Chubby: Turkey Final A Model For Others

Dermot Gilreese assesses the Turkey Final cash grab that so enriched the lives of eight men last week. The primary organizer explains how it could be a model for future events.

Meanwhile, the money flows. And given his success in attracting such leading names to last week's enterprise, Chubby Chandler of International Sports Management believes it could work in other countries as a promotional vehicle. Indeed as an early by-product, it is hoped that several of last week's octet will return to compete in the Turkish Open in 13 months. As Chandler put it: "I've already established that it's a free week for Tiger."

And Chandler explains how he insured that there were no last minute WD's:

Even with attractive figures being thrown around, it seems that good faith is crucial to the success of these ventures. Which explains why Chandler made sure that $150,000 -- half the minimum guaranteed prize money -- would be lodged to each player's bank account on September 1 of this year -- almost six weeks before the event. "As a gesture, I felt it appropriate to assure them that they were going to be paid," he said.

So much classier than a brown paper bag full of cash or chips to the casino!

Headbutting Turk Official Serves Up Fantastic Futbol Analogy

From Phil Casey's Independent story on the first tee skirmish that livened up the Turkey Final and led to Turkish Golf Federation Head and Stevie Williams wannabe Ahmet Agaoglu serving up this explanation.

But give the man credit, he's doing his part to put the incident to bed.

"I was there explaining this is not like other sports - while Messi is going to take a penalty you cannot go into the six-yard area to take a picture - and while saying this there was a reaction saying 'You cannot push us back, you cannot shout at us'.

"I was being pushed by one of them and pushed them back as well, the poor guy (local journalist Cihat Unal) was in the wrong place in the wrong time.

"While organising such tournaments I shouldn't have to be there, but I am trying to make everything so perfect. It was unlucky it happened and I will given a written apology because one way or another it was not nice.

"He stumbled back and I was almost going to fall over him."

Why Tiger Joining The European Tour Would Have An Impact

I saw the news out of the Turkey Final about Tiger suggesting he might take up European Tour membership if the rules are changed to include the various Cups as appearances. And I yawned, then moved right along.

But Bob Harig explains that such a membership requirement change, coupled with a few other factor$, makes the scenario increasingly likely and would certainly mean fewer appearances in the U.S. Perhaps as many as 3-4 events shaved off his PGA Tour schedule.

Because he is formalizing an endorsement deal with Turkish Airlines, it would make sense that Woods add a new Turkish European Tour event to his schedule -- which will be played in November 2013, just a week prior to the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

So four majors, four WGCs, Abu Dhabi (or something similar early in the year), Ryder Cup/Presidents Cup, Turkey and the season-ending Dubai event would bring the total to 12. He could, possibly, add the European Tour event in China prior to the WGC; or he could play another event around the time of Abu Dhabi during the tour's Gulf Coast Swing.

Update on 2012-10-11 03:25 by Geoff

**Rex Hoggard says there is another dynamic at play here where Commissioner Calendar Year holds one trump card over Tiger even if he joins the European Tour.

Yet according to PGA Tour guidelines Woods would only be allowed three competing-event releases to go play in Europe unless he plays more than 20 events in the United States or is given special dispensation by commissioner Tim Finchem.

Woods hasn’t played more than 20 Tour events in a season since 2005 and he currently has 19 starts with no additional U.S. stops scheduled in 2012, which leaves the ball in Finchem’s court.

And if recent history is any indication Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., may not completely embrace Woods’ newfound globetrotting ways. Just this week, for example, the Tour granted competing-event releases for all eight players at the Turkish Airlines World Golf Finals based on a quid pro quo to play the Frys.com Open, this week’s Tour stop, at least once over the next three years according to multiple sources.

Whoa: Tiger Shoulders Blame For Recent USA Ryder Woes

Not that I don't trust Steve DiMeglio, but I did have to go read Tiger's transcript to see that I wasn't hallucinating when he took some of the blame for the U.S. losing six of the last eight Cups.

"Certainly I am responsible for that, because I didn't earn the points that I was put out there for," said Woods, who is 13-14-2 in the Ryder Cup. "I believe I was out there, what, in five sessions each time, and I didn't go 5-0 on our side. So I certainly am a part of that, and that's part of being a team. I needed to go get my points for my team, and I didn't do that."

Sheesh, next thing you know he's going to be apologizing to the fire hydrant, nominating Hank Haney for a Pulitzer and announcing that he's joining the Peace Corps.

Norman Sees He's Stirred The Pot And Sets The Record Straight With A Bizarro Facebook Post

First of all, who knew Greg Norman was on Facebook?

Of course, his URL is facebook.com/thegreatwhiteshark, which might be enough for most to roll their eyes and move on. But not John Strege, who thankfully Tweeted this link.

In Norman's post responding to the relatively minor backlash to the "Tiger-is-intimidated" remarks earlier this week, he wants to set the record straight.

Here goes...

Got off the plane from Beijing this morning and my Iphone just blew up with emails and voicemails regarding my interview with Robert Lusetich of Fox Sports.

No WiFi on the jet Gregster? I bet the 737 woulda have had WiFi. Sorry, go on…

It seems that everyone from Charles Barkley (no Charles I was not referencing or comparing Tiger's record to mine) to John Doe has weighed in on my quote regarding intimidation.

Uh, you did say that you took the baton from Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 majors to your two wonderful Open Championship wins. But keep digging…

I stand by my comments and for those that choose to read the full article and not just "grasp" and "react" to one word will notice that the headline and byline were inconsistent with the content of what Robert wrote.

Not really, but we'll throw you a bone and let you off the hook. For now.

When you look at my comments in the full context of the article, you will see that it provides a more balanced view of my sentiments on this topic. Which is, since the PGA Championship Tiger has not made any impact on the weekend in passing Rory for the title.

What title would that be?

This has not happened in his career prior to this run by Rory. During the PGA Championship broadcast I spoke at length about Tiger and I maintain that no one has swung the club better in the history of the game, especially during the year 2000. At the end of the day, Tiger is a great athlete and a great student of the game and he will continue to win, but we are seeing a transition away from his dominance. Rivalry and parity is great for the game of golf.

Parity is great? I don't know, I think Greg Norman winning nine majors would have been pretty swell. But if you say so…

Unfortunately for Rory, I think that the trademark for “The Intimidator” is already registered with Dale Earnhardt.

Everyone on three: one, two, three…OY VEY!

Barkley Wants Tiger To Respond To Greg Norman's "Intimidated" Assertion And As A Blogger I Agree

Charles Barkley wants Tiger to get some "blackness" in him, wants him to stop taking the high road and best of all, wants Tiger to get into a public spat with Greg Norman over recent comments and indeed it would be the kind of spat we need, though preferably after the Ryder Cup. Shane Bacon with the comments and audio.

I would like for him to just blast Greg Norman … That situation gave everybody a chance to dump on you, and (Tiger) still tried to take the high road. I'm not a high road guy. I want him to come out and really blast Greg Norman. I wish he would go ballistic on Greg … I wish I could put some of my blackness in him … like toughness … (I've been) arrested eight times for fighting … just because I'm Charles Barkley, you can't disrespect me … you just can't say anything to me anytime you want to …

Oh I can. In this case, you're an idiot! But I do welcome the sentiment and hope Tiger takes your advice. If he still speaks to you.

UK Press Concerned Over Rory-Tiger Goodwill Potentially Squelching Ryder Cup Antics

Credit Matthew Norman for saying what needed to be said: this Tiger-Rory bromance must not strip the Ryder Cup of petty, childish, ego-fueled drama.

Did infantrymen on both sides endure the horrors of the War on the Shore in 1991, and the rancour occasioned by the Battle of Brookline eight years later, when the Americans invaded of the green while current European captain José María Olazábal stood over a crucial putt, so that their successors would compete in love and peace?

Golf, as all fans of PG Wodehouse’s Oldest Member stories appreciate, is not the prissy, gentlemanly pursuit of Peter Alliss’s rose-tinted babblings.

It is a vicious, murderous battle of wills, and more than ever in this biennial challenge to intercontinental machismo, there must be a healthy dollop of spite bubbling beneath the mannerly surface.