"All that I will say is the story circulating out of a Melbourne newspaper has no fabric to it at all."

That's Stevie Williams on rumors of Tiger's return at the WGC Match Play.

"Phil Mickelson Demands Scott McCarron Publicly Apologize To Pitching Wedge"

...from the The Onion. They also note:

According to sources close to Mickelson, the two-time Masters winner has urged his pitching wedge to explore taking legal action against McCarron for slander.

The Big Shot From Friday

This is about the extent of the live golf I watched due to other viewing commitments. It's Phil Mickelson's 2nd hole drive up against the media center.

(Click image to enlarge)Below is round 1's ShotLink scatter chart from the 10th hole, for your consideration.

(Click to enlarge) 

Tiger Out Of Rehab...

...says Radaronline.

"From Hepburn to Mickelson, Riviera Embraces Hollywood and Golf"

Larry Dorman writes about Riviera's lore.

A riveting celebrity photo outside the men’s locker room shows Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

“These walls have seen the biggest stars from every era,” said Michael Yamaki, the club’s corporate officer. “They have seen it all. There was a report once about W. C. Fields getting arrested here for debauchery.”

It had something to do with Fields taking liberties with the daughter of a Los Angeles police officer and is a true story, said Yamaki, who was once a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission.

Fact and fiction have a way of blending together at places where the combustible mystique of show business and golf mix, but at Riviera the facts are good enough.

A Few Shots From Round 1

Adam Scott approaches the par-4 second hole.

Phil tees off on No. 11.

The revamped 8th.

Anatomy Of The Tenth Hole, Vol. 1

Round 1, 2010 Northern Trust Open, morning play. All three players laid up (a rarity in the era of improved workout programs).

Based on the lay-up position, see if you can guess which player made a 9 footer for birdie, which missed his 14 footer for birdie and which player had to get up and down from the left bunker for par? (And no ShotTracker cheating, please.)

Luke Donald's approach shot:

Rocco Mediate's approach angle:

Jason Dufner's approach angle:

For more on No. 10, enjoy some of Doug Ferguson's morning Tweets from the scene.

Update on 2010-02-05 00:35 by Geoff

**Those who guessed Dufner made birdie were correct.

"Top" Drivable Par-4s On The PGA Tour

More like "most" drivable par-4s, but either way a nice use of ShotLink by the PGATour.com staff and a fine warm up to the annual 10th at Riviera watch. I'll do my best to hang out there this week and share what I see. And for those of you watching at home, NBC has installed a "speed shot" tower about halfway down the hole (see photo for angle), so figure on seeing bonus coverage of the hole.