Bob Harig

  (11:00 AM)

Hello everyone, welcome to Oakland Hills Country Club. The first round of the PGA Championship is well under way. The weather is perfect, the course -- so far -- is not playing as difficult as predicted. Go ahead and fire away with your questions.

bob south bend indiana

Barack Obama and Tiger Wood have something in common ....you'd like to like them but eventually they do and say things that just don't let you get there! Disappointing that it was imortant for Tiger to tell his fellow pros that they're not important enough for him to check in on this weekend!

Bob Harig

  (11:01 AM)

Would like to keep the political commentary out of a golf discussion, but if you are talking about Tiger's comments on ESPN Radio the other day, surely you can understand his point. He has a tough time watching an event he'd very much like to be playing in. I'm sure it is tough for players who believe they should be here to watch a tournament on television. Tiger has won this tournament the last two years and obviously has difficulty tuning in because he wants to be part of it. That said, I bet he takes a peek anyway.

Justin (Scottsdale, AZ)

Can you give me a few reasons to be excited about this year's PGA Championship? I'm trying to find something to look forward to or someone to root for, but much like a PGA Tour event on the same weekend as a WGC, I remain unsatisfied.

Bob Harig

  (11:02 AM)

Well, there's lots of reasons to be interested if you enjoy the sport. One of the classic venues in Oakland Hills. A major championship trophy at stake. Ryder Cup spots on the line. There's tons of players you can root for, depending on your tastes. It is the best field of any major.

Matt (Columbus, OH)

Do you think the ever-popular "major hangover" applies to Padraig Harrington, who appears to be mentally very strong?

Bob Harig

  (11:06 AM)

It is quite possible. He admitted last year that it was quite a struggle getting focused after winning the British Open. One problem is there is no let-up. Only 11 days after winning the British, he's teeing it up at the Bridgestone and then this week is the PGA. I can definitely see how that would be difficult, and Harrington said this year he has handled it better.

James in Calgary

Is the quality of field the reason we have unknowns win? Or is there less pressure to win a PGA, which seems like the step-child of Majors?

Bob Harig

  (11:08 AM)

I think there is more validity to your first reason. There is pressure in winning any golf tournament, especially for an unknown player. I believe the reason we have seen more first-timers or so-called unknowns break through at the PGA is the numbers game. The field is deeper with such players. This week there are 93 of the top 100 in the world in the PGA. At the Masters, there are usually not even 93 players. The U.S. Open and British Open have a ton of players who qualify. The PGA simply has more highly-skilled players, making the odds higher that one will break through.

Ashley (Pittsburgh)

What do you expect from Phil Mickelson this weekend? Just another typical Phil performance or possibly being a front runner?

Bob Harig

  (11:11 AM)

Like many, I have difficulty figuring out what Phil will do next. His finish last week at the Bridgestone surprised me, but I felt it was good for him to have been in the hunt heading into the PGA. Today, he starts off with consecutive bogeys. Who knows? It's early, but I expect Phil to have a good week.

JB (TX)

Tiger not watching the PGA is just like how most NFL players don't watch the Super Bowl. It hurts. I was not nearly the athlete Tiger is, but as a competitor I get it

Bob Harig

  (11:12 AM)

If you heard the interview, Tiger was asked if he watched the British Open. He first said no, then admitted he watched the last few holes. I'm sure that hurt as well, as he wondered how he might have fared.

Jeff (Kansas City, MO)

Hi Bob. Any chance (legitimate) that Ernie Els wins this one?

Bob Harig

  (11:17 AM)

I suppose there is a chance, because guys find their form very quickly sometimes. But his recent struggles and tinkering suggest otherwise. It appears, however that Els is putting a good bit of effort into his game, has spent some time with Butch Harmon recently in Las Vegas, and is trying to get on track.

Ivan (St Louis)

Bob.. Sobel's live blog running right now said to come over here and ask you about your passion for Chipwich's ... Whats a "chipwich"?

Bob Harig

  (11:19 AM)

Jason must be running out of material. I had one or two of these ice cream standwiches at the U.S. Open -- several of which I fetched for him, too -- and he's been making fun of me ever since. And likes to put it in his live blog whenever he can't come up with anything else. Bet he'd love me to go get him a chipwich right now, if I could find one.

Kev (NYC)

Is it fair to call Phil Mickelson the least clutch golfer (based on potential) in the history of the PGA?

Bob Harig

  (11:20 AM)

Not too sure about that. He has won three majors and a Players. That putt on the 18th at Augusta in 2004 was pretty clutch. So was his up and down at Baltusrol in 2005. Sure, he's had his moments. Just about all of the great players have had them.

AD (MD)

How is Sergio looking today? I noticed he was E through 9. How has he looked putting so far? Can he make a run this weekend?

Bob Harig

  (11:21 AM)

It's tough to say through just nine holes, but I would expect Sergio to do fine if he can putt even decent. Lots of players are going to struggle on these greens.

Brian (Boston, MA)

What are your thoughts on K.J. Choi's chances this weekend? He's off to a rough start, but do you think he has the game to come back and make a run? Any dark horse favorites?

Bob Harig

  (11:23 AM)

He certainly has the game, but being 4 over through 8 holes is really a rough start. Typically Choi gets off to a fast start, as he did at the British Open. There are too many darkhorses to pick in a tournament like this, with 93 of the top 100 in the world. Lee Westwood is not a darkhorse, I've been picking him all year and think he is due. Davis Love would be a darkhorse. He probably should have won the U.S. Open here in 1996.

Kev (NYC)

Is Caddyshack the greatest movie of all time?

Bob Harig

  (11:24 AM)

It is definitely the greatest golf movie of all time, could be argued as the greatest sports movie. I said argued. . . It is not the greatest movie, no.

Scott (CT)

What are the birdie holes we should watch out for this weekend? Where are players going to look to make a move?

Bob Harig

  (11:26 AM)

I am not sure there are any birdie holes or ones where they look to make a move. But the par-5 second, which is 529 yards, appears to be a hole you better birdie. Many of the early players did just that. The shortest par-4 on the back nine is No. 15 at 401 yards and might give the a slight reprieve.

Chris A. (Houston)

Which of the players that are currently on the outside of the U.S. Ryder Cup team looking in do you see stepping up this week and making a push?

Bob Harig

  (11:26 AM)

I would be surprised if Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker didn't do something to help their chances. Sean O'Hair has started off well, although it's early.

Matt (Columbus, OH)

How do these greens compare to the greens at Oakmont Country Club (the ones that caused so many problems for Woods)?

Bob Harig

  (11:27 AM)

They appear to be just as treacherous, maybe more so. It is because of the severe contour. Somebody can help me with this, but I would almost bet that Oakmont's are faster than the ones here.

Kev (NYC)

Assuming Tiger is out more than a year, if anyone in the current top 5 wins, say 2 majors. Is it possible Tiger could be passed in the World rankings, or how does that work?

Bob Harig

  (11:29 AM)

It wouldn't even take more than a year. Without getting into all the technicalities of the World Golf Rankings, Tiger loses points as he goes along because he is not playing. In theory, a player who puts together a lot of high finishes -- not necessarily in majors -- could overtake him early next year.

alan (nc)

something is obviously wrong with golf fans. because players will look to make a mov3e anywhere they can and caddyshack isnt even the greatest golf movie of all time, happy gilmore is

Bob Harig

  (11:30 AM)

I bet you'll get lots of arguments on Happy Gilmore.

Patrick (San Antonio,TX)

Is there any news on Kenny Perry's eye problem? And how about that Giant Karlsson going low, too bad for the Double at the 1st.

Bob Harig

  (11:31 AM)

No news on Kenny so far. He scratched a cornea with a contact lens but has not withdrawn. He is not scheduled to tee off until 2:20 local time.

Dave (Bloomfield Twp., MI)

Bob, you do realize Mahan is +6 after seven holes, right?

Bob Harig

  (11:33 AM)

Thanks Dave, I had not noticed while in typing mode. That of course does not bode well for him, unless he can turn it around quickly.

Bart (Cleveland)

Bob, I know this is border line sacrilegious, but I prefer Tin Cup to Caddyshack. Something in me just relates to his heartbreak.

Bob Harig

  (11:34 AM)

I'll give you Tin Cup. Like I said, you can argue about Caddyshack for sure.

Bart (Cusick)

Mark down 1 vote for Tin Cup.

Bob Harig

  (11:34 AM)

Another vote for Tin Cup

Bob Harig

  (11:34 AM)

Another vote for Tin Cup

Paul (Portland, OR)

Do you think Hunter Mahan could be left off due to some of his comments about the Ryder Cup recently, even though he did apologize?

Bob Harig

  (11:35 AM)

As noted earlier he's not off to a very good start, and I would think that playing well here will be a big factor, Paul Azinger said he comments made to a magazine about the Ryder Cup -- for which Mahan apologized -- would not be a factor. But he'll need to do something here in the next few weeks to show he deserves to be picked.

Jeff, Kansas City, MO

The Price is Wrong, BOB! Happy Gilmore.

Bob Harig

  (11:36 AM)

Another vote for Happy Gilmore.

Mark (NC)

What are Boo Weekly's chances to win this?

Bob Harig

  (11:37 AM)

In theory, Boo should play well on a tough course. He's not the greatest putter, but he is an excellent ball striker and should do well in a tournament where you don't have to go low. He's 1 over through 12.

Jesse (NJ)

Not going to compare it to Caddyshack, but I will sit and watch Legend of Baggar Vance anytime its on, and I don't know why.

Bob Harig

  (11:38 AM)

Okay, another vote for a golf movie. Good one.

Chris (Oxford, UK)

Hi Bob. There's obviously a lot of talk at the moment about the US Ryder Cup team, but with (at most) three out of Donald, Casey, Poulter, Montgomerie, and Rose likely to make the European team, which two do you think the Americans would most like to see miss out?

Bob Harig

  (11:40 AM)

Even though he's not in top form, Monty would be my pick for a guy they would not want to see. His game elevates at the Ryder Cup, he's had such an incredible record, he's inspired his teammates. It would be weird to not have him there.

Matt (Columbus, OH)

I think all the chatters here wish they had your job.

Bob Harig

  (11:40 AM)

They shoulud probably be careful what they wish for!

Kev (NYC)

Bob, Tiger is currently at 18 pts. Mick is 2nd with 9 pts. Can you give me a basic description of how in the world Tiger could be passed in less than a year's time? How many pts does Tiger lose if he misses a major. I know it's all relative, but if you could maybe break it down briefly, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Bob Harig

  (11:42 AM)

I realize it looks tough, but the world ranking goes in a two-year cycle. After one year, your points are greatly diminished. So, after this week, his points for winning last year's PGA are knocked down. And since he did not play here, he has no chance to recoup them. That process will continue. He won two FedEx Cup events last year and will lose those points. Plus the points from two years ago will vanish. Like I said, it's complicated, but trust me, there are scenarios in which it can happen when you combine somebody else gaining points on him.

mike (las vegas)

TIN CUP all the way.

Bob Harig

  (11:42 AM)

Another Tin Cup

Ashley (Pittsburgh)

I vote for Happy Gilmore.

Bob Harig

  (11:43 AM)

And another Happy Gilmore

Michael (Portland, ME)

Tin Cup rules. Reminds me of the time I duffed the first two shots on a par 4 before holing out the pitch for a birdie.

Bob Harig

  (11:43 AM)

And another for Tin Cup.

Michael (Portland, ME)

Bagger Vance made me wince. The Greatest Game Ever Played was surprisingly moving.

Bob Harig

  (11:43 AM)

And our first entry for the Greatest Game Ever Played.

Kev (NYC)

Best chance to win another major: Norman or Daly?

Bob Harig

  (11:44 AM)

Given their current form, I'd have to go with Norman -- which says something about how little chance there is for Daly to win another major.

Adrian (Libertyville IL)

What are the best golf names out there?

Bob Harig

  (11:47 AM)

I"m sure there are lots of candiates, but the guy who played in the British Open a few times, Ben Bunny, always struck me as a funny name for a golfer.

J.R. (Raleigh)

Let me think about this...Adam Sandler doing his tired overgrown adolescent schtick...or Ted Knight, Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase, and Bill Murray at their collective comedic pinnacle. Easy call.

Bob Harig

  (11:48 AM)

It's all a matter of preference. . . I'm on the Caddyshack bandwagon, as mentioned earlier.

Chris A. (Houston)

If you had to say, what chances would you give the U.S. Ryder Cup Team without Tiger?

Bob Harig

  (11:49 AM)

I don't think it helps without him, but I still think the U.S. team has a very good chance. Remember, Tiger can only win one point at a time. Perhaps they will feel more motivated to try and win without him, or maybe won't be thinking that certain points are a given, as is easy to do when he is around.

Marc (Trumbull, CT)

'The Caddy' with Lewis & Martin had Hogan, Snead AND Iron Byron... Nuff said!

Bob Harig

  (11:50 AM)

Marc, you're taking us way ,way back.

Kev (NYC)

How shocked would you be if Garcia still hasn;t majored in 2012?

Bob Harig

  (11:51 AM)

If you would have asked me in 2000, I would have said very shocked. But not now. I still expect him to win one, but you can see how difficult it is. Garcia needs to give himself more chances.

Gray (Chicago)

I just came in on this chat, did someone really say Happy Gilmore is better than Caddyshack? Indefensible...immediate ban.

Bob Harig

  (11:51 AM)

Nobody is banned for giving their opinion, but that one has been stated more than once, suprising as it may seem.

Kev (NYC)

What are Mediate's chances this weekend?

Bob Harig

  (11:53 AM)

Well, a tough golf course suits him much better, and he showed what he could do when his game was on at Torrey Pines. He has struggled a bit of late, however.

Michael (Porltand, ME)

Bob Barker punching out Happy Gilmore was so funny I thought I was going to choke on my popcorn. Yes, I paid to see the movie.

Bob Harig

  (11:54 AM)

Another Happy Gilmore fan

DJ (Minneapolis)

Gilmore had a hot chick in a teddy with two pitchers of beer and a midget ridding a trike in a cowboy outfit. How can you beat that?

Bob Harig

  (11:54 AM)

We digress

Gray (Chicago)

Just proves half the people in this chat are dreading the start of high school in a few weeks.

Bob Harig

  (11:54 AM)

Yes, but God love them for being here.

Sean (Philly)

Worst Golf Movie? Caddyshack 2.

Bob Harig

  (11:54 AM)

No vote needed on that.

B (Mpls)

Haven't heard much talk about Mike Weir, does he have a chance this week?

Bob Harig

  (11:55 AM)

Weir took the unusual step of taking the Bridgestone Invitational off, even though it is guaranteed money. On the heels of the British Open and Canadian Open he needed a break. Weir played well at both tournaments. Why not here?

Sean (Philly)

Is it possible that the worst golf movie is the sequel to the best golf movie?

Bob Harig

  (11:56 AM)

Amazingly, yes.

James

How could you vote against good ol' cheech playing caddy for argueably one of the best sports playing movie stars in Kevin Costner (also see For the Love of the Game and Bull Durham)

Bob Harig

  (11:57 AM)

Lots of votes all the way around on the movie subject.

Kev (NYC)

Did I ruin your chat by bringing up golf movies?

Bob Harig

  (11:59 AM)

Hey, just about anything goes. There is life beyond Caddyshack.

Bob Harig

  (12:00 PM)

I'm out of time. Thanks for your questions,. Check out Sobel's blog, he's madly typing away at the moment. And check back tomorrow at the same time for another golf chat. Enjoy the PGA.