Dawson Can't Get That Jug Away From Louis Fast Enough!

The official site has a nice blog (though linkable individual posts would be nice), with an emphasis on images and commentary from noted photographer David Cannon. There are some fun shots of Rickie, Hunter and Peter Uihlein taking on the 4th hole bunkers at Sandwich today, and also this shot of R&A Secretary Peter Dawson greeting Louis Oosthuizen in the parking lot to get the Claret Jug back.

Update on 2011-07-11 20:05 by Geoff

**Check out Paul Mahoney's Q&A with the defending champion talking about the jug and his love of farm life.

Kelly Tilghman To Sit Down With...Mark Steinberg

Uh...he and Tiger could be sporting matching goatees right now but that's about the only similarity I can think of. Definitely not a "special announcement" from Tiger!

From GolfChannel.com:

Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman will talk with Mark Steinberg Monday to discuss the agent’s future business endeavors. Golf Channel will air the interview at 11AM ET.

Steinberg, who has represented Tiger Woods since 1999, left International Management Group in May. Woods, who had been with IMG since turning professional in 1996, announced two weeks later, in June, that he would leave the company and remain with Steinberg.

Woods will not be present during the interview. He is recovering from knee and Achilles’ injuries and has not played since withdrawing from The Players Championship.

Curiously, Steinberg did not mention this (it appears) when refuting the reports of Tiger interview with Doug Ferguson of AP.

We already know what this is about...he's joining a new agency. Go back to watching the exciting finish to the U.S. Women's Open.

Update on 2011-07-11 15:13 by Geoff

**Darren Rovell notes the task ahead of Steinberg in trying to sign Tiger to new deals, pointing out that Nike "hasn't really brought him back in the market fold." Rovell confirms that Tiger will be an Excel client but Annika is not sure yet, according to her "business manager."

Steinberg, who left IMG as the head of its global golf business last month, will bring his top client Tiger Woods with him, as non-compete clauses in his contract allowed.

It is not yet known whether he will bring the other client he was permitted to take with him, Annika Sorenstam. Sorenstam's business manager Mike McGee told CNBC that no final decision been made.

Steiny: "Erroneous Report" From Golf Channel

Doug Ferguson reports agent Mark Steinberg's statement.

Steinberg told The Associated Press on Monday: "There's an erroneous report that he's making an announcement, but he's not."

Meanwhile Golf Channel has deleted their Tweet.

Update on 2011-07-11 14:28 by Geoff

**Liz Mullen reports that Steinberg has joined Excel Sports Management, founded by NBA agent Jeff Schwartz.

Update on 2011-07-11 14:42 by Geoff

NPR's Mark Memmett calls the whole thing "rather odd" and notes this response he received after calling Golf Channel headquarters.

Many media outlets — except the one on which he's supposed to be appearing — are saying that golfer Tiger Woods will be making a "special announcement" of some kind on The Golf Channel at 11 a.m. ET.

We called The Golf Channel's headquarters in Orlando and all we could get out of them was "stay tuned to see." No confirmation, even, of whether Woods will be on.

ESPN2 To Show U.S. Women's Open Conclusion

I bet Easterners were worried they might not get to hear Kathy Lee talk about William and Kate's outfits during the third hour of Today. Whew...from ESPN:

The conclusion of the final round of the rain-delayed U.S. Women’s Open will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com at 10 a.m. [ET] on Monday, July 11. The major tournament for women’s golf is being held at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Col.

It's a four horse race.

What Is Tiger Announcing Monday Morning?

With Kelly Tilghman the chosen interviewee, the suspicion is that the topic must be slightly delicate. Either way, the timing is miserable (Open week, really?) but consistent with Tiger's general lack of consideration for his peers he has scheduled some form of announcement Monday morning on Golf Channel.

Your predictions please.

Update on 2011-07-11 04:52 by Geoff

**Just had to double check, but it is indeed 11 a.m. ET.

And nice predictions...thanks for the laughs!

An APF wire story has no idea either...

NBC sports reported Sunday night that "Woods will sit down with (anchor) Kelly Tilghman" to make the announcement. Neither the Golf Channel or NBC provided any details about the announcement.
There is speculation in golfing circles that Woods may announce he is going to miss more time while he recovers from injuries and knee surgery.