Left field

Will “fit and happy” Woods rediscover on-course cheer?

The photos depict it, Rory McIlroy’s been saying it, now it’s up to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to confirm that at long last, Tiger Woods is happy and fighting fit again.

That the 14-times major champion should choose the European Tour’s first big event of the season to make his 2012 debut in favour of one of his favourite courses at Torrey Pines in California is one thing.

Woods’ results at Torrey Pines have been astonishing – seven wins including his last major at the U.S. Open in 2008 – while his rare forays to the Middle East have been equally impressive, two Dubai Desert Classic wins in six attempts with only one finish outside the top five.

More noticeable however is the American’s demeanour, critics say his huge appearance fee in the UAE capital might have something to do with it, but surely money no longer lures Woods. He wants to start winning again.

Whether he can do that in Abu Dhabi, with the spotlight firmly on him and a quality field including the world’s top four players, remains to be seen.

Should he find the going tough perhaps we will see the same surly Woods stomp around the course, spitting freely and winning no fans with his attitude.

But again, just like the money, surely those days are behind him.

Charismatic “People’s Champion” Seve Ballesteros dies

Ask anyone you know you has attempted the game of golf “Which golfer’s style would you most like to copy?” and they will most likely say the dazzling Severiano Ballesteros.

The Spaniard’s flare and touch were what stood him apart, and here follows reaction from his friends and rivals. There will never be anyone quite like him again.

Record 18-times major winner Jack Nicklaus: “Today golf lost a great champion and a great friend. We also lost a great entertainer and ambassador for our sport. I have always had wonderful respect for Seve’s ability, how he played the game, and the flair he brought to the sport. It was his creativity, his imagination and his desire to compete which made him so popular not only in Europe but throughout American galleries too.

“He was a great entertainer. No matter the golf that particular day, you always knew you were going to be entertained. Seve’s enthusiasm was just unmatched by anybody I think that ever played the game…Seve was, without argument, a terrific player — his record speaks for itself — but more important was his influence on the game especially throughout Europe.

“Through the years his involvement with the Ryder Cup, as both a player and captain, served to further elevate the stature of the matches. He was probably the most passionate Ryder Cup player we’ve ever had. I think his team mates always rallied around him and that passion of his. He was Europe’s emotional and spiritual leader, the heart and soul of their team. The Ryder Cup was something that was very, very special to Seve and Seve was very special to us.” — Statement.

Fourteen-times major champion Tiger Woods: “I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Seve Ballesteros. I always enjoyed spending time with him at the Champions dinner each year at the U.S. Masters. Seve was one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game. His creativity and inventiveness on the golf course may never be surpassed. His death came much too soon.” — Twitter.

Six-times major winner Nick Faldo: “He was a leader; bringing the spotlight to the European Tour, paving the way to European success at the Masters and bringing his relentless passion to the Ryder Cup. Today I would call him Cirque du Soleil. For golf he was the greatest show on earth. I was a fan and so fortunate I had a front row seat.” — Statement.

Memorial offers pointers to Pebble Beach contenders

This week’s Memorial tournament, an elite PGA Tour event in its own right hosted by golfing great Jack Nicklaus, is sure to offer several pointers toward the likely contenders at this month’s U.S. Open.

Many of the game’s leading players are making their final appearances on the circuit before switching focus to the second major of the year, which takes place at majestic Pebble Beach from June 17-20.

Two of the big guns — world number one Tiger Woods and second-ranked Phil Mickelson – have more than a few question marks hovering over their form at the moment. Woods, whose private life spectacularly unravelled at the end of last year, is returning to the tour after three weeks on the sidelines to defend his title at the Memorial.

 The 14-times major winner has not competed since he was forced to withdraw from the final round of last month’s Players Championship in Florida because of neck pain. An inflamed joint made it difficult for Woods to execute his swing and his driving accuracy, never his strongest suit, was woeful in his last outing at the TPC Sawgrass.

Mickelson, who delivered a ‘feel-good’ moment for the game when he clinched his fourth major title at the Masters in front of his wife Amy who is recovering from breast cancer, has also struggled off the tee. The American left-hander missed his first PGA Tour cut in more than a year at last week’s Colonial tournament, where he would have replaced Woods he had he triumphed.

A short-game magician who thrills the fans with his creative shot-making, Mickelson has averaged less than 50 percent in driving accuracy this season to languish 185th in the tour’s standings. Given that U.S. Opens place a high premium on accuracy with their traditionally tight fairways flanked by thick rough, Mickelson will be banking on a major improvement in this area of his game.

Should golf be back on the Olympic schedule?

Friday’s announcement in Copenhagen that golf would be added to the Olympic schedule from the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro sparked joyous reaction from players past and present, along with a few dissenting voices.

World number one Tiger Woods declared it “a perfect fit” while fellow great Jack Nicklaus voiced his pride over golf’s united front on “a great day” for the sport.

“I think it’s great for golf,” 14-times major champion Woods told reporters before Friday’s foursomes matches at the Presidents Cup team competition in San Francisco here the U.S. are taking on the Internationals.

“It’s a perfect fit for the Olympics, and I think we are all looking forward to golf getting into the Olympics. Having talked to other athletes who have gotten a chance to experience the Olympics, they have absolutely loved it and had the greatest time.”   

Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 majors, said in a statement: “This is a great day for the game of golf. “It is obvious that the unified voice of golf was not only heard but embraced by the International Olympic Committee. Now the sport I have always called the greatest game of all can be shared with the rest of the world on the greatest stage in sports.”

Triple major winner Padraig Harrington, who was part of golf’s presentation team in Copenhagen, was also excited about golf’s return to the Olympic arena after an absence of more than a century.

Harrington in harmony with the golfing press

Greetings from the Masters where spring has finally arrived at Augusta National.

After three days of chilly, windy weather in the run-up, Round One has begun in lovely conditions — the perfect way to enjoy the immaculate layout.

Last night, the Golf Writers Association had their annual awards dinner honoring as Players of the Year Padraig Harrington and Lorena Ochoa, double heart transplant recipient Eric Compton as the Ben Hogan Comeback Player award and Jack Nicklaus for his charity work.

All were one hand except Ochoa.

Harrington was impressive in empathetic comments to the plight of the economically-troubled newspaper business that has led to the absence of many familiar faces in the Masters media throng.

He stressed the symbiotic relationship between sportsman and scribe and said now was the time to push for even more access and cooperation from the athletes.