Championship — still wasn’t healed. So Woods picked up the phone on Friday and called Jack Nicklaus.
"He said, ‘I tried up until these days to see if I’m going to be able to come and play, but I can’t,’" Nicklaus recalled. "He said, I’m still hobbling, and he stated, I don’t know regardless of whether I’m going to make the U.S. Open or not."
Nicklaus stated he doesn’t know the extent of Woods’ injuries. But his gut tells him that Woods will play in the U.S. Open at Congressional in two weeks as he tries to get within three of Nicklaus’ record of 18 expert majors.
"I told Tiger when I was on the phone with him, which is the very same thing I’ve said to him a thousand times, Tiger, nobody ever wants records to be broken," Nicklaus said. "That’s obvious. I mean, I don’t care who it is. 
"But I surely don’t want you not to be healthy and not have the chance to play to break records. I want you to get yourself healthy, do what you have to do to go play, get your golf game back in shape, and I wish you well, wish you good luck, which I would say that to any athlete and anybody, since I believe that’s the way it really should be."
New 16th need to be a challenge
How/Getty ImagesThe 16th hole at Murifield Village will have a unique feel than it did a year ago when Justin Rose birdied the par-3 en route to victory.
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus had thought about it for five years. And with the Presidents Cup slated for his beloved Muirfield Village in 2013, he finally decided to go ahead and act.
The 16th hole, what was once an innocuous par three, has now been made additional dramatic with the addition of a pond to guard the re-positioned green to the left. Nicklaus produced the alter to strengthen the hole, which now plays about 14 yards shorter at 200, with the biennial matches in mind.
"I feel that one of the things that really sort of pushed 16 was almost certainly The Presidents Cup to some degree," Nicklaus stated. "The reason for that is that when you go to match play, several matches finish around the 16th, 17th hole, and that region ideal there is obviously where issues come together, and I didn’t like to see those matches finish on a weakish hole."
Nicklaus thinks the new 16th — which will be featured, along with the par-5 11th on PGATOUR.COM’s LIVE@ the Memorial coverage this week — could produce a lot far more birdies, as nicely as a couple of double bogeys. In short, "there’s going to be a lot a lot more excitement," he stated with a sense of satisfaction.
"It’s a kind of hole that I think will most likely play less complicated with a superior shot under the prevailing wind," Nicklaus explained. "The prevailing wind is a westerly wind, southwesterly wind, that normally when we hit the ball just before the green was sitting sort of this way, and I feel a lot of shots hit in there went through the green extremely effortlessly or into the back bunker, and I never actually cared for the way the ball went into that green.
"So what I did is I took the green and put it much more this way, which sort of lines up with the prevailing wind.  And with the prevailing wind you have the capability to feed the ball back into the green so you don’t have to worry about having to stop the ball as easily if you play a smart shot.
"And if the wind turns the other way, if there’s no wind, then stopping the ball on the green is not an issue."
Justin Rose, who closed with a 66 to make up a four-stroke deficit, made the final birdie in his victory march last year at the 16th hole. He remembers hearing cheers for someone in the last group — Rickie Fowler and Ricky Barnes — and knew he needed to make some thing occur.
"When I made my birdie I figured I was perhaps one ahead, so 16 was a pivotal hole for me and it could be even far more so this year," Rose said. "It could be for other factors. I feel five is much more of an choice now than it ever has been in the past with that hole.
"It’s going to be tricky. That’s the one green becoming new, it’s a little firmer than the rest, regardless of the rain, and there’s going to be a small bit to believe about on that tee, for positive."
Make your picks: the Memorial
DUBLIN, Ohio — PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance are now offered. You can check out how the draft went this week by clicking here.
Now it is your turn. Go to the comments form below and tell us who you’re picking this week and why. Justin Rose is back in Ohio to defend his title. Difficult him will be the top four in the FedExCup standings: Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, Mark Wilson and Nick Watney.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson are threats just about every week when they step on the golf course, and numerous of the contenders from a year ago (like Rickie Fowler, Ricky Barnes, Bo Van Pelt, Ryan Moore and Matt Kuchar) return to Murifield Village to make an additional run at a title.
Check out the field to see who’s playing and then let us know who you’re picking in our comments section below.
Muirfield Village drying out
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
DUBLIN, Ohio — You required a boat, not a golf cart, to play Muirfield Village Golf Club last Thursday following almost an inch of rain pummeled the prized property.
"We were really saying it was Lake Muirfield," stated Jack Nicklaus, the famed founder and architect of this signature layout.
Rose
Thursday’s deluge was on top of the additional than 12 inches that had fallen in the greater Columbus region considering that the beginning of April. In comparison, that’s twice the total for the identical two months last year.
With sunshine and 90-degree temperatures in the five days considering that the most recent onslaught, although, Muirfield Village has recovered well. And the weather forecast appears to be cooperating for this week’s Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance.
"I went back out on Friday, and I was amazed," Nicklaus said. "I played the golf course, I thought the golf course was seriously pretty superior Friday, then it just started finding better every week or each day.  The golf course is terrific."
Defending champion Justin Rose played nine holes on Tuesday, then headed into the air-conditioning for his pre-tournament interview session. He agreed with Nicklaus’ assessment.
"(I) heard how considerably rain they’ve had, and no doubt the rough in some areas is a little squidgy, but the golf course is just about every bit as you expect it to be this time of year," Rose said. "Greens are looking amazing, fairways are fairly firm considering it’s rained something like 28 out of 31 days or some thing crazy. 
"Course is in best shape."
Nicklaus saddened by OSU scenario
How/Getty ImagesJack Nicklaus, who played golf at Ohio State and dotted the i in script Ohio prior to a 2006 football game weighted in on the OSU football team’s scenario Tuesday..
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
DUBLIN, Ohio — Jack Nicklaus thought he’d get at least 1 question prior to the subject was raised.
Only on Tuesday during his annual press conference at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, “the” subject wasn’t Tiger Woods and his continuing pursuit of Nicklaus’ record of 18 professional majors.
No, the question on every person’s mind here in central Ohio was Jim Tressel and his stunning fall from grace as the Ohio State football coach.
Tressel resigned under pressure on Monday as the fallout from an NCAA and university investigation intensified. The controversy dates back to December when six Buckeyes players had been suspended by the NCAA for selling or trading uniforms and memorabilia to a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner.
Tressel at first had stated he didn’t know anything about the players’ activities. Later, though, a Columbus lawyer, who was a former walk-on football player at OSU, produced e-mails that showed Tressel really was aware of the situation as significantly as eight months earlier.
The resignation was front-page news in Ohio, as well as in USA Right now. Tressel was a coach identified for graduating players and running a competitive, clean program. So the fabric of half-truths and lies that unraveled over the last six months has taken on a life of its own in these parts.
Nicklaus grew up and still lives in Columbus and he played collegiately at Ohio State, which is about 20 minutes from Muirfield Village. So his opinions in this region are extremely-regarded — heck, the Ohio State marching band was even at the course on Tuesday to support kick off the Memorial Tournament.
“My take on it is that it was no various than a father trying to safeguard his son, and if I had one of my children that did what I thought was a fairly insignificant factor, I’d most likely say, you know, Hey, we’re not going to worry too much about that. We’re going to attempt to just forget that,” Nicklaus said.
“Well, naturally the cover up was far worse than the act. And as soon as you got the cover up, it became a situation where Jim had to say some things that turned out to be that weren’t precisely truthful. And so that’s where he got himself in trouble. … I feel very poor for Jim. He’s a nice man.”
Nicklaus played golf at Ohio State when the legendary Woody Hayes was the football coach. He acknowledged that the media scrutiny the athletic program was under has changed dramatically in the last 50 years.
“What would Woody have thought?” Nicklaus said, repeating the question. “I believe Woody would have in all probability ended up performing precisely the very same thing, but I feel that perhaps he wouldn’t have had a news media that no matter what happens gets on the news.
“I mean, when I was playing when Woody was coaching, we had been not under a microscope. A small thing happened that passed. Currently a little factor occurs and it’s all over the world. I mean, it’s not an indictment of anybody, it’s just what it is.
“I feel Woody would have protected his children. He possibly did safeguard his children. Woody was a superior man. I feel Tressel is a superior man.”
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Deadline arrives for Timberwolves, Rubio
May 31, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—While Ricky Rubio(notes) mulls coming to the NBA next season, adeadline of sorts came and went on Tuesday without any word on whether or not theSpanish point guard will be joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, it was the last day Rubiocould sign a contract with the Timberwolves and make sure that his deal will fallunder the existing rookie wage scale.
With out a contract, Rubio will have to wait until the beginning of the newleague year to make his move to the NBA official and with labor unrest looming,it is not particular when that year will start and what the new rules will be.
David Kahn, left, general mana&hellip AP – Might 17, 9:33 pm EDT NBA Gallery
A Timberwolves spokesman said it is unlikely the team will comment on Rubiobefore his European season ends in June. Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, did notreturn a message.
It’s been a delicate and complicated series of negotiations for Timberwolvespresident David Kahn, Fegan and Rubio over the last two years. Kahn andassistant GM Tony Ronzone traveled to Spain in May in part to meet with Rubioand try to persuade him to come to the United States.
The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall in 2009 but he has spent thepast two seasons with Regal Barcelona. Kahn had a deal worked out to bring Rubioto Minnesota in 2009, but the then-18-year-old backed out at the last moment,unwilling to pay a buyout that topped $6 million out of his own pocket.
Under NBA rules, the Timberwolves can only provide Rubio $500,000 toward thebuyout.
By picking to remain in Europe for two much more seasons, Rubio’s buyout hasdropped to about $1.4 million. The Timberwolves have been working to line uplocal endorsements that would cover that amount, according to a person withknowledge of the situation. The person spoke only on anonymity mainly because he wasnot authorized to publicly talk about the matter.
Signing the contract now could give Rubio a guaranteed contract worth morethan $15 million over four years, a number that could be a lot lower if theowners get their way and win major salary cuts in the next collective bargainingagreement.
He would also recognize his dream of playing in the NBA. He is averaging just6.five points per game and shooting only 39 percent, but team officials point outthat European games are shorter and perimeter defenders are allowed to be muchmore physical to neutralize his quickness.
The greatest reason for Rubio to decline to sign a contract now is the NBA’slabor uncertainty. With the players and the owners still far apart in theirdemands, the risk of losing games, if not the entire season, remains a concern.
Signing a contract, coming to the United States, and then not becoming able toplay basketball doesn’t appear to be a really appealing choice for a gym rat whohas built his identity with a basketball in his hands.
1 a lot more season in Spain also would put him three years out from his draftnight. If existing CBA rules stay the exact same, Rubio would be free of theconstraints of the rookie wage scale and able to negotiate possibly an evenbigger contract next summer. Even if Rubio does not sign now, the Timberwolveswill still hold his rights.
Kahn and the team have expressed confidence, both publicly and privately,that Rubio will be in a Timberwolves uniform next season. A nearby radio adpromises “more Rubio sightings” and a person with information of Kahn’s meetingswith many groups of season ticket holders told The Associated Press that theteam president has told those fans Rubio will play in Target Center next season.
For now, however, the waiting continues.
Jon Krawczynski on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski.
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