The Dark Side of Golf

Today, Sergio Garcia shot a final round 65 to win the Booz Allen Classic held at Congressional just outside of Washington D.C. But it's what happened between Rory Sabatini and Ben Crane that has everybody talking. Sabatini plays very quickly, not taking much time in between shots while Crane is the exact opposite. Well, they were paired together in today's final round and things did not go well.

In golf tournaments, if anyone in your group begins to play too slow, slowing the pace of play, the group is then "put on the clock". Once you're put on the clock, the pace of play must quicken or else it results in a 2-shot penalty for everyone in the group (I believe it's 2 shots). Crane and Sabatini were put on the clock during their final round, due to Crane's slow play. This frustrated Sabatini, who fell out of contention on the last nine holes. It all climaxed on the last two holes when Sabatini put his 2nd shot into the water behind the green. Instead of waiting for Crane to hit his 2nd shot, Sabatini went ahead to the green, dropped his ball, and had putted out by the time Crane reached the green after hitting his 2nd shot. After putting out on 17, Sabatini stormed off the green and up to the 18th tee, again not waiting for Crane.

Oh, but it gets better. Crane made par on 17, giving him the honor (1st shot) on the next hole because Sabatini made bogey. As Crane made his way up to the 18th tee, Sabatini went ahead and hit his tee shot anyway. As both players made their way to the 18th green, Sabatini was booed by the crowd, the first time I, and even the ABC television announcers, could remember anyone ever being booed at a golf tournament. Crane got a big cheer, and responded by sinking a 50-footer for birdie to finish in a tie for 2nd. After Sabatini finished, he gave Crane a very quick handshake and stomped off, yelling back at him while he did so. Again, Sabatini was greeted with boos.

This was the worst golf etiquette I've ever seen. I'm a fast player when I play golf, and yes I do not play as well when I happen to be playing with slower people. But, that doesn't mean I'm going to sacrifice my personal integrity just so I can make a point to the other player that he's slowing me down. Rory Sabatini needs to symma down.

Alright, here's what else happened today:

• In today's NCAA Baseball action, Arizona St. defeated Cal St. Fullerton 9-8 to send the defending champs packing. What a comeback by the Sun Devils, especially after what happened to them Friday night with the balk and to do it on Fullerton's home field. As I'm writing this, Oregon St. is 3 outs away from joining them, leading USC by 3. Meanwhile, Rice/Tulane, Clemson/Baylor, and Texas/Mississippi will play winner take-all games tomorrow. A little June Madness dare I say.
• Annika Sorenstam, despite shooting a final round 73, won the LPGA Championship for her 6th win of the year in 8 starts. She is halfway to the grand slam, with the 3rd leg just two weeks away at Denver's Cherry Hills, where the U.S. Women's Open will take place. Although Sorenstam has dominated, I will say right now she won't win the Grand Slam. I think she'll win the U.S. Open, but she won't win the British Open, which is the 4th and final major. This year, the Women's British Open is being held at Muirfield, which has ended two notable runs at the Grand Slam before. In 1972, Jack Nicklaus won the Masters and U.S. Open before falling short at Muirfield. Then, in 2002, Tiger Woods had won the first 2 majors, and was in contention until the 3rd round when he got blown away in the horrendous weather that descended upon Muirfield that day and shot 81. So, the odds are against Annika from winning, but I'll still be rooting for her. By the way, Michelle Wie shot a final round 69 to finish in 2nd place all by herself, her best finish in a professional event.
• I was mistaken yesterday when I said the Dauphine Libere ended yesterday, because it ended today with more drama. Inigo Landaluze almost saw his 59 second overall lead evaporate in the last 6 miles, holding onto win by just 11 seconds over Santiago Botero. Lance Armstong's teammates George Hincapie and Yarolsav Popovych finished 1st and 2nd in the Stage, with Lance completing the sweep by winning the sprint for 3rd. It's scary to hear Lance say his form isn't there yet, but yet he managed to finish 4th, just 59 seconds off the overall lead, beating many of his top rivals. Just wait until July 2nd after he's had a chance to train for 3 more weeks and scout out the mountain stages. I'd be very afraid. His team is also rounding into top form, with Paolo Salvodelli winning the Tour of Italy, Hincapie winning 2 stages in the Dauphine, and young Popovych finishing 2nd in the difficult stage today. Lance and Team Discovery are going to be tough to beat.
• The remnants of Tropical Storm Arlene came through the area today, dumping an inch of rain in just 25 minutes this evening. There were also multiple tornado warnings in the Indianapolis area, and one about 30 miles west of here in Connersville, IN. Hopefully, those tornadoes didn't touch the crowd and everyone is ok.
  
• It was good to see that Shavlik Randolph and Kevin Pitsnoggle have withdrawn their names from the NBA Draft. Randolph flat-out wasn't ready and can have a strong and healthy senior season. Pitsnoggle puts West Virginia firmly back in the Preseason Top 10 and one of the favorites in the new Big East. Duke will be in the Preseason Top 10 as well, possibly in the Top 5.
• Oh yeah, the Spurs beat the Pistons 97-76 to take a 2-0 lead in the Finals. The Spurs are clearly the better team with more offensive firepower. Still, this series doesn't compare to the classic NBA Finals games ESPN Classic showed this weekend.

9 days until my birthday, 20 days until the Tour.