Johnny, Faldo To Reunite In Synergy-Gone-Wild Hawaiian Extravaganza

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Michael Hiestand reports that Johnny Miller will be appearing with Nick Faldo on Golf Channel's telecast of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions from Kapalua. Meaning, (A) someone reworked Johnny's contract to pay him to go spend at week at Kapalua, (B) NBC is taking the synergy thing with Golf Channel seriously, and (C) someone wisely recognized there is little reason to tune into this event with a lackluster field at Kapalua and after such a robust fall schedule of quality golf events with stars teeing it up in exotic locales.
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"I think we are paid too much money – compared to police and teachers and nurses."

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Winner in Thailand and now the world No. 2, Lee Westwood talks to James Corrigan about becoming the first Briton to break through the £25 million barrier and sounds way too grounded. Thanks to reader Chris for this:

One of the charges he and his fellow multi-millionaire colleagues often face, however, does not concern the contents of his trophy cabinet, but instead his bank account. "We play for a staggering amount of money, no doubt about it and I've always stressed we are very very fortunate," he said. "I think we are paid too much money – compared to police and teachers and nurses. But then compare it to footballers. I think the only thing you can probably justify it by is that when golfers have a bad day, we don't get paid anything, but when we have a great day we get paid a lot. It's part of the pressure involved. There isn't a wage as such."

Tiger: "I've heard people question whether Fred would be a good Ryder Cup captain, and I just don't get it."

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Strong endorsement from Tiger for Fred Couples as a Ryder Cup captain in a lengthy diary post at TigerWoods.com:

I've heard people question whether Fred would be a good Ryder Cup captain, and I just don't get it. I think that Fred is a great captain. Whether it's The Presidents Cup or the Ryder Cup, it doesn't matter.

The way he keeps us loose and how much fun we have -- it's just great to play for him. He's a lot more competitive than people realize. He just doesn't show it. He shows it with us around, but the public doesn't see it.

"Every move takes Rory McIlroy away from the 'normal guy' persona that is central to his appeal"

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Richard Gillis talks to the branding folks and seems to be suggesting that Rory McIlroy is showing signs of losing the "normal guy" persona that makes him so appealing.

There’s a conundrum at the heart of Brand Rory. We warm to him because he’s talented and normal. His values seem to be those we share ourselves. In short, we like him.

The problem is that famous people, even the nice ones, are not normal. It’s just not possible to earn tens of millions, be known around the world and live like the rest of us. We, the general public, won’t allow it.
Already, McIlroy has moved from his home in Holywood, Co Down, because the attention he was getting was too much. He split up with his childhood sweetheart and is going out with Caroline Wozniacki, the world’s number one tennis player. Every move takes him away from the “normal guy” persona that is central to his appeal.

The 24/7 news media has begun to look for any signs of petulance and will be quick to write stories when they perceive McIlroy is exhibiting brat-like tendencies. Note the reporting of his post-Open interview when he complained about the rain. Or his “Twitter spat” with commentator Jay Townsend.

I once asked Chubby Chandler about this potential conflict, and he said: “If we do it well, he’ll end up being Rory McIlroy – not a marketing property.”

It’s a job he didn’t get to finish.