IM'ing With The Commissioners, 2010 Edition

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(click on image to enlarge)When Carolyn Bivens stepped down as LPGA Commish, many of you so kindly lamented the demise of this site's IM'ing With The Commissioners, gulp, franchise.

But I'm happy to report that my NSA sources have been able to share this exchange between the PGA Tour's commissioners, Tim Finchem and Tiger Woods. Click on the image to enlarge.

“All (the changes) are for the better.”

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In my limited viewing of round one from Bay Hill, I have to say the course looks way better, What a joy it is not to see the crop of rough that Arnie annually harvested. And even better, replaced by short grass and firm greens. Maybe he got the message after Mickelson sat it out the last few years (that's his compliment above), or when players like Ogilvy and Poulter (an Orlando resident!) are sitting this one out.
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"Quite frankly, one of the things I think we learned in 2008 and ’09 is to really respect that.”

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Beth Ann Baldry reports on Mike Whan's first LPGA player meeting. It sounds like the Commish has learned that Plan 2010, or whatever it was the Brand Lady tried to shove down sponsor throats, is best kept on the shelf until times are better.

When Whan was asked how he’d describe the tour these days, he said “re-emerging.” They’re in the business of renewals, and he’s reaching out to all the partners who parted ways in the past several years.

“We’re tied to the business partners we’re with,” he said. “If they’re hurting, we’re hurting. Quite frankly, one of the things I think we learned in 2008 and ’09 is to really respect that.”

"So maybe I was selfish; call me selfish."

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Hard to say without being there, but it sounds like Ernie Els came up with a clever way to not back down from his "selfish" remarks last month at the Accenture Match Play.

You know, to come back to your remark, what I said, I said it because, you know, I just felt the Friday was not the right place for that. We had to play a tournament and I was maybe selfish from my point of view that all I wanted to do was a play golf tournament instead of talking about, you know, his personal life. That's basically what I meant by that. I felt that the Monday would have been great. Friday wasn't great for us. So maybe I was selfish; call me selfish. That's maybe where I'm coming from.

And now, again, you know, questions keep coming. We cannot give you insight because we don't know. I love everybody to stop asking questions about Tiger and his personal life. That's his life; go ask him, basically.

Tiger Messes With Scribbler Golf And Travel Plans By Setting Monday April 5th Press Conference

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I do like that he has set it for Monday at 2 p.m., well away from Thursday's start date and normally a quiet day in the media center. Oh wait, it's quiet because half the media is golfing, the other half still trying to get to town!

Still, I'm shocked he's doing it. There will definitely be some awkward moments in that room.

In a real buried lede moment, the interview list includes David Duval on Tuesday. So at least the news cycle from anything Tiger says will only last 24 hours.

"A high-profile golfer has been laying bets that Williams would be axed and replaced with Billy Foster"

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Robert Lusetich's original story on Steve Williams' denial of Joslyn James' suggestions that they knew each other was "updated" with this little item:

A high-profile golfer has been laying bets that Williams would be axed and replaced with Billy Foster, a well-respected Englishman who caddies for Lee Westwood.

Foster, who said last week that he knew nothing of any such plan, filled in for Williams at the 2005 Presidents Cup so Williams could be with his wife, Kirsty, as she gave birth to their first son.

But Williams confirmed Sunday that he would be on Woods’ bag for his comeback tournament next month at Augusta National.