The Eagle's Eye

Woods Faces a “Tough Lie”

phillipsrh — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:40:33 +0000

Tiger Woods has been under intense scrutiny this week from the media surrounding him the allegations of unfaithfulness to his wife and the automobile accident outside his Ilseworth, Florida home. The previously clean-slated Woods has recently been the target or many stories attacking him for his actions. Tiger has maintained dominance on the PGA TOUR creating a super-human persona. His perfection on the course is what the public has come to expect and love. This plays a large role in why the story comes of extra shock to the media and public at large. There’s no doubt that Tiger’s “trangressions” were moral wrong-doings, however, there is a distinction between these morality issues and performance on the course. There isn’t a character statistic. Though isn’t that what the game of golf is based on? Individuality and Honesty. The best analogy for this situation is how you found out Santa wasn’t real. We all thought that Tiger exemplified golf in its purest form until now we really see that he has cheated, not in the game, but something larger. In any other sport this may be brushed aside, but not so easily in the game of golf. Cheating is the largest sin a golfer can commit. This is why it will be hard for some folks to respect Woods in the same way they had previously. Jesper Parnevick felt strongly on the issue stating that wife, Elin should have used a driver instead of a 3 iron when breaking the Escalade’s back window.
Wood’s sponsors are sticking by him which doesn’t come of much surprise. Losing a such a vital part of the golf isn’t even an option for those endorsing Tiger. Tiger was stern in his release in expressing that he wanted privacy. Some believe Woods should have given a press conference and addressed the situation differently.
Is it really any of our business what golfers do off the course? I think the answer is simple. No. I am concerned with the performance of a player on the course, not what he does off of it. However, when these situations leak into the media it doesn’t matter who’s business it is. Steve Stricker explained it best by saying that it would have been best if Tiger and Elin could have handled this internally. That didn’t happen, and now Tiger must deal with it. Situations similar to this one have been experience by nearly every legendary sports figure. At the end of the day, this is going to be the same Tiger instilling fear in the rest of the field in his coat of red. Only time will tell the true significance of this saga.

Woods in Automobile Accident Involving “Serious Injuries”.

phillipsrh — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:23:31 +0000

It was recently released that Tiger Woods has been involved in a serious wreck near his home in Ilseworth, Florida. The accident occurred at 2:30 AM ET. Woods was driving his 2009 Escalade SUV when he hit a fire hydrant and then a tree. It was stressed that alcohol did not play a role in the accident. No information has been released as to what injuries Tiger sustained, though he was rushed to the hospital from the accident. Also the cause of the accident is not known at this time. Rumors have been spread that Woods was being treated for facial lacerations. The world’s number one golfer recently ended his 2009 season with a win at the Australian Masters. More information will be provided when it is confirmed.

UPDATE: The follow statement was released on Wood’s website.

From Health Central Hospital and Tiger’s Woods’ office:

Tiger Woods was in a minor car accident outside his home last night.
He was admitted, treated and released today in good condition.
We appreciate very much everyone’s thoughts and well wishes.

Tiger Claims First Victory Down Under

phillipsrh — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:13:49 +0000

It was a Tiger filled week at the Australian Masters. Woods completed another feat this weekend, etching himself in the history books of golf. Woods won the JBWere Australian Masters making it his first tournament win in the continent. Thus, he has won a tournament on every playable continent. Last time I checked, there weren’t any tournaments stopping by Antarctica. An even par round of 72 prompted Woods to make some changes before the final round.
All week the course was praised by the field, showing some quickness in finale. The rather short course challenged the golfers to be imaginative yet in control of their shots. After his birdie on 12, Woods said he “felt like he was in control of the event” but then bogeyed thirteen due to a photographer taking pictures in the downswing of his sand-wedge approach. Woods commented that he felt the photographer’s interference cost him two strokes. It very well may have, but I’m sure Tiger could have figured out a way to put together a quality round. This week Woods just showed pure dominance, opening with the six-under 66 and closing out with 68 to seal his victory by two shots. Just when we thought he done most everything in the golfing world, Woods checks another task of his rather lengthy to-do list. So it’s apparent that the Aussies got their money’s worth with the three-million dollar price tag on the world’s best golfer. Adam Scott and Stuart Appleby had decent weeks ending up at eight-under par and seven-under par respectively. Overall, the Kingston Heath Golf Club and the city of Melbourne was an excellent choice for the JBWere Australian Masters. History was made and and the dedicated Australian golf fans were able to get a glimpse of the caliber of golf experienced on the PGA Tour.
Next week the European Tour comes to a pinnacle in Dubai. The Dubai Championship features a showdown of the 60 best European Tour golfers battling for a purse of 7.5 million dollars. The field, as you might expect, is stacked to say the least. Watch out for Rory Mcilroy, a young and quite impressive addition to the European Tour. Rory has been hot as of late with a second place finish this week in Hong Kong. The new era in European Tour championships begins.
image from www.pgatour.com.au

Three-way Tie Atop the Leaderboard Entering the Final Round of the Australian Masters

phillipsrh — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:44:42 +0000

Just to get you caught up to speed on the Australian Masters. This is how the leaderboard looking after three rounds of play.

Other notable scores include:
Adam Scott- (-3) on the day, -5 for the tournament, 11:48
Geoff Ogilvy- (-1) on the day, E for the tournament, 9:55
Aaron Baddeley- (+4) on the day, +1 for the tournament, 9:05

The greens really didn’t show the quickness as expected by the field. An overnight watering in defense of the winds, may have had something to do with this. Co-leader Greg Chamblers discussed the conditions stating he “was surprised there weren’t some lower scores” in the third round. Though, he went on to say because of the greens starting to firm up, it was understandable that some shots were left out there. He noted that the edges of the holes were becoming sharp, calling for precision, center-cup putts.
It was easy to see Woods’ inconsistencies off the tee. He felt that he was rather lucky to make it out of the round without surrendering any strokes to the field. Tiger will be playing the 12:33 pairing with Cameron Percy. That is the second to the last tee time of the day.

Here’s how the weather should shape out for the last day of play:

Tiger delivers 66 in first round of Australian Masters

phillipsrh — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:20:19 +0000

The Australian Masters, (also known as the JBWere Masters) is in full gear. The event which is co-sanctioned by the Austalasia and European Tours will be held for the eighth time at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne. The course is rated 21 in the world and is an important component of the sandbelt golf courses.

1 meter = 1.09 yards

The tour highlight features what looks to be a highly competitive field including home favorites Adam Scott, Stuart Appleby, rock-solid Geoff Ogilvy, stack-and-tilter Aaron Baddeley, and one guy who might have a few Aussies following him. You guessed it…Tiger.
Woods is sure to have helped boost ticket sales to the highest in tournament history. It’s been eleven years since he has visited the down under, and his return has created quite a buzz amongst golf-loving Australians. Past tournaments have struggled to attract the high dollar names, though this year proves that the fan base is certainly available to support them. Woods’ and other notable tour player’s visits are such a rarity that galleries in the first round swelled to seven and eight patrons deep around the 7:30 and 7:50 tee times of Woods and and Ogilivy. Tiger expressed his approval of the record setting crowds. Woods stated that “the people were extremely respectful” and that “the galleries are very knowledgeable”. With a mob following, you’d better believe that Tiger would deliver. Woods fired a six-under 66, two strokes off the course record, to put atop the leaderboard in the company of South African Branden Grace and local James Nitties. Earlier in the week, Tiger talked about his admiration for the course describing the opportunity as a “treat” to play the famous sand belt golf course. He went on to praise the bunkering, which is unmatched around the rest of the world. Tiger had no trouble oohing and ahhing the gallery with some precision approach shots.
Geoff Ogilvy shot an even par 72 in his first round. Earlier in this week he talked about Tiger being the obvious favorite, but to look out for the locals who are more familiar with the terrain and style of the sandbelt golf courses of the region. Ogilvy struck gold twice this past season in the Mercedes Championship and the Accenture Matchplay. I really think he is a solid competitor and a force to be reckoned this week in his home of Melbourne.
Another Aussie in the feild in need of a win is the young Adam Scott. His 2009 season yielded no wins and only a top ten finish, but with a one-under 71 in the first round he is keeping himself in contention.
Stuart Appleby looked solid with only one bogey and four birdies to go three-under. Stuart is winless since 2006 but you would be foolish to count him out of contention in this week.
Australian golf legend Greg Norman is not in the field due to recovery from arthroscopic shoulder surgery from September. It would have been a sight to see the Shark and Tiger go head to head on Norman’s turf. However, as history tells, this would not benefit Norman. He fell to Tiger in his last visit to Melbourne in 1998 in a President’s Cup singles match, though the United States would go on to lose.
The JBWere Australian Masters can be viewed on The Golf Channel at 10 PM EST. We all love little night golf.

Notables:
Tiger Woods- 66 (-6)
Stuart Appleby- 69 (-3)
Adam Scott- 71 (-1)
Geoff Ogilvy- 72 (E)
Aaron Baddeley- 73 (1)

image from www.australianmasters.au
Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of EST

The Eagle’s Eye

phillipsrh — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:23:21 +0000

The Eagle’s Eye is an up and coming blog and supplemental podcast produced by Hunter Phillips. I plan to use my passion for golf and electronic media in order to provide viewers and listeners with a unique, in depth perspective of various topics related to the PGA Tour and the golfers of the tour. Regular podcasts will be produced from a small studio in my apartment. The Show will also feature regular appearances from amateur analyst, Robert Thurber, and various other guests via Skype. The Eagle’s Eye most importantly is a center for all followers of golf to unite and discuss what we all love…golf. Check back for more updates as we get the ball rolling here at The Eagle’s Eye.