Sports Views

One of the PGA Tour’s faster players, Rory Sabbatini got paired with Ben Crane, known for his deliberate manner on the golf course, for yesterday’s final round of the Booz Allen Classic, and the combination proved volatile.

I'm bummed to admit I didn't actually see live coverage of David Toms flipping off a member of the gallery Sunday at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. I'm not losing any sleep over his salute, but I do think it was pretty lame of him to then basically deny it. "What kind of question is that?" Toms responded to a reporter who asked about the incident. "Do I look like someone who'd flip someone off in the crowd? I mean, I can't believe I'm even talking to you." Dave, it's on camera!

With the release of their Ignite line of drivers and fairway woods Nike has proven that they can offer alot more to the golf industry than just a fancy check mark. These clubs have seen great success both on tour and at a retail level. Even before Tiger Woods started playing the Ignite T60 3-wood many considered it to be one of the best fairway woods around.

Nobody will catch Justin this time. If they do, it will be the worst meltdown on the PGA Tour since the 60’s.

Perhaps the most shocking story of the week deals with last week's winner Kenny Perry. Perry completely ran away from the field at Colonial last week on his way to a record-tying finish in Ft. Worth. This week, all he did was shoot 73-74 to miss the cut by five shots. I picked Perry in my FedEx St. Jude Classic preview, and I guess I must have put a jink on him. When Perry is hot, he is hot! But when he is cold, he is very cold. And this week, he was ice-cold. He has been struggling with his eyesight, and the overhauled greens this week could have...

In the final round, Kenny fired a one-under par 69 to match his 72-hole mark at 19-under 261. with this win, he joins Golfing greats like Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson as the only player to have multiple victories to his name this season.

Phil Mickelson, the fourth-ranked golfer in the world, will be headlining the strong field in Fort Worth this week. The lefty had originally acted as if he wouldn't be playing this week. But after thinking it over, he has decided to play afterall. And he will surely be the favorite. Phil won this event in 2000 and has made it to the victory circle three times already in 2005. Mickelson's wins this year include the FBR Open, Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the BellSouth Classic. Phil had it going last week at the Byron Nelson before having a shaky Saturday....

"I expect I'll be just as emotional at St. Andrews. I'm a sentimental old fool," said Nicklaus, who was in Britain for the launch of a Polaris World golf and property development in Spain. "I enjoy being part of history and what's going on, but I don't consider myself competitive any more and the Open will probably end my competitive career." Nicklaus holds the record with 18 professional major victories. In addition to his three British titles, he has won The Masters six times, the US Open four times and the PGA Championship...

Chris DiMarco set his sights on a first PGA Tour victory in three years after completing a four-under-par 68 in the rain-delayed third round at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Sunday.

For all you duffers out there who enjoy a round or two during your Disney World Vacation here's news you'll need to know. Disney is making significant changes to the Magnolia golf course, one of the courses used during the PGA's October Funai Classic. The course, which was previously ranked the 6th easiest on the PGA tour, will be lengthened to 7500 yards and will have its greens and tees reworked as well.

Australian golfer Peter Lonard is seeking his first win on the PGA Tour. And he is quite close to achieving that. Peter just regained the lead on Saturday at the MCI Heritage after shooting a 5-under-par 66 for a one-stroke lead over Darren Clarke. They are being closely followed by Davis Love III in the tournament. His score at the end of the play was 11-under 202.

That’s unfortunate. Billy Casper was one of the best players of his generation, winning two US Opens, the Masters, and the Senior Open. He also won five Vardon trophies. From 1968 to 1970 he won more tournaments than Nicklaus, Palmer and Player combined. His total of 51 PGA victories places him 6th on the All-Time List (behind Snead, Nicklaus, Hogan, Palmer and Nelson).

IQuick! Which golfer holds the 72 hole aggregate scoring record in any major championship? The answer will surprise many of you (because he's not sexy enough for the media), but it shouldn't because its recent history.

It's David Toms with a 16 under score of 264 at the 2001 PGA at Atlanta Athletic Club. He beat Phil by one stroke. Had Phil won, he would hold that honor.

CALOUNDRA, Australia (AP) - U.S. Champions Tour regular Tom Purtzer made the most of a trip to Australia to visit his daughter, winning the Titanium Australian PGA Seniors championship Sunday by five shots.