Bob Harig

  (2:01 PM)

Hello, sorry we're getting started a bit late. Thanks for interupting March Madness to talk about golf's version. A lot has been happening, and we're only a few weeks away from the Masters. Feel free to fire away with your questions.

Steiny (NYC)

John Daly hopes to play in the Irish Open. Do you think that is going to happen?

Bob Harig

  (2:03 PM)

Steiny, it is appropriate that you bring up John Daly, because it was a year ago at Innisbrook -- site of this week's tournament -- where his troubles began. As for the Irish Open, it is certainly a possibility. Daly is going to need to play somewhere. He's been working with noted instructor Rick Smith. He's said to have lost weight. And his PGA Tour suspension is allegedly going to end sometime next month., Should be interesting.

Patrick Hanover PA

If you noticed this past week and at Riveria that the ratings for the final round of the golf telecast beat the NBA game which featured the Celtics and Lakers respectively? Can we get over this rediculous notion that golf needs Tiger for excitment. They were pretty exciting tournaments with quality shots by quality players and nothing included Tiger

Bob Harig

  (2:05 PM)

Patrick, we need to get more people seeing things as you do. I happen to believe that golf at times does very well without Tiger. That is not to say we don't want him around, but it is not the doom and gloom scenario many portray. You're correct, that both Riviera and Doral were very compelling. Of course, Mickelson is a compelling figure as well.

Ed - Long Island

What can golf do to maintain interest/ momemtum from week to week? They have a great week last week with Phil winning, Tiger back - now the next time we see those 2 back together is the Masters. These weeks off the top players take seems unnecessary (not exactly football here) - with the current economic conditions, why would a sponsor commit to a tournament when none of the star players show up?

Bob Harig

  (2:10 PM)

Ed, we could probably write a book on the subject. I've maintained for a long time that golf actually has too many "great" events, which makes the rank-and-file PGA Tour events struggle even more. It's a tough situation as you point. A sponsor can never been assured of having all the top players, but yet shouldn't they be able to get some assurance?

Steiny (NYC)

Michael Campbell has been up and down his whole career. He is now coming back from a shoulder injury. How much more do you think this guy has left in the tank?

Bob Harig

  (2:11 PM)

Steiny, Michael Campbell ended up withdrawing from the Transitions Championship and things are not looking good for the former U.S. Open champion. He's been battling this shoulder problem -- which first occurred when he made an awkward moving picking up luggage. And it hasn't gotten any better. If surgery is required, that prolongs the comeback.

Patrick Hanover PA

Is Phil MIckelson running the risk of becming the Billy Casper of his generation? Both could end up with similar numbers and I feel due to Tiger's immense shadow that Phil has been greatly under appreciated.

Bob Harig

  (2:16 PM)

Patrick, that is an interestig analogy. Casper had to deal with Jack, Arnie and Gary Player and had an amazing record that was very much overlooked (51 career victories). It isn't Phil's fault that he is playing during Tiger's time, but you can't dismiss 36 victories, three majors, a Players. It's an outstanding career.

Yamzz, NorCal [via mobile]

What do you think of Tiger committing to the Australian Masters? Do you think its due to his lack of tournaments in the past 9 months and the amount of top Australian players who play in it?

Bob Harig

  (2:18 PM)

Yamzz, I think it has more to do with a hefty appearance fee and the desire to play around the world, thus helping his sponsors. Sure, Tiger no doubt loves the idea of the competition in Australia. It is after the PGA Tour season is complete. And he has made this international forays in the past.

Steiny (NYC)

Jose Maria Olazabal has agreed to be assistant to captain Colin Montgomerie at next year's Ryder Cup in Wales. Your thoughts?

Bob Harig

  (2:19 PM)

Steiny, I think it makes perfect sense. Most people figure Olazabal to be the captain for Europe in 2012. So being an assistant is a good way to prepare. Olazabal hopes to make the team as a player, however.

Ed - Long Island

What about a rule that unless a golfer is on the DL, they cannot take more than one week off a month. If they do, they can't play in the next major on the calendar.

Bob Harig

  (2:23 PM)

Ed, it sounds like a good idea, but these guys fall back on their "independent contractor" status. They are allowed to pick and choose the events they play and when. There have been other ideas: raise the minimum from 15: require them to play every tournmanet at least once in four years. Personally, I'd like to see a shorter season, one that begins in late January and ends in September. If there are less events, they will end up playing in a bigger percentage of the total.

Justin

when will tiger woods win the masters

Bob Harig

  (2:24 PM)

Justin, he might just win it this year. If he doesn't, it'll be the first time since he turned pro that he will have gone four Masters without a green jacket. He last won in 2005.

Kriss Clearwater, FL

Did you get any tips on golf from K Perry. Any that you might want to share with the jealous spectator (Ryan)

Bob Harig

  (2:28 PM)

Kriss, Kenny Perry told me I should stick to writing about golf rather than playing it. . . For those who don't follow, I played with Perry in the Transitions Pro-Am on Wednesday and he could not have been nicer. It was a humbling experience.

Honey Combs

Hey Bob, Don't you think Philly is like a rebellious teenage kid as far as taking his caddie's advice. I mean you would never see 'the scientist' try an opposite hand shot like the one Philly tried...While we're at it, we would never see 'the scientist' shed his lab coat to hit his shot ala fellow swede Henrik Stenson.

Bob Harig

  (2:32 PM)

For the unitiated, "The Scientist" is Robert Karlsson. And I'm pretty sure that Phil almost always heeds the advice of Bones. The shot Phil tried to hit on Sunday at Doral might not have come off very well, but not sure what else he could have done but take an unplayable lie.

Tom ( Lafayette,IN)

What is going on with all the so called future stars, ie Adam Scott, Charles Howell, Aaron Baddaley,plus all the Euro's who can't win in America

Bob Harig

  (2:34 PM)

Tom, good question. No good answer. It just might be that Howell was over rated. He's a good guy who has simply struggled to live up to expectations. Both him and Scott seem to have trouble on the greens. That's not the case with Baddeley, one of the game's best putters. And a lot of guys can't win in America. The competition is keen. It might be harder to win than ever, but I think we expect a few of the guys you mentioned to win more often.

Rick(Chicago)

Enjoy the golf chats, but it would be nice if they could be moved to Wednesdays(before the weekly tournament starts)

Bob Harig

  (2:35 PM)

Rick: We'll take it under advisement. Thanks.

ken

What did you take from Tiger's improvement through each round last weekend?

Bob Harig

  (2:44 PM)

Ken, I think it's a good sign for Tiger. He seemed to be feeling better with each round and scoring better. The one thing that has been off is his putting and it'll be interesting to see how that comes around.

Tom ( Lafayette,IN)

Bob, are most golf announcers afraid to criticize Tiger at all, it seems like last week nobody would call tiger out after bad shots, I know Tiger has a long memory but the fawning over him is ridiculous?

Bob Harig

  (2:46 PM)

Tom, I'm not sure if they are afraid to criticize him. I think they call it a bad shot when they see one. I don't think Tiger could have a problem with that. A bad shot is a bad shot. There does seem to be a bit of fawning over him, we're probably all guilty of that to a degree, although in most cases it has been justified.

antonio wright (memphis)

memphis will lose in the sweet 16

Bob Harig

  (2:51 PM)

I could sense it. . .Lots of folks watching college basketball today.

Joseph (LA)

I could see Tiger Woods using his 60 degree wedge from half court to hit the winning shot.

Bob Harig

  (2:58 PM)

I have a feeling Tiger is watching basketball, too.

Bob Harig

  (3:02 PM)

Okay, gotta run. Thanks for checking in on a busy basketball day. Look for more golf chats next week.