Golf Notes December 11

Tiger Woods had an exciting week at the Target World Challenge, and not just because he nearly staged a great comeback before finishing second to Padraig Harrington.

Woods was the victim of a theft at his own tournament.

Two men got into the locker room at Sherwood Country Club during the pro-am dinner Wednesday and walked away with several pieces of equipment - including three wedges belonging to Woods.

The clubs were recovered by the weekend.

"Nice work, guys," Woods said to a security crew before the third round.

The suspects were not identified and no one has been charged. A Ventura County sheriff's spokesman said the club was handling the case.

A law official who helped with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one of the suspects followed Woods during his pro-am round and attended the dinner. The official said hidden cameras enabled authorities to piece together the crime.

Even more unusual than the heist was how it was nearly foiled in the first place.

Turns out the suspects panicked when they heard voices in the locker room Wednesday evening, so they set down the wedges and began playing pool.

They were joined at the table by PGA champion Rich Beem.

"I was playing pool with these guys and there were these wedges sitting in the corner, all of them with Rifle shafts," Beem said. "I was thinking, 'That's a really nice pro-am prize.'"

At one point, Beem said he picked up a wedge to inspect it.

"If I had any inclination to flip it around, I would have seen 'TW' stamped in the top," he said. "I might have really spoiled someone's gig."

WHITE CHRISTMAS: Tiger Woods plans to spend part of the holidays in Sweden at the home of his girlfriend, Elin Nordegren, in a small town north of Stockholm.

Some adjustments are in order for the world's No. 1 player.

"I've never seen snow fall in my life," said Woods, who grew up in California and now lives most of the year in Florida.

The only time he has seen snow was a few years ago when he and Mark O'Meara went fishing in the spring near Park City, Utah. There was still snow on the ground, even though Woods said it was in the 60s that day.

One other tiny problem is that the warmest clothing Woods owns is a leather jacket.

Woods, who finished second in his Target World Challenge, will not play in another tournament until the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii, which starts Jan. 9 at Kapalua.

"I may not touch a club until after Christmas," he said.

Until then, the only sports equipment he touches might be ski poles.

GETTING A REAL JOB: Anyone who thinks Annika Sorenstam isn't serious about a second career as a chef should make reservations at the Lake Nona Golf Club restaurant. Chances are, Sorenstam will be involved preparing the meal.

The best female golfer in the world has taken a job in the kitchen at Lake Nona, working eight-hour shifts a couple of days a week.

After winning 13 times around the world, the most by anyone in nearly 40 years, Sorenstam said she was looking into culinary schools. Lake Nona is just a start. Among her duties so far are chopping tomatoes and cucumbers, along with learning the ropes, if not the pot holders.

"Cooking to her is like scuba diving for Tiger," said Mark Steinberg at IMG, the agent for Sorenstam and Tiger Woods.

FATHER-SON: The silly season comes to an end this week in the Bahamas with the Father-Son Challenge, which might be the most popular of them all.

"It's the only tournament where players are begging me to get in," said Alastair Johnson, head of the golf division for IMG.

It's so popular, in fact, that organizers had to make room for an additional team this year, bringing the field to 19 teams. Newcomers to the event include the Langers (Bernhard and 12-year-old Stefan) and the Ballesteros (Seve and 12-year-old Javier).

Only major champions are eligible. Prize money ranges from $200,000 for first to $40,000 for last place.

LANGER FOR CAPTAIN: Europeans don't start earning points for the 2004 Ryder Cup until next September, giving officials more time to select a captain for Oakland Hills.

Colin Montgomerie believes the best choice is Bernhard Langer - if he wants it.

"It would be wrong if Langer wasn't given the opportunity of captaining a team," Montgomerie said. "I think that being (the Ryder Cup matches) being in America, married to an American and living here practically full time, that Langer would be a suitable candidate for us."

Langer says there is a "good chance" he will make himself a candidate, but he still thinks he is capable of playing in his 11th Ryder Cup.

"I seem to have the support of my colleagues and the people who will make that decision. That is good to know," he said. "We still have nine months to go. There is no need to make a decision right now because I wouldn't have anything to do as captain, right?"

Ian Woosnam already has said he wants to be the next captain. Several feel the emotionally charged Woosie might be better off when the matches are in Europe.

DIVOTS: Annika Sorenstam had planned to take nearly three months off after her exhibition in Mexico this week. Instead, she is said to be leaning toward playing in the Women's Skins Game Jan. 25-26 in Hawaii against Karrie Webb, Laura Diaz and Laura Davies. ... Georgia Tech coach Bruce Heppler has been selected captain of the U.S. team in next year's Palmer Cup, which will be played July 10-11 on the Cassique course at Kiawah Island. U.S. college golfers lead the series 4-1-1 against Britain & Ireland, including a 15 1/2-8 1/2 victory last year at Doonbeg in Ireland.

STAT OF THE WEEK: Phil Mickelson made 20 birdies and three eagles at Sherwood Country Club. He finished the Target World Challenge at 10-under 278.

FINAL WORD: "It's terrible. I'm not even the top sportsman in my family." - Padraig Harrington, whose second cousin is Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page