Rickie Fowler presser before Deutsche Bank
Rickie Fowler gives himself an A-. He hopes to make the Ryder Cup as a captain’s pick.
The Golf Blog: Michelle Wie wins Canadian Open, 2d LPGA victory
The Golf Blog says: Michelle Wie shot a 2-under 70 to win the Canadian Open by 3 shots over Suzann Pettersen, Jiyai Shin, and Jee Young Lee. Playing in the final pairing with Jiyai Shin, Michelle rolled in several clutch putts and chipped in from off the green. Michelle displayed her “fist pump” after each, as well as a “shimmy” dance. After the victory, Christina Kim doused Michelle with champagne.
Congrats, Michelle!!
Here’s her interview after the 1st round.
The Golf Blog: Was Mark Steinberg, Tiger Woods’ agent, one of people who “betrayed” Elin Nordegren?
The Golf Blog says: If you haven’t read People’s interview with Elin Nordegren, you should. Elin comes across as a very sympathetic figure and a class act. She’s very gracious, even during what must have been the most horrific, humiliating experience a wife could ever experience.
Here’s what Elin said: “The word betrayal isn’t strong enough. I felt like my whole world had fallen apart. It seemed that my world as I thought it was had never existed. I felt embarrassed for having been so deceived. I felt betrayed by many people around me.”
We can only speculate to whom Elin was referring. But one strong candidate is Tiger’s agent, Mark Steinberg.
Perkins waitress Mindy Lawton with whom Tiger allegedly had a sexual affair claims in Vanity Fair that Mark Steinberg helped cover up a National Enquirer story (with photos) on their affair by arranging for Tiger to appear on one of its sister magazines Men’s Fitness. Tiger did appear on the cover of Men’s Fitness and gave the magazine a rare, behind-the-scenes look at his training regimen–access that he even denied to Golf Digest with whom he had a business relationship. The Wall Street Journal chronicles the allegations of the coverup.
In his April 5, 2010 press conference, Tiger let open the possibility that some people in his inner circle knew about his sexual affairs when he stated “a lot of people didn’t know what I was doing.” That evaded the question: “Tiger, will you keep your team, the management team, intact? And how much do they actually know about everything that was going on in your personal life?” Tiger never addressed how much his management team knew. “A lot” of people in his team doesn’t necessarily mean the entire team–and seems to imply, between the lines, that some people on Tiger’s team did know about some of his sexual affairs.
For the record, Mark Steinberg denies knowing of “multiple affairs” but he hasn’t specifically denied knowing of Mindy Lawton or the events in her allegations. It would behoove Mark Steinberg to come clean and answer all questions about his involvement, if any, in covering up Tiger’s sexual affairs at any point in time.
All of this begs the question: should Mark Steinberg resign now?
UPDATE: Keep in mind: Both Vanity Fair and Wall Street Journal have reported the coverup of the Mindy Lawton affair with Tiger–and Mark Steinberg’s involvement in the coverup–as fact, not merely allegation. Some readers may think Vanity Fair is a tabloid, but no one can contest the Wall Street Journal as a reliable news source. In the Wall Street Journal article, the authors reveal its sources as muliple former employees of the parent company of National Enquirer and others with direct knowledge of the coverup :
“But according to accounts provided by former employees of AMI and other individuals with direct knowledge of the arrangement, there was a deal between Mr. Woods and the owner of the National Enquirer. A close examination of how exposure of that alleged infidelity was suppressed more than two years ago reveals fresh details about the quid pro quo. It also offers a look at how Mr. Woods and his handlers worked to hide the golfer’s off-course behavior to protect the image of a superstar whose endorsements made him one of the richest athletes in sports.”
If the Wall Street Journal story were false or inaccurate, Mark Steinberg probably would have filed a lawsuit against the Journal for libel, or at least would have said something by now asking the Journal for a retraction, one would presume.
The Golf Blog: Tiger Woods is back, shoots 65, best round of 2010
The Golf Blog says: Uh-oh. He’s back. Fresh off his divorce, Tiger Woods shot the best round of his year. He leads the Barclay’s. Swing coach Sean Foley looks like a lock now.
The Golf Blog: Tiger Woods addresses divorce – “sad”
The Golf Blog says: Tiger Woods had to address the media about his divorce.
The Golf Blog: Elin Nordegren speaks to People about living “hell” caused by Tiger Woods
The Golf Blog: Finally, Elin speaks. People Magazine has a preview here; full interview tomorrow.
Here are the Top 5 Questions we hope Elin answers:
1. Did Tiger have unprotected sex with other women? If so, did he and you get tested for STDs? Were you upset?
2. How did you discover Tiger’s infidelity? How could he get away with it for so long?
3. Did Tiger’s agent Mark Steinberg help cover up the affair Tiger had with the Perkins waitress Mindy Lawton? Do you think Tiger should fire Mark Steinberg?
4. Did Tiger tell you how many women he slept with, and if they involved porn stars and cocktail waitresses?
5. Why did Tiger return to golfing so soon after saying he was taking an “indefinite” break from golf? Had you decided to get a divorce before he returned to golf or after?
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The Golf Blog: Erica Blasberg death ruled suicide; Dr. Thomas Hess charged with obstruction for removing suicide note and drugs
The Golf Blog: Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy released his autopsy report of 25 year old LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg, who died mysteriously in May of this year. “While asphyxia was the primary cause of death, the presence of prescription drugs [including butalbital, temazepam, alprazolam, codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol] in Ms. Blasberg’s system was a significant factor.” Blasberg was found with plastic bag pulled over her head.
Meanwhile, local authorities charged the man who found her, apparently her friend, Dr. Thomas Hess, with misdemeanor obstruction charges for reportedly removing the suicide note from the scene and removing items (prescription drugs) from the crime scene. Hess found the body and called 911.
Click here for a photo of Dr. Hess upon his arrest and the audio of the 911 call
Below is one of the last interviews Erica gave before a tournament in Mexico. On April 27, 2010, Erica visited the Universidad Latina De America in Morelia, site of Tres Marias Championship:
The Golf Blog: Tiger Woods’ divorce finalized
The Golf Blog: No surprise, but it’s officially over. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren announced their divorce yesterday. The couple will share custody over their kids. (More here)
TMZ reports from a “friend” of mistress Rachel Uchitel that she wants to get back together with Tiger. (More here)
The Golf Blog: Monday qualifier Arjun Atwal wins Wyndham Championship, 1st Indian player to win on PGA Tour
The Golf Blog: Arjun Atwal used to known as the guy who plays practice rounds with Tiger Woods. Now Atwal is a PGA Tour winner and the 1st Indian player to win on the PGA Tour.
Atwal has had to overcome several major incidents in the past. The worst of all was that Atwal was involved in a fatal car accident in Orlando in which the driver of the other car (a Mercedes), John Park, died. Atwal was driving a BMW. There were allegations of “drag racing” at speeds of over 90 mph, and the highway patrol recommended prosecution. The state prosecutor, however, declined to bring charges. Atwal has maintained his innocence.
Atwal also had two shoulder injuries and couldn’t play for 4 months last year. The victory ensures his Tour card for two years and qualifies him for the Masters.
The Golf Blog: Photo of controversial “bunker” on 18 at PGA Championship
Click on for larger view
