You Really, Really Want To See Chambers Bay

I thought the poll question from earlier this week was a loaded one, what with The Old Course hosting The Open this year.

But with 715 votes 47% of you said Chambers Bay was the most anticipated major venue of 2015, followed by St. Andrews at 27%. And the quick return to Whistling Straits has almost none of you excited.

Certainly there is a mysterious quality to Chambers Bay and how the entire thing will work (or not), from the conditioning to the setup to the logistics to the first Fox telecast. As always, thanks for voting.

Tim Clark At Peace With Anchoring Ban, Kind Of

Golfweek's Jim McCabe talks to Tim Clark about the state of Clark's game and (sort of) finding peace with the anchoring ban due at year's end.

Clark is gong to give putting a try without lodging the club against his torso.

Playing without the anchored style isn’t daunting at all.

He said he would incorporate a “longish putter” and that he would adopt a similar style, one that was not anchored. Just as he figures out how to compete against guys who rip it 30 or 40 yards past him, Clark will solve the putting style challenge. He’s in a good place, no matter what, because “it comes down to confidence” and in that regard, he’s in ample supply.

Sources: Tiger Makes Reservations!

I was out all day and did not get to read Eamon Lynch and Coleman McDowell's golf.com exclusive suggesting Tiger Woods is likely to tee up at the Waste Management Phoenix Open later this month.

But I was surprised to see what amounted to their clues for going forward with the story (courtesy car reservation, hotel reseration), including which establishment Tiger would stay at.

Call me crazy, but I'm thinking the name of the hotel wasn't necessary and the revelation could even discourage a Woods appearance.

Update on 2015-01-08 18:38 by Geoff

**Notah Begay explains why Tiger is likely to play at the WM, reports Emily Kay:

"It would add an element of fun," said Begay, who noted that the last year was anything but that for Woods.

"Dealing with injury, and all the scrutiny, and the poor play really have taken a toll," he said about Woods’ bad back that required surgery, forced a lengthy hiatus, and contributed to the former world No. 1’s worst season as a professional.

Begay would recommend the Phoenix event to his friend, who would enjoy the "super-friendly," if "boisterous" fans. "It’s a fun place to play and it’s a place where Tiger could really thrive and figure out where his mechanics are."

The WMPO makes sense from a golf perspective as well, what with the "minimal wind [and] wonderful practice facilities," added Begay, who, purposefully or with a slip of the tongue, made it sound as if Woods’ appearance were a fait accompli.

"He’s going to be able to get some wonderful work in as far as his mechanics and get some game reps, which is all the more important," he said.

Samuel The "Tiger Woods You Suck" Yelling Prodigy

Thanks to reader Tim for Matt Stewart's story on Samuel Wood, a 4-year-old "pint-sized golf prodigy" who sports a stellar swing and an unusual habit for a wee-lad.

It seems Samuel has picked up on something he once saw his hero Tiger Woods do.

Sometimes when the Plimmerton pre-schooler with the demon swing miscues a shot he's been known to yell "Tiger Woods you suck!" after seeing the 14-time major winner mouth the phrase on TV.

Samuel's coach Dean Kingsbeer said his young charge - should he want to - had the potential to one day enter the world's top 50.

Let's just hope he still yells that out when he makes it to the top 50! He'll take the game by storm!

Samuel's swing: