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It took rain delays, horns sounding for dangerous weather and eventually three playoff holes, but a little patience and a lot of waiting later we finally found a champion for the Wyndham Championship!  The great news is, the play was impressive, the weather finally gave way and the winner of the Wyndham actually was a first time winner on the PGA Tour and did it with a birdie on the third playoff hole after an exceedingly long tournament.

Moore Takes It in 3 Playoff Holes

That's right, Ryan Moore, the 26-year-old golfer from Washington stayed patient and ended up finishing out his final round with a -5 to put himself at a four round score of -16.  That was good enough to lock himself into a three-way playoff between Kevin Stadler and Jason Bohn, both of whom he dispatched after some great shotmaking.  Bohn was eliminated on the first of the three playoff holes after he was unable to chip out of a bunker, his shot rolling back into the bunker he was trying to escape.  The victory came for Moore after he sank birdie on the 3rd playoff hole, while Kevin Stadler, son of PGA great Craig Stadler, failed to sink his putt.

Moore Speaks

When asked what the key to his victory was, it should come as no surprise what Moore credited for the victory.  Here's what Ryan Moore had to say about what helped him win and what the victory means to him:

"I was able to stay patient, really...That's what won this one...This felt like an uphill battle...The whole time I've been on the PGA Tour, I just haven't been healthy, haven't felt like myself, and really kind of got some good momentum (finishing tied for 10th) at the U.S. Open, really feeling like myself again over the golf ball, and just kind of getting some confidence back in the putter and every aspect of the game. That's really carried through to this week."

Garcia Blows Three-Stroke Lead

Consider that battle over.  Unfortunately for Sergio Garcia, who had a three-shot lead midway through the final round of the Wyndham, once again couldn't put enough good shots together and ended up blowing that lead and finishing with a final round 70, leaving him at Even par for the day and a stroke off the leaders.

Congrats Ryan Moore!

Nevertheless, great play, exciting drama and a first-time winner...what more could you ask for?  Congrats Ryan Moore.

(Image Chuck Burton/AP)

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Round 3 started and play was just getting interesting when once again the dreaded horn sounded and Mother Nature has officially decided that she wanted to prove just how powerful she is and nothing on a golf course goes on unless she deems fit.  As we've mentioned time and time again, this season more than almost any we can actually remember, has been absolutely plagued and dominated by inclement weather and Mother Nature making a mess of things on the golf course.  Not sure why this year is so much worse than others, or perhaps its not and just our patience is wearing thin, but it seems like almost every single tournament we've had has had issues, threats or fears of bad weather slowing things down.

Riley & Garcia Battling

As we said, however, play in round 3 DID actually begin and maybe Mother Nature is actually to thank for scores that just keep dropping.  Yesterday Chris Riley set his own personal record low round, and it looks like today he's looking to play almost as great as he's already 2-under through only his first four holes, keeping his spot at the top of the leaderboard and taking a full stroke lead over the closest competitor, Sergio Garcia.  Garcia is another guy who just won't go away and is also playing amazingly great golf.  Through his first 5 holes today he's already an impressive -3 and is looking to add another great score to his first round 67 and second round 64.  One thing is for sure, when the weather does relax a bit and lets the golfers resume play, it's going to be a battle between Garcia and Riley.

Expect A Lengthy Delay

The bad news, when it comes to the weather, is that when the horn sounded, instead of players just being put in nearby shelter boxes or told to wait, they're actually being all brought in from the course.  As you probably know by now, that's a good indication that play might be delayed a bit longer than anyone, anywhere would like.  Word is there's more weather in and around the area, but it still looks good that play will resume today and the tournament will still wrap up on schedule tomorrow sometime.

Be Patient...Tune In

I'm not going to tell you to tune in right now, because it's a delay, so maybe check out the Red Sox vs. Yankees game while you're waiting.  Make sure to switch it back over once play does resume, it's getting heated!

(Image Lecka/Getty Images)

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I'm fairly sure every single person that's important and makes decisions on the PGA Tour better be thanking their lucky stars, and thanking Tiger Woods handily for doing what they really hoped each and every big golfer on the tour would do over this golf season:  Step up and play in more events.  If you remember back, near the beginning of this PGA Season, Commissioner Tim Finchem publicly asked each and every golfer to step up and try to do more for their sponsors given the economic climate and yes, crisis that had been surrounding everything.

All Players Stepped It Up...Tiger Too

Step up they did, and one of the golfers that did a whole heck of a lot more stepping up than anyone anticipated was indeed, Tiger Woods.  Now, he's stepping up again and signing on for sure to play in one event he hasn't played since 2003, and rumor has it he might actually be playing in all four of the Playoff Events for the FedEx Cup.  That's right, he's officially signed on for the Barclays Tournament, which takes place Thursday Aug. 27 – Sunday Aug 30, 2009 at the Liberty National golf course in Jersey City, NJ.  As mentioned, it's been YEARS since Tiger has played this event, and if the rumors are true that he's actually planning on competing in all four of the Playoff events, he'll have played 7 times in a 9-week stretch that goes all the way back to his performance at the Buick Open.

New Points System Enticing Tiger?

Possibly, but not positively affecting Tiger's decision to play is a new points system that actually ends up penalizing the golfer for taking weeks off, making it more difficult to bounce back.  Saying that, it didn't affect Tiger's decision in 2007, so it remains to be seen exactly why he agreed to play this time around.  Obviously last year he missed due to his knee surgery.

Tourney Director Sounds Off...

So what did the Barclays tournament director have to say about Tiger's decision?  Plenty of glowing compliments and excitement:

"The Barclays has been an exciting kickoff to the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup each of the first two years. Having Tiger in the field this year will, no doubt, bring even more excitement to the tournament..."

Now we just have to wait to see who else will be part of the 125-man field.  We'll know after the Wyndham Championship ends.  No matter what, all eyes will be on Tiger.

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On this site we've talked about some of the best courses in the entire world.  Some of these courses, unfortunately, we'll most likely never be able to play, others we most certainly can and more importantly, should.  That said, depending on where you find yourself in the world, in order to play any of these fabulous courses you're going to have to travel and if you want to play them with your own tried and true clubs, you're going to have to travel with those clubs.

Golf Travel Can Be A Hassle

The bad news is, traveling with golf clubs can be one of the biggest hassles, most expensive ways of taking your golf game with you.  With airline fees, lost baggage, damaged equipment and oversize luggage charges, traveling with your clubs can be just about enough to drive people crazy.  The Good news is, it doesn't have to be the hassle it's always being made out to be.  We just found a pretty spot-on article packed with 5 simple tips on how to keep your hassles to a minimum and your sanity to a maximum the next time you decide to take a trip that includes golf somewhere along the way.

5 Tips on Golf Travel

That said, check out their full report, but for now, here are the top 5 ways, paraphrased for your reading pleasure, to travel with your golf clubs, and the times it's smarter to leave them at home:

1.   Carry It On - The clubs must be checked, carry on your other baggage, avoid the fees.

2.   Invest in Quality Luggage - Buy either a hard or softshell carrying case for your clubs.  The better the protection, the less likely you'll have damaged clubs.

3.   Do The Math - Sometimes, depending on the airline, you're going to get charged not once, but twice for the baggage fee.  If you're only playing once on your trip, doesn't it make more sense to just rent clubs for the one round?

4.   Stay Calm - In the event of lost luggage, stay calm, the airline and the course you're playing generally helps accommodate almost everything.

5.   Fly Southwest - While almost every other airline charges, so far Southwest has refused.  They don't fly a lot of places, but where they do, your clubs can travel for free.  How refreshing.

Make It Work For You!

There you have it!  Next time you decide to take a trip and want to golf think about some of these bright ideas.  Head over and check out the full article for even more, then get out there and take some amazing trips!

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Tiger isn't playing, Phil is no where to be seen and despite this, amazing and amazingly exciting golf is being played as we speak.  That's right, Round 2 is in full effect and we're all hoping that the same weather that provided an agonizing 4-hour delay doesn't show back up on the course today.  Word on the course is that clouds are surrounding the area but so far they've yet to open up and release the torrents of water that they did yesterday.

Chris Riley Dominates to Top Spot

As mentioned, scores are dropping, fast, and currently sitting all alone in the lead is Chris Riley.  After tying his own personal record best round of 63, which included birdieing 4 of his last 6 holes he is sitting solidly in the lead at -11 after only two rounds.  Hot on his heels, however, is a two-way tie for second place between Sergio Garcia, who is in some serious need of some FedEx Cup points, and Bill Haas at -9.  They are both in the clubhouse so any remaining chasing of Riley will have to be done in Round 3.

Projected Cut at Low -2

Another indication of just how low scores are at this tournament can be indicated by simply checking out the projected cut line.  Any and all golfers, at this point, who can't get their score down to -2 or better will most likely be going home.  -2 for a cut line, talk about impressive play at a tournament.  Some of the more notable names that are currently at or below that -2 cut line might surprise you:  Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Stuart Appleby, and Lee Janzen among others.  Not to say that they aren't playing decent golf, just that they aren't playing the same caliber golf that the rest of the field happens to be playing.

Tune In, Enjoy Great Golf

Nevertheless, it's getting better and there is still plenty of golf left to be played during Round 2.  If you're not watching right now, you should be, so get up and turn that channel.  No Tiger, No Phil, No Problem.

(image Graythen/Getty Images)

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Talk about your all time dream pairings!  While I'm sure this rumored pairing has both people involved equally excited for the prospect, it's got to be a little intimidating to both of them, for very different reasons.  That's right, rumors are spreading like wildfire that President Barack Obama is planning a little golf round with none other than golf's finest golfer, Tiger Woods.  Now step back and imagine the pressure on each person:  First, Tiger Woods is getting to golf with the President of the United States of America.  With that comes the Secret Service, the formalities, and then the issue as to whether or not you let him win.  Knowing Tiger, don't count on that to happen.  Now, if you're President Obama, there's the pressure of having to tee off with arguably the best golfer the sport has ever known, or will ever know.

Secret Service On The Course

That's right, rumors are spreading, Secret Service has been seen scoping out and patrolling the course and people are talking.  According to reports:

"...word here on the Vineyard is that the Secret Service has scoped out the oh-so-exclusive Vineyard Golf Club to prepare for a possible golf outing between President Obama and golf great Tiger Woods!"

No Official Confirmation Yet

While nothing has been officially confirmed by either Tiger Woods or the White House, it actually would make sense if this were to come true.  It fits snugly into Tiger Woods' schedule as he's not scheduled to take part in the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Norton until September 4th and President Obama is going to still be on holiday until August 30th.  Whether or not the two actually hook up for 18 holes we'll have to wait and see, but what an exciting match-up if they do!

Stay Tuned For More...

Obama has been practicing and reports put his handicap anywhere between 16 and 24.  Assuming he plays with Tiger, we'll hope he takes the 24.  Nevertheless, this is one worth finding out more info on, and in the event they do play, I'm sure we will track down photos!

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It just wouldn't be the summer of 2009 if weather didn't play a factor in some way, shape or form.  We avoided weather delays and round suspensions the last two tournaments, and apparently Mother Nature wasn't too happy about being excluded, because she decided to rear her ugly pretty head again at the Wyndham Championship taking place in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Rain Suspends Play, Scores Stay Low

While the rain has completely suspended play, the one thing it hasn't been able to conquer were people's low scores before play was called off.  While only a few people are actually done with their rounds and dry in the clubhouse, the leaders, Chez Reavie and Brandt Snedeker are currently tied at -6 with more golf left to play once Mother Nature sees fit to let them do so.  Could the rain be making scores After the play is resumed even lower?  Things could slow down substantially on the greens and shots that look close might actually stay close.  Then again, they could be so slow that putting is hard to read.  I guess we'll see when and if the weather sees fit.

Daly Playing Great Golf...Finally

One player, who we actually just talked about today, that is shocking just about everyone that saw that he was entered in the tournament, is our good friend John Daly.  While his first round play at Hazeltine led directly to his withdrawl from the tournament, it looks like things might just be turning around as he's playing the best golf he's played in weeks and months.  So far he's through the 14th hole and is only 2 strokes off the lead at -4.  Whether or not he can keep it up, and whether or not his pre-existing injury will affect the remainder of his round I guess we'll have to wait and see, but as mentioned, we can't witness that until the rain stops.

Fingers Crossed We'll See A Round 1 Finish Today

Keep your fingers crossed things clear up because play is getting better by the hour.  Tune in, as always, it's getting great.

(Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

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It's been a year but I'm guessing two people, if you really had to narrow it down, haven't forgotten about what happened the last time John Daly played in Australia.  Those two, quite obviously, are John Daly and the poor fan who John Daly grabbed, snatched their camera and smashed it against a tree.  In case you didn't hear, you just heard right, last year in the Australian Open, Daly became a little, well, disgruntled and actually grabbed and subsequently smashed a fan's camera against a tree.  His actions resulted in a pretty good fine from the PGA Tour and a pretty upset fan.

Daly Having Rough Patch in Australia

Nevertheless, before the incident, Daly was actually a pretty popular golfer in Australia.  If his actions and behavior continues though, it remains to be seen how long those fans will stay loyal.  Last year, he made a few appearances in Australia and here's what happened:

"He missed three consecutive cuts last year on a late-season trip to Australia, where his history extends back seven years at Coolum. After taking a triple-bogey 7 on his last hole at the 2002 Australian PGA championships, Daly threw his putter and ball into a greenside pond and later failed to sign for a 78 on his scorecard, disqualifying himself from the tournament."

His Game Needs To Improve With His Attitude

If his actions do improve, Aussie golf fans will just have to hope his golf game improves with it.  After shooting some of the worst golf of his career the last few weeks, including pulling out of the PGA Championships after a first round 78 at Hazeltine (he cited a back injury), it has to make you wonder how his actual play will shape up when December 3 - 6 at Sydney's New South Wales Golf Club.  If things continue how they have been, it could be a very interesting return Down Under for Mr. Daly.

Good Luck Daly!

Nevertheless, despite the attitude, the legal problems and yes, the loud clothing, Daly is a golfer you just can't help but love and can't help but root for.  Looks like that same charm affects Australia too, as they were all too eager to have him back.  Good Luck Daly, we're rooting for you.

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Here's something that's a bit out of the ordinary for this Wednesday, but was a question raised by golf.com amongst others.  Anyone that has ever played this amazing game of golf knows that while it can be the most rewarding sport on the planet, but a single shot later and you could be feeling like it's the worst invention man has ever thought up.  When those "bad days" on the golf course happen, controlling your reactions to those poor shots can be nearly impossible.  Knowing this, whether or not golf pros should be able to vocally and verbally express their anger at the quality of their play is being debated, and it's being debated because of the actions and behavior of golf's most high profile golfer:  Tiger Woods.

Tiger's Fireworks at British Raised Eyebrows

If you tuned in at all to the British Open, you know exactly what we're talking about.  How Tiger performed is no secret, but what the cameras did their best to hide, was his reactions to that play.  An errant drive led to him hitting his golf bag with his club.  A missed putt lead to him throwing the putter and dropping the "f" word; a bad shot from the fairway and you heard any number of profanities.  The question we're left asking, and apparently golf.com agrees, is why in the world is the PGA and their cameras doing their best to hide these reactions?  I'm sorry, but the one thing I took home from the movie Happy Gilmore, is that if golf could use one thing, more than all other things, it'd be Passion.  Golf needs more fire, more excitement, more drama and yes, more REactions.  Golf needs every golfer to want to win so bad that one bad shot leads to a 5-iron soaring through the air.

We React, Why Can't They?

If you think to the last time you played, the people you played with and the other golfers populating the course, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone Not reacting to their play.  It's natural to want to play well, it's natural to react when you don't.  Why then are we expecting those with the most skill in the world to not react when they don't display that skill?  I understand the need to censor the words being said, but why hide the emotions themselves?

PGA Tour Needs More Fire

Our advice:  Let golfers be human too.  The PGA Tour needs an infusion of emotion, passion and fire.  Stop worrying about the reactions, stop filtering the drama and let golf be even greater.

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We all know what David used when he took down Goliath as it has been well documented and reported throughout history.  David used a sling and a rock, yes a single rock, to take down the giant.  Perhaps many years down the road, when people asked what Y.E. Yang used to take down the giant that is Tiger Woods, people will turn here to find out exactly what weapons he used to pull off the impossible improbable defeat in the PGA Championship over the man that had never, up til that point, been beat in this way.

TaylorMade & Odyssey Get Big Win

When they do turn here for that answer, they'll find that it was TaylorMade that provided the weapons of mass Tiger destruction, and Odyssey that provided the putter that rolled in the final putt to upset golf's greatest.  Once again, TaylorMade is showing strong this entire golf season, they've picked up numerous big time wins and a few majors scattered throughout this season, proving that their latest and greatest line of sticks might just be at the top of the pile when it comes to quality and consistency.

Yang's Winning Weaponry

Nevertheless, here is the full set of clubs Y.E. Yang used to notch his amazing upset victory over Tiger Woods:

Driver: TaylorMade r7 Limited (8.5°) with Aldila NV 75X shaft
Fairway woods: TaylorMade Burner (13°), TaylorMade V Steel (18°) with Honma ARMRQ shafts
Hybrid: TaylorMade Rescue TP (19°, 21°) Alida NVS 105 hybrid shaft
Irons:  TaylorMade r7 TP (5-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade rac (48°), Nike SV (58°)
Putter: Odyssey White Hot Two-Ball
Ball:  TaylorMade TP Red LDP

There you have it.  The TaylorMade/Odyssey combination has been potent this year.  When the entire season is over, it will be interesting to see the full list of wins by manufacturer.  TaylorMade has to be right there at the top, they've been racking up the wins this year with great play by their sponsored players.

Congrats Yang, Congrats TaylorMade

Congrats go out to Y.E. Yang for his great play and his impressive finish despite all the odds being stacked against him.  Congrats also go out to TaylorMade and Odyssey for

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You know that thing that almost NEVER happens?  That thing where when Tiger Woods is leading going into the final round of a golf tournament, he just can't lose it?  That thing where when it comes to a major, if Tiger has a window of opportunity to win it, he never fails to take it?  Yeah, that thing.  Well it happened.  That's right, Y.E. Yang, a golfer who only nine months ago was in PGA Qualifying School, upset Tiger and shocked the world when he beat the world's best golfer and stole the PGA Championship right out from underneath his nose.

Tiger's Final Putt Means Nothing

How strange a sight to see Tiger Woods hunched over his final putt on the 18th hole knowing that whether or not it went in meant absolutely nothing.  Nothing for good and nothing for bad, just nothing.  How strange to watch him sink that putt and not hear the crowd erupt and Tiger fist pump and watch him hoist the trophy.  How strange and yet how completely exciting, for golf and for Yang.

Yang Plays Great, Woods Plays Terrible

The victory for Yang came for two main reasons.  First, Yang played exceptional golf capped off with an 18th hole that no one, anywhere, will forget.  His 3-iron approach to the green saved the tournament for him as much as the chip in eagle on the 14th set it up.  Combine this with the fact that Tiger Woods shot the single worst round of golf in the final round of the major when he was in the last group, a 75.  This, my friends, is a powerful recipe for a David vs. Goliath style slaying, and Yang took advantage of it to beat Woods by 3 strokes.  Impressive?  We know so.

Yang Sounds Off...

Once Yang was interviewed, it became clear just how his mindset going into the final round truly set him up for victory.  When asked, here's what Yang had to say:

"It’s not like you’re in an octagon where you’re fighting against Tiger and he’s going to bite you, or swing at you with his 9-iron...The worst that I could do was just lose to Tiger. So I really had nothing much at stake."

Congratulations To Yang

Looks like the pressure of having everything to lose, and being expected to win trumps a man with nothing to lose, and everything to gain.  Congratulations Yang, well played, well deserved and extremely impressive!  Thanks for the wild ride.

(Image Greenwood/Getty Images)

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Watching the final round of the PGA Championships today I was struck by one thing:  Just how much I'd love to be able to play some of the courses that the pro's get to play.  It's no secret that they get to play on the most beautiful, exclusive, expensive and impressive golf courses in the United States and the rest of the world, but what IS a bit unknown, is that some of the best golf courses, you can actually play.  Yes, you, the amateur, the hack, the weekend-warrior.

We Have Access To Greatness

That's right, there are some gems scattered around the globe, some hidden but some not, that everyone, everywhere can play.  They lack the exclusive country club nature, they lack the membership rules and some even lack the huge expenses that many courses have.  All this combines to mean they are public and YOU can play them, assuming you're good enough, that is.  So, saying this, what are the best courses in the world that we can actually get our amateur sticks out on?  Glad you asked as I just found a great report from the Weather Channel, of all places, that did a spot-on job of picking 10 courses that we can play, right now if we wish.

The Top 10 Courses You Can Play

Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Courses You Can Play:

1. Pebble Beach
2. The Old Course at St. Andrews
3. Royal County Down
4. Bandon Dunes
5. Kiawah Island
6. Cape Kidnappers
7. Straits Course at Whistling Straits
8. Ballybunion (Old)
9. TPC at Sawgrass
10. Kapalua (Plantation)

See, with names like Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and TPC Sawgrass there really is no arguing that while the PGA professionals do get the pick of the litter for best courses to play on, we can actually play on some of those very same courses ourselves.  No use getting jealous and upset when we can actually play on the very same courses that some of golf's most exciting finishes ever have taken place.

Get Out There!

Get out there, play some of these amazing courses, take photos and send them to us!  After all, we want to see the amateurs standing where the pro's usually do!