Negatives, downers, disappointments, meltdowns…

Michelle Wie DQ

The Michelle Wie DQ is probably the biggest downer story of the year. In part because of her DQ, and partly because of the way her rules infraction was made public by a member of the media whose name rhymes with hamburger.

David Duval

After once holding the world’s #1 ranking and winning the British Open, Duval’s tailspin is one of the biggest in recent history.

Duval earned $7,630 in 20 events. That’s 260th place, and $381 per event ($38.10 for the caddy per event).

Sergio Garcia

Still no majors.
Finished 197th on tour in putts per round despite being #1 in greens-in-regulation.
196th in putting average.
197th in left rough tendency.
144th in right rough tendency.
184th in average distance of putts made.
195th in 3-putt avoidance.
126th in total birdies.

Sing Pong

Vijay Sing has to withdraw from a tournament due to a ping pong injury.

Erknee Els

Ernie Els misses much of the 2005 season due to a knee injury suffered while boating.

Melting Goose

The once unflappable Retief Goosen has now shown two times this year that he’s capable of a Sunday meltdown.

Jack Nicklaus

Plays his last Masters and Open Championship.

Weather Delays

2005 was a terrible year for inclement weather. Dozens of rounds were effected by rain delays.

Zip it

Mark O’ Hair (father of Sean O’ Hair) continued to make an ass out of himself by making stupid quotes to the media:

“I would like to tell all my dear friends in the media to kiss my ass.”

Mark O’ Hair is the father who treated his son like he was in a military boy’s school. He put his son through a brutal golf training and life regimen. He forced his son to sign a lifetime contract which gave him 10% of his son’s winnings.

Uninspiring unofficial events

The boredom of the bridges and other unofficial, made for TV events which provide us golf addicts with “less than inspiring” golf.

“Tired” professional athletes

Tiger, Phil and many other “professional athletes” on the PGA tour whine about the season being too long, and that they need a break. Then they globe trot around the world playing off season events week after week.

The so called “great distance debate”

The R&A, PGA, media, bloggers and many others debate about whether or not the golf ball goes too far.

Once again folks: I’TS NOT JUST THE BALL. The athletes are bigger, stronger, faster and in better condition. The clubs are better and the players are getting tested to match up their swing with gear which has the perfect launch angle, ball velocity, spin etc.

And why not set up the fairways to reduce the roll a bit for these so-called bombers? Perhaps if the fairways on the PGA Tour didn’t have the same Stimp Meter rating as a local municipal course’s greens the ball might not roll as far? Just a thought.