Grill Room Awards: Best (and worst) of 2015
1 / 66
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2 / 66
Dr. J at the World Long Drive ... or
NBA legend Julius Erving, better known as Dr. J, showed up at this years World Long Drive Championship to cheer on his "nephew" Maurice Allen, who lost to eventual champion Tim Burke. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/dr-j-house-world-long-drive-championship/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
3 / 66
Dr. Tiger at the Masters
Tiger Woods hurt his wrist on Sunday at the Masters, but finished the tournament after, as he put it, "a bone kinda popped out and a joint kind of went out of place, but I put it back in." Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/woods-shows-positive-signs-wont-play-while/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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4 / 66
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5 / 66
Last year of the anchored stroke ... or
Anchoring was on everyone's minds all year as the ban looms at the beginning of 2016. Some players chose to start the transition mid-season while others rode it out til the end. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/topics/misc/anchored-putter.htm#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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6 / 66
News anchor calling Rory McIlroy a 'leprechaun'
As news of Rory McIlroy's injury trickled out in July, one off-camera Fox news anchor who was apparently still a little bitter about his break-up with Caroline Wozniacki offered up this hot take, "he's a leprechaun, I can't stand him." Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/news-anchors-interesting-take-rory-hes-leprechaun/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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7 / 66
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8 / 66
Jordan Spieth's flop shot on the 54th hole of the Masters ... or
Coming off a double-bogey on the 17th hole in the third round of the Masters that trimmed his lead to four, Jordan Spieth was looking at dropping another shot on 18 before he hit the shot of the tournament, a delicate flop shot that he admitted he wouldn't have played a year earlier. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/joe-posnanski/spieths-gutsy-shot-flopped-he-didnt/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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9 / 66
Golfer whose shot ricocheted into own family jewels
During the first round of the Sunshine Tour's Voldacom Origins, Jacques Kruyswijk, hit his escape shot into a tree which then ricocheted into his own groin. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/video-sunshine-tour-golfer-takes-one-family-jewels/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
10 / 66
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11 / 66
Diver retrieves Rory McIlroy's 3-iron at Doral ... or
Rory McIlroy's frustration boiled over in Round 2 of the WGC-Cadillac when he threw his 3-iron onto a lake on the eighth hole, but one brave soul dove in after it and the club eventually made it back to its owner via Doral owner, Donald Trump. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/diver-retrieves-mcilroys-3-iron-lake-doral/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
12 / 66
Amanda Dufner reappears in bikini with Prince Louie
Grill Room favorite Amanda Dufner disappeared from social media shortly after her divorce, so it was a pleasant surprise when she resurfaced on her dog Prince Louie's Instagram account, in a bikini of course. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/amanda-dufner-resurfaces-bikini-dog/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
13 / 66
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14 / 66
Matt Every's back-to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational ... or
Since winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2014, Matt Every posted just one top-10 finish and failed to complete 11 of 26 events until returning to Bay Hill and chasing down Henrik Stenson with a Sunday 66 to win the event for the second straight year. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/every-chases-down-stenson-wins-second-api/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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15 / 66
Rickie Fowler coming to girlfriend's defense on Instagram
After noticing some hate in the comments on one of his girlfriend's Instagram photos, Rickie Fowler took it upon himself to fire back, taking the early lead in Boyfriend of the Year voting in the process. It's a shame these two aren't together anymore. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/fowler-burns-instagram-troll-insulting-his-girlfriend/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
16 / 66
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17 / 66
Steve Stricker greeting Tiger Woods with a nipple grab ... or
We still aren't exactly sure what's going on here, but facts are facts. Steve Stricker grabbed Tiger Woods' nipple at the Masters. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/photo-stricker-greets-woods-nipple-grab/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Associated Press
18 / 66
Jordan Spieth introduces his U.S. Open trophy to his green jacket
Jordan Spieth's green jacket was getting a little lonely, so he decided to get it some company by going out and winning the U.S. Open. The the two iconic symbols of the golf world met in an Instagram post in which he captioned, "This was a nice introduction last night! Dream come true." Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/spieth-introduces-green-jacket-us-open-trophy/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
19 / 66
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20 / 66
Lexi Thompson injures wrist punching writer ... or
While doing a photoshoot for Golf Digest, Lexi Thompson was asked to punch a writer several times, she obliged, evidently a little too well. Thompson developed a deep bone bruise in her right wrist and battled tendinitis for much of the year following the incident. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/agent-thompson-injured-wrist-punching-writer-photo-shoot/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Golf Digest
21 / 66
AARP trolls Tiger Woods on Twitter
After responding to a question at the Open Championship about retirement with, “I don’t have any AARP card yet," Tiger Woods went out and put up a career-worst 76 at St. Andrews in the first round. The AARP decided to throw a little jab back Tiger's way on Twitter. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/aarp-trolls-tiger-twitter-after-opening-76-open/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
22 / 66
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23 / 66
Dustin Johnson losing the U.S. Open on the 72nd hole ... or
Standing on the 72nd green of the U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson faced a 12-foot eagle putt on the final hole to win, while two putts from that distance would've forced a playoff. Instead, he ran the first putt four feet by and missed the come-backer, missing out on yet another chance at his first major. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/ryan-lavner/spieth-wins-open-dj-misses-short-putt-playoff/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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24 / 66
Ian Poulter getting his courtesy car towed while at dinner
Ian Poulter had to take a cab home from dinner after his second round at Torrey Pines because his courtesy car was towed while he was dining. He wasn't exactly happy about it and vented his frustation where Ian Poulter vents his frustration, on Twitter. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/poulter-gets-courtesy-car-towed-while-dinner/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
25 / 66
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26 / 66
Breandan Steele and Will Wilcox arguing over playing Drake music on the range ... or
Back in June, Tour pros Will Wilcox and Brendan Steele got into a Twitter argument over Wilcox playing some of the rapper Drake's music while on the range, and Steele going over his head with his complaint. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/tour-pros-squabble-over-rap-music-range/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
27 / 66
Tiger Woods calling Davis Love during the Prez Cup to volunteer as an assistant captain for the Ryder Cup
On Day 2 of the Presidents Cup, Tiger Woods got in touch with Davis Love III over the phone to let him know he wanted to be involved in some capacity, even as an assistant captain at the 2016 Ryder Cup. Woods then was named an assistant captain in November. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/woods-calls-love-volunteer-ryder-cup-assistant/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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28 / 66
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29 / 66
Jason Dufner reveals much slimmer physique ... or
We saw a very slimmed-down Jason Dufner on the PGA Tour this year thanks to a gluten-free diet and exercise program. Just don't expect to see him ditch that dip receptacle anytime soon. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/disappearing-dufner-clings-dip-bottle-dear-life/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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30 / 66
Mark Cuban losing his money to Tiger Woods at poker
Mark Cuban joked that Tiger Woods left him 'dead broke' after playing poker at Tiger Jam back in January, well, at least we assume he was joking considering he's worth about $3 billion. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/tiger-takes-very-small-percentage-cubans-money-poker/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
31 / 66
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32 / 66
Jeremy Roenick attacking gator on the golf course ... or
We don't have much context other than former NHL great Jeremy Roenick is clearly a crazy person, but back in October, he tried to attack an alligator on the golf course, sending the gator running into the water. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/jeremy-roenick-attacks-alligator-golf-course/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
33 / 66
Idiot tries to get ball back from gator, gets bitten
In the YouTube video, "Golf Stupidity," the most appropriately titled video of all time, a man who has apparently hit his golf ball near an alligator decides that he should put a towel over its head and then grab it around the neck. Long story short, things could have been worse. Much worse. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/gator-politely-uses-teeth-remind-man-not-touch-him/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
YouTube
34 / 66
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35 / 66
Stuart Appleby clarifies that he is in fact not Robert Allenby ... or
Robert Allenby had a rough year with the whole episode in Hawaii and then firing his caddie mid-round in July. Stuart Appleby's year was much less tumultuous, but that didn't stop him from having to clarify to social media users that he was not in fact Allenby. He even went so far as to growing out his beard to distinguish himself. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/appleby-not-allenby-i-did-not-fire-my-caddie/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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36 / 66
News station interviews Rory McIlroy's non-existent cousin
NBC Bay Area news managed to snag an exclusive with Rory McIlroy's cousin Jarly McIlroy at this year's WGC-Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco. Only problem is, Rory McIlroy doesn't have a cousin named Jarly who lives in San Francisco. Whoops. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/random-guy-pretends-be-rorys-cousin-local-tv/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
NBC
37 / 66
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38 / 66
Man proposing on Amen Corner like a total boss ... or
Taylor Lamb, who didn't score Masters tickets until the night before, got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend on Amen Corner during Monday's practice round. Oh yeah, and she said yes. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/man-who-proposes-amen-corner-total-boss/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
39 / 66
Justin Beiber claiming he hits the ball 600 yards
Justin Bieber was spotted playing golf or out on the course a few times this year, but our favorite was this photo of the Biebs hitting into a net captioned, "600 yards." Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/justin-bieber-golfing-exactly-lame-youd-expect/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
40 / 66
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41 / 66
Stephen Curry saying President Obama trash talked and beat him at golf ... or
Reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry scored what seemed like a dream golf outing with President Barack Obama at Martha's Vineyard in August, only to get trash talked by the President and lose to him. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/steph-curry-recounts-golf-president-obama-talks-trash/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Associated Press
42 / 66
Phil Mickelson having the best Presidents Cup week ever
Phil Mickelson's amazing President's Cup week, winning points, holing bunker shots, delivering one-liners, spreading his chill vibe throughout the locker room and sealing it all with a kiss from his lovely wife, Amy. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/recap-phil-had-best-presidents-cup-ever/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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43 / 66
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44 / 66
Jason Day rebounds from near-miss at U.S. Open to go on second-half tear ... or
Six days after missing out on the Open Championship playoff by leaving a birdie putt on the 72nd hole short, Jason Day drained a birdie putt on the final hole to win the Canadian Open, then went on to win the PGA Championship and two FedEx Cup playoff events. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/day-comes-big-six-days-after-coming-short/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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45 / 66
Jessica Korda hangs backstage with Taylor Swift
While in Japan, Jessica Korda noticed Taylor Swift was also in the country on her 1989 World Tour, so she swung for the fences and asked the pop star for tickets on Twitter, and T-Swizzle delivered, even inviting her backstage to hang out. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/korda-asks-t-swift-concert-tix-swift-obliges/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
46 / 66
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47 / 66
Peter Uihlein getting stuck upside down on 'Harry Potter' ride ... or
During a January trip to Universal Studios, Peter Uihlein got stuck upside down on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter ride and asked for some help on Twitter. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/uihlein-stuck-upside-down-harry-potter-ride/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
48 / 66
Golfer getting head stuck in trash can after round
There are plenty of bad ways to end a round, but this man topped them all by getting his head stuck in a trash can while his friends and family gathered around, laughed, filmed the entire ordeal and uploaded it to the Internet. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/man-gets-head-stuck-trash-can-discovers-worst-way-end-round/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
YouTube
49 / 66
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50 / 66
Rickie Fowler coming from behind to win The Players ... or
Just one week after he was voted "Most Overrated" by anonymous peers, Rickie Fowler had a Players Sunday run for the ages, playing TPC Sawgrass’ final six holes in 6 under par, then won a three-hole aggregate playoff for his biggest win to date. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/rex-hoggard/overrated-fowler-has-last-laugh-furious-finish/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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51 / 66
Miguel Angel Jimenez doing his stretching routine while wearing a GoPro
Miguel Angel Jimenez's warm-up stretching routine is stuff of legends, so how do you make it even better? Strap a GoPro camera to the Most Interesting Man in Golf of course. No we can see what it looks like from his point of view. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/watch-jimenez-does-warm-routine-gopro/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
European Tour
52 / 66
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53 / 66
Jordan Spieth drinking from claret jug after Zach Johnson won it ... or
Jordan Spieth didn't win the Open Championship, but that didn't stop him from sipping out of the claret jug on his flight home. While superstitious types second-guessed the move, Spieth did go on to win the Tour Championship and Player of the Year honors, so he's doing OK. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/spieth-drinks-claret-jug-flight-home/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
54 / 66
Miss Texas asks Jordan Spieth out on a date
Jordan Spieth and Miss Texas, Shannon Sanderford, both threw out first pitches at a Texas Rangers game in August, but the beauty queen took it a step further making a pitch for the two-time major winner during an interview. Unfortunately for her, Spieth was attending the game with his longtime girlfriend. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/watch-miss-texas-makes-pitch-spieth/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
MLB
55 / 66
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56 / 66
Dad yanks son's tooth by hitting golf ball tied to it ... or
This father and son teamed up for the most ingenious, and insane, way to yank a loose tooth, tie the tooth to a string, that string to a golf ball, put the ball on a tee, and ... hit the ball. Voilà, loose tooth taken care of. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/video-father-hits-ball-yank-sons-tooth/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
YouTube
57 / 66
Tiger Woods loses his tooth at Lindsey Vonn's race
Though the story was highly debated, Tiger Woods lost a tooth while attending one of Lindsey Vonn's ski races in Italy when a cameraman accidentally turned and hit him in the mouth with his camera. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/woods-explains-how-cameraman-knocked-out-tooth/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Associated Press
58 / 66
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59 / 66
Billy Horschel with the Chambers Bay greens ... or
Plenty of players criticized the Chambers Bay greens during the U.S. Open , but maybe none as loudly as Billy Horschel. BillyHo stepped up to the mic after the tournament and proclaimed, "I've lost respect for the USGA this week." Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/horschel-visibly-verbally-upset-usga-chambers-bay/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Gatty Images
60 / 66
Girl was didn't care about her dad playing with Tiger Woods
In early September, one lucky dad got a chance to play a round with Tiger Woods for his birthday. He was so excited about it that he decided to send his daughter a picture of the outing, only to be rebuffed with, "Bye dad, text me when it's Jordan Spieth." Ouch! Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/daughters-response-dad-playing-tiger-text-me-when-its-spieth/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
61 / 66
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62 / 66
Tiger Woods denying rumors about Jason Dufner's ex-wife ... or
With rumors flying about Tiger Woods dating Jason Dufner's ex-wife Amanda, the two golfers put an end to the speculation by playing a practice round together at the Open Championship. Putting everyone on notice that there wasn't any truth to the story without saying a word. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/presented-without-comment-woods-dufner-practice-together/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Gatty Images
63 / 66
Kim Jung Un's video game where you make a hole-in-one on every shot
Back in February, we discovered an online golf video game featuring North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. The game features a "realistic simulation" of Un on a golf course. Keeping with family tradition, he makes a hole-in-one on every hole. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/kim-jong-un-golf-video-game-super-fun-super-realistic/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
Getty Images
64 / 66
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65 / 66
Jordan Spieth at the Dallas Cowboys game ... or
During the season-opening Sunday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, TV cameras managed to catch Tiger Woods enjoying the action from Tony Romo's box. Don't worry about that guy next to him that looks exactly like Jordan Spieth because it is Jordan Spieth. He's no big deal. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/grill-room/tiger-attends-cowboys-game-some-guy-named-spieth/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
NBC
66 / 66
Tiger Woods' chipping
Tiger Woods didn't look like Tiger Woods the whole season, but the beginning of the particularly head-scratching, as he chunked and bladed chip shots like a 20-handicapper. Whether it was as he put it, a problem with his "pattern," or the yips, he looked nothing like the guy who has 14 majors to his name. Click <a href=http://www.golfchannel.com/news/ryan-lavner/no-easy-fix-what-ails-tigers-short-game/#' target='_blank'>here</a> for more on the story.
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