Tiger's triumph wasn't only great 2008 memory
Many magical moments occurred behind the scenes in world of golf
 Danny Moloshok / Reuters Tiger Woods' amazing U.S. Open victory was just one of the scenes from 2008. |
|
Golf on NBC |
 | Next up: Del Webb Father-Son Challenge |
 | Latest golf video |
 Woods achieves goal of winning Nov. 15: Tiger Woods says he put together some good rounds to win in Australia. |
 | Special feature |
 |
 | Slideshow |
 | NBCSports.com |
 | Slideshow |
 | more photos |
| Slideshow |
 | more photos |
San Diego was still buzzing after five days of a U.S. Open that ranks among the most memorable. The airport was filled with chatter, and travelers stopped to watch highlights at every bar of Tiger Woods wincing and willing his way to victory.
In a working area of the Crown Room at Lindbergh Airport, the agent for Tiger Woods sat alone with his legs crossed, feet pressed against the window as he watched planes taxi from the gate.
“I got into this business 17 years ago,” Mark Steinberg said quietly. “I never imagined I would ever see anything like this.”
Someone mentioned that the rest of the summer would be filled with speculation about Woods’ schedule, even if he would have to sacrifice the Ryder Cup to play in the final two majors.
“What do you think will happen if he doesn’t play the Ryder Cup?” Steinberg asked.
He kept to himself what everyone would learn two days later — that the world’s No. 1 player was going to have reconstructive surgery on his left knee and was done for the year.
Steinberg walked into the lobby, where a crowd was gathered around a TV to watch highlights of Woods’ 30 on the back nine Saturday at Torrey Pines, his 12-foot birdie putt to force the playoff Sunday, and his 19-hole playoff victory over Rocco Mediate.
Steinberg closed his eyes and shook his head, then walked slowly back to his seat by the window.
The 2008 season allowed for much reflection, along with the usual assortment of anecdotes that make this game so entertaining.
———
Mark Calcavecchia opened the year with a tie for 10th at Kapalua, where his putting frustrated him so much that he carried two putters in his bag for the second round. A week later in the Sony Open, he finished the second round with only 13 clubs.
Not even paradise can pacify his expectations.
Missing from the bag was a lob wedge, which met a coconut tree at full speed after Calcavecchia flung it in frustration.
“It wasn’t the L-wedge’s fault,” he said. “It just happened to be the club I was holding.”
It’s not always about rage for Calcavecchia. Sometimes it’s a matter of principle. He once putted so poorly that he dragged the head of his putter out of his car door on the way home.
“I broke two clubs last year at this place,” he said at Waialae. “Only one this year, but I’ve got two rounds left. It’ll happen. So there you go. Second tournament of the year, Calc already broke a club.”
Yes, there would be more.
———
Frank Lickliter was outraged after a mandatory meeting in January on drug testing. He wore shades and a stern look, and Lickliter can be intimidating when he’s trying to make a point.
Remember, this is the player who suggested at the meeting that anyone who ventured onto his property for a drug test would leave with a bullet in his behind, a comment that caught the attention of National Public Radio.
He simply was opposed to the notion a drug existed that would help a golfer, or that anyone would even try it.
“I play 30 events a year. I’ve played 360-odd events the last 12 years,” Lickliter said. “I’m not going to do anything to mess with my body except work out and eat right.”
And with that, he took a long drag on his cigarette and resumed his tirade.
———
Jerry Kelly was signing autographs when kids at the Sony Open began asking him for a golf ball, his glove or his towel. Kelly ignored them until hearing the magic word — “Please” — and then he would smile and give the kid what he wanted.
One boy picked up on this and asked he could “please” have his sunglasses, but that’s there Kelley drew the line.
|
Kelly was so frustrated in the second round of the PGA Championship, that upon hitting his final tee shot on the 257-yard ninth hole, he walked over to the ropes and handed his driver to a 9-year-old boy, who was so startled that he dropped the club.
And he didn’t even have to say, “Please.”
———
After finishing runner-up the previous two years, 48-year-old Juli Inkster was trying to make history in Tulsa, Okla., as the oldest winner in LPGA history. But her putter was acting up early, and she was struggling over every putt.
Facing a 30-foot birdie on the 13th hole, she left it 5 feet short, the last thing she wanted. Inkster walked off the front of the green and began having a stern conversation with a tree.
Toward the back of the green, caddie Worth Blackwelder had a grim expression.
“My players wants it so bad that she’s trying too hard,” he whispered. “I told her back on the tee, ’Juli, this is easy. Think of something hard you’ve done in your life, like have two kids.’ She looked at me said, ’Worth, I’d rather be in labor right now.”’
Inkster has been on tour for 25 years and never stops grinding.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
LowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM GOLF |
 Golf Section Front |
| Add Golf headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links