Bob Harig

  (3:01 PM)

Hello, I've got a short window today for golf talk, so please go ahead and send in your questions and I'll get to as many as I can in the next 30 minutes. I'm in Charlotte this week for the Wells Fargo Championship, but anything golf-related is fair game. Thanks, and fire away.

Alister Mackenzie Fan (Palo Alto, CA)

Hi there- do you know how one can play Cypress Point golf? I'd love to take my father for his Birthday

Bob Harig

  (3:01 PM)

I'm afraid that is a long time you're getting into there!! To my understanding, there is no way to play Cypress Point other than to be invited by a member.

Bob (Seattle)

I guess Bubba staked out his position on Jason Collins. Not surprising. Any others who've tweeted their displeasure? My guess is that the PGA Tour won't probably have an openly out golfer for years.

Bob Harig

  (3:04 PM)

He did in a Tweet earlier today. It was clear he sided with a commentator who made his views known based on religious beliefs. It is his opinion and he's entitled to it. As for the PGA Tour having an openly gay golfer, I'm guessing it would not be easy, just as it could not be easy for Jason Collins. I don't think it's a fear of not being accepted by other players -- they're not teammates after all -but more about endorsements and things like that. Sadly, that could be an issue for some.

pat (tampa)

do you think tiger will win the players?

Bob Harig

  (3:06 PM)

If you're going to put me on the spot, I would say no. But I'd say that about most tournaments. To pick one player. . .well, it's not that easy. And Tiger's record at TPC Sawgrass has been poor.

Chad (Virginia)

Will Joe Lacava be Tigers last caddie? Also rate your top 3 caddies.

Bob Harig

  (3:08 PM)

Interesting thought. I would say yes. Tiger has not been one to change caddies, and it took some very unusual circumstances for the last change to take place. You never say never, but...As for top 3: I'd put Joe in there. Same with Bones, Mickelson's caddie. Their longevity has to mean a lot. And Fluff Cowan. There are a lot of great caddies, though. I don't mean to put any down.

Golf Fan (NY, NY)

What are your favorite architecture books?

Bob Harig

  (3:09 PM)

I am far from an authority on this. If anybody has any ideas, I'll pass them along.

Tom (Syracuse)

Speaking of Collins, how come so many guys on tour seem to be hardcore republicans?

Bob Harig

  (3:10 PM)

This is a very, very general answer, and not a subject I can discuss with a lot of authority. But the simple reason is income level. If you go by the very loose guidelines that generally have people who make a lot of money siding with Republicans (i.e. less taxation), you have a very simple answer.

Ed (Long Island)

I thought Charlotte was getting a nice reputation...why are most of the top players not playing this week?

Bob Harig

  (3:11 PM)

Charlotte and the tournament have a very good reputation, but hte field strength has always been about what it is this week, save for Tiger not playing. Tiger and Phil have long skewed it. A good number of players skip it. The closeness to the Masters this year doesn't help. A lot of the European Tour players head back overseas after the Players Championship and are looking for another week off. Still, I believe 15 of the top 40 in the world are entered.

Joe (Durham NC)

Where are your top 10 favorite public courses to play in Scotland? Our family is going to the british open in July. We're playing St Andrews already

Bob Harig

  (3:15 PM)

Almost all of the courses over there are open to the public in some way, shape or form.If your'e playuing the Old Course, you might as well play the New Course, which is right next door. Close by is Kingsbarns, which is excellent, and one of my all time favorites, Crail.In the vicinity is Lundin Links, a terrific links course.Not too far from there are the courses near the Open venue Muirfield, which might be tough to get on during that time. North Berwick is another huge favorite. Gullane has 3 great courses names, appropriately, 1, 2, 3.If you're in the traveling mood, you can't go wrong playing Carnoustie.If you want to drive to the other side of the country -- which is about 2 hours -- you can play near Glasgow. Prestwick is quirky, but it's the home of the first Open. Western Gailes is a brute, but excellent.I've named nothing but links courses here.. That's what you have to play when in Scotland

Nick (Cincinnati)

What do you think the chances of Rickie Fowler repeating at Quail Hollow this week are? He seemed very up and down at The Masters.

Bob Harig

  (3:16 PM)

Don't know what to make of Fowler in that regard. He's obviously got great talent, but has had his issues, as you said. Would like to see him get more efficient, contend more.

Tom (Verona, WI)

Not that a fifth major is need but does Quail Hollow merit that consolation designation?

Bob Harig

  (3:17 PM)

Probably not. Really, if you're going to go that route, you have to go with the Players based on the field.

Tom (Verona, WI)

ESPN Golf's Michael Collins tweeted a photo of himself yesterday with two NFL cheerleaders, effectively declaring his sexual orientation. No one as yet has called him brave nor commented on the religious implications of his tweet. Are we as a nation suffering from lack of coverage of celebrity proclamations?

Bob Harig

  (3:18 PM)

Probably not the place for this discussion, but of course there are reasons why what Jason Collins did was considered brave.

Brian (Charlotte)

It seems like Nick Watney is heating up again. Is he regarded as a player that can and will win a major soon, or is he viewed as too streaky to put together four rounds under those conditions?

Bob Harig

  (3:18 PM)

I don't think anybody would be surprised to see Watney win a major. He's got a handful of tour wins, and the surprise is that he's not there more often.

Ed (Long Island)

I think Guan making both cuts as a 14 year old is a remarkable achievement. Do you think non golf fans look at it as a great achievement, or go to the argument golf is not a real sport and look now - a 14 year old can play with the big boys?

Bob Harig

  (3:20 PM)

If they look at the latter they are simply naive. Remember a good number of us thought he wouldnt' break 80 at the Masters. What he did was impressive.

Tyler (Texas)

What is the reasons for Phil's struggles seems he is never contending ?

Bob Harig

  (3:20 PM)

My stock answer: Phil is maddeingly inconsistent. There is just no other explanatation. He gets hot, cools off, tinkers, gets hot again. Sometimes it's about motivation, too.

Ed (Long Island)

Is Merion getting a lot of scouting trips yet?

Bob Harig

  (3:22 PM)

Not yet, but that'll soon start to change. Webb Simpson was there yesterday but had experience playing the course in the U.S. Amateur. Raved about it.

Ed (Long Island)

Phil using a driver this week or Phrankenstein?

Bob Harig

  (3:22 PM)

Haven't seen or heard on that yet. Not even sure if Phil is here yet.

Chris (England)

Given the attempts to make golf a world game and the clear "4th" major status of the US PGA (played on 2nd rate rate courses not good enough for the US Open) where do you stand on playing the 4th major championship in Asia or Australia?

Bob Harig

  (3:25 PM)

Well, first. .. the PGA has been played on plenty of first-rate courses, including this year's venue, which has had a couple of U.S. Opens won by Trevino and Strange, among others. PGA has gone to plenty of good venues ,although I wish they'd go to the West Coast.As far as going to Asia or Australia it's an interestind idea that has some merit -- as long as it is the PGA Championship and not a different major. I think that brings in too many complications. Of course, since it's the PGA of America, can it go outside of America?

Tom (Verona, WI)

It's too early to talk Guan Tianlang being in the 2016 Olympics!

Bob Harig

  (3:25 PM)

Actually ,that is a really good goal for him at this point, and something he should be working toward.

Bob Harig

  (3:26 PM)

The TPC Sawgrass has not been a good venue for him. He's had one top 10 since he won in 2001, and that was an eighth in 2009.

harry (miami)

If a player pulls out of a tournament for no other reason than a high first round score are there consequenses, such as a fine? Thanks...

Bob Harig

  (3:27 PM)

Yes, apparently, although they never say officially. A player must have a compelling reason to quit. . injury, illness, family emergency. A high score does not qualify.

Barb (FL)

I hate to bring this up, but I don't think the long/anchored putter discussion will ever go away til something is done by the tours sooner than later. Especially with Scott winning the masters, and the US Open coming up. I do think its not fair, its not true putting.

Bob Harig

  (3:27 PM)

This is a view held by many. Others thing if it's such an advantage, why doesn't everyone do it. A decision is coming in a matter of weeks.

jon (dallas)

do you know what the commissioner is going to talk about at 3:30 ?

Bob Harig

  (3:28 PM)

No, but that is why I'm going to have to cut this short! I'll report anything via Twitter and espn.com

Bob Harig

  (3:29 PM)

And with that, I'm going to have to run. Sorry for the short chat. Duty calls.. Please feel free to ask me any golf questions on twitter: @BobHarig.. Enjoy the golf.