Bob Harig

  (2:00 PM)

Hello, thanks for checking in today for this golf chat. Lots to talk about in the golf world, so feel free to fire away with your questions.

Patrick Hanover PA

Is it possible that Tiger got so used to swinging on a bum knee that we are effectively looking at another swing change here? Your going to have up and down weeks. He will contecnd and win some becuase of his emense talent, but I'm not sure if we will see dominant Tiger for awhile.

Bob Harig

  (2:02 PM)

Patrick, it is an interesting thought, for sure. His coach, Hank Haney, said before Tiger's first tournament back that there would be a period of getitng used to swinging on his repaired knee. So that could be the same thing as a swing change, in a respect. It's not the way he felt a year ago, and there are likely some adjustments. To me, too much has been read into one tournament. Tiger tied for sixth at the Masters. He has three top-10s in in his only stroke-play events, including a victory. Pretty good.

Patrick Hanover PA

Is Nick Faldo prohibited from playing in the Masters by CBS or is he choosing not to. Obviously, being a 3 time champion he would qualify.

Bob Harig

  (2:03 PM)

Patrick, the answer to that is unclear. When Faldo took the job, it was immediately made known that he would no longer play in the tournament. I'm guessing that was part of the deal. Just guessing. CBS likely wants its No. 1 analyst available for the entire telecast and for production meetings. Faldo has said he doesn't miss competing.

Jon (LA, CA)

Why does Tiger always wait until the last second to commit to a tourney? No one else does that.

Bob Harig

  (2:05 PM)

Jon, to the dismay of golf fans, tournament directors, media types, Tiger simply makes it his habit to wait until the last minute to commit. This likely stems from back early in his career when he pulled out of a tournament after committing and was criticized for doing so -- even thought it was his right. Commitments are no binding, they are actually a procedural necessity in order to play. So he waits, just to be sure.

Jon (LA, CA)

What are the chances Mickelson is the #1 player in the world after Quail Hollow?

Bob Harig

  (2:07 PM)

Jon, I don't have the exact permutations in front of me, but there is a mathematical chance that likely involves Mickelson winning the tournament. He is close enough to overtake Tiger.

Steve (AZ)

Do you agree with Lanny Wadkins being inducted into the HOF?

Bob Harig

  (2:10 PM)

I do. In fact, I voted for him. Golf Writers Association of America members get a vote, and I believe Wadkins -- as well as some other players from a long-ago era -- deserve to be in. Wadkins had 21 PGA Tour titles and I happen to believe that getting you to 20 makes you a serious contender. Throw in a PGA Championship, a Players and his Ryder Cup success, and I'm surprised Wadkins didn't get in earlier.

Kolbay

Bobbo!! What tourney do you expect Tiger to play in next....Im getting bored, my boy...ahhhh

Bob Harig

  (2:10 PM)

All indications are that he will play next week in Charlotte at the Quail Hollow Championship. But he hasn't committed -- and will likely wait until tomorrow to do so.

Aaron (Stanberry, MO)

Anthony Kim. How far does this young guy's career go?

Bob Harig

  (2:12 PM)

Aaron, I think it remains to be seen. He semed poised to take off this year, but maybe got in his own way by going overseas and overextending himself. His Masters peformance was both incredible and frustrating, but I think it was a good sign. Making 11 birides in one round to set a record was impressive. Maybe that jump-starts his confidence.

Dave (Cincinnati, OH)

What are your thoughts on Danny Lee? He's won a lot on the Amateur circuit (including his Euro Tour win), but like any amateur he'll face the adjustment of playing with more pressure (now that there's money on the line). How long before he really makes a splash on the PGA Tour?

Bob Harig

  (2:14 PM)

There are a long list of U.S. Amateur champions who have not seen that success translate to the pro game. As even Lee himself said, every shot matters now. There is money on the line. His victory in Australia was a good sign, and he has plenty of opportunities this year through sponsor exemptions to earn his PGA Tour card. Make a spalsh? I'd say if he does enough to get his card, that would be a great start. Anything beyond that would be a bonus.

Jacob (katy, TX)

Do you like Johnny Miller as a golf announcer? I find he does not give real insight and his whole talking tough act is rather old.

Bob Harig

  (2:15 PM)

Jacob, I like Miller. I like his candor and even some of his off-the-wall comments, too. I guess I'd rather him talk tougher than pander.

Joe(NJ)

Whose career would you rather have Cabrera/Daly 2 majors or Sergio 0 majors?I personally think sometimes majors can be a little overrated.

Bob Harig

  (2:17 PM)

Joe, it's a great question. Garcia is far more accomplished in terms of his world ranking and tournament titles than either player, but they have not just one major but two each. Do you give up a bunch of tournament titles for one major? It's an interesting thought and I'm guessing Garcia would give him a few to have one of the big ones.

The Brick

I had a severe case of whisky hands...couldn't even sniff the hole...my buddy told me to switch to the claw...its working wonders....my question....other than DiMarco, do you know of any pros that made the switch to the 'crabtrap' with any success?

Bob Harig

  (2:21 PM)

Mark Calcavecchia immediately comes to mind. He has won tournaments with a version of the claw. Mark O'Meara has also used it, although late in his career.

David (NY, NY)

What are your thoughts on Bo Van Pelt? A few years ago I think a lot of people had him as one of the best to have not yet won on tour. He continues to struggle with putting 4 solid days together, but has held 2 54 hole leads this year.

Bob Harig

  (2:24 PM)

David, you're right, Van Pelt had a couple of chances to win, including Mexico where he shot a final-round 79. He's been around for awhile, but he's not unlike a lot of guys who have a ton of game but haven't won. It kind of puts into perspective how difficult a task it can be.

Jon (LA, CA)

Should we expect Sergio to endure the same ridicule from the crowd at Bethpage as the last time?

Bob Harig

  (2:25 PM)

Jon, I hope not. It's really not necessary. Say what you want about Sergio, but he's a great player, immensely talented.

Dave (Mesa, AZ)

true or false.... Tiger will win 2 majors before Phil wins his next.

Bob Harig

  (2:26 PM)

Dave, tough one. I'm going to go with false.I really think Phil is due for a major this year.. Of course if Tiger wins the U.S. Open and British and Phil takes the PGA, then I would still be wrong -- which is quite possible.

Jon (LA, CA)

Why is Angel Cabrera not a more accomplished player on the PGA Tour given his amazing success in the majors?

Bob Harig

  (2:27 PM)

Jon, it's a good question and likely one of the reasons he isn't getting more credit for his Masters victory. It is being perceived as lucky. He hit a shank in the final round, hit those trees in the playoff, needed Kenny Perry to bogey the last two holes. As for the PGA Tour, however, Cabrera has not played it that much. The majority of his career has been spent playing in Europe,where he has three titles in addition to the majors.

Aaron (Stanberry,MO)

Tom Watson seems to have a really good round here and there in some big tourneys. Any chance he puts four together to win something?

Bob Harig

  (2:28 PM)

Aaron, Watson had hip surgery last fall and is still trying to get his game back. Aside from the Champions Tour, I don't expect to see him do much. He is 59 years old.

Joe(NJ)

Do you have any early predictions on how Jordan,Timberlake,and Big Ben do?I say 92,97,102?

Bob Harig

  (2:29 PM)

Joe, I assume you are referring to the Golf Digest promotion in which amateurs will play the U.S. Open course under tournament conditions the week prior to the tournament. My hunch is that none of them will break 100. That's how tough Bethpage can be.

Jacob (katy, TX)

Does making the Ryder/President's cup get a player an exemption for their tour card?

Bob Harig

  (2:34 PM)

Not any more. There used to be a stipulation that players named to either Ryder Cup squad or Presidents Cup team could take up PGA Tour membership the following year if not already exempt. But that has been dropped.

Jeff (Columbus, OH)

Is Jack's Tourney, the Memorial, still considered a top destination for most of the PGA Field? It seem's that the world events have relegated it to a 2ne or 3rd tier event.

Bob Harig

  (2:35 PM)

Jeff, I'm not sure I would call it a second-tier or third-tier event, but I understand your point. You've got the four majors. You've got the three WGC events. You've got the Players Championship. You've got the FedEx Cup playoffs. That's 12 tournaments right there. Where do Jack, Arnie, Byron Nelson and Tiger's events fit in?

Jon (LA, CA)

Why do I hear rumblings from players that Mickelson is different behind the scenes than he is in front of the cameras? Is he fake?

Bob Harig

  (2:39 PM)

Jon, I do not know the answer, but if he is, so what? I would rather him fake being nice to people, signing autographs, acting like he cares than blowing them off. The tour might be better off if a few more players faked their way to being nice to people. And I'm not saying that is what Mickelson does, but the question has arisen in the past.

Jeff (New York)

Bob, Between Kenny Perry's post-Master's baggage and the tough course set up, do you see him contending at Bethpage?

Bob Harig

  (2:45 PM)

Jeff, I don't think Perry's game will leave him between now and then. He's obviosly playing great, excpet for a few holes at the end of the Masters (and he's just getting started in New Orleans.) Perry tied for 45th there in 2002, but that was before his career turned around. He's still very long off the tee, and pretty accurate, which are important factors at the U.S. Open. But does he get over the baggage you suggest? That's the question.

Jon (LA, CA)

Why don't networks televise more holes in the majors? ESPN only showed 3 hours on Thursday and Friday at the Masters and we missed most of Tiger's second round

Bob Harig

  (2:46 PM)

Jon, that's not ESPN's fault. The telecast length at the Masters is dictated by Augusta National. They have long gone with a "less is more" approach. Believe it or not, it used to be worse. They've made strides. As for the other majors, they are nearly wall to wall, with coverage beginning in the morning and lasting all day.

Paulie

Irregardless of the fact that Carbrera won, the 09 masters will be remebered as the one where Perry blew it....agreed?

Bob Harig

  (2:48 PM)

Paulie, how is the 1996 Masters remembered? For Faldo's 67 or Norman's 78? I think the same is true here. Perry had a two-shot lead with two to play and made two bogeys. Without that, Cabrera is not wearing a green jacket.

Mark Naples Florida [via mobile]

How excited is the senior tour now knowing that Freddy Couples will be playing. Cha ching?? Or not much of a differance?

Bob Harig

  (2:49 PM)

Mark, the Champions Tour loves the idea that Couples will be coming out. He is still a draw, and will be very popular. The key is how much he plays. A good number of "name" seniors have disappointed by not playing very often.

Jon (LA, CA)

Do you know why the Majors are scheduled when they are? Masters in April, then two months until the US Open, then only 3 weeks until the British, and then another two months until the PGA.

Bob Harig

  (2:53 PM)

For years, the Masters has been scheduled to be played with the final round on the second Sunday of April. The rest of the tour schedule works around that. The U.S. Open is typically scheduled around the time of the summer soltice, guaranteeing some of the longest days of the year. Long ago, they sometimes played the Open in early June. The British Open has been played in July since 1936, the last year it was held in June. And the PGA has jumped around a bit -- some years it conflicted with the British. . . At some point, they all realized there needed to be some space between them.

Jon (LA, CA)

What has happened to Michelle Wie? Back in the day, she was contending in majors. Now she can barely make the cut. What happened?

Bob Harig

  (2:58 PM)

In case you missed it.. I was saying that the LPGA scheudle has been so off and on this year that it's hard to build any momentum. Wie did well to earn her card at Q School and then finished second in the first event. She's hardly played since, although she had a bad week at the Kraft Nabisco, the first major.

Bob Harig

  (3:00 PM)

Okay, I'm out of time. Thanks for checking in this week, appreciate all the questions. Hope to talk to you again next week.