Saturday Stuff

Sorry for yesterday's absence, but it was comp day for our young man.  He skied great, finishing 16th in an incredibly strong field.  Now a break until duals on Sunday....

Tiger in Winter - This is supposed to be the Era of Good Feeling for the Striped One, in which he plays the role of elder statesman while simultaneously trying to recapture some magic on the golf course.  You know the drill, active participation in all things Ryder Cup, the budding bromance with former adversary Phil and, of course, the book designed to remind of his rather dramatic opening act.

Unfortunately, they're stuck in the three-yards-and-cloud-of-dust era as relates to the principal's health....  and it's getting really old.  This is a three-act play, with the first being a rather inncuous announcement of a public appearance:

Woods will be in New York City on Monday for a special signing of his new book, The 1997 Masters: My Story. You can read exclusive excerpts provided to Golfweek here.

 

The signing session will take place Monday at Barnes & Noble’s Union Square location in New York City at 12:30 p.m. ET. In order to get into the signing session, patrons will need to acquire a wristband, a limited quantity of which will be distributed for purchasers of the book at this Barnes & Nobles starting at 9 a.m. ET that day.

This should be a nothingburger, but it is his first time in public since the Dubai WD, and that includes his no-shows as host at Riviera.  I've been told that I'm a harsh critic, but when one is unable to physically perform at a friggin' press conference, that seems a tad serious....

Then came Brian Wacker with this rather discouraging update:

According to multiple sources, Woods has not been able to play or practice since

withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic last month because of back spasms. 

Woods’ agent did not respond to an email seeking an update on his condition and schedule, but one source close to the situation near Woods' home in Jupiter, Fla., said, “I would be shocked if he plays anytime soon.” 

Another source said that he saw Woods recently and he "didn't look good," adding that while he hopes he is back soon, Woods doesn't look close to being ready and that a return at the Masters would be too soon. The source added that all Woods has been able to do of late is putt.

If he were going to play at Augusta, this would be the time that someone like Jesper would be telling us how he's striping it on the range or shooting a 49 in a worst-ball scramble....  But these are the strange days, and it's that middle 'graph that's most important here.

Notwithstanding his refusal to respond to the writer, Tiger's body man is back to refute the item:

Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent, offered the following rebuttal to the Golf Channel where he specifically mentions the author, Brian Wacker. 

"I have no idea who Mr. Wacker’s really close sources are," Steinberg said. "I can tell you this, nobody spoke to him; so how he could know something that Tiger and I don’t know is comical. I talked to Tiger four hours ago on the phone. We’re not in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters now. He’s gotten treatments and is progressing and hoping he can do it. There’s not been a decision one way or the other. I couldn’t give you a fair assessment, but to say it’s doubtful is an absolutely inaccurate statement."

The non-denial denial goes on:

The most interesting takeaway: Even though the opening round of the Masters is 19 days away, Woods isn't in "a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters." 

Steinberg was also asked about Woods' practice routine, and he said, “I don’t want to talk about specifics yet. When we’re ready to get into that, we’ll disclose it. He’s working hard at getting better, he’s working hard at progressing."

And the purpose of this nonsense is?  "He's working hard at progressing" is officially added to the Tiger lexicon of obfuscations, but we barely tolerated that crap when he was top dog....  At this point, wake me up when he grants Dan Jenkins an interview.

Feminism Makes You Dumb - Oops, there go half my readers....  But I'm finding it hard to type when I'm laughing so hard:

The women's group UltraViolet will hold a protest at the LPGA's Bank of Hope Founders Cup on Saturday, urging the organization and its players not to participate in

the 2017 U.S. Women's Open at President Donald Trump's club in Bedminster, N.J. in July, GOLF.com has learned. 

According to a spokesperson for the group, UltraViolet has commissioned a plane to fly over Wildfire Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., carrying a banner reading “LPGA: Take a mulligan. Dump sexist Trump.” UltraViolet members will also be stationed at the gates to the grounds handing out golf balls and golf ball-patterned beach balls with the message, "LPGA: Dump Trump." 

"The LPGA should not be rewarding Trump's bigoted brand and normalize his platform and policies that degrade women and divide our country," Shaunna Thomas, a co-founder of UltraViolet, said in a press release.

What, feminists don't use Google because it's an arm of the patriarchy?  Were they to Google the event, they would find that it's run by the USGA, which is nothing like the LPGA.  Just sayin'....

But rock on, girls, and I do hope those are pink Volvik golf balls being given out....

Do Repair that Toe Mark -  Is it possible that our friends in Ponte Vedra are coming to grips with this social media thing?  A very few years ago, Henrik Stenson hit an embarrassing shank, and the PGA made YouTube take down the video....  Notwithstanding that Henrik had a good laugh over it on Twitter.... Yanno, guys being human and all.... can't have that.

So, it's encouraging that this video of Henrik visit to the water park remains available:

That's the man putting out for triple above.... Soft spikes, indeed!

No word on why he didn't go with the Full-Stenson look of a few years back:

I'd like to spend more time with you, but my presence is required elsewhere.....