Tiger Thrills at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods returned to winning form this weekend, coming back from five back entering Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in stunning fashion. On the 18th green, with dusk approaching, flash bulbs flashing, Tiger knocked down his 15'11" birdie putt for the win in a scene eerily similar to last year's tournament. Tiger, competitive juices flowing, now waits for The Masters in two weeks from Augusta, GA.

The above image is copyrighted 2009 by DinoGriego - Graphics.

Celtics Win 17th Banner in 2nd Biggest News Item of Day

Late last night, the Boston Celtics pounded the Los Angeles Lakers with their signature defense and teamwork, and won their 17th NBA Finals Championship by almost 40 points.  The regulars sat out for most of the 4th quarter, as everyone got their shot to contribute in stellar fashion.  After the clock wound down to 0.0 seconds, the new Boston Garden erupted as the Big 3 (along with the rest of the team) finally got what they coveted not only after a long and memorable season, but long careers without a ring.  As if nothing could top an emotional and huge night from Boston, MA, the world awoke this morning to the shocking news that Tiger Woods will miss the remainder of the 2008 PGA Tour Season, including the last two majors (British Open and PGA Championship).  Tiger Woods revealed that he did not want to trump the efforts of the USGA's US Open, but their was some news he now needed to reveal.  Apparently, after last year's British Open, Tiger ruptured his left ACL while running at his home in Florida, but continued to play the rest of that season and this season while obliterating his competition.  Playing through pain through most of this year (including his runner-up finish at the 2008 Masters) he decided that he needed arthroscopic surgery in his left knee to clear up the cartilage damage caused by the ACL injury.  Still in pain, he had planned to return in this year's Memorial Tournament, but a double-stress fracture in his left knee was also found.  Determined to play through the pain, Tiger finally made his return in this past weekend's US Open at Torrey Pines.  Looking back on the injuries now makes his accomplishments both this past weekend, as well as over the past year, all the more amazing.  However, after the pain he experienced and the condition of his knee, he announced today that he needs to undergo reconstructive knee surgery on his left ACL, which will cause him to miss the remainder of the year.  Tiger said in a statement: 

"While I am obviously disappointed to have to miss the remainder of the season, I have to do the right thing for my long-term health and look forward to returning to competitive golf when my doctors agree that my knee is sufficiently healthy. My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects."

Woods also said that he'd "like to thank his fans and partners for thier continual support and can assure everyone that I will be as dedicated to rehabilitating my knee as I am in all other aspects of my career."  Best of luck to Tiger's surgery and recovery, and we'll will probably see him back on the golf course competing in next year's PGA Tour tournaments.  Tiger's dramatic win at Torrey Pines gave him his 65th PGA Tour victory, and his 14th career major victory, just four behind all time leader Jack Nicklaus.  You can read all about Tiger's injury at this ESPN.com article, or on Tiger's official website, tigerwoods.com.

DG Video: Tiger Outlasts Rocco

After 91 holes of golf over five days, Tiger Woods outlasted Rocco Mediate to win the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines for his 14th career major victory.  It was a back-and-forth battle all day, as each player had the lead moments of time.  Tiger made some great putts early in the day to hold Rocco back, eventually gaining a three-shot lead with about half of the course to play.  Then, things took a big swing as Rocco regained the lead and took a one-stroke advantage to the 18th hole.  At that 18th hole, Tiger was making all of his shots, as Rocco struggled around the bunkers and fairway.  Even then, it came down to Tiger making his birdie and Rocco missing his, and the tournament went to a 91st hole in sudden death.  On that sudden death, Rocco missed his par putt to extend the championship, as Tiger Woods took home the hardware in what he called his "best [championship] ever."  It was an amazing five days, filled with Tiger memories, as he continues to prove why he is the best player in the world, and going to be (if not already) the best ever.  He made putt after putt, eagled three times, amazed himself, long drives, great iron shots, stellar chips, and remain driven and focused---all on one healthy knee.  Rightfully so, Tiger said that he will take some more time off now to give his knee time to fully recuperate to get back to the 100% Tiger we all know.  With his 14th major victory under his belt, he is now four behind Jack Nicklaus on the career major victories list; and the British Open and PGA Championship still remain this year.  For all the ESPN highlights of today's playoff and Tiger's victory, see the link to the video below.

US Open Playoff Highlights

DG Video: Tiger Not Done Yet

As if Saturday's 3rd round performance wasn't amazing enough, Tiger followed it up with another eventful day at Torrey Pines.  Through the first two holes, he relinquished his one stroke lead and dropped three shots on the day, falling back to even while showing some pain in his surgically-repaired left knee.  However, going through the day and picking up some adrenaline and competitive fire, he kept pace with the top of the field.  Culminating numerous par-saves and smart decisions on adjusting his game to complement his knee's strength, Tiger arrived at the 18th hole.  With Rocco Mediate in the clubhouse as the leader at -1 after a solid outing, Tiger had to birdie to tie him for the lead, as did Lee Westwood (the other member in Tiger's pair).  After both golfers drives landed in fairway bunkers, and proceeded to layup before the green, they both made it on the green with chances for birdie, playoff-clinching putts.  Westwood didn't quite strike his putt hard enough, and thus fell out of playoff contention.  Tiger, however, seemed to muster up all of the concentration and energy left from a surely physically demanding four days, and sunk the putt followed by an eruption of energy (both by Tiger, Stevie, and the entire gallery).  Tiger will now face Rocco in an 18-hole playoff tomorrow at Torrey Pines, beginning at 10:30 am on ESPN for the first nine holes, and concluding on NBC for the final nine.  Below is a link to ESPN SportsCenter's highlights of the day.  Be sure to check ESPN.com and SportsCenter for continuing coverage from Scott Van Pelt and Andy North in La Jolla, CA.  Good luck to Tiger in tomorrow's finale, and hoping for major number 14!

Rd.4 Highlights

DG Video: Tiger's Amazing Saturday

Tiger had yet another amazing day on Saturday at Torrey Pines.  He was multiple shots back at some points, but his last four holes ended in Tiger mastery.  Playing on one knee (and in visible, limping pain after some shots), Tiger roared back with 2 eagles and a hole-out from the sand to charge atop the leaderboard at -3 entering Sunday's final day of competition.  HIs shots were met with thunderous crowd responses louder than almost anything heard before, according to ESPN's Rick Reilly.  His final eagle putt on #18 was executed with such precision that it shows us how great of an athlete we are witnessing.  It reminded me of a David Feherty comment after one of Tiger's past, signature shots:  "That is just wrong on so many levels."  Even Tiger can be seen visibly amazed at some of the things he does.  The following are two great videos recapping the day in La Jolla.  The first is a link to ESPN Video of SportsCenter's highlights, while the second video is Rick Reilly's reaction to the day's events.

SportsCenter at US Open: 3rd Round Highlights

DG Quickie: Sergio Wins! Cubs Sweep!

In a great Sunday of sports, two events stood out.  At the iconic TPC Sawgrass, for one, Sergio Garcia captured this years Player's Championship, as he also got his first win in three years.  He played extremely well the entire tournament, placing 1st in Driving Accuracy and GIR.  It was a much deserved, and emotional win for the Spaniard, whose opening comment to NBC's Bob Costas was, "First I'd like to thank Tiger for not being here."...comical Sergio as always.  Congrats to him.  You can check out Sergio's scorecard here, and the tournament leaderboard here.

Also, over at 1060 W. Addison, the Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Arizona D'Backs, exacting some revenge from last years early, playoff exit.  In the three games, the pitching was solid, paired with clutch, late-inning rallies of runs.  Derrek Lee had a nice weekend with 2 HR, while Alfonso Soriano started to pick it up going 5-9 with 2 RBI, 2 R, and an IBB in a PH-appearance on Sunday.  Kosuke Fukudome also clubbed his 2nd HR of the season with a 2-run shot on Saturday.  The Cubs, at 23-16, are now tied atop the NL Central Division with the Cardinals, and are about to go into a 4-game series vs. the Padres at Wrigley this week, followed by another home series vs. the Pirates going into next Sunday.  They are set to face Greg Maddux on Thursday's contest.

Oh, yeah...Happy Mother's Day!