The 4th Major... Nobody Seems to Care.

Hackers... I was sitting outside last night having a beer with my roommate, when we got on the topic of The 93rd PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. He said, "I completely forgot that was this weekend. Why does it not feel like a major?" It is really a question I cannot answer. The PGA does not have the mystic, beauty, or since of entitlement of the Masters. It does not have the storylines and since of national pride of the US Open. Lastly, it does not have the rustic history and mind altering weather conditions of the British Open. The PGA Championship is just kind of the ugly step sister to the three elegant, talented Kate Upton looking other sisters.

The PGA Championship

The Other Majors

Don't get me wrong, major championships always get my juices flowing and the PGA has had some good finishes. Last years finish was one of the best in major history, but also one of the controversial. I know rules are rules, and the PGA had every right to penalize DJ, but I didn't know it was a bunker when I watched it live. How was he supposed to know. Who can forget DL3's memorable and symbolic win at Winged Foot with the rainbow on the 18th hole, a few days after his father's death. What about an 18 year old Sergio trying to tame the Tiger. I can still picture him closing his eyes as he hit that ball. Speaking of Tiger; remember his 3rd leg of the Tiger Slam in 2000? (Somehow) Bob May had played the 3 rounds of his life and was eye to eye, hole to hole with Woods. It led to a playoff which led to the famous "Tiger Wood's Point" and that was all she wrote.

Now on to what you all have not been waiting for! The Not An Expert PGA Championship predictions:

3. Adam Scott: Boom! There you have it. This guy has a ton of game and now he has Stevie. I am not a Stevie fan (nor am I a fan of the Aussie/Kiwi combo, isn't there a law against that somewhere?), but I am a fan of the job he does on the course. Not to mention, Scott has been playing really well. He has also been making putts, which is the main reason he does not have a major title on his resume. I am also hoping for the storyline if he does win. You thought Stevie bragged last week; can you imagine the gross cockiness that would ooze from Stevie if Scott wins?

2. Ricky Fowler: This is a little bit of a biased pick, since I am a big fan of Fowler's game. He reminds me a lot of a young Phil Mickelson, except he is right handed and dresses like a flat billed Easter Egg Skater Gweedo. First, they both hit the ball a long way. I mean, they boom it! Next, they both play risk reward golf. This style of play leads to a lot of birdies, but also a lot of bogies. Finally, they are both streaky putters. If all the stars align and Slick Rick can make some putts, he will be in the mix on Sunday.

1. Webb Simpson: Webb has been so close, but needs to learn how to win on Sundays. He has had a couple of runner up finishes and was in a dominate position going into the last round at the Greenbrier. If he can execute his mid-irons and keep the ball in the fairway, this could be the week he breaks through, and what a week for it.

Sleeper: DL3. Davis has been playing extremely well in 2011. He just needs to put four rounds together. If he can manage to hit greens, make some putts, and pull a horseshoe out of his ass, he would give himself a great opportunity to compete.

The Score

New Team Score Update:

Stevie 1 Tiger 0

I Know It's Not Golf, But It's Still Awesome

Hackers! I know you have been glued to my blog since its inception a few months ago, be sure to give your eyes and mind a break from golf for a few minutes everyday and get your football knowledge from my good buddy Will Wallmeyer. He may be a fan of devil school (Alabama), but he is an ok guy! Check him out at The SEC Footblog.

He's Back: What The Hell Is That On Eldrick's Face?

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @SholesHomewood or shoot me an e-mail with your questions and thoughts at sshomewood@gmail.com.

Hackers, BREAKING NEWS!!!! There is an Eldrick sighting in Firestone! Well, at least he claims that he is Eldrick Woods. I have two legitimate questions: Where did he find that pasty 5' 10 ", 125 lb white nerd carrying his sticks? (And) What in the hell is that furry thing on his chin? Jeez, what type of "rehab" was Eldrick doing? He doesn't look ready to go out there and smoke the field. He looks like he is ready to smoke a fatty and play the bongos with his little pale sidekick caddie! Jeez... shave that catipillar. On the other hand and more serious note, I am extremely excited about seeing what type of game Eldrick brings with him to Firestone. It will be interesting to see how he faces the obstacles that face him, and there are plenty of questions that Eldrick can answer this weekend.

First, I am interested in seeing if he is really healthy. We have all heard the talk before, now it is time to back it up. It wasn't even 2 years ago that we heard, "I am ready to start competing and we will see what happens." That is not a man who was confidence in his ability and body. This time around he is singing a different tune, "I don't feel a thing. It feels solid, it feels stable, no pain. That's one of the reasons why I took as long as I did to come back is that I want to get to this point where I can go ahead and start playing golf again like this." That is a man who is confident, and if he is really 100%; that is one of the scariest things in sports. Before Eldrick starts winning, there are other questions that need to be answered.

What is the state of his golf game? Yes, he is healthy, but has he been playing? If so, what type of swing tweaks has he been working on? Tiger screwed his swing up a long time ago, but has he adjusted anything in his swing that can help him get around the course in a more efficient fashion. I have always been an advocate of "If it ain't broke, then don't fix it!" (I am so sorry for a little "neck" coming out in that statement.) Tiger had the best swing in golf during his "prime"! I mean, it was a thing of beauty, power and timing all rolled into one. It was unmatched. It even made "Captain Negative" (Johnny Miller) drool. Back to my point... with every coach, came a new swing tweak, and with every new tweak, came a less confident Eldrick. You’re talking about a golfer that during his prime, knew he could stick that ball anywhere he wanted to. Since he has lost his confidence, Eldrick also lost his greatest attribute: IMAGINATION. In golf, imagination is everything. Tiger doesn't hit the shot on 16 at the 2005 Masters without it. He doesn't make the putt on 18 at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. Which brings me to my next point... he needs to figure out how to make putts. (I apologize for leading you down this long road, but this goes to show how one little tweak can destroy your whole game.) In his prime, Eldrick had a way of taking in the moment and willing every BIG putt into the hole. You just knew he was going to make it! If Eldrick can, some how, find a piece of his swing from his old days; it would be the first step to getting back to Tiger form.

The last question: Is his head still in it? Sure, he says he is focused, but is he really? I mean, look at everything he has on his plate... an ex-wife, 1,000 ex-girlfriends looking for their 2 minutes of fame, an ex-caddy ready to make his dime writing a tell all book about the pure debauchery that was displayed while Eldrick was playing his own version of 18 holes in a motel room, and a new caddie who knows this week will probably be his last. That is a lot of EX-Factors (Corny!). On a serious note, that is a lot of situations to juggle. Not to mention, as each year passes, the weight of catching Jack and immortality is slipping away.

Do I think that Eldrick will catch Jack Nicklaus? I think it is 50/50. The first huge step in the right direction would getting his game back to the point where I consistently call him Tiger!

This is an Awesome Story about Golf and Friendship, and What the Combination of the Two Can Achive!

Hackers! I was laying on the couch Saturday morning, fighting off the night before, when this story came on E60 (a show on ESPN about inspirational stories that have a certain connection with sports). This story of friendship and perseverance really struck me to my core. To me, this is the true definition of golf. It is not about what score I shoot, but the relationships I have formed and the experiences I have had while playing this wonderful game! Enjoy! WARNING: This story might make you a little misty! This is The Story of Mike Reed

The End of One of the Great Golf Teams of All-Time

Good Afternoon Hackers! Today was the end of an era. One of the greatest golf teams of all time has been extinguished. You’re thinking to yourself, "Golf team? What the hell is this guy talking about?" I am talking about Eldrick firing his longtime caddie, Steve Williams. Although, one guy swings the club, there are two guys inside the ropes working to make that one guy better. Eldrick and Stevie were a team. Eldrick needed Stevie just as much, if not more than Stevie needed Eldrick. Eldrick has had two caddies in his professional career, Fluff and Stevie. I would say Stevie got the good end of that deal! Just look at the facts.

-Stevie was on the bag for 13 out of 14 of Eldricks majors. Fluff was on the bag for the 1997 Masters, Eldricks first.
-64 of 71 wins.
-Probably the most important stat…. The Cheddar. Stevie was reading putts worth $90,030,123 out of Eldricks career earnings of $94,728,667.

The stats do not lie. The duo had a very impressive run, very impressive. But I think more importantly than selecting a club for Eldrick, was the way Stevie was there for him through thick and thin.
This had to be a difficult decision for Eldrick. Stevie basically was an emotional crutch through some of Eldrick's most trying times on the course. At the British Open in 2006, his first major win after his father’s death, when there was no one to hug. There was Stevie. At the Torrey Pines in 2008, when Eldrick needed someone to lean on and push him through a knee injury that would have ended anyone else’s tournament. There was Stevie. When the entire world is against Eldrick for his outside the ropes antics and needed someone to take away the distractions. There was Stevie to stiff arm an unruly fan or camera man. I just don't think the timing is right for Eldirck.

I find it hard to believe that Eldrick let him go. Sure, Eldrick is the one that sinks the putt, hits the drive, and throws the dart into a stamp sized green, but could he have done it without Stevie? He needs the 6' 4" Kiwi, more than Stevie needs him. Shoot, Stevie has already landed on his feet, Tiger is still trying to find his.

Dagnabbit, 4 AM is Early: British Open Preview

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @SholesHomewood. I would love to also hear your opinion via email (sshomewood@gmail.com) or comments.

Hackers, I am going to give it another shot at predicting a major. Last time, my picks did not turn out so hot, so I will try to bounce back this week.

I love the feel of the British Open. It is ancient and rustic. The tournament takes us back to a time when Old Tom Morris was using a feathery (Pre-1848 golf ball) and persimmon shafted a spoon (old golf club) to attack a roughly manicured piece of land. There are many differences that make the British Open one of the most unique and challenging tests a golfer can face. The bunkers are so deep; you can almost feel the heat from Hell. When you are in the bunkers, you think that you ARE in Hell. They don't use lawn mowers, they use live stock. The rough is not cut at all! Throw in the wind and it could equal the worst day of a golfers life. It is so difficult, that some Americans choose not to attend. They can't stand the brisk links style of play. Heck, even "Irelands Favorite Son", Rory McIlroy, had the 36 hole lead going into Saturday last year and shot an 80. I do love this tournament, but there is always one draw back...

Dag-Gum-it, it is hard to get up and watch it at 4 AM. When you enjoy sleep as much as I do, I try to squeeze as much sleep as I can between the time I hit the snooze and the absolute time I have to start getting ready for work. So there is no chance of me catching the Thursday and Friday rounds live. I always count on catching the Saturday and Sunday rounds, but it is even hard to do that when coverage starts at 8 AM. It is especially hard when you go out the night before catching up with some old fraternity brothers in Atlantic Beach all weekend. But there is nothing like a little couch time with Mike Tirico serenading your hangover away! So on to the "Not So Expert" predictions.

Since I don't think that an American will win, I am going to pick 3 international players and one American sleeper. It will not be Phil, again. The British Open is not really his style.

3. Rory McIlroy - This seems to be the popular pick of the week. Let me say, Rory has the game to win anywhere. If he puts on a show like he did at Congressional, this thing could be over before it starts. He is accurate and can make putts under pressure. Not to mention, he has a backyard that looks like finger of the Golf Gods touched it. See Insert. But also, Las Vegas loves him. In my short gambling experiences, Vegas is almost always right or close to being right.

2. Lee Westwood - This guy is due. He has been one of the best golfers in the world for the past decade. He is always steady. He is another player that is long off the tee and very good around the greens. If he putts well, he will definitely be in the mix on Sunday. Not to mention, he is English. What a headline "England's Own Wins His First Major!" Talk about someone that will party if they win! Westwood is known to drink a few totties in his day.

1. Sergio Garcia - If Westwood is due, Sergio is desperate. Garcia has to fight more than the winds, though. He has a deeper, darker challenge called demons. When this guy is on, he is on! You can tell he is out there playing, not thinking. He is a guy that when you watch him, you can tell that his wheels are turning too much. However, recently he has been in top form. His putting has always been sketchy, but since he has switched to the claw, he is much improved. I think this is the year that he gets the monkey off his back.

American Sleeper Tom Watson - Stop Laughing. Sure, this may be a sentimental pick. But, Mr. Watson is still playing at a high level on the Senior Tour. He is one of the best wind players to ever live (see his 5 British Opens) and 2009 was not that long ago. I know it is not likely to happen, but a guy can dream. Can't he?

This should be fun, the British Open always is. It is fun watching guys putt from 50 yards and knock it stiff. As always, please feel free to send me your picks via comments, E-mail at sshomewood@gmail.com, or Twitter!

Also, to Uncle Steve, Stephen, Will and Conger... Have fun at the British Open tomorrow! I am jealous that ya'll are on leg 3 of the "Career Grand Slam"! Awesome... Don't spend to much time in the pubs!