Ever wonder where Tiger Woods and wife Elin came up with Sam for their daughter’s name? “My father had always called me Sam since the day I was born. He rarely ever called me Tiger,” Woods said. “I would ask him, ‘Why don’t you ever call me Tiger?’ He says, ‘Well, you look more like a Sam.’”
GOLF STORYLINES
Now comes the real challenge for Tiger Woods: How to balance delicate putts with changing diapers. Less than two weeks after wife Elin gave birth to the couple’s first child, Woods is back in action — and hosting his inaugural tournament, the AT&T National, at Congressional Country Club. As if Woods wasn’t busy enough with the new kid and new duties hosting the event, he will have quite the challenge in battling Congressional. Arnold Palmer (Bay Hill) and Jack Nicklaus (Memorial) are the only two to have been active when hosting a PGA event. Nicklaus has posted the only two wins.
In typical Woods fashion, he is never one to make it easy for himself. The 120-player, invitation-only field has quite the roster for a first-time event. Five of the top six in the world ranking — Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Adam Scott and Vijay Singh — will duel it out for the $1.08 million top prize. The event will also have a military theme to it in honor of Woods’ father, Earl, who was a lieutenant colonel Green Beret with Special Forces.
The USGA always loves a challenge for its championships and Whistling Straits certainly provides many obstacles for the U.S. Senior Open. The links-style Pete Dye-designed layout along the shores of Lake Michigan in Haven, Wis., will keep the Champions Tour players on their toes with oodles of bunkers and tough greens. Just the way it should be as Allen Doyle shoots for his third straight Open title.
THIS WEEK’S TEE TIMES
PGA
EVENT: AT&T National
WHEN:Today-Sunday
WHERE: Bethesda, Md.
COURSE: Congressional Country Club, par 70
DEFENDING CHAMP: Inaugural event
LPGA
EVENT: Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic
WHEN: July 12-15
WHERE: Sylvania, Ohio
COURSE: Highland Meadows Golf Club, par 71
DEFENDING CHAMP: Mi Hyun Kim
CHAMPIONS
EVENT: U.S. Senior Open
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: Haven, Wis.
COURSE: Whistling Straights, par 72
DEFENDING CHAMP: Allen Doyle
NATIONWIDE
EVENT: Legend Financial Group Classic
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: Highland Heights, Ohio
COURSE: StoneWater Golf Club, par 71
DEFENDING CHAMP: Gavin Coles
EURO PGA
EVENT: European Open
WHEN: Today-Sunday
WHERE: Straffan, Ireland
COURSE: K Club, par 72
DEFENDING CHAMP: Stephen Dodd