Tiger Woods makes the cut, noteworthy only because hes never missed consecutive weekends on Tour as a professional, and yet Buick officials, who have benefited the most from his celebrity, will be slamming trunks, perhaps for forever.
During the dog days of summer the line between those making the cut and those heading home early is tough to distinguish.
Made Cut
Mickelson wouldnt be playing unless his wifes treatment for breast cancer is going well and, as he proved earlier this year at Bethpage, he shouldnt be dismissed as a favorite at Hazeltine National.
Besides, theres only a single member of Butch Harmons stable that currently holds a major, Stewart Cink, and to a competitor like Mickelson that just wont do.
We hear the cast is off and Compton recently told a friend he has his V back (broad shoulders, narrow waist) after spending his down time in the gym. Expect to see Compton version 4.0 in the Fall Series which is good news for all those who like good comeback stories.
Made Cut ' Did not finish (MDF)
The 15-member executive board of the International Olympic Committee will recommend the two sports that will be added for the 2016 Games on Aug. 13 and a full IOC vote later this year will make it official.
Among the games competing against golf for inclusion are karate, squash, roller sports and rugby sevens which begs the question, do they really need to vote?
Maybe even more concerning is the fate of San Diegos Buick Invitational, which has become something of the unofficial start to the Tour season in recent years and as close to a lock in the Woods sweepstakes as one gets, non-major championship division.
When a pair of scenic layouts and the games alpha male arent enough to keep a sponsor happy, perhaps it is time for the folks in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., to panic.
Missed Cut
A reporter recently asked Norman if he had new wife Chris Evert in his life 20 years ago would all those majors have gotten away from him?
Chrissie would have instilled a different thought process and I would have said the answer would probably be yes, Norman said.
Last we checked, ex-Laura never chipped in on the Aussie or hit any of those 78 final-round pops at the 1996 Masters. It was good to see a rejuvenated Norman last year at Royal Birkdale, but blaming the ex for all ones missteps is bad form, and a bit of a clich.
Major Scheduling: If its Thursday on the Champions Tour that must mean theyre playing a major championship. Or so it seems.
The five major concept is hard enough to wrap ones arms around, but playing three consecutive in the middle of the summer just devalues the product. Timing and scheduling is always a concern, but the Tradition ' played Aug. 20-23 following a two-week break ' can be slotted in earlier in the year with a week or two between the Senior Open Championship, played last week in England, and the U.S. Senior Open, this weeks Grand Slam.
These guys may be in good shape, but theyre still 50-plus. Give them a chance to get their second, or third, wind before sending them back out.