Many eyes were on the interesting pairing of Woods, Mickelson, and Scott (Is Tiger Fit? Would Scott’s play rise to the level of his partners?), yesterday at Round One of the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. However, it was two less-colorful, relatively-unknown veterans that topped the leader board at the end of the day.
Kevin Streelman, a six-year PGA tour player, has yet to win a PGA tournament, although he’s often in the hunt. Justin Hicks, who turned pro in 1997, also has yet to win a tournament, although he’s finished in the top five in several Nationwide Tour events. …read more

Yesterday was a practice day at the US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Here’s a sampling of what was going on:
Ernie Els and Lee Westwood signed autographs on their way to the 18th green.
Phil Mickelson worked on his short game.
The Japanese contingent, Toru Taniguchi, Ryuji Imada, and Shingo Katayama, practiced together
Tiger returned.
(all photos © Newscom)

This Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day in the United States. It’s a good chance to look at some of professional golf’s dads and sons:
Michelle Wie with her dad and caddy, B. J. Wie
Colin Montgomerie with his dad, James
Ernie Els with his dad, Neels.Of course, many pro golfers are dads, too. Here are a couple of father/son photos:
Vijay Singh with his son, Qass
Greg Norman with his son, GregoryJack Nicklaus with his son and caddy, Steve
(all images © Newscom)

Round Two at the Master’s Friday in Augusta held a few surprises. Among them:
* South African, Trevor Immelman leads the tournament at -8. He overcame surgery for a benign stomach tumor, a parasite, and a 20-pound weight loss to get in shape for the Masters.
* The #2 player in golf (and two-time Masters winner), Phil Mickelson is poised for a run at winning the tournament. He’s 3 strokes behind Immelman at -5.
* Tiger Woods is -1 after 36 holes, 7 strokes behind Immelman.
* Among those failing to make the cut are Ernie Els and …read more

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Golfer Ernie Els sported an “Autism Speaks” logo this past weekend on his golf bag and discussed with the media his five-year-old son’s diagnosis of autism, a situation his and his wife have dealt with privately up to this point. Said Els to the Associated Press:
“I feel comfortable talking about it now. I’ve got a bit of a profile where it will grab attention. That’s what this problem needs. And with that, hopefully, more people will get involved and we can start getting to what …read more

We needn’t have worried. Sure, Tiger had an off day on Saturday (don’t we all ever once in a while?). Yes, Ernie Els was leading Woods by four strokes going into Sunday’s final round. But, let’s not forget that it takes 72 holes to finish the tournament and that Tiger is the best player in the world (whatever Mr. Els’ press agent may assert).
Woods arrived ready to play this morning in Dubai and shot a seven-under 65 for the round, with birdies on the last two holes. Els, on the other hand, struggled, finishing the day with …read more

After a disastrous one-over-par, third round on Saturday, Tiger Woods is tied for 5th place in the Dubai Desert Classic, behind South Africa’s Ernie Els and defending champion, Henrik Stenson of Sweden.
Els shot a -7 on Saturday with five birdies and an eagle to gain the lead. Tiger, who had a one-shot lead going into Saturday’s round, had two birdies and three bogies. He also quarreled with a professional photographer on the eighth tee and officials ejected other fans for inappropriate camera use.
Els has won the Dubai Desert Classic three times–in 1994, 2002, and 2005–and finished in second place …read more