I’m officially a Rory Sabbatini fan
Okay, I’m now officially a card-carrying member of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club. Actually, it may be that I’m the *only* member of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club, but if so, so be it. He’s my favorite golfer now - pushing aside the immortal Morris Hatalsky… always loved that name, Morris Hatalsky. Morris Hatalsky has three career victories, most recently the 2006 Puerto Vallarta - so in addition to his name, he’s got that going for him… which is nice. But he doesn’t have the stones that Sabbatini has, so I’m moving on.
You may recall Sabbatini’s comments last May, which got a lot of press: “Sunday (at the Wachovia) he struggled out there. He had to battle for that win. And I think that made me realise he is as beatable as ever.” Woods opened with a 75 at Sawgrass, his first round on the PGA Tour without a single birdie since the 2003 Masters. “I’ve seen him when he figures it out,” added Sabbatini. “It’s scary. I don’t want to see that any more. I like the new Tiger.”
Naturally folks focused on the “… he is as beatable as ever…” part, as in, how dare this South African malcontent doing anything less than immediately kneel and bow his head at the altar of Tiger Woods! For the record, ya gotta love Tiger Woods… outstanding golfer, and by all accounts, an outstanding person. Earl and Kutilda clearly did a wonderful job raising him and preparing him to be able to handle and take advantage of his immense talent.
However, he is human… for those who believe otherwise. Any golfer who goes into a tournament, a round, a hole believing that he has no chance to beat Tiger… will have *no* chance of beating Tiger. Many contend that its okay to have a quiet confidence that one has a miniscule chance to beat Tiger, but only a fool would express that… for fear of waking the sleeping giant! Whatever.
Yes, in a subsequent tournament, Tiger raced past Rory on the final day and “shut him up”. Fine - but didn’t that make for great theater! How many people watched *that* day for the simple fact that Tiger was indeed chasing the insolent South African? It would’ve been boring if Tiger had simply passed some golfer on that Sunday - but it was enthralling cuz he passed *that* golfer on that Sunday. Thank you, Rory.
And for the record, if anyone thinks that Tiger Woods needs “disrespectful” comments to make him play better… they need to pay far better attention to the man and how he conducts his business on the course. I’m confident that nothing would’ve been different if Rory had kept his mouth shut - and I’m equally confident that because he did express his thoughts, golf is better theater as a result.
This brings me to the present - and the latest audaciousness perpetrated by the vile Rory Sabbatini:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/09/11/tournot_0912.html
Essentially, his opinion is that a player (read: Woods or Mickelson) should have to play in all four tournaments of the Fed Ex Cup to qualify for victory in the Fed Ex Cup. How outrageous! Oh… wait… he’s absolutely right, in my humble opinion.
This will be seen as another shot at Tiger (and for Phil’s fans, also a shot at him). Good. Maybe it’ll shame them into playing all four rounds. If they value their family time more this time of the year, no problem - then don’t play in the Fed Ex Cup… just play the PGA majors (which is all they seem to do anyways).
Maybe Tiger and Phil (and the PGA) do nothing about Rory’s comments but ignore them. Maybe Tiger and/or Phil choose family over Fed Ex Cup next year - which is certainly their right, and easily defensible. But maybe… just maybe… they rise to Rory’s challenge and play all four weeks in next year’s Fed Ex Cup. Wouldn’t that be the best outcome for golf, and golf fans?
And if that happens, will *anybody* thank Rory Sabbatini for effecting that change? I doubt it. But I’ll make sure to give him a pat on the back at our next (or is it inaugural?) meeting of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club. I’m his #1 fan!
Keep talking, Rory! Don’t back down! (Memo to Rory: But, um… do feel free to back it up on the course at some point by beating Tiger and Phil. That would be really neat. Thanks, babe.)
Okay, I’m done now.
September 17th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Dude, spot on!
I’m fan #2. No way should Tiger or Phil even come close to winning if they don’t play all four. Simple as that. I understand that Fedex *really* wanted Tig to win the inaugural cup, but c’mon folks. That was $11 mil almost for just being Tiger. Sure that’s fine when you’re out to pasture designing golf courses. But let’s at least give someone a shot to take him down, four rounds in the 60’s or not.
I’d love to know more about Phil’s situation. Sounded juicy, someone trying to stick it to the Commish. But alas, his wife and daughters are more compelling than a knock-down drag-out w/ the PGA. I can’t blame him, though. If I had sick game and was set for life, I’d no doubt take Nora to school and see Claire off to whatever event she had. Maybe if it were year 5 of this thing, and it was a proven ‘fifth major-like 4-week event’… I wonder if there are true gripes there for Phil, or he’s just being FIGJAM (Fuck I’m Good, Just Ask Me).
BA