The Golf Watch

The PGA Tour-RSM deal was a no-brainer

I am surprised that there hasn't been more talk about RSM McGladrey penning a three-year deal to become title sponsor at Davis Love III's Fall Series event.

Forget that RSM already had ties in the golf community, including a PGA of America partnership while endorsing the likes of Zach Johnson and Natalie Gulbis.  The Tour was able to secure a sponsorship deal with a company during a time of the year when any and all golf interest wanes.  What a feat.

Davis Love putting his name behind the tournament certainly helped, but at a time when money is tight for businesses, particularly in the financial sector, this deal leads me to believe that there is some hope for some of the Tour sponsorship deals that expire over the next few years.

If the Tour can sell an October event, sky's the limit. 

(full disclosure: I have a relative who works for RSM)

Goosen fights back Southern Hills memories, wins Transitions

Even though Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were absent from this week's Transitions Championship, Sunday's final round shaped up to be arguably the most thrilling finish of the year thus far.  With lots of good story lines and a challenging golf course, it was difficult to turn back to the NCAA action. 

If you missed it, Retief Goosen returned to his winning ways on the PGA Tour, nailing a testy five footer for par to win the tournament.  Read the recap here and check out Bob Harig's column chronicling Goosen's putting saga.

'Where have they been?' profiles

Lately, I've noticed a number of articles profiling golfers who have been off the map of late. 

First, Retief Goosen.  The Goose has struggled the past two seasons due to eye problems, but Phil Stukenborg of the Memphis Commericial Appeal writes that his vision is back to normal, and so is his swing.

Shaun Micheel is known for winning one tournament (unless you live in Greensboro), and as Steve Elling of CBSSports.com writes, he will have to take the rest of the year off due to a shoulder injury. 

It was nice to see Matt Kuchar on the front page of the leaderboard at Colonial and Muirfield, but the U.S. Amateur champ hasn't lived up to what many people thought would be a flourishing career.  He has only won once, the Honda Classic, but as Jason Sobel of ESPN.com observes, he's making a name for himself all over again.   

Goosen brings winning record to International squad

Retief Goosen is one of only four players on this year's International team with a winning record at the President's Cup.  He has a 9-5-1 overall record and has made three President's Cup appearances.  In 2005, Goosen defeated Tiger Woods at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club 2 and 1, while the International team lost by a total of 18 1/2 to 15 1/2.  Goosen will need to step up for a team that has beaten the American team only once.    

Goosen switches to belly putter

While it was raining at The Barclays on Tuesday, Retief Goosen had a belly putter made for him by TaylorMade to practice with.  Similar to Sergio Garcia last month, Goosen liked the feel of the putter and decided to use it this week.  It seems to be working out well for the South African, who is currently ranked 87th in the FedEx Cup standings.  Goosen fired a 3-under 68 on Friday, leaving him six strokes behind K.J. Choi heading into the weekend.  Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo said during the Sprint Post Game, "It's got great merits, even as a practice tool…It teaches you a good stroke.  So, I’d be interested if Retief stays with it or just uses it for a couple of weeks."

Goosen and Els surprised by Player's comments

According to Steve Sands on Golf Central, South Africans Retief Goosen and Ernie Els grew up idolizing Gary Player.  On Thursday, both Goosen and Els questioned Gary Player's comments on steroids.  "I’m actually very shocked at his comments to be honest," said Goosen.  "I don’t know what Gary was trying to prove saying what he said...I don’t know if he’s trying to damage the sport, damage golf, or what he was trying to do…You mustn’t come and say I know 10 guys who are taking drugs, and he can’t say who it is.  So, he might as well not have said anything."  Fellow South African Ernie Els agreed.  "If he’s got his facts straight, he’s got to tell us obviously who these players are, and get them to get tested.  I believe the game of golf is clean," said Els.  Goosen and Els will be playing for International team captain Gary Player in this year's President's Cup, and Tim Rosaforte said on Golf Central earlier tonight that this is not good for the team.  "It doesn’t look good for the atmosphere on that team especially when you hear Retief Goosen and Ernie Els, two of Gary’s most important players, speaking out as forcefully as they did.  This is not a great moment for the great champion Gary Player," said Rosaforte.