Tiger Woods dominating some McDonald’s, circa 2000.

Bubba Watson still on the magazine cover grind after his incredible playoff victory at the Masters. This week Bubba graces the cover of Golf World Magazine. Lookin’ good, Bubba.

Carl Pettersson shot a 2-under 69 for a five-shot victory over Zach Johnson on Sunday at the RBC Heritage on the famous Harbour Town Golf Links. The win by Pettersson was his first victory since the 2010 RBC Canadian Open.

But, what got our attention was the tweet sent out by Pettersson’s wife DeAnna congratulating her husband on his ‘big’ win. Like the Masters, the winner of the RBC Heritage receives a jacket, not a green one but a very fashionable tartan version.

Beyond thankful!!!Thx for the support and cheers for @petterswede!!Love love my “fat guy in a little coat”

— DeAnna Pettersson (@DePettersson) April 15, 2012

Great photo of “the shot” pulled off by Bubba Watson that won him the 2012 Masters. Hope you’re enjoying that green jacket, Bubba.

“I’ve always said if I have a swing, I have a shot.” — Bubba

(Source: golfdigest.com)

This is what 4-time Masters champ Tiger Woods will be wearing at Augusta next week as he looks to win the green jacket for the first time since 2005. via @nikegolf

Tiger, a Porta Potty and a Retweet

Most people would give their left arm to meet or interact with their sports idol. If that sports idol is Tiger Woods you would think that would be close to impossible? Well, what if I was to tell you I’ve had not only one, but two separate run-ins with Mr. Woods.

In 2007, Montreal was host to the 7th Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club. I headed to Montreal with the intention of seeing the best golfers in the world face off and follow Tiger, of course. But what I didn’t expect on that sunny late September day was to come face to face with my sports idol in a porta potty. That’s right, a porta potty.

Let me set the scene. Tiger had just hit his tee shot on the par-5 12th hole and with Tiger’s drive measuring well over 300 yards, I thought it would give me enough time to hit up the cluster of porta potty’s that aligned the fairway before he hit his next shot. As I was doing my business (#1, BTW) in one of the random potty’s I heard what seemed to be a large group gathering outside the luxurious chalet-like building of porta potty’s. The crowd noise got even louder as I slid the sticky plastic lock to the right and just as I was ready to open the door, it swung open, and there stood. Elderick. Tiger. Woods. With his driver in hand for some reason?

As we stood looking at each other for what seemed like at least a minute, but in actuality it was probably more like two seconds, Tiger gave me a little nod and a “hey” as he slipped past me into the porta potty. In the time that it took me to go pee a huge crowd had gathered with security blocking off access to the porta potty’s. As I walked out to wash my hands I felt like I was on stage as most of the crowd laughed at the shock on my stunned face. I remember it like it was yesterday. Too cool.

My second run-in with Tiger came just over a week ago, on my birthday. Tiger doesn’t tweet much, but I noticed on my birthday he tweeted something about his endorsement deal with Rolex. So I thought why not try and send him a timely tweet with the idea of getting him to give me a shout out on my birthday.

A couple of hours passed, I had totally forgotten that I had sent the tweet when suddenly my phone started to explode with tweets and texts congratulating me that I had gotten a birthday tweet shout out from Tiger. At this point my data plan was working overtime for the rest of the night and next day, I was completely speechless.

Shout out. RT: @ryanwatt It’s my bday today. Any chance for a bday shout out? BTW nice 62 on Sunday

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 7, 2012

For my entire adult life, Tiger has been my sporting idol, ever since he rolled in that final putt as a twenty-one year old to win his first Masters. Although he’s had his share of problems over the last two plus years the two experiences outlined above have solidified my bromance.

Loose Impediments: Belly Putters, The Next Obsolete Golf Club?

It seems like everyone in golf is trying the belly putter these days. What was once associated with older players trying to prolong their golfing career has now become as common as Tiger lipping out a putt.

With the emergence of the young wave of players that grew up watching Woods, it’s a little surprising that belly putters have become so prolific. I mean, can you imagine if Tiger won 14 majors with a belly putter? That would’ve been lame. Plus, how are you supposed to land a Perkins waitress when you have a belly putter in the bag? Just sayin’.

Seriously though, Tiger Woods is often criticized for not giving his opinions on various golf and non golf related issues but surprisingly gave his opinion recently on the belly putter.

“I’ve never been a fan if it. I believe it’s the art of controlling the body and club and swinging the pendulum motion. I believe that’s how it should be played. I’m traditionalist when it comes to that.”

Keegan Bradley’s win at the PGA Championship last August only fueled the fire whether or not belly putters should be permitted in professional golf. His win at the Atlanta Athletic Club was the first major championship won with a belly putter and in April Adam Scott finished runner-up at the Masters using a belly putter.

Most golf pundits would agree with Tiger’s assessment and the perception by most, that when struggling with the traditional putter, the belly putter is a last resort. It’s no secret that the belly putter can help a flawed stroke and the yips. It would seem that it takes the skill out of putting and the nerve that it requires.

For now, belly putters remain part of the game, but it’s only a matter of time before the belly putter joins the collection of obsolete golf clubs.

Okay, I’ve typed belly putter one too many times.

Northern Trust Open Snubs Weir

Mike Weir made his return to the PGA Tour last week at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. It was Weir’s first PGA Tour start since July after shutting it down in August due to elbow surgery. This week Weir was hoping to make his second straight start at the Northern Trust Open but tournament officials had other ideas.

Weir, the two-time champion (2003 & 2004) of the Northern Trust Open is relying on sponsors exemptions and his European Tour status this season. Most would have considered Weir to be a shoe in for one of the eight available exemptions at the historic Riviera Country Club. However to the surprise of many including Weir, he was denied a spot.

There are countless reasons as to why Weir may have been passed over this week, the most glaring are the two young Japanese golfers who received invites, Ryo Ishikawa and Yuta Ikeda. Noted golf writer, Lorne Rubenstein clarifies the situation.

A source close to the events that transpired around Weir but who did not want to be identified speculated that Asian television could be a priority with Northern Trust, a Chicago-based financial services company that has Asia-Pacific operations … Riviera is owned by Japanese interests.

Bingo! It’s a tough break for Weir but it’s not the end of the world as Weir indicated on his blog after receiving the news.

“On the same subject, I was hoping to get an exemption into the field at the Northern Trust Open but it’s tough because there will never be enough spots for all the players who want them. The organizers had to make the best choice for their tournament and I wish everyone involved with the Northern Trust Open all the best with this year’s event. I’m sure it will be another good one.”

Stay classy, Northern Trust Open.

Loose Impediments: Y.E. Yang Shocks the World

The 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club will be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in golfing history.

The final round paring of Tiger Woods and Y.E. Yang was an unlikely one. Woods held a two-shot lead entering the final round, a lead that almost seemed insurmountable in the midst of Tiger’s domination of the majors. In addition to his two-shot lead, Tiger also sported an incredible 14-for-14 record when leading after three rounds in a major. In other words, nobody gave Yang a chance.

The two went toe-to-toe in the final round with Yang refusing to become just another spectator to Tiger’s greatness. Yang seemed unfazed by the aura that made other golfers before him crumble in the presence of Woods.

The two reached the 18th hole. With Yang 210 yards away in the left side of the fairway and his view of the green blocked by a cluster of trees, Yang summoned the shot of his life, a towering hybrid shot that rocketed and flew up and over the trees landing six feet away from the hole. Yang went on to birdie the hole capturing the PGA Championship and ending Woods’ perfect record when leading after 54 holes in a major.

“It’s not like you’re in an octagon where you’re fighting against Tiger and he’s going to bite you, or swing at you with his 9-iron. The worst that I could do was just lose to Tiger. So I really had nothing much at stake.”

Yang’s victory made him the first Asian born man to win a major championship.

Loose Impediments: The Matador Routine of Chi Chi Rodriguez

Chi Chi Rodriguez grew up in poverty learning to play golf in the sugar cane fields of Rio Pierdras, Puerto Rico. The ambitiousness of Chi Chi was evident at an early age as he fashioned guava tree branches into a golf clubs and used metal cans as a golf balls.

Chi Chi’s talent and creativity led him to a successful PGA Tour career winning eight times between 1963 and 1979 against the likes of Nicklaus, Palmer and Player, also known as the big three.

But it was Chi Chi’s matador routine that gave him celebrity status and brought him the recognition of golf galleries. In an interview with WorldGolf.com, Chi Chi explains his famous and sometimes controversial matador routine.

… When I was on the tour, I would throw my hat on top of the hole after I made a birdie putt. People started complaining, saying I was damaging the area around the hole. Commissioner Joe Dye, who was a great guy, asked if I could do something else.

And the one thing that all Spanish speaking people have in common is the love for bullfighting. I don’t like bullfighting. The only good thing about it is they give the meat of the dead bull to the poor people. But they [the PGA Tour] asked me to do something different, so I did the matador: The hole was the bull, the putter was my sword, I’d lure the bull out of the corner, I’d stop the bull, clean its blood off my blade and put the sword away. It was all in good fun.

Chi Chi’s comedic and flamboyant matador routine brought a level of showmanship and excitement that hadn’t been seen in the reserved world of professional golf.

The anticipation of Chi Chi revealing his sword after a birdie or eagle will always be one of golf’s greatest and fascinating rituals.

Loose Impediments: The Knickers of Payne Stewart

His life cut short by a tragic plane crash at the peak of his career, Payne Stewart’s golfing resume is as impressive as they come. Most notably, his three major championships (PGA Championship ‘89, U.S. Open ‘91, U.S. Open ‘99) and twenty-four worldwide victories. However, if you ask the causal golf fan what they think of when discussing Payne Stewart the conversation immediately takes a dog-leg to his iconic knickers.

Payne Stewart wanted to stand out on the golf course and it was his father who suggested … “the easiest way to set yourself apart in a crowd is the way you dress”. In an era of golf when everybody conformed to pleated khakis, XXXL white polo golf shirts and ridiculous visors—golf fashion seemed to be at an all time low. Taking the advice of his father, Stewart started wearing knickers in 1982, making the throwback knickers the focus of his ensemble.

Knickers became synonymous with Stewart so much so that when he was wearing regular clothes in public he would go unnoticed. A run-in with Michael Jackson attests to Stewart’s superhero like secret identity.

From the Guardian:

When he put his Florida mansion up for sale in the mid-90s, Michael Jackson came to view it. The singer had no idea who Stewart was until the estate agent told him he was “the golfer guy with the funny clothes”. Jacko looked at Stewart again and said: “Oh, yeah, I know who you are now.”

Stewart’s trademark look was backed up by a Hall of Fame career, but he will always be remembered as the golfer who wore the knickers.

photo via: golfweek

Loose Impediments: The Peacock’s Missed Putt

Dubbed the ‘Peacock of the Fairways’ for his trend setting mock turtlenecks and love of clothes, the flamboyant Doug Sanders won 20 tournaments over the course of a PGA Tour career that spanned three decades. Unfortunately for Sanders, it was the tournament that he didn’t win that defined his career.

At the 1970 British Open, Sanders was in line to capture what would’ve been considered by far the greatest victory of his career on the most revered golf course in the world, the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews.

Sanders who was trying to hold off a surging Jack Nicklaus reached the 72nd green with the only obstacle standing in his way, a knee knocking 30-inch sidehill putt. He missed the putt sliding it by the right edge of the hole. The rest is golf history and in Sanders’ case, golf infamy.

If the putt dropped it would have given Sanders a one shot win over Jack Nicklaus. Instead, the two would play an 18-hole playoff the next day. Sanders would play solid throughout the playoff, but as Nicklaus did so many times during his career, he sank clutch putts at crucial moments, rolling in an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole to beat Sanders by one shot.

Since the 1970 British Open, Sanders has revealed that his mind does wander to that putt he missed on the 72nd green “only about every four or five minutes.”