Star-Telegram.com: Jimmy Burch

Briles down after defeat, but all is not lost at Baylor

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:59 CDT

WACO — Art Briles came to Baylor to put a stop to games like the one that unfolded Thursday.

Eventually, he may even do it. Briles, a notable success in previous head coaching stops at Stephenville High School and the University of Houston, has a better résumé as a program-turner than any Baylor coaching hire since Grant Teaff.

None of that mattered Thursday, however, as the Bears were outmanned and eventually subdued by No. 23 Wake Forest 41-13 in Briles’ first game in charge of a program that is working on its fifth football coach of the Big 12 era.

Afterward, Briles said he was "embarrassed" by the lopsided loss and called it a "painful" debut at his new school.

"You want to give people a reason to believe, and we didn’t do that," Briles said. "I feel like I let a lot of people down."

Forgive Briles for his perfectionist take on Thursday’s proceedings. When judged against the proper backdrop — a dozen seasons filled with losing records, egregious turnovers and blowout losses — you have to judge what happened Thursday in Floyd Casey Stadium against a sliding scale. And, when doing that, you must credit Briles’ Bears with taking several baby steps in the right direction in terms of rushing in the red zone and finding the offensive catalyst they lacked last season.

The Bears, who scored only five rushing touchdowns last season — by far the fewest among Big 12 teams — had two Thursday. That’s progress.

But Briles’ debut should forever be remembered as the night Baylor unleashed the most dynamic quarterback the Bears have had in the Big 12 era. Freshman Robert Griffin (154 yards total offense) entered the game in the second quarter, directed both of the Bears’ touchdown drives and showed signs of being the dual threat that Baylor fans have dreamed about for years.

Yes, he also botched two third-quarter handoffs that prevented the Bears from closing a 20-6 deficit at a time when they seemed poised to make it a competitive game. But on a night that opened with Briles wondering who should quarterback his team, Griffin provided several clutch completions, one electrifying 22-yard run, a 6-yard scoring scamper and hope for the future after starter Kirby Freeman was yanked following three indifferent first quarter possessions (two three-and-outs, one interception).

No, it’s not a victory. And there were still too many turnovers (5) and defensive lapses for Briles to feel good about those areas.

But with Griffin at the helm, the Bears found two things they lacked last season: an offensive catalyst and a meaningful ground game in the red zone. Over the course of the next 11 games, those could be significant discoveries. Even if Briles downplayed his freshman’s contributions after the contest.

"I thought he played hard and provided a spark," Briles said. "But I would like to say he provided a spark and we won the game."

It may be a while before Briles can offer a postgame assessment of a Baylor victory, especially when matched against a Top 25 opponent. After Thursday’s loss, the Bears are 2-39 in their last 41 meetings against ranked teams.

No question, there’s still a huge gap between the Bears and the nation’s best teams. Briles needs to recruit more guys like Robert Griffin to help them bridge that gap.

Expect big things from Big 12 football teams and athletes in 2008

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:27 CDT

JIMMY BURCH

As we peer into the crystal football, seeking insights about the 2008 Big 12 race, here’s a handy DO and DO NOT guide for fans wondering what to expect when the games begin tonight:

DO look toward No. 4 Oklahoma, not No. 6 Missouri, as the team most likely to carry a 12-0 record into the Big 12 championship game. DO NOT be surprised if the Tigers, even with one or two losses, upset the Sooners on Dec. 6 in Kansas City, Mo., to claim the league title.

DO NOT expect overnight turnarounds from first-year coaches at Nebraska and Texas A&M, the league’s highest-profile rebuilders in 2008. DO pencil in the Cornhuskers and Aggies for second-tier bowl berths, however.

DO expect No. 12 Texas Tech to crack the Top 10, with the nation’s highest-scoring offense, by the time the Red Raiders open conference play Oct. 4 at Kansas State. DO NOT be surprised if the Raiders, who typically mix in one head-scratching loss per season, finish 1-1 or worse in the state of Kansas in 2008 (Tech plays Oct. 25 at No. 14 Kansas).

DO NOT expect No. 11 Texas to extend its streak of seven consecutive 10-win seasons unless the Longhorns win their bowl game. DO realize that Will Muschamp, Texas’ new defensive coordinator, is savvy enough to make the previous sentence look foolish by the end of November if he can get immediate production from several promising young players.

DO embrace the hiring of coach Art Briles, if you’re a Baylor fan, and expect more excitement from the offense this season. DO NOT plan to see the Bears in a bowl game until 2009, at the earliest.

DO NOT look for Kansas to approach last year’s 12-1 record while playing a much tougher schedule this season. DO expect the Jayhawks to win eight games and earn a bowl bid in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.

DO NOT envy this league’s defensive coordinators, with six of the nation’s top 24 quarterbacks — based on 2007 pass efficiency ratings — returning to start for Big 12 teams this season. DO understand that any quarterback who finishes 2008 as an honorable mention choice on the all-conference team could be a first-teamer in several other leagues.

DO expect record-breaking performances, as well as national acclaim, from league offensive stalwarts like Missouri QB Chase Daniel, Tech QB Graham Harrell, Tech WR Michael Crabtree, Missouri WR-KR Jeremy Maclin and Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham. DO NOT anticipate similar kudos for Big 12 defenders, who will be overshadowed by their offensive counterparts.

DO NOT underestimate what the addition of heralded freshman running back Darrell Scott could mean to Colorado, a young team on the rise with a solid returning nucleus. DO expect the Buffs to upset at least one Top 25 opponent, and possibly more, this season.

DO NOT expect a Heisman Trophy winner to emerge from the Big 12 ranks, as long as Florida QB Tim Tebow and Ohio State RB Chris "Beanie" Wells are healthy and productive. DO expect the winner of the Dec. 6 Big 12 Championship Game to earn a berth in the BCS title game or have a legitimate gripe about why it was left out.

Quick hits

Moving down the dial: Texas has switched radio affiliates in the Dallas-Fort Worth market this season, making KRLD/1080 AM the home for Longhorns’ broadcasts. But the station also is the flagship carrier for Texas Rangers’ baseball games, meaning D/FW fans will not be able to tune in a Longhorns’ football telecast on the AM station until Oct. 4, when Texas plays at Colorado.

A KRLD spokesman said earlier this week that the Longhorns’ first four contests, including Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic, will be broadcast live on the company’s FM sister station, KLLI/105.3 FM.

Early spotlight: Missouri will play its fourth consecutive game on national television when the sixth-ranked Tigers meet No. 20 Illinois in St. Louis (7:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN). Quarterback Chase Daniel, a Southlake Carroll graduate, expects the Tigers to handle the spotlight as smoothly as they did while closing last season with a 38-7 victory over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl.

"That’s what it takes with winning," Daniel said earlier this week at a news conference in Columbia, Mo. "There’s more national exposure, and I think that we’re mature enough to do that now."

'Elf’ motivated: Texas Tech receiver Eric "Elf" Morris plans to have a big senior season despite his diminutive dimensions. Morris, listed at 5-foot-8 and 172 pounds in the Red Raiders’ media guide, concedes those numbers are not as accurate as the ones that show he caught 75 passes for 767 yards last season, including nine for touchdowns.

"I pride myself on being one of the smallest receivers in the Big 12 … and still be able to produce the way I do despite being 5-7 and 169 pounds," said Morris, who is expected to have a higher-profile role in Tech’s offense with Danny Amendola (109 catches in 2007) now a rookie with the Dallas Cowboys.

As for the "Elf" nickname, Morris said, "There are mixed emotions about that. I don’t take offense to it. I enjoy being told that I’m too small."

Numbers game

Tour of the Big 12: Texas

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:28 CDT

By JIMMY BURCH

AUSTIN — Before the start of fall drills, Texas defensive tackle Roy Miller topped 500 pounds in the bench press during summer workouts.

Reaching the milestone made him reflect on how far he has progressed in the past year. At the same stage last August, Miller said he was struggling to rebound from shoulder surgery that left him "benching around 200 pounds, when I came into the [2007] season."

The senior from Killeen shook his head and smiled as he reflected on the "crazy" strength limitations he battled while making 40 tackles (eight for losses) for a 10-3 team last season.

"You get out there on that field and you’re just praying, 'God, I can’t do this. I need your help,’ " Miller said. "It was that way in every game."

But it’s not that way anymore. Gone are the shoulder and ankle ailments that plagued Miller (6-foot-2, 300 pounds) throughout last season, although he played in every contest while spelling starters Frank Okam and Derek Lokey.

Heading into Saturday’s opener against Florida Atlantic (6 p.m., Austin), Miller stands as No. 11 Texas’ most experienced returnee at defensive tackle. He is the first player that defensive end Brian Orakpo mentions when asked which Longhorns should surprise fans with improved play this season.

"Roy is a hard-nosed guy who has been there through the long run," Orakpo said. "A lot of people don’t know how [hurt] he was last year. But he’s healthy now, and he’s got a huge upside. He’s a premier guy on our defense this season."

Will Muschamp, the Longhorns’ new defensive coordinator, ranks Miller among Texas’ top three defenders in terms of "Football IQ."

"Roy takes a lot of pride in ... everything he does," Muschamp said, citing positive traits he’s observed on and off the field. "He is a self-starter. When you tell him something, he takes it to heart. Those are the guys that usually are the good players because they’ve got the intangibles in life that some other guys don’t have. He certainly has those qualities."

Miller may have a role in Texas’ offense as well. He is among the candidates who have auditioned to serve as a blocking fullback in short-yardage and goal-line situations this season. After playing at less than his physical peak last season, Miller said he welcomes any opportunity to take the field and show how much better he can be.

"It isn’t about me. It’s about helping the team," Miller said. "There were a lot of things I tried to play through [last year] but probably shouldn’t have. ... I wasn’t at my best. I wasn’t close. But I am now. And it’s a big difference. I hit 505 [pounds] in the bench press this summer, so I know I’m ready. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do when I’m healthy."

Texas Coach: Mack Brown (11th season, 103-25)

2007 record: 10-3, 5-3 in Big 12 (second in South Division)

What to know: The team’s first 2008 depth chart is expected to be released today, with many starting jobs unsettled. ... Texas has five freshmen pushing to join junior Ishie Oduegwu in the rotation at safety — Earl Thomas, Christian Scott, Ben Wells, Blake Gideon and Nolan Brewster. ... Longtime assistant Duane Akina will oversee the team’s kick-block units, a duty he delegated in 2007 while serving as defensive coordinator. Texas struggled on special teams last season, causing coach Mack Brown to say the Longhorns "lost our stinger" by taking Akina out of the loop. ... Three RBs (Vondrell McGee, Fozzy Whittaker, Chris Ogbonnaya) are expected to share playing time in Saturday’s season opener.

Projected finish: Third in South Division

Schedule

Aug. 30	Florida Atlantic
Sept. 6	at UTEP
Sept. 13	Arkansas
Sept. 20	Rice
Oct. 4	at Colorado*
Oct. 11	vs. Oklahoma*#
Oct. 18	Missouri*
Oct. 25	Oklahoma St.*
Nov. 1	at Texas Tech*
Nov. 8	Baylor*
Nov. 15	at Kansas*
Nov. 27	Texas A&M*

*Big 12 games; # in Dallas

Texas Longhorns want backup QB John Chiles in the game

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:37 CDT

By JIMMY BURCH

This much is certain: Texas coaches are actively devising ways to get the football into the hands of backup quarterback John Chiles on a more frequent basis during the 2008 season.

But they seek to do this without benching starter Colt McCoy.

During fall drills, that has led to lots of experimentation and speculation about where Chiles, one of the team’s fastest players, will line up when placed in tandem with McCoy. Chiles, a sophomore from Mansfield Summit, has practiced at receiver and running back this fall, in addition to his duties as backup quarterback.

But with closed practices and coaches’ desire to limit details about Chiles’ expanded role before the season opener, a lot of questions will linger until the 11th-ranked Longhorns line up Aug. 30 against Florida Atlantic (6 p.m., Austin).

When Texas takes the field against FAU, Chiles will head into the game with the highest 2007 yards per carry average (5.3) of any returning rusher. Although he completed only 1 of 9 passes as a freshman, teammates say Chiles made strides as a passer during the summer.

What should fans expect from a two-quarterback offensive package? Details are limited, but here are some hints from those involved:

"To be able to get John on the field and have the ball in his hands is important. He’s a playmaker. We can do a lot of different things: line him up at receiver ... [or] put him in the backfield, running kind of an option thing. It’s fun, and I think he likes it, too."

— Colt McCoy,Texas’ starting quarterback

"It’s not that much of an adjustment because, as a quarterback, I should know what the receiver’s going to be doing. ... I feel a lot more comfortable. Everything is starting to slow down for me."

— John Chiles, Texas’ backup quarterback

"I’ve always had full confidence in [Chiles]. He’s throwing better, and he’s a competitor. What this [expanded role] adds is a scare to defenses that play us. You know he can come in at any point and lead the offense and do things a little bit differently. It’s a great situation to be in."

— Quan Cosby, Texas receiver

"John and Colt are two of our best players. They’re two of our most productive players, so we need to ... get John on the field more to get the ball in his hands. That would be a help."

— Mack Brown, Texas coach

"I get a little bit of time with John Chiles every day. Quite a bit ... I think you can definitely see spurts where he’s very comfortable there."

— Bobby Kennedy, Texas wide receivers coach

"We’ve spent a good part of the summer expanding the package that we kind of toyed with last year. I feel good that we’ll have a nice package when we open. It’s obvious that John’s a playmaker, and we need to find ways to get him the ball."

— Greg Davis, Texas offensive coordinator

Local Golf Insider: Fort Worth munis chip in for good cause

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:38 CDT

By JIMMY BURCH

Play some golf, help a family that has lost a loved one in U.S. military service.

It’s a pretty simple concept, and one that Fort Worth’s municipal courses will embrace when they observe Patriot Golf Day over Labor Day weekend (Aug. 29-Sept. 1). The national fund-raising effort, supported by the PGA of America, raised $1.1 million in its 2007 debut and has been expanded from one to four days this year.

Nancy Bunton, Fort Worth’s director of golf, said all five city courses will be involved in efforts to donate $1 for every round played in that four-day period. Lots of other area courses also will participate, and other creative fund-raisers are scheduled. Some locations will have silent auctions for a special-edition, Patriot Golf Day driver donated by TaylorMade, with proceeds going to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships for families of fallen or wounded soldiers.

Sam Maraffi, golf pro at Z Boaz Golf Course in Fort Worth, will hold a beat-the-pro contest on Aug. 30. For a $5 donation, golfers who hit the green at the 10th hole, a par-3 near the clubhouse, will receive a golf ball. Those who put it on the green closer to the pin than the pro will get a free sleeve of balls.

Maraffi’s course topped Fort Worth munis in last year’s Patriot Golf Day donations ($385), and he’s hoping to hit the $1,000 mark this year.

"It’s for a good cause that’s near and dear to my heart," said Maraffi, whose son, Eric, is a U.S. Army captain who returned in November from 15-month tour of duty in Iraq and is now stationed at Fort Hood. "Hopefully, we can raise a decent amount of money."

For a list of participating courses in Texas, consult www.playgolfamerica.com.

Home cooking

Several local golfers have entered an Aug. 25 sectional qualifier in Aledo to try to earn berths in the U.S. Senior Amateur, Sept. 20-25 at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth.

One competitor at Split Rail Links and Golf Club will be Denny Alexander, a Shady Oaks member who is tournament chairman for the U.S. Amateur. Mike Wright, Shady Oaks’ director of golf, said contingency plans have been made to "make it as easy as possible" for Alexander to turn over his duties to others if he qualifies to compete on his home course. Also competing at the qualifier will be Fort Worth resident John Grace, a former European Seniors Tour member whose amateur status was reinstated after he left the professional ranks.

Power of plaid

Steve Carter, a McKinney resident who graduated from Fort Worth’s Polytechnic High School in 1968, recorded his first ace in 40-plus years as a golfer on July 19. But it came at a price.

At his wife’s suggestion, and against his better judgment, Carter said he wore a new pair of plaid shorts that would "make the Colonial plaid jacket look subtle."

The round began with a shotgun start, and Carter’s first full swing resulted in a hole-in-one at the 11th hole of Hidden Creek Golf Course in Burleson. Carter said: "I’m normally a very conservative dresser. But, now, I’m doomed to plaid on the golf course."

Briefly

Deadlines are fast approaching to enter the Fort Worth Men’s Championship (Aug. 26), Women’s Championship (Aug. 26) and Super Seniors Championship (Sept. 7). Competition dates are: Men’s (Aug. 30-Sept. 1), Women’s (Aug. 30-31) and Super Seniors (Sept. 11-12).

The Collegiate Players Tour holds its national championship event Monday through Thursday at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless.

Arlington resident John Bearrie qualified earlier this week to compete in the U.S. Mid-Amateur, Sept. 6-11 in River Hills, Wis. Another Mid-Am qualifier is Tuesday at Trophy Club.

Four Tarrant County residents (Conrad Shindler, Ty Cox, Jeffrey Edelman and Travis Woolf) have qualified to compete in the U.S. Amateur, from Aug. 18-24, in Pinehurst, N.C.

Euless golfer’s first major test is avoiding Monster’s wrath

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:26 CDT

JIMMY BURCH

Regardless of what happens in today’s practice round at the PGA Championship, it will be an 18-hole journey that Vince Jewell never will forget.

The same can be said for the two rounds that will follow, on Thursday and Friday at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

After that? The club pro from Euless, who will be making his career debut in one of professional golf’s major championships, hopes he’s still in the field, seeking to slay the Monster.

That is the nickname Oakland Hills has carried since 1951, when Fort Worth golf legend Ben Hogan fired a closing 67 to win the U.S. Open at a layout where the scoring average was 77.2. Afterward, Hogan said he was glad he "brought this monster to its knees" with his stellar final round.

Jewell, 37, considers himself a "big-time" Hogan fan. But he plans to adopt a less-confrontational approach toward the course.

"I want to meet the Monster first, and keep his temper down," Jewell said, laughing. "Regardless of where I finish, it’ll be a great week."

And a memorable one. Jewell made sure of that by enlisting his father, Paul, as a caddie for today’s practice round. He’ll go back to his regular caddie during the tournament, but Jewell chose to have his father join him during his final tuneup at what may be his only competitive appearance in one of golf’s elite events. Or the first of many, depending how Jewell’s game continues to progress.

"I’m surprised he accepted, but I’m glad he did," said Jewell, an assistant golf professional at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas.

Jewell, the 2007 Player of the Year from the Northern Texas PGA, punched his ticket in this week’s field by finishing in a tie for 15th at the PGA Professional National Championship in Lake Oconee, Ga., on June 22. The top 20 finishers earned tee times at Oakland Hills.

Jewell, a former New Mexico State golfer who has played in the past three EDS Byron Nelson Championships, has spent the early part of tournament week seeking insights from PGA Tour friends such as Colleyville resident Chad Campbell and Rich Beem, a New Mexico State teammate who won the 2002 PGA. The experience, he said, has been "awesome" although he’s wondering how the nerves will respond when the starter calls him to the tee Thursday.

"I’m hitting it well," said Jewell, who shot 3-under par and finished 17th in last month’s Texas State Open in Tyler. "If I keep doing that, anything can happen."

That includes fulfilling his second dream of the 2008 season. The first, for Jewell, was simply to earn a tee time at the PGA. The next dream?

"To finish in the top eight and get invited to the [2009] U.S. Open and a bunch of other events," Jewell said, referring to the perks that accompany a high finish at the PGA. "That’s in the back of my mind. ... My expectation is to keep it in the fairway off the tee. If I do that, there’s not much that can go wrong."

At the very least, Jewell always will be able to say that, in his major championship debut, he came closer to winning than Tiger Woods.

Deep down, Jewell said he is "kind of bummed" that Woods’ season-ending knee surgery will prevent him from comparing scores this week with the world’s top-ranked golfer. With a little luck, however, Jewell hopes his performance at Oakland Hills will be the springboard toward a head-to-head meeting with Woods at a future PGA Tour event.

"My game is maturing. I’m still on an upward path," Jewell said. "I’m finally feeling confident in myself to do what I need to keep getting better. I don’t feel like I’ve hit my ceiling yet."

If Jewell can slay the Monster, or at least make him wince for 72 holes, he’ll have a better indication of how high that ceiling is in relation to the world’s best golfers.

PGA Championship Thursday-Sunday, Oakland Hills Golf Club, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

By the numbers

Golf Insider: Ryder Cup could turn to young guns

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:04 CDT

JIMMY BURCH

Close your eyes, think ahead and listen to the starter at the 2008 Ryder Cup:

Now on the tee for the United States, Rocco Mediate and Woody Austin …

What just happened? The oldest pairing of Ryder Cup rookies in U.S. history received the go-ahead to begin their opening match at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. Combined age: 89.

Don’t like that scenario? Try this one:

Now on the tee for the United States, Anthony Kim and Sean O’Hair …

There, now. We’ve rolled back the clock by pairing the youngest potential U.S. competitors for the Sept. 19-21 matches against the European team. This all-rookie tandem has a combined age of 49.

To put that in perspective, teammate Kenny Perry — one of the few locks on this U.S. squad — will be 48 when he shoulders the burden as one of the pillars of a Tiger-free U.S. team that will seek its first victory in this competition since 1999.

Feel free to honk, golf fans, if you began the year expecting the U.S. to end Europe’s Ryder Cup dominance by leaning on players like Austin, Mediate, Kim, O’Hair and Perry while Woods recuperates from season-ending knee surgery. Funny, but it’s awfully quiet out there. And, for the record, I’m not honking, either.

No one could have envisioned the twists and turns of 2008 that will make the next two weeks memorable and unpredictable for Ryder Cup contenders. And for golf fans curious about the 12-man roster that will represent the U.S. in Kentucky.

When the points race ends Aug. 11, you can safely project only the top five golfers in this week’s standings to be holding guaranteed berths on the U.S. team: Stewart Cink, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Perry and Kim, a Dallas resident.

Beyond that, fellow Dallas resident Justin Leonard (3,277.5 points) looks strong in his bid to land the sixth of eight guaranteed berths from the points list. Leonard is almost 700 points ahead of No. 7 Boo Weekley (2,591.5 points), a safe but not insurmountable cushion. With 11 golfers within 700 points of Weekley, the final six spots are anyone’s guess.

And, unlike past years, captain Paul Azinger gets four at-large picks, rather than two, to complete his squad. Better yet, he’ll have until Sept. 2 to make them, rather than choosing the day after the PGA Championship.

So the heat will continue for Ryder Cup bubble riders until 17 days before the start of matches, allowing Azinger a better feel for who’s hot and who’s not when he completes his squad.

With the world’s top-ranked golfer out of the loop, that’s a positive tweak for Azinger. The talent poll, even with Woods in the mix, favors the Europeans. But the new selection process, which Azinger helped devise, should let the U.S. send its 12 hottest golfers to Kentucky. That’s different from past seasons, and a welcome change for the captain.

"With all my heart, I believe that the selection process is going to make a big difference," Azinger said. "We have averaged six players at each of the last five Ryder Cups who had not won a tournament that year."

Among Azinger’s locks for Valhalla, only Furyk has not won a PGA Tour event in 2008.

But he has 13 career titles, including the 2003 U.S. Open. He has proved his mettle as a high-stakes golfer.

Although the list of potential at-large options is lengthy — prime contenders include Mediate, Austin and 2007 Masters champ Zach Johnson — the possibility of adding four golfers with a tour victory in this calendar year is intriguing. Especially if we’re talking about rising stars like Kim, who figure to be Ryder Cup fixtures for years to come.

Kim, 23, is a two-event winner this season who projects to be the United States’ youngest Ryder Cup rookie since Woods (then 21) in 1997. Other young at-large candidates who have won tour events this season include O’Hair (26), D.J. Trahan (27), J.B. Holmes (26), Johnson Wagner (28) and Chez Reavie (26). Hunter Mahan (26) and Brandt Snedeker (27) have not won this season but have done enough to deserve serious consideration.

If I’m Azinger, that crop of under-30 candidates really tempts me when it’s time to pick at-large additions.

Tiger the patient must be patient for this comeback

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:02 CDT

JIMMY BURCH

The PGA Tour will experience a rarity this week. An active tour member is not competing in the event where he is the designated host.

Obviously, recent knee surgery makes it impossible for Tiger Woods to be a participant in Thursday’s opening round of the AT&T National, the tournament he helps organize to benefit his foundation.

Woods’ doctors, who performed reconstructive surgery June 24 on Tiger’s troublesome left knee, expressed confidence that the procedure went smoothly and should repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg called it "highly unlikely" that the world’s top-ranked golfer will suffer any negative long-term career implications as long as he follows "proper rehabilitation and training" procedures.

That’s the one variable in this equation that should scare golf fans and PGA Tour officials. Woods, in his zeal to bounce back from arthroscopic knee surgery in April to compete at last month’s U.S. Open, pushed his body to the breaking point.

The fact that he won the Open while playing with two stress fractures in his left tibia, a byproduct of intense rehabilitation efforts to offset an injured knee, underscores what separates Woods from his peers. Not only is his talent level off the charts, but he scores even higher in willpower and mental toughness. On the golf course, that’s almost an unbeatable combination.

During rehabilitation efforts, however, too much willpower can be harmful. Testing a surgically repaired knee too soon, and too intensely, can undo a surgeon’s handiwork and send the patient back to the operating room to re-start the process. Sometimes, the damage done can be irreversible. In retrospect, Woods said "maybe" he risked further damage to the knee by competing at the Open.

Here’s hoping that Woods grasps the scope of his latest rehab assignment and won’t push the envelope this time. The game needs a healthy Tiger pursuing Jack Nicklaus’ career mark for major championships, not a gimpy one who short-changed his opportunity to maximize his greatness because he rushed back to play the 2009 Masters.

If Woods can’t resume playing competitive golf for a full year — a reasonable rehabilitation time for reconstructive knee surgery — then so be it. Don’t worry about trying to win a 15th major until the 2009 British Open. Or the 2009 PGA Championship. Or, if need be, the 2010 Masters. Let the body, not the calendar, decide the timetable.

The pursuit of Nicklaus’ career mark of 18 major titles is a marathon, not a sprint. And the quickest way for Woods, 32, to take himself out of the race is to overestimate his recuperative powers and further damage the knee at this pivotal crossroads in his career.

Although last week’s procedure was the third in five years on Woods’ left knee, it was his first reconstructive — rather than arthroscopic — surgery. The difference, as any football player can tell you, is huge.

Reconstructive knee surgery requires a rehabilitation effort of roughly one year. It’s only a matter of weeks with the ’scope.

Although it is early in Woods’ rehab process, the following quote from agent Mark Steinberg should raise eyebrows.

"There will be debate whether he rushed back for the U.S. Open," Steinberg said.

"But I don’t think there will be any debate that he rushes back from [this] surgery. He won’t need to. Augusta is in April."

Yikes! Let’s tap the brakes, Steiny. The 2009 Masters, played in Augusta, Ga., is nine months away. That may be enough time for Woods’ knee to be at 100 percent. Then again, it may not. And if it is not, Woods should not force himself into the fray, as he did at the 2008 Open. He needs to follow his doctor’s advice, not his heart, on this one.

This is uncharted territory, a slippery slope where a miscalculation can lead to the type of long-term health issues that could hinder Woods’ opportunity to redefine golf greatness. No one wants to see that happen.

A healthy Woods projects as a contender in every major he will play for the next 15 years. That’s a total of 60 majors. If he has to skip six, rather than two, to be on top of his game for the other 54, that’s a long-term tradeoff worth making.

Here’s hoping that Tiger and his advisers understand that. For Woods’ own good, as well as the good of the game.

Golf Insider: Sorenstam would love to claim a fourth Open title

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:28 CDT

By JIMMY BURCH

Win or lose, Annika Sorenstam will walk away from this week’s U.S. Women’s Open as an official ambassador for the tournament’s sanctioning body.

The U.S. Golf Association recently finalized that relationship, naming Sorenstam a USGA ambassador whose duties begin with Thursday’s opening round at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn.

Sorenstam, 37, will be the focus of a first-round webcast on the USGA’s tournament site ( www.uswomensopen.com), with fans able to view streaming video of Thursday’s shots as they occur. It’s a USGA first, with other duties for Ambassador Annika to be firmed up when she retires as a competitive golfer after the 2008 season.

Jim Vernon, USGA president, said Sorenstam has "earned a rare place in golf’s history" with 72 victories at LPGA Tour events, including 10 major titles and a tour record of more than $22 million in earnings.

Along the way, the 2003 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame has won three titles at the Women’s Open. The tournament record is four, and Sorenstam can think of no better way to cement her relationship with the USGA than to match that mark Sunday in her final round at the most prestigious event in women’s golf.

"That would be great," said Sorenstam, who won Women’s Open titles in 1995, 1996 and 2006. "I know I can do it. I’ve done it in the past … I love the golf course and I feel good about my game."

Sorenstam’s warm, fuzzy feelings for Interlachen date back to 2002, when the course was the venue for the Solheim Cup. Although her European team fell to the United States 15 1/2 to 12 1/2 , Sorenstam put together a 3-1-1 record in her matches. She plans to lean on that comfort zone this week at a course where accurate approach shots are essential.

"I love old, traditional courses, and this is a typical one where you have small greens," said Sorenstam, who ranks second among LPGA players in hitting greens in regulation (74.9 percent). "You have to work the ball off the tee. I think it’s going to be a perfect venue for the Open."

Especially for Sorenstam, a power player who should thrive at the longest layout in Women’s Open history (6,789 yards, par 73).

Lorena Ochoa, who has displaced Sorenstam as the No. 1 player in women’s golf, acknowledged that the USGA is picking an appropriate player to become its latest ambassador.

"I’ve always admired her," Ochoa said. "I like the way she handles things, on and off the course. I look at her as a role model."

For the rest of the season, however, Ochoa sees Sorenstam as a threat. Heading into Thursday’s opening round, Ochoa leads the LPGA Tour in victories (six) and earnings ($2,009,426). Sorenstam is second in both departments, at three wins and $1,423,900.

Ochoa has one major title this season (Kraft Nabisco Championship). Sorenstam has zero, with two majors remaining. If either player can pick off both titles, she’ll be well-positioned to lead the money list and be the favorite to become Player of the Year.

Sorenstam, an eight-time Player of the Year, would love to cap her career with title No. 9. That’s why the USGA’s newest ambassador views her final Open appearance as more than a nostalgic walk in the park.

"I’m focusing on playing golf," Sorenstam said. "I have a chance to win the money list and player of the year. I want to finish well. That’s my focus. Nothing else."

Quoteboard

If you want to win, … it’s part of the package. But it’s good. I always do it with a smile on my face. It’s like paying taxes. Hopefully, you pay a lot of taxes. It’s part of my job.

Lorena Ochoa
, the top-ranked player in women’s golf, on increased public attention focused her way in light of Annika Sorenstam’s impending retirement.

By the numbers

2 Golfers with four career victories at the U.S. Women’s Open, a record Annika Sorenstam seeks to match this week. The list: Betsy Rawls (1951, 1953, 1957, 1960) and Mickey Wright (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964).

3 Holes used in a Sunday playoff, if necessary, to break a tie after regulation at the Women’s Open.

Ex-Texas Tech golfer continues comeback at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:03 CDT

By JIMMY BURCH

The initial lump, spotted by a personal trainer, surfaced while Laurie Brower was competing at an LPGA Tour event in 2000.

A subsequent test showed it to be insignificant, from a medical standpoint. But the same mammogram identified another mass that confirmed Brower’s deepest fear: She had breast cancer.

Although the tumor was safely removed, the experience proved instrumental in Brower’s decision to walk away from an injury-plagued professional golf career. After the 2002 season, the former Texas Tech golfer left the LPGA Tour and returned to Lubbock, where she works as a golf instructor and a fundraiser for Tech’s women’s athletics department.

Daily duties at both of those jobs will be set aside this week, however, while Brower, 44, competes in the U.S. Women’s Open.

With help from Lubbock-based sponsors and swing coach Amy Fox, who works at Tierra Verde Golf Course in Arlington, Brower will take the latest, and boldest, step in her return to competitive golf in Thursday’s opening round at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn.

"When I left the tour, I didn’t leave on my terms," said Brower, who earned a spot in this week’s field by finishing second at a 36-hole sectional qualifier in Garland on June 9.

"My mind said I could still do it, but I was tired all the time."

Six years later and back to peak health, Brower said she longs to fulfill a dream and send a message to others who have experienced challenges in their lives.

"If you still think you can do it, follow your dreams. Go for it," Brower said. "That thought consumed me every hour for the past six months."

Starting this week, Brower seeks to write a different final chapter to a golf career that has been interrupted, at various times, for the following reasons:

Surgery, at age 17, to remove a melanoma from her knee.

Wrist surgery, followed by an 18-month rehabilitation period, after competing in the 1986 LPGA Tour qualifying tournament.

A 2 1/2 -year stint as the primary caregiver for her dying mother, who was stricken with brain cancer.

Her own breast cancer surgery in 2000.

Surgery in 2001 to remove a cyst on her ring finger that caused nerve inflammation.

Mix in two non-golf incidents from her childhood — Brower was run over by a car at 2 and survived a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean at 9 — and she’s developed quite a survival instinct.

That’s a trait Ken Taggart, one of her Lubbock-based sponsors, is counting on to fuel her comeback.

Taggart and his wife, Susan, pitched the idea of funding Brower’s comeback after noticing her competitive side in November 2007. Brower and Susan were paired against Ken and one of his friends in a match when Brower rallied, after driving into a fairway bunker on the 18th hole, to post a birdie that gave the women’s team a victory — and a story Susan still relishes telling.

Ken Taggart raised the sponsorship idea over dinner later that night.

"My challenge was to light a fire under her and have her know she’s good enough to play with those girls," said Taggart, who owns seven McDonald’s stores in the Lubbock area. "She didn’t leave the game because she couldn’t play. She left because of injuries and obligations to others. I wanted to see her take another shot at it ... because I know from experience that, when she gets pressed, she can respond. We’re behind her 100 percent."