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Subject: Friday Morning in Medinah
Time: 2:30:00 PM EDT
Author: sblcraig
I spent some of Friday morning walking the back nine at Medinah. I had to get out of the giant warehouse that is being used to house the media. I'm probably breaking some media law by letting this information out, but what the hell, I'm a blogger. There are giant screens playing live coverage of the tournament. Volunteers are updating the player board in real time. The PGA is charging an arm and a leg for wireless broadband access, but everyone has to purchase it because we all need to be connected to the Internet. How would we listen to the latest Sports Bloggers Live podcast? Let's just say that some of the savvy scribes will never break a sweat while covering this tournament. The media tent is air-conditioned, you can watch the tournament on your laptop, or you can look up at the movie screen that is showing the TV coverage.
The journalist sitting next to me is from Australia. He works for the Australian Associated Press. He uses AOL as an ISP and when he logged on I heard his computer say: "Welcome. You have mail." The voice did not have an Aussie accent. I am so disappointed.
It was a bit overcast this morning, but the sun ended up shining late morning. Then it started to get hot. There were a number of sweaty backs on the course. Who says golfers aren't athletes? They have to battle the elements just like any other jock and they have to wear long pants while doing it! The world is a better place if we don't see John Daly's knees. Just trust me on that one.
The crowds seemed pretty thin this morning. The US Open champion and those two other guys don't tee off until 2:30 local time. I was bummed I missed my namesake Craig Thomas. Thomas is a club pro from New York and it's a good bet we will be headed home after today's round. It's probably safe to say that he'll still get a good night's sleep - which more than I can say. I'm staying at the local hotel about 10 minutes from the course and I'm lucky enough to be sleeping in a room next to a couple who are apparently honeymooning in Schaumburg, Il. The walls are thin at the Marriott. They have to be newlyweds, not married or on the down-low because IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS. You are stud guy - now please let the rest of the fifth floor get some sleep this weekend.
A champion doesn't wear orange pants. (Getty)
This is what I saw while in the flight path of the O'Hare International Airport.
Shigeki Maruyama had a nasty bogey on Hole 16. (He's the Japanese golfer who does not favor cowboy hats.) In the middle of the fairway he left a divot the size of a Frisbee. His caddy ended up a good 50 yards or so behind him because he had to fix the divot. Then he had to sprint to catch up with Maruyama. It's not easy run while lugging golf clubs, but it sure is entertaining to watch.
I overheard one fan (who sounded a lot like Elwood Blues) say he couldn't wait to see what "Sergio Garciaparra" was wearing today. His buddy then said "Don't you mean Sergio Garcia?" It was then decided "Garciaparra" would have to purchase the next round of refreshing adult beverages for the group. When you have a stack of empty beer cups in your possession before noon, it is going to be a fun day. Garcia is wearing a pair of pants that would make any University of Tennessee alum burst with pride. He looks like a traffic cone. Hey, at least he didn't dress like Tweety Bird this time. Remember the final round of the Open Championship? Garcia was paired with Tiger Woods. One guy looked like he was dressed to win a major championship and one guy was dressed like a banana. You could say the Tiger ate the canary that day.
After Garcia teed off on 16, he started crunching on an apple. John Daly routinely smokes butts on the course during downtime, so at least Garcia is doing something healthy. It was just surreal to watch him eat an apple. He was eating the apple like a 5-year-old. He wasn't taking big bites; instead he was eating it like it was corn on the cob. That said, an apple would go rotten in the media center because all the golf scribes are too busy gorging themselves on the free ice cream sandwiches.
The day we start talking about Garcia's golf game and stop talking about his fashion flair is the day he'll compete for a major championship.
Moving down to 15, I had the chance to see one of golf's big young hitters, J.B. Holmes. It should be noted that Holmes first name is John. Yes - his name is John Holmes. Why didn't his parents just name him Ron Jeremy? I know parents like to keep the name secret while the child is in utero - but come on! It is incredible cruel to name your child after a 70's porn star. No one can live up to those expectations, except maybe the guy who has the hotel room next to me.
When Holmes walked past the crowd the retrieve his shot a group of well-lubricated twenty-somethings pointed and laughed "There's John Holmes!"
The People's Champion, John Daly moved on through after Holmes' group. Vijay Singh is part of that three-some. Vijay's caddie had the expression of teenager who was told he can't take the car out this weekend. He's probably thinking, "I have to walk 18 holes with this guy and then we are going to spend another six hours on the practice greens."
Daly out drove the entire group, but he can't putt to save his life. He also smoked at least two cigarettes before completing play. He's like Eddie Van Halen in his prime.
The main event is this afternoon when Tiger, Phil and the guy who won the US Open tee off again. They are playing the late round, so the crowd should be good and ready (and slightly or heavily buzzed.)
The over/under on "You da man!" chats currently stands at 75.
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lol sounds like your board medinah a nice golf course I live down the street from the Marriot it's a nice hotel also sounds like your blog cutting down our city bud. As far as the weather come here in Dec. you'll freeze so shut up and do your job. If your that board walk around at woodfield AND GO GET EM TIGER!
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How nice to hear something nice about te PGA Championship that isn't negative. Medinah's a beautiful place. I have been there since I was a child.( Lucky to have had a dad who loved golf.) Everyone involved, besides the PGA officials, have worked hard to make this a great week. While the PGA has worked hard too, it's not for the love of the game. It's for the money to be made. I hope you enjoyed the beauty of the #3 course on your walk. It's an amazing place for a walk in the woods. Thanks
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Maybe the newlyweds will invite you over for some activities during the weekend.
8/20/06 7:41 AM